Outtake #4
The Funeral
MARCH 2017
Against her fiancé's wishes, she accompanied a group of psychiatrists to the psych ward unit in their hospital. She could read brain scans but she couldn't determine anything without one, still, she had to see it for herself.
Christian pulled at his hair as he sat in John Flynn's office, he had just learned his fiancée's antics when she got home yesterday, and he was beyond frustrated. He was here for his regular sessions, and the good doctor would always bean the session with a courteous greeting, asking about him, his relationship, and Anastasia. This time, it triggered a series of rant. He had refrained himself from blurting out their relationship status upgrade, because they hadn't made it public to anyone other than her parents.
The couple didn't have a fight, per se, just a small argument where one was worried sick and the other was too hungry for information. He was simply concerned about her safety fearing that Junior might be triggered upon her appearance, and she appeased him by assuring him that her bodyguards never left her.
What she did left out was that his fears had come true because Junior did yell accusations at her for killing his father, and letting he die without any interference.
"Your communication had been wide open and easily one of the best examples I've encountered so far, from my own observation and your recount, so what happened to it this time?"
Christian felt his gaze dropped on him, and he shrugged in response. Flynn had an idea but he didn't want to stray from being a third party during their sessions, though he would offer it when he deemed fit.
"She probably thinks that I'd throw a fit if she told me beforehand," he voiced the only thought that had been circulating in his head since he started to really ponder what went wrong with them. They had been trusting each other and going to each other about every small development in their life without holding back, it had been functioning so well, so what really happened this time?
"Was she right to assume?" John posed. "Would you throw a fit?" He prepositioned when he saw that his patient wasn't too willing in providing the answer.
"Yes, she was right, and I would've gotten my way if I did throw a fit," Christian admitted. He knew just as much as anyone that he had a soft spot for her and vice versa, so if he had insisted and put his foot down, she wouldn't have done anything behind his back. However, the very problem was that she knew he would react like this, thus the very reason why she withheld that piece of information until after its occurrence.
"Then, do you know why she didn't tell you about it beforehand?"
"The problem is the fact that she had deliberately hid it from me knowing my stance."
"Perhaps we should view this issue from another angle. If the roles are reserved, what would you have done?"
"I would've left the fucker alone. He was a conning one with his father's protection, and I dread to have him around. I am confident that he would lay low but look at the people he's befriended—my exes! So, of course I don't trust him to behave. He just might find a way to fuck me up and get away with it. I don't trust any of the Rodriguez family or offspring, Senior is just about the only decent person in that family, I'll say."
"Maybe I didn't pose this scenario quite correctly," John mused, not a single bit surprised by his client's reaction; it was actually anticipated. "If you are in her shoes. After going through everything that you've been through to save your loved one, this one last obstacle perished by itself miraculously, would you want to see it lay to rest with your own eyes so it would no longer threaten you or the person you're protecting?"
"Yes, but he would've perished either on his own or in my hands," Christian didn't even try to hide the fact that he was in no mood to humor the doctor. He understood the first time around where this was going, and he had rationalized somewhat, he just didn't want to make his doctor felt like he was spot on with his problems every single time.
It made him felt like shit to be called out every time.
"Christian, you need to realize that while you're extremely protective of her, she is equally protective of you. She did throw everything away to save you so of course she'd want to make sure that there are no threats pending and looming over your heads to snatch you away in the future."
The patient remained mute. He knew, but doing and knowing were completely two different things.
"Let's move onto the more urgent matter that you wanted to discuss," John initiated, already knowing that he had done his job to drill what was needed into Christian's head, the rest of the digestion process had to be done on his own. "The funeral and memorial of Senior. It will be two separate but equally public events, I gather so far, and that is making you anxious," he summarized, and again, he was spot on. "have you communicated with Ana?"
"No," he snorted. "The Rodriguez is currently a touchy subject between us."
"Avoidance doesn't solve problems," John tutted, reminding him the essence of good communication. "Let's start with the basics, it might make everything easier. When is it?"
"The funeral is this Saturday, the eleventh. The memorial is next Saturday, the eighteenth," he answered dutifully. "His family is organizing the burial and the company, or the board is organizing the memorial."
"The location," John prompted, he was slightly taken aback by the additional information Christian had volunteered.
"Funeral in Tucson, Arizona. Memorial at Times Square in New York City."
"What is the source of your anxiety?" John fast forward a bit, determining that his patient had probably already gotten his head around the center of the issue if not the root.
"I have to speak in both events."
"Public speaking has never been your weakness, you have the ability and the prowess to hold the attention of a large crowd, and I'm sure your girlfriend has praised you more than once for your capability to gain someone's respect before you even opened your mouth to speak. So, what gives?"
"The problem lays with the fact that I have to offer a socially acceptable justification to the sudden merger. I don't want people to think that I'm only a puppet for them to evade inheritance tax, because I'm not.
"I also don't want to be belittled by the members of the board, especially the Rodriguez family since this is their legacy, My reputation was once damaged and still not fully repaired, so I don't want speculations. I don't need everyone believing that this is some kind of shady ploy."
John couldn't help but notice that Christian had truly matured from the dark near-death experience, he had finally acknowledged the difference between public opinion on his personal life and the ones on his professional career. He could tell everyone to go fuck themselves when they talk shit about his private life behind closed doors, but he could not when it came to the corporations that he was representing.
He used to be aloof and still maintained a rather positive reputation with a successful career, and that was partially due to his talent and handsome looks which won the public over. He was more than GEH's symbol back the, he was also considered the fashion icon and an idol that many admired and looked up to, but it was no longer the case now. He used to be mysterious but now that all of his dirty sordid secrets had been revealed, he couldn't act like he used to.
"I'm glad that you've learned from the experience, Christian."
"Ana drilled that in my head," he snorted at his doctor, unashamed to uncover the truth.
"That's great! So, while I can only prepare you so far by helping you rationalize your fears or anxiety, your partner will be your biggest cheerleader through the whole process, so again, talk to her and talk with her about all this."
"She's busy with work these days," Christian grumbled, knowing full well that he was just looking for excuses to avoid it. When was Anastasia not busy with work any day, even on her days off.
John lifted a brow, and Christian knew he was now somewhat backed into a corner where he'd have to embrace the elephant in the room and bring up the subject with her.
…
"Tucson, why Arizona?" Anastasia finally decided to voice this concern after their suite in the hotel had been swept.
They didn't talk in the car other than about summer-like weather, and the sunny day that they were going to be under tomorrow, because Taylor had strongly advised them to keep quite just in case the rental car was bugged. Along with Welch, his own members of security had all warned him about the unrest that might follow especially the sudden announcement of this merger. Now that they were in the hotel room, Sawyer insisted on sweeping for hidden surveillance devices.
"Senior's late wife is buried here," Christian replied, tossing his phone away and let it bounce on the bed, then his body followed suit.
"Why here? They've spent practically their entire life in Manhattan."
"You've done no research about this family, have you, baby?"
She shook her head sheepishly. She should've done some research about them since she was considered a close family friend just like Adam, but she never bothered asking about their family history. The most she knew about were the ones told to her by Christian and Adam.
Then, the apartment that they had once occupied in Seattle was bought for the wife, and that was all she knew about the old man.
"They met in Tucson," he revealed, spreading his arms gesturing for her to join him, and they both cuddled lazily atop of the cover fully dressed. "Senior was born in Portland and grew up in the West Coast but went to the East for business opportunities. He met his wife when he was in New Jersey, she was there to further her education and also to visit her families, but she works in Tucson."
"Then, they got married and had José Junior?"
"Pretty much," he summarized. "They were pretty much always separated before they got married, so when they did. Senior relocated to Seattle, hoping that his business could pick up there since the market was less competitive than the sharks on the East Coast. Hence the apartment."
"But you said they've never lived here."
"Yes, because Senior bought the completed but undecorated apartment, so he did all the renovations and that took a lot of time. By the time it was finished, his wife was really sick and unable to move away from Tucson, so he stayed with her in Arizona until she died. He never went back to Seattle to inspect the apartment, he just let it rest there and took his kid over to the East Coast where his company was and took over the family legacy, and lived the life of an influential multi-billionaire."
"And in turn raised a spoiled rotten son."
"But, if he wished to be buried next to his wife, then so be it. We're only here for the burial and the show."
"You have to speak though, as the new owner of the family legacy."
"I know," he groaned, burying his face tightly against her chest. They still hadn't talked about it, and he still hadn't do his homework from Flynn's session a few days ago. He blamed it on their busy schedule but truth was they had been seeing a lot of each other lately but he just never brought it up. "I don't even know a single person from the family other than that uncle or something from the board."
"At least Junior is out of it," she shrugged, stroking his head and running her fingers through his unruly copper locks. "He is going to be brought over under tight supervision though, and I'm not sure where he's going to end up at."
"Is he completely out of it?" He just realized that he was actually just as curious about the real condition of Junior as her, and it was a little hypocritical of him to fault her for visiting when he would've done the same in her position, only he'd ask someone to be his eyes.
"When I went, he was just… lost but not like completely mad. He was able to recognize me and the doctors as psychiatrists, but he couldn't make out a single coherent phrase," she stopped herself before she could out what exactly went down in the ward. She didn't want to disappoint him even more than she already did.
"What happened in there?" He pried, and she sighed, she had seen this coming and she had tried to prepare herself for it but she still couldn't find a resolution to evade it up till this day. "You said he recognized you, so give me more details? Plus, he's going to attend his father's funeral. Is he aware of the definition of a funeral?"
She knew she had said too much the moment she told him that she was recognized and implied that she was acknowledged. She knew that he knew she was holding back, and he was only going to be patient for so long, so she better start talking.
"He pointed a finger at me the moment I walked in and accused me of killing his father. He didn't say it in so many words but he did point at me and yell murderer. Then, I heard someone ask him if he knew the meaning of the word, he said homicide. That was all I heard before I left." She confessed, recalling the morning. Adam would've went with her if not for a surgery that he was required to attend.
"Ana, you do realize that you were lucky that you were surrounded by a group of psychiatrists and professionals, and they were your colleagues assuming some of them know what actually went down with the guy; because he hasn't been fully diagnosed with any mental illness, so legally what he had accused you of still counts as something coming from a sane person's mouth."
"I know, I could be sued for medical malpractice," she finished his thought. That was what she had been discussing with Adam since she gave him a run-down of the event the moment he walked out of the operation unit. If any of his family members were present, she could potentially get sued and she would have to dug through piles of evidence to find a solid one to prove that she had nothing to do with Senior's death. It was going to be hard to separate his death from her since she was a member of his medical team.
Anastasia honestly thought Christian was going to chew her a new ass for going against his wishes and behind his back, but he didn't, and that got her to reflect.
"What's bothering you?"
…
Anastasia wasn't exactly sure what they were doing at the moment but since everyone was either paying tribute to the newly established tombstone or chatting with one another, some went indoor to seek some much needed shades. She assumed that there was a socializing section of this funeral service since the coffin had been lowered.
Christian's eyes darted around the grand space that was the cemetery, as if searching for something. He was a little wary of the reaction of the Rodriguez family and he had been feeling like he wasn't all that welcomed in this family event with all the looks that he had been receiving from the Rodriguez family. He didn't want her to worry, so he never voiced it anymore than he did yesterday when she asked.
All he wanted was to meet with them all and get to the bottom of it before the problems fester. However, along with the chill that went down his spine, his gut intuition was telling him that the huddle inside the building was conspiring something.
It was then he noticed that people were slowly making their way back indoor, he was still out here lingering and loitering the cemetery with Anastasia as if they were looking for someone else they knew to pay tribute to.
"Do you think it's possible that the ex-wife is here?"
He peered down at her thoughtful expression, only realizing then that she was probably looking for something when she dragged him around this place like they were tourists.
"I think you'll know your answers very soon," he murmured when his eyes landed on a couple now standing before the new tombstone erected right next to the one of his late wife.
He averted his gaze before she caught him, but he knew that the couple had noticed him. They were one of the very handful of people that were still out in the heat. He wanted to ask if she had noticed the odd looks that the Rodriguez family was shooting at him throughout his speech but decided that it was unnecessary since she could barely turn her head around without making too much of a fuss.
The couple made their way over and Christian moved them over to a shadier area and away from the rest of the scattered population. She was still confused but that throat clearing cleared everything up.
"I don't even know why I'm surprised to find you here."
Anastasia gasped once she heard the voice, and it all clicked—Christian had seen them in the audience and that made him pause for a nanosecond as if he had missed a step during his speech.
"Dad?" She turned around. "Mom?" Facing her parents, she then looked at Christian for an answer but he didn't have one either.
"I didn't know you'd be here, Ray," Christian stepped forward and greeted his soon-to-be in-laws. "Carla," and it was beyond awkward.
"Why… are you here?" Anastasia blurted out, and Christian had the same inquiry. His eyes darted between his girl and her parents.
Ray sighed and shifted uncomfortably but Carla just appeared like she was going to faint from the heat any moment. Frankly, Christian was also sweating like a river inside his suit and feeling like he could pass out the moment he stepped out of the car.
"I'm here to pay tribute to my ex-wife," Ray confessed. The conversation about her whereabout surfaced in Christian's head, and he glanced at his girl to see it was marred with the same confusion that he was feeling.
Even a relationship novice like him knew that it was disrespectful to maintain any kind of contact with an ex-lover after they've moved on.
"Who is the ex-wife?" Anastasia inquired.
"It's a long story," Ray sighed.
"We have time," his daughter instantly caught on. "This thing is about to end soon anyway."
Ray shifted and looked at his feet.
"This event is an invitation only, so forgive me if I cam really confused right now why you got an invite."
"Let's go inside where it's much cooler and talk," Christian suggested, he had already felt the agitation from her body when Ray didn't give her the answers she wanted. He knew the heat was getting to her head and affecting her mood.
When they made their way inside with the Steeles—a very reluctant Ray, an eager Carla, and an irritated Anastasia. Christian led them to a corner and out of the prying eyes of the other participants who were all huddled together.
"So?" Christian squeezed her waist gently asking her to rein it in a little and control her emotions. He was reminding her that they were still in public and were considered as important guests by strangers.
Ray shot Carla a fleeting glance but he wasn't offered an escape route, instead he was told that it was about time that his daughter learned the story since they had always known that she was going to have high achievements in everything they did and they couldn't hide it for too long. It was really no bigger surprise to them that their future son-in-law was the one to take over this legacy.
"I told you that I was married on base, and we were both young and cared deeply about each other. The main reason behind our separation was a miscarriage," Ray shifted on his feet and he was grateful that his daughter had found a man who was supportive and more determined than him to make their relationship work. "We had been trying for a long time, and the one time we conceived, we lost it. So, that led us to divorce. The last nail to the casket was the meeting of your mother. That separated us completely, and we signed the divorce papers without too much conversation. We didn't get any closure, and we didn't try to fight for our relationship; we only fought each other."
The noise over at the center of the room was growing louder, and Christian shared an uneasy glance with Taylor and Sawyer discretely, they were the only two that he trusted. The other security people were close to them but maintained a distance, they were backups and the first physical defense since they were new hires.
"After we had you," Ray continued, attempting to finish the tale fast. "I was reminded of a spiteful comment that she had made about why our marriage failed, so I agreed to meet with her just to rub it in he face that I wasn't the one with the problem." He shifted uncomfortably at the memory but his stubborn daughter wasn't relenting. "Then, she told me that she had a son with her new husband who was a few years older than you," he told Anastasia who had been listening intently despite the noises invading their eardrums. "So, we talked about the sweet and the sour of our new life, but we were really just immaturely comparing who was living a better life. It wasn't closure."
The commotion grew louder in the background, and Christian's head spun around just in time to witness a few cemetery guards rushing inside to maintain order, and he could see his own members of security gathering and closing in on them. Taylor and Sawyer both touched their earpiece as they listened intently while their eyes shot to Christian and his family. Then, they nodded their heads grimly, but it was a second too late.
"Fire Grey!"
"Christian Grey needs to get the fuck down!"
"Hand the company back!"
"Deceiving little thief! This is the greatest deception in history."
"Grey is a fraud!"
Some of the supporters of Christian tried to calm the protesters down but it was futile.
Taylor shot Christian a warning glance and ushered him out of the room from a side exit. He instinctively enveloped Anastasia to his side with his arms protectively as Sawyer escorted her parents out. He knew that this would happen someday but he didn't know that the Rodriguez family would breakout this soon.
"You know?" Anastasia murmured from his side, still tucked safely under his arm even in the car en route back to the hotel. He leaned down and pecked the crown of her head to tell her that she had his attention. "We still have the memorial."
He groaned.
"No, that's not what I mean, Christian," she sat up abruptly, her palm resting on his chest, and her eyes gazed at him with empathy and support.
He met her gaze, puzzled.
"We still have the memorial to win them over. They may not be your biggest fans right now, but at least you've got all the associates'."
He smiled softly at her, appreciating and extremely grateful for her support and positivity. He just wasn't sure if that was enough to put him off of his sour mood at the moment. He wasn't affected by the words that they were yelling at him, but he was more concerned with the publicity. He was sure that they were only the representative of the group that was in disagreement of him taking over such a big corporation at such a young age.
He wasn't even thirty years old and was already a multi-billionaire all because of one old man who believed in him. He was also glad that she used the inclusive word 'we', that reassured him that he wasn't in this alone.
"What have I done to deserve you?" He whispered in her hair, he had no words to express how he was feeling right now.
She snuggled closer to him and he suddenly wasn't so worried anymore.
…
The reverse was happening at the dinner table. He was eased up and less tense than he was earlier, all thanks to his rock that was his fiancé, but he could now feel the strain from her rigid movements.
They couldn't avoid this topic no matter how much they wanted to, it was the elephant in the room and quite frankly, the sole purpose of this dinner was to hear the entire tale.
"I guess I can't avoid this forever," Ray sighed, receiving a squeeze in the hand from his wife.
Christian mimicked the action and held on to her hand on the table, it was convenient since Anastasia was left handed and he was right handed, and they were coincidentally sat with each other on their non-dominant side. Carla's focus zeroed in on that subtle show of support, but this simple display of affection seemed to have gained her approval; kudos for Christian.
"You still haven't told me who the ex-wife is. Her identity," she gripped her fiancé's hand and laced their fingers together as if drawing strength from him. They needed it lately from each other.
"She's José Rodriguez Senior's late wife," Ray revealed, and Anastasia's fork halted midair, the food fell from it with the slightest imbalance. If Taco was here, his head would certainly be following the drop then tilting it in the most adorable way confused as to why he couldn't see said food on the floor.
Christian was shocked at the revelation but he remained an impassive exterior. He was sure that her inside was now in turmoil just like his, though she was showing it a bit more on her face.
"Then, why are you at Senior's funeral?" Anastasia moved Christian's hand to her knee so she could cut up her food using the knife. He could tell that her actions were automatic and her mind was absent.
"It has a complicated story behind," Ray confessed ruefully, it was very unlike him to be so indirect, in Christian's opinion.
"We've got all night."
"I'll keep it simple and short," Ray almost spoke over her, setting his wineglass down after a gulp. "As I mentioned that we didn't receive any closure from each other before we parted ways, and she has this spoiled attitude of a princess, while I'm a pretty straightforward man. Therefore, I don't have the ability to pamper her and meet her every demand when she doesn't tell me outright, like the prince charming in her dreams. So, I convinced myself that she had found the right guy when she told me about the new husband. She was emotionally sensitive and rather fragile anyway."
"You two don't get along because of personality differences," she summarized for her dad who seemed to be lacking the ability to do so currently. Christian believed that it must be hard for the man of few words to open up about his past, just like he still was even with everything publicized.
"When she died, she asked Senior to look out for me because she was still worried about me," Ray sighed—he had been doing that a lot lately—and it was obvious that he had a deep connection with the ex-wife. "She probably felt back about how we left things unresolved. I was living on my military pension and off of Carla," he shot his current wife a loving glance but still with a tinge of uneasiness. "I wanted to do my own gig, and never thought that it might not turn out well, and I might need a real job to actually support my family. Anyway," he pulled himself back from a self reflection. "Senior didn't like the idea of my presence so he withheld the invitation to her funeral but promised that he'd invite me to his to make it up to her and so I could get to say my farewell properly."
"It took over a decade." Christian observed Anastasia's reaction and he heard her offhanded comment, even though he didn't know what it meant or what her stance was, he still had an inkling regarding her feelings. "How did you know about all of this and Senior's intervention?"
Ray chuckled humorously, shaking his head ruefully. His eyes fell to his plate and he pushed a piece of bone around. "Bastard left me a letter."
Christian's eyes darted toward Carla briefly before focusing back on his own meal, his left thumb rubbed circles on her thigh soothingly, and he observed her reaction from his peripheral. When he looked up again, he saw the mother and daughter locking eyes with each other as if they were communicating through their eyes. He could never fully and truly comprehend what Ray had experienced because he knew for sure that he would never be able to move on from his one true love; especially now that he had experienced what it was like to be irrevocably in love.
He couldn't understand how Carla was so acceptable and he certainly couldn't fathom Ray's motivation to devote all of himself to his second wife, because there must be a part of him that was still with her if they truly shared a love so deep even if they didn't manage to find the suitable way spend their lives together.
"I feel like I'm in a TV show," he heard Anastasia mutter after a long silence and only the cluttering noises of utensils and the fussing sound of their clothing as they shifted in their seats.
He squeezed her knee and travelled his hand up her thigh seeking her attention, when she locked eyes with him, he implored through his gaze asking her if she was okay, and all she did was gently laying her hand atop of his giving it a gently squeeze and began to graze the back with the pad of her thumb.
She honestly didn't how to feel or what to feel and he could feel all that from the simple small touches from her hand.
As he pondered the story that night when they settled under the covers with the lights of, he felt that something was starting to make sense but he just didn't know what at the moment. So, he turned to her.
Sex was on the forefront of his mind but he wanted to get this thought organized first.
"I think I understand why your parents reacted and treated you the way they did the last time we visited," he mused out loud, breaking her out of her own racing thoughts. He turned to his side and draped an arm across her abdomen, his other was already under her head being used as a pillow like always; she'd usually snuggle up closer so her head would end up on his chest.
She hummed a response to inform him that she was listening.
"I think they saw a little of the ex-wife's spoiled princess attitude the last time you visited," he voiced his own thought without holding back. "I honestly don't mind it because I do have the ability indulge you in whatever attitude you have, and I do sometimes like it when you are clingy; it makes me feel like I'm needed."
"I do need you, Christian. I am dependent on you, no matter how much I want to deny it. You are my best friend and lover, so you are the first person I think of when something happens; good or bad. You are the first person I turn to, and it used to be Kate. Christian, I was in a really bad place last summer, and I was stubborn to admit to my own realization. My attitude back then was purely a means to search for the spark and the deep connection that first drew us together four years ago. I wanted to live up that pampered girlfriend life," she confessed, her hand reached for his forearm, then she twisted to her side and tangled their legs together and ran her fingers down his bare chest. It was still an intimate act that only she had the privilege of doing. "You know that I'm not like that, normally."
He broke out into a grin, and kissed her deeply. His arms curled to bring her head closer.
"I don't care if you truly want to live that pampered girlfriend's lifestyle, because I'm going to indulge you in everything as long as it doesn't compromise your safety. You know I'd do anything for you. I like the clingy version, too."
"What if I get too clingy and you find me annoying?"
"You can never be annoying, baby, but I trust you to control yourself and maybe I'll think twice before I give in to you and your ridiculous ideas?" He bopped her nose with his, eliciting a giggle from her that made him smile. He was half serious and half joking.
She sighed and looked at him in the eyes, even in complete darkness, he could still feel that they were gazing into each other's eyes. He could almost imagine what her orbs would be like and what shade of blue it was; he had spent a long time studying them. It was his favorite; just like her with his hands.
"I think Senior has done what his wife has asked… looking out for Ray and his family."
His brows furrowed in confusion. He still couldn't understand Senior as a person other than the fact that he was an honest but equally shrewd businessman.
"The unlimited fund when I wanted to buy your shares, and the private suite in the hospital. Who else did you think would do that without asking or expecting a huge favor in return? I think he's done it to ease his own conscience. I don't believe for one second that he was doing it willingly just because I saved his life."
He nodded, accepting her sound logic but didn't comment further. He agreed with her.
"We should probably try to sleep so we could escape this place before the news caught up with us."
He tucked a stranded hair behind her ear and nodded, he wasn't sure if she could see him as well as he was seeing her but he wanted to make love to her before they cuddle.
…
"Ana, I'm serious! You need to tell him to think! Really think!" Ros was practically screaming down their den from the TV screen where she was in a videoconference with Christian, and Anastasia just happened to breeze past them to grab a her laptop from the very table that he was occupying.
Anastasia grinned and blew the COO a kiss then pecked the CEO on the lips before leaving.
"Christian, I'm serious," Ros groused loudly, her hands rubbing against her face.
It was a Sunday and they just arrived early this morning without glancing at their phones for a single time just to avoid the media outburst. He only did to send an email to Ros which then resulted in this impromptu videoconference even if Ros only just got up and was clearly still in her bed.
"Well, so am I," he retorted. He threw his feet up the desk and leaned back casually, his computer to the side acting as a camera and the huge screen on the wall before him was the display.
"First of all, I've made it crystal clear that I don't want to do with any part of the shark," Ros glared at him through the screen. She wished to remain in GEH and not be a part of the Rockefeller family. "Ana was there, and your girl can vouch for me."
"Stop bringing her into it, Ana doesn't give a rat shit about what goes on in our company. She just signs the papers."
"She obviously can persuade you."
"She won't interfere with the company," he glared back at her for bringing his girl up once more. He knew that if Ros wasn't married, she would have the hots for Anastasia and wouldn't hide it.
"Second," Ros continued in her stern voice. "Delisting? Really, Grey? Are you out of your fucking mind?" She almost screeched, which was extremely unlike her and unsuitable given her throaty voices.
Christian nodded solemnly.
"Don't tell me this is because of the drama in Tucson."
"Nothing to do with Arizona," he told her dead serious. "Well, it was the catalyst. Delisting has been brewing in my mind ever since I took over."
"Why are you even consulting me. You have advisors over there."
"There's no trust yet. I don't know what they think of me so far, and I don't know how much influence the Rodriguez family has over the employees and the daily decision making. They are the big ones on the board. Hence, I'm discussing it with you because you're my people and they're currently not."
"I'd say wait until after the memorial. They might come in handy."
Christian snorted at the idea.
"The associates might turn the tables on you. They were singing your praises now but they won't once you make that announcement."
"They're the ones holding this company back."
"As if you aren't already drowning in cash, Christian."
"They're going to drag me down. It's not greed, Ros."
"It's ambition," she snorted again but she understood where he was coming from.
"It's happening either way, but I'll see how I'll break the news after the memorial. I'll test the waters."
Ros rolled her eyes, it was obvious that he had already set his mind on privatizing the company that had been public for almost over a decade. She knew that if anyone was going to take this step with the company, it would be this kid. It was actually a step that she had anticipated the moment he told her that he was taking over this company.
"Well, good luck, boss. Tell me how it goes," she told him. This conference really wasn't needed, and he really didn't need any reassurance, she just called him in a state of panic and thought he had lost his mind.
"Thank you, Ros… for your help and support."
She grinned teasingly, knowing this was hard coming from this hardcore man. It was one of the handful times when he had actually said something heartfelt to… anyone that wasn't Anastasia.
…
The memorial was a turning point… in everything.
The atmosphere dropped to freezing point the moment he entered the room, and everything turned into ice the moment he stood behind the podium.
In that event, he couldn't be more certain of his choice.
If no one was supportive of him, then he shouldn't be trying to win over their support by compromising the future of the company that was now his. He was going to seize all control and he was going to allow the Rodriguez family to keep 10% of the shares to fulfill the rule on the will.
It would happen and no one would be able to stop him.
He knew he was only so bold because he had a strong support system, starting with Anastasia followed by the members of his GEH family.
For once in a long time, he felt the confidence return and he felt empowered.
Thank you to all that voted for this story!
Completely irrelevant, but anyone interested in helping me with the sequel to 24? After that sequel I'll probably be aiming for short stories because full-length ones really are draining (unless I have no other obligations in life other than to write fanfics).
I've also updated Between You and Me, btw.
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