Hi there. The feedback we got on the last chapter was mind blowing and surer inspiring. I also noticed that the readers have divided into two camps, the ones who want Ana to dump Christian and his crazy family like a hot potato and the others that want them in bed like ASAP. Sorry to disappoint, but neither is going to happen. But not to worry everyone will get what they deserve in the end )))
Now let's get on with the tale)
As usual kudos to my beta, I truly won the jackpot with her.
Christian POV
Sunday 19 May 2019
Pressing the red button on my blackberry I tuck my cell back into my front pocket. I've just hung up from a call with the head of my PR team, Marleen. She got a lead that Leila's shit will hit the press today. Even with her connections Marleen couldn't get the details of how exactly that bitch plans on going public, only that it will be tonight after they air our interview.
Just fucking great!
As I make my way back to the dining room, I notice the front door is gaping wide open. Odd. I go over to close it when I look outside and surprisingly see Ana walking hurriedly down the drive. I call out to her, but she doesn't respond. She doesn't even turn her head or give me any acknowledgement.
What the fuck?
I run outside shouting her name louder. "ANA! ANA... Where are you going!?" I see Taylor looking at me in confusion as he jogs with me to the gates. We just miss the cab she's gotten into as it drives off. Quick thinking Taylor pulls out his phone and takes a picture of the license plate.
What the ever-loving fuck? Did she just bolt on me? Why?
"Taylor."
"I'm on it, Sir"
Jesus fuck, this is not how I envisioned this day would pan out. Why can't something go according to plan? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck
I walk back toward the house knowing something went down and someone is going to talk and now. Closing the front door behind me I slowly make my way toward the dining room. That's when I hear applause and raised voices.
Is Nana reprimanding mom and Mia? Oh. For. Fucks. Sake!
I was gone for five minutes and somehow, in that short amount of time, some serious shit hit the proverbial fan. But, instead of making my presence known, I decide to eavesdrop before I storm in and tear into someone. I either drag Anastasia back here to apologise or I'll go ballistic on my mom and sister.
''Oh bravo, ladies! That was quite a performance! Diva's the both of you." Grandma's words are dripping with sarcasm. "My God, I cannot believe the audacity of you two. I am so ashamed and never, have I ever, been more embarrassed in my life. That says a lot!"
So, mom and Mia are the guilty party here. I can't fucking believe this shit. Five fucking minutes is all it took for them to push Ana fleeting the house like it was on fire.
It makes no sense. After last night, I thought mom was on board with Ana and I. Mia's been giving everyone the silent treatment too engrossed in her sulking, I thought leaving Ana in Grandma's capable hands she would be fine, but Mia's next words jolt me to the depth of my core.
''Oh, please Grandma. I simply voiced the hard truth. She'll get over it. Besides Ana needs to grow a thicker skin and a really good reality check if she plans to be with Christian. I don't see why we need to tiptoe around the fact that her father died. Lets be real, she has no family and zero friends. So there is nothing wrong with us taking over the planning of the wedding. We are actually doing that ungrateful brat a favour.'' Mia counters smugly.
.GOD! Please sweet Jesus, She DID NOT say that to Ana.
But knowing Mia as I do now, I could absolutely believe Mia would spit out something hideous and vile like that.
''How. Dare. You! My God, just listen to yourself!" Grandma's voice is hard and deadly rooting me to the floor. Looks like my guns blazing are not needed here after all. My demure and amenable Nana has left the building.
Christ Grandma is so angry she's trembling. "I love you Mia, God I do. You're my only granddaughter, but as God is my witness if I have to beat empathy and some human decency into your fucking selfish soul, by all that is Holy I will!"
Grandma just swore and if she's spewing profanities you know this shit is beyond bad.
"MOTHER!"
Mia is in tears. Mom jumps from her chair to cradle Mia in her arms. Mia, feeling moms support, lets loose racking sobs into mom's stomach and wraps her arms around moms' waist. The drama mom and Mia are putting on is mind boggling. I had no fucking clue mom and Mia had such a toxic co-dependent relationship. If mom's been protecting Mia in her theatrics, it's no wonder Mia's developed a warped sense of righteousness with her attitude. How did I never notice that before? Guess mom was always protective and supported all three of us, it's just with Mia being a girl and the youngest, she took it on a whole new level.
Ok, truthfully I can't blame Mia The Monster sorely on mom, our family as a whole had a hand in that. I myself made every wish my baby sister had come a reality without any care of the consequences of those actions.
"What the fuck is going on there?" I whip my head around to see Elliot stand behind me. I've been rocked senseless with the scene unfolding in front of me I never even heard him come down. "Did I just hear Nana swear?!" Elliot whispers in my ear.
I see Dad and Grandpa just slightly behind Elliot wearing the same gobsmacked face as I am. They must've come out of their hiding in dad's study alerted with Grandma's shouting. Dad is about to go into the dining room, but Grandpa holds him back. He knows his wife better than anyone and for now she is in control and Gramps knows that now is not the best time to interfere with what she's dishing out.
"Tell me Mia, how old are you?" Despite Mia's wailing the serious and acidic tone of Nana's voice is distinct and deadly.
Mia is sobbing uncontrollably, but Grandma's not buying it. Rolling her eyes, she gives Mom that look. It's a look that I'm very familiar with as it's one that I've aped and utilized. It's a look that says, 'don't fuck with me' and it puts the fear of god in my competitors.
Seeing that look Mom carefully unwraps herself from Mia and resumes her seat. Grandma then leans menacingly over the table toward Mia slamming her hand down hard on the table. Instinctively we all jump.
"I ASKED YOU A QUESTION YOUNG LADY! ANSWER ME. HOW OLD ARE YOU?"
Mia, with the lack of moms embrace and sensing there is no escape from grandma's ire stops her sobbing and stutter hiccups a small "twenty-three".
"Now you mind your manners young lady and acknowledge your elders when they're speaking to you. You will look at me and give me the respect that I am due. For the last time, how old are you?"
Mia raises her head, and with her tail between her legs, looks up to grandma, " I'm twenty-three, Nana."
"That's right. Twenty-Three. Do you know how old Ana is?"
"Yes, ma'am. She's nineteen, twenty soon."
"Nineteen! A bloody teenager, yet she has more class and maturity in her pinkie toe than you have in your entire being. I swear if I didn't feel disgusted with your very presence, I'd throttle you into next week! I'm surprised Ana didn't punch your lights out, deservedly!
Yes, her father died and if you had any compassion you would know that her grief is still very deep. She loved her father Mia, he was her only family, and you so casually threw it out there like it's Anastasia's fault! You were always insightful and instead of empathy or any kind of kindness, you deliberately go and rub salt on a festering wound. BOO HOO?! What are you FIVE?! That's not just callous and mean-spirited, it's downright Pure Evil. Dear God in Heaven you should be ashamed of yourself.
And you Grace sitting there as if this child didn't deserve a smack across the face to say such a thing. I raised you better. The moment those words passed your daughter's lips you should've reined her in. I'm so disappointed in the both of you."
Nana is so agitated she's pacing from one end of the table to the other. Gramps is intently focused on grandma, making sure she's ok, but will not interfere with how she's handling the situation.
"No. I will not accept this. Not from my family. Grace, if you will not curb your daughters' behaviour, and I mean starting right now, I'll be taking her in hand. I knew you were become a handful since you came back from Paris Mia, but I never believed your depravity was this low, and no granddaughter of mine will behave so abominably in my, or anyone's, company again. If I have to strong hold you into respectable behaviour, I will. I don't care how old you are. Your father, your brother both spoke to you and STILL you hold fast to your self-absorbed wilful stubbornness. I'm so very angry I can't bear to even look at you."
Mia bursts into more tears and mom jumps out of her chair again to console her.
''Mother please. Now you're being mean. I wholeheartedly agree that her comment about Anastasia's father was uncalled for but it is the truth. There's nothing wrong with wanting to arrange a perfect wedding for my son.'' Mom steps in.
We men just stand there still stunned and frankly to scared to make a sound. We're onlookers to the drama unfolding before us. When Grandma is speaking, you keep your mouth shut and she's on a roll. If Grandma is this furious with Mom and Mia, it's no wonder Ana ran out of here like a bat out of hell. It hasn't even been a year since her dad passed away and for Mia to bring his absence up so coldly was below the belt.
''Grace. Stop. Do not defend her to me. You want to coddle-wad her that is your choice, but for someone who's studied child psychology you should know better. You're a paediatrician for heaven sake! Your sympathy condones her words and behaviour, do you not know that? Or me and Theo failed so miserably as parents that you don't see anything wrong with what Mia spewed on the poor girl. Put the shoe on the other foot and tell me how what Mia said to Ana feels for you. Anastasia may be very intelligent and mature, but she is still a child in many ways. A child that had been thrown into the big bad world with no one to look after her. How would you fare up to that reality?" Grandma stops and turns her full glare on mom, her back straight and strong. ''That was a rhetorical question because we were always there for you.''
If looks could kill Nana would be arrested for filicide.
"I'm so embarrassed to be your grandmother, Mia I have no words. Grace, if you choose to continue this coddling and encourage this…whatever the fuck this is, I won't stand for it. I'll disown her."
Everything stops. Mia's mid wail is choked back, mouth agape, eyes wide her face bright red. She has yet to take a breath and Mom is in a similar state. Grandma is beyond livid.
All of us, Dad, Grandpa and Elliot gasp in absolute shock. "Oh. My. God."
"Shush Elliot." Grandpa scolds.
Dad and Grandpa give each other a knowing look then turn around making their way back to Dad's study. They've seen enough, and most likely they'll talk about what just happened. Before they leave, they each squeeze my shoulder and I know, with no words spoken, that they're going to call me later.
Elliot holds his tongue until Dad and Grandpa are completely gone, "Holy fuck Christian. I've never seen Grandma so livid. Not even when we put bullfrogs in her bubble bath, did she get this mad. This is seriously fucked up. I'm heading out." The weight of Grandmas' words sits heavily with us. "Give me a call if you need me, ok?" and without my acknowledgement Elliot disappears stealthily out the front door.
As for me I stay rooted to my spot. I want to watch this play out to the bitter end for Ana's sake because this shit is beyond wrong. But I need to know all before facing Anastasia. Grandma looks so defeated and tired.
"Good God Grace," Grandma continues in a quieter tone. "What happened to you? All of this discord because you want to plan the perfect wedding for your son! You're a bloody hypocrite. You're not doing this for your son. You heard him earlier. He doesn't want a big gathering of strangers. You're doing this for yourself. A one-up on your social climbing friends.
When you got married you had a plan, and come hell or high water, no one but you would see it through, and I let you. I let you because it made you so happy. I may have had expectations too, but I understood that this was your big day, so aside from financing your fairy tale ideas, I stepped aside. What right do you have to bulldoze your way over Ana's and Christian's wishes?''
Christ mom I didn't expect anything so low from you of all people.
I'm done. I've heard enough. I'm so heavily disappointed with my family and filled with remorse for Ana. And while I really want to storm in there and give MY opinion on this, I don't. I need to find Anastasia and make sure she's ok. My family is exhausting me, I can only imagine what it's doing to her.
Christ if I don't get to Ana, I'm so fucking screwed, and I wouldn't blame her if she abandoned me.
I go upstairs and grab my suit and Ana's dress then leave quietly. Taylor grabs the bags from me while I get into the car.
"Where is she Taylor?"
"The cab dropped her off at the pier near Escala Sir."
"Thank you.
I quickly pull my phone out of my pocket and dial her cell quickly.
Could this day possibly get any shittier? Oh yeah, it can. Fucking Leila. I need to tell Ana. Christ.
I inwardly groan, praying Ana hasn't jumped ship after what went down. Bloody hell, if it were me, I'd say 'Fuck it' and drop me!
Please, please, please Ana answer your phone.
After the third ring, she answers. Oh, Thank God!
"Ana. I am so sorry. I…"
"Christian. Stop. Just don't, please! I'll be fine. I have no desire or energy to discuss your mother or sister right now." I hear her sigh, and my heart breaks. ''You can be certain that what transpired today will be addressed. Just not now.''
Fuck she sounds so tired. I want to apologise for the clusterfuck the brunch turned out to be, but I completely understand her wishes. Her message 'You will get what's comming' received loud and clear.
''I understand Ana, completely." There is a long silence between us. I can almost feel her thinking and my unspoken question hangs heavy between us.
"I'll be back at Escala when you get home." I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. The relief I feel hearing these words borders euphoric.
"Ana. I…I want to thank you for not running off. After this morning, I'd completely understand''
"We'll talk when you get home Christian."
"Ok Ana. I should be there shortly. Thank you."
Sitting back, I lean my head against the headrest, close my eyes and take several deep breaths in.
For years, years mom's been practically begging me to find that special someone to bring home and meet them. She always held this fantasy that I would one day pair up with one of her friends' daughter, Jana Murray, but the woman, while pretty, is as witless as an ewe. Finally, I bring the perfect girl home and mom and Mia hate her. I would pay a fortune to know the reason why.
What cruel irony.
After Taylor parks the car, I quickly let myself out and head straight to the elevator which opens as soon as I press the call button. My level of anxiousness rises the closer I get to my penthouse. As soon as the doors open, I rush out seeking Ana, calling her name.
"I'm here Christian."
I walk into the great room and I find her sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in hand.
Seeing her face, her sadness etched by the tears that have fallen and dried, makes my heart ache. I'm moved by an overwhelming feeling to hug her closely. I want to shield her from all the bad in the world. Who would have guessed that the bad guy's would be my own mom and sister.
The woman here before me is not the same woman from this morning. For the first time since I've known Anastasia, I see no trace of the feisty young woman who's ready to take on the world. In her place is a vulnerable teenager drowning in grief. Her azure eyes reflect her pain and hurt stirring a deeper anger within me. I didn't think I could be more incensed with my sister than I am now.
''Ana.," the sound of my voice is raspy from the lump that's lodged there. Clearing my throat quickly I call out to her again, "Ana. I truly am so sorry. Please I know you don't want to talk about it, which is fine…, understandably fine. Please just listen to me, ok?" I watch her closely before I say another word waiting for her approval to continue.
My contribution in bringing this epitome of a woman to this state slays me. This past week all I've been doing is pushing my agenda and she's walked with me in it, stride for stride. So, stepping out of the shell my habit has typically adopted, I make the conscious decision to be guided by her.
She lowers her eyes from me, sighs deeply and gives a quick nod.
The relief I feel with her concession is profound.
Gently I reach out to cup her face and lift it so I can commit to memory this face. A face tormented in her grief yet kept contained tells me that despite all the shit I, and my family, have thrown at her she is still willing to listen. I have the greatest to lose if my past gets out, yet here she sits. I silently vow to her that I will do all in my power to ensure the peace she desperately needs, the deep grief needing to be freed, will one day be realized.
Still looking me in the eyes she removes my hands from her face gently. Message received loud and clear, she may be willing to listen but if I know what is good for me I better keep my distance.
"Oh, Ana. I am so incredibly sorry. You have no idea…" I have to clear my throat again because it's starting to crack. I feel her pain, but more so I'm devastated by the imaginary wall that is now between us. "there are no amount of apologies I can give you for what happened this morning.
I would never have left you to the vileness of my family had I known their vehemence was this intense. I may have been in denial before, but not anymore. I want you to know that you're the one who is important to me right now. You, us, is where I will keep my focus moving forward."
I'm pouring every ounce of sincerity into my words and expression as I possibly can. I desperately hope she can feel how real I'm being.
Her eyes are glassy as big round tears flow freely down her beautiful face. Gradually, with each blink her tears dry up as her shutters slowly fall into place. She's closing herself off on me hiding her vulnerability behind a mask that I'm all too familiar with. She doesn't move to wipe her eyes, or blow her nose, or make any movement to let me know what's going to happen next.
"Despite what you may think or believe, I'll be fine" she says finally. I look at her hesitantly if not with a bit of worry.
"Listen to me" and I do. I remained fixed to her in rapt attention more in fascination as she's literally transforming before me. "You and I both know that if I was in the right frame of mind, I'd leave your sorry ass to fend for yourself. In the last ten days, I've had to put up with a lot more shit than I've bargained for. The agreement I initially signed for seemed simple. Get married, deny the rumours of an ex-lover, claim my company, move on.
Had I known about Elena, Grace, and Mia, I'd tell you and your kinsmen to go fuck yourselves. You've all got more baggage than the airport in Atlanta, and you all have unfairly reeled me into your mire of excrement knowingly."
I hang my head in shame. I never felt so humbled in all my life. I am a fucked up selfish prick.
"I had every intention of shoving this ring up your pipe-hole and telling you all to fuck off, but my dead father didn't raise me like that. I've never been a quitter and won't start now. A deal is a deal, and I'll see my end through. These last ten days have felt like a fucking eternity. I'm so tired of you and your family drama, you have no idea. Yet, taking the advice of your selfish pissy sister I'm coming to a very clear understanding of my reality. I will no longer entertain this emotional bullshit rollercoaster I've allowed myself to ride and although I, unfortunately, won't back off from this deal, I will warn you that I'm not holding myself back anymore.
I want control of company and I'm going to play this out to my advantage. If you and your family don't like my methods, then I walk. WE Christian, together, are going to work this out. Just the two of us, no third parties included!
You need to protect your image and I need your signature on that fucking marriage license, and by God after the hell I've been through these past ten fucking days, I'll get it.
Be sure that I'm not closing the discussion about the women in your life and their influence on our deal. Right now we simply have zero time to properly address every issue, it will just be after we deal with the fucking interview."
It's like watching the phoenix rise from the ashes. The vulnerable girl who was sitting her earlier is gone. The woman before me has my insides shivering, it's exciting. If I weren't already on my knees in front of this woman, I'd be fucking prostrate in supplication.
"I've lost track of time, Franco called earlier to confirm his appointment. But before he gets here, I want you to tell me what that phone call you took earlier is about. If it's about your work, save it. If it's anything to do with us, start talking. I refuse to be behind the eight ball again. You're going to be up front with me from now on Christian. Agreed?"
I nod my agreement mutely. I don't ever remember being so humbled or dumb struck by a woman before. I'm not misogynistic. Ros has often given me her three cents and opinions, so I'm not immune to being put in my place, but this authoritative Ana is fucking impressive. I imagine if her father were to see her now, he'd be so proud because that's how I feel.
Ana is not a defeatist. She won't allow herself to wallow in self pity or lose herself in my reality. If anything, the confrontations from last night with Elena, and this morning with my mother and Mia, has honed her purpose with laser focus. I feel a polar shift. A wave of overwhelming trust washes over me as I willingly surrender myself to her control. The dominant becomes the submissive.
"The phone call earlier was from Marleen, the head of my PR department. Do you remember her? You met her last week. She informed me that Leila is going public. We don't know how, but from what they've gathered they think it'll be after our interview this afternoon.'' I wait for her reply and think of possible scenarios I need to prepare myself for, but the response I get was definitely not what I was expecting. I think I've finally pushed her over the edge because what started out to as a little giggle is now full-blown hysterics.
''Of course, it will" giggle, "Christ Christian" laugh. "Fucking finally! Thank sweet Hallelujah Leila finally crawls out of the abyss." She's honestly starting to worry me. I think she's cracked and I'm giving her a look of disbelief.
"Do you not get it?" blink, blink. "This is what I signed for Grey" she says as she punches my shoulder. "But right now, I need a long bubble bath and a few moments to myself."
"uhm…You're not pissed or worried or I don't know…pissed?"
"No" she says deadpan. "We'll deal with it. We'll come up with a plan on how we want to handle it. She's played you well, but she knows fuck all about me. I'm looking forward to this, but we'll talk about it after. I need to get myself ready."
She pushes me aside to stand up and walk towards her bedroom.
Did I just fall into another dimension? I feel like I'm in the twilight zone.
I'm still a bit dazzled in my kneeling position in front of the couch until her voice brings me out of my confusion.
"I suggest you get yourself together and please let's not wear matching outfits. What the fuck was that all about? Christ, matching outfits is so 70's. Did your mother make you guys do that for your family portraits? That's probably where you got the idea from. It's ridiculous."
That may have been a jab at my mother, but considering what mom's been dishing out, Ana's comment could be considered a compliment in comparison. Which reminds me. I'm going to have to have a chat with mom about what happened this morning.
I have no fucking clue where my mother is coming from, but she's not doing me any favours protecting me. Ana's right to stand up for herself because I'm doing a piss poor job of it. Elena, Mom, Mia, and Leila, that's all on me and Ana's the one who's been handling them head on. Unlike me she is not ranting or raving aimlessly just to let off steam, she focuses and uses that energy to form her strategic moves.
Watching her turn into a Valkyrie warrior before my eyes was a fucking turn on and I've been uncomfortably hard since. I'm trying to understand the conundrum of feelings Ana keeps stirring in me.
The woman has balls, and I know my attraction to her is in part her unwavering strength, but another part is a whole other unknown. I compare her to the only other woman I've ever let come near me in my vulnerability and a new realization slowly dawns on me as I study these two women.
Elena has strength, but even in my youth I understood her control was a means to an end. My submission was a study into the world of BDSM harnessing control through discipline. I held no attraction to Elena in my submission. It was sex without affection.
Elena's strength is drawn from forced submission. Ana's strength is never forced. Elena demanded respect as a Dominatrix. Ana would never demand respect from you. She embodies it. Respect is freely given because she gives in equal measure.
I get up and make my way to the bar for a quick shot of something strong before I change for the interview. I know I should be preparing myself for the shit show that this interview will bring out. Soon everyone's going to want to be putting their nose in my business, but instead of working out the quagmire of that shit, all I'm thinking about it is a naked Ana a couple of doors down.
I envision her naked backside leaning over the tub, the contours of her soft body outlined as she reaches a delicate hand to test the waters temperature before she sinks slowly deliciously in.
Yah, the woman has balls alright. Fuck. Ana may not know it, but I do. The balls she's holding are the ones I've just given her; mine.
That's not all she's got.
Looking down at the tent in my jeans I know I'll have to take another shower to calm myself down…, again. Shooting my drink down, I make my way to my bedroom with the understanding that I need get my priorities straight, and Ana's wellbeing is first on that list.
I'm sitting in the great room, waiting anxiously for Anastasia to come out. I find myself uncharacteristically nervous for this interview. My anxiety's been slowly brewing since I got out of the shower. I feel as if I'm missing something or a bad premonition. Movement in my peripheral vision distracts me from my brooding and I see Ana saunter into the room.
My fuck she doesn't disappoint. Dressed in all white she looks angelic. Her high waist trousers and blouse with wide long sleeves cover her completely yet accentuates her best features elegantly. There's a bridal quality to her outfit that if I envision her holding a bouquet, I'd be inspired to just say 'fuck it', drag her to the nearest courthouse and marry her.
Like a movie reel, I envision the scene play out in front of me. With heart in hand, I tell her my crazy spontaneous idea, then watch her cuff me upside the head with a reproof for being irresponsible to blow off an important interview. And she'd be right. So, I settle with something totally lame.
''Anastasia, you look beautiful. Thank you, again, for doing this.'' I know, right? Totally lame.
Ana looks down at herself questioningly and shrugs her shoulders.
"I'm doing this to reach our goals faster, Christian. We need this interview to go as flawlessly as possible, and we both have a part to play." I can see she still has the spark in her eyes from earlier.
''Kate called me while I was getting ready with some inside news. Leila had a filmed a sit-down interview earlier with the team that is doing ours and those assholes plan to air it during the time we are there on live television for the whole world to see. Leila's printed version will be in Seattle Times by tomorrow morning. That's how Kate got wind of it and called to warn me.''
Fuck me running. This shit hole is a lot deeper than I thought possible.
''Jesus, shit! We'll be essentially walking into a trap.'' Ana nods. ''The only question is, why? What are they trying to achieve aside from sensationalist journalism?'' I question out loud pacing the length of the great room. "There's a hidden agenda there I can almost taste it." My premonition comes full force. Fuck. I just knew it. This interview is going to be live so I need to think quickly on how I can spin Leila's shit in our favour. My mind is whirling with possibilities.
''Kate said the host is someone named Ashley Benson. Are you familiar with her?" I look up at Ana with a questioning look having no clue who Ashley Benson is. "Kate says she's a sneaky bitch and willing to sell her soul to the devil for a good scandal. She's of the same ilk as Ryan Seacrest and Perez Hilton. Ratings for a Christian Grey secret sex life will skyrocket her and the show's popularity.''
''Yah. Well, the bitch has just skyrocketed herself onto my shit-list. I'll need to get my legal team involved." I grumble frustrated.
"Why do you need your legal team?"
"Before I grant an interview to any network, my PR people review the questions and either approve or cross off questions they feel are inappropriate. We draw up legal forms to curb any sensationalism. I hardly ever agree to do these types of interviews in person, so me doing this will boost the networks ratings. The only reason I'm doing this is to showcase en mass our commitment and solidarity as a couple to dispel Leila's rumours. But all this was supposed to be in place before Leila got her word out."
"So, this will work in our favour."
"What do you mean? How can Leila's bullshit hitting the screen be in our favour ?"
''Tell me, will Leila be lying about your time together?''
''What?! I don't fucking know! Her blackmail notes suggested she would so, I would think she'd most likely sing like a canary. Her version may be an exaggerated truth, but the core of her statement will be real.''
''So, there is no chance of slander, only the breach in her NDA? And either the network or Ashley Benson is going to get slapped with some kind of fine. In either situation Christian, we're going to be ok''
"How the fuck is this going to be ok? This interview was to prepare the way for Leila's bullshit. If it's already circulating, this interview could be very well be moot and I'm fucked! I may as well kiss the Japanese deal goodbye."
''Will you calm the fuck down! Christian, I need you to be on top of your game. Stop behaving like three year old on a tantrum You need to shut down whatever rabbit hole your brain is going down, like now.'' Ana snaps at me. "Look at me! This interview is the culmination of all the work we've done this past week, not a preface. We've been putting up a pretty good show, so Leila coming out now won't put a dent into our already solid groundwork.
You'll need to go out on a limb and trust me. The only way this gets fucked up is if we allow it to, and lucky for you, I have invested interest in ensuring what they see out there is some crazy bitch wanting what I have" light bounces off of the ring encasing her ring finger as we wiggles it about. "Follow my lead and we'll be sure to give them a show. After I'm done, the public will cry foul on Leila while you make extra cash from Leila and the networks breach of contract. As for Ashley Benson, she'll be lucky if she can get a job walking dogs after I'm through with her.'' She gives me an almost devilish smile and I can practically see the wheels in her beautiful head turning. Fuck if I don't have another hard on. This woman will be the end of me, she's just so fucking perfect.
Christ I'm so whipped. She's totally it for me.
Next will be the interview. Not quite sure when I will post next but I'll try my best to make it sooner rather than later.
Ilenka