Day Nine. Escala. February 5, 2019.
I wake with a jolt and after opening my eyes quickly realize that I'm not at home. Escala. I'm with Christian at Escala.
I blink several times before hearing my phone ring and after glancing at the screen, I realize that it's José. Shit.
"Hi, José," I answer as sweetly as I can.
"Dios mío, Ana! Why didn't you call me last night?" Fuck, he's really mad. I've never heard him this mad before. It's...unsettling.
"I was tired, José, and I guess I forgot."
"That fucking lunatic holds a knife to your throat and you forget to call me?"
"José, it was late and I was giving a testimony at the police station."
"What did they decide?"
"Apparently, Michael didn't get out by accident and that's how he was able to find me. It's not exactly safe for me to be on my own right now."
"Jesus Christ, Ana."
"Tell me about it."
"Are you staying over at Kate's and Elliot's?"
"No, Christian took me home with him." As I say this, José's completely quiet.
"José?"
"It seems Christian really cares about you," he says eventually.
"He's just doing his job," I shrug.
"Since when does that include being your protector?"
"José, I'm just as shocked about this as you are."
"When are you coming back?"
"Hopefully in a few days."
"You want me to come over?"
"No, José, it's fine. I just need some time to myself."
"Ana, you know I'm here for you, right?" he says suddenly and I feel myself ready to cry.
"I know," I reply, taking a deep breath.
"Just call me if you need anything, okay? You know I'm always here for you."
"I know, José, thanks. I'll call you back as soon as I can."
"Have you called Mia or Hannah?"
"No, not yet. I was too tired to call anyone last night."
"Christ, Ana. I can only imagine what you're going through."
"I'm fine, José. I'll let you know what's going on when I can."
"Okay. Bye, Ana."
"Bye," I reply before hanging up. I'm just about to call Mia when I suddenly hear a knock at my door and after calling out for them to enter, I quickly realize that it's Christian.
"Hi," he says.
"Hi."
"Are you doing okay?" he asks as he goes to sit on my bed.
"I'm fine, Christian. I just need to make some calls is all. Everything is okay," I reply, wondering if that's the truth. He nods slowly as if I'm saying something else. What does he want me to say?
"Mrs. Jones, my housekeeper, has made some breakfast for you if you're hungry."
"Okay. I'll be down in a second."
"Are you sure you're okay from last night? If Michael had gone further, I would've..."
"I told you, Christian, I'm fine. I just need to be alone," I say a little more forcefully than I'd intended and just when I think Christian's going to say something else, he silently nods his head and heads for the door before closing it as he leaves. I sigh inwardly, feeling guilty for my outburst and put my head in my hands as I try to process last night.
I'm frozen in fear and unable to move, and Michael's grip tightens around my mouth, almost causing me to pass out.
"Long time no see, Ana. How the hell are you?" he says softly in my ear, his hand never leaving my mouth. "If you scream, this'll only get worse for you. You understand?" I slowly nod my head, wishing that I could call for help.
"I would think that after everything that's happened, you would finally learn your lesson after you told me no. And now, look at where we are," he says menacingly, his grip tightening around my throat. I feel the tip of the knife poking into my neck and deep down, I want to scream so badly.
"What made you think you could actually win against me, Ana? Considering how we met, I would think that you would learn your lesson. But you just don't know when to stop."
I then think about Christian's reaction to me when he saw me. Not only the fear in his eyes, but also the concern of how scared I was as well. Of all things, why did he have to see me like this?
I put my hand to my neck and wince slightly at the touch. It doesn't hurt as much as it did, but it still feels a little tender and I'm grateful that it wasn't deep.
"If you had kept your mouth shut, you wouldn't be in this situation." Elena's words from my past come back to haunt me and I scoff at the memory. After a moment, I pick up my phone and after finding some self-control, I start to make my calls.
I head downstairs to the kitchen and find Christian drinking some coffee and reading the paper when I join him on the barstools.
"Hi," I say shyly.
"Hi," he replies, obviously relieved to see me.
"Good morning, Miss Steele," Mrs. Jones interrupts us, making me jump as she does. "I'm Gail, Mr. Grey's housekeeper."
"Oh, hello, I'm Ana," I say as we shake hands.
"Is there something you would like for breakfast? Oatmeal? Omelet?"
"Um, I would like some tea, please, and an omelet will be fine."
"Very well. How would you like them prepared?"
"Um, weak and black for my tea and mushroom and cheese will be fine."
"I'll get on it right away," she smiles kindly and goes to prepare my meal. I stare down at my knotted fingers in my lap and after a moment's silence, Christian finally speaks up.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"I did, thank you. I almost forgot where I was."
"Does your neck still hurt at all?"
"Just a little, but it's nothing I can't handle."
"And he didn't do anything else to hurt you?"
"Christian, I'm okay. Can we please not talk about it anymore?"
"Okay," he assures me but before I have a chance to respond, he suddenly interrupts me.
"About last night..." he starts. "I didn't mean to jump you like that and I apologize if I was coming on too strong." Oh, I wasn't expecting to hear this from him.
Gail sets my tea down on the counter and I look nervously up at her, but she busies herself with my breakfast and doesn't look in my direction.
"Um, it's okay. There's no reason to apologize for it."
"Still, it was unprofessional of me and I should've shown some self-control."
"Christian, I don't expect much from you. You've been helping me a lot and I can't thank you enough for it. I promise that it's okay." He looks at me surprised, as if he wasn't expecting my response.
"What are your plans for the day?" Christian asks as Gail sets down my plate. Whoa, change of direction.
"I was planning to go to work. Get my mind off last night."
"I don't think that's a good idea. You should stay home where it's safe."
"Christian, they caught Michael. I doubt he'll get out after this incident."
"I wouldn't be so sure, Ana. I don't trust the judge at this point."
"Christian, I'll be okay. I'll call you when I can."
"That's not the point, Ana. I don't want you to be alone."
"Christian, I can't stay here and do nothing. I have to go to work."
"And what if Michael finds you again?"
"Christian, he won't. I promise you that I'll be alright. Why are you so worried about me?" He says nothing and looks uncomfortable but before he says anything else, he suddenly stands from his seat and takes his dishes to the sink. I wait for him to respond and watch as he rakes a hand through his hair. Why is he so nervous?
"Taylor will take you to work and after that, no leaving on your own." What?
"And what about when I'm there?"
"I'll send one of my security people. They'll stay there till you finish work and Taylor and I can pick you up." Oh. I wasn't expecting him to agree so quickly.
"Okay," I respond quietly. "I'll call you when I get the chance."
"Okay," he replies, but I can tell he's still not sure.
"I have to make a few calls. Taylor will be ready in twenty minutes," he says simply and without another word, he leaves me on my own. Fuck, what does he know that I don't?
Day Nine. SIP. February 5, 2019.
"Ana!" Jack calls out when I arrive and I look up to see him racing toward me but before I can react, he suddenly scoops me in his arms and hugs me tightly as he does. Jesus, what the hell is this about?
"Jack, what's wrong?" I ask concerned and he looks at me as if I'm the biggest idiot on the planet.
"Michael breaks into your apartment, holds a knife to your throat and you're acting like nothing happened?" he almost shouts and I furrow my brow in response.
"How did you know about that?"
"Kate called me and told me about last night." Oh, right.
"I'm sorry, I, I was just a little shaken up is all."
"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"Jack, I'm fine. My neck is a little sore, but it's nothing serious, I promise."
"How did Christian get involved?"
"Um, he came by my apartment and I managed to get away from Michael."
"Did you call the police?"
"Yeah, um, the detective, Sawyer, wants to have a second meeting with me, but I doubt Michael is gonna get out of this one."
"Jesus, Ana, that must've been so terrifying for you." More than you know...
"I'm okay, Jack. I really don't wanna talk about it. I just need to get to work."
"Are you sure you should even be here? You should be home and taking it easy."
"Jack, please, I just wanna get my mind off things and do something productive."
"If you say so, Ana," he says, resigned I think. "In that case, there's some manuscripts I want you to look over and tell me what you think," he remarks, pointing his chin at my desk.
"Okay, will do," I smile reassuringly and head for my desk. Finally, some peace and quiet for a change.
Day Nine. SIP. Exterior. February 5, 2019.
I'm outside of SIP waiting for Christian, just before I hear my phone ringing and pull it out of my purse to check the caller ID. Weird. I don't recognize the number.
"Hello?" I answer.
"You really thought that you were gonna win, didn't you?" a distorted voice replies.
"Who is this?"
"Just watch your back, Ana. It's not over yet," the voice responds and before I can reply, he suddenly hangs up the phone. Just then, Taylor pulls up on the curb and Christian exits the car. He looks at me and his reassuring smile is suddenly greeted with a frown.
"Ana, what's wrong? Are you okay?" I try to catch my breath and shake my head in response.
"Ana, tell me. What's wrong?" he says a little more forcefully, but I shake my head again and climb into the car without another word.
Day Nine. Escala. February 5, 2019.
We pull up outside Escala and Taylor opens my door for me and after an awkward thank you, I head inside with Christian close behind me.
"Ana, talk to me, please. Don't leave me hanging like this."
"Like you left me hanging this morning?" I snap, surprised by my own voice.
"Ana, that's not..."
"Christian, if you're gonna protect me, at least tell me what's going on. You owe me that much."
"Ana..."
"Christian, what are you so afraid of? Michael's caught, so what the hell is wrong? Stop leaving me in the dark and just tell me the truth." He gazes at me uncertainly and after raking his hand through his hair, he avoids my gaze for a few seconds and before I can press him again, he finally gives me a reply."
"Ana, Michael wasn't working alone."