A Long Haul

by la rsistance

Ana and Christian always wanted the best for their children. The CEO might be able to control his company but he can't control what goes on in the family. How will the family manage? How will the family deal with adversity? Stay tuned! NB: The characters are not owned by me, however they will have their own thoughts, and few twists to 50SOG. PLEASE REVIEW.

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

St. Catherine's Boarding School

Martina's POV

I've been counting the days till I return back home. This boarding school has it perks however it leaves you missing one thing. Freedom. Mum and dad thought it was wiser if I just focused on my education and boarding school was the answer to that. Little do they know that here we are all fed up. Yes, parents try to do the best for their children, but at what cost? They all will rebell, and I happened to have few friends that have the same mindset.

Overall the school is great, with mixed genders, swimming pool and gym incorporated. It has a lovely countryside that we can roam freely in, but all within time limits. Teachers here are really dedicated and all students are highly competitive. I, being my mother's and father's daughter am not any less competitive, but at times, like every other human, I just lie down and think about these past 6 years. My family tries to visit twice a year, but really that's not enough. I miss them, especially my brother. He tries to visit more than twice, inventing any excuse to come by either to drop off new clothes, latest movies or simply to take me to the beach to have some normality. On the other hand, my parents keep pestering him to keep me focused… I just need some space…

'Martina!' William shouted whilst he burst the door open. 'Ready for movie night?' He continued whilst he placed popcorn and pizza on the coffee table as Emily followed through with drinks.

'Guys, don't you knock!' I half laughingly said as I went to close the door before any nun came in to stop the fun.

'You knew we were coming.' Emily replied whilst she sat down on the bed. 'Are you ok?' she asked again.

'Yeah. I was just thinking.' I smiled. 'So what are we watching Willy?'

'I was thinking maybe Insidious? Or the Nun?' He hinted before Emily and I cut him off.

'Noooo, no way! Last time we watched a horror movie, Emily here didn't let me sleep!' I notified whilst I walked towards the bookshelf and pulled a DVD Theodore had brought me 2 weeks ago. 'Here, my brother brought us Friends.' I continued whilst I handed it to William to start it up.

'I love that sitcom!' Emily said as she poured down a few drinks and settled the pizza slices on the plates.

'You miss him?' William asked.

'Who?'

'Your brother.'

'Yeah… He's the one that was consistent, you know?' I replied whilst I helped Emily set the cushions. 'Anyways, let's stop talking about this and get this evening on shall we?' I laughed as I nudged Emily.

Emily had a huge crush on William, but not to create a dent in their friendship, they decided to leave everything as it is. They would have made a cute couple, but I guess they know best. We all took a comfy position, and huddled up together whilst William started the series. The pizza smelled great, but deep down I knew I couldn't join them. I knew I had to find an intelligent way to not make it obvious, but lately it's been getting harder.

Two hours went by, and we couldn't hold on to any laughter. Friends was hilarious and serious at the same time. All of a sudden we hear loud footsteps followed by banging on the door.

'Martina, open this door!' Sr. Monica shouted

'Shit!'

'Martina! Open this door now! I won't say it again!' the nun shrieked again whilst William hurriedly switched off the DVD and hid it under my bed. I opened the door quickly whilst Emily hid the drinks.

'Sr. Monica. I didn't realise what time it was.' I lied gently whilst we tried to hide our laughs.

'William, Emily…' She started '... you two back to your rooms, and you Martina, I expect you to be more exemplary.'

'Sr. we all were here... ' Emily started.

'Yeah, we just wanted to… ' William continued when we noticed Saskia, coming out from the shades. '... right I get it.'

'We understand that you want to bond together and have what you call 'fun', but in this school we strive on excellence. Staying up at night is not acceptable.' The Sr. explained.

'Let me guess. Saskia reported us?' William smirked

'She didn't report you, she came to tell us that there were extreme loud sounds coming from this room. As your prefect, Saskia did right. Now I must warn you that if this happens again, you three will be in detention for the next month.' She instructed. 'Now, clean this room and go to bed. I will be checking up on you in 30 minutes.' She finished whilst she left back to the corridor leaving Saskia behind her.

'You had to report us Saskia..' William confronted

'IT is my duty William, and as for you 2, you better get your act together. You will never win.' She smirked whilst she followed the path Sr. Monica took.

'God I hate that girl.' William started.

'Guys you better go to your rooms. I'll clean up here.' I replied.

'No, we'll help you. We are in trouble as much as you are.' Emily smiled

Christian's POV

The last few days upon restructuring of the company, Theodore and I had been staying late at work. Taylor had just dropped us off and finally we were at home.

'Ana?' I called, whilst I put my bag, keys and shoes near the door.

'I'm up here!' She replied

'Where?'

'Martina's room.' She continued whilst I walked to greet her.

'What are you doing?' I asked Gail and Ana.

'Preparing Tina's room. She'll soon be back. I can't wait to see her!' She replied. 'Also we received a call from Sr. Monica.' She continued

'What happened?' I asked as I took off my tie and suit and started helping them with the bedside table.

'Sr. Monica said that Tina has stayed up late watching movies with her friends.' Gail sarcastically replied. 'I don't know what they're expecting these teens to do!'

'That's why they called?' I asked perplexed

'Yeah… also Sr. Monica would like to speak to us urgently.' Ana hinted whilst she gave me a look. '... She is waiting for our availabilities.'

'Ok. I'll clear my schedule for Friday, say 10am?'

'I'll ring them tomorrow.' Ana replied exasperated.

Grey Holdings has taken a new addition since my son decided to continue following my ropes. Theodore, as the assistant CEO, suggested restructuring, and whilst things have taken a step towards a better direction with additional profit, employees started to ridicule safety precautions. Grey Holdings has experienced an increase in injury leave and an added expense towards injury on duty, at which we had to tackle at the core.

'Mr. Sparrow, you are the Head of HR for a reason. I don't expect that under your policies, I have to declare $92K loss in Injury Leave.'

'Mr. Grey, the board needs a massive management change. We have noticed aggressiveness through the Executives both from maintenance and IT departments….' Sparrow started.

'So what are you implying Mr. Sparrow.' I urged further whilst my phone buzzed and quickly read the email.

From: Theordore Grey Steele

Subject: Sis's surprise

Date: November 14, 2019

To: Christian Grey

Dad, I'm visiting Martina at the school, do I tell her about the get together?

Theo

I smiled to myself. We couldn't wait till our little one returned home. We had subscribed Martina to a boarding school, to give her the best education she could possibly have but looking back, we lost 6 years of her life without seeing her grow. She's now 16 and we all decided that it's best for her to come back with us. Theodore had visited her frequently but we know that's not enough. Ana is lost without her, and I am too.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: N. O.

Date: November 14, 2019

To: Theodore Grey Steele

Theo, do not tell your sister about her welcome party! It's a surprise for a reason.

Meeting - once you're back we have some work to do.

Give our love to Martina.

Christian Grey

CEO Grey holdings.

'Sir I fully take responsibility on this…'

'Good, then I expect you to come up with solutions now.'

'Yes…' Sparrow fidgeted. '... We'll propose a business plan and reevaluate in 3 weeks? '

'Make it 2 Sparrow' I sternly replied as I made my way out of the board room.

I quickly dialled Theodore's number, he has a tendency of not looking at his phone whenever he's with someone.

Theodore's POV

I couldn't wait to see my sister again. She is this young woman full of energy and passion in everything she does. I brought her some baby's breath, her favourite type of flower, if one can call them that.

Whilst I was lost in my thoughts I see my phone vibrating on the dashboard.

I quickly pulled over and noticed that dad was calling me.

'Yelloww..' I laughingly answered.

'Theodore, are you driving?'

'Yepp. At 130 miles an hour.' I continued. 'and there I hit a trashcan..'

'Theordoreee! Pull over!' he started

'Dad, relax, I am pulling your leg! What's up?'

'Did you read my email?'

'Nopes..'

'I swear you age me faster than your mother.' he exasperatingly replied. 'Listen, your mother left a bag for…'

'Yeah I know. Cute dress. Did you approve it?' I teased.

'Cut the crap and let's be serious for a moment. Don't tell Tina about the welcome party. We want this to be a surprise.'

'Yes dad, don't worry.' I replied. '... But she is not stupid. She will figure something out with a fancy dress like this.'

'Tell her we're going for lunch or on the yacht or something…' Dad continued before I cut him off.

'Dad relax, you're making me feel claustrophobic. How did the meeting go?

'We have a lot to discuss which we'll do later.'

'Sure… Listen dad, as much as I love your pestering…' I teased '... I really have to get going if you want me to make dinner tonight.'

'Fine. Give our love to Tina.' He finished before I cut off the line.

He was always like this, overbearing and controlling is the word. I understand he wants to keep us all safe, but all this security, tracking devices constant calls did make us tired. Fortunately enough I'm a male so although he does worry, it's much much less than all the worry dad goes through with mum and Tina.

I pulled over into the parking lot, and made my way to the front entrance where the receptionist nun greeted me.

'Mr. Grey!' She smiled as she came to hug me. 'What a nice surprise!'

'Hello Sr. Erica.' I smiled as I hugged her back. 'I brought you some chocolate….' I said whilst I winked at her and laughed. She hit me in my side with her elbow as she knew that this was a bribe to leave me a few extra minutes with Martina.

'Thank you Theodore, but you know that I can't leave you more than 10 minutes extra.' She stated disappointingly

'Come on…' I pressed whilst I hugged her again. '20 minutes extra.' I hinted with a cunning smile.

'Ok, fine…' She finally gave in.

'So where is she? Usual?' I asked making my way to the dormitory

'No Theodore, she is at the track.'

'Track?' I asked surprised

'Yes, everyday at 8am she goes for a run.'

'I didn't know this.'

'I think there's more you don't know about your sister.' She smiled whilst she showed me the way. 'Shall I assume your parents told you about the meeting tomorrow?'

'Yeah, they are quite concerned.'

'Theodore, we have noticed a behavioural change in Martina.'

'Meaning?' I asked, whilst she pointed at the track and there I saw, Martina running. I couldn't realise what the nun was hinting at. 'What do you mean? I don't understand. She's just running.'

'Theodore, the teachers have noticed that Martina has been very detached lately, she doesn't participate in class, she rarely leaves her room, except to run.'

'Is this the reason for my parents' meeting?'

'Yes.' She confirmed. 'We believe Martina should seek professional help. She is a straight A student, she's sweet, caring… it's a pity to lose that potential.'

'I'll talk to her…' My mind was going at miles an hour. She was this invincible human, ready to take on anything. She's intelligent, bright, what happened? It's been 6 months since I saw her last, and definitely something looked completely different about her. 'Thank you Sr. for this information.'

Martina's POV

Running was the only thing left that made me feel alive. These rigid rules, these voices in my head. I just couldn't take it anymore. I forgot the last time I felt normal. There was something that kept pushing me, pushing me to be perfect.

The phone on my arm just vibrated, notifying me that I hit the 10 mile mark, I finally could stop for now before I returned back to the track. I made my way to the staircase where I noticed Theodore coming down.

Theodore's POV

I looked at her trying to find her bearings. The nun was right, there is something awfully off about her and I couldn't put my finger on it as yet. Mum and dad will definitely not be happy about this. I quickly texted mum to meet her at her office before I went home. She always had the right answers for these situations. But right now I needed to be present with Martina.

'Martina!' I shouted as she started climbing up the stairs. I saw her smile from afar and run up to hug me. She flew in my hands and hugged me tight.

'Theodore!' She said as she hid her face in my neck. 'What are you doing here?' She asked as she let go.

'Can't I visit my sister?'

'Yeah, you can, but usually you let me know beforehand.' She smiled.

'Well I wanted to surprise you…' I replied as I looked at her trying to inspect what the difference in her is. 'So how are you?'

'I'm great now that I'm coming back home.' She continued as she made her way up with me following her. 'Listen, it's not that I'm not happy that you're here, but I really need to take a shower, and ….'

'You're sending me off?' I asked surprised.

'No, no, it's just I need to do a lot of things…' She tried to cover up. I was definitely sure that there was something she's hiding.

'Don't worry.' I smiled whilst I held her from her shoulders and followed the direction she was taking to her dormitory. 'Sr. Erica gave me the go ahead yesterday to take you out for a coffee.' I hinted, whilst I felt her tense up.

'Coffee…?'

'Yeah, get away from this…

'I need to shower…'

'Don't worry, I'll wait for you.' I smiled as she opened the door to her room. 'I also brought you these.' I continued as I handed her the flowers. '...and mum sent you this.'

'What's this?' She asked as she took a look at the contents of the bag. 'A dress?'

'Yeah, we're going for dinner when you return. Mum wants you to look nice.' I smiled.

'Um… ok… Listen, I'll just take a quick shower. Will you wait here?'

'Yeah.' I replied as she made her way to the bathroom. '...Tina?' I was about to ask her directly what's wrong or what happened, but I knew she wouldn't talk, so I quickly retreated my startup to a question formulation. '... never mind'.

Once I heard the water running, I quickly left the room, keeping an ear out to hear when the water stops. I immediately called mum to reply to her message...

Anastasia's POV

I decided to take the day off, to continue helping Gail in taking out what's old and keeping what we really need. If it was for the two men in the house, we'll keep everything just in case a situation arises, but I am sure Theodore will no longer need his tricycle. Resetting Tina's room was no easy job, I wouldn't know what to do if Gail wasn't here. She helped us throughout all these years. She was there for Theodore when he broke up with his girlfriend a few months ago, she babysat Martina and Theodore, and she helped us with anything housekeeping related. A woman of sentiment… My phone vibrating took me out of my thoughts and Theodore's message sounded quite worrying. I quickly replied, but a call soon followed.

'Hey mum…' Theodore greeted.

'Hi Theodore. What happened?' I asked

'Listen, I spoke to the nun about what's going on. Tina isn't doing well. She's… different.'

'Different… how?'

'I don't know, she just doesn't seem herself.' He replied. 'I am taking her out, maybe she will talk to me. I think you should prepare dad.'

'Ok, ok.. I'll see what I can do.' I replied. 'Will you be here for dinner?'

'Yes, I'll be there after work.' He replied before he hung up.

This call made me feel more anxious. I knew something had to be wrong for the school to contact us. Somehow I had to prepare Christian about this. He would have an aneurysm if he knows something happened and he couldn't prevent it. I just couldn't wait for the morning to arrive both to get our daughter back and see what's going on.

The following morning was very hectic and the silence could be cut through with a knife. During dinner Theodore briefed us on what happened, about how Tina was acting and the nun's concern. Christian was already losing his mind, trying to figure out what happened. She was happy, she was lively, but it seems something was drained out of her.

Christian's POV

'Dammit…' I said as I tried to fix my tie whilst my wife came forward to kiss me.

'Here let me help..' She smiled 'Christian it's no use worrying. We just need to go and see that the Head of School wants to tell us.'

'You heard Theodore yourself… Something happened, and before we get to the bottom of this…'

'...and you think a 16 year old is going to tell her father what's going on?' She smirked as she put on her shoes. 'You have more chances knowing what's going on from her phone than from her telling you.'

'Good, then we'll take her phone!' I stated as I put on my suit jacket, whilst she gave me a sharp look. 'What?'

'You will not do that Christian. Let's just go and see what the head has to say, and as parents, we should just let her tell us what's bothering her.' She smiled.

Ana always had a way of calming me down, but in these circumstances there was no way I could. We made our way to the school, with Theodore already in the car with Taylor. I could tell he was worried. Before we left we made sure that Gail had everything under control for Tina's return and the get together. It was definitely going to be a busy day.