AUTHORS NOTE: So, if you have read the last chapter, you have all probably guessed by now that everything kicks off at the gala and you would be right and all the separate threads come together. I felt the best way to lay everything out and walk you through the events of that night was to show it retrospectively from different perspectives. Therefore there will be a bit of jumping about between different periods of time, but as long as you remember anything that is written in italic is in the past you should be able to follow it. I started that process with the second part of the previous chapter where Christian hints to what happened and remembered the events of the night of the gala from his perspective. The 'now' part of the story is five days later (as I previously said at the start of Christian's POV) and in that timeline Christian and Ana are still in New York but Victor has returned to California.
CHAPTER 65
(VICTOR)
I step off the plane and I am greeted by Eva who is practically bouncing with excitement. When I wasn't sleeping, I spent the flight second guessing my plan to come here, wondering if I was doing the right thing or if I should've just left well alone.
I am feeling conflicted, I agreed to draw a line under Gideon's previous behaviour and give him a chance and what better way to do that than show support for a cause which obviously means a lot to him. However, I have so many thoughts going through my mind with everything to do with Gideon Cross. He didn't endear himself to me the way he behaved previously and I admit I do still hold a small grudge for the way he whisked my daughter away and married her and that small part of me… the protective father part who still believes that Gideon isn't good enough for my little girl is the main reason I came here. I also need to know if my suspicions about him and what I now believe happened to him are correct and I really don't feel good about myself for that. However, if those suspicions I hold do turn out to be correct and if he was betrayed in the worst way possible by his own family then I am also determined to try to put aside those misgivings about him which I have and make sure he knows he has someone in his corner.
As I reach the bottom of the steps of the plane, Eva throws herself into my arms whilst Gideon is standing back out of the way giving us the space to greet each other properly. I ease my daughter away from me and hold out my hand to the man in front of me.
"Thank you for sending a plane for me, it was good of you" I say carefully.
Gideon smiles politely and accepts the handshake, "I won't say your request wasn't a shock as that would be a lie, but it was my pleasure. I have no desire to keep you and Eva apart or make her choose between us and I have always said it is a standing offer that I will fly you to New York whenever you want to come. I am happy that I could facilitate your visit" he says.
I look at him carefully and I see a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He tries to hide it but something is obviously bothering him and I find myself feeling more compassion for him than I imagined I would, I feel like I want to take him in my arms and tell him everything will be ok and that whatever is going on he has my support. I don't do that of course as I'm not entirely sure what is going on, then another thought hits me and I wonder if his demeanour is down to this business with that Landon character.
"Eva told me about what was happening with Ryan Landon" I begin carefully and I am surprised when an evil grin fills his face. Ok then, so it appears that's not what he's worrying about. This is confirmed for me when his phone buzzes before he has chance to say anything. He holds up one finger and quickly checks it and the smile gets wider.
A moment later he looks up at me, "Sorry about that Victor. Yes, Ryan Landon has been a thorn in my side for many years but that text has just informed me that as of now he is in no position to do anything anymore" he says with a sense of smug satisfaction.
I glance at Eva and see a similar look on her face, Gideon sees it and hands her his phone. She quickly reads what is on the screen and starts to laugh. She looks up at me with her eyes shining and waving Gideon's phone at me.
"This is a text from Christian, he has liquidated LanCorp and Ryan Landon should be finding out about it any time now as GEH have just released a statement to that effect".
As she says this the phone she is holding starts pinging incessantly and she glances at it. "It's been done, and this is the first media reaction to it" she says handing Gideon his phone back.
As we make our way off of the tarmac and to the waiting car Eva pauses and looks up at me. "We are going back to the Penthouse, is that ok? Gideon is working from home today and we have the day to do whatever you want to" she asks.
I nod my head, "That's fine, but what about your sister and her husband? They are still in New York aren't they?" I ask.
Eva nods, "Yeah they are but they are having a day to themselves. It's all been pretty intense the past few days with one thing and another so we are all stepping back and taking a breather before the gala tonight. From what Ana said I think she is hoping to do the tourist thing and drag Christian to all the New York landmarks. They have an apartment here but she has complained many times that she hasn't seen that much of the city itself as the only time they seem to come here are for functions and business. They came a while ago with El and Ava but that was pretty much so they could meet mom, Richard and Cary and when we did do the tourist thing it was mainly child orientated stuff for Ava".
"I see, and will they be attending the gala this evening? Your mom and her husband I mean" I ask and Eva nods.
"Yeah I think so, mom always makes a point of supporting Crossroads since Gideon and I married and after…" she tails off and shakes her head. I watch as Gideon wraps his arm supportively around her and squeezes gently.
I look up at him, "What about your parents?" I ask warily knowing that I am now walking on shaky ground here.
I see the shutters come down as soon as his parents are mentioned and he lets out a small snort. "My mother and stepfather always show their public support for Crossroads, as it wouldn't look good for them not to" he says bitterly.
I quickly realise what he means, that although his relationship with his parents is estranged they make a point of putting on a show for appearances sake as if they didn't show public support for the foundation their son had founded comments would be made in the media as to why they hadn't. I remember he has some half siblings but I don't say anymore as I can see he is uncomfortable talking about this subject, which adds more credence to my suspicions about him and what happened to him and makes that compassion for him grow exponentially.
We arrive at the penthouse and Gideon excuses himself and disappears to his study. Eva shows me to the spare room and I deposit my bag in a room and look around. It is all clearly very luxurious here but it is also tasteful. Nothing seems ostentatious or over the top. It's nice. I quickly use the bathroom and as I make my way out, I look around as I try and get my bearings. I hear a muffled voice and walk towards it. I realise that I am heading towards Gideon's study. I pause as I hear him talking on the phone.
"…yeah, so if you and Ireland could come over so I can show you what I have… I warn you it's not pleasant but I'm sick of it all and I just want the truth out there, the whole truth. Now that you and Ireland know the full extent of what happened to me... and more importantly you believe me…. I think you should also be aware of what else our mother was capable of… yes… yes I know but enough is enough Christopher. I let her alienate me when I was a child. I lost my family twice because of her, once when my father died and she rebooted her life and tossed me to one side as an unwanted part of her old life and then again when I went to her for help for the abuse… I did Christopher, along with that lying piece of shit paediatrician I was branded an attention seeking liar... I know… I said I know, but what about me? I was fucking raped Christopher. Raped by a health professional who was supposed to help me get over my father's death. A death which she holds more than a little culpability and I have the proof of that… Because It's only now that I am coming to terms with everything in my past and I no longer want any more toxic secrets festering in my life… yes… I understand that but I think you are also realising how different things really were compared to what you were led to believe… Yes… alright then, I'll see you later…goodbye".
I realise I am gripping the wall and shaking. Well, now I know. I feel bad for eavesdropping and never in a million years did I expect to hear that, but it explains everything and my heart immediately goes out to the man inside, the small part of me which was holding the petty grudge against him vanishes and is replaced with moral outrage on his behalf that as a child he went through what he did. He was raped and essentially disowned by his own family for speaking out about it and trying to get help, that just isn't right and my mind goes back to how Monica did everything in her power to help and support Eva when she found out about her abuse. Something else hits me, his actions with regard to Eva. Everything suddenly becomes crystal clear and I see the truth. He had spent the majority of his life alone so when he found Eva and fell in love, he clung to that and wanted to bind himself to her so that… I swallow hard as I realise the full implications behind his actions, he was afraid to lose her. He did what he did because he was afraid he was going to lose her to Brett Kline. I recall our conversation where he admitted to me that it made him realise how hurt she had been about Corrine and that realisation frightened him. He did that huge gesture not to piss me off but because he was terrified that he was going to lose Eva – the woman he loved and be alone once again.
I quickly turn away and walk blindly in the opposite direction. I stop when I realise that I am back at the bedroom.
"Dad?" I turn and Eva is looking at me.
"I lost my bearings and I got a bit lost, I didn't realise this was such a big place" I say and Eva laughs.
"No, it is a bit like a rabbit warren, the living room and kitchen is just through here" she points and I nod.
"Down there is just Gideon's study and a small storeroom" she adds. She is looking at me carefully, "Are you ok dad, you look a bit pale?" she asks and I force a smile.
"I'm a bit tired that's all it was an early start this morning and with the time difference albeit only a few hours and I'm not as young as I was" I say, making up the first excuse which comes to mind. It's not true as I slept on the plane but saying I have just overheard Gideon's darkest secrets wouldn't be the best move at this point.
Eva nods and looks at me with concern, "Come and sit down and I'll make you a drink. You should've taken the opportunity to nap on the plane after all you are still recovering from that shooting as well" she says.
I shake my head, I am now kicking myself that I have made her worry about me, "Don't fuss about that Eva I'm fully recovered from that little episode. Plus, I know I should've slept and to be fair, I did a little but I was just too excited to see you again" I say.
oooOOOooo
A short while later a phone buzzes and Eva walks over and picks it up, she listens and then speaks. "Thanks, send them up" she says and replaces the receiver.
"Christopher and Ireland are here" she says and I realise they are Gideon's siblings.
"I thought…?" I begin and stop.
Eva nods, "Yeah stuff happened and while Ireland has been in Gideon's life for a while it made Christopher see that Gideon wasn't the monster he thought he was. They are slowly starting to build a relationship and while they have a lifetime of mistrust and animosity to overcome, they are both willing to try, which is the main thing". I read between the lines of what she has said with the knowledge I now have and I slowly work out what I am going to say.
"Why did… Christopher? Is that right – Christopher?" I pause as Eva nods, "Why did Christopher think that Gideon was a monster?" I ask carefully.
Eva sighs and she too looks like she is trying to figure out what she is going to say. "He was fed a lot of lies about Gideon by their mother and his father. They painted Gideon as an attention seeking liar and Christopher as a child believed it and it fed the sibling rivalry he had. He saw how Elizabeth and Chris treated Gideon and it coloured his view of him. He now realises that what he was told was lies".
Before I can say anything else, the doorbell rings and Eva stands to go and answer it. A moment later she is back accompanied by two people. I quickly stand as they look at me carefully. The girl smiles widely at me and I remember her from when I came to visit Eva before she and Gideon married and I first met Gideon. He had brought Ireland to that initial meeting. I hold out my hand as Eva introduces us.
"Dad this is Christopher and Ireland – although I think you've already met Ireland before" she says.
I nod, "Guys this is my dad, he has flown in from California as he wants to offer his support at the gala for Crossroads tonight" she explains.
"Pleased to meet you sir" Christopher says politely. I look at him and realise he must look like his father. I have seen photographs of Gideon's mother before and Gideon is the image of her, as is Ireland. I smile kindly at Ireland as she gives me a little wave and says a quiet hello.
I see Eva look past me and I turn to see Gideon appear looking tightly reined in although he smiles as Ireland rushes to him and flings herself at him.
"If you want to come through this way, so we can leave Eva and Victor in peace" he says as he gestures towards the doorway. Both Christopher and Ireland nod and follow Gideon away. I watch them go and then turn to Eva who has a pensive expression on her face.
"Is everything ok?" I ask and Eva nods.
"I think so, whether or not Christopher and Ireland will think that when Gideon has told them what he needs to is another matter" she says.
I raise my eyebrows in question and Eva sighs. She gestures to the sofa and we both sit down. "Gideon has evidence which proves his… their mother knew all about the crooked Ponzi scheme Gideon's dad operated. Elizabeth has always maintained she knew nothing but Gideon has proof which not only implicates her but proves she knew everything. He also said he has memories of her encouraging his father to continue and get deeper and deeper involved. He said he believes that it was the fact Elizabeth turned on his dad when it all fell apart and distanced herself from him was what made Geoffrey Cross kill himself. It wasn't the fact he'd been caught and was facing jail time it was the fact his wife had essentially dropped him, publicly vilified him and moved on. That is what broke him".
"Why is Gideon telling them all this now?" I ask and Eva hesitates.
"Stuff came out about their shared childhood and they both see Elizabeth very differently now, and Gideon feels it is in their best interest to know everything there is to know about their mom, he knows that he is taking a risk doing this but as far as he is concerned, he has nothing to lose and he wants to do it now before he has built a meaningful relationship with Christopher" she says vaguely. I don't push her as I realise the 'stuff' she is referring to is probably Gideon's abuse.
I feel that is very sad as there is a part of him which believes the information he holds will make his brother turn away from him again…
"Hey wakey wakey!" I am pulled from my memories by my partner who is holding out a cup of coffee and grinning at me. "You were away with the fairies. In fact, you've been in la la land ever since you came back from New York, what's up Vic? You got a taste of how the other half live and are missing it?"
I let out a snort, as I accept the coffee and take a long gulp. As my partner waits for an answer I shake my head adamantly. "No chance, I wouldn't want that life for a million dollars!" I say and my partner smiles kindly at me.
"Look, I'm kidding - I know what happened that night, fuck everyone in the country knows what happened. It was all a bit of a clusterfuck wasn't it? The media was full of it, and still is and every day some new shit keeps leaking out. Aren't you worried about your daughter? I was surprised when you came back to be honest as after what happened I expected you to stay on for a while longer".
I nod as I recall the conversation I'd had with Gideon, "I offered to stay on, but Gideon assured me I would be better off out of the way. He said I had managed to maintain my anonymity with everything that came out before – when it all came out about Eva not being my biological daughter. But he said that they would start digging into who I was if I stayed in New York and they would put two and two together. He said that once they did I'd be hounded relentlessly. So, I agreed to return home and I'm grateful to him for trying to protect me and my privacy".
My partner nods, "He clearly knows his shit, I mean someone of his prominence knows how the media works".
I nod in agreement, "He does, I wasn't happy about it to begin with but seeing what has been happening in the media since that night makes me realise he made the right call".
"You were photographed though, so why didn't they work out who you were from that?" my partner asks and I smile at him.
"I spent quite a lot of time chatting with Angus and Christian's security guy… erm… Jason, so I think the media assumed I was just the hired security for that night as the Grey's were also there.
I return to my own thoughts as I continue to recall the events of that day as they unfolded…
I pull at the collar of my shirt and I hear a giggle behind me. I turn and Eva snaps a photograph of me on her phone. I take her in, she looks absolutely stunning.
"I have to get myself some photographic evidence of this moment. I've never seen you in a Tux before so I was surprised when you said you had one!" she says.
I can't help but smile, "Make the most of it as it is a sight you won't be seeing regularly. You look amazing" I say.
Eva grins and does a little twirl. "You like it?" she says and I nod.
Gideon appears and I take in his bespoke tux and watch as he attaches his cufflinks. "Are we ready?" he asks.
I watch him carefully, I noticed that he has been incredibly quiet since his siblings left earlier and we have barely seen him for most of the day. I watch as Eva slips her arm around his waist and he pulls her close and holds her tightly.
"Christopher and Ireland are here" he mutters as he still clings to Eva.
I recall how Christopher and Ireland had left the apartment earlier both ashen faced and with anger coming off them in waves. I don't say anything as I'm not supposed to know what has been happening.
I step forward, "Well, I'm ready when you are" I say brightly as I push my finger into my collar and pull slightly.
"Let's go then" Gideon replies and we follow him out to the living room where Christopher and Ireland are lounging. They both stand as we enter the room and offer sincere greetings.
"Will mom and dad be there tonight?" Ireland asks mildly and Christopher glares at her and shakes his head almost imperceptibly.
"Yes" Gideon responds blandly, and Ireland just nods but doesn't say a word, but she definitely looks like she is planning something.
We leave the penthouse and waiting at the kerb is a limousine. I look at it and then at Gideon wondering if this is our ride. That is confirmed when I see Angus climb out and open the door.
"A limo" I say quietly and Gideon shrugs.
"It was easier as there is so many of us, Christian and Ana will be meeting us there though" he pauses and glances at Angus, "You've been liaising with Taylor to arrive at the same time?" he asks and Angus nods.
"It's all in hand lad" he says with obvious affection. Gideon smiles and after Ireland, Christopher and Eva have all clambered into the limo he looks at me and sweeps his hand to indicate I should climb in. I do so and then he climbs in behind me and Angus closes the door and slides into the driver's seat. I notice that there is another man in the passenger seat in the front and he is quickly introduced as Raul, another member of Gideon's security team, but I remember him from when Gideon, Eva and the Grey's all came to California when it all came out about Eva and Ana being sisters.
This is definitely way beyond my comfort zone and I think Gideon realises this. "When we arrive, there will be a lot of media assembled. It can be a bit intimidating but just ignore them and don't respond to their inane comments and questions" he says.
I nod and continue to look out of the window. When we arrive Gideon glances behind him and smiles. "Taylor is right behind us" he says and I glance out of the heavily tinted windows towards the car behind us.
The car comes to a stop and Angus opens the door for us and as we all climb out I go and stand with Angus. The man intrigues me, he clearly has more of a relationship with Gideon than just an employee and Gideon obviously sees him as more than that as well.
"This is so far out of my comfort zone it's not even funny" I say to him and he smiles at me.
"You'll be fine Mr Reyes just ignore the vultures" he says as he looks towards the assembled media.
I turn and see the Grey's have now joined us and with that Gideon ushers everyone inside. I turn towards Jason Taylor who is on high alert and taking in his surroundings.
I watch as heads turn and whispering starts. Almost immediately people start moving towards Gideon and Christian. I am impressed to see Gideon just totally ignores the majority of them.
Then my heart stutters as I see her, Monica is drifting towards us accompanied by her husband and she makes a beeline for Eva and Gideon. He kisses her politely and then she greets Eva. I bristle as they air kiss. This whole thing is just so… fake. I know appearances are everything at socialite gatherings like this but for god's sake she's her mother.
"Victor" Monica says as her gaze falls on me and I nod.
"Monica" I reply coldly.
As they make their excuses and leave us I step up and whisper in Eva's ear, "Things still frosty between you and your mom?"
She shrugs, "A little, was it that obvious?" she asks and I nod.
"Shit" she whispers.
I think that profanity was in response to my nod but then I see a tall willowy dark-haired woman and an auburn-haired man heading straight for us. I see the resemblance between the man and Christopher and I know that the woman is Gideon's mother despite the fact it is blatantly obvious.
She has a plastic smile fixed to her face and I see Gideon stiffen as she walks up to him.
Before anything can be said though, and as his mother reaches for him Ireland grabs Gideon's hand and glaring viciously at her mother she marches him away. Eva grins widely and follows her lead. We all move with them and Elizabeth is just left standing with her husband who is glaring daggers at us all.
Eva can't help herself and she holds up her hand to Ireland who makes a point of slapping it.
"Ireland will you behave" Christopher hisses but Eva shakes her head.
"The bitch had it coming" she says coldly.
We all take our seats at the table and I look around, it really is totally unbelievable, how the other half live. I feel like I'm making the place look untidy as I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat.
"Relax Victor" Gideon whispers and I let out a snort.
"That's easy for you to say" I mutter.
Gideon leans towards me and in a low voice begins to speak. "I loath these events, the wealthy trying to outdo themselves to show how magnanimous and charitable they can be in public when privately they wouldn't do a damn thing. This evening is purely for publicity for Crossroads so that the name is out there for the people who really need it. I wouldn't be here unless I had to be, I personally bankroll the majority of the Crossroads finances".
I swallow hard this is my chance, "Why?" I ask.
Gideon stares at me, "Why what?" he asks although I am fairly certain he knows what I am asking.
"Why do you do that?" I ask.
Gideon looks down at his glass, "I have my reasons" he says simply.
I open my mouth to speak when I see Gideon glance over my shoulder. I turn and once again I see his mother and step father stalking towards us with a grim expression on their faces.
"Ireland that was rude" the man says but Ireland just shrugs and turns her head away.
"Ireland will you stop behaving like an adolescent" the man hisses again. This time Christopher gives the man a filthy look and stands up to speak.
"Will you stop. You are making an exhibition of yourselves and what you are now doing is drawing more attention than anything that Ireland did. I really don't want to talk to either of you, tonight is about Crossroads, not you two so I suggest you move along to your own table and leave everyone here alone".
I see the shock appear in his father's eyes at his words and his mother swallows hard before her eyes fall on Christian and Ana and then me. "Are you going to introduce us to your guests Gideon" she asks.
"No" Gideon replies simply and I hear both Ana and Eva let out unladylike snorts which seems to infuriate Gideons mother even more.
"I'll do it" Ireland says suddenly and stands up glaring at her parents.
"Ireland" Christopher says warningly.
"No Christopher they want to know and it's only fair our guests are fully aware of who these people are" she says with a large amount of antagonism.
I see Gideon's mother pale slightly but Ireland is now on a roll.
"She sweeps her hand towards Ana and Christian and then me. This is Ana and Christian Grey. Ana is Eva's sister and this is Eva's dad Victor who has flown in from California to support Gideon tonight because he is a good parent. He loves his daughter and because my brother is married to his daughter he also loves and supports my brother" she says with a shrug.
I see Gideon smirk slightly at that but I try not to react. Ireland is causing a number of people to pause and look our way which I am certain is her intention.
"Ana, Christian, Mr Reyes this is Elizabeth and Chris Vidal. Elizabeth is our mother and Chris is mine and Christopher's father. Their relationship with Gideon is estranged so the only reason they are here tonight is because it makes them look good. It's all for show, just like everything is when it comes to our mother… isn't that right mom? Just like how you threw Gideon's dad under the bus back in the day".
"Ireland" Christopher says.
"Ireland, please" Gideon says quietly and Ireland looks at him and nodding she sits down but the room has fallen silent and everyone is looking our way. Elizabeth is clutching at her throat with her hand and all colour has drained from her face.
"What on earth has gotten into you?" Chris hisses at her.
Irelands eyes flash dangerously, and she speaks again making sure she can be heard clearly. "The truth dad, the truth has gotten into me. The truth told to me today by my brother who was thrown away by his own mom. I have seen evidence with my own eyes today about just what she is capable of".
These comments start a significant amount of murmuring around the room but that quickly subsides when a scream is heard, and there is activity across the room. Everyone is immediately on alert as a man comes careering across the room towards us.
"YOU BASTARD GREY YOU'VE FUCKING RUINED ME! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU AND CROSS".
Everything goes into slow motion, Jason Taylor and Angus appear and I immediately go into cop mode and join in as well.
"Dad" Eva says anxiously but I have seen the gun the man is waving and I realise this must be Ryan Landon.
"GET DOWN HE IS ARMED" I yell and this promotes even more screaming around the room before Taylor leaps and tackles the man to the ground. Event security swarm towards us and as Taylor is struggling with Landon the gun goes off. I frantically look for Eva and see she is on the floor and Gideon is covering her body, Ana is also on the ground covered by Christian.
I look and see Ireland is fine, as is Elizabeth and Chris. Then my eyes fall on Christopher and he is clutching his arm.
"Are you hit?" I ask and he nods, I fall to my knees at his side and gently prize his fingers away from his arm, there is a gunshot wound to his upper arm and I lie him down and apply pressure to the wound.
"Stay still and help will be here shortly". He nods again and I can see the pain etched on his face.
I watch as Landon is bundled away and I glance down as Christopher speaks, the pain evident in his voice. "I don't think it is a bad wound, I don't think it went in, it just grazed me… but is anyone else hurt?" he asks.
I look around but don't see any evidence of anyone else being hit. "It doesn't look like it, just stay still and you'll be fine" I say trying to reassure him.
Everyone has now realised that Christopher has been hit. Elizabeth pushes forward but Ireland grabs her arm. "Get away from him and just go away mom, this was your fault" she says.
"Ireland please" Elizabeth says.
Ireland shakes her head, "You were instrumental in the fraud Gideon's dad committed because you were in it up to your neck as well, so the grudge Landon has been holding against Gideon all these years for what his dad did is also down to you, in fact everything bad in Gideon's life seems to all come back to you" she says coldly.
Elizabeth looks around, I realise she is more concerned about what people will think of what Ireland is saying and I am quite disgusted by that. That concern for appearances has drowned out any maternal concern for her son who is lying on the floor bleeding and she doesn't give him or Gideon another look as she allows Chris to lead her away.