Although we've come
To the end of the road
Still I can't let go
It's unnatural
You belong to me
I belong to you
Although we've come
To the end of the road
Still I can't let go
It's unnatural
You belong to me
I belong to you
© Boys II Men - End of the Road
I wake up and roll over and I am very disappointed to find the other side of the bed is empty. Did I have a dream? Was he really here last night? I look over to the clock and see a note folded in front. I open the note tentatively and it reads
Ana,
Thank you.
Christian.
Ps, clothes are in the wardrobe and toiletries in the bathroom. See you downstairs when you are ready.
I have a shower, wrap myself in a large fluffy towel and investigate the wardrobe almost dreading what I will find. Most men don't know what size you are let alone picking suitable outfits for you. Much to my surprise I have a very sexy set of lingerie, blue denim jeans which fit me like a glove, a pair of pumps and a simple white spaghetti top. I pull my hair into a ponytail.
Ok, so how did he get clothes for me at that time of night? I suspect Mia had a hand in choosing but even then where was open in the early hours of the morning? Having said that, when you are as rich as he is and pay well, I am sure any store would be willing to open up as a favor.
I descend the grand staircase and follow the sound of voices to the dining room where it appears I am the last one to join for breakfast. A chorus of good mornings from everyone and being guided to a seat by Grace makes me feel welcome and I tuck into toast, cereal and orange juice with relish.
Sawyer enters the dining room about half an hour later and tells Christian we can leave whenever. We start saying our goodbyes, Mia and Grace both hug me fiercely, Carrick and Elliot are a little more reserved in their approach. Christian, Samantha and I leave Grey Manor for home. The conversation is a little stilted in the car; I want to talk to Christian alone and now urgently.
Sawyer pulls into my apartment complex, I exit the car and Christian follows me to the elevator.
"Are you alright Anastasia? You have been very quiet this morning" he asks sounding concerned.
"Yes and no" I reply truthfully. "I really loved meeting your family Christian, they are lovely people but I am concerned about the direction of our relationship"
"How so Ana? I thought we had a great evening" he looks concerned.
"I had a lovely evening and I assume you did too but I didn't actually see you until, what 2am? For a quick roll in the sack and if you want me, I mean really want me in your life then that is not good enough" I take a deep breath and carry on "I can't and won't be the person who comes running when you need to be satisfied, I need more, I want more and I deserve more. Think about it Christian" I open the door, walk in and shut it without saying anymore, I don't even glance back. My legs give out and I sink to the floor.
Kate comes out of the bathroom at that moment and rushes over to help me up.
"Ana, oh my goodness, are you ok? What happened?" she is flushed with concerned.
"I did it! I told him that I wouldn't be on call on whenever he felt like it. I told him I needed more and I walked away" with that I started to cry.
"But that's good, right?" she sounds confused.
"Yes, I need answers, I can't go on feeling that he only wants me for one thing" I sob.
"You did good kid, you got to show him that you're not a doormat" reassures Kate handing me another tissue.
"So tell me, tell me, I want to know everything, about his family and the house, was it spectacular? Ooh did you meet his parents? What was his brother like?" I can't help but smile at Kate's enthusiasm. I go on to explain about the huge house and gardens, the grand staircase and how beautifully the rooms were furnished. I tell her how sweet Christian mum and sister were, that Elliot was charming and quite handsome. How Carrick was a little intimidating but the evening was a great success with many thousands of dollars raised for charity.
The reality dawns on me that it's Monday tomorrow, the prospect of bumping into Christian at the office did not sit well with me and my night's sleep suffered.
I practically creep into the office, sit down and bury myself in paperwork for the morning. I ask Sophia if she could order lunch from the local deli and she pops it into my office together with a coffee. I thank her and begin to tuck into my Panini when a message pings up on my computer screen. I click to open the message and almost choke when I see it is from Christian asking if he can come to my office at 4pm this afternoon. I respond that I was available at that time. I buzz through to Sophia to make sure that 4pm stays free for our 'meeting'. My appetite seems to have deserted me.
Four o'clock comes around far too quickly and I am sitting at my desk feeling very pensive. A light tap at the door makes my heart beat fast and I think I actually feel light headed.
"Come in" I say tentatively.
"Hello Miss Steele" he answers with that dazzlingly hot smile of his. I almost have an orgasm at the mere sight of him. Pull yourself together Ana!
"Good afternoon Mr Grey. Please take a seat" I curtly respond.
"Thank you, I want to talk to you about the comments you made on Sunday morning, they rather concerned me" Good, good I say to myself. Something obviously sunk into that beautiful head of his.
"How so?" I say as nonchalantly as I can.
"I know you are unhappy that we didn't spend much time together on Saturday evening and I apologize but when the press are present, I cannot be seen paying another woman more attention than my 'wife'. Suspicions would be aroused" Oh I really wish he hadn't used that word, I have to squeeze my thighs together.
"That may be the case Christian but I can't see any future in our so called relationship when you are married, for convenience or otherwise. I am not prepared to be your fuck bunny" I see him smirk and a certain amount of rage builds inside of me.
"I am not sure what you find so funny Christian? I admit I was very flattered by your attention in the restaurant and was a willing participant in what happened next but I would rather cut and run now with my heart and pride somewhat intact than be the 'other woman' in a secret and potentially damaging to everyone involved situation" and breathe Ana. He looks a little stunned.
"Ana, I thought you understood the position I am in. The relationship I have with Samantha is purely platonic and is a benefit to us both and Sebastian. She was being hounded when her husband died and I am always being harassed with questions like am I gay? 28, the richest bachelor in Seattle and not married, something must be wrong with him? So we released a couple of 'wedding pictures' and filed a document to the registry office and gradually the attention died down"
"And you have carried on the façade since" I ask.
"Yes, we still warrant attention so that's why from time to time we make 'appearances' together" he explains.
"Well that's all well and good" I start "but if I am that 'bewitching' to you and if our relationship is to continue and grow then certain things will have to change Christian"
"You do intoxicate me Ana but I am not sure what you want me to change?" Deep breath and here I go.
"If we are to continue then I will need you to break off your 'marriage' to Samantha, I cannot be seen as the other woman or a home wrecker when an unexpected photo of us gets taken and published. That would not be fair on anyone" I gauge his reaction.
"I can't do that Ana, it's impossible, however it comes out I will look like a complete bastard" he runs his hand through his hair, he looks crestfallen.
"You have a PR team, I am sure they can weave a plausible explanation. However being a reasonable person I will give you some time to think about it" I am beginning to lose my nerve.
"Well that's very magnanimous of you" he stands up abruptly knocking the chair backwards. "Do you realize what you are asking me to do? I can't, I just can't!" as he storms out of the door, slamming it hard.
Phew, I sit down in my chair, I am shaking slightly, I can't believe I said all of that. I mean it needed saying but I am astonished at myself.
I pick up my phone and text Kate
Hi Kate,
SOS needed tonight around 8pm
Wine, chocolate and pj's L
Love Ana x
I get a reply back after about ten seconds.
Oh Will go shopping,Chin up honey.
Love Kate x
By 5pm I am desperate to leave the office. I decide to throw caution to the wind and take off early. Kate is waiting for me with everything a girl needs when she is down. I have a shower, put on my comfy pj's and open the wine and chocolate.
"Oh Kate, I think I have blown any chance of Christian and I being together" I begin; Kate looks half sorry and half told you so. "I told him he had to leave Samantha if we had a future"
Kate inhales sharply and says "Good for you Ana, you needed to say that but what did he say to you?"
"He said he couldn't and stormed out of the room, so I have no idea what to think" and a solitary tear runs down my cheek.
"Honey, whatever the outcome, you have totally done the right thing" she reassures.
"I know" I say sadly, I hold out my glass for a refill "Pass me the chocolate please".
I don't hear anything from Christian over the next few days, he is not at the office and in some ways I am glad but I guess a small part of me hoped that he liked me enough to at least discuss it with me like an adult instead of storming out like a child.
On Friday, I am very surprised to get a message from Grace, Christian' mother has invited me back to the manor for the weekend. It gives no more information than that. I ponder the invitation over lunch and decide to accept. If nothing else I might get a little more insight into Christian and what has been happening over the last few days and the chance to spend time with his lovely family.
I tell Kate when I get home and she thinks it's a good idea but to just be careful in case Christian is there or I get to like his family too much and have to give them up too. I love Kate's logic; she can be so sensible and does her best to support me without being too motherly.
I pack some clothes and toiletries, the weather is supposed to be fine over the weekend so I put 2 skirts and spaghetti type tops and something a little smarter just in case they dress for their evening meal, some make up and sunscreen. I hope that will be enough.
The next morning I put my small suitcase in the truck of my car, kiss Kate goodbye and she wishes me good luck and that if I need to talk at any time, I was to give her a call. I assured her I would, got into my car and started the journey to Grey Manor.
A/N: Thanks for all the feeback and reviews. Next update posted on Tuesday.