I open my eyes and I wish I hadn't, my head is banging and I feel sick. That will teach me to drink wine into the early hours with Kate. It's 9.30am, I drag my body to the shower ever in the hope some water will revitalise me. I curse for not drinking a glass of water before I went to sleep, it does help me prevent bad hangovers and I won't make that mistake again. The water cascades over my head and down my body, I think I must have stood there for at least fifteen minutes with my eyes closed, fighting the waves of nausea and spinning before realizing I am starting to resemble a shrivelled prune. I soap, shave my legs, rinse and dry in five minutes, clean my teeth as my mouth resembles a garbage can and I feel a little more human. I put my sweats and a t-shirt on and quietly go to the kitchen.
Kate, who looks none the worse for wear this morning, is cheerfully making breakfast.
"Morning, oh boy you look rough Ana" she smiles "Heavy night was it?" I have to hold my head in my hands to be able to laugh otherwise it feels like my brain is going to burst out of my skull.
"How do you manage to drink as much as me and still wake up looking and feeling fine?" I scold
"All in the genes, besides I do have a mild headache this morning" as if that is some consolation to me.
"Here, drink this" she offers me a cup of black strong coffee. I rarely drink coffee anyway but the smell was enough to tip me over the edge and I dash to the bathroom. Kate hastily follows and dampens a flannel to put over my forehead, apologising profusely for making me sick and then helps me back to the sofa after I have brushed my teeth again.
"Ok, ok, I get the message, no breakfast for you, just water this morning" Kate says returning from the kitchen with a glass of water.
"Sorry and thanks" I say sheepishly. Kate's cell rings, Elliot is calling and I see an immediate flush of colour as she talks with him. She sounds so happy, then smiles and giggles as she tells him about last night and this morning. I gently throw a cushion and mouth 'thanks a bunch' at her but I am laughing as much as my head will allow. Sleep takes me once more, fortunately not so much spinning and some nausea has subsided. I wake a couple of hours later; Kate is sitting in the chair watching television.
"Hey you, feeling better?" she asks
"Mm yes I do, sorry to have dropped off but I think I needed it" I smile. I get up, go to the loo and find some Tylenol to ease my head. I do feel hungry now but start off on dry toast, just in case. I swear I will never drink again.
I gradually feel better, the headache has settled to dullness in the back of my head, I am hungry and I mean hungry. One slice of dry toast just isn't cutting it so Kate and I cook together, nothing fancy, just Pasta Primavera and water. I feel a bit nauseous again but soon passes and we spend the next few hours just having girly talk before heading to bed.
The next morning we decide to head out for a picnic to Discovery Park, not only an escape from the rat race but some breath-taking scenery and wildlife. It's warm but not too stuffy and a light breeze feels very refreshing. We pack up our picnic basket with sandwiches, Cru de Te, drinks, the non-alcoholic variety of course and some Oreo's and Twinkies. I forget Taylor is still shadowing me so I call his cell and tell him our plans. We will take Kate's car as less conspicuous than mine and Taylor will be behind us at a reasonable distance.
It is very quiet at the park, not that we are moaning, both Kate and I said we didn't want to be harassed now that our faces are known to people. Taylor still looks nervous as we enter the park, I can see him checking out the various 'escape' routes but I feel comfortable that nothing will happen today. We work up to a brisk pace heading toward the picnic area nearest the woods, sit down and unpack our feast. I take a plate of food and a drink over to Taylor who is sitting a little distance away and he looks thankful, after all I didn't give him much warning we were going out for the day and I am sure Gail wouldn't have had any opportunity to get a pack lunch ready for him.
"Sorry Taylor, we didn't give you much time this morning to get ready" I apologise.
"Thank you Miss Steele, I appreciate this" he says tucking into a pink salmon and salad sandwich.
"Taylor, do you know when Christian is back?" I ask.
"Tomorrow afternoon Miss Steele" he replies. I thank him and walk back to Kate at the table.
We sit eating our lunch with the birds singing and chirping their tunes. Some beautiful butterflies are fluttering around the Flora and Fauna and the only sound is the trees swaying in the gentle breeze. Perfect!
We pack up the basket again and head off into the forest to see what we can see, hoping to end up somewhere on the two miles of tidal beach. We are marvelling at some of the plants and their beautiful blooms when Kate shrieks in alarm pointing in the direction of a huge tree. Taylor rushes up and Kate explains she thought she spotted a figure in the trees. Taylor makes us promise we will stay together and not move from this spot whilst he goes and looks around. I see him on his phone but he is too far away to hear what he is saying. My heart is pumping and Kate looks as though she is ready to attack anyone who dare come close. Taylor comes back and shakes his head.
"I can't find anyone; there was however a smouldering cigarette end on the floor by the big tree. This is a significant fire risk so whoever it as is very irresponsible. I have to report this to the park rangers, Sawyer and Peters should be here any moment" he looks rattled.
Approximately ten minutes later they both arrive, Taylor is briefing them.
"I assume you ladies would like to carry on your walk?" Taylor looks over and asks us.
"Yes please" Kate and I say together. He nods and turns back to Sawyer and Peters giving them instructions and then he turns and walks back toward the ranger's station.
I feel a little uneasy now but shake my head to try and forget. We make it to the beach after another fifteen minutes of slightly quicker walking and settle down in the sand. Kate and I discuss what happened back there and she swears she saw someone but couldn't say man or woman. What were they thinking smoking in a forest? Not only has it been really dry the past few weeks but warning signs are everywhere, the television, radio, in shop windows and various places around the park prohibiting fires, barbeques and smoking, the area is like a tinder box and could so easily be destroyed in hours by a fire. After another drink, we indicate to Sawyer that we would like to move on and we head toward the open meadowlands. The wildflowers are extraordinary, so many colours, totally not what you would expect from an area in Seattle. Our last stop before the exit is near a running stream which has an array of water life. Taylor has caught up with us again. As I suspected not a lot could be done unless we caught whoever was smoking but that a general bulletin would be passed to all rangers to be on the lookout.
Taylor looks relieved when we say it is time to go home. All three men follow us home and I thank Taylor for helping today. He is as polite as ever saying it was no trouble and hope we had a nice day.
Boy, I feel knackered and Kate says she does too. The fresh air is intoxicating but seems to cause a happy tiredness so we unpack, wash and put away everything we took with us and say goodnight. I don't want this weekend to end but reality is that Monday morning is around the corner and who knows what it will bring.
I should have known that the bubble would burst. Looking at the front page of several newspaper's it would seem the person lurking in the trees was a photographer and they got several shots of Kate and me at various points in the park before being detected. The headline wasn't a particularly pleasant one. 'Miss Steele and Miss Kavanagh compare boyfriend notes on Grey brothers' and then some drivel written that I didn't bother reading. Ugh how tacky! Christian and Elliot will be fuming and I certainly feel like setting the record straight but that would only add fuel to the fire so I keep quiet.
A few reporters have gathered again outside of SIP, security have them under control but I hear a few questions being thrown in my direction like 'So who is the better brother in bed?' and 'ever thought of a foursome to find out'. I throw the dirtiest look I can muster at the two reporters asking those questions. Who the hell do they think they are? Taylor catches my arm and tells me to ignore them and was I alright? I feel a little hurt and I can feel the tears burning at the back of my eyes.
"I am ok Taylor, thank you" I reply.
"Don't let them get to you Miss Steele; they want to provoke a reaction from you so you might reveal some details. I don't recognise them so I believe they are freelancing, being paid by the highest bidder for anything printable" he says kindly.
I nod and sigh, sit down at my desk and check my blackberry to find a message from Christian left about two hours ago.
To: Miss Anastasia Steele, Assistant Editor SIP.
From: Mr Christian Grey CEO Grey Enterprise Holdings.
Ana,
How the fuck did someone manage to get your photo? I hope you have not made any comment?
We need to talk.
Please make yourself available between 4-5pm this afternoon.
Christian.
No shit Sherlock, we need to talk! I quickly message back
To: Mr Christian Grey CEO Grey Enterprise Holdings.
From: Miss Steele Assistant Editor SIP.
Fine.
Anastasia.
I call Sophia to clear my diary between four and five this afternoon for a meeting with Mr Grey. Our meeting plays on my mind all day wondering what it is about. Does he not want me anymore? But I stop myself getting wound up as that will not help me hold my ground if needed.
Knock, Knock and there he is, Mr Adonis himself, looking every inch the businessman in that suit.
"Hello Anastasia" and there go the panties! The voice just melts me; I could vault the desk, push him to the floor and… sigh…
"Hello Christian" I say as he sits down "How was New York?" I start off on a business point.
"Fine, all sorted" ok so he is not up for small talk.
"What can I do for you Christian?" I may as well try and get to the point.
"I am fucking annoyed that Kate and you have been photographed, I spoke to Taylor who gave me all the details, I realize it wasn't your fault and I have complained to the responsible magazines. I'm sorry" he says
"I appreciate your apology and there is no point in highlighting it anymore as it just keeps attracting attention but I am sure that the photos were not the only reason you came here today" I briskly say.
"No it isn't, I want to know if you have reconsidered my proposal?" he asks me.
"I have thought about it but my answer is still the same for the moment" I notice his eyes darkening.
"Can I persuade you perhaps?" and the glint in his eyes is back.
"Well there is one way" I begin "Date me properly, wine me, dine me, take me to the cinema, be my boyfriend, partner and lover and when I feel ready I will let you know" I want to duck waiting for the explosion but I hold my head up.
"Are you setting me a challenge Ana?" the fire in his eyes makes my nipples harden, I am almost panting and I am so wet I need to change my underwear.
"I want to feel valued as someone important in your life not just for the occasional rumble under the sheets" I honestly tell him.
"Did I make you feel otherwise?" he questions.
"After the way you spoke to me before New York, I didn't know what to think, you didn't call, text or e-mail me" I answer.
"I want you Ana, don't ever forget that" he growls. I almost come there and then but I squeeze my thighs together just in time.
He gets up from his chair, comes around the desk, I can see his arousal as he leans over to kiss me, tenderly and with longing.
He whispers in my ear "date night Tuesday, be ready 7pm and dress casually with sensible shoes"
He leaves the room and I am gobsmacked.
A/N: So how does CTG grovel? Find out in the next chapter. You may get a bonus over the weekend if I get my muse back.