Chapter 16

Reflection

First of my apologies for not posting sooner. I have had a rough couple of weeks and little time to write. I hope the upcoming weeks will be less stressful. I would like to thank everyone for their patience, reviews, favorites and follows. Special thanks to my beta Svart Jasmin for beta reading this chapter.

Christian

When I was a little boy, I spent hours in my grandfather's apple orchard. Just sitting quietly by myself under the shade of the many apple trees. It was the only place where I truly felt at ease. My grandfather would often come and sit next to me. Every time he sat next to me he would ask me a philosophical question about life, the universe, and the world around us. Once, he told me a story about a little boy that had found a baby eagle that had fallen from his nest. The boy couldn't let the baby eagle die, so he took him home and cared for the animal, raising it with a lot of love and patience. The eagle grew and grew and before the boy knew, the eagle had gotten so big that it didn't fit in its birdcage anymore. The boy's mother told him that the bird was all grown up and ready to fly out, to explore the world on his own. But the boy couldn't let the de bird go, he loved it too much and was afraid that the bird wouldn't make it on his own. So, he kept the bird locked up in its cage and only let it fly out occasionally. Even though the bird loved the boy he grew depressed, and his once beautiful feathers grew dull, and his eyes held a deep sadness within them. The boy felt really bad, he wanted the bird to be happy with him. He heard somewhere that if he cut the wings of the bird she wouldn't be able to fly anymore, that way she could stay with him and roam free around his house.

He asked his mother for advice and she told him "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they were never yours, to begin with." The boy was torn, he was afraid that if he let the bird go, he would never come back and he loved him too much to let that happen. At the same time, he hated to see his bird so sad. My grandfather asked me what I would do if I were the boy. I never really knew the answer to that question; nobody ever really loved me no matter how much I loved them. I was always alone, nobody wanted to be with me because I was such a horrible little boy. Not even my own mother wanted me. As I look back now on that question I think finally know the answer. If I show Anastasia enough love and affection and not clip her wings but expand her cage so it looks like she if free, she will learn to love me and always come back to me.

It is funny how a childhood dilemma can be so illuminating to my present plight. I was so mad when I heard she ran from me. She promised me at the breakfast table that she would honor our agreement. She lied straight to my face. And I hate to admit it, but it hurts really bad. I hoped we could have moved our relationship forward. All I want is to show her how good we can be together. Just like the first time we met, I know she liked me back then, we had a connection, she felt it too I am sure of it. Maybe the crack-whore and Elena are right, and I am truly unlovable. The thought is so painful I instantly suppress it.

After she ran my first instinct was to punish her harshly. I considered shoving a peeled ginger root up her ass before beating the crap out of her with a belt, like Elena, once did to me when she found out that I kissed a girl in 10th grade. She even told me to when she called to congratulate me on my rousing speech. However, when I finally got back home from the conference, I found her sleeping, rolled up really small in the fetal position in the middle of the bed. She looked pained, cramped up and vulnerable. It stirred something deep inside of me. I just couldn't do it I just couldn't hurt her, not like that. Why am I so useless? Elena told me to break her completely and build her up again. But I don't know if I can. Realization dawns on me, the scorching truth is that I would hate to see her broken! I feel lost and afraid, drowning in an alarming wave of emotions that I had never felt before. I flee the room running down the stairs to the sanctuary that is my office. I take out a bottle of scotch, throw in some ice, and drink like I have never drunk before. Time passes but it feels like I am standing still.

I whirl around the ice in my scotch glass, the amber liquid long gone. I am not quite sure how to approach Anastasia. I still need to punish her for running, Elena's says it's my duty as a good dominant, or she will never respect me. But I don't want to hurt her badly. Just enough to let the message sink it. Miss Steele has some masochistic tendencies, I noticed it the first time I flogged her. There lies my answer, it's all about getting her off on both pleasure and pain, and I have just the tool for that. I open my desk drawer and pull out a black box containing three small solid silver balls held together by a string. I inwardly smirk. I think Miss Steele would really appreciate these Ben Wah balls. She will beg me to spank her to relieve the tension within minutes.

I think it will be pleasurable for the both of us. After that, we can reevaluate our relationship and come up with a new status quo that works for the either of us. I get up from my chair and walk back upstairs to our bedroom. She is still sleeping. I sit down on a chair near the bed and just watch her sleep. I cannot believe how beautiful she is, the way her hair hangs loosely around her face, the way her chest moves when she breathes, the little frown on her forehead. I love everything about her. It is a frightening realization, how could I have fallen for someone that hates me so?

She stirs and mumbles something in her sleep but does not wake up. Slowly the first lights of dawn are creeping through the bedroom window, illuminating her hair like a halo on her head. She looks like an angel. I could just sit here and watch her forever, never growing tired of the sight before me. Deep down, I always knew she would run when given the chance. That is why I placed a tracker inside of her watch and on her clothes. I must admit that I underestimated her. I never thought she would be so bold and break into the safe to take out her passport. Well, at least she learned her lesson and did not take any of the money that was in there. Nevertheless, it all does not matter now. I always knew where she was or where she was going. When Taylor informed me that she was running towards the airport I told them to take the helicopter and wait for her until she arrived there. Security protocol demands that we have multiple means of transportation in case of an emergency. It proved to be very useful. I couldn't let her escape to wherever the hell she was planning to go. We made a deal and she needs to honor at least the spirit of the contract. I am open to discussing some finer points of the contract after she got her well-deserved punishment.

It is warm in here so I take off my tie that was loosely hanging from my neck and hang it over the arm of my chair, then I undo the top buttons of my shirt. She stirs again and finally her eyes flutter open.

"Good morning." I greet her. My voice is soft but she startles anyway. Quickly sitting up while pulling the blanket over her chest. I look at her intently and she visibly squirms.

"Have you slept well? Because I didn't, you know? I thought we had an agreement. I distinctly remember you promising me that you would honor the contract yesterday. However, you broke your word as soon as you humanly could. Care to explain?"

She fidgets with her hands and does not dare to look at me.

"I just can't do this with you… Every time you touch me and make my body a slave to yours you are tearing me apart, breaking me into a million pieces. If I stay here with you I will lose myself and I cannot let that happen." She answers, her eyes are wide and imploring.

I am unnerved for a moment, I remember how she smiled, joked and talked to me when we first met, and I don't want to lose that girl because that's the girl that I want.

"Don't be scared of what your body feels; embrace it. Your body knows it belongs to me like mine knows that it belongs to you. Don't overthink things, Anastasia, just accept what we have, and I promise everything will start to feel better. I do not wish to break you, Anastasia, well at least not anymore. Just give me a chance to show you how good we are together. Please, come here, and I will show you what I mean."

She looks scared and hesitant. I sigh and get up from the chair, moving towards the bed. I hold out my hand for her but she does not accept it. It is painful but I quickly suppress it. Instead, she comes out of the bed on her own. The silk white nightgown she is wearing hugs her body in all the right places. I lick my lips at the sight of her and my cock twitches in my pants. God, she is gorgeous.

I sit down on the bed and pull her over my lap in one swift move, and pin her down by pressing my right arm into her back. She yelps loudly.

"What are you doing?" she cries out in shock.

"You ran after you promised me you wouldn't. You know I need to punish you for that... Pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin Anastasia and will show you that today. Maybe once you realize what that means you will finally understand that we are meant to be and we can work on our mutual trust issues."

"No please, Christian my ass still hurts from last time." She begs. I sigh and softly stroke her hair.

"You should have thought of that before you ran. I promise you that I won't hurt you at this moment, Ana. I just want to show you something. Relax." I pull up her silk pajamas and push down her panties exposing her beautiful ass to me.

I gently stroke her ass cheeks before moving my hand between her folds. She bucks wildly on my lap, turning me on even more. "Sssh. Relax baby I promise it won't be bad." I coo to here and take the silver balls from my pockets.

"Open your mouth." I tell her but she refuses.

"Anastasia I won't ask again. Please open your mouth and suck on these balls."

Tears stream down her face and its gut wrenching. Yet I cannot give up, this lesson is too important for the both of us.

"Why do you always insist on making a drama out of everything? Just open your mouth and suck on those balls. Nothing bad will happen."

"How can I trust you after all you have done to me?!" she cries out in indignation.

"By giving me a chance to prove myself. You didn't honor your part of the arrangement. You knew what the consequences would be. Don't try and spin this around by making me the bad guy. Open your mouth." My voice is sterner than intended but I am slowly beginning to lose my patience. She finally does what she is told, and sucks on the balls. Lord the sight is arousing.

"That is it. Suck on them baby." I murmur. My hand moves between her folds again and I start stroking her inner labia and clit. She shudders at my touch and rewards my efforts with some of her sweet juices. I groan and my cock is strained in my pants.

"Oh yes, baby that is it." I mutter and push my index finger inside of her, swirling it around. She moans softly. I just love how responsive she is.

"Give me the balls baby." She dutifully complies and spits the balls out in my hand. I pull out my finger and slip the balls inside her wet pussy leaving the small rope out. I help her back up and smile at her.

'Go wash up and brush your teeth.' I command. She is a little unsteady on her feet, so I hold her a little longer before letting her walk away. Her sweet scent is soothing and intoxicating.

I sit back on the bed and wait until she comes back out again letting the balls do their magic inside of her. I know she will feel aroused, flushed, and possibly confused by the balls, and that is just the way I want her to feel. Pleasure and pain that is what it's all about.

The door of the bathroom opens again and she scuffles out not daring to look in my direction.

"How are you feeling?" I ask smoothly.

She shrugs her shoulders trying to feign indifference, but I know better. She is blushing and squirming slightly at the weight of the balls pressing inside her cunt. I am sure she will be wet as hell when I spank her. God lord it is arousing.

"Fine. I guess." She mumbles.

"Good to hear that. Could you please get me a glass of water? I am kind of thirsty." I ask casually. The more she moves the more the balls will work their magic inside of her.

She is quiet for a moment and I am pretty sure that she is about to argue with me again but she surprises me.

"Ok..." she replies subdued and makes her way back inside the bathroom. I open my blouse and strip down my pants so I am sitting down on the bed in just my boxers.

She comes back in and swallows when she sees me.

"Thank you for the water, Anastasia." I grab the glass from her and take a sip.

"You're welcome." She mumbles politely.

"Now take off the lovely nightgown, Anastasia. You don't need it for what we are going to do next."

She opens her mouth and then closes it again.

"Yes, Master." Her tone has a sarcastic edge to it that I do not like but I leave it for now.

I lick my lips when I see her standing naked in front of me. She really is a goddess, the epitome of female perfection.

"You are Aphrodite incarnated Anastasia." I murmur appreciatively. I hold out my hand for her again hoping that this time she will take it. But she doesn't I sigh and grab her wrist pulling her towards me.

"You ran from me. I told you earlier that you must never run from me. No matter where you go, Anastasia, I will always find you. Remember that. Now as for your punishment. I will spank you twelve times, and after that, I will fuck your brains out. And what's more? You will love every minute of it and beg me for more."

She looks like a deer caught in headlights and I want to do anything to dispel that fear from her face.

"Just listen to your body Anastasia. It craves me like I crave you. I promise you will love this, trust me." My voice is soft but firm.

She swallows.

"Spank me with what?" she hoarsely whispers. I let go of her for a minute and hold up my hands.

"Just my hands. Pleasure and pain Anastasia, you will soon learn their merits, like I did when I was much younger. Now please lay over my lap so I don't have to pull you again."

She dutifully complies and lies down over my lap. I gently caress the porcelain cheeks of her beautiful ass. I cannot wait to turn them a lovely shade of pink.

"Count, Ana." I mutter. I caress her ass again and fondle between her folds. Her pussy lips are moist and glistening. I pull my hand away and slap down hard on her ass.

"One." She yelps out.

I caress her ass cheeks, and stroke between her legs again before bring my hand down hard on her pussy lips. "Two." She mewls out and I slap her again this time on her ass cheek again. "Three." She moans out I increase the pace and smack her hard six times consequently, distributing the smacks between each cheek equally. I feel my blood surging through my body, heating every inch of me. I have never been so aroused before, it is like I am flying at high speed in a cloudless sky. "Nine." She cries after the last smack, her ass has turned into a beautiful shade of pink. I move my hand between her now dripping pussy lips, smack her three more times, then quickly pull the balls from her pussy. "Twelve." She cries out again, her voice high pitched and squealing. I lift her up, lie her down on her stomach, and quickly divest myself of my too tight boxers. My hard rock cocks slams again my stomach, I grab it and stroke it two or three times. I cannot wait to be inside of her.

"I am going to fuck you now Ana." I murmur and lay down on top of her, my chest pressed to her back. I guide my cock to her slippery wet entrance and slowly move it up and down between her wet folds, teasing her engorged clit. She moans loudly again and I know she is close. The combined smell of our arousal is heady and all consuming. She trembles when I slam my cock inside of her, screaming out some incoherent words. God! She feels good, warm, wet, and so fucking tight. Her pussy walls are sucking and squeezing me in deeper, and I lose all coherent form of thought. I have died and gone to heaven.

I have never felt so connected with another human being before. All I can see, smell, feel, and think about is her. She has become my complete and total existence, and I am completely lost inside of her. All I feel is this primal need to make her mine like she has made me hers.

I pull back and slam my cock deep between her thighs. Ana cries out again, and I begin thrusting quickly inside of her, claiming every inch of her sweet body. My chest pushes again her back; we are both warm and sweaty, filling the room with the sound of our skin slapping together.

I pick up the pace, slamming harder, faster, and deeper inside of her. She is so wet and pliant beneath my weight, taking every inch I give her like the good girl she is. Loud, gruff sounds of our combined pleasure fill the room. I thrust between her legs savagely, exercising the demons that have plagued me. Knowing that only she can bring me absolution. A now familiar tingle creeps down my spine, forming a delicious knot in my stomach. Euphoria is all I feel when I ram my cock inside of her again and again. I feel her walls tightening around me squeezing every inch of me. She cries out her orgasm in a long load moan and it is my undoing.

With a final hard thrust of my hips, I still inside of her. Her greedy little pussy squeezes and drains my cock of every drop of cum I possess. Leaving me breathless, spent, but elated. I fall forward and make her turn her head so she is facing me. I desperately seek entrance to her lush sweet mouth. Prying my tongue past her lips. I moan in pleasure when my tongue strokes hers kissing her deeply, passionately, with everything that I have.

A small sweet noise escapes her throat and I grab one of her breasts, squeezing and stroking her now taut nipples. I am breathless and feel bereft when the kiss ends. These feelings I have for her are frightening, and now and I have no idea how to deal with them.

"You are mine, Anastasia. Only mine. Don't you ever forget it. You understand?" I implore.

She says nothing but stares at me like she is trying to decipher a difficult puzzle. It is unnerving.

"Answer me." I snap desperately wanting to hear her voice again.

"Yes, Master, I understand." She murmurs. An epiphany hits me like a ton of bricks, and it occurs to me that I much prefer her to call me by my first name instead of master.

"Could you please get off me? You are smothering me, Master." She softly whispers.

I grin in her neck and give her a quick peck on the cheek.

"I am sorry." I pull my softening cock from her and roll of her lying down next to her on my side face her beautiful face. I push some of her hair behind her ear and kiss her nose again.

"How did you like that?" I ask feeling anxious about her answer.

She shrugs.

"It was ok." She mutters.

"Don't lie to me Ana you came hard twice. Why is it so hard to admit that you love what I do to you?"

"Because Master, you are literally breaking me in two. As if my body and mind are two separate pieces forced apart. You have taken away everything that I hold dear and you just won't give it back." Teardrops fall from her ocean depths, and a stabbing pain flashes through me. I realize now more than ever that I hate to see her in pain.

"Do you really hate me Anastasia? Please don't lie. I promise I won't harm you no matter the answer."

She looks at me and squints her eyes like she is trying to discern me.

"Yes." She whispers and I free fall right back to the bottom of the pit of hell I was trying to crawl out of. I rather knew her answer, she had said it to me before. But hearing it now again like this is slowly killing me. Why do I want her to love me so bad? Deep down I know the terrifying answer to that question, but I can never admit it. It will make me weak and vulnerable. Elena's mantra plays through my head. 'Love is for fools Christian, don't you ever forget it.'

I swallow and feel faint and sick. When she first told me she hated me, I always assumed she said it in anger. But having her say it clearly to me like this is sobering.

"That is to be expected." I finally manage to croak out. Although I loathe her answer, it is somehow liberating at the same time. Having her admitting that she hates me gives us a path to go forward on. Her being honest with me is the first step in gaining her trust.

She looks shocked for a moment. Did she expect me to lash out at her?

"Look Anastasia. I think we need a fresh start. Wipe the slate clean if you will. I am willing to renegotiate the terms of our contract under the condition that the spirit of the contract remains. I guess I am saying we can be a little more flexible with the rules."

"What do you mean with that?" she counters.

"It means that I still expect you to be with me and obey me at all times and provide me sexual gratification. However, I am willing to forgo on the harsher aspects of the contract. Meaning, I am willing to give you some leeway. Giving you a choice in some of the things we will be doing together." I open the drawer of the bedside table and pull out the contract.

"When you first signed this I demanded that you call me Master. I would like to amend that so I can earn your trust, and we can move forward. From now on please call me Christian."

"I would be more comfortable in calling you, Master." She replies. I feel gutted because I know exactly why. She wants to keep a distance between us.

"Look Anastasia the duration of the contract won't change. I think it's important for the both of us to make the best out of this situation. I want you to feel more comfortable with this all. I want to get to know you as a person and I want you to get to know me. So I am asking you to communicate with me. Which parts of the contract you would like to see changed?"

I hand her the contract and she scans its contents.

"In the contract, under availability, it states that I get my own room to withdraw myself. When you are done with me, I would like to be left alone... I would like to sleep alone. I need time for myself." Her voice is soft and hesitant.

It is like she has punched me in the gut. For the short time that we have been together, I have noticed that I sleep much better with her sleeping next to me. She is a dream catcher, chasing all my nightmares away. But I cannot be selfish now, not if I want this relationship to move forward.

"Ok, as you wish." I acquiescence, trying to stay as impassive as possible.

"Anything else?" I ask.

"Obeying you in all things? I cannot do that. If you make me, you are taking away my free will, my identity, and you told me that you did not want to break me." She all but cries.

"Yes, Anastasia. I do not want to break you. But you not obeying me is not an option. I need control Anastasia I need to know where you are and what you are doing at all times. I need to take care of you, that is non-negotiable. Obeying me does not destroy your identity it fortifies it. You will soon realize how liberating it is not having to think about what you need to eat or wear or say, or do because I have everything covered. It will give you time to reflect on things that really matter. Trust me." I implore her.

"How would you know? It is easy for you to tell me what I can or cannot do. You have no idea how suffocating that is." She counters rapidly.

I am appalled I do not wish to suffocate her. She just needs to understand that this is for her benefit as well. I remember when I was 15 and reluctant to let Elena take control of me but look how well that turned out for me.

I sigh deeply.

"I know Anastasia more than you think. When I was 15, I was angry and out of control. I was getting drunk on a regular basis. Stealing booze from my dad's cabinet. I was constantly getting into fights, so much so that I was kicked off 3 different schools. My parents were at their wit's end and had no idea what to with me anymore. A friend of my mother suggested that some hard manual labor would put me back into shape. She and her husband just remodeled their home and garden, and someone had to clean up the debris left in her yard.

I didn't object. I could use the cash she was offering me because it was a nice way of paying for my booze instead of stealing it. I got to work and she seduced me, introducing me to BDSM in the process. She turned my life around. She took away all the stress and anger I was feeling so I could focus on myself. It was liberating. She taught me control and discipline and helped me turn into the successful man I am today. I want to do the same for you. You are in over your head and you need help. This is my way of giving it to you." I stare at her intently willing her to understand.

She looks utterly shocked, appalled and disgusted.

"BDSM?" She stutters.

Of course, she doesn't know what BDSM is, she's just so innocent in so many things. I should have explained it all to her sooner.

"Bondage, Dominance, Submission and (sado)Machoism. It's a lifestyle that involves erotic role-play between adults." I start to explain but she stops me.

"I know what it is. Kate and I researched it for our psychology class when we were freshmen." She says quickly. It seems like Miss Steele is full of surprises.

"How old was she?"

I shrug not knowing where she is going with this.

"She was in her late thirties maybe early forties. Why does that matter?"

"What does it matter?" she squeaks out. "A grown woman introduced a teenage boy to a kinky sex and you ask me what does it matter? I have spoken to a dominant in the BDSM lifestyle and he made it perfectly clear to me that this practice can only take place between two or more consenting adults, and when it does, there are safe words in place. Last time I checked, 15-year-olds were not able to give consent because they are minors. What she did to you and you are doing to me has nothing to do with BDSM! She did not help you! She fucked you up and turned you into a monster." Her voice is laced with indignation and her entire body is shaking.

For a moment, I am at a loss for words. I feel hurt and dismissed after I have opened up to her. How dare she judge me and Elena and what we had? She suddenly thinks she is an expert on BDSM because of some research she did in college?! The arrogance of her! She knows nothing about me and my lifestyle.

"Don't you dare judge me and the BDSM relationships I had. You think you are an expert on the subject because you did a college paper? I wanted that relationship. No, I needed it. Elena saved my life and you have no right to criticize her." I bark at her and she visibly shrinks away from me.

I run my hands through my hair in frustration. This was not how I planned this conversation to go down.

"Did you have contractual 'BDSM' arrangements with all of your… girlfriends, relationships or however you wish to call this?" She asks.

"I never had a girlfriend Anastasia. All the women who I had relationships with were trained submissives. They knew what to expect from our arrangement. I am incapable of any other kind of relationship. What I have with you is different somehow. I am willing to compromise more because this is all new to you."

She mumbles something under her breath that sounds a lot like fucked up. But I decide to ignore it.

"Are there any other issues you have with the contract?" I ask stirring us back to the topic at hand.

"Food and exercise. I don't like those ones. I would like to pick what I eat and exercising four times a week is too much." She replies firmly.

"It is very important for me to know that you are never hungry. I must insist that you eat three meals a day. How about this. You decide what you want for breakfast and lunch and we both eat what Mrs. Jones my housekeeper has prepared us for dinner? As for exercise, I need you to stay healthy. Once we are back in the US, I will introduce you to our playroom. The sessions we will have there will be very intense. However, I am willing to compromise somewhat. How about you train with my personal trainer 3 times a week instead of four?" I offer.

She looks shaky and pale.

"Playroom? You have your own playroom." She manages to force out.

"Yes, Anastasia of course. I have been a dominant for nine years now. I have built a new playroom in a new house I have purchased. We will be using it together. Please don't be alarmed I won't do anything really heavy without your explicit consent." I desperately try to reassure her.

"I thought you could do whatever you wanted to me. You're forcing me to obey you." She replies flippantly, calling me out, and I am lost for words for a second time this morning.

"That is different Anastasia. Yes, I want you to obey me in all things. But I want most is your pleasure. I can only get that if you communicate with me. I want and need this to work for the both of us. Please try to understand."

"So basically you want me to obey you until you tell me otherwise? That is all very confusing and not making much sense." She replies pointedly.

I sigh and run my hands through my hair in exasperation. Why is she so difficult? She is acting like a little miss know it all. It wasn't so hard when I did this with Elena, right?

"Look, Anastasia, this is getting us nowhere. You will fully understand what I mean once we are back home. Now, you still haven't replied to my offer. What do you think of my proposal to compromise on food and exercise?"

She shrugs and plays with her fingers.

"It's fine." She mutters non-committal, and I know that this conversation has run its course for now.

"Come; let me wash you so we can have breakfast." I get off from the bed and take her hand, pulling her upwards. Together we make our way to the bathroom for a nice long bath. Time, I need more time to show her how good we are together. I sigh again and turn on the tap. Maybe I should offer her another token of goodwill so she will come around to me. I let the warm water fill the tub and ponder my next move.

The seatbelt lights of the plane light up just after Stephan, my pilot, informed me that we will be landing soon. Anastasia is fast asleep in the bedroom of my airplane. She was exhausted after I made her a new member of the mile high club. I can still smell her intoxicating scent on my skin, and I don't ever want to wash it off. I feel my cock harden again in my pants but quickly suppress it. There will be plenty of time for more of that later.

I must admit that I am truly surprised by her behavior now. I was actually torn on taking Anastasia with me to the second conference day, afraid that she might try to escape again, but it turned out my punishment and our heart to heart conversation stuck with her. She behaved perfectly and acted like a perfect assistant.

I quickly get up from my chair to wake her up before we land. I enter the bedroom and softly stroke her hair. Every time I see her like this, asleep and vulnerable, it stirs something inside me. She really is like and angel.

"Wake up Anastasia. We are going to land." I softly whisper in her ear. She murmurs something incoherent but does not wake up. I kneel down beside her and stare at her beautiful face. She looks haunted and restless, and I want nothing more than to dispel that look from her lovely facial features.

I stroke her cheeks and softly shake her shoulders.

"Come on, you got to get up Ana, we are going to land soon." I say more forceful now. Her eyes flutter open and she yawns sleepily before looking at the alarm clock on the bedside table.

She looks surprised for a moment.

"I thought it was fourteen hours back to Seattle. We have only been flying for eight hours." She says confused.

"You are very perceptive Miss Steele. We are not in Seattle yet. I need to make a stop at the East Coast first. Please get up so I can buckle you in. We are landing soon."

She dutifully comes out of bed and pulls on the black lace bra and panties, and the navy midi dress I have laid out for her. She looks simply exquisite. I redo my tie and pick up my jacket from the bedroom chair.

"Come Anastasia." I command and open the bedroom door to let her out.

I buckle her in before securing my own seatbelt. Moments later Stephan initiates the landing procedures and we begin our decent back onto solid ground.

With a screeching noise, the wheels of the plane hit the runway and the plane rolls smoothly over the airstrip, coming to a halt on the tarmac. I unbuckle myself before unbuckling Ana. I take her hand and escort her off the plane to one of the three black SUVs that are waiting for us.

"Where are we?" She asks when we are seated in the car.

I give her a wry smile.

"Boston. I figured you want to check on your father. We will be driving to Boston Mercy now where we will speak to your father's physician, Doctor Chopra. After that, I have arranged for you to see your father."

She is speechless for a moment just staring at me.

"Why would you do this?" she asks perplexed taking me aback. Isn't she happy to see her dad?

"I told you, Anastasia. It is my duty to take care of you and to anticipate your needs. Try to enjoy this instead of overthinking everything."

"Thank you." She whispers softly.

I nod at her. "You are most welcome."

We continue you to drive in silence until we are nearly at the hospital.

"Am I allowed to see my father alone?" she suddenly asks and I am torn again. I don't want her to be alone with her dad. What if you says something about the arrangement we have?

"I don't think that's a good idea, Anastasia." I reply sternly.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't trust you. I do not wish to have to explain our relationship status to either of your parents." I reply brusquely.

"If you are so ashamed of what you have done. Then maybe you shouldn't have done it." She murmurs and it's like a punch in the gut.

"Anastasia that's enough! I am not ashamed of anything I did. I just wish not to complicate matters more than they are." I snap and she cringes.

"Come." I command when the car door opens in front of the hospital entrance. We make our way to the 15th floor where Dr. Chopra is waiting for us. He is an elderly man with gray hair and rim-horned glasses.

"Mr. Grey. How very lovely to finally meet you." He says and shakes my hand enthusiastically. "And you must be Miss Steele, Mr. Steele's daughter. I must say that your father is doing great. He is strong like and ox." He says and beaming at her.

"Nice to meet you doctor Chopra." Anastasia replies politely.

"Your father's operation went very well. We have removed the remainder of the tumor on Monday, and are currently giving him chemotherapy to kill off any residual cancer cells. His prognoses are very good. Your mother has been with him since Sunday and has provided some badly needed mental support. He is resting now but he isn't asleep. Unfortunately, he can't have visitors for too long now since he needs to rest. Come. Let me show you to his room." Dr. Chopra says while leading us to a large hospital room at the end of the hallway.

He knocks on the door and opens before getting a response.

I grab Anastasia by her shoulder and turn her around so she is facing me.

"You have 30 minutes to talk to him in private and you won't mention any of things we did together. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly." She says and quickly turns around to follow Chopra into the room.

I sigh and sit down on one of the chairs in the hallway. I take out my blackberry and read the emails I have missed today. Time crawls and I feel anxious and restless. What if she tells her father everything and he takes her way from me? I cannot let them happen! I get up from the chair and paced up and down the hallway. I look at my watch. 5 more minutes and she needs to come out. I try to sit down again and take out one of the magazines from the magazine stand. I idly flip through the pages barely registering what's on them. I look at the clock again. She should have been out 5 minutes ago. I knew it! I knew that I couldn't trust her. This what you get for being nice Grey! I should have listed to Elena and broke her instead of trying to work with her. I get up from the chair and quickly stride to the door of her father's hospital room.

I open it swiftly and halt my tracks when I see her sitting next to her father reading him the sports results from the paper. Relief washes over me and I feel a little foolish.

Anastasia gasps when she sees me. Well, the damage is done now, might as well make the best of it. This might be the perfect opportunity to solidify my relationship with her. If her parents know we are an 'item', it will raise less or no questions when she is living with me.

"Are you lost Sir?" he father asks concerned.

"Uhm, no sir I was coming to get your daughter. It is late and we need to get going soon. Please let me introduce myself. I am Christian Grey your daughter's boyfriend." I say holding out my hand to him, which he politely accepts.

"I know. I have seen your face on TV. Nice to meet you." He replies gruffly.

Anastasia looks like she is going to get sick and her father stares at her utterly confused.

"You did not tell me you had a boyfriend Ana? How long has this been going on?" He asks sternly.

Anastasia's face has turned red and she is desperately trying to come up with an answer. I take pity on her and decide to answer the question for her.

"Very recently sir. We have been official since this week." I say placating.

He eyes me speculatively.

"I see. Anastasia, could you get me some orange juice from downstairs? I am thirsty." He says casually. However, I know full well the meaning behind his words. He wants to talk to me alone and it's making me nervous.

Anastasia looks torn for a moment but finally does what he says.

"I will be right back daddy." She says and kisses him on his forehead.

"My Annie she is a real good girl you know? And I am well I am not and idiot. I know you got something to do with getting me these medical treatments and I would like to thank you for them. But make no mistake, if you hurt my little girl, I am coming after you no matter who you are."

His threat is both amusing and sobering. The man clearly isn't an idiot.

"I promise you, sir. I will take very good care of your daughter." In ways, you cannot possibly imagine.

"Anastasia told me you are a keen fisherman to Mr. Steele. Where do you like to go fishing?" I need to get into this guy's good graces. If I am, Anastasia wouldn't be very inclined to say anything detrimental to our relationship to him.

He immediately perks up.

"You fish son?" He asks and I give him a beaming smile and launch into my fishing tales. Soon, I will have him eating out my hands and I will have one less threat to my relationship with Ana to worry about. Yes, this is going to be much better than I could have hoped for.