Chapter 7:
A few months later
"I don't think I can hold all this," I tell Kate. Kate and I are out shopping at Neiman Marcus, looking for a completely new wardrobe. It is about time! I have a stack of clothes in my arms that Kate keeps tossing over to me to try on later. Any minute now, I will topple over. After work, Kate and I planned to go shopping and have been shopping for over two hours now. I am exhausted. Kate insists we need to first figure out my style before making any purchases.
"Oops," Kate says quickly turning around to see the mountain of clothes in my hands. She grabs some clothes out of my hands, helping me a little, but we still have way too many clothes. "Let me get Caroline to help us." Kate goes to Caroline Acton, our personal shopper for this long Friday afternoon of shopping. "Here she is."
"Oh, I am so sorry Ms. Steele, Ms. Kavanagh. Let me take those for you and put them in your dressing room." Carline took the clothes from my tired arms and took the rest of the clothes from Kate. She walks to the private changing rooms, to set up my potential wardrobe. I'm surprised she didn't need to take two trips.
"Do you think we might have gotten too many clothes?" I ask again, amazed that I have so much I need to try on.
"Ana," Kate says as she gently takes my shoulders into her hands and looks at me dead in the eyes. "You are the owner of a successful company that is across the west coast and now entering the east coast. It's not about looking the part. It's about you have grown into a different woman, a mature businesswoman, who needs a wardrobe to reflect that." I do need to get out of my catering/chef, black pants, and white top wardrobe and look more like the owner of a successful company.
"You are right, I just hope I won't pass out by the end of the day," I relent to Kate.
We have expanded more in California, and a new movie theater opened in Las Vegas. What I' am most proud of is the new AMC in Colorado. A couple who managed an independent theater in Denver, Colorado contacted us about updating their own theater to be an AMC. They went to one in Portland when they were visiting family, and loved the experience. They have a good customer base, but they needed an upgrade to their theater system, which is where we come in. They currently can't show many of the big blockbusters, because they don't have the updated technology to do it.
Everyone seemed to be against the idea, especially Christian. Christian thought it was a bad investment to open a site in a smaller market and virtually spend money updating an old theater for someone else.
I disagreed. It was our first major business disagreement. I thought this was the time to see if expanding AMC nationally will be worth it. This is the type of people who would be opening AMC franchises, and this will be a great test since the owners already knew how to manage a movie theater. I don't want to have an AMC open in every city in America, but if we can't have a successful AMC in a popular city like Denver, we can forget about expanding anywhere else.
One great part of being the majority owner is I have the final say.
AMC Denver has officially been open for a for a couple of months now. The process wasn't as difficult as we thought; we didn't need to redecorate since they already had a classic theater design. We only had to do some upgrades to the kitchen, and a complete upgrade to their projection and sound system. AMC Denver has been doing well, with a consistent increase in customers every month. The owners received a lot of positive feedback with the new theater as well. I am glad I went with my gut for that location.
We are now about to enter New York City, easily the toughest market in the country. Kate and I will be heading to New York Saturday evening to look at a potential theater that was recently closed because the owners could not manage the theater. They spent way too much money on updating, but none in marketing and making deals with studios to show their movies the weekend they are released.
Christian and the head of research and development, Bobby Richards, briefly looked at the site during one of his business trips He said there is a lot of potential, but unsure if the kitchen was AMC capable. It was very basic, and he doesn't know investing in a full kitchen would be worth our time and money.
Kate and I thought of a plan to use the food resources in New York to produce AMC quality food, instead of making everything at the theater, typically what many of the theaters do, maybe even partnering with a vendor, something we have not looked into yet. We wouldn't need a full kitchen to do that, but we are not sure unless we actually go to the site and see if we could make several meals a day there.
I wouldn't feel very confident with my current clothes, walking around in New York. I almost don't feel comfortable in Seattle with my clothes. I am proud of what we have done, I should look like it.
"And remember, I have a date tonight. I don't want to be late." I smile with a full tooth grin at Kate.
"I know. Every time you and Christian have a date, you tell me." Kate jokes.
Christian and I have been dating for a few months. We had group dates with Kate and Elliot, S\sometimes even with Mia and whoever she is dating that month. Those dates can be awkward when Christian is aggressively staring at Mia's date like he can make him disappear at any moment. I like to think I calm him down a little bit, reminding him that Mia will not get hurt, as long as he is around to gently protect her. It seemed to help.
We had many private dates at my apartment, where I cook for him and we talk about our day, usually ending with a movie and then some fun sexy time in the bedroom. He hasn't stayed over the night, fearing the nightmares of his childhood will scare or hurt me. I try to convince him nothing will scare me, but he is convinced he will hurt me if he sleeps over. So after I fall asleep, he quietly leaves. One night, I tried to stay up all night, so he would stay with me, but I get tired after a long day at work. It is something we are still working on.
I have yet to go to Christian's home, which was kind of weird, but I understood why. He says he has been remodeling these past few months, but considering he has a sex room, I'm pretty sure he is waiting to introduce it to me. He doesn't want to push me, especially with my past, but I don't want to wait anymore. I'm ready. And tonight, he asked me out to dinner at his penthouse. You finally get to see the sex room. I'm feeling nervous, unsure what I should wear to seduce Christian.
I tell Kate, "I only tell you about our dates because I never know what to wear and have to borrow your clothes."
"It was weird you were wearing the dress I wore a few dates ago with Elliot. I think Elliot was starting to get dirty ideas about us dressing each other." I laugh at her comment, but I bet Elliot had dirty thoughts. "That ends now. Come on, let's look for some sexy dresses." Kate and I go back out to look through the dresses to add to the pile. I want to look especially sexy tonight.
~oOo~
"Ms. Ana, I think your style is a casual easy to wear, but professional." I am standing in my final outfit in front of a full-length mirror as Kate gives me more advice. I am in a white long sleeve dress that goes past my knee. I have a brown belt that fits well with my curves. I'm even wearing big brown sunglasses that make me look like a model. "This is perfect."
"I love it, Kate. I knew you would be perfect to help me." Kate has a natural, but edgy style. Her family is known to be well polished and expensive when it comes to their outfits, but Kate always looks like the black sheep. Even today, she wears a grey tank top and dark skinny jeans with several turquoise pieces of jewelry that make her instantly look like a rock star. She was someone who I would want to look like, but now I feel like I have my own style.
"You have a killer body, Ana, anything looks good on you." We tried on so many clothes, but I ended up with several skirts, shorts, dresses, pants and business suits. I found to like some pattern clothes, but simple colors worked best with me. I even bought a purple lingerie set I hope to show Christian soon. I love my wardrobe.
"You're ready to go Ana?" I am standing in the mirror not wanting to leave. Now I hate the idea of returning back into my white collar polo shirt and black slacks. Almost as if Kate is reading my mind, Kate says, "Don't worry, you will be in your new clothes for your date night in no time. We have to pay for them first. I'm not getting arrested today." I giggle at her remarks and head to the changing room.
"Alright, I'll change."
I am back to my old clothes. We have Caroline take my clothes to the register.
"For tonight, do you have any questions for me?" Kate asks while Caroline is ringing up my orders. She seems so hesitant; I never saw her like this.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, with your plans tonight. Do you have any questions for sexy time?" Oh! Ohhhh! Yes, absolutely. Tons!
"I do, but they are kind of weird. Do you have time to come back to my apartment?" Kate knows a lot about my past. I eventually told her everything, after realizing I was unable to talk to Kate about dating and her sex life. I couldn't really comment when I had such terrible experiences.
I hope Kate can help a little. Even though Christian and I's oral sex life has been amazing. The fact that Christian had to teach me how to do a blowjob was a bit embarrassing. He seemed to not mind telling me what he likes, but I wish I knew more. I don't want to disappoint him.
"Of course. I'm going to Elliot's place late tonight. I have time. I can help you with some of mine best sex moves." Kate says with a flirty wink.
"Thanks, although I don't know I need full on step by step directions-"
"I highly fucking doubt that." Kate and I turn around abruptly hearing the rude comments and cannot believe I was rudely interrupted by Elena Fucking Lincoln! Even Caroline looks up from her work with a shocked look, but she dare not say anything. She walked right behind us in line in our conversation in her tight purple dress (more appropriate for a club than an afternoon out shopping) with a young boy toy at her side. Although he has a ragged beard and hairstyle, he is wearing a much too tight kid shirt and much too big pants and boots. He looks like he is in his early 20s. Hopefully.
"And who the fuck are you?" Kate says with no shame.
"I am Elena Lincoln, a family friend of the Greys. You should know considering you are with Elliot Grey."
"You know what, he did mention you. He mentioned how a creepy lady, who was a friend of his mother, tried to come on to him when he was 15. I'm sorry for not recognizing you. He said you reminded him of Mrs. Robinson, from that movie, The Graduate, but I was imagining you would look like the exquisite Anne Bancroft, not Cruella De Ville." Oh. My. God! I can't believe Kate said that. It's crazy she and Elliot had similar thoughts to me. Wait a minute, she tried to seduce Elliot. Does Christian know?
"I don't know what the fuck you are talking about, but I am going to take that as a compliment."
"That's good you are so oblivious because that was definitely not a compliment." I better end this before Kate really does get arrested.
"Elena. Could you please leave us alone? We are almost done." I responds with a respectful tone. Don't you give her respect when she has shown you none.
She slowly smiles, "You really think you could be with Christian Grey, don't you?" Let me at her Ana. "You think getting new clothes and trying to look pretty will actually keep him." Please let me at her! "Do you even know what a penis looks like?" Carline dropped the hangers that were set aside on the cash register after that comment. "I doubt that." Elena then admits something that should be kept as a secret, "Christian fucks like a god. I know, because I taught him, and you will never be able to please him, little girl." She should've never said something so private. I couldn't believe it. Kate looks absolutely dumbfounded. Her boy toy just looks dumb. I even see a few people around us, who may or may have heard her, whispering to each other. And poor Caroline has stopped any of her work staring at us. I feel and probably look absolutely sadden about what Elena has done. Please, PLEASE, let me at her! Go right ahead, and I let my inner thoughts free.
"How dare you say something so private out loud! Do you have no respect?! Obviously not for yourself. It shows in the outfit you are wearing, but I would at least think you would show some respect to Christian." It is starting to click in Elena's head what she had done. "I would never, ever reveal my personal life out in public!"
"Christian has no problem with the things I do. You know nothing about our…friendship." Elena is no longer sounding confident as she did arguing with Kate.
"That is where you're wrong. Christian would never want you to say anything like that. Maybe that is the problem; you know nothing about the man he is now." Elena is about to say something, but my inner thoughts don't stop. "I may not be as experienced as you. I may not know how to…fuck. But you are wrong about us. I would tell you how wrong you are about us, but I would never betray his trust. I actually love him. Unlike you." Elena looks absolutely defeated. Who else has Elana bragged to about her and Christian? "You are pathetic." I turn around to finish checking out to get out of here. Kate follows my lead.
"Are you finished, Caroline?"
"Yes, Ms. Steele. I will have my assistant meet you at your car to load up your purchases,"packing up the last of my clothes.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Mr. Grey has taken care of your purchases for today. He told me to let you know, he owed you for the Denver deal?" Christian would. I take the gift.
"Thank you, Caroline." Kate and I turn around to walk out of the store, walking pass Elena like she doesn't even exist. And she doesn't.
"Ana, wait!" Elena says, trying to stop us. Kate and I stop, and we look at each other. I'm too curious to walk away and Kate knows it.
"What do want Elena? And you better be quick; we don't have all day."
"Considering you keep your life private; I would hope you would keep our conversation private as well."
"REALLY?!" Kate practically yells out.
"Kate, please," I demand of Kate, hoping she won't say anymore. Kate looks at me, literally biting her tongue. "Elena, I owe you nothing. No way in hell I'm lying for you. Goodbye."
Kate and I walk away from Elena who is furious. I don't care what she thinks. I am not going to lie to Christian for her. We have been honest with each other thus far, even though it hurts sometimes.
We reach my beautiful new Estoril blue Audi s7 in the store's parking lot, a purchase I made in celebration of our successful opening of AMC San Francisco. Caroline's assistant meet us with my purchases hung on a rolling cart. I open the trunk and back seat, and he begins loading up my car with my new wardrobe.
I finally look at Kate, who is on the other side of the car ready to get in, but also she is staring at me, with a very pleased look. "What?"
"I am liking this new Ana. We should go shopping more often."
"It wasn't the shopping, it was just…she made me so mad how disrespectful she was."
"I know, and you handled it like a pro." I smile a little bit at that comment.
When my purchases are loaded up, I tip the assistant for his help and get ready to leave. As I drive off in my car with Kate in the passenger seat, I realized something I said, "Kate, did I say I love Christian?"
"Yes, yes you did and it sounded like you meant it."
"I did."
~oOo~
Kate and I are finally back at my apartment. I'm glad to be back here after such a tiring day. The best way to describe my apartment is open. I lived here once we opened the first AMC in Seattle. It was the only way to manage the site when we first opened. My apartment has a somewhat of a loft style setup. It has a large kitchen open to the living room, and my office and bedroom are upstairs, opening up to the lower level. It's very comfortable. Originally my apartment was my office, but I couldn't afford to rent another place at the time, so I turned the upstairs into a bedroom, but it means the building is not very safe. Some apartments are rented out as offices, allowing people to come in and out throughout the day.
Kate and I go upstairs with all my clothes putting everything on my bed. "Everything should be easy to put away considering my closet is empty. I never had anything I needed to hang up." Kate is looking at me like I'm crazy.
"Fuck closet space! What the hell just happened?! Who the fuck does Elena think she is?! What was she talking about teaching Christian how to have sex?! What is going on?!" Kate says completely exasperated, collapsing on my bed on top of my clothes.
I laugh at the way she is barraging me. "Kate, first, calm down. Second, I will not explain any of the stuff she said about Christian. It is not my story to tell."
"Fine. That makes sense. And I won't tell Elliot either. No need to gossip family business." I already know I can trust Kate.
"Thank you, Kate. I really appreciate that. Lastly, I hate that woman. She is nothing but trouble, and you should watch out for her." Kate shakes her head, completely agreeing with me. "She says she is friends with Grace, but it is obvious she is lying and manipulating Grace."
"I can't believe she said that. And Grace knows nothing? She should know what a crazy bitch she is." Grace should, but it is not our place to tell. "What are you going to do Ana?"
I end up sitting next to Kate, returning her worried look. "I am going to tell Christian tonight. He has to know what she is saying behind his back." Kate nods her head in agreement once again. "And I am going to let him decide."
"It is up to you how you should handle this, but I really think you should convince Christian to tell his family. If she is willing to say all that in a clothes store, who knows what she is saying in private." Kate is right, I have to convince him to at least say something to his parents. I don't know how to do that.
~oOo~
I am relaxing comfortably in my bathtub thinking about tonight.
Kate helped me organize my closet with all my new clothes. We also talked about some things I could do tonight for our first time. Kate can tell Christian is a direct man, so she told me I should let him take control of our first time, but every so often express how he is making me feel. I should also use my hands to encourage him to continue to do the things I like the most. I know I will feel shy about doing this, but I am going to do my best anyways.
During my bath, I made sure to shave and moisturizer everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. At first, I didn't want to, thinking Christian seems to like how I am, but Kate told me it will increase some of the sensations being bare. I'll give it a try.
I finish my bath, ready to get dresse. I decide to wear my tight tank top black dress with thick straps. The dress has a square neckline, with a longer hem that goes past my knees, but it has a wide side slit that makes the dress very sexy. It shows off my legs perfectly. I pin back my hair into a loose messy pony tail. I look like I didn't put too much effort, but still put together. I put on some lite makeup with red lipstick. I finish off with a pair of black sandal heels.
While I am packing my overnight bag, I think about what to say to Christian in regards to Elena. I'm going to tell him tonight. I don't want to wait too long, and with our trip to New York, the next best time would be a week or two later. I hope it doesn't damper my plans. It will only make him trust you more.
I'm ready to go, so I grab my bags and head downstairs to my car. I told Christian I would be ready around 6 pm, but he had a late meeting. He felt bad, but he is running a large company. I cannot expect him to drop everything for a date. Plus, he knows I am going to want to spend the night. We have all night. I told him not to worry, and he text me his access codes to his parking garage and penthouse.
It doesn't take too long to get to Escala; he is only fifteen minutes away from my home. His building is a large complex in downtown Seattle, not too far away from the Space Needle. It is a beautiful and epic building, towering into the sky. Even though it is in the city, the building is surrounded by an oasis type garden, with trees that provide secrecy. I'm not surprised at all that he lives here. I only dreamt about living in an amazing Seattle condominium like this. I do like my apartment, but it does feel like an office.
I drive into the garage, and enter in the access code. I wait for the garage door to open and drive in. I drive to Christian's designate parking spot, and grab everything I need for tonight. As I get ready, I suddenly stop in my tracks seeing a young man next to my car. It is the same man from the clothes store from today; the one who was with Elena, and he has a baseball bat.
"May I help you?" I say cautiously, hoping someone sees him approaching me.
"Get away from my car." He quietly demands of me.
"This is my car. What do you want?"
"For you to get away from my car?"
"This is not your-"
"GET AWAY FROM MY CAR!" I immediately walk away from my car. I want to say something, but it is too late. He takes the bat and hit the back of my window, completely smashing the window. I cannot believe what is happening. I run to the corner of the garage, next to the elevators. I look at the cameras in the parking garage, but I don't see anyone coming to stop him. At this point, he smashed my back window, with broken glass inside.
I grab my phone, but for some reason, I don't call the cops. I never felt good about cops. Cops can be deceived.
I call Taylor instead. "Taylor! Please! I need your help!"
When I began traveling to see sites, I was given Taylor his direct phone line. With recent shootings at public locations, especially the one at the theater a few years ago. We take extra precautions at all our theaters, actually have security guards at our sites. It is an extra expense, but we do not want a shooting or any violence to occur at AMC. Taylor became our security advisor, hiring and advising the best security personnel. I call him anytime I have questions on security, especially on my reviews. We have become friendly, especially since he finally calls me by my first name, instead of calling me 'Ms. Steele'.
"What's wrong Ana?" Taylor sounds calm, but I can hear him moving around frantically, probably getting ready for whatever I need.
"I'm at the Escala parking garage, and a young man is smashing my car with his baseball bat! I don't know what to do, so I called you." At this point, the young man has moved to my front window, practically smashing it into pieces.
"Call the police. I will be there in 5 minutes. There is no Escala security?"
"No! No one!" Taylor growls unapprovingly in the phone.
"Call the police Ana. I will be there." After Taylor hung up, I called the cops telling them what is happening and describe the man. I was told someone is on their way. I asked the dispatcher how long it will take, but I just get 'soon'. They then hang up.
This is fucking crazy! What if he comes after you! It is too late.
"Anastasia. Come here."
