Chpt. 14: Ana's POV

The next few days fly by and I end up working more hours than I originally was scheduled for because we are busier than normal and Antonio needed extra help. Christian and I talk every night usually for at least an hour sometimes even longer. He insists I call him after work no matter how late I get home and I have to admit it's nice having someone to talk every day especially since I don't get to talk to Kate much. We were finally able to talk yesterday after constantly missing each other the last couple of days. She was beyond ecstatic when I told her I had moved in and as I thought said she didn't mind that I moved in while she was gone. She will be home in a couple of days earlier as her and Elliot want to spend New Year's together.

Lunch today? –C

Sure, I don't have to be at work until 3 –A

There's a place near my office, I will send Taylor to pick you up around 11:30 –C

I can take a bus –A

Taylor will pick you up at 11:30 –C

I give up arguing with him and agree to let Taylor pick me up for lunch. Although I haven't known Christian very long it's clear he likes to control certain things which shouldn't surprise me since he is a CEO of a large company. I finish putting away my laundry before getting into the shower since Taylor will be here to pick me up in about an hour. It's been really nice staying at the apartment instead of renting a room or staying at the shelter. Something as simple as doing laundry can easily be taken for granted until you have to walk blocks to a laundromat and wait for a free machine. I've done some more grocery shopping since the initial trip with Christian the day I moved in. I've made a few larger meals that I freeze and heat up before or after my shift at work.

Buzz

"Yes?" I say into the intercom.

"Ms. Steele, it's Taylor," he responds.

"I will be down in a moment Taylor," I say grabbing my jacket and a purse I borrowed from Kate's closet.

"Ms. Steele," Taylor nods and holds the door on the car open.

"Mr. Taylor," I say just as formally.

"It's just Taylor," he says.

"It's just Ana," I reply and giggling.

I see Taylor smile as he walks around the car to get into the driver's seat. He is obviously former military and I suppose old habits die hard. It's obvious that Christian is very formal with Taylor and I imagine he must be this way with all his employees. I suppose having so many people working for you changes the way you interact with most people. Having Taylor call me ma'am or Ms. Steele just makes me feel old and is too formal in my opinion. Since I am not Taylor's boss I don't see an issue with him calling me Ana.

"Ana, it's so nice to see you again," Christian says as meets me outside a restaurant that really wasn't that far from the apartment.

"I've missed you," I say quietly as I kiss him hello.

"Really?" He says surprised.

"Of course," I answer. "I know we've talked every day at least once but I have missed not seeing you since Sunday."

"I've missed you too Ana," Christian says as we sit down. "I'm sorry I've been so busy this week. Sometimes things at work get hectic right before a merger goes through."

"Is that what you are working on right now?" I ask.

"The paperwork was signed for a company that we acquired a few weeks ago and just as we wrapped that take over up we were approached by another company for a possible merger. That is why I'm flying to New York tomorrow," He explains.

"Wow," I say surprised at how much he has on his plate. "How will your company manage an office in New York?"

"Good question," Christian begins to explain just as our waitress stops by to take our order. "That is one of the logistics I need to work out when I am there tomorrow. If the company needs significant oversight we will either need to move the company to Seattle or set up a team to work in New York if the need is only temporary. Occasionally the companies I take over need more financial guidance whereas other companies need a complete management overall. Take my last acquisition for example, the company was facing bankruptcy within a year if they didn't sell. The reason they were in such financial trouble was because the management team was stuck in their ways and didn't want to follow the growth of technology which was clearly the direction their industry was moving in."

"I see," I say trying to take in everything he just said. "It makes sense though. If you don't move forward you will be left behind, however I'm sure change can be difficult for some people. I'm guessing since you don't have the emotional connection with the company or that industry specifically it's easier for you to identify the problem and solutions to resolve it."

"Exactly!" Christian says smiling. "Usually when I try to explain what I do to people who are not in the same line of work it goes over their head. Elliot for example doesn't get it no matter how many times I explain it. But when it comes to the construction industry he is on top of all the trends; for example in all the building he works on for me he finds ways to be more environmental friendly."

Christian spends much of our lunch discussing his work on different projects and his trip to New York tomorrow. I am surprised to hear that he is literally flying to New York to spend a few hours there before flying back the next morning. He explains that he tried to address the issues by conference call but that there are times when he needs to see things for himself before he can make a decision. He says he will try to call or text me over the next two days but that it will probably be difficult because of the time difference. We likely will not see each other until Christmas Day given our conflicting schedules.

We say goodbye before Christian returns to his office and Taylor drives me back to the apartment. I try to come up with something to get Christian for Christmas. We have been seeing each other, if that's what we are really doing, for a month or so now but I'm not sure what to get him. What do you get a man who has enough money to buy anything he wants? I send Kate a text before leaving for work to see if she has any ideas.

On my way to work I pass a used book store that I hadn't noticed was there before. I have a few minutes to spare so I decide to stop in and before I realize it I was in there for more than half an hour. Just as I'm about to leave I see the perfect gift for Christian; a book called Cooking for dummies. I laugh remembering him trying to cut up peppers last weekend and his confession that he really doesn't cook at all. I still need something to go with the book, but I don't have any other time to look today as I'm already ten minutes late to work. Luckily Antonio is not mad and the restaurant isn't overly busy as I punch in and start my shift.

"Good Afternoon, can I get you something to drink?" I ask approaching my first table.

"Yes," a voice I recognize says. "I want a glass of your finest white wine; don't give me any of the cheap crap-make sure it's only the finest."

"Yes ma'am," I say turning towards her companion. "For you sir?"

"He will have a Bacardi rum and coke," she answers for him.

"I will be back shortly," I say returning to the kitchen.

"Hi Ana! How are you?" Susan, one of the other waitresses for tonight asks.

"It was good until I took my first table," I answer.

"What happened?" Susan asks.

"I had this customer once before and she was the worst. She is just very rude and acts like she is better than everyone else. Last time she tipped me 92 cents for dinner even though she had no complaints about the food!" I explain.

"How horrible!" Susan says. "If you need back up just yell. I got your back Ana."

"Thanks Susan," I say laughing before I head to the bar.

"Hey Ana," Mark, the bartender tonight says.

"Hi Mark," I respond. "I have a request for the finest white wine we have and the customer has made it clear money is not a concern. Suggestions?"

"Yes, I have the perfect wine for her," Mark says walking across the bar to find a bottle on the very back of a shelf. "Not too many people are aware of this wine but it is the best white one we have here. The price is $16.50 per glass."

"Wow, she better like it for that price," I say smiling.

"Your drinks ma'am," I say approaching the table. "Our bartender has assured me that this is the finest white wine that we have here."

"Good," Ms. Blonde bitch says.

"Are you ready to order or would you like a few moments?" I ask.

"No we are ready," she answers. "I will have the seafood special tonight over linguini. He will have the steak special with shrimp. That will be all."

I return to the kitchen to place the order before checking on the other tables in my section. I shouldn't be surprised that Ms. Blonde bitch has returned especially after seeing me out with Christian last week. I can't help but wonder about her history with Christian; he explained that they were business partners but the way she looks at him makes me wonder if she doesn't have feelings for him. She is easily twice his age though which doesn't make sense. Although the gentleman with her again tonight is very young so she must have a thing for younger guys, I think.

The rest of the night goes smoothly and surprisingly Ms. Blonde Bitch doesn't give me any problems. Once again she leaves me a handful of lose change as a tip but I am happy when she leaves. I decide to head to the mall tomorrow after my lunch shift to see what I can find for Christian. I am really stuck as to what else to get him but I hope that walking around the mall I will find something. Kate reassures me that no matter what I get Christian he will likely it which I'm sure is but still doesn't help me figure out what to get him.

I return back to the apartment and relish in the short walk it is home. It's been nice not having to rely on the bus schedule get places on time or having to stand outside in the cold waiting for the bus to arrive. I heat up some left over lasagna and watch tv before heading to bed.

"Hey slut! Why aren't you in school?" He yells walking out of his bedroom.

"Today is Saturday" I answer.

"No, it's not. Today is Wednesday stupid! You are late for school," He yells.

"Today is Saturday," I repeat pointing to the calendar.

"No it's not. I have to work on Thursday; I haven't worked yet so it can't be Saturday," he says staring at the calendar on the wall.

"Today is Saturday," I again repeat.

"Stop talking back to me bitch! That can't be right!" He yells.

"Rick…" he says calling someone on his phone.

"No! That's not possible!" He yells into the phone before tossing it against the wall.

The phone shatters into dozens of pieces and falls to the floor. He stares at me with the look of pure anger in his eyes. I can tell he is going to beat me again; it's the same look he gets every time he beats me. My mom has been gone for a couple of days so I know screaming for her won't help.

"Get into your room slut!" He yells.

"I didn't do anything," I say, still sitting at the table.

"Didn't do anything?" he yells. "That's the problem. You didn't wake me up and I lost another job because of you! You are a worthless piece of shit! I don't know why your mother insists on keeping you here! Now I said go to your room!"

"Please, I didn't do anything," I beg. "I didn't know you needed to be up on Thursday for work. I promise it won't happen again."

"You're right; it won't happen again because after today you will learn to never forget to do something I ask!" He yells grabbing my shirt and throwing me onto the floor.

I don't bother to argue with him; I learned a long time ago when he is like this it's not worth it. He would never believe me if I told him he never asked me to wake him for a job. Nor would he believe me if I told him that he got so drunk he slept through the last 3 days. He grabs my ponytail and pulls me to the coffee table in the living room. He pulls me my chest onto the coffee table so I am kneeling on the floor and my chest is resting on the table.

He yanks my sweat pants down and I immediately freeze. He has never pulled my pants down before; he has never hit me in just my underwear. I find myself wishing for him to pull up my sweatpants to at least provide a small amount of cushion. My cotton underwear will do nothing to absorb the beating I'm sure.

"God your ass is going to look beautiful tonight," He says as the first hit of the belt comes down.

I scream in pain but he just laughs. The belt continues to come down over and over again until I lose count the number of times he has hit me. After what feels like forever, he finally stops hitting me and I begin to think he is finished.

"Don't move or I swear I will kill you," He says before walking to his room.

I don't move; I'm too afraid to move. My butt is on fire and the pain begins to intensify as the adrenaline rush seems to wear off. I hear his boots before I see him coming down the hallway and I immediately tense up again as fear comes over me. He has a thick wooden cane in his hand and I immediately fear what is about to come.

"Please don't," I whisper.

"Next time you will remember to do as you're told, won't you?" He asks bringing the cane down hard on my butt.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I scream. The cane hurts ten times more than the belt did and my skin is already so sensitive from the initial beating.

"I asked you a question, Bitch!" He says bringing the cane down again, this time hitting my lower back.

"HHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMM," I scream.

"What was that?" He asks hitting me again.

"I won't forget," I barely get out before the cane comes down hard on my back.

The beating goes on for what feels like forever before the room goes black once again. I don't know how long I am out for but when I wake I am tied to my bed with duct tape. I panic initially and start screaming. When no one answers and I hear no sounds I realize that either he left or is passed out drunk somewhere. My sweatpants were pulled back on at least and I realize a note is on my dresser:

DON'T MOVE – I WENT TO GET YOU A PRESENT

Fear grips me and I start pulling against the duct tape. Eventually I manage to free one of my hands and use it to unravel the duct tape on my other wrist. I grab my book bag and an overnight bag, throwing a few clothes I can find into it before slowly opening the door. I don't see him anywhere and decide this is it. I gently close the front door behind me just incase he is still inside and make a run for it.

End flashback

I wake up covered in sweat, my throat sore from obvious screaming. It's been over a week since my last nightmare and this one was worst the rest. This was the last time he beat me and he did a number on me. I still have scars from the belt beatings but the cane beating took the longest to heal. I can still feel the pain that I felt for months following that beating. The cane must have bruised my back muscles, my hip or something because whenever I would walk or move too quickly I would have pain radiating through my back and legs. I left that day and have never spoken to him or my mother again. I could never forgive her for letting him beat me over and over again.

I get out of bed quickly and find myself on the bathroom floor throwing up into the toilet. This used to happen every time I had a nightmare but it hasn't happened in probably a year or more now. Once my stomach settles down, I crawl over to the shower and turn the water on. Stripping myself of my clothes, I take a look in the mirror at all the scars. The ones near the middle of my back are very faint and can only be scene in the right lighting. The scars closer to my waist line are much more distinct and noticeable. The scars continue down to the bottom of my butt nearing the top of my thighs. There are a few scars on the backs of my thighs but they are faint like the ones in the middle of my back. There are a few deeper scars around my hips which are across between scars from the belt and scars from the cane.

I sigh and climb into the shower letting the water cover my entire body. I sit on the tub floor with my head between my knees as the water cascades over my body. I try to get my mind off the nightmare and begin thinking about the trip to the mall to find Christian and Kate a Christmas gift after my lunch shift today. I make a list of possible ideas for both of them and decide to check out Kate's closet as she suggested the other night when we talked and I told her about dinner at Christian's parents' house this week. Slowly my breathing returns to normal and my stomach starts to settle down further. I finish my shower and wrap a robe around me before getting dressed. I check my phone and see that I have a voice mail from Antonio stating he does not need me to come in today as the reservations are fewer than originally anticipated. Since I have been taking on so many extra shifts over the last couple of weeks I don't mind much not working today. I put the tea water on before heading back to my room to get dressed. I decide against eating anything until I come back from shopping since I don't know what my stomach can handle.

I take my cup of tea and head to the bus stop which comes just as I arrive at the station. A few minutes later I arrive at mall and begin walking around trying to find something for Kate and Christian. Just as I walk into a small shop my phone alerts me to a text message.

About to take off to New York –C

Have a safe trip –A

I will miss you. –C

Me too –A

I quickly find a gift for Kate which fits her personality very well. Kate is relatively easy to shop for I discover. A walk through the mall further but decide to stop and get something to eat when my stomach growls. I grab a hot pretzel and a bottle of water before sitting down to eat. I text Kate to see how the Bahamas are but she doesn't respond. I'm looking forward to Kate returning home from the Bahamas and having someone to talk to it the apartment besides Murray. As I eat lunch I hear a piano start to hear someone play a piano nearby and I immediately know what I'm going to get Christian for Christmas.

Is your laptop still at the apartment? –A

Yes, it's in my room on my desk. –K

Do you mind if I borrow it? I found a gift for Christian but I need the computer –A

Of course, if you need help just call or text me –K

I head to the computer store on the other side of the mall and purchase an MP3 player. Christian has an obvious appreciation and love for all types of music. I plan to download an eclectic array of music onto the MP3 player which is small enough that he could easily take with him if he is on go. I purchase a small set of speakers that plug into the device and the store employee explains how I can download music onto it.

Feeling accomplished, I return to Kate's apartment and begin downloading music. While the music is downloading I decide to google some desert recipes. Christian has told me several times that I do not need to bring something to his parents' house for dinner but I don't feel right showing up empty handed. I quickly find a few recipes and print out the ingredient list to take with me shopping later today. I check out Kate's pan selection and realize I will need to add a couple pie pans to my shopping list as it's obvious Kate doesn't bake. I decide to make an apple pie and a chocolate cake from scratch to bring to the Grey's on Christmas Day. I grab my shopping list and run to the grocery store and grab everything I need to make desert. My plan is to make everything Christmas morning, if I wake up early enough it should give me plenty of time to have everything cool before Christian picks me up.

The rest of the day passes by quietly and I manage to download all the music onto the MP3 player for Christian. I am excited to give it to him and hope that it is enough. I have a feeling he will spend an obscene amount of money on my gift but I take comfort in knowing that I put a lot of thought into the gift and the music selection.

Next Day: Christian's POV

This trip has been a waste of my time; I can't believe I let Roz convince me to fly out here for this. I don't see what couldn't have been accomplished over the phone or via skype. The entire management team here needs significant training if they are to perform at the level that is expected for companies under the GEH umbrella. A few members of the top management team are highly overpaid and seem to work minimum hours spending more time on a golf course then behind a desk. If GEH is going to take over this company we will need to send a team to work closely with upper management in New York for at least six months to a year. I will need to review the financials further to see if the company is worth investing that amount of man power in. I conclude the morning meeting letting everyone know that we will communicate our decision within 14 days. I have about an hour before we will leave for the airport to return to Seattle so I text Ana; I have seriously missed her these last two days. We usually talk on the phone at least once a day but with the time difference between Seattle and New York plus my time traveling it hasn't been possible.

What are you doing? –C

I wait for a response when suddenly my phone rings.

"Hello?" I say expecting Ana to be on the other line.

"Christian Darling! I'm so glad you answered!" Elena says.

"What do you want Elena?" I ask grimacing.

"Oh Christian you sound so tense," She says. "I don't know why you insist on not having a sub. Can' t you see how tense you are without a sub? And you're making such poor business decisions because of how tense you are."

"Excuse me," I yell into the phone. "What the fuck do you know about the business decisions I am making?"

"Calm down. Don't take that tone of voice with me Christian," She says firmly. "You decided to pull your financial support from the salons which obviously is a poor business decision. You never made such rash decisions when you had your needs being met."

"You know nothing about the decisions I have or have not made in the paste Elena. For your information, I should have pulled my support from your salons years ago. Your financial records show you are barely making a profit from the salons after expenses and salaries are paid. I only continued backing you all this time because of our history however I no longer have the same respect for you any longer," I explain.

"What the fuck does that mean?" She yells. "I have done nothing but support you. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be where you are today! I made you who are you! I taught you everything you know! I continued to find you subs who could meet your needs for how many years now and this is how you thank me?"

"Enough Elena!" I yell back. "You did not make me who I am today! I made me who I am. I built my business from the ground up. You loaned me money to start the business which I paid back in full plus interest within six months. The only thing you did was teach me how to fuck!"

"What? I taught you a whole new lifestyle! You know the lifestyle is not just about fucking!" She says angrily.

"You're right, it's not," I answer. "You taught me that all there was to sex was contracts and limits. You left no room for emotions and allowed me to think that is how this lifestyle worked."

"Emotions?" she asks laughing. "That's what this is about? Please Christian, you are not cut out for emotions. You don't even know what love is! You won't even let your own family show you they love you! You always say that you don't fit in with Grace and Carrick; that they could never accept who you are and what you like to do to women. How could you possibly love someone else? How could they possibly love you if you can't show them love?"

"Enough!" I answer angrily but find my voice cracking and my confidence slowly diminishing. She hit the nail on the coffin and she knows it.

"That's it, isn't it?" She asks clearly seeing her effect on me. "You are falling for the girl I saw you with the other night aren't you? Does she even know that you like to beat women before fucking them until they almost pass out? How do you think she will react when you tell her your deep dark secret?"

"I said enough Elena!" I yell. "This is none of your business and if I ever find out that you mess with Ana again I swear I will ruin you in every way possible!"

"Again? Whatever do you mean Christian? I haven't done anything to Ana" Elena says sweetly.

"Don't give me that bullshit!" I yell, once again my confidence returning. "You and I both know that you fucked with Ana's housing and had her lease terminated on the room she rented."

"I have no idea what you are talking about Christian and I don't appreciate you accusing me of things," Elena says.

"I'm not accusing you, I am saying flat you that you fucked with Ana's housing," I reply firmly. "Do it again and trust me I will ruin you. I will see that you lose all your salon customers and I will ruin you within our community so you will never get a sub again."

"You don't mean that –" She says as I end the call.

"Taylor!" I call knowing that he is just outside the conference room.

"Yes sir?" Taylor asks quickly appearing.

"I want all the codes changed at Escala and effective immediately Elena is not permitted anywhere near my home or office unless I personally okay it. I want the security on Ms. Steele to immediately notify you if Elena is anywhere near her or Kate's apartment" I explain.

"Of course sir," Taylors says quickly typing on his phone.

My flight back to Seattle goes smoothly and as we exit the plane I have a sudden urge to find Ana. I checked my phone and she never responded to my text. I'm sure she was working or busy doing something but what Elena said is making me second guess myself. She was right though. I have never allowed my family to hug me, well except Mia but she started hugging me as a baby and I knew someone so tiny could never hurt me. Ana has hugged me several times and even fell asleep on my chest and I never felt the pain I would always feel whenever someone else tried to touch my chest. I spoke with Flynn about this several times and he seems to think it's because I know that Ana won't hurt me and that I trust her.