Chpt. 26 Ana's POV:
"What time do you need to leave for work?" Christian asks.
"In about an hour or so" I answer finishing the lunch that Gail has made for us.
"I want to show you something before we leave" he pulls me up from the breakfast bar.
He leads me upstairs to the room that once was his playroom; the last time I saw this room it was completely empty and painted white. He slowly opens the door, guiding me inside and I am truly surprised at the transformation of this room. What once was his playroom, is now a beautiful library. The walls are painted a warm brown, there are floor to ceiling bookcases filled with more books than I could ever possibly dream of owning, there are two oversized armchairs and a beautiful desk next to the window with a perfect view of downtown Seattle. I walk over to the bookshelves and can't help but run my hands over the books as I read through the titles.
"Christian the transformation of this room is really amazing" I say in awe.
"Yeah, Elliot really out did himself on this one" he agrees.
"Elliot?" I ask.
"Remember the night when he was late to my parents for dinner? He was finishing this project" Christian answers.
"Ah, so you were the owner with the very specific design request" I recall the conversation from that evening.
"Yes" he smiles. "I wanted this room to be something completely different than what it was before. I wanted it to be warm and inviting; I want you to feel comfortable in here so you can enjoy it whenever you are here. There will likely be times when you are here and I'm stuck on a call or working so this could be a place for you to spend some time in."
"Christian, I could spend days in here" I sigh. "This room is truly amazing…"
"I'm glad you like it. There's a desk set up so that either of us could work in here if we wanted. If you ever need a place to study, you can always come here. Even if it's the middle of the work day, it doesn't matter" Christian says.
"Christian…you really are something. How is it that all those other woman let you go?" I say in admiration.
"No one ever saw this side of me; hell I didn't even know this side of me existed" he sighs and runs his hands through his hair. "I knew I wanted something more than just sex from woman but I had no idea what I truly wanted until I found you. I never thought someone would ever love me; that they would be able to look past my nightmares and terrible childhood."
"I love you Christian" I say kissing him deeply.
"I really wish you could stay here with me today" he sighs as we walk out of the new library.
"Me too" I agree. "Maybe we can make up for it next weekend?"
"Oh I plan on it" he smirks.
"What time should I pick you up tonight?" Christian asks as we drive to the restaurant.
"Christian it's going to be pretty late when I get off of work tonight. I'm going to head back to Kate's after work" I answer.
"I can drive you to Kate's" Christian suggests.
"That would be silly; she only lives three blocks from the restaurant and you live several miles. I've walked home plenty of times" I say.
"Are you sure? I could easily come pick you up, it's not a problem" he replies.
"Christian, I'm sure. I walk back and forth to the apartment all the time. How about I call you when I'm leaving and we can talk when I'm walking?" I suggest.
"I suppose" he agrees in comprises.
"You worry too much" I reach up and kiss him.
"I know" he sighs. "I love you."
"I love you too. I'll call you when I leave" I promise as I exit the SUV and head into the restaurant.
I quickly put my jacket and bag in the kitchen before taking a walk around the restaurant. Antonio has really out done himself today; the dining room has an incredible romantic feel. Gone are all the large tables, replaced with smaller, more intimate tables. A few of the tables can seat up to four people, but the vast majority are designed to seat two. Each table has candle on it to provide a more intimate setting for the couple and the lights in the dining room are dimed. All the tables are covered with white linen with red napkins placed which match the chairs perfectly as they are also covered in white linen but have a red bow tied around the back. There are vases full of flowers placed strategically all over the dining room adding even more to the romantic feeling of the room.
"What do you think Ana? Did my wife go overboard?" Antonio walks out of his office.
"Oh no, Antonio. This is absolutely breathtaking" I sigh. "It's perfect, everyone will love it."
"That's what she said" he laughs.
I great the kitchen staff who are already hard at work preparing various parts of tonight's meal and stocking the kitchen. I check out the walk in cooler, insuring everything needed tonight is near the front to reduce the amount of walking that everyone will need to do thus saving more time. I check to make sure the soda machine is fully stocked and all the tanks are filled. The dishwasher has already been emptied and the kitchen is fully stocked with all the dishes for tonight. Returning to the dining room, I organize the hostess station, removing the old seating chart so there is no chance of confusion. I move a small table next to the hostess station which will be perfect to hold the roses for all the women who come in tonight.
Just as I'm finishing checking on everything the wait staff for the first shift begin to arrive. The stronger staff will be working both dinner shifts tonight whereas the newer staff or those who struggle working doubles will only work one shift. Several are working only the first shift, then will trade off with others when they come in just before the second dinner shift starts. It will be a little confusing this way, but Antonio and I both agreed that it was better than having staff who struggling working lunch and dinner working two very busy dinner shifts back to back.
"Happy Valentine's Day everyone!" I say as everyone convenes in the kitchen before we open. "I want to thank everyone for coming in today and for being on time. We all know we have a very busy night tonight but I am confident that we can pull it off without any problems. My role here tonight is to make your jobs easier; if you see something that isn't working let me know. If you see something that is out of place, let me know. If you have a suggestion of how something could work better, please let me know. We are going to learn from the first dinner service and make adjustments as needed for the second service. Mary is the hostess tonight directing John and Susan who will bring the couples to the specified tables and provide them with menus. Everyone is going to be provided with a pager tonight which we had used a couple years ago. Tonight you will be paged when someone is seated in your area and then again when your food is ready by the kitchen. These will vibrate against you so I recommend you wear them as close to your body as possible; I always wore mine on my waist band. Any questions about the pagers?"
"No?" I pause. "Okay, Mark will be the lead bartender tonight and Brian will serve as back up. Brian's functions will be split tonight; his first priority will be to insure that the bar is always stocked whether or liquor, beer, ice or glasses. His second priority will be to provide back up to Mark as needed when drink orders start pouring in. Our kitchen staff tonight is Josh as the head cook along side Adam, Stacy and Dave. Steve and Cory will be on dishes tonight including the clearing of tables. Our wait staff for the entire night are Mary, Aaron, Mandy and Joe; first shift includes Beth and Kevin while second shift includes Allison and Kyle. Any questions?"
"Do you have copies of the seating areas? I'm afraid I'm going to forget where my area is" Beth asks.
"Sure, here are copies" I hand out copies that was previously provided to everyone. "In case any becomes confused during service tonight, I have several copies posted throughout the restaurant. Obviously Mary has one, but I would prefer everyone not surround the hostess stand since that is where the customers will be greeted tonight. There are laminated copies tacked in the kitchen near the soda machine, the condiment station and the coffee pot. There is a laminated copy at each computer station in the drawers as well as a copy in the drawer of the bar. Of course you are always welcome to ask me as well. Other questions?"
"Okay, we are about to open so everyone have a wonderful first dinner shift. We will meet briefly again before the second shift to see what if any changes we need to make so the next service runs as smooth as this one will" I conclude the meeting as every disperses to their assigned area.
I was a nervous wreck before I met with everyone, concerned about how I would be received since this would be the first event in which I was in my new role. I think the brief meeting went well; hopefully I conveyed that my role was to support them which was my goal tonight. Antonio opens the doors and my first Valentine's Day service as an Assistant Manager begins. The customers are seated quickly, as I observe the dining room I can see the wait staff greeting each customer soon after they are seated. The wait staff quickly place the first drinks of the night as customers look over the menus before appetizers start pouring in. We are working with a limited menu tonight given the large amount of people we are expected to fill.
As the first dinner service progresses, I slowly make my way through the dining room stopping at every few tables to gage how the customers experiences are. Just as I'm about to return to the kitchen I am shocked to see the customer sitting at the one of the tables; Elena and a young man who is easily half her age. She gives me a death look as I walk by her table, purposely not stopping to see how her experience is tonight. I quickly walk towards the kitchen acting as if I'm checking the drink station, when in reality I just needed to get away from her. Every time I see her I can only think of the abuse she put Christian through, convincing him that she was helping him when she was really controlling his entire life.
"How's everything going Ana?" Antonio approaches me interrupting me thoughts about the blond bitch.
"It's running smoothly" I answer. "I've received all positive feedback from the guests, the wait staff seem to be working well together and the bar is keeping up on the drinks."
"Very good, you are doing an excellent job" Antonio returns to the dining room talking with several of the regular customers who he knows well.
The first dinner service concludes without any issues and I am relieved when I see Elena and her boy toy leaving the restaurant. Every time I walked by her table she would glare at me as if I did something wrong. I don't know if she blames me for what happened on Christmas since her friendship with the Grey's is now ruined or if she is jealous that I am involved with Christian. I can't shake the feeling that I have not seen the last of her even when she leaves the restaurant. I'm tempted to call Christian but it seems childish to call him and say that she gave me a dirty look.
Christian's POV:
I return home from dropping Ana off at work and I can't help but feel disappointed that she wouldn't let me pick her up tonight. Her reason made sense, but I wanted to make sure she got home safely. I hate the idea that she has to walk home from work so late at night. I was furious when she said she would leave the shelter or boarding home in the middle of the night to start walking to campus which could take a couple of hours to get to. I wonder how mad she would be if I bought her a car? It would eliminate the need for her to walk around at night or even during bad weather and she wouldn't have to rely on public transportation to get her places. My only hesitation is how I could get her to accept the car; I doubt funding another scholarship at the university would fix this situation. I already purchased her the latest Apple laptop to give her when we are in Aspen next weekend. She was already unhappy with me for spending so much on the necklace, I'm concerned about her reaction when she sees the laptop. Unlike almost every woman I know, Ana hates when I spend money on her. Maybe Flynn can help me figure out how to give her a car without her getting mad when I see him this afternoon.
"Sir, we should leave" Taylor knocks on my office door.
"I'm ready" I shut down my computer, grabbing my phone before following Taylor to the garage.
We drive the short distance to Dr. Flynn's office where I wait for a few minutes before seeing him since we arrived early.
Flynn: Good Afternoon Christian.
Christian: How are you?
Flynn: Good, and you?
Christian: I'm well. Do you have plans for dinner tonight with your family?
Flynn: Yes, I'm taking my wife out for a late dinner as her parents are watching the kids for the night.
Christian: That's nice.
Flynn: What would you like to talk about today?
Christian: I need your help.
Flynn: Okay…help with what?
Christian: I need you to help me figure out how to give Ana a car without her getting mad at me.
Flynn: A car?
Christian: Yes. She doesn't have one and ends up walking or taking public transportation everywhere.
Flynn: There's nothing wrong with that Christian. I bet half the people living in Seattle don't own a car; sometimes it's just not practical or affordable.
Christian: That's just it, affordability isn't an issue for me and her apartment building seems to have adequate parking. If it doesn't I could purchase her a parking spot at the building.
Flynn: What bothers you about her taking public transportation or walking?
Christian: It's not safe. Too many things could happen to her.
Flynn: That's not entirely true. There are many more car accidents on the roads than there are accidents involving the subway or a bus.
Christian: I suppose (pause). But like tonight, she is walking three blocks from the restaurant she works in back to her apartment. It's going to be pretty late by the time she is off of work, yet she is going to be walking.
Flynn: You aren't picking her up? I'm surprised you didn't insist on it.
Christian: I tried (sigh), she wouldn't let me. She said it didn't make sense since she lives only three blocks from her work whereas I live several miles.
Flynn: She has a point.
Christian: I know, but she is still walking home late at night which I hate the idea of.
Flynn: Did you to compromise on tonight?
Christian: Sort of. She is going to call me when she leaves work so we can talk while she is walking home.
Flynn: That seems fair.
Christian: For tonight, but what about next time she works late? She usually works the dinner shift and on weekends it can end fairly late. Then she walks to and from school or takes the bus most days. If she would just accept a car she wouldn't have to walk everywhere and I wouldn't have to worry about her safety. Why does she have to be so damn independent?
Flynn: But isn't that one of the things you love about her?
Christian: Yes it is (smiling). I just wish sometimes she wouldn't complain about the money I spend on her. This morning I gave her a necklace from Tiffany's as an early Valentine's Day present and she immediately complained that I'm spending too much money on her because of the clothes I bought for her to keep at my apartment, her new cell phone and the trip to Aspen next weekend. I don't know what she would do if she found out about the scholarship I gave her.
Flynn: Scholarship?
Christian: Oh yeah (looking away). I sort of provided the university she attends with a very large scholarship slated just for her. It paid off the balance she owed and provided her with $10,000 in cash. It allowed her to move into her current apartment that she shares with her best friend so she didn't have to live in a boarding house any longer.
Flynn: How do you think she will react when she finds out the money came from you?
Christian: I don't think that she can. The university agreed to hide the money so there was no record of it coming from me and she believes the money was provided to her because her high GPA.
Flynn: Do you think you should tell her the truth?
Christian: Why? Then she wouldn't accept the money and she would be back to living in a shitty neighborhood in a house that is busted for drugs regularly.
Flynn: Do you plan on telling her?
Christian: I don't know (pause). What does this have to do with you helping me to find a way to give Ana a car?
Flynn: It's the same situation Christian. You would essentially be giving her something that you think she needs without talking to her first.
Christian: But if I talk to her about it she would refuse, there's no way she would be willing to accept a car from me!
Flynn: Then I think you have your answer.
Christian: So I have to sit back and let her walk everywhere?
Flynn: Or convince her to let you or Taylor drive her everywhere.
Christian: This isn't helpful.
Flynn: I think you knew that you couldn't give her a car when you walked in here today Christian.
Christian: Why can't she be like most women and like me spending money on her?
Flynn: If she were like every other woman would you love her as much as you do?
Christian: No (sigh).
Flynn: Be honest with her Christian.
Christian: I will think about it.
I leave Dr. Flynn's office and return home just in time for Gail's delicious home baked macaroni and cheese made with fresh homemade dinner rolls. Once again Gail out does herself on this dinner; I only wish Ana were here to enjoy it with me. After dinner I spend a few hours in my office working, sorting through emails and reading various financial reports. Looking at my watch I see that Ana should be wrapping up the last dinner shift so I hope to hear from her soon. I'm guessing it will still be another hour or two since she probably has to assist in the cleaning up tonight. I'm looking forward to taking her to Aspen next weekend; I have a mountain home there that I don't get to use very much. I've taken my family there on several occasions but I haven't really had a chance to enjoy it since I bought it several years ago. I don't know if Ana likes to ski or even knows how, but there are several ski resorts nearby that we could try. If not there is still plenty to do from shopping to ice skating to sight-seeing. Honestly I would be perfectly find spending the entire weekend locked in the house with Ana.
"Hi baby" I answer the phone.
"Hi Christian" Ana says. "Hold on a minute….okay…yes…thank you…see you next week. Sorry about that Christian, I was just saying goodbye to Antonio."
"Are you leaving now?" I ask.
"Putting on my jacket as we speak" she giggles.
"How was your night?" I ask.
"It went very well" she says proudly. "We had no problems at all and the both services went off without a hitch."
"That's wonderful, I knew you could do it" I reply.
"Yeah it was….." she begins.
Suddenly I hear screeching of tires, a loud bang and people screaming in the background. I'm calling Ana's name but no one is picking up the phone. I can't hear Ana's voice but I can tell the people screaming are not her. I am pacing my office while screaming her name trying to figure out what to do next. Taylor quickly appears at my door, likely hearing me scream.