A/N: Very light editing on this chapter
Chapter twenty
In the next moment, Christian turned around and pulled the book they'd looked at earlier off the bookshelf. "Do you want this?"
Ana shrugged, she wasn't thinking about the book, she was still reeling about their little argument. She still had no idea how this had happened; one minute they'd been kissing passionately and the next they were arguing about who was pressuring whom.
"It looks like a good book, but it's also pricey."
"If I got it for you, would you want to read it?"
"Yes, it's an interesting book but you don't have to get it."
"Okay, we gotta get going," Christian said, taking the book to the register. On his way there, his eyes did a quick scan, looking for his sister. At once, his eyes connected with hers.
"Hey, what's going on between you and Ana? Did you just have a little argument?"
"It's no big deal.
Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about," Christian mumbled. "Hey, are you getting that?" He said referring to a stuffed bear wearing a green shirt that said: Seattle underground tour.
"No, I'm not. But you should," Mia retorted pointedly.
"What? What would I do with something like that?" Christian scoffed.
Mia shook her head. "It's not for you, you dummy, it's for her," she said looking at Ana.
Christian exhaled and rolled his eyes. He then extended his hand to Mia who then deposited the stuffed animal into his waiting hand. He wasted no time taking the bear and book to the register. By the time Ana approached them, his purchase was already in the bag so she didn't get to see what he'd purchased.
"Let's go eat something," Christian said and they headed for the bar outside the gift shop.
It wasn't until they were seated at the table that Christian told Ana he'd gotten her the book.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that," Ana said a little mortified.
"I wanted to get you something," Christian said, his gaze shifting between Mia and Ana. "Please stop being so modest. That's what husbands do, they get gifts for their wives."
"It's just..." she hesitated. "Okay, thank you," she smiled, all too aware that Mia was staring at them with an odd proving expression.
….
the next morning
Ana was in the kitchen cooking breakfast when Mia, dressed in her pajamas, came to sit at the kitchen counter.
"Good morning. Christian is not up yet?"
"Good morning, Mia," Ana said as she chopped some tomatoes. She was getting ready to stir them in with the eggs. "I think he's showering."
Mia exhaled loudly. "Okay, are you finally going to level with me? What's going on between you and Christian?"
Ana stepped back, the question caught her off guard, and she'd nearly cut herself with the knife. She turned around and faced Mia, her back against the counter.
"What do you mean?"
Mia gave her a long knowing look before answering. "Well, for one, you two don't sleep together in the same room. And it wasn't just last night. This has been going on for a while."
Ana stared at Mia in disbelief. She thought she and Christian had been so careful in making it seem like they were still sleeping in the same room. Christian usually didn't retire to the guest room until well after Mia had retired to her own room.
"Okay, so you want the truth, here it is," Ana said after a long while. "Ours is a fake marriage, Christian only married me because I was in trouble and it was the only way he could get me out of Cuba."
A long awkward silence followed. "Wow. You're not kidding, are you?"
Ana sighed, feeling relieved the truth was out in the open. "We're only together until my INS interview and then we will part ways."
"No way, I don't believe that."
"It's the truth. Ours is a marriage of convenience."
"No, not that part. I meant I don't believe you will just part ways. You obviously care a great deal about each other," Mia paused, giving Ana a minute to think about this. "He cares about you, Ana, the way he looks at you," she shook her head thoughtfully. "I know my brother."
"Oh, NO!" Ana turned around when she heard the sizzling sound the skillet was making. But it was too late, her eggs were now irreversibly stuck to the pan.
"You burned your eggs...sorry about that," Mia bit her lip regretfully.
Ana didn't give the cooking a second thought. She took the skillet off the burner and came to sit across from Mia.
"Your brother has been wonderful. He's a great guy and you're right, he cares about me. But that's not enough for a marriage. You know what I mean? He doesn't love me like a man loves a woman." This was painful to admit, but she wasn't one to lie to herself, and the sooner she accepted this, the less painful in the long run.
Mia shook her head and cluck her tongue. "Ah, no. I beg to differ. Oh, Ana. He's in love with you...any fool would be able to see that."
Ana let out a chuckle. "Then I must be the greatest fool of all," she shook her head dismissively.
Right then, Christian appeared clad in a business suit, his hair still wet from the shower. At once, he knew something was up and Ana decided at once to bring him up to speed and forgo her usual morning greeting.
"Christian... I told Mia about our arrangement."
Christian was floored but he quickly recovered, in his business he had to be able to think on his feet. "You can't tell anyone, Mia."
Mia was outraged. "Of course not, who do you take me for?"
"After the interview, the INS will investigate further if they have reason to suspect our marriage is fake," Christian explained. "They will interview family and friends if necessary," his gaze shifted to Ana. "We're hoping we'll be able to pass the interview without arousing suspicion."
"You can count on me," Mia replied, her fingers pulling a mock zipper around her mouth.
Christian stared at Mia, his gaze cold and accusatory. "I got a text from mom this morning bemoaning about the wedding...I assume that was you who let the cat out of the bag."
Mia laughed nervously. "Oh, yeah. Well, she asked me about you. Did you want me to lie? Besides, if it got you two talking to each other again, maybe it was a good thing," she said batting her lashes innocently. "It's about time you all put the past behind you anyway."
"Mia, mom cannot know about this, you understand?" Christian urged her and Ana nodded.
"Mia, please, don't tell her about the arrangement," Ana mumbled.
"Of course, I wouldn't do that," Mia looked at both of them, mildly offended.
Christian gave his sister a dubious look. "Listen, I got to go to work, I'm late for a meeting...I'm trusting that you will indeed keep this to yourself, sis."
"Christian? you can't leave without breakfast!" Ana said, looking so devastated it gave Christian pause. She looked behind her, a little flustered. "I burned what I was cooking but I'm sure I can...just give me a few minutes and I'm sure,"
she trailed off as Christian was already shaking his head no.
"How about I just have some cereal?" He said helping himself to the milk in the fridge. "Would that make you happy?" he added pulling a box of Raising Bran from the cupboard.
While he was doing that, Mia pulled three bowls and spoons and brought them to the table.
"How about we all have cereal this morning?" Mia said in a chirpy tone.
"So what did your mother say?" Ana asked Christian earnestly while they ate.
"You mean other than her being disappointed in me for not telling her I got married? Not much really, just the same comments over and over," he paused, his gaze intensely focused on Ana. "Well, okay, she did say she wanted to meet you."
"Oh..." Ana stammered. "Meet me?"
"Yes, she wants to call you," Christian looked around to the area on the counter, the designated areas for cell phones. His phone and Mia's were next to each other. "Where's your phone?" He asked Ana.
Ana shrugged.
"You don't know?" Christian stared at her in disbelief. He always knew where his phone was at all times. Having long forgotten his experience in Cuba, he couldn't imagine his life being any other way. "When was the last time you used it?"
"I don't remember," Ana quickly replied, not meeting his gaze. The last time she'd used it, she'd been in her room educating herself about sex, and she wasn't about to admit to that.
"Well, you better find it. My mom is going to be calling you." He got up, gathered his phone and keys. "I really gotta go. "By the way, your dad has been sending me text messages wondering why you've been ignoring him. I wouldn't have mentioned it, except it's getting really annoying."
….
Ana retrieved her phone and handed it over to Mia to help her with the text messaging.
"Whoa! Oh, Ana...you've been a very naughty girl!" Mia laughed as she browsed through all the websites Ana had left open.
Ana blushed scarlet and reached for the phone, mortified. There had to be a way to keep this stuff secret. In a childish gesture, Mia refused to hand her the phone back and Ana had to chase her all around the apartment for it. Both of them wound up on the couch, exhausted and roaring with laughter.
All of a sudden, the phone rang.
"Hi, mom!" Mia answered cheerfully. "Yes, Ana is right here," she winked at her.
Ana took a deep breath, she hoped her voice wouldn't sound as shaky as she felt. "Hello? Mrs. Grey, it's so nice meeting you."
"Oh, darling please call me Grace."
Ana hesitated, to her calling her mother-in-law by her first name was a sign of disrespect. "Can I call you Mrs. Grace?"
Mia came to sit beside Ana on the couch and put the call on speakerphone. Grace laughed right at that moment and the sound of her laughter filled the room.
"Well, if you must. Ana, your voice sounds really sweet. I wish I could see your face. Is Mia there? Can you ask her to set it up?"
"I'm here, mom," Mia said, "It will be just a moment," she went on as she set up the call on her iphone.
A moment later, Ana and Mia stared as the older woman's face filled the screen. She was smiling as she motioned for her husband to say hi.
"Mia! Ana, nice to meet you," Carrick said, popping in beside his wife. "This has been quite a surprise. Mia told us a bit about you," he cocked his head thoughtfully. "There's one thing though, what was Christian doing in Cuba?"
"She can't tell you, dad, Christian was on a secret mission," Mia quickly replied with a wink. Both Grace and Carrick nodded their heads and smiled.
"Well, actually...my father hired Christian to bring me to the United States," Ana said. At least this part of the story was true.
"And you know how it goes, destiny knocked on their door and they fell in love," Mia chimed in eagerly, "and the rest is history."
…
Afterward, Mia helped Ana sort through the dozens of text messages that she'd received the last couple of days. Some had been from Christian and some from her father.
"But why leave me dozens of text messages?" Ana wondered out loud, especially since she wasn't answering them. "Why didn't he just call me?"
Ana was surprised to learn that according to Mia, most people expected a reply to their text messages within a couple of hours at the most, and that using a phone for actual phone calls had become obsolete. Ana shook her head. If she went by society's expectations, carrying around a smartphone meant the end of her carefree life as she knew it. She could see the writing on the wall; she would become a slave to her phone and her choices would no longer be her own.
"Your father is inviting you over for dinner tonight," Mia handed Ana her phone back. "You're going to text him back, right?"
"Text him? Of course not!" Ana said. "I'm going to call him instead.
"Okay, put him on speakerphone, then," Mia grinned.
Moments later, a confused Ray answered the call. "Ana?"
"Yes, father, it's me. Do you have a moment?"
"Huh. Well, I was in the middle of something."
"This will only take a moment."
"Huh. Well, okay. It was about time. I've been trying to get in touch with you for days."
"Why didn't you just call?"
Ray cleared his throat, a bit flustered. "I texted you."
"Text messages are too impersonal."
He decided to ignore that. "Are you coming over tonight?"
"Depends," Ana answered nonchalantly.
"Depends? Depends on what?"
"Does this invitation include Christian too?" Ana glanced over at Mia. "And his sister Mia?"
Ray hesitated. "Of course, they're both welcome to come."
"Perfect. See you at six."
It wasn't until after she hung up that she realized she hadn't even asked Christian yet. She really hoped this last-minute invitation was okay with him.
….
Christian wasn't thrilled about visiting Ray's family but it seemed important to Ana. She'd called him earlier in the day to ask him. He got home a little earlier than normal and found Ana in the living room watching TV. He assumed Mia was in her room getting ready.
She was smiling at the TV screen watching The Flintstones in the living room. After a brief greeting, he went to his room to retrieve the stuffed bear from his room. Then, he came around and placed the bear behind her on the top edge of the couch as though the stuffed animal was gazing down at her.
As soon as Ana turned, she saw Christian's face sneaking up behind the bear. She smiled in response.
"Hello, Ana," he stroked the stuffed animal's fur softly against her cheek and her smile widened. "I got a confession to make."
Ana's smiled faded a little and Christian came around to sit by her on the couch, placing the bear on Ana's lap. "I hope you like him."
"I do. It's cute," she regarded him thoughtfully, stroking the stuffed bear's fur. "What's going on Christian?"
"You know how I said I'd had a few relationships with women? I lied. I haven't really had any REAL relationships." Yes, I've been with a few women since what happened with Elena and the clubs but nothing that lasted." Christian exhaled. He didn't know why he'd lied except that he'd wanted her to see him as a regular man and not a freak. Truth was, he had no idea what it was like to be in a relationship with a woman. In fact, he'd never kissed anyone on the lips before Ana, it felt too intimate and personal. One woman he'd slept with had kicked him out when he refused to kiss her on the lips.
He scooted closer to her on the couch and reached out. His hand landed on her waist. "I just didn't want you to think of me a loser, it's silly, I know."
Ana blinked twice, all too aware of his touch. She looked into his eyes and felt lost in his depths. His candid confession made him more approachable, humble, and possibly more vulnerable. In all, it was an irresistible combination.
In one long stride, he tugged her flush against him. "You're the first woman I've ever kissed," he murmured, his forehead flush against hers, "and I've loved every second of it."
The quiet possessiveness of his words and the wistfulness in his voice filled her heart with a torrent of emotions. Here in his arms, she felt a sense of rightness; the way he was looking at her connected to her at a deep level. And for a moment, that was all that mattered. The thoughts continued playing in her head as he leaned his head down and nipped at the curve of her neck. His hand quickly slid under her shirt and skimmed the side of her breast and she couldn't contain the gasp that escaped. Instead of moving his hand away, she guided it until it cupped her breast fully over her bra.
His lips abandoned her neck and leaned in to brush her lips. His mouth opened over hers, his tongue slipping out to tickle the seam of her lips until she opened for him. Heat and fire raced through her loins, driving her mad with a need she didn't understand.
"God," he growled, "I need you," he lifted her into his arms bride style intending to take her to the bedroom, and she panicked.
"Please don't...I can't!" She shook her head. No, no. "I thought you said you wouldn't pressure me."
"Okay, fine," he said, annoyed to be reminded of that at the moment. He had to get a grip and come up with a good comeback. He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. "The way I see it, this is gonna happen sooner or later and you're just delaying it, that's all you're doing." He rose to his feet and glanced at his watch. "We've better get ready for the dinner party."
Ana opened her mouth to speak but it was too late, Christian had already left. She just couldn't do it, she couldn't just give herself to him, not when there was a risk of a possible pregnancy. This morning, she'd received a call from the doctor's office canceling her appointment and rescheduling for next week. She bit her lip, maybe she should tell him?
No, what was the point? He still wouldn't understand. She just couldn't risk it, throw her whole life away for one moment of passion like her mother had done. Carla paid a high price for her mistake, many doors that were previously opened closed the minute she found herself pregnant at the young age of fifteen, she became damaged goods. She became sexually active seeking personal freedom from her old-fashioned parents, but then in a tragic twist of fate, she lost all the freedom she had and more when she was forced to leave behind the life that she knew. The bottom line was that Carla never truly adapted to her life in Cuba, and Ana had taken her story to heart, vowing to never repeat the same mistake. It was the least she could do to honor her mother's memory.
….
In any event, she didn't get another chance to speak privately with Christian. He'd gone to the guest room and she went to the master bedroom to get dressed for the party. And then Mia had knocked on her door, wanting to see what she was wearing for the party. She'd stood there for the longest time; even though the outfits Christian had gifted were gorgeous, she suspected if she wore anything she presently owned, she would be under-dressed for this event.
"Gee, Ana. You really have nothing to wear for this party, do you?" Mia declared after taking a peek into her closet. "Come," she said leading the way to her bedroom.
Mia's closet was impressive, it had something for every occasion. One thing was for sure, Mia didn't travel light.
"Oh, Ana, I think this will be perfect," Mia said pulling out a gorgeous red satiny dress with puffy sleeves. "Try it on, see how it fits."
"Oh, my. Wouldn't it be too fancy?"
"What?" Mia chuckled. "Are you kidding me? From what I gathered your father lives in a freaking mansion."
…
Christian's eyes nodded appreciatively when he saw Ana in Mia's dress. "You look gorgeous, Ana."
Ana beamed. "Thank you."
Mia cleared her throat. "And what am I, sandpaper?"
Christian reluctantly peeled his eyes away from Ana and shifted to his sister. "You look beautiful too, sis."
"Ah, thanks!" Mia smiled triumphantly, she was really looking forward to this dinner party.
…
In the car
"So how did your conversation with my mother turn out?" Christian asked Ana, turning to look at her briefly before his eyes returned to the road. "What did she say?"
"It was a good conversation," Ana replied. "I talked to your father too. They seemed nice. They talked about visiting us for Thanksgiving."
"But Thanksgiving is just around the corner."
"I know, it will be great," Mia chimed in from the backseat. "What did you expect, Chris? They're dying to meet Ana in person."
"Of course," Christian thought. The INS interview was in one week and Thanksgiving was two weeks after that.
"If I'm still here, that is," Ana murmured quietly.
"What? What did you say?" Christian turned to stare at Ana, his eyes widening.
"Well...the interview is before Thanksgiving."
"So?"
There was a long silence.
"I think Ana means that the charade will be over by then," Mia translated, glaring at Christian, willing him to correct her statement.
"Ana..." Christian spoke, making sure to make full eye contact with Ana, "I don't know what you're thinking...but you're not going anywhere after the interview, you're not getting rid of me that easily!"
Ana's heart leaped at the possessiveness in his words. "I'm not?" She stammered stupidly.
"No, of course not. I was reading about this the other day. Most likely, you will be granted temporary immigrant status at the interview. We will need to wait another year and appear together at a second interview for you to get permanent resident status."