Chapter 8:
Business was slow. Elena noticed it. Some of her best clients called and cancelled their appointments. She walked through the salon wondering why all of a sudden she was seeing empty stations. She stood at the reception desk and listened as Natasha, another platinum blonde answered phones and managed the schedules of the hairdressers and manicurists.
"Another cancellation?" Elena asked when she saw the frown on Natasha's face.
"Yes, Mrs. Lincoln. It's the fourth one this hour and with no explanation." Natasha said lowly.
Elena only gave Natasha a slight smile as she walked away. She took a good look at her salon. It was excellently cleaned and their health department inspections were more than satisfactory. She had the very best technicians working for her. She had no idea why her elite cliental were cancelling. She went into her office and decided to make a few calls.
Ana was typing with such concentration that she did not notice the person standing in front of her desk. She finally looked up to see a man of dark and dangerous male beauty. Even before he introduced himself formally, she remembered him. Ryder Hamilton.
"Miss Steele, I have been trying to contact you for the last few days. I usually do not have to ask twice let alone three or four times…"
Ana came to her feet. "Mr. Hamilton, I am not under contract to you or to any man. So before you continue, I suggest you turn around and get the hell out of my office."
"Your office?" He looked around the space. His long and muscular hand waved about. "I thought this was Grey's offices."
"They are." A deep voice said. Both Ana and Ryder turned to see Carrick Grey standing in the doorway to his office. "They are my offices, and she is my office manager so in a sense, they are her offices. So, if she does not want you here, I suggest you leave while you can on your own power."
Ryder knew another alpha male when he saw one. Most men did not intimidate him, but this mature and very powerful man who stood straight with broad shoulders and his fists balled at his sides did. Ryder already felt the bite of Carrick Grey once and he had no wish to feel it once again. "I mean no disrespect to Miss Steele, but she does have something of mine."
"She is not an object." Ana whispered furiously. "You don't own her."
"I think Miss Holt has made her demands very clear, Mr. Hamilton. She does not want to see or speak with you. Do I have to remind you that there is a restraining order against you? You are not to have any contact whatsoever with Miss Holt or Miss Steele."
"Again, I meant no disrespect." Ryder gave a court nod to Ana and took his leave.
A sigh of relief escaped Ana as she sat back down. Carrick bent down beside her. "Are you alright? Did he frighten you?" He asked as he tenderly pushed a brown wave behind her ear. "I can press charges against him for trespassing."
"No, Carrick. I'm fine, really." She smiled at him. This man was so sweet to her and to Tara. "He just startled me. I wasn't expecting him to just walk in like he owned the place."
"Yes, he is a bold one. He probably hasn't heard the word no to many times in his life." Carrick stood. "You know, it's a slow day. Why don't you take off early and enjoy your weekend? I'll close up shop."
"Thank you, Carrick. I do have some shopping to do. Kate and Elliot will be back in a few days and I had better replenish the pantry. If I remember, your oldest son has a hearty appetite." She laughed with him as he offered his hand to help her from the chair. "Thank you, Carrick… for everything you have done for me and Tara."
Carrick only nodded. "It has been my pleasure. Now, get out of here, Miss Steele and enjoy your weekend." He watched her gather her jacket and purse and take her leave. He smiled at the idea of having her as his daughter-in-law. She was just what Christian needed in his life. She was sweet, smart, and stubborn. Christian met his match in that little girl. Now, his attention went to the Lincoln problem. For the last week, he had been giving bits of information about Elena's lifestyle to certain people, mostly Seattle's D.A. office. They were silently investigating her. Her days were numbered.
On the business front, Christian had already signed the papers to dissolve their business partnership. The young billionaire was pulling his monetary support and would no longer secure her bank notes. By the end of the business day, Elena Lincoln would be served these papers as well as bank papers that gave her thirty days to pay her loans or go into default. Just as he told Grace, Elena's days were numbered. He would leave her with nothing, not even her precious social standing that she loved so well.
Ana arrived home to find a stack of mail in the mailbox. She collected the post and made her way up to her apartment. While in the elevator, she sorted through the mail. She came to an envelope addressed to her. She opened it and gasped. It was from Christian Grey.
My Darling Ana,
I know that I have treated you horribly and all I want to do is find a way to earn your forgiveness, trust and love. I am sorry that I was so blind not to see how much I love you and how much you love me. I am a fool, Ana. I beg you to forgive me and give me a chance to right the wrongs that I have committed against you.
I have been lost without you, my darling girl. I can't sleep. Food tastes like sawdust and all my thoughts are full of you and your smile. I miss you so much. I did not realize what a precious and loving woman you were until the day you walked out on me. I love you, Ana and I will spend the rest of my life trying to prove to you the depth of my love.
I have dismantled the playroom. It sits bare waiting to become whatever you wish it to be. You can turn it into your retreat, an office, anything you want, Ana. I give you free reign in that room, in my home, and most importantly in my heart and life. I am yours Ana. Please come home.
I have also severed all ties to my past and to Mrs. Robinson, as you like to call her. Our business relationship is over. She is no longer allowed in my presence. I have changed all the codes into the penthouse so if you wish to visit, they are 910911. You are most welcome to Escala anytime you want for any reason.
There are no more contracts; no NDA's, no rules, and I have called off the "goon squad" as you call my security team. Even though, I am concerned about your safety, I will not invade your privacy. I want you to trust me, Ana. I need for you to trust me and in truth; I want and need to trust you and your decisions. I know that you are a grown and intelligent woman and I have no right to try to control your life.
I still own SIP, which is now Grey Publishing. At any time you wish to return to your position, it is still yours. I bought it to protect you, but I know that you saw it as a way for me to control you. It was never my intention to hurt you, but to protect you and give you your heart's desire.
Ana, I have never loved any woman in life except for Grace, Mia, and Grandmother Trevelyan. I have used woman all my life for my own selfish pleasures. No other woman has ever touched me as you do. No other woman has made me what to be a better man. I am working on my issues. I will be the man that a fine lady as you deserves. I love you, Anastasia Rose Steele, and I will love you until the day I die.
I know that it will take time for you to learn to trust me and even longer for you to forgive me for my actions against you. I hope that someday that you will find it in your heart to forgive me, to trust me, and to love me once again.
I love you!
Love,
Christian
By the time that Ana arrived at her floor she was in tears. She stepped out of the elevator and walked slowly to her apartment as she reread his letter. Before she knew it, she was in her apartment sitting on the sofa and reading the letter a third time. He says he loves me. He says he wants me to love him in return. Oh, god, Christian…why… why now when I am finding my way finally? Why can't you just leave me alone? She wiped the tears away, folded the letter, and replaced it back into it's envelope. She took it into her bedroom and hid it in her jewelry box. She couldn't bring herself to destroy it or throw it away. She took a deep breath then changed from her work clothes into jeans, a soft blue hoodie, and her Nike's. She would go grocery shopping and take her mind off her broken heart.
She decided to walk to the market and to test his words of no security. She kept looking around for the usual black Audi that followed her or for Luke Sawyer. She was alone and on her own. For some reason, she felt empty and alone. Even though she hated that his security team was spying on her she did appreciate that she was always safe. She took a couple of deep breaths and made her through the fresh vegetable stalls. She would shop and forget about security teams, Doms, Subs, contracts, and beautiful gray eyes!
xxxXXXxxx
"Mrs. Elena Lincoln?" A young man asked as he approached a tall blonde who was locking up Esclava two hours earlier than usual.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" Elena purred when she saw how handsome the youth was with his blonde curls and dark green eyes.
The young man did not smile. He handed her a brown legal size envelope that she took. "You have been served." He then gave her a smile. "And, by the way, I'm not interested. I'm gay."
Elena's mouth fell open as the delicious male walked away. She tore open the envelope to read that Christian Grey had severed all their business relationships and rescinded all his monetary support. "Fuck!" She said lowly as the anger rose over her black heart. "That little bastard cannot get rid of me so easily!" She read on that he gifted his share of the Esclava chain to her and then she found the restraining order placed against her. She couldn't even call him or email him to discuss this matter or she would be facing jail time. "If you have any questions, please be directed to Mr. Carrick Grey." Her mouth went into a firm line. "This is a mistake. Christian would never walk away from me. He needs me. He can't live without my guidance and friendship." She fumbled through her purse and hit the speed dial button for her former Sub. It rang and rang then went to his voice mail. She clicked off the phone. She would not leave a message. That was beneath her. She would go to Escala and face him. She would force him to explain these horrible actions and his shabby treatment of an old dear friend as she. She used the remote and unlocked her Town Car. "I will get to the bottom of this."
She never noticed but Ana had walked past her own apartment building and found herself in front of Escala. She was about to turn around and head back to her place when she saw a familiar figure with bleached blonde hair and dressed in her usual black. Curiosity got the best of Ana and she watched the pedophile slither into the elevator. The woman looked pissed off and then sounded more than pissed off as she stomped off the elevator. She was yelling at the receptionist wanting to know why her codes did not work. The poor young abused woman could not give Elena Lincoln an answer and suggested that she speak to Mr. Grey about the situation. Ana hid behind a pillar and watched Elena Lincoln stomp off to her car cussing like a sailor. The brunette had to stifle her giggles. A part of her wanted to try the code that Christian sent her, but she was carrying two sacks of groceries. She needed to get home, and besides, she was not ready to run into Christian Grey.