"But how did she get in?", Christian snarls once Welch has informed him of some news.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Grey, but the company was on lockdown once the news broke out", Welch explains, unbiased by Christian's disdain.
"How the fuck could you let this happen?"
"We received word from Taylor that you called for us to evacuate. Said it was urgent."
"What? He never told me that."
"Sir, if I may, I think someone is out to sabotage you. This sort of thing never happens, not even on my watch."
"Go find out if the CCTV footage shows any signs of movements after hours. I want a report in an hour."
"Yes, sir", Welch declares before heading off to talk with security.
"Any idea who could've done this?", I ask timidly.
"Ana, it's none of your concern", he says with a cold stare in his eyes, forcing me to stop. I'm about to protest when Taylor interrupts me before I can.
"Sir, this note was left on your desk, along with a red blindfold and an older copy of your contract."
"Any idea who left it?"
"No sir, but we're checking for prints now. I think you should read this", he states as he hands Christian a piece of paper. Christian's brow furrows as he reads the paper, showing a blend of anger and confusion on his face.
"What is it?", I ask.
"It's nothing."
"Christian…"
"I'll tell you later", he states, giving me a pointed look. I wisely hold my tongue but my curiosity is still piqued.
"Christian!", someone calls from behind and we turn around to see Mia, skipping excitedly in our direction. She stops briefly and looks at me as if she can't believe that I'm here with Christian.
"Ana? Oh my God!", she exclaims just before pulling me into a big bear-hug, catching me by surprise. Yep. That's Mia alright.
"Hi, Mia", I respond sweetly.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here. Oh my gosh, are you back together? That's so cool! Christian was a mess when you left." I blush in response. If only she knew why I left.
"Mia, nice to see you", Christian interjects, showing no emotion at all. Mia pulls him into another hug and after a beat, he hugs her back.
"To what do I owe this unexpected visit?", he enquires.
"Ugh, do I need to remind you again? We barely see you and Mom wanted me to come and ask you something."
"Which is?"
"If you would please come to the charity ball tonight? You haven't been there in three years."
"I've been busy."
"Oh, you're always busy. Can't you take a night off? My friends have missed seeing you and keep asking where you are."
"Mia, I don't have the time. I'm far too busy for an event."
"But what about Ana? Wouldn't she like to come?", Mia asks as she directs her attention to me.
"Um, I've never been to ball", I confess.
"Oh, you'll love it! There's dancing, fireworks, music. It's gonna be fun."
"We'll see. Thanks for dropping by but I have some work to attend to", Christian responds, not-too-subtly nudging her to the door.
"Come on, at least think about it? I've missed you", she pleads with big, wide eyes and a pouty expression on her face. I can't help my chuckle at her reaction. She hasn't changed a bit.
"I'll think about it", Christian replies. Mia squeals and hugs him again, before turning to me and squeezing me just as hard. She then turns on her heel and skips to the exit.
"Why didn't you want to go?", I inquire once Mia is out of earshot.
"I don't do charity events", he says coldly, indicating that he's done with the conversation.
"Okay", I simply say and go to reach for him. He freezes. I sigh as he does.
"I'm gonna need a road-map", I say quietly and he smiles shyly in response.
"I know", he replies.
"Are you ever gonna talk to me without holding anything back?"
"Ana, I'm still trying to understand all of this."
"Why is it so hard for you?"
"Because I'm fifty shades of fucked up, that's why." Oh yes, I remember.
"Aren't you willing to try?", I inquire.
"Of course I am."
"Then why can't you just let me in?"
"Ana…"
"Tell me. Why is this event so important to you?"
"It's none of your concern."
"It is if we're going to make this work."
"I don't need your pity, and I don't want to discuss this here."
"Why not?"
"It's not appropriate."
"Christian, someone is obviously trying to get in touch with you while you're with me. How does that not concern your work?"
"Fair point well made, Miss Steele", he smirks.
"Don't look at me like that. Won't you please talk to me?"
"It's nothing, she's in the past."
"She? Mrs. Robinson?"
"No, of course not. Elena would never do a thing like this."
"Then who?"
"Let's discuss this back at my place."
"Why can't you just tell me here?"
"Ana, enough", he says more forcefully and I'm inclined to roll my eyes at him. I cross my arms over my body to affirm my place.
"Okay, you can either walk or I'll carry you." What? Is he being serious right now?
"You wouldn't do that", I remark in disbelief.
"No, it's your choice", he implies and I'm left gaping at his remark. Carry me? Like how he did at his parent's place? Before I can respond, he bends down and lifts me, swiftly swinging me over his shoulder and makes his way out.
"Christian, put me down!", I order but he ignores me. His employees stare at us as he leads me to the elevator and calls it down. Jeez, this is so embarrassing.
"Alright, fine, I'll walk", I shout and Christian immediately sets me down. I straighten my posture and enter the elevator once it arrives.
Back at Christian's penthouse, I follow Christian to the great room where we're instantly greeted by Gail, his housekeeper.
"Hello, Mr. Grey. Miss Steele", she addresses as she looks in my direction.
"Hi, Gail", I say as sweetly as I can.
"Is there anything I can get for you?", she asks. I shake my head just as Christian heads for his office. I quickly follow after him and see that's unlocking a file cabinet near where his desk sits. He pulls out a file and motions for me to sit down. I comply immediately. He shrugs out of his jacket and hands me the papers before taking a seat as well. I can see the anxiety etched on his face and I don't know if it's at me or something else. I'm almost scared to ask but wisely hold my tongue.
"Leila. Her name is Leila Williams. She was my Submissive until two years ago and a former employee", he begins. Holy shit, he's talking.
"She wanted more with me but I wasn't in the market for that in the past, so I ended our relationship", he continues. "She didn't react well to it and things didn't go well from there."
"What do you mean?" He takes a deep breath before continuing.
"She became desperate and kept harassing my staff in order to see me again. I tried ignoring her but she kept coming back, and I just recently received an e-mail from her asking to make amends. I informed Welch about it and fortunately, that's the only contact she's made to me directly since we parted ways. I haven't seen her since we broke up."
"What does she want now?", I ask. He looks uncertain as I do.
"Tell me", I persuade.
"When you and I were in Georgia together, she showed up here and tried to slit her wrists in front of Mrs. Jones."
"Oh my God."
"That was why I needed to come home as soon as possible after leaving you at SIP. By the time I arrived, she disappeared and my people have been trying to find her", he states and I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. An ex-sub wants him back? Why am I just now hearing about this?
"Is that all?", I enquire, surprised that I want to know more.
"She also started a fire at WSU in order to get my attention. Fortunately, nobody was hurt."
"Why there?"
"She knew you were my new employee, so she felt it natural to go after you as well."
"Is she only after me?"
"No. She stole some personal files on my whole family in the hopes that she could contact them and get back to me, possibly informing them of what we've done. As of now, we have no idea where she is."
"We? Is that who put this together?", I ask, indicating the unopened file on the desk. Just then, a thought enters my mind.
"Did you have this before or after she started working for you?" For a moment, I assume he's not going to answer.
"Before", he says eventually.
"Is there one on me?", I ask out of curiosity and again, he looks uncertain. He avoids my gaze before standing to his feet and searching through the cabinet again. After a few moments, he pulls out another file and hands it to me. I take it and quickly scan the contents. Inside are pictures of me, information on my former job at Clayton's, relationship status etc. Why the hell does he have this? I notice one line about my work schedule and decide that it's enough. I close the folder and throw it on the desk.
"I guess you are a stalker after all", I say dryly.
"Those are only on my employees", he replies.
"And yet this was before I applied to your company. You checking up on me now?"
"I've only done it for any possible submissive. I wasn't expecting us to come this far."
"Hmm, nice. Jesus…"
"Ana, I had no idea what this would become. I didn't know you'd be different, and I'm still surprised that you are."
"Is that why you're treating me like every other woman in your life, including your mom because I'm so different?"
"That's different in this situation."
"How? How is it different? You still try to control me and won't allow me to speak for myself. Even your own sister is kept at a distance and every other member in your family. You've been like that since day one, even before I considered signing your contract and honestly, I'm glad that I didn't. This isn't a relationship, Christian, it's ownership. How am I supposed to feel special in this case when you keep me in the dark and won't let me touch you? This is exactly what kept us apart the first time and now I don't know what to do. I'm trying to understand you. And I want nothing more than to get closer to you in every way that I can. But this? What am I supposed to make of it? How am I supposed to know that I'm special in your life?"
Wow. Big speech, Ana, but hopefully he gets the picture.
I look at him and he's speechless, unable to find something to say. I'm about to protest but just before I can, he stands up and walks over to me, determination on his face.
"Come to my bedroom", he simply states and I'm left gaping once again.
"Sex is not gonna fix this right now, are you insane?"
"Ana…please", he pleads and holds out his hand for mine. After a beat, I reluctantly accept it. He leads me out me out of his office and I follow him to his room. He closes the door and leaves me briefly to retrieve something from his chest drawers. He walks back to me holding a tube of lipstick in his hand. My brow furrows at the sight.
"You wanted a road-map?", he asks and I watch in amazement as he starts to unbutton his shirt and slowly slides it off. I gaze down at his scars and then into his eyes. He's torn, really torn, and I can't comprehend what he wants. Before I can say anything, he uncaps and places the tube of lipstick in my hand and directs it to his shoulder.
"Start here", he states and slowly guides my hand down. Holy shit, he's really doing this right now. He continues to guide my hand down his chest to his stomach, all the while keeping his eyes closed and breathing shakily as the lipstick glides across his stomach and up again on the other side. He shudders as I near his neck and that's when he releases me to continue my trail. Once I reach his neck, I guide the lipstick just under it, watching in heartbreak at his shuddering response. Finally, I pull the tube away and he opens his eyes to look in mine.
"Those are my boundaries. Now I'm all yours", he says quietly and I struggle to keep the tears at bay. Oh Fifty…
"You don't have to do this", I whisper.
"Yes I do. If it makes you happy, then it's a start", he states and I can tell that he means it. Fighting the urge to cry, I quickly take his head in my hands and kiss him deeply, pouring my love into the kiss. He quickly responds and glides his tongue past my lips, instantly finding my own. I deepen the kiss and soon, his hands travel down my body and over my backside and before I know it, he pushes me closer to his body, causing me to gasp. I feel his erection under his jeans and can't help my moan in response. All too soon, he pulls away and we're both breathing heavily at the departure.
"Take me. I want you to take control", he remarks and my brow furrows again.
"I want you to be in charge", he explains. "I'm all yours and only yours."
"Christian, I don't…"
"Please. I want to show you that I want to make this work." One look in his eyes and I know that he means it. Oh Fifty, what are you doing to me? Before I can reject, I kiss him once more and lose myself in the man I love.