He took my hands in his and lifted me out of the seat. He stood behind me and putting his hands on mine he led me up the yacht and made me climb a ladder.
—Is it far to go? —I asked him curiously, the truth was that I was intrigued.
He didn't answer me. A moment later he stopped. I imagined that we were on the upper deck because the sea air was hitting my face.
—You can open your eyes now. —he whispered in my ear as he removed my hands and I opened my eyes.
The first thing I saw was the huge cake in front of me and then Kate and Elliot standing next to me.
—Happy Birthday! —they both shouted at the same time leaving me surprised and speechless.
I really didn't know what to say at the time. I stared at Kate.
—I knew you wouldn't forget my birthday. —I said to her as she smiled at me hugging Elliot.
—I would never forget your birthday. —she said separating from him and walking to where I was to hold me tightly.
—Whose idea was it? —I asked him intrigued, raising an eyebrow.
—Of Christian, he's been planning it for a few days. —she said as I turned towards him who was looking at me smiling.
—So you've been planning this all this time. —I asked him as I approached where he was.
—Since I knew I wanted to surprise you, although with the days I had to change the plans a little. —he said caressing my face and wrapping me in a hug before kissing me.
—Leave that for later. —Elliot scolded us by making us separate and look at him. —Ana, you can cut the cake, I'm hungry. —he said while we all laughed.
After eating the cake, Christian made some drinks and we spent most of the afternoon telling stories about my childhood and how we had met when we were kids. I didn't drink much of the prepared drinks, I knew that if I did I would end up not remembering most of my birthday and what I wanted most was to remember it completely. Kate and Elliot laughed loudly, while I sipped a soda that I had taken from the fridge. Christian next to me looked at me with his eyes narrowed.
—I think it's time to go back. —said Christian as he looked at his watch.
—What else are you planning? —I asked him as he smiled at me and approached my ear.
—I have plans until dawn. —he said, shaking me before getting up and leaving with Elliot for the cabin.
—How did you spend your birthday? —Kate asked me, sitting next to me.
—Well so far it's been the best of my life. —I replied as I smiled like an idiot remembering the first birthday present.
The yacht began to move. Every now and then we got closer to the coast and I became more and more nervous, I had no idea what Christian had prepared. As soon as we got to the coast we got off the yacht and said goodbye to Elliot and Kate. When I noticed I was already sitting in the seat of Christian's porshe co-driver as he drove somewhere in the city.
—Will you tell me where we're going? —I asked him intrigued.
—It's a surprise. —he answered me as we took the Brooklyn Bridge and I looked at him as he smiled. —I won't tell you no matter how hard you insist, you'll have to wait. —he replied as he laughed.
And I didn't have to wait long. After getting off the bridge he drove right down to the coast under the bridge where he parked in a place called "The River Café". It was getting dark when Christian parked and turned off the car. Then he turned to me smiling.
—We're coming, let's go. —he said as he got out of the car and turned around to open the door for me like a gentleman.
I got out of the car taking his hand and he led me to the small restaurant opening the door for me to enter. After entering, the maître received us.
—Good afternoon. Have you made a reservation? —he asked us, looking at us alternately.
I stared at Christian, although knowing him as I already knew him, I imagined that he had.
—Christian Grey. —he replied with a smile on his lips as the maître opened his eyes.
—Excuse me, I didn't know you, Mr. Grey, we were waiting for you, follow me here. —he said, beckoning us inside the restaurant.
Holding Christian's hand, we walked into the restaurant, which was only lit by the small lamps in the centre of the tables. The restaurant had huge windows where you could appreciate the splendid view of New York in the evening. While I was walking something caught my attention and it was that the restaurant was empty, there was nobody there. At first I thought it was too early maybe, but when we were led to our table next to the windows I realized that the only table decorated and prepared with plates and cutlery for dinner was ours. After sitting for a moment I was admiring the magnificent view of New York, it was to take my breath away as well as the view from Christian's apartment. After a moment I turned to him who was reading the wine list.
—Did you rent the restaurant just for us? —I asked him as he lowered the menu and looked at me smiling and beckoning to the waiter who came quickly to our side.
—Yes, what would you like to drink? —he asked, looking at Christian.
—A bottle of the best champagne, no matter the price. —he said, delivering the letter, causing the waiter to leave.
Then he fixed his eyes on me, stared at me before answering me.
—Yes, I did. Do you have a problem with that? — he asked framing an eyebrow.
—You shouldn't have spent so much money, just for dinner. —I said to him while he was still staring at me.
—It's not just any dinner. I wanted you to have a romantic dinner for your birthday and that's what I'm going to do. Please don't ruin my plans. —he asked me, smiling tenderly. —If it's easier for you, you can pretend that the restaurant is mine. —he said to me while I smiled.
—All right, but it'll only be this once. —I asked him while he looked at me squinting. I knew he'd do it again and I couldn't say anything to him either.
—I want you to remember this day for all eternity. —he said as he took one of my hands in his own.
—I promise you I will. —I answered him and it was the truth, I doubted that this birthday would ever be forgotten.
—Now, what would you like to have for your birthday? —he asked me, taking the letter in his hands.
And the truth was that I didn't need to read the letter to know what I wanted to have for dinner on my birthday. He had been my favorite for a while, but I took a look at him just to annoy Christian a little.
—I think I'll order my favorite second course. — I answered him while he looked away from the letter and looked at me intrigued.
—And why don't you ask for the first one? —he asked me curiously.
—I don't think I can eat it here. —I answered him by lowering the letter while he looked at me squinting intrigued.
At that moment the waiter arrived and after opening the bottle of champagne with a slight roar and filling our glasses, he put it in an ice bucket next to the table and left again.
— I thought your favorite dish was shrimp enchilada? —he bowed his head slightly to the side.
—You said it, it was, now I have another favorite dish. —I replied while I had the glass of champagne and took a sip.
—I'm sure because it's your birthday I can do something to get you what you want for dinner, just tell me the name of the dish. —he asked me smiling in the way that made my legs start to tremble.
—Christian. —I answered him as he stared at me without taking his eyes off me for a second.
—Ask what you want. —And I laughed at that moment.
—The name of the dish is Christian. —I replied as he looked at me now, smiling.
—I see. I know a place where they serve it, but only for dessert. —he replied, sipping his glass. —Would you like dessert? —he asked me as he posed his grey gaze on me.
—Yes, why not, dessert would be fine. —I answered while Christian beckoned to the waiter.
—Then the second favourite will be fine. —he said seconds before the waiter came to our side.
By the time our order arrived I was admiring the wonderful view of New York. The city completely illuminated with the sky totally dark, there were only a few slight traces of the sunset in the distance. Dinner took place mostly between furtive glances and slight smiles that Christian gave me all the time. Yes, he knew what he caused in my body every time he smiled at me like that.
—You shouldn't smile at me like that. —I asked him while he smiled at me again.
—Is something wrong? —he asked framing an eyebrow.
—You don't know what you do to me when you smile at me like that.
—And what do I provoke in you? Now I'm curious. —he asked, having a drink from his cup.
—It makes me want to jump on you, kiss you and ask you to make love to me. —I said to him as I drank from my cup without taking my eyes off him.
I had to remember not to drink so much, the drink always made me talk too much. I didn't even know why I had told him that.
—That's very interesting. I'd better ask for the check, I don't want you to jump on me here in the restaurant. —he waved to the waiter again.
They took out our dishes and after Christian paid the bill —which I couldn't even look at to see how much it was —we left the restaurant and got in the car once more. To my surprise Christian drove once again to the marina. This time it was completely different from the times he had gone during the day, now everything was illuminated by the lights on the edge of the quay and on some yachts that floated placidly on the calm waters.
—Shall we go out on the yacht again? —I asked him but he didn't answer me while I parked the car and got out to open the door for me.
I think that was my answer. He took my hand and led me once again to the fully lit yacht. He helped me up, let go of the moorings and led me to the cabin. The yacht began to move a few minutes later and I sat next to Christian gawking at the beautiful view in front of us as we left the East River for the open sea. An hour later when nothing was seen in front of us Christian stopped the yacht and turned to me smiling.
—Time for your next gift. —he said taking my hand and pulling me towards the cabins.
He led me to the main cabin. After Christian opened the door and entered the room the first thing my eyes saw was the huge box on the bed. Christian stood in front of the bed and turned to me smiling.
—I don't really know if it's for you or for me. —he ran his hand through his hair. —But first. —he said as he approached me.
His face was only inches from mine, staring at me. He smiled at me as he always did, and directed his skillful hands towards the straps of my dress, lowering them dexterously and dropping them to the ground. Then he picked it up and folded it into one of the seats. He went back to where I was and stood in front of me, looking down at me with only my underwear.
—Now, much better. —he turned to the bed again and took the box in his hands. —You can put it on. —he asked me, looking at me tenderly.
I could see in his gaze that he was very excited about the gift, although I still didn't understand why. The box was large, lined with red gift wrap and black ribbons wrapped around it. When I went to untie the ribbon, he stopped me.
—You can wear it in the bathroom. —he asked me and I went to the bathroom.
I still didn't understand why there was so much intrigue on his part. I went in, closing the door behind me. I put the box on the counter, untied the ribbons and removed the gift wrap. After removing the paper, it became clear to me what was inside the gold box on the counter where Victoria´s Secret was read in black and italic letters. I hadn't opened it yet but I could already imagine what was waiting for me as soon as I did. My breathing had accelerated and my heart was pounding in my chest. —Come on Ana, a little courage, it won't bite you. —I reprimanded myself. After taking a short breath and with trembling hands I slowly opened the box.