I didn't feel like going to bed alone that night. Christian didn't argue with me when I begged with him to stay with me throughout the rest of the night, or early morning depending on how you looked at it. I sleep in Christian's bed while he took a seat in the large, plush chair that was pushed right up to the bed. I kept telling him that we could just share the bed, but even he knew that I wasn't fully comfortable with the idea.
"Sleep well, Ana." He leans down to softly press his lips to mine. "Please do not run off again. My hair is already starting to turn gray sue to you." I feel his lips smile against mine and I can't laugh at how absurd he sounds.
"Goodnight. And I promise no more running. I'm exhausted anyway." He pecks me on the lips once more before taking his place on the chair. I watch as he puts a large blanket over his lap and leans over to turn off the light. The darkness is strangely comforting and terrifying at the same time. My mind immediately ventures back to the apartment. I know that the car we saw was Kevin's. I struggle to keep my eyelids open and finally allow them to fully close. My thoughts begin to drift and I only focus on the sounds Christian makes in the dark room. He snores softly from the chair. His soft breathing continues and I soon find myself drifting off to the comforting pattern…
Something touches my arm and I wake with a startle. I shoot up in bed and move away from the hand that touched me. I forget when I am at first, but then my eyes land on a beautiful and very confused looking face that belongs to Christian. He's sitting at the edge of the bed with his arm outstretched to me. He's still dressed in his sweatpants and t-shirt.
"Morning." His voice is hesitant. "I didn't mean to frighten you." His hand strokes my arm soothingly.
"It's alright." I say and pick at the sheets in front of me.
"Ms. Jones made some breakfast. It's in the kitchen if you're hungry."
"Food sounds fantastic right now." Christian and I walk into the kitchen together to find Ms. Jones setting huge plated of food on the counter.
"Ana, darling!" The apron covered woman rushes over and pulls me into a tight hug. "It's so lovely to see you again."
"It's good to be back." I say. She tightens her arms and I feel a sting on my lower back when she pressed too hard. These damn bruises…I pull out of the hug and my eyes scan over the counter where two heaping plates are piled with all kinds of food. "It smells delicious in here."
"I'll grab you two some drinks and then leave you to your meal." She fills two glasses with orange juice and sets them next to our plates.
"Thank you, Gail." With that, Christian and I sit down at the counter and dig into our food. I didn't realize how starved I was until now. I pile the food into my mouth and down it with the orange juice. I can feel Christian's eyes on me as he politely clears off his plate. One of his hands rests on my knee and his thumb runs circles over my skin.
"I need to feed you more." He smirks and takes our empty plates over to the sink. I feel so full that my body doesn't even register the idea of movement. I don't think I've ever eaten that much during one meal, let alone that fast. Kevin despised when I ate a lot. He always made some comment about me getting fat…
Solid arms wrap around my shoulders and I can't help but freeze in response.
It's just Christian. I think and make myself relax. He would never hurt me.
"I hate to do this to you," I hear him say into my hair. His hands run up and down my arms. "But I need to run into the office later today." I try not to show it, but disappointment floods through me. The last thing I want is to be separated from Christian. Especially after what happened last night.
"It's just going to be for a couple of hours, baby." He kisses me lightly on the cheek. "Ros needs my help with some of the accounting folders and to look at the expanding propositions. Unfortunately, I'm not able to do that fem here."
"No, I understand." I speak quietly. "I don't want to take you away from your work." I pull out of his embrace and go over to the large, glass windows that look over the streets of Seattle. I hear Christian sigh as he comes to stand behind me.
"Ana, you know that you're my number one priority, right?" His hands pull me back into his chest and he rests his chin on my shoulder. "I'll be back as soon as possible. You won't even know I'm gone."
I snort at the idea. "Christian, I always low when you're gone. It's like I'm connected to you through some strange magnetic pull."
Christian holds me tighter and kisses my neck softly. His lips make a trail from the base of my neck and move up to the sensitive skin underneath my ear. "I know exactly why you mean." His soft breath sends shivers through me.
"What about me? What am I going to do while you're gone?"
"Well, you can stay here and do whatever you please. Taylor will be here to watch-"
"I don't need a babysitter, Christian." I snap back at him while untangling myself from his arms. "I'm not going to be locked up in here while you go out to rule the world." I wave my arm out towards the windows. My temper is starting to come out.
Christian closes his eyes and I can tell he's trying to hold himself together. "Anastasia, please do not fight me on this."
"Christian, I'm not some damsel in distress. I have a life, I have a job-"
"No. No work today, Anastasia. I already told you that."
I take a deep breath in hopes of calming myself. Christian is being absurd. If he's going to work, then there's no reason as to why I can't also attend my own job. "Christian," I try my best to keep my voice calm. "I really want to go to work today." He opens his mouth to to respond, but I quickly cut his off. "Just for while you're at work. We can both go in at the same time and then you can pick me up when you're done." I wait for Christian to tell me how unlikely my idea was, but I'm surprised when he doesn't sat anything at all. He just looks down at me with a blank expression. "Please, Christian." I used my last resource and pull out my puppy eye look. I see him roll his eyes and the corner of his mouth turns up slightly. I've got him now.
"You are utterly absurd." He chuckles. He cups my face in his hands and looks at me with arm eyes. "But if that's what you really want, then you may go to work." I squeal in delight and clap my hands in front of me. "Only for a little while, though." Christian tells me. "And you will have Sawyer or Taylor accompany you. I'll pick you up when I'm finished. Understand?"
I nod my head frantically. "Yes. Thank you, Christian!" I stretch up on my toes and press my lips to his. His lips move slowly, but determined against mine as his fingers tangle themselves in my hair.
"We should go get dressed now before we both say fuck the work and stay here all day." He mumbles against my mouth and takes a step back.
"I agree." I say. "And, Christian…do you mind if I ask you something?" I whisper so quietly that I'm not even sure if he heard me.
"Baby, you can ask me anything. You should know that."
"Okay. Then why exactly do you not trust me going into work today? And are making Taylor or Sawyer come with me?" I feel like it's a pretty simple question, but I can see how deep in thought Christian is before he answers with a cool, stern voice.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Ana." He speaks slowly. "It's Kevin that I don't trust one bit. I told you that I wouldn't let anything happen to you and I stand by that. No harm shall come to you."