Chapter 9 – A room with a view

APOV

"Spill it Steele – we haven't had a moment alone and ever since Elliot and I came back from the Market on Saturday you two have been even more googlie eyed than ever – did something happen?"

"It's been happening all along Kate." I say nonchalantly.

"Oh knock it off Ana." She says exasperated and I can't help but laugh out loud.

"We haven't had sex, but we've done some fooling around." This isn't exactly what I expected for lunchtime conversation on a Monday, but I guess it's where we are right now, what I share with Christian is so personal to me – but Kate has shown herself to be a good friend and has become a huge proponent of our relationship so I don't mind sharing…some things.

"Shit. I thought I could live vicariously through your sex life since I'm not giving Elliot any for now. Define fooling around."

I nearly choke on my salad, she really does want deets – this is hilarious considering Kate's experience and the fact that she's asking a virgin these questions. "I don't know Kate, just lots of heavy petting, dry humping and mutual masturbation."

Now Kate is the one choking…and laughing.

"Is he big?"

"Oh Kate really!" My face is hot. Huge actually.

"Well is he?"

"I of course have nothing to compare it to, but he's not small, I think I need two hands to get a really good grip, but he was helping to guide my hand." At this she roars with laughter.

"That's sweet actually Ana, he's patient and showing you how to please him, because he wants your sex life to be good, he wants you more than the sex, that's really nice" she says with a far off look that makes me wonder what her thoughts are.

"Mutual masturbation huh? He seems nasty, that's a very good thing." She has no idea.

"Seriously, even when he's just kissing me it shoots through me like lightening bolts. I've never felt anything like it before."

"So, what's holding you back?"

"Nothing really - I guess I just want it to be perfect, he hasn't pressed and I think with us jerking each other off it makes the lack of intercourse slightly more bearable. I think we'll both know when it's the right time for that. I'm getting the shot on Thursday morning, I should be on my period then – I've been trying to time it right, I think I'm thinking too much, I just need to let it happen and not plan it out in my mind. You'll have to give me some pointers or more like definite dos and don'ts."

"Hell, what do I know I haven't had a guy stick around for long – perhaps my skills are lacking. I just say be enthusiastic – but with the way you two obviously feel about each other, I don't think there's going to be much of an issue in your love making language, I think you'll gel just fine. Besides I don't think there's anything you could do to displease Christian in bed, other than climbing out of it that is, learning one another's bodies will come with time I think."

"Thanks for that vote of novice confidence – I hope you're right – and being an asshole magnet doesn't mean you don't have skills." She smiles, but I can tell she's reflecting on some of her choices, I sincerely hope Elliot doesn't have to pay for those.

"So when are you moving your stuff to his place?"

"Kate! He hasn't asked me yet."

"Well it's probably because he doesn't want to scare you away but you guys are already living together – you do realize that don't you? Elliot has been at our house since Saturday and you didn't even know it because you haven't been here."

"Really?"

"Yes, you know why you didn't know? YOU DON'T LIVE HERE!" She's laughing her ass off right now and I cannot help but smile. "You know what's funny is I love having Elliot around, not once has his being with me made me feel annoyed by his presence and I don't feel a rush to have sex, though we've been heavy petting big time, and I do mean BIIIIG time." She gestures with her two index fingers.

"Katherine Kavanaugh!" I say slapping her forearm lightly "that is so much more than I want to know about Christian's brother Sheeze."

"That is waaay TMI."

"Elliot is a pretty good cook and he's taught me a few simple weekday meals; we work out together – and we cuddle together in bed at night. He loves trash reality TV and listens to me when I need to talk about whatever." I can tell by the look in her eyes that she's cautiously optimistic – Kate really is a wonderful person, she has been trying to outsmart love for a long time – I'm happy for both her and Elliot.

###

We're sitting at the breakfast, well in this case dinner bar enjoying a delicious meal of spaghetti with chicken and beef sausage with chunky vegetables and black olives, along with garlic bread sticks and an olive garden style salad. I've been sitting here going over the discussion Kate and I had over lunch – I do sort of live here, I mean Christian and I never even talk about my going home.

"Christian?"

"Yes?"

"Do we live together?"

"Yes baby." He says sort of flippantly as if to say 'of course we do' I smile a broad and toothy smile and he regards me quizzically.

"What?"

"Were you ever going to say anything?"

"I would have brought it up around the time of our fifteenth anniversary probably." He shoots me a sideways glance.

"Do we need to have a discussion?"

"I don't know Ana, do we?" He says turning to face me, arching his eyebrow. He's such a smart ass.

"I want you here, you want to be here – I'm very happy to continue pretending we aren't living together if that's what you want baby, we can even bring over all of your clothing one item at a time if you like." He says with a sly smirk taking another bite of his pasta, he's so fucking cute.

"Christian, I'm not pretending anything, I just decided to enjoy being with you without over thinking and questioning every little thing." I say shyly.

"I know you're not pretending baby, and I'm glad you're just allowing us to grow together in an organic way, all jokes aside, we don't need discussions about where are hearts are taking us. I like where we are, but I will tell you, I would like for all of your things to be here, but only because I don't want leaving here as an option, I want this to truly be our home." He takes my breath away.

"I would like that too." I can't believe I'm saying this. Christian leans in and kisses me deeply then sits back on his stool as if taking me all in, devouring me with his eyes even.

"What's that look for?" I say after trying unsuccessfully to read his thoughts.

"I love you Ana." Oh my god.

"I love you too Christian." I say without hesitation because just like being here with him – it's what feels right.

I know I love him.

RPOV

"Well fancy seeing you here – it's been a long time Ray, hell if it wasn't for the checks every month – I would think you'd died."

"What did you expect, we had an understanding I thought – but that's not what all of this is, is it?"

"We do, what are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about Debra – why did you do this to me?"

Ten years ago

Loud music playing

"Hey, what's your name?"

"I'm Ray…Ray Steele."

"I'm Debra, nice to meet you Ray Steele, is that your real name? It sounds like a porn name."

"Nice to meet you too, and yes that's my real name."

"You in from out of town?" Prostitute maybe? I can't tell really, you're getting rusty Ray – no matter, I don't play around, not my scene.

"Yes, I'm here for a business meeting."

"Kind of loud in here for a business meeting don't cha think?"

"Well I'm meeting with a technology whiz kid and this was the meeting place selected…not my choice."

"Where is he or…she?"

"I have no idea, it looks like I've been stood up."

"Well you might as well have a drink while you're here right?"

"Sure, would you like a drink…Debra is it?"

"Thanks Ray Steele! I would."

###

My head is killing me – I woke up this morning with my head pounding lying in bed beside a woman whose last name I don't even know. There is no way I drank that much, no fucking way! I try to sit up but my head is pounding. The last thing I remember is buying a drink for a pretty young woman talking to me as I sat at the bar waiting for that asshole Hyden Jackson to show up – I don't know if he ever did show because I cannot remember anything, this is really really bad.

"Morning Ray Steele." Yawns this woman laying next to me. She jumps out of bed and proceeds to get dressed.

"That was fun." She says. I wouldn't know if it was fun or not of course because apparently I'm a blackout drunk.

"What happened here, did we…we didn't?"

"Well, that's not what a girl wants to hear the morning after Ray Steele." Her hands twisted behind her back clasping the back closure on her bra.

"Oh no." This is not my thing, this is not what I do. I have never cheated on my wife, I love my wife and kids, never would I do something to jeopardize my family.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way, I just don't remember anything other than being at the bar with you and waiting for my associate to show up."

"Oh that guy? He was a little high strung, he showed up alright – bought rounds for the house, made it rain on the club, bottles of Cristal and Dom, it was a great night, I'm glad I waited with you." She's talking a mile a minute, and I realize I don't remember anything she's describing. What the fuck is 'made it rain' mean anyway? Did he set of the sprinkler system? I've got to get out of here – I can't believe I wound up here…with a stranger.

"He started buying shots of Absinthe you were throwing them back. You and I danced a little and I asked if you wanted company."

"I said yes?" I ask in disbelief – my thoughts are racing. I can't even imagine, no matter what state of mind I was in, having sex with someone other than Carla or wanting to even – I feel incredibly dirty and ashamed. I have never wanted anyone else since the day I laid eyes on my wife, I can't believe this is happening right now, what have I done?

"Yes, Ray and yes we had sex if that's what you want to know. I get it, morning after regrets, I've had a few of those – think you can spot me a twenty for a cab?"

"Look, Debra – I'm sorry but I'm a married man, I love my wife and kids and I had to have blacked out last night, this is not me, I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong…sure, I can give you cab fare."

"It's really okay Ray Steele, no hard feelings, see you around." And with that she exits my hotel room.

Present day

She stands there in stunned silence, this shit all makes sense now, especially since Hyden decided to play this particular card, I confided in him about the blackout and what happened, that is I didn't know what happened or how I woke up in bed with Debra. He gave a masterful performance, reassuring me that it was no big deal – it was a bar bunny blah blah blah, he told me to make sure I got VD testing and to just forget about it and I tried to. I didn't tell him when Debra got in touch with me six months later, I never told him about the baby, so when he played the secret child card with me just before I left San Francisco, I knew I had been played; everything come into focus, he'd planned it all along to use when he had the need. I recalled all of our conversations about how you had to be ruthless in business, he went on and on about assurances, and how they were the key to bending the wills of power players. I ignored his "tough talk" as just that – to be honest I never took this kid seriously, he was all of nineteen after all!

"So, Deb I know Jaiden is my daughter because I did a paternity when she was first born – what I don't know is whether or not your getting pregnant was part of Hyden's plan." She looks dumbfounded at first, then she flashes a sly smile, takes a drag on her cigarette...

"Welcome to the game Ray Steele. Thank you for playing."

"Is that what my life is to you a fucking game, a FUCKING GAME!?" She stares at me incredulously as though ruining lives is a sport to her.

"To answer your question, the fucking condom broke Ray, I was not planning the pregnancy and I was going to get rid of it, but Hyden described it as pure gold, he said I was going to be set for at least eighteen years so…"

"So you spend Jaiden's money on bullshit designer clothing, shoes and cars and my daughter gets to live in this shit hole where you don't even have decent security? She's nine, that means nine more years – what's your plan for survival – what will you do when she grows up? Child support ends when she's eighteen, what are you going to do then? Why would you do this? I'm running my hands furiously through my hair – I need to leave before something horrible happens, this woman is unconscionable.

"Oh grow up Ray, you could have come clean years ago ya know – tell that perfect little family of yours you fucked up, but no, you decided to keep us a secret all these years along with how you really made all that money, you had options Ray Steele, you chose wrong. You stayed in the bar that night with me, you hung out there waiting for Hyden because you were greedy, you wanted to be wealthy, well everything has a price. Don't blame me for your fuck ups."

"But I didn't fuck up did I Debra, you drugged me didn't…"

"Wasn't me, that was Hyden – it was my job to distract you and get you to your hotel room and have sex with you while he took pictures." Pictures!? And there it is, the plot that should have been obvious to me from the start – I was so busy keeping secrets about my business all these years I always saw this as an unfortunate circumstance, I was set up. I am enraged and grab her by the throat, slamming her against the wall behind her. Hard.

"Listen to me bitch – I could fucking snap your neck right here and now, I'm a desperate man, so don't you FUCKING test me! If you tell that psycho about this conversation, so help me I will stop paying you child support and you and your brat can starve on the street for all I care. Do you understand me you fucking despicable cunt!?"

"Who's really psycho here Ray, you act like you did nothing wrong in all of this…"

"You set me up you fucking bitch!"

"No, Hyden set you up – I was an employee."

"Don't worry, I haven't talked to Hyden in years, he paid me ten grand for that night and paid for my medical bills once he convinced me to have the baby."

"Well you wouldn't be able to tell by the way you live with the kid that I send you over twenty grand every single month. You live like shit, but drive a hot car and own every designer label in the world; the kid is in a shitty public school and doesn't look like she's being taken care of…"

"Like I said, a baby wasn't part of the deal, the hush money you send me is about keeping me quiet and making me happy, now if you want to pay child support, we can always go to court, or maybe I should call Carla and…"

"Bitch I will choke the fucking life out of you! Don't you EVER say her name again – do you understand me?" I don't realize that I'm squeezing her throat as hard as I am until I notice her eyes bulging out and her inability to answer me. I let her go and she drops to the floor and starts to scream at me."

"Fuck you Ray! You fucking son of a bitch! You and your perfect little family – You don't give a shit about your own daughter, she doesn't even know who you are you bastard! If I'm such a horrible mother why don't you take her home to your precious family? Why not tell your precious Annie and RJ about their little sister? Don't you come in here and judge me you bastard!"

"Just remember what I said." With that I walk out of the shitty apartment where I pay the rent. As I'm walking down the front stairs of the building and I see a school bus dropping off kids, in the distance I see a little girl around Jaiden's age – I turn and walk in the opposite direction to my car.

CPOV

"You look beautiful tonight baby, I want nothing more than to keep you here all to myself." This elicits a bright red blush from my now live in girlfriend. She is a vision in her evening gown, it fits her like a glove a sexy glove. I don't know how I will be able to keep my hands off of her tonight, her shoulders are bare and incredibly tempting.

"You look gorgeous Christian – I have the hottest boyfriend in the world." She says blushing.

Twenty-five minutes later we're standing in front of the step and repeat for the Oasis Gala. Each year my parents go all out, it's a wonderful event for a wonderful cause, and for the first time I'm looking forward to being here. This is the first time I plan to stay for the entire function and the first time I've ever brought a date with me.

"Thank you for the photo Mr. Grey, and Ms?..."

"This is my girlfriend Ms. Anastasia Steele." I say proudly, placing my arm around Ana's slim waist, deliberately resting my hand on her hip while my fingers lightly graze the top of her amazing ass. Ana blushes at the introduction – we take a few more pictures and head into the event.

We walk into to the marquee and greet my family gathered either at or near our table.

"Oh Ana dear, you look so beautiful tonight I'm so happy that you're here."

"Thank you Dr. Grey."

"Grace dear."

"Thank you Grace." My mother was equally complimentary to Kate, however I understand that my mother is over the moon happy that I am here with Ana, she worries about my happiness in a way that has never troubled her with Elliot and Mia – she's beaming at Ana and I. Ever since my admission to my family, I know she has worried about me and my emotional development, I think she feels relieved that I am finally happy and in a relationship that I'm proud of.

"Christian, this event is wonderful – thank you so much for inviting me."

"For the first time ever – I'm proud to be here and excited about spending my evening here – with you. I love you Ana." Her cheeks blush a pale pink.

"I love you too Christian." I lean in and plant a sensual albeit brief kiss on her lips. When we break from our kiss I notice the stunned expressions on the faces of our family members, well everyone but El that is.

"Oh I see this all the time now…such old news." El chimes in and we all laugh – inwardly I'm thrilled to no longer be the center of attention. Ana understands what this means for my family and she's very good natured about the whole thing. I know having Kate here helps ease her nerves, as the Greys can be quite overwhelming, especially my mom and Mia - I realize they only want me to be happy so it doesn't quite grate on my nerves.

Kate seems to fit in nicely as well, she makes animated conversation with my parents and sister and seems comfortable in her surroundings. I can tell my brother really likes her, I've never seen him dote on a woman like this…he's quite taken with her and very proud it seems to be with her. I want the best for him and perhaps against my first impression I was wrong, maybe this is the woman of my brother's dreams, the one he was meant to be with.

APOV

"Ana and Kate, do you want to help with the dance auction?" Mia is so bubbly and energetic, this girl should be an alternative fuel source. Of course Kate and I sign on for whatever she needs, how could anyone say no to Mia. Our respective boyfriend's sister asked us to participate in a charity auction, of course we will, all those years watching Vanna White might just pay off after all. My gown is chiffon with gradient color in hues ranging from a shockingly dark almost black violet to soft pink – it caught my eye right away – I thought initially to buy something a little sexier, but this dress was totally me – I found it delicate and feminine, I paired it with platinum chandelier diamond earrings with a large pink stone and matching bracelet. My hair is up in a chignon with loose tendrils and my shoes are blush colored Louboutin pumps. I feel like a princess and Christian's compliments and affectionate gestures make me feel like his princess. Christian is attentive as always, he makes me feel so beautiful – my body stirs from within whenever he looks into my eyes or touches me affectionately and the way he gently held me by my waist with his long elegant fingers skimming my hip while we were photographed sent shivers all over me – it's funny that Christian has told me how Elliot is not one for PDA at all and that he's surprised by his openly affectionate behavior when it comes to Kate, but he's the exact same. He's never been in a relationship and has never brought anyone to this event, or any other for that matter. I feel so special being the one on his arm…the first one on his arm.

"That's great!" Mia squeals bringing me back from my distracted thoughts of my delectable boyfriend.

The dinner is fabulous, only the finest cuts of meat – my tenderloin cuts with my fork and practically melts in my mouth. The conversation over dinner is animated and interesting – this setting feels familiar and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss my family in this moment – even my dad, or should I say the dad I had, not this fraction of a man who has somehow been lost in the shuffle of shady unscrupulous business.

"Tonight, just leave it behind, and enjoy yourself." Christian whispers in my ear kissing my earlobe gently. How does he keep doing that? It's almost scary actually – I do love knowing that he is attuned to me in a way no one else is, our connection is not only deep it's very real.

"I'm fine Christian, I'm so glad you invited me tonight, the event is wonderful…"

"Christian, darling." We're interrupted by Cruella, and I immediately know that this won't be good. With everything that has been going on it honestly slipped my mind to tell Christian about my run in with her the other day. I had been so preoccupied with thoughts of my family and particularly my dad, that I didn't talk to Christian about her – after Christian and I quarreled about his attempts to intervene with my dad I never thought of her again, I realize now in glaring technicolor that I have made a horrible mistake.

Before Christian can even respond Grace, Carrick and Elliot are out of their seats.

"Mom…Dad…El, it's okay. We don't want to mar the great work being done by Oasis with sad old women now do we?" He says looking at his parents, ignoring her desperate gaze. The way she looks at him is disturbing, she's practically salivating. He's mine bitch!

Grace's face is flushed, while Carrick is barely able to contain his anger, Elliot smirks and takes his seat again. Mia looks furious but doesn't say a word and Kate just sits watching the others, and mouths to me the words 'what's going on, who is she?'

"Oh Christian darling, I'm here for the gala as usual – I would never cause a scene…"

"All evidence to the contrary Mrs. Lincoln." Christian snipes without so much as a glance in her direction.

"Anastasia darling…how lovely to see you again." She says glaring at me. Christian's hand, that had been caressing my knee is discreetly jerked away. I knew he would not understand the minute she showed up, but he doesn't turn to face me, he sips his wine while regarding me from the corner of his eye.

"Seeing me? Is that what you call following my friend and I around the mall?" I snap at her – at this Christian turns to face me his irritation visible and I know she hit her mark, unfortunately so does she.

"Following? Hardly dear, well that's the problem when you can't afford couture – you're liable to run into just anyone." Fucking bitch.

As if on cue, Taylor appears, takes firm hold of her elbow and leans in and speaks to her. Her eyes dart toward Christian and she walks with Taylor out of the marquee. It was determined later that she used the invite received by one of the local entrepreneur's that have not shunned her since her abrupt social excommunication.

CPOV

"Dad you have no idea what you're talking about. Ana and Elena aren't connected in any way."

"Son, you have to protect yourself, why didn't she tell you about seeing her if that's the case? How do you know she's not a plant, she certainly looks like your type, who knows what connection she had to that woman before meeting you – that whole story about Kate being sick could have been bullshit – you're so taken with her, it would make perfect sense..."

"Dad, please stop! Ana and Elena are not in cahoots. All of the shit with Hyden Jackson and her father would have had to be a part of the plan. In the scenario you're suggesting Kate would also have to be complicit and though she's pretty well made up tonight I've seen the poc marks from the chickenpox which she did have. Also dad, I know what I'm feeling, you have to trust my instincts enough to understand that I would know instantly if Ana were a submissive or had been compromised in any way."

"With all due respect Christian you've never even had a real girlfriend before now and Elena is quite resourceful and clever. You've known this girl what, a month now and she's practically living with you and…all the drama it could just be a smokescreen, I don't trust her…"

"STOP IT! Dad, I trust Ana, I am in love with Ana, and she's in love with me. I don't know why she didn't share with me that she had been approached by Elena, but I believe her. I choose to believe her. I am very upset with Ana right now because I don't believe that she understands the damage that taking Elena's motives too lightly can do, I'm also upset with myself for not making her security detail a 'close security' detail. The timing tells me that she was likely stalking Ana in response to the article that appeared and used the mall as an opportunity to get a closer look at Ana."

"I think you'll be making a mistake if you don't look into a connection between the two of them…"

"I will NOT do that – and don't bring it up again. I just told you I'm in love Dad, I trust Ana and I won't do that, end of discussion."

"Okay son, I didn't mean to upset you, your mother and I will never forgive ourselves for allowing someone we trusted to have that kind of access to you…"

"Well dad you need to forgive yourselves, because I do not blame you and Mom for what happened with Elena, I never have and I never will, child molesters don't just groom their victims they groom everyone around their victim as well – you and mom weren't negligent, you trusted a friend. I understand your level of distrust when it comes to new people – I do and I'm sensitive to it, but please understand I won't let anyone, not even you cause me to doubt the feelings Ana and I share. Dad I'm happy." My father takes me in an embrace and can feel his heart racing, I know he's still traumatized by what happened, even after all of this time, it's not something you get over. I love the overprotective way in which he always advocates for me, but on this he's wrong and he needs to understand that.

###

"One million dollars!" I declare loudly – Fucking Jack Dorsey, I'll break his fucking neck –little prick. I walk toward the stage and reach out my hand to whisk Ana away, ignoring the rousing applause and audible gasps which are the result of my outrageous bid – I don't bother to look in Dorsey's direction.

"Oh my god Christian, I can't believe you did that." Ana squeals breathless and I believe slightly embarrassed as we walk towards the bar at the edge of the marquee to wait for the auction dance to begin.

"Anastasia did you really believe I would allow another man, any other man to hold you and feel your body next to his? That would never happen." I say stroking her cheek and placing a kiss on her forehead, she looks at me wide eyed and nods yes. She knows I'm upset with her and her eyes are pleading with me. We chat with Kate and Elliot who are still clamoring about my outrageous dance bid among other things, Ana and I are quiet for the most part. I can tell she wants to talk to me and I want to scream at her, but now is not the time.

We dance likely the most expensive dance in the history of dance auctions to this corny cover band's version of "You Are So Beautiful." Ana is so beautiful. Afterwards, we stay for the obligatory mingling, a bit more dancing and the fireworks, but our evening has been effectively ruined. I don't ignore Ana for the rest of the evening, but don't really engage her either – I leave her momentarily as Taylor briefed me on Elena's movements post marquee. She had to be physically dragged to her car which she refused to drive away in, so she was escorted to the edge of the property and a taxi cab was called and her car towed. Security for the event was informed that she was not permitted on the premises under any circumstances and her covert surveillance was reinstated. He is also tracking down surveillance footage from inside and outside of the mall to determine if Ana was being followed and if so by whom.

On the ride home to Escala I hold Ana's hand but don't engage her in conversation, the same is true for when we arrive, we undress and dress for bed in silence.

"I have some work to attend to – don't wait up for me A…"

"Christian, I'm sorry – please don't shut me out, with everything that went on with my dad and Hyden, I forgot all about the encounter with her." Now I'm livid.

"Anastasia, do you have any idea what would happen if anyone tried to hurt you, what lengths I would go to, to protect you?" She nods her head yes, tears forming her big beautiful blue eyes.

"After all that I shared with you about my past, you were incredibly careless in not sharing with me what happened at the mall – you have to trust me and you have to be open with me or else I cannot protect you."

"But I didn't mean…" I silence her by touching her delectable lips with my fingers. "Just listen to me baby."

"I spent part of the evening convincing my father that you weren't some secret agent sent in by Elena Lincoln to worm her way into my life." At that realization tears begin to stream down her face, too many to stave off with my thumbs.

"Elena Lincoln is a dangerous predator, and the publicity of our being together has caused her to resurface at the expense of her livelihood. You cannot allow yourself to be a tool in in whatever plans she has in store, and by that I mean your safety is paramount and you cannot allow yourself to be hurt or used to compromise me, she can tell what you mean to me and knows I would do anything…give anything to protect you. She's not a fool, and she knows that our relationship is important to me and would do anything to tear us apart. My father wanted you checked out for a possible connection to her. But that's no reflection on you, that's a testament to the havoc she has wrought on our family." The look on her face is one of horror, I pull her close to me and breathe in her essence, I remove the pins from her hair, which were surprisingly few and run my fingers through her thick, soft, fragrant locs. She smells so good, and this was not how I wanted our evening to end, but right now I'm too upset and too preoccupied for what I had in mind – I owe her so much more than that.

###

"I NEVER ASKED YOU TO DO THAT!" I'm screaming at Taylor in my office while he remains impassive as usual.

"Sir, with all due respect, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't…"

"It was my father right?"

"Yes sir."

"Ms. Steele has no connection whatsoever to Mrs. Linco…"

"I fucking know that already Taylor. Have you forgotten who you work for?" He ignores this comment and continues.

"Yes, sir. She and Ms. Kavanaugh were followed to the mall by someone in a black sports car, we were unable to see the plates, the person did not follow them into the mall, but parked near their vehicle. I believe that person contacted Mrs. Lincoln with their location, as she showed up a short time later – Ms. Steele shopped for quite some time, and it is clear that Mrs. Lincoln was searching the mall for her and then followed her from a distance for some time before approaching her.

"Yes Ros, I do know what time it is. By Monday morning I want all of the shares EM owns in Escalva liquidated and our backing pulled from the company, an urgent notice is to be forwarded to all of her creditors, including the construction company building out the two new locations. She will have no choice but to sell her shares in the salons at a loss." I hang up the phone. By mid-afternoon on Monday, Elena will be broke, years ago when she approached me for financing of her salons, I declined but suggested a venture capital firm and encouraged her to accept their offer, even though they would own the majority of her business. She did so at my suggestion not realizing that I owned EM Capital Management, to date EM Capital owns sixty-seven percent of Escalva. I did this because I knew that a woman with the audacity to approach me for money after having molested me and attempting to ruin my relationship with my family would surface again and I wanted leverage – I wanted to destroy her if she tried to interfere in my life. I was almost willing to let it go, almost.

Since I waited beyond the statute of limitations to tell my family and she got away with what she did to me, I think she was embolden by this and would never believe I have no feelings for her other than disgust, it was best she couldn't really see though me at all – she really believed I was still under her spell. This was my insurance, no one including my family knows about EM Capital, except for Ros of course. EM stands for Elliot and Mia, Elena was so desperate she never even bothered to do her homework, not that she would have found anything, she was so sure of herself it was nauseating. She will be penniless by noon tomorrow and I will have made a tidy little sum, because in spite of her delusions of youth and grandeur she turned out to be a decent business woman and this will make a very nice donation to Oasis, it's only fitting that the money she made should go to help abused and at-risk children.

Her home is mortgaged to the hilt and the banks will come calling. A year ago one of the recipients of Oasis charity Lillian May opened a modest salon in one of the not-so-great parts of town, she has a decent and loyal clientele and does free haircuts for children, as well as a clothing drive every month for a local shelter. She created a sudless shampoo and body wash that kills lice and other parasites and passes it out to the homeless every Friday along with toothbrushes, travel toothpaste and razors, she makes the shampoo herself using money she earns working twelve hour days. Monday when she's summoned to my office for a meeting she will receive the deed to the building EM owns that houses Elena's salon; she will also be sold all of the equipment for the sum of one dollar and gifted the largest of the other salons for a low cost beauty trade school, for which we will help her obtain federal and state funding, as she credits a similar program with helping her to realize her dreams.

First Elliot and now Anastasia. Elena Lincoln is finished.