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Chapter Twenty.

Peace.

Christian.

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It's late Thursday afternoon and I'm climbing into my R8. I've squared everything off upstairs and instructed Taylor to head home once he's completed all of his duties. I'm eager to escape my office and the confinement of Grey House. I need to flee my glass tower. I need to find the space to breathe. I need to just get away from here and the responsibility that it carries. It's been a tough week, a productive and very profitable week, but a draining one.

Simply put, I've had enough.

The time I spent last weekend with the body that is Leila, put me on a good footing for what was to come this week. I knew it would be filled with long crazy days. I knew it would pass by in a blur of endless meetings and late night conference calls, and it has. I knew what to expect so I've dealt with it all, but honestly, it's finally caught up with me. The past couple of weeks have finally caught up with me, and I'm tired. Mentally tired.

Being kept so busy, helped to distract me. It's stopped me from constantly thinking about Ana's haunting familiar doppleganger, but it couldn't control my eyes from playing tricks on me. I thought I saw her again today in the book store. I stood watching her form the sidewalk for fifteen minutes, before she turned around and I saw that the girl I'd been staring at for so long, looked nothing like Ana. Just more proof, that I'm mentally fatigued and need this time alone.

I've cleared through most of my schedule and have nothing important left to do in the office before Monday. With everything signed off and under control with the Japan merger, I've decided to head off to my beach house a day early. I need too, it's the only place I've ever felt free from everything. I just wish that The Grace, wasn't at the boat yard being re-sailed this weekend. I could really do with the freedom that the ocean provides right now.

My foot, pushes the gas pedal as the traffic heading out of the city eases. The thought of my second, but true home, in my minds eye urging me forward. I really need the night to myself with no distractions or interruptions. I've a lot of reading to do and I know the tranquillity of the beach house will help me with that.

The sound of the ocean and fabulous panoramic view, have always had a calming effect me. Being there, has always helped to clear my head, and being there with Tess is always a bonus. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some decent sleep, recharge my batteries, and feel a little less run down for Leila's arrival tomorrow evening.

Gail, was at the house earlier today, so I know the place is stocked and ready for the weekend. Sarah, Tess's companion, will no doubt be surprised by my early arrival, but will respect my need to be alone and ultimately spend most of the night in her room, studying.

Tomorrow morning, Sarah, and her live-in security, will both be relieved for the weekend. Sarah, heads back to her parents house and Luke, her SO, heads to Escala to relieve Taylor. I don't need them here at the weekends. I've always felt safe here. Plus, I've never wanted Sarah to meet any of my house guests.

Sarah, is a godsend, and a kind hearted girl. She's twenty, local to Portland, but currently attending college here in the city. She's studying to be a vet and volunteers at the local veterinarian surgery where Tess is registered, and that's how we met two years ago. Up till then, I had permanent security live at the beach house with Tess, and I drove over every chance I could, but it wasn't an ideal situation. For her, or myself.

Sarah told me, while she tended to Tess during her quarterly check up, that her apartment building was due for renovation and how she was struggling to find somewhere local and quiet to rent. Studying, is important to her, so she didn't want to live in dorms or attempt an apartment share with strangers. Far too distracting, she said.

I offered her the perfect solution for both of us.

Sarah, got to live somewhere during the week that was quiet and safe for her to study and I, got a permanent house sitter and loving companion for Tess. She wouldn't except a wage from me, so I waved her rent, utilities, general living expenses, and I also have Gail, keep the place filled with everything she could possibly need. I've also settled all her future college expenses, but that's between me and her parents. It's a fair compromise for both of us. I've always felt reassured leaving Tess with Sarah, and Tess, loves being with her, so the past two years have been a blessing thanks to that girl.

My foot, eases off the gas pedal as I pull up at the beach house. I lower the window while loosening my tie, taking a deep, cleansing breath. The warm, salty air instantly makes me feel calmer and I know in my heart that I'm home, but as I close my eyes and the familiar wave of ease washes over me, it's eradicated swiftly as I'm bombarded with images of Ana.

"Oh, is there no fucking escaping her." I growl with frustration into the empty space around me.

Why has her spirit followed me to the beach? I've never associated what happened that night with my beach house. Up until now, this part of my life has always been presence free. Submissives, yes. Nightmares yes, but I've never been able to feel her here before. So why now? Why can I feel Ana and her aura, like she's sitting here beside me?

It has to be because I'm no longer mentally occupied. I have no guard against her now, no shield of distraction. After only a few hours away from work, she's found her way back into the forefront of my thinking. Well...Fuck this. Not now. Not tonight.

Trying hard to shake her off, I grab my things and head inside. Focusing solely, on the solace that awaits me behind the front door.

After heading inside, showering, and having an early dinner with Sarah on the secluded patio, I spent the rest of the night curled up with Tess, reading. Now, I'm finally ready for bed, and with no preamble I fall heavily into the soft mattress. The night has passed by pleasantly. Tess was thrilled to see me. Sarah was nice company and kept me in the here and now and Ana free, but now, alone in my room, I can feel Ana's sprit encroaching me and filling the darkness around me. I don't relish the thought of a night filled will screaming and little sleep, so with my eyes closed, I focus on the ebbing and crashing sound of the ocean, allowing it to control my breathing and lull me to sleep.

I wake, moments later, only to be surprised by the bright morning sunlight. I feel refreshed, revived, energized, and amazed that I fell asleep so easily last night and have slept in so late. My eyes flutter and linger closed as my brain re-awakens, but then they shoot open as I'm blinded by images from last night.

Vivid, disjointed, snippets of dreams, flash through my minds eye. Clear images of Ana, young and old pass before me, and for some unknown reason, the soft sound of guitar music accompanies the images and lingers in my brain.

Humming to myself, I stretch, contented, despite what my subconscious seems to have been through while I slept. I jump out of bed, relieved and elated that I never woke up and had to suffer through it all. I don't remember being disturbed. Don't remember screaming or waking up once, but now that I am, I'm eager to hit the beach with Tess, and run.

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