A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
A POV
"I'm sorry I'm late.", Julia sighs. She plops down in her chair at our table in 206 Burger Company. "Mr. Nelson pulled me aside and told me that he's chosen me to handle the account for Rawlings Motors. They've had some trouble and were recently sold, but both the former and new owners feel new advertising will help." I pick up a menu and prepare to tell her what I know about the Rawlings Motors account.
"I haven't met the former owner, but I know the new owner. You do too." Kate stops looking at her menu and raises a brow as does Julia. "It's Christian. He saw it as a good investment." I'm going to refrain from telling that it's also part of his plan to ruin Samual Donovan, a plan that still has me on edge. "But he said he's going to remain behind the scenes while Tom Rawlings, the former owner, handles the day to day operations."
"Not that I don't want the account, but did Christian mention you handling it?"
"I told him I didn't want it. I felt it would be a conflict of interest.", I shrug.
"That's understandable.", Kate says as the waitress comes over and takes our orders.
Once our orders are placed, and the waitress has walked away, I notice Julia's eyes zoned in on the guy seated two tables from us. It's Luke Sawyer who's on his first day as my security. Kate met him this morning when he arrived at the apartment, but Julia's yet to meet him.
"Check out the hot guy.", Julia whispers. Kate turns around and giggles. "What's so funny?"
"That hot guy is Ana's new security.", Kate answers. Julia's mouth drops open.
"His name is Luke Sawyer, and Christian assigned him to be my security.", I tell her as our food arrives. "It hasn't been bad so far. He followed me to work in his own vehicle, and he's been downstairs in the lobby. You probably would've seen him earlier if I had gotten to work on time this morning." My Monday got off to a bad start by me waking up late which led to me getting to work late.
"I feel like I'm partially to blame.", Kate sighs, pouring ketchup over her fries. "If I had stayed home last night, I would've been there to wake you up." Kate came home long enough last night to get clothes for today before heading to spend the night at Elliot's.
"Isn't it Ana who usually has to wake you up?", Julia teases.
"Most of the time, but if I'm motivated, I can do it."
"Kate, I don't want you to feel bad for not being home.", I say.
"Yes, Kate. Don't feel bad for doing naughty things with Elliot.", Julia laughs. She tears a piece of her bun off and sighs. "It wasn't long ago the three of us were single, and now you two have boyfriends. What have I got? A vibrator that's been used way too many times." She grabs her phone and types something. "I made a note to pick up some batteries after work." Picking up a fry, she once again sets her sights on Sawyer. "Hmm."
"Don't even go there. You dating my security would be complicated." She ignores me and calls Sawyer to the table. He furrows a brow and slowly walks over. "Hi. I'm Julia, one of Ana's best friends. You're Ana's security?"
"Yes. I'm Luke Sawyer.", he nods while towering over Julia's chair.
"Since you're going to be around Ana, you're going to be around her friends as well. That means we should get to know each other better." Her eyes travel up and down his body. "You must work out a lot."
"I try to keep in shape."
"Julia, I think interrogation time is over.", I mutter. She dismisses me with a wave of her hand.
"Are you single?", she asks.
"No." He doesn't skip a beat in answering. "I'm seeing someone." Julia slouches in her chair and takes a large bite of her burger while Sawyer goes back to his seat.
Back at the office, I call Christian before heading back to my cubicle. His revelation about his life before being adopted was heartwrenching to hear, yet I'm glad he let me into that part of his life. It's one more way of us becoming closer. Another milestone for us is happening tonight when we go to my parents' for dinner. When my mom called last night and asked me to dinner, I asked if it would be ok for me to bring Christian who I've told about in calls and texts. Needless to say, she and my dad are eager to meet him.
"Hey.", Christian answers.
"Hi. I just got back from lunch and wanted to call you before I head back to my desk. How's your day so far?"
"It's been ok, but it's even better now that I'm talking to you. How has it been having Sawyer around?"
"Not bad at all. You were right when you said he wouldn't be in the way.", I say as I stand by the elevator.
"I told you." I can't see his face, but I bet he's smirking. "What time are we supposed to be at your parents'?", he asks.
"Six. I can see if the time can be changed if you're not sure you'll be able to leave work in time."
"Six is fine. I've got to admit I'm nervous about meeting your parents. I really want them to loke me."
"And they will. I've got to get back to work, but I'll call you when I get off."
"Ok.", he says.
C POV
"I realize you're leaving, but here are the files you requested earlier. Accounting just now sent them back.", Andrea, my assistant, says. I take the files from her and place them in the top left drawer of my desk.
"I'll go over them tomorrow. Is there anything else I need to be aware of before I leave?", I ask.
"Elena Lincoln is here and asking to see you." I'm not sure why Elena's here, but it's probably not going to be good. "Would you like me to tell her you're unavailable?"
"No. Go ahead and show her in." Andrea nods and leaves the office. Seconds later Elena saunters in with her heels clicking against the tile of the floor. "Elena, I was on my way out when you showed up so I only have a few minutes." She ignores me and sits down in the chair in front of my desk.
"Have you got plans with that Ana girl?" The snideness in her question is clear.
"If you're asking whether I have plans with my girlfriend Ana, the answer is yes." I stand and grab my briefcase. "I really do have to go."
"I won't keep you much longer, but I felt like I should tell you how your girlfriend treated Leila at the event Saturday night. She cornered Leila in the ladies room and lashed out at her. Leila told me about Saturday night once the fundraiser was over." I can't help but laugh at her accusation.
"I was told by Ana it was the other way around. Leila basically told Ana that she was the one for me not Ana. She then went on to say that I'll eventually get back with her. Ana only lashed out because she was provoked first."
"You've known Leila longer, yet you're going to take the word of some girl you barely know?", Elena scoffs. "I can't believe it." I'm trying to keep my voice steady and not lose my cool, but every word she's saying is making it more difficult.
"Believe it. Time wise, I may not have known Ana as long as Leila, but I feel as though I've known Ana much longer. She's not the type of person who goes off on someone for no reason."
"Would you listen to yourself. You sound like some sort of lovesick puppy. Ana's only going to drag you down. She's already damaged your friendship with Leila so who knows what's next."
"Leila's the one who damaged our friendship.", I hiss, no longer holding back. "Your daughter continues to believe she and I are going to be together despite me telling her it's not going to happen. Did she think having you come here today would somehow help her cause?"
"She doesn't know I'm here.", Elena snaps. "I'm a mother who doesn't like seeing her daughter upset, and that's just what she was when your little mousy girlfriend verbally attacked her. I came close to going over to your place immediately after Leila told me, but I thought I'd calm down."
"I'm guessing you haven't." Her scowl deepens. "Elena, I feel this conversation is a waste of my time, and I could be using that time in a better way." I walk past her chair and to the door. "If you'll excuse me, I've got to get going." She slowly stands and walks to the door.
"Don't say you weren't warned when things go south with your relationship." She flips her hair over her shoulders and stomps out of my office.
I glance at my watch and see that it's already five. I need to hurry and get home to change before picking Ana up for dinner at her parents'. Ana told me her parents would like me, and I hope more than anything she's right.
"Christian, come on.", Ana sighs. She's a few feet away from me on the walkway of her parents' house. I tighten my hands around the vase of yellow roses in my left hand and the bottle of Pinot Grigio in my right hand. "Let me take one of those from you." She attempts to take the wine but stops when the front door opens. A brown haired woman with blue eyes like Ana's stands before us with a smile. "Mom, hi."
"Hi sweetheart.", Ana's mother says. She hugs Ana and then turns to me. "You must be Christian."
"Yes, ma'am. Christian Grey. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Steele.", I say as I hand her the wine and roses.
"Thank you so much, and call me Carla. Come on in." She steps aside. Ana and I step inside the living room which has a modest yet comfortable feeling about it. Photos line the walls, and I'm instantly intriqued by one of a young girl with pigtails. The girl is grinning at the camera while holding a trophy in her hand.
"That's Ana when she won the middle school spelling bee."
"Impressive.", I tell Ana.
"Thanks. I was in the fifth grade and managed to beat kids from higher grades. Mom, where's Dad?", Ana asks as she holds my hand and pulls me down on the sofa with her.
"He's in the kitchen where he's been working on the brisket.", Carla replies. "I told him I was going to cook brisket tonight, and he insisted that he cook it. I already had the other dishes to cook so I didn't argue. I'm going to set these lovely roses on the coffee table and take the wine into the dining room. We'll enjoy it with our dinner. I'm also going to check on Ray. You two relax." She pads out of the living room while Ana and I stay seated on the sofa.
"Your mom is very nice."
"She is, and so is my dad." She moves closer to me, inching her lips towards mine.
"Ana, I'm not sure kissing me is the best idea right now." She pulls away from me and crinkles her nose. "I want to kiss you so much, but I don't want your parents to walk in and catch us."
"It was only going to be a kiss. It wasn't like we were going to have sex right here.", she giggles. My brain stops functioning, and I lunge at her, covering her lips with mine. She grabs hold of my shirt and pulls me closer. I'm two seconds away from pushing her on her back when someone clears their voice. Ana and I quickly untangle as I see Carla and who I assume is Ana's dad standing in the living room doorway.
"It seems you took my advice and relaxed.", Carla laughs. The man folds his arms and narrows his eyes on me.
"Um...we were just...", I stammer.
"It was clear what you were doing.", Ana's dad murmurs. Slowly, a smile forms. "I'm Ray Steele, Ana's dad." I stand and walk over to him.
"Mr. Steele, it's nice to meet you. I'm Christian Grey."
"Please call me Ray. Dinner is ready so why don't we go and have some delicious food while getting to know each other?" I nod and help Ana to her feet.
In the dining room, Ray sits down on one end of the large oak table while Carla takes a seat at the other end. Ana's on the left side of the table, and I'm on the right side. The room is flowing with the smells of the delicious food that's covering the table.
"All of this looks so good.", Ana says while placing some food on her plate.
"Christian, get all you want.", Carla tells me as I start preparing my plate. "When Ana told me your name, I recognized it from the newspaper. You not only own GEH, but you also contribue to various charities."
"I'm fortunate to be in a position that allows me to give back, and I try to do as much as I can."
"Very admirable.", Ray replies. He takes a sip of his wine.
"Ana said you have your own landscaping business."
"Sure do. I've always a love for working outside so when my time with the Navy Seals was over, I decided to do landscaping for business." I drop my fork at the mention of him being a Navy Seal. As if the man couldn't get more intimidating.
"You were a Navy Seal?", I ask as Ana snickers.
"Dad, stop messing with him.", Ana giggles.
"I'm just kidding.", Ray says. My blood pressure slowly goes back down.
"Do you think we should see if they need any help?", I ask Ray. We're sitting out on the pation following dinner while Ana and her mom clear the table.
"I'm sure they'll fine." He leans back in her chair and observes me. "Are you scared of me?"
"No.", I murmur. "Should I be?"
"Not at all. You seem like a good guy, one who judging from the way you were kissing my daughter really likes her.", he chuckles.
"I do. I like her very much. Not only is she beautiful, she's also smart and funny. She's not afraid to voice her opinion which I value. She brings out a side of me that I didn't know existed, and I like it. I promise you that I'm going to respect her and treat her well. I won't hurt her."
"Those are the words every father wants to hear. You do right by her, and you and I will be just fine."
"Tonight wasn't as bad as you thought it would be, was it?" Back at her apartment following dinner, she's laying on the opposite end of the sofa while her legs are sprawled in my lap.
"It wasn't. I gave your dad my word that I would be good to you." We've been doing well in the honesty department, and I want to continue that pattern by telling her about Elena's visit. I didn't tell her about it earlier because I didn't want it to put a damper on dinner at her parents. "I don't want to be a buzzkill, but Elena Lincoln came to my visit right before I left for the day. She was there to tell me how you had verbally attacked Leila the other night."
"I did no such thing!", Ana shouts as she sits up.
"I know you didn't, yet Elena was set on trying to make it seem like you did. She obviously shares her daughter's belief that you're bad for me. It's a crazy idea they need to get out of their fucking heads. You're anything but bad for me."