The ride back home is silent. Nothing but the road, scenery and my thoughts. Taylor doesn't pry but I know he can tell my mood is rather sour. When we reach, I head straight to my study where I find my lunch is waiting for me alongside a white wine. I sit down at my desk and scribble a reminder to give Mrs. Jones a raise on a post it. I flip open my Mac and fire it up all while I dig into my chicken alfredo pasta. I immerse myself in work. Responded to emails, sign off on items that need my approval, did three phone interviews, and attend two video conference calls, and all in my sweats. By the time it was all said and done it was 5:30 in the evening. I decided to respond to one more email, I am interrupted by my cell phone vibrating. I look at the caller ID. 'SHIT!'

"Elena." I answer coolly.

"Christian. I haven't seen you in three weeks." 'FUCK.'

"-I am in the middle of a deal with Singapore, I have been quite busy. My apologies for not reaching out." 'Is it too obvious? Is she aware that I've been slowly keeping a distance?'

"All can be forgiven." She purrs a little too sensual. "Step out for dinner, I have a new business proposal you'd be very interested in." before I can answer I hear a beep for the other line, without thinking I switch over.

"BRO!" I hear a lot of commotion going on in the background, a drill possibly? It's Eliot.

"Eliot, what is it?"

"JEEZ! Can a bigger brother, I don't know, sometimes call his little brother?" he asks offended. 'Good'

"No."

"Hey man I do not know who pissed in your Cheerios this morning but I am calling to invite you out."

"Out where?"

"Fantasia. Mia came home last night from Paris, she wants to go clubbing with her big bros." I let out a sigh. How can I deny my little sister anything?

"What time will you be going?"

"Elevenish? We are at Mom's."

"Fine, I will pass by at ten."

"Kool, I'll see you lat-" I cut him off remembering the other line.

"Elena…did I lose you?" 'How long was I going back and forth with Eliot?'

"Yes, a long time ago, will you come by to hear my offer?"

"Sorry, I have promised to spend time with my family tonight. Perhaps rain check?" I suggest. There is silence for a few beats.

"Of course, perhaps, another time indeed. But Christian, I just want to emphasize that I am not a patient woman at all. 'Oh, how I know that all too well.'

"Have your assistant Andrea schedule a meeting for you and me one week from today, and not one minute over. Till then, Goodbye Christian."

"Goodbye Elena." The call ends and I bury my face in my hands then run my fingers through my hair. WHAT. THE. FUCK. Flynn is right; she will be the death of me.

I drink the rest of the wine and head out toward my bedroom in haste. I pass Taylor in the kitchen reading a paper.

"Sir, are you heading out? Should I bring around the car?"

"No. Well yes I am but you should go see your daughter, I will not need you tonight or tomorrow. Thank you Taylor, take time off." I say giving him a small grin.

"Thank you sir." He returns the grin and I walk in to my bedroom and into the bathroom. I stare at myself in the mirror; the reflection is hardly anyone I know. I look pale, and tired, no, stressed. I hop into the shower quickly so I do not punch my mirror. I am disgusted with my mood, dreams, behavior, thoughts, ELENA...Could Flynn, be right? Am I losing control over my life? Fuck Fuck and triple FUCK.

I dress simply as possible, shirt, jeans, blazer and head down to the garage. I grab my black R8 Audi and wave into the busy streets of Seattle towards my parents' house. I drown out my negative thinking with my ipod's playlist blasting over the car radio. After a few minutes I surprisingly feel calm, all in good enough time as well. When I pull in my parents drive way it is 10:00 sharp, I climb out of my car and head to the door.

"CHRISTIAN!" Before my index finger could push the doorbell I was tackled by a fast blur. Quicker than I could blink, I am on my back and on top is my little sister hugging my waist not letting go.

"Mia, please don't break your bother!" I hear my mother's marvelous voice from the entrance. I am laughing. Quite hard actually. My little sister, the only woman who knows how to touch my 'genuine' gland.

"HEY! You didn't tackle me last night! I am your brother too! Who picked you up from the airport hm? Especially when I had to cancel last minute plans." Eliot comes by our side and helps both of us up. I snicker and greet Mia properly with a cheek side kiss, and then my mother. We all walk into the house and to one of the main living rooms. The house looks just as I remembered it, I haven't been to my parents' home I must admit in three months.

"Oh s'il te plait!" Mia says rolling her eyes and hitting Eliot's arm, he lets out a squeal in return. Her Persian is near perfect to say the least. "Plans? Or Whores?" She continues. I lower my head to hide the ridiculous smirk I am wearing.

"MIA!" My mother glares. A deep laugh comes from the top of the staircase. Father.

"There's my girl, telling the truth like always." Mia runs up and hugs our father tightly as he walks towards us. Eliot folds his arms across his chest and huffs. I am enjoying this all too much, beside everyone mocking Eliot, it just feels good to be around the people who did their best to pump massive quantities of love into me. They tried.

"Alright, alright enough reuniting we should head out." Eliot told me they were heading out at eleven maybe this is his hope to get away from the embarrassment. To be difficult I take a sit on my parents Ivory leather couch near the fireplace in the great room.

" .Fast. Mia did you think I wasn't going to notice when the most fashionable Grey comes into town?" A familiar voice comes from the entrance of the kitchen and into the light of the great room, stands next to my mother and holds out both arms for an embrace.

"Elena!" Mia leaves my father and runs for the woman who apparently has my balls in her hands. I am nauseous with anxiety and suddenly need a drink. "What are you doing here?" Elena stands in black heels and a tight white skirt suit.

"Well I was discussing your future with your mother. You will be great in everything you do, but you don't want to hear this now do you? You just came into town about to go party, go, have fun, and next week we'll talk." Mia's smile is ear to ear as she thanks Elena. She is playing games, taunting me for real, giving me a knowing look when no one's eyes are on her. Well this is our queue.

"Eliot let us go, come on Mia." Mia hugs everyone good night and our parents wish us off safe. Eliot places a polite kiss on Elena's cheek and I follow suit, I do not want to give my parents reason to question me. When I am by her ear she pulls me in for a second longer to whisper. "I am not a patient woman." I hold her at arm's length and turn away with a smile. I toss the keys to Eliot.

"You drive." We all climb in and head on the road. I sit in the passenger seat listening and politely nodding as my little sister tells me about her trip. I keep nodding, keep agreeing, and often smile, but my mind is elsewhere. 'She is going to be the death of me.'

AN: HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL! I HOPE EVERYONE'S HOLIDAYS WERE GREAT! I actually brought in the new year sick, that is the reason I have not updated in a while. I have some time off between today and tomorrow so hopefully I can make up by posting a few more chapters. Hang in there guys, this is just getting started. As always please Review I love the feedback. ;)