Wounds to Bind Chapter 40 – 'Better than I was, more than I am. All of this happened by taking your hand.'
January 22 – APOV
"Elliot, you agreed to handle Kate if I moved. I won't endure dozens of blind dates because Kate thinks I need a plus one for the wedding who is not Christian. I'm not lonely at the condo. She doesn't need to call, text or Skype every day. We don't need quality girl time every weekend. Just kiss her quiet, okay." I'm wearing the obligatory dress and low heels to the wedding planning dinner to appease Celeste. I curled my hair and am wearing makeup. I'm tempted to turn Mom loose on Kate, and Kate loose on Mom. They can argue over the men/lack of men in my life.
"Understood," Elliot chuckled. "Besides, I think Christian would give me another black eye if I allowed Kate to set you up on blind dates."
"Your black eye finally gone," I commiserate. "You were looking pretty sorry ten days ago…all yellow and green."
"Good thing too, tomorrow night we have an appointment for the Save-the-Date pictures. I just want them to be fun, not stuffy." Elliot opened the car door for me. "Which meant I've had to research wedding sites which I swore I would not do."
"Mom, we're on our way. We can discuss wedding items with Grace." Kate ended the call which seemed to upset her. "Elliot, I need you to say no…"
"No…unless I'm saying no to kinky sex," Elliot laughed. "Now, what did I say no to?"
"Gold, green and beige as wedding colors to coordinate with the church and Dome Room." Kate shook her head.
Elliot grimaced. I agree; these two colorful characters won't have a bland wedding.
"Mom is reading every bride magazine and ripping out pictures. I'll bet she has a file full of things to discuss tonight." Kate indicated her binder full of things.
"I'm keeping track, Kate. Every topic is one roll in the hay on our honeymoon." Elliot shook his head and started the car.
I rolled my eyes and bit my lip to keep from laughing.
XXX – CPOV
"Ready to go to your parents?" Taylor stood outside the door to my home office.
"Ready," I grabbed a leather jacket off the couch and followed him to the elevator.
"You'll need these," Taylor handed me the keys to the R8. Checking out my inquisitive look, he explained.
"You drive the R8, I'll follow behind. At the end of the evening, you ask Miss Steele if you can drive her home. You are alone, in the R8, and can talk without any interference."
"Oh! Remind me to give you a raise," I'm finally enthusiastic about the evening.
"This will be our modus operandi for a while. If Miss Steele says no tonight, there's over sixteen weeks before the wedding and plenty more of these family dinners. Elliot said even Sundays will be at the Greys, odd Sundays will be at the Kavanaghs." He handed me a CD of Harry Connick, Jr. "Mood music," he explained. "Gail says some of those songs are popular dance tunes at weddings. Tell Miss Ana you are looking for the right song for the money dance which you have to coordinate with her as maid of honor and best man. Neither of you dance – you just ensure there are dance partners for the happy couple. You coordinate the men to dance with Kate, and Ana coordinates the women for Elliot. Simply explained…you are saved from being propositioned by the ladies, and her by the men."
XXX – APOV
Dessert, individual chocolate liqueur soufflés, is served with a large helping of Momzilla. I roll my eyes, but Christian catches me, and he smirks. He, Elliot and I are being irreverent. Dinner (French onion soup, lamb chops, mushroom risotto and snow peas) was served with liberal glasses of wine which Christian, Elliot and I avoided. I think we're the only ones not buzzed at the table.
"I agree to a Vera Wang dress…but Elliot and I both want a strapless gown. Because the wedding is taking place in St. James, I'll wear a lace shrug or jacket for the wedding and then go strapless for the reception. Elliot and I want a jewel color wedding, sapphire for Ana, amethyst for Mia. Black tuxes for all the men, white tie and vest for Elliot, sapphire for Christian, amethyst for Ethan. Black tie and vest for fathers, grandfathers, uncles etc. I thought coordinating colors for the mothers and grandmothers – blues for the groom's family, purples for the bride's family." Kate hands Mia a copy of the pages she's accessing.
"If those are the colors you want…" Celeste clearly disapproves and is on a mission to change the color scheme.
"Blame Christian," Elliot smirks. "If it wasn't for my blue and purple shiner…we would never have thought of the combination."
Christian looks shocked. Grace is speechless. I hide a smile.
I just want this to get over so I can go home. I must tell Cassie everything, including the food, the table settings, and the dinner conversation as an assignment for March food classes. I still have to practice sitting and rising for an hour. I sigh and bite my lip, and Christian's eyes are riveted on my face. I stop fidgeting and stop biting my lip. I place my hands in my lap and adopt a poker face.
XXX – 3PPOV
"Katherine," Grace called out. "A word, please…"
Kate left Elliot talking to her parents. "What did you need Grace?"
"I don't want you to think I will be a nosy, interfering mother-in-law." Grace prefaced her viewpoint. "However, I want you to stop trying to set Ana up on blind dates."
"Elliot," Kate called out.
He joined her, slipping his arm around her waist. "What?"
"Grace asked me to quit trying to set Ana up on blind dates." Kate barely hid her laughter.
"Mom," Elliott started to say…a declaration from Christian brought a smile to his face. "Mom…you were saying you don't approve of our interference?"
"Oh," Grace hid a smile. "Devious much?"
XXX – APOV
"Can I take you home?" Christian asked.
"Good plan…we need to talk." I reasoned.
"I agree. Elliot, I'm taking Ana home." Christian called out, holding my coat. I see the look of surprise on Grace's face.
Once we're safely in the R8, Christian puts on quiet music and keeps his eyes on the road.
"I have questions." I warned him.
"I'll answer as honestly as I can," Christian promised.
"Your parents know you…were involved with Elena?" I must get this topic out in the open.
"They know. I told them we were involved from when I was fifteen until I turned twenty-one. We've never discussed the timeline. However, the relationship began right after my fifteenth birthday. I quit Harvard and came home before my twenty-first birthday. Elena thought I'd get a place of my own and we'd carry on…only I was waiting to terminate with her until I turned twenty-one. I should have done ended with her when I left to attend classes at Harvard when I was eighteen. However, she was a safe place. I don't know how to explain the next three years with her."
"Do your parents know about the BDSM?" My voice is not so confident.
"They know Elena ruled me with an iron fist. They know she was a madam. They know she provided fifteen contractual sexual partners for me. They know you have never been and never will be part of Elena's ensemble. They know Elena hated you because she was jealous. While I was with you…she didn't have chains and claims on my life." Christian explained Elena would be arrested for being a madam but he didn't know where or when.
"Are there other things I should know?" I can't let this topic slip away.
We talked about the destruction of the playroom. Christian explains Hyde's interest in him and his family's life, and the sexual assaults in Hyde's history. He stresses I should be aware and never alone in public. If there is an issue, he wants me to rely on Prescott or Taylor.
"Ana, I'm sorry about everything…before. I'm sorry for being cold and distant." Christian apologized. "I was upset about leaving Savannah because Leila cut her wrists in front of Mrs. Jones. She took Leila to the hospital where Leila slipped away before she could be committed for a seventy-two-hour watch. I should have told you there was an issue with an ex-sub before she came to your condo with a gun."
"Thank you for telling me," I accept his apology. "Is Leila why you were on edge that last Saturday morning?"
"I think so. I was angry because her husband wanted paid for the information he had. He had no credible information about Leila until he was paid. He told us she left him for a boyfriend and was seeing a lawyer about a divorce." Christian admitted. "I'm sorry about punishing you. I'm sorry about hurting you. I want to be with you…if you are willing. I swear to God, I will never hurt you again."
"I'm sorry for everything too," I apologize not for what I did…but for what I am about to say. "Christian, I'm not ready to have a physical…sexual…relationship with you."
"John and I discussed this. Part of punishment is to make you decide if you will obey rules to be with me. The flip side is the acknowledgement there are consequences to actions. I don't like eye rolling; I don't like rude people. Especially not in my private life since I deal with rude people in my work life." Christian stated.
"Just so you know…you will never punish me again. I'm not a bad puppy, a captured convict or a wayward student from the 1800s. I don't like your controlling ways, Christian." I must be firm with him if we are to move forward.
"I know. I've discussed my need for control with John…several times." Christian admitted. "I know control is an issue stemming from my childhood when I had no control in my life. I know some of the issue is from not being able to control myself and depending upon Elena to provide control. The weekly lunches with her to discuss my submissives fooled me into thinking I had control. The truth is…she was manipulating me and my submissives. I know some of my issues are because I'm a flawed man…fifty shades, baby."
"I should have understood the look on your face in the playroom the first night. You seemed nervous when showing me the red room. When I asked if you would use those implements to punish me…you said yes. However, the look on your face was euphoric. I didn't realize the thought of punishing me pleased you. Punishment was an epiphany the first weekend when I needed ibuprophen to take the hurt away." I tell him the truth. No more sugar coating the facts…we won't survive if we do.
"I'm sorry about this mess I've made of us. I was right about one thing however; we must trust each other for this to work. I cannot be vulnerable in the business world. But when I'm with you…I'm vulnerable. I need to know I can trust you with my emotional safety and I have to know you can trust me. Are you interested in dating me? I don't know much about dating…but I'm willing to try." Christian offered. "I would do anything to make us work. I've never felt like this before. I want to wake up to these feelings and you for the rest of my life."
"I don't know much about dating either, but I'm willing to try," I agree. "We must take baby steps and public dates. I'm not coming to your condo every night for dinner. I'm not staying overnight for a while. I'm not falling back into bed with you until I feel comfortable about how I feel about you."
"No contracts, no rules, no Christian controlling behaviors?" He smirked.
"No replacing my car. No over-the-top extravagant gifts. No interfering with my job. No interfering with my life. I have friends and I will see them. You must learn to take me the way I am." I bluntly state my points. Suddenly I experience an epiphany. I'm giving control of my life over to Cassie…which is not what I want. I need to learn some things, but I'm not Lady Diana or Kate Middleton. I refuse to lose the essential Ana. Granted…I might not be everyone's cup of tea…but there are plenty of people who like me the way I am. With a little polish and not so much posh…I'll be fine.
"You have to bear with me. I'm in touch therapy because I'm not comfortable with touch. I am working on it. My only sticking points are…"
"Monogamy, health and safety," I laughed.
"Yes, those are important to me." Christian sighed. "Which is why I worry about your safety with Lincoln and Hyde."
"As long as you understand what I feel is safe may not be what you consider safe." I won't be swayed in this. "I'm not giving up my gun or target practice. I won't be surrounded by bodyguards who prevent me from living my life."
"As long as you have a close protection officer, I can learn to temper my definition of safe." Christian promised. "I have two more requests. I'd like to date you at least once a week, on a regular night. Just like my offer from before…once a week, on a night of your choosing, we go on a date. Just like a regular couple. Dinner, movie, ice skating…whatever you want. These wedding planning dinners don't count."
"Acceptable, if we can work out a schedule," I agree. "What is the other request?"
"I want to pick you up at your door, and deliver you to your door at the end of the night. I want a goodnight kiss and we hold hands on our date." Christian's offer is more than just adding a date night to our schedule.
"Like a normal couple, with public displays of affection?" I teased.
"Yes, just like a normal couple," he said wryly.
"Acceptable." We try to determine a date night. If I don't sign up for yoga class, then I can have Wednesdays free. If he is in town, he has therapy Wednesday night, but said he will see if he can move John's appointment to Tuesdays or just before his touch therapy appointment on Fridays. We can try for Saturday night dates, if we're both free. He will email me. I gave him my personal email since I moved. I explain he has to ask for every date in person or over the phone. I won't go on dates he tries to arrange during emails or texts. He can confirm our dates using those methods, but not initiate them. Also, no emails on work servers or calls or texts on work phones.
At my condo, Christian escorts me to my door. I could feel the current between us in the elevator. I tried not to succumb to the urge to throw myself at him. He held my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.
I opened the door to the condo and turned to him. He stepped close. "You can touch my biceps or shoulders, or my waist," he waited for me to settle my hands before he cupped my face in his hands kissed me goodnight. For not kissing him in six months…our kiss was soft, and sweet, and perfect. I might have swooned but I won't admit a potential swoon to anyone but my journal.
January 24 – APOV
"I think you've been too much in your head tonight," Mary examines my face and body language. "I think you've had overwhelming people in your life. Your mother, your roommate Kate, Christian. Please be honest with me about Cassie and the classes you will be taking. Have you considered the impact these classes will have on your life? Are you using these classes to help yourself – or are you using them to avoid Christian?"
I looked down at my hands…tears pricking my eyes.
"There's a thought…and not a happy one," Mary observed. "I won't push, but can I help?"
"I don't want a close protection officer, but since Christian and I have agreed to date, I think my days of anonymity are over." I tried to smile. "Additionally, Kate and Elliot's engagement will be announced. Since I'll be shopping and doing girl things with Kate and Mia, I will be outed. There's already interest in who I am since the viral video."
"Do you feel…inadequate?" Mary asked.
"Inadequate…" I am bombarded by memories of Leila Williams and our inadequate conversation. "Well…yes and no. I know I asked for this, but I don't know if I need the depth and breadth of what Cassie teaches. I wish I could compact the monthly classes into weekend seminars. Then I could be done with all the classes by the end of March instead of dragging them out for months." I was reluctant to spend an entire weekend as Christian's submissive…and Cassie's schedule is more time consuming.
"I researched this and have an alternative to offer. Would you be willing to attend class from seven to ten on Friday night, eight to noon on Saturday and Sunday mornings? February would cover the four months of Cassie personal classes. March would cover the four months of food classes. You could take dance classes every Friday night and Saturday morning in April and May. You should attend a class in choosing clothes so you aren't stuck with some garish tulle thing as a bridesmaid's gown. You should take the makeup and hair class so you're not wearing clown makeup for the wedding pictures or an avant-garde hairstyle which makes you nervous or embarrassed. You want to enjoy your friend's wedding." Mary suggested.
I'm sure my face is relieved as Mary continues.
"Ana, I think you are a lovely young woman. I think you will be successful in your career and your life. I believe you can learn from what Cassie teaches… but I agree four months of intense classes might give you feelings of inadequacy instead of alleviating your self-doubts. I believe every college should teach their students basic business etiquette, lunches, meetings, etc. Do you have a business mentor you could ask about the classes?" Mary retrieved the syllabi for the weekend seminars. I have the intensive ones. We compare and agree…the weekend seminars are a better fit. Then we called Cassie.
"Mary said you conduct weekend seminars as an option for attending other than the intense four-week courses. I can't go through four months of classes, feeling I'm inadequate. I'll hate Kate and Elliot and the wedding." I explain.
Cassie points out the fallibility of my thinking.
I am adamant. I'm willing to attend personal classes in February, food/dining classes in March and dancing classes in April and May. I can't do more or I'll burn out. I tell Cassie I want to improve and polish…not rebuild and remake myself…more Eliza Doolittle and less Bionic Woman. If Cassie's not willing to work with me, then I will seek someone who will. I can ask Shawn to help and advice. I don't mention I have her class lists with over two hundred videos and films.
Cassie and I discuss the weekend classes. The first weekend in February will be the Personal Posture class. Cassie emphasizes I will still practice my walking, sitting and standing for an hour every night. I agree to continue practice walking in heels and practice sitting for the entire month of February on my own time. At the end of February, Cassie wants to review me, with a possibility of my continuing to practice sitting and walking in March.
The second weekend in February will be Personal Style with the emphasis on wardrobe, hairstyles and makeup to suit my body for work, casual days and events. I don't give a damn about elegant travel wardrobes, and beach wardrobes, and black tie, white tie, or red-carpet attire.
Cassie sigh imparts the depth of her disappointment in me.
I tell her when I am an Oscar-nominated author of a wonderful children's book which becomes a movie – I'll sign up for those classes as quick as I can. Somehow, I feel Cassie wants to be able to claim me as a success story for future clients… "See that girl – she could barely walk and talk when she came to me – but look at her now – floating around the floor on Christian Grey's arm. That was me…Bippity Boppity Boo!"
The third February weekend will be the Eloquent Elocution class. I need to speak properly at business meetings. I need to know business etiquette, conversation, etc. to be a Copy Editor and present at book launches. The fourth February weekend will be the Social Spotlight. I told Cassie I want to concentrate on the wedding events – like bridal showers, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner and any other pre-wedding brunches and lunches. I need to learn to write and deliver the Maid of Honor speech without saying 'uhm' a dozen times. She recommends I learn how to deal with drunks, inappropriate comments, crude sexual propositions and inappropriate touching not only for personal but also for business reasons. I agree…thinking of how I really want to put my knee in Jack Hyde's boys.
March will be food/dining courses. The first weekend is casual dining, the second is business dining, the third is society dining and the fourth is entertaining. We've cut down on a great deal of the superfluous again.
April will concentrate on three-hour dance classes on Friday night and Saturday morning or on Saturday and Sunday mornings. April's dance class includes the waltz, foxtrot, two-step and quick step. I can repeat those classes in May or move on to Latin rhythm dance classes. I agree to April's dance classes with continued practice in May if needed. I tell Cassie I'm not participating in a ballroom dance competition. If the other women at Kate's wedding want a dance-off, they will compete without me. I don't need to learn the merengue, cha-cha or other Latin rhythm dances. I don't plan to dance salsa or Lambada ever.
Cassie agrees to email the new syllabi to Mary and me before the end of the week. She will include the address and directions to her business address. She will include the fee schedule for the modified classes. Classes begin promptly at seven on Friday and eight on Saturday and Sunday. There is no excuse for being late. Late once means one hour of research for every minute we are late. Late twice is release from the class with no reimbursement of funds.
Somehow the thoughts of summer classes at WSUV float through my head. My advisor recommended taking core classes in the summer. He said a six-week course in animal biology where we had to dissect dead specimens was better than twelve weeks. I didn't believe him until I took my first set of summer courses. After that, I took summer core classes out of self-defense. Kate, once she learned core classes were scheduled for eight o'clock during fall and spring semesters, joined me in summer core classes.
Mary and I catch our breath after dealing with Cassie. "I'm immensely proud of you tonight. You've identified your needs and addressed them. I think you will be much happier with the condensed courses. Okay, on to another touchy subject…Valentine's Day is coming. What can you do in the next three weeks to bring joy, passion and purpose to your life? That's the killer assignment. Something addressing a need, something to read, something you share, something which shows you care."
"Christian and I agreed to start dating," I inform Mary.
Mary covers her dating rules with me again. She promises she will help with establishing a schedule I can live with while classes are in session.
January 25 – CPOV
"How did you ride out the storm?" This wasn't John's usual opening question.
"I packed up lots of work, computer, clothes, etc. and stayed at my parents with Mrs. Jones and Taylor. Escala has generators and fireplaces, but the family wanted to stay in Bellevue. They have generators and fireplaces also. I tried to get Elliot to bring Kate and Ana there for safety reasons."
John motioned for me to continue.
"Elliot reported Ana was fine – food, water, heat and plans to keep her busy. Ana promised Ray to stay home. Elliot and Kate stayed at their condo. Both of their buildings have generators this year. So, what did you do?" I inquired. I should have thought to offer refuge to he and his family.
"Visited with Leila," John paused while I dropped a spirited F-bomb. "She was upset and her doctor called me. She's been making great strides, but her boyfriend died in a car accident on the I-5 a year ago. She was having a rough day. Her doctor and I met with her and helped her talk through her emotions. When our session ended, four hours later, she was mentally and physically exhausted and so were we. But she had a breakthrough. Instead of going radio dark…she talked."
"I'll pay for your four hours counseling her," I offered.
"I'll pass, but there is something I would like you to do." John explained. "Her ninety-day evaluation is just after Presidents Day in February. If she continues to progress, I anticipate she will be ready to relocate to her parents' home in Connecticut by her one-hundred-and-eighty-day evaluation just before Memorial Day. She needs someone to bankroll her divorce from Reed. She's willing to let him keep everything if she gets her freedom and a no-contact order. Additionally, she will need funds to relocate, finish getting her degree and pay for additional therapy as needed."
The Benjamins…everything is about the Benjamins. I sighed. "I will fund her needs. In exchange, I want an updated NDA from her, her ex-husband, his family, her family and any future therapist."
"We need to get the divorce proceedings underway," John advised. "Her doctor says there is a ninety-day waiting period once the divorce petition is filed. They've been separated for over a year."
"Make this happen," I directed John. "Just keep her away from me. I don't care to see her. Let me know if we need to hire medical staff to transport her to Connecticut."
January 27 – CPOV
What the fuck is Sabine up to? Taylor brought me a flyer delivered to employees at Grey House and Grey Annex. It offered 25% off Sabine's usual fees for tax preparation. Taylor thinks he plucked all of them out of the mail room before they were delivered to staff, but a few might have gotten through. He promises to have a chat with Sabine and find out what is going on.
XXX
Sela suggests John and I talk while she massages. I tell John I need to learn how to date. Our coffee date ended with Ana walking away in tears. I can't mention the Heathman dinner date which was a contract negotiation meeting. Soaring and breakfast were perfect…until I had to leave.
"The ABCDE's of dating, are easy," John begins writing notes on an index card. "A is for action – bowling, horseback riding, football game…"
"Soaring, sailing, flying," I interrupted.
"B is for brains – a trivia night at a pub with burgers and beer." John explained.
"I heard B was for breakfast," Sela countered. "That way you learn what each other is like in the morning. Do you need coffee before you are a nice person? Is she a breakfast person? Do either of you have breakfast issues like no pork products or no carbs? Plus, breakfast dates give you the opportunity to do something afterwards, like shopping at Pike Place Market or a museum or aquarium which segues nicely into lunch. Lunch leads to an afternoon movie matinee which can lead to a sunset walk around Union Lake, while holding hands, and followed by a picnic or dinner."
"We soared and ate breakfast. Ana eats pancakes and is a good cook. She knows I like coffee and I know she likes tea. She doesn't like waking up. I think she'd sleep in until noon if she was allowed."
"You have to start over. That date was over six months ago," John instructed. "C is for charity – working for a food bank, a marathon run, a fundraising event. Do you have a different C?" He consulted Sela.
"C could be for culture – a museum or art gallery," Sela continued her massage.
"D is for dancing – go to an event which has dancing – perhaps part of the charity event. Or dinner and dancing, or clubbing – dancing the night away. Or take dance lessons together – swing dancing or salsa. E is for education – aquarium, planetarium, a falls and winery tour, a tour of Boeing, or lunch and the observation deck at the Space Needle. Well, that's all I've got. Do you want to add items to his date list?" John looked to Sela for confirmation and she nodded.
"Education can include a cooking class – learn to make sushi together, have her teach you how to make her specialty. Exercise and eating could be for E – maybe a workout date before breakfast. F is for food and a flick – the old dinner and a movie date. Think pizza and a DVD at your condo or hers. G is for girl's choice – what would she like to do with you? H is for hosting – host a dinner together. She can concentrate on the food; you can concentrate on the wine. A pairings dinner shows how well you work together and communicate." Sela explained. "If you get stuck for ideas, start over. A through H gives you eight dates."
John and Sela tell me not to expect sex on the third date with Ana. Some couples fall in love on their first meeting or fall into bed on their first date. Sela explained she had sixteen Skype sessions with her husband between date one, coffee and date two, a carnival. John explains he didn't kiss Rhiann on the lips until their fifth date. Every relationship has a time cycle. He says I'm not in a foot race, but in an endurance run with Ana.
Saturday, January 28 – TPOV
"Taylor," Sabine drew a deep breath and closed the door and mini blinds to her office. "What are you doing here?" Her voice was a half hiss.
"What are you up to, Sabine?" I hand her the flyer.
She frowns when she reads the flyer. "WTF?" She reads again. "Where did you get this?" Her face is puzzled.
"In the mail at Grey House and Grey Annex." I stressed.
"Taylor…" Sabine shook her head violently. "This isn't ours…Falcon Financials doesn't do cold advertising like this. Someone created this from our website. This does not include our standard colors, formatting or paper." She laid the flyer on the desk and reached for a binder off a shelf over her computer. She began flipping through brochures, post cards, etc. "We don't print flyers like this one. We have informational brochures and we have follow up postcards to remind people of their appointments."
"Just an FYI, we've pulled a few hundred from circulation," I advise her.
"Does Mr. Grey think I did this?" Sabine queried. "Because I would never…"
"I know, and I told him so. Since you know, you can be proactive and fix the issue." I suggest.
Sabine uttered an expletive in Italian…followed by silence and then a spate of Italian expletives. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention Taylor. I'll handle it. Please assure Mr. Grey, Falcon Financials has nothing to do with this. We've both been punked. IF I were to guess who is behind this…my first guess would be Elena Lincoln or her minions."
"Why Elena?" I concurred but her reasoning intrigued me.
Sabine made a face. "Who else has time on their hands to print and mail several hundred of these? Elena's not working because the IRS put the salons in receivership. I don't know what she thinks she will gain by outing Mr. Grey and my previous business relationship. Should I assume there was more to the termination of their business partnership than what was quoted in the September papers?"
"Yes…he cut personal and professional ties with her. If you've read the papers, Dr. T. is no longer friends with Elena Lincoln either." I explain.
"I didn't know. Now I'm positive the perpetrator of this prank was Elena. Who else do Mr. Grey and I have in common? We attend different parishes. We go to different restaurants. We live in different areas of the city. We socialize with a different layer of society." Sabine elucidated. "Melora and I will take care of this. There will be a full-size ad in Sunday's Seattle Times. Please let Mr. Grey know I'll handle this."
"Thank you, Sabine. Mr. Grey wants to pay for whatever you need to fix this…" I stopped when I saw the look on her face.
"No, no, no," Sabine snapped. "I will pay to repair this out of Falcon Financials operating expenses and claim the expense on next year's taxes as a business loss. I don't want his money. Mr. Grey helped me enough when he mentored me. My company is solid. We're expanding every year."
"I'll let him know. Please let me know if you have contact with any of his subs. Here's a list of Grey House and Grey Annex employees, in case one of the flyers slipped through the cracks. Just make sure you don't accept Anastasia Steele as a client. Avoiding her would be in both your best interests." Sabine nodded with understanding. I shook her hand and left. Her business was busy on a January Saturday. Tax season was right around the corner for her, just days away as a matter of fact.
Sunday, January 29 – APOV
"That was fun!" Kate and Mia giggled when we exited the movie theatre. We went to see One for the Money. "We haven't been to a movie in forever."
"I'm glad we could fit this in before I start yoga and dance lessons. Just be prepared to not see me until after ten on Friday nights and after one-thirty on Saturdays and Sundays." I warned the girls.
"What is your first lesson?" Mia asked. "I remember dance classes, don't you Kate?"
"Hell yes! The only reason I participated and didn't complain was because I got to wear high heels." Kate revealed.
"I got to wear high heels," Mia blushed. "However, I hit my height early, growing from five foot five to five foot ten in one year. The boys wanted to dance with me when I wore heels because their face was in my tits."
"EWWWW," Kate and I both grimaced.
"So, are you dancing in heels?" Mia inquired.
"Yes, I have to dance in heels and a long skirt." I explained. "Orders from the dance teacher. She wants to make sure I dance gracefully at your wedding."
Kate and Mia laugh at me. I feel like a shit for lying to them, but part of me feels my lie is self-preservation.
XXX – CPOV
Sawyer texted today's bridal shopping was hell wrapped in white satin, tulle and lace. Kate's crew looked at wedding invitations, napkins and place cards. They brought back samples which will be the focus of tomorrow night's dinner.
Taylor and I talk about Sabine's full-page color ad in today's business section of Seattle Times. The ad encircled an enlarged picture of the faux flyer in red with a slash. Falcon Financials apologize but will not honor the faux flyer. In 48-point print, the ad explains Falcon Financials has never created a flyer they mail to anyone's home. They use an agency for their advertising needs, which is mostly online banner ads and webpages. Sabine is seated in a chair, attired in a navy pencil skirt and aquamarine silk shirt. Her professionally attired and coiffed staff stand in a circle behind her. I recognize her Office Manager and two of her employees. The other four are new to me. I ask Taylor if we should investigate her new employees. He says our time is better spent ensuring Elena Lincoln is put behind bars where she can't mess with the universe. Martin Luther King's birthday has come and gone, and the SPD Sex Crimes Unit has not moved on Elena yet. He vents about the frustrating wait for that shit storm to hit the fan. Taylor assures me he will talk with Prescott to ensure Miss Steele and Ms. Falco do not meet if possible.
XXX
I held Ana's coat for her as we were leaving the Kavanaghs after dinner. "I rearranged my Wednesday nights. I'd like a date with you on Wednesday night, at seven p.m. I will pick you up at your condo."
"What should I wear?" Ana asked.
"Casual, warm, jeans or slacks, sweater, jacket, boots," I recommended. "I'll walk you to your car." We say goodnight to my parents and the Kavanaghs who hug Ana a little too long, but she offers me her hand as we exit the door. I walk her to Prescott's SUV, kiss her cheek and open the door for her. Prescott brought her tonight because she had never driven to the Kavanagh house. Ana felt Prescott should learn various routes to and from Kate's condo and the Kavanagh house.
God I'm glad for the dark. When I slide into my SUV, I sit with my legs spread because I'm as hard as a rock. I think about cold, snow, skiing, whipping winds, biting temperatures…and I'm able to walk to the elevator at Escala without pain or embarrassment. What the fuck…am I fifteen again? Then a song verse hits me…I'm dying for some action…Bruce Springsteen…Dancing in the Dark. God, I wish Ana and I were dancing in the dark.
