Introductions
Christian's POV:
"Promise me you won't interfere in my life like that again," Ana's request causes mixed emotions to stir inside of me. The strong morals and good manners ingrained in me by my parents tell me that I should accept her request, but my need to make sure Ana is safe and away from every fucker is too resilient.
"I can't," I point out. My lips form a hard line and I know that I am glaring at Ana. I can never promise or even hint at being able to stop interfering. There is something about her that I can't put my finger on, though I intend to find out exactly what that is.
"Why not?" I take a deep breath and decide to retake control of the conversation, besides I have a few questions of my own that need answering.
"Did you read the card that came with the flowers I sent today?" Ana nods, slowly.
"I thought it was going to say that you were sorry again."
"Trust me Ana when I say that I will apologize every day if need be, but today's message was one that had to be said. Have you thought about what I wrote?" I quiz Ana. I didn't apologize to her again on the card today, even though I probably should have. I need to speed things up, I don't want to be away from her.
"Christian, you wrote, 'I need to learn to give people more time to speak'. I understand you are referring to our phone call but what else is there that you need to tell me that you haven't said," Oh Miss Steele, there is so much more that needs to said. Ana commences to rub her forehead as if she is developing a headache.
"It is why I can't promise to stop interfering in your life." I stop and runs both my hands through my hair. I can't deny it anymore and I don't want to. 'I never thought I would, its have never happened before, never before have I had to face this. I didn't know I was capable of this.' I whisper to myself, in the hope that Ana didn't hear me.
"Christian explain yourself!" Feisty and strong Ana makes a return and she has no idea how enticing she is like this. My eyes quickly examine the table as I imagine fucking her on it before I look back at Ana. She is so beautiful and I need to tell her what I now know.
"Ana, I am falling for you. I am falling in love with you." I confess and feel like the weight of the world has evaporated. I look at Ana and wait for her expression. She looks a little pale and is biting her lip. I suddenly feel jealous, I want to bite that lip instead.
"What?" Ana asks, quietly and struggling to talk.
"I am falling for you. No. I am wrong, that isn't the truth!" I shake my head. Ana's face drops as she suddenly gets up and starts to walk to the door.
"Ana stop!" I yell, but she starts to run. I follow her through the building and even out the front door of the SIP building. I almost lose her in a crowd of people from the lunch rush, but I spot her immediately when she looks back to see if I am still following her. Her beautiful blue eyes distinguish her from everyone.
"Ana! Stop! Let me explain" I start to run, fast toward her. I catch up to her and grab her arm. I spin her slightly and then place my hands on her arms, I am careful to make sure I am not hurting her, but hold her hard enough that she can't get away.
"You are horrible! You stalk me, interfere in my life and lie to me, then you tell me that you are falling for me and then state you were wrong. Leave me alone!" Ana yells. A few people walking stop and take more than a passing by interest in us. Right now I don't care who hears and see us, if I don't talk to Ana now, then I may never get the chance again. This is something I won't risk.
"Again Anastasia you need to give me longer to explain, rather than acting out." I take a deep breath and take her in. A smile grows on my face just being close to her.
"Ana look at me," I request. When she raises her beautiful face and we are looking into each others eyes I recommence to explain what I was saying in the conference room. "As I was saying, "I am not falling for you, because I already have. Anastasia Steele, I love you."
Ana's mouth opens slightly and I can feel my heart beating faster and she looks at me confused. I don't know if she is going to cry or accept me or reject me. Nothing is certain except I don't want her running.
"Is this what you do? Is this part of how you get what you want from women?" Ana asks, looking pained.
"No, I have never said it to anyone and I don't want to ever say it again to any other woman except you. I love you Ana," I run my knuckles along her jaw. "You are so beautiful, so perfect," I close my eyes briefly and when I look back at Ana she still doesn't look convinced. She is silent and pale.
"I… Christian…" I smile slightly at Ana. I know that Ana is the most well read and intelligent woman I have ever met, but there are times where I cause her to lose the ability to form sentences. I am going to have to work at making her comfortable and carefree with me.
"Do you doubt me?" I ask, to determine what is going through her mind.
"I don't know. You are a lot to take in, plus our short history together doesn't out you in good stead."
"I know. Come to my place tonight and we can talk more. Please. Taylor and I can pick you up after work," I request praying she will agree.
"Okay, I should be finished work at half past five," I nod, smiling slightly again. Taylor comes into eye shot and nods. He is letting me know he has collected my belongings from the conference room and we are ready to leave.
"Until then Anastasia," before I head off I let myself get lost into her eyes. Lean down, I let my lips touch her soft lips and kiss her lovingly and chastely, at first, but then let myself get lost even further. I possess her mouth while my hands grip her head and back. It is going to five and a half hours before I see her again, and they might be the hardest in my life. She will have had time to process everything I have told her and I don't know what she will conclude.
# # # #
The hours until I pick up Ana as agreed go slower than I ever recorded in history. The clock keeps ticking, but not fast enough. Damn it, it is only three in the afternoon and I only left Ana two and a half hours. I still have to wait another two half hours. My mother would often tell me on occasions like this that it is like running up a mountain, now it the easiest part, I just have to go downwards. Advice that I have tried to accept but my demons prevent me from doing so. I refocus on work when my cell phone rings and I see it is Mia.
Christian: Hello Mia
Mia: When were you going to tell me?
Mia is angry, though only in the way that she can be. Even angry she sounds so young and excited. I have no idea what she is talking about.
Christian: Mia, I have no idea what you are going on about. Shouldn't you be concentrating on your work? As your boss's boss, you should know that I expect my staff to be focused on the job.
Mia: Don't give me that. Right now you are not my boss's boss, you are my brother and besides I am on a break and I missed lunch because I had to get designs finished for approval.
Christian: Mia! You can't skip lunch! You need to eat. I will have something sent over to you!
Mia: I won't eat a bite until you tell me why you didn't tell me!
Christian: Tell you what? I still don't know what you are going on about!
Mia: Don't give me that. You know what I am talking about. Do mom and dad know? I bet Elliot knows. You always tell him everything before me. It's so unfair!
Mia's tirade is getting tiresome. She needs to learn to get to the point! I know that I won't be able to stop her until she feels she has said her peace. I put her on the loud speaker and phase her out slightly. I just wonder what she is talking about. Before Mia finishes, Taylor walks in holding an iPad and I get a glimpse of what she is finally talking about.
Christian: Mia, I will ring you later!
I disconnect the call before she can respond and inspect the webpage of the Seattle Nooz on the iPad.
Billionaire Christian looking anything but Grey!
If anyone ever had a doubt that a picture can tell a thousand words, then these photos of our most enigmatic and youngest billionaire would prove you wrong! Yes, just a few hours ago Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings, was spotted getting personal in public with an unidentified young lady. This is the first time our city's most eligible bachelor has ever been spotted in public with any lady, effectively ending years of rumors that he is actually gay. The question now on everyone's lips is, who is this lucky lady?
At the end of the short article, there are two photos. One of me with my hands on Ana's shoulders, our eyes are interlocked. The next photo is the one that is really going to get tongues wagging. It is a perfect shot of me kissing Ana. I study her facial expression and note that her eyes were closed as I kissed her. Was she savoring our kiss as much as I was?
"Do you want me or Sam in PR have the story removed or issue a statement?" Usually I would tell them to act immediately, though these are not standard circumstances.
"No. Don't have the story pulled though I don't want to make any statements." Taylor raises his eyebrows briefly, shocked that I don't want this story dealt with. If I am going to be with Ana then, I can't keep her secret, but fuck if I will go and make any comments. My private life is still that, private.
"Has Anastasia seen this article?" I question.
"Sawyer just checked on Miss Steele and she didn't appear to have seen the online article. She is reviewing manuscripts for the rest of the day so she won't be online," Taylor informs me. I nod. I have no idea how Ana is going to react and I won't take any chances.
"Tell Sawyer to keep a close eye on Ana. He is to notify us immediately should she see this article, and inform us of her reaction." Taylor nods and walks out.
I refocus my thoughts on work and finally manage to when my cell phone rings. I look at the ID and its Mia. I know I told her I would phone her back, but I choose to ignore the call. Mia rings a second, third, fourth and just when I start to believe that she has recalled the fact that I run a billion dollar company and need to work, my phone rings for a fifth time. Since Mia has read the article, then who knows who else has. I don't want to spend the rest of the day looking at the ID of my cell phone. I pick up my work phone and call my assistant into my office.
"Andrea, I want you to take my cell phone. Screen all my calls for me. I only wish to speak to either Taylor, Anastasia Steele or any strictly work related calls. If my parents or another family member rings determine the importance. If it is urgent then I want to take the call, but if not tell them I am in a meeting and I will them back." Andrea nods and takes my cell phone from me. "Also, feel free to ignore any calls from my sister Mia, I already know why she is ringing me and it isn't important," I announce.
"On that point, Miss Mia Grey, rang just before you asked me to come in. She stated that you weren't answering your cell phone and she needed to talk to you. Miss Grey was rather insistent. She is on line four, but I will tell her you are in meeting." Mia might be young and free-spirited, but she is tenacious. I know I am going to have to answer her call or she will be relentless for the rest of the day. Even I wouldn't put Andrea through this.
"No, I will take the call," I sigh. "Andrea, could you organize for a chicken salad wrap and a sparkling water to me delivered to my sister ASAP. There is a corner café next to her workplace. Ask them to take it up to her." Andrea walks out of my office, leaving me to take the call.
Christian: Mia are you still on the line?
Mia: Finally, you pick up!
Christian: Are you at your desk?
Mia: Yes. Why?
Christian: Because you told me that you hadn't eaten lunch. I have some lunch on it way to you and you need to eat. All of it!
Mia: Christian you act like you're my dad more than my brother sometimes. It has to stop, the role of father in my life is filled rather well by our dad, Carrick Grey. Now are you going to tell me who that girl is with you in those pictures in the Seattle Nooz?
Christian: Mia, you are well-educated professional who was brought up in a distinguished family. Why are you even reading such material? Our parents would be horrified if they knew.
Mia: Why are you kissing a girl on the street? Our parents are going to beyond excited if they don't have a stroke from shock.
Christian: Have you spoken to our parents?
Knowing Mia, she probably rang them beforehand. I run my hand through my hair and know that my parents are going to want to meet Ana, especially since the paparazzi caught us in such an intimate position.
Mia: No idea, but it won't be long before they learn about this. You should ring them and tell them, but first tell me who she is? She looks young. How old is she? What does she do? How did you meet her? I want to meet her! Can you bring her home tomorrow night? I am out tonight! Actually don't tell Mom and Dad, let me do that! I want to hear mom's voice when she learns about you with a girl. No, it will be much more fun to see her face. I knew you weren't gay! How about I go and see if mom is free….
Christian: Mia Stop!
I don't know why I bothered just then. Mia is so excited I doubt she would notice a natural disaster right now. She just keeps going on.
Christian: Mia Trevelyan Grey! STOP RIGHT NOW! You will not, and I mean NOT, talk our mother or father about my private life!
Mia: But they will be so happy.
Mia sounds emotional. I bet she even is sporting her puppy dog eyes and pouting, even though she knows I can't see her.
Christian: I aware of this fact. I will inform them myself.
Mia: Can you tell me when you intend to do so, this way I can be present.
Christian: No.
Mia: Then I will ring mom now!
Seriously my sister is supposed to be twenty-one. You would think she would be more mature by now, but this is the nature of the relationship I have with my siblings. We are all fair game; age, social class etc., all goes out the window when we are together.
Christian: If you do then, I will tell mom and dad about your little adventurer last week into your room. Seriously Mia, that guy was bad news when you were in high school and still is. You promised our parents that you would never go near him again.
This is a hard and low blow. Mia is daddy's little girl and she hates to disappoint him. If our father learned that Mia had seen Neil again, then who cares how old she is, he wouldn't get off his rocker!
Mia: How do you know about that?
Christian: That doesn't matter. You should know I have taken steps to ensure he is kept far away! You won't be seeing him again!
Mia: Figures! But forget that, he was just some casual fun anyway. Lots of guys out there! Are you going to finally tell me about this girl?
Christian: Mia I don't have the time to fill you in, but I will later. I need to get to a meeting. I will talk to you later!
Mia: You better talk! I want answers, especially since you have blackmailed me.
Christian: I know.
Mia: Love you big bro! Even if you are obnoxious, and for your information lunch just got delivered.
Christian: Love you too, now go and eat.
Disconnecting our call, I run my hands through my hair and sigh. My parents are going to learn about Ana and soon. I would prefer that it wasn't from a tabloid.
# # # #
With just a few minutes till five thirty, I stand outside the SIP building, next to the Audi SUV. I doubt that I have ever been this apprehensive, at least not since I was a young child. What if Ana doesn't come out, or worse, what if she does but ignores me, walking past me, letting me know that she doesn't want to even consider being with me?
I look at my watch and watch the hands move until five thirty finally arrives, with no sign of Ana. I scrunch up my face in pain looking up, and regret coming on too hard. I moved too quickly, I exposed me feelings too fast and now it is going to all backfire on me.
"Are you alright?" I hear a familiar voice say in front of me. I open my eyes and there is Ana. Am I alright? I am now.
"Definitely, are you ready to leave?" I quickly compose myself, putting my dark feelings aside.
"Yes, but I have my car here in the SIP garage," Ana adds.
"I can have Sawyer drive it home for you, can I have your keys?" Ana looks apprehensive as I hold my hands out for her keys and Sawyer moves closer to us.
"I will have to show Sawyer, which car is mine first" Ana advises us, causing me to stifle my laughter.
"There is no need Miss Steele, I know which car is yours" Sawyer nods politely before taking the keys and walking away. Ana looks at me, as if she is trying to read my mind. Good thing she can't, or she would probably blush a permanent crimson color knowing what I am imaging doing with her right now.
"Is there anything you don't know about me?"
"I don't know what you are thinking!" This is the only thing I don't know about Ana, and the one thing I wish I did.
"Ditto" Ana sighs. "Are we going to stand here all night?"
"So you want to come with me still? I was concerned that I might have scared you off" I open the car door and wait for Ana to get in before I do so.
"It's not every day that a guy, you thought wasn't interested in you at all, professes his love for you" Ana shakes her head and then giggles. I relax and soak in her giggle. I try to memorize the pitch, the tone and its melody as I do one of the pieces of music I play on my piano. I wait till Taylor has pulled out into traffic before informing Ana about the unsolicited article and picture of us.
"Anastasia, for some reason, because of my success in business and my family's social standing, the media have become interested in me over the years. I don't understand it. I could care less about what the Kennedy's, Trump's, Gates and any other person in the world are doing, but for some reason, because of the empire I have built up, I am somehow public interest." I catch my breath before I continue, but it is Ana who speaks next.
"It's because your good looking and your body is perfection" Ana blurts out, unwittingly saying what she is thinking and then gasps. Her face is bright red and she at first covers her mouth with her hand then her whole face. "I can't believe I just said that. I mean you are good looking…. It's just you know" I can't help but smirk. This is turning into a lot of fun. It is obvious that her internal filter faulted just then.
"I am going to take that as a compliment from you!" I smile. Ana is taking deep breathes, in an attempt to compose herself. "I have security around me often, as there are people who try to get to me and unwanted media. Occasionally they manage to get photos of me, and because I am usually very careful and private, the photos are never more than myself going about my everyday business or with a family member at a Gala or Charity event. That is until today" I explain.
"Today?" Ana looks at me confused at first and then starts to put the pieces together. "You kissed me today, in public."
"A photo was taken of us and put online. I wanted to tell you myself in person so you would understand." I pass her the iPad and give her some time to read the article and see the photos.
"Hhhhmmm…" Ana utters. "I think you need to be warned, that once my father sees this, he is going to want to meet you. He is a little protective of me" I cock my head to the side. I have never had to meet anyone's father before.
"I can do that, and whilst we are talking about our parent's, how do you feel about meeting my mother and father?" I investigate.
"Should be fine, I guess, but shouldn't we determine what we are to each other?" Ana comments as Taylor drives in front of our destination.
"Let's bypass that at the moment. We're here" I get out of the car, and hold my hand out to help Ana out.
"Where are we? You said we were going to your place tonight." Ana looks around.
"I thought we could go out for dinner beforehand. Also, my parents are here, having dinner. We could say hello to them and then go to our table." I suggest. I don't want one of my mother's bored upper-class friends, informing her of the contents of the article before I have had a chance to at least introduce Ana to her. She saved my life and I owe her this at least.
"What?" Ana says and becomes speechless.
"We are just going to say hello, and then go to our own table. We won't be having dinner with them." I reconfirm. There is no way I want to my parents present whilst I commence establishing a relationship.
"But I am in my work clothes, and …" I cock my head to the side, whilst taking her hand to lead her inside the restaurant.
"You look beautiful and trust me they aren't going to be interested in what you are wearing." I don't think I can sufficiently prepare Ana or explain how monumental this is. Ana reinspects her clothes and fuck all I want to do is to take her to my penthouse and remove them.
"Okay," Ana states meekly.
I speak to the gentleman at the front of the house, who informs me where our table is located. It is to the side of the restaurant, where we are not secluded from the rest of the other patrons, but there is sufficient privacy to talk. We will also be out of sight from my parents, so once I have made the introductions, I won't feel like I am being chaperoned and watched.
I find that I am half leading, half dragging Ana towards my parents table. They always have dinner at this restaurant on the first Monday of each month, before going to their monthly charity board meeting for 'Coping Together'. My father sees me first and informs my mother of my presence. Neither of them can see Ana yet as she is behind me. My mother turns around to see me and they both look pleasantly surprised and happy to see me; however, is the look on their both their faces that is memorable when they see Ana, holding my hand. I am not sure if it is amazement, shock, surprise or excitement. Maybe a mixture, yes definitely a mixture.
"Mom and Dad, how you both this evening? My I introduce Miss Anastasia Steele." I introduce and then remember that Ana asked me how I would introduce her. "These are my parents, Mr Carrick Grey and Mrs Grace Trevelyan Grey. Anastasia, or Ana as she prefers, is my girlfriend." Fuck I can't believe I just said that. I know that I don't want to take it back, even though Ana is looking at me shaken, but quickly covers up her shocked state for the sake of this scene. Sure we haven't established if we are in a real relationship, but this is what I want from her. My parents look at each other in astonishment and then both smile widely. They look overjoyed. I don't think they even looked this happy when I accepted into Harvard.
"It's wonderful to make your acquaintance" Anastasia comments ever so politely, regardless of the fact she is still floored over my reference to her. My parents both stand up. My father shakes her hand, but my mother actually hugs her.
"It is even more wonderful to meet you." My father replies.
"Ana and I will let you two get back to your dinner. We have a table waiting for us" I state ready to make a quick getaway.
"Why don't you two want to join us?" My mother states quickly.
"No thank you, I know you both need to get to your meeting and we wouldn't want to hold you up." I respond.
"Christian, what are you doing here and who is this with you?" A voice asks from behind me. Fuck! It is Elena. I then take notice a third vacant chair at my parent's table. She is on the Coping together board and probably meeting my parents for dinner prior.
"Elena, you finally made it. We waited for you to order" My mother welcomes her.
"I am sorry, I got caught up with the builders for the new salon." Elena apologizes and then refocuses on me. "Christian aren't you going to introduce me to your companion?" I know the look in her eye, I have known it since I was fifteen. There is a tense silence between us that I wonder if anyone else is noticing.
"This is Ana, Christian's girlfriend." My mother declares proudly.
"Really?" Elena's voice sounds pleasant, but there is a dark undertone that only I can recognize.
Authors Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I have been writing FF since April 2012, and one my birthday I always make sure I post a chapter, such as this one. Okay well, I am off to eat more cake. Thank you for reading, and as you know…. Review if you want.