Terrorizations and Encounters
Christians POV:
"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.
"Yes," I confirm intensely. I narrow my eyes at Elena, letting her know to back off. Regardless of our friendship, history and current business relationship, she needs to realize that I am not under her command. That part of our relationship ended long ago and its time she finally accept this reality.
"Annie was it?" Elena extends her hand out to shake Ana's, deliberately mistaking her name, in an attempt to belittle her. This is what Elena does if there is something or someone that might get in her way. Her constant offers to find me my next submissive is another way of keeping herself in my personal life. If only I hadn't needed her. The demands of my corporation and the thousands that rely on me, mean that I can't risk public knowledge of my sexual style. Elena has been my link to this hidden world. Intuition dictates my need to protect Ana, even from this basic handshake, but I soon realize that it won't be necessary.
"No, it's Ana, but don't be embarrassed by your mistake. My father is about your age and he too finds it hard to hear well in restaurants when there is any background noise. I could give you the number of my father's audiologist, his patients are all older and about your age," Ana then smile sweetly at Elena and takes her hand to shake it. If it were possible, Elena would have internally combusted. I stifle my laughter and grin proudly at Ana, who is looking up at me and analyzing me. It's the strangest feeling, it is like she can read me. Ana grips my hand tighter and closes the small distance between us, an equally deliberate act to stand her ground, staking her territory. My parents look at each other over Ana and Elena's short discussion but I bet they have forgotten all about it once they see Ana and I so close, and my arm which is now visibly wrapped around her waist.
"My mistake," Elena replies. Her fake polite stance is even less effective tonight.
"Ana and Christian are you sure you won't both join us. We have yet to order and we have plenty of time to eat before our meeting," my mother offers once more. I can see it in her eyes that she is beyond excited to see me with a girl. If we were at their home, I bet my mother would have hugged Ana several times by now.
"No thank you," I answer.
"Mr. and Mrs. Grey…" Ana commences speaking but is soon interrupted by my father.
"Please Ana, call us Carrick and Grace. There is no need to be formal."
"Carrick and Grace, we thank you for your kind offer; however, Christian and I would like to have a quiet dinner just the two of us tonight. We have desperately been longing for some time alone. Both of us have been very busy at work. Also, you both might be aware and will soon enough that today paparazzi got photos of us together and, kissing in the streets of Seattle, of all things…" Ana stops for a minute blushing out of embarrassment. "…and who knows how much longer we are going to be able to move around freely, until the media loses interest." I know that this little speech is to get to Elena, and it is working. I grip Ana's hand harder and bring it to my lips, kissing her knuckles. An intimate and personal move that I think almost makes my mother cry and my father almost frozen in time.
"However, Carrick and Grace, if you both are free this Sunday afternoon, why don't you both come to Escala for lunch. Christian has a wonderful kitchen that I have been eager to try out. I promise you both that I a competent cook, unlike your son. I have to admit that Christian here has many, many talents, but he gets a Failing grade in cooking." I look down at Ana curiously as I haven't actually ever helped her cook before. She has my parents eating out of her hands. Shit, not only do I want her to be all mine, but I also now want to employ her at Grey House. She would be brilliant!
"We did try to teach Christian to cook or at least give him some culinary skills, but he and his brother never were interested, beyond microwaving. If my son here offers to help you cook or attempts to operate any kitchen appliance, then I recommend a fire extinguisher," my father jokes.
"A fire extinguisher? Oh no, that is not sufficient! I have had to put 911 on the speed dial of my cell phone, Christian's and my home phone!" Ana and my parents laugh at their little joke. Usually I would detach myself from this scene, entering CEO mode, but I can't help but laugh even if it is at my expense. I lean down and kiss Ana's forehead in front of them and Elena. Her expression becomes even sourer.
"But seriously, would you both come to Escala for lunch, if you are both free that is!"
"We will make sure we are free." My mother almost squeals, making Elena even more quietly infuriated. Elena has her back to my parents so they can't see her reactions or body language. My parents are astute people, both accomplished in their fields, though Elena is devious and knows how to play people. I rarely ever have people over to my penthouse and especially not for lunch, but Ana's plan sounds incredible because it offers hope that I will see her again after this evening.
"Excellent! Let make it for one o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday. I hope that isn't a little too late, but Christian and I have a busy Saturday planned" Ana adds and then looks up at me.
"It sounds perfect." My mother confirms.
"Ana we ought to get to go to our table. Evening mother and father," I tell them politely and then narrow my eyes. "Elena."
Ana and I walk to the other side of the restaurant in silence until we reach our table. A waiter is there to meet us as soon as we have taken our seats, Ana rubs the sides of her face and sighs loudly. I am not sure if it is in relief or shock.
"Excuse me waiter, can you get me a gin and tonic with lime. Heavier on the Gin than the tonic," Ana requests. I cock my head to the side and narrow my eyes at her, displeased with her drink order. Ana noticing my reaction glares at me. "Seriously Grey don't think for a second that look is going to work on me right now!"
"I will have a glass of the Alban Cabernet Sauvignon and we will need a few minutes before we order." The waiter nods, leaving us alone. Ana now has buried her face in her hands and is shaking her head. I sit back and evaluate her body language whilst we sit in silence for a few minutes.
"That woman, Elena, who is having dinner with your parents, she is the one that introduced you to your lifestyle. Isn't she?" I cock my head to the side in amazement to Ana's intuitive assumption.
"What makes you suggest that?" I inquire
"Because of the way she looked at you and me. She looked like she wanted to vanquish me from the face of the earth and she looked at you as if she was trying to take control, whilst practically begging you to want her. I am right, aren't I?" I really wish I hadn't mentioned to her that I was introduced to my lifestyle of choice by someone who I knew from my childhood.
"Yes," I confirm.
"How old were you when your relationship started?
"Fifteen" I know where she is going with this and decide it is best to give brief answers.
"That's criminal. She broke the law." Ana looks appalled, but she doesn't know the whole story.
"Elena helped me gain control," I explain ever so briefly.
"That's not a legal defense!" Ana scowls. "Your parents who are sitting down and eating dinner with a woman who seduced you illegally, have no idea at all?"
"No, my parents are none the wiser. They are aware that I have a friendship with Elena, but that is all," I inform Ana. I hate admitting this. I love my parents and I know my actions would hurt them horribly, if they knew!
"That's heavy, not to mention crazy," Ana determines.
"I can't change my history," I point out.
"But you can change your future. You of all people have that power. You are the master of your own universe, you can make anything happen," Ana refutes. I only wish she was completely right. Even my resources can't eliminate my dark side. However, her statement does give me an idea.
"Then if we are to follow your hypothesis that I can make anything happen, then enlighten me on what I need to do to have you? To make us happen," I test out her theory.
"Bringing me here, to introduce me to your parents without giving me sufficient notice and then having me face the woman who molested you, isn't the way to make us happen!" Ana hisses, then rubs her forehead before resting her elbows on the table and burying her face in her hands, once more. I reconsider the fact that maybe I am not right for Ana, that she needs someone better than me.
"Would you like to leave? We can go somewhere else. I can have Taylor get us into any restaurant you wish or we can just go straight back to my place. I can call my housekeeper and she will prepare us dinner. Just name it Anastasia and it will be done," I offer. I will throw around whatever weight I have to ensure that tonight doesn't become a colossal mess.
"Right now, I need a drink. Can you speed up our drink order?" Ana requests. Considering she just faced Elena this is probably the least I can do. I signal to our waiter and instruct him of Ana's wishes. It takes less than a minute for our drinks to be delivered. Ana's drink is placed in front of her first and even before the waiter places my wine in front of me, she picks up her too strong gin and tonic, drinking it down in one gulp. My natural instincts would be to reprimand her then and it is killing me not to do so.
"I will have another one," Ana tells the waiter.
"No, she will not," I interject, which makes Ana scoff loudly, but I simply ignore her response. "The lady will have a glass of sparkling water with lime, for the time being. We are also ready to order."
"I haven't even looked at the menu!" Ana responds.
"I know. We will start with the Soft Shell Crab and then we will have the Muscovy duck. Thank you" I motion my hand and practically order our waiter away from our table. Ana is glaring at me again.
"Anastasia, I refuse to allow you to drink yourself into insobriety, over the current course of this evening. Plus you need to eat, as do I. I have eaten here several times and I know what is good."
"You didn't order any dessert," Ana states oddly, testing me.
"Maybe I have other things in mind for desert" I suggest salaciously but get straight back to the job at hand. "However, we need to talk first!"
"I don't want to be you're submissive," Ana announces quickly, knowing that our talk would involve this issue. At least she is straight to the point, which will speed up the process.
"But you do want to be with me, or else you wouldn't be here… right?" I approach this matter as I would any business deal, by reading Ana. I analyze every one of her movements and emotions; however, I still don't know how she feels for me. I have told her that I love her but she is yet to reciprocate verbally how she feels or doesn't.
"I do," Ana finally confesses. I breathe out, grateful for small gestures. Though this is definitely not small by any means for me.
"But it still doesn't mean that I can be…." I immediately interrupt her, I know what she is going to say, and the more she says it then, the more she is going to convince herself and myself. Also, I don't know if I want that anymore, at least not to the same extent as the previous fifteen.
"I Know. You don't have to be my submissive, though I don't want you to rule out any ….. experiences. I can assure you it will be pleasurable. Nonetheless, there will be time for that later. Anastasia, you are not now and will never be my submissive; you are my girlfriend." Wow, now that is a word I never thought I would associate any girl with me. It still sounds as strange as it did when I made the announcement to my parents a few minutes ago.
"Girlfriend?" Anastasia repeats, as if trying out the word. Realization kicks in that whilst I have never referred to any girl as such, before this evening, she also hasn't been called as such.
"For all matters of purpose, that is what you are to me. You just have to accept me as your boyfriend." Ana suddenly becomes silent, maybe for the first time since I have met her. Our waiter arrives with our entrée, which provides us with a few quiet moments.
"Enjoy," the waiter states and walks off. I pick up my fork and take a few bites, whilst Ana is yet to make a move.
"Eat!"
"What?" Ana questions confused by my simple request.
"Eat, you need to eat." Regardless of my wish to sway Ana and keep her from fighting me, I won't relent on her not eating. Ana rolls her eyes and then bites her lip. Fuck me this is torture! My palm commences to twitch and then there is her lip. I want her again, I want to feel her pressed against me again and bury myself into her, and of course, after I make her backside all pink, strapped to the bench in my playroom.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ana's question sadly brakes my fantasy, but no matter, I intend to make it a reality.
"I don't think you are ready for me to disclose that information. Now eat, or else I may be forced to drag you out of this restaurant and enact my thoughts."
"Since you are so encouraging." Sarcasm pours out of Ana and I shake my head, she is too smart for such a low form of wit. Either way she picks up her fork and commences to eat.
"This is really good," Ana comments a little surprised. I can't help but smirk and rejoice at her awakened appetite.
"Try it with this wine," I offer her my glass and for a moment our fingers touch. A simple perfect little touch which impact me as much as it does her. I need to touch her all over again, to possess her! I watch as Ana takes a drink from my glass.
"You're right, it's wonderful."
"I will get us some more wine."
"Are you sure you trust me? What if I drink it too fast and too much? You are not the only one who has thoughts you know," Ana looks down and then up through her lashes. My mouth opens slightly as I breathe out. Control Christian! Unexpectedly, Ana then giggles at my expense! If it weren't the most perfect sound, I would have abandoned any control I had.
"Anastasia I think you are the one who is mercurial now." I point out, reflecting on the quick change to Ana's mood. "At least you are more relaxed, if not becomes the world's greatest tease. Tell me about your new job." For the next hour, Ana and I converse about work, Seattle, politics and literature, while we consume the bottle of red and finish dinner. I never talk as much as I have when I am with Ana. Dinner is almost over and I have been dreading it.
"Would you like some desert? They make an incredible chocolate souffle here." I offer in an attempt to extend the evening.
"No, I don't think I could fit it in. I don't think I have ever eaten like this before. Thank you for dinner and for tonight. With the exception of Elena, it has been wonderful." Her admission gives me endless hope.
"Do you need to go home tonight?" I inquire. I attempt to be casual but fail. "I hear that Kate is with Elliot again this evening at his place." I hate the thought of Ana being alone in her apartment, even more than the thought of being away from her.
"Kate and Elliot are always together, and regardless I still need to go home. I have work tomorrow."
"I can get you anything you need. I can have Sawyer go to your place and collect anything you need, or better still I can send Taylor out to purchase anything you need," I offer. I much prefer to send Taylor out then have a guy go through Ana's clothes, especially her underwear, even if it is one of my security men.
"What? Surely you are joking."
"No Anastasia, I am not joking. I don't want you to go to your apartment tonight. I would prefer you to come to my place."
"Is this to enlighten me over you lifestyle?" I can't help but smirk, at her attempts to be her usual feisty self, when she is actually rather timid over sex.
"No, I do not believe that you are ready." Plus I refuse to do anything that might make you run. "I have a lot of room at my apartment, or I could stay at your place," Ana looks at me surprised.
"There isn't room at my place. Kate would fume if anyone stayed in her room, and Ethan is due back tonight. You would have to stay in my room with me!"
"Sounds like an offer too good to say no to," Ana blushes not realizing what she just actually suggested.
"Christian, can't we go slower?" Ana proposes vulnerably. I run my hands through my hair, frustrated at the mere suggestion of going slower.
"Nothing in my life is slow and I don't want to wait to be with you," I advise her.
"I need to go to the bathroom," I stand as quickly as Ana does. I wonder if she really needs to use the facilities or needs a few minutes to herself.
"I will wait for you at the front of the restaurant," Ana nods and I watch every step she takes.
Ana's POV
I wash my hands in the bathroom and inspect myself. I look a little tired and the wine has started to get to me. Thank gosh Sawyer drove my car home for me! I turn on my heel to walk out and standing there is Elena.
"Ana, I am glad that we ran into each other. It's much quieter in here, makes it easier to hear and there is something you need to listen to. Take it as a warning," she hisses. Vile pours out of her that I start to feel ill.
"Excuse me?" I ask to clarify.
"Listen here little girl. You need to get your little pale, simple paws off Christian Grey. You are not good enough for him and you do not have what it takes to make him happy. You will simply make him unhappy. Christian might not admit it to you, but the reality is he needs me and uses me often and he knows it. Just one weak moment from Christian and you will be a goner. He has done it before, ask him what happened to his first, third, tenth, twelve and fifteenth submissive. He didn't end those relationships and neither did his submissive. It was me." I start to feel nauseous, mainly at the vile that continues to pour out of her.
"Good thing I am Christian's girlfriend not his submissive," I spit back. There take that Ms. Bottle Peroxide Blonde No 3.
"Let me get to the point Ana dear, if you are not out of Christian's life in the next forty-eight hours, then I will take him down. I will ensure he loses everything. Grey Enterprise will crumble. Trust me I can do it! I know everything there is about him and he has more secrets than he would ever want anyone to know." My heart stops beating. I know she is dead serious in her threat. "Now get busy leaving Christian!"
I try to compose myself as I exit the bathroom, but I am so shaken that I don't know it will be possible. I quicken my pace to increase the space between Elena and I. Regardless of how strong I might be, no one has ever threatened me like that before. I am taking deep breaths, so Christian doesn't start questioning me about my behavior. But he spots me the second I am in view and he narrows his eyes. I fake a smile, especially when I find Christian's parents next to him.
"Did you have a nice dinner?" Grace inquires.
"Yes… I did…. thank you," I reply not looking up, and practically inherently.
"Ana are you well? You look awfully pale." Grace's concern is triggers Christians concern and starts to check me over.
"I just don't feel well. I am a little light headed."
"Do you need a seat? What about a glass of water? We need to get you out of here. Mom, can you look over Ana?" Christian focuses all of his energy and attention on me. It is sweet if not a little too much.
"Christian, can we just leave," I request. Christian agrees and starts to escort me out.
"Bye Christian and Ana. I hope to be seeing you both very soon." A voice calls out. We both turn to see who called out to us, and there she is Elena. Her snake-like smile is smeared all over her face. She has won. I steal a glance at Christian, devastated that I we won't get a chance to explore what could have been.
Authors Note: Thank you for reading. Also, this is the only time I will address this troll in our midst that has named me and a few other writers. Please do not worry! Their POV, or anything they have to say means nothing. This person is insignificant and needs to realise this. No one cares for what they have to say! So thank you for your support and know that I am super!