Christian's POV
Im in Elliot's office discussing the blueprint for the dream house, over a lunch of Chinese food.
Elliot seems a little off today; and Im not sure what it could be. Im sure he is just overwhelmed with everything: work (which now included interviews and a 50/50 chance of seeing Ethan) and home life(which now included a newborn baby).
"So tell me your ideas." Elliot said, pulling out paper and a pencil.
"Well, Ana wanted a gourmet kitchen and a library that is a little bit bigger than what we have now. She also wants a walk in closet. She wants it the same size as we have now, but I think that we should have it a little bit bigger than what we have now. She was also thinking of a pool, but she isn't sure if she wants and indoor one or an outdoor one." I tell Elliot.
"Judging by the area that surrounds the house, I think you are better off with an indoor pool. Not many homes nowadays have indoor pools, so it will be a nice touch and the sale value will go up, should you want to sell it." Elliot says to me. "Now what about you?"
"I would like an indoor gym, a car garage big enough to fit four cars, security room, maybe like a family room, but don't get the mixed up with the living room. I think the family room should be on the ground floor." I tell him, trying to think of some of the things that Im missing.
"How many bedrooms would you like?" asks Elliot.
"Four including the master bedroom." I answer. Ana and I have discussed it and we decided that we would like to have three children. Its the perfect number in my opinion.
"What about the guest bedrooms or are you planning to have a different house for that?" Elliot asks me.
"Yes, that is the plan. And we were also thinking of having a separate house for Jason and Gail." I tell him. After years of working for me, I think its time that the two of them get their own place that is much more private
"Okay." Elliot says. "So what I have so far, in my vision at least. The garage level will have the gym which will be adjacent to the garage. And not far from that will be the laundry room as well as the family room. The pool will be in between the gym and the family room. For the first floor I have the kitchen and the living room. There's gonna be a door leading on the backyard. I was thinking of doing French double doors for that door, but we can discuss the finer details later. The library will also be on that floor as well. Now for the second floor it will be all of the bedrooms, including the master suite."
"That sounds perfect, Elliot." I say. "And yes, the finer details can be discussed much later."
"Good." says Elliot. He puts the paper aside and continues eating his food.
"And don't forget to sound proof the master suite." I say.
Elliot smirks and writes that down. He goes back to eating his food.
Wait a second...thats it? No witty comment? Nothing?! This did not sound like Elliot, at all.
"Everything alright, Elliot?" I ask him.
"Yah of course." He says, finishing up his food.
"Are you sure about that?" I ask him.
He looks up at me. " Yes, I am. Why? Does it seem like something is up?" He asks.
"It actually does. You're not acting like yourself." I tell him. "You are usually the one that likes to say things, some pretty weird yet fucking hilarious things, but you aren't today."
"Oh you know, Im immersed in work and now with the baby, there's just so much going on." He tells me, running his hands across his face, making it seem as though he is tired.
I could have went along with what he was saying, but I knew that he wasn't telling the truth. The Elliot that I knew always had energy in him, even if he was super tired.
"Okay, fair enough." I say. I could try to get it out of him, but I want him to tell me without the need of using force. I discard my trash into the trash bin next to his desk.
"I should probably get going." I tell him. In theory, I could have stayed and chatted with my brother, but since he was not in the mood to talk, the best thing to do is leave.
Im about to leave Elliot's office, when Elliot tells me to wait.
I turn around.
"Im not good at keeping anything from anybody, but yes you got me figured out. Something is up." He says.
I locked the door and sat back down.
"Talk to me." I tell him.
Elliot opens a drawer and pulls out a manila folder, which he hands to me.
I open the folder, and look at the paper work that was inside of it. I looked at the paper work, at first a little confused, but then I put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Ethan fucking Kavanagh is suing my brother for unethical business conduct?
"What a fucker." I mumble.
"Yah, tell me about it." Elliot says. "I haven't been myself since I saw it."
Well that makes sense then.
"Did you show this to Dad?" I ask him, giving him the paper work back.
"I haven't yet, since I only got this today." He tells me.
"Well you have to show it to him, when you get a chance. Dad can help." I tell him.
Carrick Grey was one of the best lawyers in the state. And even if he couldn't help for whatever reason, he will recommend someone who will.
"I will when I have a chance." Elliot says. "I really don't know what he's talking about. I mean, I fired him because he failed to do what was required of him. He almost cost me a client. A very important client for that matter. Im lucky that he didn't spread the news all over town or else we wouldn't be doing so much work, like we are now."
"He probably thinks the reason why you fired him was because of what happened with Mia." I tell him. "And he also thinks that the reason that you aren't giving him the job is because of that too."
"He knows exactly why he got fired. It had nothing to do with Mia. Besides, what happened with Mia, happened after he got fired. In fact, that was the reason why he did that to her." Elliot says.
That same day that Ethan was fired from his job, he went to a bar, got really drunk, started flirting with some random chick there, somehow he got to her place where they fucked, and then the next morning he was face with an unpleasant surprise of me, Ana, Mia, and Luke.
Nothing unethical had occurred. He was fired because he did not follow instructions, which cost Elliot a very important client. Steve Ignacio is a top dog in the real estate development industry. Elliot was very lucky that I managed to convince Steve to give Elliot's construction company another shot or else Steve would have told everyone he knows that Elliot's company is irresponsible and unprofessional.
"The only reason he is doing this is because he needs a job. He will be suing in order to get the job that he had when he worked for you." I tell him. "I know for certain that he won't win the case because everything was done the way it should be. Business was done on purely ethical standards. He has no proof that it was done otherwise."
"He doesn't." Elliot says. "That's why I think all of this is stupid and a complete waste of time."
And he was right, it was a waste of time. There was no need of a lawsuit. Ethan just needed to find a job elsewhere. If he couldn't find a job here in Washington state, he could move elsewhere. That's what normal people do when they are seeking a job.
"Just let Dad know as soon as possible. The sooner the better." I advise Elliot.
"I will." He tells me. "Thanks for hearing me out. I appreciate it, bro."
"Not a problem. If you need my help, I will be more than happy to help you." I tell him.
"Im not sure about it now, but if anything I will let you know." Elliot says.
I leave his work soon after.
I honestly hope that everything works out. Elliot will definitely win the case; there is no doubt in my mind about that. I just don't understand why Ethan will go so far as to have a lawsuit when one is not necessary at all.
Ana's POV
"So how was the baby?" asks my assistant Jose.
"He was beautiful." I answer. "Its too early to say, but he definitely looks like a blend of both Kate and Elliot.
"Well that does make him a beautiful baby." Jose says. "Thats what happens when a power couple makes a baby."
I giggle.
"So when are you and Christian planning to have a beautiful baby?" Jose asks.
"Well we would like to have a family, but we would like to just enjoy married life first." I tell Jose. "But yes, children are always a topic of conversation."
I wasn't going to tell Jose that Christian and I have been "practicing" for one every day. That would be a little too personal to tell an assistant. And I also wasn't going to tell him that we are hoping to have the home construction under way before we start having children. Nobody knows about the home just yet. Elliot knows about the house because his crew will be building it. Everyone else will find out once the construction process happens.
"Im surprised you don't have a bun in the oven already, Mrs. Grey. With that hunk of a husband you have, you should already have little ones running around the place." Jose tells me. "But I do understand what you just said. You need to enjoy each other for a while before having children."
"Yeah, that's the way we are looking at it." I tell him. "Well anyway, while I was gone, was there anything for me?"
"No, nothing new." Jose says.
"Well good." I tell him.
"Would you like anything, Mrs. Grey?" He asks me. "Tea, coffee, blueberry muffin?"
"No thank you, Jose." I tell my assistant. "I will just grab lunch later."
"Alrighty," Jose says. "Just let me know if you need anything."
"Will do." I smile.
Jose leaves my office.
Im left to my solitude until Sawyer walks into my room.
"She always wanted to meet you." He says. "She actually said that on our very first date, when I brought you up."
I wonder who he is talking to.
"We were thinking this weekend." He says. "Yeah, listen. I hate cutting the conversation short, but I have to get back to work. Love you, bye."
"Who was that?" I ask him.
"That was my mom." He says. "Mia and I are going to drive up to her place this weekend. Mia wants to meet her."
"That's a big deal." I tell him.
"Indeed it is." He says. "My mom is everything to me. She raised me into the man that I am today. I hope that she ends up loving Mia just as much as I do."
"I have yet to meet one person who doesn't like Mia." I tell him. "Your mother will simply adore her."
"I know she will." He says.
"So did you two move in already?" I ask him.
"A few days ago actually." Sawyer tells me. "I must say though its really nice to come home to see that beautiful smile."
Awwww
"Well Im happy for the both of you." I say.
Sawyer smiles. "If all goes well, which I know it will, that means that I can move on to the next step."
As in what I think it is?
" You mean…" I was about to tell him.
"Yes, I want to ask Mia to marry me." Sawyer says. " Its an idea of mine that's been on my mind ever since she's moved in with me. And I know that it may seem like things are going a little too fast, but we are both in love and I have no one better to call my wife than Mia."
Awww that's so sweet.
What Sawyer said almost made me choke up a bit.
"I don't think you are moving quick, although it might seem like it. You two are in love and you are perfect for one another. If you feel that it's time for this, then act on it. " I tell Sawyer.
"And that's what I will do." Sawyer says. " I already have plans for what I would like the proposal to be, but Im putting it on the backburner for now."
"Alrighty, but if you ever do need help, don't hesitate to ask." I say. "We would be delighted to help."
"Thank you." Sawyer says. "I will keep that in mind."
"Spinach lasagna is for dinner tonight, Mrs. Grey." Gail tells me.
"Gail, you know you can call me Ana." I tell her.
"Sorry, force of habit." She says. "Would you like anything else?"
"No thank you, Gail. Spinach lasagna sounds lovely." I tell her.
"I hope you two enjoy it." She tells me with a smile.
"I have no doubt in my mind that we will." I tell her. "You can have the rest of the evening off."
"Have a good night." She says, and leaves the kitchen.
Soon, Christian walks into the penthouse. Something is up.
"Well Im glad that he told you about it." Christian says. "I told him to do so as soon as he can."
He walks over to me and gives me a peck on the lips before heading to his study.
He spends a good 20 minutes there, before I get impatient.
"Come in." I hear, after I knock gently on Christian's study door.
I walk in to see Christian looking disheveled. He has unbuttoned the first three buttons on his shirt and rolled up his sleeves.
I walk over and give him a hug from behind. He kisses my hand and takes both of them into is hands.
"Babe, what's wrong?" I ask.
He doesn't answer me at first.
"Elliot is being sued." He says.
Wait..what?
"Why?" I ask. "By who?"
"Ethan fucking Kavanagh is suing my brother in an attempt to get his job back." Christian tells me. "He is suing Elliot on the grounds of unethical business conduct."
Oh wow. That's surprising that he would actually go that far as to sue Elliot, but Im not surprised that he is doing this.
"But Elliot didn't do anything unethical." I say. "So we don't really have much to worry about."
"Well that's what I thought, but after speaking to my dad, there is a way that he can get away with it, if he continues to argue that the only reason that he got fired was because of what happened with him and Mia." Christian says.
"But that's not reasonable. He was fired because he didn't do his job. It had nothing to do with what happened between him and Mia." I say. "Didn't that happen after he got fired?"
"It did, but it can be argued that the only reason why Elliot isn't willing to give him an interview now is because of that." Christian says.
"Well we are just going to have to think positive." I tell Christian. "Besides, if Carrick Grey is his attorney, then everything should be fine."
"That's what Im thinking, but its just frustrating, Ana. This is pointless. Elliot doesn't need to go through this, especially now that he has a newborn son. It's a waste of precious time that he can spend with his family." Christian says.
"I know. Its really unfair and a complete waste of time. "I say. "But Im sure that it will be a fruitless effort on Ethan's part."
"I think so too." Christian says. And then his stomach growls.
"You're stomach agrees with you too."I say, and giggle. "Come on, lets go eat. It could take your mind off things."
"It could." Christian says. He wraps his arm around me and we walk over to the kitchen to eat dinner.
Sorry for the kinda short chapter. I would hope that the next one is a lot longer than this one.
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