Chapter 5

Cpov

As I am walking up to the house I see Taylor climbing into the motorhome with Sawyer. How the hell did he get in so early? I'm a little jealous as he gets to visit with my goddess before anyone else tonight.

I see him leave and run past me and whisper to my dad. They both walk up and past me at a fast pace and climb in. What the hell is going on? The only thing I can think of is a security issue and I feel my heart pounding in my chest.

I lean up against my Audi as I think about what I am going to say to her when I meet her. After six years of thinking and dreaming of her I have no idea. Ten minutes later they all appear and my father is pissed and my mom's face is all red and swollen. Has she been crying? What the fuck is wrong? Taylor is listening to something Sawyer tells him and starts to rub his forehead. Something is seriously going on. I make my way to my parents and my father turns.

"Family meeting in the family room now damn it. Get your brother now and I am in no mood for this shit." My father all but screams out and my mother follows him without scolding his language.

"Elliott get up here now it's an emergency." I scream at him and he runs up as Taylor gets to my side flustered.

"What's going on?" Elliott asks me and I shrug my shoulders.

"We have an emergency family meeting and dad is pissed." Elliott rolls his eyes as I hear Taylor mumbling.

"Reynolds you and four other men are to escort Miss Steele and her Security on a five-mile run in five minutes." He yells into his phone and looks at me as he winks.

We walk in as my sister, Kate and Lilly are having a fit about getting interrupted with their beauty routine.

"Everyone take a seat" My father snaps at them as he grabs a tall glass of brandy as my mom does. I see Taylor walk in with 3 security guards.

My mom turns and looks at three girls before she speaks.

"Ladies as you know the event tonight represents advocacy against child abuse, domestic abuse, and bullying. Now new events have been brought to light that you three were involved in a severe case of bullying in high school. Taylor has also reported that this continued all throughout high school and college as you two." She points to Lilly and Kate with her fingers and shoots them daggers. "You two were involved in severe bullying and hazing in college. Carrick and I do not condone this whatsoever and because of this you will not attend this event or any other event at this house ever again. Security will escort you off the premises you have ten minutes before you are thrown on the lawn." My mother says very sternly.

"So because some hot shot celebrity bitch relays a story of supposedly what happened in high school you are kicking us out!" Kate stands and goes to stand in front of my mom as my father steps in front of her and I'm fucking livid. I knew it I fucking knew it.

"My wife never said anything about her being told by anyone except Taylor. We will not allow hypocrites in this house. You of everyone here knows what my children went through before they were adopted. Like My wife said you have ten minutes to get out and never come back." My father all but screams at her and downs his brandy. She turns to Elliott who has his head in his hands and shaking his head in disbelief.

"El baby you are my fiancé aren't you going to say anything?" She tells him as she tries to climb in his lap. He pushes her off as he stands up and grabs her left hand. He pulls her ring off and goes to stand next to my dad.

"Kate you told me those were all rumors and that you were never involved in them. I believed you and told you everything about my past. I can't believe you manipulated me and my family. We are done and the wedding is off get out. I will drop off your belongings to your parents' house tomorrow. Do not come to my house anymore and do not bother to call me ever again." He storms out and slams the door and she turns to Lilly and they scoff as they run upstairs and pack their belongings. Taylor and security meets them and walks them to the car. Before they get to the front door my father stops them.

"Ladies remember your NDA you signed when you stepped foot in this house. Everything that was said in this room or in the past 7 years better not have one word printed in the press. I will bring your parent's businesses with so many lawsuits it will make their head spin."

Kate gives him the evil eye as Lilly cowers away but I have a feeling this isn't over. Dad walks back in and takes a seat next to my mother who has resumed crying. Mia has her head down and won't look at anyone. Surely she wasn't involved.

"Mia, I have spent the last hour with Miss Steele. She is a delightful young woman with beliefs that are not only ethical but down to earth. What concerns your father and I though is that you have already met her." My mom tells her and I can't believe it that my own sister would be that vindictive and spiteful. She starts bawling and clings to my mom.

"Mom they made me do it, I just wanted to fit in with them. They had all the boys and the popular girls. I am so ashamed but I swear on my life it was the only time I participated. I always made an excuse when they wanted me to go with them. That's why I had so many extracurricular activities."

"Mia by you hanging out with them and not sticking up for the right thing condones it. Growing up in this house you children have never wanted for anything. You of anyone knows what growing up in an abused situation is like and should be able to have the strength to stand up for what is right. Miss Steele was gracious enough to let you attend tonight as this is the family's charity. Your father and I however are disappointed in you and you will not be allowed to meet her tonight."

"Mom how am I supposed to apologize to her if I can't see her?"

"I will ask her and see if she is ok with it while your father and I think of another punishment. That woman out there has had a horrendous past and overcame it all. You should idolize her not humiliate her."

"Yes mom I agree and I am truly sorry. Does she want to come in and get ready with Franco?" My mom hesitates before she answers.

"I did ask her but her motorhome is fabulous and she does her own makeup and hair. She is going to perform her four songs before the dinner is served. She will eat in her motorhome and then we will all do the meet and greet in the second private tent after the first dance."

"Mia dear we have about three hours until we need to be on the carpet so go finish getting ready." She nods as she stands and goes upstairs.

"Christian dear you have been quiet this evening are you ok?" My mother asks me.

"Yes I just have a big acquisition I'm working on at the moment." She doesn't need to know I'm nervous as hell that I'm finally going to meet my Anastasia tonight.

As I'm tying my bowtie I am so fucking nervous my hands are shaking and I just close my eyes and imagine her in my arms after these six years. I cannot look Mia in the eye and I am going to talk to mom and dad about her credit cards. I feel relaxed almost immediately and as I finish tying my shoes my mother knocks on the door.

"Christian sweetheart can I come in?"

"Yes mom I am dressed you can come in" I tell her as I fasten my cufflinks.

"You look handsome tonight, anyways I came in to talk to you. You seem different tonight and I could see your agitation towards Mia. Are you sure you are ok?"

"Mom I promise I am fine. I have a lot on my mind now and plus Elliott breaking it off with Katherine has my security running wild. I want to talk with you and dad tomorrow about Mia though."

"Well ok I just wanted to check on you before your father and I head out on the red carpet. I am so proud of you and I know you feel lonely I just want you happy."

"I will be mom I promise." She kisses my cheek as we both walk out of my bedroom and I escort her downstairs where the rest of the family is waiting. As we walk out the door Taylor winks to me as he is standing next to Sawyer by Anastasias motorhome.

Here we go hopefully everything will go as planned and my future will begin.