Chapter 9

Apov

Wow what a rush singing and giving my speech. I have never talked in the public eye ever but I feel better getting my story out there. Grace was right I have such a wonderful gift and I need to let go and embrace it. When she told me that I knew the perfect song to do so. I called my good friend Kelly Clarkson and I told her my story and she was all for it. I am being escorted back to my motorhome by Sawyer and Molly and I am starving. Molly walks in with me as Sawyer stands guard.

"Miss Steele your performance tonight was out of this world. You opening up like that has opened yourself and I can already see the change. This summer tour will be for sure a sell out and you may win entertainer of the year award. You have been nominated the past couple years but I have a feeling this year is the year. You will blow Nashville away when it comes to nomination season."

"Thank you, Molly, and I honestly feel so much more open and lighter. I am ready for a life of not hiding and a life of no more running. I am who I am and I am not ashamed anymore."

"Good girl and you are going to take the world by storm. This will be your year." She walks out and returns five minutes with my dinner. I have been nominated with numerous awards and only won two. Best new artist, and Solo of the year. I have never won Female vocalist of the year even though I have been nominated twice. The ultimate award is entertainer of the year. I don't do this to win awards I do this because it's what I love and it's my outlet.

I sit watching my lifetime tv eating my salmon, asparagus, and potato. I have my wine and I am enjoying this. I can't help but think back to my grey eye man. I know that was him sitting next to Grace. I could feel the pull, the magnetism when I stared into his eyes. Does he feel the same? I think so as he couldn't stop staring and I could see the emotions in his eyes. I want a happy life of love, friendship and devotion. Is he that person for me? I hope so as I have never felt attraction to anyone but him.

I finish my dinner and as I did not work up a sweat performing like I usually do I decide to leave my hair alone. The curls are still in place so I place another clip so I let them relax down my back. I pull out my white floor length lace dress. It has a chiffon overlay on the skirt and a split up the side with a platinum belt across my stomach. The top is like a razorback tank and I love it. I pair it white lace platform heels and cut a lemon up so I can drink some lemon water. I take my mint altoids and make sure I close my wine and place it in the cooler.

I'm walking to the tent for my meet and greet and I feel nervous for the first time in my life. I love my fans buy I can't help but wonder if he will be there. I've never done an in depth meet and greet before, maybe I should start doing them before my concerts. I walk in and see a table of my newest cds ready to be signed and a photographer. He seems creepy as he won't take his eyes off me but he is also giving me some sort of smirk.

"Jose Rodriguez nice to meet you Miss Steele." He holds his hand out and I shake it but as I turn he pulls me back in.

"So, who do you think you are dismissing one of my best friends like that. Kate is someone you don't want to mess with and now me." He whispers into my ear as he is holding my arm to the point of pain.

"I'm Anastasia Steele and let me go now or I will make you sorry."

He laughs in my face but won't let me go and I do what I know and spin around and knee him in the balls. Sawyer runs in and lifts him up by the collar and gets in his face. I see Taylor quickly follow him and escort him out as I'm shaking.

"Miss Steele, are you ok? I'm sorry I was talking with Taylor about the procedure for tonight and tomorrow morning for breakfast."

"I'm fine but we don't have a photographer now so someone will have to step in and use people's phones. It will be more personal that way, how about we ask Mia." He nods and returns with Mia and she is more than willing to help. Fans are brought in four at a time. I give each one of them a personalized cd signed by me and they can take a picture with me. When we get to the last group it is the woman who was abused and is pregnant steps in with Grace and her family. One member missing, where is he?

Grace walks the mom up and I get my gift basket I had made for her. She starts balling and I hug her until she calms down.

"Miss Steele I am obsessed with you. I have every album of yours and I love everything that you do. Speaking out tonight about your abuse history and bullying really hit home to a lot of people."

"Thank you and what's your name?"

"Oh, my gosh how embarrassing, I'm Elizabeth Morgan."

"Nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy all of the baby things I bought for you. Some of them are personalized onesies and bibs. Do you know what you are having yet?"

"No ma'am I want it to be a surprise. I loved the songs you performed and the one you wrote in one night may be my new favorite. I feel this is your year for you to conquer."

"I hope so I feel so much lighter after tonight." I hug her once more and have Mia take the picture of us and she walks out as Grace and Carrick make their way over. They are not alone as they have a man about my age with them.

"Ana darling you performed wonderfully and I can't believe you wrote a song for our charity. That song fits Coping Together's motto perfectly. You don't need to donate all the proceeds to it."

"No Grace I want to. One hour talking with you has made me come alive and open. Tonight, was the first night ever I told anyone my history. You opened my eyes to my gift and was right. I need to embrace it and share it with the world."

"Well my dear you performed wonderfully and we could not be any happier. I think tonight the money raised may have been a record." Carrick states.

"You are welcome and you can call me with anything that you guys need. Who is this gentleman next to you?" I ask as I don't want to be rude.

"Oh, this is one of our sons Elliott, he's the one that's not real into country music." Grace giggles as she finishes telling me.

"Anastasia wonderful to meet you and I want to apologize firsthand what my ex fiancé did to you. My siblings and I had a horrible beginning to our childhood. We do not tolerate abuse or bullying whatsoever. I was blinded and thank you for speaking out tonight. I need to go and make some phone calls about my house and her belongings. My mom states that you will be joining us for breakfast?"

"Yes, my security and I both will be I will see you then." He takes a quick picture and walks out.

"Ana please forgive him he is hurting he was a woman's man before he met Kate. He thought she was the one and finds this out he is heartbroken." Grace tells me.

"Its fine I don't mind. You said one of your sons where is the other one?" I can't help but ask as I feel a little disappointed he is not here. I thought we had a connection.

"Oh, he got stuck on a phone call. The fireworks will begin in five minutes so we have to go but we see you at eleven for brunch." Grace Says as I take a photo with her and Carrick together. I take one with Mia and I and they leave. All alone and I see Sawyer walk out but holds his hand up to keep me where I am. I am so frustrated right now did he not want to see me? This is why I don't date the disappointment. I have thought of nothing but him for six years. I turn my back and check my phone and as I grab it to leave I feel his presence. I turn and there he is staring straight at me.

"Anastasia"

"Grey eyes"