Chapter Eight
As the elevator whisked me down to the garage, I think over how I can get Christian to open up to me. Our stubbornness is putting a strain on our marriage. I know Christian won't cave that easily, he would sooner try to seduce me in order to see things his way – which isn't bad at all – but that is not solving the problem, just masking it.
Shit, I sound like Flynn. I giggle at the thought.
The elevator doors open and Sawyer is waiting next to the SAAB for me.
"Morning Sawyer"
"Mrs Grey" he nods and opens the door so that I can get in the passenger side. I raise my eyebrow and cock my head to the side – kinda like fifty
"Would you prefer taking one of the other vehicles instead?" Sawyer asks confused at my actions
"No, the SAAB will do, but I would prefer to drive"
Sawyer looks a bit nervous, but after a second of thought he relents and walks slowly – even for normal standards, almost like he's walking towards death-row - around to the passenger door. The drive to the hospital is fairly quiet with my passenger keeping a watchful eye, while trying not to fidget. I think he's tense or fearful of my driving.
What is it about these men? I am an excellent driver, it's not like I've crashed or anything, but from the way Christian and now Sawyer is acting you'd think I cannot driver for shit.
We arrive at the hospital and Sawyer offers to find parking instead. I get out and make the trek to Dr Bartleys' office. As expected, most of the bruising has healed and no internal injuries. All in all, I'm in excellent health. Next stop Dr Greene. This is the appointment I was most apprehensive about.
Dr Greene is her usual impeccable self, dressed in a matching baby blue pants-suit and her white doctors' coat.
After she runs the usual intrusive tests and checks, confirming no lasting effects of the miscarriage, we discuss contraceptive options. I have declined the injection for obvious reasons. Instead I opted for the mini pill again.
Prescription in hand I collect my handbag and jacket and head for the door.
"Anastasia, I wonder if I may have a moment of your time." Dr Greene requests rather grudgingly.
She gestures to the seat I've just vacated, and smiles sort of sadly at me. This is the part I was dreading… I know she'll want to know how I've been coping and I really don't want to go there right now with her.
I have an excellent coping mechanism that works and being angry at my stubborn husband or crying myself to sleep helps me get through the day just fine. Not the best therapy, but one session with Flynn was more than enough for me.
"Mrs Grey, how are you coping with the loss? Have you been to see anyone? It helps to talk to a professional" she says softly.
I want to snap at her to mind her own damn business but I think better of it. Instead I steel myself against the onslaught of emotions I've managed to bury.
"It's going fine thank you, Dr Greene" I smile at her, but instead Dr Greene frowns in response. I think she's onto me. I decide to go with some truth. "It has been difficult, and yes I've been to a therapist and I'm going to be just fine"
This time she sort of smiles and nods her understanding. "I think you will be fine too. There's no permanent damage, and when you and Mr Grey are both ready you can try again" I didn't miss the subtle emphasis she placed on when I'm ready. I have no intentions of trying to fall pregnant anytime soon, and I highly doubt Christian is either.
I smile - or grimace more like it - and thank her for her unsolicited advice – she is just trying to be helpful after-all – and leave her office.
Sawyer is waiting outside the reception area and together we head toward the SAAB. I didn't miss the small sigh that escaped his lips as I go toward the passenger side instead. His lips twitch triumphantly as he gets in. Men!
In the interest of being the bigger person in this marriage, I decide to send a quick email to Christian. After-all, I wouldn't want to be accused of keeping anything from him.
Digging out my blackberry, I open the email app and type in my message
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Doctors Appointment
Date: June 22, 2013 14:23
To: Christian Grey
Christian,
Just thought I should inform you about my visit with Dr Bartley. I'm in excellent health and ready to return to work sooner rather than later
Ana
There, short and sweet. He shouldn't have a problem with that…
My phone vibrates as I'm stowing back into my purse. I knew it was too easy. Oh well, regardless of his response, I will be returning to work.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Doctors Appointment
Date: June 22, 2013 14:34
To: Anastasia Grey
Anastasia,
Glad to hear your visit was favourable.
You're return to work sooner rather than later. The answer is NO.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
My heart sinks. Shit—it's like he's my dad.
I sigh deeply. His response make me frown, he's email sounds so formal, like he's talking to an employee instead of his wife. Be that as it may, Mr Grey – CEO will not be dictating my life with regards to returning to work.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: My Decision
Date: June 22, 2013 14:52
To: Christian Grey
I wasn't seeking your permission, I am simply informing you that I will be returning to work.
Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Don't test me
Date: June 22, 2013 14:34
To: Anastasia Grey
We'll see about that …
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
My fist connects with dash of the car and Sawyer sifts uncomfortably in the driver's seat, alerting me to the fact that I'm not alone. A slight flush colour my cheeks as I mutter an almost inaudible apology. Shit I forgot he was there for a second.
Christian has no idea who he's dealing with. I'm fuming mad, he wants to dictate my life? We'll see about that. I call his mobile, intent on giving him a piece of my mind. I get his voicemail instead.
Grey, leave a message in his most clipped tone.
Surprised that is phone is off; I call the landline and Andrea answers in her usual professional manner.
"Christian Grey's office, Andrea speaking"
"Hi Andrea, may I speak with Christian please, this is Ana… um… Anastasia" I stutter at the end.
"Oh, Mrs Grey, I'm sorry but Mr Grey is out with a client and asked not to be disturbed. I will inform Mr Grey of your call when he returns. Would you like to leave a message ma'am?"
"Um.. no, that's quiet alright. I'll try him later. Thank you Andrea"
"You're welcome. Have a nice day" she chirps
Very strange indeed! I shrug, there's nothing I can do about it now.
XOXO
Instead of going back to Escala and being completely bored out of my skull, I ask Sawyer to drive me to Pike Market district. I would rather spend the day out, than being in Christian Penthouse in the sky. It is a lovely, mild day. The sun is shining, and the air smells of coffee and freshly baked bread.
I walk around the upmarket boutiques with Sawyer beside me, and I cannot for the life of me understand why people want to spend hours shopping, the price tags of some of these items would have me running for the hills. Thoroughly intimidated, I head toward the diner where Christian and I had our first breakfast together after we reconciled.
It's funny how everything seemed so much simpler then as opposed to now. We'd have an argument, mostly he'd want to dominate my decisions and I would challenge him to compromise and then we'd fuck and all was forgiven and forgotten – until the next altercation.
Dr. Flynn's words come back to me . . . Emotionally; Christian is an adolescent, Ana. He bypassed that phase in his life totally. He's channelled all his energies into succeeding in the business world, and he has beyond all expectations. His emotional world has to play catch- up.
Could this be the reason? Oh fifty, you strain all my trust…
It never went on this long and Christian was never this cold and hostile with me for such an extended period. I guess I would have to take the high road and end the feud; besides, whatever it is, Elena is at the centre, I just have to figure out how to get Christian to spill the beans.
Well, I have all day to come up with a plan of action.
Shaking my head to clear those thoughts, we head into the diner and search for an empty table. My eyes land on the booth tucked away in the corner and they widen with disbelief at the couple sitting on opposites sides of the table, leaning towards each other, engaged in a rather serious conversation.
My throat seizes up as my eyes take in the pair in the corner.
Christian and Elena…. Here…. Together….
What the fuck?
Thanks for all the feedback. I do appreciated it.
Just a reminder, this is NOT a cheating fic, so please don't assume. The next installment is in the works..
Till next time