Chapter Nine
For a short space in time, all my bodily functions seem to freeze. I cannot fathom how somehow knowing they have been communicating and actually seeing it for myself – I just cannot reconcile the two. On some level it seemed unreal… I guess seeing truly is believing and boy, do I believe.
The world around me starts up again and pure white fury lances through me like never before.
My first inclination is to blame Elena, after all-that woman has no boundaries. She has been trying her damnest to get her claws back into Christian for as long as we've been together, and for a brief moment, I thought Christian had finally opened his eyes, but apparently he hadn't. So, as far as I am concerned, he's at fault here.
Oh, but her ass is in no way blameless though!
I turn my back on the two in the cosy little corner and stride towards the exit. Sawyer glances at me in confusion before his eyes fall on the pair, who has yet to see our entrance. His eyes widen momentarily, as anger flashes across his face and for a second there I thought he was going to make a scene. But he clears his throat and that professional demeanour is back in place.
"Would you prefer another place, Mrs Grey" Sawyer inquiry softly
I shake my head, I've lost my appetite. "No thanks, Sawyer. Home please" with a stiff nod he guides me out the door and into the mild afternoon.
Sawyer and I walk side by side in silence back up the street towards the parking lot. I seem to be in a daze, walking along, but not really seeing anything around me. It's when we come to a crossing and the jolt I feel as Sawyer pulls me a step back that I snap out of it.
My gaze snaps to Sawyer, "Sorry ma'am, you were about to cross against the light" he looks sheepish.
"Thanks" I mutter
As we wait for the light to change, Sawyer clears his throat and glance curiously at him, "I'm sorry" he whispers and I have to strain to hear the words clearly.
"Don't be" I respond. If he hadn't, I could have been road-kill
"Not just for pulling you back just now, but also for..." I raise my hand to stop him, I know what he's referring to and I'd rather not actually hear the words out loud. Instead I smile briefly at him and nod my thanks.
The light changes and the people around us start crossing the street, but I am rooted to my spot. Abruptly, I turn around and head back to the diner. I will not turn tail and run like I did something wrong here. My normal reaction would have been to avoid a public confrontation or not confront him at all. Not this time though. I've had it!
I stride with determination back towards the diner and after a second Sawyer falls into step with me.
Upon entering, I scan the establishment, noting it's fairly empty of other patrons. Sawyer fidgets nervously beside me, probably anticipating the argument that is about to ensue. He shouldn't have to bear witness to this.
"Sawyer, can you please get the car, I'd like a word with Mr Grey and Mrs Bitch – um I mean Mrs Lincoln in private"
Sawyer smirks briefly, hesitates, and then gives me a stiff nod and exits. Directing my attention towards the booth currently occupied by Christian and Elena, and before I lose my nerve, I saunter over grabbing a chair en-route from one of the other tables and thump it down between the two of them.
Alarmed, Christian and Elena jump apart, staring at me with wide stunned eyes. It's almost comical, the look of utter surprise marring their faces. I can just about imagine their hearts trying to beat out of their chests. It would have been hilarious, but not in this situation.
No, this particular situation was not humorous in the least. Judging from the guilty look now marring Christians' face, he knows they'd just been caught red-handed by lil 'ol me.
"May I?" I enquire, gesturing to my chair.
Without waiting or expecting a response I sit myself down, and stare at the two shell-shocked individuals. And stare… Oh boy, how long does it take for a brain to re-start? I guess I should break the ice, seeing as these two clearly have no hospitality skills. Shameful, is what it is! Bloody hell, I've lost my mind.
"Well isn't this cosy?!" I comment rhetorically before I address Christian. "And here I thought you were so busy working your fingers to the bone, that you hardly had a spare moment for your wife. I guess creeping around with paedophiles does take quite a lot out of your day" I comment rather sweetly, even adding a little eye-lash flutter for effect.
"Ana, baby, what …" Christian stutters. I raise my hand to silence whatever garbage was about to spew out of his mouth and roll my eyes at him – because I damn-well can.
Christians' eyes narrow ever so slightly as my eyes reach heaven-ward and his posture changes. Squaring his shoulders and sitting upright. I know he's trying to intimidate me by displaying his dominant side. That little stunt just earned him another rather dramatic, over exaggerated eye roll.
I cock my eyebrow at him, silently daring him to say or do anything, instead his mouth presses into a thin line. Oh well.
I turn my attention to the troll who is hurriedly trying to stuff a manila envelope into her handbag. Evidence perhaps? maybe a sub contract? She looks at me and she seems to have gotten over the shock as a rather smug self-satisfied smirk appears briefly. Elena smiles at me and because I'm a nice person with morals and manners, (HA! – No sarcasm there, at all) I mimic her fake-ass smile with one of my own manufactured one and I address her directly.
"Elena, now why am I not at all surprised to see you here? I would have thought after our last encounter, that you'd have enough sense to steer clear of Christian. Apparently not! Do you really have no self-respect?" For a moment she seems at loss for words, but it's fleeting. Before she can utter a word, I continue.
"Oh wait" I exclaim, tapping my chin pretending to be deep in thought. "I've got it, you're digging your claws back into this simpleton" I point at the statue that is Christian, "so that you can have what you've always wanted. To be Mrs Grey, am I right? Come on, say it. You know I'm right, don't you?" I shake my head at her and glance at Christian again noting that he's becoming a little angry at my flippant behaviour towards him.
Good, my sub-conscious sneers, he should feel what we've been experiencing from him these past weeks. Give him a taste of his own medicine!
Elena's jaw clenches briefly as her eyes frost. A moment later she composes herself and smiles tightly at me.
"Ana dear, how lovely of you to drop by, I heard about that terrible ordeal with Jack Hyde. How have you been coping? And after all that, losing your baby like that. Just know that if you need anything at all…" she reaches out across the table to possibly take my hand – and that's the straw that broke the camel's back.
Anger so potent and consuming, rushes through me. I leap up from my seated position slam my palms on the table, and get right in her face.
"Now you listen to me, you - can't keep a man- money grubbing-child molesting-adulteress-fuck anything that moves-bitch troll. You ever attempt to pity me or fucking try to touch me, I'll personally send you to the seventh circle of hell and roast marshmallows on your fucking pyre." I hiss at her, not once raising my voice.
Elena's mouth drops open in shock and she attempts to move her chair back and away from me. I'm sure my face is flushed with anger. I must look deranged or unstable. My sub-conscious nods her head while adjusting her boxing gloves. She about ready to knock the bitch out, and I'm totally on board with that plan.
"Anastasia, that's just about enough" Christian snaps
"Oh, look who decided to join the party. Do you have something to add, husband dear?"
"You're making scene. We'll discuss this at home. Come" He stands and without glancing at me, he holds out his hand to me expectantly. Does he honestly expect me to take his hand? As if!
Slapping his hand away, I stride past Christian flicking my hair over my shoulder. I glance back at his annoyed expression "Fuck-off Christian, perhaps you should extend that courtesy to the old hag you've been fucking instead" with that said I bravely step out the door searching for Sawyer.