A/N: yes it's been so many weeks since I last updated, but my health took a downturn and it needs to be addressed. I am not unwell but if I don't do something now, I will be. I hope this long chapter satisfies you.
When West and East Collide.
Ana's POV:
"Helping your father and fighting for you!" Christian replies impassioned, placing both his hands on my arms.
"It won't help! The issue of you and Leila will still exist. The intimacy you experienced..."
"It wasn't like that. Not for me. It was about ensuring that Leila wouldn't hurt you. She wanted to kill you. I couldn't allow that to happen!" I shake my head in disbelief, but an idea pops into my head.
"Okay. But I need proof. I want to talk to Leila, alone". Christian narrows his eyes but then agrees.
"When do you want to go?"
"Now. Today."
"Okay, but you will need to pack your bag," Christian advises. I was about to question him why when he pulls out his cell phone. I eye him off curiously, listening carefully. "Taylor, get a hold of Stephan. Tell him we need the jet ready to fly to Connecticut, in..." Christian stops talking to Taylor and looks at me. Connecticut?
"How long do you need to pack some clothes?"
"Give me ten minutes" I reply. I reason only to pack a couple of pieces of clothes and toiletries in a backpack.
"Tell Stephan that we will be ready in two hours" What? We?
"I said that I wanted to talk to Leila alone." I restate.
"And I agreed. You will be able to speak to Leila on your own. Though Security will be watching closely."
"Great then you can stay here."
"Anastasia if you think for a second that I am going to let you fly to the other side of the country alone to see the person who wanted to kill you. Forget it. I am coming with you."
"You two okay there?" Ray asks, looking worried. The last thing I want to do is worry him.
"Fine dad."
# # # #
"I would rather drive to SEA-TAC" I declare. I reach into my bag to collect my cars keys but I can't find them. "Damn, I can't find my keys. Have you taken them?"
"No. But I do have your spare set at Escala. I will tell Ryan to bring them down when he comes to collect your car. Now please get in the car Ana or if you so desperately want to drive then you can drive my car. It's your choice but we are leaving together, no matter what." I roll my eyes and groan loudly, as I get into the car. I decide not to drive. It won't help.
"You know I once told you that I would spank you each time you rolled your eyes at me."
"You don't have the paperwork, Mr Grey" I respond, and as if the whole world has turned. I laugh at my comment. Not a high-strung or stressed laugh, but one of humour. Christian smiles at me, his billion dollars – panty dropping smile, before laughing freely.
"I miss your smart mouth" There is a moment here, that our old and familiar electric charge circulates between us. It isn't until we lock eyes on each other that we recall why we are in this predicament.
"We ought to get going. Stephan will be waiting." Christian nods and pulls out of my father's driveway onto the WA-8 E.
The car ride is quiet until we are only about half an hour to the airport. Christians phone rings. I reach down to grab it out of my bag and show him that it's Taylor.
"I ought to answer that" I agree and connect it to his speaker.
"Grey"
"Sir, the Stephan is ready to take off once you and Miss Steele are on board. He said that the winds are against us. It is likely that we won't arrive until eight o'clock tonight, Eastern Time."
"Understood, hold for a moment" Christian without even looking successfully put his cell phone on mute.
"Ana, by the time we land, get to our hire car..."
"Christian, I know you are going to say that it will be late; however, I need to talk to Leila as quick as possible. If it can't be done tonight, then tomorrow morning, but I need to solve this. I am hurting so much still. I can't keep going like this!" Christian expression changes to anguished when I tell him how much I am still at pains.
"Okay," Christian then reaches over to his phone and un-mutes it.
"Taylor, we will be seeing Miss Williams tonight."
"Would you like me to contact her for you?"
"No. We will do that. Book hotels rooms. Suites. One for Ana, one for myself, one for you and Sawyer and one more for Stephan and his second."
"Yes, Sir" Christian then disconnects the call and passes the cell phone back to me.
"You will need to contact Leila. Send her an email from my account. If you tell Leila that I want to see her, then she will probably agree." I nod. "I don't have her details anymore in my address book. I deleted it after our doom-sub relationship ended. I received an emailed report from her therapist, last week, saying where she was living. It had her email address and her phone number to the house. You can look at. The doctors' name is Dr Jonathon Fern. Text if you prefer, but I usually only ever emailed."
I open the email after scrolling through Christian too many emails. How does he manage to do any work with all these constant emails? "I will email her when we land or are close by."
"It's your call, Ana."
# # # #
The plane ride was long. Christian and I didn't talk much even though we were often nearby. Though, we didn't argue. I didn't push him further away, nor did he spend the whole time apologising and asking for me to return to him. I am thankful for small miracles. I am tired of the word 'sorry.' I pulled out my iPad and began reading the classic, 'Mary Barton'. It's not a favourite of mine. I have always considered the book somewhat tragic but reading anything else, before confronting Leila would feel wrong.
"Ana... we are about to land. You need to get buckled in." I slowly open my eyes and it takes several minutes to realise where and why I am with Christian. Most of all, why I am in bed? I look around confused then raise the sheet. Last time I unexpectedly woke up in bed with Christian Grey standing in front of me, I was wearing one of his t-shirts and naked. This time, at least I still have my clothes on. Christian's mouth curls into a smile as he interprets my thoughts and actions. "You fast feel asleep in the cabin and I thought you would be more comfortable in bed. I picked you up and brought you here."
"Thank you. I guess." I reply. My voice gradually getting lower.
"No, trust me the pleasure was all mine. It was easier than the first time I put you in bed" Christian grin stifling his laugh. "You have lost weight again."
"Christian. Please, it's none of your business. I..."
"Don't say that Ana. No matter what you will always be my concern. I can't let you go just like that. Even if you never come back to me, I still want to care for you. Also, I meant to ask you, have you opened the manila envelope yet?"
"No"
"You need to. Please open it!"
"It's not a priority for me."
"Make it a priority." Christian's soft and pleading tone disappear's suddenly and I feel like I am being ordered. Nice to know that Mr Mercurial still isn't far away. I refuse to react or reply. Instead, I head out to the cabin and take a seat, buckling myself in. I can hear Christian's footsteps, even though they are softened by the carpeting. I was expecting him to take the seat next to me; rather he selects the chair on the opposite side. I tilt my head to the side slightly, surprised by his choice.
"Are you both ready to eat?" Natalia asks. I turn my head back, not having known she was on board.
"Yes, we are." Christian responds. Natalia presses a couple of buttons and from the side slips out a table.
"I'm not hungry" I assert.
"Anastasia you have hardly eaten all day, and you're fading away in front of me. You will eat!"
"Is that so?" I challenge. Christian and I glare at each other, neither of us looking away. It is a silent battle. Natalia places two plates of food down and drinks. I don't even know what we were just served, though it smells incredible. My stomach starts to grumble as my appetite awakens. Why does my body betray me, especially around Christian?
"Anastasia, you have a couple of choices. You can either act like an adult and eat. Then maybe if we are even more grown-up, engage in conversation. The second is the childish option, where you pout and refuse to eat even though you are hungry. If you chose the option, then I will either force feed you."
"And there I was thinking you were going to threaten to put me over your knee and spank me if I refused to eat," I reply dryly. Christian's lips curl up into a smile. There was a time where only he could read my body movements but now I can interpret his actions just as well. "I was sarcastic."
"I know but I was willing to ignore your manner since it came with such an enticing proposal. I accept your substitution of me force feeding with warming your backside. Now, Ana you have two choices, which one do you wish to take?"
"Nice to know I still have options."
"Oh, Ana... that smart mouth of yours. What I would love to do to with it, though right now I would be satisfied to see your food go into it." I stare at Christian. My lips pressed together.
"Ana, please eat! I hate myself for what I have done to you. The thought of you suffering even further and not eating is killing me more. Please, Ana, eat." Christians' voice is so docile that I strain to hear it. Pain. He isn't just mercurial... he is being... Shit, I don't know what to call it. My hunger beats my stubbornness. Of course, it's delicious. Salmon with steamed vegetables and a delicious red wine to accompany it.
"It's good to see you eat."
"How is work?" My question apparently shocks Christian. It takes me by surprise also.
"You want to hear about my work?" Christian inquires, strangely humoured.
"It feels extremely uncomfortable sitting here opposite you, seating dinner and pretending that you aren't present. We were almost married, and since we were able to have a normal conversation, we should still be able to do so, again." Christian cocks his head to the side. I know he is trying to determine the reason behind my statement. "When my parents broke up, they couldn't talk to each other for a long time. I never understood how people who use to love each other, couldn't at least be civil to each other. I comprehend their reasons, somewhat now but I still dislike it. As a child I decided if this ever happened to me then I would at least try to talk to the other person... yes it's taken me weeks to get to this point, but I am here now." I don't admit it but Christian allowing and helping me to see Leila has pushed me to the point.
"So Mr Grey, what acquisition or new technology are you working on?" Christian glows and commences to talk about the new development in his solar-powered communication equipment, his new takeover bid of some manufacturing sector and how the Grey Enterprise Charitable Foundation is taking shape.
"It sounds like you have been very busy being the master of the universe. Congratulations on your achievements."
"Yes though my number one objective still alludes me." I don't know why but I fail to put one and one together.
"What objective is that?"
"To get the woman I love back. Ana, please come back. "
"Christian. " I shake my head but just as I interrupted him, he depreciates.
"I should have asked, at least not before you see Leila. As soon as we land, email her from my phone. She will think it is from me and will be where ever you want to see her."
# # # #
I doubt that Sawyer has stayed so close to me before, as I walk through the gate of a suburban home. There aren't any lights on in the house. Either Leila is alone or everyone is in the house is asleep. Plausible since it is already ten in the evening. There sitting on the bench in a single figure, as I instructed. Of course, Leila followed orders to the final dot. She would have thought it was Christian. I walk towards her. She is aware someone is approaching her though she still thinks it is Christian. Her head and eyes are bowed down. Leila really has this submissive look mastered.
"Leila" I call her name. She raises her head slowly. Surprised, shocked and more apparently disappointed that it is me in front of her and not Christian.
"Ana?"
"Yep. That is me!"
"But master..."
"Leila... his name is Christian Grey. He isn't your Master anymore... he hasn't for years. In fact after your contract with Grey ended, he took on anther submissive. Then he had a non-BDSM relationship with me. Your relationship with Christian Grey is over. And it's time for you to learn to use his name" Leila looks stunned and resumes her submissive stance.
"The email received was from his cell phone. He never lets anyone look at it. It was for his eyes only." He. At least she isn't calling Christian, 'Master' or 'Sir'.
"Christian gave me his phone. Told me to use it to contact you once we landed."
"We? So he is here?" Leila looks around meekly. Praying to see Christian but still maintain the submissive look.
"Christian is at the front. He didn't want to see you. It was me who wanted to see you not Christian."
"You're the one person I didn't expect to ever see. Or at least request to see me" Leila responds. She looks far more stable than the last time I saw her but she is still off.
"I have questions I wanted to ask you."
"Yes, I gathered that..." Leila then looks away from me. Her question is directed at Sawyer. "I would like to see Sir. Can you ask him to see me? I know you work for him. Tell him I am here." Does she seriously think I am keeping Christian away from her?
"Mr Grey made it clear that he has no interest in seeing or conversing with you. He only came here at the request of Miss Steele." Sawyer's voice is so damn precise and controlled that Leila slumps her shoulders and looks. Leila looks resigned.
"He is never going to come back to me."
"As I said, I have questions to ask you. I need you to be honest with me."
"Ask. I will answer." Leila responds. Her voice is soft. She seems so lost.
"Were you going to kill me?"
"At first. No. I wanted to scare you away and then hopefullyMmaster would come back to me. I had been able to please him in the past and though I could do the same. I thought that since he had given you more, then he could realise that he could give someone else more. That I could be the person." Leila then stops. Water wells up in her eyes and she takes deep breaths.
"The night in the apartment, when Christian wouldn't be with me... I threatened to kill you again. I was ready to in fact. I didn't care. I lost him. If he weren't going to have me, then I would take you away from him. I played him in a way. I wanted him to treat me as his sub so he would remember how good it felt. The more he reacted, the more I threatened to hurt you. But I knew he wasn't in the slightest interested in me." I look down at the ground and contemplate everything Leila has said. "Are you with, in a relationship, that blonde haired boy that came and saw me at the hospital?"
"No."
"When he came and saw me I was hoping that you both would get together. Free up Christian. Maybe he would come back to me to take revenge on you. Then I would remind him how good it was, but no matter how often I tried to reach out he never reciprocated me. I hoped maybe... when I got the email today, from his email. I thought... maybe. But it isn't to be."
"Leila, for you sake, forget Christian. Even if I never go back to him, he will never want to be with you." I don't say this to be cruel, rather honest. She can't be that Ghost girl for the remainder of her life.
"That is what my psychiatrist tells me."
"Good Advice. Goodbye, Leila."
"Ana... If I promise to stay away from you and Mast... I mean Mr Grey; would you give him a message for me?" Oh, I never expected a negotiation.
"Yes." I don't know if I will, but if I don't at least appear to agree I doubt she would tell me whatever message she has to say.
"Tell him, I love him and I am sorry I displeased him." I nod my head though feel uncomfortable doing so. "Before you go there is something you should .. I mean Mr Grey was scared. I had never seen like that. He was so afraid that I was going to hurt you. He loves you, more than I have ever seen anyone love another person ever." I don't say anything in response. I don't know what to say.
I walk away and head to the car where Christian is standing, leaning against the door impatiently. Poor Taylor. I think he had the worst job tonight. All Sawyer had to do was ensure that I was safe while a sat near the woman who wanted to shoot me dead. That was nothing compared to Taylor's ordeal. Poor man having to keep Mr Mercurial calm and prevent him from storming into the back yard of Leila's home and doing god knows what.
Christian breathes out loudly in relief. He walks towards me. Swiftly. When we are within arms distance of each other, Christian places his hands on my arms. Stilling me. I think he wanted to wrap his arms around me and then kiss me.
"I am good," I confirm. My words thankfully calm him further.
"Did you find out what you needed?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Anastasia, what did Leila say to you? Are you ready to come back home? To me."
"Can we go to the hotel?"
"We need to talk!"
"Not here."
"Okay. Fine. Yes. I don't want to be here any longer also." Christian opens the car door for me and then walks around, sitting next to me." I feel tense. Now I have to start making decisions.
Christian's POV:
"We could just head off home. I could contract another pilot or we can go to another hotel." I offer. This hotel has admitted to making a booking error. We requested that four suite style rooms be reserved. A new employee has messed up royally. Only three suites are booked and the hotel is booked out solid. I have argued, tried to bribe them and even threatened to buy them out but little can be done now. They have offered us discounts, free meals but not another room. I can't ask Stephan to fly us back right now. But after abruptly ordering him to prepare the plane and fly us over to the other side of the country, he is too tired and that would be putting us all at risk.
"No, that will be too hard and there is no way you would feel comfortable with someone you haven't screened thoroughly, drug tested and whatever else you do to fly the jet. Another hotel would be preferable but it's late" Ana sigh and then focuses on the lady on the counter. "How many bedrooms does each suite have?"
"Both have two separate bedrooms." Ana and I look at each other.
"Christian let's stay here. There are six of us. We have three suites so there are four bedrooms." I have to stifle my broad smile. It might be separate rooms but it's the closest I slept with Ana in months.
"Agreed. "
"I guess I can't convince you to share a suite with Taylor and I share one with Sawyer while Stephan and his second pilot take the other are separate rooms after all," I narrow my eye and thin my lips immediately at Ana's suggestion. There is no way I am going to allow Ana to share a suite with a man that isn't me, even if they are on staff. Never!
"We need to talk remember. This will give us an opportunity." My dick reacts when Ana bites her lip. Fuck! Get it together Grey. Priorities. First, I need to get Ana to have another normal conversation with me.
Sawyer and Taylor ride up the elevator with us but as soon as the doors open they head off to their suite, which is next to us. I open the door to our suite and gesture for Ana to enter. It's actually quite stylish. Though what I wouldn't give for the other bedroom to be rendered unusable.
"Can I get you something to drink or eat?" I offer. Ana stands still for several moments contemplating whether to take me up on my offer. At first, she appears to be declining my offer but then drops her shoulders and smiles softly.
"A drink would be great. Something strong, but I want to have a shower first. I want to wash away... this visit to see Leila, Ethan... everything!" The thought runs through my mind, that if she wants to scrub all the unpleasantly of the past so many weeks then maybe she would be ready for us to resume.
"Gin and tonic?" I offer.
"Please," I stand there casually as Ana walks into her room, but start to move quickly afterwards. I call downstairs and order a strange combination of antipasto plate and a selection of mini desserts, two gin and tonics and a bottle of the White Château Labour Papilla. Ana prefers white wine in the evening and deserves to have the best that the hotel is able to provide. I quickly change, into a fresh white linen shirt, and some grey pants. Ana occasionally joked that it was my usual attire. I hoped that it would help remind her a better time.
Room service arrives just before Ana exits her room. She looks gorgeous, wearing a simple white shirt T-shirt and yoga pants.
"I thought maybe you might like something to eat while you have your drink. I didn't know if you would feel like something sweet or savoury so I decided to order both." I pass Ana her gin and tonic, and once she has taken a seat on the couch, I sit close to her. Joy and relief wash over me when she doesn't move away.
"I guess you want to talk. Right?" Ana asks softly.
"You did promise" Ana sighs and in one quick swoop drinks all her gin and tonic.
"That I did. You know it use to be me trying to get you to talk, not the opposite" Ana giggled at her statement, fuelled by her low tolerance for alcohol. I lean back and take in the sweet sound. "Can I have a glass of wine?"
"Eat something first." Ana doesn't argue nor hesitate. She happily takes some crackers and cheese. I pour her a glass of wine; though watch that she doesn't drink this one as quickly.
"Leila confirmed everything you said to me. She was going to kill me to get you back and how she manipulated your love for me, to get you to be dominant with her. Leila was hoping that you being with her would remind you of how much you liked it."
"She was wrong!" I state adamantly.
"I know... so does Leila. Now anyway." Ana takes another drink and looks solemn. "Before I left Leila she asked me to give you a message." I cock my head to the side and narrow my eyes. What does Leila want to say to me? I have made it loud and clear that I have no interest in talking to her. "Leila wanted you to know that she I love you and I is sorry she displeased you."
"Ana... you know that I have no feelings what so ever for Leila. You are the only one. She..."
"Christian I know. Leila also said that you were scared that time in the apartment. Seriously scared.
"Horrible memories of how scared I actually felt hit me. I was ready to kill if need be and it would have been worth it to keep Ana safe.
"No Christian. Don't worry Christian, She isn't a threat anymore. Leila can't hurt any of us" Ana must have felt what I did. She runs her hand over my cheek and then stops at my chest. I look at her hand pressed against me. Ana starts to remove it but I keep it in place and then take her hand and kiss it. I am about to speak when Ana gets in first.
"I am hungry."
"Distract me with you eating. Nice play Anastasia."
"We aim to please, and I don't want to sleep right now. Tell me how everyone is. I only ever see Elliot these days."
"Eat this then I will talk" I pass Ana a plate of food from what I ordered. Cheese, crackers, cold meats, olives and some nuts. As soon as she commences to eat, I start talking. I tell her about how Mia seems to be finally putting all her culinary training to good use and working at the Fairmont; how my parents are planning on a trip to Paris and their work on their charity 'Coping Together'.
"Seems like your family has been busy."
"They have. They miss you."
"I miss them too. It was incredible to be a part of their family for that time." Was? It doesn't need to be.
"They still consider you part of the family. They miss you but it is nothing like how much I miss you! I love you, Ana."
"Ditto. But"
"No buts. Forget them. You have told me that you still love me and know how much I love you. You have spoken to Leila. I have explained everything. I am trying so hard here Ana. What else do I need to do? If you want me to beg, then I will forever. But please Ana, I need you to want this too. I need you to want us to be together again."
"Christian. I..." He senses my continued reluctance and ever the sharp CEO, steps in.
"Look we both have had a long day. You need to rest. Come to bed with me. Sleep next to me" I implore her.
"I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Okay, then we don't need to sleep. You can come to bed with me and we can do something else." I offer playfully. I know that this isn't what Ana meant but I have laid out all my cards out and it's time to play them.
"Are you starting to take advantage of my newly drunken state?" Ana playfully comments. I take a deep breath. Oh how I wish I could, but it wouldn't be right. I watch as she drinks the remains of her fourth glass. I have never seen her drink so quickly.
"Fuck Ana you have no idea of how much I want that. I want you, more than anything, but to take you to bed with me right now wouldn't be ethical. We both have had a rough day. Let me put you to bed.". I stand up and hold both my hands out. If past experience is anything to go by then, she will need the physical support. Ana willingly takes my hands and finds her feet. I walk her to the door of her room and stop outside.
"Sleep well Ana."
"You too Christian. Thank you again for bringing me here. You didn't have to. I mean you could have said no."
"I have pledged to fight for you. I don't care what I have to do. All I am concerned with is having you back. Ana, please. Let's end this pain. We both still love each other... don't you still love me?" Ana places her hand on my cheek and looks sympathetic but I know the look in her eyes.
"Oh, Christian you are so insecure..."
"Only because I love you so much. I don't think straight."
"Obviously, I found that out on our wedding day... sorry I shouldn't" I place my finger on her lips interrupting her again.
"Yes, you should. I was wrong. It isn't a mistake I would ever repeat again!"
"I know, but..."
"Enough with the 'but'. I am considering contacting the Oxford dictionary and giving them massive amounts of money to have the word removed."
"Oh is that right Mr Master of the Universe? Then I should alert you to the fact that you would have to eliminate the phrase; however, although, yet, still, on the other hand, and so many other words with similar connotations."
"Gosh, I miss your smart mouth." I am so desperate to kiss her. My desperation is so raw and urgent. I want to kiss her so badly that I couldn't think about anything else. I placed my hand on her chin and leant down touching her sweet lips chastely. I haven't been able to touch or kiss her for what seems like an eternity. All my desperation, love and longing for Ana come out as I commence to passionately kiss her. I run my hands down her back, feeling her close to me. When our lips finally part, I try to look into Ana's eyes, but she is looking away. I tilt her chin, so she has to look up. Tears are building up in her eyes.
"Please don't cry, Ana. I love you so much."
"I know. I love you too. But that is what makes this so hard. "
"Oh Ana, it's only hard if we make it so... in fact it doesn't have to be hard at all," I smile softly at Ana. Let it go Ana. All of it. Fuck the past.
"You're right."
"Finally" I reply too quickly. It is only after I spoke that it hits me that Ana's voice was so softly and sad. I narrow my eyes. Tears are starting to build up, and run down her face. I wipe them away with my thumbs.
"Ana...why are..." She didn't allow me to finish my sentence. Payback I guess for interrupting her twice already this evening.
"I need to go to sleep. Goodnight." Ana walked off quickly. She is mercurial now. I slowly walk towards her room, hoping maybe that her door is open. Waiting for me. Though my wishful thinking is dashed. It's closed. Fuck! I need to know what is going on in her mind. I try to open the door. It never occurs to me to knock. I never have in the past. Not once. I turn the door handle but it doesn't shift. Ana's door is locked.
I arrive back in the hotel room after running through the streets of Hartford until I could no longer go on. The morning light has just begun to rise. I ought to be exhausted but I can't sleep. After Ana had locked her bedroom door, I needed a diversion, but I didn't want to leave the hotel suite. Even if this is as close as I was going to get to her, I was going to take it. Eventually, I managed to fall sleep though I woke up after a few hours. I checked Ana's door but it was still locked. I know she was still here. I could hear her talk in her sleep, though I couldn't make out what she is saying exactly.
I throw off my sweat drench shirt, as I open the hotel door. I intended to have a shower and bury myself in work until Ana woke up, where I then would order breakfast. She needs to continue eating! However, I find Ana standing in the middle of the sitting room, already dressed and packed. Actually, this isn't such a bad situation. I get to feed her earlier.
"Good Morning Ana. You look Beautiful" Truth be told she looks a little tired, but even so, Ana is still beautiful. "I didn't expect you to be awake so early. I will order breakfast for us and then shower." This way by the time it's delivered I can be dressed. No interruptions.
"No there is no need. I am not hungry." Oh please, not this again! Once more I am tempted to put Ana over my knee until she admits that she is hungry or at least is willing to eat.
"There is a need, and I want to." I pick up the hotel phone. I order coffee, tea, orange juice, an omelette for me but then lower the phone and look at Ana. "What would you like or should I order for you?" Ana scoffs, making a show of her annoyance, but at least walks to towards me and reads the menu.
"I will have the French toast and fruit salad if it gets you off my chest!" Off your chest? You have no idea how much I would like to be on your chest. I refrain from making a comment and place the remainder of our order through. " I am going to go and shower quickly. Breakfast shouldn't be too long, and then we can eat." I pull off my still damp shirt. I can tell that Ana is looking at me from the corner of her eyes. She seems impatient until she pulls out her iPod and commences to read. Fuck she is biting her lip. I need a cold shower.
I shower quickly. I want to be ready when room service is delivered, this way it will diminish the opportunity for Ana to eat while buried in whatever she is reading. I want to pick up where we left off last night. It was the closest we have gotten to talking about us getting back together. I smile as I exit my hotel room. Ana is sitting there looking her usual endearing self.
"You're reading Hardy, aren't you?" I don't even have to hear her answer to confirm this. Her lips are turned up slightly, and her eyes are serious but demonstrating how joyful she is at what she is reading. Her legs are crossed at her feet, and she is playing with her hair. All tell tale signs. "Either the novel "Far from the Madding Cored' or 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles.''
"Far from the Madding Crowd" Ana tries not to smile. It doesn't matter, though. She knows that I can read her body language better than herself. It is one of my specialities. The doorbell rings and in comes breakfast. I tip the waiter generously to leave quickly. I place our order on the table, ensuring we are close. By some grace, Ana puts her iPod down and joins me for breakfast. Maybe she finally realised that she is hungry.
"Your tea" I pass Ana the last remaining item on the tray, before sitting on the opposite side of her.
Ana commences eating. I can't help by to watch as she eats heartedly. "You're still a perve" I laugh slightly.
"I like to watch you eat. But yes I guess I still am... especially when it comes to you."
"I am hungry. Actually, the hungriest I have been in weeks. Thank you again, for bringing me here. It's been a relief off my shoulders, and for not listening to me when I said I didn't want anything to eat."
"You're welcome on both counts."This is the most civil and close we have been in weeks. An idea pops into my mind. "I thought since it is Saturday, that means it the weekend. Neither of us has to work on Monday and we have travelled to the other side of the country, I thought maybe we could extend this impromptu trip" I tighten my lips together when Ana stops eating. That the last thing she should do.
"Don't stop eating. As I was saying since we have travelled so far, why not go a little further. I never did get the opportunity to take you to New York." Yes, this would be a perfect way to continue and push our reconciliation. I could take her to show, a carriage ride through central park, visit some of the cities leeway spots such as the Scribner building... I want to take her to the most exclusive restaurants. Fatten her up a bit. It would also mean us alone, together, away from Seattle.
"I can't."
"You can't? I am afraid I would have to beg to differ. Anastasia, you came out here to Connecticut with me. We have shared this suite together and we have been more than amicable. We flew out here on a moment's notice so a couple more days won't hurt. Ros is looking after GEH and Kate is away with Elliot until Monday sometime..."
"Christian stop" It only occurs to me that Ana has been trying to interrupt me. I narrow my eyes. There is no way that I am willing to head back to Seattle and then return to face her rather successful attempts to avoid me. Not until she at least begins to realise that we are to be together. "I can't go to New York with you."
"Ana please..."
"You use those two words together far too much Christian" I breathe out far too loudly. Only you could make me say them less. "I can't go to new York until Monday. I am due to work that day."
Oh, this is news to me. Sawyer has given me detailed reports on Ana's movements but there has been nothing mentioned about her going back to work. Hang on does she mean she is going to work somewhere I do know about? Ana has told me that she is yet to open the manila envelope I gave her. If She had then, I know that she would want answers or maybe even get angry me... at least in the slightest.
"And where are you going back to work?"
"SIP. I decided yesterday evening. I emailed Roach and he replied before I went to bed. He said that I can restart immediately. I have accepted."
"Good. You are a gifted editor."
"Thank you but I didn't really have much of a choice." I cook my head to the side, enticing Ana to explain herself further. "I just thought it would be too uncomfortable for us both. You know, me working at a company that you are the owner. However the state of the economy means that I don't have much of a choice." for one of the few times, I am actually happy that the economy isn't going into recession.
"Either way, I am glad you are going back to SIP. We could go to New York and fly back tomorrow night. It would be a whirlwind trip but still. You could sleep on the flight back home even."
"I would like to go back to Seattle. I don't want to be tired when I go back to work. Not when I have been away so long." Ana demeanour tells me that she isn't going to budge on this. At least we have a long flight home.
"A rain check then. I have wanted to take you to New York for a while now."
"We will see."
"Ana, since you are going back to work on Monday then you need to open that envelope I gave you. It is important."
"Why?"
"You will see." Regardless of my prompting, I knew deep down Ana wouldn't open the envelope. I had no other choice. My actions had already been predetermined.
A/N No2: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Review if you wish