A/N: Not sure why, but some thought the man was Jose.
Jose is her friend and is on her list of those approved to be near Anastasia.
Sawyer also knows who Jose is and what he looks like, so he wouldn't of done that to Jose.
Just so we're clear. It is not, Jose. -Enjoy!
CPOV
"Mr. Grey. Barney and Welch are here to see you, sir." Andrea says through the intercom.
"Send them in."
If they need a face-to-face meeting, perhaps they've found something. Otherwise, they could have called. What could they have found. Who is trying to track my Ana? Is it Clayton? I'll soon find out, as they've just entered my office along with Taylor.
"Well?" I ask, before they even get a chance to sit.
Barney begins. "I've deciphered the hacker program they were using. I've located who tried hacking into Ms. Steele's phone, sir. A Lyle Williams." Who the fuck is Lyle Williams? Williams?
"I've just done a background check on him, sir." Welch takes over the conversation. "Seems I've done a background check on his sister for you, three years ago."
"Leila."
"Yes, sir. Leila Williams."
Why the fuck would Leila's brother be trying to track Anastasia?
APOV
"What the fuck, dude! Get the fuck off of me!"
I stop, just before getting into the back of the SUV. I know that voice. I quickly turn around.
"Ethan?"
"Ana!" He struggles against Sawyer's hold.
I try to go over to him and Sawyer, but Ryan stops me. "It's okay. I know him. Sawyer, let him go!"
Sawyer steps away from Ethan. I walk over to Ethan, as he shakes his arm, rubbing it.
"Ethan." I say his name again, smiling. "Wow, Ethan!" I hug him.
"Hey, Ana." Ethan returns my hug, and gives me his all-American boy grin as he examines me at arm's length. "You look... wow. Different. You changed your hair? Your clothes? I don't know, but you look good, Ana. Really good. Hot." He puts his arm around me.
"I'm just in my work clothes, Ethan. What are you doing here?"
"I'm back in town and I wanted to surprise my little sister with lunch today. But when I got there she was already gone. I saw you walking and I was going to hug you. But then this guy jumped out of no-fucking-where and attacked me." Why he would come up behind me when he knows Ray trains me in self-defense is beyond me. "Who is this guy, Ana?" He nods to where Sawyer is standing.
"Sorry. That's Sawyer. He's sort of my bodyguard. He didn't know I know you. Are you alright?" I get out of his hold to check his arm. His eyebrows raise to his hairline at the word bodyguard.
"Bodyguard? From... from that Paul guy? Did your dad hire him?" He asks concerned.
"No, not just from him, any threat. You included, as you can see."
"Wow. Ray stepped up, huh? Training you self defense not enough for his peace of mind? He hires a personal bodyguard to watch over you too?"
"Ray didn't hire him. He works for Christian."
"Who's Christian?" Oh, I forgot Ethan was away in Europe.
"My boyfriend."
We haven't gone public with our engagement, yet, otherwise I would say fiancé. I would tell Ethan, Christian is my fiancé. However, not on a crowded sidewalk.
"Boyfriend?!" He's shocked. I can't blame him. I was shocked. "You have a... a boyfriend? Really?" He crinkles his brow, unbelieving.
"Yes. His name is Christian." I smile just thinking of him.
"I thought you said, you'd never date again, after Paul? That's what you told me." I know he's trying to sound unaffected but I can hear the hurt in his voice.
Ethan had a crush on me before Paul and I started dating. He didn't tell me until after Paul. He waited a year after IT happened. But I only ever saw him as I see Jose. A friend. A brother. Not a lover. Even if he told me before Paul, I probably wouldn't of dated him. So it really didn't matter.
I shrug my shoulders. What can I say? "I'm seeing someone now."
"Is it serious?" He sounds hopeful.
"Yes. Very, very serious." Forever, serious. "I'm actually in a hurry. I have to get back to work and I just stopped at this deli to get a sandwich for lunch. I'm sorry I can't chat longer, but I really must be getting back to work."
"Yeah, okay. Hey, why did your boyfriend hire a bodyguard for you? Everything okay?" He looks concerned.
"Yes, everything's fine." I assure him. He wasn't there when it happened, but he saw the aftermath. "He's a very well known businessman and it's just a precaution. I wish I could chat longer, but I really must be getting back to work."
"Yeah. We'll have to catch up soon." We hug and Ethan walks down the sidewalk.
I walk back to the R8. I don't have time to get a sandwich now. I'll just grab something from the vending machine. Although, nothing in there sounds good.
Just before I open the driver's door. "Ms. Steele?" I turn around and see Sawyer with a deli to-go bag. "Your lunch."
I smile a huge grateful smile at him. "Thank you, Sawyer!" I say in appreciation.
I take the bag and get into the R8. I drive back to Grey House.
When I get to my desk I put my ring back on. I eat my sandwich and get to working on some manuscripts.
I'm going to be extremely busy this month.
Working at Grey Publishing, figuring out how Christian and my mother will meet before we get married, planning our wedding.
CPOV
Barney tried calling Lyle and Leila, but got no answer. Taylor went to the house the brother is staying at, but nobody was home. Last I heard, Leila got married. So Welch called the husband. We found out that Leila left her husband a few months ago. He was less than helpful. I had Welch update Leila's background check, to see if we can get any new information on her.
I've just finished my lunch meeting. I'm working in my office. Welch just emailed me Leila's updated background check. What the fuck? Paul Clayton is listed as Leila's current relationship.
I get a ping from my Google Alerts. I click on it, to open the article.
Seattle Nooz.
Katherine Kavanagh and Anastasia Steele, known girlfriends of bothers, Elliot and Christian Grey, were spotted going into Kelly Kavanagh's Bridal Boutique. Are these ladies just visiting Mama Kavanagh? Or did a Grey pop the question? Shortly after the ladies arrived, Dr. Grace Trevelyan-Grey and Mia Grey went into the shop. If that doesn't scream wedding bells, I don't know what will. Here at The Nooz, our question is. Which Grey brother? Which of these lucky ladies do you think will be Mrs. Grey? No ring was spotted on either lady. But we suspect that wont be long. Stay tuned, Seattle Nooz is on the hunt for information. We'll be on Grey Wedding Watch.
This is just fucking great! Good thing Anastasia took her ring off before she left. I never thought I would say that. I'll need to get my PR team to release a statement. I would have liked to kept this to ourselves. But with us planning our wedding and getting married in a month. The vultures will be circling. I don't want the media to know of our plans, so we wont be making an engagement announcement, yet. I just need to head them off. Them suspecting a wedding, is almost worse than them knowing of one.
Now. What the fuck do I do with this information concerning Paul and Leila. Clayton hasn't been heard from, since that charity event. Taylor will need to remind Leila of her NDA, as soon as we find her. And why the fuck is Leila's brother trying to hack into Anastasia's phone. This is a cluster-fuck! I don't need this shit right now. I call Claude, my trainer, for a session.
Baby, I'm going to workout. Sawyer will drive you home. x -C
Okay. I'll see you when you get home. Don't forget Mia will be coming over this evening to go over wedding invites. I love you! xoxo -A
I'll be there. I love you too, baby. x -C
APOV
I've just finished working. Christian texted me to say he's going for a workout. I grab my bag and stand, as Mr. Logan comes up to my desk.
"Stellar work today, Ana. Maybe you'd like to go grab a drink, tonight?" I frown at him.
"Um. No, thank you. Christian and I are just going to go home and relax tonight." I say, hoping he can take the hint.
"Mr. Grey? He's still your boyfriend?"
"Yes."
"You really like him?" He asks, not believing anyone could.
"I love him."
"He's a little scary, don't you think?" Then you shouldn't be trying to go out with his fiancé.
"No." Yes.
"Well, he's a lucky guy. I wont bother you again. See you tomorrow, Ana." He walks off to the elevator.
Sawyer is driving me to Escala, Ryan in the front passenger seat. My phone starts ringing. I look to see it's my mother. Now what does she want? I answer.
"Hi, mom."
"Ana! I'm at Sea-Tec. Come pick me up."
"What?! What are you doing in Seattle?" I thought Christian and I would fly to Georgia to see her.
"I told you. I want to meet your fiancé before the wedding. Why didn't you tell me you're marrying a billionaire? Betsy, at lady at Bob's country club, showed me an article on you. You're in the news, Ana!"
"Mom. I told you I was marrying Christian."
"You never said the man was wealthy, Anastasia. Are you going to pick me up or not? I flew all the way out here just for you."
"I didn't ask you to. You should have called before you flew all the way here. Christian is busy and he wont be home until later. We're very busy with planning our wedding right now, mom. We don't have time, at the moment for a visit."
"Well, what would you like for me to do, Anastasia? I've flown 3,000 miles just to be here for you. I can help with wedding planning, too. We can go dress shopping while I'm here."
"Mom, Kelly Kavanagh is designing my dress. I had my measurements taken today. Christian's sister is coming over this evening so we can decide on invitations. I'm really busy. I wont have time to entertain you, too." Why didn't she phone, before she flew all the way here?!
"That's perfect. I can help with that. Now, are you going to pick me up? Or are you going to force your mother to take a cab."
I sigh. "I'll be right there." I hang up.
"Sawyer, can you please drive to Sea-Tec. I need to pick up my mother."
"Yes, Ms. Steele." He turns in the direction to the airport.
Great. I didn't expect Christian to meet my mother this soon. And why is she even here? She doesn't come to any of my other milestones. She didn't even come to my high school or college graduation. I told her, Christian and I would come to Georgia. So they could meet. However, she gets on a flight here as soon as she finds out how much money Christian is worth. This is not going to go well, I just know it. I better warn Christian now.
My mother is here. -A
He doesn't reply. He's probably busy.
Sawyer pulls up to the pick-up/drop-off lane. I don't see my mother.
"She may be inside. I call her." I let them know.
It rings and goes to her voice mail. Twice.
I huff. "She's not answering. We'll have to go inside to get her."
"Ryan, will collect your mother, Ms. Steele. It's too much of a security hazard for you to go inside the airport." Ryan gets out.
"Oh. Okay, but how is he going to know what she looks like."
"Mr. Grey sent us photos of approved people associated with you. So we know what people are approved to be in contact with you. Mr. Grey and yourself, can add or remove anyone you wish. It's at your determination."
"Oh. That makes sense, thank you."
I didn't know that's how security worked. At least I have the authorization to add or remove anyone I want. Unlike at Grey House, when I tried to add Jose to my list of approved visitors and Chelsea gave me a hard time.
"Can you add Ethan Kavanagh, please?"
"I've added Mr. Kavanagh. I apologize, for the situation earlier. I was unaware, he was associated you, Ms. Steele."
"Oh, I understand. You were just doing your job. Thank you."
He nods.
I see my mother and Ryan come out of the airport. Ryan is carrying her bags. He opens the rear door for her to get in the back with me and puts her bags in the trunk.
"Ana!" My mother hugs me. "Why didn't you come inside to get me? I had this strange man come up to me. I didn't know what to think."
"It's for my safety. This is Sawyer and Ryan. My CPOs." I point to them.
"Bodyguards?" She whispers. I nod. "Oh, how interesting!" she says excited. Not really.
"I thought Christian and I were going to meet you in Georgia?"
"Well, you couldn't say when. I didn't want to wait any longer. Let me see your ring!" She reaches for my hand. "Oh Ana! It's beautiful. Looks very expensive, too. What have you planned so far?"
"Nothing really. I've just had my measurements done, by Kelly for my gown. Mia, Christian's sister, is coming over this evening to go over our invitations."
"I would have liked to come with to pick out your dress." She pouts.
"I didn't pick out a dress, mom. Kelly is designing me an original."
"Perfect. I'll come with you to pick it out." Does she not hear what I'm saying?
Sawyer drives us to Escala and parks in the approved space for the SUV. Sawyer opens my door and Ryan opens my mother's. She's all smiles as we walk to the elevator.
"Mom, aren't you going to grab your bags?"
"Of course not. That's what these men are here for." I look to Ryan and Sawyer. Ryan is carrying my mother's bags.
"Mother, it's not their job to carry your bags."
"Their job is to do whatever you tell them."
I huff pushing the elevator button. My mother looks around the parking garage.
"There are some nice cars here. Which one is Christian's?"
"All of them. But I told you, he's not home right now."
"All of them?" She asks excited again. I roll my eyes. "That's a lot of cars for one man."
I shake my head as I step into the elevator. I put in the code for the penthouse and my mother asks what I'm doing. When I tell her, her eyes are glowing with excitement. I lean my head back against the elevator wall and close my eyes. This is going to be a long visit. The elevator dings, opening. We walk into the apartment.
My mother is looking around the great room, excited. "Oh, honey. Wow! Now I know why you're marrying him. This defiantly explains the haste to get married." She bumps me with her elbow.
WHAT?! She hasn't met Christian, yet. How could this explain why I'm marrying him? The money?! Great! First, she thinks I'm getting married because I'm pregnant. Now, my own mother is insinuating, I'm a gold digger. Thanks mom!
"Mother. I am not marrying Christian for his money."
"Oh, of course, you're not, Ana. Why do you say that? Has anyone said that to you?" Yes! You just did! I let out a huff, of frustration.
"I'm going to take a shower before Mia gets here. Just... don't touch anything." She laughs and walks towards the kitchen.
I look to the heavens, for divine intervention. Shit the playroom! I run up the stairs and to the playroom door. It's locked. Thank goodness. I walk back down the stairs and to our room to shower. I really, really hope she doesn't say anything she shouldn't in front of Christian. I know it's wishful thinking with her. I get out of the shower and put on a pair of yoga shorts and one of Christian's T-shirts. I walk back out to the main room and see my mother in the kitchen bothering Mrs. Jones.
"Have you worked for Christian long?" I hear my mother ask.
"Four years, ma'am." Mrs. Jones responds curtly, still wiping the counter. It's obvious to me, Mrs. Jones doesn't want to be bothered.
"What is he like?"
"Mom, stop bothering her. She's trying to work."
"I'm not bothering her, Ana. I'm asking about Christian."
"Can I get you anything, Ana?" Mrs. Jones asks me, sweetly.
"No, thank you, Gail. I'm just going to grab an orange juice." I walk to the refrigerator, to get a bottle of juice and drink it.
"Ana," My mother says in a hushed whisper. "Why are you calling her by her first name and why did you get that orange juice?"
"It's her name, mom. And I was thirsty." Why else am I drinking juice?
"What are you wearing?" She asks like I'm wearing something ridiculous. I'm home and in for the night. I want to be comfortable.
"Clothes."
"Anastasia, you've always had such a smart mouth. Why are you wearing that? You're fiancé is a very rich man. You'll need to dress appropriate for him, if you want to keep him." What I wore for him yesterday was defiantly not appropriate. I think I'll be fine. "A man like him... He wont want you if you dress in frumpy T-shirts."
She hasn't even been her five fucking minutes and already I want her to leave. I walk to the sofa to sit and wait for Mia.
-DING-
The elevator opens before I make it to the sofa. I turn around seeing Christian step off the elevator. Sweaty from his workout. Looking, panty soaking hot! I glance at my mother, still in the kitchen and her jaw is completely on the floor, eyes wide. I look back to Christian who is running a small towel through his hair, drying it off. His muscles are bulging as he flexes his arm. He pulls the towel off his head and eyes me up and down. His hair, even more unruly and his eyes, dark. He saunters over to me like I am his prey.
"Chri-" I go to tell him my mother is here. But he kisses me, cutting me off.
He pulls me to him and I can feel his erection. I stifle my moan.
"Chr-"
I try to stop the kiss but he's frantically kissing me. He lifts me in his arms. I don't wrap them around him, like I normally would. My knees are bent and he's holding my ass. He starts walking to the bedroom. Oh god! Christian! I pull away from his mouth.
"You are so fucking sexy." He starts kissing my neck.
Just before he leaves the great room, I start to squirm out of his hold and I stand up. He keeps walking us backwards, towards our bedroom. I put my hands on his shoulders to stop him. He's still kissing, sucking, nibbling on my neck, jaw, and earlobe. Hands all over my body.
"Christian," I say breathlessly. "my mother is here." I'm panting and wet. Very wet.
He stops his advances immediately, his mouth still on my neck. "What?" He whispers.
He stands straight up and looks into my eyes. "My mother is here."
I look over his shoulder to see my mother, sitting stunned at what she just saw. Hot, sexy, sweaty, Christian, attack her daughter, sexually. Christian quickly looks over his shoulder and then just as quickly, moves us. Spinning me around so we are facing my mother. I am standing in front of him. He has his arms around me, holding me to him.
"I apologize, Mrs. Adams. I didn't realize you were here." I go to walk to my mother, but Christian tightens his hold on me. "Not yet. I need a minute." He whispers in my ear. A minute? For what? He flexes his hips so I can feel his erection. Oh!
"If you'll excuse me, ma'am. I'll go shower and we can meet properly." He says to my mother.
My mom just nods, her mouth still open. Christian kisses my temple and turns to go to our room. I walk to the kitchen where my mother is still sitting stupefied.
"Mom?"
"That man is your fiancé? Anastasia Rose. You lucky, lucky girl. I've seen photos of Christian Grey online. He is much better looking in person. His body... The biceps on that man, alone." She says, shaking her head with a dreamy look in her eyes. I know. "And the sexual tension..." She fans herself dramatically.
"MOM!" I blush. "Will you please behave yourself when you meet him?"
"What are you talking about? Of course, I'll behave."
We wait for Christian, to shower and dress. I would of really liked to have gotten dirty with him and then showered together. But my mother being her, terminated those plans. I help Gail, chop the vegetables for our dinner. I like helping her. She appreciates the help. It's a win-win.
"I hope it's not too much trouble, to add another for dinner. I really didn't know she was coming." I tell Gail quietly.
"Of course, not." She smiles at me.
"Ana!" My mother says my name, in a loud whisper. "Stop doing that before Christian sees you. Mrs. Jones. Get me a glass of wine would you."
"Yes, ma'am." Gail says to my mother. She puts her knife down, stopping her preparations for our meal.
"No. I'll get it."
"Anastasia, if you're going to live this life. You'll have to get use to people waiting on you." My mother says, as I pour her wine. "Let her do her job."
"I only heard 'let her do her job'. I presume you're talking about, Anastasia doing Mrs. Jones' job. I agree. We've talked about this, you need to let Gail do her job, baby." Christian says, walking in freshly showered.
"I'm not doing her job. I'm just helping out. There's nothing wrong with that." I hand my mother her wine. "Mother, this is Christian. Christian, this is my mother, Carla." I properly introduce them.
"Mrs. Adams. Delighted to meet you." Christian shakes her hand.
I pour Christian and myself a glass of wine, as well. I put the wine back and sit next to Christian at the breakfast bar, between him and my mother. My mother has yet to say a word to Christian. I clear my throat and take a drink of my wine.
My mother shakes out of her daze. "It's so nice to finally meet you Christian. Ana hasn't been very forthcoming with information about you." I roll my eyes.
"I want to apologize for my earlier actions. I didn't realize you were here and I was caught off guard. That doesn't usually happen to me."
"I understand. I've been there before." She laughs.
"Will you be joining us for dinner, Mrs. Adams?"
"Yes. I want to stay and help with some wedding planning while I'm here. And please, call me, Carla."
"How long do you plan on staying in Seattle, mom?"
"Just a few days." I cough into my wine glass. A few days?!
Christian takes the wine glass from me and pats my back. "Anastasia, are you okay?"
I nod to him and look at my mother. "A few days?"
"You're the one that wants to marry in a month. I told you, that's no time to plan a proper wedding. I thought I'd help you."
"Mr. Grey." Taylor gets our attention. I hear my mother say, 'another one' under her breath. "Miss Grey, is on her way up, sir."
Christian nods and stands, I follow.
-DING-
The elevator doors open and a very bubbly, Mia, steps off carrying a large binder. Oh boy! I better get more wine. I have a feeling I'm going to need it!
A/N: Sorry.
I don't care much for Anastasia's mother, Carla. The movie made her look better than in the books.
I guess it shows, my displeasure for her, in my story. Although, it does create for good drama. Anyway... I hope you liked it!
As you can see. No, Paul, yet. But it's getting juicy! Paul and Leila are together!
More soon!