Jade had texted Christian and Carrick to apologise for leaving early, telling them that she'd felt exhausted. She was heading to Olympic National Park round the bay in Washington early the next morning for a few days, having been there before to take pictures and sketch. It wasn't a long drive but she wanted to be there by lunch and was leaving before sunrise, so none of the Grey's questioned her absence.
Ana went home with Christian after the dinner, Taylor driving them up front. She was smiling to herself as Christian looked down at her 'what's got you so happy?' she grinned 'your family are really nice- and it was nice that Jade opened up to them'. Ana thought for a second 'well I mean it was horrific, but…' she waved her hand vaguely and Christian nodded 'I know what you mean, it's fine'. 'Did you know, you know- everything?' he nodded sharply 'of course, she told me when she woke up'. He sighed and loosened his tie, sitting back in the leather car seat. 'You'll have to go to and from work with me when I go with Taylor. Sawyer has taken ten days off; he's been off the clock since ten. So Taylor will drive you, okay?' Ana shrugged, not really too bothered, leaning her head against Fifty's shoulder, wondering idly about Jade's dinnertime revelations.
Ana walked into Christian's bedroom and noticed the pile of fresh laundry on the end of the bed. She smiled and sorted through it, realising that she still had the jumper Jade had given her in the hotel suite the day they met. 'Christian, do you think Jade will be asleep yet?' he shrugged, looking through emails on his blackberry 'maybe. Why?' 'I've got one of get jumpers and if she's going camping she might want it back? And I won't see her before she goes, I can't knock on her bedroom door in case she's asleep'.
Christian looked up. 'You can just go in'. 'I can't just walk into her room!; Christian looked at his phone again, still talking. 'It's a suite, it's fine'. She frowns and he explains 'as you walk in it's the sitting room, the bedroom is off to the left hand side, just knock on her bedroom door or leave it in the sitting room part'. Satisfied, she left Christian reading his newspaper and trotted upstairs, taking Christians advice she opened the door without knocking.
She noticed first the large cream room furnished with plush sofas, expensive looking paintings, fresh flowers and a huge bookcase. What she noticed milliseconds later was that on one of the opulent sofas was Sawyer and Jade. He was topless and sitting with his legs out over the sofa, whilst she was sat on top of him, legs around him and wearing a matching underwear set that was small and black lace, showing off her tiny figure. They didn't notice her immediately and carried on, Sawyer running his hands over her, kissing her neck and lips passionately until they both froze, seeing her standing in the doorway.
'Holy shit Anna what are you doing here?' Jade grabbed a cushion and put it over herself. 'Your dad said...just go in...I didn't think...' Jade raised an eyebrow. 'Yes well I think dad was unaware that we'd be...like this'. Sawyer snorted with laughter and Anna looked anywhere but at them. 'Uh, so…I've got your jumper…I thought you might want it for camping in Olympic Park?' Jade said nothing, looking awkward, Sawyer decided to break the silence. 'Thanks, we've already packed though…but thanks'. Ana put the black jumper on a table near her 'You're going too?' Sawyer moved Jade so she was curled in his lap, thankful that they had only been making out, and weren't fully going at it as Ana walked in. 'Of course, we go hiking all the time, that's why I've taken time off'. Ana nodded slowly, what was in front of her slowly sinking in. 'So…you two are…' she didn't know what to say so she made vague, elaborate hand gestures until Sawyer nodded 'Together? Yeah, have been for quite a while now'. Ana made a confused 'oh' noise and Jade looked uncomfortable 'Ana, we were going to head off soon-' . Ana didn't need any more persuasion to leave the room and was quickly out of it.
Sawyer heard the door close and kissed Jade's hair, holding her close to him. 'I love you J, but I've got to go and face your Father now haven't I?' She didn't say anything but he felt her nod slowly.
Ana was gently telling Christian in the Great Room what she had seen upstairs when the door opened, and they both looked up sharply. Sawyer was wearing loose jeans, a white top and a half zipped up black jumper, his hair is messy as usual but he looks like he's going through an internal crisis. Next to him is Jade, wearing black leggings, a long green jumper and a white scarf, her hair in a long side ponytail. She looks annoyed, her eyes dark and her jaw clenched, looking equally as irritated as Christian, who stood up from the sofa.
'Dad, please, can we not do this right now, we want to start driving now' Christian noticed that at their feet was two bags and looks back at Sawyer, 'You kept this from me? You work for me and you thought it was okay to screw around with my daughter? What the hell Sawyer?'. He exhales deeply, running a hand through his messy hair 'I asked you if I could ask her out-'.Christian cut him off sharply 'That was over a year ago and I knew she would say no!' 'Yeah, she said no but I asked her again and she said yes- I haven't been 'screwing around' with your daughter'. Sawyer sighed, looking at Jade and his expression softened, as did the harsh tone in his voice 'I've been with her for over a year and I've been falling in love with her more and more every day since I met her. You told me it was okay for me to ask her out so I did. We have made a clear effort not to flaunt it in your face and make you uncomfortable'.
There is a long silence and Ana sees Christian's jaw tightly clenched and his hands balled into fists. No one says anything and she looks back over at Sawyer, who breaks the silence, looking defiant, eyes fixed directly on Christian. 'Grey you know how much I love this job, but I love Jade more- and I won't apologise for falling in love with someone'. He takes a deep breath, readying himself.' If my feelings for Jade are a problem for you then I'm sorry but I will choose her before this job. We agreed I have this week off, I'm driving Jade over to Olympic, and she'll be safe. I'll be back next Wednesday morning - if you want to fire me then let me know before then'. He nods curtly at Ana and Christian before picking up the two bags at his feet and abruptly leaving the room.
Jade looks at her father for a few seconds, looking upset and let down. 'You told me you would be happy as long as I was happy. You have no idea how happy Luke makes me' 'Maybe if you'd told me I would-'. Jade looked more annoyed than Ana had ever seen her before, eyes darkening 'You don't get it do you? I want a father, not a blank cheque book, I can't speak to you about anything, unless it involves business plans or a complete lack of emotions. If I'd tried to tell you about me and Luke, you wouldn't have listened, all your worried about is who you're currently fucking in that little room of yours' Her eyes turned on Ana, who's mouth was open in shock and she saw the incredible darkness in Jade's eyes 'Don't worry, when he's bored of tying you up, he'll just replace you with someone else, that's how it goes around here isn't it Dad?'. Christian's face was so pale he looked like he was dead, and his face was a mask of pure and utter shock. He literally couldn't make any words come out of his mouth. She knew? Jade knew? 'Don't worry you two, you're fucked up little secret is safe with me, I hope you freaks have a good life. And Dad-' She focussed her anger on him solely now. 'Don't bother worrying about me and Luke, I wouldn't stay with a man who didn't love me. I'm not like my mother'. Her contempt and hatred for her father on this subject was clear. Jade turned on her heel and left the room, slamming the door so hard behind her that a painting next to it swung to one side.