Sera's POV

Two weeks in London ended without realising how. I got used to the fact that I wake up early in the morning, and spend the day out visiting places I've only dreamt of visiting. My parents had this thing on getting the option of having the chance of visiting everything even if it meant that we had to race with time.

I finally saw that we could be a family again. A family filled with care and love. Mum was smiling more than ever, and I could see dad finally comfortable in his own skin. Guess a family holiday is what we truly needed. I think this had made us closer.

On my parent's and grandparent's orders, I made sure to at least try and keep with the diet plan, which although it was hard at times, I managed to work through it. All I had to do is work through everything through mind power. I could feel both my parent's looking at me during meal times, wondering if I was going to break down or have a 'melt-down' to dad's words. I heard them during the night discussing everything that was on their mind… and I couldn't help but feel guilty at how I made them. They tell me it's their job to care for me and love me, but they seem to be afraid of doing everything… they seem to be walking on eggshells with me… I just want them to be themselves around me… and not afraid on doing anything. I just wish to rub everything off and keep the good parts with us.

Dad seemed to be afraid of everything. Mum tries to keep it cool… but her eyes betray her. They went from not caring to the opposite… There is no middle way… But I know that finally we're on the right track. I'd rather have over protective parents than what they were. I can't help it but smile at their ways. They want to keep me safe… and they love me… I finally know they do.

Flashback – While on the trip back to Seattle

'Did you enjoy it honey?' Mum asked me as she guided me to sit between dad and her.

'I loved it mum…' I replied back.

'Hey… what's with the frown?' She asked me as she raised my head from my chin.

'It's…' I started. '…I loved it here mum…' I admitted as I looked into her eyes. 'I learnt a lot… I've spent time with both of you…' I continued.

'Hey… just because we're going back home, doesn't mean that we have to stop being like this…' She replied as she looked at dad.

'Your mother's right…' He smiled as he put his arm around me while he held my mother's hand with the other one. 'This trip taught us how to be a family again…' He smiled. 'It hasn't fixed everything… but we made progress… we just have to keep working through it… how does that sound?'

'I think… I like the sound of that dad…' I smiled.

'I'll tell you what… exactly as you finish your exams, we'll take another trip…'

'Yes Christian… we can go to Paris this time…'

'The city of Love…' I teased while dad chuckled.

'We'll go to Paris if you girls like…' Dad smiled again.

End of Flashback

After we arrived home, and rested, dad drove us to his parent's. Guess he didn't forget about the promise he made to grandpa. We took all souvenirs that we brought with us, and had to act as Santa Clause. It was fun picking up gifts for our family, and Gail and Natalie, and everyone we could think of. Mum brought an extra suitcase with all the clothes we had bought from London. She loved shopping unless things were at reasonable price. She wasn't proud in spending too much money in some designer clothing. She wanted to teach me that although we were able to afford extravagance, we had to use money sensibly just in case business goes bad.

As we entered the living room at grandpa Carrick and grandma Grace, I realized there was a whole family reunion. It was a Sunday afternoon… and it was always a family tradition that all of us meet every now and then. My grandparent's house could be reached from everybody, as it was situated in the middle, and it was easier for all of us to simply go to and fro… These days dad had been working with Uncle Elliot on a new house in Aspen. I didn't quite want to move from Escala. I have many memories there… but I could only be supportive in my parent's decisions. I knew they were doing a good thing, if anything they wouldn't have even thought about it.

'Hey mum…' Dad started as they both embraced each other while Walter came running towards me.

'Hello Christian… how was London?' She greeted while mum brought out the souvenirs.

'It was great…' Mum replied. 'This is something small…' She smiled as she handed everyone everything.

'You really didn't have to…' She returned her gaze to Christian, while everyone started opening the mugs we brought from Buckingham palace.

'Ohh… and this is for you Walter…' I smiled as I handed him a Gryffindor shawl from the Harry Potter set.

'I love it Sera!' He smiled as he went running to show it to Rhian.

'Where is Derek?' I asked. '…and Clarissa, and Ava.'

'Ava and Derek are on a camping trip in school.' John started.

'…and Clarissa is abroad with her fiancé.' Uncle Elliot continued.

'Um… can you give them these please?' I said as I handed them everything. 'It's something small… I hope they like it…' I smiled.

'So Christian… how was London?' Uncle Elliott asked again as he handed both my parent's a glass of wine, while Walter pulled me to sit and play with him.

'It went well…' He started. 'However we came home with an addition…' He continued, while I kept looking down and felt myself blushing.

'An addition?' Grandpa asked as he looked towards my mother, while she smiled.

'Sera has a boyfriend…' Dad replied sternly, while Grandma Grace chocked in her wine.

'Sera, couldn't you have just gone for an American boy?' Uncle Elliott replied. 'You had to choose an English guy… I know their accent is so irresistible…'

'…and sexy with their blonde look…' Aunt Mia continued.

'…but seriously? From London?' Aunt Kate added.

'He's not exactly my boyfriend…' I started. 'He's just a friend for now…' I replied back.

'Sera, I don't recall any of your guy friends at school kissing you…' Dad said again.

'Christian…' Mum tried.

'Hey all I'm saying is that there is something between them… It's their 4th date…' He replied again.

'…and he's not from London…' I added.

'He's not?' All of them replied in unison.

'No he's not…'

'He's from Seattle… he was on holiday with his family.' Mum helped me.

'Who is this guy?' Uncle John asked. I could feel the tension in the room.

'Christenfeld's…' Dad answered in one word.

'The Christenfeld company limited?' Grandpa asked.

'Yes…' He replied.

'So Sera…' Walter started. 'Does it mean you are going to get married and kiss this boy?' He asked.

'Um… I don't know if I'll be marrying this guy… but yes… it's ok to kiss…' I smiled as I ticked him.

'Ewwww!' He replied. 'You'll get cooties!'

I laughed at his answer. He was still so innocent… but I was expecting this. 'No baby boy… I won't get cooties…' I replied again.

John's POV

Christian isn't convincing me… and to be honest… I don't like this… I don't want her to get hurt. She's still emotionally wounded and I know how guys are at that age. They are after one thing… and she doesn't deserve to get hurt. There was something on his face that bothered me…

'Christian…' I started. 'Want a refill?' I asked while he joined me in the kitchen.

'I need something strong…' He replied. 'She has another date tonight.'

'Why do I get the feeling that you don't like this guy?' I asked. '…and what's his name?'

'He's Eric…' He replied back as he took some scotch. 'It's just… there's something about him…'

'Christian could it be that you're jealous?

'No John… It's not… I've worked past jealousy already…'

'Then what is it?' I asked again as I filled my glass of wine.

'I can't explain it John… His eyes… He's a nice kid… don't get me wrong… but his eyes give me another shade of him.' He continued. 'I see myself in him…'

'What do you mean by yourself?'

'I don't know John…' He replied. 'Could you talk to her… maybe she'll open up to you… she hasn't told us anything about this Eric, only that he's nice, romantic… but that's it… I know she's hiding something…'

'Don't worry… I was already planning on talking to her…' I replied.

'It just… he seems so possessive…' He said again.

'Define possessive…'

'I don't know… Ana said that he's probably insecure…' He replied. 'You'll know what I mean when you see him…'

'See him?'

'He's picking her up in few minutes…' He stated. 'I didn't want her to be alone when he picks her up… I don't trust him… Taylor will be following them… she just doesn't know it…'

'Give it some more time Christian…'

'What about you?' He asked. 'What do you think?'

'Well… I wasn't hoping she'll start dating this early… she's still recovering… she's still working past her problems and fears… if they break up… it would be devastating…' I continued. 'Is she eating?'

'Sometimes we have to force her… but we're working through it.'

'That's good…' I smiled. 'Christian… you know you can count on me if you need anything… We're not brothers for the sake of being brothers…'

'Thanks John…' He smiled. '…and same goes for you…'

'We better get back in…' I said as we made our way back to the living room.

'So Sera… do you have a picture of this Eric?' Mia asked as Sera handed her the phone. 'Mhmm… nice choice… he's hot…'

'I prefer handsome… but he is…' She smiled.

'At what time are you meeting?' Uncle Elliott asked me.

'In less than half an hour…' She replied.

Sera's POV

Besides the beauty of London, I started to experience the beauty of being needed by someone else… the beauty of having someone else by your side making you smile, however, there were many things that were bugging me. Yet, I still couldn't tell my parent's about it. He promised that he'll tell me everything on the 3rd date… yet, we're soon on our 5th, and yet he hadn't spoken his mind. It made me wonder if this was just a fling or not.

'Sera…' Aunt Mia nudged me from my shoulder.

'Yeah…'

'Your phone?' She handed me back my now ringing phone as she winked at me.

'I have to take this…' I replied as I put Walter down and excused myself.

'Hey…' I answered.

'Hey baby…' He started. 'Are you ok?'

'Yes… I am…' I smiled. 'I'm at my grandparents… I can't speak quite openly…' I replied as I looked from the window.

'Ok… I'm outside…' He replied.

'Um… I need a minute…'

'Take your time baby… I have a surprise for you today…'

'Oh…' I replied.

'You don't sound ecstatic… What's wrong baby?'

'It's nothing…' I replied. 'I'll come down in a minute…'

'Ok… see you…' He replied before I hung up.

'Sera…' Dad said from behind me.

'Geez! You don't need to sneak up on me dad!' I replied at the fright he gave me.

'Sorry…' He replied as he searched my eyes. 'Hey, are you ok?'

'Yeah…' I smiled. 'It's just some thoughts…'

'You know you can tell me everything… right?'

'Yes dad…' I smiled. 'I know…' I avoided his eyes. 'Um… Eric's here...'

'Already?'

'He said he has a surprise for me…'

'Mhmm… A surprise…' He rubbed his chin. 'Go say bye to everybody… I'll walk you out…'

'Ok daddy…'

'Mr. Grey…' Eric shook hands with dad.

'Eric…' He smiled sternly as he turned to me. 'Curfew at 10.45pm… anything happens, I want you to call me…' He continued as he kissed my forehead.

'Yes dad…'

'I love you peanut…'

'I love you too dad…' He replied as Eric guided me to the passenger seat.

'Eric, please drive slowly… and don't forget your seat belts…'

'Will do Sir…' He smiled as he took the driver's seat and started the engine.

As we took the road, I could see dad still waving from behind. I smiled at that. I wondered how he may feel with this. I could understand that he wasn't quite happy… but he loved me.

'I didn't know you owned a Porsche…' I started as I felt the leather on the door.

'I have money Sera… I afford this…'

'I thought you were a Literature major…'

'I am… but I am one of the management holders of my father's company. It's practically mine…'

'Oh…'

'What about you?'

'What about me?'

'You know… your father is a very powerful man… I'm sure he has a place for you in Grey's Enterprises and Holdings.'

'You seem to know about my father's company very much…'

'Who doesn't?'

'You're right…' I replied. 'Well… for now he wants to allow me in pursuing my dreams first… when the time is right, he'll teach me the ropes…'

'That's a good way to put it…' He smiled. 'From the little I know you, you seem to know what you want…'

'I actually do.' I smiled. 'So…. Where are you taking me?' I asked as he pulled over

'To my place…' He replied as he exited the car and came to open my door.

'You have your own place?'

'I have money…'

'Yeah… I realized that…' He replied as he took my hand and guided me to his house.

'Please… make yourself comfortable…' He replied. 'Would you like some aperitif or some wine?' He asked while I kept looking at the surroundings. My parents were rich… but this was beyond what we had for a home… This looked more like a museum rather than a home. 'I'll make you a glass of wine…' He smiled as he handed me the glass.

'I shouldn't drink…'

'Hey… you're not driving… and I'm not going to get you drunk…' He replied.

'Thanks…' I replied as I took a sip.

'Sera… you've been quiet… what's wrong?' He asked as he moved forward and lifted my feet on his lap.

'Eric, you told me that you have to tell me something on the 3rd date… We're already on the 5th…'

'I thought you'd forget…' He smiled as he got up and brought some papers. 'I need you to sign these.'

'What are these?' I asked as I took a look at everything. I took them in my hands and skimmed through it. 'An NDA? Why the hell would I need to sign an NDA?'

'You know what it is?'

'As you said… my father is a very powerful man… he uses these with his employees…' I replied.

'Sera… I need you to sign these because I want to make sure that you won't disclose anything about us… about our relationship… about anything that I'll be telling you…'

'Don't you trust me?'

'I do… but I want to make sure…'

'Ok… fine…' I replied as I took the pen in my hand. 'If you want me to sign I'll do so…' I smiled as I drew my signature and handed him back the papers.

'Thank you…' He replied as he filed everything and came back sitting beside me. 'Sera… what I'm going to tell you now may get you running for the hills.' He started while I kept staring at him.

'Ok…' I replied confused. 'You've already told me to steer away from you… I think it's time you elaborate on that…'

'Sera… all relationships I had till now were all physical…' He said as he took my hand.

'All relationships?' I asked. 'How many relationships are we talking about?' I asked as I took my hand from his.

'5…'

'5…' I clarified again. 'So that makes me… the 6th?'

'Yes…'

'…and why me?'

'Sera… I already told you… there is something in you that makes me feel warm inside… that makes me feel light… When I'm with you… I forget all my problems… and that smile… damn… it drives me crazy…'

'Shakin Stevens wrote a song 'It drives me crazy…'' I tried lightening the mood.

'That's what I'm talking about… you make me forget every pain… every worry… you rocked my world Sera…'

'You're flattering me…' I blushed.

'You ought to be flattered…' He smiled as he came forward and kissed me, but I stopped it as it got deeper.

'Eric… stop…' I looked into his eyes. 'Please talk to me…'

'Sera… what I feel with you is love… and I want to do this with you…' He replied as he brought more in front of me. 'I want our arrangement to work.'

'Wait… let me get this straight… You want me to sign on a paper that we'll be in a relationship?' I asked.

'Not exactly… it's the kind of relationship…' He replied. 'Take a look at the papers.' He continued as I did so. I flipped to the last page, and there it was

Eric D. Christenfeld.

Dominant

Sera E. Grey

Submissive

'Wow!' I replied as I got up from beside him and paced.

'I take it you know about these stuff…' He replied calmly.

'I know some stuff… but you're expecting me to be your submissive?'

'What do you know about BDSM?' He asked.

'The Basics…'

'Sera… I'll be taking you to a new place only if you let me…'

'What do you mean by new place?' I asked almost scared of the answer.

'Well… when you had sex… how was it?'

'Eric…' I started. 'I wasn't going to tell you this now… I wasn't going to tell you at all for now…' I continued as I paced away while he came forward and stopped me.

'Sera… what is it?'

'Eric… I never actually had sex…' I replied as I saw his eyes widen. 'I… I've been raped…' I admitted as he dropped his hands not touching me anymore. '…and now you're disgusted with me… Great!' I replied in defeat.

'No… it's not that…' He replied. 'It's just… why didn't you tell me?'

'Why should I?'

'…because I love you…' He replied.

'What?'

'I love you Sera Grey… I know it's early… but I've never felt as close to someone as you…' He replied. '…and I can't believe that someone would hurt you this way…'

'I'm ok now…'

'Really are you?' He replied. '…because I've seen the way you handle things… I know you're anorexic…'

'I'm in recovery… and I'm doing my best…'

'I know… I've realised that…' He replied as he hugged me and pulled away and guided me back to the couch. 'Close your eyes Sera…' He ordered.

'Why?'

'For once… just do as you're damned told…' He replied again while I obliged.

I felt him move forward and his minty breath was on mine. I felt his cool lips touch mine, and soon he was kissing me passionately. He grabbed my head into his hands and deepened the kiss. He moved down my neck and went back up to my lips. He moved his hands to my cardigan and removed it gently. Soon his hands were on my waist belt, and it was soon off.

'Wait…' I tried.

'Shh…' He replied. 'Relax…' He said again as he continued caressing my arms and pushed me gently on the couch. Soon he was on top of me between my legs.

'Eric… please…' I tried again.

'Shh Sera… Don't worry…' He replied. 'Just let go…' He continued as he opened my legs and was between them. I tried pushing him off but he kept there. His hands soon moved to my underwear and with one swift move he undone my bra.

'Eric… stop…' I begged as his hand moved to my panty and started caressing me slowly there while he moaned into my mouth. I went down and removed his hand. There was no way I could push him off me, there was only one thing I could do.

'Ahh!' He pulled away. 'You bit me!' He looked towards me as I stood up immediately and fixed myself.

'Yes Eric I did…' I replied in tears. 'I'm sorry… but I'm not ready to have sex with you as yet…'

'Why? Don't you love me?' He asked hurt.

'Of course I do Eric… It's just… It's too early! I want to get to know you better first before we engage into any type of intercourse.' I replied back as I picked up my cardigan and put it on me. 'I'm not ready to have sex with anyone as yet…'

'I… I understand… I'm sorry…' He admitted. 'I just wanted to show you that sex doesn't have to be painful… I only wanted to replace your memory with a good one…'

'I know you meant well…' I replied. '…but I'm just not ready…' I admitted.

'Will you sign my contract?'

'I don't know…' I replied.

'Let me tell you what…' He asked as he stood up and came forward to hug me. 'Take it home… read it… do your research… come forward with any questions and any negations you want to do with me… any changes will also be fixed…'

'What if I don't want to sign it?' I asked. 'Does it mean we wouldn't be together?'

'Sera...' He started. '…we'll see…'

'How much time are you giving me to think things over?'

'Look… I would like to have sex with you first so you'll see if you'll even like it at all… we'll just test the waters first…' He explained. 'If you'll like it… and you see that you're ready for more… we'll talk about it…'

'Ok… but how much time are you giving me to think things over?'

'By the end of next week I would like to have an answer whether I can make love to you or not…'

'You said sex first…'

'I know… but I don't want to have sex with you Sera… I want to make love to you…' He replied as he kissed me again. 'Will you think about it?'

'I… I will…' I nodded.

'Ok…'

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