A/N: Thank you for all for taking time to read this story. I'm amazed how many of you like my story and take the time to review. It makes me want to write even faster to give you more updates :)
The next 3, maybe 4 chapters will be wrap up for the whole Elena/Ella storyline so for all of you who are waiting for lemons we will get there really soon...but for now more drama to come...enjoy!
Ana's POV
Today is my birthday but I can't think about it. I'm consumed with thoughts of this evil bitch and how I am going to kill her. At first I just wanted to really badly hurt her but now I want to kill her. I was never a cruel person or someone who believes in self justice but right now I reached a point where I can't think of her without thinking about killing her ...slowly.
It all started on monday. Christian and I were having breakfast when Taylor came in and told us that they found the driver of the car who hit Elliot's car. At first I thought it were good news, but that changed when Taylor told us that he was found dead.
He was found in a cabin near Lake Sammamish with a bullet in his head. The police thinks he took his own life, but I could see from the looks that Christian and Taylor exchanged that they are not buying it. The guy was the nephew of one of Grace's friends and I overheard a phone call between Christian and Elliot were he was talking about how he was sure this was Elena's doing and that at one point the guy must have been her submissive. Urghh another poor boy she had her claws in.
But that was nothing compared to what happened on wednesday. I still shudder only thinking about it and actually that did it for me. If I see her she is dead.
Flashback Wednesday evening
"Ok Jose stop I'm done" I flop down on the bench in the left corner of the room we are rehearsing in and take a long sip of my water.
"Yeah me too. How about we go grab some dinner?" he ask with a boyish grin and I know he is talking about lots of fast food.
"Not today. Christian is really edgy with what is going on in his life right now so he wants me home after rehearsal and I don't want to add to his stress by staying out longer than I have to."
"Ok Ana, now spill the beans you are in love with him right I mean shit you live together, share a bed and all I hear is Christian here, Christian there..."
"Jose please, it's complicated Christian has a lot issues aswell and we are still trying to figure this thing between us out."
"Ana it's very simple. Do you love him or not?" I look at Jose for the longest time and I can't lie to him or deny it to myself any longer.
"Fine yes I'm in love with him" It suddenly feels like a huge weight is lifted of my shoulders. I said it. I'm in love with Christian Grey. Simple.
"Then why are you still sitting here. Go home and tell him"
"I don't know I mean..."
"Anastasia Rose Steele you will get your pretty little ass home right now and put the poor guy out of his misery. I mean I thought he was a total douche but a guy who stays completely hands off because he knows the girl isn't ready wants more than just a quick fuck. Tell him."
I stare at Jose. Tell Christian... oh why am I such a coward? No, I can do this. I take a deep breath and get up.
"Your right, ok I'm leaving. So wish me luck." I hug him grab my bag and leave the rehearsal room. Sawyer is waiting for me outside the room and leads me out of the dance studio and to the SUV.
While he is driving I'm fidgeting nervously in the backseat of the car.
"Is everything alright Miss Steele?" Sawyer ask and looks at me in the rear view mirror.
"Yes umm I just need to pee" I lie and he gives me a small smile. Thank God he bought that lie because I am so not going to tell him that I am nervous to tell his boss that I love him and that I will probably lose my virginity tonight.
Once I'm in the elevator I feel a little sick. Shit I'm really going to do this. Wow this is it my days as a virgin will finally be over. Oh I hope I don't disappoint him. Shit what if I totally suck at it or he thinks I'm boring. I take a deep breath again and the elevator stops at the penthouse. I get out walk through the great room and find Christian sitting at the breakfast bar talking to Mrs. Jones.
"Hi Ana, dinner will be ready in 10."
"Oh ok, I will just take a really quick shower and I umm I need to talk to you."
He frowns. "Are you alright?" I nod, smile and walk upstairs to the guestroom where my clothes are. I strip quickly get into the ensuite shower in a hurry and dry myself. Then I look through my underwear and decide on black lace panties and a matching bra. I look at myself in the mirror and nod. Yes that looks sexy. Next I put on a simple white knitted dress that hugs my curves and match it with some high heels. I leave my hair in the messy bun I'd put it in for my shower and go back downstairs. Time to finally tell Christian.
"Do you want some wine?" Christian asks when I reappear.
"Yes, please" Maybe that will help me to calm down a little. Christian gets me a glass of white wine and sits down again.
"Thanks" I mutter and take a huge sip. "Are you sure that you are ok?"
"Yes, just a little anxious with everything that is going on."
"Hey don't worry. Nothing will happen to you. I promise I won't let anyone hurt you" he looks so sincere that I can't help but smile and relax. Yes I'm doing the right thing.
" Christian I..." I'm interrupted by Taylor who is carrying a parcel that is wrapped as a gift.
"This arrived earlier today for you Miss Steele." he says and hands it to me. I frown maybe an early birthday present?
I open first the ribbon and then the wrapping, open the box and take the card that is lying on the tissues on top of the box and open it.
Dear Anastasia,
this is for you. You might need it to keep him in check.
Sincerely E.
I stare at the message and I just know that it is from that evil bitch.
"Ana what is it you are as white as a ghost." I look up at Christian and shake my head. Maybe it's nothing though I have a feeling that what ever is under all of the tissues will be bad. I finally gather all my courage stand up and place the parcel on the breakfast bar. I take the tissues out and gasp. Inside are thin chains and it takes me a second to realise that they are all attached to a handle and have spikes at the ends.
Oh my God, suddenly I remember what Christian told me about that whip thing the bitch used to hit him with and when I take a closer look I see something like rust on it, but my blood freezes when I realise that it is not rust but dried blood. I push the box away from me and take a deep breath because I feel like I might have to vomit.
"Jesus Ana what is inside that box" Christian wants to grab it but I beat him to it and push it away. If he sees this I have no idea how he will react.
"Ana what is in there?" I can tell that Christian is losing his patience with me.
"Christian please don't look at what is inside that box."
"Fine then who send it?" he says impatiently and I hand him the card because I don't know what else to do. He reads it and his eyes turn dark with fury.
"Show me, now!" he hisses and I try to stop him but it is to no use he snatches the parcel before I can grab it and drops it to the floor as soon as he sees what is inside. And then he just stares at it and says nothing.
"Christian come let's sit down" I try to move him but it's to no use it's like he is routed to the spot.
"Taylor please get that out of here" I point to the box and when Taylor sees what is inside he starts to cuss. Obviously he must have seen Christian shirtless at some point and has put two and two together.
"Christian?" Nothing. After a while Taylor and I finally manage to get him to sit down but he is still completely silent even his eyes seem lifeless and I'm starting to freak out.
"Taylor I need to make a phone call, stay with him please" Taylor nods and I get my phone and call Mia.
"Hi, Ana" Mia answers cheerful.
"Mia, are your parents home I need to talk to Carrick it's urgent."
"Oh, ok yes just a second." I hear her walk and then Carrick is on the phone.
"Ana is everything ok?"
"No, Carrick could you and Grace please come over to Escala and bring Mia don't leave her alone."
"What happened?"
"That old bitch has send me a parcel today. She... she send me this terrible chain thing it has dried blood on it and I think this is what she used when she beat Christian."
"Good God. How is he?"
"I don't know he isn't talking I'm really scared."
"Ana just stay with him, we are coming over now. I will call on the way."
"Ok, bye" I hang up and stay with Christian until they arrive, but neither his parents or Mia can bring him to talk so we all wait for his shrink to arrive and when he does he asks us to give him some privacy so we all go into the TV-room.
"Where is the parcel Ana?"
"I don't know I asked Taylor to take it away."
"Good I will ask him."Carrick leaves the room and I sit down with Mia and Grace. They look so worried about Christian but all I can feel is pure rage. I want to kill that evil bitch. Hasn't she done enough to him, why is she doing this to him? I get up and start to pace. If his shrink can't get him to talk I will find that bitch and strangle her.
"Ana darling come sit down" Grace says but I shake my head this was so not how I planned this evening.
After nearly an hour has past his shrink comes in and tells us that Christian is better. We all go into the great room where Christian is sitting and now he looks up at us.
"I'm sorry that I worried all of you." he says and still looks really shaken, but at least he is talking again.
-End of Flashback-
After that I decided it wasn't the best idea to tell Christian how I feel about him. At least for Mia the evening wasn't totally fucked up because Sawyer used the opportunity that she was there and asked her out on a date on friday.
I on the other hand couldn't find the right time to talk to Christian. Thursday I had to work long and when I got back to Escala he was in his study shouting on the phone and what ever went wrong with his work was still the same on Friday.
So I decided today is the day. Christian had some meetings this morning so I asked Sawyer to take me to a nearby spa. Maybe a nice massage will help me to calm down and get my mind off of that bitch. When I leave the spa it's just after 1 pm and I ask Sawyer to drive me to a small boutique I have found a couple of weeks ago and buy some really sexy lingerie though it's kind of odd to go lingerie shopping with Sawyer following me.
After a quick lunch in a nearby deli I'm just about to ask Sawyer to drive me back to Escala when my phone rings and I see Kate's name on the caller ID
"Hi Kate."
"Hi Ana. Can you do me a really, really big favour?"
"Sure what do you need?"
"My boss and his wife have their anniversary on monday and I was asked to put a gift basket for them together. I don't have the time could you?"
"Yes what kind of gift basket do you need?"
"I have a list. I'll send you a text. Thanks Ana you are the best friend anyone could ask for."
"Just send me the list. Bye" I hang up and roll my eyes. Great now I have to run around town to get that gift basket together.
Once I see the list from Kate I know this will take a long time. In the end Sawyer had to drive all over town and we had to go to 7 different gourmet food and liquor stores to get anything from the list. If I had known this before I would have worn flats instead of my favorite 5 inch heels. My feet are killing me and all I want is to soak in the tub for at least an hour.
"Escala Miss Steele?" Sawyer wants to know once we are back in the car. "Please" I sigh and he gives me a warm smile. I look at my watch and see that it is nearly 6 pm. Great I wanted to be back home hours ago and talk to Christian. Well screw the tub I will tell him as soon as I see him.
I send Kate a text that I got everything and will bring it over to Elliots tomorrow and I'm just about to put my phone back in my purse when I realise that no one called me today. Wait a second why has no one called me? It's my birthday and not even my parents or my brother called. That's weird normally they would call me as soon as they are up in the morning.
Come to think of it. Kate hasn't congratulated me when she called me and neither has Christian this morning and I'm sure he knows that it is my birthday. After all Mia knows and I'm sure that she has told him. Eventhough I don't like to celebrate my birthday I feel a little hurt that no one even called.
"Miss Steele there is something wrong with the car. Would you mind if I let you out of the car out front of Escala and take it to a service station?"
"No that's fine Sawyer." I mutter and get out of the car. Once I open the door to the lobby I remember that I need the stuff I bought for Kate because some of the things need to be in the fridge. I turn around and see the SUV turn the corner to the parking garage of Escala.
Huh? Didn't he just tell me he would take the car to a service station? I walk down the sidewalk and just when I'm about to turn the corner to the garage I feel a sharp pain in the back of my head and everything turns black.
Christian's POV
I look around the greatroom and frown. I never had that many people in here. There are Ana's parents Carla and Ray, her brother Patrick, her cousins Nataly and Bonny. My parents, Mia and Elliot, Kate and her brother Ethan aswell as Ana's dance partner Jose and his boyfriend Dave.
Ana's Stepdad was a pleasant surprise. He isn't much of a talker but once he discovered that I like to fish we talked about fly fishing and the trips he made recently to go fishing. He is a nice guy and makes no difference between Ana and his biological kids which is good to know.
Her cousins on the other hand are annoying the crap out of me. They are whispering the whole time and giggle when ever I look at them. Fuck leave me alone I only want Ana. I need to take a deep breath and get myself a drink. I hate it how those stupid bitches are ogling me but it's Ana's family and this is her surprise party so I better not fuck it up before she is even here.
I hope she is not pissed about the party but Mia and Kate insisted on it and after all it's her birthday so it's a good reason for a party and with all the shit going on we can all use some relaxed time with family and friends. "Christian!" I look at Mia and roll my eyes she has those stupid fucking party hats and convinced anyone else to wear one. Seems like now I'm her last victim.
"Mia I'm not going to wear some stupid fucking party hat, no way"
"Please come on it's for Ana. She must be here now any minute" Mia pleads.
"No! Those things are stupid and I'm..." I stop when Taylor enters and I can see immidiatly that something is wrong.
"What is wrong Taylor?"
"Sir we lost Miss Steele."
"What? Are you fucking kidding me how can you lose her?"
"As arranged Sawyer told Miss Steele that the car needed a service so he could let her out of the car out front, so she wouldn't see the cars of the guests in the garage. Sawyer waited until she entered the lobby and then drove to the garage. He came up about a minute ago, but Miss Steele hasn't arrived at the penthouse yet. I called the front desk and was told that she never passed the desk. The doorman was on a break so right now we don't know where she is."
"Fuck, ok I want you to look into the CCTV outside of Escala and see where she went." I hiss and run my hands through my hair.
"Maybe she just forgot something and went to get it." Mia says and so I grab my phone and call her number. "Answer god damn it." I murmur but it just rings and finally goes to voice mail.
"Mia don't tell anyone for now" I snap and hurry over into the security office.
"Track Miss Steele's cell phone now. Anything on the CCTV?"
"I have to get in touch with the building security first Sir and those fuckers are painfully slow" Sawyer answers and I glare at him he lost her that bastard he should have waited until she was in the damned elevator.
I swear to God if Ana is running around outside alone without security having a good time and doesn't even answer her damned phone then she is in for a real surprise once she comes back home because I am going to spank her ass in front of all her guests!
"Sir, I managed to track down Miss Steele's phone. According to this she is right outside Escala."
"Taylor, Sawyer" I snap and storm out of the office and to the elevator. Damn it she better has a really good excuse for this little stunt or so help me I will lose it. Once we are in the lobby we all get outside but there is no sign of Ana so I call her again and my blood freezes when I hear her ringtone coming out of the bushes on the corner of the sidewalk. We all walk towards them and I actually start to pray that it is just her purse that we will find inside the bushes and suddenly Taylor stops us by holding up his hand.
"What?" I snap and he points to the ground. Fuck no, God please no no no. On the ground are several drops of fresh blood leading to the bushes. No this can't be happening I run over to the bushes and sink to my knees when I see what is behind them...
A/N: I know mean cliffhanger ... Next chapter will be up tomorrow or monday. If you have time leave me a review and tell me what you think ;)
Sunny