Chapter 6: On the rocks
Author's Note!
Alright, here's another chapter I managed to squeeze out. Please do follow and review if you like (: It really does help me to decide what to do with this story! ENJOYYYYYYY.
There were fluffy clouds in the sky. Lying back against the soft green grass, I looked up at them and relaxed. The cool breeze brushed against my cheekbones, caressing them and planting a trail of soft kisses.
"Mommy, what is that?" An inquisitive cheery voice resounded from beside me.
I turned to look at my little grey-eyed toddler his locks the same shade as mine. He was exceptionally beautiful and I loved him so. We looked at the cloud once more together. "I think it's an elephant." I said, preparing to point out where I thought the trunk was.
His little eyes filled with enlightenment but not at my words, "No mommy, it's a pirate ship."
"ANAAAAA!" A panicked voice hollered.
Sitting up, I grabbed my child and hid him behind my back. "Stay down!" I whispered. Christian came to view, climbing up the hill towards us.
"ANASTASIA!" He shouted once more, his tone more worried than before.
My eyes fluttered open to the early morning light. I turned my head to the side and saw the office door thrown open. "WHERE IS SHE!" Christian's boomed, then left the room. My secret hiding spot did the trick.
Now I would have to deal with one of Christian's crazy little tempers. I slowly began to sit up, aware of the ache in my neck from sleeping on the floor. It hurt a little and I stretched it out to the tune of my name on Christian's tongue. He was throwing one of his tantrums again, pulling in innocent bystanders to solve his self-induced problems.
Standing, the bones in my kneecap made a cracking sound. I was paying for my lame act of defiance; leaving my husband in an empty bed. I made my way towards the open door slightly.
Christian had his head tucked into his palms, his eyes cast downward. Taylor stood by him, with a rather shaken Gail bringing him a cup of what looked like tea. "Where is Ana?" He groaned.
Taylor's eyes shuffled to Gail and the back again to Christian, "Mr. Grey, we last saw her helping you into bed last night."
"She came to the bar?" Christian's head whipped up, his eyes a faded red.
Confusion spread through all of us except Christian. Gail raised her eyebrows and gestured for Taylor to say something. Clearing his throat, Taylor decided to probe. "Sir, what do you remember?"
Christian pressed his palms against the temples of his forehead, "I last remember drinking at the bar after work... Ana must have taken me home... She must be angry..." He grunted in frustration.
Christian thought I was angry over his drinking? Probably. I was mad because he pretended that everything was alright but then decided to take it all out on his own body. A crazy part of me still longed to care for him, even in this moment of utter betrayal.
"Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey was home all night." Taylor hated to be the one to break the news to Christian.
"What?" He groaned, lifting his head slightly to meet Taylor's gaze.
Taylor shifted uncomfortably, "Mrs Lincoln took you home."
The moment was suspended in time. I observed as Christian took the time to digest what had just been revealed to him. Instantly, his face turned red at the thought and he pounced up to his feet. "THAT CRAZY BITCH!" He clenched his fists and held them at his sides, shaking with fury.
"Mr. Grey!" Luke came bounding down the stairs, rushing to restrain Christian's anger.
Did he just call you a bitch? My inner goddess hissed.
"THAT CRAZY BITCH MUST HAVE FOLLOWED ME TO THE BAR AND SLIPPED SOMETHING IN MY DRINK."'Christian let out a tortured sound as he smashed his head against his palms.
"Mr Grey!" All three of the staff yelled, reaching forward to pull him away from hurting himself.
The strings in my heart tugged as a million new questions blossomed. Had Christian not sought out Elena? Then why would his phone show those texts? Did he know I was here and lying to trick me into trusting him? My head was spinning.
"Where is my angel?" Christian whimpered like a puppy with a broken paw, he turned to look at Luke. "Have you searched the cameras?"
Luke nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets. I recognized this move. He was giving me the time and opportunity to reveal myself. Of course he had spotted me on the tapes. Luke knew best that I had learned my lesson, I was never going to run ever again.
Finding strength in the knowledge that I was not the one in the wrong here, I stepped out of the office with my head held high. Luke's lips pulled up at a corner, proud of my bravery.
"Luke," I emphasized on his first name, "Would you please take me to work in 10 minutes?"
Christian spun on his feet, his eyes wide with shock. Behind his back, Luke smirked at my boldness, "Of course, Ana. Take your time." Gail and Taylor let out a sigh in relief upon my appearance.
"I'll get your breakfast, Mrs Grey." Gail smiled sweetly and knowingly. "You'll have to eat well from now on."
I nodded at her, going soft at her care and concern for her baby. Christian stood rooted in his place as I strolled past him and towards our bedroom.
"Ana." His feathers were all ruffled. "Where were you?"
Knowing that he deserved nothing more, I ignored him and walked into our bedroom. Hearing his footsteps approaching, I quickly locked the door behind me. Stripping down,Christian banged loudly and called my name, I cleaned up in silence.
To the tune of his shouting, I searched my closet for something to wear. Very soon, I would no longer be able to wear tight dresses and short dresses. Hence, I tugged out a tight and short red dress that would barely cover anything. Preparing for war, I painted on my make up and paid extra care to make myself shine.
"ANA CAN WE TALK?"
Of course we will, Grey. I rolled my eyes and slipped on my highest red heels. We will talk and I will win. I shrugged on my black blazer and did my hair up in a top knot. Lifting my Chanel office bag, I stole a glance in the mirror. Christian was going to get the worst punishment in the world, catered to torture him.
A drop dead sexy wife who he could only see but could not touch. Not to mention, it was drive him bat shit crazy knowing that his wife's upper thighs and cleavage was on display for the world to see. Punishment and revenge is best served cold.
Sucking in a deep breath to steady myself, I unlocked and then pulled the door open. Christian had his jaws clenched, his entire body tensed. Checking me out, my poor husband's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure. Ignoring his existence, I strode right past him.
Luke let out a low whistle as I approached. Taylor punched him in the arm and shook his head at him in disapproval. Awarding him with a beam, I threw my legs forward with a kind of feistiness.
Gail handed over my lunchbox to Luke, "Have a good day, Mrs Grey." Christian stumbled out to the kitchen as well.
"Thank you, Gail!" I chimed. "Shall we go?"
"Ana, we need to talk about last night." Christian stated, not thrilled about my behavior. Luke began to walk away and I followed after him. "Ana." He growled, trailing after.
Luke held the lift door open for me with his lips pressed into a stiff line. I gave him a shrug. "ANASTASIA ROSE STEELE!" Christian practically barked.
Oh, he just screamed at you. My inner goddess was like a student getting another student in trouble with the teacher.
I swiveled in place and put on the most nonchalant expression I could. "You look horrible!" He really did, all bothered and red accompanied with his lack of sleep. Christian's face softened when he thought I was about to show him concern. "Why don't you ring Elena to clean you up." I sneered, stepping back into the lift and letting it close.
Luke's chuckle bounced off the lift walls as we descended, "You really are staying to fight this one, aren't you?"
I gave him a smug look and shrugged, "A wise man once said all I ever did was run."
Luke nodded, "That man is very wise indeed." He chortled. "And I like this new Ana."
"You're the only one who does." The doors opened and he guided me to the car.
"So, pregnant lady." Luke said with a toothy grin as he got behind the wheel, "Let's go somewhere awesome for breakfast."
I lifted my lunch box. "And I have work."
Luke gesticulated at the clock in the car. It read 6.30AM. I had completely let my anger drive me out of Escala, not even bothering to catch the time. "We have two and a half hours to kill."
" Don't worry about it, I know just the place to lighten your mood." The promise ringed in his voice and we exchanged smiles.
Time spent with Luke had been getting better and deeper. We had completely bypassed the social boundary that came with professionalism. Luke was more of a friend and confidante than a bodyguard. Most of the time, I would forget that he was my guard.
"Table for two?" The charming waiter lifted two menus as he saw us approaching.
I had never been here before. The entire cafe was dressed in wood, smelling of Christmas in all the right ways. It exuded the feeling of home portrayed in the movies, the furniture those in Christian's reading room. Huge red velvet chairs around antique gold coffee tables. I soon found myself nestled into one.
"Luke, I never knew you had this in you." I was breathless, my eyes still trying to absorb the whole scene. It was beyond gorgeous.
He gave me a courteous laugh, "Wait till you try the food."
Thankfully, Luke had ordered for the both of us. I was glad that he did, I would not have known what to order. He had gotten the basics of scrambled eggs and sausages and the classier truffle fries paired with ice cream topped waffles.
My stomach grumbled in response. "There there," I patted the child growing within me, "Junior likes Uncle Luke already."
The look that Luke gave me was charged, staring lovingly at my interaction with the child. "Have you thought of a name yet?"
I stroked my tummy and shook my head, "With his dad all over other women and against him, I don't want to..." I picked at my food. "Grow too emotionally attached to him."
In a clear attempt to lighten the mood, Luke pushed the tray of fries to me and laughed. "Well, you've definitely seem to have determined the baby's gender already!"
That was true. "I guess I've always imagined my first child being a boy." I took a bite of the sausage and it exploded in my mouth. The taste of lamb and rosemary dancing across my palette.
"First child, eh?" Luke munched on his waffle. "Thinking about having more?"
I nodded in excitement, "I love children!"
"Yeah, I do too." Luke chimed, the food making his smile thicker than normal.
I smiled at him. "The baby deserves a father like you, Luke." I told him in utmost honesty. "Neither I nor the baby deserves to be treated the way Christian is treating us."
The painful memory of Christian returning home with Elena and asking her to stay jolted my heart, shooting an arrow right through the core. I clenched my jaw and warded off the tears. I had to be strong.
He pursed his lips and nipped at his Nutella milkshake. "Unfortunately, I agree. I know it's out of my place to tell you these things, but a child is a gift. Every child is. It's a mother's responsibility to bring that gift safely to the world." I observed as he got lost in the moment, drifting into his happy place. "So I thank you for choosing to keep the child."
"No, thank you." I reached for his hand across the table and clasped it. It alarmed Luke for a moment but then he relaxed. "Thank you for being so supportive."
Luke was about to say something when the phone in his pocket rang. He withdrew his hand from mine and reached for it. Briefly, he flashed me Christian's face. "Good morning, sir."
Trying to distract myself, I made progress with the food. The truffle oil was aromatic and I wished I could swim in it all day.
"Yes, Mr. Grey." He covered the microphone. "He'd like to talk to you."
I rolled my eyes. I put my hand out for the phone and he placed it there. Injecting the most lethal poison into my voice as I could, I taunted him. "Not Mrs Lincoln speaking."
Christian breathed heavily through his nose, taking some time to calm himself down before answering. "Anastasia," His voice leveled out while saying my name. "I don't like how we left it this morning."
"Neither do I, but you don't see me whining about it to my ex lover." I snapped, perpetually annoyed.
"Look, I honestly don't know how Elena came into the picture. If I was sober, I would have never met her."
"But you weren't sober and you did meet her. GOD KNOWS WHAT THE TWO OF YOU DID." I lowered my voice as the other customers threw irritated glances my way. "In fact, you brought the monster home."
"Elena and I-" He started.
There was no manners in me to prevent me from lashing out, "Which even begs the question to why you were drunk in the first place. You deceived me into thinking that you wanted and loved this child too!"
"Ana? Can we continue this conversation face to face? I need to see you." He sounded so sad and it tugged at my heart strings.
No, Ana. My inner goddess shook her head at me disapprovingly. Focus.
"I have work and so do you." I said, matter-of-factly. Seeing Christian could have two possible outcomes. One, I would be so pissed that I would scream at him for hours. Two, I would break down on my knees and take him back.
"Ana, I know for a matter of fact that work doesn't start for you until another hour and in my case, I don't have to go for work at all. Where are you, anyway?"
I narrowed my eyes. There was no way I was giving into him this time. "What makes you think I'd want to spend time with a deceitful husband when I could be spending it with my pillar of support through times of need?!"
Luke's eyes widened and he shook his hands at me. "Don't!" He hissed under his breath. Don't wake the sleeping tiger, eh?
"LUKE SAWYER!" He blasted over the phone, loud enough for Luke to hear.
"He's been a better husband than you are!" I snapped in his defense.
Luke sighed and snatched the phone from me as if I was a child that needed to be punished. He kept it against at a distant from his ear. "Mr. Grey."
He blinked as we both listened to the string of profanities Christian had to share. "We're at a cafe having breakfast."
"Which?!" Christian screeched. "Your duties are to take MRS. GREY to work and not for breakfast!"
I clenched my jaw and grabbed the phone back. "FU** YOU, GREY." I hollered and pressed the end call button.