Chapter Twenty:

Friday soon arrived and Christian was coming home today, I'd been distant with him all week, I just couldn't bring myself to have a normal conversation when my mind was completely elsewhere, he knows something is up too, he keeps asking me if I'm alright and no matter how many times I say I'm fine I know he doesn't believe me, after all he does know me better than anyone. Tonight we are supposed to be going out on our first official date but I just can't face it, I'm trying to think of excuses of why I need to cancel it, I know by telling him the truth would definitely do the trick but I just can't bring myself to say it all out loud. Furthermore, he's so excited and I know I should be, I was until I received that letter and my past decided to show it's ugly face. Detroit holds many demons for the both of us and I know me telling him will only upset him or make him angry, most likely both.

Me and Kate have officially moved to Seattle, it took us a couple of days to finally get everything unpacked and sorted, Elliot came over and helped us, Kate told me they are both trying to work things out slowly, he's just got out of a serious relationship, he was about to be married to another woman. All week she's had a permanent smile on her face unlike me, I've been quiet and distant with her too but she just thinks it's because I miss Christian which is true, I do miss him.

I met up with Ray to talk about what he told me in the letter, everything was true, I tried to keep calm and hold myself together but the once scared sixteen year old girl came through to the surface and I just cried, I just broke down and cried in the middle of crowded café in front of a man who I've only met once in my life. I told him about my life here, he asked me a little about Christian, I didn't say much about him, my relationship with Christian was private, if the public got wind of the fact that I am Christian's Grey girlfriend it would surely end bad for me, I needed to keep a low profile and going on a date with a famous billionaire wasn't going to do it, that's why I need to cancel it but I just can't think of a reason why, I could suggest us both staying in and I'll cook but I know he wants to go out for dinner, he's told me he has a surprise for me but he just won't tell me what that surprise is. I haven't heard from him all day, he's not messaged me at all to tell me when he's home, I've text him twice but I've had no reply, I'm hoping he's just in the air which is why he's not replying. I'm sat in my apartment trying to think of something to do to occupy my mind, I've already been for a run and that didn't help at all. My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the front door, I slowly and unenthusiastically make my way over to the door and open it to find Christian standing there, he's home but he looks mad, in fact he looks furious, before I even say anything he walks straight in and past me, I follow him through the apartment and into the living room where he eventually starts talking.

"Who's this?!" he demands throwing a brown envelope which he's been carrying onto the table towards me. I pick it up and open up the envelope to find picture after picture of me and Ray, Ray holding me in his arms whilst I cried, him kissing my cheek when we met up and again when I left, me actually smiling…everything here in picture. I know it's been several minutes and I still haven't answered him.

"Christian I…I can explain this"

"You can, good, explain it to me then because I can't figure it out. I came home late last night from New York to surprise you, when I got to Escala to get changed to then come over here I find this in my office."

"Christian please just calm down and listen to me, there is an explanation for this and whatever it is you're thinking, you better stop thinking it right now…"

"Ana, how do you expect me to react? Here you are with another man, in another man's arms to be exact and you're crying, you've been distant with me ever since I left, you can keep telling me you're fine but I know different. Is this man the reason?"

"Yes and no, I haven't cheated on you if that's what you're thinking which I know it is because I know you, this man is a lot older than me Christian and besides that I wouldn't do that to you"

"Who is he Ana?"

"I'll tell you Christian, I'll tell you everything but please try and stay calm…" I turn around and head for my bedroom to retrieve my letter from Ray, I just know he's not going to take this well. Once I get it from my bedside draw I head back towards Christian who's pacing around in my living room, he stops when he sees me, I don't say anything I just pass the letter to him and step back. He looks at me for a brief moment before reading the letter, his face pales instantly as he's reading. Even after he's finished he still doesn't say anything, he doesn't even look up.

"Christian, please say something…" I say quietly. Before I can even react I'm being pulled into his arms, his arms circle around me so tightly that I can't even move.

"I'm sorry Ana, I'm sorry I overreacted I just don't like another man touching you, I didn't know who he has was and I panicked…" his words come out in a rush, I peek a look at him, he looks troubled, tired and worried, worried about me no doubt.

"Christian…"

"I would have come home if you'd have told me Ana, I would have got on my plane instantly so you didn't have to do this alone…"

"I know you would have but I just couldn't bring myself to tell you over the phone, all morning I've been trying to think of how to tell you, whatever I said I knew wouldn't sound right…" I pause for a second and then realise something.

"Who sent you these pictures?" I ask.

"I don't know, they were on my desk in my office amongst all my other mail…I asked Gail because she's the one who puts all mail in my office but she doesn't know, she thought it was odd but she just assumed I would know what it is"

"But Christian…"

"Don't Ana, I'll find out, right now I'm more concerned about you, tell me everything…" and so I did, I pulled him over to the couch, sat him down and told him everything that was said between me and Ray. By the end of the conversation Christian was on his feet, on his phone pacing up and down the room. I head for the kitchen leaving him alone, it doesn't take long for him to come and find me.

"I'm putting security on you…" he begins but I cut him off.

"You will do no such thing Christian, I don't want it…this letter changes nothing, I'm not having security on me, nothing has happened Christian…"

"I don't give a fuck Ana, I will not let anything happen to you, you need protecting when I am not around, these pictures obviously got into my home for a reason...someone is following you"

"Christian you don't know that…"

"ANA! Are you that naïve? These pictures say it all, someone is following you, Ana for fucks sake, I'm not having this discussion, you need protection!" I begin to argue back but I hear the door and I also hear voices, one being Kate the other Elliot's, they both appear a few seconds later.

"I thought I heard you shouting bro! Nothing new then?"

"Not now Elliot" Christian snaps.

"I take that as a yes…hey Ana!" I force a smile and turn away from his idiotic brother.

"Hi Elliot, how are you?"

"I'm good little lady…" he grins at me, Kate then interrupts us.

"Guess what Ana? Elliot thinks him and Christian should come to Barbados with us next week! How great is that?"

"Ana's not going Kate" Christian says sharply at Kate.

"What?" she turns to look at me, I just glare at Christian.

"Christian, yes I am going…and I think that's a great idea Elliot"

"I thought so too, what do you say little bro?"

"I can't, I have too many responsibilities and too much work to do"

"Bro, come on, relax a little, you've been gone all week, you always work, that's all you do…take some time out with Ana!"

"I said no Elliot!" Christian shouts, I know his behaviour has everything to do with me.

"Christian…" I begin but he cuts me off as he starts to leave the room.

"I have work to do, I'll call you later Ana" and before any of us can say anything, he's gone and slamming the door on his way out.

"Is everything okay between you two?" Kate asks.

"Yes Kate, everything is fine, I'll leave you both to it, I'm going to go lay down for a while" I walk out and towards my bedroom, I shut the door behind me and lock it. I'm angry, angry with myself, angry with Christian and his rude behaviour just then, I know it has everything to do with me, personally I think it would be great if him and Elliot came to Barbados with us, it would give me and Christian some time alone together after all I don't think we are going on our first date anymore.