CPOV
After dropping off the purchases, we walk over to a nice restaurant and thanks to my reputation, we got right in. I pull out Ana's chair for her and she smiles her breathtaking smile at me. When we were getting her undergarments and nightwear, the retail workers wouldn't stop flirting with me, and it got on my nerves. I just kept thinking to myself, I'm with my woman so leave me alone. But why did I begin to think of Ana as my woman, like my girlfriend? It's obvious now we're attracted to each other, but why would she want a relationship with a clingy man like me? This is definitely something I'm brining up in my session with Flynn on Monday. We've ordered and have begun making small talk and I'm just about to talk to Ana when Mia beats me to her.
"A Walk to Remember was on last night, and I just love that movie! Have you seen it Ana," she asks eagerly.
"Um, I've read the book, but I haven't seen the movie."
"Oh well have you seen any other of Nicholas Sparks' movies?"
"No," she states as she looks on like she's embarrassed.
"None?" Again she shakes her head no.
"Well maybe she's not into the Rom Com genre. Maybe she's more a Comedy kind of girl. What about The Hangover trilogy have you seen any of those," Elliot asks. "Or even a Suspense and Horror like Signs?"
"No." She shrinks in her seat a little, obviously embarrassed and looking slightly ashamed.
"What did you do in your spare time if you didn't watch movies Ana," Mia softly asks.
"I read. I spent a lot of time at the library in Montesano, my hometown."
"Ah no wonder you're so smart like Christian praises," Elliot announces and smugly smiles at me. Asshole! "So did you graduate with a 4.0 then?"
"Yes, I did."
"That's pretty impressive little lady. I bet your parents were proud." Her smile slowly fades and her eyes look like they have tears on the brim.
"Here's the meals everyone," the waitress says, thankfully interrupting us. We give our thanks and begin eating. Conversation flows once again, but I notice Ana is focusing solely on her food. I place my hand over her left one and rub my thumb across the top and squeeze it gently. She gives me a reassuring nod and I see a little happiness return to her eyes.
"We could have a movie night every Friday if you want Ana," Kate whispers quietly. "We could watch the classics and favorites." Ana nods and beams at Kate and then at me.
Our next stop is Cartier's, but as we're walking arm in arm, I feel Ana slow down a little. When I look back I see she's looking in a window at a blush colored dress. It has a sweetheart neckline and has jewels running over the brim of the bust and down the front in a line. The fabric has been drawn up to the middle to run under the jewels. The fabric gathers just above the knees and flows down and out.
"Would you like to go try it on Ana," I ask, hoping she will want to.
"Oh no. I don't need a dress like that. You've spent enough on me today."
"That doesn't matter. Besides you never know when we might go to a black tie event." The others have come joined us now.
"Oh Ana, that's gorgeous. You have a good eye," Mia compliments.
"Go try it on," Kate says seizing her arm and dragging her inside. We follow and soon Mia and Kate are trying on gowns too. "We donated ours this morning too, so why not get one now?" Elliot and I sit in chairs and wait for the women to emerge. Mia comes out first in a mint dress with a sweetheart neckline that has lace covering it and runs over her shoulders and onto the back. The skirt is A-line.
"Very beautiful Mia," I compliment.
"Yes Mia, you look very beautiful," Elliot states with a grin. Kate comes out next in a deep purple gown that has one shoulder and a straight-line neckline. It has a belt that accents her waist and has an A-line skirt as well.
"Gorgeous babe," Elliot drools.
"Come on out Ana," Mia calls. We don't hear anything. Kate goes over and knocks on her door and goes in. She comes back out in a minute and gives Ana a reassuring grin. Soon she steps out and my heart stops and my jaw plummets to the floor. She looks mesmerizing! I thought she looked amazing trying on her clothes, but in that dress, she is stunning. She meets my eyes and everything around us just disappears. I find myself standing in front of her.
"You look so beautiful Ana, truly stunning," I say as I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She blushes again and she leans in slightly to my touch. "Do you like the dress?" She nods and smiles up at me. "Then we're getting it." I kiss her forehead before she goes back into the dressing room. I turn and see everyone else is staring at me like I've grown another head, but I could care less. I walk up to the sales clerk and ask, "Do you have any matching shoes with that dress? Preferably in a size 9." Soon she shows me a pair of silver stilettos that has material running across the foot in an X pattern with tiny silver studs running down them. As we leave the shop, Ana is grinning from ear to ear. I know she is humble and is very kind to think of my expenses, but all that I've bought for her didn't put a dent in my wealth.
"Christian can we go to Sprinkles before we leave? Please," Mia pleads.
"Don't you think it's a little too cold for it today Mia?"
"But they're having a special today. Please?"
"Is everyone else okay with that?" They all nod. "Okay why don't you guys go ahead and go and we'll meet you there. We have to make a certain stop."
"Okay we'll grab a table," Elliot states as we part ways. With Ana's arm wrapped around mine, we head to Cartier's. It feels so right to have her here beside me, like she and I were meant to do this. As soon as we step inside, Fred, the sales clerk recognizes me from my previous purchases for Mom and Mia.
"Ah welcome back Mr. Grey," the 65 year old says with kindness.
"Hello Fred, how are you today?"
"Oh fine, just fine. How may I help you today?"
"We're were wondering if you had any charm bracelets."
"Ah yes, right this way." He steps behind the counter and pulls out his collection. I see Ana instantly spot a white gold one that has oval links and a diamond studded C clasp.
"Do you like that one Ana?" She nods and Fred removes it for her to try on. It fits perfectly. "Can we see your charms please Fred?" He pulls out another draw and we see hundreds of charms. We soon find a little silver bell with swirl designs along the sides. Along with that we get a rose, a lily, a sun, a crescent moon, a Celtic knot, and a treble clef note charm. After he attaches the charms, Ana practically skips out of the store. I'm so glad to see her so happy.
"Thank you so much Christian! I love it so much!"
"You're welcome Ana. I'd say our shopping today went very well." She nods and hugs my arm. Even through layers of clothing, I still feel a buzz when she touches me. We join the rest of the group and have a cup of hot chocolate with a scoop of Sprinkles signature vanilla ice cream. The girls admire her charm bracelet when we're seated.
"So Ana, what do your charms mean," Kate asks.
"Well the bell is so I don't scare Gail anymore since she can't hear me coming. The lily is my favorite flower. The rose was my mom's favorite flower. The sun is because I love the light of day. The moon is because my dad taught me about the stars. The Celtic knot is because my heritage is Irish. And the treble clef is because I love music." After we all enjoy the break, we head home. After hugging everyone, we split ways. Ana and I head into the apartment and I help hang her outfits up. After we have a filling dinner, we say goodnight and I head into my room, praying I'll sleep a dreamless sleep.
I awake in the night with a feeling there is something wrong. As I step out of my room, I see Ana's door is open. I head towards the library and hear a sad song calling to me. I step into the library and see Ana playing with the moonlight streaming into the room. She's wearing a new set of pajamas and she's reading one of the books I got her, but why is she up at this hour? She turns her head slightly and I can see the tear stains down her lovely face. I continue to walk towards her in the cold room as I hear her loneliness pouring out in the song. Without any errors, she plays on lost in her own world. When she finishes, she sees me out of the corner of her eye and slightly jumps.
"What's wrong Ana," I ask as I walk towards her. I sit down, cup her face, and wipe away her tears.
"I had a nightmare"
"You're freezing. Would you like for me to light the fire and we can talk about it?" She nods. I get up and turn on the fireplace. I pull a blanket out the arm of the couch and wrap it around her when she comes to sit on the couch with me. When I sit next to her, she takes my hand and laces her fingers through mine. She sits and looks at the fire before taking a deep breath and begins to tell me, about her past.
Author's Note:
The song I pictured Ana playing was Lonely Raindrops by Domokos Elod