AUTHORS NOTE: Hello and happy new year to you all, even though we are well into January and heading towards February now! Here's hoping that 2022 turns out better than the dog's dinner that the past two years have been! Or at the very least I'll go for slightly less crappy!
I will say we are on the final section of this story. In the storyline we are heading towards Christian's birthday which is June and with what I have planned I'm aiming to end the story completely at Christmastime in this universe's year. So, with what I have planned I'd say there will be at least about another 5 or 6 chapters give or take (maybe less maybe more). I just want to thank everyone who has patiently stuck with it as I have never written a story this way before (and I don't intend to do so again!) and considering that it took from 2015 to 2020 to write the first 10 chapters before I became completely stuck with writer's block and decided to post what I had in the hopes that readers could give me the kick (up the bum!) of inspiration I needed to get past the block I had – which it did!
But the fact is, it has taken me over a year to get to this point which is unheard of for me and that is why I always have a story completely written in skeleton form before I start posting it so I can do regular updates and get it completed quickly. This way I am trying to fit it in between real life and not make people wait too long for updates, but I am aiming to finish it before November of this year as it was November 2020 when I first posted the first part of the story. A massive thank you to 'T Traveller' who posted my request for help to get past my block on a FSOG Facebook page which she is on when I first posted this story and to all of the people who responded with their comments and helped my brain focus on where to send the story next, and also to all the readers who have commented and reviewed and encouraged me as I've written it. I promise you all - it will get finished!
CHAPTER 82
One week later…
(ANA)
"Hello Andrea, Megumi!" I say as I breeze into the executive office at Grey House.
Andrea immediately looks up and gives me a wide welcoming smile. "Hello, Mrs Grey. Mr Grey is expecting you if you want to go right on in".
"Hello Mrs Grey" Megumi says quite professionally. It still jars with me a little to hear her say that, but I know Christian likes formality in the office so I don't argue and I just acknowledge her greeting with a warm polite smile. But it does seem a little much for me to hear her call me Mrs Grey when Megumi is now my sister-in-law.
"Thank you, Andrea" I reply as I make my way towards Christian's office door.
As I carefully open it, I see Christian with his head bent over something on his desk and he is reading it carefully and making hand written notes on it. I clear my throat and he looks up at me. His face lights up as he sees me and he drops his pen down and rises gracefully to his feet.
"Hi baby" he says as he rounds his desk. When he reaches me, he pulls me into his arms and holding me flush against him he kisses me soundly.
"Well, that was some welcome! Hello to you too Christian" I say and I watch him smirk knowingly.
"You can get those thoughts out of your head, right now! I say firmly as I see the heated lustful look in his eyes. "You know I'm here to discuss the relocation of Grey Publishing. Not to have hanky panky with you!" I add trying my hardest to sound assertive and stern.
Christian nods, and releases his hold on me slightly, "I know, and I'm sorry baby but it's hardly my fault that I find you totally irresistible" he argues as he pulls me close once more, his hands wandering slowly up my skirt.
I shake my head and gently push him away. "You know the rules, and if you don't stop it right now, I will not be relocating to Grey House anytime soon" I state determinedly and he sighs at that and then he nods.
"I'm sorry baby" he mutters sulkily.
When we had returned home from New York Christian had dropped on me that he wants to re-locate Grey Publishing into Grey House. He has pointed out all the positives to that decision and to be fair to him I can't argue with any of them and from a business point of view it would make perfect sense. However, I also know what Christian is like and having me in the same building would make both our days very distracted if ground rules were not put in place. So, I had agreed in principle to the idea of the move on the condition that there would be nothing sexual between us while we were at work. That is a proviso that is sort of in place now, and has been ever since. If I come to Grey house on a work-related matter, I don't like to muddy the waters with our personal relationship and Christian accepts that and abides by it… for the most part.
"However, on a non-work related matter" I say carefully and Christian looks at me hopefully and steps closer once more.
"I spoke to Mia this morning" I add and I watch as disappointment once more fills his face.
I ignore it and continue, "Everything for your birthday party is now done and she promises me that she hasn't gone totally over the top".
Christian snorts rudely at that, "Mia's idea of over the top and mine are two totally different things and poles apart" he says sardonically.
I slap his arm, "Don't be mean, I feel awful that I literally just handed over your party to her when we went to New York" I say.
"Yes, but she offered so don't feel bad about it… and besides I told you repeatedly that I didn't want any fuss for my birthday, I never do – not that you ever take any notice" he grumbles.
I grin at him, roll my eyes and shake my head at his comment. "Christian, you know that I like to celebrate the day you were born because if you had never been born, I would never have met you and I wouldn't be as happy as I am right now" I say. I lean closer and press a small kiss to the corner of his mouth, to emphasise my point. He just grunts at my comment so I quickly continue before he can argue any further.
"Besides, how on earth can you not make a thing of your birthday this year after everything you have recently discovered? You have all your birth family who are eager to celebrate with you for the first time. You wouldn't deny them that would you?" I ask carefully. I know that is blatant manipulation but it works as his eyes soften and he slowly nods in agreement.
"I know, and no I wouldn't. To be fair, if I am honest… I am actually looking forward to my party this year" he admits quietly.
I smile at that confession and pull him close wrapping my arms around him and squeezing him tightly.
"It's just a shame Betty didn't live to share the day with us" he adds sadly.
My heart lurches at that comment and I squeeze him a little tighter in response.
I pull away slightly and look at him carefully, "I know, but although it was a shock when she died so quickly after meeting you… I mean it wasn't a shock as it was clear she was seriously ill, but I expected you to have a few months at least with her and it was totally unfair that she died so soon after finally meeting you… I like to think, she was reunited with Liam and Ella and she told them that you were really ok". I pause and Christian stares intently at me and I shrug, "I know it sounds silly, but that's how I make sense of situations like that" I add almost apologetically.
Christian touches my face gently with his fingers, "No baby, it's not silly… and thank you for that… It's a comforting thought" he says.
I nod and quickly pull myself together as I want to get back to the reason why I am here.
"Right, shall we get back to what I am here for?" I ask and Christian nods at me and I see him slip quickly and effortlessly back into CEO mode.
"Yes, let's go through the relocation plans and then I'll show you the floor which I've allocated for Grey Publishing. The refurbishment isn't quite complete yet but it will give you a rough idea of what it will be like".
I move away from him and sit down at the small seating area, Christian comes and sits beside me with a folder in his hand and his tablet, which contains all the relevant details regarding the relocation. I move closer as he starts to explain the plan which he has drawn up to minimise the disruption to both of us.
"So, what do you think?" he asks when he has comprehensively gone through everything.
I nod, "It's all very impressive, and I can see all the positives for this move… but…" I pause and look at him carefully.
"But what baby? Come on tell me I need to know you are completely on board with this" he says.
"I really don't want to muddy the waters, with our personal life. We have successfully kept the two separate for the most part up to now but I can't help but worry that if I am in the same building as you, then things could get… messy, for want of a better word".
Christian hesitates and stares at me, "If this is about my behaviour earlier, when you first arrived then I'm sorry. I totally agree with you that we need that separation or this won't work". He pauses and grins at me, "I do have some level of self-control though, admittedly not a lot when it comes to you, but I think we can make this work".
Before I can respond, Christian's intercom buzzes and at the same moment there is a knock at the door and it opens as Taylor pokes his head around it with a grim expression on his face.
"Sir, I apologise for interrupting but it appears we have a situation downstairs" he says.
"What is it?" Christian asks, immediately standing up.
"Miss Kavanagh is outside. It appears she has already been to the Grey Publishing premises intending to speak with Mrs Grey and has now tracked her down to here".
I frown at that, wondering who told her I was here and then it hits me that it was probably the new receptionist. Clare is on maternity leave at the moment and we have a temp covering until she returns. Both Luke and I have told her not to tell people where I am if I am out of the building, something which she appears to have forgotten.
Christian looks at me questioningly and I stand up. "I think I should go down and speak to her, she is only going to keep trying otherwise, tell security downstairs to let her inside" I say and Taylor nods before sending a quick text in response.
Christian nods in agreement, "I'll come down with you" he says, but I shake my head.
"No, let me handle this. You know what Kate thinks of you so it will just antagonise her if you are there with me and possibly make the situation escalate further".
"Alright, but you will take Sawyer and Taylor with you" he says in the tone of voice that I know better than to argue with.
I glance at Jason and he nods in agreement. "Is Luke still waiting just outside?" I ask him pointing to Christian's office door and he confirms that he is.
I sigh, "Ok then let's get this over with" and I walk out of Christian's office. Luke immediately stands up and so does Megumi.
"I'm so sorry Ana" she says, forgetting the formal protocol for a moment.
I hold up my hand, "It's fine, it's not your fault. I've been avoiding her and ignoring her calls, so it was inevitable that she would do something like this after all this is Kate we are talking about".
Megumi smiles and lets out a small giggle at that. "Do you want me to come down with you?" she asks me and I shake my head.
"No, you've already had to deal with her. I can do this" I say.
As the elevator doors open, I see Kate is now standing at the reception desk surrounded by security with her hands on her hips. I roll my eyes at the sight; she knows she isn't allowed in here and if she carries on the way she is doing I can see Christian slapping a restraining order on her.
As my heels clack on the marble floor Kate turns her head towards me and tries to take a step closer but is stopped by the security guard.
"Let me go I'm not going to hurt her, she is my sister in law" she protests.
My eyebrows rise at that comment, and I glance at Luke and Jason who both respond with a shrug.
"What do you want Kate?" I ask bluntly, foregoing any niceties of a formal greeting.
"I need to talk to you" she demands and I just fold my arms in response to that.
"Well, I think I have made it obvious by the fact I have been ignoring your calls and refusing to see you until now that I don't want to talk to you. However, now as you have ambushed me here and the fact I'm sick of your constant needy approaches, I'm listening so it had better be good" I say.
Kate's eyes widen at my tone, she isn't used to me speaking like that and is clearly taken aback by what I have said.
She glances around at the crowd of security surrounding us. "Is there somewhere we can go and talk privately?" she asks in a quiet, softer and almost conciliatory tone.
I pause, I want to say no but we are attracting attention here and so I nod and glancing at the desk security I make my request.
"May we use the security office?" I ask.
We are quickly shepherded into the small pokey office, which is nothing more than a small break room. There are magazines scattered on a table and dirty mugs littered about which the men seem to be embarrassed about as they quickly move to gather them up.
"Don't worry about that, this is your private room. We are the ones intruding," I say kindly as I sit down on a sofa and wait.
Kate hesitates a moment before taking a seat opposite me. She glances at the men and I nod at them. With that they all melt away, leaving only Jason and Luke who sit down a short distance away.
"Well?" I ask.
"I want El back" she states and I snort rudely at that.
"You're too late" I say.
Kate shakes her head, "I know he's engaged to that Asian girl but engagements can be broken, I was his wife for god's sake. I'm the mother of his child, that must account for something?" she says.
I bite my lip as I don't want to tell her the truth that El has remarried. I pull out my phone and quickly make a call.
"Hello sis" the voice at the other end of the phone, and the warm greeting makes me smile, but that smile fades as I realise what I have to do.
"Hi El, listen we have a situation here at Grey House" I begin.
"Kate?" he asks.
"Yep!" I reply and I can't help but note the fact he doesn't sound surprised.
I hear a sigh, "Meg called me, and she said you were there and that Kate had also showed up. She told me that you were going to see her, what's the matter with her now?" he asks.
"She wants you back" I state and I grin at the bark of laughter that comes down the phone. I glance at Kate who is looking at me hopefully. "Listen El, while it would give me great pleasure to do so it's not my place to tell her why that's never going to happen… so if I put you on speaker, you can tell her yourself" I add.
I press the speaker button and there is silence for a moment, "Ana?" Elliot says after a moment.
"Yes" I say.
"Am I on speaker now?" he asks.
"You are" I confirm, and there is another lengthy silence until I hear a deep sigh.
"Listen sis, I have better things to do with my time than to talk to her and to be honest I don't particularly want any interaction with her whatsoever. She is dead to me, and has been since that day at your place when I heard what she really thought of me. I've moved on now and I'm happy with Meg who truly loves me, so you can tell her – tell her that there is no fucking way I would ever take her back, and besides… I couldn't even do so not even if I did lose my mind and think it would be a good idea to give things another go with her. I couldn't because I am now happily married to someone else".
I inwardly smile at El's response. He knew he was on speaker and while he didn't want to talk to Kate personally, he knew he had to make it clear to her that she was never setting foot back in his life again. This was also an incredibly powerful way of getting his point across as he isn't actually speaking to her. I glance at Kate who has taken a sharp breath in and she looks… devastated. I move my attention back to my phone.
"Ok El" I say simply and I look up at Kate again and pointing to my phone I simply shrug, "What he said" I say and I hear Elliot chuckle in response to that.
"Listen Ana, I have to go I'm right in the middle of something, I'll call you later ok?" Elliot says and I nod forgetting he can't see me.
"Ok El, sorry to have bothered you" I say.
"No sis, don't apologise - but I really need to go now" he says and with that the line goes dead. I push my phone into my pocket and stand up.
"So, are we all done here?" I say briskly.
"Married?" Kate whispers.
I nod, "Yes, he and Meg married while Christian and I were in New York" I say.
"But" Kate argues.
I shake my head, "Look, he has moved on. You need to do the same, you never loved him and you couldn't even bring yourself to call him by his name when you talked about him. The only thing you loved was the fact his name opened doors for you and gave you privileges you didn't deserve and his wealth gave you a comfortable lifestyle. Now, if you would excuse me, I am also very busy and I need to get on".
I gesture for her to leave the little security office and she stands and slowly makes her way out. As she does so she pauses and turns to face me.
"I will fight the adoption" she states and I shake my head and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Seriously?" I say and Kate nods emphatically.
"No, you won't because you are too late for that as well as the papers have been drawn and it's going through. Also there is the small detail that you signed away all your parental rights to Elliot when you signed the divorce papers, so you have no legal right to contest it…" I pause, "…and besides, Ava hasn't even noticed you are no longer in her life because you had so little to do with her when you were around and finally she calls Meg mom and has done for a while".
I see as my words sink in and Kate realises that there is no hope, and anger flickers in her eyes. "I've lost my family over this" she says as her hands ball into fists. I perceive Luke and Jason take a step closer to me and the security men on the desk move closer.
I shrug again, "And whose fault is that? You have brought everything on yourself, Kate. Now I am asking you nicely to leave. You can go quietly and you can not make a fuss and I never want to speak to you again. If you refuse and if you continue to try and harass me or Megumi or anyone else in the family I am certain Elliot or Christian won't hesitate to place a restraining order on you".
Kate's mouth drops open and she stares at me as if she doesn't know me. "My god what's happened to you Ana? You are so cold… You have been with Christian too long and his ways have rubbed off on you" she sneers.
I take a step closer and I hold up my hand to silence her as she goes to say something else.
"That's enough Kate, I've been polite and I've heard what you wanted to say. Just because you didn't get the response you wanted to hear there is no need to start bad mouthing my husband again. You made your choice Kate, you chose to not make a go of your marriage to my brother, you could've had a wonderful life with him as he is such a lovely man but you are just too self-centred and materialistic to see the real wealth in a person".
Kate snorts, "Your brother?! Listen to yourself! He is no more your brother than I am, he is Christian's adopted brother and you are only linked to him through marriage so climb off that high horse you are sitting on and get a grip on reality".
I smile serenely at her, "Oh that's quite ironic you should say that considering a moment or so ago you were calling me your sister-in-law. Which is no longer the case since you divorced my brother".
"Ana" Jason mutters warningly and I stop dead. I swallow what I was going to say next as that would be the height of irresponsibility to tell Kate of the biological link between us all, but my anger nearly made me have a brain to mouth malfunction.
I turn towards Jason and I nod acknowledging him with wordless thanks and he gives me a small smile.
Kate looks from Jason to me and back again with open curiosity. It is clear she has picked up on our exchange and I could kick myself for my less than circumspect behaviour.
"You're still standing there Kate, can you explain why? Our conversation is over and you are no longer welcome here" I say, trying to brazen it out and divert her attention.
She glares at me fiercely, "You bitch" she hisses.
I shake my head, "You don't get your own way, so you resort to insults. I've had enough of this" I snap, and then I look towards the security guards hovering nearby and smile kindly at them.
"Please escort Miss Kavanagh from the building and if she causes you any problems, please feel free to call the police" I say.
Kate stares at me in open astonishment, her mouth dropping open as the security guards surround her.
"Ana, please!" she protests but I shake my head.
"No, Kate! I don't take kindly to being called a bitch. I'm also not at all happy about the derogatory comments you made about my husband. But what I really can't stand is the fact you came here wanting me to help you after everything you have said and done. You really don't get it do you? You can't pick people up and put them down as it suits you. You can't use people and then insult them when they don't do what you want them to do. This is the last interaction we will ever have so I will end it by saying you are the most self-centred, narcissistic, entitled spoilt brat I have ever met and you need to grow up and learn that your actions have consequences and that you can't behave the way you do. You need to move on and you need to leave us all the hell alone!"
With that I turn on my heel and make my way towards the elevator with Jason and Luke flanking me, deliberately ignoring the commotion Kate is making as it sounds as though she is being physically removed from Grey House.