When words cause pain
For Christian the day in the office had been terrible, it seemed that everyone had agreed to upset him, first Andrea had been slow to connect a call, which had cost him the loss of a deal, Olivia had been confused with copies and Had sent the wrong ones to the legal department which caused delays in contracts, Ros had not been able to close a deal with a Japanese shipping company because she was a woman, and although this was not her fault at the moment it had to worsen his mood, so he had cut himself and retired and worked from his apartment, They all made him nervous, he was sick of incompetence so he decided to leave. When he arrived at his apartment he decided to first kill the tension in the gym before continuing with the workday, after 2 hours of hard exercises, he felt a little calmer so after a bath and eat something went to his office Of his home, was reviewing new contracts and several financial statements of some companies he wanted to acquire when he heard a knock on his door
-"Excuse me, Mr. Grey, but Mrs. Lincoln is coming up."
Christian sighed and leaned heavily in his chair, nodded to Taylor and then got up, did not feel like dealing with Elena but knew he could not avoid her visit, she had traveled to Tahiti with her latest boy toy for the Christmas, and from what was appreciated they had already returned, he walked towards the living room just as the door opened.
-"Christian, sweetheart." - Elena strode toward him with open arms, dressed in her trademark black, wearing a dress glued to her body, wearing long boots, lots of make-up, shiny hair on a carre cut, gave him two kisses In the air as she laid her hands on her forearms.
-"Hello Elena, how was your vacation?" - said Christian indicating the chair to be seated, on the tea table there were two glasses and a cold bottle of red wine, Gail was worth its weight in gold.
-"Ah bored, too much sun, too many people, I would have wanted something more exclusive, besides I could not have fun properly, no club met the standards to which I am accustomed, it was truly a waste of time" - while Elena spoke Christian served the glasses – "but enough of me, tell me, darling, how are you? " - She said, stroking his arm.
-"I'm fine Elena, you know, dealing with the office and the usual problems," - Christian replied, had not told Elena the theft of GEH, she had heard the news but did not know the background of what they stole.
-"And tell me you have something new about who might have entered the company," - Elena said, taking a sip of her wine.
-"No, we're investigating, but so far it's a dead end," - Christian said frustrated, running his hands through his hair.
-"Darling, with your resources I do not understand the incompetence of your staff, by now you should have news"
-"Even the police have no clues, Elena".
-"I'm just saying Christian," - she said as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. - "Welch in the end is not as wonderful as you might think," - she said with disdain, Christian was annoyed, though Welch could find nothing, It was because of the professionalism with which he had acted, but he knew that he could trust him fully.
-"Elena," he said harshly, -"I trusted the team that is working on this, and I know that the lack of results is due to situations beyond their control, I would be grateful if you did not re-issue an opinion that is not requested.
-"Oh, my dear, I understand, it's not for you to wear like that."- She was annoyed by the tone, but she decided to keep quiet, she did not want to make him more nervous, and to throw her away.
-"Then do not say things you do not know," Christian finished, sipping his wine.
-"Christian," Elena said in a seductive tone, pulling her body close to him, showing off her cleavage. "I do not mean to upset you, I only give my opinion.
-"Well then do not say anything that you know bothers me." - Elena nodded and tried to get the conversation to where she wanted.
-"Darling, you know you need a way to release the tension, let me help you with that, I can have a submissive for you tomorrow.
Christian pondered the idea, knew that he needed to relax but did not become the idea of a submissive; there was something inside him that would not let him accept the proposal.
-"I'll think about it, Elena, and I'll notify you, but due to the latest situation, I'm requesting a double check for each submissive prospectus.
-"Christian, that's something that will never happen again, and Miss Welter will never regain a respectable dominant; I'll take care of that myself."
Christian nodded, at which point Gail appeared to report that dinner would be ready in 20 minutes, although Christian did not feel like sharing with Elena, education and manners drove him to ask. - Do you stay for dinner Elena?
"-Oh, dear nothing I would like more, but I must go to see your mother, we have a carnival dance to program".
They continued talking about trivia, until it was time to leave, Christian accompanied her to the elevator and when he turned to go back in. Elena took the opportunity to look at him, he was a perfect specimen, very sorry to have ended the relationship they had , But if she played her cards well that could be reversed, it was only a matter of patience, and thinking how he made her vibrate when he possessed her, she went to his car licking his lips and moistened by memories.
Christian sat down at the breakfast bar and Gail served him dinner, all the calm he had gotten in the afternoon evaporated with Elena's visit, he knew she always wanted to help him, but many times her mere presence unnerved him; He felt indebted to her because without her help , he would never have achieved his goals, but it bothered him when she wanted to impose her opinions and made statements about his staff that were out of place, often passed the line of friendship they had, and Christian gathered all his calm so as not to lose his patience and tell Elena everything he thought. In the end she was the only one who knew him in all his darkness and who was at his side, as she had always told him, if his family or another person knew the true nature of their depravity would turn their back without hesitation; That's why he always kept away from everyone, because he did not deserve anyone's love, love was not for fools as Elena said, but if it was for noble and pure people with a good heart, and he knew perfectly well that he was not In that category.-
When Elena arrived at Grace's house, she was greeted by Carrick, who with her usual education but without any kind of affection let her in.
-"Carrick dear" - giving two air kisses
-"Elena" - a dry greeting, hated that falsehood of kisses in the air, for him, everything in Elena shouted falsehood, watched closely, in his youth had been a pretty woman, nothing special, but rather attractive, but Now the only thing he saw was a woman who struggled to stay young but failed miserably, although she maintained a good body and always dressed in clothes that were not according to her age, the years you could see – "Grace is in the kitchen You can pass next to her."
"Thank you." When Carrick walked away, Elena looked at him, knew that she did not like him, but she did not care, she had what she wanted from this family, Grace's unconditional support, and Christian, and ultimately, he was the only one who She cared, went into the kitchen and saw Grace cutting vegetables helping her cook, did not understand how a woman who has the money Grace had pleasure in those trifles, if her life had depended on it, Elena would never have cooked.
"Grace, my dear, as always, you so domesticated - with a slight disdain.
"Elena, I'm glad you came, and you know I love helping more if it's to feed my family." Elena smiled falsely.
-Let's leave that, let's go to the room for a drink and discuss what we are going to do with the carnival dance.
Grace took off her apron and followed her friend into the living room, where Mia was coming down the stairs and when she saw Elena wanted to get back up, she did not understand how her mother tolerated her.
-Mrs. Lincoln - said Mia, by way of greeting
"Mia, how nice to see you, you're beautiful, you should go to the beauty salon more often, I have not seen you around in a while.
Mia smirked. "I'm very busy Mrs. Lincoln, when I can pass by."
-Of course, precious ... - "bratty brat, you think to have that tone with me" - she thought
"Mom, I'll go see if Gretchen needs help." - and with this retired to the kitchen.
-Mia is very excited about the opening of her business; she is finishing the last courses she was missing
"How fantastic, but tell me what you have in mind for the carnival party, when the date is scheduled?" Elena did`t care to keep talking about Mia.
-"I'm seeing when it can be, there is a person that I want to help us, she was working in NY at a foundation called Kids of Heaven, and wants to open a foundation here in Seattle and while that is concrete she has offered to help us, so I want to see how we can proceed, you agree?"
-"Of course, dear, whatever you say," - Elena smiled falsely, "as long as that person does not get into my territory, we'll be fine, I do not want any nosy when I'm making my moves," Elena thought.
-"I knew I could count on your support, I'm sure you'll love Anastasia."
Elena nodded with a false smile, the night spent talking about possible dates and how to organize everything, when dinner concluded Elena went home to where her last submissive was waiting, had been chained since they arrived this morning, hoping that She returned, when she saw him standing there could not help remembering Christian, during these years had always sought a young man who looked physically, but although there were similarities none had his bearing and beauty, let alone his sexual power, With him, she felt a limp doll, it always drove her crazy the way he took her, and she longed to return to those times, after releasing his submissive, he fell to the floor but then recovered, he knew he should not leave Waiting for her Mistress, got into position on her knees in front of her and I wait for the order.
Elena was in a good mood tonight, so she would be compassionate, took a whip and stood in front of him.
"- Lick my feet, and when I am pleased you will lick every part of my body and when I have reached the climax you can fuck me, but before we start to take heat, standing against the wall, you will receive 10 lashes" - and without wasting time, the young man was in position, Elena took distance and began the punishment, by the time she finished, by the young man's back there was some broken skin and traces of blood, but she did not care, he had to please her and that was the only thing She was looking for.
Time flew by to Ana, when she realized, for more than a week that was installed in SIP, Ethan had traveled urgently to NY to attend investors who wanted the hotel franchise in Asia, so he left All in the hands of the administrators, and before any need they could turn to Anastasia, she was happy about how she was being handled in SIP And with the help of Ethan, the hotels, but what he was most excited about was the foundation, had lunched with Grace several times that week, and had already found the perfect property for the construction of the home, after a meeting with Carrick , The purchase had ended, all they needed now was a construction team that could evaluate the architecture and verify what arrangements are needed.
-"Look Ana, if you like, my eldest son, Elliot, has a construction company and I think he'd be more than happy to help you, he could look at the building and tell you what he needs and start with the arrangements," - Grace said as she took a Sipped their tea, they were in Ana's apartment, looking at the terrace, it was still very cold in Seattle to enjoy it, they were talking about the possibilities for Kids of Heaven and preparations for the Coping Together carnival party.
-"Grace, that would be great when I could talk to him?, I don`t want to look anxious, but I would love to start as soon as possible with all the arrangements."
-"Nothing dear, I understand your enthusiasm and I admire it, it shows that it makes you happy to help the children." - Grace took her hands and gave him a strong squeeze; Ana in a few days had earned her affection.
"Yes, Grace, I feel very blessed, and that is why I want to repay a little." - Ana smiled, Grace was a wonderful woman, had not intimated much with her but for what little she knew, was a woman given to work and family.
"Well, it's settled, tomorrow night I invite you to dinner at my house and there you talk to Elliot, and by the way you know my daughter Mia, I've talked about you and she dies to meet you.
"Of course I accept, but could I take Kate?"
-"Oh, of course, she is as welcome as you, dear, I must leave, I'll wait for you tomorrow at 07PM in my house, I leave the address."
Ana accompanied Grace to the door and said goodbye, that night when Kate arrived, told her about the invitation, Kate accepted delighted also knew Grace and thought that she was a lovely woman.
Grace left Ana's apartment and as she was very close to the Escala, she decided to try her luck and go visit Christian, she was very worried about him, she knew that the robbery to GEH had him on the verge of nerves she had not seen him for days. She did not even participate in Sunday dinners, she only had news of him from sporadic phone calls and the comments Elliot gave her, the only good thing was that they were very close lately.
When she arrived at the building it was announced and as it was on the list went straight up, upon entering Taylor received it, he indicated to her that Christian was in his study. She knocked softly on the door and entered.
-"Good night, sweetheart," - Grace said, looking at her son. Christian was surprised to see his mother. He immediately got up and walked over to give her a kiss.
-"Mother, how are you? Why are you here?"
-I was close, snacking, and I wanted to come by and say hello, I have not seen you for many days, how are you, sweetie? - Grace sat down on the couch and Christian sat down beside her.
-"Good mother, hard work, you know, that's why I could not go home.
-"Understanding treasure," - Grace said, stroking his son's cheek. - "Well, I did not come to take you out for a long time, but since I'm here, I'd like to invite you to dinner tomorrow, your brothers will be there, and ..." - but she could not finish it, Christian interrupted.
-"I can`t mother, it will be impossible for me, there are many complications that you do not understand and besides I have too many things to do any minute that makes me waste time equals delays, and all the time I can spend working is valuable". - Grace tried to hide the pain in the way he had spoken to her, had been cold, hard, and unkind.
-"Sure, honey," - she said, getting up, - "I'll let you work."
-"I'll go with you," Christian said, but his mother put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from getting up. She did not know if she could keep her composure any longer.
-"No honey, stay, I know the way," - and she went out the door and swiftly went to the exit, did not wait for Christian to kiss her, she just wanted to get out of there so no one could see her tears.
Christian was thinking, he was an idiot, his mother had come alone to see him and invited him to dinner and he had treated her wrong unfairly, again had disappointed her, tried to reach her but it was late, Grace was gone.
When she got home, told Gretchen that she was ill and that she would go up and lie down, went directly to her room, to her closet and removed a black box, opened it and looked at it, when she found what she was looking for, sat down In bed, tears ran freely over her face, she looked at the photo that held in her hands, it was discolored by the years, but the image still stood out, a small child with coppery hair holding a blanket, thumb sucking, he was very thin and in his eyes there was fear, he was in a corner of the picture away from the family, excluded from the three people who stood smiling at his side, Grace hugged the photo tightly and allowed herself to be seized by the sadness, from the beginning that frail little boy had moved away from his family, no matter how much they loved him, they could not get him near, and today 25 years later she felt farther away than had ever, she had failed as a mother, had failed in his attempt to make him feel wanted, because until today he was that boy lost in the photo.
