FIFTY SHADES OF THEO JAMES

Chapter 8

Warning: Contains sexual content

Easily three and a half weeks passed by. I had Theo's breakfast and lunch ready for him by the time he left for work and dinner on the table by the time he got home. I even came to him when he called for me nearly every other night.

During the time that I wasn't cooking or having sex with him I kept to myself doing my yoga, swimming, relaxing in the jacuzzi or taking long walks on the beaches. Leaving the property wasn't appealing to me now that the entire world... or at least the majority of it knew that I, Ellie Sinclair, was dating one of the most handsome British men, and supposedly had been for two years.

The day of my birthday weekend Theo came to me around nine in the morning to wake me. Apparently I was to be expecting a visitor shortly and so he suggested I get up and get dressed.

It was a chore with my depression that made my body feel like it was made out of lead, but thirty minutes later I made my way downstairs.

I was just about to go into the kitchen when I heard Theo's voice coming from the living room.

"Ellie is an amazing woman. Two years... two years and she still surprises me nearly every day."

I wondered who he was talking to. I half suspected him to be on the phone, but as I came into the living room I froze mid-step as I saw my parents sitting across from him.

"Mom... Dad... What are you doing here?" I breathed. My head was spinning. I didn't expect them to be here.

"Theodore invited us. He said he wanted to surprise you by having us come out for your birthday weekend. He's also invited us for the Christmas Holidays. His parents are suppose to fly out so we will be able to meet them."

I brought my hand up to my forehead and leaned against the wall. This could not be happening. How could he just spring this on me without so much as a word to warn me.

"Honey-" Theo began as he crossed the room and put his hand on my shoulder. "-are you feeling alright?"

"Ellie?" My mother said in her German accent. "Are you unwell?"

I took several breaths and then stood up straight. "I'm fine. Just a hangover. We celebrated a little last night."

"A little." My father chuckled. "Well, once we get some food into you, that hangover will be a thing of the past."

"Absolutely." Theo said as he glanced at his fancy watch on his wrist. "We have reservations for brunch at The Belvedere."

When my parents weren't looking I shot Theo a you-are-in-deep-shit expression before I excused myself to go and grab my purse upstairs.

As we took a seat in the upscale restaurant I immediately felt under-dressed. Everyone seemed to be looking at the four of us in our casually dressed attire as if trying to measure our ability to pay for the dining here by our clothes.

A sommelier quickly came by and offered us glasses of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, which we happily obliged. A few minutes after the he had left our waitress came by and introduce herself before handing us menus.

"For our appetizer I would like the freshly carved peking duck and the red riped tomatoes with buratta, baby basil, and aged balsamic." Theo said confidently. "And for my entree the seared diver scallops anise."

I watched the waitress write this down on her note pad and then turn to each of us. I ordered the same as Theo, since it was the only thing that appealed to me and my parents ordered kobe style flat-ironed steak.

Within five minutes we were brought our appetizers which we began happily nibbling on. The duck was cooked to perfection and wrapped in moo shoo with scallions, cucumbers and hoi sin.