Stranger at My Door

CH19: Ana

I wake up tired and unrested; I stretch my arms and legs, crack my neck, and arch my back. Everything is cracking, and aching. I rub my neck; it feels tight, too tight. Two hours, in the early morning mind you, at Children’s Hospital a good night does not make. Poor little Christy, at least her arm is bent and not broken. Poor Christian, he looked so stressed and upset; I suppose any parent feels that way when their little one is hurt. I meet his family - awkward!

I look around my room, I love my place but it is a mess; it reflects how I feel inside chaotic and out of synch; I start picking up after myself and once the room is reasonably clean, I put my favorite red yoga outfit.

_ breathe in and out - today is Monday, I hate Mondays!

_ forward bends - this past week has been one crazy ride.

_ twist to the left, and then to the right – I have not done yoga for a while, I am stiff!

_ warm up my core – I cannot believe Christian is my boyfriend; I have a boyfriend and it is THE Christian Grey. If think I am in an alternate universe; things like that do not happen to regular people like me. Please Fates do not send me back.

_ breathe, breathe – in and out, relax, I cannot find tranquility at the moment.

_ backbend – I met Christian’s family; I met my boyfriend’s family! What was I thinking going to the ER last night! The Fates must be laughing at me for some reason I must be the designated fool of the week.

_ arm balances and inversions – I need more sleep, I need to relax.

I continue my routine until finally my body follows the movements without thinking, and my mind is blank. When I look out the window I notice that all the leaves have turned and some have started to fall; I think in another week or two the trees will be bare.

I make my bed and head down for breakfast; I do not feel like making anything so it is cold cereal and fruit. Even after my yoga routine I feel out of sorts; I need sleep. If I did not have a meeting this morning, I would call in sick and go back to bed. I rub my temples, and move my head from side to side. Maybe I should take a relaxing bath sometime today, or go to the gym and tire my body to exhaustion.

I really hope the panel accepts all my recommendations. It is not that I am a business visionary by any means, but I really think there is something in this market. Besides, if they do not, I will need to find another project; I do not want other projects, I have invested many hours to start a new. I look around my kitchen, I love my kitchen, and I like my home. My job allows me to keep this place and even if I have to find another project, I still love what I do. Alright, I suppose I will survive if I it doesn’t go my way.

I take a mouthful of berries when my doorbell ring, it is loud and resonates through my space – who the hell can it be!

I smile; exactly a week ago my Adonis rang my doorbell and turned my world upside down. “Coming!” I cross the foyer and a second bell rings. For a moment I want to wait and see if a third and a fourth would ring – maybe my-panty-melting-Adonis-turned-boyfriend will be in the other side.

Then I remember last night and I know Christy must still be sleeping. Christian is probably already orchestrating yet another business takeover or whatever it is that he does. Sulking, I open the door and there he is. I am stupefied, instantly frozen in place.

Adonis, my Adonis, is wearing a white dress shirt, gray suit, and a gray tie. His hair is messy as usual; on one hand he is holding a pair of sunglasses and papers in the other. The top jacket button is undone and his grey tie peaks through.