Fifty Shades After

Chapter 20

Grace POV

I am going down to make sure breakfast is underway and I see Christian trying to enter his room. This boy is really suspicious. "Christian, what are you doing? There is mold in there. Its not safe" "I just wanted to check if anything in there was damaged from the mold". I need to get him away from the door. I know he has a sixth sense for Ana. "When the mold re mediator was there he just noticed it in the ceiling and edging nothing had been touched". I walk over to him and start walking him down the stairs "Come along dear, lets go eat breakfast and you and dad can start out for work. I am taking a little vacation from work to take care of some charity events and things I have neglected because of work".  We enter the dining room and see Carrick already at the table. "Good morning Christian" Carrick greets Christian as we enter the kitchen. "Do you have a busy day today"? "Not too busy, just taking care of a couple of mergers. Mom I was running the property earlier. Why is Taylor's car in the garage"? I look over at Christian silently cursing myself for not making sure the garage was shut, "When I went with Ana to the hospital yesterday, it was via ambulance. I called Taylor on my way there and he met me there. After Ana was discharged they arrange transportation and Taylor told me to take his car as he didn't want me to call an Uber". "Oh that was nice of him" I do not think Christian actually believes me right now. "So mother, when is the next family dinner"? I look at him in shock and dismay. "Why do you ask? Generally you avoid family dinners" "I was hoping for a distraction while Ana is away and what better distraction than family right"? He looks at me and its almost a challenge. "Well since Mia is abroad, we thought we would wait for her return in 2 weeks" "Oh" Christian looks disappointed. "But if you would like, we could come to Escala for dinner with you this weekend"? "That would be lovely mother, I will speak to Gail about it". After Christian finishes breakfast, he hesitates in leaving. I walk over to him, "Have a wonderful day son" "I don't want to leave. Its strange, but it feels like she is here. I almost feel her energy. I don't want to leave that feeling". Goodness, they are more connected that I suspected. I don't know what to say. "I understand you are feeling lonely my dear, the only thing I can suggest, lose yourself in work today and exhaust yourself. Work out with your trainer, play golf. Distract yourself, don't dwell". "I will do my best mother" he leans over and kisses my cheek. As he does this I notice out the window, Claude Bastille is walking towards the door. I motion for him to go around back with my eyes and thankfully he gets the message. Christian looks at me weirdly, but I give him an innocent look. He nods and leaves to go to work. I breath a huge sigh of relief. I go to the back to let Claude know to go to the gym and I would tell Ana of his arrival.

Christian POV

My mother is rushing me out of the house. I know that for a fact. Then she holds me here and is doing something crazy with her eyes. Something is not right here. I leave the house on the pretense of going to work, but I hang around just to see what she is hiding. I have many hiding spots on this property she doesn't know about. I hide my car and go to a secluded spot where I can see the house and property easily. Mom goes to the back door and I see.....Claude? What the hell? They go towards the gym and I see Taylor??? come to the gym as well. Where the hell has he been? I keep watching and all of a sudden I see Ana??? WTF going into the gym. So this is the "new client" that he is working with? I see Ana and Claude talk and begin the basics of working out. Taylor remains in the gym, laughing when she does something funny. It seems Ana's "retreat" is none other than staying at my mothers home. Why hide this? Why the secrecy? It all comes to me..the mold. Ana was in my room. Why Taylor's car is in the garage. I feel relieved that she is somewhere safe and secure, but I feel betrayal that they felt I couldn't be told. I watch a little longer than go to my car and go home instead of work. 

Ana POV

I enter the gym and I see Taylor and another man that I am assuming is the infamous Claude. "Hello Ms Steele, I am Claude Bastille" "Please call me Ana" "Ana, so I understand from Taylor that you want to learn some coping techniques that could be used physically as well as self-defense"? "Yes I was thinking kick boxing could be good" "If I may Ana" I nod "I think because I understand this is a result of physical trauma" I nod again "Then Krav Maga would be better. It is a military defense that consists of a combination of techniques sourced from along with realistic fight training. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and its extreme efficiency and brutal counter-attacks. Since your trauma is physical it would be good for you to learn and it will help you be able to deal with physical contact again. It combines boxing, judo, wrestling, jujitsu, Aikido, and street fighting. I spoke with Taylor and he is also familiar with Krav Maga so when I am not here you will have a sparing partner. So lets get started. Also I will leave a dietary guideline with Mrs Grey and we will be mindful of your injuries" We begin with the basics and I am surprised how quickly I start to pick this up. I fall a couple of times and Taylor laughs but its funny and I laugh as well. As I begin to get more comfortable doing this Taylor comes over to spar with me and I do a drop and he springs up and I do what is called a round house kick and get him square in the face. "Oh gosh Taylor, I am so sorry" "No its not a problem, but great round house Ms Steele" and I believe we are done. I see Claude come over "We will do this 5 times a week for 4 hours a day". I nod and thank him for coming and escort him out. I go back to my room and get ready for Flynn to show up. I see a letter on the desk and realize I didn't read the letter Christian sent last night.