Christian's Yearning

CH12

 ~ friends ~

 “That’s your Mrs. Robinson…”

“I have nothing to do with this.” Christian says in a barely controlled voice, “come let’s sit.”

 She shakes her head, tentatively.

“Ana, please. Let’s sit, here…” he extends his hand in invitation towards the breakfast bar “… and if you want to threaten someone you do not walk into their home and threaten with lawyers. You send the suits unannounced which is exactly what I am going to do… I’ll take care of this… please.” He explains.

“Christian, I am working really hard on this. Don’t ruin it for me.” Her voice is betraying her insecurity. She sits at the breakfast bar, barely acknowledging Mrs. Martinez. “I moved away, she is your -”

Mrs. Martinez starts to leave. Christian lifts his eyes to her; “tea, please Mrs. Martinez.” Then he continues. “…First, Elena is no my anything. Second, I’ll take care of it. Do not worry. Ok?” He softly caresses her hand, “I am glad that you came.”

“Don’t distract me Christian; I am very upset.”

“I can see that. Listen, I have nothing to do with this, don’t you think better of me?” - It hurts that you think so low of me.

Ana closes her eyes and breaths deeply. Yes, if she really thinks about it, Christian wouldn’t do something so sneaky. She reaches for something to say and comes up with: “your stalking tendencies know no bound…” She pauses for a little while and continues, “…when did you buy this place?”

- She is talking, that is a good sign… right?

“Five years ago, before it was built …Do not worry about Elena; I’ll take care of it. Trust me?” Christian continues using a soft voice as if not to scare here away.

“Ok. I’ll be leaving now.”

“NO!” He runs his hands over his hair. “No. I would like to talk. Is there someplace you must be?”

Mrs. Martinez sets up the tea and she leaves to give them privacy. She is bewildered that Mr. Grey just got slapped and he is sitting there calmly talking to the girl that did it – now I have seen everything. I guess he is not gay! Probably that girl is something special, and she thinks he did something with an Elena; wonder what that’s about.

“Alright; I do have a few things to talk about.” He says; she rolls her eyes “… are you rolling your eyes at me, Ms. Steel?” and without stopping he continues “I’ve missed that and your smart mouth.”

His voice is soft and there is a hint of playfulness that confuses Ana. She looks at her surroundings. Christian is wearing grey flannel pants and a grey undershirt. His hair is disheveled and he has not shaven yet. He has a just f-k-ed look that makes him very close to irresistible; it is unfair, she thinks, that even like this he looks like a walking Adonis. His muscles protrude through the fabric and she has to fist her hands to avoid running them all over him.

The apartment is magnificent, Christian definitely has taste. The NYC skyline is framed by floor to ceiling windows and doors. The glass doors lead to a terrace that overlooks the park. It gives the penthouse a feeling of floating in the air providing a refuge from the world beyond.