Calm Down!

At this point, I was nervously rubbing my hands on my fitted jean-clad thighs as I tried to calm my nerves, to no avail. Telling myself, just breathe, Aubri, just breathe, I repeated.

Daniel put the vehicle in park. He then gently reached, took one of my hands in his, held onto it, and then slightly squeezed.

My eyes followed his movements, then I looked at him. His gorgeous blue eyes showed a sincerity that spoke to me. It was like he was saying, 'Take your time.' 'I am here for you.'

He loosened his grip and simply held my hand, gently rubbing the back as he waited. He patiently allowed me to have my moment.

His soothing strokes brought me some comfort. I steady my breathing, and my heart slows to its normal riddim. Then he says the words I had been hoping for but now feeling slight dread about.

Or maybe it is anxiety again. I don't know, AHH! I just don't know right now.

"Okay, so we are here," Daniel spoke, taking me out of my screaming mind. He then switches off the vehicle, looks at me, and asks, "Are you okay?"

"Yes," I answered, "I am okay... I am ready." I turned to look at him, seeing concern, but really, even though we had gotten closer, could I allow myself to blindly believe he was concerned and sincere in his actions?

He waited another minute, then said, "Okay, let's head in. He is waiting."

We got out, Daniel leading the way, being the gentleman he is, opening doors and all. He leads me straight to his father's office. The house was gorgeous. It had a futuristic vibe to it.

The winding staircase to my left was made of glass. There were tons of exquisite glass sculptures, and glass shelves lined the walls furnished with pictures and intricate ornaments.

The side tables in the living room were made of glass, the coffee table was also glass, and all the walls were painted in the whitest white I had ever seen.

The place looked exquisitely clean and made me feel like I was in a sterile zone.

We walk through the home's entrance and head down a hallway on the left. We should have taken off our shoes at the door. I felt like I should be walking barefoot.

Daniel opened the door to an office. At least here, it had some color. The leather chair behind the desk was black. "Here we are. You can have a seat." Daniel gestured to a chair facing the large glass table.

"He will be in shortly," Daniel continued, then ensured I was okay. Soon, he left me. As he walked away, I stared at his receding back like a deer in headlights. Eventually, pulling it together, I sat on the chair facing the thick glass table and waited.

Fascinated by the table, I had never seen one looking this strong, sturdy, and sculpted to perfection. I reached out and touched it, then pressed harder to test it. It was as sturdy as it looked, and the glass felt thick.

There was a shimmer inside the glass that gave it an iridescent look. Simply magnificent!

A few minutes passed before Mr. Grey came into the office. Arms wide open, "ahh, Ms. Ivanov, so nice to see you again. How have you been settling in?"

I got up and gave him a hug, walking right into it. He then made his way around his desk as I sat once more. He then took a seat behind it.

"Well, Mr. Grey, that is actually why I am here," I said, looking him straight in the eye. He rocks back on his chair as if making himself comfortable for what I am about to say.

"Go on," he gestured with an inviting wave of his hand.

So you bet I did, "everything is". . . . I searched for the words... "just too much, Mr. Grey," I sighed. . . "now, answer me this, what employer goes to these lengths to ensure their intern's comfort?"

"Mr. Grey, this just doesn't make sense to me at all, no matter how much I tried to wrap my mind around it... which is why I am here, to find out the reasoning for all of this."

I gesture widely, hands spreading as I stress 'ALL OF THIS,' "and quite frankly, I am not getting any answers from Daniel. That's another reason I am here to see you in particular, hoping to get some answers once and for all."

I am looking at him, searching his eyes and reactions.

Mr. Grey Senior, though he was senior, this dude was really handsome. He looks about thirty-five. Daniel is Twenty-Five. He had children of age. How was that even possible?

So what? He had Daniel at ten? Impossible!

Nevertheless, returning to the matter at hand, Mr. Grey clears his throat and suddenly starts shuffling papers on his desk as if to aim to look busy, or, choosing his words carefully, or, maybe, he was simply looking for something.

I sighed heavily, wondering if I would get the same run around from him as I had been getting from Daniel. "Am I going to be getting the same thing from you?"

I eventually asked, interrupting his shuffling contest. I crossed my arms, leaned back on my chair, my handbag on my lap, and an eyebrow arch. Eyes narrowing.

Straightening up, "It's not that simple, Ms. Ivanov. This is a delicate matter and awe to be discussed with Mr. Thornton," he pleaded, "and actually fear not."

As I hung onto every word from his sexy lips, he continued, "all will be revealed in due time, my dear. Mr. Thornton would very much like to have an honest conversation with you, but he is currently indisposed."

For a moment, he looked at me like he was sympathizing with the fact I still had to wait for answers. But my mind was screaming, 'WHAT IS the big deal? Can Someone Just TELL ME WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?'

'How long again do I have to be in limbo and wondering if I made a terrible mistake by coming here?'

"In the next few days, when he is available, I can schedule time for both of you to speak. We promised to let him be the one to have this discussion with you, giving you all the details and answers you seek. That said, I am sure you can understand that we must keep our word as men and women with integrity."

Uhm, say what? Did Mr. Grey just say that I have no respect for his integrity? Oh NO, HE didn't, because I simply wanted to know the truth and tried to ensure this was not some sugar daddy business?

Because if so, I will have to turn this WHOLE thing down and return to where I came from. And then every single thing I did to this point would have been a waste of time and energy. All for naught!

I knew this was too good to be true.

And given how things went down in Clifton Hill before my departure, I am NOT too eager to return.

I sigh. Okay, okay, Aubri, calm down. I shift in my seat. You know you always do this, twist people's words.

Think clearly and rationally. Mr. Grey Senior is simply speaking about you, understanding why he needs to keep his word. Okay. Has to be that.

Meanwhile, he was still looking at me sincerely, so earnestly he said, "my suggestion is that you get comfortable with your new surroundings, have some fun, let Danny boy take you around, anywhere, everywhere, everything will be okay, don't you worry."

"Now, please excuse me, as you can imagine. I have lots to do in the absence of yo..." Coughing, he cleared his throat, "Mr. Thornton. I have a lot to take care of in his absence. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Yes, that small voice further in the back of my mind was screaming yes. Pushing me to simply ask if there was a possibility that Mr. Thornton was my father. But if he was not, how crazy would I sound?

Defeated. Instead, I ask, "When is Mr. Thornton coming back?"

I had the opportunity to ask if he was my dad, and I chickened out. Plus, was I ready to find out if HE was my father? Hell NO!

But, I simply couldn't leave without knowing...

"Okay, NO, You know what? Actually, the thing is, Mr. Grey, I am not going to relax. Let me just get that out because if this is some sugar daddy business, then I might as well look to return where I came from, so if no one is willing to explain, then I am done here." I got up abruptly, making my way to the door.

"Ms. Ivanov, please wait!"

I stopped and turned around to look at him; he was already standing behind me with a frightened expression. Why was he afraid? "What! Are you going to tell me what is going on?"

"I can't." He says in anguish!