Fifty Shades of Lies

wanted me to learn to lie… but if he knew the biggest lie I have ever told was to him—I didn’t want to think about what he might do.

The ride to our destination was amazing. He picked me up in a black SUV limo. We had great conversation and a few glasses of champagne in the limo. Traffic was insane getting to our destination. It was nice and I welcomed all the time I could spend with him. Mostly he talked and I listened. He shared with me facts about his life. I was surprised to find out he was adopted by one of the most affluent families in America. He was not born, but raised with a silver spoon in his mouth.

When we arrived to the restaurant he insisted that I was blindfolded. I didn’t understand all the theatrics, but went along with his request. He guided me as I walked in the darkness. The absent of sight increased my sense of smell. The aroma of delicious foods filled the air making my belly rumble. It felt as if we were probably in the back alley of the place. It smelled divine.

“Here we can remove this now.” He carefully slipped the red scarf off my head and smoothed down the disobedient strands of my hair. His touch was very gentle.

“Thank you.” I said all breathily, gazing up into his face. He was calm, and poised. I followed him, as he led me down a dimly lit narrow corridor.

“What is this place?” I inquisitively gaped at the vines that grew from the ceiling. There were tiny little red buds spouting from the thin branches, they appeared to be apples in their infancy. How odd that they could grow without sunlight—if in fact they were the apples he had been feeding to me.

“Are these apples?” My eyes examined one of them closely.

“My personal breeding grounds.” A wicked glow flickered in his eyes then faded, a smile crawled over his face.

My lashes fluttered, as I beamed a smile into Mr. Maximillion’s gorgeous gray bluish eyes. “Where exactly are you taking me? To the Garden of Eden?” I joked with sarcasm ringing in my tone.

“It’s a surprise. Be patience.” He sternly said, as he gently slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I did not expect this sign of affection from him, up until this moment he came across very business- like, well, aside from the wacky blindfold. A surge of energy coursed though me, my limbs felt warm, heavy and weak. This could have been from the champagne. If I were a betting kind of girl, I would guess Steele was the real cause for my heady disposition.

“Stay close to me.” He whispered. Oh, I did.

A constant breeze filled the hallway. An odd white mist gathered around our ankles. Anticipation built in my heart. At the end of the hall I could see two men standing on opposites sides of a large iron door. I assumed they were bouncers to the private venue he was taking me to. The larger of the two men, formally greeted Mr. Maximillion then unlocked, and opened the door. Steele stepped slightly to the side allowing me to enter first.

It was very dark inside. The same small red like fruit, hung low, overwhelming the ceiling—it was actually breathtaking. I heard the sound a fire crackling loudly in the background, but there was no fire to be seen. The room was void of light. A few candles flickered, scattered randomly, seemingly at the perimeters of the haven. Floor length candelabrums created a perfect circle. He led me between them. In the center was an exquisite single table, draped with white linens, that dusted the floor, and two lattice style chairs. A vase with a single black velvet rose, thrived in water and a red apple splayed on a delicate crocheted doily. The set-up was beautifully arranged, yet peculiar. Simple elegance…

“Please, would you like to have a seat, Bleu?” Awe he called me Bleu. He pulled out the chair for me.

Bleu, my alias name stung in my ears… oh, the dreaded lie I was living, I had to tell him the truth, soon. What a tangled web I was weaving.

I hesitantly sat down. My nerves were frayed. I was hoping for a public place filled with other patrons… at least this would offer us both a distraction, if needed. This place had no distractions that felt disconcerting to me.

It was just Mr. Maximillion and I alone. “Thank you.” I whispered as I sat down.

“You don’t have to whisper, unless it pleases you. Personally, I would prefer if you speak up.” He requested.

“Thank you.” I spoke more loudly, obliging him, the Master of the Universe.

“That’s much better.” He smiled. I gazed steadily into his face. All I could think about was how much of a control freak he came across as—he took a seat in the small chair opposite of me, his legs turned out and one crossed at the knee. Here we go again, his penis would begin to strain, I imagined.

“By now you are probably thinking I am a control freak.” He clearly read my mind.

I held my gaze steadily, impassively, but beneath my calm exterior my heartbeat quickened inexplicably and my mouth gaped open. Everything he did rattled me to a degree, this place particularly felt like a dungeon. My eyes scanned the darkness.

“Seriously, what the hell is going on here? I am really confused.” I blurted out. The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. My eyes fell to the table.

“I am not sure what you are referring to,” he said, not a trace of humor donned on his face.

When I plucked up the courage to look at him, he was watching me intently. One hand was limp and relaxed in his lap. The other cupped his chin, trailing his long index finger across his lips. I think he was trying to suppress a smile.

“Sorry,” I maundered. “I’m not used to all these over the top sort of things. I am a simple girl.” I flushed. Is he teasing me, and trying to make me feel uncomfortable? I hoped not. I blinked at him, unsure what to say next, and I think he took pity on me because he relented.

“I understand, but there’s certain steps I must take… I have to know if you can trust me, know matter what it is I ask of you, and more importantly that you will concede to my request?” He rubbed his long fingers against his five o’clock shadow. “Don’t lie to me either, I will know if you do—remember I wasn’t born yesterday.”

“You… but, you told me to become a better liar—” I panted wistfully. Sweetie you were born yesterday. Wait, until you find out my name is Gray-Ana. Guess, he wasn’t such a know it all, as had just claimed. He had no idea I had been lying to him all along.

“Never lie to me.” He smiled devilishly, “I might have to show you what happens when you lie to me.” A strange expression crept over his face. “I can made or break you… can you deal with all of this—my rules?”

“Yes, but… I mean, no, questions asked? I mean, can I ask you questions first?” I uttered, straining over my choice of words. Seriously he is joking—I will play along for now, no one is this controlling off the bat. He doesn’t even know me.

“You can ask questions all you want, just as long as you concede afterwards.” Arrogant bastard.

I swallowed hard before answering. “Yes I will trust and obey you—this is for the show—right?” I asked nervously biting my bottom lip.

“Yes and then some,” His upper lip stiffened.

“Okay then… first I have a few questions for you, Mr. Maximillion.” I sat up straight and smoothed a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

“I thought you might,” he said deadpan, staring.

He was purposefully trying to intimidate me. I was now sure of it. My cheeks fired at this realization. His eyes pierced right through to my soul. I sat up and squared my shoulders in an attempt to look taller and more intimidating, as well. I tried to look calm. Meanwhile, my hands were sweating bullets. I chose to play along with his game, a game I had no experience in. I diverted the conversation, in need of gaining some control. I remembered my father saying if you want control of a situation make a few factual statements, then hit them with a question; this will force your opponent to make the next move.

“You’re very young to have achieved such success. That’s really impressive. The show is getting so much attention. Your ratings are out of this world. To what do you owe your successes?” I glanced up at him feeling as if I just put him in checkmate, for a change. After all I haven’t signed a contract yet, solidifying I would play by his rules.

“Thanks for doing your homework, I’m impressed with you too.” Damn he is trying to spin this on me.

I blushed at his compliment. Why did I do that? Where was myself control? I was up half the night Googling everything I could find out about him. Now I am falling apart right before him.

“Business is all about people, Miss Bleu-Rae, and I’m very good at reading people. I know how they tick—