Chapter 19: Am I missing something? (Spoilers!)

[Mochaspresso]

The fight that Gideon and Eva have seems a little nonsensical to me. I can understand her being angry over his motivations behind offering Mark a job behind her back but the entire fight seemed a little contrived and overly dramatic to me. I can see it causing an argument, even a big one, but not a huge, emotional last straw type of fight where people are walking out on each other, not speaking for days and contemplating the fate of their marriage. I just didn't think it should have been that serious. It seems to me that Trey and Cary should be the ones having this type of fight. What am I missing?

[Heather]

I know! I didn't get it either. I thought she was being pretty over dramatic. She has a right to be mad about it, but not that mad.

[Sue]

I am thinking that its more to do with Gideon's need to control, and lack of dealing with the root of all his problems. I got the feeling that Eva just used this particular incident as the tipping point with Gideon's refusal to deal with his past.

[Mochaspresso]

Sue wrote: "I am thinking that its more to do with Gideon's need to control, and lack of dealing with the root of all his problems. I got the feeling that Eva just used this particular incident as the tipping..."

That makes sense, I guess. Although, I will say that I'm having trouble understanding how Eva is picking and choosing the types of control that she's willing to give. He owns the building she lives in, the building she works in and as a high paying client, he has some semblance of control over her job. They stalk each other's phones and internet profiles. She allowed Gideon to tie her up in the elevator and again on the swing. She allows him to have control of her body sexually. She even allows him to use sex to manipulate her. I don't know. I guess I'm just not buying that Eva can eventually have her cake and eat it too by playing those types of "games" with someone who clearly has control issues. I don't believe that's something that can be turned off and on like that.

[Heather]

Mochaspresso wrote: "Sue wrote: "I am thinking that its more to do with Gideon's need to control, and lack of dealing with the root of all his problems. I got the feeling that Eva just used this particular incident as..."

Yes, she's accepted all of that for the most part. She knows what he is like, that he frequently does things like that. It just seems odd that this was the tipping point for her when there are many other examples.

As well I just hate that whenever something she doesn't like happens she runs away. She's been doing that since the first book. Eva is always on Gideon for not talking about things, but she is bad for it to. Talk isn't of running away when things get hard.

[Sue]

Heather wrote: "Mochaspresso wrote: "Sue wrote: "I am thinking that its more to do with Gideon's need to control, and lack of dealing with the root of all his problems. I got the feeling that Eva just used this ..."

Yes Eva is driving me insane with the running away. I am hoping that this book is a transition or turning point in the relationship and the last book is what happens when both Gideon and Eva meet their problems head on.

[Ilana]

i think that part of it too though was that it was all building up. i don't know that it HAD to be that fight or it could have been something else then as well with Gideon needing to control her life - but it was juts timing in my opinion. think about it - she knew that she was ultimately going to have that situation turn out to be reality - Mark going to work for Gideon and then she would too, it was just a matter of her being able to make that choice for herself without having the extra bit of help and push from Gideon.

[Erika]

She was upset because he didn't give her the option to work together. She was leaning towards that but by offering Mark a job she lost the one she currently had. She wanted to make her own decision about working with Gideon. She's been controlled her whole life by those who love her. She wanted to be in charge of her career.

[Heather]

Erika wrote: "She was upset because he didn't give her the option to work together. She was leaning towards that but by offering Mark a job she lost the one she currently had. She wanted to make her own decisi..."

Yeah, I get that. But she knows how he is, so I think it was over reacting. She could have stayed and talked it out instead of running away like a child and solving nothing. She puts all the blame on Gideon but she's just to much at blame for not communicating.

[Heather]

Sue wrote: "Heather wrote: "Mochaspresso wrote: "Sue wrote: "I am thinking that its more to do with Gideon's need to control, and lack of dealing with the root of all his problems. I got the feeling that Eva..."

Hopefully, since neither of them are really learning from their mistakes. Well Gideon is in this book actually, he's starting to talk, but Eva is still running away. And then she puts the blame on him for not communicating is what gets me. Like you aren't talking it out either.

[Heather]

Ilana wrote: "i think that part of it too though was that it was all building up. i don't know that it HAD to be that fight or it could have been something else then as well with Gideon needing to control her l..."

True. It is about timing, I think its just the thing she picked that gets me. It just makes it seem more over dramatic. I get that it was bad, but you don't need to be quite so extreme about it by totally running away from the problem.

[Mochaspresso]

I totally agree about Eva always running away while being angry when Gideon does the same exact thing. The only difference is that Gideon does it by shutting down emotionally while she does it physically. It's still avoidance.

[Angie Elle]

Someone said it earlier with a different phrase, but I think this is just the straw that broke the camels back. It was very important in Bared to You to Eva that she make her own way, that's why she didn't accept a job or reference from Stanton. Her independence and right to choice is very important to her, because it was stolen from her for so long.

As for the building she works in and lives in, those were merely coincidences that happened before they met. And in Bared to You, when they are in the club, she does get upset that he accessed information on her rental agreement to track her debit card and find out where she was and what she was doing.

I do think more communication is in order on both sides. Gideon runs, too--he runs inside of himself and retreats emotionally. To me, that's no different than Eva running physically. I think what ultimately makes it OK for me is that she has asked Gideon for space before, and he is absolutely adamant that no, they won't be apart. This has to make it incredibly hard to work things out in her mind. I also think Gideon has facilitated this behavior, because the only times he's opened up to her is when she has run, or in Reflected in You, when she pointed out that she was living her life without him. He was so shaken that he forced himself to open up. Running or the threat of losing her seem to be the catalysts to Gideon sharing.

Also, and I think it is more obvious in this book than the previous ones, Eva is still recovering from what happened to her, too. She is farther along than Gideon because she's had a better support system and therapy, but she's still working things out. And I think after their visit with Dr. Peterson, where he told them that Eva uses sex to try and get closer emotionally whereas Gideon uses it as a distraction, that was a huge wake up call. She realized that if she was going to work things out, she needed that physical space so Gideon couldn't use sex that way.

Eva's recovery is still fragile, and I'd rather see her take the space she needs to work things out in her head than to regress and be in an even more dysfunctional relationship.

These are just my thoughts. I can see both sides. If I was Gideon, I'd be frustrated when she runs, too. But he has the power to stop her running if he'd just open up and share things with her from the get-go.

[Betty]

Waiting a year for this book, I have to say it was good, but not great. Eva was almost getting on my nerves and then actually disappointed that this isn't the final book after all.

[RedRedtheycallmeRed]

I think, more than anything, Eva is afraid of turning into her mother. A woman who is utterly dependent on having a man to take care of her. I think Eva feels like her job is the only thing she has that is just hers, and doesn't really involve Gideon. So if Mark goes to work for Gideon (and Eva follows), where does that leave Eva? Becoming more dependent on Gideon. And the fact that Gideon can't/won't see why Eva is so angry about that just makes her more angry.

[Gaia]

I also think Eva is afraid of turning into her mother, but what an 'adult' behavior Eva shows just running to dear mamma!! The same mother Eva considers, and really is, a control freak regarding her. Truly coherent with herself, yes!

I also think, that more than anything, this is really a childish tantrum. Eva's supposed to have issues, but she is an adult married woman who read and signed a pre-nup that says that from the wedding on, 50% of Gideon's company new assets are hers. With the same pre-nup she also promised to work on the issues, not to run from them.

IMHO, she should be happy to put her efforts, knowledge, skills and time into the business that now is also hers in a way, while keeping her independence as a person by being a contributory asset to her family business and not being a stay-at-home-to-do-nothing-or-at-the-spa-or-at-a-charity-trophy-wife like her mom. She also should be happy to have Mark as part of their team, he is a rasing star in advertisement and the one who is teaching her the ropes of the business, so better to have him working for the family business (yes, I say it again, like it or not, Gideon and Eva are now a family or at least the seed of a family). But the young lady rebels against the situation because she was only mid-way to accept the fact, and her husband was a faster thinker and took the opportunity. That's called childish pride, not the good kind of pride. Yeah, he is controlling, but woman, this is not an issue with this specific thing, what he did here is being smart because you weren't, you were getting there too slowly and that can cost a lot to the business (it has already with the hotel thing, just to make her happier). I can understand an argument, but not this kind of drama. So, Eva, get your big girl pants on, use your brain and don't be such a brat. Do you want to work for the competition even on occasion or do you want to work for your own family business? C'mon, wake up, girl!

To me, with this reaction what she actually shows is that she really is not aware of her new reality in any way and her priorities are totally misconceived. Or worst, she has no faith, none at all, in them as a married couple and/or family.

[Heather]

Gaia wrote: "I also think Eva is afraid of turning into her mother, but what an 'adult' behavior Eva shows just running to dear mamma!! The same mother Eva considers, and really is, a control freak regarding he..."

Exactly! I agree with every part of this!

[Angie Elle]

I think she realizes that she needs to get a handle on things. Where does it stop? If he starts laying her clothes out for her in the morning because he's decided what he wants her to wear, should she just let it go?

In my opinion, a large part of this is Eva coming down from her 'Gideon high' and realizing that while she does love him, his actions are a huge threat to her recovery. She has made it clear how important making her own choices is to her, and he completely disregarded that. He went too far this time.

[Heather]

Angie wrote: "I think she realizes that she needs to get a handle on things. Where does it stop? If he starts laying her clothes out for her in the morning because he's decided what he wants her to wear, should ..."

I don't think its too far at all. She had mentioned she was warming to the idea of joining him at his company, that it would be the natural way to go. And as Gaia said, his assets are now hers, it only makes sense. Not to mention the other companies are trying to use her against him having her work on competing products. It only makes business sense. And she was leaning that way anyway, so it really is childish to have such a fit over it. If things don't go just how she wants, she runs.

[Angie Elle]

I can agree to disagree. :)

I know a lot of people don't like her running, but I think it's too bad that Gideon can't open up to his wife or talk big decisions over with her before he makes them. To each their own.

I think Gideon has a high hand, and if he doesn't stop now, it will only escalate to an unhealthy point, and Eva will eventually leave.

[Angie Elle]

I think it's interesting the way we react differently to characters and nuances that we pick up on that make us more sensitive to one than the other.

[Heather]

of course :)

I do agree that he needs to talk and open up more. He usually gets out of it with sex. But it was pointed out that she does that sometimes as well. I just find it irritating that she always goes on about how they have to talk things out, but when it comes time she runs a lot of the time. And this time is a little worse to me because they are married now, so its different than when they were dating.

[Angie Elle]

Heather wrote: "of course :)

I do agree that he needs to talk and open up more. He usually gets out of it with sex. But it was pointed out that she does that sometimes as well. I just find it irritating that she ..."

We are using the exact same train of thought for opposite ideas! LOL I'm thinking 'Hey, she married you; she loves you. It's time to open up.'

:)

[Heather]

Angie wrote: "Heather wrote: "of course :)

I do agree that he needs to talk and open up more. He usually gets out of it with sex. But it was pointed out that she does that sometimes as well. I just find it irri..."

Haha true enough. At the same time, she married him knowing how he is. So she can't expect all this change overnight.

I think he should open up, but I think it goes both ways. If he works on opening up, she needs to work on not running when things get hard. At the end he was opening up, so he is making progress while she's in the same spot as before since she hasn't come home as far as its said. And she didn't try to talk to him at all about it. She ignored all his attempts at communication.

[Gaia]

Regarding business, my point is already made and waiting for the jury. As Heather said "It only makes business sense". I agree with Angie when she says "She has made it clear how important making her own choices is to her", but I agree to desagree when she finish the sentence with "and he completely disregarded that" :)

That's because to me, Eva made her choice when she signed the pre-nup and said "I do".

As per the other issues, I think is time for both to understand that now they are married and things are different, so Gideon should open up and Eva should stop running.

[Angie Elle]

Heather wrote: "Angie wrote: "Heather wrote: Haha true enough. At the same time, she married him knowing how he is. So she can't expect all this change overnight."

Heather...here again, I feel like I argue the same. LOL Gideon knows Eva has a tendency to run when he won't open up. She always has. She did it before they were married. Why should she be expected to change if he isn't going to? Why is it on her to try and make things better? I think it falls on both of them, and I think that one of them has to take the first step--either she stops running or he starts sharing before she runs. Take away her reason for running. It's a catch 22 until one of them realizes this and smartens up.

Gaia, I agree with the last part of your statement. Though I think maybe Gideon jumped the gun when it came to getting married so quickly. I think it may have been fear of losing Eva more than loving her that prompted that decision. (Though I obviously thinks he loves her.) And I wish she would have remained strong and said no...for now. There's a lot of maturing to be done on both sides. Our hero and heroine are relationship illiterate! LOL

[Madalina]

Betty
"Waiting a year for this book, I have to say it was good, but not great. Eva was almost getting on my nerves and then actually disappointed that this isn't the final book after all. "
So true....I had so many hopes for Captivated by you...
From my point of view, the fight is so blown out of proportion...Eva knew Gideon just the way he was ...controlling, demanding and protective....I just can't get the image out of my head that she feels a little overcome with everything... I expected in this book that she will be thinking 2-3 steps ahead not feeling overcome by everthing and overanalyzing it...
If I remember correctly from the second book Gideon started proposing her to work together...
At this moment i don't know if I am interested in reading the final book whenever it may be available ( months, years, who knows)

[Serena]

The scene in the elevator, the fight about Steve... I couldn't wrap my head around those. I felt like Sylvia Day was trying to force conflict and also inject bondage into the sex no matter what. I love the Gideon and Eva of the first three books. In Captivated, I just felt like the relationship wasn't bringing out the best in them.

[Divine]

Maybe Eva's behavior is that of a hormonal nature...she's probably pregnant.

[Laura]

Divine wrote: "Maybe Eva's behavior is that of a hormonal nature...she's probably pregnant."

oh my god... I thought the same..

[DW4]

She mentions in the last chapter that one of the things she had been dealing with whilst 'putting on an Oscar-worthy performance' was having her period so doubt she is pregnant.

[Kristin]

There is a difference between giving up control and being controlled. The problem is he doesn't trust her to make the right choice so he controls the situation. If he told her why the new client was a problem she'd have conceded already. Yes, her running is annoying, but the people who help her process would tell her to run if she were honest. I think she knows that, and she runs to gain space to think. Giving in isn't who she is, and he's too compartmentalized to open up.

[Just Denise]

Daw4 wrote: "She mentions in the last chapter that one of the things she had been dealing with whilst 'putting on an Oscar-worthy performance' was having her period so doubt she is pregnant."

Seems like the last time she was so upset, she was on her period as well, If I remember correctly.

[Bonnie]

Ava tells Gideon over and over that she doesn't want to be controlled by him outside of the bedroom. It's a major issue between Ava and her mother and step-father and Gideon knows this. Yet instead of talking to her about offering Mark a job, he just does it anyway. She thought that she had gotten through to him about his controlling ways and is disappointed that he keeps making this mistake. I think she had to shock him into realizing this.

Mochaspresso wrote: "The fight that Gideon and Eva have seems a little nonsensical to me. I can understand her being angry over his motivations behind offering Mark a job behind her back but the entire fight seemed a ..."

[Bruingal]

Bonnie wrote: "Ava tells Gideon over and over that she doesn't want to be controlled by him outside of the bedroom. It's a major issue between Ava and her mother and step-father and Gideon knows this. Yet instea..."

Yep, and she started to realize that no matter how much Gideon was telling her that he was trying that he was not really trying and she didn't know whether she could continue to live with that, she'd lived with it for to long.

[DW4]

I'd also say their lack of communication is not helping. Gideon was convinced she had left him because he had finally admitted that his previous 'amorous' experiences had been slightly more 'adventurous' than the ones with Eva. He also told her that he had been worse with Anne Lucas (but did not expand on what he had done). We know from the earlier books that he has no need of that kind of relationship with Eva, and that was probably part of why he reacted to that initial limousine scene in Bared to You. It wasn't just that he allowed someone else to take part control during s*x, it was realising that he was capable of pretty much vanilla s*x.

Is it possible that, apart from Corrine, a lot of his amorous encounters had been when he was angry? His thoughts told us that he picked women who were a challenge and who he had to conquer in some way, albeit for a one night stand?

[Bruingal]

Interesting theory, but before Ava I think that he was always angry and the kinky sex helped him release some of that anger aggression and hostility and he'd feel better right afterwards for a short time but the angry was always there. He was able to conquer those women when he was not able to conquer his demons. Ava soothed those demons but they were still there because he refused or was afraid to deal with it.