Secrets

The Prologue

As I stare at the glass in front of me and listen to the people around me, I can't help but wonder what to put in this glass next. Whiskey, scotch, or gin… the alcoholic world is my oyster. I never used to do this; I never used to drink so damn much. I used to have control; I used to understand my limits. Now, I just don't give a fuck. I drink like a fucking fish, and I don't think twice about it.

"Mr. Grey," a voice calls behind me, "It's good to see you."

I turn and nod to the businessman coming my way. I try to smile and shake his hand as convincingly as I can. I try to summon as much emotion as I am capable of, but I am afraid that I look to fake. I have business to do tonight, but I am not up for staying and schmoozing. These men are dying to work for me, so I stay and I listen. I happen to like to be pandered to be the sycophants wanting to work for me. I've earned the right to accept their praise, and wanting.

"Mr. Collins, how are you this evening?" I push out surprisingly enthusiastic.

"Excellent, Mr. Grey," he says, shaking my hand vibrantly. He wants to talk to me about Nasacorp, and I mentally prepare myself for this conversation. He thinks his bullshit company deserves a second of my time because it is going down the tubes faster than a prostitute having an abortion. He needs me, and I know he'd suck my dick if that meant I'd help him.

"How can I help you, Collins?" I ask him, eyeing the room. In the back, Katherine Kavanagh and my brother are all over each other. My brother is practically groping his girlfriend. I shake my head and turn my attention back to Frank Collins as he prattles on about Nasacorp. I don't have time for my brother or his fucking girlfriend.

"We can meet later this week if you wish," I offer, stopping his incessant rambling.

His face lights like a five hundred dollar fucking Christmas tree. "Mr. Grey… that would be great…. I would be happy to lay out my business plan for you."

I notice out of the corner of my eye that Kate Kavanagh's phone rings. She answers it and her face immediately turns to stone. I can read anybody without fail and I know something legitimate is bothering her. It could be about her parents, I do business with her father, but it could also be about Ana.

I run my hands through my hair, and shake my head. Ana broke up with me. Ana ended our relationship. Kate and Elliot are still together, but they are a constant reminder of what I could have had. I wanted everything with her. I wanted a life together and she threw it all away.

Who the fuck am I kidding; I am the reason we are no longer together. My issues, and my problems – I am the reason we are no longer together. She shouldn't want to stay with me. She deserves better than me. She deserves someone who can give her everything I cannot.

"Christian," Kate's voice hisses in my ear. I turn and her face is absolutely ghostly. "It's Ana…. I know…. I know things are weird with you guys…. But she was just on the phone…. And she sounded." She stops for a second and turns to see if anyone is around her.

"She sounded scared."

Scared? Why the fuck is she scared? "Where is she Kate?"

"Her apartment…. My old apartment that I shared with her…."

I turn and head for the door, not stopping for a second thought.

When I walk through the door, I notice that her place is a fucking mess. I still possess a key, so I let myself in without permission. Everything is on the floor: chairs are tipped over, items thrown everywhere, and glass is shattered across her apartment. I make my way through the mess, trying desperately to search for my ex.

It doesn't take me long to find her because she is sobbing loudly in her bedroom. The sound of Anastasia crying absolutely wrecks every part of me. I don't greet her, but instead I step around the corner. Instantly, I notice a figure lying on the floor. Blood is lying around the figure, and I know instantly why she was so upset on the phone with Kate. I also figure out quickly why she wanted to get a hold of me.

"Ana, what happened?" I choke out.

She shakes her head, her brown hair lying like a halo around her head.

"Christian…. I fucked up," she squawks out of her delicate throat, "I need your help."