Ok, Hello...again...

Information first:
I've been out for a while now, but I'm back.
A while ago (almost 2 years, still can't quite believe it) I started posting this story to FF.
I was writing it for a while, and I got lost in what I wanted to achieve and it ended up in deleting the story.
This time I'm taking this differently. I decided to give some explanations at the beginning, like - what's going on in Ana's head.
Obviously I'm not James, so all you recognise it based on the book. FF project for fun.

But, I decided to give it another shot. I decided to rewrite it, correct it and give myself and to you - a closure. I remembered it had a very positive reception and reading your PMs got me back to writing this story. Hopefully you won't be disappointed.

It's not totally the same story, but the main plot is the same. (That's why it's called 'Cold Steele 2.0')

Updates are scheduled once a week

Let me know what do you think of it in PMs reviews- would you like to have this story back :) ?
Can't wait to hear from you again in this Fandom, enjoy the introduction and the other chapter.
~Mila

Introduction

2012

Anastasia's POV

No matter the situation, there's always more than meets the eye.

The same thing was in my case. I knew I wasn't supposed to daydream, but I couldn't get Master out of my mind. I had to be totally focused in order not to mess anything up. It's been about seven months now, and I felt like I found somewhere where I belong. Although, for most people, what I found normal couldn't be further from norms accepted by society. But I didn't give a damn. It was what I wanted and that was what I was getting.

It was late, and Master should be home soon. I checked if his dinner was ready and prepared a sit for him. We hardly ever ate together, and I didn't mind it at all. When I heard his steps, everything was ready. I was proud of my timing. I immediately looked down and stopped everything waiting for his reaction. He came to me and kissed me gently on my cheek. I didn't move. I wasn't told to.

"Good evening Anastasia." He caressed my cheek.

"Good evening Master. The dinner's ready." Without further comments I put his plate on the table and stepped aside. He didn't tell me to join him, so I ate in the kitchen.

I heard him calling my name, when he was done. I finished a while ago and it was good to be back in reality.

"Thank you, Ms Steele. Tasted delicious as usual." I smiled at the praise. It wasn't often that he actually said it and loved hearing this.

"You're welcome." I smiled more to myself. I didn't know what was going to happen. I felt like I was little and a bit helpless.

"I'll be in my study for an hour or so. I'll come to you when I'm done." He kissed me on my cheek he left me alone.

I cleaned up in the kitchen and went upstairs to my room. I spent several minutes on literally nothing, but I knew I had to take a shower and change so I could go to the playroom. I always anticipated every scene, but I was also waiting to the moment it was over, so that he would hold me and tell me that I was good and that I tried hard.

When the water hit me, I was ripped from my maze, I knew I had to be on alert all the time. I shouldn't relax to early. It was still before nine. A lot of thing can happen at that time. I was careful not to wet my hair. Drying them was a torture and I did that every morning. I put on my panties and sat, legs crossed on my bed. I relaxed the breathing and I welt the tension leaving my body.

I was at peace. I knew why I was there. It's been months when I decided to sign the contract and I didn't regret my decision.

I looked at the clock and it was well past ten and he was still not coming. I was slowly beginning to worry that he would forget about me, but I knew it wasn't the case. He would never forget. That was exactly when he entered and saw me waiting. I moved from the bed to kneel, but he stopped me.

"You were waiting way too much kitten." He gave me his hand and I followed him to the playroom. When we were inside I knew I had to calm down and to let him lead me. I kneeled at his feet and waited for his move. He was observing me closely before saying anything to me. I knew I was safe and enjoyed every minute there. He took his time by touching me. I wasn't going to let him down.

In the morning he informed me, that he won't be needing me for the rest of the weekend and to come on Wednesday at eight. I hated weekends like those because I felt useless. I didn't say anything though. There were also moments, that I couldn't come to him and I understood that, but it still made me sad. He noticed how I felt and touched my shoulder to reassure me.

"I know you're sad, but I'll make it up to you soon." He smiled at me and I left his home not entirely knowing what to do.

Whenever I was lost I my thoughts I found myself cleaning my small flat. It was never dirty and that made the job easier. I had to check from time to time, what I really had. Throughout the University I used to live with my best friend Kate, but I couldn't live with her forever. As soon as I found a job, I moved out. Kate was sad about it, because, as she described it – she missed my cooking. Still, she was a great friend. For me it was a time to move on. Besides, I needed space and silence to reload after weekends with Mr. Grey. I didn't want anyone to see me, when I wasn't in the best shape.

I wasn't sure if that would make sense, but I decided to call Kate to come over if she wanted.

"Ana, long time no hear, any plans for the evening?" I laughed at her words. To be honest, Kate was always busy on the weekends, just like me.

"That's why I'm calling. Movie and Tea?" I asked her knowing well that her evening was going to some party and mine was… well… movie and tea…

"Anaaa… You need to chillout sometimes." I smirked. It was relaxing, for me at least. If I went to club, Kate would be nagging me to drink with her, and I couldn't drink too much. I was terrible when I was drunk, plus Grey didn't approve it. I would be in trouble.

"Katie, I called, I'm offering. Coming?" I heard her sigh in resignation.

"I'll be in thirty mins." I hung up and looked around my flat. I gathered all the pillows and blankets and put them on the floor. We were planning to build a base and hide inside. I smiled at the memory of our evenings at university. It was almost unbelievable that we've graduated and moved on with our lives. The other unpredictable thing was that she's been dating one guy for more that two months. Don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't call Kate a good girlfriend material.

"Steele. It's great to see you. Feels like forever." I pulled her into a hug and set a water for a tea. She saw the pillows on the floor and squeaked in delight. "I missed that. I keep on telling Elliot that this is the best way to watch the movie." For us, absolutely.

"So, how are things between you two?" I asked casually, it wasn't really my business, but I wanted to know if I was expected to be anti-crisis unit anytime soon.

"Great, you know? Elliot is a really nice guy. I think he's the one." I rolled my eyes on that remark and didn't comment on that. She told me all about him and that made me feel a bit unease. Elliot Grey was Grey's brother. I've seen him twice so far and he was so unlike Christian. He was easy-going, cheerful and hmmm… I believe extraverted suits him best. Christian on the other hand was always reserved and calm. He wasn't showing too much of emotion. Everything was hidden behind a mask of indifference. He wasn't a bad person though. Yes, he was demanding, but I liked him this way. I knew he cared about me, although not in the same manner as I did.

"Hold your horses Kavanagh. Don't say too much, too soon." She messed with my hair deliberately to piss me off, but it didn't work. I threw a pillow at her to take that grin of her face.

"When are You planning on finding someone? You're gorgeous, girl. Plenty of men would do anything to date you." It was something she brought up whenever I saw her. I couldn't tell her that I didn't care about men. I cared only about one. Christian wasn't my first boyfriend, but the first who understood what I needed. I really felt good with him. No other person could make things better as he could.

"For now, I have too much work to do. I wouldn't be sleeping if I was in a relationship." She looked at me with sadness in her eyes. In her opinion I was working way too much. I knew she was a true friend to me.

"I missed you" I sighed in realisation.

"I missed you too."

Christian's POV

"Hey, I'll pick you up at twelve. Is it ok, or too early?" I heard my brother talking on the phone with his annoying girlfriend – Ms Kavanagh. To put it in better words, we didn't get along. I still remember how perseverant she was in getting the interview and the joy she didn't come to interview me in the end. There was one good side of her, thanks to her, I met Anastasia. She was so sweet and totally lost. I couldn't waste the opportunity to torment poor student. She literally had no idea what she was doing. Now, I felt wrong for dismissing her early because I was sure, I would enjoy the day more if I decided to stay with her. Unfortunately, Elliot can be pain in the ass, and there are moments, when he doesn't know what it means to let go. We spent the entire day on hiking, but my thoughts drifted to my submissive. I remembered how sad she looked, when I told her to go, but I knew it wasn't the first, nor the last time that would ever occur.

At first, I thought I was taking a huge risk by taking Ms Steele, but she turned out to be one of the best subs I've ever had. She was compliant, curious and eager to learn. After I spent some time with her, I was worried that she might have not been submissive at all, but when I saw her before me, I knew I was right. There was no more smart mouth, arguing, she was learning, that if she's good, it is also beneficial for her. She wasn't stupid.

"Where is your girlfriend wandering?" I still couldn't believe, that it was serious… Elliot and Kate… Like one Elliot wasn't enough.

"Tea and movies with her bestie. They built a pillow base and they watch some Bond movie." He grinned. Seriously? It didn't sound like Kate's way of spending Saturday evening. Though, my evenings weren't much better, pushing little girl and enjoying her submission.

"That's rather odd way, but there was no question." I looked at him like it was crazy.

"From what I've known, Kate was trying to get her way, but Ana wanted something to simply relax." My head turned immediately at Anastasia's nickname. I knew she and Kavanagh were roomies and that they kept in touch. It made me realise that I had no idea that Ana enjoyed spending her evenings that way. I never asked her about that. It sounded sweet and innocent. I almost forgot about that side of her. I knew she needed time for herself as well because I've been pushing her all the time. It was good that she opted for calm evening than clubbing. That would definitely make me mad.

"Ok, I'm not judging." I played along. Elliot and Kate had no idea I kept in touch with Anastasia and that was to remain that way. No one from my family knew and I didn't want to change that. It was how it was supposed to be.

We went to Escala and chatted until Elliot decided to finally take her girlfriend home. I waited long enough to be sure that she'd be alone and called her. I heard the signal, but she wasn't answering. Maybe she was asleep. I hung up and went to my bedroom. I was almost there when I felt the phone vibrating in my hand.

"Anastasia"

"Good evening. Sorry Mr. Grey, showered and it was muted." She explained herself immediately. I was ok with it. I knew she was heading to bed soon.

"It's alright. How you've been today?" I heard how she told me about her evening with her friend and I felt relaxed. I knew that with time she stopped keeping things from me and I felt the difference between her then and now.

"Did you enjoy the movie?" I wasn't James Bond fan, but I understood there were fans to everything.

"It's more about the tradition and shutting off your brain" I liked that remark. It reminded me of her smart mouth. I liked to hear here like this. From time to time…

"I won't be keeping you up much longer. I know I dismissed you for the rest of the week, but if you haven't made any plans so far, you can come to Escala. I won't be hard on you, I promise." It took her a while to think, but I knew she would come. I remembered how sad she was that I was leaving.

"I'll come at noon? Is it okay with you Master?" She asked after few seconds.

"Absolutely."

Liked it? Let me know :)
Can't wait till another update
~M