AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first Fifty Shades fanfic. Please excuse my grammar. English is not my native language and this has not been proofread yet. Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: Fifty Shades and its characters are not mine. I'm only borrowing them for my story.

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Prologue

1982

She was humming to herself as she climbed out of her car and walked to the front door of the Dawson's. It was 7 in the morning and Carla knew Mr. and Mrs. Dawson had already left for work, leaving their only daughter and also her best friend, Ella, probably still asleep in her room.

Glancing at the gift wrapped box in her hand, she hoped Ella will like it. Inside was a collection of their photographs since they became friends during their elementary days. The pictures Carla had accumulated over the years were meticulously arranged in an album she made herself. Today was Ella's 18th birthday and she thought of something precious to give to her best friend. It was a surprise Carla created to let the celebrant know how she cherished their friendship. She loved it and wished Ella would too. There was going to be a party to celebrate Ella's 18th three days from now but Carla couldn't wait to give Ella her gift.

With her available hand, Carla reached for a key tucked in a pot hanging beside the door, confidently aware of its hiding spot for years. She knew Ella will not mind seeing Carla in her home unannounced. Not that it was Carla's first time to do it. Not that Ella had never done it herself before. They had been showing in each other's place without warning countless times already.

Quietly, she let herself in. The silence of the house greeted her. Carla climbed the stairs and walked straight to Ella's bedroom. She didn't bother knocking, thinking it wasn't going to be a surprise if she called Ella's name. She twisted the knob of her best friend's bedroom door open, wordlessly thanking the chance that it wasn't locked. Drawing in a deep breath, Carla readied herself to greet the sleeping celebrant.

"Happy Bir-"

Startled at the loud but familiar voice, Robert's eyes shot open. His gaze darted at the ceiling and confusion spread in him realizing he wasn't in his bedroom. Feeling fingers lightly grazing his naked chest, he turned to its owner.

The figure next to him started to move. "Let's go back to sleep." She murmured with her eyes still close.

His eyes grew wide recognizing who the woman was. "Ella."

Smiling, Ella opened her eyes. "What is it?"

It can't be. It can't be. Carla's eyes were glued to the two figures tangled together on the bed. Robert? Ella? Her boyfriend and her best friend? Two of the most important people in her life lying naked under the sheet.

Carla's heart ached. She clutched her chest, trying to get rid of the pain of being betrayed. She dropped Ella's birthday gift to the floor and it created a sound that caught their attention.

Two pairs of eyes flew to the trembling woman standing in the doorway.

"C-Carla?" Both called her name in surprised.

Robert's eyes grew wide. Ella's face paled.

Before any of them could move, Carla swirled around and ran downstairs, tears streaming down her face.

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