A/N: Hope it's readable I somehow uploaded it as one huge chapter. Let me know if you have trouble reading it. Thank you!
I stare out the window and watch the rain fall as I wait for the moment that Christian Grey walks into his office and sees me for the first time in years. This is the last place I want to be but I had no other choice, this contract is of great importance. Originally my dad was going to bring the contract to GEH but he was called to be at a construction site last minute and he couldn't get out of it so here I am making sure that it gets personally gets delivered to Christian. If it were up to me I'd leave it with is assistant.
I had really hoped and wished that my dad could find a way around it. I even suggested I go to the site in his place, I'm sure I could handle whatever it is the issue was. My dad is the CEO of Steele Inc. which is the carpentry business he built from the ground up and thankfully it has made a name for itself. I know he's proud of all that he's accomplished accomplished, it's more than he ever thought was possible. He's told me that I am the best gift in life has ever given him and that's why he worked so hard to make sure I would never struggle for anything, even though he has taught me to work hard in life.
Retiring is something he's been wanting to do for some time now and he deserves to finally take time for himself. Elliot will be taking over Steele Inc. once all the paper work is signed. He has always been like a son to my dad and has always been there even though he has his own construction company. Elliot has always given my dad credit for his success saying he taught him all the "great secrets." They've done a lot of jobs together so Elliot already deals with most of my dad's clients anyway making things easier for the change.
It was never my dream to take over the company and my dad knew that even if he hoped one day I would change my mind. I've been working for my dad for about a year now. My dream was to go into publishing after graduating but I still haven't been able to get a job anywhere because I don't have experience or the right references. Luckily for me my dad convinced me to major in another field just as a back up because you never know what life throws at you. I chose accounting and here I am at Steele Inc. I had to work my way up and I wouldn't have it any other way. My dad always taught me to always work and earn my place. So I worked really hard and long hours, now I am the head of accounting. I also fix the contracts and make sure there aren't any mistakes that could cost him or that anyone can use against him. I never would have guessed how much I've actually enjoyed doing all of this. That being said I still don't feel comfortable taking over, besides I trust Elliot as much as my dad does and I don't mind having him as a boss since technically he already is since I've been doing the same work for his company as well.
When I hesitated to bring the contract to Christian my dad questioned me and wanted to know what was going on.
"Everything is all set baby girl. Remember Christian is the middle man and is the one doing the negotiating on Elliot's behalf. You know how stubborn Elliot is and he want's to make sure I just don't give him the company. Since we both trust Christian we decided he would be the best person to handle this whole thing. Sometimes I wonder if Elliot gets his stubbornness from Grace or Carrick. I was ready to just give Elliot the company, I mean I see him as my own son, but of course he said he can't accept it. Which brings us to this contract, he wants it to be a regular business transaction like any other and I get where he's coming from. We know that Christian will give me the right price under the right terms. Nobody knows about this so make sure Christian himself gets this folder."
I grab the folder as my dad hands it to me. I laugh because he knows I was planning to leave it with Christian's personal assistant Andrea.
"Are you sure I can't go to the construction site for you?" I ask again with a small smile as my dad sits on his chair.
"Annie it won't be so bad, I'm sure Christian will be happy to see you maybe he'll take you out to dinner so the two of you can catch up." My dad winks at me while smiling.
"I highly doubt it dad but I'll make sure he gets this top secret folder." Hiding it in my purse, I can't help but laugh.
I grab my coat and walk towards the door when my dad stops me.
"You know he has asked about you from time to time over the years. He's been asking a lot more lately." I give my dad a sad smile because I'm sure Christian asked out of politeness or small talk not because he really cared.
It's not like he didn't know where I was.
"What happened with you two? I mean you were so close and then all of a sudden it was like you never met?" My dad asks eyeing me suspiciously.
I take a deep breath and do my best to smile. "We just grew apart I guess. I better get going before it gets too late."
My dad looks at me expecting me to say more and I hope he doesn't ask more questions. I know my dad secretly wanted me to marry Christian.
"Annie I know there's more to it especially when you would make sure Christian wasn't home before we would go over. I also remember you two started getting along again and then it stopped from one day to the next. I'll drop it for now, I can tell you don't want to talk about it Annie but maybe this is a second chance for the two of you." I give my dad a stern look and he laughs.
"I'll call you once I've delivered it." I say walking out of his office.
I arrive at GEH in no time. Andrea showed me into the office and told me I could wait for Christian in here. I was nervous about it hoping I could just hand it over and leave right away but of course luck wasn't on my side. Andrea informed me that his meeting is taking longer than expected. I had asked Andrea if Christian knew I was coming instead of my dad, with a big smile she told me my dad had called to let him know. I don't know how much time passes but I get lost to the sound of the rain and thunder.
"I remember how much you loved the rain. You'd make me go outside with you just so we can play and feel the water. At night you would open the window so you could sleep better." Christian says breaking me out of my thoughts.
I hadn't even heard the door open. Christian comes to stand next to me and I close my eyes for a moment.
"That was so long ago Christian." I whisper.
"It seems like yesterday." Christian says and I take a deep breath not wanting to talk more about the past.
"The contract is on your desk my dad wanted me to make sure you got it." I say as I walk to his desk to hand it to him.
"Thank you Anastasia." We look at each other and for a moment I get lost in his gray eyes.
Christian is even more handsome now. I look deeper into his eyes and see the person I once knew, the one I fell in love with. Christian clears his throat and breaks eye contact. I start walking towards the door to leave but Christian grabs my arm stopping me. I'm surprised to feel the electric zing that was always there when we'd touch. If anything it feels stronger now. Christian turns me so that I am now facing him. I pull my arm out of his hold and take a step back, he looks hurt for a moment but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
"Christian" I hear Jacqueline's annoying voice breaking me and Christian from our trance. I've never liked her, she's like those wicked witches that are hiding something. I always got a bad feeling from her which always reminded me of my mothers third husband. When she notices me she stops in her tracks and scowls at me. Before Christian can notice she quickly recovers and gives me a fake smile.
"What a surprise to see you here Lana."
"It's Ana." I hear Christian say surprising me.
"Goodbye Christian." I walk out of the office as quickly as possible.
I can feel Christian behind me. I push the button for the elevator hoping it opens quickly. Christian reaches me.
"Let Ray know I will call him to set up a meeting." Christian tells me as the elevator arrives.
I nod and before I can get in the elevator I hear Jacqueline telling me to say hi to my father and Elena for her. I give her a tight smile, then I tell Andrea bye. I give Christian on last glance and smile, I know he wants to say something but chooses not to. I lean against the back of the elevator and sigh in relief. It was really intense having Christian so close to me, I felt like all my feelings resurface. A part of me wanted him to kiss me and just hold me tight but I know that wasn't going to happen. It gave me some hope that he remembered how much I love the rain, which reminded me how kind he can be. I know it doesn't mean anything and I'm probably reading more into it than what it really is. I walk into my apartment and find my best friend Kate on her laptop.
"Ana you're home!" Kate yells getting up to hug me making me laugh.
"I missed you too Kate." I say laughing. We decide to go out for dinner since we are both starving. Kate and I met in college and have been friends ever since.
"Ethan is going to be joining us for dinner tonight." Kate tells me with a wink.
Ethan is Kate's brother and my best friend just like Kate is, he had been out of town for some internships he had gotten and arrived back yesterday so it'll be exciting to see him again. We arrive at the restaurant where Ethan is already at a table waiting for us. I didn't realize how fast the time went till the waiter brings us the check. We were busy eating while laughing and talking and just having a good time.
CHRISTIAN
I'm in the SUV thinking about Ana. When I walked into my office and saw her staring out at the rain, all I want to do is pull her close to me and not let her go. Ana has always been beautiful and her blue eyes can always see right through me and today I still felt that way. I know she was upset when I said it seemed like just yesterday. I was surprised she didn't didn't say something sarcastic like she use to. Ana always had something to tell me and never let me get away with anything. I can't help but smile just thinking of Ana. I had to stop her from leaving and to be honest I didn't know what to say but before I knew it I was holding her arm and turning her towards me. The electric charge that has always been there between us was stronger but then she pulled out of my hold and stepped back which made me feel like crap. I wanted to kiss her so much and just feel her against me. It's like we were lost in a small bubble just looking into each others eyes but fucking Jacqueline had to ruin the moment and it pissed me off, then to top it off she messed up Ana's name which I know she did it on purpose.
Once Ana left I told Jacqueline I had another meeting and she asked me to meet her for dinner. I wanted to say I couldn't but then she'd just keep pestering me about our monthly meeting for the salons which is just an excuse of hers to see me and find out how things are going with my sub. I can't even imagine what Ana would think of me if she ever knew about my lifestyle. Taylor pulls up in front of the restaurant and when I get off I see Ana and some guy who leans down to whisper something in her ear making her laugh. I don't know how but I'm right in front of them now clearing my throat. Right now I just want to pull him away from Ana, I should be the one to make her laugh not this jerk.
"Anastasia." I say making them both turn to look at me. Ana looks surprised to seem me. The fucker has a huge smirk on his face.
"Christian." Ana says with a smile which makes me relax a bit until the fucker puts his arm around Ana's shoulders.
"Hi I'm Ethan." I reach for his hand and shake it as I give him my name which is pointless since Ana already said it.
A blonde comes out of the restaurant with a huge smile and asks Ana and Ethan if they are ready to go then she notices me standing there.
"This is my best friend Kate, Kate this is Christian." We shake hands and then Kate turns to Ana with wide eyes like she just realized something.
Before anyone can say anything Jacqueline walks up to us and kisses me on the cheek completely ignoring Ana. I move away from her hoping to keep talking to Ana who won't look at me.
"It was nice meeting you Christian." Ethan says with a smile as they start walking away.
Fuck! I know I have no right to be pissed but I can't help it. I walked into the restaurant not waiting for Jacqueline. Once we are seated inside she lets me know what she's thinking.
"Christian darling don't let that little tart make you loose your focus. You know as well as I do she never really knew you and even now she will not understand what you need." I look at Jacqueline with a don't fuck with me right now look which makes her cower in her chair. "I'm just looking out for what's best for you."
"Let's get this over with Jacqueline just give me the update on the salons. I have an early meeting in the morning so I already ordered our meals." I know this pisses her off but I don't give a fuck right now.
Jacqueline is a good friend who gets on my nerves at times but she' the only one who knows what I need. She got me into the BDSM lifestyle. I needed control and she understood that. It helped me straighten out when I was getting into fights and was close to start drinking. I felt like I couldn't be around Ana afraid if I lost control I would somehow hurt her.
On the other hand Ana helped relax me, I didn't worry about much. There was no expectations we could just be us. Then there were times where someone would mess with her it would piss me off and with my temper I would always react and throw the first punch.
"Christian!" I hear Jacqueline call my name and I know she's pissed. "You can't possibly be serious right now. Don't tell me you were daydreaming about that goody too shoes."
"Are you going to tell me about the salons?"
She looks at me trying to read me and I know she's surprised because this isn't the reaction she was expecting.
"I don't have time for this shit right now Jacqueline just email me the report and if I have any questions I'll call you." I get up and start walking out.
I need to find what Ethan is to Ana. Fuck I didn't get his last name!
"Taylor I need a background check on Ana's friends." Taylor looks at me through the rear view mirror and I see him almost smile.
"Welch already emailed it to you sir." That's why I hired Taylor he's quick and knows what I expect.
We arrive at Escala and I go to my study and look over the contract that Ray send for me to look over. I need to find a way to see Ana again without interruptions so we can talk. I can't focus on the contract right now so I look over Ethan's background check everything looks good and I get pissed when it doesn't show if he's in a relationship. I decide to work out to clear my head. I knew seeing Ana would bring up all the feelings I put away.