Hello everyone, long time no see!

So, this is a story about Christian and Ana (don't worry). But I've changed the premise slightly from the books. Christian and Ana or the same age or at least there isn't as big of an age difference! In other words, now when Anastasia has just graduated college, Christian is just getting attention from the media as he is getting closer to become a billionaire. There are also some other slight changes from the original story and the characters that you'll find out as the story progresses.

I also want to give a little disclaimer. I don't work with publishing and really don't know anything about how it works on the business side of thing. Because of that, there is a very high possibility that certain statements and so on are incorrect. I want to apologize beforehand. Also, there won't be a BDSM storyline. This because in my story 'One for the rode' I felt like I couldn't represent or make an accurate representation of the lifestyle. Therefore, instead of giving false and potentially misrepresenting key aspects of the lifestyle I've chosen to just let that side of the story slide.

Regarding the upload schedule, I don't know if I'll be able to upload as often as I would like. I love writing but my plate is sort of full having two jobs and studying full-time in college. I'll soon go on summer break and then I'll be able to post more regularly.

Hope you like the new story! Feedback is very much appreciated. And as always, I hope that you have a good day/night wherever in the world you are in.

Step 1 – Finding a Roommate

Who thought that finding a dependable roommate to live with would be this difficult? I got the job and an apartment that is way to big now that Kate left for the big apple. Kate and I bought an apartment near Pike Market Place together right after graduation. This was obviously before she got an internship offer at the New York Times. Unfortunately, my birth fathers mother had died before graduation and left me an inheritance that was enough to pay for my half of the apartment. I never knew her personally because my mother and she fought ever since my birth father died. Apparently, she thought my mother moved on too quickly from her son with my (adoptive) father Ray. So, she refused to speak to her and in consequence me as well. As her only living relative, I got a substantial amount of money that all went to this apartment. Therefore, I have no money saved up and I'm in desperate need of a roommate for at least a year, until Kate comes back from her internship.

So, that's the reason why I'm spending my free time with looking through applications that people sent in through the various ads that I've posted online. Every e-mail that I've read gives me the heave Jeeves. Every single applicant seems either sketchy or too weird. Thank god for social media because without it I've probably been living with a pothead or a serial killer. Why did Kate have to get an internship on the other side of the country? I'm of course very happy for her. That's a huge deal. But, still, if I'm being completely honest I still wish that she would've chosen the Seattle Times.

I've managed to get a job at a publishing house in Seattle as a cover designer. I've always loved to read, I read everything really, but my absolute favorite genres are the classics, especially the English classics and YA. There is something so hopeful and sweet in young adult fiction and when written well inspiring. The books that the youth read can have a direct impact on their lives. They can find their role models and even be inspired by other aspects of their lives - all from professions to ideas of how they can make the world a better place. I've always realized that the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' although good-hearted is inevitable. Appearance, whether it be a book cover or a person, is the first thing you notice about them. A good first appearance can spark curiosity which in turn can become a book sale or a first date or a friendship. So, my mission in life is that people do judge the book by its cover and that it actually makes people want to read it.

I sit on the uncomfortable sofa that we bought from IKEA that squeaks every time I move as I scour the internet for someone, anyone, that looks promising. And as a last resort, I search Craigslist. I'm not hoping for much but I'm desperate. It takes me 10 ads to find someone that looks promising. Elliot is searching for someplace to live for a few months until he gets back on his feet. The ad doesn't go into detail about what happened but says that he is looking for a room or a couch to sleep on the coming few months. I write a quick e-mail to the e-mail address listed as contact where I write a bit about myself, that I'm interested in having him as a roommate and ask him to meet for a coffee someplace to discuss the potential of living together for a while. Just as I hit the send button on the screen my phone starts to ring. It's Kate.

"Hey" I say into the phone.

"Hey there good looking," Kate says. "How's the roommate business going?"

"Bad. I can't find anyone decent. A guy thought It would be a good idea to send a dick pic so that I could inspect the goods before I commit."

"Yikes. But, Ana, what did you expect? People are crazy."

"I know! But, I was really hoping to find someone that wasn't that bad." I sigh.

"That bad, huh?"

"Yeah, but I think that I perhaps found someone... on Craigslist."

"Craigslist?! That's a pothead for sure! Are you sure that you couldn't get by on your own? I mean you have a job so you'll have your salary soon..."

"I'll barely make it, Kate. I'm basically an assistant to the current creative director. My salary isn't that great. Besides if the Craigslist guy works out he'll only be here for a few months. More than enough time for me to get together my emergency savings and start paying off my debt."

"Are you sure? This doesn't really feel right with me."

"Yes, I'm sure. Now tell me about you."

"I'm paying way too much for what is essentially a glorified closet."

"I can imagine." I laugh as she starts telling me about her work and the articles she is getting to write.

"Honey, you know that I could always call my dad and he'll be more than happy to help you."

"I know, Kate. But I want to be independent."

"Yes, I know, trust me. If there is someone that understands the need for independence, it's me. Just remember that sometimes the strongest thing you can do is to ask for help."

Kate's parents love her very much and are very generous. But, ever since her brother Ethan died in a car accident a few years ago they have been overprotective and overbearing. Her own grief combined with her overwhelming parents drove her to reckless behavior. She tried everything to stop thinking about her brother. This happened right when we started hanging out and I tried being there as much as I could. Somewhere along the way, we became one and we have been best friends ever since. She has since retired from her party girl persona and delt with her grief. She is now a kickass newbie journalist that knows how to have a good time when the time is right.

"Yes, mom." I laugh. "When did you become this wise? I'm supposed to be the brains in this duo."

"Haha," She deadpanned "But, I don't know. I don't like it. We're supposed to be young, wild and free right now not young, wise and boring."

"Dear Kate, you could never be boring. Not even if you tried."

"Ah, I knew there was a reason why I kept you around. Keep the flattery coming, I've barely received any compliments today." She jokes.

"Somehow, I doubt that the smart, beautiful and ambitious Kate Kavanagh hasn't received any compliments today."

"Not from people that I actually care about only the regular street harassment."

"Ah, that's sweet… I think."

After talking to Kate for a while I decide to check my e-mail to see if this Elliot has answered. But he hadn't so after finishing off some details on a sketch for work I call it a night and go to bed.

I HATE being late. I'm that person that's obsessively early to everything and this morning I overslept. After grabbing my backpack and a breakfast bar I rush to work. I don't actully live that far away from work. I usually walk but since I'm late I opt for the buss. In the end, I'm 10 minutes late which in the grand scheme of things isn't too bad. I rush to my desk and drop my backpack on the floor. Just then, my boss, Laura walks in putting a cup of tea and a muffin on top my desk.

"Tough morning?" she asks with a smirk and perfectly shaped and shaded eyebrow. Laura is the kind of person come rain or shine is always put messily together. To work she always wears different types of skirts, most often a pencil skirt that stops just below her knees and dress shirts with crazy prints and in obnoxious colors. The louder the better. I wonder where she finds the shirts? I've never seen them anywhere before. Her black hair is always gathered in a messy bun and her feet are always clad with black high-top converse.

"No," I lie out of breath. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, because you're always here 15 minutes early and because your shirt is inside out." Laura laughs revealing a few smilelines around her eyes. "Relax, kid. We're a small publishing house and besides you and I are the only ones creating the cover art. You have no one to impress, your prototypes you showed me in the interview are enough. Besides you've been working here for almost two weeks. If I wanted to fire you I would've done it by now.

With reddening cheeks, I nod and sigh. "Thank you." Laura sits down across my desk. "Should you really be calling me kid? You're not that much older than me." I continue.

Laura ignored my comment and started discussing new ideas for the new covers for the books who are soon to be published as a starting chewing on a bit of blueberry muffin.

On my lunch break, I walked to a nearby deli and ordered a meatball sandwich. The sub had the reputation of being Seattle's best and it was rightly deserved. The spices in the meatball themselves were to die for. The bred was fresh but slightly toasted giving a satisfying crunch with every bite. This was very much needed. Looking out the restaurant window I see people walking briskly by. Minding their own business, looking down into the pavement and often with earbuds in their ears, completely secluding them from reality.

Suddenly I remembered that I hadn't checked my phone today. Quickly looking through my new e-mails I soon found that Elliot had indeed replied to my message. He suggested that we meet in a café after work. I took a deep breath as I nervously accepted and continued to eat Seattle's best meatball sub.

"Good work today, Kid." Laura praised as she passed my desk in the afternoon. The day had been hectic as a few of the prototypes are due early next week. It's fascinating to watch Laura work. She has this process that is impossible to describe. She is almost like an organized tornado. Doing everything effectively but somehow managing to misplace things in the process but still remembering where she put them.

"Thanks, you too!" I reply flattered by her compliment. Having not worked here for long I'm still at the stage where I'm walking on needles and pins, petrified of doing something wrong and consequently being fired. "See you tomorrow!"

Laura gave me a sweet smile and proceeded to walk out of our office. I slowly gathered my things hoping to delay the inevitable. How am I supposed to recognize him when I arrive? He didn't send a photo or a description of himself, but I guess there aren't going to be many dudes taking a coffee by themselves… I hope. Too soon are my things in order and I make my way towards the door. The café isn't that far away from work and since I have time to kill I decide to walk.

For every step I take, I feel the almost empty backpack hit my back. The city is glowing with the good weather and people seem overjoyed now the time has come to go home. I'm always amazed by the fact that even though we're all individuals when you walk down the street the differences between people's styles are basically indistinguishable, especially when it comes to working. The men are either wearing suits or business casual outfits such as jeans and a blazer while the women have on various different variations of skirts in modest lengths and business suits. I'm not saying that I'm any better. With a skirt and shirt on can't really complain about others unoriginality. My skirt is pastel yellow though and I have on comfortable low heels, so, that has to count for something.

With a smile, I push the door to the café open. The smell of coffee and confined air hit me as soon as I step inside. The actual café isn't very large. There is only a handful of places where you can sit, and the furniture seems rugged and worn down. Overhead they have huge menus with dozens of options of drinks – everything from lattes to smoothies. The variety of food options is virtually nonexistent because of the fact that they don't seem to have any. This seems to be an only drinks kind of a place. I look around the café searching for anyone sitting alone but there is no one sitting at any of the tables. So, I go an order a smoothie.

I choose to sit by the window and as I sit down I hear the faint sound of generic lounge music playing in the background. It feels like this café stopped trying to be 'hip' a long time ago.

"Hey there, are you Ana?" A handsome blonde man asks me. His blue eyes looking hopeful. And even though I've only heard a sentence from him I know that he isn't one of the weirdos that had previously applied to be my roommate. My nervousness immediately disappears.

"Yeah, are you Elliot?"

He smiles. "The one and only."

I stand up to shake his hand. It feels callous and a bit dry. Elliot excuses himself as he goes to order a coffee. He comes back with a piping hot cup of joe.

"I've never understood people who can drink hot beverages while it's hot outside. Why would you want to be hot on the inside while you're hot on the outside?"

Elliot laughs out loud. "Is this your way of telling me that you think that I'm hot?"

I blush furiously as I laugh awkwardly. "No offense but you're not my type."

"Oh, so what's your type?" Elliot smirks.

"The dark, mysterious and handsome type," I say jokingly as I think of all the characters that I'm most drawn to. That's book characters though. If we're going after people that I've actually dated they've mostly been like Elliot – outgoing and safe.

Elliot laughs again. "Then I have a brother that is exactly your type." He takes a sip from his cup. "But to answer your question I drink hot coffee because I have a theory that if you drink or eat cold stuff your body needs to increase the temperature in your body in order to heat up the cold drink and my body temperature will, therefore, be hotter than before. But, if I drink hot drinks my body needs to become colder. Does that make sense?"

"No." I deadpan. "Wouldn't your body just become the same temperature as your beverage for a few seconds before turning back to normal?"

"Ah, but with that logic, it wouldn't matter whether you drink cold or hot beverages would it? Because your body would just return to the same temperature as before."

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Touché."

We start discussing what having each other for roommates would entail. Rent, other expenses and the dividing of house chores. I would happily take the cooking aspect of the chores including the dishes if he is the one to vacuum and dust the apartment (properly) once a week. After that is established we go over general house rules. Except for the obvious respect each other and our separate schedules that we (I) have. Elliot seems to not have a current 9 to 5 job but does the odd job here and there until he figures out what he wants to do. Houseguests are welcome and if they stay the night… try to be quiet. That's basically it.

"Can ask you something, Elliot?"

"Sure. What's on your mind?"

"How come that you don't live at your parents' house or friends or even your brother's until you find something on your own?"

"I'm 26. I don't want to be the loser that lives at my parent's house. My friends are either married or single and live like we're still in college. Which I did for a while… girls, booze and partying all the time took its toll and it doesn't really have the same appeal anymore you now? I'm not saying that I want anything serious right now, but I just feel like I'm at a turning point in my life and that I need to sort my shit out."

I nod and give him an encouraging smile." That still leaves out your brother though."

"Well, I don't want to cramp his style. I should be the one taking care of him and not the other way around."

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Someone very special to me told me that 'sometimes the strongest thing you could do is to ask someone for help'"

"That's true." Elliot nods. "Are you not sure you want to do this anymore? Sounds like your trying to convince me not to be your roommate," he asks concerned.

"Oh, no. It's not that. I'm just curious. When do you want to move in?"

"As soon as possible! I'm currently living at my friend's house, but he is a pig. I'm looking forward to not living there anymore."

"Well, if you'd like you can come over now and look over the apartment before you agree to anything. Then if you still want to this then you can move in on Friday if you'd like."

"That sounds perfect," Elliot says as he drinks the last of his coffee.

"So, this is the kitchen and the living room/dining room. Those two doors are the bedrooms. That one is mine and the other one is yours. We have a mutual bathroom that connects from both the rooms and an extra bathroom over there. That one doesn't have a shower though…"

Elliot walks around the apartment looking very satisfied. "Friday can't come soon enough." He smiles at me."What do I need to sign?"

"Well, the contract as I told you on the e-mail is for a year. Do you want to sign now?"

"Yes." He nods eagerly.

"Give me a second and I'll go and print it out." I start to walk towards my room where my computer and printer are when I remember that I don't have Elliot's full name. "By the way, what's your full name? So, that I can write it down on the contract." Kate's dad had his lawyers draw up a contract so both I and my future roommate would be protected if something were to happen.

"Elliot Travelyan Grey." I nod.

I write Elliot's name and print out two copies. The sound of my heels following me to the kitchen as I walk towards him. "Here you go. Read it over at your own pace and give it back to me by Friday."

"Okay, then I'll take this with me on Friday. I'll ask my father to look it over he's a lawyer. It isn't that I don't trust you, but you know just in case."

"It's not a problem, Elliot. I understand. Take your time and if you still want to move in on Friday then call me or e-mail me by tomorrow."

"Sure, thing. Then I'll better get going." Elliot comes towards me offering me his hand. "Thank you, Ana! You won't regret this."

"I really hope so," I say under my breath as he walks out the front door and leaves me alone in our soon shared apartment.