I do not own any of these characters. I'm just having some fun with them.

Anastasia

Throwing my head on my desk, I decide to call it a night. I've been reading manuscript after manuscript and my brain and eyes can only take so much. It's not that they're bad, trust me they're far from it, but after you've read one and go to another, your brain clashes the stories together. A good publisher knows when to take a break, and I have just met my match.

Getting up from my desk, I walk towards my filing cabinet and place the manuscripts I've been attempting to read in the 'Re-read' labeled section. I know I should read at least the first four chapters, but I'm just too exhausted. After placing them in, I shut the cabinet, and turn around grabbing my personal items and make my way out my office.

Turning the car into the driveway I see Kate's similar Honda Civic to mine, but while hers is a bright red mine is a charcoal black. I wonder what she's doing here at my house? Usually Kate and I meet for drinks on Friday night's, but today is Thursday. She's up to something and I can already smell it.

Kate and I have been friends since our third year of attending the University. She's always been the loud-preppy party girl, but she's a hard working woman who is a take action-kick ass type. I believe that's why she makes such a great journalist. I, at that time was the shy-book reading girl, who would be sitting in one of the comfy chairs in the library reading a book, while her imagination ran wild. It was my safe haven. My personal escape.

One day, as I was heading over to the library, I ran into her. I, obviously with my head in the book, and she, holding plenty of books, didn't pay too much attention to where we were walking. Before we knew it Kate and I were laughing and mumbling apologies as we were picking up our books.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see you." Kate says bending down to pick up her books.

"It's okay, really. My head must've been in the clouds." I gently shake my head while smiling at the situation.

"I see you like Harper Lee." She states as she notices what book I was reading.

"I'm not much a fan of the man. But this book is actually one my favorites." I say as I stand, holding tighter to the book.

"I'm Kate, by the way." She smiles as she introduces herself, while extending her hand for me to shake.

"I'm Anastasia, but you can call me Ana." I return her smile and shake her hand firmly.

"So Ana. What do you like to do in your spare time?" She asks as we make our way to the library. Little did we know that was the start of a four year friendship and still going strong.

I'm woken out of my thoughts by a tap on the window. Turning my head towards the passenger side, I see Kate scowling at me. I laugh as I get out of my car and shake my head at her.

"You know Kate, it's creepy when you do stuff like that." I tell her as I make my way around my car and begin to walk towards my home. Home.

Home is a little four bedroom country house, with a two car garage, a lovely back and front yard, a beautiful kitchen, and a lovely living and dining room. One out of the three spare bedrooms I've turn into my personal office, while I turned one of the other two into my personal get away, my library.

I decided to leave a spare bedroom untouched, incase I had family come over. Ray, my adopted father whom I consider my dad, was the one who brought up this house to my attention.

"You know Annie, this house has a lot of potential. Yeah, it has a few cracks here or there." I raise my eyebrow at my dad, who immediately laughs at my expression.

"Dad. This house is completely filled with cracks. I doubt it's even worth restoring. It looks like it's going to come crashing down any minute." I tell him as I see the damage the house has received, due to neglect. He shakes his head at me while a small smile takes residence on his face.

"You know, for someone who lives in books and has an open mind to see beyond what others see, you're really quick to push this idea away." I lowered my head as what he said stung a bit. He's right, I do see beyond what others see. That's what made me a good publisher and the CEO and owner of Steele Publishing Company.

"Come on, I want to show you something." Ray says as he holds my hand and leads me inside. I can feel my stomach twist and turn as we enter the crumbling house.

"Dad? Are you sure this is safe? I mean, this house looks like it's going to give way anytime soon." I say in horror. He laughs at my facial expression, which I'm sure shows my fear.

You can tell once upon a time this house must've been precious. But looking at it now, you can't help but turn the other way. The walls are cracked. The roof is partially missing. The windows are broken and I can literally see through the wall, to what looks like the bedroom. The bathrooms have mold on the floor and the stairs are missing steps.

"Dad, I know what you're thinking. And I'm sorry for saying this, but this house, or what was..." I say sarcastically as I throw my arms towards it with an eye roll. "Is not worth the time or the money."

"You know. The more you roll your eyes the more chances you have that one day they will remain like that." He attempts to says with a serious face but fails miserably. "Ana, if you look at the house, and I mean really look at it. You will see everything here can be fixed, sure it'll take time and of course money, but the hard part is already done for us."

I face my father after he's done talking. I shake my head at him and turn my attention back to the house. I can see what he's talking about, but I can't help but feel doubtful.

"If you see Annie, the pillars are intact and the wooden beams are still strong and sturdy. All we have to do is change a few, but the frame of this house is what counts." He says as he gives my shoulder a bump. I smile at my dad and shrug.

"I guess you're right dad." I can't help but laugh as he smiles the biggest smile I've ever seen.

"You won't regret it Annie." He says as he wraps his right arm around my shoulder and we admire the broken house.

Dad was right. I don't regret it at all. This house that is now my home, was built with love. Literally. I might have hired the construction company, but it was dads vision they brought to life.

"You know if you keep staring at your house like that people will think you're nuts." Kate says laughing.

"Shut up." I say as I once again walk towards my home.

"Ana, before you go in there. I have a surprise for you." That stops me on my tracks. I turn around slowly and face her. She looks guilty and I'm honestly afraid to ask.

"What did you do, Kate?" I ask as I see her fidget with a lock of her blond hair that has come loose from her bun.

"I sort of have invited my friend over, which in return brought a friend over." She says in a low whisper. She looks like a three year child who was caught playing with mommy's makeup.

"Kate." I say as I close my eyes and hope I heard her wrong.

"He's really sweet Ana and very good looking, he has a stable job and he's doing pretty well for himself." She rambles on trying to win me over, but it's not working.

I turn around an quicken my pace to go inside. I can't believe she's done this again! The last time she tried to set me up with someone it turned out to be a complete catastrophe.

"Kate, I can't believe you did this. Do I have to remind you of what happened last time?" I practically yell at her as I'm climbing the front steps.

"Ana, please don't." She pleads with me.

"You know, all I wanted to do was come home and relax. Not deal with some asshole who probably thinks he's better than anyone else at six in the afternoon." I scream at her as she's standing still staring at me as she's seen a ghost. What the hell is her problem?

"I don't think we've met." I hear behind me a thick manly voice. Oh fuck! I close my eyes and slowly turn to face the man whose voice belongs to. Shit! I close my eyes again and internally groan. Fuck! He's perfect. On opening my eyes I take his features in. He has the most beautiful face I've ever seen. Finely chiseled chin. Perfect nose. His skin is flawless. And those eyes, they're out of this world. They're the perfect shade of grey.

"I'm... I'm Anastasia." I say with a slight pause. Wow he's gorgeous!

"Nice to meet you Anastasia." He smirks as he sees my reaction to his appearance. I can't help but swoon at hearing his voice. I wonder what his voice would sound like in the throes of passion. I immediately shake my head to clear those thoughts away. Get a grip Ana! I tell myself.

"I'm sorry, and you are?" I ask once my heart has steadied, the ringing in my ear has faded and I've managed to get my bearings under control.

"I'm the asshole." He says with a serious tone but I can tell he wants to smile. And fuck if that doesn't do things to me. I close my eyes and chastise myself mentally. How embarrassing.