Chapter 2

A Pov

I didn't sleep for the whole night in the excitement of my new job. Finally, I got the job. My life has been shitty since the day I was born. Sometimes I have this whole new dimension of existential crisis. Anastasia Steele, you are starting a new life! I scold myself feeling like crap for being so negative. My formative years till I turned 18 were shitty. And shitty is an understatement of the decade.

I never visit that part of my life. Only one thing was good about it. I had my best friend with me. But he was gone before I could understand what was happening. I was brought to that hell hole after my mother was killed by a pimp. She took her last breath in front of my eyes. I was screaming and crying for my mommy. I was helpless. I was tied and beaten like a pulp. I shudder at those memories.

Don't go there.

It was my first day at Collin's when he was brought there too. He had the saddest grey eyes I'd seen till this day. I was so scared of everyone but I was drawn to him. He was scared and scarred too just like me. He didn't speak for days but when that scum Jack was harassing me, he took me and ran away from him. We hid in a closet so that we could avoid him. I felt him stiffen so I knew he was scared too but he was protecting me. Keeping me safe. I felt safe with him so I gave him my biggest smile to my friend. And that was the first time he spoke. His voice still echoes me.

"Minnee."

He called me minny may be because I was so tiny and small but when for the first time we were playing clay he wrote it as 'minnee'. Mine. He never allowed anybody to touch him. He grew violent and started hitting everything and anything in his way. Except Me. I guess because he thought of me as his best friend too. Jack harassed him a lot. Especially him. Mrs. Collins used to read us a book, My mother. We both loved that book and I used to call him 'baby bird'.

A month passed and we were each other's support. We both looked out for each other. Nobody saw him smiling or heard him talking, except me. Then that horrible day came, his new mommy and daddy took him. But before he left, he gave me his most loved and priced possession; that book and his baby blue blanket. Just like my mommy, he was gone too and I was alone at Collin's House. After that till I turned 14, each day was hell. Jack made it hell.

Somehow with my hard work, I managed to grab the scholarship which gave me full ride in WSU. Though my roommate Kate was a doll but could be bitchy sometimes. She knows everything about me. Only Kate and one person, whom I trust with my life knows about what happened to me in my teens and with my mother. Ray. He was not my father but my guardian angel. He found me on streets when I ran away from Collin's. He took me as his own and raised me. I felt safe with him. He never showed any emotion. No questions were asked. But I know as he is an ex-military, he knows everything about me. He has his contacts everywhere. He took me from Detroit to Montesano, where I had somewhat normal life. At least I tried to be normal. But nightmares always haunted me. I've seen a lot of psychiatrist for my nightmares and for the fear of mixing up with people but nothing worked. I never have any nightmare when I have my blue blanket with me. Baby bird.

I want to find him. But how do I do that? I didn't know his name or who adopted him. Except that he told me someone named Angel and Cady were his new parents. At that time, I thought that were their names but now I know they are just memories. Without any information, how do I find him? I never talked about him to anyone except Kate.

But sometimes I regret sharing this with Kate. Because of that she is like mother-hen, over-protective all the time. Especially when Jose is around. Jose is my only friend other than Kate. I met him in my freshman year. I agree he is a little creepy with all the staring stuff but he is a nice guy. He helped me finding a job so I could be independent. And he is the son of Ray's best friend.

I worked at Clayton's Hardware Store, which was not far from our campus. Claytons were nice and supportive people. Now that I have graduated as an English Literature major from WSU, we have moved to Seattle. Kate and I bought an apartment at Pike Place Market. Kate's parents and Ray supported us to buy that apartment which was close to both of our work place. I applied in SIP for the job as an assistant editor and luckily I got it. Leila Williams, editor of SIP was my interviewer. I got a weird vibe from her but I let it go because I don't easily trust people. All I knew was, there was a commotion going on and SIP was bought by some mega industrialist, Christian Grey. I remember him from Kate's interview. Though i never saw him just read the article. According to her, he is a mean, cold, hot businessman. For all the paper work, the new employers had to wait till the take over. So because of that I had to wait for a week to join my new dream. It was my dream to be in publishing and read new books. And now I'm just few hours short and all this because of Ray Steele and my best friend Kate. And him.

Today I start my new life.

A/N: I didn't wanted to leave you guys with so small chapter so this is the second one. This chapter will give you an idea about Ana's life with some changes. English is not my first language so if any mistakes, bear with me please. I will update my story every week, mostly Sundays as I have my college and work. And I will try not disappointing you guys. Bonus chapters will also be there. :) I know, I know I have left gaps here and there but trust me you will know everything later. If any suggestions, review it or PM me. All of your suggestions are most welcome. And sorry again for any mistakes guys. And a big thank you to every one for the warm welcome.

Spoiler Alert: Next Chapter is meeting with Christian Grey. ;) Laters baby!

Disclaimer: All characters belongs to E.L. James.

Amy. xoxo