Chapter one
April 2013
Christian ran his hand through his hair as he stepped off the elevator and ignored the receptionists that stood behind the front desk of his building. He needed some air; he couldn't stand to be in his stuffy office too long. He loved his job, but he loved being outdoors and enjoying his life more.
Thankfully it was time for lunch, and like he did every day when the clock struck twelve he walked down to the deli across the street and ordered the same thing: Italian on wheat with mayo.
His shadow, a.k.a. Jason Taylor, followed behind him and kept vigil surveillance of the area around them no matter where they went.
Christian stepped up to the counter, ordered the usual and then walked over to the table where he always sat at as he enjoyed his lunch. It was by the big window that looked into the store but where he could look out at the roaming people on the sidewalk. He liked to people watch, liked imagining what other people did with their time by the way they looked and how they carried themselves.
A young girl with long golden brown hair that grazed her waist walked past the window and caught Christian's eye. She looked familiar to him. The way her nose turned up and her slim limbs reminded him of a distant memory, and then she turned his way and looked through the deli he was sitting in.
The breath caught in his lungs and he was sure his heart stopped beating for a moment. The young girl looked exactly like Ana, but then she looked like someone else he knew too, but still like Ana. She had pale skin, long legs, defined cheekbones and those big round eyes that were so much like Ana's.
Christian knew that time travel was impossible, but wanting to see for himself that he wasn't dreaming, he leapt out of his seat and ran out the door. Taylor had to move fast behind him to catch up with him.
Thankfully the young girl hadn't gotten far before Christian had a chance to intercept her.
"Excuse me, Miss," he said, grabbing her arm.
The young girl turned around fast, her eyes startled but then instantly changed into narrow slits.
"I—"
She cut him off. "Listen, Mister, I don't know what your mother told you but you don't go around grabbing strangers, so if you don't mind I'd like my arm back. And if you do mind prepare to have burning red eyes and a sore groin."
Surprised by the vehemence in her voice Christian immediately let go of her and took a step back. Taking a moment to recover he stepped forward again and gently raised his hands.
"I'm sorry if I startled you, I promise I don't mean to harm you . . . it's just that you look like someone I used to know," Christian admitted.
The girl crossed her arms, dropped one hip and rolled her eyes. "Like I haven't heard that one before. If this is your way of asking me for my number the answer is no."
Christian was the startled one this time. He almost wanted to laugh at the absurd thought; he was practically old enough to be the girl's father. Not to mention that if he was asking for her number he would have to register as a sex offender for preying on a girl who looked no older than 16.
"Um, no. That is definitely not what I was going to ask you." Christian kept his face serious despite the ridiculousness of the situation.
"Then what do you want?" The girl gave him a cautious look.
Christian shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, chuckling silently at himself. He really didn't know what he wanted. She would verify him a total psycho if he asked her if her name was Anastasia and she had traveled from the past. So instead he asked another question, already assuming what her answer would be.
"Um . . . do you by chance happen to know a woman named Anastasia Steele?" Christian asked, inwardly rolling his eyes at his stupid question. Out of all the people in this place, why would this girl know his ex-girlfriend? So what they looked alike, a lot of people looked like a lot of other people. Doesn't necessarily mean they know each other.
So when the girls answer was 'yes' Christian had to do a double take and ask her to repeat her answer.
"Yeah, she's my mom." The girl looked at Christian with a raised brow. "Hey, Mister, are you okay? You look really pale."
"Um . . ." Christian was speechless. He didn't know what to say. Didn't know where to start. He vigorously rubbed his hands over his face and dug his fingers into his eyes.
"Maybe you should go sit down." The girl took his arm and guided him back into the deli and pushed him into the seat he was sitting in previously. She took the seat across from him while Taylor hid in the shadows.
"Um, excuse, Miss. Do you mind bringing me a glass of water for my friend here," the young girl said.
Christian watched as the young girl sat across from him. As he stared at her he could see more of himself now. He saw his lips and his ears. She had his fingers, and when he got a closer look he noticed her eyes were a cool bluish-gray rather than the turquoise of Ana's. But as she was exhibiting she also had Ana's kindness, as well as her sassiness.
"How old did you say you were?" Christian asked once one of the waitresses handed him a cup of water.
"I didn't say. But I'm fourteen turning fifteen this weekend." Before Christian could ask another question she asked one of her own. "So how'd you say you knew my mom again?"
"We were . . . old friends."
She squinted her eyes at him. "You knew her when you were younger?"
Christian nodded. She tilted her head to the side and let her eyes roam over his face. He watched as her expression switched from curiosity to confusion then finally to realization.
Her eyes met his. "What'd you say your name was?" she asked.
"I didn't say. But it's Christian."
"Christian Grey?" she asked, her voice a low whisper.
He nodded, his fingers anxiously playing with the paper cup on the table in between them. "What's yours?"
Her eyes locked on his. "Elsa Grey."
They stared at each other, the time passing them by but neither of them acknowledging it. Elsa was the first to look away when she jumped and pulled her phone out of her pocket.
"Hello? . . .Hi, Mom." Her eyes met Christian's again as she continued to talk. "No. I'm at the deli on fourth . . . I'm not alone . . . A guy I just met . . . Jeez, Mom, calm down. I'm pretty sure he's not going to hurt me . . . Well if it helps you know him." Elsa's eyes were still locked on Christian's. "He said his name's Christian. Christian Grey . . . Hello? Mom, are you there?"
Christian watched as Elsa pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at her screen. Christian reached his hand out and silently asked for her phone. She placed it in his hand without hesitance and watched him as he put the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" Christian said.
There was a long pause before he heard her voice. "Christian?" Her words came out sounding like a pained whisper.
"Hello, Anastasia."
"Christian . . ." she repeated, her voice still soft.
"Yes, it's me. And if I'm not mistaken the young girl sitting in front of me is our daughter." He paused and stared at the girl that has just changed his life forever. "I'd say it's time we have a nice, long chat."
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