AN: As promised, they meet this chapter! I'll leave a longer AN at the end of this chapter with all my love for you guys. I can't believe how well my first story is being received. Also, disclaimer: I own none of these characters, they all belong to EL James.
Ana POV (APOV):
I slip on my sunglasses before I exit Wanda. As my memoir continues to fly off the shelves, people are beginning to recognize me, despite my attempts to keep my life as private as possible. While I don't mind pausing for discussions, photos, or autographs, sometimes I just want my normal routine to carry on. I'm meeting Grace for our normal biweekly lunch that has been our routine since I was eighteen.
"Ana!" Grace rushes to hug me when she sees me. She kisses both of my cheeks, and I return the gesture. Grace is the most prominent maternal figure in my life, and has been since I was sixteen. I've met Carrick and Mia a few times, but I have yet to meet the rest of her family, despite how often I hear about them.
"Hi, Grace. How are you?" I ask.
"I'm swamped with preparations for the Coping Together Gala." She admits as we're seated at a table and peruse the menus.
"What's the theme this year?" Grace and Carrick change the theme each year to keep things fresh.
"A masquerade ball. Will you attend?" She asks hopefully. I've turned down her offer each year because I can't imagine fitting in with all of Seattle's richest socialites.
"I don't know." I answer honestly.
"I'll convince you." She grins.
I laugh. "Okay."
"Please, Ana? I'll even help you find a gown. And Mia would be overjoyed to see you again. She thinks of you as a fantastic friend." Grace begs.
I sigh. "Can I think about it? Fancy events aren't really my thing."
"You have up until the day of the gala to decide." Grace smiles. "It's incredible that you're donating half of your earnings from your memoir to Coping Together."
Our food arrives and we continue to catch up. By the end of lunch, Grace has convinced me to attend, to her delight.
Three and a half weeks later, I find myself staring at my reflection in the full length mirror in Mia's closet. Her closet is a huge walk-in closet, which is where we've been getting ready for the past two hours. I never thought it could take so long for hair and makeup, but I was wrong.
Last week, after we had lunch, Grace took me to a small boutique to find a gown for me. I fell in love with a silver gown as soon as we walked in. With an embellished bodice and a flowy skirt, it caught my eye, saving me hours of shopping. Luckily, I had silver heels already, so I didn't need to go shoe shopping.
I barely recognize my reflection. My eyes seem to be a more vibrant shade of blue after Mia poked and prodded at my face. I'm also not used to the bold red lipstick that adorns my lips. Thankfully, she left my hair down, though two strands are pinned back and she gently curled my hair. At Mia's insistence, I borrowed a set of sapphire and silver jewelry to match my mask. I'm not used to such heavy jewelry, and the weight feels foreign.
When Mia and I walk downstairs to meet Grace, she hugs us both and squeals about how gorgeous we look. I smile because she's happy, but feelings of anxiety and dread start to swamp me. I know I'm clearly out of my comfort zone, and it's probably obvious that I don't belong, regardless of how good my facade is.
Mia's walking the red carpet with her date, Sean. I just realized that I'm going to have to pose for pictures, something I hate. Suddenly, I feel way unprepared for tonight.
When I finally make it through the blinding flashes and regain enough of my sight to walk to the table, Grace's parents and her sons are already seated. Everyone introduces themselves, but it's Christian who catches my attention. His black mask brings out the soft grey color of his eyes and his hair is the color of a shiny penny, which amuses me. I find my name card at the chair in between Christian and Grace.
"I couldn't put your memoir down once I started reading it." He confesses, rather shyly. "I skipped a day of work to finish it."
"How did you hear about it?" I ask, curious. I always wonder what drives people to pick up my memoir and read it. I have a small inkling of knowledge about Christian's childhood, from consoling Grace in her saddest moments.
"Honestly, it was a homework assignment from my therapist. He said you were an acquaintance of his." Christian replies.
I only know one therapist in Seattle. "John Flynn?" I ask.
"The one and only." Christian replies. "How do you know him?"
"He was my therapist when I was sixteen." I shrug. "After a number of silent sessions, he suggested I write the moments I wasn't ready to talk about yet down and then we'd go from there. That's actually when Out of the Darkness was born. I actually sent him a copy with a thank you card when my memoir was released."
Before he can respond, there's a hiss of a microphone and Carrick is calling for the night to begin and for everyone to be seated. The MC begins tonight's ceremonies, starting with nominating table heads. Mia calls the title and no one contests it. We all place a hundred dollar bill with our names signed into the envelope.
I get lost in the view of the sunset over Seattle and Meydenbauer Bay. It's calm and peaceful, the exact opposite of how I feel at an event like this. The small talk at our table ebbs and flows, with Mia's entertaining conversation. Mr. Trevelyan engages me in conversation, but otherwise, I'm mostly quiet.
I watch Christian talk animatedly with Lance, one of Grace's friends, about a device Christian's company is developing. It's hard to keep up, but I learn that Christian has an unmatched passion and commitment to improving the lives of the less fortunate. Our gazes meet every so often throughout dinner, and I can't help but be in awe of him. I want to know him better, and I want him to know me.
We don't get to continue our conversation, though. There's a steady stream of men in tailored suits and dark masks grappling for the chance to engage Christian in conversation, and there's almost an equally steady stream of women who approach me about my memoir. I can sense the pity in their tones, and I'm slightly ruffled. I didn't write my memoir to receive pity; I wrote it for children who don't have voices but are suffering. Regardless, I politely thank them while gritting my teeth.
"Ana, will you help in the auction?" Mia asks, eagerly.
"Of course!" I reply. Coping Together means a lot to me, so I'd do anything to help.
Grace's maid, Gretchen, stares at Christian each time she comes to the table. He doesn't seem to pay any attention, which makes me wonder if he's oblivious or indifferent. Gretchen stops at our table with the MC for the raffle drawing. Sean wins the silk-wrapped basket.
When the card with the list of auction prizes goes around, I gasp at one of the listings. "I can't believe someone's selling a first edition of Pride and Prejudice." I murmur. The other prize that catches my eye is Christian's property in Aspen. I find it difficult to imagine him as an avid skier.
"Is it your favorite book?" Christian asks.
"It was one of the first books I read." I admit. "I think I like it more because of it's sentimental value to me than it's literary merit, though I do believe it is a good book." We're whispering because the auction is already underway, and each item is selling for thousands of dollars.
"You're more than welcome to borrow my copy anytime. I also happen to have a first edition." Christian offers.
I look at him, stunned. "Thank you. I might just take you up on that."
"You're welcome." A small smile appears on his face, and he looks breathtakingly handsome when he smiles.
The room bursts into applause when a week at Grace and Carrick's property in Aspen goes for one hundred and ten thousand dollars. After the applause subsides, Mia calls my name, breaking the moment. I didn't realize that Christian and I had been gazing at each other.
"It's time." Mia announces.
"For what?" I'm confused.
"The First Dance Auction, silly! Come on!" She holds her hand out and pulls me up from my seat. I'm pulled towards a stage where ten more masked young women are standing.
"Gentlemen, the highlight of the evening!" The MC announces, his voice covering the conversations that are happening at each table. "The moment you've all been waiting for! These twelve lovely young ladies have agreed to auction their first dance to the highest bidder!"
I blush from head to toe. I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to survive this. It's difficult to let strangers touch me. In my musings and desperate attempt to calm myself before anyone notices my discomfort, I zone out and when I return to reality, the first girl is already being bid on. I notice Christian in the pool of twenty men ready to bid on us, and I wonder who he has his eye on. A flash of hope enters my heart that the girl he wants is me.
The MC is talking complete garbage, and I can feel myself cringe. I feel like I'm a piece of meat, and I have to fight off the old feelings from my younger years. I remind myself to take deep breaths, and dig my nail into my palm to keep myself focused. Jada, the first girl, sells her dance for five thousand dollars.
"Isn't this fun?" Mia asks, leaning over. I force a smile and a small nod, even though I can feel myself regretting agreeing to this. I chant, "It's for a good cause" in my head.
"And now, let me introduce the beautiful Ana." The MC calls. I feel frozen in my place on the stage. With a not-so-gentle push from Mia, I gingerly walk to the center of the stage.
"Beautiful Ana plays six instruments, is keen on yoga, and is fluent in Mandarin.." The MC doesn't get to finish before Christian's voice interrupts, to my surprise and relief. Out of all these bidders, the only person I might not have a panic attack with is Christian.
"Ten thousand dollars." Christian's voice is clear, but I still doubt what I just heard. The gasp of disbelief behind me tells me that I didn't hear wrong.
"Fifteen." Another voice enters the fray. Everyone turns at the same time to see a tall, impeccably dressed man. His mask covers most of his features, so I'm not sure if I recognize him or not. I'm watching Christian, and it seems as if he's amused by the competition. Does he know the other guy?
I want this bidding to be over. "Twenty." Christian counters quietly, his gaze back on me.
"Twenty-five." The stranger says. I feel sick, as if I'm going to faint from embarrassment in about five seconds. I swear my heart is beating at an insane rate.
"One hundred thousand dollars." Christian calls, his voice clear and loud. The room bursts into gasps and amusement. I spare a glance to the stranger who holds one hand up in defeat, while laughing. My gaze returns to Christian, who's smirking at the stranger.
I'm sold at last, and Christian steps forward to take my hand and help me from the stage. "I can't believe you paid that much for a dance." I'm amused. "Thank you, though."
"I'm sure it'll be worth every cent." He smiles, and his entire face lights up. My arm is linked through the crook of his as he leads me out to the lawn and towards the rear of the house.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"There's about thirty minutes before the First Dance Auction ends. You looked like you needed a break from the festivities." He shrugs.
"Was it that obvious?" I cringe.
"No. I guess I just feel like I know you somewhat after reading your memoir." Christian muses. We're inside of one of the bedrooms now. "This was my room." Christian says quietly, as the door closes.
I look around, a corkboard above the desk catching my attention. I admire the photographs, although I don't see Christian smiling in any of them. "You don't smile much, do you?" I observe.
"I guess not." He's sitting in the desk chair.
"That's a shame. You have a nice smile." I blurt before I can stop myself. I blush beet red.
He chuckles. "Thank you."
There's concert ticket stubs, and in the corner there's a passport-size photo of a young woman in black and white. "Who is this?" I ask, curious.
He sighs. "My Carla." Those two words speak volumes, and I don't want to press too much.
I turn and sit on the desk, so I'm facing him. "Do you ever miss her?"
"I don't know." He answers softly. "Most often, I resent her."
"Part of you will always love her." I say just as softly. "Love is stronger than hate."
"How did you forgive her?" Christian asks.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." I explain. "I chose to remember her for her few moments that were bright and shiny, and mourn the moments where she succumbed to her demons. She tried to sober up multiple times, but the system was against her and quite honestly, I don't think she wanted to deal with the sober memories of her high actions. I also realized that holding onto that anger would keep hurting me. I didn't want to be angry. I wanted to be happy. The anger was a good driving force, but happiness is even better."
"I don't know how to let go of my anger." Christian says quietly, his voice breaking.
"Oh, Christian." I want to comfort him somehow. His hands are clenched in fists on the desk. Impulsively, I grab one and hold his hand between mine. We sit in silence, though it's a comfortable one.
When we're both composed emotionally enough, we return downstairs, just as the guests are beginning to assemble on the dance floor. Christian and I smile at each other as we stand on the black and white checkered floor as we wait for the music to begin.
"Just in time." He comments. I'm glad his mood has improved. Lost in his grey eyes, I barely notice when "I've Got You Under My Skin" starts to play. Dancing with Christian is fun and just what we needed after the heavy discussion in his room. I'm glad he shared that part of his life with me, and I hope he'll elaborate someday.
"May I cut in?" It's the stranger from the auction who approaches us when the song ends.
Christian seems hesitant to let me go, but his expression is one of amusement. "My pleasure. Ana, this is John Flynn. John, this is Ana."
So that's why he looked familiar. "My favorite expensive charlatan." I deadpan, causing John and Christian to break into laughter. Christian makes his way to one side of the dance floor.
"My favorite silence companion." Flynn replies as we start to dance, though it's not as graceful as with Christian. I fight the urge to ask him about Christian. I know Flynn won't tell me anything, and I respect Christian's privacy. I want him to open up to me on his own terms.
"I never expected your advice to lead to my status as a published author." I admit.
He smiles. "I never saw it coming either. Thank you for sending me a copy."
"Is it the same copy you gave to Christian?" I ask, curious.
"No. I bought him a separate copy. You two seem to be getting along well." Flynn observes.
"Doctor Flynn, your shrink side is coming out."
He laughs. "Does it ever go away?"
"I guess not." I reply.
When the music finishes, Christian returns to my side. I don't even want to guess at how big my smile is when I see him. "May I have this dance?" Christian asks.
I giggle. "Of course." He's such a gentleman. He spins me until I'm a laughing, dizzy mess begging for mercy. It's worth it though because he's smiling and laughing. We dance until it's time for the fireworks.
"This is the first time I've stayed this long." Christian admits as we take our masks off, which the MC has permitted for better viewing of the fireworks. Without his mask, I get to admire all of Christian's features. I alternate between watching the spectacular show and watching Christian's reactions. The final fireworks are sparks forming the message Thank You from Coping Together.
"That was incredible." I say. Christian nods in agreement. The MC announces that the night has raised nearly two million dollars.
Feeling tired and the effects of wearing heels all night, I'm ready to go home. "I think I'm going to go say goodbye to Grace and give Mia her jewelry back before I head out. It's a long drive home and I promised Grace I would come to brunch tomorrow." I tell Christian.
"If you're coming, I can drop you off at your place and pick you up tomorrow so you don't have to drive tonight." Christian offers.
"Only if you're okay with stopping at a pizza place."
He laughs. "I'm okay with that. Do you have a preference?"
"Whatever's open and on the way, honestly." I reply.
I'd never admit it, but I'm glad the night hasn't come to an end yet. I don't know if I'm ready to let go of Christian yet.
AN: and that's a wrap for the second chapter. Thank you so much for the awesome reception of the story so far, and I hope I didn't disappoint with their first encounter. The Pinterest for this story can be found on my Author Profile. This is actually my first time using pinterest so I hope I'm not doing a terrible job. They're still getting to know each other, but it's definitely not platonic from either part, so it'll grow and blossom soon. I believe in a nice build but I don't want to bore anyone. Pizza night and Grey family brunch is next! I'll try to update soon.
