A.N
Happy Sunday!
Once again, the response for this story has been amazing and we are only on chapter 1!
So glad people are loving it so far, hope Chapter 2 is just as enjoyable and let's just say…. Things will start to get interesting….See you next week!
Much Love
K xx

When three o'clock came around, Ana couldn't wait to leave the school. Although she had managed to avoid Christian and Leila for the remainder of the day, Christian's words still plagued Ana's thoughts. 'We have more in common than you think.' The words echoed through her head throughout the day. Dropping off her books to her locker she closed her locker before jumping slightly as Kate was there waiting for her.

"Promise me you'll be in tomorrow." Kate pleaded looking to her friend. She knew Ana would be distant but she hoped by bringing her back into some normality she would start to be like her old self, but she knew it would still take time.

Ana looked to Kate before she sighed and nodded as she looked to her. "Okay." She promised.

"How about I pick you up in the morning?" She suggested with a smile to her.

"I'll double check with my dad…he was pretty insistent on bringing me this morning. He's a bit on edge with Morton still out there."

Kate nodded. "Well let me know later. I have no problem with picking you up as long as it's okay with your dad."

"Okay." Ana offered her a little smile. She hadn't told her about Christian's comment despite it distracting her for most of the day. "I'll give you a text later." She told her before she headed out to her dad who was waiting outside the school for her. Getting into the car she smiled a little. "Hey dad."

"Hey kiddo…everything okay? I know I rang you on your lunch…"

"It's all good dad." Ana told him looking to him. "I just kept myself to myself and just concentrated on my work and surprise, surprise I went to the library during my free period."

"It will get easier." He told her with a soft smile as he began the drive home.

"I know. Kate offered to pick me up tomorrow…would you be okay with that?" She asked looking to him. "Or would you rather do it until Morton is caught?"

"As long as she picks you up from the house and drops you off." He told her firmly. "My boss has been very understanding when it comes to finishing work in time for you to finish school so I'll make sure I'm home in time for you to get home." He paused and glanced to his daughter before turning his attention back to the road. "In fact, he's invited us to dinner tonight…how would you feel about that?"

Ana gave a small shrug. "Guess it won't be bad. You've always said your boss is a nice guy."

Ray smiled. "He is, his wife is lovely as well and they don't live far from us actually. About two blocks away."

"I guess it would be okay. Surprisingly I don't have any homework to do."

Ray smiled and nodded. "I'll let him know." Pulling into their driveway he cut the engine before climbing out of the car.

Getting out of the car, Ana headed up to the house, heading inside once her dad unlocked the door, she made her way upstairs to her room, pulling her phone out she quickly text Kate to let her know she would like a lift in the morning before dumping her stuff on her bed. Tying her hair up in a messy bun she then frowned a little before she headed downstairs to where her father was making himself a coffee. "Dad what am I going to wear for dinner?" She asked. She didn't know much about her father's boss but she gathered he was very wealthy considering he owned a law firm and well she wanted to at least give off a good impression. She didn't want to embarrass her dad.

Taking a sip of his coffee, Ray put his phone down on the counter and looked to his daughter. "Urm I'm not sure…something smart but casual? That's a dress code, right?"

Ana couldn't help but chuckle at her dad. "I can do that."

"Good. He said dinner is at six thirty so to be at his place for about six."

"Okay well I'm going to have a shower. Why don't you take that chocolate gateaux out of the freezer and we can take it with us? It'll only take about an hour to defrost. Way of thanking your boss for inviting us."

"Good idea." Ray smiled heading over to the freezer and taking the gateaux out. Taking it out of the box he slid it onto a plate and put it aside before he smiled to Ana. "Dessert sorted." He chimed. "I'm going to catch up on highlights from the game."

"Okay." Ana smiled as she headed upstairs to her room. Putting her phone on charge she then headed into her en-suite bathroom, gently closing the door behind her as she stripped off and climbed into the shower, the hot water flowing over her body as she relaxed against the tiles letting the water hit the back of her neck. She had mixed feeling about today. Even though she saw nothing but pity in Kate's eyes she was the only true friend that Ana had and she knew Kate would always look out for Ana's best interests.
Jose…well he was a different matter. She valued their friendship but she sensed his feelings for her were more than platonic. He had thrown in hints before her mother was murdered and he was always a bit too touchy with her for her liking, but Ana always tried to ignore and make it clear to Jose that they were just friends and nothing more would come of it.
And then there was the incident with Leila. If given the chance, Ana would have hit her if she kept on. Ana wasn't a violent person, but Leila's attitude to her in general grated on her and today Leila crossed the line big time. They were friends once. Leila was lucky Christian stepped in when he did.
Christian. He had thrown her feelings into a mass of confusion. She hadn't really thought of Christian. He never came to light in her eyes he was just Leila's boyfriend who didn't say very much. They had all been in the same high school since they were freshmen but Christian was just as quiet as she was. She vaguely remembered that he had an older brother who would have started college and he had a sister who was a few years below them but she couldn't remember where she heard that from. Probably Kate. But the way he defended her today and then the brief conversation they had in English Lit class was still playing on her mind. How similar were they? As far as she knew he had the perfect life. Perfect family.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head she grabbed her scrunchie and washed herself down before turning the shower off. Climbing out she wrapped a towel around her body before heading back into her bedroom. Going over to her closet she looked through her clothes. Settling on a simple long-sleeved black skater dress she laid it out on her bed before she headed over to her drawers and pulled out some underwear. Slipping them on she then grabbed her dressing gown and put it on while she did her hair and make-up. Sitting at her dresser she put her straighteners on before applying a light coat of make-up. She always felt too much make-up didn't suit her so when she wear make-up it was always just a light layer. Glancing at her clock to the see the time she picked up her straighteners and ran them through her hair which made her hair look even longer. After applying some serum to the ends of her hair she grabbed two bobby pins and secured some hair each side of her head away from her face but still letting it flow down over her shoulders down towards her breasts. Straightening her fringe, she looked to herself in the mirror and gave herself a nod before she got up and went over to her dress. Taking off her dressing gown she slipped her dress on over her head, being careful not to mess up her hair before she smoothed out her dress a little, making sure her pockets were tucked in properly. Slipping on a pair of black pumps she looked to the time. It was nearly time to go.

"Ana are you nearly ready?" Ray called through her bedroom door giving it a little knock.

"Yeah I'm ready." Ana called as she headed over to her door and opened it, smiling to her father. He was in a shirt and his smart jeans. "Do I look okay?" She asked him.

Ray smiled. "Of course you do. You know you always look beautiful." He smiled to her. "Come on. Let's get that gateaux and we can head out. It's getting chilly outside so make sure to grab a jacket." He told her as he headed downstairs.

Rolling her eyes a little Ana headed back into her bedroom and over to her closet. Grabbing a black jacket, she slipped it on, putting her phone in the pocket of her dress before heading back downstairs and into the kitchen where her dad was putting the gateaux into a container. "All set?"

"Yep. Will you carry this for me?" He asked gesturing to the gateaux.

Ana nodded as she picked up the container. Following her dad out of the house she headed over to the car, climbing in as Ray opened the door for her. Sitting down she placed the gateaux on her lap as she put on her seatbelt before holding onto it tightly. Last thing she wanted for gateaux to be flying all over the car. As her dad got in and started up the engine Ana made sure she had a tight grip on the container.
It was a short drive but as soon as they pulled up Ana's mouth dropped slightly as she looked to the house in awe. "Wow dad are you sure this is the right place? This place looks like…." She trailed off not knowing what word to use to describe it.

"This is the address he gave…" He shrugged a little cutting the engine and climbing out of the car. Opening the door for Ana he helped her out before closing the door after her and headed up to the front porch and gave it a gentle knock.

Standing next to her father, Ana glanced around slightly as they waited for someone to answer the door. As it opened a gentleman appeared offering them a bright smile.

"Ray! So glad you could make it!" He beamed bringing Ray into a hug.

"Thank you for the invite." He smiled before smiling to Ana. "Carrick this is my daughter Anastasia, Anastasia this is my boss Mr…"

"Oh, none of that Mr nonsense. It's Carrick." He beamed before smiling to Ana. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Anastasia. You are all your father talks about and you are as beautiful as he says."

Ana blushed slightly. "Thank you. And please. Call me Ana. I'm only Anastasia when I'm in trouble."

Carrick grinned. "Come in." He told them. "Grace our guests are here." He called down the hall.

Stepping inside Ana took in her surroundings before she then looked seeing a beautiful woman making her way to them.

"Ray, Ana, this is my wife Grace. Grace this is Ray and his daughter Ana."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Grace smiled as she kissed Ray's cheek before gently hugging Ana before grinning to her. "My gosh you are beautiful."

Ana blushed again. "Thank you." She whispered before smiling to her and holding the container out. "This is for you. Our way of saying thank you for inviting us for dinner."

"Oh you didn't have to go through so much trouble."

"It was no trouble at all." Ray told her with a smile. "It was the least we could do."

Grace smiled taking the container. "I'll take this through to the kitchen. Carrick why don't you show Ray and Ana to the living room." She told him heading towards the kitchen.

"Of course. Follow me. Ana would you like me to take your jacket?"

"Uh sure, thank you." She smiled shrugging out of her jacket and passing it to Carrick, watching as he hung it up before she followed him through to the living room.

"Will your children be joining us Carrick?" Ray asked as he took a seat on the sofa smiling as Ana sat next to him.

Carrick nodded. "Yes, Elliot has just gone to pick his sister up from cheerleading practice and Christian…" He trailed off hearing the piano playing before chuckling. "Christian is home."

Ray listened to the music and smiled. "He's very talented. How long has he been playing?"

"Since he was six. As you know all our children are adopted and after Christian's horrific start in life…the piano was the only thing that seemed to sooth him. As well as Mia's arrival. He would sit for hours listening to Grace play so when he was six, we thought we'd start him with lessons. I've never known someone to take to the piano as quick as he did." He smiled to Ana. "Do you play an instrument Ana?"

Ana shook her head and offered him a little smile. "Books are more my thing."

"Annie wants to go into publishing or teaching." Ray told Carrick with a proud smile.

"Lovely, which would you like to do more?"

"I'm not sure, I'd love to teach English Literature but at the same time I love reading and getting lost in a book so think the publishing world would also be a good career choice. I'm torn at the moment."

"Well you've got another year or so before you have to decide which path you're going to choose. Have you thought about going to college?"2

Ana nodded. "I've been looking at a few. Harvard is top of my list at the moment. Their English and American Literature and Language programme is one I'm very keen to do."

"I wish Christian had your enthusiasm. I wish for him to go to Harvard but at the moment he sticks his nose up at it." He rolled his eyes before smiling. "You might know my Christian. You go to Seattle Prep, don't you?"

Ana gave a nod. Her stomach getting butterflies. "Maybe…I know there is a few Christian's in my grade…"

"Well my Christian tends to keep himself to himself. Shame his girlfriend doesn't have the same attitude." He rolled his eyes.

Ana felt her stomach drop. Surly it couldn't be. "I'm sorry I didn't get your surname…"

Carrick smiled. "Grey."

Ana swallowed the lump in her throat. Holy shit. She was in Christian Grey's house having small chat with his father. If Leila ever found out she would skin her alive.

"Dad, mom said to ask our guests if they would like any drinks." Came Christian's voice as he appeared in the doorway. His eyes finding his father they then landed on Ana and her father before settling solely on Ana. "Anastasia."

"Christian." Ana responded looking to him. She felt her mouth go dry. He was in a pair of jeans with a tight fitted t-shirt and a jacket over the top. Surly it was illegal for him to be that good looking? It was like she was meeting him for the first time although as handsome as he was he also made her very nervous.

"So, you two know each other, excellent." Carrick beamed before looking to Ray and Ana. "Would you like something to drink?"

"I'll have whatever you're having Carrick." Ray told him with a smile.

"Ana?" Carrick asked.

"I'll have a water please."

"Two beers and a water son." Carrick told him.

"Ana why don't you go and give Christian a hand?" Ray suggested looking down to his daughter. "I'm sure you'd rather hang out with someone your own age."

"Oh no need Ray you're our guests." Carrick told him with a smile.

"It's fine, go on Ana." He told her with a smile.

Ana looked to her father before she got up from her seat and followed Christian into the kitchen, wrapping her arms around herself a little.

"So, your dad works for my dad." Christian commented with a smirk to Ana. "Small world ey?" He mused as he got out the beers from the fridge before grabbing a glass and getting some water. "Do you want some ice in your water?" He asked looking to her.

"Sure." Ana replied as she watched him.

Getting Ana's drink he slid it in front of her before grabbing the beers. "I'll be right back." He smiled to her before taking the beers into the living. Coming back moments later he then looked down to Ana. "Don't talk much do you?" He mused as he wrapped his hand around his own drink.

Ana frowned as she moved her hands around the glass. "You're a fine one to talk. Don't see you saying much when your girlfriend is ripping shit into me. I think today has been the first time you've ever spoken to me in the whole time we've been in the same school."

"I prefer to keep myself to myself." He told her with a sigh. "I don't condone what Leila does to you. I have told her on a number of occasions she needs to keep her mouth shut but she just doesn't listen to me. Today…she crossed the line big time. The things she said to you were unforgivable."

"Unforgivable? Yet you're still with her? Why would you be with someone like her?"

Christian sighed. "It's complicated okay? But after today and the way she spoke to you…I don't really see a future for me and Leila."

"Why do you care what she says to me?" Ana asked looking to him. "You don't even know me."

"Let's just say I know what it's like to lose a mother."

Ana was about to ask him more questions when Grace came into the kitchen. "Christian, Ana dinner is ready go and take your seats." She told them with a smile.

"Yes mom." Christian replied heading towards the dining room.

Ana offered Grace a small smile before she followed Christian into the dining room seeing her dad and Carrick already sat down.

"Ana you're sat by Christian. He's the calmer one of the three." Carrick told her with a chuckle.

Ana smiled and nodded as she set her glass of water down on the table before sitting down next to Christian. As a young girl sat down opposite her, she offered her a little smile.

"Mia this is Ray Steele and his daughter Ana, Ana is in the same grade as Christian."

"You go to Seattle Prep?" Mia asked with a smile.

Ana smiled and nodded. "Yeah."

"Do you have any classes with Christian?" She asked curiously.

"Uh yeah we have English Literature together."

"Do you hate Leila as much as we do?"

"Mia." Carrick scolded looking to her.

"What? I'm only speaking the truth. I'm sure even Christian doesn't like her most of the time." She grumbled, ignoring the glares she was getting from Christian. "Besides Ana is way prettier than Leila." She beamed with a grin to Ana.

"Right, Elliot is just getting changed and he'll be joining us." Grace declared as the housekeeper began to come out with the food and she took her seat opposite Carrick.

"Helllllo my people." Came Elliot's voice as he strolled in. Plonking himself down next to his sister he raised an eyebrow at the beauty sat next to Christian. "Dude you finally got rid of that Leila chick? About bloody time. Your new girl is hot."

"Elliot this is Ana and her father, Ray. Ray works for me at the law firm." Carrick introduced with a roll of his eyes. "Ray, Ana this is my eldest, Elliot. He has no filter."

Looking to Ray, Elliot laughed nervously. "Hi there…."

"And Ana isn't Christian's girlfriend." Mia chirped. "But they are in the same grade in school and have English Lit together." She happily informed her eldest brother.

"Is Leila a bitch to you too?" Elliot asked looking to Ana.

Ana felt her cheeks redden even more. At Elliot's question she glanced to Christian before she looked to Elliot and shrugged a little. "I don't think Leila's nice to many people." She mumbled before smiling as her food was placed in front of her. "Thank you."

"Yeah well I've been telling this one to get rid of her for a while. She's a bad egg." Elliot mumbled as he took a bite of his potatoes.

"Okay can we not discuss Leila?" Christian asked with a snap as he dug into his own food.

"I agree." Grace stated looking to the children. "No Leila talk."

"So, Elliot…. I understand you are in college…" Ray commented as he tried to change the subject.

"I am. Freshman at University of Washington." Elliot beamed proudly.

"Excellent what are you studying?"

"Construction management and Architecture. I want to open my own construction business one day." He told him with a smile.

"Elliot loves to build things." Grace told Ray proudly. "Ever since he was little he's loved to build. He would sit for hours just building with his Lego. Some of his models we still have because they were too amazing to dismantle."

Ray smiled before looking to Christian. "And what about you Christian? I know you have another year before you decide what to do after High School but what would you like to do?" Ray asked turning his attention to him.

Christian shrugged a little. "I haven't decided yet. I have a few ideas running through my head but nothing is set in stone yet." Although that was a lie. He knew exactly what he wanted to do but he knew his parents would not be supportive, mainly because he had no intention of going to college. He wanted to started his own business. Make the world a better place. Acquisitions and Mergers. Make failing companies thrive once more. It might have seen like an impossible idea to many but he was determined to make his dream a success.

"You're very talented at the piano."

"Thank you, Mr Steele."

"Oh please call me Ray."

"Christian after dinner why don't you give Ana a tour of the grounds. Outside is beautiful this time of night." Mia mused with a grin.

"Oh yes." Grace agreed with a smile. "I'm sure the Richards mentioned something about having a firework display. You might catch some of it." She looked to Ray. "Do you live far Ray?"

"No, we are two blocks from here, if that."

Christian looked to Ana. He had no idea she lived in Bellevue! There were only a handful of kids he knew lived in Bellevue and he had no idea that Ana was one of them.

"Oh excellent, you should come around more often. You should join us every Sunday."

"Totally! Mom makes the best Sunday brunch you could have ever imagined." Elliot beamed with a grin to them.

Ray looked to Ana. "What do you say Annie?"

Ana looked to her dad before she glanced to Christian before the rest of his family. Christian's expression remained passive while the rest of the family were enthusiastic. "Uh yeah, sure, that would be lovely."

Ray smiled to Grace. "It sounds great, on one condition…"

"What's that?"

"You let us bring desert every week. Annie makes the best chocolate cake…"

Grace smiled. "You've got yourself a deal. I'm looking forward to this cake."

Finishing up his food, Christian pushed his plate away before glancing to Ana. "Ready?" He asked. It seemed they had a lot to talk about.

Ana nodded a little to him. "Sure."

"I'm going to show Ana outside." Christian declared as he got up from his seat.

Getting up from her seat, Ana offered Mia a smile seeing her grinning at her before she followed Christian out of the house and into the garden, instantly wrapping her arms around herself as the cold air hit her skin.
The garden was beautiful. Much bigger than hers. As she stood out, she stood onto a decking area which was covered with what look like a marquee so you could come out in all weathers and a large barbeque was just at the side. From the decking area the large land of grass which lead down to a lake. The Grey's home stood alone so the next home was across the lake to which Ana guessed was the Richards that Grace mentioned. She could see a bonfire and faintly hear laughing. To her right she could see a path that led down to what looked like a small boat house.
Following Christian out to the garden he headed down towards the lake and plonked himself down on the grass. Looking to him for a few minutes she sat down beside him, looking over to the bonfire across the lake. "Do many people know you and your siblings are adopted?" She asked curiously to him, but never looking to him.

"No." He simply replied.

"Leila?"

"No."

"What she said to me…it hit a nerve with you didn't it?"

Christian didn't say anything at first. He didn't know how to explain himself. Sighing he looked to her. "The way she talks to you full stop bothers me. It has for a while."

Ana frowned. "Why?"

"I don't know." He admitted before looking to the bonfire. "I've never really known much about you apart from you're quiet and like books. Leila targets you and I never understood why…today when she made it all about her when you're obviously still mourning the loss of your mother…it made me angry…"

"You said you know what it's like to lose a mother…what happened to yours?" She whispered to him.

"Drug overdose. I was four. She was a drug addict and a prostitute. I was stuck with her body for four days. When they eventually found me, I was malnourished, starving and dehydrated. Grace was working in the hospital that night. She saved me."

Ana didn't even realise she was crying until she felt her tear hit her hand in her lap. Wiping her eyes, she looked to him once more. "I'm sorry."

Christian smiled to her. "Don't be. If that didn't happen, I wouldn't be where I am today. My life is much better now and I'm happier." Seeing her shaking slightly from the cold he shrugged off his jacket and moved it around her shoulders before he moved his hand to her cheek and gently wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. He looked to her eyes, the most beautiful shade of blue staring back at him before looking to her lips. They looked so soft. Sighing he pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. "What are you doing to me?" He whispered keeping his hand on her cheek.

Ana closed her own eyes, relinquishing the feeling of him touching her. Holding onto his jacket that was wrapped around her so it didn't fall off she soon jumped a little as her phone went off in her pocket. Pulling away from him slightly she pulled out her phone, rolling her eyes a little seeing it was a message from Jose.

To: Ana Steele
From: Jose Rodriguez

Hi! Kate said you would be in tomorrow. I can't wait to see you. Felt like I haven't been able to spend any time with you today :( Let me know if you need anything xxx

As she pulled away, Christian let his hand drop to his lap before he then looked down to her phone, instantly feeling jealous seeing it was Jose texting her as well as seeing three kisses on the end of his text. He knew there was nothing going on between them but the thought of it happening grated on him and angered him. "Boyfriend missing you?" He commented dryly, his jealously getting the better of him.

Ana frowned at him. "He's not my boyfriend." She told him, ignoring Jose's message and putting her phone back into her pocket.

"Well he seems to think he is. Never seen a guy pine so hard for someone. Kind of pathetic." He commented deadpan.

"Really? I'm sure Leila knocks Jose off the top spot with her constant pining for you. Takes desperation to a whole new level." She hissed as she got to her feet, tossing his jacket at him she shook her head and headed back up to the house. How did he go from being sweet and kind to a complete jackass? Heading inside she headed into the dining room where her father and Carrick were chatting away.

"Hey kiddo you alright?" Ray asked spotting his daughter.

Ana nodded. "Yeah. It's cold out there and I'm getting a little tired."

"I should get her home. Carrick thank you for tonight, we've had a lovely time."

Carrick smiled as he got to his feet. "It was our pleasure Ray. You two are welcome anytime." He led them out to the hallway. "Grace, Ray and Ana are heading home." He called as he got Ana's jacket for her.

"Thank you." Ana smiled taking her jacket and slipped it on.

"Oh thank you for coming." Grace smiled to them. "We look forward to seeing on Sunday already." She grinned to them.

"As are we Grace. Thank you so much for your hospitality. We will see you Sunday."

"You will. I will get Carrick to text you a time." She told him before hugging them both in turn.

"I look forward to it." He smiled before walking out of the Grey household with Ana beside him. "Did you have a nice time tonight?" He asked as they got in the car.

Ana nodded. "They Grey's are lovely." She yawned a little before relaxing back in the seat. She felt exhausted. Christian left her feeling exhausted. He was so confusing. Sighing to herself she looked out of the window. Not only did she had to deal with him in school they would be spending Sunday's with him for the foreseeable future. She didn't know how this was going to plan out but she wasn't looking forward to it, especially if Leila ever found out. Leila would kill her. Shaking the thoughts out of her head she looked aimlessly out of the window. The last thing she wanted to think about right now was Christian Grey.