Hello again! Here it is, the second chapter of Happy New Year! I'll leave a little author's note at the end to clarify a few issues.
Also, does anybody here use Wattpad too? I just opened up an account and was curious! If you are and would like for me to follow you, just leave your name on the comments, or you can follow me (Sophie-Clueless) and I'll follow back! Also, if you have any suggestions about stories you like I'll appreciate it, I literally created the account an hour ago and can't wait to read new stories!
The cab left me on the entrance of my building. I absent mindedly thanked the driver and payed him before I grabbed my purse and ran to the clear glass doors, trying to keep the cold that had seeped into my body as the cold snow, that was now up to nearly my knees, froze my body.
But there was another sort of cold that I couldn't seem to shake off, not even when I had entered the warm hallways of my apartment building and to the safe confines of my small rented place. I tried to turn the light on but the power was out. Typical.
Christian's face as the cab drove away and he stood on the street, ankles deep in snow as he watched me go was frozen into my memory. It felt as if I should have done something. As if my leaving him behind had been wrong of me, but that was ridiculous.
Christian grey was the owner of our magazine and who knows of how many other companies. He was a multi-billionaire, used to getting what he wanted and whoever he wanted. I had been just a fling, a nice way to welcome the New Year that he would surely forget the next day when he would take another girl, surely prettier and maybe even richer up to his office or home.
I ignored the stab of jealousy as best as I could as I hammered those images into my brain. I couldn't be stupid enough as to believe I meant something to Christian, who the hell was I to mean something to someone like him?
I was nothing, and what had happened between us was also nothing. It was better if I just accepted it and moved on. For God's sake! It's not as if this had been my first one-night stand! I had done this before and I had never felt this way. I told myself it was just because he was my boss and the idea of seeing him again might be awkward. Every other insignificant fling I had had before had been with people I was sure never to see again, but Christian was my boss and someone I saw at work regularly.
I huffed as I took my coat off and threw it against the couch in frustration. I guess my mind would just have to get used to the fact that I would see my boss, who I had also fucked, at work and that was it. Nothing else, nothing more.
As I sat on the couch dressed exactly as I had left I couldn't help but feel differently, and not in a "New Year" way kind of different when I swore to myself I would stay in shape, stop eating so many carbs or look for a better job. Usually on the first day of each New Year I felt as if everything was possible. A new beginning, a fresh start when I could leave everything behind and start over. Of course, I never did any of that but it was a welcome feeling.
That night however, instead of feeling like I'd won something I felt as if I'd lost. Looking around, my small one bedroom apartment felt claustrophobic. The white tiles on the floor looked dirtier somehow, as if they hand' been cleaned for decades, the kitchen with the outdated fridge and stove looked as if they belonged to a horror movie rather than my place. The old sink with the plates from the day before was probably the saddest view. I had been living here for about two years now, considering how this as the only place I could afford in DC, and I had been happy back then. Despite my money problems I had always managed to be happy with what I got. Sure, my job was crappy, but something better might come along, right? All my life I was sure that, if I waited for the right time everything would work out, and until then I should just settle for what I had.
It turned out, I was tired of waiting.
What good could it be to wait for something to happen to you? How was that going to change anything? If I wanted something, a better job, a better life I had to go and find it, not wait for it to be magically given to me.
The thing was, what could I do? Looking around the dark room my mood deflated again. After a life of waiting for destiny to happen, I had no idea of how to go and find it.
Frustrated I stood up, my body now starting to feel a little sore and reminding me again of that person I did not want to think about, so I pushed it to the back of my mind. If I wanted to move forward I couldn't remained fixated on the past.
I needed a change, but what?
The computer was out of the question with the lights out so I took the phone from my purse to search through the internet only to find that the battery had died.
Great. I tossed it to the couch next to my coat where it laid uselessly. I would have to charge it whenever the power came back to see if I had any calls from my family and Kate.
Lost and confused, I figured the best thing I could do then would be to take a shower. At least I could take the smell and sweat off of me. At least that would be a start to leave everything behind me.
Going to the bedroom, I took off my dress and left it next to the other clothes I had to wash. In the bathroom I lighted up some candles I had bought once when I thought it would be cool to take a bath at candle light once I was living alone, only to realize that this apartment only had a shower and no tub.
God, could I get any more pathetic?
I stepped into the shower and started rubbing off my skin with my sponge and soap, as if with every stroke I was one step closer to being free of the bad luck and decisions that had accompanied me for the last two years. I had never actually used the candles, and as I looked around the once familiar bathroom, dark expect for the orange glow of the small candles lighted, it seemed as if the place was entirely different from what I had ever known, and it made me feel as if I was already doing something to change up my boring life.
After the shower I went to my bedroom and, on a silly whim, chose to wear my finest lingerie; a pair of black lace and silk panties with little flowers embroidered on the hem, with a bra to match. It was the most expensive thing I owned and it had been Kate's gift for my birthday, jokingly assuring me that that underwear would "catch any dick on sight" problem was, I hardly ever used it except for today. I knew I wasn't going to do anything, but why shouldn't I feel sexy for once? Why shouldn't I dress to make myself feel better and not to please someone else like my idiotic boss Jack Hyde, who wouldn't let any woman in the office wear pants because it was "unlady-like". Dick.
Dressed in nothing but my silky lingerie I went back to the kitchen to get a glass of water before I went to bed when something caught my eye. A silhouette was moving in the dark.
Someone had broken into my apartment.
Panicked I jumped to the kitchen counter where I kept my knifes and was ready to scream, knife pointed to the man when he put his hands up and spoke, his unmistakable deep voice halting me in my spot.
"Wait! It's me, Christian!" He stepped into the shaft of moonlight that entered through the window and I saw him again, dressed exactly as he was when I last saw him on the street, an alarmed expression on his face.
The terror in me was slowly being replaced by something else, something I wouldn't give time enough to settle over me, so I let the wariness take its place.
"Christian? What the fuck are you doing inside my apartment?!" Knife still up and pointed to his chest, he kept his hands up and swallowed. His eyes quickly drifted to my body, and I suddenly realized just how undressed I was, before he sobered up and looked back into my face. There, unmistakable in his eyes, was lust and even though I swore to myself I would get him out of my mind, that stupid heated gaze he was giving me was making heat pool in my belly.
"I'm sorry," he said and he really did look like was. He was keeping his distance and that was something I appreciated, even though he was Christian and not a creepy stranger, I wasn't entirely comfortable in having found him in my apartment without my permission. "I saw that the door was open and was worried something might have happened… but I shouldn't have come inside, I realize that now. I think I'm still drunk." He shook his head and blinked as if trying to get some sense into him.
He didn't make any sense, for starters what the hell was he doing here?
"What? How the hell do you even know where I live? And what are you even doing here?" The arm holding the knife was getting tired, but I wasn't about to put it down just yet. Drunk or not I might have to kick him out of here.
"You told me." He said, taking a step towards me which caused for me to instinctively lift my knife up, and he stilled an apologetic expression crossing his face as he took a step back. "When you had started at the magazine, I think it was a week or so, you told me you had been looking for an apartment and found this across the street from the cinema, remember? And I told you that I used to come here as a child before it changed owners?"
I did remember. I had been new and intimidated by having Christian Grey deeming to speak to me that I had blurted out the first thing that came to my mind, which had been the newly found apartment I had just rented and was excited about. His calm and easy smile had soothed my nerves and I had had a silly crush on him ever since then. But how did he remember that?
I lifted my eyebrow, disbelieving. "And you remembered that from over a year ago?" I scoffed and then shook my head. "Look that doesn't even matter, what are you doing here, now?" I demanded.
He seemed to swallow and look away, his head turning away from the light. I could have sworn I had seen him blush, but that must have been my mind playing tricks on me. When he spoke he took a hand to the back of his neck as if he were embarrassed.
"I just…" he sighed and looked at me intently. "I just wanted to know why you left."
That simply statement confused me, and I momentarily left my guard down as well as the knife. Standing there in the middle of my apartment with his hand on his neck and that intense look on his eyes I was left speechless. He looked so like a normal guy, a really cute one at that, and not at all the powerful billionaire and CEO that he really was.
"Why I left?" My voice was tinged with disbelief but also confusion. What did he want from me? Or did he expect that I'd stay and do his every whim? "Why would I stay?" I jutted my chin out defiantly, if he thought he could get whatever he wanted from me, take and not give he had another thing coming. "I know you must be used to getting what you want all the time, but I'm not your little sex doll. You can get whatever woman you want, what the hell do you want from me? Or is it some sort of sick game that you like to play when women don't go down to your every whim?"
I expected him to rage or scuff at my words, to storm out of my apartment and go find some other woman that wouldn't give him so much trouble and would be glad to do whatever he wanted.
Instead he just looked at me with hurt in his beautiful face.
"Is that what you think of me?" He let his hand down and took a step back as if he were repulsed by the image I had painted of him. "That I'm some asshole that wants to own people just because I have money? Ana," he ran a hand across his face, trying to put himself together. "What did you even think I was doing when I took you up there? That I just grabbed you, a random girl, to fuck and be disposed of?" He really did look disgusted now, but I was far from understanding. That was exactly what I thought he had done.
"Well… yeah." I admitted, shrugging. "That's pretty much what I thought, what else would it be?"
"My God." He sounded incredulous. "Did you ever stop to think for a moment that I wanted you? Not some random girl that I picked up at the party but the one girl I have gone out of my way to get to know? For fuck's sake I've been at Hyde's office pretty much every day for the last year just hoping I'll ran into you!"
What? No, what he was saying was impossible, every time we had met had been by chance, hadn't it?
"That makes… no sense." I shook my head. "You are the freaking owner; you have to keep tabs on what happens on each department."
He took a step towards me again but this time I didn't stop him, I was too stunned to do anything else but watching him come closer until he stood at less than a feet away. Close enough to touch, but far enough from me not to invade my space.
"Ana, I don't need to go to the offices more than once every six months for the final numbers. The rest is handled by the editor's in chief." His voice was soft, barely more than a whisper but when he looked at me again his eyes were intent, locking me in place. "The only reason I went to your department was to talk to you. I tell you, I think I was giving Jack a heart attack every time I went down there." He added and at that he cracked a grin. "His was the only magazine I visited so often, I think he believes I'm not happy with what he's doing, but at least he is always on his toes."
My shoulders sagged. What he was saying, that Christian had a… crush on me? My God, even just thinking it sounded ridiculous, but I couldn't help to feel a bit of hope surging because of what he was saying.
"So," I said, my face serious but curious. I really wanted to make things clear. "You are saying all the times you went to talk to Mr. Hyde you were just hoping to run into me?"
"Yes." He said it with a smile, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"Aaaand, why would you do that?"
Now he looked exasperated.
"You are really going to make me do this huh? Alright, I wanted to talk to you because I like you." He said and added. "In case the fact I took you to my office and we fucked didn't make that clear."
I could feel myself blush at the mention of what happened at his office and I was suddenly thankful for the darkness that was the room in.
"So you came here, what? Hoping to get laid again?" I asked honestly curious and I would be lying to myself if I said that the thought of it, of him here, didn't make my heart beat faster.
"No!" He grimaced. "I just- I needed to know why you left all of the sudden without a word." He admitted and the expression on his face looked pained. "I had wanted for a long time for you to look at me the same way I did, and when we finally were together I thought you finally did." He smiled as if it was a pleasant memory until then he grimaced. "But then I came out of the bathroom and you were gone as if nothing had ever happened. I know it wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do to come to your house uninvited, and for that I apologize. If I were sober it would never have happened."
My heart sunk as his words took in. This guy I had been crushing on for over a year had wanted to talk to me for a similar time. And now he was here, in my kitchen half drunk and asking me why I had dumped him after what I thought was a one night stand. My heart sank at the sight, I had never wanted to hurt him but it was just that I never thought I was hurting him, only protecting myself. Who in their right mind would think that the guy who could have it all would want you?
"Christian," I said my words sincere. "I never wanted to hurt you. I mean that, it's just that you're my boss and… I never thought you could be interested in me that way. I mean… what do you want to do? Do you want to go out and have drinks or lunch like two regular people?!"
The thought was ridiculous but to my surprise, he smiled.
"That would be a start, yes. How about tomorrow night since you don't have work?"
I was stunned, speechless.
"You are serious." I murmured looking at him straight in the eyes.
"I am." That smile had now turned into a grin.
This was unbelievable.
But then my thoughts from early in the night came back to me. Hadn't I been saying that I wanted to take a chance? To change my life and do something different? Now I had a cute guy here, and not just any guy but Christian fricken Grey, who wanted me. There were so many things that could go wrong, but wasn't this worth taking a chance?
"Ok then." I agreed. He looked stunned.
"Ok, what?" he asked confused.
"I'll go out with you to drinks or lunch."
He was still taken aback as if he thought it wouldn't be this easy but then the biggest smile spread on his face and suddenly looked much, much younger.
"It's a date."
We settled on the details and chose to go for lunch at some place of his choosing. Drinks were tempting but I was afraid that with alcohol again in our system we'd end up doing the same than back in his office. Not that I'm complaining, but I wanted for us to take a shot without having that kind of pressure and a lunch was… well a lunch, nothing had to happen there unless we both wanted to.
After giving me his phone number and promising to come and pick me up tomorrow he finally headed to the door.
"Good night Ana." He said and leaned forward to cast a chaste kiss on my cheek. His breath was hot on my skin and the idea that he was leaving made me want to pull the collar of his shirt and throw him against the couch but I gathered whatever self-control I had and let him go with the promise that I would see him again.
I slept restlessly that night in anticipation of what it was to come, but on the following morning at least I had slept a little not to look like a complete mess.
The power was back on and so I chose the opportunity to put my cellphone to charge as I made breakfast. I ate a bowl of cereals while watching the news and the morning celebrations of the New Year all over the world I finally finished and went to check my cellphone. There were a few missed calls from my parents and Kate, as well as a text from my friend.
She was asking me if I could go pick her up on the airport. I had to check the car before I replied. The night before I had been planning on going to the party on it, but the bastard had died on me, something that happened quite often, and since Kate's car was in the workshop that left only my unreliable buddy. Going into the garage the air was so cold that I was sure the car would just stay frozen on the ground but, to my surprise, he roared to life so I went to pick up Kate from the airport.
I dressed with jeans, a sweater and my coat, but still keeping the lacy underwear determined to make my life change... somehow. As I drove through the heavy traffic toward the airport filled with people who were also looking forward to picking up their loved ones, I thought of what Kate would say that I had a date with Christian Grey. She had been wanting for me to go on dates forever but I never did because I was always working. What would she do now? She certainly wasn't like me who worried about the risks, so dating someone from work wouldn't be a trouble for her, she would find it hot. And Christian? Man, she was going to be happy!
I parked the car and went inside. I found my beautiful friend coming through the gates with even more suitcases than she had taken home, if that was even possible.
"Ana!" She shouted and ran towards me, the suitcases dangerously wobbling with each step.
"Hey!" I said as she threw her arms around me and hugged me as if she hadn't seen me in ages instead of two days. I laughed, but welcomed the embrace; it was no secret that I loved my best friend.
We finally broke apart and went back to the parking lot chatting and laughing about things that had happened with her relatives. Kate's family was huge, unlike mine who consisted of basically two people who were divorced, so hearing about her parents and cousins was always fun. Especially since Kate had given up trying to set me up with her cousin Bryan.
When we were finally on the car and the suitcases in place she asked me how the party had gone. Kate knew I missed my family because of that storm, and how little fond I was of parties. I'm sure she expected for me to scuff and say it had been terrible, like I had done with any other party before.
"Actually.." I said a little smile on my lips. "Something did happen." And I told her everything about Christian. From what we did in his office to how he came to my place and we were going out for lunch in just a couple of hours. I had been so engrossed on my story that I hadn't even turned to look at her until I finished.
I had expected her to laugh or giggle. To jump up and down in excitement like she always did whenever I had a date. Instead she looked devastated.
"You can't be serious." She whispered in disbelief, and the look of her so worried set my heart hammering.
"Why?" I blurted out, even though I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
"Honey," she said slowly in the way she always did when delivering bad news. "Christian Grey is engaged."
First I'll say that there is NO CHEATING in this story, not from Christian or Ana. It will all be solved.
I know that a lot of you wanted a HEA and it's coming, I just knew that it wouldn't be so easy! There are a lot of obstacles for them that they'll have to work through just like in the book.
I hope you enjoyed this!