Chapter 2

Three Years Later

Anastasia Steele sucked in a deep breath, wiped her clammy hands on her navy blue pencil knee-length skirt and stepped out of her Aston Martin One-77. Her hands shook slightly as she gripped her nude handbag but she was ready. Pushing her shades up her small button nose, she steadily approached the intimidating ivory tower, also known as Grey Enterprises Holdings.

Any other person would be giddy with the opportunity presented to her. Any other person would be in complete business mode if they were here to interview for the position of Editor-in Chief for the fictions department at the world renowned publishing house, Grey Publishing. Not Anastasia Steele. No, her mind was now preoccupied with the worry that she would run into her boss's boss, otherwise known as the man who broke her heart, or in layman's terms, her ex-fiancé.

Anastasia smoothened her cream silk blouse as she approached the blonde receptionist located in the lobby of the building.

Clearing her throat, she said in a voice that easily betrayed her anxiety, "I am here for my interview at Grey Publishing, Anastasia Steele."

The blond bombshell cocked her perfectly arched eyebrow at her, the only indication that she knew of Anastasia's past with her boss but other than that, no other reaction was displayed.

With a voice as clear as bell, the blond whose name plate read Hilary O'Conner said, "Welcome Ms. Steele. Your interview will be conducted by Stephanie Foster on the fourteenth floor. Here is your visitors pass. Please show it to the receptionist on that floor and you will be guided accordingly."

Anastasia simply nodded her head, took and pass, turned on her heel and briskly walked to the elevator. She breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the empty elevator cab. She took this time to smoothen her cream silk blouse and check her wavy brunette hair from her reflection in the door. Pushing her bangs from her eyes, she counted to ten to calm her nerves and pushed aside all feelings of fear and doubt. If she had learnt anything from the past three years, she knew how to mask her feelings.

As the door opened, Anastasia willed her feet to the receptionist's desk and presented her past. This second blonde receptionist balked a little upon seeing her name but she quickly recovered before showing her to the waiting area for her interview.

Anastasia waited all of two minutes before a slim red-head approached her. She stuck out a perfectly manicured hand and quickly introduced herself as Mrs. Stephanie Foster before ushering her into a brightly lit conference room.

"Well Miss Steele, you come highly recommended by your former boss. He had nothing but great things to say about you," began Mrs. Foster. "If I may be so bold as to ask, why would you leave such a well-known publishing house, in New York no less, to apply here?" she continued. Anastasia simply blinked at her interviewee as she subtly referred to her past relationship.

Ana cleared her throat before saying, "Please call me Ana, and I don't mean to sound rude, but I did not apply here. I was as shocked as anyone to be offered to interview for this position, but that being said, I do want this job. GP is a world renowned publishing house. I can't imagine any person who would turn down this position."

Stephanie nodded, then said, "Well Ana, explain to me your interest in fictional writing? Why this position specifically?"

Ana breathed a sigh of relief in seeing that the interview was now solely focused on her professional skills before launching into her explanation. She loved nothing more than getting lost in a good book, forgetting life's problems and letting it all go, so it was easy for her to explain herself.

The interview passed without a hitch and Ana truly felt at ease. If she didn't get this job, she knew it would not be because she flunked her interview, but higher powers at play. Stephanie Foster was impressed with Ana. She tried not to out rightly show her admiration for the girl who sat before her but she knew without a doubt that Ana would be an excellent fit at GP. Her only concern was the petite brunette's personal life. Would the boss be ok with this new development? Did he even know that she was here interviewing for a job that would put her in close contact with him on a bi-monthly basis?

Both women stood and Stephanie informed Ana that she would be in touch before Friday, giving her team 2 days to decide if Anastasia Steele will be a new employee here at GP. Stephanie believed that the decision would be made before lunch today, but protocol had to be followed. Anastasia shook Mrs. Foster's hand once more before exiting the room and making her way to the elevators.

As the doors closed, she allowed herself to breathe. She had 2 days to truly decide if she wanted to work here. Was this the wisest of decisions? She quickly exited the elevator and went to return her visitor's pass. She wanted to get of the premises as quickly as possible, and not push her luck. Her nerves could not handle a run in with Christian Grey now. That might send her over the edge for good and she wasn't quite ready for a mental breakdown.

She was just about to walk through the revolving doors when a voice she hadn't heard in 3 years pierced her. Ana froze. She could not believe her luck. Blowing out a lungful of air, Ana straightened her panicked face and turned. She hoped that she appeared serene and not at all the nervous, panicked wreck she felt. She was 100% sure that her rapid heartbeat could be heard across the building lobby. She looked upon the figure approaching her and willed herself not to cry.

"Ana, how have you been?" said a voice she hadn't heard since her would be wedding day.

Grace could not believe her eyes. Was this Anastasia Steele leaving GEH? Wait, did Ana come here to visit her son? She certainly looked like she was on a mission of sorts. Determined, and slightly nervous. Maybe she chickened out. Grace knew that Christian wasn't always the easiest person to talk to. He was far to intimidating for his own good. She never could understand why her darling son gave up such a sweet girl like Ana. She truly did believe that Christian was head over heels in love with her. Even a blind person could have seen it. She was as wrong as the day is bright on that count.

"Grace, it's lovely to see you. How are you?" relied Ana. Her teeth found their place on her bottom lip, the only indication to Grace that Ana was nervous. Grace couldn't help her herself. She reached out and pulled the beautiful brunette into her arms and gave her a hard embrace. Ana could only blink. She had no time to react but before she knew it, her arms came up and returned Grace's hug.

She always admired Grace. She was more like a mother to her in the little time that she had known her than Carla ever was. She certainly embraced her as part of her family and treated her like a second daughter. She never once saw her as a "gold digging whore" as most thought she was. Ana felt the tears welling up in eyes and she willed them away.

Unfortunately, the tears escaped. Grace simply held her. She patted her back soothingly and waited for it to pass. Ana could not believe that she was crying again. She quickly pulled herself together and wiped her nose in the most unladylike fashion with the back of her hand. Grace, ever the mother-hen, waited. She understood that the sweet girl needed just a few moments to compose herself.

"Have you eaten yet Ana? I was supposed to be having lunch now but a situation arose so I was just about to dine alone. Would you care to join me?" said Grace in her angelic voice. Ever mindful of people's feelings, Grace neglected to mention that she was here to meet Christian for lunch but like the workaholic he is, he got pulled into a meeting at the last minute. Ana heard what Grace had not said.

She truly did not want to go to lunch with Grace. She much rather avoid such an awkward encounter and any conversions about her love life, or lack thereof as well as Christian's. She knew Grace was only being kind in her offer. Besides, Ana certainly didn't have much of an appetite and she doubted it would return anytime soon. Good manners won out in the end, and Ana found herself agreeing to join her ex fiancé's mother for lunch.

"Terrific! C'mon we'll walk. I know this excellent bistro just a block away," said an elated Grace. She grasped Ana's wrist and pulled her out the building. The walk to the bistro was strangely quiet, a fact Ana was grateful for. She used this conversational lull to gather her scattered thoughts and pull herself together. She really hoped that she looked pull together and was thanking all higher powers for the magic that is waterproof makeup!

Upon entering the bistro, they were seating right away at a window seat. Ana quickly ordered a Caesar's salad knowing that was all she could stomach at the moment, while Grace orders the penne in alfredo sauce. The two women looked each other in the eye across the table, one assessing and curious, the other hesitant and anxious.

Grace was the first the break the silence. "So my dear girl, what have you been up?"

Ana exhaled loudly, so appreciative that Grace avoided the topic that she knew she really wanted to talk about. "Well I moved back to Seattle. My boss, well former boss received a letter from GP demanding that I come in for an interview. They want me to take up the position as Editor in Chief here. At least I hope they want me" said Ana with a nervous giggle. "I came in today for the interview. Now I'm finalising the business end of moving but I finally found an apartment that I liked from the get go so I should be moving from my hotel tomorrow. What about you? How's the world of paediatrics?"

Grace understood that Ana didn't want to delve into too personal a conversation so she humoured the sweet girl and let her control the conversational topics, for now at least. "Its so wonderful to hear about you moving back here! And that job opportunity! My sweet girl, you will absolutely get it! I know how hard you've worked when you were still a humble assistant at SIP. You deserve it no doubt. And you know, being a paediatrician breaks my heart so often but I can't imagine doing anything else. Where are you going to stay? What apartment complex?"

"Oh, my agent showed me these amazing apartments in Bellevue. So I guess were gonna be close" said Ana with a grin. "How are Mia and Carrick? I hear about Elliot from Kate so I'm all caught up on him. Has Mia opened her restaurant yet? I remembered that being her "dream" since forever" said Ana with a smirk.

"Carrick is wonderful and I know he'll be thrilled that you asked about him. Oh, you know Mia, her dreams changes like the wind. I believe she wants to be a party planner now. Bless her heart, but my little girl needs to settle down. Her brothers have truly had it with her antics," replied Grace.

Ana couldn't help the frown that marred her face at the mention of Mia's brothers. Grace had said this intentionally of course, as a way of slowly easing into the conversation they were both avoiding.

"Ana, sweetheart, please don't think that I'm prying or speaking out of turn, but I want you to know this. What my boy did to you has haunted me for the past three years. I truly believed that he loved you. Everyone did. You made him the happiest that I've ever seen him. I may not understand what went on then and God knows I've tried talking to that stubborn son of mine but I really did want you as my daughter-in law. I hope you know that we all loved you." Said Grace in a quiet voice.

Ana lowered her fork, took a sip of water before saying, "Grace I myself don't truly know what went on those three years ago. He never loved me. I always knew it in my heart I just refused to accept it. I was never what he needed and sooner or later our marriage would have imploded. I'm just grateful that he had the courage to say something before it got too far. I can tell you this however, C-C-Chris….your son was the only man I have ever been able to love. I will always love him. But I think I've finally accepted that I am not what he wants or needs. Of course I would have loved nothing more than to be a part of the Grey family. You were always so wonderful to me. But fate had other plans I guess." Finished Ana with a shrug of her shoulders.

Grace, slightly angered by Ana's speech spoke up, "You, my girl was far to good for my boy. I know how that sounds coming from me. But you loved him for him. He was too blind to see it. Don't ever doubt yourself for a minute. And I guess your right in one thing though, fate had another path for you both"

"Anyway," continued Grace, "Enough about this, the Coping Together Event is on Friday. You have to come Ana! Kate will be there. As will Mia, who I know will be over the moon excited to see you."

Ana quickly started shaking her head "no" to Grace's request but she already pulled out an invitation from her gorgeous, no doubt expensive, black handback. "Here, I will add your name to the list of specially invited guests. The theme's "A black, white, and red affair", Mia's doing, " said Grace with a roll of her eyes.

"Grace as much as I would love to attend. I don't think it's a good idea. Can I just make a donation?" said Ana. Grace was adamant that Ana attend. She simply stared at Ana with the same look that she often uses on Christian to guilt him into doing something he loathes. Ana found her resolve diminishing and before she knew it, she was agreeing to make plans with Kate to go with her and Elliot.

"Wonderful darling. I will see you on Friday. " said Grace before they both exited the bistro after having paid. Ana watched her walk away and she couldn't help but mumble to herself. "I'm certainly a glutton for punishment aren't I? First the interview, now this event? If I didn't know any better I'd think I actually wanted to see him"

With a slump of her shoulders, she dragged her feet back to her car made her way back to her hotel.

As soon as she returned to her room, Ana killed off her nude stilettos, flung her purse aside and quickly dialled her best friend. Of course, since the universe seemed against her today, she was sent to voicemail.

"Hey, you've reached Kate. Leave a message and I'll get back to you. If I don't it probably means I don't like you, which is your problem, not mine. *beep*

"Kate, why don't you ever answer your damn phone. I need you. I ran into Mama Grey together. Yeah you heard me. I had lunch with Grace and now I have to attend that Coping Together Event on Friday. I stupidly said yes and that I'll go with you. Anyways, come here ASAP, preferably with Chinese and booze. " Rambled Ana.

Tossing her phone aside, she collapsed on the sofa and waited on her best friend.

Two days later, Ana stood in the vast bathrooms in one of Kate and Elliot's guest rooms. Kate had taken the time to do her makeup and Ana was eternally grateful. Although she was dreading any reunion with her ex, she certainly wanted to look her best. She wanted to see the stunned expression on his face when he noticed her for the first time. And more importantly, she wanted to see regret in his eyes. Ana was not a vengeful person, but she wanted to see Christian squirm just a little bit.

Her hair had been swept to the side, where Kate had done this intricate braid. Ana didn't even know how she did it but she loved how it looked. Slipping into her gown, Ana hoped that she stood out without being obnoxious about it. She wanted to make an impression without drawing extra attention to herself.

Looking into the full length mirror, Ana gasped. She was the furthest thing from vain but she had to admit that she looked damn fine. The full length gown was both black and white. The bodice being white with black subtly blending into it and flowing all the way down. The entire dress was made of lace and the long sleeves revealed Ana's toned arms. Her legs, from mid thigh to about mid calf was also visible through the transparent lace. Her 6 inched stilettos were blocked from view by the once more opaque black lace. The slightly low cut v-neck bodice revealed some of Ana's impressive cleavage. It wasn't indecent by any means but it was enough to entice and make a person, preferably Christian yearn to see more.

Stepping out of the bedroom, Ana saw both Elliot and Kate waiting in the foyer for her. Kate was absolutely stunning in her red evening gown. The bodice of the dress was fully jewelled with red and silver jewels. The rest of the gown was a vibrant red that flowed all the way down Kate's body and formed a small train. The only piece of jewellery Kate wore was her impressive engagement ring. Elliot was also quite a looker. His black three piece suite moulded to his body giving the indication of his impressive physique. His tie and pocket square were red, indicating Kate's input into his outfit. The couple looked absolutely stunning and both were speechless upon seeing Ana. Ana couldn't help but smile since it was no easy task in making both Kate and Elliot quiet.

"C'mon Steele, we don't want to be late. Well I don't want to…you make say differently" said Kate. Ana had to roll her eyes at her tactless friend then laughed outright when Elliot said " Fuck! You're gonna make my brother come in his pants. If he does, I'll owe you for life." Only Elliot could make her laugh when she wanted to scream.

As they rode together to Bellevue, Ana couldn't help but feel thankful for both Kate and Elliot. Surprisingly enough, she had gotten a little closer to Elliot over the past 3 years. Of course Kate and Elliot would be the ones to visit her since she didn't want any run-ins with Christian but she had come to love Elliot like a brother she never had. The only other person she viewed like that was Kate's bother Ethan but he was not as out-going in character as Elliot.

The threesome arrived at the event a half hour later. Butterflies were in full flight in Ana's stomach and she felt like she was ready to pass out. Kate and Elliot sensing her state of mind, gripped both her hands and the three walked hand in hand into the impressively decorated tent. Grace and Mia certainly outdid themselves as the tent was lavishly decorated. Red, white and black lined the ceiling and the tablescape were stunningly beautiful. Ana was thoroughly impressed.

Kate and Elliot unfortunately had to abandon to see to their social obligations so Ana made her way to the bar. It was certainly unladylike to go get alcohol as soon as she arrived but she needed it. The bartender must have sensed her inner turmoil, or maybe he thought she was hot but she got his undivided attention as soon as she reached the bar.

"Vodka martini please. Dirty. Like really dirty. Seriously go Heavy on the vodka please" said Ana. The bartender chuckling at her antics quickly went about doing her bidding. As soon as she got her drink, the MC started talking.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to our annual event. It is my pleasure to be a part of this prestigious event and lend a hand in helping to make this world a better place, especially for children in need of help. It is indeed an honour to invite on stage our hosts and founders of this charitable organisation Mr Carrick Grey and his stunner of a wife Dr Grace Trevelyan Grey."

The audience started applauding and Ana took this time to go find her seat. It was now or never,she thought. With a nod to the bartender and a promise to return soon, she willed her feet to approach table one.

She spotted him before she saw anyone else. Always a standout, his messy copper hair drew her eyes to him. Like always, Ana felt her heart pick up. He brought out that reaction in her. He was staring at the stage so he didn't see her approach. Kate and Elliot however had their gazes fixed on her. As did Ethan who Ana noticed was gripping Mia's hand. Mia was oblivious to all around her which made Ana smile slightly.

Both Elliot and Ethan stood as Ana reached the table. This action caused Christian's head to whip around. He gasped loudly as he saw her, but ever the gentlemen, to the public eye at least, he too stood. His eyes had darkened and hardened just a little and his gave kept going from her to the brunette that Ana now noticed sat beside him.

Ana felt her heart shatter once more. Only Christian could cause such a reaction in her. Taking a large gulp of her martini she quickly composed herself, willed her tears back as well as the actual physical pain that she was feeling in seeing him, especially with another woman on his arms. She approached her seat so beyond grateful that Grace had seated her between Mia and Kate and placed her glass down.

She then surprised herself, as well as those around her, when she said in a strong, clear voice, "Hello Christian."