A/N
Thank you all for taking the time to read, follow and review this story, it really means a lot. Sorry I don't have time to reply to your reviews, but I do try and answer every pm.
.
Truthfully, this was supposed to be a short story from Apov only, nothing more, but I felt I had to try and give them a happy ever together after causing such heartache. Trying to explain Christian's behavior and redeem him in some way, has been a challenge but also great to write.
Please bear in mind, that there are two sides too every story, obviously giving entirely different perspectives. Ana was hurt broken and ran, cutting all ties, she listened to gossip from Kate regarding C's wedding, divorce and daughter, so we only know what she knows.
You've had Ana's account of events and it has brought up a lot of questions, all of which will be answered by Christian's actions over the next few chapters... So let's hear more from him...
.
Please Turn Around
Christian...
The next month passes quickly without incident. Work is more hectic than usual and for now, my number one priority. I'm currently in the middle of a large takeover, a failing electronics company based in Europe. It will make or break Grey Enterprise's, leading me into the European market and a lot rides on this deal, here and abroad.
Regrettably, this crucial merger has caused my time to be occupied to the maximum. Long work days running into even longer nights, constantly filled with stressful European conference calls, but it will all be worth it in the end, and the end is in sight, thankfully. These past four months have certainly taken its toll, especially on my time with my family, it's been almost non existent... But will soon be over.
Ana is also very busy, fully occupied with Teddy, family, friends and of course Grey Publishing. It feels like over the past few months that the only time we see each other properly is when we're in bed, so I make the most of our precious nights together, keeping our connection strong, quenching my need for her, reassuring her of my love by keeping her close any way that I can.
I glance at the clock on the wall and can't help my smile, Ana will be meeting me for lunch soon. We have a date, a table booked at the bistro across the street and I will see her in less than twenty minutes. We're both so busy lately that I insisted on today, I needed something to get me through this afternoon. A reprieve from hashing out forever changing contracts with complete imbeciles and total incompetence.
I leave my desk eagerly and head out to Andrea, "How long before my next meeting?" I ask her as my phone vibrates in my pocket.
"You have just under an hour and a half... So enjoy your lunch," she sings after me with a smile. She knows where I'm heading to, my mood this morning has reflected the fact. I smile wistfully, Ana always keeps me calm.
As I step into the elevator, I pull out my phone. My angry growled curse, echoes around the small space as I read Ana's text. She's canceling our lunch date. She's caught up in a meeting for at least another forty-five minutes, so can't make it. Fuck... My mood plummets along with the elevator and as the doors slide open, my face holds my frustration and deep disappointed scowl.
As staff and visitors mull around the foyer of Grey House, I step out into the bright open space. My stride suddenly falters and I catch my breath at the sight of Ana laughing before me. She is standing at the large reception desk, being aided by security with a very large cumbersome package. I head over quickly ready to assist her. No thought to her recent text.
"Ana, what are you..." my question sticks in my throat choking me, as Ana turns around to face me fully. "Jess..." I manage to whisper, feeling totally blown away. Fuck me, I could have sworn it was Ana. How could I possibly confuse the two?
"Hello again, Mr Grey" Jess says cheerfully. Her eyes are bright and her smile is contagious and I feel it mirror on my face quickly, washing away all my confusion and covering my embarrassing slip.
"Hello Jess" I whisper, as I once again uncontrollably zone out and just stare at her.
As security head away with her package I'm brought back to earth, I step back and extend my arm politely, ushering her away from the desk, we both turn towards the main doors and head out.
"Why are you here? And why are you now a brunette?" I ask, as I pull open the door blindly. I find that I'm still unable to take my eyes away from her familiar face.
As we both step out onto the busy sidewalk, she smiles up at me. In natural daylight, with her now chestnut hair framing her face, her likeness to Ana is complete and fuck me, it's staggering.
"Antonio, he asked me to drop off your vista prints as I was passing" Jess explains, "He apologizes that my portrait isn't included, but he would like it hung in the gallery for just a little while longer, if that's okay? He has a few potential portrait customers coming in next week and would like them to see it," she turn towards the road obviously looking for a cab.
"No, that's fine" I mumble, not really caring, I'm still totally caught up in her complete likeness to my wife, "So, why the hair?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
She flushes a delicate pink as her hand runs through her long wavy tresses, I wonder if it's as soft as Ana's? It looks it, I quickly put my hand in my pocket to resist the urge to find out.
"I filmed a shampoo commercial" she says, smiling proudly, "They requested a brunette and well... I kind of like it," she utters, her pretty flush deepening and running down her neck, and once again Ana is before me fully.
"It suits you" I confess to her quietly.
As my eyes bore into her, she looks down at her shuffling feet. We stand on the sidewalk in an uncomfortable silence, both unsure of what to do or say. I can't take my eyes from her and I think that my blatant staring is starting to make her feel a little uncomfortable. But I can't seem to help it. Jess shifts about on the spot once again, her eyes eagerly scanning the street for her means of escape.
"Would you like some lunch?" I ask quickly, without really thinking it through, but nodding my head towards the nearby bistro all the same.
"Aren't you very busy?" she asks, with wide innocent blue eyes. I smile down at her. Fuck... She's Ana to a T.
"Always, but I cleared my schedule to have lunch with my wife today, and well... She's just canceled on me" my voice tapers off. I hear the disappointment in my tone and so does Jess.
"So do you need a stand in?" she offers quickly, with a wide smile and sympathetic blue eyes.
"I suppose I do" I mutter quietly, almost sadly.
My face falls as Jess smiles up at me compassionately. Her hand brushes my arm, then rubs it gently, comfortingly, in total understanding of how much Ana's absence affects me. I feel like such a fool. Forwardly once again, Jess links my arm and turns us towards the nearby bistro.
"Come on then Mr Grey... Let's do lunch" she sings with a bright smile.
I chuckle at her bravado and play along, letting go of my disappointment and allowing her to lead me down the crowded street. Thankful, for not having to dine alone.
As we head into the bistro we're lead to our table, our drinks order is taken and our food will be with us shortly. An uncomfortable silence envelopes around us and once again I find myself just blatantly staring, totally caught up in everything about her. I see the hint of a blush sweep across her cheeks as she feels my eyes locked onto her, and it's hello Ana.
I ponder selfishly, that if she just sat there and didn't say anything, I could almost believe I was dining with Ana. Everything about her facially is Ana, her blush, her smile, the mischievous twinkle in her bright blue eyes... It's Ana. Her personality and body, now that I come to think of it, are so completely different from Ana's, but when she's silent... Like right now... She is so like my wife, and it's just so easy... So easy... To just pretend... That my wife never turned me down today.
"So you're an actress" I state to break the silence and bring my head out of the clouds. Her eyes widen excitedly and she starts to gush.
"Yes, and a model, it's what I've always wanted to do, I'm hoping to move to New York or maybe California, once I have established myself a bit more and I'm a little more financially stable" she smiles up at me confidently, "The commercial I've just filmed could open a lot of doors for me, so I have my fingers crossed, the director said I have a lot of potential but... I hear that a lot" her voice and eyes sadden suddenly and I realize that in her line of work she must have been let down numerous times, it's a tough business.
"Then I wish you luck" I tell her truthfully just as our food arrives, she smiles appreciatively at her plate then up at me.
"Thank you," she whispers, as she picks up her cutlery. Thanking me for the food or praise, I'm not sure which, but I smile down at her and secretly enjoy her blush all the same.
We both eat in silence for a few minutes just enjoying our meal, now that we have the distraction of food the atmosphere has eased a little. My eyes still follow her constantly though, uncontrollably watching her every move.
"Why do you keep staring at me?" she asks suddenly, blushing once more and I feel the heat mirror on my own cheeks, shamed at being caught and called out on it.
"Forgive me... It's just your resemblance to my wife... Is.. It's staggering, even more so now with your darker hair... It's a little overwhelming actually" I tell her honestly as she just chuckles.
"I must confess... I googled her... I've copied her hair, her make up, even her style," she tells me honestly, placing her cutlery on her plate and sitting up a little straighter, almost proudly. It shocks me and my face must show it, but at least she has the good grace to look a little embarrassed about it.
"Why?" I ask, placing down my own cutlery to study her reactions more closely.
"Well, if her appearance... Is good enough to hold the interest of Christian Grey, then I thought it could only help me in my career... She's very beautiful" Jess states as she blushes, despite that though, she confidently holds my eye.
"She is," I answer simply, not sure how to respond to her confessions of imitating my wife. I've never had to doubt Ana's integrity, never had a reason to question her. What do I say to Jess? Can I even reprimand her?
"Do I really look like her?" she asks hopefully, I nod minutely still feeling a little confused.
"Undeniably... You even have a lot of her subtle mannerisms" I tell her truthfully, and she smiles up at me proudly.
"I've been practicing" she tells me excitedly with a little bounce in her chair and I feel my eyes widen, "I was hoping you'd call, I need to work on my characterization skills, my acting coach is always telling me that it's the one thing I need to concentrate on, and it's amazing the help you can find on YouTube, have you ever googled your wife?" she giggles, as I just stare at her feeling more than a little stunned.
"Well, it's working, you're a very good actress" I tell her, not sure of what else to say. A vision of her practicing in front of a mirror hits me and I feel my frown grow.
"Am I really?" she asks eagerly, obviously seeking more praise.
"Yes, a little too good... You're so like Ana, it's uncanny, and very unnerving" I mutter, sipping on my wine and her face just beams.
"Oh, I am glad, this is all good practice for me, it's like a free acting class... With food" she utters before giggling softly. She picks up her cutlery and I feel the frown slide off my brow at her proud excitement. What the hell am I supposed to say?
"If I can do a good job convince you that I'm your wife, then surely I must be doing something right" she states confidently as she begins to eat. I simply nod silently and follow her lead and begin eating again, my confusing thoughts still swirling.
We finish our meal in a comfortable silence, with Ana in full view and once we leave the bistro, I hail her a passing cab. As she climbs inside I close the door behind her and she lowers her window quickly, "Thank you for lunch Mr Grey, and don't forget... You know how to contact me if you need me again, you know, next time your wife can't make it," she winks with a cheeky smile, Jess back within herself. I just nod, still unsure of how to react to all of this.
As the cab leaves the curb and heads off into the busy traffic, I walk automatically back over to Grey House. As I ride up in the elevator, my swirling thoughts are confusing and blinding me. She was remarkable, everything about her was Ana.
I admit that it was so easy just to pretend, to get lost in the thought that my long day hadn't been interrupted by Ana's absence. I feel as calm now, despite my confusion over Jess and her revelations, as I would have if I'd just spent the last hour genuinely with Ana.
My mind churns at the dangerous thought of calling Jess, every time I miss my wife. Every time I need a quick fix of Ana, I could just look up Jess, it would certainly help bring peace to my inner being. Especially with work being totally fucking head wrecking at the moment, I find I need Ana more than ever. Maybe Jess could just sit in my peripheral all day long, silently, just smiling and blushing on cue. That would be ideal.
Guilt washes over me instantly at the thought of Ana being replicated, even if only for a short time and by a relative stranger no less, but somehow, as I head back into my office and prepare to face the battling in the board room once again, the guilt and doubt flows away. Along with the disappointment and the hole that could have been left inside of me today, by my wife's last minute cancellation. The void was filled so easily and effortlessly by my wife's clone, contradictory to my thoughts, I feel calm and serene. And that's a shocking realization.
.
A/N
I will post again soon. Thank you for reading.x
.
