Chapter 4

Ana

Okay Ana you had your laugh, now go help the guy.

I open my door once more to see Christian has managed to stand up to his feet, reaching down to pick the bike up off the floor, meanwhile Buddy has started barking, the noise filling the enclosed space as Laura struggles to get him inside her apartment door by pulling on his collar. Walking over I pick the dog up in my arms and carry him in for her, I kneel to deposit him in the living room then giving him a scratch behind the ears.

"Don't you worry about that mean man Buddy, you're a great protector."

"Is he your friend?" Laura enquires with a gleam in her eye as I stand back up.

"God no, his sister was my roommate back in college."

"Oh, well he's very handsome, if only I was thirty years younger." She jokes.

"He wouldn't stand a chance." I agree and leave them to it.

Christian is standing out in the corridor looking unsure. If there is anything my mother drilled into me growing up it was to have manners and be a good host so I begrudgingly invite him in. We step into my apartment where he stands just inside the closed door, holding onto the handle bars of the bicycle, looking around my home as I make my way a little further in. Thankfully the place is clean and tidy.

"Cute bike, not sure if yellow is your colour though." I say.

"It's for you."

Well I kind of figured that out. It's actually the bike I would have chosen for myself had I come across it, minus the basket but that can be easily fixed. It sucks that he's the one bringing it to me though.

"What are you doing here, come to injure me some more? How did you know where I live?"

He uses his foot to kick the stand down on the bike so it stays upright and takes a couple steps further into the room.

"No of course not and Mia told me, your nose appears to have healed pretty quickly."

"No thanks to you." I mumble under my breath.

"I asked Mia and she also told me you hadn't had a chance to go out and get a new bike yet so I thought I would bring one over for you, it's my way of apologising for my behaviour the other day, there is no excuse I can give for what happened and because I also really hate it when Mia is mad at me. I was just going to leave it by your door with a note but then that psycho dog came out and well you know the rest."

"I see."

An awkward silence falls between us. He shuffles back and forth on his feet. My usually spacious living room seems smaller all of a sudden with him standing in it.

"Would you like a drink?" I offer to break the silence and because I remember that I didn't finish making my cup of coffee.

"No, thank you, I should get going. I'm not sure if Mia has mentioned it to you yet, but she was going to invite you to join us for my birthday next weekend, I would like it if you came along, that is if you want to." He says while rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. He looks cute when he's uncomfortable.

"Thanks for the invite, I'll think about it."

Looking at him wearing dark jeans, a long sleeved light blue shirt and white sports shoes, he is the complete opposite to the man he first appeared to be, so he can be a decent human it appears when he wants to be. Thinking of that day brings to mind the money he gave to me for a new bike.

"Well thank you for the bike, that was kind of you, I should give you back your money in that case."

I walk over to my handbag that is sitting on my kitchen bench and pull the notes out.

"No, that's okay keep it." He begins saying.

"I can't. You've replaced the bike so please take your money." I walk towards him and hold my hand out offering the cash to him.

He sticks his hands in his pockets refusing it.

"Consider it compensation for having to deal with my behaviour that day."

"No, absolutely not." I state.

We go back and forth for the next couple of minutes arguing over the money and bike. There is no reasoning with him and he is being so difficult.

"I'm not a charity case." I finally say having had enough. The money was meant to replace my bike, now that he's done that I don't feel comfortable keeping it.

"I didn't say you were. Why don't you use the money to buy a new outfit or something." He points to my light coloured overalls with the ripped knees I'm currently wearing, which I happen to love because they're comfortable. I don't know if I should laugh or be insulted at his assumption that he thinks being a female we just spend all our money on clothes.

"Wow. Just insult my outfit why don't you." I cross my arms over my chest.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't think anyone over the age of 12 wore those anymore."

"Tell me, does being an asshole come naturally to you or do you need to work at it."

I can tell he's frustrated by the way he rubs his face with his hands.

I glare at him with a raised brow, I'm not backing down here and raise my arm, holding the money out in my hand, I'm not budging and will stand here as long as I have to until he takes his money back, which only ends up being about thirty seconds as I was keeping count in my head.

"You are so stubborn, fine, I'll take it back, I was trying to do a nice thing." He huffs as he stuffs the money in his pants pocket.

"Don't try next time."

"You're impossible."

Me?

"Thank you for the bike, it's time for you to leave." He just makes me so mad.

He gives me a final glare and storms out my door. Five minutes in his presence and I have a headache.

XXXXX

I felt so sick this morning, being both nervous and excited. It's my first day at work and I had trouble deciding what to wear, do I go for a suit or smart casual, I didn't want to appear out of place, in the end I went with simple black pants and a blush coloured blouse paired with my black heels. As I step off the bus and make the short walk across the road and through the glass doors of the building I force the butterflies away. This feels like an important moment, no more school, no more studying, no more relying on my parents, the start of my real adult life begins right now, it's kind of scary but I'm ready, after the last couple of years I know I'm stronger than I ever realised, I can handle this, it's only the start of my career after all.

I'm met by Cleo from human resources at reception who warmly welcomes me, she's a tall woman, making me feel even smaller than usual with amazing black and shiny shoulder length hair, she leads me into a small conference room where she goes through orientation with me for about an hour then shows me around, eventually we take the elevator up to the third floor of the building, stepping out on to the dark blue carpet we walk along the floor, it's busy, phones are ringing constantly, there are at least two dozen desks placed around the place and there's a buzz in the air while people are walking around everywhere, we're not even being given any attention as we pass by, everyone lost in their own tasks, we reach what is to be my little walled cubicle that has been set up for me, a bare desk with a computer, phone, a pad of paper and stationary on it. My new home from nine to five for five days a week.

"This is your work station. Good luck, enjoy your first day and if you need anything just call me, I'm on extension 102."

She leaves me be and I take a seat in the chair releasing a breath and turning my computer on. I look around me at my new colleagues and surroundings. I think I'm going to like working here. Before my computer screen has a chance to come to life I see a young blonde woman walking towards me, she's dressed in a red skirt with a white blouse, she gives an aura of confidence as she strides along and I stand back up.

"Hi, you must be Anastasia." She reaches out to shake my hand with a smile. "I'm Kate Kavanagh."

"Ana, please and Kavanagh?"

"Yes, my father is the owner but please don't hold that against me." She jokes. "I've emailed you an article that I need you to look over, it is to be printed in Wednesday's edition so that gives you a couple days to look it over along with whatever else you're given."

"Sure thing."

"Welcome, I hope you enjoy working here and feel free to call me if you need help with anything, I know how scary it can be coming into a large company like this and not knowing anybody, I'm more than happy to have lunch together if you want today, see how you're settling in."

"Thank you I will and that sounds great." I like her, she seems like she'll be fun to hang out with.

Left on my own once again I grab a cup of coffee from the staff kitchen which then settle in, logging on with the details I was provided earlier today during orientation. I open up the email from Kate, after reading the first line my mouth opens in surprise, what are the chances the first article I'm given to edit is an interview of one Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Entertainment Holdings. Is the universe playing a joke on me?

Christian Grey, Seattle's very own billionaire playboy has made a name for himself in the gaming world but not much is known about him otherwise.

Oh my God, he's a billionaire?

Shit!

No wonder he feels entitled to act like a major jerk, everyone probably kisses his ass and he gets what he wants constantly.

I pick up my phone to text Mia but then hesitate, should I tell her about the article, but then again she works in his marketing department, she probably already knows about this.

A: Hey, I'm at work and you'll never guess what I've been given. An interview of your brother.

M: Oh yeah, he was such a pain trying to get him to do that, he hates talking to people especially about himself but it's good for business.

It goes on about the start of his career, how popular the game is, charity work the company is involved in, upcoming products fans can look out for and other things the company has branched out into such as clubs, restaurants and other entertainment ventures but the big thing being a virtual gaming experience being released this Christmas. Kate's article is pretty good at promoting the company, she ends it saying there is a rumour that the GEH umbrella is looking at a casino in Vegas but could get no confirmation of it either way.

As I finish reading the article I think to myself maybe he isn't so bad if he gives back to those who need it most, even if his personality sucks.

XXXX

Why am I even here tonight? Luke and I climb out of the cab in front of the nightclub called Zeus, it being a Saturday night it's busy with a line out the front. It's a warm night and I'm wearing a short, strappy black dress with large gold buttons on the front. With our names being on the guest list for Christian Grey's birthday we're let straight in and told to head to the back of the club where a VIP area has been roped off.

Sure I could use the night out and some fun, the truth is I haven't been out in a long time, especially not to a club. After Andrew's death I couldn't even listen to music for the longest time, not on the radio, not on TV, I needed it to be silent, it may sound morbid but I wanted silence, like the complete silence of the grave that my brother found himself in until one day my father sat me down and told me to stop punishing myself. We sat there together for half an hour with one of his CD's randomly playing in the background. We didn't speak but I cried, he cried and together we got over another hurdle caused by his loss.

Walking into the darkened space there are multi coloured lights and lasers flashing around us, it's loud, there are bodies everywhere, especially on the dance floor thanks to the DJ playing a deep bass filled tune.

I spot Mia at the bar and head over to her since she's the only person I know here besides Luke.

"Hi, Mia." I half yell and give her a hug, she looks smokin' in a black satin corset top and matching black shorts.

"Hey, glad you guys made it. Hi, Luke, good to see you again."

"Hi." He greets her with a kiss on the cheek. The two of them having hung out together on the few times Luke had driven down to visit me while I was still at school. I always wondered if Mia had a little crush on him when they first met, she used to blush something fierce when he showed up however as time went on neither of them ever seemed interested in dating the other.

She grabs her cocktail then leads us over to her brother and the other guests milling around the VIP area, it's full of who I assume to be friends of his, some standing, some seated on the leather black lounges, large silver balloons with the number 30 are situated along the back wall besides a large birthday cake in the shape of a dragon. Christian, dressed in black pants with a navy button up shirt with sleeves rolled up to elbows is standing with a man and woman, chatting amongst themselves, Mia leads us directly to them interrupting.

"Hey guys, this is Ana, my best friend and roommate from college and her friend Luke. This is Jose and Ros from work, Jose is a graphic designer and Ros is head of our HR department." She explains. Jose is a cute-ish Hispanic looking young guy, most likely about my age and Ros is a beautiful tall African woman.

We shake hands and exchange nice to meet yous.

I finally make eye contact with my nemesis.

"Christian, happy birthday."

"Thank you." He nods his head slightly as he talks.

I take a step towards him, place my hand on his bicep, which feels massive under my palm, he must spend a lot of time working out and reach up on my toes to kiss his cheek, it is his birthday after all. I'm hit with a woodsy, manly scent, shit, he smells good then take a step back with a tight smile. Luke lets us know he's heading to the bar to grab us some drinks so I turn back to Mia.

"So have you heard from Elliot at all lately?" I ask her.

"Yes, just the other day, he called my parents and told them that he's coming home for good in a month's time. He's had enough, wanting to settle down and have a family and all that jazz which I would never had expected from him. I bet there's a girl involved somewhere but regardless they are ecstatic."

Mia and Christian's eldest brother Elliot joined the navy right after high school and has been gone for fifteen years only visiting for short periods of time every now and then. I can't wait to finally meet him, I've heard so many stories about him, he sounds like he'd be a blast to have around.

An hour later and I admit I'm enjoying myself, I've met lots of new people thanks to Mia, I'm tipsy from the four delicious pink cocktails I've had as I sit there tapping my feet along to the music. Mia and Luke have gone off to dance leaving me with my cocktail, as I'm sipping my fifth drink I can feel eyes on me, looking around the space I notice Christian leaning against the wall, drink in his hand, looking at me. I make eye contact and he moves off the wall and strides across to me. He moves gracefully, like a panther stalking his prey, should I be afraid?

I swallow the mouthful of liquid held in my mouth as he sits next to me.

"Enjoying yourself?"

"Yes. I'm really enjoying these cocktails." I raise my glass and take another sip.

"How's the bike?"

"It's great, thanks again."

"I feel like I should apologise to you again, for the way I left your apartment."

"It's becoming a habit of yours isn't it?"

He laughs and takes a sip of his own drink.

"Would you like to dance?"

I freeze.

"Oh no, I'm fine really."

"I'm not taking no for an answer, you can't just sit here and it's my birthday, so come on." He takes the drink out of my hand, placing it on the low table in front of us before pulling me up and along behind him to the middle of the dance floor.

It must be a combination of the alcohol flowing through my blood stream and the beat of the music because I find myself pressed up against his body with his hands on my hips and I don't actually mind the closeness, even though I couldn't stand him a week ago. Man can he move and if the bulge I can feel pressing against my stomach is any indication, he's packing a monster of a penis in his pants. Feeling bold I press myself closer swaying my body against his in time with the rhythm. I lift my arms, laying them over his shoulders then close my eyes allowing myself to get lost in the music momentarily. His scent engulfs me, having a direct line to my sex, turning my thong wet and uncomfortable. What is it about the cologne he's wearing that is having this effect on me? It's been a while since I've had sex and he looks like he would know what he's doing. No Ana, stop, this is Mia's brother, you can't go there. No more drinks for you.

We may be surrounded by a hundred other bodies on the dance floor but all my attention at the moment is focused on his hands, those hot skinned hands whose palms slowly run up and down my arms, that action in itself a dance of seduction. I lift my head up looking into his hooded eyes however it's too dark to clearly see into them. Suddenly out of nowhere Mia appears, crashing into me and separating us, engulfing me in her arms in a tight hug, she's even more drunk than I am.

"Let's do shots." She shouts.

I'm hot, horny and thirsty. Why not?

I am so drunk, the room is starting to spin, why did I have that last shot? I'm going to be regretting it tomorrow. Luke warned me to take it easy, I just stuck my tongue out at him and tipped the drink back. Should have listened to him. I'm dancing with Jose at the moment, he seems nice but there's no heat when I dance with him. I've danced with Christian a couple more times and both times were just as hot as the first, I don't know what it is but being in close proximity to him, my body feels on fire, perhaps it's just the alcohol, yep, I'm going with the alcohol. I admit he's a good looking son of a bitch and seeing him acting like a normal guy having fun makes him appear more likeable, even Luke seems to have hit it off with him, the traitor, I saw them in a deep discussion for over twenty minutes.

My stomach is disagreeing with me and my throat is dry so I excuse myself from Jose and head over to the bar to grab a glass of water. I stumble along in my heels until I reach the end of the bar where they have ready waiting cups and jars of water for patrons. Pouring a glass I scull it down. That's when I notice Christian with his back to me at the bar a few feet away with a couple of people standing between us so I admire his back muscles for a moment as they flex until he steps to the side and I see the red haired female beside him. She barely looks to be twenty one and is wearing the shortest, tightest pink dress she could probably find.

"Hi." I hear her say to him.

"Hi."

"I'm Lexi."

"Nice to meet you Lexi."

"How about you buy me a drink." She reaches up and plays with the collar of his shirt. I roll my eyes at the display, could she be any more obvious.

"Well, far be it from me to deny a pretty lady."

Seriously?

Typical male.

I refill my glass of water and head off back to find Luke and Mia.

Ten minutes later as I'm seated on a bar stool chatting to Ros about her trip to London when I feel someone touch my back. I turn around to see Christian standing behind me.

"Remove your hand or I will rip your arm off and beat you to death with it." I calmly state.

He appears taken aback by my threat. I know I have no right to be mad at him, he can buy whoever he likes a drink and I certainly wasn't planning on going home with him tonight. Not that he's asked you anyway Anastasia. My inner bitch is coming out, I'm confusing myself and think it's time to call it a night.

"Excuse me." I tell them both and walk towards the hallway where the bathrooms are.

After relieving myself and splashing some water on my face I step outside the bathroom door to Christian coming out the men's room at the same time opposite me. He pulls me a little further down the hallway away from the doors looking concerned.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" I shrug.

"Did I do something, I thought you were starting to like me." He gives me a half smile which causes a dimple to appear on his right cheek. So unfair that even his dimple is cute.

"Please, what's there to like, your ego?" I scoff. My brain to mouth filter has malfunctioned and before I can stop myself I say "What happened to Lexi?"

He has the nerve to smirk.

"You're jealous."

"Hardly."

He steps closer to me, making me take a step back against the wall.

"Oh, I don't know, you say that, but your body certainly likes me, it's giving you away." He takes another step closer, his hands resting against the wall either side of my head. "Your nipples are erect and trying to push through your tiny dress, your breathing has increased a notch and you have your thighs rubbing together." Bastard is right. "I bet you're wet." His head dips into my neck where I feel the slightest pressure of his lips on my throat, electricity coursing down my body. I try to keep my moan in, to not give him the satisfaction of knowing he's right when it happens, and it's a bucket of cold water on my libido and whatever was occurring in this hallway between us.

I panic and roughly shove him away from me.

"Move. Now!" I yell. "Go away!" I can't breathe, my eyes fill with tears I need to get out of here before I have a panic attack. I was so stupid, why did I think coming out was a good idea.

As soon as he has stepped away from me I start running. He calls my name behind me but I keep going. I run right out the club into the warm night and then straight into a taxi to take me home. Luckily I had my bag with me so I pull my phone out to send Luke a text telling him I've gone home so he doesn't worry.

I must have come across as a crazy person just then but I couldn't stay. Not with that song playing. The song that was playing on the radio right before the accident, the last song my brother was singing before he took his last breaths. I gaze unseeing out the taxi's window and let the tears fall.