"Christian, I've waited 3 years for an explanation, I'm done waiting," said Ana. "Do you honestly think I'm going to believe anything that comes out of your mouth anyway? Run back to Gisele."
Ana couldn't give a fuck if he finally decided to give her the time of day. She had wasted too much time on this asshole. She wasn't going to lie, she was curious to find out what he had to say, but something told her she was better off not knowing. Loving Christian had taken its toll. She really needed to check back into reality and accept things for what they were.
Ana turned away, ready to leave for good. Instead, she turned, "Look Christian, I know we have to talk, especially if, in the foreseeable future, we have to work together when such circumstances arise. But I can't right now. There's too much between us. And I can't trust you. Or myself for that matter." With those words, Ana walked away.
Christian could only stare as the only women he ever truly loved walk away from him and got into another man's car. He only had himself to blame after all. He was the one that pushed her away. He was the one that gave her up. He hated himself for it. He hated that she plagued his thoughts for the past three years. How was he going to tell her that it was his own messed up past that forced his hand? How could he explain that he was only protecting her from the ghosts of his past? Would she believe that he left her to protect her?
Pulling out his phone, Christian quickly dialled Taylor. "I'm ready to leave. Bring the car around."
Bidding his family goodbye he returned home alone, pissed off and feeling lonelier than ever before.
Meanwhile, Ana was overthinking everything. She needed time to think. She needed to figure out what she really wanted. She needed to get her act together. Looking over at Tristan, who hadn't really said much since she got into the car, probably because he sensed her distress, she said, "I'm sorry Tristan, but can you just take me home? I promise we'll do this another time."
Following a sigh, Tristan replied, "I will but only if you promise to accompany me to this art exhibit I have to attend on Sunday. It's more of an obligatory party but I'm sure I'll enjoy myself if I had the pleasure of your company."
Ana giggled at the request but quickly agreed. "Deal, would you like it in writing?" she said.
"Just your number and address is fine for now," he teased.
Ana rattled off the information which he immediately stored in his phone. Tristan pulled up in front of the hotel that she was staying at. "Thank you for this Tristan. I'll see you on Sunday?" she said.
"Count on it," came his reply. "Oh and Ana," he continued as he opened the door for her, "If he makes you feel this badly, he probably isn't worth it."
Ana only smiled at him. He pecked her on her cheek, a chaste kiss, that she almost didn't feel, but it certainly elevated her spirits.
"Goodnight beautiful Ana. I'll see you on Sunday at your new apartment," said Tristan in a voice that caused Ana's breath to hitch. She watched him as he drove away, her teeth finding their favourite place on her bottom lip.
As soon as Ana reached her room, she kicked off her shoes, called Kate, took a long shower and went to sleep. Her brain was wired. Her heart was aching and her feet were killing her. She was really beginning to wonder if she was a masochist.
Across the city, Christian had both Sawyer and Taylor sitting in his office.
"Fuck Taylor! How could you not know that she interviewed at GP?" bellowed a pissed of Christian.
Both Taylor and Sawyer glanced at each other, unsure how to express their beliefs to their boss. Christian, having seen the look, snarled, "What aren't you telling me?"
"Well Sir," began Taylor, "We assumed that you were the one that suggested Miss Steele return. You dealt with the threat against her so we thought you were ready to come clean to her about your father."
Christian literally growled at Taylor's explanation. "I don't fucking pay you to assume, Taylor. And that prick was not my father!" shouted Christian.
Taylor, used to Christian's temper, simply waited for Christian to calm down a bit. He had worked for him for far too long. He knew that Christian would not listen to a word he said when he was this pissed off. Besides, Taylor sort of enjoyed seeing Ana talk to Christian the way she did today. That lady was the best thing that ever happened to his boss, and Christian, being Christian, pushed her aside, instead of telling her that his biological father had returned and was blackmailing him. He understood that Christian's fear was that Ana would get caught up in his mess but that girl loved him like no other. She would have fought alongside him. She would have gladly bloodied her hands for Christian, of that Taylor was certain.
"I'm sorry Sir, I'll look into it and inform you of what I find in the morning," Said Taylor.
Christian nodded then turned to Sawyer, "Luke, you're going to be following Ana. I know I dealt with the threats against her this isn't over, even if that dick is in the ground. He was not working alone and whoever his accomplice is, may try to use Ana again. The public thinks that I broke up with her because she means nothing to me but I don't want to take any chances where she's concerned. Whoever this cunt is, he may think Ana is back because we're together or something."
Luke nodded. Following Ana without her catching on would be no easy task. Neither was working for Christian over the past three years but he was glad to return to his old post. Ana had come to earn a special place in his heart. He would have loved to beat Christian for hurting her the way he did but he understood the motive behind his boss' actions.
As the two men left his office, Christian took out a tumbler of scotch and sat nursing his drink and staring at the photos he had of Ana from those years ago. He always returned to them, they brought him solace. He couldn't believe that he allowed this to get so far. His past had come back to bite him in the ass a few time before and he handled it. He just never had someone who he loved in his life before. He was never responsible for anyone before. If anything had happened to Ana because of him, he wouldn't be able to survive. He would rather have her believe that he didn't love her that she get hurt because of the people he encountered. But this time, he didn't screw anyone over. He didn't have anything to do with his father returning. Why did this have to happen when he was finally happy and willing to forget all the shit that his biological mother had caused?
Thinking back, Christian wondered what led him to this depressed, lonely stage in his life. His biological father had suddenly emerged. He didn't know how he knew that Christian was his son but he showed up demanding money. Christian was more than willing to pay the man the million he wanted, that was pocket change to Christian. The bastard got greedy though, and he wanted more. And he was willing to do anything to get it. The sick bastard had started following Ana. He was good too because neither Sawyer nor the other 2 CPO's Christian hired saw anything out of the ordinary. When he received those photos of Ana a few nights before their rehearsal dinner, Christian lost it. He had been in Ana's apartment. He had photos of her in her bed, photos of her changing, even photos of her in the shower! If Christian didn't give him what he wanted, the photos of Ana would have been leaked and if possible, Ana would have been sold to the the highest bidder. His father was friends with some very nasty people. Apparently blackmailing and extorting people was his full time job.
The night of their rehearsal dinner was what really forced Christian's hand. Ana was back at the hotel with her parents and Kate as well as so much security that even the President of the United States would not be able to get within 2 floors of Ana. Christian had agreed to meet with the prick at Escala, ready to hear his demands. He already had a duffel bag with 20 million in cash waiting for "daddy dearest". As soon as the money had passed hands however, Christian received an email, with a picture of Ana in her hotel room, on her bed.
Staring at Christian's livid face, the smug bastard said, "I am so lucky you love that little bitch as much as you do. This is going to be so much easier that I thought. Count yourself lucky though, at least I won't have to sell this one like I did your whore of a mother. You'll pay more than a pimp ever could."
Christian tossed his glass across the room when that thought crossed his mind. It took a lot for him to deal with that situation. But he had to convince Ana that he didn't love her. She wore her heart on her sleeve so even if they pretended to be broken up, the world would have known differently. Breaking up with her was the only way. And the only way he could get her to leave was by telling her he didn't want her. She always used to say that the only way she would ever leave him was if he didn't want her anymore, if he wanted her to leave. So he used that. He exploited her greatest weakness. Convinced her she wasn't good enough for him. He also leaked that cruel letter he wrote to the public. He made sure that the world knew that Christian Grey was not in love with Anastasia Steele.
Fortunately, his ploy worked. The prick with whom he shared DNA with honestly thought that Ana meant nothing to him. Christian suspected that it initially only worked because the bastard didn't know that Ana left Seattle. Christian didn't immediately know that Ana was in New York until 2 days after the fact.
But with Ana gone, Christian could focus on killing his biological father. And kill him he did.
Saturday morning Ana woke on her soft hotel room bed with a pounding headache that had nothing to do with the alcohol she consumed the night before, and her best friend watching her sleep.
"Gah Kate, do you know how creepy that is? Watching me sleep? You're such a creepier!" said an amused Ana.
Kate simply rolled her eyes, tossed a robe Ana's way and said, "Get your ass out of bed Steele. Its moving day and I didn't wake up early to watch you sleep or mouth off to me."
After rolling out of bed, Ana packed up her stuff and quickly showered
She and Kate then checked out of the room, got breakfast at and then headed to her new apartment in Bellevue.
As they pulled up in front the building, Ana let out a loud gasp. Standing beside the 2 moving vans were Elliot, Mia and Ethan. She quickly got out of her car and met Kate at hers. "What?" said Kate upon seeing Ana's bewildered smile. "I called in re-enforcements. I wasn't about to lift heavy furniture by myself. Besides, Mia wants to decorate your new apartment. She said she'll only visit you if she has a say in how it looks," finished Kate with a roll of her eyes.
By the end of the day, Ana was fully moved in. All of the rooms were almost unpacked except her 2 guest rooms. She didn't really need those right away so she wasn't worried. Ana had to admit, Mia had an eye for design. Maybe that would be her new career? With Mia, who knows?
Ana was just about to go shower and hit the hay when her phone went off. A number she didn't recognise had texted her.
Hello beautiful Ana, are we still on for tomorrow evening? – Tristan (the incredibly sexy guy you met yesterday :p ;) )
Ana felt herself grinning like a fool as she read Tristan's text. She couldn't help the snort that escaped when she read his line about being incredibly sexy. If that wasn't an understatement, she didn't know what was.
Hello incredibly sexy guy, I sure hope so. What time will you pick me up? -Ana.
You've just made me tremendously happy. I will pick you up at 5. –Tristan
Great! I'll see you tomorrow :) -Ana
Ana tossed her phone aside and quickly pulled her laptop out. Pulling up the search engine she quickly typed "Tristan O'Callaghan". She gasped at what came up. Tristan was the son of the CEO of O'Callaghan International Co-operation, a fortune 500 company. According to her readings, Tristan was the farthest thing from a spoilt child living off his daddy's money. He worked his way up to Vice- President of the company and he was the main driver of the company's charitable organisations. Tristan O'Callaghan was a quite a catch by anyone's standards.
"Why the fuck is he interested in me then?" mumbled a stupefied Ana.
Ana quickly shot off her laptop and jumped in the shower. She then crawled into her new bed, so many thoughts running through her head. She eventually fell asleep with a smile on her face though. For the first time in a long time, Christian Grey was not a part of her thoughts.
Ana was a nervous wreck. She hadn't gone out on a date with someone she truly liked in a long time. And boy did she like Tristan. Not only was he incredibly sexy, funny and witty, he had a way of making her forget Christian and the shit he put her through. He made her think of sex. She only ever had sex with 2 men in her life. Christian had made sure she forgot the first guy but Tristan looked like the type who knew his way around the sheets. She was getting wet just thinking about it!
Ana checked her reflection one last time and she still could not believe that she looked as good as she did. She wore a short blue dress that stopped about mid-thigh. It nipped in at the waist and flared out from her hips. The neckline was relatively high, as it touched her collarbones, but she wore a clunky gold choker like necklace that drew attention to her neck. She completely the outfit with simple black pumps and a black clutch. She wore her hair out, parted at the centre of her head. It curled down in loose waves down her back.
She had just finished putting on her lipstick when the doorbell rang. She had given the doorman Tristan's information earlier today so he obviously encountered no problems upon entering. She opened the door and gasped, loudly. Tristan stood before, dressed in dark, very well fitting jeans, a dark blue shirt and a brown jacket. In a word, he looked HOT! If Ana wasn't in shock already, he pulled out a cascade of white orchids from behind his back and smiled shyly at her.
"For you," he said as he handed her the flowers. "And I have to say you look absolutely breath-taking this evening," he continued. Ana could only smirk as she saw his eyes linger on her legs a little longer than necessary as she leaned over her kitchen counter to retrieve a vase for the flowers he brought her.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Ok so this show starts at 6. I was thinking we make an appearance then we can go grab something to eat? Are you ok with that?"
"Sure, I'm all on board for that," she said as they left.
The art show was interesting to say the least. It turns out it Tristan's cousin was the artist hence the reason behind him having to attend. Ana enjoyed herself though. Tristan kept her entertained in mocking his sweet cousin's work.
The twosome left the gallery a little before 7 where Tristan then took her to a small Italian restaurant. They were seated immediately and Ana quickly ordered the chicken masala.
While they waited on their food, they talked, and talked and talked. About everything under the sun and about nothing at all. Ana found that she was really enjoying herself. Tristan was an easy man to like. She could easily see herself falling for him. An idea that scared her slightly.
Following dessert, the couple left the restaurant. Since it was only nine, they decided to go sit by the docks and talk some more. An idea that appealed greatly to Ana.
"Ana, if you don't mind me asking, why are you going to work at GP? You don't have to answer but from what I've gathered from the little you said of your past and observing you the other night, you don't exactly want to be around Christian Grey."
Ana sighed loudly. Up until now, they had avoided these heavier conversational topics.
"I know people think I'm nuts. Hell, even I think I'm bonkers. I didn't intend to actually do the interview. But when Ros, Christian's second in command, called me and told me that she recommended me for the position it got me oddly excited. Editing fiction books is my dream. And I want to be the best. If that's gonna happen, I'll have to work for the best. As much of as ass Christian is, he takes his business seriously. GP is the best in the world right now. I intend to make it even better. Besides, I want to prove to myself that I've truly, finally and thankfully am over Christian Grey. At least I try to convince myself of that. What better way to fight that battle than to actually see him every once in a while?" finished Ana with a shrug.
Tristan could only nod at her explanation. He just had to look at her to know that she wasn't even near being over the golden boy of Seattle but he liked her too much to say otherwise. Besides, he wanted to show Grey that how it felt to lose out on something he cared about. Grey was all about taking from others. Tristan was more than willingly to take Ana.
Following the heavy convo, Tristan drove Ana home. When he pulled up in front her building he got out the car and was about to escort Ana inside. She stopped him at the elevators however. "I think it's best if we part ways here," said a breathless Ana
Tristan, slightly disappointed, agreed. "OK, Ana, we'll do this your way. But can I at least give you a kiss goodnight?"
Ana couldn't think of anything she wanted more. "Do you really have to ask?" she teased.
Tristan quickly pulled her into his arms. As his lips descended on hers, Ana's heartrate escalated. She was expecting hard and rough. Instead she got slow and tantalizing. She sunk into the kiss, revelling in the feel of his hands on her waist and nape of her neck. He licked her bottom lip asking for entrance which she was eager to give. Their tongues duelled with each other. Ana grasped the hair at his neck and was really getting into the kiss when he pulled back.
Both were out of breath. Tristan leaned his forehead against hers. "Goodnight beautiful Ana," he rasped out. I'll call you tomorrow. Good luck on your first day at work."
Tristan then let her go, called for the elevator and turned and walk away. He stopped once to see her move unsteadily into the cab. With a shake of his head he got into his car and drove off.
Ana was shaken by that kiss. She got of the elevator on her floor and fished her keys out of her apartment. She turned the hallway and jumped three inches when she saw the person slumped against her door, knocking in a half dead manner and saying her name.
"Christian?" whispered Ana.
"Ana! You're here! I need to talk to you. I have to tell you my secret," he said. He started walking toward her but tripped over his own feet. He fell headfirst towards her.
She reacted quickly and before she realised it, she had a passed out, drunk Christian Grey in her arms.
