Chapter 4

As I walk out of my room dressed in Kate's choice of attire, I am greeted by my dad.

"Man, Annie you have become quite a magnificent woman. You look amazing honey!" He says kissing my forehead. "Oh, dad thanks but I would much rather be in my jeans and t-shirt." I feel like a complete idiot in this getup. "I understand, but you still look stunning and I can guarantee there will be some heads turning today."

There is only one I would like to realize what he will be missing out on and dang him for making me feel like such a hot mess. I divert my thoughts ; "I talked to mom and she and Bob will be meeting us after the ceremony for dinner. I have a great local restaurant in mind so I will meet you in the front of the building right after. I love you dad, thanks so much for coming."

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world sweetheart, I am beyond proud of you." He says as we walk down to the car to drive to campus. I can't help but have mixed feelings about today. I am ending some of the best years of my life and beginning what I hope to be the start of all my dreams coming true.

Kate's speech is nothing short of spectacular, as expected. After Kate leaves the stage I see him. He is coming up to the podium to give the commencement address. Is there nothing this man is not good at? Everyone is hanging on his every word. I can't help but feel like he is looking straight at me the entire time. Don't be ridiculous Ana there are hundreds of students he cannot possibly spot you in this crowd. Wishful thinking I guess. As he wraps up his speech and steps back to begin handing out diplomas I hate the fact that my name begins with an S. This is going to take forever and it is going to be pure torture for me. I want to just get up there, get this over with, so I can go have dinner with my family and get on with my life, minus thoughts of Christian Grey.

Finally, it is my turn to go across the stage. As I approach, I already feel heated. Get a grip Steele. He is looking straight at me with a smirk on his face. I think I might melt from the heat oozing out of him. "Hello Miss Steele", he purrs. "It is a pleasure to see you again." Oh my god, how does he do this to me. No man in the history of ever has been able to put me in such a trance. He reaches out to hand me my diploma. As we shake hands the electricity hits me like a lightning bolt. His eyes go wide as I pull back as quick as possible. Did he feel that too? Of course not, you probably scared the crap out of him by jerking your hand back so abruptly. I cannot get off of the stage fast enough and back to my seat. After the rest of the graduates have received their diplomas we are finally dismissed. I rush through the crowd eager to get out of there thinking, I survived, sort of….

Christian's POV

I hate that I have committed to this commencement address on a Saturday. Damn it, why can't they just do this on a Thursday when I don't have a beautiful brown headed girl that needs to be disciplined eagerly awaiting her punishment in my apartment. I guess I will just have to have Charlotte stay for a couple of extra days this week. Note to self: Have Andrea clear my schedule for Monday and Tuesday so I can work out some frustrations. On a bright note I may get to see Miss Steele, such a fiery little thing. I have to admit part of me wishes I didn't already have a sub under contract. What I could do to that girl and her smart mouth. Maybe I have options if Charlotte doesn't work out. I am suddenly looking forward to this weekend. This should be interesting.

After meeting Miss Kavanaugh before the ceremony I am grateful for whatever illness she had to send Miss Steele through my door. Miss Kavanaugh is too professional. I had way more fun with Miss Steele especially when she went off script. Yes this is definitely going to be an interesting trip to Portland. Ahhh there she is, looking amazing, she could definitely use my kind of discipline. I just have to make it through this speech and then I will have a little more fun with her when she is forced to take her diploma from me. As I stare at her while I am speaking, I see her blush and look away. Boy I sure want to make her rear end the same color as those rosy cheeks of hers. Almost done Miss Steele and then we will have a little face time.

Finally, she is on the stage. She looks up at me blushing already. "Hello Miss Steele. It is a pleasure to see you again." She quivers at the sound of my voice. Yes Miss Steele I have that much control over you already. I'm second guessing my contract with Charlotte now – this is a girl I could mold into anything I want. She's just a piece of clay waiting for the perfect hands…here they are, I am thinking as I reach to shake her hand. What the hell was that, the electricity coming off this girl is something else. I thought I felt something in my office, but this was definitely electric. She felt it too, I can tell by her eyes. As she jerks her hand away I have to desire to pull her closer, but she is gone. Do I pursue this or let it go? Get a grip Grey you have what you need at home just get this done and get back to Seattle, what you need is already waiting for you there.

Sunday after Graduation - Portland

"The movers have taken the last of the boxes Ana. We are finally on our way to start our lives in Seattle," Kate said with excitement. I am exhausted and can't wait to get the beds set up so I can crawl in and get some rest before my big interview with SIP tomorrow morning. "Oh Kate, do you think I could borrow something to wear to my interview? Something tells me they won't appreciate my jeans and converse the way I do." "Sure," Kate replies. "I have something in mind. Now let's get on the road, we have a long trip ahead of us." I close the door to my home, my refuge, and 4 years of great memories for the last time and head down stairs to my trusty VW bug. It's bright yellow, worn around the edges and doesn't have any heat or power steering, but it has gotten me to work and is always been reliable on those days when I just need a long drive to clear my head. "Bernice (yes I named my car) let's get this show on the road. I think we are both going to love our life in Seattle." Crap I'm almost out of gas – I call Kate on her cell to let her know that I have to stop for fuel and maybe a few snacks, but I will catch up to her. "To the nearest gas station Bernice, pronto."

I pull into an AM/PM right of I-5 and quickly get out and get Bernice some fuel for our long road trip. While I fill her up I decide to go inside to grab a few snacks. I don't notice the SUV as I stroll past. A man opens the door promptly knocking me to the ground. "What the hell!" I shout. Looking up I cannot believe my eyes. With hand extended and a look of shear embarrassment stands Christian Grey, CEO extraordinaire. I really want to run back to Bernice and hit the gas to go North on I-5, but instead I take his extended hand as he pulls me to my feet. The electrical current is ever present and my loins are quivering. I am willing myself to pull away and yet I don't. I stand there and look him straight in the face trying my damnedest to keep my composure. Then he speaks and I am doomed. "Well, well, Miss Steele what a surprise meeting you here. I am really sorry for knocking you over; I didn't see you as I was getting out of the car." Somehow I find my voice and simply say, "it's ok." I rip my hand from his and without looking back make my way into the store making a b line for the restroom.

Can I not catch a break? I just wanted to get Bernice and myself some fuel for the road and catch up with Kate. This man keeps popping up everywhere I turn. I splash water on my face and stare in the mirror in disbelief for at least 5 minutes hoping that I've stayed long enough to allow him time to leave. As I open the door I notice his car is gone. Thank God, I can get my things and finally head to Seattle. I grab a drink, some snacks and pay for my gas as well. Hopping into Bernice and entering I-5 North I am willing the sight of Christian Grey to exit my brain. I blast the radio and drown out any impeding thoughts I might have.

Christian's POV

I can't get over my frustration of allowing Anastasia Steele to enter my thoughts and dreams last night. I have everything I could ever want right now, a successful career, a beautiful sub, and most of all CONTROL over every aspect of my life. So why can't I get her out of my head? I have got to get back to Seattle and my routine, messing up my schedule is just playing with my head. "Taylor, do you mind stopping so I can get a bottle of water?" "Sure Mr. Grey. There is a gas station right off the freeway just over this next hill." As we pull in I fire off an email to Andrea about clearing my schedule and then one to Charlotte letting her know I will be back at Escala this evening and she needs to stay put. Boy, I need to get Anastasia Steele out of my mind and Charlotte is just the therapy to do it. As I open the door I run right into someone. Extending my hand to help them up I notice Miss Steele standing before me, this is not happening, not now. I need to get to Escala as soon as possible or I may lose my mind altogether. I tell myself, do not be rude…"well, well, Miss Steele what a surprise to see you here. I am sorry for knocking you down, I didn't see you as I was getting out of the car" (probably because I was thinking of all the kinky shit was going to do to Charlotte when I made it back to Seattle to get you out of my brain). I feel the electric pulse running between our hands and I am compelled to hang on. Let go Grey, this is absolutely ridiculous, take control now. In that moment she mutters something, rips her hand away and disappears into the store. I see her enter the restroom and I know this is my chance to escape. I grab a bottle of water throw some money on the counter and jump back into the Audi demanding Taylor step on it. As we are pulling out I notice the only other car in the premises is a beat up VW. The thing is a death trap, she should not be in such a crappy machine. Christian, STOP! She is not any of your concern. You must focus on the task at hand – GET BACK TO CHARLOTTE!