CHAPTER 4

APRIL 2016 – PRESENT DAY

I wake to the most beautiful sound in the world, my nine-month old baby girl giggling in her crib. I turn over and check the video monitor and peek at the alarm clock. "Crap! I'm late!" Jumping out of bed I rush to get ready for work. Normally I don't work on Saturdays but Chloe had her checkup yesterday so I took the whole day off to spend time with her. I text Mark, my boss, to let him know that I overslept and rush into Chloe's room to get her ready for her day with Aunt Kate.

So much has changed in the last year and half and I have Kate and her family to thank for that. A few months ago Kate's parents bought a three-bedroom apartment after we both graduated from WSU and started our 'adult jobs'. Evan and Kathy Kavanaugh have really accepted me and Chloe into their family and treat me as if they raised me as one of their own. They love Chloe as their granddaughter and steal her as much as they can.

Ethan finished his service with the military and decided not to renew his contract. He is now taking courses to become a doctor at WSU. Kate is a journalist and works for her parents at Kavanaugh Media.

I work for Mark Blackmon a young wealthy businessman who owns restaurants, real estate, night clubs and a few other odd businesses all over the East and West Coast of the United States. I first interned for Mark my senior year in college and became a full time employee after graduating. I am the Senior Accountant for MB Industries and I do all of Mark's personal financing and pretty much anything else he needs.

I walk into Chloe's light pink and purple butterfly room and smother her with kisses. "Hey baby girl! How is mommy's favorite princess doing?"

She giggles and gurgles chanting, "Mama mama!"

"Okay Chloe Bear let's get you ready!" I grab her and place her on the changing table. I put her in black leggings with a pink frilly top that her Aunt Kate bought her. I brush her dark brown hair and put it into pigtails. I look into her bright baby blue eyes, "I love you Chloe Bear! Mommy will be home after work. Be good for Aunt Kate."

After placing her on my hip we head for the kitchen where Kate is already starting breakfast for Chloe. I place her in the high chair, kiss her cheek and tell Kate that I'll see her later and head to work.

I jump into my new Mercedes GLS, a gift from Mark after I found out that his last accountant was skimming off the top, and head out to my temporary office at an exclusive restaurant. I park in my designated spot next to Mark's and see him standing by the door checking his watch.

Mark and I have an interesting relationship; as some would say. He calls me his wife and we definitely argue like we are an old married couple. Mark is a 'playboy' around Seattle and has the female population chasing after him. He is young, charming, handsome, very wealth, and according to him great in bed. Of course I wouldn't know, the farthest we got was making out in my office before I came to my senses and put a stop to things. I have a daughter and she is my main priority and he understood. We work well together and that's how it needs to stay, plus I really need this job so that I can provide for Chloe and give her everything her little heart desires.

Walking up to Mark he yells, "Your twenty minutes late! Your fired!"

"Okay, mail me my last check" I say turning around and head back to my car knowing he is joking.

"WHAT? WAIT! Ana I was just joking." He says grabbing my arm turn me towards him.

"No it's okay I understand. I'm sure there are a million accountants that would love to wipe your ass on a daily basis." I stare at him trying not to smirk and watch him sweat bullets.

"Ana, you know that I can't function without you. Plus, I need a huge favor today. I promise to be on my best behavior and never ask for something like this again." He says pleading.

Not sure what I'm about to get into I nod to let him finish, "I have a very big client/friend coming in with his sister for lunch and I need you to be the server and tend to all their needs."

What?! "Wait you want me to be their waitress?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yes and it's just until their lunch is over and then you can have the rest of the day off. I promise, you know I wouldn't ask unless it was serious. Devin was a no show and I can't afford any screw ups. Plus, you will be serving them in a private room so no one will be watching you."

"Mark you do realize I have never waited tables before, right? I don't even know what's on the menu. Are you taking drugs? I mean this is the craziest request to date! Look at me I'm not even in the right attire to serve someone." I'm wearing a black pencil skirt with a dark gray blouse and my black sky high heels. I look at him thinking if I can do this. "Well I guess this is what I get paid the big bucks for. You owe me big time and if this client is rude or degrading in any way I will not be held accountable for my actions. Understood!" I say challenging him.

"Yes...Yes whatever you want. How about I throw in this seasons clothing line for our princess and you!" He knows the way to my heart is through my daughter. He is always spoiling her.

Sighing, "Fine! And she is not 'our' she is mine. Plus, she is growing like a weed." I giggle and he is grinning from ear to ear.

"You know I love to hear your giggle! Oh, they should be here in five to ten minutes their security is already here and wants a word with you." He rushes out.

"Okay I will head up now." I start to walk past him and he grabs me into a bear hug crush me to his chest. Man, he always smells so good!

"Thanks Babe! You know one of these days I'm going to make an honest woman out of you!" Mark says more as a statement than a joke.

"Keep trying and you might wear me down eventually." I say playfully and smack him on his firm butt.

I make my way through the back of the restaurant to Mark's office area and place my purse down on his desk while putting my phone on silent and pocketing it. I share an office here with Mark because our main offices are being renovated and won't be done for another month.

Putting my hair into a side braid I make my way to the private dining area to meet with security. As I approach the doors I notice two men in black suits looking like they are a part of the secret service. They are only missing the sunglasses. Standing in front of them I stick my hand out and go for introductions.

"Hello, I'm Anastasia or Ana and I will be serving your majesty today!" I say trying to lighten the mood and give a slight curtsey.

The blonde one smirks and the black haired one starts coughing trying to mask a laugh. "Hello Ma'am. I'm Taylor and this is Sawyer, we are security for Mr. Grey and would like if you would sign this NDA before getting started."

Mr. Grey? Nope can't say that I've heard of him. "Okay, got a pen." After signing my life and first born away, I enter the room to find two females and a man who has his back to me.

Not really looking at any of them I start, "Hello everyone my name is Anastasia or Ana and I will be your server today. Can I start you out with something to drink?"

The first one to speak is a small, short raven colored hair woman who seems to have the bubbliest personality, "Yes, I would a strawberry iced tea!" She says bouncing in her seat. "Oh, and I'm Mia and it's nice to meet you!"

Good lord if you could only bottle her energy! I look to the other woman next to her, "Yeah, I will have the Houses' White Wine." She scowls at me.

"Sure, but first can I see some ID please?" I ask only because I'm not sure of her age and I am not trying to get Mark in any kind of trouble sell to minors.

"Excuse me? Who do you think you are?" She questions and looks offended, but also giving me a nasty attitude.

"Like I said at the beginning, I am Anastasia or Ana, your server." I say as innocently as possible and not to come across to annoyed.

Bubbly Mia burst out in laughter and I hear a chuckle from the man who I have yet to even face. "Lilly just get a soda or iced tea, we both know you don't turn twenty-one for two more months." Mia states.

"Fine. I will have the same as Mia." Lilly grumbles.

I nod and finally turn my attention to 'Mr. Grey' and holy shit I think my eyes just bugged out of their sockets. Mr. Grey has dark copper hair with the most hypnotizing grey eyes. He's wearing a gray fitted suit with a white shirt with the top few buttons undone. Damn Adonis has nothing on him! Good lord I bet he makes pretty babies! I hear a throat being cleared and realized I have just been caught ogling him. SHIT! I quickly look down. Focus Ana, remember don't screw this up for Mark. Taking a deep breath.

"And for you Sir!" I say trying hard not to sound breathy. I hear a small gasp and look at Mr. Gorgeous eyes.

"I will have a glass of Antinori Solaia." He says coolly. "Did you need to see my ID?" He adds with a smirk. Oh he's got jokes does he!

"Oh don't worry that won't be necessary. I was just needing to ask your daughter so that we don't sell to minors. Trust me I can tell you are WAY over twenty-one." Returning the smirk and strutting towards the door. Crap, should I have said that? He is just so arrogant I couldn't help it. He reminds me a lot like Mark but more good looking. I bet he has every type of woman on her knees at his beck and call.

As I'm opening the door I look over my shoulder and catch Mr. Grey looking at me with his jaw on the floor then I hear Mia squeal. "I love her! Can I bring her home!"

The rest of the meal goes off without a hitch and I'm pretty proud of myself for not messing anything up. I have noticed that Mr. Grey keeps staring a little too long every time I enter the room. We also keep the banter playful between us. Maybe I should apologize for my comment about his age. Nah! I'm sure he's heard worse.

I walk to their table balancing the dessert tray in one hand while holding Mr. Grey's glass of dessert wine in the other. I'm actually having fun with this waitress act. Maybe this was my job in a previous life. Then… my sky high heels catch on something on the floor shooting me forward. I swear someone hit the slow motion button because I watched the whole train wreck play out in fine detail. The desserts ended up on heads, faces and dresses while the wine found the only tailored suit at the table. The room fills with shrills and screams, mostly from Lilly, and then Mia burst out in most side clenching laugh that I have ever heard.

I am still on the floor on my hands and knees, no doubt they will be bruised tomorrow, when the dining room doors fly open and Taylor, Sawyer, and Mark come running in as if they were in a race to get the last Twinkie. Before I know what's going on I am being picked up from around my waist, I feel a shock of electricity shoot through my body and my toes almost curl. What was that?! I turn to find Mr. Grey's arms are circled around me and I gasp as I feel a tingle course through my body almost making me moan. I know he felt it too because I heard him suck in air as I was gasping.

"Are you steady enough for me to let you go?" He whispers in my ear and I groan as his lips touch my earlobe. I nod and step out of his arms, immediately feeling empty from his touch.

Everyone is standing around staring at each other when Mark is the first to speak up, "What in the hell happened here?"

Total embarrassment has set in, "I'm so-" I start to say as Lilly cuts me off screaming at Mark.

"Her!" Pointing to me. "She is to blame here and I expect for her to be fired! Not only is she very rude and tacky but she also sucks as a waitress. Just look at this mess and you can bet your sweet ass you are getting my dry cleaning bill." Lilly says with so much venom.

I look at Mark with my eyes the size of saucers, he frowns and I just hang my head as I start to walk out of the dining room. Mark says to go and wait for him in his office. Sawyer closes the door behind me and stands in front of it.

I take a shaky breath and start towards the office when Sawyer says, "I wouldn't worry about getting fired. I would almost bet my next paycheck that you are still going to be working here even after today's events." He chuckles and continues, "And Lilly has had that coming for years! I haven't seen the boss laugh that hard since I started working here."

"Maybe... Thanks Sawyer for trying to cheer me up. It was nice meeting you by the way." I say sadly.

I make it to the office sit down on one of the chairs and wait for my fate to be delivered to me.