I wake up feeling so refreshed, I know it is because I had Christian in my bed, reminds me of the first night I spent with him. Only this time I was not drunk out of my mind. I smile to myself and drag myself out the bed, it is the last day of the week and I need to head over to SIP to sort out a few things. I have an author that is going a-wall and a manuscript that needs to be sent back to an author that just does not seem to want my professional advice. I decide what to wear while I shower, I want to look irresistible when I leave for work, might get Mr Christian Forgetful Grey all hyper about me. Childish I know, but I want my man back and I know the only way is to shake those jealous, possessive bones of his. I put on my knee high black skirt, it hugs my hips just the way I know he likes them too. Next I select my grey silk shirt, the colour of his eyes. It fits perfectly, low enough to see a bit of cleavage when I bend down. I put my hair into a ponytail, mascara, soft pink eye shadow, my favourite cherry lip gloss, black high pumps and I am good to go. I wink at myself in the mirror, grab my briefcase and head downstairs. Gail is busy with breakfast; I have already told her what I wanted the day before. She smiles at me and I smile back.
"You look lovely Ana." Gail says. She has finally accustomed herself to calling me Ana.
"Thank you Gail, has Christian had breakfast as yet?" I ask hopeful.
"Yes he has." Gail says giving me her I am sorry look.
"Well I guess it's just me than." I reply, I feel sad but I will not let it bring me down. I eat my toast, bacon and eggs; I find that I am hungrier than I thought I was. Once I am done, I drink my tea, I head up, brush my teeth and I am back down in minutes. I have my briefcase in my hand and I seek out Christian. He is in his office, Taylor is with him. He stares at me like I am from another planet. I smile and walk in.
"Good Morning Christian, Taylor." I say perking my voice to sound sweet and angelic.
"Ms Steele." Taylor says.
"Anastasia." Christian says. I know I am in trouble because memory loss or not, he would only use that tone if he was really upset.
"Christian I am going to leave for work now, I was hoping to have breakfast with you but I guess I will see you later, maybe you could wait for me and we could have dinner together." I say, I wait for a response but he says nothing so I turn to leave.
"Exactly where do you think you are going?" Christian asks.
"Like I said I am going to work. I have missed out on a lot of work and if I still want to keep my job I need to actually go to the office."
"You cannot go to the office today."
"Why not?" I ask, hoping for an actual reason.
"I have things that I need to sort out with you today."
"They can wait till I return from work."
"No Anastasia, you will not leave this apartment. Do you understand me?" Christian has stepped around his desk; he is looking directly into my eyes.
"No I do not understand you and you will not dictate to me when I can and cannot go to work." I turn fast and walk out his office. Taylor, Sawyer and Gail are stand at the breakfast bar. None of this is new to them.
"Sawyer I am ready to go to work." I say looking at Sawyer.
"She isn't going anywhere." Christian says. Sawyer plants his feet firmly looking down.
"How dare you!" I scream at Christian, he looks so lost and shocked is not even close enough to describe the look on his face. I have to keep reminding myself mentally that he has lost his memory, so I need to go easy on him.
"Christian, can you give me one valid reason why I am not allowed to go to work?"
Christian looks at me, and then he looks at Taylor, who gives me a faint smile.
"I thought so. Sawyer you either drive me to work or I will drive myself but regardless of what any of you think I am going to work." I stomp off to the door; Taylor, Gail and Sawyer vanish. I accidently drop my purse on the floor, I stop bend down to pick it up. As I turn around to see the most ridiculous grin on Christians face. He does not stop me from leaving, which I am grateful for. I truly have a lot of work to do; I also just remembered that I have a lunch date with Kate and Jose. Jose is coming to visit us; he is on his way to see his father but decided to have lunch with us first.
As Sawyer drives me to work I pull out my blackberry and text Christian,
*Mr Grey would you like to accompany me to lunch today?*
*Why did you not ask me this while you were still in my presence?*
*I was too busy trying to defend my need to show up at work, beside it would be nice for us to get out of Escala.*
*In that case where should I meet you for lunch?*
*I think the club, PS Kate, Elliot, Mia, Ethan and Jose will be joining us.*
*Jose?*
*I will explain later, at the office now, need to work.*
I don't wait for his reply, jump out the car, and while Sawyer parks. I enter the office and look around, feels good to be at work, where everything is familiar, everything is just the way I like it and everyone remembers me. I am in my office; I glace at my blackberry and notice that I have a message. I quickly look at it and I smile.
*Strike two Anastasia.*
I cannot wipe the smile of my face; I carry it with me all day. At lunch time I make my way out the building, Sawyer is outside with the car waiting, we drive to Christian's club, the gang is outside, they all laughing and happy and for a while I think everything is back to normal. Christian greets me with cool eyes, I lean in a kiss his cheek. He seems cold, I do not know why. I was so excited about his text. I spot Jose; I go over and hug him. Something is wrong because Jose grabs me into a full bear hug; he picks me up and turns me around. It is not just me that is shocked; everyone is standing gaping at us. Kate steps in, she hugs me next, then Mia, Ethan and finally Elliot. I feel awkward; Jose is clinging to me like a moth to a street lamp. Suddenly I don't feel so brave, my skirt feels too short and my shirt feels too tight. Christian is engaged in some conversation with Elliot and Ethan; none of them notice how uncomfortable I feel.
Inside I sit between Jose and Christian, Christian is still not looking at me, but I am willing him to turn to me so I can feel better. I refuse any alcohol and decide to have a fruit juice; I need to have my head clear if I want to make it through this lunch. The music sounds nice, I don't recognise the singer. Christian's phone rings, he excuses himself and I turn to Jose,
"Jose, what is going on with you?" I ask.
"Ana, I hear Christian has lost his memory that means he does not remember you."
"Yes, but what does that have to do with the way you are acting."
"I think that if he cannot remember you than maybe he does not deserve you."
"Oh Jose, do not do this to yourself, I love him and he loves me, I now he does."
"What are you two whispering about?" Kate asks.
Mia and Ethan are dancing, Elliot has gone to the bathroom and Christian is still on his call.
"Jose is just being silly." I say trying to drop the subject.
"I am not Ana, you need to look at your options." Jose says, he sounds angry.
"What options are you talking about Jose?" Kate asks.
"I want Ana to know that I love her, and if Mr Grey cannot remember her why should she be with him." Kate looks so amused and I am sure she is going to laugh at Jose.
"Ana I may not be rich but I love you so much, I will never forget you, ever." Jose stops because Christian in glaring at him.
"Anastasia, it is time to go, Kate please apologies to everyone and inform them that Anastasia and I will be hosting them for dinner at Escala to make up for this."
"…. But Christian we just got here, how can we leave now?" I ask.
"Anastasia you are balancing between strike two and three right now. Do not make me carry you out of this club. We will see everyone at dinner." He runs his fingers through his hair, God he looks so sexy. I feel myself just sink into a pit of desire, I want him so badly.
"Good bye Jose, Good bye Kate. Please apologies for me to everyone and tell them that I will see them later." I say feeling flushed and embarrassed.
Christian takes my hand and turns to Jose,
"I may have lost my memory, but I know all about what you did to Ana and if you every come near her with alternate intentions other than her friendship towards you, I will destroy you. See you at dinner." Christian stalks out with me in tow, I turn to see Jose's face drop, and Kate is stunned. Stunned Kate, now that is new. I look at Christian but he says nothing. As we leave the club I see Sawyer drive off, Taylor has the car door open, great he is going to drop me at work, I get in the car and Christian is next to me, he is tense, he doesn't speak or look at me.
We outside my office, Christian gets out, he turns to Taylor and says,
"Give me twenty minutes Taylor."
We go inside, I ask Hannah to hold all me calls, inside my office Christine looks around.
"Would you like something to drink?" I ask.
"Anastasia, do you know what your strike one was this morning?" Christian asks me.
The look in his eye is dreamy, it is sexy, his lips are close to mine, I can feel him breathing, and I can faintly hear his heart beating. I feel my body wake up to the sound of his voice. God how I want him, right here, right now, in my office. I just want him.
