Chapter Seven

The crack of dawn came and it was business as usual for Ana. She got up, stretched, woke her sister up half way out the door to her run. After hanging up her call with Caitie, she started listening to her jogging music, Ana wanted something fast-paced and adrenaline pumping so the opted for Technotronic - Pump up the jam followed by Salt N Pepa - Push it. Walking to her regular spot, she stopped a minute to check what had appeared to be an email alert. It was an alert indeed but no email.

Ms Steele, I knew you had a glow, but I never thought it was as a result of morning exercise. - Christian G.

Ana quickly turned around seeing Christian behind her in his jog suit, his neatly chiselled body indicating that he too was an avid exercise junky.

Wow! She uttered, not realizing she said it out loud.

"See something you like Ms Steele?" Christian asked with a smug look on his face, knowing he was disarming the beautiful woman across from him.

"Yep, that coffee cart behind you," Ana responded. Saving herself from the obvious embarrassment.

"Ouch!" Christian laughed and answered, turning his back to look at the coffee cart.

"Mr Grey if I didn't know better I'd say you're stalking me." Ana spoke as they both walked towards the coffee cart.

Christian smiled and responded. "It's Christian to you, and I'd prefer happy coincidence instead of stalking"

"If you insist" she responded, while looking at Christian 's handsome face.

"Care if I treat you to a morning coffee, Ms Steele," he asked standing at the cart. Before Ana could respond.

"Hey Ana, I have your usual ready; a medium cup of Earl Grey tea and a bagel with cream cheese," Larry announced.

"You the man Larry. Why aren't we together again?"

"Her name is Eliza," he laughed at Ana and responded.

"Damn that wife of yours" Ana quipped as the dropped the regular large tip in the jar.

"Ana!" Larry said with a warning tone.

"Love you, Larry. Hey, hook my friend here up with some coffee, won't you." She responded as she gestured to Christian.

"Sure, but because of the little stunt you pull every morning he's not paying" he shot back before she could protest.

Christian stood back and watched the banter between the two in awe. In some little way he started feeling jealous of the cart owner. Larry handed him a large coffee and a biscotti, he said thanks and they both walked away from the cart. How can one woman be so amazing. I must get to know her, he thought to himself.

Ana and Christian sat together on a nearby bench. "So, you're a regular?" he asked.

"Yeah. Larry is a good guy, he's been there for as long as I can remember. He and his wife Eliza use to give me free bagels in the mornings when I just started jogging here. He said it was because I was the only one who bothered to say good morning and not only order coffee but tea and anything else on the cart." she answered smiling.

"That explains the fifty-dollar tip," Christian asked.

"Yep, he hates it though"

"So, what brought you here, Christian?" Ana asked raising a brow. "I would figure you as the gym guy and not a jog in the park kind."

"I could say the same, Ms Steele."

"Touché, and it's Ana to you." She quipped with a wink. "The park has a more genuine feel to it, you know. It's real people walking their pets, jogging, or speed walking with friends, spouses. No pretentious housewife who's looking to have a good time with a Pilates instructor."

"I can understand the appeal. I never do this, it's new and different. They seem so relax, and happy."

"It's an amazing thing to watch." she responded taking a sip of tea while staring at an old couple walking by hand in hand.

Christian could see a smile spread across her face. He wanted so bad to place back the tendrils that had escaped from her ponytail. She was something of beauty he thought to himself. Before he acted on his feelings he looked down at his watch and realized it was a minute to six thirty. His CPO Taylor indicated to him that it was time to leave startling Ana in the process. "What the fuck?! Where did you come from?" She exclaimed. "Sorry Mam, I didn't mean to startle you." Taylor answered. Christian chuckled. "Anastacia the is my CPO Jason Taylor. He has been watching me from a far." He smiled as he introduced the two. "Nice to meet you Mr Taylor. You are very good at your job, I didn't see you at all."

"It's Taylor, Ms Steele. Nice to meet you." He answered with a small smile.

"Well Anastacia, as much as I'd like to sit here and watch human interaction with you. I have to head back home. I have a video conference in half an hour. Hope you have a good day." He quipped as he helped her up from the bench.

I'll try my best. I must be heading back myself. I too have to meet with some clients. I'm trying to figure out where to take them though. They are from Beijing, very high paying and demanding. I've never had Asian clients before in all my years of working at my agency.

"Take them somewhere that you'd love that embraces both their culture and yours. Somewhere equally entertaining but sombre enough to have a discussion." he answered surprising her.

"Thanks Christian. I'll do that." she said before walking towards her apartment.

"Ms Steele. Thanks for the free coffee" he shouted.

She turned around and smiled at him, giving a small wave.

Christian had just finished his video conference with his colleagues at his office back in New York. They were taking on a new project and wanted his approval on the major details. Everything was settled and in working order leaving Josh Madison, on the line, as he and Christian needed to discuss his upcoming deal in Singapore.

"How's everything going?" Josh asked with concern.

"Great actually. I have a new acquisition that I'm looking into. It seems promising " Christian answered with a little too much enthusiasm in his voice.

"Really where. GEH is finally breaking into Europe?" Josh asked, trying to not be too intrusive.

"Not Europe, but I won't be saying either. It's too soon, and I want to keep things under wraps for now." He answered, not giving much away. He wanted to keep Ms Steele to himself for a little while longer.

"Okay. Let me know if I can help with anything when the time comes." Josh answered.

"Josh, to be honest, she's everything. She's passionate about her job, she caring, kind and has a witty personality. However, she doesn't mix business with pleasure so there is no prospect of us getting together outside of work. Although, I've been turning up lucky for the past few days. I ran into her and her sister the night Charlie and Joshua were in town. Went behind her back and paid for their dinner; then, I ran into her this morning while jogging." he answered with an obvious excitement in his voice.

Josh was not only Christian's employee, he was his roommate at college and long-time friend. Some would even say they were more like brothers than anything else. He stood by Christian in the lowest of times and in the best of times. He was transported back to the memory of when he lost Diana, nothing could describe the hurt, disappointment and torment that was shown on his friend's face. That level of agony, he'd never wish on his worst enemy. Christian had stopped turning up for work, and he and Ros his COO in Seattle, had to take up the reigns. He would fly in from New York, go over to his house check in with Gail Jones his helper, to ensure he was eating. He slowly pulled him out of his funk, through vacationing and sports.

When he started getting back to his old self, Josh could not have been any happier. There was a major setback though. Even though Christian was coping in his own way and returning to his old self. He had lost all hope love and relationship. Yes, he fucked around here and there. But nothing stuck. He had no interest in pursuing anyone for the long haul.

"I'll be heading in the city for that Art Gala. So expect a pop up at GEH New York" he laughs.

"Okay. I'll see you then boss" he answered laughing at his friend as he end their video call.

Ana's meeting was just as great. She took Christian 's advice and found a spot that was fairly quiet with Asian folk dance and fusion food. The ambience was great and they enjoyed it. The pitch was to the point and exactly how she planned it.

She drove back to her apartment, to grab some documents she had forgotten. On her way out the car, her phone rang. Without looking on the screen she answered. "Ana Steele, Good day."

"Ana Steele, Oh my God. You're alive!" the voice on the other end of the line answered.

"Oh no! Lily, you must really hate me. We haven't spoken since my wardrobe panic." Ana answered, feeling a little ashamed she had forgotten about her best friend.

"I don't hate you. You know that's not possible. Claire told be the mysterious Christian Grey, is the brother of your client." she asked without missing a beat.

"Ha-ha. I bet she did. He's something else Lily, I have this attraction to him that I can't explain. He asked me out to dinner but you know I have that Benefit Gala in New York on Friday."

"Oh, Ana I'm so happy you're going to get laid. My company is flying me out to the same Gala by the way so I'll see you there. Oh, and Kev has finally given in." She responded with her usual burst of confidence.

"Finally, that fool was making me lose confidence in him. I need the details when we meet up. Send me what hotel you'll be staying at. Love you, Lil." She said before ending the call.

She drove to the office in pondering hers and Christian 's conversation in the park this morning. It was calm and free flow. he didn't know he had that side to him. And his body was something that seemed to have been fashioned by Zeus himself. One that she wanted to pour molten chocolate and caramel over and lick until she got to the end of the tootsie roll. She felt a tingle between her legs and knew that she had to snap out of it as she was now in the garage of her building.

She walked into the office and saw her team and Elliot in the conference room already discussing the final details of his ad. She walked in and a group of guys caught her up on what was already covered. They continued working and fixing the necessaries until it was time for them to leave. She informed them of the day off, due her being out of state. Everyone was happy for the break to cool off and regroup with fresh ideas.

The team and other staff, including Ana's secretary Charlene, had left. Elliot and Ana were the only ones at the office sending off the details to the relevant departments to work on.

"So, I ran into your brother at dinner the other night. Literally" she laughed. This took Elliot by surprise. He had given up on trying to hook the too up, but it seems, fate had other ideas. "Really! Did he scare you away? He's a big bad CEO you know?" He answered chuckling. "So am I Elliot. No, he didn't. He was nice actually. He invited me to dinner but I have a thing out of town, so when I get back."

"That's good. Ana, he has been through a lot so treat him good okay" he said, hugging her while he exits the office.

"Hey, El. I'll try. I sensed a lot with him. But remember we all have baggage's." She shouted as he paused at the elevator.