Hi guys, sorry for the delay! I'm a little behind the schedule. My semester is getting intense with just a month left before the finals so I don't get the time to write that often. I have soooo many devious plans for Ana & Christian that I know you guys will just love to read, I just can't find the time to write and it's so frustrating.

Anyway, a lot of you enjoyed the last chapter and my characters growing complexity. Thank you so much for your lovely reviews, they really help me understand my own characters. It even gave me some really good plot ideas. I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much. You're in for some nice heated moments, shocking revelations and Ana stepping up her game.

Many of you have noticed Ana is impulsive and Christian is more strategic. Perhaps you'll see more character development for Ana here. She is impulsive, but she does get some good (or rather evil) ideas too. And I love writing from each of their point of view when they're trying to best each other. It's like playing a game of chess all by myself. I love it! I hope, as readers, you'll love it too.

Note: I realized there were a lot of typos in the last chapter, a big one especially with a name. I'd ask you guys to reread that chapter before reading this one, just to avoid any possible confusions.

NOTE: I DO NOT SUPPORT OR ENCOURAGE ANY KIND OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. If you have any questions or comments about any controversies, feel free to message me or RESPECTFULLY drop your comments in the review box. I'll be happy to discuss it. There are a lot more controversial chapters coming up and if you feel uncomfortable with my work, kindly refer to the warning of the first chapter.

Happy reading!


Disclaimer: I own the plot line but I do not own the characters.


Chapter 7

Anastasia

"I think there's a flaw in my code, these voices won't leave me alone. Well, my heart is gold and my hands are cold." - Halsey

He tricked me. He knew exactly how to push my buttons.

Christian Grey. That foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach.

Yes, I said that in Hermione's British accent in my head. Fantasizing the epic punch she delivers to Draco's jaw.

Too bad I can't do that to Christian at the moment. As much as I want to, I have a role to maintain. Keep my cool and not engage in hurting anyone publically. So I'll have to wait until I get him alone to give him what he deserves.

He did exactly what I warned him against. Now, he'll have to bear the consequences for trying to control me. Christian knew how to coax me into his trap. I see the bait clearly, still, I willingly fall into his lure.

How can I not?

The platform looks beautiful. Dark red curtains are split open, draped to the sides in dramatic folds. An unexpectedly large audience is sitting in the auditorium. Prohibiting me from going crazy on Christian's ass, but also serving to a much bigger purpose.

His purpose of intending to use them against me.

Although, everything is forgotten the moment my gaze falls upon the baby grand piano situated right in the center of the stage. A polished ebony model of Cristofori G57L dominates the entire space, looking majestic.

It will be impossible for the person sitting up there to be not noticed by the audience. All eyes will naturally go up there. Which is why it calls my name, making my fingers itch with the need to hit the soft keys as I play them. Waiting for me to sing into the microphone attached to the piano.

Currently, a boy sits at my desired spot, playing the classic Chopin's Prelude No. 4 in E Minor. The spectators listen to him. Some of them critiquing him, others yelling in his support. A handful of them are bored and talking by themselves or looking into their phones. Despite missing a few beats, he's doing pretty well.

By the ambiance of the theatre, I can tell the auditions have been going on for a while. Christian gave me the wrong time. Purposely, no doubt. He wanted me to enter during the peak hour of the auditions without telling me what's going on. Knowing once I see the crowd and the setup, I won't be able to deny the opportunity to perform.

Christian Grey thinks he's got me all figured out. He thinks he can pull my strings anyway he wants to. He couldn't be further from the truth. And I'm going to show him that.

Also, I realize this game we've been playing, isn't amateurish. He has been planning every move with precise calculations. I'll need to step up my game to stay ahead of him.

Game on, Grey. Here I come.

People half-heartedly clap when the boy finishes his piece. He eagerly looks at Christian, Eric, and Jose. They sit at the makeshift judges' panel, a couple of feet ahead of the first row, softly discussing something among themselves. I take this opportunity to stand as close to the stage as possible without being obvious.

"That was really good, Xavier. Thank you so much. We'll get back to you by this weekend if you're selected," Eric says in a cool professional voice.

Looks like he has been saying that from a while now. Just my luck! Or maybe Christian's plan? Either way, I'm going to use it to my advantage.

"Alright, who's next?" Jose asks enthusiastically, surveying the room until finally his eyes land on me. He looks a little shocked.

"Ana, do you want to try?"

Maybe Christian didn't include him in the plan if he wasn't expecting me here. But then, everyone else is equally startled by my presence. The murmurings and whispers are going around the theatre.

Turning a blind eye to the mass reaction, I give him a casual shrug. "Um, sure. I guess I can go."

They all watch me make my way through the steps to the center of the stage. Holding my head high and my posture upright, I walk confidently. Adding a little sway to my hips. I don't need my body traits to get what I want here, my talents will be more than enough, but alluring to the onlookers helps to sustain their curiosity.

One of my traits that remains unscathed by my abduction and confinement is my ability to hold everybody's attention and keep them engaged. If anything, I'm excelling at this particular skill more so than before.

The slow, dramatic saunter contrasting with my forged nervousness is an example of how well I can make the watchers stay intrigued by me. I never bore them. I'm their entertainer.

Too bad for them, the jester is also the executioner in this case. Like Thomas Skelton, a court jester who was also a serial killer.

Letting out a breath, for the sake of the show, I take my seat at the bench. It was made for me to sit on. I'll have to remember to ask Christian how did he manage to get the school to invest in a pricey piano such as this one. He and his team really went all out on the auditions.

All this trouble for me, Grey? Just because you're looking for an extra to join you? Now that would be just an insult to your exemplary bribe.

"We don't have all day," says the antagonizing bastard I was just talking about.

His friend, Eric, frowns at him. "It's okay, Ana, take your time. We're ready whenever you are."

I'm assuming from his comment, that Eric is as clueless about Christian's intentions as Jose. That works perfectly in my favor. By now, the hushed tones have fallen mute. All eyes are on me. I lift my hands and position my fingers delicately on the keys.

Starting with the chord I play the intro, leaning into the microphone to sing a haunting version of Gasoline by Halsey. Let my demons out, reveling in the song. Knowing none of them will be able to see my reality, even though I'm hiding in the plain sight. Right in front of them, right now. Yet they're all blind. They will simply perceive it as a performance.

All of them, but one of them. The one who knows me, understands me. My biggest enemy, yet my strongest ally. While listening to his recommended song today on my way to the class, I deciphered his unspoken proposition.

I accept it.

So, I direct the words at him. Asking him all the questions through the song. But I chant the chorus all for myself.

No one is shouting this time, I notice passively. It isn't that they find my performance lacking, but because they're completely enraptured to bother critiquing, praise or ignoring me. The only phones that are out are to record me.

My assumption is proven right when a deafening acclamation comes from the audience in the form of a standing ovation. I give them a shy smile, bending humbly before turning to the band. The three men stare at me with wide eyes. Jose is the first one to recover.

"Wow, Ana. That was just… man, I'm speechless. How come I never knew you sing?"

"Let's just say, I'm really good at keeping secrets." A wink from me and the poor boy is blushing. Easily swayed.

"Oh, by the way, I can play guitar too. Would you like to see?" I pretend to be an eager girl who merely wants to showcase her skills.

Eric replies this time. "You know what, I think we'll join you for this one."

One by one, the get up from their seats, stepping up on the stage. Christian is the last one to join us being uncharacteristically quiet. Or maybe characteristically, since he doesn't really say much to or in front of anyone else. For some reason, he also looks pissed.

Probably expecting me to play as his pawn when he invited me here. Obviously, he is not very happy not that the roles have reversed. I wonder, though, why is he partaking in this? He could refuse to join me. Sure he'd seem like a douchebag but he doesn't care. Illusions of reputation are my style, not his.

He's curious. He knows the ball is in your court. Plus, he wanted to sing with you since the day you became lab partners.

Huh. I really am good at answering my own questions.

Christian jogs to the backstage, quickly re-emerging with a pair of guitars. He passes me one, gazing into my eyes, giving me a static shock where our fingers meet. Meanwhile, Eric arranges his drum set and Jose drags the piano to the back, letting me and Christian take the lead.

The crowd is going crazy, screaming in anticipation. The whole scenario gives me America's Got Talent vibes. Being the attention-whore I am, I soak it all in. Eric hands all of us a headset microphone, tapping with the wires until they are both working.

Once the setup is done, we're ready to perform. I take that as my cue to lead. Strumming my fingers through the guitar, I play to the tune of one of the epic songs by The Rolling Stones. Going solo for a few seconds until Christian joins in when he recognizing the song.

Jose harmonizes with us, playing the piano and I vocalize the first verse of Laugh, I Nearly Died, with Eric hitting his drums as Christian and I sing the chorus together. Our voices in perfect sync. People aren't quiet this time, they go chaotic. Singing along with us. Swaying their bodies to dance at the rhythms we're producing.

Perhaps, Christian is right. There is something besides violence that helps to sedate the monster within me. This way I can make them all move like puppets, get them frenzied and still enjoy the disorder I cause. Maybe destruction is not always what I will need necessarily. Sometimes music can help me too.

My ears are turning deaf by all the cheers we receive from the students around us.

"That was mind-blowing," Jose says, excitedly. "Is there any other instrument you can play? Maybe trumpet or a saxophone? How about a violin? Oh fuck!"

He clasps his mouth shut. But the damage is done already. The buzz dies down instantly. Everyone awaiting my reaction at the forbidden word. Christian has an indiscernible smirk crawling up his face, registering I'll have to act sad. He thinks pretending on demand is an inconvenience to me. He doesn't know how much I love drama.

Twisting my face and blinking rapidly, I force out a sad smile. My voice cracks up. "Maybe some other time, War. I'm not ready yet."

Then, like any normal being would do in an awkward situation, I deflect while trying to appear brave at the same time. "I can play harp if you want."

Eric gets up from his seat, looking at me strangely, seeming to not boy my sad act. He's observant, I can tell. But how far does his perception go? Unlike Christian, I don't know or trust him and if he sees too much, Christian might lose a close friend. Perhaps one of his only two friends.

I wonder how he will react if I were to ever kill Eric or Jose. Would he care enough to avenge them or care at all, period?

Hmm. Please tempt me to kill you, Eric. Give me a reason to make Christian as miserable as he made me all those years.

That's not what he does though. "We don't have a harp here," he says. "Although, I'd love to hear you play it the next time we practice." He gives an intentional pause. Raising an eyebrow, building up the moment.

Fine, let's play. "Practise?" I question him. Making my eyes go wide.

"I think I can safely say on behalf of the band that we want you to be our fourth member."

Jose stands up next. "Welcome to the band, Ana! We don't have an official name yet but we'll think of one soon." He bumps his shoulder with Eric's. "What were you saying about getting Ed Sheeran?"

I look at Christian, who's been watching me closely this entire time. His impassive face making it hard for me to read him. "You forgetting why we needed an extra in the first place." He's still looking at me but his statement is directed at his bandmates.

Jose answers him. "For song-writing. Right. Are you any good at it, Ana? Please say yes. I don't want to lose an awesome potential member 'cause of it."

"I'm pretty sure I can." I tell him with confidently, "I did write a song last year if you want to hear it sometime."

Jose excitedly punches the air. Eric also looks relieved. "So it's decided. Ana is in the band."

Eric glances towards Christian as if asking his permission. His relaxed exhale when Christian gives him a slight nod confirms my thought. But I'm not done yet. Christian's show might have ended, he's got what he wanted after all.

Mine though has just started. He needs to know how quickly things can backfire, especially where I'm involved. Lights. Camera. Action.

"Wait. What do you mean by extra?" My frown grows deeper as my gaze passes from Jose to Eric, stopping at Christian. "I'm not going to be an extra. Or a fourth member. I didn't showcase my variety of skills to be an extra here, guys."

A combination of panic and confusion goes around the two expressive band members. The crowd is watching our exchange closely, just as perplexed. Christian, on the other hand, has gone stiff, waiting for the explosion that's about to occur. He already knows who is going to suffer the most.

"What do you mean, Ana?" Eric asks.

"I want to be the lead."

Six words are spoken. Slowly and emphatically. Somehow carrying the power to make a silent room go quieter. I can hear Christian's harsh breathing as it picks up the pace. The only indication he's angry. As he should be. Everyone knows Christian has been the lead vocalist ever since their band was formed two years ago. I just challenged his position openly.

So, I build up my case."I can play more instruments than all of you combined. I can sing well and write songs too. Why would I agree to just be an extra when it seems I'm the most experienced among the four of us?"

Looking at the audience, I bat my lashes, turning on my princess charm. "What do you guys think? Don't I deserve more than being an extra?"

The crowd cheers for me. Clapping their hands, yelling my name. "Ana! Ana! Ana!"

Ah! The feels.

The band is compromised now and the three men standing beside me know it. If they reject me now, they'll come across as huge douchebags. Not to mention insensitive pricks, given my recent tragedy. Besides, they won't be stupid enough to refuse the mayor's daughter. My father won't really care but these guys don't know that.

If Christian looked pissed before, he is fuming right now. I could almost see him turning green and screaming out Hulk Smash! He is this close to losing it.

Is it because I challenged him and demanded his position? Or because the spectators he has gathered to try controlling me are now turned against him as my weapon? Perhaps a combination of both.

The satisfaction I feel at the moment, regarding him as he tries his best to remain calm, is indescribable. Rare are such moments in my life where I'm able to breathe so easily. Watching Christian getting all worked up is definitely one of them.

Jose shrugs, looking a little sheepish. "I don't see a problem with that. She does have more talent than us. We need her, guys." His last sentence is pleadingly whispered to his bandmates.

Eric, ever the moderator, murmurs into Christian's ear. The way Christian gets angrier before slowly subsiding, I can tell Eric is taking the stance in my favor. Just to tempt the beast, I smirk at him.

His blank eyes abruptly begin churning with detestation for me. I decide I like him better this way more than when he's all emotionless and much more than when he looks at me softly like he's almost pitying me.

No, Christian Grey looks a lot hotter when he's looking like the monster he really is. He can try helping me calm my demons, but I'm calling out his own to play with mine. And he is losing the battle with them. Badly. Which means I'm winning.

The decision is made. People are happy I'm the new leader of the band. I got what I intended, Jose and Eric are relieved to have a new member they desperately needed, and Christian lost this round. Things are back under my control.

After leaving the auditorium, I go to my locker to take my books and call it a day. Suddenly a hand suddenly closes around my arm, jerking and pulling me to a darkened classroom. The abruptness of the situation violent manhandling makes me instinctively fight the firm hold.

"Let me fucking go!" I yell. My breaths coming out faster, feeling claustrophobic as I try breaking free. Not caring about my reaction, the arms around me becoming painfully rigid. One of the hands come up to gag me, suffocating me furthermore.

"I try to help you and you decide to fuck me over?" Christian snarls.

Recognizing it's him, I drop my head, going limp in his arms for a split second before swinging my head back with full force. Headbutting him and aggressively planting my elbow against his gut at the same time. He lets me go with a painful grunt, cursing under his breath as he instinctively covers his bleeding mouth.

"That's what you get for tricking me. How dare you trap me to audition for you when I clearly said I'm not interested in singing with you? I told you, Grey, fucking warned you. No one gets to manipulate me. If this is your idea of helping me, then go fuck yourself."

He gives me a deadly look. Stalking me as if cornering his prey. He should know better by now. I'm not a fucking prey and I never will be hunted again. Lifting my chin up, I wordlessly dare him to do his worst.

I assumed he would grab me. Maybe push me to the floor in an attempt to subjugate me. Instead, I'm surprised when he slaps me across my face. It's not very forceful, nothing close to how hard I slapped him in the cafeteria. I'm more shocked than hurt.

But I also feel something else. Respect.

He's not treating me like a delicate flower, he's not even showing me chivalry even though there was no strength in his strike. Rather, he's treating me like an equal. Inciting me back when I provoke him.

Back and forth we go, hitting and smacking each other. There's hardly any pressure in his blows whereas I deliver mine with all the hatred I feel towards him. We're sweating and breathing heavily.

My hair is messy and wild, going everywhere. I lost my boot when he tried to grab my leg. Christian is in worse shape than me with dried blood on his lips and ripped sweatshirt courtesy to my nails. His left eye is bruising from the impact of my knuckles.

I'm aiming for another punch. This time at his nose when he blocks it with his palm. The other hand goes around my waist, roughly yanking me forward. In the next moment, our lips are crashing together.

His tongue spears into my mouth, I nibble at his bloody lip. Our fight is far from over but now we're fighting within our kiss. Battling our domination, making the kiss hotter by the second. Our hands are ripping at each other's clothes. He gathers me in his arms aggressively once again, flinging me at the teacher's desk.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm aware of being in a classroom, still in the school. We shouldn't be mauling each other here but the thought only encourages me more to do so. Stepping between my legs, Christian bends over me to resume our kiss.

My legs wrap around him as his body covers mine, bringing him closer until his hardest part is pressing against my softest. Creating a deliciously maddening friction as he jerks his hips repeatedly. A fist around my neck, the other kneads my breast while I pull at his hair and claw at his back under his shirt.

Hurting and battling this way is so much better. It brings more pleasure to both of us while punishing the other one simultaneously. The taste of his blood makes me hungrier. Thirstier. Wanton. I never want this to end.

Christian rips away his mouth away, abruptly standing back. I whine at the loss of his warmth like a wild animal. He pushes me, unexpectedly, until I'm falling from the desk. Smashing against the hard floor, to the inner side of the table.

Needing to retaliate and demand why the hell he did that, I'm about to get up and pummel his face when he jumps, landing next to me. He brings his finger to his lips. The universal sign to stay quiet. As I regain my momentum, the awareness sinks in.

The sound of approaching footsteps and hushed voices slowly becomes discernible and I understand Christian's sudden reaction to hide us. The after-school security guards must've heard us and are coming to check in. But as the door opens and the voices become distinguishable, I recognize it's Leila and Paul who stepped inside.

"You ruined me!"

"For the last time, Paul, it wasn't me."

"The pictures are sent from your phone. I only told you where I'm gonna be that night. I asked you to cover for me, not fucking cover me like a media reporter."

Paul informed Leila about his visit to Chapman's house? Interesting.

"I thought you were going to meet the coach. I didn't know you were fucking Heidi. Why would you do that in the first place anyway? She's such a creep."

Her response aggravates him further. "You think if I knew that I would've risked my entire career for a piece of ass?"

"Yes, I do think so," Leila says haughtily. "Honestly, serves you right for trying to sneak into a girl's room all naked. Thank god I broke up with you! That could've been me."

A burst of manic laughter breaks out. "Oh don't pretend like you wouldn't love it, you little slut. We've done worse than that and you loved every second of it. Remember that time when we fucked and I called you Ana? Remember how hard you came on my cock?"

Huh. He fucked her imagining she was me. Should I be honored? Should I take it as a compliment? Maybe if I felt anything, I would've been gloating. But I don't. I feel numb. Doesn't matter she was having the best role-play of her life when I was kidnapped by a rapist pedophile.

I would, however, extract my pound of flesh from her for taking advantage of me. It ain't betrayal that prompted me to conspire against her. The fact that she thought she could abuse me and my friendship, is enough of a reason.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Even I can hear the lie in her voice. "This discussion is over."

"No, you're telling me why the hell you called the coach and leaked those pictures, and then you suffer your consequences."

Leila gasps, chortling. "My consequences? Who the fuck do you think you are? I'll have you destroyed, Paul Hoffman."

"As if I'm not destroyed enough? You wanna take more from me and for what, dumping you because I found out you were fucking your own brother? Imagine what will the town think when that gets out? This goes both ways, Leila!"

Wait, what?

I turn to Christian as a long pause trails after the bomb Paul has just dropped. He is equally astounded by what we're hearing. Every second of Leila's exceeding silence hardening Paul's allegation. My mind is spinning, trying to grasp the intensity of his words.

Leila Williams, as far as the town knows, is a single child. She lives with her loving parents who turned into a spoiled brat. Her extremely sweet mother- I sometimes doubt she is Leila's real mother- and a little arrogant father who thinks money can buy everything. That's the family of Williams. Just the three of them.

So what brother is Paul talking about? Maybe he has lost his mind. But then why has Leila gone so quiet?

"You just got kicked out of the football team, Paul. Don't be so overdramatic." Her voice is grimmer, lacking its usual shrillness. "You still have a chance to get your shit together. But if you ever try to threaten me and my brother ever, you'll pay with your life."

She walks out, leaving a frustrated Paul behind. He curses something unintelligent as he kicks at the wall a few times and follows her out.

We stay still for a few minutes to ensure they're gone. Meanwhile, I'm reeling with the fact that she practically confirmed his accusation. Trembling with the buzz of this newly acquired information.

"Leila has a secret brother," Christian summarizes. "And she's fucking him."

I can't hold it in any longer. Throwing my head back, I guffaw. Laughing until my stomach hurts and my eyes tear up.

"Holy shit!" I say, wiping the moisture at my eyes. "This town… there's some serious Game of Thrones shit going on here. We have our own version of a bitchy, snobby Cersei Lannister."

"Gotta find Jamie now."

My jaw drops open. This is the first time he's made a pop-culture reference. "You've seen the show?"

"Eric and Jose made me watch it. Wasn't that bad." He says with a straight face. Making me laugh harder.

Christian is right though, we need to find this mysterious, new character. And then I'll serve the coldest dish to my best friend.

My retribution has just begun. I've got a long list ahead of me. Too long for this town to survive.


GAME OF THRONES SEASON 8 is coming in less than 2 Weeks! Who is excited and who is super-super excited? Let me know who do you think will sit on the Iron Throne, I can't wait to find out myself.

As for this chapter, don't just love the push and pull between these two? I enjoy writing them so much! What do you think is in the course next, now that Ana won this round? Who will win next? let me know in the reviews. DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW.

I'll try my best to write and upload another chapter within the fortnight. I've already created an outline of it and even I was surprised and how shocking it turned out to be. I can't wait to write it!

Love ya all,

~Kaishi xoxo