A/N: Thank you for all the reviews and support. It is truly appreciated.
Here's a short chapter to keep things rolling along.
I own nothing. This is just for fun.
Ana POV:
I briefly close my eyes and shake my head to rid myself of the shock that's just crashed right into me. What a naïve fool I've been. I have to keep myself together, stay cool.
After I hand the girl her folder, I quickly collect the Tess books from the sidewalk and stand back up, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. `
"Thank you" my doppelganger says to me as she takes the folder from me.
"Of course. Once again, I apologize" And I want to get the fuck as far away from here as humanly possible.
I glance over at Taylor. He uncomfortably nods, but says nothing. I give him a subtle nod. Keep it cool Ana. Keep it cool.
"Well, good day" I politely say as I walk away, desperately trying to hold in my emotions. I stroll away at a casual pace, although in my mind I'm running a four minute mile.
Don't let them see you cry. Don't let them see you cry. Keep your head up high. Keep your head up high. I keep repeating to myself until I'm out of view.
I walk into the closest building and find a public bathroom to hide out and calm my tattered nerves.
I check under the bathroom stalls and see I'm alone. Thank God, I am. I put the Tess books down on the edge of one of the sinks. I rest my hands on either side of the sink and lean toward the mirror.
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" I yell at my reflection.
I think I'm going to be sick. My heart is shattered, in pieces lying here all over the tile floor.
I've been wasting my time wondering if he's thinking of me all the time, like I think of him. The answer to that question just crashed straight into me. I was always nothing to him. I was only going to be another notch on his bedpost in that red room. I read this all wrong. I thought there was something more between us than there was. I know what he said, but convinced myself he meant something else. He really isn't capable of any more than he offered.
I don't know who I'm madder at… him for being the way he is or me for being blinded by my attraction to him. Well, that's that. It's clear to me that he is not the man I thought I he was. I thought I saw more depth to him, something he wasn't even aware of. I was wrong. He is exactly what he presented he was. I was looking at him through rose colored glasses, seeing only what I wanted to see. I fooled myself. Shame on me.
That bastard sure didn't waste a fucking minute. Seems Christian has a type. Was that girl replacing me, or was I supposed to replace someone who I resemble? It doesn't matter. He is one fucked up son of a bitch. He's contracted a replacement five fucking minutes after I said no. I'm glad I now know how easily he can discard me.
It's obvious that he's not capable of a normal relationship. He's exactly what he said he is, a Dom… the only part he didn't disclose was that he's also a fucking ass. Maybe I'm the ass. I never would have been enough for him. At least I know this now before I gave myself to him. If I'm to be honest with myself, I'd never be satisfied as a one night stand. I'd probably hate myself. I'd feel cheap, used and empty. My desire to be with him clouded my better judgment.
He knows who he is and was upfront about it. I know who I am. We're too different. There could be no way we could ever have had a happy ending. I should be grateful fate threw me into that girl. Fate saved me the heartbreak I was destined to have after he was finished with me.
I always pictured myself in the future, married with little Cape Cod house and a white picket fence, living a simple life...but meeting Christian has opened my mind to other possibilities. He's obviously moved on. It's time for me to be bold and see what else is out there.
I look at the Tess books sitting on the edge of the sink and roll my eyes. What the hell am I supposed to do with these? I don't want anything to do with them. I don't need any reminders of Christian Grey in my life.
I take a few deeps breaths, grab the books and head out the door.
~~~xxx~~~
Christian POV:
As I stare out the window, I'm trying to work out what my next move is. Do I have Miss Adams sign the contract and get my life back in control? As far as subs go, she's textbook perfect. She knows what's expected and will abide by my rules. She will do what I say, when I say it without a smart mouth answer back.
But, in what's become the new norm for me; my thoughts go back to Ana. Always Ana. What I'd like to do to that sexy infuriating smart mouth, those soft full lips. I cannot get that frustrating woman out of my head. Even the perfect sub hasn't dulled my desire to be with her. I don't understand this spell she holds over me. While I was interviewing Miss Adams, I was picturing Ana. I feel like a fucking addict.
I wonder if she's given herself to that fucking photographer. Elliot said she went to a bar with him the other day. I'm sure he'd make the drive to Seattle anytime to have a piece of her. The way he salivates over her really pisses me off. He's just a boy for Christ sake; she needs a man to properly take care of her. To touch her, give her pleasure. She should be mine. No matter what I do, it keeps coming back to that...she should be mine.
Maybe I can try something different. I've never backed down from a challenge before. Perhaps that's how I have to look at this. In order to win the prize in the end, I need to make some adjustments in the beginning. I'll never be the hearts and flower type of man, that's just not in me. Maybe I can give her just enough to appease her…and once she is under my spell, convince her to try my lifestyle. Mix things up a bit.
It's obvious that getting a sub is not going to satisfy me. I've never been one to settle for second best and that's all I'd be doing.
I want Ana. Plain and simple. I want to be the man who touches her perfect alabaster skin, gives her pleasure, and cares for her well-being. The thought of anyone else with her fills me with rage. I've never felt this before. It's confusing the fuck out of me.
I should talk to Flynn and work out if this is a possibility for me. I haven't told him about my current obsession. I'm sure he'll diagnose me as the stalker that I am. He'll try to get me to try some of his psychobabble cure of the moment shit. I just need to find a way adjust some of my fucked up ways.
My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the conference room door. Taylor must be back.
"Yes, Come in"
"Miss Adams has gone home, Sir"
"Alright. I have one phone call to make and we can head back over to GEH"
"Very well, Mr. Grey" He grabs the door knob to leave and hesitates. He looks at me, opens his mouth, and then closes it.
Christ, whenever Taylor has something to tell me that he knows I'll go ballistic, he acts like this. Probably got a heads up at GEH that there's a fuck up I'm going to have to deal with.
"Is there something else Taylor?"
"Sir. There's something I believe you may want to be made aware of."
"Yes?"
He clears he throat. He actually seems uncomfortable. Taylor uncomfortable? This is new.
"Miss Steele ran into Miss Adams in front of the building Sir"
My stomach turns. Well, all she saw was a random brunette. Ana is smart, her GPA proves that, but in a million years, she could never put that together.
"Is that all?' I play it cool.
"No sir. She literally ran into her, knocked the NDA right out of Miss Adams hands. Miss Steele retrieved it for her."
"So she handed her back a piece of paper?" That doesn't mean anything.
"I believe she recognized what the papers were, Sir. "
"Did she say anything?"
"No Sir. But her expression when she glanced at it leads me to believe that she knew what it was she was holding. I believe when she saw me, the NDA and Miss Adams, she worked out who it belonged to.. I errr, thought you would want to know"
"I see. Thank you, Taylor. I'll make that phone call now. You can go."
"Very well, Sir" He leaves and closes the door.
I swivel the chair I'm sitting in to face the window and look out at the street below. I exhale a long deep breath.
"Shit."
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