Liam manages to arrive to the table right before dinner is being served. I grilled him endless questions of where he went and who was the blonde. But he quieted me saying it was his cousin, which I'm finding it hard to believe. I decide to move past it and enjoy my dinner.
I see that Christian is seated at another table with his parents and mine. A part of me wishes he was sitting here next to me, but I push the thought away. This year I didn't want to do the dance auction, which made Carla even more disappointed that I'm her daughter. Meanwhile, Ray was respectful with whatever decision I made, and that's my classic and caring dad.
"Hey sweet pea, care for a dance with your old man?" Ray appears from behind me.
I just realized that I'm the only one alone at the table, while everything one is either dancing or drinking somewhere else. And of course Liam is off being mysterious again.
"Of course." I smile brightly at him, and accept his hand.
Ray leads me towards the dance floor and pulls me close. I can't help, but rest my head on his shoulder and let out a breath I've been holding in all night. There's nothing in the world that can make me feel better and cherished than my dad. What can I say? I've been a daddy's girl since day one.
"What's been bugging you, Annie?" Ray's voice snaps me out of my daze, and I glance up at him.
"Oh nothing. Just work." I answer, biting my lip. He raises his brow and shakes his head.
"It's my job to detect liars, and you're the guiltiest of them all." I roll my eyes, laughing.
"It's just relationship stuff." His face becomes very serious.
"Who do I have to kill?" he murmurs, and I giggle.
"No one. It's just Liam." I whisper.
"He's a fine young man. But if he has hurt you, I'll kill him." Ray starts going off again.
"Dad, you don't have to kill anyone!" I exclaim, and he chuckles.
"Okay, okay. So what's wrong then? Things becoming serious? He the one?" he questions. I shrug, not knowing any of those answers.
"I don't know."
"Have you talked to your mother about it?" I raise a brow, giving him dead pan look.
"What do you think? It's Carla." I mutter.
"That's right. Bad question on my part."
"It's okay, dad. We don't need to talk about this stuff." I say, and Ray lets out a breath.
"Oh thank God." I start laughing.
"Mind if I cut in?"
Christian stands behind Ray, still looking like a beautiful bastard. Ray turns around, smiling and nodding. Of course he would pass me off to him, Christian is the son he's never had.
"She's all yours." My dad kisses my forehead and leaves us. Christian wraps his arm around my waist, tugging my close to his chest.
"So are you all mine?" he teases, and I can't help rolling my eyes.
"Never was and never will be." I bite back. His eyes widen and he sighs.
"I deserve that. So where's lover boy?" he asks, and I look around to find him nowhere.
"At the moment, I honesty don't know."
"Good, because I have to tell you something." Christian states. I squint my eyes, wondering what it's about.
"What is it?" I murmur, looking up at him.
"Liam. He's up to something, and you're going to get hurt." he reveals, and I sigh.
"This again? The he's no good for me and doesn't deserve me talk?" I exclaim, removing myself from his embrace and crossing my arms.
"Ana it's not like that. I overheared-"
"Babe, ready to go?" Liam appears out of nowhere and Christian becomes stoic and distant.
"She's not going anywhere with you." he growls, pulling me by his side.
"Christian, stop it." I murmur, yanking on his arm before he makes a scene.
"Please just stay with me. I'll explain everything later." Christian whispers, his eyes pleading me not to go.
"Ana, don't listen to him. Come on!" Liam says. He holds out his hand for me. I look between them, taking a deep breath. I decide to go with my first instinct.
"I'll call you tomorrow, Liam." I state, keeping still next to Christian and his eyes light up.
"Ana, babe." he mutters.
"I'm sorry. I have to help with clean up." I lie. Liam sighs and nods.
"Okay fine, I'll see you tomorrow." He leans over and kisses me on the cheek. Then he walks past me, leaving Christian and I.
"Meet me in Grace's office in five minutes." Christian orders, turning away and exiting the dance floor.
What the hell just happened? I start making my way towards the office and wondering what Christian is going to tell me. As I enter, pushing the door open; there stands Christian, Ray, Carrick, and Taylor.
"Anastasia, have a seat." Carrick addresses me, pointing to one of the chairs in front of him.
"I'm fine just standing. What's going on?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.
"Annie, it's about Liam." Ray says, and leans against the desk.
"What about him?"
"He's using you and your dad to help him run for mayor of New York City." Christian reveals to me, handing me all of the evidence.
"Oh my god." I whisper and stare at the information in my hands.
"That's everything I found on him and of his plan, Miss Steele." Taylor voices, and I look up at all of them. My whole body is on fire with rage. How could I be so stupid?
"I've planned on becoming Ray's lawyer and we're going to fry him. We've also discovered he has been getting into illegal businesses. But it's all up to you Ana." Carrick speaks up, standing next to my dad.
"Do whatever you have to do. I just want to go home." I murmur, placing all the papers on the desk.
"Sweet pea, are you okay?" Ray questions, and I nod.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just tired."
"I'll have Taylor pull the car around and we'll take you home." Christian states, leading me out the door.
"Thank you." I whisper, and he pulls me aside once we're alone.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He stares into my eyes, reaching up and stroking my cheek.
"Mhmm, yeah."
"Ana.." I shake my head.
"Uh, do you know if he was with someone else?" Christian looks away and I know I have my answer. "I'll be outside."
I scurry away from saying goodbye to anyone. Yes, it's rude and not polite, but I don't give a shit. I'm just sick and tired of people using me like I'm nothing or don't matter.
Taylor drives up and gets out to open my door. Christian appears behind me and his hair is all out of sorts. He looks so sexy and attractive that I can't help but want him. But I need to focus on myself and I distance myself.
"I need to stay back. But I'll come over after I'm done to check on you." he says softly, placing a loose piece of hair off my face.
"I'll be okay. You don't need to." I plea, and he shakes his head.
"I haven't been there for you. So let me be there for you, Anastasia." Christian voices. I nod and bite my lip.
"Goodbye." I whisper.
"Goodbye Ana."
As I lay in my bed, free of any makeup and my beautiful red dress; and now in my pajamas, I just stare up at my ceiling, feeling completely numb. When I arrived home all I wanted was to climb into my bed and unravel. But no tears left my eyes.
I heard Christian's footsteps around two in the morning and he even entered my room to check on me. Not wanting confrontation, I shut my eyes and pretend sleeping. He bought it quickly and excused himself out the door. After awhile I finally turned onto my side and fell asleep.
"Ana, wake up." A voice slowly wakes me and I squint my eyes open, finding Christian standing over me looking mighty fine. Dressed in dark blue jeans and a white button up, with just two buttons undone making me drool.
"Hmm, what?" I mumble, and realizing I'm actually drooling.
"It's close to noon. I thought I would wake you, so we could get food." Christian says, giving me a sweet smile and I nod.
"Just let me shower and get changed." I reply, removing the covers off my body and Christian's eyes widen, becoming darker. My pajamas are slightly on the sexier side; I'm just wearing a thin, silky maroon top and matching shorts.
He coughs, "I'll let you get to it." Christian turns around and heads out the door.
I smirk to myself, I still have that affect on him. My stomach growls and I run to the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterwards, I throw on my blue jeans with a black shirt and a striped blazer. I blow dry my hair straight, knowing Christian hates my hair wet as it's easier for me to get sick. As I finish up on my makeup, my phone starts ringing and I look over to check who's calling. Liam. I bite my lip and decide to answer.
"Hello?" I answer, obliviously.
"Ana, babe, I've been trying to reach you all day." he states, and I just roll my eyes.
"I know everything." I mutter.
"What are you talking about?" Liam asks, quietly. I shake my head and pace around my room.
"The using my father and I for your upcoming election, Mr. Mayor." I explain, bitterly. There's a pregnant pause.
"Ana, that's not true." he pleas.
"Oh save it. You're a liar, cheater, and a horrible excuse for a man. I thought you were one of the good guys, but I guess just one of my flaws is believing there's good in everyone. Don't ever call or try to contact me again because I am so done with you. Go to hell Liam." I rant, and hang up the phone. Suddenly there's applause behind me and I turn around to find Christian clapping, and nodding his head in approval.
"Well done, Steele." I shrug.
"I'm starved, feed me."
"I aim to please, Anastasia." he murmurs, and I smile.
Lunch with Christian was relaxing and very well needed. We fell back into the same conversations we would always have. But I could tell something was different with him though. He teased me less and was more thoughtful with his words towards me. It was a new and improved Christian Grey.
After we were done eating, his phone rang and he asked for we could stop at Grey House for him to sign a few things. I didn't mind, since I had nothing better to do. We decided to just walk there since it was close by. As we arrived, we went straight up to his office and Andrea greeted us at the elevator.
"Good afternoon Mr. Grey and Miss Steele." she smiles widely, and I shake my head.
"I know we haven't see each other in awhile, Andrea. But it's always Ana." I state and she giggles.
"Yes, of course." I nod, grinning. She turns to Christian. "The papers to sign are in your office on your desk, Mr. Grey."
"I'll be quick." he murmurs with a cute half smile.
"So how have you been, Andrea?" I ask, following her back to her desk.
"I've been unbelievably great. My boyfriend proposed to me just last month." Andrea squeals and shows me her left hand. It's a simple, beautiful diamond resting nicely on her finger.
"Oh congratulations! He has great taste." I praise, and she smiles.
"Thank you, and I know." I lean in to give her a hug.
"So how about you?" she questions. I sigh, dreading this question. What to say…
"It's been, interesting that's for sure." I reply.
"I saw that Kate's with Elliot now and Mia is engaged too!" Andrea voices excitedly.
In this moment I realize that I'm the only one with my life not together. I mean, yes I have my amazing job at Vogue, but that's it. Kate is loving her life with Elliot and Mia is planning her future with Ben. What do I have going for me? Absolutely nothing.
"Oh yes, so happy for them." I say with less enthusiasm.
"What about you? Boyfriend?" she mutters and I bite my lip.
"Oh no, committing solely to the single life as of now." I state, and she nods.
"That's not bad at all. Well, I must get back to filing these papers. Nice seeing you, Ana!"
I watch as she walks away into a different room, and I blow my bangs out of my face. Well, that talk was a struggle. I don't knock and enter inside Christian's office. He's hunched over his desk overlooking the papers he's signing and of course in his CEO mode.
"Carla's right about me ending up alone." I mumble, falling into one of the chairs in front of his desk. He looks up and rolls his eyes.
"Oh shut up, don't say that." he demands, and I throw my head back.
"It's true. My two best friends already found their soulmates, plus have their lives in order. What do I have? Nothing because everything is horrible." I ramble. Christian stands in front of me, bending down to my level and places his hands on top of mine.
"Stop this pity party for yourself right now. Nothing ruins your 20's more than thinking you should have your life together already." Christian says with concern.
"Okay okay, you're right."
"Damn right I am." He smirks, and I laugh. His gray eyes become filled with life and love. I've never seen them like that before. "Ready to go?" I'm snapped out of my daze into his eyes, and nod.
Hours later, Christian drops me off at home, and I'm surprised to see Kate sitting on my couch with a bottle of wine. Then Mia exits the kitchen with a box of pizza and I look between them, confused.
"What's going on?" I ask, shrugging off my blazer and dropping my purse onto the table.
"We heard about Liam." Mia voices, and my eyes widen.
"I'm so sorry, Ana." Kate breaks her silence. I join them on the couch and immediately dive into the pizza.
"How did you two find out?"
"Christian texted us and said you were going to need us." Mia states, and I look down. I can't believe he did that.
"So how are you?" Kate questions, rubbing my back.
"I'm okay." I murmur, they both give me looks. "Really I am. Right now I may not seem okay, and may not be okay now. But I am okay." I explain.
"Well, you have us and we're going to do our annual breakup ritual. Pizza, wine, and our go to breakup movie." I lean back against the couch and think what I would do without them, or Christian. I wouldn't survive.
