Hello everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. And before I forget, A Happy New Year to all of you in advance. Party so hard that you get a hangover for a week :P
Thanks for all the reviews in the last chapter. Keep them coming. Xx
Don't be too biased while judging Elliot. Yes, we all love Christian, but Elliot is great too and fun. And no it doesn't mean Ana will end up with him. I believe in HEA.
CHAPTER- 10
ANA
I'm standing outside a bar named Fifty's, waiting for Elliot Grey. I've heard good things about this place and the live band that plays here is amazing. While standing here, I take a moment to ponder on how much life has changed in the last few weeks. For one, Christian, who couldn't even stand me being in the same vicinity as Elliot, has personally dropped me off today to meet up with his brother. When I told him Elliot asked me out to dinner, he was rather casual about it. I wonder what happened yesterday that suddenly Christian has a change of heart? I had my own reservations about Elliot too, but the more I saw him, the more genuine he seemed. But if he does want to be my friend, then he has to learn to keep Christian away from it. I may have a little crush on the guy, but that doesn't mean he will come before Christian. No one will ever come before Christian. Christian is my first priority and tonight I'll make sure he knows it because the bullshit he pulled yesterday, using me as bait to lure Christian cannot happen. It has to fucking stop or he won't be seeing me anymore. The hell with some stupid crush, crushes come and go, but Christian? Christian will always be there no matter what and Elliot needs to get this engraved in his brain for good.
Startled by a tap on my shoulder from behind, I turn around coming face to face with Elliot's green eyes, which he got from his mother. Just the thought of Grace Trevelyan-Grey puts me in a sour mood. I hate the woman. Everyday when I see Christian struggling with his emotions, my hatred for Grace and Carrick increases ten folds.
Brushing aside the thoughts of Elliot's parents, I concentrate on the man standing infront of me. He's wearing a black leather jacket with a white V-neck t-shirt beneath and black jeans that hang off his hips in a sexy way and dark brown Gucci loafers. Fuck. I can feel my resolve slowly evaporating from my body. His blonde hair is gelled back and he looks mouth wateringly good. He gives me the 'I'm sexy and I know it' smirk. Arrogant bastard. Just like his brother.
"So are you just going to gawk at me or do you plan on getting inside?" He winks.
See what I mean? Arrogant asshole. There's something wrong with Carrick Grey's genes.
"You're a prick." I roll my eyes and head towards the entrance of the bar and hear him chuckle behind me.
Getting us a table, we order our drinks while the band is playing a cover for Counting Stars by One Republic. They really are good.
"Lately I been, I been losing sleep, dreaming about the things that we could be." Elliot sings along with the band and I see a few people around us joining in with him and the lead singer of the band approaches our table with the mic and Elliot joins in with him to sing the chorus. As the song ends, the entire bar erupts in applause and Elliot takes a bow. I can't help but laugh at his playfulness. He is so different from Christian when it comes to having fun. Elliot Grey sure knows how to have a good time.
The lead singer walks back to the stage after giving Elliot a man hug and slapping his back. "Do you guys know each other?" I ask Elliot as the band starts performing Pompeii by Bastille.
"Yeah, we know each other for years now. I play the guitar and sing and I had a band back in the days and he used to belong to another band so that's how we got to know one another." He explains. Wow, I just realize I absolutely have zero knowledge on Elliot Grey. I do know that he plays the guitar because it came on some magazine, but everything else is news to me.
"You sing?" I can't hide the surprise from my voice and I'm sure my face shows it too.
He chuckles and nods his head, "Yes, Miss Steele, I do."
"That's awesome. I want to hear you sing," I say before I can stop myself. He just got a bit sexier than he already is.
Trouble. Trouble. Trouble. Alarms go off inside my head.
The corners of his lips curl up leading to the sexy Elliot Grey grin. Get out of here, Steele. No, I have to talk to him about the Christian thing, that's what I came here for. That doesn't seem like it anymore. You're losing your shit.
"Of course," he agrees quickly. "Whatever you want."
"Are you trying to make a move on me?" Shit.
"I'm not trying to make a move on you, Anastasia. I am making a move on you." His tone is dead serious and even in this loud atmosphere the sincerity of his tone reaches me.
"You hardly even know me, Elliot."
"That's why we're here, Anastasia. I want to know you."
"I am Christian's best friend." Yes, Christian. Focus on Christian.
"For the love of God and for the hundredth time, why does it matter if you are that moron's best friend?" He sounds exasperated.
"Because I don't know if I can trust you. For all I know, you could be playing games with me to reach to him and hurt him through me. You and me both know there is nothing else in the world that could shake Christian Grey apart from anything that is related to me. And after the bullshit you pulled yesterday at the restaurant to get to him, I seriously doubt your intentions." Phew. That was some heavy duty talking. I need a drink. Taking a sip from my martini, I peer at him through the rim of the glass. His mouth is pressed in a hard line as he contemplates inside his head on what to tell me at this moment. He knows I have him by the balls.
"Look, I'm going to be honest with you. After that night in IHOP, I got a background check done on you and I won't lie that after knowing how important you are to Christian, I did want to use you to get to him. Hell, I spent days just to plan on how I'll use you against him." The bastard. He takes a pause trying to gauge my reaction but I remain impassive, my face showing nothing. Letting out a deep breath he continues, "But… but everytime you came in front of me, my resolve got weaker and weaker. You're the first girl in forever that I feel something for. I like you, Anastasia. I really do. You may not trust me now, but give me a chance. If nothing else, agree to be my friend." He pleads.
His confession just knocked the breath right out of me.
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
My phone comes to life, the screen showing a beautiful picture of Christian smiling his beautiful smile. It's a picture of him from two summers back when we were on his yacht for a boat party he had thrown due to Grey Enterprise Holdings becoming one of the top Fortune 500 companies.
Saved by the bell. Quickly answering the phone, I excuse myself to go talk to him.
"Christian!" I don't think I've ever felt more grateful to receive his call.
"Ana? What's wrong?" He sounds concerned.
"Nothing, I'm just glad you called."
"Did the bastard do anything?" He sounds pissed.
"No. He didn't do anything. I'm just feeling a bit edgy." I lie.
"Alright, if you say so. Anyway I'm calling to check when shall I get you? Jose called to let me know they will be at the club after 11."
"Yeah, after 11 is good. You can pick me up by 10."
"Okay."
"See you then," We both hang up.
Getting back inside, I down my martini and order another. Getting drunk seems like a plausible idea right now. To trust or not to trust, that is the question.
Looking around me I notice that Elliot's gone. Did he just leave me here stranded? What the fuck? Just then the tune of a guitar makes me look up on stage. And my breath is knocked out of me for the second time tonight.
Elliot Grey is on stage thrumming his fingers on the guitar chords. He's flawless with the instrument. I know this song, Ed Sheeran's Sing. His eyes lock with mine and he gives me the sexy Elliot Grey smirk and I can't help the blush that creeps up my cheeks. Oh my God, he looks H.O.T. and His voice is magic.
It's late in the evening
Glass on the side now
I've been sat with you
For most of the night
Ignoring everybody here
We wish they would disappear
So maybe we could get down now
The lead singer joins from the side.
I don't wanna know
If you're getting ahead of the program
I want you to be mine, lady
To hold your body close
Take another step into the no-man's land
For the longest time lady
Elliot goes solo next while the lead singer of the band comes down from the stage and goes about the bar getting the audience join in on the song.
I need you darling
Come on set the tone
If you feel you're falling
Won't you let me know, oh
Oh ooh
If you love me come on get involved
Feel it rushing through you from your head to toe, oh
Oh ooh
Sing, oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh
Louder, oh oh oh oh oh
Sing, oh oh oh oh oh
The lead singer now joins in and they're both singing and jumping around on the stage and every now and then Elliot looks at me and winks. The crowd inside the bar has gone bonkers and is in a rave while every single person goes "Oooh Oooh Ooohh". I can't help join myself.
"You are awesome!" I can't help the excitement. Not having had this much fun in quite a while has me in a doozy state.
"Thank you," Elliot says as he takes back his seat across from me.
"No, you don't understand. That was so cool. Your voice is lovely, Elliot."
"Lovely? What am I, a girl?" He pouts.
"No, I mean you have a really good voice. Why didn't you ever decide to become a singer?" He looks like I've punched him in the gut. His face pales.
"I wanted my father to be proud of me." He looks down, not being able to look me in the eye anymore having figured out my dislike for his father. I'm at a loss not knowing what to say.
Clearing his throat, he looks up at me and smiles sweetly. It doesn't reach his eyes. I wonder what's his story? I've always only known Christian's side of the story. The pain in his eyes, reveal a story of their own. I smile back at him, fighting the urge to probe him further to get an insight of the enigma that is Elliot Grey.
'Alright. Let's be friends."
He gives me a dazzling smile that blinds me.
CHRISTIAN
I'm not a patient man. And the last two hours have been a test of my patience. The amount of control needed to drop Ana off for her 'date' with the bastard took everything in me. Hatred doesn't even begin to cover what I feel for my half brother right now. The intensity of what I feel is so much I can feel every nerve in my brain throbbing. What are they even doing? Did he kiss her? What if he makes a move on her while she is drunk? Is he fucking her? Fuck. I hate not knowing.
It's five minutes to ten and I am outside the bar waiting for her to come out. A familiar mess of chestnut hair comes in view followed by gelled blonde locks. Even through the crowd I can make them out. He's standing beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh. Boiling rage takes over my senses and before I know it, I speed my Bugatti from where I am parked over to where they are standing and come to a screeching halt startling them both.
Looking at me Ana smiles, the tiny creases beside her eyes so sexy and the look on her face so warm. She has the smile that makes you feel like you are the only person in the world that exists. Too bad I can't return her smile. Fucking Elliot Grey and his fucked up challenge. I hate that he got the better of me and I accepted his stupid challenge. Now I feel Ana slipping through my fingers. Just yesterday I figure out I'm in love and today she's laughing with another man. This insecurity and possessiveness I feel for Ana is so new to me that I am knocked off my game. Before completely losing it, I have to come up with a plan to regain some of the control I've lost in my life. I need to protect myself, before I drown like my mother. No matter what, I cannot let my love for her weaken me. I have to stay strong, for her and for myself and for anyone who is going to try and come between us.
Just when I thought I couldn't be angrier, Elliot grabs her face and kisses both her cheeks and forehead. Ana blushes and looks down shyly and gives a small peck on his right cheek in return before turning around and heading towards my car. All the while Elliot looks on at her without blinking like a kid who's staring at his favorite toy. I'm scared that his feelings for Ana might really be genuine. Because if they are as I fear they might be, it's going to make it harder for me to win her.
"Oh. My. God. Christian! You won't believe what happened," Ana starts on filling me up with sordid details of her time with Elliot. Each passing second an agony as I have to keep a straight face while all the while there is a ticking nerve in my temple that is ready to burst and spew blood.
"So I gather you had fun then?" I ask when Ana finishes and the club where we are supposed to meet the crew comes in view.
"Fun? I had the most amazing time ever, Christian. Weren't you listening?" She asks in an incredulous tone.
"Of course, I was. I'm just glad you had a good time." Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Parking outside the club and taking out the little box I had kept to surprise Ana, I hand it over to her.
"What is it?" Her smile is so big, I wonder if her cheeks hurt and she looks adorable as fuck.
"An apology. For being an ass when you told me about Broadway."
"Christian, you didn't have to, not that I'm complaining, but like I said, I understand why you reacted that way." She opens her arms for me to hug her and lean across and nestle into her familiar hold. Home.
"I'm proud of you, Anastasia Rose Steele. I really am."
"I know." And she just holds me for a few more moments before tearing herself away and excitedly unwrapping the small Tiffany box, which holds a beautiful teardrop pendant in platinum with pavé diamonds.
"Christian!" She gasps.
"Don't you dare!" I shut her up before she can chastise me for spending too much once again. "It's beautiful and will look even more so when you are wearing it. Now, allow me," I tell her taking the pendant from the box and asking her to turn so that I can clasp it around her neck. "You are to wear it everyday so that you know I'm always there around you even if I'm not physically present." A lone tear escapes her eye and I wipe it with the pad of my thumb. "No more tears, Ana. It's time to celebrate." Beaming at her, I get out of the car and quickly stride over to her side and open the door for her.
Taking hold of her hand, we walk towards the entrance and are immediately ushered inside. It's ten-thirty so we're early. The place is still crowded even though it is a weekday. Finding our usual reserved spot for C. Grey, we take seats and order a round of shots. Ana looks at me like I've lost my mind.
"What? It's not like I can go to work with this eye, might as well take full advantage of this mini vacation I've got going."
"You'll still need to work from home, Christian. You can't just go about having a hangover at the start of a week. Being a billionaire and all that shit, you know?"
"At times like these, I hate being me," I roll my eyes at that.
"Oh please, we all know how much you love being so powerful." Ana teases.
"Can't argue with that. Who doesn't like a little bit of power?" I shrug.
"Well, I for one, would hate always being under so much scrutiny. I think I'll divorce the guy I marry if they turn out to be like you. When do you have the time to just live, Christian? That's just SAD. It's not like you don't have enough money to last you a lifetime already. Every person should just layback once in a while to get some time off for themselves only. I would absolutely loathe myself if I ended up in your shoes. And I would never want to come second to anything. A person like you would always have to put their work first. That just won't do with me. Yes, work is important but I don't want to lie on my death bed and only reminisce about my time in my office because that's the only place I've been to all my life. Business trips don't count." She clarifies and goes on about it nonchalantly but all the while her words hit me like the ice bucket challenge that each employee in Grey House had to take part in.
Did she just say she hates my life? That automatically concludes to having lost any chance I thought I had.
Well, fuck. It's time for some changes, baby. I inwardly smile to myself.