Chapter 10
CPOV
I'm not very good at this hearts and flowers shit. But I need to prove to her that I have changed. Flynn said I need to let her know with my actions instead of my words. This is the most difficult thing I have ever done and I became a billionaire before the age of 27.
To: asteele
From:
Re: Flowers
Dear Anastasia,
I trust you got my delivery. I know you are trying to make a decision but I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me tomorrow.
I can pick you up from work.
Let me know,
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprise Holdings
To: cgrey
From: asteele
Re: Kind Gesture
Dear Christian,
Thank you for the kind offer but I don't think I should go on dates while I am trying to think things through.
And, yes, the roses were beautiful. Thank you.
Ana Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor
To: asteele
From: cgrey
Re: Nourishment
Anastasia,
It is my understanding that while you are as beautiful as an angel, you are indeed a mortal. And as a mortal, you need to eat and take in nourishment. I am merely another concerned mortal looking out for you.
I promise I will be on my best behavior.
Sincerely,
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprise Holdings
To: cgrey
From: asteele
Re: grrrrr
Dear Mr. Grey,
Fine. I will relent and agree to share a meal with you, as a friend, because I have nothing in the house and Kate won't be home for dinner.
What time would you like to pick me up?
Sincerely,
Ana Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor
To: asteele
From: cgrey
Re: Not a Minute Late
Dear Anastasia,
I will pick you up at work at 5:30. Until then…
Christian Grey
CEO & very hungry mortal, Grey Enterprise Holdings
I miss this banter with her. She makes me smile while doing the simplest things. I need to convince her that we can work. I just have to figure out how.
APOV
Christian asked me to dinner tomorrow and I don't know what to do or think. Is he serious about changing? And, what about José? He's been my constant, my rock. Who is the better person for me? I'm sitting in my living room drinking a glass of wine trying to make sense of the jumbled mess in my brain.
The doorbell buzzes, "Hello?"
"Ana, it's José. Can I come up?"
"Sure." I let José up. I open the door and let him in.
He gives me a kiss on the cheek. "Ana, you look beautiful." The compliment makes me blush. "You didn't answer my text. I need to apologize to you. I've had feelings for you for so long, and when you told me about Christian I felt you slipping out of my hands. We're good for each other. We make each other laugh and we've been there for each other. What we have is stronger than physical attraction. Ana, please."
I start to cry. I should have never gone out drinking with him that night. I did this to myself. "José, I am so sorry I put you in this position. You don't deserve it. I'm just so confused. It's not fair to you."
"Ana, don't cry. I can wait. Think about it. And when you decide I'll be here."
I nod and he gives me a hug. José's hugs used to bring me comfort in their ease and simplicity. Now I feel like I am only hurting him. He gives me a chaste kiss and leaves.
The following day at work goes by slowly. Jack is in New York at some conference so there isn't much for me to do. I changed my outfit three times this morning trying to find the perfect one. I finally settled for a little black dress. It's plain but it fits me well. I borrowed a cute pair of patterned heels from Kate's closet. Hopefully, she won't mind. At 5:15 I close everything up and head to the bathroom to freshen up and make sure I look OK.
I walk out the front doors at exactly 5:30 and the Audi is waiting for me. Taylor is standing there holding the door open for me.
"Good evening, Miss Steele."
"Hi, Taylor. It's good to see you." I climb in next to Christian and he looks absolutely delicious. He takes my hand and kisses it.
"Hello, Anastasia. You look beautiful tonight."
"Hi." I feel myself getting shy under his deep gaze. He has so much power over me without even saying anything.
"How was your day?"
"Long. Yours?"
"Mine was long as well. Are you only going to give me one-word answers?"
His comment makes me giggle. Trust him to give me a hard time when he knows I'm nervous. "No."
He tries to hide his smile but he can't, so he simply shakes his head. "Oh, Anastasia. What am I going to do with you? Are you hungry?"
Am I hungry? No! I can't possibly think of food at this moment. There's only one thing I can think of and it's definitely not food. I can feel my cheeks blush at that thought. "Ana, I would love to know what you're thinking."
"And I you, Christian." Is it getting hot in here?
"Oh, what I'm thinking isn't very appropriate or gentlemanly." He gives me a smirk.
"Christian, you can't say things like that to me."
"Why not?"
"Because, we're not together. I'm with someone else maybe… I don't know what I am, but you just shouldn't say those things if we're not together."
"Ana, if you were really with someone else, would you be here with me? You want me just as much as I want you but you're scared to admit it."
I suddenly get angry with him. He's the one that made the rules and now he's turned the table on me and part of me knows on some level he is right. "Christian, you're the one who didn't want more. And the only reason you want it now is because you're jealous. And, honestly, I don't know why I'm here." I pull my hand out of his and look out the window. He just doesn't fight fair.
"Ana, I'm sorry. I'm not used to this. I'm not used to feeling this way towards someone. And, I'm used to getting what I want. Can we start tonight over? I promise I'll behave." He looks at me and has the sexiest pout on his face and I'm not even sure he knows he's doing it. He's like a naughty puppy.
He makes me smile. "OK. Let's start over."
He smiles back at me. "Good."
Taylor pulls us up in front of Altura restaurant. I've heard Kate talk about this restaurant; apparently, it's very romantic and exclusive. "Christian, how did you get us into here? Kate said it can take weeks for a reservation and you just asked me to dinner yesterday."
"Ana, sometimes it's good to be me." He takes my hand and we walk into the restaurant where we are greeted by a beautiful, blonde hostess. She can't take her eyes off of Christian and he doesn't even notice her. He looks at her and simply says, "Two for Grey."
She seems to snap herself back together and responds, "Yes, Mr. Grey. Please follow me." She leads us past the other diners into a private room. "The sommelier will be with you shortly to review the wine pairing for tonight's meal." She walks away.
"Christian, how can he know what wine we should drink when we haven't even ordered yet?"
"The menu changes daily here based on what the chef has available locally. Dinner is seven courses of his choosing. The sommelier will choose a wine for us to go with each course." Seven courses?
"Christian, I don't think I can eat seven courses." Suddenly I feel nervous and out of place.
"Don't worry, Anastasia. The courses are small and eat what you can. I just want you to enjoy dinner." I look down again feeling shy. How can one man make me feel so vulnerable and protected at the same time? He is a walking contradiction.
We have great conversation throughout the meal. He is so relaxed and actually seems his own age. He laughs at the stories of the antics of Kate and I last year on spring break when I went with her family to their lake house. He tells me stories about Elliot and him getting in trouble as kids. We're talking and laughing like regular people enjoying each other's company. There's nothing hanging over us. There's no pressure for a decision. Before I realize it, we have finished all the courses and the meal is over.
As we're walking to the Audi, Christian asks, "Where should we go next?"
I look at my watch and realize we have been there for three hours! "I better get home. I didn't realize how late it got and I have to get up for work tomorrow. My boss is back from his conference and I'm sure I'll be busy." He opens my door for me to let me in and walks around to his side.
"Then back to your apartment it is." He gives me his playful smile and Taylor pulls out into traffic.