Chapter 10

APOV

I barely slept last night. I can't believe Julian is in Seattle. I just want to move on with my life. Maybe he's forgotten about me like I am just a distant memory. I doubt I meant anything to him.

It's Sunday morning and Elliot stayed over with Kate last night. So, I've made the three of us breakfast. We're sitting at the table drinking coffee when the doorbell rings. Kate goes downstairs to answer it and comes up a couple of minutes later. "Ana, it's a delivery for you."

"I didn't order anything." I open the package and in it is a Tiffany box. Inside the Tiffany box is a silver charm bracelet with three charms: a ballet slipper; an A; and a New York charm. There's a small card so I open it to read what's inside.

My dearest Ana,

I have missed you.

Now that I am in Seattle

I thought maybe we could catch up.

Yours Truly, Julian

My hands start to immediately shake, a huge lump has formed in my throat, and tears spring to my eyes. I drop the bracelet and run to my room; I know I'm going to cry and I don't want to do it in front Kate and Elliot. A couple of minutes later Kate knocks on my door. "Ana, come on, let me in." I reach over and unlock the door but don't open it. Kate slowly comes in, "Oh honey, I am so sorry." Kate reaches over and gives me a hug and I start sobbing.

"Why can't he just leave me alone, Kate? I don't understand."

"I don't know. He's a priapic asshole. Come on, let's go do something to take your mind off him."

"I'm just going to stay here. I don't feel like going anywhere." She looks at me worried. "I'll be OK. Go do what you had planned with Elliot."

"We're just going to Elliot's parents' for a family lunch. You're welcome to come."

"No, I'm good. But thank you." Kate reluctantly leaves and I spend the rest of the day in my room in my pajamas reading. I just don't think I can face the real world today. I need to stay in my protective bubble.

CPOV

Today my parents are having a family lunch for Mia's birthday. Even my grandparents will be there and it will be Kate's first time meeting them. I get to Bellevue and Elliot and Kate are already there. I'm eager to find out if Ana is OK after last night's development but I don't want to seem too interested. Hopefully, Mia will ask. She's generally curious and doesn't have any inhibitions about asking.

We're sitting in the great room while my mom is finishing the meal in the kitchen. "So, Mia, did you enjoy your dinner last night?" I ask.

"I did. But I'm sorry you had to leave early, Kate and Elliot. I hope everything is OK with Ana. She seems like a real sweetheart." Bingo. Thank you, Mia.

"Well, she was OK until this morning when the asshole sent her a present and a note asking to get together", Kate said. I can tell she's upset too. That fucking asshole. Someone needs to teach him a lesson.

Elliot looks at me and gets a strange look on his face. "Ana was really upset this morning when she got it. I felt bad for her. She wouldn't come out of her room." There's a pit in my stomach. I hate the idea of her hurting. I may not have been the one to do it but she deserves so much better - not some asshole who is playing head games.

"That's a shame. She's such a nice girl. That guy seems like a real jerk. Why doesn't he leave her alone?" Mia is a very caring person so I can tell she genuinely cares for Ana even after only meeting her one time. My mood plummets as I think about Anastasia and how upset she must be. How much shit can one person go through? In some respects, it's like she's just as broken as I am.

The lunch goes well and my grandparents like Kate. My grandmother especially likes her and I think it's because they are a lot alike. Mia was spoiled completely so she was happy too. But I still couldn't help thinking about Ana.

APOV

I didn't respond to Julian's 'gift'. It's Friday and luckily he hasn't tried to contact me again. Maybe he got the message when I didn't respond. I worked today at the bookstore and told Kate and Elliot I would meet them at the Zig Zag for some happy hour drinks. I see Kate and Elliot when I walk in so I wave and signal to let them know I'm going to get my drink at the bar first. It's pretty crowded here so I have to wait for the bartender. From behind me, I hear, "Ana, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here."

I turn to see Julian with a smug smirk on his face. I can't even think of words to say. Did he follow me here? Was it really a coincidence? Suddenly, I feel an arm around my shoulders and it's Christian. Before I can say anything he says, "Hey, baby. What's taking so long?" And then he gives me a kiss. "Who's this?"

Julian looks like he swallowed a lemon. "Julian Lamb, I worked with Ana at the New York City Ballet."

Christian gives him a huge smile. "Oh, I'm sorry, she never mentioned you. I'm her boyfriend, Christian Grey." Christian holds his hand out for Julian to shake but Julian just ignores him.

With a look of defeat and put in his place he says, "Well, Ana. I'm glad to see you're doing well." And he doesn't even wait for me to respond, he just walks away.

I look up at Christian, "Thank you, Christian. I think you saved me."

"That guy is an asshole. Hopefully, he leaves you alone now." I'm not sure how he knew who Julian is but I don't ask. I am just grateful he was there.

"Can I buy you a drink for saving my day?"

"Thank you, but I'd prefer to buy you a drink. Elliot mentioned you have a new job. How do you like it?"

"It's OK. It's a little boring, though. Most of the time they have me stocking shelves and putting the books in order. I'm not sure what I thought it would be, though." I feel like I am babbling. I force myself to stop talking so I don't look like a complete idiot. He really affects me.

"I see. And, how did things go on your date with Paul Brown?" I'm surprised he remembered Paul's name but then again they did work with each other before.

I feel awkward with this question. We went out for coffee once; it wasn't even a date. I don't know why I feel this way. He's probably just being polite. "Oh, they're OK. He's a nice guy." I don't know what else to say. I want to tell him that I don't feel the same chemistry with Paul as I do with him. "I better get over to Kate. Thank you again for your help." Before he can say anything else, I quickly walk towards Kate.

"Was that Julian?" Kate is seething. She didn't like Julian even before we broke up.

"Yes. But Christian helped me out so I don't think Julian will bother me again."

"How did Christian help you with Julian?"

"He pretended to be my boyfriend in front of him."

Kate smirks at me. "Oh, I see."

"Oh, Kate, don't you start. He was just being nice. He made it abundantly clear that he is not interested in me in case you forgot."

"I didn't say anything, Steele." But she still has a shit-eating grin on her face. I talk to Kate for a couple of minutes but then get a text from Anton.

"What's wrong?"

"It's Anton. He and Oscar had a fight when they were away and he wants to know if he can stay at the apartment."

"Oh no! Of course, he can, I hope he's ok."

"Me too. I'm going to go meet him there. I'm sorry for bailing on you."

"Ana, go to Anton. He needs you. I'll be home in a little bit and we can hang out."

"Thank you. I'll see you later." I give Kate a kiss on the cheek and quickly leave to meet Anton.