A/N Again, Thank you all for the lovely reviews. It warms my heart to know you all enjoy this story! You guys are awesome! I'm splitting the Gala chapter in two. This is part one.
DISCLAIMER: The original characters of Fifty Shades of Grey are owned by E.L. James. The content, added characters and storyline of this story are owned by me. No copyright infringement is intended.
Rated M for adult language.
Chapter 10.
Ana's POV
The week went by pretty fast because next thing I know, I'm on my jet with a nervous and excited Kate, on our way to Seattle. Elliot's already in Seattle and we're meeting him there. I still haven't had the honour of meeting him.
I stare out of the plane window. I'm glad the week went by without a hitch from Grey. The security detail I have on him reported that he didn't come out of his penthouse all week, not even to go to work. Maybe I should be worried. Maybe? That man is after blood sweetie, your blood! I know he's a powerful man but I'm not exactly weak either. True, his net worth is more than mine, but not by that much. He has no idea the connections and power I have, and if he truly pisses me off, he's gonna witness it, at full blast. The best thing for him to do is put aside his damaged pride and grow the fuck up cause shit like this happens all the time in our world, maybe not to him but there's a first for everything right?
"Ana? Ana!?" Kate bellows, waving her hand in my face trying to get my attention.
"Huh...Sorry, what did you say Kate?"
"I said, you weren't even listening to me were you? God Ana, what's up with you lately? It's like you're thousands of miles away." She says, taking a sip of her cosmopolitan.
"Yeah, sorry. Just... work stuff." I reply scratching the back of my head.
"Seem's more than just work stuff Ana. Is everything... you know, okay with you?" she gives me that look, Oh God. I do NOT want to have a deep and meaningful conversation while I'm thousands of feet in the air with Kate right now. I really don't wanna have to jump out of the plane.
"Oh come on Ana, open up!" she says in a begging tone.
I sigh, "Kate, I don't know what you want me to say? I'm fine. Honestly."
"Have you been seeing Angela?" She asks. Here we go, the Kavanagh Inquisition.
"Yes mum, I have been seeing my therapist." I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"Ana, don't. You know it's only because I care for you. How would you feel if your best friend had to go to therapy because of something you did." Oh jesus.
"Kate!" I snap. "How many times do I have to tell you this? It wasn't your fault okay? Stop beating yourself up over this, besides did you forget that you actually saved me?" I tell her. She really doesn't get it. What happened all those years ago wasn't her fault. Sure she introduced me to him but that was it, how the hell was she supposed to know that he- Oh God, she's crying.
"Ana, I'm so sorry *sob* If I came a little bit *sob* sooner, you *sob*" I cut her off with one of my rare hugs. It's the only way I know to shut her up otherwise she'll be crying herself to sleep. I knew alcohol was a bad idea for the trip.
"Kate listen to me" I grab her face in my hands. "This is going to be a long flight, and I really don't wanna talk about this right now. Well, ever actually and the whole me in therapy because of you, sweetie, I was in therapy way before then." I smile at her and she giggles. Thank God, I inwardly sigh. "So let's just enjoy this flight and you can tell me more about this man of yours" and off she goes. You know, sometimes I think she's the one that needs therapy. Oh Kate, gotta love her.
Christian's POV
"I told you Elliot, Mom already asked me. I'll be there" I say exasperatedly to my brother who just turned up at my place, uninvited.
"Geez bro, calm down. I know Mom already told you, but I'm telling you now. This girl means a lot to me and I just want the whole family to meet her. Look, Chris, when you're ready, and you want to introduce your boyfriend to the family, I'll be there first thing." I swear if he wasn't my brother. I run my hands through my hair. "Fuck off Lelliot." He laughs. "Alright, alright. You know little brother, you need a little fun in your life. Kate's bringing her best friend to the gala tomorrow night and, from what I've heard, she's a hottie." He says in a humorous tone while leaving to the elevator. Great, two bimbos, no thank you. "Her brother is also coming, I'm not sure if he's gay though." He says with a wide grin as the elevator doors close.
I'm dreading tomorrow night. I'm hoping I can just meet this girl Elliot's dick is pining over, write a check and then leave. I have much more important things at hand. Just this week I was able to get my hands on one of Steele's companies, not a major one but nonetheless still something that's hers. Everything was ready for the hostile takeover, then someone who must of noticed, figured out what was happening and put a stop to it. I'm not upset though. I was hoping someone would figure it out, to be honest, I'd be pretty disappointed if it were that easy. Her security protocols rival my own.
Apart from that, not much progress has been made. I've spent the week living and breathing Anastasia Steele. I haven't left Escala at all. I've been working my ass off trying to figure this woman's past out. It's a complete mystery. There's nothing on her early childhood, until she's adopted by a Raymond Steele, then her life is one of a normal child. However, the years from when she was 18-21 seem to have been erased, those were her college years. What happened to her in college? What happened to her when she was a child?
As if God himself heard me, Welch calls.
"What do you have for me Welch?" I ask.
"Sir, I've finally managed to get some information on Miss Anastasia Steele's past." I swear I can hear church bells ringing, don't get too excited, see what the man has first.
"How did you get this information?" I ask.
"I'm not at liberty to say Sir, telling you would only make you an accessory Mr Grey."
Oh so that's how he got it.
"Very well, what do you have?"
"Sir, I uh, I think it'd be best to discuss this in person." He says hesitantly. Shit, now I'm even more curious to find out what he's found.
Ana's POV
We finally arrive in Seattle and to say I'm tired would be an understatement, but tired or not, Kate has other plans for us. She insists we go to this exclusive salon, Esclava, to get pampered for tomorrow night. I'd much rather have professionals come to the suite but Kate wanted to check this salon out and I'm too tired to argue.
We reach the Hotel 1000. I really didn't want to stay at the Fairmont. Can you blame me? Besides, I know I won't have any trouble getting the suite I actually booked, which is the Grand Suite. It's no Cascade suite at the Fairmont but it's still beautiful and very luxurious.
Kate's in absolute awe of the suite. If it's one thing I love, that's pampering and spoiling the ones I love. Of course everything we'll be getting on this trip is on me and I wouldn't have it any other way.
"So Ana, I was thinking we could go dress and shoe shopping first, then go to Esclava." Kate says like a kid deciding what rides to go on at Disneyland.
"I don't really have a choice, do I?" I ask.
"Nope" she says, popping the "P". I sigh.
After 4 whole hours of countless dresses, gowns, boutiques and shoes! We made it to Nordstrom. This is where I put my foot down, I told Kate that this is the last place we're going to, so she better hope to God we both find our dresses here. See, this is why I have personal shoppers, I don't have time to just go shopping for hours on end, nor do I have the desire to. Kate, on the other hand, well she can shop for days.
So here we are in our private dressing room. It's good to know that my name is effective in many cities. Kate has tried on an endless amount of dresses, all of which look fantastic on her. The girl can wear a potato sack and still look gorgeous but no, she hasn't found the one yet.
Me? I just had the shop assistants pick out some dresses for me, I trust their choices. Kate got a little huffy puffy cause I didn't ask her to choose for me. It's not that she doesn't have great style, it's just, I know her choices for me will be a bit... revealing. I swear, if she was my mother, she'd probably just doll me up and marry me off.
The dresses I've tried on didn't really agree with me. This is why I never go to events. All of this preparing is just too much for me.
"Kate, come on, do we have a winner?" I ask her. She steps out of the dressing room. She's wearing a gorgeous black sequin dress with a nude underlay that has a V-neck bodice with thin straps that cross the daring low cut bare back. It hugs her like a second skin. She looks so beautiful and glamorous!
"I think this is the one Ana." She says twirling and sighing dreamily.
"I agree. Kate, you look perfect! Elliot's not going to be able to keep his hands off you! And that's only if he isn't too busy keeping all the other men's hands off you." Kate blushes at my compliment. Wait, did Kate just blush? She has this twinkle in her eye. I don't know what Elliot is doing but I commend him for it. I've never seen her this happy. The once happy Kate turns into an angry one in a nano second. "Anastasia Rose Steele!" She practically yells, "Why the hell are you just sitting there?! Why aren't you trying on dresses?!" I roll my eyes. "I haven't found one that agreed with me" I shrug casually. "Well, now that we've found my dress, We can focus intently on finding one for you!" She squeals the last part. I can only laugh, It's very rare that Kate and I go dress shopping, any shopping actually. Sometimes I wonder why we're best friends, we're practically complete opposites. Oh well, I'm not complaining.
Kate and I search the racks in hope that we find something. Just as I'm about to give up Kate pulls out this gorgeous Chiffon floor length One shoulder red dress.
"You have to try this on Ana! No ifs or buts, try it on now." Kate tells me sternly. It is a beautiful dress, a little too beautiful if you ask me. Kate senses my hesitance, "Come on Ana, just try it on, if you don't like it then we can keep looking" She gives me a reassuring smile.
"Okay" I sigh defeatedly. I take the dress and head into the dressing room. After I put on the dress, I can't help but stare at myself, the way this dress fits my body is so unbelievable. I'm at loss with words, I feel so... seductive in the dress.
"Come on Ana, lets see it!" Kate says impatiently. I sigh, well here it goes. I walk out of the dressing room. Kate sits there with her jaw practically on the floor, eyes so wide they're bugging out as she looks at me from head to toe. I feel my cheeks heat up, am I fucking blushing?
"Ana...I...you...dress...god" Kate stutters.
"I'm a dress God? Uh thanks." I laugh.
"Ana, you look like an angel. A very sexy, elegant, exotic angel." Kate says while still eyeing me up and down. I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
"I mean, that dress looks like it was made just for your body." I have to admit, it kinda does. I hugs me in all the right places, and I love the one shoulder! It's a bit tight around my breasts, making them pop a little but it's nothing too raunchy. Still, I've never dressed this revealing.
As if Kate can read my mind, "Don't Ana. Don't over think this. You look amazing! And your body is simply to die for! I mean look at these boobs, my God!" Kate says while squeezing my boobs. "Jesus Kate! Do you mind?" God, this woman knows no boundaries.
"Sorry it's just, they're perfect! You didn't get them done did you?" She eyes me curiously. I roll my eyes.
"I just don't know Kate, I mean the dress is beautiful and I feel beautiful in it, it's just...It's a bit out there, people are going to be looking" I say.
"That's the whole point Ana! All eyes are going to be on you tomorrow night!" She squeals. "You know, for a heartless, cold, scary business woman, you have no balls."
I sigh, I hand our dresses over to the shop assistant, "We'll take these two" I say.
Kate squeals like a teenager, clapping her hands. "We're going to look H-O-T tomorrow night!" She says. All I can do is laugh at her enthusiasm.
As soon as we step foot in Esclava, A strange feeling washes over me. Maybe it's just because I very rarely visit salons. Still, something seems odd about this place. It is a gorgeous salon, don't get me wrong. It just doesn't really seem forthcoming.
We walk up to the front desk and are greeted by a red head, she's eyeing Kate and I up and down, as if she's assessing us. If this behavior continues she won't have a job very long. I don't tolerate unprofessionalism. I turn to Kate and she's about to claw this woman's eyes out.
"Appointment under Steele." I say in a clipped tone. Her eyes widen and her cheeks turn as red as her hair.
"Miss Steele, I'm sorry, please forgive us, if we'd known you arrived, we would have someone welcome you at the door." She says. Ha please, I know she's just kissing ass now. Kate has a smug look on her face.
"Yes, well maybe if you weren't so busy throwing distasteful glares to high paying clients, you would of been able to do your actual job." I say. Seriously, are all people in Seattle jerks?
"Forgive me Miss Steele, I didn't, I, It's just been a uh a long day" She begs looking down. I sigh, I decide to grant mercy on this poor girl. "It's fine, just don't do it again." I tell her as if she's a child. She nods her head furiously.
I hear a voice from the side of me "Miss Steele, welcome to Esclava" I turn to see who the voice belongs to. A beautiful middle aged blonde dressed immaculately in all black with black louboutins. Her hair is cut in a flawless bob, not a strand out of place. She stretches out her perfectly manicured hand, I take it and shake it. "I'm Elena Lincoln, Owner of Esclava. When I was told you booked with us, I took it upon myself to personally take care of you." She says. She has this gleam in her eye as she looks at me. I feel as if she's undressing me with her eyes. This woman definitely gives me the creeps.
"Thank you Mrs Lincoln, that's very considerate of you."
"So formal, please call me Elena darling" She purrs. Okaaaay.
"This is Kate Kavanagh." I try to distract her weird attention from me to Kate. She shakes Kate's hand, "Miss Kavanagh, Welcome" She says giving her a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Thank you Elena." Kate says in confidence, no one can intimidate Kate.
"So what will it be today ladies?" Elena asks.
"I'll be having a manicure, pedicure, facial and a hair cut, nothing dramatic, just a trim of the ends. Miss Kavanagh will have whatever she wants." I say cutting straight to the chase. Elena's eyes go dark, she stares at me with an unrecognizable expression.
"Is there a problem Mrs Lincoln?" I ask, seriously this woman is weird.
"Uh no, sorry, it's just you sound and remind me of someone I know." She says.
Kate looks at me, by the look on her face, I can tell this woman gives her the creeps also. "Well then, if you ladies will follow me." Elena says.
Kate and I go our separate ways to get our pampering on. I've gotten a facial, mani, pedi and now its time for my hair. I'm sitting in the chair going through my work emails waiting for the hairdresser.
"Miss Steele, I thought I'd do your hair today." I look up from my phone and see Elena's reflection in the mirror in front of me.
"That's fine. Like I said, nothing to dramatic, just a trim." I say as I turn my attention back to my phone.
"So Miss Steele, what brings you to Seattle? If I'm not mistaken, you're from New York yes?" She asks. I inwardly sigh, why can't people just do their job, I hate small talk.
"I'm attending an event with Miss Kavanagh." I tell her.
"I see. If you don't mind me asking, are you and Miss Kavanagh in any sort of... relationship?" She asks, what the fuck? Who does this woman think she is?
"I don't believe that is any of your business Mrs Lincoln." I snap. "But if you must know, no, Miss Kavanagh and I are nothing but friends." I say as I glare at her through the mirror. The nerve of this woman!
"Forgive me Miss Steele, I didn't mean to pry." She says, but I can tell she doesn't mean it.
"All done" she says as she removes the black cape from my body. As if on cue Kate comes out looking all refreshed and relaxed.
We head to the counter, I hand the cashier my black amex card. I just want to get out of here. As we wait for the woman to finish the transaction, Elena strolls up to us.
"Miss Steele, it was a pleasure meeting you today. I hope to see you around." She says and hands me her card. I inwardly snort, yeah right.
"Yes Mrs Lincoln. Thank you for your services."
"Anytime dear." She says, I feel as if that had a double meaning.
As Kate and I start walking out of the Salon, she turns to me, "God that woman gives me the creeps" she says. "You and I both" I reply and we both laugh.
I wake up feeling rejuvenated. The nightmares were kept at a minimum last night, surprisingly. Still, I'm grateful, I didn't need Kate worrying. I should have booked her her own suite just in case. Oh well.
I get up and stretch, head to the bathroom to do my business and freshen up. It's pretty early so I make myself a coffee and get some work done. Kate's not a morning person so she won't be gracing me with her presence anytime soon.
Jose emailed me about the process of a shipping yard that's under Steele Corp. Someone attempted a hostile takeover but we were able to stop it. It wasn't an important yard so even if it were taken it wouldn't break Steele Corp. I didn't know about this until last night. Why? I don't have a fucking clue but when I get back I intend on letting my employees know this is not to happen again and that I should always be kept informed on situations like this. I've got a team working on figuring out who was trying to take over but I have a feeling I know who it is. I know if he really wanted to, he could have made it happen but after we subdued the takeover, he didn't try again. It's as if he's testing me and my company and the people who work for me. I wish I knew what he was playing at. I'm not going to reciprocate, he can have this little revenge, but if he tries this shit again, I won't be backing down.
After a few more hours of work, Kate finally decides to wake up. We order some breakfast, even though it's close to midday. The makeup artist and hair stylist are due at two. Kate goes off talking to Elliot on the phone and I continue getting some work done.
The makeup artist and hair stylist finally arrive. I get my hair done first while Kate gets her makeup done and then we switch. I try not to complain too much about people touching me, it is their job after all, but still I'm so over this. Another reason why I don't attend events and social gatherings.
I can't believe it took 3 hours for hair and makeup. I'm standing in front of my full length mirror and I can hardly recognize the person staring back at me. My hair is loosely curled and pulled to one side, cascading down my shoulder, over my breast. The only jewelry I'm wearing are my simple diamond stud earrings. For my makeup my eyes are smokey, accentuating my blue eyes and making them stand out more. I have very minimal face product on, and some nude lipgloss on. Overall, I've never felt so... beautiful.
I walk down to the great room where Kate is waiting for me. As I walk in, I hear Kate gasp.
She's looking at me like I'm an alien. "Ana... you look amazing." She whispers in shock.
She looks stunning as predicted. Her strawberry blonde hair is pin straight flowing down her back, her makeup is flawless and her lips are bold red.
"You don't look to bad yourself Kavanagh" I say giving her a smile.
We're on our way to the Gala in the limo. I notice a very fidgety Kate. Kate, nervous? This is new for her.
"Kate, will you just relax? Elliot's family is going to love you" I reassure her, but she's having none of it.
"You don't know that Ana, what if they hate me? What if they think I'm not good enough for their son?"
At this point I notice she isn't talking to me but more to herself. I sigh. We finally pull up. I turn to Kate. "Are you ready Kate?" I ask with a little smile. "As ready as I'll ever be" She replies. She sighs defeatedly, one of the security members, whose name I don't know, opens Kate's door for her. Price opens mine. "Ma'am, if I may say, you look lovely tonight." Price tells me while looking nervous. I know what's coming. I swear sometimes I mistake him for Ray. "I just wanted to tell you that umm, some men...um, some, they might..." He scratches the back of his head and continues to stutter "might want to... dance, or touch you" I quirk my brow at him, "Oh no, I mean, I mean't, they might want to hug or dance or something because you look very beautiful tonight and-" I decide to save him from himself, no matter how funny this is. I know he's only explaining this to me because I don't really go out that much and I don't really know anyone here. Also, if someone I don't know suddenly touches me, I don't know what I'll do and I think that's what is worrying Price.
"Price, I know. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself." I say giving him a reassuring smile. Price comes a little closer to me, in whispering distance. "I put some mace in your bag, just in case." At this point I'm full belly laughing. "Thank you Price. Let's hope I don't need to use it tonight." I say coming down from my laugh.
"Of course Ma'am" and now he's back to business.
As Kate and I walk up to the gorgeous house, no, house is an understatement, more like mansion or castle, I see paparazzi flashing their cameras from behind the barricades. Fuck. Thank God there's security placed and I have Price behind me. I take a deep breath. "Relax Ana, it's going to be okay" Kate says giving me a smile and squeezing my hand reassuringly. Her nerves seem to be under control. I nod at her. It's now or never.
Cameras start flashing, people start shouting questions from every direction, "What's your name?" "Who are you wearing?" and then it happens. "Oh my God, Anastasia Steele! Miss Steele, over here over here!" Fuck. Then, like a crowd of birds going for a piece of bread, they all start. "Miss Steele, what are you doing here?" "Miss Steele, this is the first event you've attended isn't it?" "Miss Steele you look gorgeous!" I just smile at the cameras and walk as fast as I can towards the house, they're still calling after me but I don't turn back.
For my first time dealing with paparazzi, I handled that quite well. "See, you did fine" Kate tells me.
We enter the castle, yeah I'm calling it a castle, and my breath hitches. It's astonishing in here. It's beautiful, elegant, classy yet surprisingly homey.
"Elliot lives here?" I ask Kate.
"No, this is his parent's house, It's beautiful right?" Kate is just as mesmerized as me.
"What do his parent's do? I ask. I can't believe I didn't ask this earlier. I know nothing about Elliot but a first name.
"His mother is a paediatrician and his father is a successful lawyer" she tells me.
"Hmm, what are their names? I might know of them."
"Of course you know of them, their Gre-" we're interrupted by an usher.
"Ladies, welcome. If you follow me this way." He gestures us in the direction of the event.
Outside is just as beautiful as the inside. There's a massive white, what looks like a hall, tent. We walk in and I swear this place just keeps getting more extravagant. The place is packed with people in gorgeous attire. There are gorgeous dining tables all around, a stage, chandeliers hanging from the roof, a bar, and a very spacious dance floor. This place is beautiful.
I'm brought out of my thoughts when I see a tall, good looking, muscular blonde guy coming our way smiling. I look to Kate and she seems to be under some spell. She sighs dreamily. Ah, this must be Elliot.
"Hey babe, you look amazing" he says to Kate, eyeing her body up and down like a hungry animal and she blushes, she actually blushes. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her like his life depended on it. I feel as though I'm intruding. They finally come up for some air. Kate clears her throat.
"Elliot this is my best friend, Anastasia Steele" she introduces me to Elliot. I hold my hand out but he surprises me by enveloping me in his arms and giving me a massive bear hug. It all happens too quick for me to react. Kate smacks Elliot's arm. "Elliot, I told you, she doesn't like being touched! If I can't hug her, you definitely cant!" Kate tells him sternly. Price is at my side in a second. "It's fine Price, just my boof-head boyfriend" Kate tells Price rolling her eyes. Price looks to me, and I nod in agreement, he walks away keeping a safe distance.
"Sorry Anastasia, I forgot." Elliot tells me with a apologetic smile.
"It's fine Elliot, just a surprise that's all and please, call me Ana." He gives me a big boyish smile.
"Ana. Well It's nice to finally meet you, Kate has told me a lot about you and she didn't lie, you are a hottie." He wraps his arm around Kate's waist. Kate smiles proudly. Did he just call me a... hottie? "It's nice to finally meet you too and Kate has told me... well, your first name." He laughs and Kate just rolls her eyes.
" I see. Well let me properly introduce myself. Elliot Grey" and if on cue, my body shivers, I feel him before I see him.
"Well, well, well. Miss Steele, we meet again." I turn around and I'm met with a pair of gray eyes.
Kill me now.