A/N Here comes the angst! I was struggling with a couple of different ideas for this chapter. I hope you like what i finally decided upon.
Ana's POV
"Shit!"
I hop off of Christian's lap in flash and smooth down my shirt. This can't be happening, this is definitely not how Elliot should find out about us. He has been trying to call me all week and I have ignored all of his calls and voicemail mesaages. Partly because I don't want to hear what he has to say but also I have been enjoying my time with Christian, this man makes me forget everything.
" Andrea give me a few minutes and i will b right out" Jeez Christian that doesn't sound suspicious at all.
" Are we going to tell him?"
" Look Ana, I don't want to keep this a secret anymore. We have to tell him at some point, saying that this isn't the best time. A full on family drama in front of my employees would be extremely unprofessional" I completely agree. Looking around I spot a door on the opposite side of the room
" What's in there?"
" It's my personal bathroom"
" Ok I'll go hide in there. Arrange a meeting with him or something and we will tell him then." This whole situation makes me feel sick. How in the world did Kate and Elliot manage to keep there cool for all those months. Even though currently Christian and I aren't doing anything wrong, we are two young single people who are attracted to each other and share an intense connection, the issue however is how our relationship began. Christian rounds his desk and stands in front of me
" Everything is going to be ok." He plants a chaste kiss and I scurry off into the bathroom.
Once inside I lean against the door and take a deep breath. I suppose I was deluding myself this week, I have been so swept up in everything Christian Grey i had forgotten we still have so many obsticles to face. No matter how angry I am at Elliot for what he has done to me, my intention is not to hurt him. I loved this man, he was the first person in a long time that I have completely opened up to and let them in. I can be a very independent and guarded person, past incidents have made me this way. The thought of breaking apart brothers is the thing I fear most, if their relationship crumbles because of me I don't know if I will be able to forgive myself and i could handle it if Christian started to resent me for it, it would almost certainly spell the end for us. This fills me with dread.
I didn't shut the door properly on purpose so that I could see and hear what is going on outside. Christian returns to the room, gone is the seductive, flirty man he was 5 minutes ago the man standing there now oozes hostility and apprehension. It is then when I notice Elliot skulking in; he looks like has lost some weight, his standard check shirt no longer fits as tightly as it once did, the normally tanned, glowing face looks tired and pale, Elliot's whole demeanour radiates sadness and confusion. It may be mean but this pleases me somewhat, it shows that he may actually care for me a little and might be remorseful. If he came in here bouncing I would have probably lost it. The two men take their seats; Christian in his " throne" looking every inch the powerfully CEO, Elliot seated opposite like his is facing the headmaster and not his younger brother.
" What are you doing here Elliot?" Christian inquires softly. I can tell that regardless of his feeling for me this is still his older brother. I smile secretly at him.
" I just needed to talk to someone, everyone is angry at me at the moment"
" Can you blame them Elliot for fuck sake" he drags his hand through his messy copper hair " What you did was disgusting"
" I know that! I know I hurt Ana but she won't let me apologise"
" I don't think this can be fixed with an apology Elliot. You crushed her"
" Kate won't answer my calls either" I am fuming. After everything he is still trying to contact Kate. The only thing stopping me from marching in there is Christian who lifts his gaze in my direction and gives me the " calm down, I'm dealing with this" look.
" Kate shouldn't be top of your priorities right now. You should be more concerned with how Ana is feeling. Stop being such an inconsiderate bastard!" Christian's temper is rising and I can't do anything to cool him down because what he is saying is right.
" Hey! I didn't come here for a lecture Mr High and Mighty, I came here for some brotherly support"
" Seriously! You think I am going to sit and defend you. I carried the woman you supposedly loved out of the house when she was near unconscious because she found out you had been cheating on her for 3 months!" I close my eyes and try to hold back the tears. Hearing it put so bluntly to the man who came here for some sympathy is hard to stomach.
" Oh yeah about that, You my dear brother are the only person who has seen or spoke to her. Isn't that just a bit strange" Elliot's voice is full of indignation.
" Who else was she suppose to reach out to little brother huh? Her boyfriend. Her best friend. No that's right you two where too busy sneaking around behind her back and fucking like rabbits" Elliot hangs his head in shame, suitable chastised by Christian's putdown
" How is she?" he whispers. What is with his sudden mood swings. He was never this mercurial before. One minute he sits there remorseful then the next he seems the complete opposite.
" She feels betrayed, mislead and deceived but more importantly her trust has been broken. You really fucked up this time Lelliot. That girl deserves to be cherished" The last statement melts my heart and apparently breaks Elliot's as he lets out a sob. I no longer want to hear anymore. I move to sit on the small ledge opposite the door between the sink and shower. I'm trying to figure this whole mess out. There is no doubt that I want Christian, that is a no brainer. He wants me back which still baffles the fuck out of me. There is however the little niggle in the back of my mind, If Elliot can cheat on me maybe Christian will too. I mean look at the man, he is beyond gorgeous I bet he has women throwing themselves at him every minute of every day and I don't know if I can deal with that. The fact that I am hiding in a bathroom shows that this relationship is abnormal.
My thoughts are interrupted by footsteps heading towards me. The door swings open and I look up expecting to find Christian instead I find the bemused face of my ex boyfriend
" Ana!?" Elliot gapes at me. I stand up and push past him back into the office just as Christian re-enters the room. He freezes in his tracks when he sees me and Elliot
" What are you doing here Ana?"
" I... Um.. Er" I don't want to lie anymore I have had enough. Christian is my boyfriend and i am tired of keeping it a secret. We will not be like Kate and the man who stands before me. Elliot looks between Christian and myself and i see the realisation dawn on his handsome face
" No!" A disbelieving smile forms and quickly disappears. He waves his finger at us " You two? No fucking way" Christian comes up behind me and puts his hands lovingly on my shoulders
" Yes. Anastasia and I are dating" He declares alost smugly. Elliot's face is like thunder. He starts pacing the room, kicking the couch beside him. He spins back round and glares at me
" My fucking brother!" He shouts
" My fucking best friend. 3 months" I scream back at him. I am sure there is steam coming out of my ears. How fucking dare he. We continue to stare each othe out, both of our chest heaving with rage
" Making your way through the Grey family are we, who's next? My dad?" That was a direct hit to the gut. Christian lunges at him and I try my best to restrain him
" Christian. No!"
" I never thought you would do this to me Ana"
" Yeah well ditto" Elliot growls and storms out. I suspect he was expecting me to wither and plead for his forgiveness, sorry pal but you are the one who should be on your knees. I am not ashamed of Christian and i won't be bullied into being so. I collapse in Christian's arms and sob. I get that he is angry but he didn't have to be so mean. We need to have this out now, no more waiting about. I steady myself, grab my purse and jacket and head for the door
" Ana where are you going?"
" To find Elliot" I murmur
" The fuck you are!"
" This needs to end now. We are never going to feel comfortable in this relationship unless I get some answers. I need closure I think" He gingerly strolls towards me and i place my hands on his shoulders to balance myself. I plant a lingering kiss to his cheek, a mutual understanding sliently passes between us.
I search everywhere for Elliot. His apartment, the offices at his construction company, the bars we used to hang out in, even Kate's apartment. Our relationship was always fiery, we either fought like cat and dog or fucked away our problems. In hindsight, it was probably not the best but it worked for us at least i thought it did. After every argument Elliot would take off and I would have to run after him. That's when it hits me, I know where he is. He would always run to the same place. This small spot by Aiki beach. He claims it helps to calm him and clear his mind. I jump in my Beetle, Wanda, and head that way.
I see a figure sitting on a grass mound overlooking the beach. I make my way over, wrapping my jacket tighter around me trying to conserve some body heat. Elliot doesn't turn round but senses my presence. He takes another swig from his bottle of whiskey
" How did you find me?"
" Come on Elliot. You always come here when we argue. At least this is where I thought you were now i know you were making yourself feel better by sticking your cock in my best friend" I snipe. Elliot stands in front of me
" And now you doing the same with my brother"
" It's not the same and you know it, you sanctimonious dick!"
" Ana..." His eyes soften but mine water. All of my hurt and angry comes spilling out.
" I trusted you! I loved you! I thought you were the one! You have destroyed me!" I pound my fists into his chest with every word. He tries to hold me but I continue my tirade " I thought you were different, the famous Elliot Grey wouldn't dream of doing this but you have, you used me then tossed me aside for a better model. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." Pushing away from him I sink to my knees. The sea breeze stinging my damp face
" I'm sorry, I'm so so so so sorry" He joins me on the floor. Whispering his apology. I blank him out, I don't believe he is sincere.
" Tell me about the two of you"
" Ana, Kate has already told you" he sighs
" So you have spoken to her then. You told Christian she was ignoring you" More lies!
" Kate rang me after she left the apartment. She briefly told me about the encounter and that I should stay away from her"
" How noble of her" I scoff " Did you ever love me?"
" Of course I did!" He says it like its the obvious answer " You have to believe me when I say I didn't seek her out. I was totally in love with you, still am" Ha!" We tried to stop so many times but always gave in, she has this hold over me"
" Do you love her?"
" Yes" Elliot whispers.
" I don't understand it Elliot. Why didn't you just break up with me?"
" I don't know. I didn't want to, I was selfish. You are the kindest, most loving person Ana. You are beautiful, intelligent, sexy and I abused your trust. I will never forgive myself for that"
" I will never forgive you either" We sit in silence, watching the waves flow in and out.
" So your moving on with my brother?" It's crunch time
" Yes"
" I want to kill him Ana"
" Stop being so over dramatic. He is your brother, it doesn't matter what goes on you love each other"
" Oh I love the man who stole my girlfriend, I don't think so"
" He didn't steal me. You broke us Elliot. You did this. Stop blaming everybody else and take some responsibility. " I refrain from telling him about how our relationship started. It will only destroy them more and I am trying to salvage what I can
" I don't want to see you guys together"
" Your in no position to start making demands. I will not be held to ransom. Christian and I are together. Deal with it"
" In that case, I can flaunt Kate around" That was a seriously low blow.
" Why!? Why are you trying to hurt me even more?. Haven't you done enough" I can't stand him any longer. I get up and walk away
" Ana wait, I'm sorry. I can't stop it from coming out of my big mouth"
" This is done. Its exhausting. You have every right to be angry with us, but I will not sit around and be insulted. Go be with Kate. Fuck half of Seattle if you want, see if i care. It's no longer my business. Just do one thing for me please Elliot?"
" Anything"
" Don't shut Christian out."
I climb into my car, take one last look at my past. I need to leave all this shit behind, right here at the beach. If Christian and I are ever going to make it i will have to learn to trust again. I want to do that for him, i can see myself falling head over heels in love with him. As i drive off, i feel refreshed. The toxic people in my life have been removed and it feels liberating. As turn off the ignition once i have reached Jose' apartment, i check my phone. I know for certain Christian has been trying to reach me. Sure enough i have 23 missed calls and 5 voicemails My control freak is in full fifty mode. i dial his number and he answers on the 3rd ring
"Baby?"
" I hope you looked at the caller ID and you don't just call everybody that" i giggle and i can sense his smile
"Nope that name is reserved for only you"
"Happy to hear it Mr Grey. So what was so important that it warranted 23 missed calls?"
"Are you deliberately being obtuse? i was worried"
"You need to stop all this worrying, it is very ageing. No but seriously i am fine, we shouted at each other, he apologised and i decided to have a fresh start"
"Oh yeah do i feature in this?"
" Your the main feature"
"Baby you have no idea how much i want that. What are you up to tonight Miss Steele?"
" Well i have a hot date with some big shot CEO"
"Sadly you are going to have cancel because little old Christian here wants to take you out"
" There is nothing little about you baby"
"Miss Steele! Who knew you had such a filthy mouth"
" Mr Grey if there is one person in this world who knows about my filthy mouth, its you. Play your cards right and you may get to hear it again"
" Now there's a proposition a man can't ignore. Be ready in an hour. Wear something sexy
" Yes Sir!"
"Anastasia" he moans
"You like that baby" i whisper
"You have no idea. I need to go before someone walks in and finds me sitting here with a massive hard on" i giggle and press my thighs together, the image of Christian's hard cock is making me squirm
" Control it baby" How does he know?
"See you later Christian" i say trying to sound unaffected
"Bye baby... Oh and Anastasia?
"Yeah"
" I can't wait to be inside you"
I groan. Ugh that man will be the death of me.
A/N Hope you enjoyed xxx