-Chapter 21-Friends?-

Sawyer

It's been two days and two nights of Mia and I staying in. Every time Grey or T calls I tell them we are shopping or sightseeing but the truth is we haven't left this hotel. I have to go to the apartment today to rendezvous with Taylor for tonight's outing. He tells me Mr. Grey has a new female friend so I am glad he has sent me away. If he was just going to find himself a new girl to take to his red room then I don't know why we keep following Ana all over the country. It sucks that they couldn't work it out. I really like Ana. She is like the sister I never had. She is smart and keeps Taylor and I on our toes.

Mia gets out of the shower and walks into her room completely naked. She tells me that she wants to come with me to Christian's but if she keeps this up we will never leave. If anyone had told me last week I would be Mia Grey's new sex toy I would have said you were crazy. I really like Mia. She is much more than the annoying chick she usually acts like. I mean she is totally annoying in a fun and sexy kind of way. I wonder if Grey would let me be her private security. I can't ask him to make it obvious but I can certainly drop hints about her being in danger.

The more time I can get her alone the better.

Gideon

Ana has avoided me like the plague. She has ignored my texts and calls. I was in meetings all day yesterday so I couldn't sneak away to talk to her. Grey is keeping her under lock and key and now that all Ana's friends are around she will be even more indisposed.

I have to get her alone. I think about how I can make time for her. She was acting weird on Monday night when I was driving her home. I don't know what happened. We were having an amazing time in the bathroom then Grey had to fuck it up by coming back to New York.

I shift in my seat and wince from the pain in my side. Damn Grey and his goons sucker punching me. They will both get theirs.

Sitting at my desk reading the paper I see something that makes me choke on my coffee. It is a picture of Grey and Corrine having dinner. I don't know what game Grey is playing now but I don't like it. He is using Corrine to get to me. From the picture it looks like Grey is deep in thought while Corrine is her usually bubbly self. Something is amiss. How does he know her and why would they be together.

Ana

I wake up on the couch and stretch. My muscles are stiff from lying so uncomfortably. I look at the clock on the cable box it is time to get up. I can't go into Christian's room because I don't know if he came home alone. I don't want to walk in on him sleeping with another woman. He never slept with another woman before me but now its different. He is different. He has broken through so many walls it will be easier for him now.

I walk into the kitchen to see Christian, Jose, and Elliot at the breakfast bar.

"Morning Ana Banana."

"Jose. Elliot good morning." I smile and walk past the three of them.

"Good morning Anastasia."

"Whatever. Is your room empty?" I put my hand on my hip and my tone is dripping with annoyance.

"Yes." He smirks at me and I roll my eyes and storm off.

I walk into his room and into the closet. I grab a handful of hangers with shirts on them and hang them over my arm. I grab another set of hangers with skirts and work slacks and carry all of it out of his room and into mine. I throw it all on the bed and head back off toward Christians room. I hear Elliott laughing and Christians face is red. Who cares. I am not going to keep all my stuff in his closet and risk catching him screwing some random woman while I am trying to get ready for work.

I go over to my drawer and grab a handful of panties and bras. I also grab some packages of stocking and leave the room again. The kitchen is silent this time and tension fills the room. Once more trip for shoes and I am home free. I walk into Christian's room and he is sitting on the bed with his elbows on his knees.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I am doing genius?" I walk into the closet and grab three boxes of shoes. I can get all the other stuff later but this should hold me.

"It looks like you are leaving." I don't answer him. I walk past him and back to my room. Shit. All my stuff is in his bathroom.

I walk past him again and straight into the bathroom. I pick up my makeup case, blow dryer, toothbrush, deodorant, and perfume.

"Ana are you leaving?" Again I walk past him without a word but this time I slam the door behind me. I go back to my room and put my stuff away. Christian walks over and stands in the doorway watching me like I am a wild animal. "Ana say something to me." He commands.

"Something to me." I kick the door shut while trying to maneuver the hangers in my hand to hang my shirts in the closet. Before going off into the attached bathroom to get ready for work I take a deep breath and look at myself in the mirror. One day at a time. That's how I have to handle this. One day at a time.

Christian

She won't even look at me. She is totally pissed off. She asks if my room is empty. Like I could ever sleep with another woman in my bed. Only her. She is the only person I have ever allowed in my bed. Elliot is giving me one-liners as she walks back and forth. Jose is smiling at Elliot but he is just pissing me off more. I wish I could just tell her how I feel but what I am working in is to dangerous for her to have any involvement. My plans are not the same as Corrine proposed but I need Corrine to get intel on Cross so the farce continues. If my plans work out then Cross won't ever be able to hurt young innocent girls like Eva and Ana again.

I ask her to talk to me and she mocks me and closes the door. Even though she is being difficult she is still cute when she is angry. She gets all fired up it only makes me want her more.

I go back to my room and get ready for work. It is going to be a long night and I don't know if I can hold off without being inside her for much longer. I need to feel her.

Ana

I am feeling in a dreary, angry mood so I dress in a black skirt, black blouse and black heels. After a short breakfast, Kate enters the kitchen. I nod at her with sad eyes and grab my purse and bag to get ready to leave. Christian and Elliot enter the kitchen and from the look on both of their faces they have been discussing me. Christian looks me over and from the look on his face he approves. Elliot whistles through his teeth in approval and Kate giggles at him.

"Not so bad yourself Elliot. Must be good to always be the best looking guy in the room." I say and Elliot smiles at me and gives me a knowing wink. I can feel Christian glaring at the back of my head. "Now if you will excuse me I have to get to work."

"Taylor will take you" Christian declares.

"I will take myself."

"Why do you have to be difficult?" He mutters to me. I can see everyone in the room looking at us both uncomfortably. Christian and I just look at each other having a staring contest to see who will break first. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jose coming.

"Looking good Ana. But what's with all the black. Who died?" he jokes. I open the front door and look back to Christian

"I did."

I press the button to the elevator and see Sawyer and Mia coming up. They are both smiling like a couple of giddy teenagers in love. Sawyer straightens out when he sees me.

"Off to work." He looks around. "Where's Taylor?"

"I am more than capable of getting myself to work. He is inside."

"Let me take you."

"No thanks."

"Mia go inside and tell your brother that I will be right back. Ana let's go." I roll my eyes. Sawyer is just trying to make my life, or maybe even his life easier. His intentions are not to push me around. Sawyer is my friend. He is, or was, my bodyguard and we spend a lot of time together so I know he is just looking out for me. I concede and off we go.

Getting in the front instead of the back he drives me as my friend not my bodyguard. "So you and Mia, huh."

"What?" By the look on his face and the fear in his voice I know I am right. "What are you talking about."

"Oh come on. You can't deny it. I know that look anywhere."

"What look?"

"The way you both looked at each other. Like you were reading each others naughty thoughts."

"Ana. You can't-" I can see his face riddled with apprehension.

"Relax." I hold my hands up defensively. "What you and Mia do is between the two of you. I am in no position to judge anyone. As long as you're happy I am happy for you."

"Thank you Ana."

"But Mia Grey?" Raising my brows and looking at him like he is crazy.

"I know. I know. She really is great though. Once you get past the exasperating personality." I laugh at his comment and before I know it I am at The Crossfire.

Gideon

I have to talk to Ana straight away. I wait for her near the security desk. I was informed by my security that she left for work with Sawyer. She walks through he door and she looks directly at me. She is so beautiful all in black. She ignores me and I follow her. Again. We both get into the elevator and I discourage others to climb in. Once we are on our way I stop the car to talk to her. At least in here she can't run from me.

"Leave me alone Gideon. I am not in the mood for your shit this morning."

"I see that. I do need to speak with you though."

"Well perhaps if I give you my phone you can call Christian and he can listen in again." My mouth thins and I raise by brow. I won't deny it. It was the best thing I could have done. I know Grey must have been out of his mind with jealousy to know that I could get Ana to moan for me like that. Her body is so highly attuned to the slightest touch. "Are you going to even deny that you did that on purpose."

"No. I won't lie to you."

"Why did you do that? At least give me a good reason as to why you feel the need to ruin my life."

"Ana I am not ruining you life. You participated freely and if I recall you more than enjoyed yourself so don't play the victim. Grey needed to know what was happening. He would have found out eventually. I just saved you the heartache to tell him yourself." My focus shifts to the task at hand.

"Ana do you know this woman?" I show her a picture of Corrine.

"No." She bites her lip nervously.

"This is Corrine Giroux. She is my ex fiancé." I look to her for some tell-tale sign that she is lying. I don't see how she doesn't know Grey is seeing her since she lives in the same apartment as him. God only knows why.

"And why do I care."

"Because it seems that her and Grey are…friends. I don't know what they have up their sleeve but Corrine is a self-centered bitch. She made a lot of trouble for Eva. If she is trying to make me jealous it won't work. She knows that. At least I hope she does. I think this is for your benefit." She looks confused but she seems to have an 'uh huh' moment and she smiles.

"I could care less Gideon. Whoever Christian chooses to sleep with is non of my concern."

"Just be careful Ana. I am serious when I say that Corrine is desperate. She may still think that she has a chance with me so I am afraid she may try to hurt you to get to me."

"Oh great. The drama continues." She makes me smile.

"I missed you. Have you been avoiding me?"

"Yes. I am really angry that you called Christian from the bathroom. What I do with you is private. It is no ones business but ours. Same goes with Christian and I. You are both too busy trying to one up each other neither of you cares that this is my life. After all this comes to a head and one of you wind up destroying the other where does that leave me. Alone. All alone."

Ana

Leila's words. Oh no. Leila kept saying she was all alone. She was broken and a shell of a person and all alone. That will be me. If I keep this up I will turn into Leila. I love Christian and I am going to fight for him but I have to be on my toes with these two. Gideon has never hurt me. Well with the exception that when it comes to Christian and me he takes out all the stops to keep us apart. Has been here for me from the start and I know he means well. I do care for him but not the same way I care for Christian.

"Ana, I only have your best interest at heart. I am not trying to hurt you. I really do care about you and it pains me to see Grey hurt you. Can we at least just be friends? No pressure. Until you figure out what it is you want I am wiling to just be your friend. No strings attached."

"Fine. If you can behave yourself and stop all this nonsense where I am concerned…like cloning my cell phone." I look at him and he looks back knowing that I know what he did. "Then we can be friends." I extend my hand and he shakes it.

"Deal."

"Are you still going to your friends art showing tonight."

"Yes."

"Can I take you? I have heard good things about him."

"I am going with my best friend Kate and since her boyfriends is Christian's brother I doubt us going together will be comfortable for anyone. I can meet you there though."

"Good." We both smile and he lets me go to work. Finally.

Christian

My plans are in line so far. After a full day of meetings with associates that will help me pull off my master plan I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I don't think it will be this easy to pull off going forward but all my ducks are in order now to take down Cross. He will not know what hit him. I think about how publically I want to execute my master plan and I think exposing him for the psychopath he is in front of all his peers is the best revenge I could ask for. The charity dinner at the Met where his family will all be is the perfect place. He made me look like an ass in front of my family so I am all too willing to return the favor. After that Ana will be mine.

I just wish I didn't have to hurt her by letting her think I am with Corrine. I know she thinks Corrine is my sub and that is the last thing I want her to think. She has such low self-esteem and she has always thought that is what I need but not now. Not after her. I don't need that shit to be happy. I just need her. After this is all over I will spend the rest of my life trying to show her how much I love and want only her. I just hope we make it that far.

Ana

I get home at 5:30 at Maria has dinner waiting on the table for us all to eat before we leave. Kate and Elliot are drinking a glass of wine on the balcony and I head out to join them.

"Hay. What are you guys doing out here?"

"Admiring the view." Kate says still in Elliot's arms.

"The view from back here is much better." I turn around to see who said that. I see Ethan standing behind me holding two more wine glasses. I smile and him and grab the glasses. He gives me a big hug lifting me off my feet. Just as he spins me around I see Christian walking into the main room. His eyes meet mine and I know jealousy has taken over.

"When did you get here? Where are you staying?" Questioning Ethan and ignoring Christian.

"I came in with these two clowns. Urgh, Ana if I had to watch them make out one more time I was going to drown myself in the ocean." He bumps my shoulders. "I am staying with my Aunt Monica."

Like the fun police Mr. Partypooper himself comes out to tell us dinner is ready. He glares at Ethan and I roll my eyes.

Just as we are finishing up a very quiet dinner Kate and I clear our dishes. She grabs Elliot's as well and I take Ethan's. Christian is sitting there clearly annoyed by my taking Ethan's plate and not his. After talking with Gideon today I realize that Corrine is not his sub. He is up to something. Gideon is right he is doing this to make me jealous. If he wasn't he would be more discreet. He has built his entire personal life on being as secretive as possible so if she were his sub he wouldn't bring her in public.

"So Steele what are you wearing?"

"I don't know yet. Can you help me get the rest of my stuff out of Christians room. You can help me pick something out." I see Christian throw his napkin on his plate and head for his study. Ethan is very confused by what is happening.

"What gives?"

"Christian and Ana broke up." Elliot murmurs.

"Really. Well than. Now's my chance to sweep you off your feet Steele." Ethan jokes while smirking.

Elliot snorts. "I don't think so. They would both snap you in half."

"Both?"

"Yea, Gideon Cross and Christian." He motions with his thumb to me. "Seems that she has the countries most eligible bachelors eating out of the palm of her hand." Ethan's eyes get wide with fear and Kate shakes her head at him.

What the hell was that?

"Come on Steele let's get your stuff and make you sexy." She grabs my hands as we head into Christians room.

We grab all my clothes and shoes and put them into my closet. Kate goes off to her room to get ready. I am putting the last shirt into the closet and I see Christian's grey tie hanging around the neck of my blouse. He must have put it there. Why? To be cruel? To punish me by reminding me of what I lost?

I hold it in my hands and pull it through my fingers and smile. It brings me back to the best time of my life. A time when as long as Christian what holding me in his arms the world was okay. I start to cry and I hold it up to my nose to sniff in his scent. Kate comes in and sees that I am in a bad way.

"Ana, no. Don't cry."

I fall to my knees and break down. "He's gone Kate. He is. He doesn't love me. I don't know what I am going to do without him."