Chapter 36

Ana's POV:

I'm woken up to my alarm at 7 in the morning. It seems like I barely slept, but I'm still wearing my dress from the night before so I must have fallen asleep shortly after Kate left me in my room. I reluctantly crawl out of bed and change into jeans and a sweatshirt then head to the bathroom to get ready for class.

I glance at Kate's closed door enviously. Why didn't I schedule my classes later in the day like her? I'm usually more of a morning person, but recently I haven't been sleeping well. Ever since I met Christian that is. I put the kettle on the stove to make myself some tea then see my purse next to the door. I hesitantly walk over and pull my phone out. There are 3 missed calls, 2 texts, and a voice mail all from Christian. I open the text messages first.

I'm sorry.

Please call me back. I love you.

I sigh and call my voice mail.

I wish you would answer your phone. I want to make sure you're okay. I'm sorry I got so angry tonight. I didn't mean to scare you. Please call me back as soon as you get this. I need to know that we're okay. I love you, baby.

I set my phone on the counter then pour myself some tea and make a bowl of cereal. I should call him back. I know how much he worries. I just wish he wasn't so over protective.

After I put my dishes away I still have ten minutes before I need to leave for class, so I decide to call Christian. He picks up on the first ring.

"Ana! Are you okay?" I roll my eyes. He sounds so anxious.

"Hi, Christian. Yes, I'm fine. My phone was in my purse all night out in the living room. Sorry." He sighs.

"Baby, I'm sorry I got so mad at you last night."

"I know. I got your messages."

"If this trip means that much to you then I want you to go." Like I wouldn't go anyways. I'm getting mad all over again.

"Thank you for allowing me to go, sir."

"Ana, don't start. I don't want to argue with you." I stay silent, not wanting to say anything I'll regret.

"Are we okay?" I wouldn't say that we're okay.

"I need some time to think about all this, Christian."

"Baby, please don't leave me. I love you." His voice is full of desperation.

"I'm not leaving you! You scared me last night. I was so thankful that Kate and Elliot showed up. I didn't know what you were going to do."

"I would never hurt you. I was just so mad. But after talking to Elliot I understand that I can't keep you away from this trip." Thank god for Elliot.

"Good. I have to go now so I'm not late for class. I'll call you later this week."

"Why not later tonight?"

"Christian, I have school projects and homework to worry about all week. I don't want to have to worry about you and this trip too." It takes him a minute to respond.

"Okay. Later this week then. Bye, baby."

"Bye." I hang up instantly then take a deep breath. Maybe a week apart will do us some good. He needs to understand that he can't treat me like that. I grab my backpack and head out the door.

….

I'm sitting at the counter staring at the little video camera we were given in my film class to record 'a day in the life of' documentary about ourselves. I took this class for my last elective thinking we would be watching movies and writing papers over them the whole time, not making our own movies. My life is not exciting enough to be made into a documentary.

"Hey, girl. Whatcha ya doin'?" Kate says coming through the door carrying a garment bag.

"We have to make this documentary about ourselves for my film class. I'm just trying to think of how I'm supposed to make it even a little interesting." She hangs her bag in the coat closet then comes over and picks up the camera. She turns it on and points it at me.

"What does a typical day look like for Miss Anastasia Steele?" I laugh and shake my head at her.

"Well, I wake up around 7 in the morning usually. Then make a cup of tea before heading off to a day of exciting classes on the beautiful WSU campus. If I'm not working at Clayton's then I come home to spend time with my amazing roommate who always has some kind of crazy gossip to tell me…" She flips the camera around to herself grinning.

"It's not gossip if it's true." She turns it back to me. "And what will you be doing for Valentine's Day tomorrow night, Miss Steele?" My smile fades into a frown. I completely forgot that tomorrow was Valentine's Day.

"Uhh… nothing I guess." She turns off the camera and sets it back down on the counter.

"What do you mean? Mr. CEO Billionaire isn't taking you out after what he pulled last night?" She eyes me irritably. Not after I told him I needed time to think and I'd call him later this week.

"I told him I didn't want to talk to him this week until I thought about everything that happened." Now I'm regretting it. I can't take it back just so he'll take me out for Valentine's Day.

"Well, good for you. Holding your ground. I like it."

"What's in the bag?" I change the subject pointing to the coat closet. A smile spreads across her face and she skips over to it. She pulls out the bag and unzips it to reveal a pale pink dress with thin straps that is fitted at the top and flows at the bottom.

"For tomorrow night. What do you think?"

"It's perfect. Elliot's going to love it."

"I also went to Victoria's Secret and got some sexy lingerie to wear underneath for later." She giggles and shimmies a bit then zips the bag back up. Her phone rings as she's shutting the door and she bites her lip when she sees the screen.

"I'll be right back." She says to me before answering the phone and walking down the hall.

"Hey baby… Can't wait to show you what I got you for tomorrow night…" I hear her say before she shuts her bedroom door. How did I forget about Valentine's Day? I wonder if Christian even had anything planned. I guess it doesn't matter now. I'll just get myself a bottle of wine and some chick flicks and drink myself to sleep.

….

The entire next day I'm surrounded by happy couples. It makes the day that much harder to get through. I should have picked up a shift at Clayton's for tonight then I wouldn't be sitting at home feeling sorry for myself.

I walk into our apartment at 7:30 and see a bouquet of two dozen red roses sitting on the counter. They are beautiful. Elliot is probably going to spoil Kate to death tonight.

"Kate! I'm home!" I yell throwing my backpack on the ground. I walk down the hall and peek in her bedroom.

"Kate?"

"I'm in here!" She calls from the bathroom. I open the door and see her all done up in her dress and heels fixing her hair.

"You look beautiful, Kate." She grins.

"Thanks, girl."

"I saw the roses Elliot got you on the counter. They are gorgeous. I bet you can't wait to see what else he has in store for you tonight." She looks at me confused.

"Mine are in my room. Those are yours. Didn't you look at the card." I furrow my brow then turn around and walk back to the kitchen. I pull the card out of the roses and read it.

Anastasia,

You are my light,

My love, my happiness.

I love you.

Christian

My eyes fill up with tears as I read the card over and over. It's so simple and so sweet. I dig through my backpack looking for my phone to call him. Before I find it there's a knock on the door. I walk over and answer it to find Elliot dressed in a suit holding a box wrapped in a red bow.

"Hey, Ana."

"Elliot, don't you look handsome. Come on in. Kate is just finishing getting ready." He grins and steps in then turns towards me holding the box out. I stare at the box then up at him.

"It's for you." I grab it and set it on the counter.

"From you?" I ask untying the bow and eyeing him curiously. He shakes his head still grinning. I lift the lid and see a handwritten note sitting on top of tissue paper.

I would be honored if you

Would join me for dinner tonight.

Christian

I pull back the paper and gasp when I see a red dress. Its strapless with a V cut out of the middle to show some cleavage and the fabric is layered in a beautiful pattern. There's also a pair of silver heels. I turn toward Elliot in shock.

"He'll be waiting for you downstairs in an hour." Kate comes walking down the hall at that moment and Elliot turns to her with a big smile.

"Baby, you look beautiful." She smiles back and he pulls her into a kiss. I look back to the dress wishing I wasn't in here for this moment.

"Are you going to go?" Kate asks walking over toward me and looking into the box.

"You knew about this?"

"Yes. Elliot told me last night. Christian wanted it to be a surprise." She stares at me for a second then pulls me into a hug. "Be careful, Steele. If he hurts you again I'll cut his balls off."

"Whoa! Give him a chance, babe," Elliot says. I laugh and say goodbye to them then head to the bathroom to shower and get ready.

I put on a pair of red lace panties under the dress and curl my hair then pin it into a low updo. I apply a small amount of makeup then pull on the heels. Looking at myself in the mirror I must say I look pretty good. It's not too chilly out tonight so I decide against a jacket and take a deep breath before walking out the door about ten minutes late.

I stop when I see Christian in a black suit and tie leaning against a black limo with a red rose in his hand. My god, he looks incredibly sexy. A smile spreads across his face as his eyes move up my body. I blush and walk towards him. He hands me the rose then kisses me on the cheek.

"You look gorgeous, Anastasia."

"Thanks to you." I smile looking up at him through my lashes. I've completely forgotten why we were even fighting.

"You would have looked amazing in anything." He opens the door for me and slides in after me. We stare at each other grinning for a while. Then I feel the familiar charge building between us and I bite my lip making him narrow his eyes at me.

"Champagne?" He asks grabbing two glasses and holding one out to me. Nice distraction, Mr. Grey.

"Thank you." I take it from him and we clink them together before taking a sip never breaking eye contact.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" He smiles then takes another sip before setting his glass down.

"How was your day?" He asks ignoring my question. Alright, I can be patient.

"Not too good actually," I say honestly. He frowns.

"Why's that?"

"I missed you. I didn't think I was going to get to see you today." His lips lift up into a smile and he brushes his knuckles down my cheek.

"I missed you too, baby." I press my forehead against his then lean forward to kiss his lips. He pulls away after a brief moment and I stare at him confused.

"Later, we're almost there." I look out the window seeing skyscrapers fly by. Where are we going?

The limo stops in front of a tall building and Taylor comes around to open the door for us. I should have known he was driving. Does Christian go anywhere without him?

"Thank you, Taylor." I smile at him as I get out. He nods with a smile. I stare straight up at the tall building. Christian grabs my hand and leads me inside to the elevator. He hits the rooftop button and keeps his stare straight ahead with a grin on his face. I eye him curiously then watch the numbers go up. What does he have planned?

When the door opens we step out and there's a cool breeze. He takes off his jacket and puts it around my shoulders. His arm wraps around my waist and he guides me around the corner. I gasp when I see a table for two set up with a white table cloth looking out over Seattle. There's a cart with covered plates sitting to the side and a bottle of champagne on ice next to the table. This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. I turn my head towards him with wide eyes and he smiles then leads me over to the table. I sit as he pulls out my chair then he sits across from me.

"Christian, this is amazing," I say as he pops open the champagne then pours us each a glass. I wonder how long he's had this planned.

"I'm glad you like it." A waiter comes out of nowhere and places a bucket of oysters in between us then disappears.

"Do you like oysters?" Christian asks as he picks one up and squeezes lemon on it.

"Umm, I've never had one." I eye them warily. They've always seemed a little weird to me.

"Try it." He holds it out to me. I reach out to take it from his hand and he pulls back. "No, let me. Tilt your head back." I lean forward with my head back and open my mouth. He puts it up to my lips then tips it up letting the oyster slide into my mouth and down my throat.

"Mmmm," I lick my lips seductively. His lips part and his eyes darken with desire. This could be fun. He eats one for himself then feeds another to me. We gaze at each other silently basically fucking with our eyes then I slip my foot out of my heel and run the tips of my toes up his leg. I rest my toes on the edge of the chair between his legs then slowly move it forward. He inhales sharply and shuts his eyes as I gently stroke his erection. I love seeing him all hot and bothered. The waiter suddenly appears again and I quickly pull my foot away. Christian glares at him as he sets our plates in front of us. I grin and shake my head at him.

My mouth starts watering when I look down and see seared salmon with mixed vegetables. I didn't realize how hungry I was. Christian smiles at me as I dive right in before he begins to eat as well.

….

After we're finished with our meal the waiter comes and clears our plates.

"Ready for dessert?" Christian asks with a smirk on his face. I nod and bite my lip knowing exactly what he's getting at.