CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE:

"What the hell are you even talking about Paisley?" I ask shocked. I know I hate Henry now, but I used to have the biggest crush on him and Paisley had known this since elementary school.

"Henry had a tape of us having sex." Paisley clarifies to me.

"I obviously know what a sex tape means." I hiss angrier now, does she think I'm stupid?

"When did you sleep with him?" I ask the million dollar question not that even matters anymore.

"A year ago." She murmurs looking down at the floor.

"I can't believe this-" I run my shaky hand through my hair so that I won't punch her.

"I know you won't forgive me, but this is why I had to pretend to be friends with him and be mean to you. He told me he would show it to you and I knew you could eventually forgive me for being his friend, but you would never forgive me for breaking girl code."

I laugh, "Do you even know what girl code is?"

"Anastasia of course I know what girl code means. I made an awful mistake, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. I want us to be friends again." she pleas.

"I NEED YOU TO LEAVE NOW." I yell. I can't believe I used to think she was my best friend.

"Anastasia please, I can't lose you." She comes near me, but I move back.

"It's too late for you to worry about that now." I hiss.

"Please-" She rushes to me and grabs my arm.

"Enough Paisley, stop embarrassing yourself." I tell her and begin to walk away needing to be far away from her.

"WELL I'M NOT LEAVING UNTIL YOU FORGIVE ME." She yells after me and I don't give her the pleasure to even look back at her. I look at Christian and he knows I need him to take care of her before I lose my mind and attack her.

"Anastasia?" Christian comes into my room ten minutes later and I run towards him and wrap my arms around him.

"Did she leave?"

He nods his head and holds me tighter.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." He kisses my forehead.

"Me too." I admit, " I don't even recognise her anymore." I add.

"Do you think you two can be friends again eventually?" He asks and the simple question gets me mad.

"I rather not think about that right now." I angrily answer him, "How about you tell me about our trip instead... when do we leave?"

"I was thinking we could leave tomorrow morning so that I have enough time to prepare for my meeting on Monday."

"Great, I'm so ready to leave this town."

"I know it has been hard being here and you are ready to forget about everything going on, but before we go there is things that need to be talked about."

"Oh?"

"We need to talk about Harvard."

"What about Harvard?" I asked confused of course I'm not going to attend anymore.

"You need to arrange your living accommodations. Also, you need to start thinking about what you will need for first day of classes."

I take a step away from him needing some air," I'm not going to Harvard."

"What do you mean your not going to Harvard?" he asks furious.

"I mean I'm no longer interested in Harvard." I swallow hard afraid of his response.

"Are you fucking kidding me Anastasia?" he raises his voice and I'm confused as to why he is acting this way.

"Christian just drop it. I honestly don't want to get into this right now." I feel myself getting loud too now.

"Well it's too late now, we are getting into this issue. I let it go because your mother had just died, but it's time." Christian's face is giving nothing away.

"Do you really want to do that right now?" I push, if he is looking for a fight he will get one.

"You decided to make a profile on a dating site to get someone to pay for your schooling and now that you accomplished that you don't even want it." He is getting louder.

I try to hide my hurtness of the words that are coming out of his mouth."I'm not doing this right now." I go to walk out of the room, but before I can fully open the door he pushes it close. I turn around and he is inches away from me. I can feel his hot breath on me and can smell his cologne.

"You almost ruined our relationship." He exclaims, "The least I deserve is to be told why you have change your mind."

"Christian," I say his name quietly as I turn around to face him.

His eyes look darker and I can see he is angry, "you wanted to use me."

"I'm sorry." I tell him truly meaning it.

"The worst part is that I'm so in love with you and can't let you go." he sounds hurt.

"I'm in love with you too and as soon as I realized that things changed. I never actually asked you for the money." I clarify.

My heart is beating fast and I know he noticed how nervous I am at having him so close. My eyes move to his lips and all I want is for him to push me against this door and kiss me hard.

Christian doesn't say anything but continues to stare at me, "Would you have went with any man that had offered you the money?"

I shake my head, "I was about to delete my profile when I got your message."

"You were?" he sounds relieve.

"Yes. I had changed my mind." I add.

"Why didn't you told me as soon as the feeling developed?" he asks hurt.

"I was scared you would leave me and I would never see you again." I truthfully answer him, "I was selfish."

"Yes you were. I made it clear to you that I didn't like lies. A part of me is telling me to walk away from you before you hurt me again. But the other part is telling me to stay and let my heart love you with everything I have to give." his eyes never leave mine as the words leave his mouth.

My heart is beating fast and hard. "Which side are you going to choose?"

His hand moves up to my neck and without warning he pulls me in. His lips crash into mine and I let myself go. The pain stops for a moment and all that matters is our love.

Christian pulls away and without saying anything he takes my hand. He leads us to the end of the bed and once again takes my lips. This time it feels more carnal. His hand moves to my back and he unzips my dress. It slides off my body without any problem. Christian then pulls his lips away from mine and bends down pulling my panties with him. I slowly step out of them and I let a little moan out when his mouth kisses my thighs and makes his way higher until I am shaking with pleasure.

Christian pulls away when I feel my orgasm building and I pout. He kisses my lips and without warning takes me into his arms and lays me on the bed. He quickly removes his clothing and before I know it he is breaking open a condom with his teeth and putting it on.

I feel expose laying naked before him. I attempt to pull the covers over me but he stops me. "don't ever cover yourself. You're beautiful and never forget it." He tells me looking into my eyes.

I nod my head and he lays beside me. I wonder if he has changed his mind? But before I can ask any questions he is pulling me on top of him.

I feel nervous. I begin to move up and down and soon get a rhythm going. I let myself go and begin to pick up my speed. Before I know it Christian is sitting up and resting his back to the bed frame. He pulls me closer and I continue to do what I was doing.

"am I doing it right?" I shyly ask as I bite my lip.

Christian doesn't answer instead a moan leaves his mouth and his teeth make their way to my neck. He bites it gently and before I know it my body is shaking with pleasure.

~•~•~

"Anastasia what do you honestly want?" Christian asks me as he pulls me closer to him. We are naked in bed and I feel at peace for now.

"I'm honestly not sure." I tell him the truth even if that's not what he wants to hear. "Harvard has been my dream since I was a little girl, but the thought of facing it without my mother is scary."

"I think your mom would of had liked to see you follow your dreams Anastasia." he tells me and I know he is right, but that doesn't make this decision easier.

"I know, but I would have to move and be away from my dad... and you." I don't want to think about it as it upsets me.

Christian turns me around to face him and his eyes meet mine. "I'm barely ever in Chicago anymore since I'm working in London. I can flight back and forth from Cambridge, and you can come visit your father on your breaks."

I gaze into his hopeful eyes and know that he is ready to make this work for me. "Christian, I love you." I bury my face into the nape of his neck.

"I love you too baby." he holds me tight, "How about you keep thinking about it?"

I nod my head thankful. When I have build up enough courage I pull away from his warm body. "There is something I want to say to you." pulling the blankets up, I cover myself and sit up. "I want to apologize for what I did. I was stupidly blinded with the need of Harvard and didn't care about using anyone if it meant getting what I wanted."

"Anastasia-"

I stop him, "However, I'm thankful that I got to meet you and that you are a part of my life. I regret how things started, but I don't regret where we are now."

Christian doesn't say anything and I'm afraid I have upset him again. But before I can say something else he pulls me and I land back in his arms. He kisses my lips with a hunger I didn't think he still had after the wild sex we had, "Christian we need to pack for tomorrow." I tell him knowing where this is heading.

"I know," he says not stopping, "It won't take long."

before I can say something else he is climbing on top of me and I know we are going to be up until late.

~•~•~

"HELLO?" My eyes open to a noise coming from the bedroom door, "Are you two alive?"

I look around the room and my eyes set on the clock beside me. It is 9 am. Fuck. We are supposed to be boarding a plane in an hour. I immediately shake Christian but he isn't having it. We were up until late making love and packing.

"Well I'm glad I could help." Elliott laughs, "How is it that I'm the responsible one now?"

"Get out Elliott." Christian hisses.

"Fine, I just wanted to let you two know your car is here."

Christian crawls annoyed, "tell the driver to wait."

"Sure, I'm the bearer of bad news."Elliott doesn't say anything else and walks away.

I rush off the bed and grab a pair of light blue skinny jeans and a simple black t-shirt. I put on my black and white converses and decide my hair will have to go up on a ponytail for now.

Sitting on the bed I watch Christian get ready. He is matching me with a pair of blue jeans, white t-shirt and black hoodie. He is so handsome. I watch as he reaches for his sunglasses and puts them on.

"Are you ready?" He asks me.

I nod my head. I'm so thankful Christian had made sure to get all my stuff from my house and we had packed everything yesterday. So now we don't have to rush and do that.

"We should get going before we miss the plane." he tells me and I know he is right. I grab my purse and he takes care of the luggage.

Before we walk out of the house I make my way to the kitchen where Elliott is. He is still wearing his pajamas and I can't deny he is very handsome. He turns around and stares at me.

"I just wanted to say thank you for everything." I tell him feeling shy. "It really meant a lot to me." I add.

Elliott smiles at me, "No problem. You're a part of the family now and I got your back."

I really like that he thinks I'm a part of the family now. "Well I hope to be able to return the favour sometime soon." I smile at him and with that Christian walks into the kitchen.

"We have to go Anastasia."

I nod my head and quickly hug Elliott. Christian is surprised at my sudden show of affection.

"Well you two have fun on your trip." Elliott let's go of me as he says that and Christian takes my hand.

"Thanks for everything Elliott. I'll be back in two weeks take care of the house for me." Christian tells him and Elliott nods his head.

"Alright Anastasia let's go before the driver loses all his patience and leaves us."

I laugh and follow him to the front door excited for our trip.