The Girl with the Red Tattoo

by laurendrw

Introducing Anastasia Steele (23) but goes by Stasi and has just graduated from USC with a bachelor degree . she is confident independent and rich and travelling up north to Seattle with her girlfriends . Will the great Christian Grey(25)just turned billionaire be enough to tame her down. Will he be enough to make her stay ,will she finally ready to commit or will she run…..

8. Chapter 7

Quick author's note – this story will be a slow burn and a more realistic relationship than the original book- meeting the parents/family later on, moving in later. I want things to go a bit slower and my characters to find themselves before getting married having kids etc. I don't have an update schedule . I started this story during my easter break and I'm now back at school so I don't has as much time to write anymore so updates will take longer but I will have at least a 5k+ chapter each time. Elena is also not heavily involved in this story, she will be mentioned here and there but not a sole focus, same with his 15 submissives- they will be mentioned but not making drastic scenarios

CPOV

I started my day and found Elliot was slouched on my couch, an old football game playing on the TV eating a plate of pancakes and bacon. Normally I would of kicked him out but I was feeling nice this morning having had a solo workout session in the building gym.

'look what the cat dragged in' he muffles, food still chewing in his mouth

'well you are in my house asshole' I shot back

'want to grab a bite to eat – I'm meeting Katie in 15 minutes' he still spoke , chewing in between words. How we grew up in the same household , I didn't know. 'and she might be bringing a few friends with her, including Stasi'

Now that changed everything. For one thing Gail was on her day off, her not working weekends meant I would have to be making breakfast for myself, something I shouldn't be doing. Second, I had checked my phone seeing I had no calls back from Anastasia so this would be a perfect opportunity to see her again. I wanted to find more about that girl, there was something that just enticed me and I was too selfish to let her go. From what I saw from her background report her father was divorced and remarried with another kid. Her mother had multiple husbands over the couples of years too, meaning she came from a big family. She was born in Washington but moved to California. Maybe is she had stayed we would of clashed paths . she didn't seem like the typical Californian girl. It was clear that she was smart having got accepted into USC for English Literature. My only problem was her friend Sean Walker- I just couldn't trust him. They seemed close, too close even. From what Kate said he was bisexual which didn't put my mind to rest, he still went for girls and Anastasia was a girl and who was I to be naïve enough that they had slept together or had some sort of secret relationship

''I'm in. But you're not driving my car asshat'

'oh Chrissy let loose, maybe you'll get along with Stas and finally pop your cherry'

I resisted a smirk. Oh if only he had known that I had lost my virginity ten years ago and that I had also slept with Anastasia being stella a couple of nights ago. I decided against repeating my information and instead stood to get shoes and a leather jacket since it was only one pm on a Sunday . once in the car Elliot instructed me to go downtown to the Americanas. We were early and decided to get seated, the morning rush slowly emptying out leaving many tables available. We choose a six seater, Elliot not knowing how many people Kate was bringing – Elliot tried to call her but she was in the car and the signal was breaking up only making out that she was nearby. Five minutes later a black Bentley pulled up with the roof drawn and in came Katherine and Sean. I craned my head subtly, searching for a brunette put saw nothing. Covering my sigh by taking a sip of coffee, I faced Elliot again as the two friends approach. Elliot embraced Kate with a hug and a peck on the cheek, leaving Sean and I on the outskirts. He stretched his hand in greeting and broke the silence

'Sean, you must be Christian' while raising his sunglasses to rest above his head

'Christian' I confirmed accepting his greeting . 'nice ride'

'Oh the Bentley, I wished . That's Anastasia's'

I then moved on to Kate kissing her cheek and sat down next to Elliot, not feeling comfortable sitting next to either one.

'Speaking of Stasi, where is she ' Elliot asked

'I tried to wake her up but that girl sleeps like the dead. And you don't try and wake her up unless you want a punch to the throat, isn't that right Kavanaugh' Sean smirked, smiling at Kate

Kate vigorously nodded her head, placing a hand at the bottom of her nape 'yeah it was Junior year of high school and she had a party, some people were sleeping over. Anyways we planned on waking up at 6am for a morning surf and I tried to wake her up , kept shaking her and she punched me - didn't even wake up' she chuckles. 'I left her a voicemail telling her where we are so she might come join us'

'doubt it we were up all night and you know she's not a morning person'

Well shit, my only reason for coming to this stupid brunch was home all the way out in Hunts Point sleeping . I was pissed and hungry and signalled the waiter over before another conversation could start, wanting to get this over with. Maybe I could use this to my advantage, finding out things about her, but I needed a way to do it without it being obvious.

'so how do you guys know each other' I asked

'high school. Stas bought us together' Sean started 'she moved to Cali at 7th grade and then Katie joined in Junior Year'

'yeah we meet when you picked us both from cheer' Kate continued

Oh she was a cheerleader, that explained her flexibility. I liked that, endless positions and places forming in my heads. It was clear that these two had a long history and that their trio friendship went back years and they were solid as a unit. This meaning any chance of me being with their best friend was practically suicide if I didn't get in their good graces

'oh so you were a cheerleader Katie, you never told me that' Elliot drawled

'well maybe tonight I can show you my moves' she filtered back

To this Sean coughed and rolled his eyes at her behaviour. Having grown up with Elliot and him being what people would called a player, I was immune. I grew up with clingy girls using me as messengers to get to him and it got so bad that out parents had to put a gate with a code on our house to stop people from coming in.

'anyways we all went to USC together but I studied Law instead' I nodded my head, feigning engagement at information I already knew.

'shit our dad tried that on us but I changed major first week in' Elliot began. The two people in front turned their heads towards me, taking a breather from their pancakes waiting for me to add on

'dad was happy I got into Harvard and I threatened to not enrol if he forced me into it.' I replied sipping a glass of orange juice. 'but I dropped out two semesters in so it didn't really matter'

'shit who drops out of Harvard' Kate exclaimed

'well I did just hit the billionaire status a month ago' shrugging my shoulders

Elliot sensing that I wanted to move to another topic he started another conversation

'so what are you guys doing in Seattle'

'well Stas has a house and papa Steele let us crash for the month and then were moving into an apartment together, well unless things don't work out we'll be heading back to LA or maybe hit Europe.'

'I got an internship at the Seattle Times, but I could always move to my dad's company back in California. I'm just exploring all my options' Kate agreed

'Elliot what do you do' Sean asked

'I have my own construction company, Grey construction'

'maybe you could hook me up with one of your workers, God knows I need a change after Jose' Sean grumbled. To this Kate's face sobered and squeezed his shoulder. 'its fine, I've got Stas as my wing women , I've been meaning to scope out a few gay bars'

'if you don't mind me asking what's your sexuality' Elliot askedk

'I'm bisexual, I don't discriminate 'and to that he lifted his coffee in the air and clinked with Kate

The conversation then moved on us explaining things you do in the local area when Sean's phone pinged, informing us that Stas was now up and wanted a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. It was now nearing three pm and our meal was nearing its end which is how we ended up divided into two cars driving towards the suburbs out of the city

'hey want to come back to ours and hangout for a while, maybe sunbathe by the pool. We also have a media room and some game consoles and a poker table if you want to play. I know you wanted to meet Stas properly. You too Christian' Kate offered.

Elliot gave a straight yes grinning not taking his eyes off her. I hesitated thinking if this was truly best for me to do, my social battery wearing thin. Sean caught my eyes, mischief shinning through. I couldn't forget he was there at Mile High yesterday when I gave her my number. Heck I wouldn't put it past him that he knew about Wednesday night . I answered yes, thinking I could also use an office emergency as an excuse if needed be . We arrived at Hunts Point in roughly forty minutes due to midday traffic, following Kate in the Bentley. She stopped to enter the code with Anastasia not answering her phone and parked in the front . The front door was closed the strange thing was that I could hear a faint deep rhythmic beat lightly pulsating from the mansion. Kate pushed the door open, the noise getting louder and now a strong smell of weed overwhelming you past the foyer into the living room. A second later sharp riffs staggered and bounced off the acoustics in the open hallway. Pictures littered the wall but I could see broken glass and several specked of blood that stained the shards several feet in front of me . I walked forward and didn't stop until I heard glass crunch under my shoes crouching down, I observed the mess; a broken wooden picture frame that had now become separated and a picture showing two uncanny women staring full focus, smiling. They held the same face structure expect for her eyes, those blue eyes replaced with the woman on her left for brown. This must have been her mother but why was did it lay shattered on the floor.

The rhythm became aggressive and angry and only then did I look up. Thanks to the full window glasses there, we were all presented a brunette girl, her back to us bending over in blue short shorts and a pathetic excuse of a top that barely covered her breast, revealing some under boob. Her dragon tattoo was once again on full display before me and to that made my tongue water. Still unaware of our presence she continued with her performance, leaning upwards towards the roof. Kate led the way through the hallway into the kitchen that faced the garden when she began singing softly

'don't need reason, don't need rhyme

Ain't nothin' that id rather do

Goin' time , party time

My friends are gonna be there too'

To the last line she chuckled and then Sean spoke up

'not AC/DCC- this isn't good, Kate' he spoke clearly pointing to the broken frame that was next to my feet

'fuck not Carla'

I caught Elliott eyes and he shrugged, us both confused while the two friends murmured to each other. We eventually moved again down another hall and finally reached the destination of Anastasia, the music getting louder every couple of steps we took, as it reached the chorus. We all stood at the threshold of the room watching her , her hands constantly moving and adjusting to different strings electing the soulful sound that was rock music. She started to move and once again began singing with her delicate voice

'im on the highway to hell… on the highway to hell'

After the first line she started to move , pacing the room her back still to us so we were unseen . I could see in the corner of my eye Elliott nodding to the beat while Sean hesitated and started to approach her, bagel in hand as if it were a peace offering. He called her name several times but she continued her song, the melody building and building that the glass of water of water on the coffee table started to vibrate. Well all started to fall in the room and only then did she turn around, still playing looking directly to Sean. She was clearly high, her eyes red and pupils dilated . clocking her head to side she smiled and still remained silent, her fingers busy playing. I didn't think she realised that there were three other people in the room with her . Sean pulled the plug on the amp, the guitar strings no longer projecting loud noise. To this she frowned and narrowed her eyes at Sean and spoke

'walker what the fuck was that for'

'Steele I've got you a bagel and Kate's home'

To this she smiled, grabbing the paper bag out if his hand and pulled it to her lips. As she was taking a bite she stopped, cocking her head to the side and said

'Kavanaugh, where is she'

To this Kate stepped out of the shadow of Elliot's body making herself known opening her eyes

'hey Stass'

'where have you been , you missed movie night. And Ethan called the house because you weren't answering your phone, he wants to crash here for a while.' Kate opened her mouth trying to inject but Anastasia cut her off and continued 'where have you been im guessing you were with your blondie tell him I said hi'

'well you can do that yourself' she replied. Stas confused, narrowing her eyes and searched the room until she found us both by the couch. We both greeted hi but she was a beat behind, I guess still processing us. Shaking her head and smiling she out down the instrument and came towards us, tossing her bagel on the coffee table which sat a half burnt zoot

'hi Elliott, Christian sorry I didn't catch you at the party or the restaurant, Sean and I left early'. She then sat down at the couch opposite us, toying with a cross necklace putting her feet up 'so what brings you here on a Sunday afternoon'

'I wanted to say hi' elliot said 'we just came from brunch and I thought you would be there'

'why would you want me there' she mumbled to herself but I still caught it as she tugged on her necklace 'I'm going to get a plate for my bagel anyone want anything'.

Sean spoke up asking for an iced tea with everyone saying no. I watched as she left, she practically ran out the room avoiding eye contact with everyone. It was clear she was uncomfortable with us being her, the air was awkward and clear that Elliot and I were unwanted. I didn't want to leave I wanted to get a conversation with her , plus I couldn't leave Elliot since we were both going back into the city . my eyes followed her as she left and with Kate and Elliot obsessing over each other I thought I would of gone unseen until I heard Sean say

'oh marathon man you have it real bad'

tomorrow

SPOV

I woke up on bed, above the duvet with the urgent need to pee. I felt so disorientated, i had no clue how I had got here my room and what the day even was. My last memory was sitting downstairs watching a movie with Sean, something we did normally as a trio but Kate had left a voicemail saying she was spending time with Elliott again. I still hadn't gotten a chance to talk her and didn't want to risk this conversation over the phone, this shit was serious and needed to be done in person but lately was impossible with her glued to her new boo. He must have been good in bed, either that or he had some sort of magical power. In the eight years I've known Kate and the various boyfriends she had over the years she had never been this obsessed or this eager. I missed my girl.

After leaving the bathroom I searched for my phone seeing the time reading it was noon, swiping right ignoring all my other notifications I had. Leaving my room I called for Sean to met with silence. Thinking he was in the gym for a morning workout I made my way down to the basement and found that too empty . being lazy enough , I gave up and made my way to the kitchen needing a start up to survive this day. Coffee ready I explored the fridge and found it empty but this wasn't a shock with the grocery shopping having been put of hold for five nights in a row. Taking my phone I made way to call Sean when I found he had left me a voicemail so I played it

'Steele im going out to brunch with Katie and her blondie. I think his brother is tagging alone, not to sure. I tried to wake up but stopped when you almost kicked me in the chest- were going to Americanas come through when you wake up'

Not wanting to get dressed, being in a old crop top and shorts I requested a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. He wouldn't be back until a few hours, his voicemail only being thirty minutes old . Taking advantage of the empty house decided to sit at patio table, soaking in the morning rays. It was a nice morning in Seattle , the sun clear of clouds and the trees green that surrounded our property. It seemed like a good day for a pool, but maybe in a couple of h ours. Finishing my coffee I went back inside, looking for something to pass the time by. Plugging my phone into the speakers, I opened my Spotify and pressed play on a random playlist, Led Zeppelins Broken Communication starting up. This inspired me for a impromptu music session, I never got to play as much as I did in high school. Music cleared my mind, kept me stable and it was clear of that when I moved to college. I swapped it out for drugs and alcohol but always stopped before doing serious damage to myself and I guess I was just having one of those days when I needed some music therapy.

Walking up to my dads studio where he kept his electric guitars , I hummed along feeling beat. The closest guitar being red , I grabbed it along with a few pics and made a second journey for the amplifier. On my second journey up a small red box caught me eye. Curious to it I opened it up, finding several marijuana clusters , a grinder, rolling paper and a filters. I sat down on the floor and started to assemble a joint, starting with grinding two clusters together. I then moved on diving the green into two sheets of paper, carefully adding and pinching it in to fit. Rolling at a angle with the filter at one end I rolled and leaved some paper on excess and took the litter and burned it, sealing the weed and forming two joints. Justifying that it was almost one pm , I took the lighter again , holding the cigarette to my lips burned the end and inhaled, the smell evaporating and dispersing into the room. Grabbing my second joint and lighter and placing it securely into my pocket, I rolled the amp slowly down the stairs, thinking how I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to get this back up by myself. Ray wouldn't be pissed, well unless I had broken anything in his studio that he would need for work. And also his weed – I would need to replace what I had taken and before I could forget I added that to my notes having recently finding a plug. This was one of the benefits of Seattle, shit was cheaper here than back in Bel Air and was something I could for sure get used to.

Having successfully made it downstairs with the weed slightly taking affect, I set up my guitar . I left the living room once again to get a drink feeling an overwhelming need for a drink. Walking back from the kitchen, downing two glasses I walked through the halfway. Maybe it was the drug starting to take affect but I looked ahead at the wall that was filled with pictures of the Steele generation, varying from school portraits of Leo, Halle and I to pictures with aunts, uncles, grandparents and competition meets over the years. I continued to walk , back to my set up when something caught my eye. A picture of me but there were tow of me. Confused I frowned and took it off its hook, pressing my nose to the glass. I was on the right smiling – I knew it was definitely me because the picture had my eyes. It was weird looking at me and being me , and this picture must of been old since I didn't have my bangs that I have had since I started college. I tore my eyes away from me and looked at the other person. Cocking my head to the side confused I studied the women carefully . this woman looked exactly like me, but she had more freckles on her nose than me and had hazel eyes. It took a minute for me to realise this was my mother, my mother who I hadn't seen or though of in three years, that being the last time I saw her. My feelings taking control of my body, my mind overwhelmed with anger I placed the picture back on the wall and raised my fist to the frame and made contact punching it . I repeated it , over and over and didn't stop until the glass started to shatter, cracks forming and my blood trickling in front of me . it wasn't for seeing the red liquid I would have had no clue I had started to bleed, my hands numb. The picture still intact, I took it off the wall once again and stepped harshly, breaking the frame in two and stormed off. My brain not lucid enough to forget , my thoughts began to shout. Why was she here in this house, why would a happy place like this needed to be tainted with the face that was my mother. I hated that I looked so much like her, practically being her twin made my mornings so difficult having to see her with my very eyes everyday. It was the mainly the reason why I started my self loathing, knowing that anything that reproduced from her was rotten, including me. It was impossible to remove her identity from me so I filled myself with any substance my friends could get their hands of in hope to clear myself from the inside. She radiated so much hate and anger in me and I hated her for having so much control over me, why I let her control me to this extent . to this I slumped on the sofa ,took the joint and relit it and smoked it to completion before doing anything else, needing to forget, needing to move on .

The air had a haze of smoke , the odour becoming stronger with each inhalation for twenty minutes. Standing up, I reached to my phone shuffling until I found suitable song for my mood, not stopping until I found AC/DC's Highway to Hell. To this I snorted – I found the irony hilarious as the way my life was going, will all the sins I had committed I was most surely going to hell. Not that I was complaining, it was what I deserved. I started to tune , adjusting chords and strum the starting notes, getting comfortable . it was important to do so, being uncomfortable didn't make the music flow. I started the music , increasing the volume of the sound system and projecting it to every room in the house. Furthermore I turned the amp to high, really feeling the need be heard, maybe in a way loud enough for my dear old mother to hear, wherever she was in this place we called Earth.

I started to play the first riffs, staggering them truly feeling the rhythm. I played music for the sole reason of escaping reality- it taking over me , for a mere four minutes my brain being to distracted to think about anything. It was hard having ADHD and growing up, it was something that just stuck. I was thankful I had my dad and that I was lucky enough for him to teach me. By the age of sixteen I could play piano, drums and electric bass and guitar well. Being in a private school I could continue this being an elective and threw myself to any instrument and wasn't bad with the saxophone . I would lying to say I only started because of Lisa Simpson. The lead solo had begun and I weaved my hands through the strings, basking into the sunlight and staring out to the pool. As the song progressed I picked up my speed, starting to hum the words

'don't need reason, don't need rhyme

Ain't nothin' that id rather do

Goin' time , party time

My friends are gonna be there too'

I only sang in private, it was something I found quite personal for myself. I think the only person I had performed for was Sean because he had seen me at worse. I used to ding with my mother, one of then things we would do together . she always said she wanted me to learn to play the piano and sing ,saying it was an art that would bring the world to me as it had done to her. She had met my father in bar in New York when she was there for the weekend on a bachelorette party. Dad was on the piano playing for the band and mum went up to sing and they exchanged numbers later and within the year they married and had me. She had always said it was love at first sight and that seeing dad with Leo made her truly fall in love, that he truly was the one . but clearly that all became bullshit when she cheated on my dad when I was six and left town because apparently she had decided that I was less important than her dreams to see the world and that I only held her back as having a child made her think about not just her. She didn't want the responsibility anymore and she moved away but I still played the piano in hopes of bringing her back to me. I did stop singing, it was just to painful for me to bear. She would never not, signing in the morning or when I brushed my teeth or midday on a Sunday just because by the piano while I watched her. With both parents being in music it became part of my normal routine never going a single day without playing at least one. So when mum left we also left Washington, deciding that we needed a fresh start and moved south to California where seven months into our move we met Alyssa at the beach. Dad was reluctant to pursue her and he always rejected anyone who made advances at him, being a single 28 man with two children under the age of ten he wanted to focus on us . But Leo and I begged dad to ask her out and before we knew it she became part of our family and along came Halle, cementing the Steele name.

The chorus was becoming as the beat sped up and I matched the energy, watching my fingers move as I switched chords. I started to move letting the feeling overcome me and paced the room as I continued

'im on the highway to hell… on the highway to hell'

I worked my way through the chorus and only when I hit the second gear and I turned around to be met with Sean with a brown paper bag. My bagel. I continued to play and smiled at him cocking my head. His face screamed serious , not matching the vibe I was creating and he pulled the amp cord muting my sound

'Walker what the fuck was that for' I frowned, genuinely upset as I had finally started to get into a groove. He ignored my frown and gave me my bagel and started to talk but I was barely paying attention, still pissed about the music and half engrossed with my bagel suddenly feeling starving. As I put the sandwich to my lips, my tongue swiping some seeping cheese I shot my head up, catching the last of his sentenced saying Katie was back. I really missed her and I was really start to miss her. I called her out and she replied, coming into my peripheral vision. There before stood my best friend, green eyes shining, and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was glowing – must have been the sex she was getting so I asked her where her blondie was. To my surprise she said that they were here and I was shocked that I hadn't even realised, rubbing my eyes and noticed indeed there were two other males in the room with us. sitting on the sofa in the flesh were Elliott and Christian, that copper hair hanging just over his forehead as he rushed his hands through his waves. I was pissed at his outburst at the restaurant last night, how he had the cheek to confront me in front of my family. It just made the whole situation messy, having to answer questions like how did you two meet or why you hadn't mentioned him before. There was a reason for that, and it simply was that it was a quick fuck, a one time thing and something I vowed I wouldn't make contact again with. When you extended communication it set expectations which was something I knew wouldn't be met , definitely not on my part. I felt outnumbered and shy, not exactly sure what to say. Apparently they had made the journey to come see me but this baffled me, why.

I said my hellos and excused myself to the kitchen, using the pathetic excuse of needing a plate. Really, I needed time to make sense of what was happening. Why was he here, how did we get to this situation . Sean should of know better than to do this and even though Kate was partly out of the loop I was still mad, because if she were not so infatuated with her boo then I wouldn't have to face this man. My morning was going perfectly fine and I wished I never answered my phone. Even some warning of them coming back to the house would of given me ample time to leave the house and run, maybe going for a drive around the neighbourhood.

Deciding that I needed a little pick me up and held the cross of my necklace, remembering it just wasn't a necklace. Originally it was used for coke but that personally was something I did not dabble in, not liking how I felt with it so I filled mine with molly. Going to the bathroom , ensuring privacy I unscrewed the end and lightly tapped it on the counter a few times forcing a few grams of white powder on the counter. Grabbing a nail file I straighten out and formed a line bending down and becoming nose level. Happy with my creation I closed my eyes and snorting, pressing my left index finger on my left nostril and inhaling with my right moving up and collecting it all. I rose my head up and breathed out feeling the initial rush of euphoria on top of my already high state, needing to be in this frame of mind to handle to two men in my living room. I brushed to counter clean and then my nose, making sure everything looked normal. I faked a phony smile in the mirror and grabbed my phone along with a plate and entered the room once again.

No one had touched any of the equipment but everyone had taken a seat and was flicking through the television channels. I took the empty chair across Sean knowing that I would be most comfortable her

'so you play' Elliott asked, it was a stupid question really since he had walked in on me but I played alone nodding

'and the drums and piano. Sean can play too but he prefers bass and piano. You?'

'acoustic guitar' and to that I hissed in disgust. He seemed offended by this and u shrugged my shoulders

'how did you learn'

'we went to private school in California – it was either that or AP science and all my parents are can play so it was a done deal' I replied shrugging nibbling my bagel. I then turned to Christian and asked him if he played

'piano' he simply answered. I began to notice he was very high strung, rigid and a guy who do with a joint. He was more than happy to take some , there was some on the coffee table but if he was staying her for much longer and didn't loosen up I would for sure be offering one.

Leaning forward I asked 'Jazz or classical'

'classical' he replied. I shook my head at his wrong answer and playfully tutted

'ah , and to think we could have been friends. I play jazz'. Moving on from him, deciding that I had given him enough of my time I turned to Sean asking him what the plans were for today.

He shrugged listing 'it's a nice day so we can do a barbecue tonight, spend some time in the pool, sunbathe'

'we don't have any food in the fridge lets order something' I reminded him

'ok Chinese, Thai , pizza, Mexican, kbbq'

'I'm feeling Chinese and pizza' Kate said, and everyone agreed. She then led Elliott and Christian to the garden outside to get more loungers from the garage leaving Sean and I inside. I felt him face me , feeling something staring at me on my closed eyes and let him start the conversation, my mind too confused to process how I wanted to feel

'Stass It wasn't my plan to invite them over, Kate did when Elliott said he wanted to meet you properly and I didn't think your man would come along' .When he called Christian 'my man' I slapped him on the chest – he was nowhere near my man. 'I didn't even know he would be at brunch with us, Kavanaugh only said her boo would be there'

I really wished I got Kate the message, knowing if she did none of this would be happening but now I had to be a big girl and deal with It. I hadn't called him, I'd not even g a second glance at the card he gave me that sat underneath my bed. Out of site out of mind was the mentality I was going for, and it was working until thirty minutes ago. It was inevitable I would end up talking to him and I would let him take lead , leaving me in the position to have the last word. I just wasn't ready for that moment just yet and hoped Elliott and Kate would occupy him.

'I get it' I mumbled, knowing Sean would always have my feelings in consideration. I sat up and faced him, staring into his eyes. I was overwhelmed and confused and needed a home base. He stared back and his eyes went wide asking

'Stass what the fuck did you take, I can smell the weed but you've done something else haven't you'. I didn't verbally reply but with my right hand I touched my necklace – he knew what was in there.

He sighed his understanding, bringing my head down to his chest. We stayed in silence for a few minutes , him stroking my hair when he said

'want to tell me what happened to your hand'. At this I shoved my right arm underneath me but there was no point, he already saw.

'I saw a picture of Carla and lost it . I don't even know why I reacted -I hate that she has this control over me and its not like she even cares about me. God knows she's living her best life with her new man of the month doing whatever she wants while she left her daughter so mentally fucked up she cant look back at a happy memory without freaking out and needs a line to barely keep it together so I don't get Elliott and Christian thinking I'm a complete maniac who can't keep her shit from her mommy issues ' I ranted, the words flowing out my mouth, needing to put out in the world because is was becoming unbearable for them to be just alone with my thoughts.

'I'm here Steele, you know that and you can always text me when you get like this. Its always been like that, for the past five years, you always need to come to me because we both know you cant handle this by yourself'

I hugged him tighter hating that I needed help but grateful he was there. Tears fell from my eyes and I knew my mascara was running. I would need to wash my face before I joined the others. Sean changed the topic, knowing that this topic would be closed until further notice so he gave me a breakdown of brunch

'they're decent people, same background like us I guess. Elliot owns a construction company, so I get why Kate is so obsessed. Christian is a billionaire with his own company, but I wasn't really listening, you I hate business talk. Apparently they wouldn't mind showing us around the area while we're here'

'do you think I should give him a chance' I asked in a quiet voice ' I mean if he even wants to'

'girl he does, he kept asking questions about you and I saw his eyes on your ass when you left the room' he chuckled

'do you think it would wrong of me to do anything with him. Lets be real I'm just going to end up fucking it up, leaving him heartbroken or confused and if Katie is serious about his broth-'

'babes his a grown man I'm sure he can handle his feelings. I know your scared but what's really stopping. And if you don't want a relationship you can but be friends with benefits, fuck buddies whatever you want to call it . From what you told me he wasn't half bad so hold onto that, you can always break it of if you cant handle it'

'that's true I guess. I don't think it would even work if we were serious , I need something casual. Plus no one can replace you as my main man' I chuckled

'you know it, we're together for life' he stated firmly and touched his scar on his right ankle. I did the same too , reaching for my identical scar .We were practically blood, and nothing could change that. With this he dragged me outside where me made conversation with everyone I put on my best smile, with my face makeup free revealing my freckles. I laughed and joined in on conversations made by Elliott who was clearly putting in the effort to impress Kate. I didn't trust him fully, having seeing this act done thousands of times. He was a good-looking man and clearly was good with the ladies so I was going to keep an eye open. Katie was moving way to fast with him and I didn't want to be consoling her on the toilet floor in two months time . Same with Sean, I couldn't forget that he was hurting from Jose. I needed to step up and be a better friend and made a mental note to check up on them both, hopefully tonight.

Four hours had now passed and food had been ordered. I had managed to not be alone in a room with Christian with thanks to Seanny. I snacked on a slice of pizza, nibbling while listening to the conversations about to what the best pet would be to what superpower you would have. I could see from time to time that Christian wanted to talk to me; he would stare for a few seconds, enough me for me to notice and when I did catch his eye he would open his mouth but them stop himself from saying anything. I personally had nothing to say so it was up for him to make the first move. This wasn't a malicious intent, I just had no energy to put in any effort. We were all still outside and I noticed that Sean was no longer there . I was worried so left to follow him and passed through the whole bottom floor, but he was not in sight. I went though the kitchen again, the side effects on the substances taken wearing off and went to grab a sprite wanting something bubbly. I opened the fridge and was disappointed to not find one, and settled with a diet coke. With my teeth I opened the bottle placing the cap on my sharpened molar – it was thing during high school. I applied pressure until I heard the cap creak, resting the cap in my mouth, my tongue sticking to the middle . Turning around to the counter, I placed the bottle down and moved my hand to the metal in my mouth when I heard a cough.

I froze and then after five seconds , looked up to find eyes starting at me. Grey eyes. There he was just standing at the threshold of the room, feet firmly on the ground standing upright oozing confidence. Remembering I still had something in my mouth , I removed the cap and tossed it in the bin maintain contact when he finally broke the silence with

'Hi Anastasia. Nice to see you lost the blonde' he started . I remained silent, confused and internally panicking not knowing how this conversation this was going to play out . 'why haven't you called me back?' he asked walking forward into the kitchen until he reached the other end of the breakfast bar.

'I've been busy' became my answer, choosing to just reply and not thinking of a better excuse

'were you ever going to call me?' he asked, taking another step forward. From here I really took in his appearance remembering how fine of a man he was. His shirt settled over his muscle like a second skin and his hair became lighter under the fluorescence.

'no' I decided to answer truthfully

'why'

'because the second I do, you will except something from me and that is one thing I don't want'

'are you sure on that, that you don't want to continue what we had on Wednesday night.' By this he was practically next to me, feeling his breath on me . he started to play with my newly opened drink , taking away my distraction ' because I know I want to and you cant tell me you didn't feel something'. He said the last sentence directly in my ear, bending over a few inches. We weren't that much different in height

'that's the exact problem. I don't do feelings'

'so you assumed I did and left'. He sounded disappointed , genuinely sad that I hadn't stayed

'I assumed you wouldn't want to have the awkward morning conversation with your one night stand, I for sure knew I didn't so I left. Happy now'

'no I'm not because I cant stop thinking about you. There's something about you Anastasia , even if you were 'Stella' when I met you but I just cant walk away from you'. With this he grabbed my chin and raised my face up and pressed his lips up to me , kissing me with a sudden urge of passion. His tongue started to wiggle its way through showcasing his emotions but this was all too much for me to handle so I pulled back

'no I just cant – I'm not a relationship girl, I'm not what you want me to be or think who you can change me to. Your attractive enough to have any girl on the street and I bet they're more than happy to entertain you'

'just give me one chance, one date'

'what part of 'I don't do relationships' did you not understand' I huffed, annoyed that I hadn't been heard

'ok not a date, thinking of it as two people meeting up . for coffee, just one drink. I just want a conversation'

'were having a conversation right now'

'one in private where we can't be disturbed or worry about anyone walking in'

'why does your brother know about the other night'

'no he thinks I've never met you'

'I don't know how a coffee is going to change my mind on the situation. I don't want anything else from you , I cant give you anything else'

'well I want to at least try – how do you think I could afford the penthouse of one of the most expensive buildings in the city without giving up. I know you felt a connection with me and your only lying to yourself if you say no'

I was going to respond when I heard my name being called my Sean, his voice relatively loud . He was slightly delirious and swaying, picking up his vibe that something was wrong. Putting Christian on hold I rushed up to him. My first guess was Jose, knowing that the breakup was all too fresh and the temptation to still communicate was strong. I knew Sean well and knew this was surely something he would do. I grabbed his phone from his hand and wasn't surprised to see Jose typing. I put his phone in my back pocket and lead him to the living room sofa, sitting him down and resting next to him. I took his hand showing to him I was here and all ears. He didn't end up telling me what had actually happened, I guess I could see for myself but he kept mutterings words like 'asshole' and 'manipulative' guessing Jose actions have been disrespectful. The only way to get him out of this was music, well maybe not only but a fast reliver was to just be cathartic and get it out in the open.

I forced himself to stand up and led him to the piano bench, sitting him down. He looked at me confused, giving me a 'what the fuck are you trying to do' look. I told him to be patient while I though of the right song and the first thing that came to my mind was Alicia Key's 'if I ain't got you'. I played the opening notes , both hands on the piano, Sean's head resting on my left shoulder. I played the opening part twice before working up the courage to sing aloud, something I was hesitant to do knowing that strangers were here, but for Sean I would do anything so I continued

'Some people live for the fortune

Some people live just for the fame

some people live just for the power,

some people live to just play games' I murmured, barely audible but loud enough for us both to hear. I put my hands back on and this time getting louder with each sentence sang

'some people think that the physical things

Define what within and I've been there before

That life's a bore

So full of the superficial'

Sean stood up and I thought he was walking away but instead he placed himself in front on the piano and faced me . I continued on to the chorus singing directly to him, maintaining eye contact.

Some people want it all But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah

To this I created an interlude, seeing Sean reach for the discarded guitar and set up, giving him an opportunity to lead and he did, his voice deep and husky, thick of emotion yet still the beautiful voice that he had always had . Strumming to fall in sync with me he started

Some people search for a fountain
Promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them

I decided to join him the third, seeing he needed me

Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share, with no one who truly cares for me

I went to repeat the chorus, but Sean got me there first, starting to sing John Mayer's 'gravity'

Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down
Oh, I'll never known what makes this man
With all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away

I just kept the beat letting him take lead, seeing he needed this and joined in to harmonise. This is why our friendship worked so well, we could read each other so well and know what the both of us needed in times of darkness. When the song finished he came and hugged me, thanking me and kissing me on the cheek. He left the room needing some alone time and I respected that, most likely just feeling overwhelmed. I too then stood up but halted again when I saw those eyes again, scaring the life out me.

CPOV

I finally got her to myself, grabbing the chance when she left the room. I just wanted one chance, just a cup of coffee, twenty minutes of her time to just talk. But before she answered Walker interrupted. Something was obviously wrong with him, he sounded delirious . she grabbed him and led him to a random room but I refrained from following them – they needed a private moment and I wanted to be in her graces. I just needed her to say just for her to leave the door open. I wasn't necessarily looking for a long term commitment but I refused to allow myself to walk away from her. She didn't need to meet my family, I didn't need to meet hers , it could be strictly casual and private. It was done with my submissive so who said it couldn't be done now, maybe without BDSM unless she wanted to.

I felt the idea of punishment had become redundant, exploiting pain to women who begged just didn't have the same satisfaction. I was still the same angry man who hated his mother for her neglect and there were other options I could use . but with Stasi, she made me feel alive. And if it was something I could have forever then I at least wanted to make the most out of what I could . I remained in the kitchen and took her drink, knowing that her lips were once there only minutes ago. It had been several minutes later, me and my thoughts when I could hear the sound of a piano and women's voice, it sounded angelic . Following the noise, I looked into the room seeing Stasi behind a piano , Sean on a guitar she had previously been playing when we first arrived ..

I simply started, looking in , hiding behind the door sensing this was a private moment . I waited until they finished a saw Sean hurry out of the room using the other exit. She stayed seated, bowing her head down. I hesitated, not knowing if I should walk in but before I knew it she was approaching my direction she must not of known I was there because she stopped in surprised, her eyes bugging out

'you have a beautiful voice' I complimented and it was true. She didn't react so I continued 'I just want a hour of your time , I just need it' I begged unashamed

She took a deep breath and passed me . accepting defeat I cursed under my breath when I then felt a hand tap my shoulder. I turned around and was met with those shimmering blue eyes when she reasoned

'call me tomorrow and maybe the answer will be yes'

With that she left, and within a blink of a eye I saw the trails on her brunette hair round a corner and disappear within the mansion. I was in , I hoped and with that I would a win – she had said yes but now I needed a plan for her to stay a little while longer.

*song Sean and Stas sang is Alicia Keys and John Mayer performing in New York (just type them up on YouTube and this will come up- Sean is singing Mayer's role)

Hope you guys are finally happy that Stasi and Christian have finally met in person – the question is will Stasi follow through and be the person Christian needs her to be…..

Please excuse the spelling and grammar mistakes it currently midnight atm for me and I need to be up for 7:30 but wanted to get this chapter uploaded – sorry it has taken forever but this is a 9k plus