I do not own the characters...All owned by E.L James!

What if things were different? What if Christian never got together with Elena, he grew up still into the wealthy man he is, still, a tad bit controlling, but softer side of the man we all love. Ana is an independent woman who has a past that created the wall she builds around her heart. These two meet after she helped Dr. Grace Grey plan the Coping Together Gala. They build a bond that Ana never thought she'd get a chance to feel in her lifetime.

Four months ago (January)

Ever wonder how one moment can change everything you thought was your life? Ever wonder how life can change at a drop of a dime? Easily a friend can turn into an enemy. How a stranger can easily put life back into perspective? It takes one moment that can make you realize what life is supposed to be like; no need to look back and wonder the what-ifs anymore…

The split decision to surprise her boyfriend was probably the worst decision she could've made today; in a matter of moments, everything changed for a twenty-four-year-old event planner. Instead of surprising her boyfriend, Jose surprised her by being in their bed with her business partner Leila. The shock on Anastasia's face was mixed with rage and anger. Slamming the door Ana, quickly walked out into the living room, she couldn't bear the feeling she was experiencing. Jose followed Ana to the living room reaching for her. He attempted to get her attention, "No I'm sorry I can't even look at you right now." Ana shook her head before pulling away from Jose as he reached for her again. "I went on a limb to trust you and this is how you've decided to betray it." Grabbing her bag, Ana refused to look back at Jose. "My business partner, really?! How could you?! In our bed?!" Ana felt her stomach nearly turn at the thought of him cheating. Leila had come out of their bedroom with a slight smirk. "And you! I talked to you like you were family!" Ana was trying to hold back her anger as the woman she once called a friend just smirked again.

Leila just scoffed at her former friend. "Well if you weren't so obsessed with everyone else's events and lives, you would've seen this coming. The looks, the texts...you were so blind." Ana could feel her own body's sake as the anger continued to build up. She should rip out every hair on her head, but she was attempting to show restraint. Leila was trying to push any button she had left. "I'm glad though that you caught us; I was over scheduling so many out of office meetings. It was getting tedious." Ana found herself thinking back to the last month, which led to the last few months.

"How long has this been going on Jose?" Ana was sure her father was thanking the man above that her gun was in the shop currently. She wanted to kill them.

Jose raked his hand through his hair as he stared at Ana. "I'm sorry Ana I was weak…I just didn't…I'm sorry." That was all he could say. Sorry? Sorry for sleeping with your business partner? Sorry for betraying the trust she had in him? All the sorrys in the world couldn't fix the feelings she was having currently. "Ana say something." Jose urged her; his guilt was clearly showing again as he reached again for her.

Ana pulled away once again. "How long?"

Leila leaned against Jose with an evil smirk playing on her lips. "Mmmmm I think seven months. But the text goes back a lot longer." How could someone she once considered family do this to her and be so relaxed about it? Ana could feel the tears threatening to fall, the anger was flowing off her in waves.

What could she say? Two people, she trusted in bed together…how could someone come back from that? "I need you to never talk to me again. I'm coming by tomorrow to get my things; I never want to see either of you again." Ana wasn't going to cry; she wouldn't give either of these people the satisfaction. "Leila, I'll send you the check for your half of my business. I'm buying you out. I started it; I own most of the business…I Want you out." She didn't wait for either of them to protest, Ana was gone and never looking back.

Present (April 15th)

It had been four months since Ana had found her ex and business partner in bed together. Ana had moved out the following day and moved in with Kate until she found her own place again, thankfully this one was down the street from Kate. Ana had also bought out Leila, it was now HER company fully and she could finally walk away from what happened in January.

Today though was supposed to be her day to unpack and really start decorating, she promised herself she'd do most of it tonight since next week she had a huge event for Dr. Grace Trevelyan-Grey one of the biggest clients in the event planning. Ana was so proud of herself for securing it after everything with Leila and feeling out of touch for a while. She wasn't going to let the past few months get her under, this huge party was going to be the beginning of her new life. Ana was hopeful at least that it would be the fresh start she'd needed for a while. Ana sighed as she thought back to the week after she left her old home. Honestly, she was conflicted about how she was feeling; she thought after knowing Jose all her life would make her heartbroken after everything. But she wasn't. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off her and she could breathe again. It was weird. The heartbreak was there, but it was easier than she thought. Was she broken?

"Don't do that." Ana looked up to see her best friend Kate shaking her own head. Only Kate was the person who knew Ana the best. "You don't get to second guess yourself anymore. It's been almost three months, but seriously, you had your suspicions about him for a while. Let's finish up this painting and unpacking. You know how much I hate doing crap."

Ana couldn't hide the laughter as she stared at Kate's serious face. "Oh, I know, poor Ethan and I were stuck doing most of it and when we tried quitting, you decided to lock the doors from the outside. Thank god you hadn't gotten to all the windows." Both girls couldn't keep the laughter together as they sat on Ana's bedroom floor. "Ethan was so over it after only a few hours and decided to hire someone else to do everything."

Kate shook her head. "Ass didn't even tell me, had me shit scared when I woke up and noticed some stranger painting the kitchen and he wasn't there." Ana erupted into another fit of laughter as she leaned back against the wall. "Oh yeah laugh it up Steele, he was lucky that Ray didn't let the shooting range renew my shooting permit." What Kate fails to tell people is the fact she went chasing her ex out of his apartment with a gun after he cheated on her. Ray made sure when she moved to Seattle that she wasn't holding any weapon. "It's not funny Annie."

"Oh no the funny part is that you're still telling everyone that story. You and I both know your butt was saved by the fact that my dad was the police chief." Kate smiled before picking up her paintbrush. Today was going to be a long one with Kate, but honestly, she wouldn't change it. Kate had been her best friend since they were kids and had been through just about everything and anything Ana had been put through. Between breakups and her mother leaving, she'd be lost without Kate. "Okay bossy let's get some stuff done. I haven't gotten a chance to go get through my email." Ana grabbed her paintbrush and began on the wall across from Kate. "Oh, I need you to be available on the 25th of April."

"For? Are we going to New York for your birthday?" Kate asked grabbing more paint. Ana just shook her head laughing once again. Kate and Ana were always talking about going to New York to see the structures and Broadway. Ana bit her lip at the mention of her birthday, the pain of her past came back in a rush. The memory hit hard

Shaking her head, she turned to Kate again. "No... I need you to come with me to this party I'm organizing. Remember how I got the client after Leila left, well she's a big-time doctor, I guess. She and her husband also run a charity for abused children. This is a huge client." Ana explained as she got lost in her painting. She decided to paint the whole house herself, something she thought about going into before she found event planning.

Kate thought back to the date and quickly realized what day it was. "Wait isn't that next week Ana?!"

Ana frowned before looking up at Kate with puppy dog eyes. "I know I'm horrible...It's just this party means a lot and I lost track of the days. I'm sorry." Kate rolled her eyes; Ana knew she wouldn't even hesitate to go to a huge party like this. It was a chance to mingle with people and get free booze. "Anyway, Grace Grey said as soon as the party started, I was supposed to be a guest and I could bring someone, so I thought I would ask my best friend. Plus, I don't have to worry about going alone and meet strange people who are stuffy and rich."

Kate pretended to think about it for a second before jumping to hug her best friend. Which then caused Ana to splatter paint onto herself. "Of course, I'll go. I'll also schedule everything we need to get prepared for the night. Who knows, we may meet our soulmates there." Ana simply waved Kate off as she tried to clean off the blue paint that had landed on her face. Ana was not even worried about figuring that stuff out. She usually didn't show up, it was Leila's job to go to the parties, Ana did all the organizing, but now that Leila was gone, it was up to her. She had to be the face of the company. "You in there Ana?" Ana looked up to see Kate trying to get her attention.

"What did you ask?" Ana asked after she came back to reality.

Kate was going to say something but decided to not push it too much by asking for her to open a little. "I was asking what theme the party was? That way I can start looking into dresses and style. I mean I'm sure I can find something to go with just about anything."

"She decided on a Masquerade Ball." Ana had to plan a whole party down to the very last detail. The masquerade ball would be one for the books, nothing was going to top Seattle's biggest party. "Think lots of glitz and glam. It's an eight-hour event which means NO heels...Flats Katherine." Kate just rolled her eyes before turning to her phone. "Anyway, it's a black-tie event so..."

"No worries, I have a friend who owes me a favor and we'll have a few dresses pulled for a try-on session Sunday afternoon. I would have them sooner, but my friend has a movie premiere this weekend and can't get to Seattle till Saturday night." Ana bit back all her questions about how she got that done in ten minutes of finding out about the event. "Mask will be included. Next week we have a hair appointment Saturday early morning. Nails will be done Friday before. I've already emailed your assistant with the changes in your schedule, plus don't forget Ethan also comes into town on Wednesday. Which means, we should probably hire someone to do the other rooms since you decided to do everything last minute for the big ball." The girls laughed before both returned to painting.

After about four hours of attempting to finish up at least her bedroom walls, Ana found herself sitting at her desk with a cup of English Breakfast and her computer open. She opened her email along with a few extra tabs so she could start finalizing the last bit of things. Digging into her email, Ana's smile danced across her lips as she found a new email from Grace Grey.

To Anastasia Steele
From: Grace Trevelyan-Grey
Subject: Party time?
Hi Ana, Sorry to keep these messages running. This is the first year I'm trying to let go of planning, hence why I called your company. I have a few friends who used you guys before and you came highly recommended. Anyway, I was wondering how you're coming along. I got pictures of the venue and it's perfect for the number of people coming. I also wanted to confirm that I got all the RSVPs and I am ecstatic for the event and that you will be joining as well. Also, I've included the design for the centerpieces, I agree with your assessment, the silver, gold, purple, and blue would be best for the tables. Thanks again for doing the seating chart, my husband and I were in Paris watching our daughter's graduation from fashion school and I didn't have time to sit and place everyone around. Anyway, I'm sorry for the long message, Carrick, my husband, says I need to learn to receive help. So, I appreciate your help and will check in next week probably Tuesday to see if you needed anything before Saturday
~Dr. Grace Trevelyan-Grey

Ana could easily tell that Dr. Grey was going to be a fun person to be around. Even though the emails, that Dr. Grey was someone who was like Ana, they needed to know that everything possible could be planned. She was thankful for the fact that she was someone who planned early, which meant a lot of the planning was already done, all she really had to do was do all the last-minute tweaks here and there. It was a huge party, but the detail wasn't something she was too concerned about. After shooting a quick message to Dr. Grey, Ana went ahead and confirmed the centerpieces; Ana couldn't be happier that Grace decided to go with the beads and water idea for every table. Switching over to the seating chart, Ana noticed that she and her guest were at Grace's table. "I know she sees my placements, if I move this, I know she'll just move me back..." Ana stared at the people at the table, all of them were family which made it even more awkward since Kate nor Ana had any business being there. Rubbing her face, Ana shook her head before continuing the pages and pages of paperwork she had to get done before next week.

Please read and review! Chapters will be up twice a week. Once Sunday and once Thursday!