Once we arrive in New York, we go to Cross Hotel and after we're all settled into a suite, I leave the kids with Dad and I get onto my laptop and search for an apartment. I find one suitable for us in Cross Towers. I don't know who this Cross is, but, apparently, he owns a lot around here.

Over the next week, I get us settled into an apartment on the 15th floor of Cross Towers. It is fully furnished, but I go and get essentials and stuff for me, my Dad, and the kids. Just stuff that we will need.

Once everything is good, I text and give Christian the address so that he can send this proof and I look into office space for a New York branch of GP. Again, I find some in another Cross building. It is called Crossfire, and is owned by Gideon Cross. I'm sure he's a cocky asshole with all of this fucking property that he owns. I guess that I'm about to find out, because today I am meeting with him about the office space that I'm interested in.

I leave the kids with my Dad and I have Gibson take me to Crossfire. Whenever we arrive, I find a building much like Christian's. I go in and I get a badge to go up to Gideon Cross's office up on the 30th floor. Sawyer takes the elevator up with me. Whenever we get there, we are greeted by a gentleman who introduces himself as Scott. He buzzes Mr. Cross and tells me to have a seat and that he will see me shortly. I go to the waiting room nearby and have a seat and Gibson goes to stand near the elevators.

After another half hour after our supposed appointment, Scott approaches me. "Mr. Cross will see you now. Let me show you to his office." I nod and get up and follow him to a set of tall office doors. He urges me to enter so I nod at him and knock lightly just before opening the door.

Once the door is open, I look up and find a tall, handsome man with slicked-back black hair and mesmerizing blue eyes. I'm caught in a daze for just a minute, but as soon as he smirks, I snap out of it and shake my head and offer my hand to him. "Mr. Cross, I'm Anastasia Grey and I have come to discuss leasing some office space in your building for a new branch of Grey Publishing."

He takes my hand and shakes it and brings it up to his mouth and kisses it while looking into my eyes. Well, at least he's a gentleman? "It's nice to meet you, Miss Grey. I'd be happy to discuss that with you." This is when I notice that he's still holding my hand so I pull it away from him. He eyes me speculatively. "Come have a seat here in front of my desk." he says, directing me to some chairs in front of his desk. I nod and have a seat on one of the chairs as gracefully as possible. I don't want this man to think that I'm coming on to him. Yes, he is attractive, but he is NOT my husband. He is NOT Christian Grey.

"First of all, it is Mrs. Grey. I looked it up online and saw that you have office space available on the 20th floor. Is that still available?"

"It is. Would you like for me to show it to you before you make a final decision."

"I would like that. When would you like to do that?"

"How about now?" He asks with a smirk. I cannot figure out what this man's angle is.

"Sounds good." He stands and buttons his jacket and walks around to me and offers me his hand. I want to refuse, but he is showing me to what may be my new office space so what's the harm in it.

I take his hand and he helps me up. I quickly let go of his hand as he walks me out of his office. He waves me to go ahead of him and I walk past him and I can feel him staring at my ass. He puts his hand on the small of my back, but it makes me uncomfortable because it makes me feel things. Not like what I've always felt with Christian, but it's like a much milder version. I grab his arm and politely take his hand off of my back. "Sorry Mr. Cross, but I am a married woman." I say and I go to show him my ring, but realize that I'm not wearing it. Damn it.

"It appears that you're not wearing a wedding ring, Mrs. Grey. Are you sure that you're really not married and just want me to think that you are?"

I shake my head as we near the elevator. "No, Mr. Cross. I assure you that I'm married. I must've left my rings by the sink this morning while I was washing my hands." He nods, obviously not believing me. I just shake my head and as soon as the elevator doors open, I walk onto it and turn around so he can't keep staring at my ass.

Oddly, whenever the doors close, there's a certain level of sexual tension in the air. Damn it. I don't want to be sexually attracted to this man. Regardless, I will not give in to him if he continues to make advances towards me. I'm married. I may be separated at the moment until I can verify what Christian has told me and I have time to register everything, but I'm married and as I've said before, I do NOT believe in infidelity and I refuse to become my Mother.

Once the elevator doors finally open on my floor, I'm still lost in thought until Gideon clears his throat. I snap out of it and blush and walk off of the elevator with him following me around. He shows me around and everything is nice, but I cannot deny that I'm sexually attracted to him. It is NOT and will NOT ever happen, though. "I like it. Can we get to your office and sign the paperwork?"

"Only if you agree to have dinner with me, Mrs. Grey. I will behave, I promise." I'm not believing him. He has a naughty look on his handsome face.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cross, but as I have stated before, I am married. I do NOT believe in infidelity and I can tell by that smirk currently on your face that you have something more on your mind. I'd just like to get this office space and be on my way. I don't think it's right that you're trying to dangle this office space in front of my face, but refuse to give it to me unless I go out to dinner to you."

His eyes widen and he looks taken aback. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Grey. I didn't mean to come off as crass. I will be more respectful in the future, considering that we will be working together." He offers me his hand to shake. I take it and shake it. "Congratulations on your new office space, Mrs. Grey. I have a feeling that you will do great here. You're a strong willed woman and I like that. Let's head up to my office and get this office space leased to you." I nod and let go of his hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Cross." he guides me back to the elevator and once the doors open, I get in first and he follows me. Once the doors close, the sexual tension has risen in the elevator. UGH! Men are infuriating.

He got closer to me while I wasn't paying attention. "I feel it, too, Mrs. Grey." He whispers in my ear. I gasp. What the fuck? How does he feel it too? How does he even know what I feel?

I nervously giggle. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. cross."

He chuckles. "Oh, but you do. I can see the sexual frustration in your posture and the way you are keeping your thighs together as you stand there. I see the way you're clutching that purse and I see your flushed cheeks, your shallow breathing and you're biting your lip. I barely know you, yet I feel like I've known you all of my life." He whispers in my ear again just before the elevator doors ding open. I gasp and he offers me to go in front of him again and I nod and do just that.

He wasn't lying. He was right. I have some kind of sexual attraction to him; however, it will never happen. I have a husband and even if I did move on someday, it will be a long time. FUCK. I'm reconsidering my oath to never be with anyone other than Christian. Something tells that this Gideon Cross is bad news and I need to stay as far away from his sexual wiles as I can.

When we finally arrive back in his office, I take my seat back in front of his desk as he goes around and takes his seat again. He pulls out some paperwork and puts it on the desk. He runs through it with me and I read it all over myself. Everything seems to be in order and there does not seem to be any catches in it so I feel comfortable signing it.

After we both sign the documents, He shakes my hand and kisses it again. "Would you be interested in at least staying for a quick lunch. You can leave right after. As friends only. You have convinced me that you really are married. I will respect your boundaries."

Fuck it. I can handle just being friends with him. I just have to avoid making too much eye contact or getting too close to him. I can handle this. "I can work with that, Mr. Cross." he smiles.

"Okay, great. Let me go and get Scott to order something really quick. Please have a seat on the couch over there." He points to a couch against the wall that I hadn't noticed before. I can handle this.

I stand up. "Okay." I walk over to the couch and get comfortable but sit like a lady. Still, I cannot let him suck me in with his damn charms. When he finally comes back in, he smiles at me and comes and sits next to me, but at a respectable distance from me. Good.

"So, can you tell me a little about yourself while we wait for our food?"

"Well, I'm married. I have 2 children. I'm deeply invested in Grey Publishing because publishing is and always has been my dream and passion."

"How long have you lived here?"

"I just moved here a few weeks ago."

"Where did you move from?"

"Seattle."

"Hmm. So I assume that you're married to Christian Grey?"

"Yes. That is my husband."

"Did he not come out here with you?"

"Maybe. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. I'm just thinking that if I had a woman like you, I wouldn't let her move across the country. I just saw an article yesterday about something that he's doing in Seattle. It was quite evident that he was still living there." This line of questioning is starting to make me uncomfortable so I change the subject.

"You keep asking me questions, but you're telling me nothing, Mr. Cross."

"Well, you'll have to join me for dinner sometime before you will get me to fill you in about me."

I giggle. "I guess that I don't have to answer any more questions then. You're getting a little too personal anyways. What kind of article did you see about my husband anyways?"

"It was something about sexual harassment and his new mission to help women or men who have been harassed or assaulted to speak out so that the perpetrators can't do it to other people."

I nod. I look around the room to distract myself from this man that keeps giving me sex eyes. Finally, there is a knock at the door. "Be right back." He says as he lightly touches my knee and then he gets up and goes to get our meals from Scott at the door. Why did he have to touch my knee? Damn it. I hate the feelings that his touch seems to give me. I have to work harder to avoid it.

He comes back and sits down next to me again. He sits a little closer this time, so I scoot away a little bit. He chuckles whenever he notices. "I'm not going to bite you, Mrs. Grey."

"I know. I'm just being respectful of my husband." He nods and sets out our food on the table. We proceed to eat and he tells me just a little about his business and I tell him about Grey Publishing.

"I love the way that your face lights up whenever you talk about GP. I can see that it makes you quite happy. I'm glad you found your calling."

I smile. "Yes. I love it, but I love my family more." I say. Don't let this fucking handsome man suck you in, Anastasia. Married. Married to a very handsome man even. But it's quite possible that he's cheated on me. Fucking shit. Still, I will NOT give in to Gideon Cross.

"That sounds good. I've just noticed that you're more excited talking about your job than your husband. That's just an observation, though."

I shake my head. "Thanks for your opinion, however, it isn't needed or wanted. I love my husband very much."

He puts his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry. It's a touchy subject, I see. I won't talk about it again. Finish eating before your food gets cold.

I reluctantly nod. I don't like 'taking orders' from this man. However, he will be my boss as soon as I get GP up and running so I guess I will have to suck it up. "Thank you."

He nods and we continue eating in relative silence. He still keeps giving me flirty glances and I just as quickly look away. He's a persistent asshole. Maybe I feel this attraction because he is so much like Christian. I don't know.

Whenever we're finally finished eating, I take my napkin and wipe my lips. "Wait, you have something on your cheek." He says. I look at him questionably as I rub my cheek. "Here, I'll get it." he says. He takes his napkin and he leans into me and his face is now only inches from mine and those eyes are even more mesmerizing up close. I quickly look elsewhere with my eyes. "There. Got it." He says and then he kisses my cheek without warning. I furrow my brow and stand up.

"Thank you for lunch, Mr. Cross, but I've got to get home to my family. Thank you for leasing me the office space."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Grey. It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure that I'll see you around." He says as he stands up in front of me. He offers me his hand and I glance at it and back up at his face. I take his hand reluctantly and shake it and once again, he kisses it. UGH! I nod and walk past him and out of his door as quickly as possible. When Gibson sees me approaching he pushes the elevator button. Once I arrive at the elevator, the door opens and I quickly get on and I grab onto the railing to keep my balance.

Gibson gets onto the elevator and rides down with me. Why did that man have to be so handsome? Why is he showing interest in me? I don't know how well working in the same building as him is going to work out. I cannot and will not give in to that man. I refuse to.

Whenever we get to the bottom, Gibson guides me out to the SUV and lets me in and he gets in himself and takes me home. No matter how hard I try not to, I cannot stop thinking about Gideon fucking Cross. Whenever we finally arrive home, I go straight up to our apartment and occupy my mind by spending time with my children. It helps, but as soon as they're down for the night, the thoughts return. I invite my Dad to join me for a drink. I get him a beer and me some wine and we sit and talk. He keeps asking why it seems that my mind is elsewhere and I just tell him that my meeting today was strange. He keeps asking questions, but I tell him that I'd rather not talk about it now and that maybe I'd tell him someday.

He finally nods and reluctantly lets it go. After talking and drinking a little while longer, I say good night to my Dad and head off to bed. He said he is going to bed as well. Whenever I get to the bedroom, I take off my clothes and this is when I realize that my panties are unbelievably wet. Mother fucker. I take them off and I rush to the bathroom and take a long bath, trying to just think about my children and it helps for the most part. I finally get into bed after putting on a nightie and I drift off to sleep. Much to my dismay, I have some kind of sexy dream about Gideon Cross and startle awake. Now he has invaded my dreams? Seriously?

I decide to get up and go have some more wine and watch television for a little while. I end up watching a movie that I hadn't seen in a while. The Notebook. I've always loved this movie.

After a while I drift back off to sleep on the couch. I'm awoken in the morning to my daughter jumping onto my stomach. I get up and fix the kids and my Dad breakfast and we spend a couple of hours together before there's a knock at the door. I have Dad answer it while I run and get dressed appropriately. I have no idea who it could be.

My Dad knocks on my door just as I'm finishing throwing on a t-shirt. I open the door. "What is it?"

"Your husband is here. He said he has something for you." He says looking obviously displeased. I half smile and touch his shoulder as I walk by him out into the living room where my husband is waiting for me. I automatically smile whenever I see him.

He smiles back whenever he notices me entering the room. The kids found him and have attacked him with kisses, hugs, and information. He listens intently and talks with them a little bit before telling them that he needs to speak with me.

They finally go off to play and I approach him. "Why are you here, Christian?" He smiles at me and hands me a thumb drive.

"All of the proof that you need is on this. I wanted to deliver it personally because I didn't want it to get lost or damaged in the mail. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you forever, Ana. I need you and the kids."

I take the thumb drive. "Thank you. I will check it out and contact you."

He nods but he looks like he is dying to ask me something. "What is it, Christian?"

"Can I spend some time with the kids while I'm in town? I haven't seen them in weeks."

I nod reluctantly. "Okay. I need to get some work done today anyways." I hold up the thumb drive and half smile."

He nods back with an unmistakable smile on his ridiculously handsome face. "I will keep the kids occupied." I nod.

"I'm going to work on this and then I will talk to you before you leave."

"That works. Thank you, Ana."

I smile at him genuinely. "You're welcome, Christian." I reach up and kiss him sweetly and walk back to my bedroom and close and lock the door leaving my Dad looking confused about our interaction.

I get my laptop and set it on the bed and open it before popping in the thumb drive. I decide to go and get me some wine so I can drink while I dive into what could quite possibly change my future.

I go back out into the kitchen, past everyone else, and I get some wine and a wine glass and smile at everyone as I walk back by and back into my room. I close and lock the door again. I open the wine and pour me some into the wine glass and I have a seat on the bed in front of the laptop.