(Five years later…)

"Do you want ice with that?" I asked the man in front of me, for what was probably the 120th time that day.

The monotony of this job was not lost on me. There was an informal script in which we were to follow to a tee. Bright toothy smiles and good will. Can I get you anything extra sir? Would you like a single, or a double? Sometimes, I felt like a doll with a pull-string that only ever says a few phrases.

The man with the offending beard shook his head as I passed him the warm beer. Seriously. Who didn't have ice in their beer?

Glancing up at the clock, I saw the clock hand slowly making its way toward the twelve. Fifteen minutes to go. Five minutes until a whole weekend of freedom.

I had been a barmaid now at Bellini's hotel for just over a year. Shortly after I turned 19, I realised I could no longer rely on my parents to keep footing the bill. The older I got, the more things I needed. In a few months' time, I would be turning 21, which meant I would finally be able to start drinking the drinks I had been pouring for years. The Bellini was not far from where I lived; yet it was a whole other ball game. The hotel was very upscale, reserved for Seattle's rich and well to do. Clientele mostly consisted of single businesswomen and men who were stopping by from out of town on a work trip. It was also a popular anniversary booking; we did all the extras like rose petals on the bed and champagne in buckets. My manager, Joe, was a huge scary middle-aged woman who made sure no sleazy men ever messed with her girls. The girls that served here were all young and pretty; to fit the hotels glamorous aesthetic. However, Joe made it clear that we were not to be hit on at all. The whole, you can look but cannot touch was a strict reinforcement here.

The bar where I worked was past the lobby, adjacent to the dining hall. The food in there cost enormous amounts and the drinks weren't much cheaper either.

I glanced at the clock again. Ten minutes to go.

"You clocking off at 11 aren't you?" Cassie asked, rolling her eyes. "Lucky devil."

I smirked. "What time you here till?"

She sighed. "Late shift."

I groaned with her in sympathy.

Late shift started at 9 and didn't finish until the bar closed at 3. In theory, it didn't sound too bad but in practice, it was awful. Late shift meant dealing with the drunken idiots plus closing. I tried my best to avoid them at all costs and since I was the youngest girl here, Joe almost always let me off the hook.

I met Cassie on my first day here. She was 25 and has always showed me the ropes and looked after me. We got on like a house on fire and she was now one of my very best friends.

"Your Aunt's getting in tonight, right?" She asked, pouring ice into her customer's drink. A normal customer. Who liked ice.

I nodded. "She should be there by now."

My Aunt Leila was finally coming home after the past five years spent in New York. We had barely seen her during that whole time; she was constantly busy with her husband trying to grow his business. They had succeeded, and Christian Grey was now raking in millions and was busy setting up a headquarters office here in Seattle. He had managed to take his manufacturing company to dazzling heights that had expanded into communications and eco manufacturing also. Leila had been by his side for the past half a decade, arranging meetings and putting long hours in with top businessmen in New York. Recently however, she had stepped back to pursue her own dreams of starting a real estate business. And starting a family. She had sacrificed a lot to Christian's ambitions, and now it was time to find her own dreams. With that however, had come complications. In Leila's own words, their marriage was 'a little rocky' and so she was coming home for a while to sort things out. Being in New York had not been ideal and they were both keen to be back on home soil. Leila would be staying with us for the first few weeks whilst Christian settled in with his headquarters and new house. Truthfully, Leila has confessed that they also needed a break. I didn't know the details, but I knew she was stressed and needed a little separation time. Perhaps it would be good for them. Maybe it would be the boost they needed to rekindle their romance.

Cassie moved over to another customer, and I drummed my fingernails along the countertop. Seven minutes to go. I was exhausted and dying for a hot shower and a change into my lounge clothes. I was also excited to get into bed with a chamomile tea and read more of my new mystery book I was enjoying. My friends often joked that I was an old lady in disguise because I enjoyed my relaxation time. I loved having fun; but I balanced that equally with quiet time.

In my peripheral vision, I watched as another customer walked in. I groaned, knowing that it would probably take me over time. Plastering my fake smile on, I grinned as he walked into view. And then the grin gradually faded.

It was Christian Grey.

He looked a lot different than the last time I had seen him, which was a few years ago now. His crisp grey suit screamed thousands of dollars; each inch perfectly tailored and measured to his impressive height and figure. Glancing over, I saw that he was broader than he had been before. His hair, dark copper and wavy, contrasted heavily with his piercing gray eyes and the the shirt he wore underneath hinted at a chiselled chest. The gym and a new luxurious lifestyle suited him. His net worth was evident in his physical presence, and I could not help but stare.

"Can I get a glass of white wine please," he said, glancing at me once before looking back down at his phone. "The best you have."

I turned, going in the back to fetch the wine. I felt a little insulted that he had not even recognised me. Sure, I had changed from when I was younger, but I was his wife's niece for crying out loud. I had been a bridesmaid at his wedding. I rolled my eyes, dismissing him. He had always been rude and slightly arrogant. We had never really got on, and I did not think I had ever even had a full conversation with him in my entire life. Why would he be any better now? Especially with all his wealth and the ego that had naturally came along with it.

I poured our best wine into a large glass before heading back out with the bottle. I passed it across the bar, waiting to see if he would finally look up at the interruption.

He didn't.

"That will be $13.90," I said abruptly.

Finally, he looked up, looking at me properly for the first time. I watched as his brows knitted together, scrutinising me intently. Trying to figure out where he knew me from. He then glanced at my name tag and widened his eyes.

"Anastasia?" He asked, surprised.

I crossed my arms. "Yes. Good to see you too Christian."

He pulled out his card, shaking his head.

"Yes," he said, speaking to himself. "Your aunt did mention you worked here, I think. Still, I didn't expect to run into you."

"You didn't know who I was," I said, offended.

He swiped his card once into the reader, shrugging apologetically.

"You look different," he said, taking his wine and allowing himself a sip. "You still in high school?"

"No. I'm not still in high school," I snapped, offended. "I'm almost twenty-one."

Again, he raised his brows. "Really?" He asked. "Jeez. Time flies."

He gave me a little smile before looking back down at his phone. It was as plain as day that he could not have been interested in the least.

"Do you mind?" He asked, clearly not caring whether I minded or not. "I've really got to take this."

Before I could even say a word, he was off. I watched as he slid into a far-off booth, chatting away on his mobile.

"You okay?" Cassie asked, coming over. "Bad customer?"

"Just my aunt's douche of a husband," I replied bitterly.

She laughed. "Poor you. Tell me how it goes tomorrow."

"I will," I promised.

I looked at the clock again. Finally, time to finish.

As I walked out into the fresh air and headed to my car, I could now fully understand why my aunt was having marital difficulties. The reason was pretty simple.

Her husband was a massive dickhead.