Navy Blue

Anastasia and Christian meet each other when they're 18 with different dreams. Hers is to be a singer and his is to be the corporate mogul we know and love. What happens when an evil and manipulative Elena gets in their way and deludes them that it'll never work out?

Chapter 13: Truth Is

Truth is that I want this,

Cause I always see you in my sleep.

"So?" Kate eyes me critically, raising a perfectly plucked brow. Her blonde hair lay straightened down her back and her light green blouse perfectly complementing her blue jeans.

"So what?" My mouth is full from the cereal I've been eating since she came to visit me. I, on the other hand, am not perfectly made up and ready to face the day. I woke up a mere 10 minutes ago to Kate banging on my door. The Kavanagh Inquisition came early today.

She first came here to remind me that the tickets for this mini concert I'm throwing at Seattle park are being released in a couple of weeks time. However as soon as she started to linger and hover around me whilst I made my breakfast that I knew she was here for a different reason.

"You and Christian?" She questions with an obvious tone.

"Oh." I snicker. "That."

She continues to stare me down whilst I ignore her question. To put the cherry on top, I continue eating my cereal and scroll through my phone. I really don't know why she bothers at this point. I think she's just excited for me to 'finally' be in some sort of a relationship.

"Ana!" She whines.

"Okay, okay." I put her out of her misery. I take a big deep breath whilst she holds hers. She's tightly knit like she's about to explode- I hope she's not thinking up a congratulatory dance being presumptuous that Christian and I are back together.

"We're friends." I break the news.

"Friends?" Her brow furrows, like I've just given her an anticlimactic ending- which I kind of did, knowing Kate's romanticised ideals on life. "Ana, you cannot be serious."

"What do you mean?" I scrunch my eyebrows.

"First of all, the man is clearly in love with you." She fingers one of the many bouquet of flowers Christian has given me over the past week and a half. The flowers always come with an invitation for lunch, and he delivers them himself.

Always.

We're walking down Pike Place Market when Christian abruptly stops to chat with the man in charge of a flower stall. He pays the man who then gives me a bouquet of red chrysanthemums.

"They're lovely, Christian." I sniff the flowers. "Thank you."

"They symbolise adoration." He quips as we start walking again.

My breath is caught in my throat. I ponder on what he means by that. Does he adore me? Maybe even love me? We've just met three weeks ago. Granted, I've never felt this way for anybody- ever, but is it too soon?

Do I feel the same way?

My heart increases in pace as he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him as he rambles about the stalls his mother took him to when he and his siblings were small. His eyes are alight, and his demeanour is happy.

I smile, content with only watching him speak. I could listen to him forever, I muse. Of course, I feel the same way. It seems silly to even think otherwise.

He continues on, unaware of my besotted thoughts and sudden realisation of love for him. It feels like the world has shifted on its axis, everything suddenly revolving around this one man who is wrapped around me like a vine.

How did I get so lucky? To find someone like him?

We stop at a particular spot, overlooking Elliot Bay, watching the sun begin it's descent. The orange and red hues light up as the sky and I lean further into his side. This is perfect. I sigh happily.

"I love you, Anastasia."

I look up at him in awe. I didn't think he'd be the first one to say those three little words which encompass oh, so much. Tears well up in my eyes at the pure emotion reflected in his grey orbs, the sunset hues in the sky making them even more passionate than I thought possible.

"I love you, too."

I could guess why he's going down the flower route since he was partial to bestowing me with flowers every waking moment of our past relationship. Although, I do admit that our friendship has blossomed beautifully since that late night talk/ afternoon lunch. I see him almost every day, spend time with him just as much and I do admit I'm really liking it. However, a few days of good repertoire isn't enough for me to shake off insecurities about the past just yet.

"What's the second?" I rest my chin on my hand, watching her.

"There is no second." She deadpans. "That's it."

I huff out a laugh, and I can't help but feel bad. This is everything Kate has wanted- for a man to love her back- and I'm here actively rejecting her ideals. A man is hand delivering me flowers and taking me out to breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner on a regular basis and I'm... still single.

"I'm not ready to jump into a relationship right now, Kate." I explain. It's true, I just want the pain from the past to heal a little while longer and jumping straight into a relationship after 3 years of no contact is such a bad idea.

"How's Elliot?" I change the subject... slightly.

"We're... fine." She's hesitant, and my head is immediately ringing alarm bells. I drop my spoon into my now soggy cereal and eye her speculatively. She's not meeting my eyes and for the ever brusque and brash Kate Kavanagh- that's not a positive sign.

"What do you mean by fine?" I'm wary. I thought Elliot was good for Kate. They seemed so smitten with each other the last time I saw them. Although I'm still slightly mad at her mad dash, leaving Christian and I alone together.

"Yeah. He's doing his own thing and..." She trails off. She occupies herself by touching my flower arrangement again, arraigning and then rearranging.

"And?" I wave my spoon in her face.

Her hands slam my marble counter top, and looks at me with wide eyes. Her hair somehow gaining static and lifting around her face. She looks like a crazy scientist who's discovered a revelation.

"I'm completely obsessed with him." She panics.

"Kate!" I groan. I knew it. She's not gonna let Elliot do his own thing that easily. If she's this invested, knowing her, she's probably called twice, texted and emailed him by now.

"I know! I know!" She placates me. "I just can't help it. He's just busy with work right now and I've got a lot of free time. I'm just anxious to spend more time with him."

"Kate, whatever you do." I let her know. "Do not pester him. Let him come to you."

I get off the breakfast bar and head into my room to change for the day. I'm going to Grey Studios with Kate and then having lunch with the big boss himself. I entertain the thought of inviting Kate to Christian and I's near daily occurrence, but I know she'll just try to read between the lines and meddle. Speaking of Kate, I halt in my tracks halfway to my bedroom and listen to Kate's silence in my living room.

"And whatever you do, do not triple text him!" I shout.

"ARGH!" Kate's responding sound of frustration makes me nod in satisfaction as I laugh all the way to my bedroom.

A Few Weeks Later

"Miss Steele." Christian greets behind a humongous bouquet of wildflowers. The arrangement is so large, I'm having trouble seeing him behind all the petals.

"Why hello, Mr. Grey." I giggle at his goofy display. "Bit too early in the morning, don't you think?" I say as I let him in.

It's currently 7 am on a Saturday morning.

He hands me the beautiful bouquet and follows me to the kitchen where I put them in water. It's been more than a few weeks since our heart to heart talk on my couch and things have been progressing smoothly. We've both kept our end of the bargain and have maintained a strict friendship with boundaries. Although, I find myself getting positively giddy every time I even see, hear or think about Christian Grey.

He comes over almost every morning and we have breakfast together. Normally, it's at 8am so he can head to work by 9. After breakfast, he'll almost always ask me to lunch the same day. However, today he's here an hour early. To be honest with myself, it's the best part of my day.

"What's the reason for your early visit?" I raise my eyebrows. "Breakfast isn't ready yet."

"I thought we could go out today." He grins. "Spare you having to cook and slave away in that kitchen of yours."

"At 7 am?" I furrow my brows. "Don't you have to go into GEH today?"

"It's Friday." He shrugs as if that answers any of my questions.

"Last I checked, Friday was still a work day." I narrow my eyes at him. He looks delicious in his white polo and blue jeans. I sigh inwardly- it should be illegal for a man to look this good.

"Last I checked, I was my own boss." He counters.

I roll my eyes at his banter. He clearly isn't dressed up to go to GEH- even though his company policy has casual Fridays in order to somewhat boost employee morale and kickstart the weekend.

"Where are we going?" I'm impatient and clearly, he knows it as he stifles a laugh.

"Get ready and I'll tell you." He keeps himself tight lipped. "But shorts, a hoodie and something to get wet in."

Okay, a bit of a hint, but where would we go? Although, he's once told me he had a fondness for beaches, I doubt we'd be heading to some sandy shores today, especially in Seattle. I briefly think of Christian, shirtless wearing only his swim shorts, his skin glistening in the sun.

Yummy.

I'm sceptical of his plan but I know Christian well enough to be certain that he will not tell me anything. So, the best I can do is smile and head to my room to change. I decide on a black bikini under a simple white t-shirt and shorts. I pair it off with some cute sandals and a zip up hoodie and off we go.

Christian buys me breakfast at a cafe near the pier and we spend some time sitting outside and talking some more. I love and savour moments like these.

"Favourite breakfast food?"

"Probably pancakes and bacon." Shoving down the same breakfast down his mouth.

"I can see that." I laugh.

We're currently at iHop, eating away our hangovers after a rough night. I've got a class later on this afternoon however, Christian is completely free.

"What're you going to do later?"

"I have a meeting with Mrs. Lincoln." He chews. "I'm going to try and persuade her if I can meet with her husband."

"Oh?" I'm intrigued. "What for?"

"Her husband has more knowledge in the field I'm trying to pursue." He grimaced. "Talking with Elena about business seems to be going in circles nowadays."

I nod, thoughtfully. Briefly, I wonder why Christian never sought Mr. Lincoln's help in the first place since he's the businessman in that marriage. I've only met her a handful of times but Mrs. Lincoln just seems to be a natural at negotiation, or maybe it's just manipulation.

I shudder, and push away that thought. She's been nothing but helpful to Christian. I shouldn't be thinking like that.

"Tell her I said hi." I force a smile and cut into my pancakes.

I know Christian's trying hard to keep away the hectic outside world and keep us in our bubble by organising our lunches and dinners together in private rooms or early mornings. I love being in the bubble we formed long ago when neither of us were famous or rich.

Just Ana and Christian.

"Look! Look! It's Anastasia Steele!"

Until it's not.

A group of four girls are standing huddled excited squealing and holding pieces of paper with pens. I spy their parents behind them standing with their smartphones at the ready. They're dressed in school uniform reminding me that it's a very early Friday morning. However, they're stuck between the two burly bodyguards keeping them at a safe distance whom I now know as Taylor and Sawyer.

Talk about Deja Vu.

"Can we please get an autograph!?"

Seeing hopeful faces, I melt and relent. I wince apologetically at Christian who looks slightly amused but slightly bothered by the intrusion but he waves Taylor and Sawyer off. I pose for a few pictures and sign autographs for the girls but the patrons at the cafe have gotten wind that I'm willing to be some sort of cardboard cutout to pose with.

"Maybe we should go." I suggest to Christian as I see various customers getting their cameras ready.

He nods silently, appraising me as he leads me out of the cafe. I apologise to him as I noticed he didn't finish all of his morning coffee.

"It's fine, Ana." He smiles. "It's just coffee."

We wait for Taylor out front, just out of sight of the cafe. A few moments of silence pass by and I watch the trees sway in the breeze. It's such a nice day to be outside, I sigh happily.

"I was thinking about getting you a CPO." Christian says, abruptly. My peaceful thoughts screech into a halt.

"A what?" I turn to look at him. He's leaning against the red bricks of the building next to us.

"A close protection officer." He clarifies. Does he mean like what Taylor is? A CPO?

"You mean, a bodyguard?" I furrow my brows. I don't really see the need to have a big hunk of man meat following me around all day.

"Yes." He nods.

"Why?" I ask. This is completely out of the blue.

"Ana, you're not some random stranger who people just walk past on the street anymore." He tells me. "You fan base is growing day by day."

"It's just cause the tickets to this mini concert I'm doing got released today." I shrug. "It'll die down after that."

"Will it?" He raises an eyebrow. It's clear he's not buying my explanation.

"Yeah." Even I have a hard time convincing myself that's the case. I know Christian won't take the bait. "I hope so."

"It's not as if it's the end of the world having a bodyguard." He persuades. "They're just there to keep you safe."

I don't tell him about the fans in New Orleans when I visited Ray. In some level, I guess he's right. I need to open my eyes and realise that I will and do need protection the higher my popularity gets. In some ways, I don't believe I'm even famous enough to have a bodyguard.

My mind drifts to Taylor, the big, burly ex-marine following our every move, but I rationalise that as a different matter. Christian's a billionaire with a huge empire and assets so large I can't even imagine possessing in my lifetime. He's important enough to have a bodyguard- in his profession, it's warranted.

But me?

Christian cuts off my train of thought by giving me a good rationalisation of recruiting a bodyguard. I didn't think there would be any need, but the CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings is bound to have a good argument on this discussion.

"It was small crowds today of two to four people." He lists. "But you still had trouble getting past them. What's gonna happen when there's ten? Or twenty? Which I'm pretty sure can happen any time soon. It's only 8am, Ana and you're already getting crowded."

After a few moments, he stalks towards me. I hold my breath as he takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. Oh, wow.

"I just want you safe." He murmurs.

I want him closer, I realise. Over the past few weeks, physical contact between us has been limited to high fives and the occasional accidental brush of fingers. Holding hands is something new, even though my skin has already memorised the feel of his from many years ago.

"I know." I breathe.

"So, will you let me assign one to you?" His eyes are like grey molten lava, compelling me to agree to his every request. However, my independent nature is too strong to break with just a few words.

"They're gonna be on your payroll?" I tilt my head to the side to scrutinise him a little further.

"Yes." He confirms.

"But they're going to be my bodyguard." I shake my head. "That doesn't make any sense."

"I like to take good care of my friends." He winks cheekily.

I groan in frustration. How incorrigible!

"Christian, you can't just pay my bodyguard's salary." I roll my eyes. "I'll be the one to do it."

He's got another thing coming if he thinks he's going to paying the person who's meant to be stuck to my side like glue. As if I'd let him get away with that.

"We'll see." He shrugs.

"Christian!" I smack him on the forearm. "Stop!"

He laughs but shrugs it off. I shake my head, incredulously at this man. He knows no bounds.

"Onto more important matters." He grins. "Where are my tickets to this mini concert?"

Changing the subject, Mr. Grey? Okay. I'll play.

"Using me for free tickets, Mr. Grey?" I scoff jokingly. "I didn't think you were that type of guy."

"But of course." He plays along. "Money is tight nowadays."

I burst out laughing at his humour. As if Mr. Moneybags needed any money saving tactics- he'd end up being the world's first trillionaire.

"I guess I should be the one to pay my bodyguard then, Mr. Cheapskate." I giggle.

A horn honks a few metres away from us, and Christian immediately leads me into the car where Taylor is waiting. I greet him from the backseat and he gives me a warm of back in the rear view mirror.

"Are you gonna tell me where we're going now?" I turn back to Christian.

"You'll see." He grins, mischievously.

As we drive, I can see we're heading into the direction of the water. The boats along the pier get larger and larger. I've never really taken the time to stroll down the pier and look at the various boats which are docked and anchored. After Taylor parks, Christian takes my hand and walks us towards a large catamaran. My eyes catch wind of the large delicate gold writing on the side of the boat.

The Annie-Rose.

I stop in my tracks, wide eyed in my shock. I blinks my eyes once, twice and three times before I shake my head in disbelief.

"Y-you..." I am lost for words. "Christian, what is this?"

"What?" He asks innocently. I don't even take the time to look at him because I'm so flabbergasted at the sight.

"Y-You named it.." I fumble over my words.

"It's a lovely name." He murmurs from behind me.

He's suddenly so close, it's like he's a part of me. My skin is so very attuned to him. His hands tentatively lay on my waist as he towers behind me and places his nose on the top of my head. He inhales the scent of my hair and I find the action quite soothing. I lean back against him and we just stand and stare at the large majestic boat that is my namesake.

"You've named a boat after me?" I finally laugh.

"Yes." He says, simply. "I've been wanting to take you sailing for a while now. Since everything was going so well with us, I thought today would be the day."

"I would love that, Christian." I turn my head to see his face whilst beaming widely.

"Good." He grins. "Now get yourself moving, Miss Steele. A day full of nautical fun awaits you aboard The Annie Rose!"

His childlike demeanour makes me laugh. I wonder what people will think when they see the cold, daunting CEO of a billion dollar company acting like a little boy who's about to tour the boats on the docks.

I smile lightly, as I trail behind him. I look down at our clasp hands and wonder when that happened or even how. I can't help but marvel at the ease of it- like my hand has always belonged and fit perfectly in his. I squeeze my grip without thinking and Christian turns back to look at me. He gives me a dazzling smile, which makes my breath hitch, and squeezes back.

We separate for a little while on board, so we can both change into our swimwear.

"Ana, you're killing me." Christian groans when I step out onto the deck.

I've changed into my black bikini and am now joining Christian as he lays on one of the chairs, basking in the rare Seattle sun. His muscles are taut, and are bigger than when I previously saw them three years ago. His shoulders are broader, more muscular and his biceps are ... god…

Careful, honey. My subconscious nudges. You're drooling.

Christian grins boyishly at me once he realises I'm checking him out too. We both burst out laughing at the prospect of getting caught, and he hands me a beer.

"Nice to know I still got it." He's smugly grinning.

"What're you talking about?" I giggle. "You must see all of these women practically throwing themselves at you."

"I could say the same thing about you." He raises an eyebrow. My brows knit together, completely befuddles at where he's gotten these silly notions.

"What?" I scoff. "Me?"

"You must see all of these men practically throwing themselves at you." He copies my words from before.

"They do not!" I deny.

He pulls up something on his phone. It's a magazine with me posing on the cover. I remember the shoot well as it was only a week or so ago but up until now, I was unaware that they had chosen me to be this month's cover girl.

"I didn't even know it was for the cover." I say my thoughts out loud.

He points to a few words written in the margins.

"Anastasia Steele ranks in the top 10 most beautiful females in the world." He reads, proudly. "Hell yeah."

I snort at the notion.

"That is not true."

"You've never really saw yourself the way that I see you, baby." He caresses my cheek, tenderly. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world."

"But you like me." I inform him, haughtily. "You're compelled to say that."

"I love you, Anastasia." He rectifies. "It's not 'like'. That word doesn't even encompass how much I feel for you. Don't ever think differently."

As always, he renders me speechless with his way of words. My heart beats twice as fast in my chest for this man, and I so badly want to abandon my thoughts of friendship and have my way with him on his boat that he'd so sweetly named after me.

"Friends." I whisper, in a futile attempt to remind him and myself of our status in each other's lives.

"Believe me, Ana." He groans. "I'm trying."

He drops his hand from my cheek but I let him clasp our fingers together in some sort of agreement. The day passes by quickly after that. We both have lunch on board, consisting of salmon and green salad, courtesy of the chef he'd hired on board for this occasion. We go for a swim in the water for a few hours and lounge around like cats under the sun. In all honesty, his presence was the best part about the trip.

Taylor drops us off at my apartment a couple hours later when we're both exhausted and sluggish. Christian, ever the gentleman, walks me all the way up to my door, inside the building.

"Do you want to come in?" I ask as I turn the key in the door.

"Yeah." He pulls out his phone. "I'll text Taylor to go. He can just get me later."

I grab a few beers from the fridge and hand one to Christian. He's made himself at home on my sofa and just like old days, I sit horizontally and plonk my legs onto his lap, my head on the opposite side of the couch. He absentmindedly caresses my calves whilst he drinks his beer, and I almost regret being so haphazard in my demeanour.

It's like we're a couple again.

Christian delves into a conversation we had on the boat and we both get rowdy at our differing opinions. Before I know it, we've had more than a few beers and we've laughed so hard til we've both cried.

I suppress a yawn. I'm so dead tired but I don't want to go to sleep yet. This has been such a wonderful day and I got to spend and experience my first ever boating trip with an incredible man. I don't want the day to end just yet.

"Do you wanna play a game?"

"What game?"

"I've got some board games stashed away somewhere." I shrug.

"You've always loved those." He chuckles.

"I've got monopoly." I wiggle my brows. "You'd be good at it."

He regards me for a second before chuckling. I know it's a bit of a stretch asking to play board games in the middle of the night but I smile and shrug.

I'm just looking for any excuse to stay awake with you.

It's comical, really. Both of us are tired to the bone but are trying to keep our eyes open to roll the next dice. Christian is winning by a lot. I mean, a lot a lot. After we both yawn in unison, I decide it's time to go to bed.

"Wow, it's so late." I take note of the time. It's way past midnight, almost 4 in the morning. "Do you just want to stay here?"

"W-what?" He blinks.

Christian Grey? Stuttering?

"Do you want to stay over? It's completely and utterly way past midnight." I giggle. "Poor Taylor will have to come back and get you." For

It takes him a few seconds to realise what I'm saying. I don't know if it's cause he's tired or actually shocked I'd even suggest a sleepover.

"I'd love to stay over." He says, overly eager. His wide eyes and bobbing head makes me laugh. He looks like a cartoon character.

"I'll get the guest room ready for you." I stand up and stretch.

I got to the laundry room and fetch a couple of fresh towels and an extra blanket in case he wanted to shower or the temperature drops in the middle of the night. He thanks me after I give them to him and he makes his way to the spare bedroom.

"Christian?" I call out to him.

"Hmm?" He hums.

"Thank you for today." I blush. "I really enjoyed it."

"It's always my pleasure, Ana." He smiles shyly. "I love making you happy."

My blush intensifies as I close the door behind me. I press my knuckles onto my cheeks to keep my face from overheating.

I love making you happy.

I try to stop the giddy, teenager in love smile that breaks out onto my face but I can't. I'm almost shaking with glee and it takes quite an effort to calm down from the Christian Grey effect.

I sigh.

This was such a bad idea.

A Few Hours Later

It's so fucking cold.

I'm shuddering in my pile of blankets. What the hell has happened to the heater?

I hear the pattering of rain outside, increasing the cold atmosphere throughout the apartment. A vast difference to the constant sunshine we had during the day. I trudge out of my bed, dragging the blankets with me as I put my hand on the radiator. It's stone cold.

"Great." I mutter.

I trudge down the hall and I'm about to see if the panel is working when I pass by Christian's door.

Is he cold too?

I only gave him the one blanket, along with the duvet already on the bed. I didn't think it'd be this cold tonight. Even I'm shivering with the thick Sherpa blankets I've wrapped myself in.

"Shit." I whisper.

I knock on his door and listen. Hopefully, he's already asleep, and unaffected by the cold. Then, I can just trod back into my room and pile on some more blankets to my bed.

"Christian?" I whisper.

Almost immediately he answers.

"Ana? Is something wrong?"

I open the door tentatively and peer in. He's wrapped up like a burrito in the covers, trying to keep warm. He looks cute with just his head poking out the mass of fluff and cotton.

"Are you cold?" I ask dumbly. As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I repress the urge to snicker. Of course he's cold, he's covered from head to toe.

"Freezing." He replies anyway.

I go inside the room, dragging my blankets against the floor. My head fighting me on the decision to come closer into the lion's den.

"The heating is down." I explain. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it'd be this cold tonight."

"Don't apologise." He chuckles. "Just come here."

"Pardon?" I blink.

"Those blankets look mighty warm, Miss Steele." His teeth are chattering. "Would you care to share?"

My breath hitches in my throat at his suggestion. I clutch my blankets tighter around me and convince myself that being next to him right now wouldn't be a good idea.

Being in bed with Christian?

Am I ready for this?

Hell yes! My inner goddess is strutting in her lingerie.

"Ana." Christian whispers, sensing my hesitance. "It's just to sleep. Body heat is the best way to generate warmth." I can hear the teasing lilt in his voice.

"Of course you'd say that." I roll my eyes, but I get into bed with him nevertheless. My inner goddess celebrating on her victory.

I lay the blankets over the two of us and his arms immediately find my waist. In an instant, I'm in a warm cocoon surrounded by Christian's scent. His muscular frame radiating warmth like my own personal heat source. I suppress the urge to him in satisfaction and bliss.

I feel like Icarus flying too close to the sun but basking in its glow and warmth. I know that this in itself is a big step in our progressing relationship but I can't help but shove those worries aside as I snuggle deeper into his arms.

I sigh contently.

Within minutes, I fall asleep, Christian's rhythmic heartbeat acting as a lullaby. His light kiss on my forehead sending me off to a peaceful slumber.

Truth is that I love you,

even when I'm trying not to.

Another chapter done!

Again, thank you all so much for reading and please review!

Song list for this chap is 'Truth Is' by Sabrina Claudio.