Disclaimer: I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy, I am just having a bit of fun with the characters, and making no profit.
AN: Oh my god, you guys, I was so not expecting such a huge response to just the first chapter! Over 800 views and 27 favorites! THANK YOU! I am so humbled that you guys like my work, and I hope you all get a good laugh out of this chapter, I know I did. I'm actually having a lot of fun writing my version of Ana...I think we do get glimpses of her in the book/movie, and so I decided to bring her out a little bit more. Well, here is the next chapter! Thank you all again! xoxo
"I can't walk in these." Ana said as she wobbled on the six-inch stilettos that Mia had bugged her to try on.
"They're Louboutin's. Every woman should have a pair of these in her closet." Mia said absently as she held up a red cocktail dress and pushed it into Ana's arms.
"Mia, when the hell will I ever wear this? I can't wear this to work." Ana groused
Mia waved her off dismissively, "Hello! Holiday party! Honestly Ana, I'm sure there will be an occasion at some point this year where you'll thank me for suggesting it."
After two hours of trying on clothes and attempting to walk in heels, Ana was beginning to get annoyed.
"Fine, but after this can we please go get something to eat? I'm starving." Ana said as she stepped back into the changing room for what would hopefully be the last time.
"Yes, yes, I know a great little bistro right around the corner, you'll love it. Then we can go do something about your hair." Mia chuckled as she examined her perfectly manicured nails.
"My hair? What's wrong with my hair?" Ana snapped through the closed door as she shimmied into the slinky red cocktail dress.
"Well, nothing is wrong with it per se, it just needs a little help. It's just so…plain."
Ana studied her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had her hair cut, and honestly, it was looking a bit flat these days, especially when paired with the slinky Dolce and Gabbana Cocktail dress and Christian Louboutin stillettos she was currently sporting.
"Fine." Ana relented as she stepped out of the changing room to show Mia the dress.
Mia gasped, "Ana! Look at you! Who knew you had such a hot little body hiding away under those frumpy clothes!"
Ana scowled, "Gee, thanks."
Mia laughed, "I meant it as a compliment, you're really pretty, you should have more confidence in yourself, you know?"
Ana blushed, not used to receiving such compliments, "Thanks…um…I'll work on it I guess."
Mia nodded, "Alright, well get changed and we'll go get something to eat."
About goddamn time!
Ana slipped back into the changing room to put her ugly clothes back on and her well-worn flats, and took a long look at herself in the mirror. To her surprise, Mia was right. She looked like a completely different person. With a new hairstyle and a bit of makeup, maybe she could stand next to Mia and not feel like Dorothy Zbornak on a good day.
oOo0oOo
"So tell me, how did you end up here in London?" Mia asked as she dug into her quinoa salad.
Ana wiped her mouth with her napkin as she set down her burger, and swallowed her food before she answered.
"After high school, I got accepted to Washington State into their British Literature program. I kept my job at Starbucks part time working weekends for some extra cash, and an opportunity opened up to intern here in London at a publishing house, so I took it. Luckily, Starbucks let me transfer to their Lambeth location so I could at least guarantee some income to supplement the little bit I'd earn while interning. After this semester, just before Christmas, I'll be heading back to Seattle to finish up my degree so I can graduate in the spring. What about you? What sort of work are you doing at Grey Enterprises, Holdings?"
Mia blushed and took a sip of her sparkling water, "I'm the senior director of corporate events."
Ana furrowed her brows, "What exactly does that entail?"
Mia laughed, "Basically, I plan all the parties for Grey Enterprises."
Ana's eyebrows rose in surprise, "There's actually a position for that?"
Mia chuckled, "Of course! There are over one hundred-thousand employees! Trying to coordinate and plan those events, is a full time job, let me tell you."
"So is that why you're in London? Planning a party?" Ana asked as she popped a french fry in her mouth.
"Yeah, Christian asked me to organize a welcoming party for their newest acquisition, which is based here in London. It made sense for me to stay on here until the event to make sure everything goes smoothly."
Ana nodded.
"Oh my god, I totally just had the best idea! You should come to the party!" Mia said excitedly.
Wait, what?!
"Mia, I can't just crash a corporate party…" Ana argued.
"Nonsense! I'll add you to the guest list! It'll be great! If nothing else, it'll give you an opportunity to wear that new dress!" Mia chuckled as Ana rolled her eyes.
"When is it going to be?" Ana asked, surprised that she was even halfway considering it.
"Next month; this will be so great!" Mia explained while pulling out her cell phone and tapping in a reminder to herself.
Ana sighed and finished her burger, knowing that she probably wouldn't be able to get out of it, seeing as Mia just spent a small fortune on her.
"Are you finished? I just got a text from Alejandro that he's ready for us." Mia said as she slipped her phone back into her bag
"Wait, who's Alejandro?" Ana asked as she ate the last bite of her burger and wiped her mouth.
Mia rolled her eyes, "Duh, he's your stylist, now let's go!"
Her stylist? She had a stylist now?
"Just remember, if you can't understand him, just nod and smile, that's what I do. Oh, and if he asks if you want the 'Sbiancamento Anale', make sure you say NO." Mia offered.
Ana looked at her in confusion, "What is that, some sort of hairstyle?"
Mia stopped walking and turned to look at Ana as she bit back a smirk, "Um…no. Anal Bleaching."
"Oh. Right, of course….because most people stop in for a quick ass bleaching while getting a trim." Ana said sarcastically as she shook her head laughing.
"Just make sure you say No!" Mia laughed as she led Ana to the salon where Alejandro, Asshole bleacher extraordinaire, awaited them.
oOo0oOo
"You owe me ten bucks." Kate said laughing after listening to Ana's story of how her afternoon with Mia went.
"Kate, he bleached my asshole, and all your worried about is your ten bucks?!" Ana snapped into the phone
"To be fair, Mia did warn you. Why the hell did you follow him into the back room after she told you that?" Kate asked laughing.
"He asked if I wanted to be waxed! That part, I understood. I thought he was just going to do a simple bikini wax." Ana explained.
"So how did you go from getting your cooch waxed to having your asshole bleached?!" Kate managed to get out between her laughter.
"Well, he started on my bikini area, and just kept going! I'm completely bald down there, Kate! Next thing I know, he grabs both my ankles, flips me over, and spreads my cheeks." Ana complained which only caused Kate to laugh even harder.
"It's not funny! Do you have any idea how much that stings? I'm literally afraid to poop."
"Stop! I can't!" Kate managed to breathe as she cackled into the phone.
After a few minutes, she finally got her laughter under control.
"So are you seriously considering going to this party?" Kate asked
"Well, it would be kind of shitty if I blew her off after all the money she spent on me, I kind of feel like I have to go. Honestly though, she's not as bad as I thought. Once I got to know her a bit, she was actually pretty easy to talk to."
"No…no, no, no, Ana, she's a Helen. Next thing you know, she'll be trying to take my place as your best friend, throwing parties with giant cookies, and giving out puppies as party favors." Kate scolded.
"Wait, did you just make a Bridesmaids reference?" Ana chuckled.
"Yes. It was totally on point though; I mean you did get your asshole bleached."
"Ugh, You're right. I still need to go to the party though, I already told her I would." Ana sighed.
"Well, you only live once, at least there will be an open bar, right?" Kate chuckled.
"Yep, I'm sure Mister Megabucks can afford the good stuff, too." Ana smirked.
"Mister Megabucks? You mean Christian Grey, The Christian Grey will be there?" Kate asked in awe.
"I would imagine so, it is his company, after all." Ana said shrugging.
"He is so hot! Forget what I said earlier, you totally have to go to this party." Kate gushed.
Ana snorted, "Kate, it's not as if he'd even look twice at me. I mean, come on, have you seen the women he's dated? Keira Knightly, Kate, he dated Keira friggin' Knightly."
"For what, like five minutes? You're every bit as pretty as she is, not to mention a lot smarter." Kate snapped.
"Anyway, he's probably a dick. Men that beautiful usually are." Ana said trying to end the conversation. Christian Grey was out of her league, and that's all there was to it.
"Probably," Kate agreed, "Well, try to have a good time anyway. How are things going at Random House?"
"Great, actually. I have gotten to read some incredible manuscripts that I otherwise probably never would have had the chance to read; I even suggested to my boss that he consider publishing one of them."
"What's your boss like? For some reason I am picturing an older stately British gentleman like Ian McKellen." Kate laughed.
"Not quite, actually he's American. His name is Jack Hyde, and he's more of a Bill Weasley than a Gandalf."
"Huh…so he's a ginger then?" Kate asked
Ana chuckled, "Yep. Even has the ponytail and the earring."
"Wow…that's um…interesting" Kate trailed off, not knowing how to respond to that, so she changed course, "he's nice though, right? Not giving you a hard time, is he?"
"He's alright, I guess, could be worse, I suppose. I think it helps that I stop at Starbucks on my way in and bring him a coffee every morning."
"Well, I'm glad things are going so well…Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! I ran into Jose last week; he's got a show coming up in Seattle right around Christmas time! I think you'll be home by then…He'd be over the moon if you surprised him!" Kate said.
Ana beamed, "Oh my God! That's fantastic! He finally did it! Of course I'll be there, I wouldn't miss it!"
"Awesome, well, duty calls…If I don't get a chance to talk to you before then, tell me how the party goes!"
"Promise! Love you, Katydid."
"Love you too, Ana banana."
oOo0oOo
Despite not eating lunch earlier in the day, Ana felt like she was about to throw up as the black shiny car pulled up in front of the Bulgari hotel. To say that this place was swanky was an extreme understatement. The valet came around to open the car door, and she picked up her clutch and shimmied as gracefully as possible out of the car while wearing that skin tight red Dolce and Gabbana dress that Mia had talked her in to. After making sure she wouldn't trip over her Louboutin's, she took a deep breath and walked into the lobby.
"Where can I direct you, Miss?" one of the staff greeted as she stepped inside, and she cleared her throat to say, "Grey Enterprises Party?"
"Certainly, Miss. Your name please?" the man asked kindly from behind the black shiny desk.
"Anastasia Steele."
God, she hoped Mia hadn't forgotten to add her to the list! How embarrassing would it be if she got kicked out!
"Excellent, here are your keys, you'll be staying on the fourteenth floor, Suite number 77, just below the penthouse, if you'd like to freshen up before the party. The party will be in the Ballroom."
Ana looked down at the key card he handed her in confusion, "Wait, I have a room?"
"Yes, Miss Steele."
"Oh…alright then." Ana said surprised. She was a bit annoyed that Mia hadn't bothered to tell her, as she hadn't brought any of her things, but she supposed it was nice to not have to worry about getting back to her flat later if she had too much to drink. It couldn't hurt to have a look-see at the room before heading down to the party.
She stepped into the elevator, which was probably larger than her flat, and hit the button for the fourteenth floor. When the door chimed only a moment later, she looked up and froze, as none other than Christian Grey stepped inside.
"Going up?" He asked politely as he reached out to hit the button for his floor, and she wasn't surprised to see that he hit button fifteen; the penthouse.
Not knowing what to say, she gave him a shy smile as he studied her.
"I don't recall seeing you before, are you new?" he asked curiously as he continued gazing at her with his piercing grey eyes.
"Um…no. I'm just a guest." She stammered, not sure if she should tell him that she was actually invited by his sister.
"I see." He said as the door chimed once again before opening on the fourteenth floor.
"Well, this is me." Ana said awkwardly and she made to step out of the elevator, when the unthinkable happened. The heel of her outrageously expensive Louboutin stilettos got caught in the elevator door, causing her to stumble forward.
She was caught by a pair of strong arms just before she hit the impeccably polished marble floor, and was brought slowly back to her feet.
"Are you alright, Miss…?" Christian asked trying to bite back a smirk.
Ana blushed to the roots of her hair, completely mortified.
"Steele. Anastasia Steele. I'm fine. Thanks for that." She said as she attempted to straighten her dress.
"It was my pleasure, Miss Steele." He said before stepping back into the elevator with a small smile.
Just before the doors closed, he nodded; "Anastasia."
"Christian." She said without thinking, noticing how his eyes widened slightly before the doors slid shut.
'Oh my God, how embarrassing.' She moaned as she made her way towards her room.
When she heard the lock click open, she opened the door, and her jaw hit the floor. Simply put, this room, no, apartment, was stunning. The décor and furniture probably cost more than her tuition payments. She spun around giggling like a child and dropped down onto the king sized bed. She was definitely sleeping here tonight, even if she hadn't brought a change of clothes.
A knock suddenly sounded on her door, and she figured it was probably Mia.
"I'm coming, hold your horses!" she yelled as she strode through the living room to open the door.
One of the hotel staff stood on the other side of the door holding a large bouquet of red roses.
"Delivery for a Miss Anastasia Steele."
"That's me." She said in confusion as the man swept inside and placed the large vase of roses on the table.
"Um, who are these from?" she asked looking to see if there was a card.
"Compliments of Mister Grey, Ma'am." The man answered and swept out of the room just as quickly as he had entered.
Probably just a 'welcoming gift' to everyone who had booked a room as a guest of Geay Enterprises, she thought.
She plucked up the small card and opened it, expecting to see some generic message, when she gasped in surprise:
Anastasia,
It was a pleasure to meet you; I look forward to seeing you at the party.
~Christian
Holy Shit.
She just got flowers from Christian hot-billionaire-CEO Grey. Take that Keira Knightly.
After taking a few deep breaths to calm down, she decided she should probably head down to the party. What if he was there?
Of course he would be there, it's his party, dumbass!
She'd play it cool. Thank him graciously for the flowers if she saw him, and not act like a complete lunatic. Seems simple enough.
After re-checking her hair and makeup for the millionth time, she tucked her room key into her clutch, and headed down to the ballroom.