DISCLAIMER: Fifty shades of Grey or its characters do NOT belong to me. I own the plot and more than a few characters though. I would like to remind you that this is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people or places is accidental.

Thanks so much to my awesome Beta, Ninkita

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*Information:*

Ana and her friends = 24 years old

Christian = 28 years old

Mia = 22 years old

Elliot = 30 years old

Stephen = 28 years old [I'm casting Stephen Amell as Stephen of my story ;)]

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Chapter - 13:

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After Ana calmed down, she offered Christian coffee. Soon, they were curled up on the living room couch with their coffee. "You got those publishers you wanted?" Christian asked, taking a sip from his cup.

"Yeah. Hopefully these new clients will bring back some of our lost clients."

"I'm really sorry about that. I should've investigated more before accusing you like that," Christian said regretfully.

"Let bygones be bygones, Christian," Ana waved off his apology. "By the way... how did you enter my apartment? Only my mom and friends have the key to this apartment. My mom lost hers a few weeks ago. So... which one of my traitor friends helped you?" she asked with a smirk on her face.

Christian snickered hiding behind his coffee cup. "Sorry, I can't tell you. I'm vowed to secrecy," he replied, amused.

"I'll find out sooner or later," Ana warned jokingly. "So, what did you do in the last 4 days?" she inquired sipping her coffee.

"Remember that day I told you about my best friend?"

"The one in defense? Um... Steve, no... Steven? That's the one, right?" Ana tried to remember the name.

Christian chuckled. "It's Stephen and yes, that's the one. He returned from his tour a few weeks ago. He surprised me by sending an email the day you left. I picked him up from the airport the day after you left. I've been spending time with him since then," he said with a happy smile.

"That's great news. Hopefully, you'll loosen up a little now," Ana teased before yawning.

"I'm the cool one between the two of us. He has always been really serious," Christian protested before noticing how tired Ana looked. "You should go back to sleep. I'm going to head out," he said.

"Okay. Drive safe," Ana said, fighting her yawns. They got up from the couch and she walked him to the door. "Thanks for coming to check on me... even though you scared the hell out of me," she giggled.

"I wanted to see you. Scaring you was just an added bonus," Christian gave her his special crooked grin.

"Good night, Christian."

"Goodnight, Ana." Neither of them moved though. They lingered at the doorway. "I should go," Christian said softly.

"Yeah."

Seeing Ana biting her lip nervously as she stared at him with hopeful eyes, Christian stepped closer and pulled her in for a tight hug. After a long moment, he pulled away and turned to leave. Ana frowned before grabbing his jacket and pulling him back to her. She smashed her lips against his. Christian was startled for a moment, but soon found his rhythm. Enthusiastically, they kissed each other until oxygen became necessary. Pulling back, Christian rested his forehead against Ana's and smiled. After getting their breathing under control, Christian went home and Ana went back to bed.

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Stephen was lying on the couch in the living room reading a book. It had been a long time since he got any free time to read a book. The sound of the main door opening drew his eyes away from the book. He saw Christian entering the penthouse with a smile on his face. Stephen had thought that Christian had gone to the office, but instead Christian was casually dressed in dark grey form fitting jeans, light grey button down shirt and black leather jacket. His clothes brought out his bright grey eyes even more.

"Where did you go looking like a model?" Stephen asked with teasing smile.

"Ana came back from her trip. I went to meet her," Christian answered taking a seat on the other side of the sectional. "What have you been up to, Stiffy?" he asked. His smirk widened when Stephen glared at him. Christian knew Stephen hated this nickname. So, he always made sure to call Stephen by that name.

"It was NOT funny in college; it's not now," Stephen stated dryly before going back to his book. "So... this Ana? How serious is this?" he asked glancing at Christian.

"We've only gone on four dates so far. It's too early to tell," Christian shrugged.

"You guys had sex yet?" Stephen asked curiously, closing his book.

"No. We... um... we kissed... a few times," Christian answered blushing.

"I thought people had sex after the 3rd date... or am I wrong?" Stephen was confused.

"We didn't really talk about it. I mean the attraction is there, but other than initiating a kiss or holding hands, we haven't done anything. Of course, I hugged her," Christian mused.

Stephen gave his friend a disbelieving look. "Why so slow? I thought people kiss on the first date and by the third date they are ready to have sex. And what do you mean you 'hugged' her. Hugging counts as romantic for adults as well? I thought that only happens in elementary school."

Christian glared at his friend. "I don't want to push her for more," he said sulkily.

"Is it because of that bitch in college?" Stephen asked softly.

"Hell no!" Christian scoffed in disdain.

"Then what is it?"

"I did the sex thing before. It lost its appeal soon. I genuinely like Ana. So, I thought I should spend more time getting to know her instead of thinking about sex," Christian explained.

"That's a good way of thinking. It means you're serious about her. Hey, why don't you invite her here for dinner? I want to meet her," Stephen suggested.

"Good idea. I'll get Gail to cook Ana's favorite foods," Christian agreed excitedly.

"Why don't you cook yourself? That will be extra romantic," Stephen suggested, sitting up.

"You know I burn water...right?" Christian asked raising his eyebrow.

"I can cook, asshole. I'm going to help you and stay with you the whole time. I'm not crazy enough to leave you in the kitchen alone," Stephen smirked rolling his eyes.

"Great. It's decided then. Let me ask her friend about her favorite food," Christian said pulling out his phone.

After a quick call to Caleb, Christian was ready. He Googled the recipes of each of the food items, and noted the necessary items he needed for each recipe. "Let's go to the grocery store," he suggested getting up from the couch.

"Sit back down, Chris. You need to ask your girlfriend for the date first," Stephen pointed out, "and then we will go grocery shopping."

"Then we'll have to wait till tomorrow morning. Ana was really exhausted from her trip. So she went to sleep early," Christian informed shrugging.

"That's okay. This will give you time to properly plan out this date," Stephen went back to his book.

"I'm going to the office then. I've some work to do. Goodnight," Christian bid him, getting up from the couch.

"Goodnight."

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Christian and Stephen had just returned from their daily jog when Stephen reminded Christian that he needed to call Ana. Heading to his room, Christian dialed her number as he started pulling clothes out from his closet.

"Good morning, Christian," Ana greeted answering the phone. Christian could hear the smile in her tone.

"Morning, love. You're awake! I thought you'll sleep late today. You looked extremely tired last night," Christian replied with a soft smile.

"I'm a little tired, but I wanted to get back into my routine. So, I took Tyson for his morning run. I'm on my way home now."

"Be careful. Anyway, I wanted to ask you if you're free tonight," Christian asked pausing in his tracks as he waited for Ana's answer anxiously.

"I've a meeting around 4.30 pm, but I'll be done by 6 pm. Will that work?" Ana asked.

"Great. It's a date then," Christian beamed.

"Where are we going?" Ana asked.

"I thought you should meet Stephen. We're having dinner here at Escala. I'm cooking," Christian added the last part bashfully.

"Oh my! Should I keep food poisoning medicine ready?" Ana teased, only a little bit serious.

"I'm not a bad cook. I can cook really well, in fact," he said defensively.

"Mia said Elliot and she were in the hospital for 4 days after eating food you cooked," she giggled at Christian's irritated huff.

"They are nothing but a bunch of liars," Christian claimed causing Ana to laugh more. "I'm a really good cook. I'm cooking your favorite tonight. You can decide for yourself if I can cook or not after eating the four-course dinner I'm planning," he boasted arrogantly.

"Alright then. See you tonight. I'm looking forward to this dinner," Ana hung up smirking.

"FUCK!" Christian exclaimed in horror as soon as Ana hung up. Throwing away the clothes in his hands, he ran out of his room and headed towards Stephen's.

Stephen was just getting out of the shower when Christian started knocking on his door insistently. Frowning, Stephen answered the door to his panicking best friend. "What is it?" he asked.

"I screwed up," Christian blurted out. Panic was clear on his face.

Sighing, Stephen leaned against his doorway, "What did you do?" he inquired.

"I told Ana that I'm a really good cook... and I'm going to make a four-course meal," Christian whined, "What the fuck was I thinking?!"

Hearing Christian whining, Dodger, his ferret, ran up to Stephen's door and tilted his head, chittering as if to ask if his owner was alright or not. Stephen gave the ferret a side glance before turning to his best friend and giving him a deadpan look. "Don't worry. We will manage, but we should start early," he suggested.

"Get dressed. We'll head out after breakfast," Christian said getting out of the room. He grabbed Dodger on his way to his room.

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They met at the dining room table after getting dressed for the day. Gail had made a large breakfast for them. "So, how did you end up telling her about that four-course meal you plan on cooking?" Stephen asked Christian just as Gail was bringing the jug filled with orange juice to the table.

As she registered what Stephen had said, her grip on the jug loosened and it shattered on the floor. Stephen and Christian looked at her, startled. "You're cooking?! Why?!" Gail questioned Christian despondently. She really didn't want him to burn down the kitchen.

"I'm trying to impress Ana. Try not to get THAT excited," Christian answered, amused at Gail's panicked look.

"I won't let him burn down the building," Stephen assured.

Blushing, Gail started cleaning up. "I wasn't thinking anything like that," she protested mildly.

"Puh-lease... you were so shocked and horrified at the news that you broke the jug," Christian teased making Gail blush harder with embarrassment.

Stephen laughed before getting up to help her. Once Gail went back to the kitchen, Stephen returned to his breakfast. "Even your staff knows about your awful cooking skills," he teased.

"Yeah. Gail always leaves instructions on how long I should heat the food in each of the containers," Christian snickered. Stephen snorted before going back to eating.

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After they were done eating, Christian asked Gail to make a list of all the ingredients they would need to cook the four-course meal Christian was planning. "Here you go, Mr. Grey. You know I can cook the meal and you can just... say that you cooked it?" she suggested as she handed Christian list.

"That won't be necessary, Gail. Thanks," Christian grinned at the older woman before the boys headed out.

Entering the nearest Target, Stephen and Christian decided to split up in order to get done faster. When they were in college, these two would often go to do their grocery shopping for their frat house. Christian was half was through his shopping, when Stephen showed up suddenly and shoved what appeared to be a large mess of flowers at Christian.

"What the fuck is this?" Christian asked frowning, causing Stephen to grin in amusement.

"Give them to Ana. She'll like them," he replied raising his eyebrow.

"They're cheap and hideous," Christian pointed out snottily. Stephen rolled his eyes and shoved the flowers at Christian again, until Christian finally took them. "I'm not giving her these cheap-ass flowers. I'm throwing them away," Christian claimed.

"It's just flowers. Why do they need to be expensive? I think she'd love them if she's not a money hungry person... and they're pink," Stephen shrugged suppressing his laughter.

Christian looked horrified at the thought of giving his girlfriend cheap flowers. He struggled to do something with them. He wanted to throw them at his best friend's head, but he refrained for the sake of his own image. Christian glanced down at them with a scowl and shook his head. They were nothing he'd ever pick out, nor anything he'd ever give to Ana. He didn't want her to think that he was a cheapskate.

"Why? Why does she need flowers anyway? What is she going to do with them?" Christian muttered sulkily. He knew girls love flowers, but he never understood the logic behind it. He looked at Stephen to find him giving him a smile that said 'you're stupid for missing the point and I refuse to tell you what that point is'. "Don't just stand there with that judgmental smile! I mean tell me what is she even going to do with flowers? Stick them on her kitchen counter and sit and watch them die?" Christian exclaimed.

"Christian, calm down. It's just flowers," Stephen stated slowly, and he looked like he was biting back some witty commentary that'd make Christian want to shove the flowers down his throat.

"Fine. You know what... I'll take them. In fact, I'll go buy more," Christian snapped at him, feeling angrier than ever as he stormed away from Stephen. He found the stupid flowers aisle and roughly grabbed two more of the bunches of pink flowers. "She better appreciate these," he muttered, pouting.

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Christian was pacing back and forth in the living room waiting for Ana. Stephen had sent him out to shower and change for the date while he put finishing touches on the food. They had spent the whole day in the kitchen where Stephen had shown Christian how to cook. Gail was given the responsibility of helping Christian when it would be time to bring out the food. The ding sound of the elevator arriving increased Christian's heart rate. he idly wondered if he might pass out from nervousness.

Ana entered the penthouse with a bright smile on her face. "Ana..." Christian breathed out. He always found her pretty, but today she looked beautiful; especially in that short skirt and thigh high boots. The short amount of skin that was visible was tantalizing at best. She was wearing a grey full sleeve t-shirt, dark blue short skirt and black thigh high boots. "You're so beautiful," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Ana smiled up at him prettily before winding her arms around his neck. "And you look handsome in blue," she said with a flirty smile. Christian was in a light blue button-down shirt and dark grey jeans.

"Hi," he greeted placing a kiss on her lips.

Ana beamed at him. "Hi. So... did you really cook?" she asked curiously.

"I did. I have proof," Christian replied, showing her his fingers that had multiple band-aids.

"Awww," Ana placed a kiss on his hand. "I'm excited for tonight's dinner," Ana stated smiling at him kindly. A chittering noise made the couple look down. Dodger was looking up at them. When he noticed that he had got their attention, he hopped left and right excitedly. Smiling at the animal, Ana and Christian pulled away. Kneeling, Ana took him in her arms. "Hello, Dodger. How have you been, buddy?" she cooed. The ferret chattered back like he was replying to Ana's question. Christian smiled at their bonding.

"By the way... this is your first time coming here invited, isn't it?" Christian teased.

Ana giggled, nodding. "I know this penthouse better than you do," she claimed.

"Of course you do, you stalker," Christian grinned with a teasing smile.

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A/N: My life sucks at this moment. So please bear with me as I upload every other week. Pray for me, please.