"So, what was he like?"
Was the first thing out of Kate's mouth the moment she invited Bella into the apartment that early evening.
Bella let out a small sigh of discomfort as she rummaged through her bag for the recorder and jotter.
"It was… I mean, he was… just how I expected a rich, arrogant billionaire to be I guess."
She paused, handing them over to a curious Kate.
"Just younger."
Kate huffed as she took the items and placed them on the kitchen island next to her closed MacBook.
"Rich? Arrogant? Not handsome? Heck, even Ana blushed when I showed her a picture of him."
"Showed me what?"
Said brown haired girl asked as she walked out of the bathroom in her sleeping outfit and saw Bella there.
"Hey you're back!"
Bella threw her a small wave, her eyes slowly glancing down at her wristwatch.
"Yeah, I'm back."
Back from… whatever spell he'd tried to cast on her.
"I was just talking about Christian Grey. What a handsome man he is, and all Isabella Swan—"
"Bella."
"—had to say about him was how rich, arrogant and less wrinkly he actually was. Who cares about that?!"
Ana chuckled, shaking her head as she flopped on the couch, taking the recorder and pressing play while bringing it closer to her ear
"I did ask him if he was gay, by the way… thank you for that."
Kate grinned impishly.
"I rather think it's a great ice breaker."
"No it's not."
"And besides, he's never been pictured with a significant other, and a woman at that. Like ever! Only his female coworkers and those are mainly married, or their relationship status can easily be determined through social media."
Bella tilted her head slightly.
Really? Was he as much of a prude as Bella was?
That can't be right.
"Oh wow…"
Ana breathed out quietly and Kate turned to the girl as Bella seemed slightly lost in thought.
"What is it?"
"His voice. It's very…"
"Manly?"
Kate wiggled her brows and Ana stifled a blush.
"Oh my God, I told you to stop doing that."
Kate cackled slightly.
"It's alright to have a crush on him. I haven't met a sexually attractive woman who likes men that doesn't appreciate his physique. Isn't that right, Bella?"
She snapped her fingers in front of Bella who jumped slightly.
"Sorry, what?"
Kate grinned as she walked around the kitchen island and opened the fridge to pour herself some water
"Damn, Christian Grey must have left you feeling some kind of way."
Bella scoffed as she straightened back up, grabbing her bag.
"He didn't… I mean, that's not who I was thinking about."
"Sure… I believe you."
Bella knew Kate didn't.
Not that she even blamed the strawberry blonde. Christian Grey had definitely done… something, to her.
Was it how intense he looked at her… his eyes so dark and clouded that it reminded her of someone from her past? Someone she vowed never to remember again but still crept up to the forefront of her mind every few months?
She swallowed tightly.
"I have to go. Angela would be wondering where I am."
Kate hummed.
"Sure. Thanks again for this Bells."
Bella waved her off.
"It was nothing. I'll see you guys later."
She greeted the two girls, walking past Ana who still seemed entranced with Christian Grey's voice as she walked out the door.
"So how was it?? How did he look?? Was he everything we imagined and more??"
Angela bombarded her with questions as soon as she walked through the door and Bella shook her head.
"What is it with you people and Christian Grey anyways?"
She grunted slightly as she flopped on a sofa, eagerly removing the shoe that had almost caused her death today… as well as put her in a very unfavorable position with the head of Grey Enterprise.
Angela huffed playfully, running to the kitchen island and grabbing a plate before walking back and placing a subway on her lap.
"See? I care about you."
Bella gave her a look, though as her stomach grumbled she realized she hadn't eating since her very flimsy breakfast.
"You're lucky I'm hungry."
Angela chuckled before sitting next to Bella with an eager look, even as the girl quickly took a big bite out of the subway and moaned at the literally taste slap she got.
"So tell me… what was he like?"
Bella munched on her food, thinking of what to say as she swallowed.
"He was… rather intimidating. But charismatic."
Angela waved that off.
"That was expected. I mean, he is a man who wrestles the economy everyday, give him some slack on that one. What else? Was he as handsome as I said he'd be?"
Bella shrugged.
"Yeah, I—I guess. He was… very eye catching. And tall…"
She finished lamely and the victorious grin on Angela's face said it all as she kicked excitedly.
"And tall? Please, just say you found him attractive, Bella Swan. I won't judge you."
"Have you been hanging out with Kate alone? You're beginning to sound like her."
Was all a slightly flustered Bella's would say as she stood up and went over to the kitchen area, placing her plate of half eaten subway on the table while rummaging the fridge for a can of beer.
Bella wasn't exactly an alcohol person. She didn't know how to hold it in for long, and she was one of those people who easily got drunk.
She much preferred wine in her opinion, at least she could sip a cup for an hour without anyone knowing.
Taking a big gulp of the drink though, she knew she deserved it. Today had just been a weird one.
Angela stared at her amused.
"Geez, calm down. I don't want to haul your ass to your room… again."
Angela rarely ever took alcohol. Mostly because she was raised that way. Having a priest of some sort as a father and then growing up in a small town with more conservative parents… seeing her flourish in a bigger city was one of the proudest moments of Bella's life.
"You're not gonna be hauling me anywhere. I'm just going to take a shower and head to bed after this."
Angela laughed.
"Fine, fine. Keep all Christian Grey thoughts to yourself then… even the dirty ones."
"Angela!"
That night, as Bella laid in bed, her thoughts unsurprisingly lingered on Christian Grey.
She kept replaying being in his office, his dark eyes, his lips… his hands and how they'd felt on her waist.
She twisted and turned for a second, before grabbing her phone from the bedside table and turning it on. She was off to Google, typing his name and his public information came up.
Christian Grey. 27 years of age. He was only 5 years younger than her and he'd created himself his very own empire.
Then again, there were just some special people in this world… guess he was just one of them.
Comparing herself to him would probably lead to her becoming depressed, and she had finals to look forward to rather than bother herself to wallow in self pity.
She clicked on his pictures and was immediately bombarded with just how handsome he was. In fact, pictures didn't do him justice enough in her opinion.
Much like all his pictures, he didn't have a full smile in all of them, and he generally took pictures with men.
Guess Kate was right about that.
As she placed her phone back on the table, she turned to her other side, closing her eyes and soon enough her exhaustion was enough for sleep to come quickly.
And she dreamt of gray eyes.
The rest of the week went as smoothly as could be.
Between classes, her part-time job at a café, essays and reading for exams, her schedule was quite packed in her opinion.
Normally she'd be moving around like a zombie, but Bella had practically mastered being a total work obsessed person, needing less sleep and staying awake most of the time.
Not safe, but who was gonna tell her?
Friday arrived soon enough and Bella walked into the café for her afternoon shift. Her working hours as part-time were usually 4 hours, though during peak hours she could be called in on weekends if she was available.
The only reason she got the job last year was through Angela who needed the extra cash for her more expensive textbooks. But she'd dragged Bella along and now the two worked at the café together, just different shifts, although sometimes they were lucky enough to get slotted for the same shift.
So while Bella had her shift now from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, Angela would come in and work till 9:30pm.
The café was called 'The Fat Hippo'.
Odd name for a café yes, and Bella deep down thought the owners were making fun of the customers in some weird way, but the name attracted people to it.
It was a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing café. Quite large and more oaks and wood with large ceiling to floor length glass windows, well made wooden tables and chairs made in odd shapes and the smell of the café was very nice. Nice classical music usually played a little quietly for those who were there to just relax although on the weekends they played a lot more variety.
All in all, it was no Starbucks… more, high class in a way.
"Hey Bella."
The barista Bella was taking over duty from waved at her from behind the counter and she walked over, giving her a hug as the second barista nodded with a friendly smile and cheeky wink.
"Hey Tess. Am I late?"
She glanced at the giant black clock and sighed when she was right on time.
"You're definitely not. Go out your things in the back."
Bella nodded slightly, walking through a door into a sort of locker room where he had an assigned locker with a key.
She removed her jacket and placed it with her bag and locked the locker door, staring at herself in the full length mirror that was in the room.
The uniform was slightly basic. A short sleeve black round neck top with the name of the café on the chest area in coffee brown color. Black pants were advised to be worn and then they were given a black and brown visor hat with the initials of The Hungry Hippo on it.
Checking to be sure she was ready, she walked back out and stood next to Tess who had just finished handing a customer their order.
"I'll take it from here."
Tess nodded, grabbing her tip jar and placing an empty one down for Bella.
"Thanks. See ya."
The following hours are spent taking drink and dessert orders, smiling at customers while taking said orders, occasionally getting tips in her tippy jar while getting lost in the barista spirit.
"Hey. It's your 5 minutes break."
Freddie, the other barista softly nudged Bella who looked up at the clock.
It was 4:30 on the dot.
She turned to him with a thankful smile.
"Thanks. I'll be back in 5."
With a small sigh, she went back into the locker room, grabbing her water bottle and walking back out and through another door which led to the large kitchen where the delicious smell of baked goods filled the air. Greeting the cooks, she quickly dove out the back door and sighed in relief as the afternoon air hit her and she removed her visor, gulping down her water.
Getting a part-time job might not have been a part of her plan, but it definitely saved her a some money to help her guilty pleasure of buying books on sale.
Also, after graduation, Angela and Bella planned to move to Seattle. There were a number of publishing houses she had her eyes on, much like Ana, and she hoped to get a call from them sometime after graduation. While Ana was more interested in the poetry aspect of things, Bella preferred to stay with what she was good at. Novels of classical romance and if the need ever came, she was sure she could adapt to other genres.
The sound of her phone ringing snapped her out of her reverie and she glanced at it, seeing the Caller ID.
Mom.
"Hey mom."
"Sweetie, we haven't talked in a while, how are you?"
Ah, sweet Renee.
As a teenager she never really appreciated her mother as much as she could, not that many people could blame her. Renee was the kind of person who was flighty in nature, but Phil, Bella's stepdad had calmed that side of her. It still surprised her to this day, but she was happy her mother was happy… and let prone to poking into Bella's business as much anymore.
"Sorry. Things have been… hectic."
Renee huffed slightly.
"I know you must be throwing yourself into work more than you should. Just be careful and try being more carefree, okay? It's the last year of college. After graduation, you're stuck with a number of duties and then you end up getting buried in them and I'd never see you again."
She whined at the end and Bella stifled a small smile.
"Geez mom, if you already know everything about my future, then why are you bothering?"
"Maybe I can lead you to another path? Go out to party! Make silly decisions! Meet a man that'll knock you off your feet!"
At the mention of a man, Bella's mind went towards Christian Grey… again. A common occurrence now. Perhaps she really did have a thing for him.
It's not like it could ever develop into anything anyways… their worlds… it was just too parallel and different.
Nothing good could ever come out of it anyways!
"Bella? Are you still there? Why'd you stop talking? Is there a boy I don't know about??"
Bella scoffed in slight disbelief. Seriously, her mom could be Yoda sometimes.
"Mom, no. I just… my break is over, I have to go now."
She stood up, grabbing her bottle and slowly walking towards the back door.
"Oh alright. Just… call me soon."
"Yeah. Yeah I will. Talk later. Bye."
She hurriedly cut the call, rushing back into the café and storing up her things, getting back into the barista spirit.
A few minutes into the end of her break, Freddie, the other barista spoke up.
"So Bella. It's weekend tomorrow."
Bella nodded absentmindedly.
"You have anything going on? How about we hang out?"
Bella stifled a sigh.
It was something he always did. Freddie, that is. Flirt with her and then ask her out. Almost at every opportunity.
She had nothing against him, really… he was a nice enough 25 year old, but she just didn't like him that way.
Looking up at him, she forced a smile across her face.
"Sorry Freddie. I have finals in a couple of weeks, my weekends are spent locked up in my room or somewhere in the library, cramming as much as possible."
He sighed, running his hand through his brown curly hair.
"Ah, that sucks. Maybe after finals then?"
"After finals I have to deal with packing up things with Angela. We're moving to Seattle after graduation. My schedules pretty much filled up right now."
He shrugged.
"Maybe another time."
He winked at Bella before turning away and Bella shook her head. He never knew when to take a cue. He must be clueless or stubborn. Either one it was, Bella just wished he'd stop asking her out or flirting with her. It sometimes made her uncomfortable, especially when some old their other coworkers teased her for it or tried to encourage a date out of it.
Bella wasn't the type to mix business with pleasure. She never had been.
She's soon lost in the barista spirit again and as the end of her shift crept closer, her work speed lessened.
Bella looked down as she cleaned the small stain at her station when she felt another customer stop in front of her.
"Hi, welcome to the Hungry Hip—"
The welcoming smile on her face gave way to a dropping jaw as right in front of her stood the object of some of her more… intense dreams as of late.
He was more casually dressed. Black fitted dress pants, white dress shirt with the two first buttons undone and Bella's eyes lingered there for a few seconds, he had a black knee length jacket over his ensemble as well as black calf length leather boots on. His hair was less coiled and more tousled and he looked more outdoorsy and less intimidating jerk with a billion dollar enterprise behind him.
"Isabella."
She was speechless for a second before she blurted out.
"What are you doing here?"
She whispered in disbelief.
What were the odds that she'd run into him so soon after seeing him. She never thought she'd meet him again. Except perhaps during her graduation.
A small amused smirk lingered on his lips and it was gone.
"I'm here doing what normal people do. Getting a drink. Pleasant surprise seeing you here, of course."
Bella wanted to believe.
She really did. After all, she was nothing special. There was no need for him to stalk her. Not when she was dressed like this anyways. She was quite embarrassed.
Next to Bella, Freddie's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the interaction.
"What would you like to order?"
She finally asked as she grabbed a paper and her pen, his eyes still fixated on her person, and the feeling she felt back at his office suddenly began building up once more.
"Coffee. Black."
She paused, looking up at him.
"Just black?"
He tilted his head slightly and Bella's eyes lingered on his shaped and we'll shaved jaw line.
"I've been working a lot these days and black coffee has been a new favorite of mine. Funny how my tastes have been changing these past few days."
He murmured as if deep in though, his eyes alight with emotions and Bella felt like what he'd said meant something. But what… she had no idea.
She finds herself wanting to know.
Shaking her head slightly, she writes down his order and looked back up.
"Any thing else?"
"No."
So direct.
"Are you having it here or to go then?"
She had no idea which answer she preferred.
"To go."
She nodded.
"Okay, I'll uh… I'll call you when I have your order."
He hummed slightly, his eyes lingering on hers for a while longer and he walked towards a table, sitting down in the chair directly opposite her and brought out his phone as she kept staring at him.
It was too surreal.
What was Christian Grey doing in The Hungry Hippo on a Friday evening?!
During her shift?! Or more like the end of her shift anyways…
"Who is he?"
Freddie's voice snapped her out of her reverie as she turned to him while grabbing a coffee cup to go and making 'Christian Grey' a coffee.
Wow!
"Oh um…"
She tried to think of something… anything. She couldn't very well say who he was and how she knew him. Maybe he was even being incognito at the moment.
Hiding from the press, even?
Her eyes lingered in his direction for another second before she looked at a frowning Freddie.
"He's my… friend."
Oh how lame it sounded.
Friend?
Why couldn't she have come up with a better explanation?
"Friend…"
He didn't look like he believed, but Bella had already said that, so she won't be taking it back.
"Yeah."
"Didn't seem that way though."
He looked at Christian with a weird look in his eyes before looking back at Bella who shrugged as she poured the coffee and covered it.
Looking back up, she opened her mouth to call him but then paused as she realized she hadn't even asked for a name.
Could she just call him Mr. Grey?
No, that would seem weird. Right now, he didn't look like a Mr. Grey. He looked more like a Christian… whatever that meant.
Should she…?
She stared at him again as he typed away at his phone, a focused look on his face, before she cleared her throat.
She was no coward anyways.
"Christian."
Immediately she called out, his head snapped up, something like surprise in his eyes and Bella patted her back metaphorically.
'You didn't expect that, did you?'
She raised his coffee and he stood up, walking over, and in that moment, Angela walked into the café, slightly hurried looking in appearance as she stumbled over to her best friend.
"Thank God. A minute early. I thought I was going to—"
She paused as she looked from Bella to the customer whose eyes lingered on hers for a second and was back on Bella handing him his coffee.
Her jaw dropped as she stared at the elusive billionaire STANDING IN FRONT OF HER and Christian Grey spoke up, his eyes still in Bella.
"Friend of yours?"
He asked and Angela's cheeks grew red. Bella stifled a sigh as Angela practically drooled at the man. She couldn't blame her though. He was beautiful. But now wasn't the time to do so!
She used her elbow to hit Angela's side and the other girl yelped, snapping out of it while Christian released an amused chuckle.
Bella internally moaned the embarrassment of it all as she turned to Angela.
"My shift is ending now. You should go get ready."
"Oh yes! I mean, yeah! I'll just… I'll go get ready. Sure thing."
She rushed out, a smile growing on her face and Bella immediately knew Angela would never let her leave this down now, even as the girl waved at Christian Grey before practically skipping into the locker room.
Bella slowly turned back to Christian.
"Sorry about that."
He nodded slightly, bringing out an actual black card and Bella was almost impressed.
Almost.
"Sorry, we don't take that here."
He paused, retracting his hands and taking out a hundred dollar bill from his wallet and handing it over to Bella while ignoring the heated gaze coming from Freddie as if it was unimportant.
As Bella moved to hand him his change which was over 90 dollars… he stares at her.
"It's a tip."
Bella breathed out in surprise while ignoring the choke coming from Freddie.
"I can't take it. It's a little too much."
"Not to me."
Was his response, and it irritated her for a second how he was so full of himself, but she said nothing, only thanking him and putting it in her tip jar.
Just then, Angela walks back outside and Bella steps away, grabbing her tip jar and helping Angela place an empty one on the counter.
"You should leave now."
Angela suddenly said, her eyes going over to Christian who was still staring at Bella.
"Wh—"
"You know, since you're done here."
Bella hated how double-minded it sounded.
She opened her mouth to reply her but Christian beat her to it.
"Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about the interview and ask how it's going."
Bella turned to him and he stared right back at her uncaring of the way it made her feel.
Grabbing her bag and stuffing the baked good she'd taken from the kitchen into it, she walked out of the café, the breeze blowing through her hair and she dipped her hands into her jacket.
A few feet away, Christian Grey resting against a black and sleek looking Mercedes, no sign of a coffee anywhere.
He straightened up as Bella walked over.
"Are you in Vancouver for business?"
She blurted out and Bella really needed to get a grip on herself.
He nodded.
"I was visiting the WSU farming division. It's based at Vancouver. I'm currently funding some research there in crop rotation and soil science."
Ahh… so he was actually here for something.
Bella had no idea why she felt a little disappointed at that.
"Oh…"
Was all she could say and his eyes lingered at the café again and back to her.
"Have you worked here for long?"
"A little over a year actually."
He hummed, looking like as if he was storing away the information for later use.
"So you work while people around your age play?"
Bella found that she couldn't take her eyes off of him the more he spoke. His gray eyes just… seemed to leave her confused, with a number of emotions playing inside of her.
"I do have hobbies."
He tilted his head slightly, the air between them almost electrifying.
"Oh? What do you like, Isabella?"
Bella gasped silently at the way he called her, her mind going a mile a minute.
"Books."
She blurted out.
"I like books."
"What kind?"
"Mostly the classics. British mainly."
He rubs his chin with his long index finger and thumb as he contemplates her answer. Bella's eyes linger on his hands, wandering just how they'd feel again.
She shook her head to clear her mind.
"You asked about the article?"
He nodded.
"How is it coming along?"
Bella shrugged, not knowing what to say. After the interview, she didn't keep in touch with Kate to know about how it was coming along. She did know from Ana though that Kate had trouble with pictures.
"I uh, I'm not the one writing it. That's Kate—I mean Katherine Kavanagh. She does have trouble with finding original pictures of you…"
"What sort of photographs does she want?"
Bella blinked at his immediate question, startled. She hadn't factored in this response. And she had no answer to it.
He must have seen her indecisiveness because he spoke up again.
"Well, I'm around. Tomorrow, perhaps… " he trailed off and Bella picked at what he was trying to say.
"You'd be willing to attend a photo shoot?"
She breathed out in surprise.
Oh wow. Kate would be in heaven if she could pull this off!
'And I might see him again tomorrow…'
The devil that sat on her shoulder whispered enticingly and Bella immediately dismissed that thought process.
It would do no good.
"Kate will be delighted – if we can find a photographer."
A happy grin grew across Bella's face, making her look like an almost new person all over again, and to her surprise, Christian Grey's lips part as he breathed in sharply and then blinked.
For a fraction of a second, he looked lost somehow, and the Earth shifts slightly on its axis, the tectonic plates sliding into a new position.
Christian Grey's lost look.
"Let me know about tomorrow."
He mumbled slightly, reaching into his back pocket, and pulling out his wallet as he brought out a business card, handing it to startled Bella.
"My card. It has my cell number on it. You'll need to call before ten in the morning."
"Okay." She grins up at him. Kate is going to be thrilled.
It was quiet for a second before Bella cleared her throat.
"I um… I have to go."
He gestured to his car.
"I could drop you off if you want?"
Bella's eyes slid over to the car.
Be in such close proximity to him? That would be the worst. What if she accidentally threw herself at him?!
No. No way.
She shook her head.
"There's no need."
"It would be no bother."
"I'm fine, Christian. Really."
The way he tilted his head at her saying his name, almost like it was disbelieving yet not, Bella wanted to know what was going on in his head.
A small quirk of his lips grew and then it was gone as he nodded stiffly.
"Very well, Isabella. It was nice seeing you again. I hope to hear from you tomorrow."
Bella bit her lip slightly, his gray eyes darkening slightly as it lingered on her lips and Bella subconsciously licked at it.
Another small intake of breath from him. It was almost too much for the girl who felt ready to faint at that moment.
"Y-you too."
She whispered slightly.
He turned to his car, hesitating for a moment before opening it, and as he moved to sit in it, he turned back to her again, a grin on his face.
"And Isabella… I'm glad Miss Kavanagh couldn't do the interview."
As the car drove off, Bella closed her eyes, breathing in and out as she felt herself going crazy just by being in his presence.
What was he doing to her?
Did she like him?
She couldn't deny it any longer. She at least felt… something, for him.
And as she watched his car drive off, a monster in her heart clawed and screamed at her for not accepting a ride with him.
But on the plus side… she got to see him tomorrow. That was something.
That evening, she'd called Kate and given her the good news. Suffice to say the girl had been on cloud nine though curious about Bella's run-in with the elusive billionaire.
And then there was Angela. As soon as the girl got home, she'd wasted no time forcing out information from Bella.
She had been absolutely ecstatic to hear Bella had gotten his number and in the girl's mind, it led to the conclusion that The Christian Grey actually liked her, Bella Swan.
While her stomach fluttered at such a thought, she had to be real. This man could have any and everyone he wanted. Also, he probably had a thing for blondes too, what with how his office seemed to be have quite a number of them.
For a second, she played with the thought of accepting his internship opportunity, but she immediately chased such a thought away.
She didn't think she'd survive in such a place. It was just so… professional… and… gray. And no to forget the possibly close proximity she'd be in with him.
Madness in her opinion.
Later that night, after locking her door to ensure Angela had no chance of rushing in, Bella sat on her bed and dialed Christian's number.
He picks on the second ring.
"Grey."
His tone is clipped, calm and cold and it intimidated Bella at how impersonal it sounded.
Had she called at the wrong time?
She cleared her throat.
"Um, it's Isabella Swan."
She winced slightly at her full name and it's silent for only a second before he answers.
"Miss Swan. How lovely to hear from you again."
His voice had changed. A mix of surprise, and then he sounded so… warm – seductive even.
Bella's breath hitched slightly as she crossed her legs where she sat.
"Um, we'd like to go ahead with the photoshoot for the article. Tomorrow, if you don't mind? We just need to know where."
Bella practically rushed out and when he spoke again, she could feel his smile over the phone.
"I'm staying at the Heathman in Portland. Shall we say, nine thirty tomorrow morning?"
He asked and Bella nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her.
"Okay, we'll see you there."
Her voice was quite breathy and she could visualize his eyes staring at her. Those hooded gray that seemed to give her some sort of rush.
"I look forward to it, Isabella."
The way he said it. It was so drawing, so… promising… so wild.
Even as she cut the call, pressing her hand to her chest, she played with the thought of not going tomorrow… but even she knew that was never going to happen.
'Oh, be still my beating heart.'
She whispered to herself.
The Heathman was an impressive brownstone tall building. Bella found that she liked it as it had an originality to it, which was understandable as it was built sometime in the 1920s.
Angela had finally forced herself into accompanying her much to Bella's exasperation.
As for Kate, she had been accompanied by Ana, Jose and another guy who was more or less Jose's gopher named Travis.
Kate has managed to acquire the use of a room at the Heathman free of charge for the morning in exchange for a credit in the article. When she explains at reception that they were there to photograph Christian Grey, they were instantly upgraded to a suite.
Just a regular-sized suite, however, as apparently Mr. Grey is already occupying the largest one in the building. An over-keen marketing executive showed them up to the suite, young and very nervous for some reason.
Bella suspected it had something to with Kate, what with how he kept staring at her, in fact, he was basically putty in her hands. The rooms are elegant, understated, and opulently furnished.
"José, I think we'll shoot against that wall, do you agree? Ana, help him out."
Kate says to their photographer friend before turning away without waiting for a reply.
While Bella knew Jose, they were more or less friendly acquaintances though he was quite the sweetheart and she suspected he had a thing for Ana who seemed as oblivious about it as ever.
"Travis, clear the chairs. Angela, could you ask housekeeping to bring up some refreshments? And Bella, could you let Grey know where we are?"
Kate kept firing out and Bella rolled her eyes, exchanging an amused look with Angela while bringing out her phone and messaging the reason they were here today.
Half an hour later, Christian Grey walks into the suite and Bella found that not only did he have a lot of money, he was very fashionable as well.
He wore a white shirt, open at the collar, grey flannel pants that hang from his hips. His unruly hair is still damp from a shower as he threw on his grey suit jacket, looking effortlessly like a model ready for work.
Her mouth goes dry.
Okay, he was so freaking hot.
Around her, she heard noises of approval from the other girls there with her, Ana almost stumbling over one of Jose's equipment when she caught sight of him.
He walked in with another man, more buff looking in his mid-thirties, all buzz-cut and stubble in a sharp dark suit and tie who then proceeded to go stand silently in the corner. His hazel eyes watch us impassively.
"Miss Swan, we meet again."
Christian extends his hand out, and Bella immediately took it for a shake as she cleared her throat while secretly trying to check him out now that he was in closer proximity to her.
And oh… he really was, quite… wow.
As their hands touch, it felt like a current passing through and lighting her up as she stifled a gasp.
Just like last time again when their hands met. She felt herself flustered before quickly turning to Kate who walked over.
"Mr. Grey, this is Katherine Kavanagh."
She waved a hand towards Kate who came forward, looking him squarely in the eye.
"The tenacious Miss Kavanagh. How do you do?"
He gives her a small smile, looking genuinely amused.
"I trust you're feeling better? Isabella said you were unwell last week."
"I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Grey." Kate shakes his hand firmly without batting an eyelid and Bella was immediately impressed. Then again, Kate had been to the best private schools in Washington. Her family had money, and she'd grown up confident and probably meeting people like Christian from a younger age.
The only people she'd met that would have as much, if not more money that Christian would be… the Cullens. Probably.
"Thank you for taking the time to do this."
Kate smiles politely and he nods once.
"It's a pleasure."
He then turned his gray gaze on Bella, she quickly introduced the others.
"This is José Rodriguez, our photographer."
"Mr. Grey."
He nods and Christian nods almost absentmindedly at him before focusing back on Bella.
"And that's Travis. You remember… Angela…"
Bella stifled a sigh a la the excitable girl waved at the billionaire whose lips quirked for a second as he nodded at her.
"Miss."
"And this is Anastasia Steele."
Bella introduced the last person who still seemed shocked to be in his presence.
"J-Just Ana."
She stutters out as she stared at him and for a second, he stares at the girl rather intensely as if seeing a ghost of the past and Bella found herself feeling something claw at her chest in a negative way, but that was gone when he focused back on her again.
"So, do we begin then?"
Kate finally took charge and Christian turned away from Bella, following Kate where she led him while Angela, Bella and Ana watched as he sat down for his shoot.
"Wow…"
Ana breathed out, her face red and her eyes going through a number of emotions.
Bella didn't know what to think about the girl's seeming fascination of Christian, but then again, Angela seemed to be gushing about him to.
It just seemed… different.
"God Bella. How can you stand to be so close to him without fainting?! Yesterday alone had been crazy!"
Ana's head whipped towards the two girls.
"Yesterday?"
She looked at them interested and Angela beamed, glad to have another listening ear.
"Yeah! He turned up at The Hungry Hippo. Spoke to Bella too."
"That's how I got his number. It's nothing serious."
A flash of jealousy went through Ana's eyes.
"You have his number??"
Bella fought down her feeling of embarrassment and mortification as Angela giggled.
"Enough sitting. Standing, Mr. Grey?"
Kate shouted over the camera clicking and Travis ran to grab the chair as Christian stood up.
Bella's heartbeat stuttered as her eyes caught Christian's a time or two during the shoot and soon it was done as Jose looked through the pictures.
"I think we've had enough."
He said to himself, a look of satisfaction on his face and Christian walked off the stage.
"Great! Thank you again for this, Me. Grey."
Kate said, an almost blinding smile on her face and he smiled politely at her.
"I look forward to reading the article, Miss Kavanagh."
She nodded absentmindedly before walking over to Jose while Christian walked over to Bella.
Angela stifled a gasp and next to Bella, Ana couldn't stop fidgeting as his eyes stayed on Bella's.
She wanted him to look at her too.
Just being in a room with him and she was already feeling this type of way. It was so strange, and she didn't want it to end.
She raised her hand slightly, brushing some of her bangs out of her eyes and his eyes filtered over to hers for a millisecond and back to Bella's.
Oh it was almost drowning. Those gray eyes. Her legs shook slightly.
"Isabella, may we speak?"
The feeling of Jealousy she felt towards Bella was one she'd never felt before in her entire life.
'Look at me instead!'
She pleased with her eyes. For him to just look at her, just once… just stare at her! But he didn't.
It was so foreign this feeling… of craving someone she'd just met.
"Um, sure."
Was all Bella would say as he nodded at the others.
"Good day to you all."
And with a slight movement of his hand, Bella walked beside him as they left the suite, the other man behind them and a pair of bright blue eyes watching them leave in fascination.
"I'll call you when I'm done, Taylor."
Christian spoke to the other man and Bella stood almost awkward as she waited for them to finish talking.
It was so surreal. What she was feeling. How she was feeling.
Taylor walked off and Christian walked over. He noticed how her eyes went over to the man from earlier and he spoke up.
"His name is Taylor. He's my driver."
"Oh."
Bella nodded. Probably bodyguard too. You cant be a billionaire and wander about without security after all.
"I was wondering if you'd have coffee with me this morning."
Bella blinked at that.
A date?
Was this a date?
It couldn't possibly be… right?
Clearing her throat, Bella spoke up.
"I um… I'll have to tell Angela. She's my roommate and she drove me here, I wouldn't want her to worry."
Bella basically rambled and he smiled slightly before nodding.
"Of course. I'll be waiting."
Without a backward glance, she walked back into the lobby where Angela was.
"Hey, I wanted to check if you were okay. I mean, just because he's a hot billionaire it doesn't mean he doesn't have skeletons in his cupboard."
Bella snorted in amusement before shaking her head.
"I'm fine, it's just… he asked me out for coffee, so I can't come home with you."
Angela gasped excitedly, dancing on her feet and Bella looked back to be sure he wasn't watching.
"Stop it!"
"I knew it! I told you he likes you!"
"Angela!"
"Oh my God! The Christian Grey actually likes Bella Swan."
"Ugh!"
Bella groaned in mortification and Angela smiled softly.
"You know, I don't blame him. I can see it."
Bella frowned.
"What?"
"There's something special about you, Bella. Something that makes people drawn to you, no matter if they don't want to. Just… bask in it!"
Bella fought down a frown.
Something special alright. That seemed to have made a mess of her life as a teenager.
The teeth mark bite on her hand told of stories she'd put behind her a long time ago.
"Alright. I'll leave you to whatever it is you're saying. See you later?"
Angela nods.
"Sure. I'm having lunch with Travis anyways."
Bella blinked at that, startled.
"Wait, what do I not know?"
Angela giggled slightly.
"Oh it's not that way. He's cute but not my type. Besides, free food."
Bella shook her head as she turned to walk away.
"Bye Angela."
"Bye!"
"Okay."
Bella breathed out as she walked back to Christian.
"Let's do coffee."
She mumbled to herself and he smirked slightly, pressing a button on the elevator.
"After you, Miss Swan."
As the elevator opened though, Bella paused, Christian right behind her as right in the elevator was couple, caught in a deep passionate embrace and quite loud moans.
Suddenly, the girl who was against the elevator wall opened one eye and pushed her paramour off of her, a look of embarrassment and mortification in her eyes as well as the man's as they looked anywhere but at Bella and Christian.
Bella herself became uncomfortable as she walked into the elevator, making sure to distance herself from the couple and an unconcerned Christian standing next to her. The divider of sorts.
It was quiet. Awkward in fact.
Thankfully the door finally slid open and without even waiting for Christian, Bella basically hightailed it out of there, Christian behind her at a more sedate pace, and the couple burst out into hysterical giggles as the elevator closed on them once more.
Portland Coffee House.
"What would you like to have?"
Was the first thing he said after the crazy debacle in the elevator and Bella immediately answered.
"Americano please."
He nods.
"Pick a table. I'll be right back."
He walked off to the counter and Bella stared around for a second before choosing an empty table by the class window and she settled down, tapping her fingers on the table and looking around.
Not long after, he eyes settled on the reason she was here.
He stood at the counter, placing their orders and Bella still found it surreal that she was on talking basis with Christian Grey.
Perhaps she should celebrate the day Kate got sick with the flu?
Would that be nice or evil?
He returns with a tray which he places on the table as he sits down.
A cup of coffee and an Americano with a small plate of stacked sweet cream scones for them both to munch on.
He grabbed the Americano before Bella could and handed it to her and as their hands meet again, it was electrifying.
"Thanks."
She mumbled slightly, slowly bringing it to her lips and taking a sip.
It warmed her how she liked.
She glanced at his own cup before looking up at his dark eyes which were on her… as usual.
Was she getting used to it already?
"Black again?"
He shrugged as he took a scone in his hand.
"I find that I quite like this new change."
He said, sounding like it had a double meaning and she watched as he bit into the scone, licking at his lips and Bella's breath picked as her mouth opened slightly before she looked away, clearing her throat slightly.
"Tell me about yourself."
He said, eyes following Bella's movement and she looked up at him, sighing slightly.
"Um, myself? Um, there's really nothing to know."
She laughed slightly, shaking her head and he leaned forward.
"Oh, but I'd like to know everything if I can."
Bella paused, looking at him for a moment before nodding slightly.
"What would you like to know?"
"Tell me about your parents. Are you an only child."
"Uh, only child, yes. Parents divorced when I was a baby. Took me with her. Mom remarried, then I moved to live with my dad."
Bella had no idea why she felt some Déjà vu from this conversation. And not the good kind.
"Why'd you live?"
She shrugged, holding her cup of coffee.
"Well, they were newly weds. I figured they'd prefer to do newly wed… stuff, together."
She shrugged and he stared at her with amusement in his eyes.
"Also, I hadn't lived with my dad for a while. And my dad and I are basically the same in character. Quiet, reserved… more of a suffer in silence type."
He nodded absentmindedly.
"Much like you, you say?"
Bella shrugged and he smiled slightly.
"Tell me about yourself too."
Bella spoke up and he stared at her in surprise.
"Myself?"
"Well yeah. To be honest, I didn't know much about you when I agreed to do the interview. I thought you'd be on your 40 or 50s maybe."
His eyes lit up in mischief and amusement.
"Oh? And we're you disappointed?"
"No."
She blurted out, before she felt her cheeks go red much to his satisfaction.
"My father's a lawyer. My mother's a pediatrician. They live in Seattle."
"Any siblings?"
She prodded and his amusement showed on his face.
"I thought you wanted to ask about me."
"Your siblings are about you too."
Bella shrugged helplessly before answering.
"Just two. One elder and one younger."
Very straight to the point. Bella didn't know what to say after that.
"Elliot is into construction and Mia is in Paris, studying under a renowned world chef."
"Hm… Paris sounds amazing."
She said absentmindedly and his curiosity came back.
"It is. Have you been there?"
She shook her head.
"Never left mainland USA."
"Would you like to go to Paris then?"
Bella paused from sipping her coffee, looking into his intense eyes.
"I mean… it's Paris, so yes. But I'd also love Italy and England."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Why?"
"English Lit major."
She pointed to herself before staring at her watch as he nods.
"Right."
Time sure flies when you're having fun… or when you're where you want to be, it would seem.
Bella frowned slightly as she saw the time.
"I should leave. I have to study… finals start on Tuesday."
Christian hummed before frowning slightly.
"How will you head home then?"
She grabbed her phone, rereading a message she'd gotten less than 5 minutes ago and feeling slightly disappointed.
"Angela's still around."
He nodded as they stood up and he paid.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Bella finally blurted out, feeling slightly embarrassed yet still wanting to know the answer.
Christian only smiled slightly, looking down at her as they walked outside the café.
"No, Isabella. I don't do the girlfriend thing."
Bella's mind began dissecting the sentence.
What did he mean?
Did he not like women?
Was he actually a closeted gay or—
"Oh!"
Bella stumbled, slipping and almost falling into a speeding cyclist but before she could end up landing in the ICU, Christian grabbed her, and she fell into his arms as he held her into his chest.
It was so sudden, and her legs almost have way even as she inhaled his scent. So fresh, in an intoxicating way.
"Isabella, are you okay?"
Christian breathed out, slight panic in his voice and Bella forced herself to look up, and her breath left her as she found herself staring up at Christian's face. So close to hers, his breath washing against her face and hers on his.
He slowly raised a hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek and softly against her lips.
Subconsciously, she brought her tongue out and his eyes clouded as he brought his face closer.
Bella internally screamed for him to kiss her. Daring him to do what had been inevitable since they met at his office all those days ago.
But a sigh escaped his lips as he looked down at her, almost regretful.
"I'm no good for you, Isabella."
Bella blinked at that, not liking what he had said.
"Wh—"
He said something, but her eyes were clouded with the rejection.
It was happening again, wasn't it?
No… no… no…
The memory of her last meeting with Edward Cullen in the woods played in her mind.
'I'm not good for you, Bella. My world is not for you.'
Her breathing became erratic and she slowly pushed herself off of the concerned Christian.
"Isabella?"
"No."
She choked out, looking up at him with so much emotion that Christian knew he'd done something wrong.
"No, just…"
She breathed in an out, and then faced him with a blank face.
"Thanks for the tea. And the photoshoot."
"Isabella, I—"
"What, Christian?"
She snapped out in irritation.
She was mad at him. Furious. He'd brought up a memory she hated. Reminded her of someone from her past she never wanted to remember anymore.
Made her feel… made her feel SOMETHING for him… something that had felt so great, unlike never before… and he was rejecting her.
He said nothing, staring at her pissed face and he nods.
"Nothing. Good luck in your finals…"
Bella stared at him almost at loss.
That was what he wanted to tell her?
She stood, staring, and then opened her mouth and closed it, looking around, speechless, before she chuckled drily.
"Thanks. Goodbye Mr. Grey."
She reverted back to his surname which he noticed, but she didn't care as she turned and walked off, feeling oddly empty for the first time in years.
Who cares about romance anyways?
Not when she was cursed to always never be good enough.
And as usual, the tears never fell.
She was better than that.
No… after a first and second failure… she was USED to rejection.
So that happened.
Wasn't expecting to update soon but here we are. More Bella and Christian interaction. I've tweaked Christian's character a little bit so he won't be too much like Edward and keep reminding her of her disturbing past. Though some of the things he says might remind her of him, like what he said at the end. Poor Bella.
At the same time, I've given Ana more cameo, lol. She's still that little love obsessed pineapple. Also, because she's based on Bella's character, I had to change some of her personal traits. So here, she can be a little more sneaky, and she's obviously still the same and has feelings for Christian.
Christian saw someone that looked like a potential submissive when he first met her, that's why he looked at her at first. Ana is giving manor submissive vibes as you can see. And I honestly think in canon that's what draws him to her, just like Edward in canon was drawn to Bella's blood and her mind shut off from him.
I wanted my version of Christian to at least move on from his childhood trauma of brown hair and brown eyes. Just like I want Bella to move on from her trauma of bronze hair and golden eyes.
Move aside, Ana! The original character is here to stay!
But don't worry, there'll be more Ana cameo as we go, it's just that Christian isn't interested in her romantically unlike Bella who he feels… something! For, and it works him so BDSM is the only way he knows.
To Christian, Ana is a potential submissive, just one he isn't interested in. Sorry anaBanana.
Hope you liked this chapter and please comment!
