"I'm what?!", I shout, making Mr. Clayton and I jump as I do.
"I'm sorry, I thought Paul already told you."
"How could I possibly be engaged? I hardly even know him!"
"I know and after the little stunt you pulled out there, I'm sure you wished you didn't."
"Me. Clayton...", I start but before I can finish, I look up and see Christian and Taylor entering the room, sizing me up as he does. Shit.
"Mr. Grey," Mr. Clayton addresses. "I know you've already met Miss Steele."
"Yes, I have...unfortunately," he answers coldly before taking a seat next to me and avoiding my gaze. Jesus, it wasn't that bad; was it?
"I've already informed Anastasia of your little arrangement and, naturally, she didn't take it very well," Mr. Clayton continues and just like that, I want the ground to swallow me up. Christian directs his attention to me and I try hard not to look him in the eye.
"Trust me, I'm not too thrilled about this either, Miss Steele."
"Then why am I even doing this?"
"Mr. Grey heard about our little struggle with the store and decided to place an offer to help with the funds. He's also acquainted with your father who additionally owes him a favor." What? My dad already knows about this?
"And Ray's just okay with it?"
"He just thought it'd be best for you. He had his best intentions in mind." Of course he did. If I'm not married at twenty-five, then it means I'm dying alone.
I inwardly roll my eyes at the thought and sit up straight in order to assert more confidence as I try to make my point.
"Mr. Clayton, I really do apologize for my actions in the store and I promise you that'll never happen again, but you can't possibly be serious that I marry Mr. Grey."
"It'll just be temporary, Anastasia. It'll only last a few months." What?
"What?"
"Once the store is fully taken care of by Mr. Grey and his company, you and Mr. Grey could divorce after three months and nobody would have to know the reason why. It'd be completely confidential."
"Then how in the hell would that help my father with my situation?"
"Because once you and Mr. Grey divorce after three months, you'll receive a large payment in your account and then can start pursuing your career as a writer directly after." What? I can finally be a writer?
"Considering her choice of words today, I find that very unlikely," Christian chimes in and I turn around to glare at him.
"Well, maybe if you hadn't been acting like a fucking pompous jerk...", I start but Mr. Clayton speaks up before I can continue.
"Anastasia, that's enough."
"Hmm, I figured just as much...", Christian mumbles and I close my eyes briefly to try and reign in my temper. Shit, calm the fuck down, Ana.
"As I was saying, you and Mr. Grey would divorce after three months of the marriage and for your troubles, you'll never have to see each other again." Sounds like a fucking gift...
"And what will happen if I divorce him before the deadline?"
"Then the money will be lost and our little tryst will be broken." Holy cow.
"So, that's it? I'm just supposed to marry this guy and be fucking okay with it?"
"Like I said, Ana, it's just gonna be temporary and unless Mr. Grey steps out of line, I don't think you have anything to worry about." Ha! As if.
"Can I please talk to Ray about this and then make my decision?"
"Of course, Ana, take as much time as you need."
"And with that, I have a few meetings to attend to," Christian announces and without another word, he quickly stands from his seat and takes my hand in his before planting a tender kiss on my knuckles. Oh my...
"Laters, wife. I look forward to our wedding day," he winks and just like that, he's directly out the door. Laters?
"I'm truly sorry about this, Ana. It was the only option we had and Clayton's has been on the market for over a year before they stepped in. It was the only thing we could do."
"It's fine, Mr. Clayton, but I really just need some time to think before I do this," I say before standing and heading out myself. An arranged marriage? What are the fucking odds?
I call up Kate after work and quickly tell her about the whole ordeal with Christian.
"And they seriously expect you to just marry him like that?"
"It would seem so, yes, but I don't know what to do."
"Have you talked to Ray about it yet?"
"Not yet, but I was gonna wait till I got home."
"God, I'm so sorry, Ana. I can't imagine what you're feeling." Trust me, neither do I.
"Can we talk later? I got a few things to do before I can go home."
"Sure, I'll see you later. Good luck."
"Thanks, bye," I say before hanging up the phone. Kate's been my work since we graduated from high school and honestly, she's more like a siter than a friend. If I didn't have her or José, I don't know where I would be.
Not married to Christian Grey, that's for sure.
I run a hand through my hair and start pacing through the store, wondering how in the hell I've gotten myself into this mess. If I had known I would be getting married to the guy, I would've reacted differentially and never lost my temper.
God, what the hell am I supposed to do?
I arrive at Ray's place and park Wanda, my trusty car, just as Julia, Ray's current wife, comes running out of the building and almost knocks me to the ground.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Ana," she expresses as she starts reaching for her keys.
"It's alright, Julia. Is my dad at home? I need to talk to him right away."
"He was finishing up some paperwork when I last saw him, but he didn't look too busy. He should be in his office."
"Okay, thanks," I remark and with a final wave, Julia rushes to her car and disappears from my view. My dad's a hopeless romantic when it comes to marriage with any woman and considering that Julia's his fourth wife at the moment, I think it further proves my point. I like her and all but I'm not sure how long she'll last.
Or how long I'll last being married to Christian Grey...
Taking a deep breath, I walk up the steps to my dad's apartment and press the button in the elevator for the eleventh floor; my dad's lucky number. Once I arrive, I step into the living room and make my way to his office, just as I hear him picking up a conversation while talking on his cell.
"She did what?", he shouts. Shit, I know exactly who he's talking about... "Well, I can't say that I blame her but she shouldn't have reacted in that way, even when it was a shock...Of course not, but I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was right. I just don't want her to be alone...Of course, Mr. Grey, but is there any way that we can make it up to you?...That's right...Well, again, I don't know how she would react. Not after news like this." I gently knock on his door and after a few seconds, he calls for me to come in. I open the door and immediately notice his desk piled high with papers and his laptop propped on his lap and reading glasses on his nose. God, he works way too much.
"And you think next week will be enough time for that? Especially given the circumstances?...Well, the price for renovation would cost over a million and take six months to complete...Would he be willing to do it?...Really, for that little?...I see...Okay, I'll talk with Ana about this and in a few days' time, we'll give you our full answer...Thank you, Mr. Grey, and I promise to keep in touch...Goodbye," he says before hanging up the phone and setting his laptop on the desk.
"Dad, I can explain..."
"It's okay, sweetheart. Mr. Clayton told me everything."
"Are you mad?"
"No, of course not," he replies sympathetically before standing from his chair and giving me a hug. Gosh, I could stay here forever...
"Annie, I'm so sorry about this. I didn't know what else to do."
"Dad, why didn't you tell me? I really fucked up this one."
"I know, I know, but when Christian offered me a solution, I couldn't back it down."
"So, this was his idea?"
"Not exactly. I don't know if you know this but Christian's been recognized as a bit of a player since the start his company, and none of the public has taken him seriously because of it. So, the thought of marriage was the only way for the public to start treating him with respect."
"So, this is all for him?", I ask as I pull away and wait for his answer. He takes a deep breath before giving me a response.
"It's just a favor, Annie. Christian's helped me out in the past and I wanna return the favor."
"So, you suggested that your only daughter marries a man she hardly knows?"
"I know it sounds bad but trust me when I say that I didn't want it to happen the way it did. I just don't want you die alone."
"Dad, I'm fine, really. I don't need a fucking man to help me achieve my goals."
"This isn't just about you being married for a while, Annie. Clayton's needs the funds and Christian's a close friend of mine. Believe me, I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was safe."
"But of all people, why does it have to be Christian Grey?"
"I know but after your actions today, we don't have much of a choice."
"So, what am I supposed to do?"
"Just spend some time with him and maybe he'll come around."
"And what if I can't?"
"Ana, just trust me on this, okay? I know that after what happened with Jack, you're not too open to men, but I promise you that Christian's different and that no matter what happens, you're still my baby girl."
"Can I just think about it? I'm not ready to make a decision right now."
"Of course, sweetie," he says before kissing the top of my head and giving me another hug.
"I promise this'll be worth it; you have my word." What I wouldn't give to believe he's telling the truth...
I plop down on my bed well after midnight, still reeling over the possibility of becoming Mrs. Grey. I've never been in a situation where marriage was even an option and honestly, I'm not sure if I still feel the same. How could Ray ever agree to something like this? And for three months before we go our separate ways, I'm supposed to be living a lie and pretending to be someone I'm not. How could I ever do this? Especially after our little encounter in the store?
"Listen, you can either take the fucking items and walk out of the store or be ready with an alibi after I call the cops on you for causing a scene in my store."
God, why did I say that? I've never argued with a customer before and of all people it had to be Christian Fucking Grey, my soon-to-be-husband. God, what the hell am I supposed to do?
Just then, I hear my phone vibrating on the nightstand and check to see a number I don't recognize flashing on the screen. Furrowing my brow, I quickly answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Miss Steele? It's Taylor, Mr. Grey's driver." Why is he calling me so late?
"What can I do for you, Mr. Taylor?"
"Well, Mr. Grey had a little too much to drink and long story short, he's being held at Seattle Police Department."
"What?", I exclaim as I sit up in bed.
"I was wondering if you might come over and talk some sense into him before they take him away for good. They're not applying for bail and I figured a witness could help him out."
"Yeah, of course. I'm on my way," I reply before hanging up the phone and after grabbing my keys, I run out the door.
If I'm gonna be Mrs. Grey, I guess I need to get used to this.