Chapter 2

Christian

"Did you do something to your hair? You're looking especially handsome today."

I look up from my A5 wagyu steak to an expression I'm all too familiar with having seen her do it since she was in her diapers. We're at the Mile High, a restaurant I own located at the very top of the tallest building in Seattle. My younger sister, Mia, barged into my office earlier today asking for a lunch date. So here we are.

I sigh. "Alright, what do you want?"

"Okay, so there's this book I just read by an up-and-coming author called "Flying Empty", and IT. WAS. AMAZEBALLS! The plot is foolproof, the imagery is stunning, and the writing - wow! - it's like she just gets you, me, us! She's able to put feelings into words in such a beautiful yet frank and unapologetic way. You have to read it! Here, I brought you a copy." Don't let Mia's outward appearance fool you. She likes pink and sparkly clothes. If she's not wearing those, let's just say she'll still be standing out from the crowd. This may come as a surprise, but she's the most well-read person I know. She has a closet big enough to be a studio apartment, but if you look close enough, books can be found underneath the socks in the sock drawer; or squished in between her t-shirts; and if you open the bottom drawers, you'll find books that she has deemed as too sentimental for her to part with.

"So what, you wanna get a signed copy of the book or something?" I ask as I inspect the book she handed to me.

"No, not that. You see, the author, Anastasia Steele, is kinda shy. She tends not to talk to the public, and well, I have sooo many questions. I was hoping that maybe, you can get me some one-on-one time with her. Please." She brings out the puppy eyes + pouty lips. Now, how can I resist that? I know, she has me all wrapped up in her finger.

"Leave it to me."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Mia was right. This book is amazeballs. I feel so seen. She does just get me. I glance at the clock beside my bed. It's 4 AM. I've been reading this book the whole night. I just couldn't put it down. I turn to the last page checking for some details on Anastasia Steele. No picture, nothing at all. I might have to crash Mia's one-on-one time with this woman.

Ana

Hannah and I order some more cocktails right after she gave me some tips and tricks to hopefully get me to overcome this writing block I'm having. I'm not feeling too enthusiastic about it but it wouldn't hurt to try some of them.

"By the way, do you know Christian Grey?" Hannah asks.

I shake my head.

"You're kidding, right? Seattle's most eligible billionaire bachelor? Hot guy? Intense gray eyes? That ring a bell?" She teases.

I laugh. "Nope, no idea."

"Girl, what rock you been hiding in? Anyway, his assistant called this morning asking if his sister could meet up with you. Says she's a big fan, and has some questions she wanted to ask. I said I'll ask you first and call them back later." She looks at me knowing how much I don't like these kinds of things.

"If the story doesn't answer her questions, then she's not gonna get much else from me."

Hannah sighs. "I know you don't like doing these kind of things; and I know how much you hate answering questions about the book but like I said, this is Christian Grey. He's a billionaire, and billionaires get what they want. Besides, she's a fan. Maybe she just wants to say hi or get a selfie or something."

"Just say no. If they push, then maybe. It looks like we wouldn't have much of a choice anyway."

Christian

Ros handed me my ass at tennis today. I acted all broody about it but truthfully, I had a lot of fun. We scheduled another game sometime in the next week. After taking a shower, we went straight to Bellevue for my mom's birthday. I hang back as Taylor, my CPO, and Sawyer, his second-in-command, carries the covered sculpture I had commissioned from Ray Steele into my parents house.

"Oh, what's this now?" My mom asks as she opens the door.

"Happy birthday mom!" I greet her right after the sculpture is set on the table in the foyer.

"Thank you, my darling boy. I can't wait to open it!" She says right after giving me a quick hug. It's all I can tolerate. But it's so much better now compared to before. Flynn has been my therapist since I was 15, and he's helped me conquer at least some of my haphephobia. He's also helped me deal with my temper and of course, my feelings; especially that year. Let's just say puberty wasn't very kind to me, emotionally speaking. Physically though, it's been very kind if I do say so myself.

"Well, open it then." I urge. I could see she wanted to wait until the whole family was in here to open it; but she was also very excited to see it. Suddenly, we hear the loud roar of an engine. That could only be Elliot, my older brother. Great timing.

Mom opens the door for Elliot and calls dad and Mia into the foyer. Once everybody has gathered, she starts tearing into the covering of the sculpture away.

"It's stunning! Wow! Thank you, thank you!" Mom starts tearing up. She gives me another quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. Everyone else seems to really like it. Ray Steele did a great job sculpting a wooden bust of my mom. It's very detailed, and he really got her likeness. It looks and exudes my mom.

"Is this by Ray Steele, son?" My dad notices the signature on the bottom right. Always the keen eye. I wouldn't past anything past him, seeing as he is one of the most prominent lawyers in Seattle.

"It is. I heard you guys talk about him before so I decided to check out some of his pieces. I really liked it so I had this one made by him." I affirm.

"Oh darling, this is so thoughtful of you! Your father and I have been planning to go to his studio and buy some pieces for the house. We were also planning to invite him and his wife to this year's gala. His wife, Carla Steele, is the dermatologist that owns "La peau", the skincare brand. Alright well, let's go eat. Mia and I prepared everyone's favorites!"

Mia walks with me to the dining room and asks me about her "date" with the author.

"She said no, but don't worry, I'll work on it."

Ana

"Anaaaaaa!" Kate and I run toward each other and we hug as we reach each other.

"I missed you, Kate!"

"I missed you more, sis!" She counters. After a good minute, we break away from each other. I grab one of her suitcases, and we walk back towards my car.

"Oh my god, I have so much to tell you. We need a pajama night stat!" Kate is my best friend. We've known each other since we were fetuses in our mothers' wombs. Our parents met in college, and they've been friends ever since. Her family lived next to mine; and growing up if she wasn't sleeping in our house, I was sleeping in theirs.

Kate's a journalist, and she was assigned in Russia for a whole year. This is the longest we've ever been away from each other. We spend the drive back to our apartment catching up. We're staying in the city until the end of the week because she has to report back to her office. Then

we're going back home to Montesano for the weekend.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

We're lounging in the couch eating pizza and drinking wine in our pajamas while watching

"You've Got Mail", our favorite romcom. Pajama night is in full force.

"So, did you get some this past year?" Kate looks at me with that sly look in her face.

"If I did, you would've known by now, you know. Besides, that is the last thing on my mind right now. I need to get out of this funk I'm in so I can get back into writing this book i'm working on." I've tried most of the tips Hannah recommended to me the other day and nothing's

been working.

"How could you write anything if you're experiencing nothing?" Kate counters. I guess she does have a point. Hannah did also suggest going on a vacation somewhere far from home. My last vacation was from before my last book was published, and that was almost 2 years ago. I suppose it is time to go somewhere. Maybe get some inspiration along the way. Maybe even find love. I would never tell anyone - not even Kate - but i am starting to get lonely. My independent and reserved nature can sometimes spill into my inability to talk about feelings and insecurities. I got it from my dad, Ray Steele. He was adopted by my grandparents, and he never really talks about the time before that. I've always wondered but like I said, I got it from him. So I never

asked.

After we finished the movie, Kate succumbed to jet lag and went to bed. I can't sleep yet. Kate's comment earlier is still ruminating in my head. Maybe, I should take more risks. The only time i've ever taken a huge risk - that I could remember - i've kept a secret. It felt wrong, but I don't regret it. I guess you could say, I had a "Before Sunrise" vacation back when I was 21. I just graduated college, and I found myself still a virgin. No one ever seemed right before. Sure, I dated and kissed some boys, but that was it. No one ever even got to second base. Kate's parents and mine got us tickets to London as a graduation gift. Kate got sick at the last moment, so I went alone. I met a guy on the plane. He was friendly and nice; and he flirted with me. The status of my virginity at the time was plaguing my mind. I knew he was only gonna be in London for 2 days so I took the risk. It was good. Well - as good, as your first time could be, I guess. What's important, I think, is that he cared enough to accommodate my umm, lack of experience. I will say the few times we did it again was much better, and I could definitely understand the "hype"

so to speak.

Hopefully, i'll find someone soon. If only I weren't so picky. It's just I expected more. More feelings, more passion, more intensity. Instead it all seems so boring: dating, even kissing. No spark, no heavenly choirs singing.

My phone beeps. It's a message from Hannah.

Hannah (H): Christian Grey called. Told us to name your price lol.

Me (A): Ugh. If he had a chance before, there definitely isn't anymore.

H: I'll let him know. I have a feeling he's not gonna give it up that easily.

A: Keep telling him no. There's no way i'll meet up with them now.

H: Alrighty. Goodnight!