My dear little broccolis💚💚💚

💚Sweetie, Let Me Give You The Daddy💚

Twenty-three years old Ana has had a hard life and is, now, struggling between two jobs to pay for her studies. She's through with people, having been left down one too many times. But what happens when a certain man finds interest in her?

‼️Rated M - {Out Of Characters/All Human/Alternate Universe}‼️

‼️Romance/Angst/Drama/Lemons‼️

‼️AS/CG/The Greys/The Steeles/José Rodriguez/Grace Grey‼️

💚Now, in case it wasn't clear, this will be a Christian POV story. and I know you will want Ana's PoV, but it will just be Christian.

💚 READ & REVIEW, DON'T BE A SILENT READER 💚

Chapter 1: Aquamarine & Chivas Regal: (3,1K)

Exactly five years after their last night together Christian woke up alone, his first thoughts going to Ana. It was her birthday today, and like every year since they fell apart, he wondered if she was going to celebrate it on her own, or if she had replaced him with someone new.

In all honesty, he had been deeply tempted to put someone on her back, just so he could know how she was doing since she never contacted him after his birthday, but he knew that it was a bad idea. Ana would never appreciate knowing that she had been followed like a common criminal, and given her background, Christian didn't want to risk her finding out on her own and blaming him for it.

Still, via Raymond and Elliott, he knew a couple of things about her. She had stayed in London a year longer than planned, so the couple of years she was supposed to work abroad turned into more than three. And though he never asked, Raymond let him know between two conversations that she never went down the road she wanted when she came back to New York.

This turned into a fight between the two men, during which Christian accused Raymond of doing exactly what he had been dreading since Ana had told him Raymond had offered her an easy way out. He had lured her into the world of business when it was obvious to Christian that Ana wanted to help the unfortunate children who were going through the system.

But Raymond assured Christian that this had been Ana's decision entirely and that he even had tried to convince her to pursue her earlier dreams. Apparently, Ana had had a change of heart due to personal reasons. So now she was working for Raymond in his firm, focusing on business, even though Christian never would have pictured her as a business lawyer.

In all honesty, he didn't know much about Ana's new life without him, because even though she worked for Raymond and was still in contact with Elliott, the two men seemed to have understood that the less Christian knew about it, the better it was. He didn't want to hear about her new life without him, especially when he was failing so miserably to have one without her.

He did try to move on, he even went as far as going out with a couple of girls, but it didn't work which infuriated him. He had always managed to achieve what he had set his mind to in life, and this simple thing of getting over a girl who obviously didn't want to be with him anymore seemed to be the hardest thing he had ever done.

Of course, when he had hinted at it to his mother over the first Christmas without Ana, she went all shrink on him and claimed that it was because it wasn't his mind that was involved, but his heart. This was the last Christmas he spent with his family, always making sure he was working abroad when any sort of celebration happened. It wasn't much that he wanted to stay away from them, but he was getting tired of the look of pity from them. Especially since neither Julian nor Jason seemed to understand that he didn't want to hear about Ana.

She kept sending boys packages filled with goodies and typical British things, and the boys always marvelled at it. At first, he would drown out the childish noises with alcohol, but he quickly stopped that habit after his birthday. He didn't like the way he felt dependant on the liquid to feel a certain way. So, he had stopped drinking when he was not working, but didn't limit himself while on the clock, having business meetings and such. Grace had said that it wasn't healthy either, that he should stop and see the difference between social drinking and having a drink or two at a meeting.

Of course, there had been a couple of times when he had slipped up, but there was always a good reason. For instance, when Ana called him a week after failing to show up to his birthday, without any sort of excuse or apology.

It was a week after his birthday, and Christian had spent the whole week in New York. It was mainly for business reasons, but the first thing he had done when he got back to the Big Apple was going to her apartment to demand a reason for bailing on him on his birthday.

But she hadn't been home, even though he had gone there rather late on a work night. He didn't want to ask Raymond because he didn't like the idea of someone working for him knowing so much about his love life. This was the reason why he confined Taylor to Seattle when things started getting serious with Ana. Sure, it coincided with him having his child, but he just didn't want one person to have so much power over him by knowing everything there was to know about his personal life.

He was in a car on his way to the airport so he could be present for the hotel's inauguration in Macau. Over the past months, Mr and Mrs Cho had been asking about Ana quite a lot, hoping to see her again, and Christian always eluded the issue. Just like he still hadn't released any statement about him and Ana no longer being in a relationship. Deep down, he still had a sort of foolish hope.

But now, after that disastrous birthday when his hope had been shattered into a million pieces, he had concluded that Ana was through with him, and just didn't know how to announce it to his brother. The only thing he was afraid of now was that someday she might get together with Elliott instead of him.

He spoke with Ros over the phone, scheduling their program for the few days he would be abroad, and just as he hung up, he subtly let her know that he wanted her to take over the New York office whilst he would go back to Seattle. Unlike Ros, he never liked the City, and the only thing that made him appreciate it with a new eye now hated him and was about to leave for the Brits.

After he hung up, he closed his eyes and rested his head backwards, wondering what his next project to keep his mind occupied would be. His trousers were telling him to get another girl, even if it was just for a night, just to get Ana out of his system, but as he had explained to the brunette, it was difficult to find a girl, even for the one night.

His phone buzzed in his hand, and he answered without checking the caller ID. For a moment, no one spoke, though Christian could hear noises on the other end of the call. Twice he tried to grab the attention of the other party before he opened his eyes and checked who it was. But it was a number that wasn't registered on his phone.

"Hi, Christian."

He sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the number as he recognised Ana's voice. It seemed different from what he had gotten used to. It wasn't an upbeat voice ready to laugh with him. In fact, she seemed drained. He would even say on the verge of tears, if it wasn't for the fact that Ana never cried. Over their two years together, he never even once saw the glimpse of a tear in her eyes, not even during their separation.

But that didn't change the fact that, "It's good to hear your voice."

She cleared her throat and Christian hated that he was feeling so unsure. He was a businessman, after all, he was used to talking to people and getting what he wanted out of them. But as usual, when it came to Ana, he felt like a stupid teenager all over again. And yet, the way she looked at him always made him feel like the most powerful person the cosmos, like he could do anything just to keep her smiling.

"Raymond said you were in New York. Can we ... meet?" She asked, and Christian checked his watch, checking the time.

"I'm going to Macau. I'm on my way to the airport, right now. You know, it's the hotel's opening," He explained

"But you're still in New York right now, though? I just ... really want to see you."

"I can fly you there. I'm barely twenty minutes away from the airport. To be honest, the Chos have been asking about you, and I'd love to have you by my side on this important night."

"No. No, I don't want to go to Macau. I don't need you to fly me anywhere ... I ... I just ... I really need to speak with you. I'd rather do it in person, but — "

"I don't want to have that conversation over the phone, Ana. We'll talk when I get back," He cut her off, finally understanding why she was calling.

It wasn't to get back with him, it was to set things straight and give the two of them closure. And he wanted a few weeks to prepare for that conversation, so he could find arguments to maybe win her back.

There was a small silence, and for a moment, Christian thought that she had hung up. But then, she said, "Couldn't you ... I don't know, delay your flight of a day? Or a few hours?"

"I have to go there, it's work. You understand."

Once again, there was a silence, before Ana said, clearing her throat once again, "Yes, yes, I do. Sorry about that."

"I'll be back in New York in a month, and I'll come to see you first thing."

"A month?!"

"Yes. I must go to Paris after Macau, and I have a few things to do in Seattle afterwards. But I should be back in New York by the middle of May, and I'll get to you then."

"It's okay, Christian. I just ... wanted to ... just have a proper closure between us. It was messy the way things ended, and I thought we could just talk things over. I just wish you all the best in life."

The cab pulled over in front of the airport, but Christian did not move, slightly panicking at the sudden determined tone behind Ana's voice.

"Ana, we'll talk when I get back. I promise."

"It's okay. As I said, it was just for closure, and I just got it. You have your priorities, and I have mine. I won't have time when you'll be back. I'll be travelling by then."

"Well, let me fly you in. I told you, Ana I want you by my side for the opening."

"It's okay, Christian," She said for the third time, and he could hear the sad and condescending smile in her voice. "I understand. You have your work and your company, and I have my life to get in order. In fact, you should get ready for Macau, and I should get ready for London. I still have a lot to do. Once again, I wish you the best in life."

When he came back to New York a month later, Ana had already left for London, and he had no way of contacting her. Sure, he could have easily tracked her down, but her reaction when he had shown up at her apartment prevented him from doing so. And there was his pride as well.

She had always known that work was important to him, and that he would always prioritise it, so why did she get upset when he did what he had always done. Of course, he had to put his company first, this was no news, and this had been the basis of their relationship.

At least, that's how he felt when he came back only to realise that she was already gone. In retrospect, after many conversations with Elliott, Christian had to admit that he might have been somewhat wrong in the way he handled things. Ana never asked anything from him. Even when it came to money, he was the one constantly pushing it towards her, she had always asked for his time rather than anything material.

At the time he refused because of cowardice. He didn't want the closure that seeing her again was ultimately going to bring. But as Elliott pointed out, she had insisted, probably so she could see him at least once before leaving. In fact, he did find himself in London for business just a few months after Macau, and Elliott tried to be the intermediary between them, but she had claimed she had things to do that couldn't be postponed, not even for a day.

And when Christmas came, the worst happened. She sent him a letter. He knew what the content of that letter was because he knew Elliott had been campaigning for him every time, he had spoken to her on the phone. This letter was her asking him to stick to their contract. It was her letting him know that there was no possible future for the two of them.

This night, he drank on his own, staring at the letter and debating if he should take that closure that she was offering, but in the end, he refused. Keeping the letter sealed in his office and stumbling his way back to her room in his apartment when he snored his way to the next day.

It was after this day that he decided to consciously avoid her. He swiped places with Ros, who was more than happy to come to the Big Apple since she had always been a city girl, and mostly stayed in Seattle. He also sent Ros to London every time it was necessary. And he purposely avoided the media.

First, because during the first year, many speculated as to why 'the beautiful brunette' was no longer by his side. And though it had been strange, it seemed that he was the one to blame. Many tabloids hinted that he must have cheated on her and that she severed ties with him for that reason. He was relieved though that the media kept their promise and did not follow Ana across the pond.

But the real reason why he didn't want to read about him and his failed attempt of a real relationship with the girl he loved, was that he was dreading the day he would see her photographed at the arms of her friend. Jackastian Hyde had quickly risen to stardom whilst being on SNL, and now that Christian was no longer in the way, he could easily see how Jack could snake his way into Ana's love life.

All in all, he buried himself in work and Seattle, avoiding any reminder of Ana. Even the rare time he went back to New York, he didn't stay in the same room as the one he shared with her because of the memories. Even though he kept the hotel room rented all those years, he never set foot in it again.

However, there was one good thing that came out of this situation, Elliott and he had gotten as close as they were before. They would call each other at least once a week and would go out together at least once a month. And over time, Elliott learned not to speak of Ana with his brother. They just bonded again as brothers with Christian being even a bit more present in his nephews' life.

Still, there was one night a couple of months after Ana had sent the letter when Elliott asked him about it as they were playing pool at his place.

"So, I know you don't like talking about You-Know-Who, but she mentioned on the phone she sent you a letter, and you never said anything about it."

Christian focused on the ball he wanted to pocket, clenching his jaw as he admitted, "Yes. I just never opened it."

"Well, in that case, you can't whine that she's gone. That's the second time she's reaching out to you, and you shut her down."

"It's none of your business, Elliott," He snapped, keeping to himself that if he were ever to see her again, at least he could deny knowing whatever might be in that cursed envelope. He couldn't be blamed for something he didn't know.

"You're just a wuss."

And even though he agreed with the statement, he kept quiet.

So now it was her fifth birthday after their relationship had ended and he had found every excuse in the world to not reach out to her. He couldn't be sure if it was cowardice or pride, but he was now in a routine where he did his best not to think of her. And most of the time, it worked since he drowned himself in work.

But today was different. With nostalgia, he looked at the ring he had bought her, before putting it back in his nightstand and getting ready for work. Taylor drove him as usual, whilst he was checking his emails on his phone. Once he got to his floor, Mia mischievously smiled to him, which usually meant that she had had a very good night with her fiancé, and so he told her his usual line,

"Debrief in five, Mia."

She seemed about to say something, but he went straight to his office still scrolling through the emails on his phone. It was only when the door closed behind him and he looked up to go sit at his desk that he saw what Mia had wanted to tell him.

Ana was standing by his desk, putting down the photograph he had of her and looking him straight in the eyes with her beautiful sapphires.

❌PLEASE DO NOT COPY, DOWNLOAD OR SHARE THIS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE❌

.~°~. .~°~. .~°~.

💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

💚 So, this is the first chapter. How many of you hate me because of that long gap? And what do you think of Christian?

💚What do you think Ana wants after all this time?

💚 I'm always curious about your favourite part, and what you think will happen next, so let me know.

💚 E L James owns the names of the characters from the Fifty Shades franchise, Everything else is mine (including the mistakes and grammar errors).

Love, Mina 💚💚💚