Disclaimer: I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy

.. đź’–


This story is set in an alternate universe. ( A/U)

.

Beauty of a broken angel

...

Chapter 1


.

.

Christian woke up with a funny feeling in his gut-as if something was going to happen today. As a sigh escaped his lips, his eyes landed on his alarm clock. It was 5:30 in the morning. Usually he would jump out of bed, and go for a run. But today he didn't feel like it. He didn't feel like going to the office either. Maybe he should call in sick. Well, that wouldn't be a problem, cause he's the boss, right?

Right. As incoherent thoughts raced through his mind, he slowly got out of bed and opened the curtains of his huge bedroom. He was just about to walk to the bathroom, when he heard a soft knock on his door.

"Come in."

Those words barely left his lips, when a little girl with long, dark chestnut-colored hair ran towards him. As she jumped into his arms, Christian laughed wholeheartedly.

"Morning, my Princess."

"Morning, daddy." The little girl replied.

"Why are you up so early?"

"I'm not sleepy anymore, daddy." She said, while a sweet smile graced her gorgeous face, her blue eyes sparkling.

"OK, do you want breakfast now?" he questioned.

"Yes, please." The girl answered, and grabbed Christian's hand lovingly.

"Fine, but you must take a shower first, OK? Then we both will have breakfast downstairs. Deal?"

As a wide smile graced her angelic face, Christian's breath caught in his throat. God, she looked so much like her mother. The same sparkling blue eyes and that hair so pretty and shiny- Well, the curls she got from his side of the family, but that's just about it… The rest she got from her mom; from her looks to her personality.

Was fate making fun at him by giving him a daughter who was a copy of her mother? Guess so. Fate was most definitely being that cruel to Christian on purpose…

.

.

After Christian had taken a shower, he grabbed some casual clothes from his closet and wore it. He looked at his own reflection in the mirror and let out a deep breath. At that moment, there was another knock on his bedroom door.

"Come in."

His maid walked in and smiled." Good morning, Mr. Grey" When she noticed what he was wearing, she furrowed her brows." Why are you dressed like that, Sir? Aren't you going to the office today?"

"Yeah- well… no." he replied, and sighed deeply. To be honest, he wasn't sure how to explain it to her." Uhumm, I left a message at the office, saying that I won't be coming in today."

"Everything alright, sir?" Gail asked, the worry in her voice evident." Are you having trouble with it again?"

He shook his head in response." It's fine, Gail. Everything's fine with me" he said, trying to convince her." Don't you worry about me."

"OK, if nothing's wrong with you, what about Mia... Everything fine with her?"

"Yes, we're both fine. I just wanted to skip work today, that's all." he said." And please don't worry, Gail. Mia is fine too. Doing her thing; clubbing, shopping, having fun as usual. Spending our hard earned money, but it's fine. She's my little sister and I love her to pieces. So there's nothing I can do about it, right?"

Gail scoffed." Nope, nothing you can do about it. You can choose your friends, but not your family."

Christian laughed aloud at her comment, and hugged his employee." God, you can always make me laugh, you know. What would I do without you, Gail?"

" Well, it's a good thing I'm here for you and little Aurora. She's so adventurous and brave. Do you know she wanted to climb up the ladder to get into the tree to see the baby birds? She was already halfway up, when Luke caught her. Ooh, I swear to you she's gonna give me a heart attack one day." Gail told her boss, as she made his bed.

"She did?" Christian questioned, and frowned." Luke didn't say anything to me about it."

"Well, the guy is crazy about Aurora and probably didn't want her to get into trouble" he heard Gail say." That's why he didn't tell you, Sir. He hates it when she gets time-outs from you."

"I'm not that strict, am I?"

Gail smiled in response."No, I think you're doing a great job at being a father, raising Aurora all by yourself." she said, and placed a hand on his upper arm" I'm so proud that you are able to handle your daughter that well."

"Oh, come on. Don't give me all the credit." Christian replied, while attempting to swallow the lump in his throat." I'm not raising her all by myself. There's you, Luke, Mia and the rest of this household. Aurora and I are very lucky to have you all."

Usually she does, but at that moment Gail wasn't able to control her emotions, and let her tears flow."I wish though that- uhumm- that her mother was here too." she confessed, and wiped away the tears." For little Aurora and for you, Sir."

In response, he cleared his throat."Yeah, me too." Christian told her, while tears pricked his eyes." I wished her mom was here too. But, she isn't."

Gail watched Christian and really wished she could take all of his pain away.

"God, Aurora sure is just like her mom, isn't she?"

Gail nodded in agreement."Oooh yeah, most definitely." she replied." In looks and in personality. Your daughter is brave just like her mom."

Christian was just about to reply, when they both heard Aurora all the way from the first floor of the villa.

"Da-aaad! Come on, I'm hungry!"

At that, both he and Gail burst out into laughter and shook their heads.

"We're coming"

.

.

~ Later that evening ~

.

Christian hated these so called 'guys night out', but Luke and Jose literally dragged him to the club.

"I hate this, you guys. And did I mention that I hate all of you?" Christian announced, while glaring at his three friends.

"We know, you hate us but you love us? Right?" Jose replied with a wide grin on his face.

"You're already drunk?" Christian asked, furrowing his brows.

"Nope! I'm not drunk! I'm just tipsy."

"But it's just 10:50 PM. How can you already be drunk?" Christian said.

Jose, Luke and Ethan all began to laugh.

"Unbelievable." Christian growled, while rolling his eyes.

"Wanna drink, man?" Luke asked.

He shook his head in response." I'm having a coke. No thanks."

"Since when have you gotten so boring, Christian?" Jose slurred. "You used to be a bad ass party animal! R'member?"

"I'm the designated driver in this group. And… since I have the responsibility of raising a beautiful daughter I can't be a party animal like before..." Christian replied with pride in his voice. "Let's leave the partying to Mia."

"Yes, Mia." Luke nodded and smiled, like he was in paradise or something." Beautiful Mia."

The men all laughed at Luke's reaction. Every time he hears her name, his face lights up like a Christmas tree." Still pining for her, are you?" Ethan teased.

"Leave him, guys. Mia loves Luke, BUT she loves him like a brother." Christian said with a smug smile on his face.

At hearing that, the guys burst out into a contagious laughter… Well, except for Luke." Not funny guys, not funny at all."

"Hey, how's sweet, little Aurora doing by the way?" Jose asked.

"Oh, she's doing great. I took the day off and so we went to the park today… we had a lot of fun. And then we went to the playground and got some ice cream." Christian said, while smiling from ear to ear." Today was just perfect. Well, she pouted of course, when I told her that I was going out tonight. But when I told her that I was gonna make it up to her, she forgave me."

"I love her to pieces, Christian. Don't be too strict on her, OK?" Luke warned." She's an amazing kid"

"Just like her mom." Christian replied, but then realized that he had said those words aloud.

As those words tumbled from his lips, all the guys stared at Christian, not knowing what to say. Why?

Because talking about Aurora's mother had always been a very sensitive topic for Christian. No one dared to say something, so he cleared his throat, and pointed towards the restroom of the chic club."Uhumm… I need to go to- uhum… Why don't you ask a pretty girl to dance, you guys?" Christian got up and said." I need to go to the men's room. I'll be right back."

.

.

At the moment, Christian was again, looking at his own reflection in the mirror. What he saw scared him- it really scared him. His reflection was of a man who couldn't and wouldn't let go of the past. He refused to let go… he refused to accept the fact that he was never going to see Aurora's mother again. No! No! No!

As he ran a hand through his dark copper-colored hair, Christian shook his head. He couldn't forget her. Every night, when he was in his bed, his mind toyed with him. It was like he could still smell her scent… like he could feel her breath on his face… like he could see her… like she was right there in their bedroom with him.

It drove him crazy, and it was a real miracle that he hadn't gone insane... yet.

"Aargh! Get your shit together, Christian Grey!" He scolded himself and then walked out the restroom.

As he walked to the dance floor, his eyes landed on their table. Well, it was empty. As he looked around, he saw the guys dancing with some pretty ladies. Christian smiled and took a seat at their table. He was just about to order another coke, when he heard his phone ring. As he stared at the display, he furrowed his brows. He didn't recognize the number, but still he decided to pick up.

"Hello." he said into the phone.

"Christian..." He heard a woman's voice say from the other side of the line.

"Yes, it's me, Christian Grey... What's this about?"

"Uhmm... It's me… Ana..." The woman replied, her voice soft and gentle.

As those words reached Christian's ears, the room started to spin, his throat had closed up, his heart rate went up, his hands started trembling heavily, and his breathing had become difficult to control. He was gasping for air, his head attempting to process what he just had heard and who he was speaking to on the phone.

WAIT... WAIT a minute. What?! Was it her? Was it really her? After all these years?! And the Police... they told him that she... that she was d... Oh, God!

Was he dreaming right now? This must be a nightmare!

Or was this a joke? Was someone playing some sick joke on him? Were they? At this point, Christian was so confused, and angry, clenching the phone with his hand till his knuckles had turned white.

"Christian, you still there?"

No, this was really happening. It was her. This was her voice. Anastasia. This was her... After he had regained some control over his body and mind, Christian cleared his throat and exhaled." Yes, I'm here. Where have you been, Princess?"


Note: Well, what do you think? Leave me your thoughts on this chapter? :)

This is a short story. I've written ahead, and it will have approximately 10 chapters. Can be more or less.

Till the next one,

J