So last week I promised I would update Sundays and Thursdays, well Last Thursday I took a trip with a few friends so I couldn't update like I wanted to. I was going to update Sunday, but I ended up finding out I had lost a friend of mine and I wasn't really taking it well. I finally got some time this week to update so you are getting last week's chapters this week. I will be back on schedule after these chapters...Please enjoy, You all pulled me through in your kind and loving reviews. I do not own any characters except Brittany. Enjoy!
Six-thirty am Friday morning.
Ana couldn't believe how early she was awake. Her mind clouded with the stress that she was under the next two days. What was even more frustrating as it was six am and she couldn't do anything about it for like four more hours. Ana closed her eyes trying to fall back asleep, her mind needing to rest, but it wasn't helping. She knew nothing was going to really be open now besides Starbucks, but even better she knew the lake not too far from here wouldn't be busy at all and she'd wanted to go since she started living here. Getting up she decided to jog down to the lake, she needed to get this energy out, or else she knew she would've had a rough couple of hours. Dressing for the cold weather, Ana then grabbed her keys and phone to put them in the pockets of her leggings. After locking up her house and putting her headphones in Ana was off for her jog.
Around seven fifteen in the morning, Ana had found her way to the small lake. She sat there just looking out into the water, her mind stretched with thoughts about not just this coming week, but the past few weeks. She'd been going and going, trying to not think about her broken heart. She hardly admitted to Kate how she was feeling knowing she'd tell her it was stupid to feel this. This was a reason why Ana couldn't sleep at night sometimes, she felt like the second she relaxed memories would come back to her.
"Are you okay?" Ana looked up to see a man standing above her. Her eyes found his grey ones as he stared into her blue ones. "You just seem lost in thought." He nudged his head towards the spot next to her, asking permission to sit next to her. "What brings you to lake sorrow?" He asked. Ana just sighed and shrugged as the man sat next to her. Usually, she'd call the stranger a freak and leave to be alone, but she continued to just sit there biting her lip. Looking up she noticed the manfully now; Ana was struck by how handsome the grey-eyed stranger was. He was a bit muscular, but it was too much from what she could see. His face was slightly scruffy, but it was handsome; his broad shoulders were also very attractive. But it was his eyes that seemed to invite her in. "I'm Christian."
"Ana. Nice to meet you Christian." Ana smiled sweetly before running her fingers through her hair before looking back at Christian. "Do you make it a habit of talking to strangers?" Ana asked smirking back at the water. "Or are you dumping a body and I got in the way?"
Christian's laugh was loud and big. Christian couldn't help himself, that was the last thing he expected to hear, it added to the charm of what he was physically was seeing. "Nobodies today, honestly debated my sister, but she's been nice lately." Ana couldn't help but giggle at his joke, or what she was hoping was a joke. "But that doesn't answer my question, what are you doing here at almost eight am?"
Ana shrugged before looking at the water. The longer Ana would look in the water, the longer she would hope her mind would ease, but it wouldn't. "I usually save my embarrassing thoughts for just my best friend. Why so curious?"
"You know that sounds like..."
Ana smirked knowing who he was talking about. "Why so serious? Batman Dark Night...Classic." Christian just stared at the mystery woman sitting next to him, he was shocked at how funny Ana was and how easy she was trying to dodge his questions. "Couldn't sleep, I just needed to run. I needed air. So, I ended up here." Ana admitted looking at him, his eyes were looking deep past hers. It was weird, Ana was trying to figure out what she was feeling in the moment as they were looking at each other. It was a weird pull she couldn't help but feel. "What are you doing here?"
Christian just simply shrugged before looking at the brunette next to him. "I usually jog before going to work. Switch off routes every two days, I am very happy that I decided to come to this route today." He smirked just taking in the beauty that was next to him. Christian saw the sadness in her eyes, but there was the strength behind it too. Her long brunette hair shaped her face beautifully, she had kissable lips; Christian was trying his hardest to keep the focus on her eyes and her words than anything else.
"Was that to forward?" He asked feeling a tad bit out of his own comfort zone. Christian wasn't one to flirt with woman, as egotistical as it sounded, he was used to them wanting to be around him without trying, but something about her was beyond different.
"Eh, I've heard worst." She laughed running her fingers through her hair nervously. "You know most girls would find it a tad bit weird that you happen to be on the same route as she is. One may think you were a stalker." Ana laughed as she looked at him with a silly fake serious look as Christian smiled.
Christian wasn't one to catch feelings, but there was something different about this woman sitting next to him. She just seemed genuine, someone who wasn't one of those gold diggers that he slept with on occasions. He wanted to know more about her, but for some reason feared saying the wrong things. Which wasn't normal. "Well, I'm not a stalker, even though that statement itself is suspicious to everyone." Laughing Ana just couldn't contain herself. "I'm blowing it huh?"
Ana just shook her head; this was the first time in months that there was genuine laughter coming from her. "I don't think so, I just haven't laughed in so long, it felt good. Thanks, Christian." She smiled before hearing her phone go off. It was her assistant texting her a reminder for her meeting later in the evening. "I should get going. I have a few meetings today."
Christian checked his watch noticing he was slightly late for his own day, though worth it, he had to get into the office to start his day before his lunch with his mother. He didn't want to press his luck too much more, so he helped Ana up, and instantly it felt like a rush of something hit both as they stared into one another. Grey and blue eyes connected as everything around them stopped and froze. They just stared at one another before Christian's phone began to go off breaking the connection. Ana couldn't really say anything as she got up and moved to head back in the direction of her home. She freaked and needed space. It was too much at first.
When she finally showered and got dressed for the day, Ana found herself trying hard not to get distracted by the thoughts of Christian, it wasn't easy. It was all her mind seemed to be able to focus on as she drove to the venue where the Coping Together event was being held and it was now what had to be her focus. Then again why would she think she'd ever see Christian again.
The sad thought went through her head until she entered the venue. Ana smiled as she walked through the grand hall where the event was going to be held. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at all the tables and set up. Everything thing she wanted for the Coping Together Event was laid out perfectly. She had decided to order a bit more silver and gold streamers, a bigger dance floor, and the lights that overlooked the garden. When she was younger, Ana loved to plan things; even at the tender age of 6, she was planning all the tea parties, birthday parties, and BBQ dinners on the block. It was in her DNA and this party was proof she finally made it. "Could you hang the banner just a smidge?" The contractor looked at Ana with a glare. Rolling his eyes, he did what she asked for the fifteenth time. Ana knew she was being difficult, but no one understood the pressure she was under. She wanted this party to be successful.
"Miss. Steele," Ana turned to see her assistant Brittany running towards her. Ana had decided to hire her after the whole Leila situation. A bit scatterbrained, but she had something of a passion as an assistant and a weird way of organizing things. Brittany smiled once she made her way to Ana, in one hand she was carrying her iPad and a
few color samples; the other was Ana's checklist and phone.
Ana smiled at the spazzed assistant. "Okay, Brittany we're going to try this one more time. Ana… not Ms. Steele, just Ana."
Brittany smiled as she nodded, Ana had asked her to stop calling her Miss. It was making her feel old, even though they were only two years apart. "Ana…I just wanted to give you a rundown of these next two days. There are also a few messages." Ana nodded for Brittany to continue. "So tonight, you have a meeting with Grace Grey for a run-through of the night. She also sent an email reminding you that you are going to be attending the party and not working when done with the red-carpet portion of the event. She was reminding you that you would be meeting her at her home for the meeting." Ana was nervous about the whole thing, especially knowing this event could make or break her. "…Plus, Kate said tomorrow morning she will have a team coming to do your hair and makeup. Your dress is already at your place and…" Ana's mind traveled back to earlier in the week. Ana was extremely lucky that Kate could easily find them dresses because she was only going to find something at a Macy's or a random location.
Monday night
Ana ran her fingers through her hair as she stared at her reflection. This was officially the worst dress Kate could've picked out. It was super puffy and made her look like she was a huge pink blob. "No Kate. I honestly don't think I'll find anything for this. I'll just wear something in your closet." Ana begged as she started to strip. She couldn't believe how easy it was for Kate to find the perfect dress like it was made for her. Ana wasn't the girl who just got dressed up every chance she got, but this was a major client that she didn't want to disappoint.
Kate got up and went to her room and grabbed one last dress. "You my friend are going to love this one...It's made for an event like this. And stop comparing us Ana, I have time to fish out a dress I want. You are busy Ana, I had to go with what I thought you would like and a few things I wish I would've picked for myself." Ana watched as Kate hung the dress up before putting the box with the matching mask on the kitchen table. "Plus, I should be jealous of you. You have an in with the golden family of Seattle. Like I don't think you understand how much people are going to be jealous of you. And have you seen this family?"
Ana shook her head before studying the beautiful gown. "What about them?"
Kate smiled as she fluffed out the dress out of the garment bag. "Well, they're all super attractive. Christian is the middle child and drop-dead hot. You have Elliot, the oldest, he's in construction and again hot! Their youngest Mia, she beautiful, and smart. She just graduated from culinary school in Paris. Ugh, I wish I could go to Paris. Let's go to Paris next year." Kate laughed as she looked at Ana who was lost in the detail of the dress.
Kate was right this was it; the dress was an off the shoulder dress with a fitted bodice. with embroidery decking it out from top to bottom. It had a dramatic train that cloaked her nude ballgown. As she inspected it, the embroidery looked like little snowflakes. It simply looked like a dress for a princess. "I take it you like it?"
Ana could only nod as she touched the train softly. "Why didn't you show me this one first?"
Kate just shrugged, "I knew you would love it...Call it dramatic effect and a little payback for waiting till the last minute to assemble our looks." She laughed as she carefully unzipped it and helped Ana into it. "Wow, you look...wow." Kate smile as she messed with Ana's hair trying to figure out the best style for it. "Ana my friend is going to steal the show. Looks like that movie Cinderella Story. A modern-day Cinderella." Grabbing the mask, Kate smiled. It was a decked-out Flower Crystal Mask lined with a lot of shiny Crystals. It was something of a wonder how both her dress and her mask mirrored each other in sparkles. "Well, this is going to be a night to remember Ana Steele." Kate smiled as she watched Ana marvel by herself. Kate took notes on what she wanted to be done for her friend's hair and makeup. "Okay I love the look, but I need you to get it off. I'll have it at your place Friday. I've already discussed it with Brittany, after your meeting with Dr. Grey on Friday, you have a nail appointment. Don't be late."
Slowly Ana began to peel herself out of the beautiful dress before looking at her best friend. "What would I do without you?"
"Go to this gala without a cute dress and end up in some off the rack sort of thing..." Kate smiled as she watched as Ana dressed in her other clothes. "Ana...Ana?"
"Ana?" Ana turned to see Brittany attempting to get her attention. "I'm assuming you zoned out boss. I can go over the notes again." Brittany grabbed her notepad and started launching into different notes about today and tomorrow. "I also talked to the caterer and he said he has everything set and ready for an eight-thirty dinner."
Ana sat down at one of the tables before gesturing for Brittany to join her. "Tell me the order of the night."
Brittany grabbed her notebook looking over every note she'd made. "So, ten am Kate and you are getting ready. Kate also included a breakfast time of ten-thirty. You must arrive by four-thirty so that you can do the final walk-through and be here for the first guests. Red Carpet starts at five. The last guest should enter about six. Emma takes over for you as you enter in as the last guest." She couldn't believe she had to join this party still. Kate had made her understand this was a big deal since the Grey's are as well known as they are. "The first dance is at six-thirty which leads into cocktail hour. Emma knows after the first dance is over the chef is to start sending out the servers. Six with small snacks and the eight booze." Ana was about to interject when Brittany held up her hand. "Then there are the eight others with pen and paper to take personal orders. All servers know to make sure to keep the Grey's priority. Emma has already assigned a waitress to circulate around them as well as someone assigned to your table during dinner service." Ana was happy that she'd trained her assistant so well, she knew everything before Ana could even jump in. "This will lead to dinner at eight. Five courses, twenty minutes each. After dinner is the auction that is thirty minutes, the last item is the second dance auction, then it will be a three-hour dance party. Everyone will gather outside for fireworks, which I've filed the permit as well as gave the copies to Emma and you, this will end the party at promptly at one am."
Ana smiled proudly at all the notes that Brittany seemed to have taken. She took this job extremely seriously, which made her happy to have hired such an amazing person. "If Emma gets overwhelmed?"
"Text Kate, which will be the sign for you to go to the bathroom which you'll come to the kitchen. And we let her go take a breather and you do what you do." Brittany smiled softly at her boss, she was proud of herself, this was her first real event and it was nerve-racking.
Ana checked her watch and smiled. "I have to go to the meeting; you take the rest of the night off. Tomorrow, at my house at noon, ready to get your hair and makeup done. We will be here in regular clothes and then you and I will change upstairs at four, so we are ready for the event."
After leaving the venue headed towards Dr. Grey's house. She was a little early, but she needed to finish the meeting so she could get her nails done on time. Ana also knew Kate would be over before ten, so she knew sleep was needed. The whole drive was long but wasn't as bad as she thought; that was until Ana realized where her google maps were taking her. The long road took Ana up to a driveway, in that moment she got a chance to see how amazing Dr. Grey's house was. Kate defiantly didn't warn her about how breathtaking their home was. As she pulled up, Ana was met with a large and wide three-story home with a lot of land behind it. Getting out of the car, Ana could see a lake behind their home, she would've love to throw a party here. "Ana!" Looking up at the entryway, a smile was on her face the second she saw Grace's warm smile. "Oh, dear please come on in. I've put on some tea for us."
The times before she'd met Grace, there was just something about her that reminded her of what she thought her mother could've been. An ear to listen to her and someone who wanted to be in her life. Ana wasn't looking forward to this project being over. She would miss their chats and just being close like they'd been for the last three months. "Grace, thank you. I just wanted to go through a few things really quick, that way you can get back to your day."
Grace just shook her head before grabbing their tea. Grace enjoyed the company, with all her children hardly visiting she was enjoying having someone around to just talk to. "No Carrick is picking up my dress, so I'm free today, but I know you have so much to do tomorrow. I do hope you are taking my request for joining us seriously." Ana nodded as she took a sip of her tea. "Good, I am glad. I think you should take the time to enjoy all your planning. I'm sure at this moment you're wishing everything would be starting already." Grace didn't know half of it. She just wanted to be done with the stress of the event going off without an issue.
"I am so ready for tomorrow. Months of planning have made me super excited to see how everything turns out. I think you're going to love this place Grace. I mean, I was there before this and wow it's beautiful." Ana was excited for everyone to see everything; this was perfectly done. She was truly a perfectionist. Ana was hopeful that when everyone sees the ballroom that they are as speechless as she was when she saw it. "The tables are done. Literally, the only thing left to do is have the red carpet laid out along with the outside lights being put up. I'm just there to make sure everyone enters safely, and your party goes off without an issue."
Grace was extremely pleased with how quickly Ana was able to pull this party together. She was doing almost as good as if she was planning it herself. "It will, I'm just so happy you'll be joining us at the table and participating."
"Thank you for inviting me. My best friend Kate is going to be my plus one. I'm not actually used to joining the parties, besides she's the one that always tries to get me out of my comfort zone. Hence why I decided she had to go, Grace had an ease about talking to her and being honest. "I hope your family won't mind us sitting with you guys."
Grace just shook her head. She'd only told her daughter Mia and husband Carrick about it. She didn't need to bother the rest of them about it just yet. "No, my family is excited to meet you, Ana. I was just on the phone with my son Christian talking about how amazing you've done with this event."
A blush rose across her cheeks as Grace continued to sing her compliments. After Jose left her life, Ana found it hard to let compliments grace her presence. It wasn't an easy thing to get after years of not getting any sort of sweet words. "Thank you, Grace. It truly means a lot coming from you. I also want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to plan this. I know you could've gone to anyone else, but I'm so thankful that you came to me."
Grace held Ana's hand sweetly. "I'm lucky you were able to put up with my constant questioning and texting all hours of the day." Ana did exactly what she needed to do to keep Grace happy. She knew exactly how much this charity event meant to Grace; she didn't want to disappoint her family.
The conversation and tea with Grace were like talking to an old friend. It was relaxing and something she needed and hoped to have for a while after this. Ana would never admit it to anyone, even Kate, but she was scared to get close to anyone right now. After Jose's cheating and Leila's betrayal, Ana couldn't see trusting anyone as she did them. Maybe this was her chance to have a new beginning, a fresh restart that she didn't realize she really needed. The fear she felt, she wished would go away, the insecurities that made her heart build walls that she was scared would never go away. Ana watched as Grace became animated by talking about past events and how she was looking forward to this year's theme. She went into great detail about the dresses she and her daughter had picked out. "Mia is so excited to meet you. She's one of those girls that just love making friends. She has trouble weeding out the ones that aren't trying to get with her brothers." Giggling Ana watched as Grace made a funny face at the thought.
Before Ana could make a comment, a young woman walked in with a smile. "Mom the mask finally came." Ana smiled at who she was assuming was Mia, the woman had long blonde hair with the brightest blue eyes. Her smile just lit up the room. "Oh my god. You must be Ana." She dropped her bags before embracing Ana in her arms. "I love what you've done with the party. It's going to be amazing. I mean I fell in love with the colors and the food ideas."
"Thanks, Mia. I love being a planner. It's literally one of my favorite distresses. This party is truly your mom's though. I just took what she wanted and made it real." Grace smiled at the modestly Ana had, it was refreshing. "As amazing as it would be to hang out some more, I have a nail appointment in an hour, and my friend will kill me if I'm late." Ana hated to go, but tomorrow would be rough and long and she still had the stuff to do. "Oh Grace, I sent you the final seating chart as well."
Mia smiled excitedly. "Oh, please tell me you're sitting with us? It'll be so great to get to know you. Are you bringing a date? Most importantly, what are you wearing?"
Ana knew Mia and Kate would instantly get along; both had the energy to throw you off your own thoughts. "I'm actually bringing my best friend Kate and yes I'm sitting with you all. MY dress, oh god it is beautiful. It's a nude color, it looks like a fancy version of Belle's dress. Kate picked it out. Thank god for her."
Mia was already deep down planning girls' trips with Kate and Ana, she was almost certain that they were going to be close friends. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun." With quick goodbyes, Ana was on her way to the nail salon with Kate.
It had taken an hour for their nail appointment to be over, Ana was tired, and tomorrow was going to be a long day. "Do not come to my house until after ten am Kate. I'm serious..." Ana extended her hand at Kate. "Key, now." Kate rolled her eyes as she handed the spare key to Ana. She hated that her best friend knew exactly what she was planning. Kate smirked knowing she'd find a way into that house before ten. "I'll text you in the AM. Love you, Kate."
"Goodnight Ana."
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