Ana was lying on the beach near the hotel at the moment. She was anxiously waiting for Kate to arrive the next day. As she saw her dad walking towards her, Ana's lips curled into a genuine smile. Since they both have arrived at Tinos, Ana's gotten very close to him. That wasn't the case before. The reason for it? Ana felt that since the day her mom died, a weird vibe between them had sprung to life. Before Tinos, she wasn't sure if she was imagining it because of the guilt, but that was how she felt. Ana had always blamed herself for her mom's death, assuming that her dad did the same, even if he never expressed it with words. It was a car accident that took her mom's life. That day Ana needed a ride home, because her car was in the shop. Ana's mom died on impact, but miraculously Ana only had minor injuries. She never talked to her dad about her guilt though; she was too afraid to hear him say that he indeed blamed her.

But now Ana felt that the weird vibe had vanished completely. That gnawing, guilty feeling had disappeared, and she felt even closer to him than ever before. Ana knows now that her father would never blame her for the accident. It was all imagined by her, because of how guilty she felt about it.

"Beautiful day, huh?" Mr. Steele said, as he sat next to Ana on the blanket.

"Definitely, dad. The weather is just perfect!" Ana replied, while she sat up and gave him a proper hug.

Ana noticed then that her dad had something on his mind.

"Dad, spit it out please? I know you wanna ask me something. What is it?" she asked, squeezing his hand lightly.

He hesitated for a moment, but decided to just say it." Something has been bothering me for quite some time now, Ana. But the thing is, I —uhmm, I don't know— I'm not sure if it's my place to be asking this."

"Come on, whatever it is, dad. You can ask me. I'm still your little girl." she said with a smile, making his heart swell.

"OK— I know it is none of my business and besides I was the one who said that you shouldn't be involved with men right now. But uhmm— what happened between you and Christian?" he asked, his eyes locked on Ana's.

Ana's smile immediately disappeared at that. Instead a sad look in her eyes surfaced. As Ana attempted to keep it together, her eyes fluttered shut.

"I know you just met the guy… you've been here only thirteen days. But I noticed that you two clicked right away. And he is a very good man— I know that you've been hurt in the most horrible way, Ana. But I know that Christian is nothing like your ex. Don't you wanna give Christian a ch…" he said, but was cut off by Ana.

"It has nothing to do with my ex, dad! OK? I like Christian too— I like him very much, I mean… he is such a great guy. Amazing even. He has saved my life two times now and the second time, he almost died. I don't know— I just… Calinico said that Christian has always been too good for this world. And I believe him. But, maybe… maybe I just don't deserve him? "Ana explained, her brows furrowed.

At that, Ana's father cupped her face and said. "Ana, my baby girl. Of course you deserve him! Why would you think that? You are amazing too… just like him. Well, in my eyes no one will ever be good enough for you. But he's OK I guess." he said, sounding very convincing.

"Dad, he is the kindest and nicest man I know. Well besides you of course. And he deserves the best in life. But life has been so cruel to him!" Ana uttered, as tears pooled in her eyes, not being able to keep it together anymore.

"Christian is an orphan, he never knew his parents. He lost his son, three years ago. He is in the hospital at the moment, because he was brutally attacked by 'some things'. And now, I just want him to… to be a little happy, you know? He deserves happiness so badly, dad. But I… I cannot give him that, because I am too damaged for him." Ana said, her voice breaking near the end.

"What?! Too damaged?! That is not true, Ana. How can you say that? You are not damaged, OK?" Ana's father exclaimed.

"And besides… I think… maybe he uhmm, Christian could find that little happiness at his ex-wife. I met Leila and we talked when I was visiting Christian at the hospital. She told me that uhmm… that she still loves Christian. And she also requested of me to give her and Christian a chance. She wants to rekindle what they used to have. And to be honest, dad. I don't want to get in the way… I like him very much, dad. But I just want him to be happy, because like Calinico said, he's too good for this world and he deserves happiness, even just a little." She explained, while her heart ached tremendously.

Ana's dad scoffed and laughed sarcastically at that." So, his ex-wife got to you, huh? What? With tears in her eyes she told you that she still loved Christian and never got over him? She begged you not to get in the way of their happiness? And that Christian still takes care of her financially? Oh, this one is her best line: Christian still loves her." Mr. Steele said in one breath, very annoyed that Leila got into Ana's head.

Ana frowned at that, not understanding what her dad was talking about. "What? How? Huh?" she uttered.

Her dad shook his head and said. "It's all an act, sweetie. From what I have heard, that woman lies and deceives to get what she wants, believe me. You can ask Calinico and Elena about her. She's not a good person, Ana. She is the last person Christian needs, OK?"

"But… but that day… when I was in Christian's hospital room. When Leila asked me to give her a chance to explain herself, Christian woke up! And the first thing that he said was her name. Not mine, dad. He said her name! I couldn't bear the pain that I felt inside of me, knowing that Christian might still want Leila. So I… I bolted. I ran out his hospital room and that's why I asked to leave the villa and spend the rest of our vacation here." Ana explained, her throat closing up.

At that, Mr. Steele shook his head. "So, that's why you haven't been visiting him? Because of Leila's scheme? She got you good, my dear." He said.

"But Christian said her name first. His eyes opened, dad. And the first thing that leaves his lips, is her name. Don't you think that he clearly prefers her over me? You all may think Leila is evil, but if Christian wants her then there's nothing I can do about it. He doesn't like me, the same way I like him, dad. And it's OK. I'm not ready yet to jump into anything right now. Oh, don't get me wrong. It hurts… it hurts like hell, but I just want Christian to be happy. "Ana replied.

At that, Ana's father clenched his hands out of frustration. "You know what, I give up! Here I am, telling you that he does not want Leila, he doesn't even like her anymore! And you stubbornly say the opposite! Just go and visit him in the villa, OK? He's been constantly asking for you. Just go! Go see him." Mr. Steele ordered, and huffed loudly.

"But why should I go see him, dad? If I go and see him with her, it's gonna hurt. I don't wanna." Ana replied, while pouting like a six year old.

"Trust me, Ana! Go visit Christian, OK? And ask him why he said Leila's name first, when he woke up. Ask him, he will tell you." He advised.

"What? So you know why he did that? Tell me, dad!" Ana pleaded.

"No, you must ask him yourself… and in person! Do not call him, got it? And Ana dear, stop acting so stubborn!" Mr. Steele said, as he got on his feet and walked away, leaving Ana behind with her thoughts.

Ana was too afraid to go see Christian, too afraid to get hurt again. But she was curious too, because she has missed him so much. Her head told her not to go, but her heart desperately wanted to go and see him again. God! She really missed him…

XXX XX XXX

At the moment, Christian was lying in bed, refusing to get up this morning. Elena walked into his room and opened the curtains, which made Christian groan loudly.

"Elena! Close the curtains again! I want to stay in bed, OK?" he ordered.

His best friend raised her eye brow. "Nope! Today you and I are going out." Elena stated.

"What? Out? Where? And besides… I am still a patient and I am not completely healed yet, OK? Leave me alone." Christian muttered.

"I know that, because I have been taking care of you these past few days now. But you my dear friend, you have crutches! I will ask Calinico to help you freshen up. And then you'll get dressed and we are going to have A LOT of fun, buddy." Elena simply said.

"Elena, are you deaf? I don't wanna go out, OK? I wanna stay in here, in my room!" he growled at her, but Elena simply ignored him and grabbed some casual clothes from Christian's walk-in closet.

Calinico walked in the bedroom at that moment, and said. "Up, up, up, Mr. Christian! You two are going to have some fun today! Let's get you ready, OK?" He said.

At one point, Christian was almost losing his patience, but he still managed to stay calm… With much difficulty. "Are you two deaf or something? I do not want to go out, OK?" he growled, and began cursing in Greek.

"Hey, don't get angry. We don't want the 'other' guy to come out, you know." Elena replied, her voice a mere whisper.

At that, Christian groaned loudly and covered himself with his blanket. Elena and Calinico looked each other in the eyes and both began to smirk.

'Ooohh, this is going to be fun!' Elena thought.

Christian was big and strong, but he hasn't healed completely yet. So the both of them were able to drag him into the bathroom, while he attempted to fight the two off. At that, Christian ended up in the shower with pajamas and all, while Calinico turned the shower on.

"I'm all wet! My clothes are all wet. Damn it, you two!" he shouted, and was a tiny bit mad at them, but when Elena and Calinico both burst out into laughter, Christian smiled and shook his head. He had to admit though; it was really hilarious!

"Why do you two have to take care of me, while I'm not completely healed yet? God!" Christian said, while rolling his eyes at them.

"Well, if you and Ana weren't this stubborn, she would be taking care of you, don't you think?" Elena teased, making Christian throw a piece of soap at her, but she closed the shower door in time so he missed his target.

"Ha! You missed!" Elena celebrated, while Christian shouted a 'get outta here!' at his best friend.

XXX XX XXX

After a lot of fussing, and their usual banter, Elena and Christian finally were both ready to go out. Christian was walking down the stairs with the crutches, not wanting the others to help him.

"I don't get why I have to go with you." He complained.

"Christian, I'm not going to let you wallow in your misery. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and suck it up! We all know why you don't want to get out of your room. It's because of her. Are you going to do something about it? No? Then I will do it for you!" Elena said.

As those words reached Christian's ears, his heart ached." Ana doesn't want to see me, OK? I asked her dad like a million times. But she hasn't visited me yet. So it's clear that she doesn't want anything to do with me, OK? Let's just accept it." Christian said, feeling defeated, as if he had given up on Ana.

At that, Elena laughed aloud. "I know you, Christian. I know you from the inside out. I can hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes that you miss her. And the Christian Grey I know. You know, the wealthy, confident version of you, that person will not let anything get in his way of what he wants! Remember when you said years ago that you were going to double the sales of marble? Everyone laughed at you, but you were determined to get your way and proof to everyone that you were going to do it. And you did! That year the sales doubled! So… let out that version of you and go get what— or in this case, who you want! "Elena advised, her voice pleading.

Christian shook his head at that. "That version of me doesn't exist anymore. And why doesn't she come here to visit me? Huh? She send me a note, thanking me for saving her life. But she hasn't shown her gorgeous face here. Why?! "He asked, his voice filled with hurt.

This time, Elena was the one groaning loudly. "You and Ana are both stubborn! Never have I met such stubborn people in my life. You two have questions for each other, but you two ask the wrong persons! That's why we are going to the museum, OK? Her dad said that she'll be there. Please, please ask Ana your burning questions, Christian!" Elena spat, her voice a pitch higher than usual.

"What?! She has questions for me too? What kind of questions?" Christian asked curiously.

At that Elena had enough, so she just grabbed her best friend and led him towards the limo.

XXX XX XXX

At the moment, Ana was admiring a beautiful painting. She was in the museum and looked intensively at the masterpiece. 'Wow.' She thought, while attempting to resist to touch the painting.

It was hard for her to be where she was right now, because all Ana could think about was Christian. She was worried about him and though she hadn't seen him, she called Elena every single day to ask how Christian was doing.

Elena told Ana that he was asking for her, but she just didn't have the courage to go visit him. What if he and his ex-wife had gotten back together?! Oh, Ana knew that she wouldn't have the stomach to see them together. Only the thought made jealousy flare up inside of her, while her heart ached.

At that, Ana shook her head. "I don't have the right to be jealous." She whispered.

All of a sudden, Ana 'felt' something. It told her to turn around, and she did. And in that very moment, her eyes locked on a pair of familiar, gorgeous orbs… Oh, God! Christian… Ana's heart had kicked up three notches, ramming against her rib cage as if it wanted to get out of her chest.

From afar, Christian's heart also quickened erratically.

Ana…. It was her. Sweet, beautiful Ana…

Christian was so afraid, but he miraculously was able to walk towards her. The need to be closer to her was stronger than the fear he felt at that moment. Ana stood frozen at her spot, eyes still locked on his. There were so many feelings washing over her that moment, making it almost hard for Ana to breathe. Then her eyes landed on the crutches, and a tear rolled down her cheek. It hurt her so, to see Christian walking in a difficult manner. And then, he stood two steps away from Ana. It was then when her familiar scent invaded his nostrils. God! She looked so beautiful. There were so many things he wanted to ask and say. Christian wanted to tell her about that night.

He wanted to say that when she was unconscious in his arms that night, he felt like his whole world was over, terrified that he was going to lose her. Christian desperately wanted to tell Ana that he lost a piece of his heart that night, because he was so sure that she would be taken from him. Every good thing in his life had been taken away; he thought that he'd already lost her. And the thing he wanted to ask the most was why she hadn't visited him at the villa.

Christian wanted to tell Ana that he had missed her so and that he… He wanted to say so much, but—the words were refusing to leave his lips.

Christian noticed the trail of the tear on her cheek. Ana looked so badly hurt; his heart ached seeing her like that. She looked so small and fragile; it was heartbreaking to him. Right then, Christian couldn't hold back anymore. He desperately wanted to pick her up and safely hide her away from the big, bad world. At that very moment Christian wanted to wrap his arms around her, he wanted to pull her tightly in his embrace. So he took that one step towards Ana, but stopped and left a space between them. He hoped that Ana would take that last step, and close the gap between them.

'Please, please take that one step, Ana.' he prayed.

Christian was anxiously waiting… waiting for her to make that move towards him.

At that very moment, Ana felt as if she was about to faint. It looked like Christian wanted her to take that last step. He was so close, and yet in her head it seemed so far. God, she wanted to do it. But Ana was still frozen at her spot… she was so afraid.


Note: Will Ana be able to close that gap? Will she take that last step? Or will he do it for her?

Or will she run?

Let me know what you think? Leave me a comment?

Thank you so, so much for the reviews and support, you guys! You rock! :)

To guest G: Wow! So many questions! I'm happy you like my story.

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I'd like to answer your questions in private, please? ;)

OK, you all. Till next chapter!

J