That's when the fire alarm began to blare loudly and everything turned into chaos...

From the moment they heard Calinico shout, everything went by so fast before Ana's very eyes. Christian grabbed her nightgown and gave it to her. He looked at her once more, before saying.

"Wear this, please. We have to get you all out! Follow me, OK? Take my hand."

Ana hesitated for a second, shaking her head.

"We have to go now, Ana. Stay behind me, OK?" Christian said firmly.

She followed his instructions and walked behind him. As they entered the hall, they saw a lot of smoke. Christian began searching for the others, but saw that the guest rooms were all empty. As he reached the end of the hall, one of Christian's maids told him that Calinico had gathered Elena, Mr. Steele and Kate. They were already on their way down the stairs.

"Mr. Christian… where, where is Miss Ana?" the older woman asked, her voice shaky.

Ana tried to keep up with Christian, but the smoke made it hard for her to breathe. So she stopped and gasped for air, but ended up inhaling the smoke instead. She began coughing and suddenly felt two arms around her, picking her up like she weight nothing.

"Christian." she whispered, as her heart rammed wildly against her rib cage.

Without saying a word, he carried her bridal style down the stairs. She had her eyes locked on his face and involuntarily inhaled his scent. Her left arm automatically landed around his neck for support, as she felt one of his arms under her legs. As his other arm was supporting her back, she couldn't help but close her eyes, her nose landing in the crook of his neck.

Ana was trembling, terrified and overwhelmed by the chain of events. Being so close to him, was one of the scariest things she had ever experienced. She was seeing him in a different light now. Everything had changed for her, now that he has revealed his darkest secret to her. This man… or part man/ part something else, he had saved her life for the third time now. Ana was so frightened, but she wasn't sure what she was afraid of. She had seen his claws not long ago, his eyes glowing yellow, his veins popping… and yet at the moment he was gently carrying her in his arms.

How was that possible?! When he threatened to hurt Philip with his bare hands, she believed that he was capable of being very violent. And yet at the moment, Christian was just plain, in control, polite, calm, human Christian. She didn't see one glimpse of that other side of him.

His sharp claws were replaced by normal nails and fingers and his eyes were its natural grey color. Ana was terrified of the inhuman thing he could become… so very scared of his other form

~ The next day ~

As Ana looked in the mirror, she attempted to understand Christian's condition. She walked towards the balcony and admired the sunrise. The fire fighters were able to put out the fire that began in the library. But there was a lot of water damage. Until further notice, Christian decided to let them all stay at his hotel, including him.

"Calinico… So, now you can be pampered instead of pampering others." Elena joked, making the others chuckle.

The butler shook his head, frowning deeply, making the others smile. Calinico hated to sit around all day doing nothing...

"Well, I can assure you, Miss Elena that I will find something to do." He replied and walked away, as he decided to look for some chores to do.

After Christian had carried Ana outside to safety, she hadn't said one word to him. They had thrown each other glances now and then, but hadn't spoken to each other.

As Ana leaned on the railing, she shook her head." How can it be? How is it possible? How can he be the creature that was in the forest that night?" She whispered.

She tried to understand, but wasn't able to. She just couldn't. So it did have something to do with the curse! Suddenly Ana was taken out of her thoughts by her phone. She had received a text from Kate.

K: Hey, Ana. We are all downstairs having breakfast by the pool. Come join us?

A: Is Christian there too?

K: Yes, he is! Your very hot boyfriend is taking a bite of a croissant at the moment. Get your butt downstairs, now.

A: I'm gonna get ready first, OK?

K: OK, but hurry up. There are guests… WOMEN guests who are gawking at him. :p

Ana rolled her eyes at the last text, and walked inside.

She took a shower and washed the scent of the smoke from her hair and body. After the shower, Ana walked towards the closet and grabbed a pretty, dark blue summer dress. As she slipped the dress on, her mind drifted off to Christian once more— how can it be? It seemed so impossible, but it did happen. She saw him turn… she really did. Her mind wasn't playing tricks on her— he did turn into something else…

As a sigh escaped her pink plump lips, Ana shook her head, attempting to forget what she had seen… at least for now. So, with her straw hat on top of her head and sun glasses and phone in her hand, she walked out the hotel room. Her GUCCI bag was over her shoulder, as she went downstairs with the elevator.

As she got closer to Christian, her fear was beginning to consume her again. She wasn't sure if she was ready to see him, after what had happened. What will she say? What will he do? Where do they go from here? She was pretty sure that they couldn't go back to what it was… as if nothing happened. Ana wasn't sure if she was strong enough to be with him now...

As she walked towards the others, she felt her stomach tied in knots. Ana remembered that she had told Christian that she loved him and that she wanted to spend her life with him. But could she? Could she do that now? Could she accept all of him?

As she stepped out the door and saw the others and Christian from afar, she froze at her spot. At that very moment, her head started spinning, and she felt like she was about to throw up. So, instead of going towards them, Ana got cold feet and turned around, walking away from the others.

She was just about to step back into the elevator, when she heard her name being called. Christian! As she turned around, her heart skipped two beats. There he was… so handsome in a grey button down shirt and black jeans.

He watched her with pleading eyes and smiled." Hey, how are you?"

At that, Ana nervously played with the strap of her bag." I… I am doing fine." She replied, her voice trembling.

Christian was about to put a hand on her cheek, but she turned her face the other way and closed her eyes for a few seconds.

At that, Christian knew that she was still afraid of him. His throat instantly closed up, an unbearable pain gnawing at his heart. He had lost her… he had told the truth and now he had lost her. The truth hadn't set him free! It has completely DESTROYED him!

She looked up at him, her eyes welling up." I am so sorry, Christian. But I can't… I just can't." She whispered.

His beautiful, grey eyes were boring into hers, as the following words left his lips.

"So, when you said that you loved me and wanted to spend your life with me… Was… was that all a lie?" he whispered, as tears pooled in his eyes.

As tears rolled down her cheeks, Ana shook her head furiously. "Christian… you, you ambushed me with your deepest, darkest secret. I don't know what… what to do… what to think. It's very overwhelming...Please, please try to understand... I just need… I need some space… some time… I am sorry…" she replied, then broke eye contact with him and stared at the floor.

At that very moment, Christian felt like his heart was ripped out of his chest. Was he really losing her? For good? But wasn't she supposed to break the curse?!

"Ana. You don't have to be afraid of me. Never should you be afraid of me. I will never hurt you. My grandmother and Calinico have seen me in my other form since I was a little boy and I have never ever hurt them. Even in that state, I recognized them and knew that they were the ones I should protect and NEVER hurt." He explained, attempting to convince her.

But still Ana didn't say anything.

"Ana, will you please look at me?" he asked, his voice pleading.

She looked up and locked eyes with him. Her eyes were teary; she was so confused and overwhelmed by it all. In the back of her mind, she knew that she must not be afraid, but she couldn't help feeling the way she did. As she tried to convince herself that he was still Christian, seeing him in his inhuman form was not something she was ready to see. Her heart needed a break; even if it was just a tiny one...

"Please, let me explain it all to you, from the very beginning... from the very start. Let me tell you everything about me and my family. Please, Ana. My heart needs you..." he pleaded.

Ana hesitated for one split second, but she did want to know all about him.

"OK, where can we privately t..." Ana began, but was cut off by her dad.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, you two. But I have to go back. There's this huge case back home and I am needed there." Ana's father said.

Kate walked towards them and smiled. "I will be going home with your dad, cause there are some things I need to do." she said, while winking at Ana and Christian.

But when they took a good look at Christian and Ana, Mr. Steele and Kate both furrowed their brows. At that moment, they both realized that something wasn't right…

"Ana… you can stay in Tinos if you want, until the end of your vacation." Mr. Steele suggested.

Knowing that she was going to be without her dad and Kate, made Ana panic completely! Without hesitation, Ana looked at her father and said. "No… I will not be staying here any longer, dad. I… I wanna go home with you too. Let's pack our stuff, Kate." she replied, while her throat closed up completely.

Ana was so torn; she wanted to hear Christian's explanation but she needed her family's support. At that moment, it all became too much for her heart to take, so without looking back at Christian, she walked into the elevator and waited for her friend.

"Are you coming, Kate?" Ana asked, her voice trembling heavily.

Kate shook her head lightly, while her eyes darted towards Ana then towards Christian, and back at Ana again. She didn't know what had happened, but one thing Kate was sure of… something wasn't right between Christian and her best friend. Something had happened and now it was causing a wedge between the two lovers. At that, Kate wanted to say something, but Ana looked at her with pleading eyes, so after hesitating for a few moments, Kate waved at Christian and jumped inside the elevator.

((()))

As they walked into Ana's hotel room, Kate placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Ana… what's wrong? Did something happen between you two? What is it?" Kate asked with a worried tone in her voice.

As she felt Kate's hand on her shoulder, Ana wasn't able to hold back anymore. So, she let her tears flow freely. Ana was finally letting it go, her loud sobs cutting through Kate's heart.

"What's the matter, Ana? Did Christian hurt you? What happened?" she asked, while trying to contain her own emotions.

"No… he didn't… didn't hurt me…" she replied.

"Then what is it?" Kate asked.

"I… I love him... So much, but…" Ana replied, her voice trembling heavily.

"Then what's wrong. That's good, right?" Kate asked.

Ana shook her head furiously in response." No… I… He… Last night he told me something about him… a very dark secret… and I… I just cannot stay… I am so confused and afraid and I… I just can't take it." She explained.

"Wait… what? But, don't you think it would be better if you talked about it with him? Let him explain. You know, to clear things up and let it all sink in." Kate advised.

Even though it pained her so much, Ana decided to do what she thought was best— for now. "No… I... I wanna go home…"

((()))

At the moment, Christian was lying in bed in his own hotel room. All his energy was drained from his body, after hearing Ana say that she was going to leave. As he thought back on how amazing it felt, when he kissed the scar on her hip, a tear rolled down his cheek. He looked up at the ceiling and felt so lost. He was devastated at the moment and couldn't believe that this was happening!

Ana was really leaving him? He was never going to see her again? He had really lost the love of his life? Ana was going to leave and there was nothing he could do— absolutely nothing? Christian couldn't force her to stay. If she were to stay, it must be of her own free will.

As Christian's mind drifted off to Ana's pretty eyes, he didn't even realize that Calinico and Elena had walked into the room.

"Mr. Christian, you can't let her go." The butler desperately said.

"He is right, Christian. You mustn't let Ana go." Elena said firmly.

Christian stared at the ceiling." I can't force her to stay. She is free to go whenever she wants." He replied icily, the tone of his voice colder than the coldest winter of the year.

"You are giving up?! You mustn't give up now! You're so close to breaking the curse with her help! You have to fight for her! FIGHT for her love! Don't sit here and mope around and feel sorry for yourself! Go and ask her to stay!" Elena shouted, as she looked down at Christian with disbelieve— Elena couldn't believe that Christian had given up so easily.

"Are you going to get up yourself or must I drag you out of this bed, Christian Grey?!" Elena added, as she glared at her best friend, daggers being thrown by her with her beautiful eyes at him.

At that, Christian got on his feet and glared back at Elena. "I told her, OK? I told her the truth and she is afraid of me! I showed Ana my claws, and fangs and she can't stand it anymore to be touched by me! How? How can she help me break the curse if she doesn't accept me? How? Huh? I don't blame her, you know. If I were her, I'd be afraid of me too! I'm an inhuman thing! A MONSTER!" He growled.

At that, it was Calinico's turn to get very angry at Christian." If you don't get out of this room now and go after Ana, I am personally going to put you down like a MONSTER! How dare you say that! Your grandmother would turn around in her grave if she knew that you called yourself that! What you two have… the connection between you and Ana cannot and will not be broken so easily, Mr. Christian! "the older man spat, as tears pooled in his eyes from anger.

"No! Let Ana. She deserves a life of her own choice. I could never ask her to give up everything for me. That would be unfair and very cruel. And even though it means that I'm going to be part man/ part monster till the day I die... at... at least she would be able to have a normal life. I love her too much... I need her to be happy... even if it's not with me..." Christian replied, on the verge of breaking down.

"Christian..." Elena began, but he abruptly cut her off.

"If she wants to go, she is free to go!" Christian replied, the tone of his voice so low and frightening, it sent chills up and down Elena's spine.

"Mr. Christian..." Calinico tried once more, but he too was cut off.

"I said I WILL LET HER GO!" he roared, his eyes turning yellow, his chest heaving heavily, the veins on his neck popping out and his sharp claws and fangs descending.

It was at that moment, when the three of them heard a loud knock on the hotel room door.

"Christian! Calm down!" Elena warned, as she and Calinico watched in horror at him, hoping that he could turn back to his human form.

At that, Christian immediately tried calming himself down, his breathing shallow, his eyes fluttering shut.

After what seemed like forever, he finally was able to contain the other side of him. At that, Elena and Calinico both sighed loudly, relieved that Christian was able to change back to his human form. As Christian's eyes fluttered open, he cleared his throat and answered the person who was on the other side of the door. "You can come in now."


Note: Oh boy oh boy oh boy! What a MESS! :(

Will Christian really not try and stop Ana?! Seriously?!

And… WHO is standing behind the door?

Thanks you guys for the support and wonderful reviews. Leave me your thoughts?

J