Thank you so much guys for your appreciation and encouragement. Does my story seem realistic? Can you relate? Tell me in the reviews. :))
Also English is not my first language. Please ignore any grammatical mistakes.
"I do care about you, Anastasia. I want you back"
What? I took a sharp breath as my vision blur with tears.
"Christian I…I… I can't" my voice cracked
"Oh baby" his voice pained as he wraps me in his arms
A familiar masculine scent surrounds me. It feels good. Too good.
"Christian no" I move away from him
Before he can say anything my phone rings. Zoey
Thank god. I wiped my face and took a calming breath before answering
"Yeah"
"Where are you?" her voice excited
"Just outside. I am coming"
"Come fast" what's going on?
Before I can ask, she hangs up.
"Come on let's go inside" what? Just like that?
"What's wrong with you?" I seethed angrily
"Excuse me?"
"You can't just say things like that and act nothing happened"
"Ana, you wanted to see the boy's show. We're here. Let's go. We'll talk later"
See, this is what I hate. Lack of communication. One moment he's sweet and caring and the next he's ordering me around. His mood changes in nanoseconds. I can't seem to keep up with him.
He moves to take my hand but I shrugged and moved towards the entrance
Frustrating woman. I hear him mutter under his breath as he follows me.
It's about time he gets a taste of his own medicine.
The woman at the entrance with purple bob-cut hair and blood-red lips eyes me up and down as she hands me the brochure.
"It's you," she says
Her eyes fall on Christian as she practically purrs.
Seriously
He ignores her and leads me inside
"Do you know her?" he asks
"No"
"ANA" Zoey says running towards me as fast as she can in her heels
She looks beautiful in her yellow bodycon dress with a deep cut in front and nude heels. She's a little out of breath
"What?"
"You have to see this" she tugs my hand and leads me to another room
For a minute I forgot to breathe as I stare at the seven large portraits of myself. Smiling, pouting, reading, laughing, thoughtful, excited, and surprise. Oh god! I do remember him messing with the camera around me. But this
"Oh god" I looked at Zoey with worried eyes
Christian took a sharp intake of breath beside me and we both turn to him
"Christian this is my friend Zoey, Zoey this Christian" I made the introductions and they nodded at each other.
I noticed everyone in the room are staring at me. Shit! What made him think this would be a good idea? I facepalmed myself.
"What are you gonna do? He's obsessed with you" she says
I don't know what I am gonna do. I knew he had feelings for me but this is. I don't know what this is.
"It's a big day for him I don't wanna ruin it" I replied
"Ladies excuse me for a minute," Christian says
"Where are you going?" I ask
"Just over there to the manager. Something caught my eye"
He leaves kissing me on my head, leaving me breathless.
I saw him talking to the burly old man on the counter.
"He seems nice" Zoey nudged my arm
"He is. Where's Oliver?" I ask before she can ask further
"He said he'll pick me up later" she replies with a sigh
"Really?" I ask rolling my eyes
"You know he never liked Jose and do you want him to be here to see this?" she asks gesturing towards portrait
"I guess you are right"
Oliver never liked Jose. Says he is a suck ass. After I told him and Amelia what happened with my step-father they have been so protective of me, especially Oliver. He'd be livid if he saw the portraits.
Christian returns with drinks us.
"Thank you"
"So, what did you buy?" I ask
He nodded towards the portraits
"You bought one of my portraits," I asked shocked
"I bought all your portraits"
Zoey gasp beside me.
"Why?" my voice
"I don't like the idea of strangers ogling you," he says with a frown
"You'd rather be it you?" Zoey ask amused
"Yes" Christian replied still looking at me
His eyes intense scanning my face for something. I don't know what. This must have cost him a fortune. What will he even do with them? Things like these remind me how different our world is. Before I can contemplate more
"ANA" Jose comes from behind
"You made it," he says wrapping me in a hug
"Look at you all dressed up. You did amazing Jose" I laughed
Clearing his throat Christian pulls me away from the hug. What the hell is his problem?
"Mr. Rodriguez your work is wonderful," Christian says stiffly shaking his hand
"Thank you, Mr. Grey," Jose nodded
He faces me, smile again brightening his face
"So, did you like the surprise?" He asks nodding towards the portraits
"umm... yeah a warning would have been nice though," I say clearing my throat
"Mr. Rodriguez interview please" someone calls
"Go we'll catch up with you later," I say
"I'll be back"
He moved away smiling at Zoey and ignoring Christian.
"Shall we look around?" I say before anyone could comment
I do not wanna deal with this right now.
The three of us moves towards another room, as we enter everyone looks at me
"Everyone is staring," I say nervously
"Of course, they are. You are the muse" Zoey says with a comforting smile.
"Come," Christian says putting his hand on my back
We walk around the room admiring Jose's work. He has done an amazing job. I am so proud. Although he tries to hide it Christian is impressed too.
"The boy does have talent"
"Jose," I say correcting him
"Mr. Rodriguez," he says smiling. I giggle
I love when he's playful like this.
"You guys are so cute together," Zoey says with a genuine smile
Shit! I need to tell her we aren't together.
Her phone pings with a text and she sighs…
"Oliver?" I ask already knowing the answer
"Yeah… he's waiting outside"
I hug her
"Okay I'll see you guys tomorrow," I say
"Yeah… I'll just find Jose and tell him goodbye"
"Yeah"
"Nice to meet you Christian" she gave him a friendly smile
"You too" he replied with a genuine smile. He must have liked her since he never smiled at Kate or Jose. Christian is a good judge of character and I couldn't help but feel proud to have Zoey as my friend. I wonder how he would react with Oliver and Amelia.
Sigh...
He'll never get to meet them, Ana. says my inner conscious
Even you will not see him again after today
"Give me a minute," I tell him and take Zoey with me away from him
"Can you not tell Oliver about him?" I ask her
"Why? He seems so into you" she replies. Only if she knew what he's into
I sigh…
"It's complicated. We are not together like that."
I let out another sigh
"Listen, I promise I'll explain everything later. Please don't tell anyone yet. Tell him he was just a friend"
She narrowed her eyes at me
"Ana, you okay? Does he not treat you right?" she asks, her voice concerned
I want to cry; I hate lying to her. Somehow, I hold back
"No, he's wonderful. It's just so new. I promise I'll explain myself better later. Please" I gave her a pleading look
She hugs me again
"Fine. Bye"
"Bye" I managed to smile.
Christian comes up behind me
"Everything okay?" he asks
"Yeah"
"Why did you buy the portraits Christian?" I ask still not over the shock
"I told you Anastasia I don't like the idea of others ogling you" his voice intense
"But what will you do with them?"
"I haven't thought about it yet. Maybe put them in my office where I can easily look at you all the time" he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Suddenly, I wanna do that. Then I realize I am not allowed to touch him. No, I have to stay strong.
"And why would you wanna do that?" shouldn't this trip suppose to be out of courtesy? Why would he want to look at me? Wouldn't number seventeen mind? Why would she though, they are only fucking. She probably wouldn't ask.
"I told you Anastasis. I want you back" he replies. Is he nervous? No, Christian Grey doesn't do nervous
"No" my reply firm. I can't go through that again
"Ana, hear me out have dinner with me. I have a proposal. If you don't like it you can say no then. Hear me out once"
Sigh…
Another contract. He'll never change.
"Email me the copy of the contract and I'll reply to you as soon as I finish reading it"
It'll be easy to say no in the email. Christian can be very persuasive. No wonder he's this successful.
A hurtful expression crosses his face
"No contract baby. Ana, please have dinner with me, I'll explain everything"
It seems he wants to touch me but is afraid.
No contract what does that mean? I can't deny I am curious. Before I can answer he says
"You look so relaxed" what?
"In Jose's portraits. You look so relaxed" he clarifies
"I want you that relax with me" his voice soft
"You intimidate me" I reply
"It was never my intention. Not with you anyways" he replies
Yeah! I rolled my eyes.
A memory of us surfaces in my mind
"I am intimidated by you," I tell him softly
"You should be, Anastasia." He replies
"Did you just roll your eyes at Ms. Steele?" he asks with a smirk
"I think I did Mr. Grey. What are you gonna do about it?" I ask with a mock smile.
"Take you to dinner" he replies with amusement
"I am not hungry"
"You need to eat Anastasia" he frowns
"Christian please it's a long drive and I have work tomorrow. Let's just go home" I pleaded
"Not before you eat something"
I want to kick him. He's clearly enjoying this. Bastard knows he's my ride home. I wish I would have left with Zoey and Oliver. But that would have been rude plus they would ask a zillion question.
"Fine, I'll have dinner with you. Let's just get this over with"
He gave a triumphant smile
"Go say goodbye to the boy"
He orders making me more pissed. Who is he, my father
"I am not your submissive Christian. Don't tell me what to do"
He looks around
"Will you keep it down" he replies
I folded my arms
He sighs…
"Anastasia you want to go home. The faster you say your goodbyes to the boy, the faster we get to the dinner and then to Seattle" he says
"Fine" I storm away from him to look for Jose
I find him surrounded by the group of girls and couldn't help but smirk
"Jose" I tapped his shoulder
"There's my fav girl" his smile broad
"I am soooo proud of you," I tell him with a smile
"Really?"
"Of course. You are amazing"
"Do you know all your portraits are sold?" he tells me excitedly
I cleared my throat. I smile not knowing what else to say
"I am so happy for you Jose. I got to go now"
"So soon?"
"Yeah, it's a long drive and I have work tomorrow" I gave him a sad smile
He hugs me tight and I return the hug. I see Christian walking in our direction
"I miss you," he says
My eyes waters. He has truly been a good friend. It was so lonely when Oliver and others left and we used to hang out all the time. Life was so easy back then.
"Me too"
Christian again pulls me away not letting go this time
"Thanks for coming Mr. Grey," Jose says
"No problem. Anastasia wanted to come. I am sorry we couldn't stay longer. We have plans"
He did not just. I glared at him and gave Jose an apologetic smile
"I understand. Don't be a stranger Ana" he says
I nodded with a smile
"Goodbye Jose"
"Bye"
Christian drags me to the exit.
"What the hell is your problem?" I ask
"I had to watch him wrap his hands around you. TWICE"
"He's my friend"
We exited the gallery and walking through an alley
"He wants you, Anastasia. He wants what's mine"
I pulled my hand away from him
"I am not yours Christian" I yelled
Suddenly I am pushed against the wall of the alley and he's kissing me. Kissing me hard.
I leaned into him and kissed him back with equal fervor. Pouring everything I have been feeling for the past few days. All the restlessness, anger, frustration. He held my neck angling me to kiss deeper. Our tongues collided, fighting for dominations. I grasped the lapse of his coat to pull him closer. Neither of us wanting to stop. Until now I didn't realize how much I missed this. Missed being with him.
He stops suddenly and I let out a groan wanting him to continue. He leans his head against mine
"Please have dinner with me Ana" his voice gentle
"Yes"