Chapter song: Jade – Lolo Zoao feat. Blood Orange

Chapter 6 – you got a face that I have never seen.

APOV:

The week of leading up to Memorial Day Weekend

In the two weeks that followed the feature launch. Things got a little crazy. Mostly good crazy but still there was that little problem of my past coming to bite me in my ass. More on that, later.

Mia's first instagram update in 6 months was a picture and BTS video of our shoot. She tagged both Katya and myself, which lead to a surge of followers for the both of us. Having Elle post some images on their account while tagging also contributed to the surge on mine. I went from 15k followers to 102k in two weeks. Talk about... CRAZY. Now I know one shouldn't measure their worth by their social media following but it did help to get instagram verified, that's right, I'm LEGIT now and I have some industry experts following me as well. Now, I just gotta turn this all into some real cash. It's all about the moolah.

It's also led to a significant amount of work. At first I had been struggling to book editorial photo gigs, which is why I worked at the diner and also took last minute wedding photo gigs with established wedding photographs as a second shooter or editor. My dad tries to pay for managing his entire life but... it's not like I paid him to manage mine... so it feels a little weird for me to accept money from him.

With the new interest in my portfolio, I've been able to land some online feature work, where I've been working with beauty editors. My biggest break so far has been a popular boutique e-commerce website that asked me to photograph an editorial on the subway heading to Coney Island. I got to be the boss and it was incredible. I called the shots. It felt so weird.

I'd worked with J-Ro on a few of his shoots that he art directed before and learned a lot from them, especially things I did not want to do... like having a shitty attitude towards your team. Just cause you can take some nice pictures and you're a famous photographer, doesn't give anyone the right to be an asshole. My motto has always been, be kind but don't be a pushover. It's not lost on me that I fail to follow my own advice every now and then when it comes to the pushover part.

Katya and I have talked about the little fiasco that happened at the feature launch party at length. The fact that Elliot is dating and about to propose to the devil incarnate that is Katherine Agnes Kavanagh is a real punch in the gut for both us. While Katya never experienced her wrath directly, it's not lost on her what I went through and on top of it, she feels strongly for Elliot and it's not easy knowing that a) he's in a relationship. Period. And b) he's in a relationship with Kate.

I should've done a google search on his ass the minute we met but I didn't feel the need to. How was I to know we'd become friends with Mia and even then... it just didn't matter. On our way back home in the uber that night, Katya and I googled pictures of them together and Katya burst into tears while I comforted her. Needless to say when we got back home that night, we got drunk on cheap wine and chanted like we were in the remake of the divine secrets of the Ya Ya sisterhood. Thank God, Dad wasn't here to witness this abomination.

I can't tell Mia. I know she hates Kate with a passion but I legally, cannot tell Mia and it kills me because she wants me to join her family for Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons. Katya has already said no and even though Kate is not scheduled to be there... I feel so uncomfortable about all this. Elliot deserves to know what kind of a sick and twisted bitch his future wife is but I learned this lesson a long time ago, honesty is the best policy ONLY when it comes to stuff that immediately concerns you and you only. Elliot's life has no bearing on mine so I will keep my mouth shut.

Don't judge me.

In our journey through the land of google when looking up the Grey's, I finally saw the famous Christian Grey. I will not lie that I internally fanned myself and felt goose bumps on my skin. Sure, I've been on sets where hot male models have been almost naked like a gift from the heavens to look at but this man... there is an intensity in his eyes that just pulls you in. I'm a little concerned about my physical reaction to his picture, I mean I've never felt this strongly while going through pictures of men on dating apps. He's been photographed on more than one occasion while on dates with model like women who are equally as gorgeous as him... I guess he's a bit of a playboy. Of course, he is. He's a billionaire; men like him with money can't help it.

Which means that I will stay far, FAR away from this mess.

CPOV

Wednesday afternoon.

I have been at this diner for lunch exactly 6 times in the past two weeks and in all those times, Ana has been missing.

"Hi Katya, long time no see." Elliot smiles at her.

She gives a tight smile and keeps her eyes on the notepad. "Hi, Mr. Grey. What can I get you?"

"Damn, you make me sound like an old dude." He laughs but the tension in the air is palpable. She clearly doesn't want to be serving our table but she remains professional. "I'll have the pulled pork sandwich with fries with a lemonade." He smiles at her and gives back the menu but she doesn't return his smile.

"And you Mr. Grey?" She turns to me with an impassive expression.

"I'll have the Turkey Club sandwich with a coke. Thank you." I give her a small smile and she takes the menu and walks away.

"She hates your guts." I smirk at Elliot and he rolls his eyes.

"She's too formal with me. Mia said she's didn't accept this weekend's invitation because she had plans... but Ana's coming."

Oh thank god. She's coming.

Katya delivers our food and Elliot asks about Ana and Katya informs us that her schedule is always changing given how she's been getting hired for shoots ever since the launch party. On days when she's not in for the morning and lunch crowd, she comes in the evening if possible. Once she walks away we hear a growl from across the aisle.

"Listen, sparky... stop asking about my woman." I look and it's an old man in suit, reading a newspaper giving Elliot the death stare.

"Just what you are you gonna do about it, Horowitz?" Elliot challenges and laughs in his face.

"I may be old, boy but I can still punch your lights out." He smirks and they both laugh.

I ask him what that's about and Elliot tells me that Horowitz is Ana's regular customer and she always takes care of him and when she's not around, she calls in to make sure he's taken care of.

I've been craving that apple pie but when Ana is not in then there's no pie that day.

What the hell do I have to do to meet this woman face to face?

Mia comes by our table to check in on us as we dig in to our lunch.

"Hey big brothers... I have to say I really appreciate all this support."

"Anything to support our favorite sister." I smile back at her.

"Yeah yeah, cut the shit... what's really going on?" She motions me to scoot over a little and sits next to me in the booth and gives both Elliot and I a look.

"Mia, we're here for you."

"Really? Then why do you always sit in Ana and Katya's section? My section there is wide open." Mia gives us her 'don't bullshit me' face.

"Look Mia, I just happened to sit here the first time I visited and... well I'm emotionally attached now." Elliot says in all seriousness and I snort at the explanation.

"Look, stop trying to talk to Katya, I'm not fucking blind okay. And you..." She looks at me. "What's your story? Aren't you running a billion dollar company to be coming here so often? I know you love me but please... let's be real."

Suddenly I wish she went back to the self-absorbed partying Mia she used to be.

"Honestly, I'm here for the apple pie but apparently when Ana is not here, there's no apple pie."

"Oh really? Is that all you're here for? Her apple pie?" She wiggles her eyebrows and I am this close to throwing her into oncoming traffic.

"Don't be crass, Mia." I grumble.

I'm the only crass one right now. Ana recently uploaded a self-portrait on her feed to introduce herself to the new followers. It was a black and white gif where she laughs and pops her shoulder while winking at the camera... she looked so fucking beautiful. I may or may not have jerked off a million times thinking of her in these past two weeks. It's a miracle my dick hasn't fallen off.

"Tell ya what... I'll ask her to make apple pie for the weekend and you can eat as much of it as you want. Heck, eat the whole damn pie."

"Mia, fuck off." I say trying to stifle a grin and Elliot laughs.

"Just tryna help ya, bro." She shrugs and stands and then leans in by placing her hands on the table and speaks in the most sinister tone known to mankind. "But I will tell you... if you fuck this up... I'll poison your food. And you..." She turns and gives Elliot a pointed look. "Stop staring at Katya, go focus on whatever her name is. These girls are amazing human beings... I finally have found genuine friends and I'd like to keep it that way." She straightens herself and gives a sweet smile before walking away.

Elliot and I look at each other as she leaves. Great. Nothing like the wrath of Mia Grey to add on to the pressure of not fucking this up.

Friday night

APOV

"GUYS" I scream from the kitchen and a few minutes later she comes running in with JR right behind her.

"What the fuck happened?" JR looks at me in a panic.

"Email... I got an email from the vogue photography thingy."

"AND?" Katya is about to burst at the seams.

"I don't know here." I hand her my phone and ask her to read it. Both JR and Katya lean in and read it... but they take forever... what the fuck, are they reading a novel? "WELL..."

"YOU GOT IN!" She screams and we all hug and jump around.

A few weeks before the Mia and Grace shoot, in mid February, Vogue put out a call for emerging photographers to apply for a mentorship program that they were sponsoring. The 10 chosen applicants would then be paired with famous photographers in their city and intern with them for a period of 1 year. The position will have a small stipend and be a 4 day commitment. Our mentors would be responsible for teaching us the ins and outs of the business, how to manage shoots and basically, help us reach out potential by giving us constructive criticism on our portfolio to help us improve. It's also sure way to stay on the Vogue radar for future gigs.

I take the phone from Katya and look through the email and my face falls.

"What happened?" JR asks, clocking my expression.

"I got paired with Jackson Hyde." I say with a grimace. I don't like his work. It's lazy and overtly sexualized and just... it's just not a match for my portfolio at all. I was hoping to get paired with someone who had more... class?

"Oh fuck... his work is shit." Katya groans.

"I know... I just... but this is an amazing opportunity and it's only a year. I should shut up and stick it out."

"When do you start?" JR asks.

"The program officially begins in June but we have an introduction meeting with the judges and other photographers in the program the week after Memorial Day." I tell them.

We stay silent for a few moments.

"Fuck it, let's drink. Your girl is climbing the ranks and taking you with her... JR, I'm going to take some headshots with you and post it to my feed. I guarantee we're gonna find you a girl in 10 seconds flat." I look at him and laugh while he rolls his eyes.

JR leaves after dinner and Katya and I go upstairs to help me pack a bag for the weekend. Mia left for the Hamptons with her mom and dad on Thursday night and said that Elliot and her brother Christian would pick me up and drive me over. I was against this and said I'd happily take the train but she insisted. What the hell am I going to talk to them about? I mean Elliot, yeah I sort of know him but the other brother... whatever. I'll just take my laptop and work on my computer for the two-hour drive.

"Okay, I will literally murder you if all you take is jeans and t-shirts. You need to take some dresses and cute pajamas."

"What the fuck, why would I need cute pajamas? To seduce Mia?"

"No. To seduce the billionaire."

"Katya, do I need to get you an MRI... I have no interest in the guy... and newsflash he dates models or humans who look like them."

"Fuck you, you're gorgeous and he really seems to have an interest in you"

"Who says?" This is news to me.

"Well, he's been at the diner a few times when you were out and always asks for the apple to go and he face turns into a deflated balloon when I or Mia tells him there isn't any cause your ass didn't show." She says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. "That means absolutely nothing, Katya."

"Still, it's my job as your life manager to make sure this isn't a completely wasted opportunity. Dress up like an actual woman, none of that masculine and snarky energy you put out on a daily basis. Be a little flirty and mysterious... wear a damn skirt for easy access for fucks sake." She groans as she looks through my closet for the dresses that we ordered last week. She had me order shit under the guise of going to meetings and industry gigs... now I think she had a whole other game plan all along.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

Her face falls a little. "No Ana. It's a bad idea... look you know how my dad fucked mom over, I would never do that to another woman no matter how much I hated her guts. Yes, I feel something for Elliot but he's in a committed relationship. I know he's just being nice to me because of Mia but I don't have to reciprocate and lead myself on you know... it's better that I stay away for my own sanity." Her voice breaks a little as she finishes.

I mumble my assent and we go back to packing. Once we're done, I have 5 dresses, 2 different bikini sets and a pair of her silk pajamas in tow. Did I mention I'm only there for two and half days? Katya has scheduled each outfit and I am to text her throughout of my progress. This weekend is already so exhausting.

Before going to bed, I take out the apple pie filling I made earlier in the evening from the fridge and assemble the pie to make it ready to bake when I get to the Hamptons tomorrow afternoon. In addition, I've prepped the brownie batter to bake early tomorrow morning as well. Since I don't know jack shit about good wine or anything else, food is what I can use to offer my thanks for the invitation. I just hope they like it. Katya thinks it's a sure way to get laid. I rolled my eyes at her.

Imagine if I told a billionaire who looked like sex on legs that I was a virgin and that I wanted him to pop my cherry? Even after assuring him that I just want a one-night stand, I'm sure he'd still run for the hills. No one wants that level of responsibility.

Media and society have conditioned men to think that women's whose virginity they take are destined to fall in love with them and stalk them. No thank you. I don't have time for love or stalking. I'm our here trying to make a name for myself. Girl boss vibes.

CPOV

Saturday morning

"Ready for the weekend, bro?" Elliot asks with a mouthful of eggs.

He lives in my building. I own a few apartments and he took one of the smaller ones on the 35th floor. I am not entirely happy that Katherine Kavanagh will be moving in one day but I will ignore that fact till I possibly can't. Till then, every Saturday, Elliot comes up to my floor and we have breakfast together before heading out to Chelsea Piers for a basketball game. Except today, we're heading out to Brooklyn to pick up Ana before we drive to the Hamptons. Mia was real smooth in orchestrating this.

I shrug. "Yeah, I guess." I'm not really sure what to expect. I could be just building all this up in my head and if it turns into nothing, well then... what a fucking waste.

"How was your date with that model last night?"

"Uneventful. I didn't say much."

"Any action?"

"Nada. Wasn't into it. I only honored the date as a favor to Ros. I've cancelled future dates for the time being. I need a break from the constant disappointment. All this shit has been a waste of time." I gumble. I know I'm radiating irritation at this point.

"Well, let's see if you can land Anastasia Steele." He grins.

"Elliot, I think you and Mia are blowing this way out of proportion." I know I am. I've already imagined this girl in my apartment. In my bed. Under me. Writhing in ecstasy while she calls out my name.

"Look, bro. She's totally your type, physically that is. Mentally, probably not... you know since you like the submissive kind... cause let me tell ya, as sweet as honey as her voice is... she can cut a bitch quicker than you can say huh?" He laughs and I punch his arm.

"Fuck off, Elliot."

"What, it's the truth. You like submissive women and she is far from that."

"E, it's not about her being submissive or not. It's about that feeling you talked about when you met Katya. If something it there... I'll know. If not, then on to the next one."

"And if there is that spark?"

"Baby steps. Let's just get through the weekend." I intone trying to end the conversation.

We take the elevator down the garage and I unlock the car.

"OOOOH, taking the Maybach are we? Trying to impress?" Elliot smirks.

"It's a comfortable ride, Elliot. Calm down." I groan and get in. Ryan and Reynolds will be following close behind.

Once I'm on the highway, Elliot hooks up his phone to the Bluetooth and calls Ana.

"Sparky." She giggles. Fuck, her voice really is like honey.

"Steele!" Elliot laughs... "Whatcha doin?"

"Oh you know, just getting ready to make my debut in the Hamptons."

"Good. We're on our way. We're about 30 mins out, there's a little traffic"

"No problem. Let me know when you're 5 minutes away, I'll start locking up."

I take the exit to merge on the highway that leads me into Brooklyn and ten minutes later we're a few blocks from her house. She definitely lives in a nice part of Brooklyn. Elliot calls her and lets her know that we're a few minutes out. Once I turn into her street and get closer to her brownstone, we see Katya walking down the steps and heading down the sidewalk in our general direction. Elliot asks me to stop the car and immediately gets out and calls her. She's visibly startled and I already can tell this conversation is going to be awkward as fuck.

"Hey Katya" Elliot says a little nervously.

She looks like she doesn't want to be here at all. "Hi, Mr. Grey. I'm sorry I'm actually running a little late." She turns to walk away again.

"Katya, have I done something to offend you?"

She stops and turns around. "No, Mr. Grey you haven't."

"Please, call me Elliot." He pleads.

She takes a deep breath. "Elliot, I'm afraid I just like keeping things professional and diplomatic with people I don't know very well."

"Is that why you're not coming to the Hamptons because you don't know us? You wouldn't have been alone. Ana and Mia are going to be there."

"I already have plans that's why I won't be joining you all." She says with a tight smile.

"Well, I hope you have a good weekend." I can hear the disappointment in Elliot's voice and I know he's crushed.

"Thank you, you too." She turns and walks away as quickly as she can. Elliot gets back in the car and I drive further down the street and park closer to Ana's brownstone.

"Well, that was brutal." He murmurs looking out the window towards the steps of Ana's place. I see the door open and Elliot gets out of the car and I follow him. I see her walk down the stairs and for the love of all things holy... this is going to be a very difficult weekend. Her hair is long and wavy, coming down to her lower back. She's wearing a white dress with pale blue flowers on it.

"Hey sparky!" She laughs and greets him with a kiss on the cheek. He takes her bag and I walk around towards her. I'm a nervous wreck. She's actual perfection and I'm shitting bricks. Flawless skin, full lips, perfect height and curves... I am out of my league.

"Hi! You must be the elusive Christian Grey. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Ana." She says with a bright smile and her eyes are the most pure and striking blue I've ever seen, like the clearest blue sky on a sunny day.

"Hi Ana, it's nice to finally meet you as well, Mia talks about you all the time." I say with a smile and take her hand and I feel that... spark. She looks at me wide-eyed and immediately down to our hands and pulls back quickly and swallows. She felt it.

SHE FELT IT.

With a tight smile she walks to the back of the car and takes a seat behind Elliot.

APOV

This man is like a greek god. He's wearing jeans and light grey shirt that bring out his intense grey eyes. I think I almost died when we shook hands. I wonder if he felt it too. I was too taken aback by what was happening. I hope I'm not imagining all this.

I cannot afford to be distracted. Just treat him like any male model on set, Ana. Be nice and that's it.

This car is luxurious as sin. I would sell my soul to forever live in this car. I always wanted to sit inside a Maybach. I had heard they were insanely comfy... but this is like driving on a cloud like bed. I snap out of it immediately and take my phone out to text Katya.

Ana: KATYA. 911.

Katya: What the fuck happened? I just left you 10 minutes ago.

Ana: GIRL... ELECTRICITY.

Katya: WHAT?

Ana YES. WITH CHRISTIAN GREY.

Katya: FUCK YES. MY BABY IS GONNA LOSE HER VIRGINITY AND GET RICH.

Katya sends me a gif with minions celebrating right after. I roll my eyes. This girl is crazy.

Ana: Calm down... this all could be just my brain playing tricks on me especially given our conversation last night.

Katya: In that case, another test to confirm your findings.

Ana: Yes ma'am. I will keep you posted.

She goes on to tell me that Elliot tried talking to her and how she shut him down. I feel for her I really do but this is a really complicated and shitty situation to be in. I put my phone away and look out the window getting lost in my own thoughts when Elliot beings me to the hear and now.

"So Steele, it smells really good. What did you make me?"

"I didn't make you anything. I made brownies and Mia told me you parents love Apple Pie so I pre-made that to bake when we get there."

"Actually, Christian here loves apple pie too. He's positively obsessed with it." Elliot laughs and I see Christian give him an impassive look.

I feel my cheeks heat up but quickly dismiss the idea of him being into me or my apple pie. God, I am such a pervert.

"Well, there's enough for everyone." I say lamely. I lean down and take out the brownies from the tote bag to keep Elliot occupied.

"Here, you can take one piece each. The rest are for your mom and dad." I warn. He takes the box and opens them up and offers Christian one piece. I swear I could hear a faint moan as he ate a piece but then again Elliot moaned like a fucking cow so I can't be sure.

"Steele, marry me." Elliot says with his mouthful.

"No thanks, Sparky. I've already got a date with Horowitz about that." I laugh and look out the window again.

CPOV

Fuck, this woman is everything. I wish Theo were alive. He needs to see this. She's witty, smart, beautiful and puts Elliot in his place. Major bonus in my book. AND she can cook.

She doesn't really talk much but participates when Elliot engages her. She doesn't talk to me though I wish she would but I understand that we just met. Her eyes remain fixed looking outside through the window as she responds. I look through the rearview mirror every now and she seems lost in thought

Elliot tells me a little about the midtown development his company is working on for a developer and it piques Ana's interest.

"Is that the building on 57th and 7th?"

"Yeah, Grey Construction is building that." Elliot says proudly.

"Hmm, another addition to Billionaires row." She says distractedly.

"You sound like you don't agree with the development."

"Doesn't matter what I agree with. It was just an observation. I just think it's sad that all that development and investment and for what, for these building to be 80% dark at night. It's all foreign investment parking their money in real estate. Dead space if you ask me."

"Is the darkness of it all another of saying that money is the enemy?" Elliot asks.

"No. Not money. Just people with bad intentions." I watch her for a few seconds as she speaks. She looks sad as she does. "Money just gives people the illusion of power and security and the have-nots perpetuate that ideology which is why bad people get away with stuff."

"I never thought about it that way." He muses.

"I suppose if you've never been on the receiving end of that kind of wrath then it's hard to think that way." She says distractedly with a furrowed brow. She looks cute actually.

Elliot immediately turns around to look at her. "Did something happen?"

"Oh no..." she laughs. "I just meant, I know a lot of people who have been strong-armed by those with money and influence and it's sad... people lose faith in their own voice when in reality the real currency is your voice which is why people try to buy your silence."

"Damn, Steele. That's deep. I think I need a brownie to recover from that conversation."

"Nice try, Sparky but no more till we get to your parents house." She giggles.

I want to stop the car and kiss the fuck out of her right now.

"Why do you call him Sparky?" I ask.

She looks in my direction and our eyes meet in the rearview mirror but she immediately looks away.

"Well, when I first met him he sort of stared into space as if he was short-circuiting and I called him sparky on a whim and it sort of stuck... plus he seems to have way too much energy. It's exhausting."

"What she means to say is that she thought I was cute" Elliot says with a smug face.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Elliot Grey." She rolls her eyes and I laugh.

...

I didn't see much of Ana after we got to the house Amangansett. I had to use the home office to take care of some work while Mia gave Ana a tour of the house and helped with dinner in the kitchen.

Once we settled at the dinner table, conversation flowed easily. I remember when there was a time before Mom's diagnosis when I would barely say a word at family dinners. Since her diagnosis and with the help of therapy, I made a conscious effort to be more present with the family and take part in conversations no matter how mundane they were.

"Ana, Mia tells me you're half Turkish." Dad looks towards Ana.

She nods with a smile. "My mother was Turkish. Her parents and their best friends immigrated back in the early 60's and went to dental school in New York. "

"That's incredible. Do you speak Turkish?"

"Unfortunately no. My grandparents passed before I was born so it was never passed down formally. I know a few words but I couldn't hold a conversation."

"Actually, Ana and I are going to cook a Turkish breakfast tomorrow morning." Mia chimes in.

"I'm really looking forward to it." Mom smiles and Ana nods.

Dad asks her about her father's work and she talks about what he's currently working on and how she caught the photography bug.

"You have to hear how her parents met." Mia claps and Ana laughs but seems hesitant till Dad encourages her. He's a romantic at heart even though he tries to act like the stoic lawyer type.

"My dad was out on assignment taking pictures of a protest in front of the UN. When he got back to develop the rolls in the darkroom, he came across this one shot and was instantly mesmerized by this one woman who was my mom but he obviously had no way of finding her. A year passed by and one day on the 6 train, he saw her. He followed her when she got off her stop all the way to the Diner where Mia and I now work. She got a coffee and quick bite to eat before her shift at work and he struck up a conversation with her and casually let it slip that he photographed her and had been hoping to run into her... then asked her out on a date and then... well, the rest as they say is history." She shrugs and ends with a smile.

"isn't that so romantic, you guys?" Mia says in reverence.

We all smile and agree but Ana snorts. "Romantic? My first reaction to the story was... and you didn't mace him? Girl, this is New York, and the 6 train... AND he followed you and told you this creepy stalker story. I mean those are some serial killer vibes." She sasses and we all laugh. "No, but I agree... it was romantic... creepy but romantic." She giggles.

"What about you and Carrick? How did you two meet?"

"Well, we were setup on a blind date by mutual friends and when I met her she blinded me by her beauty." Dad smiles while Mom winks at him.

"Oh my god, someone just earned a bucket load of brownie points. Real smooth, Carrick Grey." She holds up her hand and Carrick gives her high five making us all laugh.

She's such a character. I'm sitting right across from her but she keeps avoiding eye contact with me. I need to change this. I need to talk to her. I should probably enlist Mia's help in this.

Mom and Dad have retired for the night while Elliot, Mia, Ana and walked across the backyard and set up a small fire.

We talk about various things, mostly our childhood adventures and the pranks that we'd play on Mia. It has Ana in stitches as she tries to comfort Mia who is dying of embarrassment.

"Ana, what's your party trick?" Mia asks.

"Party trick? I don't have one."

"Oh come one, everyone has a party trick."

"What are all yours?"

We tell her and she says that she might have one but that it involves a soda bottle.

Elliot and I go back in to the kitchen to get supplies for our tricks and meet back at the fire.

One by one we show her what we can do and Ana cheers us on throughout.. Mia does a handstand with one hand for like 5 seconds. I slice the top of a champagne bottle off with a large knife and Elliot does a somersault which, like Mia isn't much of a party trick but... we let it slide.

Finally Ana takes the soda bottle, opens it then closes it really tight and gives it to Elliot.

"I want you to try and open it." Elliot takes the bottle from her and smirks like this is going to be childs play. Two minutes pass by and he can't open it.

She takes the bottle from him and tightens it even more to make sure it's not lose and gives it to me. I spend about 5 minutes on the damn thing. Trying to open it with my t-shirst and the blanket it... but nothing helps. She asks me to tigthen the cap again before giving it back to her.

She offers it to Mia who straight up refuses.

"Okay so, you both tried. You're fairly strong and work out on the regular I guess... and you agree that you couldn't open this bottle cap."

We both roll our eyes and reluctantly agree.

"And now, I'm going to open this." She takes a deep breath and wraps her delicate hand around the bottle cap and uses all her force and opens it.

"WHAT THE FUCK... NO!" Elliot jumps. "How did you do that?"

She laughs out loud and it's contagious.

"Look at my hand, I have this nasty indentation now" she shakes it with a slight wince..."I don't know ever since I was a kid, I was never allowed near soda bottles because I'd unconsciously close them up tight and no one but myself could open them."

"That is some freaky shit, Steele."

She shrugs and winks. "I'm the resident jar and bottle opener in the family. It's a real talent."

A few minutes later, Mia and Ana say goodnight and head back into the house. I watch her walk away and Elliot brings me out of my reverie.

"So C, what do you think?"

"I like her but I'd like the chance to get to know her one on one."

"Spark?"

I nod. "Yeah, like a lightening bolt." I say quietly.

"I know what you mean..." He muses. "Well, how about I set something up tomorrow. A walk on the beach perhaps for the lovebirds." He sings and wiggles his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes. "She doesn't seem like that kind of girl."

"Really bro, what kind of girl does she seem like to you? Cause she sure ain't submissive and she can definitely hold a conversation." He turns to me and bats his eyes making me want to punch him.

"Fuck off, E. I'm trying to figure that out."

"Get to know her as friend, it'll take the edge off and they'll be no damage if you ultimately feel like this isn't going anywhere. Otherwise Mia will literally chop your balls off. You know she will."

"Yeah I guess you're right." I acquiesce. That's going to take forever then and what if she doesn't want me? I want her. I have baggage and a fucked up past but I want her.

I want all of her.

A/N: A slightly longer chapter today. SOME MAJOR DRAMA AND MISCOMMUNICATION COMING OUR WAY... this weekend ain't over yet my friends.

ana sofia: ya know I had to give portugal a shout out.

JB: Kate is gonna be quite the thorn in our side. I mean Regina George who?