I stare at my reflection in the window, secretly hoping for a quick change of pace. I recently landed a job—sort of—becoming a therapist for a friend of my roommate, Kate, only on her expense. She's a good friend and all, but the last thing I want is attempting to give advice to a man I barely know, even when he's spoken very highly from Kate. What's even worse is that it's Christian Grey, the most eligible bachelor and CEO of Seattle. Honestly, how does she do these things to me?
Ever since we became roommates during Sophomore Year when her roommate moved to an apartment, Kate was always the extrovert spending her time at parties, whereas I was the introvert with my nose caught in a book, completely incapable of socializing at all. However, when Kate told me that Christian needed some help because of a nasty divorce he was going through, I, unwillingly, volunteered my services, not knowing what the job was or who would be a client. I never would've imagined it ended up like this. Classic Kate for pushing me into the job.
The last time she tried being intrusive, I ended up being late for a presentation, ten minutes after they had already started in a class I was barely passing. I love her and all, but how the hell did I end up in this situation? I've never even met the guy; only through reputation and what I've read online. If anything, I'm not qualified for the job and yet, here I am now. Even when I'm a good listener, I still don't feel qualified. Ground, please swallow me up now.
Before I can ponder on it further, Hannah, my assistant, discreetly enters my office with a cell in her hand, indicating that I pick it up on my office phone. Odd, she should be getting calls at her desk, not her cell. Furrowing my brow, I nod my response and pick up my phone.
"Ana Steele, The Cure Sessions", I answer.
"How nice to hear your voice again, Ana. How the hell are you?", a sneeringly familiar voice answers on the other side. Jack...
"Jack, didn't think you had this number", I reply, wondering what in the hell he wants now.
"You can learn a lot when you read the newspaper. Thought you'd be smart enough to figure that out by now."
"I was smart enough to dump you."
"Sure you were, but it's not the reason why I'm calling. You're meeting with that Christian Grey, right?"
"Yes?" Why the fuck does he wanna know?
"I just really hate to see you falling for a guy who recently got a divorce and asking you for help. You know he had multiple followers when he was married to his. Wouldn't want to see you being the next one the list."
"Fuck you, Jack and it's none of your damn business. Besides, I dated one sleaze ball, so why would I date another one?"
"You're really a stuck-up bitch, you know that, Ana? Just keep your guard up and don't cry when he breaks it."
"I think you'd be one to talk about something like that, Jack. I have to go, so don't call me again", I reply curtly before hanging up. Jack was my mentor for a while when I wanted to be a novelist, and I made the mistake of sleeping with him then, which became way more than I could bear. I haven't heard from him in a year since we broke up, so why he chose to call now, it's completely beyond me. Either way, I hope to never see him again.
Just as I'm about to recover from the ordeal, Hannah knocks on my door again before telling me that Mr. Grey's here for the appointment. Okay, showtime, Ana.
"Okay, send him in", I smile sweetly and she steps aside to let him enter my office. Oh my. He's even more attractive than I thought.
Ana, focus, my subconscious scolds me and recovering my equilibrium, I motion for Hannah to leave and extend my hand for Christian's.
"Mr. Grey, it's a pleasure to meet you", I remark as we shake hands. God, he's desirable. Shit, where did that come from?
"Likewise, Miss Steele, and please call me Christian."
"As you wish, Christian. Would you like to take a seat?", I ask, showing with my hand the couches by the window.
"Thank you."
"I understand you're here because of problems with your ex-wife. Charlotte, was it?", I inquire, jumping right to the point.
"Yes, but we always called her Lottie. We were married for six years before she left me for another man."
"I'm very sorry to hear that. Were the two of you pretty close?"
"I thought we were but once she got a new job, things just ended from there."
"Did you have any kids?"
"No, but God, did we try. It's one of the reasons why we split because I couldn't get her pregnant."
"That must've been really hard for you."
"It was but I'm trying to stay on my feet. She moved to Washington after the divorce and I haven't seen her since."
"I understand completely. How 'bout you tell me how this started and we'll go on from there?"
Almost two hours go by and I've learned a lot about Christian and his wife. He said they met at work from a fundraiser he was planning, Coping Together, when he was twenty and not too soon afterwards, they announced their engagement. He mentioned how she always wanted to be a chef in France, only for him to be worried about her leaving him behind. That led to the first fight they ever had and that they hardly spoke for three weeks.
He said his family told him to let it go, but once she started hanging around with another co-worker, Daniel, she became more aggressive towards him and about three months ago, they filed for a divorce and things got pretty heated. He even showed me a cut on his arm from when she threw a glass at him and the pieces struck his skin. Honestly, it makes sense why he was upset and hopefully, he hasn't seen her since that day.
"And you feel as if you were responsible for the divorce?", I inquire as I motion if he wants something to drink.
"Partially", he begins before I hand him a bottle of water. "but I've never been like this in my entire life."
"Hurt?"
"More like betrayed. We always talked about doing everything together, and yet she wanted to move to France without asking me if it was alright. She just made up her mind and left me out of the loop."
"And that made you upset?"
"In a way, yes, but I never would've imagined her keeping this from me. I thought we had something special but once Daniel set in, she decided it was enough."
"Wow. It sounds like you had a few rocky starts, if you don't mind me saying."
"That's putting it lightly but I'm still looking for the light. I haven't heard from her since she left and honestly, I hope I never will. If she wants this to be the end, then I want it, too. Not six years of marriage could change that at all."
Just then, the alarm goes off on my phone, abruptly telling us that our session is over.
"Well, Mr. Grey, I hope I can see you sometime in the future."
"I'll talk with Andrea and see what I can do", he smiles, instantly making me melt. He really is more gorgeous than I thought.
Steady, Ana. He's a client and nothing more, my subconscious reminds me and I blush at the thought.
"Thank you, Miss Steele", he says as he starts slipping on his jacket.
"My pleasure, Mr. Grey, and you can call me Ana. I look forward to seeing you soon." Maybe sooner than I want.
"Me too. Until then, Ana", he nods and starts heading out the door. Once he leaves, I slump back in my chair just as Hannah enters again and asks if I want a coffee.
"Please", I say as she sets down a cup and sits down on the couch.
"So, what was he like?", she inquires as she takes a sip of her tea.
"He was fine. I feel kind of bad for him, to be honest."
"You think you'll be seeing him again?"
"I hope so. Judging by his divorce, I think he needs a friend more than anything."
"Sounds like he needs a lot more than that", she smirks and I playfully slap her arm.
"And how are you doing with Mr. Love-and-War Sawyer?"
"Luke? He's fine but I won't see him for another month."
"Any idea what you'll do when he gets back?"
"It's been three years, so I'm sure we'll think of something", she jokes.
"Hannah! Down girl", I scold but I'm laughing, too.
"You ready to go for drinks with Kate when you're done?", Hannah asks as I finish up my coffee. It feels like it's been years since I've had this.
"I'm ready to get out and remind Kate of why we're friends. Because of this, I think she's wanting to torture me."
"She's just looking out for you. Besides, you need a break."
"What I really need is a night out on the town. And hopefully, a good case of vodka to start out", I remark and Hannah laughs in response. She stands and hugs me tightly while taking our cups and once she's gone, I put my head in my hands. After this, I need a good time, and hopefully Mr. Grey won't bother my thoughts tonight.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.