I'm downing my third tequila with Kate and Hannah in the club, trying hard to erase the memories from today.
"So, what was it like meeting Christian for the first time?", Kate asks as we order another round.
"You forget to tell me he was hot?", I joke as I down another drink. Damn, that feels good.
"Now you know why I recommended you", she winks and I roll my eyes in response.
"You only did that because you fucking hate me."
"Oh, come on, Ana. It's not like you were complaining."
"Kate, I'm a reporter; not a fucking therapist. Besides, after what happened with his wife, what I can I do to make it better?"
"Hey, you're seeing him again, aren't you?", she asks as we start up on a couple beers.
"That's not the point."
"Ana, ever since I met you, you've been staying at home just waiting for your life to change and wanting to make a difference. After meeting Christian, don't you think you have a chance for that?"
"Kate, there's a reason why I write reports instead of sitting with a patient. What if this backfires somehow and I never see him again?"
"At least you would've tried. Come on, Ana; you're a lot braver than you think."
"After meeting him, I doubt that very much."
"Hey", Hannah interjects, leaning in as she does. "Enough shoptalk for tonight. What do you say we get out on the dance floor and show them what we got?"
"Now that's the best idea you've had all fucking night", Kate remarks and we all laugh in response. We all stand and start heading for the dance floor but as I stand from my seat, I start feeling a little lightheaded and grip the armrest when I do. Shit, me and alcohol don't mix at all.
I manage to regain my posture and after taking a quick sip of sparkling water, I find Kate and Hannah, secretly hoping I can stay upright as I do.
Almost three hours pass by and the alcohol is racing through my brain. God, why did I ever get this drunk?
"You need us to give you a ride?", Hannah asks as her and Kate share a cab.
"No, I'm fine. I just need some fresh air before home."
"Okay. See ya tomorrow, Ana."
"See ya and I'm still gonna hold you on this, Kate", I say as I point my finger at her.
"Whatever you say, Ana. Least Christian's really hot", she giggles and I roll my eyes in response. I watch as she closes the door behind her and pretty soon the car drives away, leaving me on the sidewalk, still reeling from my hangover. The last time I was this drunk was graduation at WSU, just with less tequila and a killer cocktail from Kate; even that was less challenging than tonight but honestly, I'm grateful for the escape.
As I'm standing there clutching my jacket to my body, I notice someone walking toward me and upon closer inspection, realize it's Jack Hyde. I quickly turn on my heel and face away from him, only for him to call out my name, causing me to turn around.
"I thought that was you. You have too much to drink, Ana?", he smirks.
"Fuck off, Jack. You're the last person I wanna see."
"I figured you were already in bed with Christian."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Jesus, Ana, don't tell me he doesn't faze you."
"What he does to me is none of your damn business", I nearly shout, causing him to grab me.
"Let me go!", I order but his grip tightens on my arm.
"You might fucking think you have all the answers, Ana, but mark my words, he's gonna break your heart."
"And yet considering he's not a fuck-up like you, I think I'll take my chances", I sneer and before I know it, he slaps me hard across the cheek, knocking me to the ground.
"Don't fuck with me you little bitch. I had every right to leave your sorry ass behind."
"After catching you with Lillia, I'm glad you fucking did." He goes to hit me again but just before he can, someone grabs him and punches him in the nose and after a moment, I realize that it's Christian. What the hell?
"Stay the hell away from her or I'll break your fucking jaw", he shouts and Jack immediately backs away.
"I won't forget this, Ana. You have my fucking word", he snarls and turns on his heel before leaving us behind. Before I can react, my stomach hurls and I throw up on the sidewalk, retching over and over until my stomach aches at the assault. Christian immediately holds my hair back as I throw up again.
"Don't look at me", I order before throwing up again.
"Here, let me help you stand", he says as he gently pulls me to my feet and steadies me as he does. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a handkerchief before handing it to me and I wipe my mouth when he does.
"Are you okay?", he asks when I feel my stomach settling.
"I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
"I was taking a walk and then rushed over when I saw you. Who the hell was that guy?"
"It doesn't matter. Just something from the past", I wave him off dismissively as I continue to wipe my mouth. I feel myself getting ready to faint and just before I'm able to hit the ground, Christian grabs me suddenly and lifts me off my feet and the next thing I know, I pass out in his arms.
It feels like hours when I finally open my eyes and once I do, I quickly check my surroundings. I immediately sit up when I don't recognize where I am and then I hear someone shushing me as I do.
"Shh, it's okay. There's nothing to worry about", someone tells me and I immediately know it's Christian.
"Where am I?", I ask as my hangover starts to kick in.
"I didn't know where you lived, so I brought you back to my penthouse."
"You're very considerate, Mr. Grey."
"Miss Steele, you have no idea."
"Where are my things?"
"Over there on that seat", he says and points to a chair beside the bed with my clothes and purse. I glance around the bedroom, taking in the sights before noticing a glass of orange juice and painkillers on the nightstand and without thinking twice, I pick up the pills and drink and down them in a second. God, that feels good.
"Do you always get drunk like that and meet up with a maniac?", he asks as I set the glass back on the nightstand.
"Not if I can help it, but last night was kind of different."
"Who was the guy who hit you?"
"Ugh, my ex. He was my mentor a while back and after catching him in bed with a colleague, I left him the next day."
"Was he like that when you knew him?"
"Insane? Not until I left. Why he showed up last night, I don't know."
"Did he hurt you?"
"I'm fine, Mr. Grey. There's nothing else to worry about", I say as I tenderly hold my cheek, wincing as I do.
"Let me see", he remarks gently before moving my hand to the side and checking my cheek when he does. As soon as he touches it, I groan out in pain.
"He slapped you pretty hard. I got some arnica cream if you need it."
"Okay. I guess it wouldn't hurt."
"I'll be right back", he remarks as he stands off the bed and heads down the hall. I move my hair away from my face and pull the covers up, quickly realizing I'm almost naked. Shit, was he lying here beside me?
Christian returns with the cream and furrows his brow when he notices my expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Did you undress me when I got here?"
"Yes. Your clothes were covered in vomit, so I had Mrs. Jones wash them for you."
"Who's Mrs. Jones?"
"My housekeeper of three years."
"You didn't do anything else, did you?"
"I know what it looks like but no, I didn't", he says firmly and I suddenly feel like an idiot. He's not a rapist, Ana.
"Here, let me put this on your cheek", he says more gently and I watch as squirts some cream on his hand and carefully, very carefully, rubs it on my cheek. I groan at the feel as he moves his fingers in circles but after a moment, the pain goes away.
"Are you sure you're alright?", he inquires once he's done.
"I'm fine, and I'm sorry that I accused you."
"You've never had a stranger bring you home after you were drunk?", he smirks.
"Considering you're my client, I wouldn't exactly call you a stranger."
"Still, I don't blame you for being surprised."
"But still, thank you for helping me out."
"My pleasure, Miss Steele. Could we count this as a session?"
"I don't think so", I laugh. "But I might still have to bill you."
"Damn it. I was hoping you were here for free", he jokes and I laugh in response. Suddenly, my phone starts ringing and before I can look for it, Christian reaches in my jacket and hands it to me instead. Oh right, I'm naked.
"Thanks", I say blushing as I answer my cell. "Ana Steele."
"Ana, where are you? My exhibition's about to start", José, a friend of mine, exclaims over the phone.
"Oh shit, I'm on my way", I reply, feeling foolish I almost forgot.
"I'll leave you to get ready", Christian grins before leaving me on my own.
Christian's driver, Taylor, pulls up outside a small building and I immediately fling the door open before turning back to look at Christian.
"Thanks for the ride and I'll be sure to schedule you an appointment", I say as I hold the door open on the car.
"No problem. I'll see you when I can", he smiles and I smile back in response.
"Bye, Taylor", I wave and he waves back as he turns around.
"Good day, Miss Steele."
"Please, call me Ana."
"Sorry. Ana", he smiles warmly and I take to him immediately. No wonder Christian keeps him around. I give them both a final wave and close the door behind me and with one final look, they drive off into the distance and I'm left on my own. I check my outfit and smooth it gently with my hands and after checking my make-up and pulling my hair up into a ponytail, I turn on my heel and walk inside to find José.
"So, he just brought you to his apartment?", José asks we take another sip of champagne.
"Yeah, I guess bringing drunk girls home is part of his job description."
"And he didn't do anything else?"
"José, it's Christian Grey; not Paul Spector with a kidnapping."
"Still, Ana, it's pretty crazy he was there at the right time."
"I told you, José; it was just a lucky coincidence."
"And how did Jack Hyde find you?"
"That was a little less lucky."
"Is your cheek feeling better?"
"After Christian applied that cream, I can hardly feel any more pain."
"Ah, hot and a gentleman", he smirks and I playfully shove him back. Just then, a female reporter asks if she can get a picture and when I start to walk away, José grabs my hand and pulls me back to him as the lady snaps a few pictures before thanking him and leaving, checking out the rest of the show.
"José, you know I don't look good in photos", I remark shyly.
"I know but I just wanted my best friend to celebrate. I wouldn't have this show if it wasn't for you, Ana."
"Hey, you're the photographer; all I did was give you support."
"Either way, I can't thank you enough", he beams and I smile as he does. Ever since we were lab partners in college, José became like the brother I never had and when I heard he wanted to be a photographer, I could hardly believe my ears. He had a business career that he wanted to pursue after he graduated, but when the Dean had him volunteer to take some photos for a graduation, he suddenly found his passion and has been practicing ever since. Honestly, I've never been so proud of him.
"You want some more champagne?", José asks as he starts to take my glass.
"No, thanks. After last night, I think I'm gonna take a break."
"Ana, mi corazón. You're supposed to have a little release."
"Not with Christian Grey and me being his therapist."
"You gonna see him again soon?"
"We just have to set a date."
"Be careful with him, Ana. Before his wife, he was a womanizer."
"José, relax. Nothing on this earth could make me attracted to Christian Grey."
Although as I think about it, I wonder if that's true.
I drive home to my apartment after getting a ride from Uber and after paying the driver, I step out into the cold. I've never had a problem with Fall but with a day like this, sometimes I wish it was Summer. At least during that time, I have more time to spend with my friends. Since we get more time off, pretty much every club in town is gonna have our name carved into the side.
After last night, you won't be drinking anytime soon, my subconscious remarks and deep down, I know she's right.
I pull out my keys once I reach the top of the stairs and as I'm unlocking the door, I suddenly hear shuffling inside and freeze in place, briefly wondering if it's Kate. I cautiously unlock the door and open it slightly, stopping in my tracks once I see what's inside.
Shit, Kate's not alone.