I stand gaping as a naked man holding Kate on the couch suddenly sits up and I have to cover my eyes. Seriously, Kate!
"Sorry, Ana. I didn't know when you were coming home", she remarks as she quickly adjusts her nightgown and the man picks up his clothes from the floor.
"Kate, next time call before you go out", I scold as I try to make my way inside.
"Sorry, Kate forgot to tell me she had a roommate", the man says as I see him zip his pants. What?
"Yeah, I'm sure she did", I say as I give a pointed look to Kate.
"Um, Ana, this is Elliot. I was just about to see him out", she says sheepishly as Elliot holds out his hand and I reluctantly accept it.
"Nice to meet you, Ana. I'll just be on my way", Elliot says and after one final wink at Kate, he grabs his jacket and walks out the door.
"Ana, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting you to come home", Kate says as she stands from the couch.
"As I'm your roommate, I can see why you forgot", I reply sarcastically as I roll my eyes and hang up my jacket.
"Ana, I met Elliot at work and since you were out with José, I figured it was alright."
"I guess all those years of being roommates proves that in full", I reply and I go to the kitchen to find something to drink.
"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?", she asks cautiously and I sigh deeply before giving my response.
"No. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a bitch."
"No, I should've told him. I'm sorry, Ana, I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't. I'm just stressed out is all", I smile in the hopes to reassure her and she seems to relax when I do.
"How're you doing with Christian Grey?", she inquires. There's the Kate I know.
"Honestly, I feel bad for the guy", I reply as I pull out a kettle and start filling it with water before setting it on the stove.
"How so?"
"Well, after his divorce, he basically started feeling like he led to it happening, even when it was the last thing he wanted."
"Is he doing any better?', she says before taking a seat next behind the counter.
"I could see it in his eyes; he's still taking it pretty hard."
"I'm so sorry, Ana."
"Hey, at least now you know not to drag me into things like this."
"Hey, if I remember correctly, I was able to get you a date."
"Yeah, with a guy who was more in love with his own car."
"Alright, alright, I see your point", she says and I giggle at her comment.
"Any word from Jack?", she asks out of nowhere and I look at her in surprise.
"How did you know about him?"
"José called me last night and said he saw you after we left."
"Oh, right", I sigh and smooth my hair away from my face. "He saw me outside the club and slapped my cheek but before he could go any further, Christian suddenly showed up", I shrug and Kate's brows rise at my confession. Yeah, I know.
"Any idea how he got there?"
"He was just taking a walk and saw me in trouble."
"Is that all he did?" What?
"Kate, he's my client."
"Oh, come on, Ana! Don't tell you're not attracted to him."
"Kate, I have a job to do; he's just another client."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Since when am I ever wrong?"
"Okay, Ana, but if I start hearing wedding bells, I wanna be your maid of honor."
"Only if you admit that this is all your fault", I challenge with my brow raised.
"Are you complaining?"
"Always", I quip and she laughs in response. I then hear the kettle start to whistle and instantly start making myself some tea. After a night like this, I need a good drink.
I'm on my laptop, trying to search for Christian Grey and learn more about him. I manage to come across some pictures from his wedding day and my breath hitches when I see Charlotte, his ex-wife. She's gorgeous. No wonder he's so upset.
And single, my subconscious remarks and I shake my head at the thought. The last time I had a boyfriend, he ended up cheating on me with another one of my friends and I haven't seen him, or her, since it happened. God, I am so done with men.
As I'm looking over whatever I can find on Christian, Kate's words from earlier start racing through my head.
"Oh, come on, Ana! Don't tell you're not attracted to him."
Even if I was, why the fuck would it even matter? After Jeremy, I swore off men for good, so why the hell would I be interested in Christian Grey?
"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 wife. Wouldn't want to see you being the next one the list."
Shit. That's all I need is another player on my list. Pretty much every guy I've ever known has either been gay or not interested at all, at least not anymore after I took him to my bed or he brought me to his. If Christian Grey is anything like those guys, then I'm certainly not wasting my time in chasing after him at all. All guys are jerks, so why is he any different?
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Ana. Fuck. Why the fuck is this so confusing? Besides, I highly doubt that Christian's interested in me at all. After all, he's just a client; why would he ever be anything more than that to me?
The next day, I'm heading for my office and start searching for my keys but once I turn the corner, I immediately stop in my tracks when I see someone leaning against the doorframe; it's Christian.
"Mr. Grey", I reply a little hoarse and quickly clear my throat. "What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping to see you, if that's alright. It's about Lottie."
"Oh, of course. Why don't you step in and we'll get started right away?", I say as I finally find my key and unlock the door for our session.
I sit gaping at Christian, hardly able to contain what he's just told me.
"And you're sure it's not yours?', I ask as I try to process what he's told me.
"Positive. Daniel just posted the results; it's definitely their kid." Fuck, that must be so terrible for him.
"How are you holding up?", I ask cautiously and he takes a deep breath before giving me an answer.
"Hurt", he says eventually. "I mean, all those times of trying to get her pregnant and all of a sudden, she's pregnant with his kid."
"Oh, Mr. Grey, I'm so sorry."
"Please call me Christian", he smiles before staring down at the empty glass in his hands.
"What do you think you should do about it?", I inquire after asking if he wants a refill and him refusing when I do.
"I honestly don't know", he replies before running a hand through his hair. "How the fuck am I supposed to feel after something like this?"
"Christian, it's only natural for you to be upset about it. Quite frankly, I don't blame you for a second and you have every right to express how you feel."
"But what if it was me? What if the reason why she didn't get pregnant had something to do with me?" What?
"Christian, don't be ridiculous", I exclaim before correcting myself. "I just mean that maybe this is a sign that you weren't meant to be."
"How can I believe that? I fucking loved Lottie and she's expecting with someone else."
"I know you do because of how you feel right now. But, in my personal opinion, if you couldn't have a child, then maybe it's just a sign that you weren't meant to at all. Maybe what you need is someone else in your life." Like me. Shit, where the hell did that come from?
"I don't know, Ana. This feels harder with every passing second."
"I know, Christian, but you shouldn't be constantly living your life in guilt. If Lottie couldn't have kids, then I'm sure she had her reasons, but you can't go the rest of your life thinking that it was your fault."
"And what about Daniel?"
"Well, did you and Lottie try anything else in order to get her pregnant?"
"No, we just did the usual."
"Well, maybe her and Daniel tried something more concrete."
"It wouldn't surprise me if they did. She was always so resourceful", he sighs before setting his glass on the table and leaning back on the couch. Setting my own glass beside his, I stand from my chair across from him and sit down before taking his hands in mine.
"I know this is hard for you, Christian, believe me but just because it didn't work out for you two doesn't mean that it's some kind of punishment. Especially considering that this can happen with almost anyone."
"And what about Lottie? She was fucking happy from that post and Daniel looked the same."
"If they were, then good for them, but do you really wanna live with some kind of resentment toward your ex-wife?"
"What do you mean?"
"Christian, I'm assuming that when you found out, you weren't just mad at yourself but also mad at Lottie."
"I am, but I didn't mean to be. I loved her, Ana. She was everything to me."
"I know", I say as I gently squeeze his hands. "But maybe it's time to just let it go. Nobody wants to live with a poison they can't escape, and the last thing I want is seeing you getting hurt." As I say this, I start thinking about Jeremy and every other guy I've ever known in my life before they broke my heart. One by one they all set me free and honestly, I always thought it was my fault and never could get around about how I felt when they did, even if we weren't together for very long. I never understood why they left but honestly, it hurt every time and nothing I did could help make me forget. Drinking was fine but after a while, it just never settled in and I needed something else. With Christian, it almost feels like the same thing and I just don't wanna see him falling down the same path as me. If I can help him in some way, then maybe both of us can finally find some peace for both of our sakes; at least, I can try.
"Do you understand what I'm trying to say to you, Christian?", I ask when he doesn't say anything for a while.
"Yeah, I do, but I think it's gonna be a while before I can let it go."
"Trust me, you're not alone. Just please keep it together and don't throw your life away. It'll only make it worse if you decide to keep it in."
"And I'm assuming you've gone through something similar?", he smirks and I chuckle in response.
"At least I can admit that I wasn't arrested every time I did", I joke and he laughs in response. Before I know it, he reaches out and gently tucks my hair behind my ear and my breath hitches at his touch. He then cups my chin gently and slowly starts pulling my face to his. I close my eyes and part my lips for the embrace, only for the alarm on my phone to go off before he can continue. I clear my throat before turning off the alarm.
"I think that's enough for our session today", I smile, hoping he doesn't notice my disappointment.
"I'll see you at our next appointment?", he says before standing from his seat and I follow in return.
"I look forward to it, but only if you continue to keep your appointments", I scold jokingly.
"At this rate, I don't think I'm missing a single one", he quips but the look in his eyes tells me that he's serious. I watch as he slips on his jacket and try hard to keep my heartrate under control. Oh my, he really is attractive.
"Wouldn't want to see you being the next one on the list."
Shit. What the fuck is wrong with me? He's my client, why would he be anything more?
I lead Christian to the door just as my phone starts to ring and after giving him a final farewell, I look at the caller ID and furrow my brow in response; it's José. Why is he calling me at this hour?
"Hello", I answer, wondering why he's calling me so early.
"Ana, get down to my exhibit. Someone broke in and stole some of my work."
"What?", I exclaim. Who the fuck would do that?
"Get down here as soon as you can and I'll explain everything then."
"Okay, yeah, I'm on my way", I reply before grabbing my things and heading out the door. Shit, who would steal from José?