Hey, Jacque here! Thanks a lot for your reviews. I've been so busy with work, but I feel the need to update this story. So . . . here you go.

Chapter 10

I am usually the kind of CEO who doesn't care about my PA, but Ray was special. It's not just because he's Ana's father, but because there was something so endearing about him. At his fifties, he seemed so innocent. It was fun explaining some basics of Word and Excel to him.

Then, in the middle of our lessons, I would find ways for conversation. I would ask him something personal and I did it as casually as possible. He didn't have any clue about my intentions.

"So, tell me about your life. You're my PA, so I want to know. How's life doing with your daughter?"

Then, he talked about her like she's all that mattered in the world. There was a twinkle in his eyes when he spoke of Ana's innocence, and how kind she was; that despite their financial situation, she'd always be more than willing to give anything she has.

He could talk about her all day. He shared his life experience, and how it pained him all his life to not give her everything she deserved.

It was Ray's pride to say that he finally bought her the cupcake she wanted when she was a child.

That made me wonder, "What else did she want when she was just a child?"

"Oh, she wanted to have fun in the carnival, but I couldn't afford it so . . ."

That gave me an idea.

000

For some reason, I received a letter from Miss Kate Kavanaugh saying that she wanted to meet up at a specific address. Right after work, I didn't hesitate. The truth is I wanted to be part of her magazine. I knew I could do so much more than managing the circulation of a printed product. I could be in the printed product.

I wrapped my blue jacket around my neck and took a cab going to the address Miss Kate sent me. The driver led all the way and I stared outside of the window.

I am at my early twenties and there's nothing more than I want but to have the career I want in fashion, and to be able to travel the world because of it. I just shook my head. I was dreaming over something I'll never have. Then I stared at my phone and felt conflicted. I wanted Christian too, but he could hurt me.

The cab stopped in front of the address, and it was a dark and empty lot. I was hesitant to step out of the cab, but this was Kate who instructed me.

Then, I looked out of the window and there he stood. Christian was wearing a black coat, hands inside his pockets, and looking glorious. My heart raced fast.

I gulped and paid the cab driver before walking out and standing in front of the dark lot—in front of him as we stared at each other.

Then, all of a sudden, the lights appeared, and they were everywhere. They were on the Ferris Wheel circling about in a dragging pace, on a roller coaster that aggressively travels on its rails, the candy kiosks where sweetness was evident, and the balloons were countless, and the many stores that overwhelmed me.

I dreamed of this. When I was young, I cried myself to sleep at night because I wanted to be in a carnival. I wanted to experience the rides and to win a bunch of games. This just brought me back to my childhood.

Christian smirked and walked towards me.

"Ana," he said.

"Mr. Grey," I uttered.

He frowned, "Call me Christian".

"Christian," his name slipped from my lips and it sounded so natural.

He offered his arms and I hooked mine with his. He said, "Welcome to our first date" before we entered slowly into the carnival.

000

It was just the two of us. It turns out that he rented the vacant lot and set up a 24-hour carnival. Of course, there were people who set up the whole feria and some food kiosks. They were pretty accommodating, and I could tell that they were happy for us.

Christian bought us cotton candies; he had the blue and I had the pink. We were roaming around the carnival. Christian couldn't stop staring at me, but I didn't mind. I am as happy as a child could ever be. I skipped around the place like an overjoyed eight-year old kid and Christian laughed.

I didn't even notice that I was cold.

Christian took off his black coat and wrapped it around my shoulder.

"He-he, thanks," I told him awkwardly. He, on the other hand, stared at my face with the most mysterious look on his eyes. He was thinking of a million things and it made me blush. It was the kind of stare that they described in romance books.

I quickly avoided his gaze and said, "Let's go! There's a roller coaster!"

"Alright!"

I grabbed his hand, so I could drag him as I ran. My heart skipped faster when he intertwined my fingers with his.

000

Christian told me things that he never told the public. In between the enjoyable rides, we would find time eating something while walking. Right now, his arm was wrapped around my shoulder as I ate popcorn.

As we walked, he told me about random stuff. He told me that his favorite song was Passenger Seat by Stephen Speaks. He also told me that his favorite show growing up was Mr. Bean. The country he'd visit over and over again would be Brazil. And, he also told me that Cookie was real. He was his high school dog. But, he didn't haunt his place.

"Tell me about you, Anastasia," with that simple cue, I told him how I'm so in love with clothes. I shared my passion about styling women in different articles of clothing. I told him how I would save money, just so I could buy the latest issue of fashion magazines. I shared my story to him—the silly ones, the ones that make me who I am.

He listened thoroughly and only butted in when he said, "There's a photo booth. Let's take pictures together."

"Come on!" I overexcitedly dragged him to the photobooth and we made silly faces together as we took out time. A few seconds, minutes, passed. We had our shots and my oh my, we didn't look like ourselves. Those were the wackiest faces. Those faces seemed like they didn't belong to us.

They seemed to belong to other people.

000

We both had our copies of the photos and now we're back to riding.

We've spent hours together, but I'm nowhere near bored. Christian also assured that he kept my Dad busy with night computer classes. I laughed at how sneaky this man was. He seemed unreal. He had this all planned out, huh?

We're riding in a Ferris Wheel and we stopped on top. We weren't afraid of heights, so it was fine by me. In fact, it made me happy to see the Seattle lights from this point of view. I can't help but be in awe.

Christian started speaking, "My one carnival memory was when I was ten. I really wanted to test the rides, but my parents didn't allow me. I told them to come with me, but they got so pissed they grounded me. I remembered destroying the bathroom mirror because I just wanted their time.

And then, Kate snuck into my childhood room and Mia was with her. They helped me escape our house. We were children without parental supervision in the carnival, but it was the best night of our lives. We really enjoyed it. Mia and I came home and never spoke of it to anyone. It became our lifelong secret. Well, now you know so . . ."

"I'll never tell anyone," I promised.

He seemed nostalgic and there was sadness in his eyes. I couldn't help but smile sadly too. I used to think that the rich kids are the luckiest, but they're not. They are kids who are craving the time of their parents. I may not have been a rich kid, but my Dad made sure that I was enough.

All of a sudden, there was a loud booming noise, and I cussed as I was startled. Christian chuckled at my reaction. I looked up at the sky and there was a firework show. Different hues appeared across the horizon, and I was blinded by its brightness. Gold, blue, red, and every neon color you could name are found.

I looked over at Christian trying to hold back my tears, "Is this part of it?"

He nodded before slowly leaning in, staring at my lips.

I gulped at that. He was getting nearer and nearer, and our lips almost brush. I quickly looked back at the sky and laughed nonchalantly.

Christian did the same too.

Though I sensed awkwardness.

000

After the fireworks, we decided to take the carousel ride. I was the one riding on top of the horse while Christian stood before me, making sure that I wouldn't fall off. As the carousel spun round and round, I couldn't help but stare at his beautiful face.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Nothing. It's just that . . . you're different."

He smiled, "The Christian you're with tonight is the real Christian."

I smiled at him, "I never really thanked you for giving my Dad a chance at life. You don't know how much it means to us. It's not just about the finance, but it's about having self-fulfillment. You made him feel like he has a purpose."

He was silent.

I took advantage of that silence. I leaned close to his face and pressed my lips against his. He was shocked at first, but he responded by pressing both hands on my cheeks. This was my very first kiss, and it didn't disappoint.

Our lips were pressed tightly to one another—innocent, tender, angelic, and just the right touch of the sweetest hesitation.

Our first kiss made my head spin around but it's not because of the carousel for sure.

Thanks for reading.

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