A little A/N before the chapter to clear the air. Some of you have been upset because they believe I have turned this into a cheating story, even though it's marked as no cheating. I kind of see why some people see it like that, however, to me it is not a cheating story. Christian and Ana were friends when they were teenagers and had sex. They were not in a relationship when he disappeared, therefore he couldn't cheat on her. Also, if he did cheat, so did Ana, because she admitted to him that she went on a few dates while Christian was missing, so to me, neither of them cheated because they had a friendship, not a relationship. What Christian is guilty of is being a liar, because when Ana asked him repeatedly if there had been someone else, he said no, knowing it was a blatant lie, because he had been dating Erin and even proposed to her.
Another thing is that some of you believe I have written myself into a corner or ruined the story, but I don't see it that way, because everything up to this time jump I had planned exactly as I have written it. I said it before and I will say it again, if you are not into soap operas then my stories are not your cup of tea, because that's the type of stories I like to write.
Now, to the issue I'm having with this story, as all of you know, I'm an HEA girl. Never saw the point of writing a story where Christian and Ana don't end up together and only did it twice as a one-shot because the nature of those one-shots didn't allow an HEA for them. So, when I started to write this story, I knew it would have an HEA and actually still thought so until I finished chapter 21 last week. Now, I'm kind of torn because the only way to get them there is not exactly something I want to write. That's why I'll give you daily updates until we reach chapter 21 and once we get there, you can let me know what you think. I know this will be disappointing to many of you and I sincerely apologize for that, but since this has never happened to me before I didn't even think about the fact that there might not be an HEA for them as a couple when I started to write this story.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to E L James
Five years later - Ana
"CJ, hurry up, breakfast is ready." I call out for my son who as always is taking his sweet time to get ready. Normally, I don't care but today is going to be a hectic day at work and I want to be at the office early.
After staying with my parents for three months when I came back from Vancouver I managed to get a job at a small publishing house in Seattle and found a nice apartment for CJ and I close to the school I enrolled him in. At first, I worked at an assistant and became an editor after a year. Now, I'm senior editor of the fiction department and I truly love my job. It's what I always wanted to do and I'm very proud of how far I have come in the past five years.
"CJ hurry up!" I call out when he still isn't in the kitchen.
"Relax, babe, I'll get him." I hear the voice of my boyfriend and smile.
"Thanks, I'm just too anxious today." I mutter and he kisses me.
"It's alright, SIP needs you, so there is nothing for you to fear." Elliot says and I rest my head against his chest.
"Fingers crossed right?" I murmur, and he kisses me again before he walks out of the kitchen of our home.
If at any point in my life anyone would have told me that I would end up in a relationship with Elliot Grey I would have laughed. But it happened. At first, we were just friends, would meet for lunch or dinner, he would come over to see CJ and take us on trips until two years ago he asked me on a real date. I was hesitant at first but gave it a chance and somehow friendship turned into love for us. So, after a year of dating we moved in together last year and I'm happy that I have found a partner who doesn't just love me but my son as well.
CJ still sees Christian but I haven't seen him since the day I left Vancouver. Now, if he wants to see CJ, Christian calls my dad, and he gets back at me. I know that he comes to Seattle to see him most of the time but CJ also has been back in Vancouver a few times. Because I don't want CJ to be around Grace, my Dad always goes with him, when he visits Christian in Vancouver and also makes sure Grace isn't in Seattle, before Christian picks CJ up at my parent's place. I know CJ loves his dad, so I would never be against them seeing each other. Still, I'm thankful that Christian hasn't tried to contact me because I know I would have never been able to move on if he was still a constant in my life.
I still think about Christian and what could have been from time to time but it is no longer the sharp, all consuming, stinging pain that it once was but more of a dull ache that I have learned to live with over the years. I guess it's true when people say you'll never forget your first love, but I'm also very happy that my second love is someone I can always rely on.
"Morning mom, can I go to Matt's house after school, he has a new video game."
"Of course, I'll pick you up after dinner, but please don't make any weekend plans your gramps called me last night, your dad will come to Bellevue to spend the weekend with you." I let him know, and he gives me a big smile.
"Cool!"
"Come, eat up, buddy, your mommy needs to head out early." Elliot says and so after we all head breakfast I we head outside where my car and his truck are parked.
"Can you drive me, uncle Elliot? Please, the truck is so cool."
"Sure, hop in."
"Thank you, babe." I sigh and kiss him.
"Call me when you know what has happened." He says and kisses me before he gets into the truck too and I get in my car to drive to work.
SIP has been struggling for some time now because Jerry, the owner, was convinced that printed editions were the only way to go, no matter how everyone else has tried to convince him that e-books and audio books are the way to go.
He held onto that until the only option to safe SIP was to sell the company. Jerry had a hard time to find a buyer and already told us that if there wouldn't be a miracle SIP would be out of business by the end of the year because he just didn't have the money to make the changes that are necessary to safe the business.
Six weeks ago that miracle happened when he got an offer out of nowhere to buy the company. However, the new owner has asked for his identity to be kept between him and Jerry until the sale was finalized, and he could come in to introduce himself. Which is what is going to happen today.
I know there will be some changes and I hate the unknown, especially when said unknown could cost me my job.
Because I don't have to drive CJ to school I have enough time to get myself a huge vanilla latte and then head into the office where Claire at the front desk waves me to her.
"Hey, what's going on."
"The new owner arrived fifteen minutes ago and is up in Jerry's office. The guy is so hot, Ana... I swear to God, when he looked at me I blushed like a silly school girl... if he would make it a rule to fuck each member of the female staff I swear I would be first in line to get that D."
"Claire, stop it." I laugh.
"No, I'm serious, I thought your man is the hottest guy on earth but sweet Elliot just got kicked into the number two spot."
"Has the new owner said something... what is his name?"
"I don't know, he didn't talk to me just said hello as he walked in with Jerry."
"I swear, I'm about to crap my pants, if he shuts SIP down... I can't even think about it." I mutter and head to my office where I hang my coat on the rack in the corner and start to work. Fifteen minutes later Jerry has sent a memo to the entire staff to meet at the entrance hall at 10 am for a briefing by the new owner.
When it's finally time I take a deep breath and head out to the entrance hall, where I go to stand with Claire and my assistant Hannah.
"I'm telling you, the guy is so fucking hot, Hannah." I hear Claire say but suddenly I get the weirdest feeling. I feel the hair on the back of my neck rising and goosebumps spread all over my body and then I hear a voice I haven't heard in five years.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for gathering here. My name is Christian Taylor, and I am the new owner of SIP."
Slowly I turn around and there he is, Christian Taylor, even more handsome than he was before, dressed in a perfectly fitted three-piece suit, his hair still as unruly as always and a just the perfect amount of stubble showcasing his amazing, strong jawline.
"Are you alright, Ana... you look like you've seen a ghost." Claire whispers.
"Not now." I whisper back.
"As the CEO of my company, Taylor Industries, I usually acquire companies which are working in the technology area, so the publishing field is quite new to me but nonetheless interesting. To learn more about the day to day business of a publishing house and to come up with a plan to get SIP back on track, I will be staying in Seattle for the next eight weeks to work closely with all of you." He says and just at this moment our eyes meet and I suddenly find it very difficult to breathe... working closely with Christian... this is insane.
At this point, I stop listening, but the applause of everyone shows me that no one is going to lose his job if Christian can get SIP to run smoothly again. The second he dismisses us I run back into my office, close the door and take a deep breath. Seeing him after all this time was such a shock to my system I cannot focus on anything and as soon as it is appropriate I let Hannah know that I'm heading out for lunch, jump into my car and drive to the construction site where Elliot is currently working on building a new mall.
One of the guys who knows me says that Elliot is in his container office and hands me a hardhat before I basically run to the container section and knock before I enter.
"Hey babe... what happened... fuck, did the new owner let go off the entire staff?" He asks and gets up... but all I can think of is that I need something to forget and right now, there is just one thing I can think of, so I wrap my arms around him and kiss him deeply before I push him back into his chair and straddle him.
"Whoa, what is going on, Ana?"
"I need you inside me." I get out and free his dick from his pants hike my skirt up and push my panties aside, so I can take him in, in one swift move.
"Not that I'm complaining... but what is going on." He moans when I start to move.
"Make me forget." I gasp, and he grips my hips and slams me down on his dick over and over until we both climax and I sink against him and just hold on to him as if I was drowning.
"Christ, Ana. You are scaring me. What happened?"
"Christian bought SIP." I whisper, and he moves, so we are looking at each other.
"What did you just say?"
"The new owner... it's Christian. He bought SIP, and he plans to stay in Seattle for eight weeks to get more familiar with the publishing business and fix SIP."
"Have you talked to him?"
"No... I ran... it was just such a shock to see him there... I just don't understand... he always respected my wish to leave me alone... he must have known where I work."
"You won't know until you've talked to him."
"I should quit."
"No, you Ana Steele are not a quitter and you are not going to start with it now. If he is staying here for eight weeks, and he knew you work for SIP he will find a way to talk to you regardless."
"This is so fucked up." I mutter and rest my head on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to pick you up later?"
"Yes please... I need to head back... sorry for jumping you like that."
"Babe, me and my dick are very happy right now... don't ever apologize for putting my most cherished body part to good use." He says grinning and that was exactly what I needed to make me laugh.
"Maybe you and your most cherished body part will get some more action later, but now I have to go." I say, kiss him and get up.
On my way back to the office I stop at a drive through to get a chicken sandwich and a salad, head back to my office where I quickly clean myself in the washroom and then head into my office where I nearly drop my food when I find Christian in my office chair.
"So, is my dear brother really such a good lay or am I mistaken and you just happen to look just fucked for no good reason." He says menacingly and I gasp.
"Excuse me?"
"I have seen you like that twice before, Ana... so, did he fuck you as good as I did?"
"You are disgusting and unless you want to discuss work please leave my office."
"Careful, Miss Steele, I'm your boss now."
"Then fire me." I say clipped.
"Oh, I don't think so... no, we will work together... very closely. For today however, you can go home. I don't like to have my employees reeking of sex and cum."
"You fuc..."
"Enough! I'm your boss and as such I can demand a bit more respect. Now, get your ass home and take a shower I can smell my brother's dick all over you... and that's the only thing disgusting here." He says and before I give into the urge to slap the shit out of him I turn around and storm out of the office. There is no way in hell that I will be able to work closely with Christian and keep my job if he is that hostile towards me on purpose.
I always knew that he would be angry or hurt if he ever found out who I am dating now, but he let me go. I gave him the chance to choose me, and he didn't, so he shouldn't be acting like this and just thinking of the weeks to come really makes me want to look for another job and do it quick...
