Hey folks! I posted the Prologue to this story when I just figuring out the site, and I thought I had deleted it. I was pleasantly surprised to find some follows and comments over the weekend when I went to publish the Prologue and this chapter. So, thanks so much for that. If you're interested, the Prologue is slightly different (or will be when I figure out how to edit), but not so much so that it would change your idea of the story (at least that's what I think). Anyway, thank you for the positive feedback. I'm almost done with the second chapter. This will be the one in which our lovebirds meet officially. There will be some fireworks! I'm just working out the last bit of that chapter, but it's proving to be a bit difficult for me to write. I have a pretty clear idea of where I want this story to go to and how I want this to play out. Hopefully you won't be disappointed! :)

Chapter 1: New and Old Friends

Ana and Mia Meet/Christian's Dinner Guest: May 30, 2011

Ana

Kate and her family weren't supposed to leave until tomorrow, but they decided to take off a bit early. Even though she's only been gone for one day, I already feel lonely in this new city. Usually when Kate takes off, I call José and he and I can hang out. But with him in Portland and our relationship in the strange place it's been for a few weeks, that isn't really an option. So, I've just been spending my free time unpacking the apartment and preparing for the two interviews I have today.

My first interview went well today, and right now I'm sitting in the sparse lobby of Seattle Independent Publishing waiting for Mr. J. Hyde to interview me. This is where I want to be. SIP is small and unconventional, championing local authors, and has an interesting and quirky roster of clients. I look around the office and my mind wanders to what I will wind up doing with the rest of my day, but come up short because I don't know much of what there is to do in Seattle.

As I glance around, I catch the eye of the young African-American woman working in reception, and she smiles reassuringly at me. She is wearing these large silver earrings that show through her long straightened hair. Her outfit is slightly bohemian and I think she and I could be friends if I get the job here. God, I really wish I had a friend here.

"Ana Steele?" A woman with long, black hair standing by the reception desk calls out. Like the receptionist, this woman also has the bohemian look to her dress and overall looks. She might be in her late thirties, or early forties.

"Yes," I reply, standing awkwardly.

She gives me a polite smile, her cool hazel eyes assessing me. I am wearing one of Kate's dresses, a black pinafore over a white blouse and my black pumps. Kate always tells me to help myself to her closet, and today I obliged her prodding. My hair is restrained in a tight bun, and for once the tendrils are behaving themselves. She holds her hand out to me.

"Hello, Ana, my name is Elizabeth Morgan. I'm head of HR here at SIP."

"How do you do?" I shake her hand. She looks very casual to be the head of HR, but who am I to say.

"Please follow me."

We make our way through the double door behind reception and walk into a large open-plan office, and from there to a small meeting room off to the side. The walls are pale green, lined with pictures of book covers. At the head of the maple conference table sits a young-ish man with red hair tied in a ponytail. Small silver hooped earrings glint in both of his ears. He wears a pale blue shirt, no tie, and stone chinos. As I approach him, he stands and gazes at me with fathomless dark blue eyes.

"Anastasia Steele. I'm Jack Hyde, the acquisitions editor here at SIP, and I'm very pleased to meet you." He stressed very, and I don't know if it should, but his intonation gives me the creeps.

The rest of the interview goes really well, and I'm excited about the possibility of working at SIP. It seems so great, and it is exactly where I want to be working in my first position. Unlike the other publishing house I interviewed at this morning, I wouldn't get lost in the sea of interns at a small place like SIP.

When I leave, I realize that I'm starving. My nerves had been too disagreeable to eat anything more than just a banana and some tea this morning. Instead of heading straight for my car, I decide to take a walk down the street, and within a couple of blocks I've found a promising looking deli with a few small empty tables. I head in, and place my order for a turkey and avocado sandwich on a housemade kaiser roll.

When the young man behind the counter hands me my finished sandwich on a sturdy paper plate with a pickle, I smile at him and turn around in search of a table. I find one that is tucked away in a corner near a window and I sit down with my water and late lunch, or is it an early dinner?

After about five minutes two women around my age come and sit at a table near mine, but only one of them has any food. One of them, the one with a sandwich, is tall and curvaceous with a raven colored bob. She's very stunning, and has that look like she's always smiling even when she isn't. And, like everyone else I've encountered in Seattle, this woman is dressed immaculately. The other girl, though quite pretty with her long blonde hair, has a sour look permanently plastered on her face.

I can't help but notice that they seem to be having some sort of disagreement. Even though I don't want to listen in on their seemingly heated conversation, I'm sitting by myself and it's difficult not to overhear some of it. I'm such a creeper.

Mia

Lily has been my best friend since grade school, but the past few times we've talked I've wanted nothing more than to tell her to fuck off. So, when I called her today to see if she would want to grab a late lunch at our favorite deli downtown, I had been secretly hoping she would tell me she was busy. But that wasn't the case. Instead, she insisted she would meet me there at 4:30 so that we can catch up.

I just got home from France on Saturday, and I wanted to catch up with Lily before the Coping Together Ball on Saturday. I had convinced my mother to give one of the tickets she reserved in case one of my brothers decided to bring a date to Lily, since my siblings are dateless losers as usual. I'm sure Elliot will find some poor girl to drool all over him just for the night, but Christian never brings dates anywhere. He'll just make Taylor come, and that poor man will just sulk around looking miserable and serious all night.

Plus, this year I'm bringing Sean as my date, and I want him to have someone else to talk to other than me. I'll know plenty of people there, but he won't know anyone and while I'd love to think my brothers will talk to him, I know better. Those two will be polite in introduction, but then pretend he doesn't exist all night due to the fact he's on a date with their little sister. So Lily was a quick fix, and I'm sure I could have done a better job, but it just didn't work out that way.

I get there at 4:30 on the dot, and I stand out front waiting for Lily for almost fifteen minutes before she strolls over announcing that she already ate, but wouldn't mind sitting with me while I enjoyed some lunch. I'm already annoyed with her. Lateness isn't something I can tolerate; my parents instilled a distaste for tardiness in all three of their children. And, why did she eat if we had lunch plans? Ughhh!

I order a chicken caesar salad wrap, and make my way over to the table Lily picked out for us. Despite the fact that I'm irritated with her, I can't help but smile when I sit down with my oldest friend. Immediately I begin telling her about France and all the amazing experiences I had there, despite working for the slave driver, Monsieur Floubert.

About halfway through one of my stories, Lily yawns and says, "Mia. I have been to France before. I don't need to hear every little detail." Now I'm even more pissed at her.

"Well. Uhmm. Okay. What have you been up to?" I ask her in an attempt to keep the peace and avoid pouring my drink all over her head. Lily's hair. Dripping Wet. Sticky from my soda.

"The usual. Shopping, clubbing, just genuinely enjoying life. I've been dating here and there, but I haven't found anyone I really like." And with that small remark I know exactly where this conversation is headed. Lily has had an unrequited crush on my brother Christian for years, and she's made it clear that she would settle for Elliot if need be.

"Oh yeah," I say with a scowl. I avoid making eye-contact with her and pick at my lunch instead.

"Speaking of dates, who is Christian taking to the Masquerade?" Lily inquires, like it isn't going to be a shock when I say that he isn't taking anyone.

"I don't think he's taking anyone. You know how he is. But that's not what I wanted to talk about." I give Lily a sad smile, and continue, "I wanted to catch up, not talk about my brother. We haven't seen one another in ages."

"Yeah, I know. But, if we're going to be at the same table, maybe I could be his date? Who knows, we might even wind up enjoying one another's company." Does she hear anything I say? Nope! Like Christian would even pretend to go to function with Lily. The last time he saw her, they saw one another Christian asked Lily to call him Mr. Grey. Her face was priceless.

Lily looks hopeful, but I know my brother loathes her, so I go on, "Look Lily, if that's the reason you wanted to come on Saturday, then you should probably just stay home. You've been trying to catch my brother's eye for years now, and we both know he hasn't showed even the smallest bit of interest in you." I'm pissed, but keep my tone soft and calm. I can tell by the look on Lily's face she is not happy with me.

"Seriously Mia?" I can tell she's going to freak out, so I head her off.

"Lily, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go this weekend," I say in a small yet firm voice.

And before I can get anything else out of my mouth, Lily gives me the worst look I've ever seen on her already sour face and says, "God Mia! I was just suggesting it so that neither one of us has to go dateless."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason," I say with a dramatic eye roll. "Consider your invitation null and void."

"You can be such a bitch. Don't fucking call me." With that she gets up and storms out, leaving me there slightly stunned and feeling as though I'm on top of the world. Go me!

After about a minute of just staring at my plate, I hear a small voice from the table next to mine. "Are you okay? That looked pretty intense." When I lift my head to find the person who belongs to the voice, I see a beautiful woman about my age with big blue eyes and chestnut colored hair pulled back into a professional looking bun gazing at me with a concerned look etched on her face. She's all dressed up, so I assume she must work in the area.

"Ugh. Yeah, I'm fine." I say and I'm surprised to actually believe what I'm saying. Lily never treats me well. I'm beginning to believe that Christian is right: she usually just uses me for my family's connections. I glance at her table and notice only one plate. "Are you eating alone?"

"Um. Yes." Without asking whether or not she wanted company, I gather my lunch, purse, and other belongings, get up, and pull out the chair opposite hers.

"Since we're both sitting alone now, why don't we just eat together." I smile at her and she smiles back at me. "I'm Mia, and that was my friend Lily."

"Nice to meet you Mia. I'm Ana. I just moved to Seattle."

Our simple introductions are enough for the two of us to start chatting animatedly with one another. After a little while I ask Ana, "Why are you eating alone?"

"As I said, I just moved here. I live with my friend Kate and she's currently on vacation with her family." She pauses to take in a deep breath. "It's been hard to meet anyone new."

I can tell Ana is kind of shy, much more reserved than I am, but she seems really nice. "Well, I know almost everyone in Seattle, so I guess we're a good pair."

When we finish our lunches, I grab Ana's ancient flip phone (Who has a flip phone?), program in my number, and call myself. We decide that we will go out to lunch tomorrow too. Same place, but at one o'clock.

As I walk to my car, I just can't stop smiling. Most of my friends are like Lily: spoiled, egotistical, miserable. I can tell Ana isn't like that at all, and what's best is she has no idea who I am or who my brother is. That alone is an oddity in Seattle; everyone knows the Greys here. Even though we've only spent a small amount of time together, I think this thing with Ana could be the start to a beautiful friendship.

Christian

I left quite early this morning, and haven't been home since. The new sub I contracted on Friday stayed at Escala from Friday night until late Sunday afternoon. Having been frustrated with my thoughts frequently straying to the girl from WSU, I spent much of the weekend in the playroom and got little work done. I finally had an outlet for my recent frustrations, but I spent today playing catch up on the work I normally would have completed over the weekend. Molly will probably be sore until I see her next week, I think as I smile and stand in the ascending elevator.

I just had a brutal workout with Claude and Taylor, and I'm in desperate need of a shower and some dinner. As I walk through the foyer doors around seven, my phone goes off and pulling it out I see a message from my sister: Rescheduled last Saturday's dinner to this Saturday, 6:00. You better not have something "better" to do!

I decided against attending family dinner this weekend so that my new sub and I could get a full weekend in the playroom. I have never, never done that before, but considering the past week and the amount of time between my last sub and this one, I was in desperate need of the control my lifestyle allows me. Unfortunately, I still don't feel sated. Molly likes the heavy shit, but even that didn't give me the usual satisfaction.

I quickly respond to Mia's message with one of my own: I'll definitely be there. Nothing better to do that night. ;) Mia should get a kick out of that, or she'll call me and yell at me.

I make my way into the kitchen where Mrs. Jones is quietly preparing dinner. "Good evening, Mr. Grey," she greets me with a smile. "Grilled salmon with mango salsa, asparagus, and mushroom risotto. If that's okay with you, sir."

"Everything you make is okay with me Mrs. Jones. Thank you. I think I'll have a shower before Elena arrives. She'll be here around 7:30." Mrs. Jones nods and continues on with her work while I make my way to the master bedroom.

I was supposed to take Elena out to dinner, but she insisted it would be better for both of us if she came here. News about the newest GEH acquisition went public today, and the press has been hungry for any information regarding the deal due to the large increase to my already bloated net worth. There have been members of the press outside Escala and GEH all day, and I'm sure if I try to go anywhere in public I would end up being mobbed.

Shit like that wouldn't normally bother me. I just 'no comment' my way out of those type of situations, but considering my parents don't know the real nature of the relationship between Elena and I, we decided it would be best to keep this little dinner low-key. Don't get me wrong, my parents are aware of our business arrangement, but they have no idea how close we really have been throughout the years. Elena was probably correct in her assumption that my mother would be suspicious if we were photographed enjoying an intimate dinner, just the two of us, on a Monday night, rather than seen together on a business lunch.

Eating at my penthouse also gives us a little more privacy to discuss any concerns I might have regarding my new submissive. Though the weekend was cathartic, Molly isn't the exact type I usually go for. She's a brunette, which I like, and she has brown eyes, which is fine, but she's a bit more hardcore than many of my past subs. Even though it was only our first time together, Molly tried her hardest to antagonize me into beating the shit out of her. Her body was thoroughly caned, and her every orifice thoroughly fucked.

I'm also concerned about the already over-the-top affection she's shown toward me. I usually steer clear of clingy women, and Elena typically finds women who at least take their time in trying to get too close. I can already tell that the timeline for this undesirable behavior is moving too fast with Molly. She left me a note on Sunday before she left: Christian, I had a wonderful weekend with you. I'll miss your touch. Until next time, Molly xx

Maybe she was just trying to make sure I'm angry enough the next time she sees me? She used my first name, which is a huge no-no in my world. Sir or Mr. Grey. I'll have to talk this all out with Elena tonight. She'll talk to her, or I'll wait until next weekend and come up some great way to punish her insolence.

I make my way to the master bedroom and on arrival I strip off my clothes as I walk to the bathroom. I turn on the water, and take a few minutes to stretch after my vigorous workout. When the air becomes balmy and clouded with steam, I step into the white-tiled shower.

The water is as hot as I can stand it, and after a long day, this is the perfect way to unwind. I close my eyes as the water beats over my body. And like every day since I saw her, when I close my eyes all I see is the brunette beauty walking toward me from across the stage, cheeks pink, lip clasped between her teeth, blue eyes bright. I open my eyes and turn the water to a cooler setting before my thoughts take me somewhere that will get me too riled up. I do have company coming over after all.

I hurry my way through the shower, with my thoughts now far too scattered. So much for distracting myself with Claude. I dress in black jeans and a gray sweater, and I put socks on without bothering to put on shoes as well. When I arrive in the great room, Taylor pops his head out of his office.

"Sir. Ms. Lincoln is on her way up now." I nod and he disappears. Jason Taylor, ever the professional. I know he and Gail despise Elena, but they would never say anything to me if they value their jobs. I decide to wait for Elena in the foyer.

Elena wastes no time as she walks into the apartment. "Christian dear, it is wonderful to see you again so soon," she coos as she grasps my biceps and plants a light kiss on each of my cheeks.

She's dressed in her usual uniform of all black: a low-cut black dress, sheer black nylons, and black platform Louboutins, their red soles being the only source of color in her outfit. Her hair is freshly bleached, almost white to the root, and her nails freshly polished black. The familiar sight of her is comforting, and pushes my disconcerted thoughts of the girl into the back of my mind.

"Elena," I say, "it's nice to see you as well." I show her into the kitchen and the two of us take a seat at the breakfast bar as we have so many times before.

"So, how was your weekend?" Elena gives me a knowing smirk. "I hope it proved entertaining. You seem a little less tense today compared to the last time I saw you."

"It was very cathartic," I grin. "However, there are some issues with Molly I would like to address with you." Before I can get into my concerns, Gail announces that our dinner is ready to be served in the dining room. So I wait until the two of us are seated at the dining table to I voice my problems with Molly.

"So, Molly left me a note before she went back to her place on Sunday." I pass the note over to her. Elena reads the note aloud, emphasizing the the signatory "XX,"and looks back at me with a coy smirk on her plasticized face.

"What do you think? If she's getting attached this quickly, I need to cut her loose. I was very fucking clear about my expectations for this arrangement, and she has broken quite a few rules with this note alone. I don't like this. First, she addressed me as Christian, and nobody calls me by my first name unless they're family or I tell them they can. Second, I don't give a shit if Molly had a wonderful weekend. And third, she'll miss me? I don't need some fucking woman clinging like this already, Elena. Miss my touch?" I raise my eyebrows and throw my hands out a little too dramatically. "I was pretty brutal in there this weekend. She must be crazy. I should probably cut her loose." The truth is that I just can't stop thinking about the girl from graduation, and I've grown a bit tired of the same old sexual song-and-dance. Most of the scenes are reminiscent of other partners, and it disgusts me as of late. I can't tell Elena any of this, though.

When I finish my tirade, Elena's smile has grown and she's now laughing a hearty, amused laugh. I give her a steely what-the-fuck-are-you-doing glare, and take a long swig of my glass of wine never breaking eye contact.

"Christian. I think you should wait until next weekend before you make any rash decisions. It looks to me that Molly might just be trying to get a rise out you." She raises her eyebrows and takes another bite of her food before continuing. "You know, topping from the bottom if you will. I know she likes things a bit more rough than some of the other girls I've introduced to you, and maybe this is her way of making sure she's properly punished when she comes back."

"Hmm." I've thought of this, and I don't enjoy being openly antagonized by my submissive. "I don't like that either. I'll try it for another weekend. Think of something...special to do with her."

"I taught you well, and I have no doubt that you will come up with something special." As Elena says this, she reaches over and strokes my knee, trailing her fingers up my thigh. I grab her wrist between my thumb and middle finger before she can reach her goal. She looks at me, aghast that I would stop her.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I growl at her, aware of her means of manipulation.

"Ah, Christian! I'm just playing. Would you calm down already? You've been so tense, and I know better than anyone how to help you release it." She pauses, and searches my face with her eyes that are too attuned to my mercurial personality. "There is something you aren't telling me. I intend to find out."

Nobody knows me as well as Elena. She is my only friend, my only confidant. If anyone, even my family, knew me as well as she does, I would lose everything I have worked so diligently to create. Elena has an uncanny ability to look in my eyes and read every facial expression, every mood to perfection. I know that eventually I'll tell her what's really bothering me, but for now I'll keep this irregular obsession with the unknown woman to myself.

We finish dinner, and two bottles of wine, in relative silence, only exchanging information about our shared business venture in Elena's chain of beauty salons, Esclava. We've always gotten a laugh out of the name: Esclava, Spanish for female slave. It makes sense to the general public, women are slaves to beauty. To those of us in the lifestyle, however, it takes on an entirely different connotation. Briefly, we discuss Elena's newest boy toy submissive Isaac. She likes them young. You know that better than anyone, Grey.

When we've finished our meal, I show Elena back toward the foyer and hit the call button for the elevator to come take her back to the parking garage.

"I know you're glad I came over," Elena smiles and narrows her eyes in my direction. "You know you can tell me what's been bothering you? You shouldn't keep secrets from me."

"Yes, but I'm not quite ready yet. You understand." I give her half a smile, in a show to tell her that everything is fine, and that our friendship is intact, but she still regards me with a curious look.

The elevator doors open, and once again Elena firmly grasps my biceps to kiss my cheeks. It's a familiar gesture, one born from years of her memorizing my body. Besides my family, she is the only other person who knows where I can and can't be touched.

"Goodnight Christian," she says as the doors close, separating me once again from the possibility of human contact.

I turn on my heel and make my way to my office, where I work for three hours to prolong the inevitable nightmarish sleep awaiting me. When I finally give in to my fatigue it's nearly one in the morning, and I reluctantly head to the bedroom.

The nightmares I've battled since I was a child have been intensifying in the days since I saw her. In them I see her cheeks stark white, without the delightful pink glow I had witnessed on her exquisite skin. I see her blue eyes open, unseeing and devoid of the sparkle present at the ceremony. I feel her hand in mine, cold without the warmth I felt emanating from her soft skin. It frightens me because the nightmares are different than the ones I've had all my life. It frightens me because when I wake the feelings I experience due to her lack of life, her lack of vitality are traumatizing at best. But above all, I find that I'm terrified that I don't know her, and, possibly, I never will.

I have never thought about a woman like this, not even Elena. I remind myself of a fucking teenager from some awful movie, but even when I was an adolescent I didn't fixate like this. I feel like my thoughts aren't my own. I feel out of control. I need to make a couple extra appointments with Flynn.