As always, I am very sorry for not updating for a while, but I was very,very busy.

But the good news is that you will be able to read the rest of this story in the next week! ;) And if you kept saying you want this longer, I have to say I am sorry, but this story will stay the way I had first written it :) But I promise I won't abandon my old stories, and you will be able to read new ones. I just need some time and inspiration :D :)

This , of course, is edited by icalyn ! :)

"What?" Ana asked when Christian gave her the ticket.

"Trust me, this is much better." Christian said as he started walking to their gate with Ana following him, still in shock that he really upgraded her ticket.

"I could have handled economy." Ana said, then smiled. "But thank you."

"You are welcome." He said and quickly pecked her lips as they got to the gate and were boarding the plane. He watched Ana go in front of him and was actually shocked. He remembered how they flew into Rome – disliking and angry at each other.

Now... Now he realized she was something rare and fantastic. She was the most beautiful and sexiest woman he had ever had a chance to know. She was smart and funny. She was confident but nice. But she also was his colleague. And she was his competitor. And he knew this wouldn't be able to last for long.

These days had been wonderful – he had really enjoyed every single minute of them. But no woman was irreplaceable so he had to end their relationship when they land and prepare for the next two hellish months he would spend working.

The flight was long but they still enjoyed each other's company. These were their last kisses, their last caresses, and their last dirty looks.

And they both knew it.

Christian knew it when he let her sleep the last hours of the flight in his lap. And as he caressed her hair as she slept. Because this would be the last time he could.

And Ana knew as she dreamt of their perfect days and nights together. But it had to end.

So when the plane landed and they were both back in Seattle, waiting for their luggage, Christian spoke first. "Ana, I really had a great time, but..."

"I actually wanted to say the same." Ana said, trying to smile. Because no matter how much it had not been a long-term relationship, Kate was right in a way – probably deep in her heart Ana had hoped that they would have stayed together longer.

"Huh, I am glad we both think so." Christian laughed.

"Yeah, our time together was really great. But that one night has ended, I think."

"Thanks for that night." Christian said as he saw their bags on the conveyor and took them.

"Thank you, too, Christian." Ana said as she took her luggage and looked at him.

"Well, how are you getting home? I can take you..."

"No, no, Kate is picking me up. So, this is goodbye, I guess." Ana said holding her bag tighter because she was actually nervous. This already was awkward.

And even more awkward was the hug he gave her before they parted. But of course she knew how it would have ended, right? So she had no reason to be sad now. She had spent a wonderful time with him, she had had the best sex she had ever dreamed of, and she had seen Christian Grey in a different light.

No regrets.

But she regretted everything she had done in the past week the next morning as she went into work.

Those stares at her, these judging looks. But she walked with her head high.

"Good morning!" She said to one of the women who had been staring at her for way too long.

"Good morning..." The woman mumbled a reply, but Ana didn't care. She could only feel good now that she dressed probably better than all those women.

And as if she didn't notice the looks from the men.

But she had more important things to do – and first was meeting her boss.

She would give him the souvenirs she bought in Italy, and tell him how everything went perfectly. And then she would start her biggest project ever.

And as she knocked on Peter's door, it opened itself. Or somebody opened it, to be clear. Christian, to be exact.

"Good morning, Ana." He said as he left Peter's office.

"Good morning, Christian." She smiled.

But then she remembered the other mornings when they had said the same words...

And as if it had been easier for Christian…for him to see this woman and not be able to put his hands on her, and to know that he never will be able to do it again…

But that's what they had both chose, and he knew that he would have grew tired of her eventually anyway, since he always did before.

"Christian, did you see her?" Josh, his friend suddenly distracted him from his thoughts of Ana.

"See who?"

"Steele. Did she look like this in Rome, too? What's wrong with her?"

"And what exactly is wrong with her?" Christian asked. There was nothing wrong with her; she was better than all of them together.

"Whoa, whoa, man. Didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"I don't have any feelings for her. But let's not lie and say that she doesn't look amazing."

"Okay, okay. Do you think she would go out with me? Maybe she is not that bad... and not only outside, maybe her inside is pretty good too. And with inside you know what I mean." The man laughed and for the first time in his life Christian really wanted to hit his friend.

He really hoped Anastasia would not fall for his stupid jokes and tricks if he tried to seduce her. She deserved more.

And as much as Christian would want it, he knew he could never be hers because all he could offer her was sex. Not feelings or love.