Chapter 13

APOV

I look at Christian, his eyes are serious and sparkling a brilliant gray. "You started this before you even met me?"

"Yes, but I couldn't tell you. I wanted to tell you once word could get out but they beat me to it. I'm sorry, Ana."

"I'm the one who should be apologizing to you, Christian." He walks closer to me so we are close enough we can feel the heat our bodies are emitting.

"No apologies are necessary, Anastasia. I just wanted to let you know that this wasn't what it seemed. I'll leave you to the rest of your evening now." He leans down and kisses me on the cheek and gracefully walks to the door and leaves.

Holy crap. How does he do this?


EPOV

Kate told me last night about the fight Christian and Ana got into. Apparently Christian purchased the company Ana works for and because he is a control freak she flipped out on him. But it turns out that he purchased it before he even met her and it was a mere coincidence.

These two need to work out their shit. When they first met they were all over each other and now it's like a love/hate thing. I don't know why they can't admit they both like each other. They must be the two most stubborn people in the world.

I normally don't involve myself in this kind of shit but it's annoying me and since I see both of them fairly often it pretty much annoys me all the time. I have a plan hatched. Hopefully it works and we can stop this once and for all.

"Jack Hyde's office. Ana Steele speaking."

"Ana! It's Elliot."

"Oh, hey Elliot. What's up?"

"I'm in the neighborhood for work and I wanted to know if my favorite person I know named Anastasia was available for lunch."

"Elliot, I'm pretty sure I am the only person you know named Anastasia. But lunch sounds fine."

"How about I meet you in the lobby in an hour?"

"That works, see you then."

"Laters, Ana." She giggles at my farewell.

"Laters, Elliot."

Part one of the plan is hatched. Now to get part two done. This will be the most difficult since not only is my baby brother stubborn he can also be quite a jackass.

"Grey Enterprises Holdings, Christian Grey's office, Andrea speaking."

"Andrea! How's it going working for the biggest douche ever?" I hear her stifle a giggle.

"Hi, Elliot. Do you want to speak with Mr. Grey."

"Nah. I already spoke with my father today. Anyway, is my brother going to be in his office this afternoon?"

"Yes. He doesn't have any meetings scheduled so I don't see why he wouldn't be here. Would you like me to set something up?"

"No thanks. I'd like to surprise him. It really pisses him off. Thanks, Andrea. Laters."

"Bye, Elliot. See you later."


I meet Ana at a cafe down the block from where she works. "Hi, Elliot."

"Hey, Ana. Order what you want, lunch is on me."

"Thanks, what's the occasion?" She eyes me suspiciously. She's not as gullible as I hoped. I'm going to have to be up front with her.

"I wanted to talk to you about Christian."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, I know sometimes he can act like a complete jackass but he really is a good guy. And, I've never seen him act like this around any other girls. He's not good at expressing feelings but it's obvious he likes you."

"Elliot, why are you telling me this?"

"Because I know you two like each other and I don't want his idiocy to ruin it. I'm his big brother and I just want to see him happy."

Ana looks at me and smiles. "Thank you, Elliot. I better run and get back to work."

"But Ana you didn't even eat anything!"

"It's OK. I'm not hungry but thank you for the offer."

Satisfied in my belief I got through to Ana, I decide to head over to Grey House. Christian may be a bit harder to talk to because he can be an irritable ass. I should know, I lived with him.


I make my way to Grey House not calling ahead so I can surprise Christian. His staff all know me so I go right up to the twentieth floor. As I walk out the elevator I greet Andrea and keep walking into Christian's office.

He looks up at me nonplussed, "Don't you ever call ahead?"

I sit down on the chair in front of his desk and put my feet up on his obnoxiously expensive coffee table just to annoy him. "Nah, I like keeping you on your toes."

"Well Elliot, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

I smirk at him. "I can't stop and see you?"

He narrows his eyes at me, "No, Elliot. Just get on with it."

"Guess who I had lunch with?"

"I don't know. Who?" I love messing with him and giving him a hard time. It's so fun.

"I said, guess." He sighs and rolls his eyes at me.

"Mom."

"No, not mom. Alright, I'll tell you. I had lunch with Ana."

His eyes quickly dart up to me. "Why did you have lunch with Ana?"

"Eh, you know. I just wanted to catch up and see how she is."

"Really" he replies sarcastically.

"Yeah, we got to talking about her love life and I think she really likes you." I can tell I got his attention but he doesn't want to show it.

"Elliot, my love life is none of your concern."

"Look, Christian. You're my brother and I want to see you happy. You haven't been happy for a long time. And I know the two of you like each other but for some reason you won't admit it to each other. You are a completely different person around Ana. You actually laugh and smile and seem relaxed. I know it's because of her."

"Elliot, the problem is…"

"No Christian. If you want to be with her fight for her. Let her know how you feel. Reassure her. I don't know what happened between the two of you to cause this little split but you need to get over it."

"Elliot, even if that's what I want to do, Ana is in a relationship with José."

"Come on, Christian. Do you believe she likes him over you? She's a totally different person around you. I don't think she has those feelings towards José; I think she just feels guilty for some reason. You need to take a risk. What do you have to lose?"

Christian looks up at me. "Thanks, Lelliot."

I smile at him and walk out of his office. I think my job here is done.