A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews and favorites =) I love writing this story and still have a few more chapters to go! I hope you are enjoying it as I enjoy writing it!

Olivia holds on to me for dear life as we approach the black SUV. As the security team exits the car to open the doors she pulls me aside and begins to whisper in my ear.

"Lele, whats going on? Is this like the FBI or something? These men look so serious."

Kate overhears Olivia speaking with me.

Kate walks over behind Olivia, "Its alright, it's a sense of security for Christian….to make sure that nothing happens to his sister. I'm used to this extremity. At least I won't have to worry about driving home after I get acquainted with the bar."

Olivia chuckles as the men help Mia into the vehicle and then Kate.

"You know Lele, Kate seems pretty cool." Once Mia and Kate were settled in the vehicle, Olivia approached the men as if she were some celebrity, holding out her hand to them.

"Gentlemen," she bows her head at them.

I smack my hand on my face. The men don't even wince at her performance. They remain cordial and professional.

Ethan grabs my hand tightly.

"Baby are you okay about all of this?"

"Yes of course I'm fine."

Just seven shots of anything and I'll be fine.

I am the next one to enter the SUV and then Ethan. Once we are seated inside I see Mia, Kate, and Olivia chatting as old friends. If there is one thing I can count on its that Olivia can pretty much get along with anyone. There was no one more perfect to be here with then her. Ethan holds on tight to me in the back. He grabs my wrist and notices my bracelet.

"Wow babe this is a very nice bracelet."

I just had to listen to Olivia.

"Thank you, it was a gift."

"From who?"

Mia chimes in to my dismay.

"Someone with thick checkbook. I have two similar to them. Whoever gave them to you must love you very much."

I need to lighten up the mood some way.

"Well you know what they say, diamonds are a girls best friend." I flash an idiot smile and jiggle my wrist.

"I want to make an announcement." Olivia intervenes at a perfect point.

"It is so nice getting to know new, amazing people such as yourselves, Kate and Mia. Now I know that you guys have obviously been here before, but lets show you how New Yorkers really party."

"You know, that sounds like my kind of good time Olivia."

Kate smiles at Olivia then at me. For a minute I feel truly accepted.

"Well whatever, as long as I get my freak on at a club, I'm good to go." Mia says this with arms folded.

One out of two ain't bad.

"So, Leila, Olivia I'm starving where can we eat first."

My time to shine.

"Well Kate, Ethan told me you love Chinese food. Where do you want to go?"

"I know of a cute Chinese bistro place a few streets down."

"You know what lets head to Imperial Palace. Have you guys been there before?"

Mia, Kate, and Ethan shake their heads.

Olivia shoots up her hand! "I love that place! Oh my…you have no idea how good their food is. It will blow you away!"

Olivia takes out her phone and I know she is texting me. A few moments later I see my phone light up. I open the text on my phone.

The food will blow them away….if not the alcohol first! Remember spirits make you talk! ;)

I respond immediately.

My thoughts exactly.

If there is one thing me and Olivia were sure of was that Imperial Palace was the best oriental themed restaurant/bar we ever had been to. Period. Some of their drinks were good kickers to. With all the stress over the last couple of days I need a strong drink or two. Plus maybe I'll gain more courage to talk to Kate. Find out what she is about. Even find out about Mia. Its not as if she was mean to me she just was really suspicious about me. My thoughts are wrapped up as we head towards the restaurant.

We exit the car and Mia jumps up excitedly holding onto Kate.

"Katie this place is so nice! Picture!" Kate and Mia pose together as Mia takes a picture of them with her phone.

"Sawyer, Brian we will be inside. If I need anything I will let you guys know."

"Be safe Miss Grey. Mr. Grey is expecting an update within the hour of your arrival here."

"No worries, I will let him know."

After that beyond weird moment we head into the restaurant. After about a 10 minute wait we are sat at a luxurious table at the back of the restaurant. I don't think I have ever been to this part of the restaurant.

"Um why are we seated here?"

Count on Olivia to be straightforward and blunt.

"Sawyer and Brian must have messaged Christian the moment they knew where we were headed. As ever the dutiful and overprotective brother he is, he arranged to have us sit here."

My face falls ashen and I see our waiter approach our table.

"May I take your drink orders?"

"Yeah can I get two Adios MF's?" I wink at the waiter.

"Babe isn't that a bit much?"

"Nope, I don't want to waist his time so I'm getting straight to business. Olivia go."

"Okay well if that's how this is going to go I'm going to have two long islands."

"Seems we have two experienced drinkers in the house. Ethan you know what I'm going to take us back to Cousin Jennifer's engagement party."

Ethan buries his head in his hands, "Oh my God."

"Yeah can I get two Texas tea's." Kate smiles at Ethan.

I know Ethan does not like where this is going.

It is Mia's turn now.

"And for your Miss?"

She looks at her menu and puts it down.

"You know what…I am going to have three whiskeys and a coke. Gonna bring in heat to the competition ladies."

"And for you Sir?"

"Water."

"Really Ethan, that's it?" You can see the disappointment in Kate's face.

"Apparently it will be a three against one thing by the end of the night so enjoy yourselves ladies."

"Fine brother, but you should feel privileged. You have three lovely ladies on your arm. How hot is that?!"

The waiter comes by with our first round of drinks. We order our food and enjoy our dinner not expecting the crazy events about to unfold.

2 hours later…

"Okay bitches lets hit the club. Cece's is down the fucking street. Lets go!"

Count on Olivia to direct the party. Kate is hanging onto Olivia.

"You know I'm so glad I met you Olivia."

"Aww I'm so glad I met you Katie."

They hug. I'm not to far from there. Before I know it Sawyer and Brian come into the restaurant to help us to the SUV. Mia is stumbling a bit more than the rest of us.

"Miss Grey, we are escorting you outside. Will we be taking you back to the apartment."

She shoves her clutch against Sawyer who is keeping her balanced.

"No, no Sawyer. Me and my friends are having a greaaaatt time. A fabulous time. I want to dance. You can dance to you know."

"Miss Grey let us escort you and your party to the vehicle."

"Sounds good, Belvedere." She starts laughing uncontrollably.

Ethan is holding onto me tightly. It feels so reminiscent of the night we met.

"How are you holding up baby?"

"Oh please this is nothing. I'm having a great time."

We all pile into the vehicle. Mia puts her arm around me and Olivia.

"Sawyer, Brian to Cece's please!"

"Miss Grey, Mr. Grey is calling on the phone. I am going to put him through right now. "

Oh I'm so not drunk enough for this. To hear his voice again. Ugh.

"Miss Grey, Mr. Grey is connected."

"Mia, hello?"

Mia yells through the car.

"Hi Christian! So goooood to hear from yooooooou.." Mia lets out rounds of giggles.

"Mia are you drunk?"

"No, Christian I am not." She is making stupid faces at the phone.

"Don't you fucking lie to me! Who are you with?"

Oh shit! I can tell he is angry. I never forgot Christian angry.

As drunk as Olivia is she shoots me a nervous look. I am not getting caught in this fucking car! I just can't.

"I am with Kate and Ethan and Ethan's girlfriend." There….happy? She says this so nonchalantly while I think my heart stopped. I hold on tighter to Ethan.

"Who is Ethan's girlfriend?"

I have to take control of the situation. I can't let anyone speak for me or I am surely caught. I squeal at the phone in a high-pitched voice.

"Lele! Hi Mr. Grey I'm Lele so good to meet you um..er….talk to you by speakerphone!"

His tone is somewhat of a question "Likewise?" He then diverts his attention back to Mia.

"Mia, home now."

"Christian, please! Your being a dictator! I have Sawyer and Brian with me and its not like I was fucking sober that night in Aspen! You didn't say shit then!"

"You were with all of us including myself."

"Christian please, I'm genuinely having a good time. Obviously I am with the people you sent me here with and you know Kate and Ethan and if you knew Lele you would like her too. So stop being so Looney tunes and let me have a good time!

"Mia, it is 10:00pm over there right now. I want you home by 1:00am no later. Understood!"

"Don't you have Ana to worry about right now."

"Ana is next to me in bed right now and would agree with me nonetheless."

Christian the family man. The concept is so foreign to me I wonder sometimes if it is the same Christian Grey.

"Fine Christian, fucking killing my buzz."

"1:00am. At my apartment."

"Bye Christian!"

"Laters, Mimi."

Brian turns off the phone.

"Ugh sometimes my brother pisses me the fuck off to the point where I want to go crazy and then he becomes a softie. He just knows how to mindfuck you."

"That's not the only way he knows how to fuck. Little do you know Miss Grey."

"Anyways, sorry about all that you guys. Lets get it back together. Brian, Sawyer to Cece's please."

Ethan whispers in my ear, "Are you up for more partying babe? We can just go back to my place if you want."

"No, no its fine. We won't get this chance again and we are having a good time."

"If you say so babe but please, slow down."

We finally reach the club. I'm determined to make this a good night.

Of course while in the club we start drinking even more and head out to the dance floor. I'm slightly jealous of Olivia and Kate's closeness. Those two have been at the bar for the past hour probably in some in depth conversation concerning men.

As I dance with Ethan I feel a hand tap my shoulder. Its Mia.

"May I cut in."

"Ya, yeah, that's fine. I'm just going to head over to the bar and check out whats going on with Olivia and Kate."

Mia grabs onto Ethan and they begin to dance.

"Its good to see you Ethan."

"Yeah you to Mia."

"You seem happy."

"I am."

"Good."

"Ethan, look, I am happy for you…I really really am…I just need some closure. Its been hard for me and I just want to know why it just ended."

"Mia, please. Lets all just have a good night."

"We are. But I just want to know."

"Mia, you are a phenomenal woman. You are a blast to be with and anyone who catches you is more than damn lucky to have you. You and me are two completely different people. We come from semi-similar backgrounds yet are so different. You are a sister to me. You are going to be a sister to me. I know things didn't work out the way you may have expected but I think we got something much better than if we were together. Mia, promise me you won't settle for anything less. Christian has your best interests at heart and so do I. I promise you….we will always be close always be friends…

"partners in crime until the world ends."

Soft tears trickle down her cheek.

"Are we good?"

"Yes Ethan, were good. I do like Leila. I think she is sweet. A tad shy, but sweet."

As I head over to the bar after watching Mia and Ethan converse I see Olivia and Kate engaged in a conversation for the ages.

"Okay, okay…so my doctor is like you have these fertile days when you can get pregnant….and I'm like ya…sure you can get pregnant like anytime..I swear my aunt didn't even know she was pregnant for like 4 months.…and…oh….HEY LELE! Give me a hug bitch!"

I run and give Olivia a big hug. In turn so does Kate.

"Lele did you know that Kate is going to be an investigative reporter. We were talking and she actually set up an interview with Christian Grey. She couldn't make it so Anastasia went in her place for the interview and then it was love at first sight." Now she's married to the rich bastard and knocked up!"

"Oh Olivia that is such a cute story."

"Hey Katie. Leila, here knows Christian, personally."

FUCK YOU OLIVIA! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!

"Olivia! You are drunk off your ass! Stop talking….NOW!"

"Leila, how do you know Christian Grey?"

"C'mon Lele cats out the bag. Kate is sweet just talk to her."

As mad as I am and nervous this might save me if something happens. Its now or never.

"Yes Kate, I do know Christian…he was an ex-boyfriend."

"No shit! You dated that crazy, rich motherfucker?!"

"For a brief time yes. Kate please, please don't.."

I break down into tears. The floodgates have flown wide open. Luckily Ethan is still talking with Mia. Kate addresses Olivia first.

"Hey girl I'm going to go talk to her outside for a bit. Order two shots of tequila. We will need it once we get back."

"Sure thing."

Kate takes me outside towards the side of the club.

"Leila, whats going on."

Through sobs I begin to tell her my tale.

"Kate, I really like you as a person. I'm madly in love with your brother. I don't want to lose him but I'm scared I will."

"Why? Cause of Christian?"

"Me and Christian…we um…were an item of some sorts a long time ago. He's the one that bought me this bracelet. I only wore it tonight because Olivia thought it would look nice. I thought I was in love with him Christian. When it ended I couldn't accept it. I had a hard time. Kate I'm sorry I'm so so sorry!"

To my disbelief, Kate is hugging me tightly as I cry into her shoulder.

"What I am about to tell you is what can make you hate me."

"Leila please be honest with me. That's my brother I love him. I won't let him get hurt. What happened?"

"I know Anastasia. I know her very well. When Christian dumped me I couldn't cope. I had another relationship that then ceased to exist and then I sought out Christian again. By that time Christian was in love, truly in love with your best friend Anastasia. I don't know if you know this, but I'm the crazy bitch in her apartment that held a gun towards her."

"Oh my god…." Kate can barely say a word. She is expressionless.

"My brother was there that day. He took Ana out when Christian and Taylor were with you."

"Kate I never was going to shoot her I swear, I swear on my life. I knew that if I made a scene he would come and he did."

Kate remains speechless as she tries to process everything I am telling her.

"He didn't press charges and he sent me to a wellness clinic. I am fine now, Kate I promise. He made me feel things that I had never felt before and hurt me. Ethan is so much more than that."

Finally Kate opens her mouth to speak.

"Does my brother know about Christian? Does Christian have any idea you are with us?"

"I haven't told Ethan yet. To be honest I didn't even know that he was connected with Christian until you came and I found out you were engaged to Elliot. I've been scared. Christian doesn't know I am with you guys. I went to Ana's job to apologize when I was better and he came. He told me that he never wanted to see me again nor approach his family. I swear Kate I didn't know. Now I am scared because I love your brother and I don't want to lose him."

I start to sob uncontrollably as I can't imagine going back to my life without Ethan.

"Listen to me Leila, Look at me!"

I look at her with tearful eyes and see a look of genuine compassion that halts my hyperventilation.

"Leila, I've known you for about a day but I can see how much my brother loves you. He acts different when he is with you and its for the better. You have a wonderful best friend who would walk on fire for you. That says a lot about who you are. Now I know how Christian can be. I'm sorry you got hurt. To come out to me the way that you did says a lot about you and I admire your courage to be honest. You do need to tell my brother though and be honest with him. You cannot hide this from him."

"Please Kate don't tell Ana anything yet or Christian. I'm scared of what will happen. Very scared."

"Look tomorrow after we have sobered up a bit you'll go talk to my brother and tell him everything. If he truly loves you, in which I know he does, he will understand. As for Christian and Ana I won't say anything yet. I'll talk to Elliot first and see if we can't ease this information onto them. I can't promise you anything except that we might have a WWIII situation on our hands."

"Kate please help me. Please."

"Its going to be okay. Dry those pretty eyes of yours. Lets go inside take our shots, finish having a goodtime and you can come back to my place if you want."

"Okay."

With that said we walk into the bar. As soon as we arrive Olivia is clearly the most plastered with Mia coming in at a close second.

"Hey you two lovebirds! I've got your shots."

Me and Kate both grab the shots from Olivia before she drops them.

"To the night" I raise my shot glass to Kate.

"To a new good friend." I smile, we cheers, and drink the potent liquid down.

At 12:15, Sawyer and Brian come in to get us into the vehicle so that Mia can be home by 1:00am. They all make sure we have our purses and that we didn't lose our ID's or credit cards. I laugh at their CIA like inspection At this point all of us are all tore up to oblivion. I just want to go home already and sleep it off. I am going to absolutely hate tomorrow. I struggle to sit upright but keep falling on top of Kate half-asleep. Olivia and Mia think this is hilarious and even Ethan chuckles a bit as he rubs my head.

"Babe, come home with me."

"Ethan I need you and love you but just go and watch Kate, I don't want her to be alone and I don't want Olivia to be alone."

"Hey BS! Pull over! I'm going to lose it!" The minute the car pulled over Olivia threw open the door and released the bar that she created in her body.

Mia picks up her phone and records Olivia.

"Oh this is classic!"

She then sees me go in and out of sleep falling back and forth on Kate. She then holds her phone in front of me.

"Oh this is good, this is SO good. You guys are totally being uploaded."

Mia laughs while Olivia struggles to get back into the car, while Ethan focuses on me and while Kate tries to sleep.

Back at Escala…..

"Christian stop being so overprotective. Mia is fine. Lets go to bed I know it will be worth your while."

"Its always a pleasure, Mrs. Grey, however Mia tends to get herself into unpredictable situations. After that fucker Hyde got to her I promised myself I would do 100 percent more to keep her safe."

Anastasia throws her arms around her husband in a close embrace. Christian breathes in his wife scent. How it comforts him when he is bothered. Ana then leads him to their bedroom.

Once they approach the bedroom she begins to speak.

"You always do whats best for all of us and we love you for it. Mia is young and carefree and wants to have a good time you know get her mind off of things. I know you've been tense after that company fraud issue but why don't I help you to forget that tonight."

"Stop biting your lip Mrs. Grey, you know what that makes me do to you. Pregnant or not your body is still mine to do what I see fit."

"Naughty Mr. Grey…what do you have in….wait is your phone beeping? Taking late night messages?"

"Not quite. Actually I downloaded Mia's social network to see what she is up to. She uploaded some new pictures not to long ago."

"How are they?"

"Mostly drunk poses, embarrassment."

"I have to use the bathroom but when I come back you better be ready."

"As always, I aim to please Mrs. Grey."

Christian begins to browse through Mia's pictures. While scrolling he immediately stops on one picture.

"I know that bracelet. If it is real the cost has to be at least 1.2 million. Who could she be with that possesses such a bracelet.

Christian zoomed further into the picture.

"No it can't fucking be. It cannot fucking be!"

Christian immediately calls Mia and receives no answer. He then calls Sawyer's phone.

"Sawyer, Grey. Where is my sister?"

"She is in your apartment, alone sir. We are posted outside. Sir, she had quite the night…

"Is Mia alright?!"

"Yes sir, she is perfectly safe. Inebriated but nonetheless safe. Brian checks on her by the hour."

"Where are the others who were with her?"

"We dropped off Miss Kavanagh and Mr. Kavanagh at their apartment. We then dropped off a new friend of Miss Grey and Miss Kavanagh, Miss Olivia Manning and Mr. Kavanagh's girlfriend Miss Leila Williams."

"Sawyer, Brian I am arriving in New York in the morning. Please do not tell Mia of my impending arrival nor the others for that matter."

"As you wish sir."

"Also Mia is not to leave the apartment until I arrive."

"Certainly sir."

Christian hangs up the phone and immediately calls Taylor.

"Taylor, make preparations to have my jet ready. We are to leave for New York in the morning…..yes….5:00am….Thank you." Christian hangs up his phone to see his wife moving in to sit on his lap.

"Christian, my love whats wrong?"

"Ana baby, there are some issues with business in New York. I need to go in the morning. I'll only be there for a few hours at most."

"Christian is Mia okay?! You been running your hands frantically through your hair. Whats wrong?!"

"Mia's fine. I just have to deal with a business negotiation that is being difficult and having a hard time understanding our agreements. Please trust me."

"I trust you always Christian."

"Good girl, now about your proposal Mrs. Grey. I need something to hold onto before my flight."

Back in New York at Leila and Olivia's apartment….

I can barely wake up. What time is it? 12:00pm! Ugh I feel like garbage. I grab my phone to see a message from Ethan.

"I love you baby, drink lots of water and take a Tylenol. I'll head over later. Love you always."

How adorable, I love my Ethan. I laugh at how I am still in my dress and head over to the bathroom. I change into my comfy pajamas. I'm sleeping all day today I don't care I feel like shit. I had a wild night that luckily did not end badly. Right now I'm too lazy to take off this jewelry. I'm just going to lay here and sleep. Olivia must be dying right now. She promised she would be on call at the design house if they needed her. They never call. Today apparently they did. I was left with a note under my door: "Lele, I fucking feel like the walking dead and need to go into work. Bastards. FYI: I took all the Tylenol and have been drinking gallons of water. Not working. Love you, see you later tonight if I'm still alive. P.S. I will drink again, but not with you competitive bitches!:)

I drift into a peaceful sleep holding my pillow pretending its Ethan and all is right in the world.

I wake up an hour and a half later. I have massive sleep in my eyes and am still trying to adjust my vision. My eyes dart to the corner of my room and I look up to see a pair of familiar gray eyes staring intently at me from the chair in the corner.

No please, no please this can't be. No….how did he…!

I back myself into my headboard with such intensity I've hurt my back. I have now regressed to that of a child who has discovered that monster under their bed.