The sun came peeking through Ana's window way too early. She moved a little under the covers and moaned. She had called the office at around 5 that morning when it had become clear that she would not be making it to work. Ana knew that the voicemail she had left for Jack had sounded pathetic and weak, so she hoped he wouldn't give her any flack about it. Then again, it was always kind of suspicious to call in sick on a Friday.
Yeah, crazy-fun weekend here I come. She had not been able to keep anything down all night and even now running to the bathroom felt like a good option. She heard her phone vibrate and fished around for it without opening her eyes.
Pulling it into her cave of covers and sheets, she realized that it was an email. Moreover, it was an email from Christian Grey. Why am I surprised that he has my new number? The man is a stalker freak. Curiosity got the better of her and she opened it.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your health
Date: August 1, 2011
To: Anastasia Steele
is very important to me. Please let me know what I can do make you more comfortable. Of course, please note that going to work will not be necessary until you feel better. If you would allow me to, I would like to stop by and give you back your iPad and some of Mrs. Jones's homemade chicken soup. She made a batch for you when she learned that you were sick.
Christian Grey
Helpful CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: My health
Date: August 1, 2011
To: Christian Grey
is my own concern. I am a grown woman, Mr. Grey, and I would thank you to remember that. Also, thank you for reminding me of my rights as an employee at your company. I have already called in sick, so your guidance is unnecessary. I have determined that I no longer need an iPad; old fashioned reading for an old fashioned girl, Mr. Grey. The chicken soup sounds divine, but I worry that if I allow you to come over you will think that I am ready to take you back and I am not. You were so mad at me for that night I went out with Ethan. To me, what I did was bad, but not that bad. I am sure that I would make you much angrier in the future and I don't think that I could handle another 3+ weeks of abandonment.
Ana Steele
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your fears
Date: August 1, 2011
To: Anastasia Steele
do not have any grounds. First, no living human being needs an iPad, but I thought you might be in the mood to read a good story. Second, the chicken soup will be delivered in about an hour with no strings attached, other than the ones that I cannot prevent. Ana, I love you and that will not change. Third, as long as you don't betray me in that way again, you will never have to handle 3+ weeks of abandonment.
Does that sound fair?
Christian Grey
CEO and Caregiver, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Ana leaned back in bed, contemplating Christian's last message. Why was drinking such a big deal to him? Did it make him think of when she had drunk dialed him in Vancouver? Did he think that she wouldn't be able to fight off the advances from the guys at the party?
God, he made it sound like she had cheated or something. No, that didn't make sense because Ethan had been there to look out for her. Oh well… maybe she could give up going out alone for drinks with male friends if he could give up bathing his former submissives. Now that sounded fair.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Fair?
Date: August 1, 2011
To: Christian Grey
Bring your soup and your negotiating skills. We may be able to work something out, but this time the contract will be on my terms.
Ana
Christian was thankful that he had decided to work from home that morning. After making a few calls and grabbing Mrs. Jones's jar of soup, he was out the door and ready to reclaim Ana. Not that he would ever be happy to see her sick, but maybe the fever had taken some of the fight out of her. Not likely. He smiled as he thought of her last email.
No matter what had happened with that fucker Ethan, Christian wanted Ana enough to fight for her. She was what he needed, not some answers about a drunken one night stand. Three weeks in purgatory had made that clear enough for him. Besides, they were on rocky territory anyway; if he asked her about it, she might run.
He reached her door several minutes before the one hour deadline he had set for himself. With the iPad under his right arm and the soup in his left hand he felt like a high school kid picking up his date for the prom. Maybe this is what it would have been like to date Ana when she was in high school.
His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened a crack. God, how could someone look so horrible and so beautiful at the same time? Christian must have let his facial expressions betray his opinion because Ana smiled ruthfully. "I know. I look like crap," she opened the door and gestured vaguely to the living room. "Have a seat, Mr. Grey."
"Christian," he corrected under his breath. Funny how not too long ago he had been requiring her to address him in exactly the opposite manner.
She smiled at his informality. "Christian. Yes, I think I like that. You can call me Ana." She batted her eyelashes at him and suddenly it was all over. Christian placed the soup and the computer on the coffee table and then pushed her up against the wall. Taking her chin in his hand, he kissed her deeply. "God, I've missed you," he breathed.
"Christian, I-" Ana stopped mid sentence and pushed him off of her. She made a beeline for the bathroom and Christian could hear her wrenching.
He winced, wondering if he had made it worse for her by kissing her so thoroughly. He walked down the hallway to see if he could hold her hair or rub her back until she finished.
By the time he was in the room, she was sitting on the fuzzy bath mat, shivering. Christian groaned; it was worse than he had thought. "Come on, baby. Let's get you to bed."
Christian scooped her up in one quick motion. He frowned when he felt how light she had become. "Going to bed? I'm not that easy to get, Christian," she muttered, half asleep already.
Christian did not respond because of the lump in his throat. He was not ready to joke about Ana being promiscuous. She had made the jab in fun but all he could think about her and Ethan in bed and the shower she had taken as soon as she had returned home.