Christian left the day after his dinner with Ana on a business trip. He was only going to be gone two days but that turned into four. He was frustrated that he had to spend extra time in Portland because people acted like idiots. He wanted to call Ana and explain that he was away on business but he always seemed stop himself at the last minute. He thought about her constantly. He closed his eyes and could see blue eyes staring back at him. He could her giggle. She had him mesmerized but the fact that she lived with Kavanagh's daughter made him weary. He didn't want to think she was just getting close to him because of her roommate.

The file containing the background check on her sat on his desk, unopened. He couldn't bring himself to look at it. In all his years of doing business he made it a point to check everyone he did business with, worked for him or got close to his family. With the threats made to him on a daily basis, he vetted everyone. He had people who came in contact with him sign non-disclosure agreements. He hadn't even thought about having Ana sign one. He didn't want anyone talking about him or his business. Christian was the epitome of a private man. His intercom buzzed.

"Mr. Grey, Mr. Trevelyan is here."

"Send him in Andrea and hold my calls. As soon as lunch arrives, send it in."

"Right away sir."

He stood as the door opened and his grandpa walked in. "Grandpa." He walked forward and shook his hand. "Christian."

"Please have a seat, grandpa." He said. "How is grandma?"

"She's doing well. She had no clue about Sunday."

"Everything is set up. I have her favorite foods and appetizers. The pastry chef is making her favorite cake."

"Good. She will be surprised."

"Grandpa, I want to talk to you about Ana."

"What about her?"

"I have some questions I need answered."

"Why haven't you asked her?" he said. "Did you do a background check on her?"

"Taylor did it without my asking him to and I haven't looked at it."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "I don't know specifics. What do you want to know?"

"Anything you can tell me."

"Her full name is Anastasia Rose Steele. She's 22 and graduated college with a degree in literature and a minor in business. Her father died right before she moved here."

"What about her mother?"

"From what she had told Sarah, her mother is in prison."

"Prison? For what?"

"I am under the assumption that it is for abusing Ana."

"What?"

"I don't know the specifics but that is what she told Sarah. She was scared at just the mention of her mother that Sarah didn't have the heart to ask why."

"Is her roommate Katherine Kavanagh?"

"Yes. Her father bought that house for her. Ana and Katherine have been roommates since their first year of college. Ana has commented that they were good friends but in the last year she has changed her attitude towards Ana."

"How so?"

"She treats Ana like her maid. Ana does all the cleaning, cooking, washing and yard work. That girl just goes shopping, clubbing, and when she feels like work. She works for her father and feels entitled."

"Why doesn't Ana move out?"

"She doesn't have the means. When her father suffered that heart attack, he held on for almost a month. If I'm correct, Sarah said he died in his sleep. He had amassed a lot of medical bills. Ana sold her their home but it wasn't enough to cover everything. So she works to pay off the remainder plus her student loans all the while paying rent to Kavanagh."

"What the hell? If her dad bought the house why is he charging Ana rent?"

"It's not him charging her, it's his daughter." He said. "She talks to Ana very ugly and Sarah has asked Ana to come and live with us just so she can get away from that woman but she always declines."

"Does Katherine know that her neighbors are my grandparent's?"

"No I don't think so." He said. "Ana didn't even know who you were when Sarah mentioned your name. Look Christian, Ana is a very nice, sweet girl. She helps Sarah and me whenever she can. She comes to dinner several times a week if her schedule allows it. She's just a sweetheart and you can't help but want to look out for her."

"I know it's just something about her."

"I haven't see her since your date. How did it go?"

"It was different. She really doesn't know much about me and she didn't want to talk much about her. I honestly haven't talked to her since that night. I didn't know if she was just getting to know because of her roommate."

"Christian she had never met you until I fell off that ladder. You probably wouldn't have me her if I had gotten a hold of your grandma. She's not that type of person."

"I know I just didn't get that vibe from her but I had to make sure. I asked her to come to grandma's party with me and she accepted."

"She did. Well good then. She'll probably meet you there. She doesn't want that woman to know that she knows you."

"I can handle that woman, as you call her."

"I'm sure you can." There was a knock on the door Andrea came in with lunch. She set it on the table and left. "I will tell you this, someone hurt that girl bad and I know it was her mother but there is more to that story than what she has told anyone and you can see the panic in her eyes when she's in certain situations."

"What situations?"

"I think I have said enough. If you want to know, I suggest you ask her."

On a rare evening at home before nine, Christian sat in his office. He was working on a spreadsheet when he sighed and picked up his phone, dialed.

"Hello."

"Ana?"

"Christian."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm fine thanks for asking. How are you?"

She sounded cautious. "I'm fine as well thanks. I'm sorry that I haven't called you …"

"It's fine. I know you are a busy man."

"No it's not fine. I told you I wanted to see you again but I had to go away on business and just got back today."

"Christian you don't owe me any explanation. It's really fine."

"I'd like to see you before the party. Can you come to my office for lunch? I can have Taylor pick you up."

"Umm. I can do lunch but it won't be until 1? Is that too late for you?"

"No. One is fine."

"I'll drive myself."

"I'll text you the address."

"You sound tired."

"I am a little. This deal we are working on has stalled so it's frustrating."

"Well I hope everything works out for you. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to let you go. I have to be up a little earlier tomorrow."

"How early is early?"

"Well I usually have to be in by 5 but tomorrow its 4:30."

"Why so early?"

"On Tuesdays and Thursdays I bake the goodies."

"Ah. I see."

"Yeah so I try to be in bed by nine."

"So you're telling me that when you stay the night and it's on a Tuesday or Thursday, you have to be woken up early."

She was quiet for a few minutes. "Yes." She whispered.

"I'll let you go so you can go to bed." He said. "It was nice talking to you, Ana."

"It was nice to hear from you, Christian."

"Bye Ana."

Ana walked to the address that Christian had texted her since it wasn't that far from the bakery. In her hand she carried a pink box with a dozen cupcakes she had made this morning. As she got nearer she looked up in awe. She had passed by this building many times not knowing this is where he worked. It was steel and glass. She looked at the letters GEH at the top of the building. She opened the door and walked in. She looked around and saw nothing but impeccable dressed women and men. One thing stood out. Every women that she saw was blonde. She walked to the desk in front of her.

The woman behind the desk looked at her up and down. "May I help you?"

"I'm here to see Mr. Grey."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes."

"What is your name?"

"Anastasia Steele."

She looked at her computer and didn't see her name. "I'm sorry you're not on the list and you don't have an appointment."

"Can you give him a call?"

"He doesn't like to be disturbed."

Ana turned around to walk away when she heard her name. She looked back and saw Christian's CPO walking toward her.

"Miss Steele."

"Hi um Taylor isn't it."

"Yes. Mr. Grey is waiting for you. Follow me please."

He stopped at the receptionist desk. "Caroline, I believe Miss Steele is on the list that has access to Mr. Grey."

"I looked and her name wasn't there."

"It's under Miss Ana Steele." She typed and blanched. "The next time send her up immediately. This way Miss Steele."

She followed Taylor to the elevator and they went up to the twentieth floor. The doors opened and Ana stared in awe of the immaculate décor. There were two desk across from one another. One was empty and another sat another blonde. She glanced at her. Ana fidgeted under her scrutiny. She was dressed in her work attire which was a t-shirt and jeans.

"Is Mr. Grey still in the meeting?"

"Yes. Mr. Taylor."

"Have a seat Miss Steele and he will be out shortly."

"Thank you Taylor."

Ana took a seat and took in her surroundings. Everything thing was white with gray accents. It was beautiful. She felt him before she saw him. She turned her head and there he was, talking to a beautiful blonde. She was taking notes on a tablet as they talked. She noticed the other woman sitting up straighter. As if sensing her, he turned his head and locked eyes with her. She smiled shyly and his grey eyes darkened. He walked toward her and she stood.

"Hello Ana."

"Christian." Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the receptionist eyes widen. "If you're busy, I can go."

"No. I'm never too busy for you." he said. "Did Olivia offer you something to drink while you waited?"

"Uh no but I wasn't thirsty."

He turned to glare at Olivia, who squirmed in her seat. "Andrea is getting our lunch, make sure I'm disturbed and tell Andrea to come in as soon as she gets back."

With his hand on her back, he escorted her into his office. She stepped in and took one look at the view and wandered to the windows.

"This an amazing view. I would love to be able to look out these windows while I worked. I probably wouldn't get any work done."

He walked toward and stood right behind her. She barely reached the middle of his chest in her shoes. She really is petite. She smelled like vanilla and honeysuckle.

"What do you have in the box?"

"Oh. I almost forgot." She said. "These are cupcakes that I made this morning. They are the best sellers in the bakery."

"What flavor are they?"

"Oh I'm sorry, spaced out for minute." She giggled. "Chocolate with a chocolate ganache frosting and red velvet with cream cheese frosting. I brought a dozen so you could share with Taylor and the other man. You know, the one from out date."

"Sawyer."

"Excuse me."

"Sawyer, his name is Sawyer."

"Oh ok."

Andrea knocks on the door and brings their lunch. He tell her to leave the bag on the table. He introduces Ana to Andrea and tell her that Ana is to have unlimited access to him which she already knew. To Ana, she seemed friendlier that the other woman. Andrea left to go have her own lunch.

"I hope you like our lunch. I ordered vegetable soup, turkey subs and chips."

"I like veggie soup and turkey subs. I just don't like mayo."

"That's good to know. I ordered one with mayo and one with Dijon mustard."

"I'll take the one with mustard please." He handed her food and they sat on the table to eat. "What would like to drink? I think we have soda in the break room and water in here."

"I'll take water but I love tea. Hot or cold." She said taking a bite of her sandwich. "I went shopping the other day and bought Mrs. T some combs for her hair. They are so beautiful. I wanted a pair for myself but I didn't have the extra money."

He made a note to get a pair for her as soon as he could. "I'm sure she'll love them. I got her a necklace with a locket. She lost the one she had for years while on vacation and she never had it replaced."

"That is sweet. I have one too that my dad gave me when I turned 16. It was the first piece of real jewelry I owned. I still have it in my jewelry box that he made. He made furniture for a living and he made really beautiful things. It was a good business but when he started having problems with his heart, his business declined. I didn't know anything. He kept it from me until he had the heart attack. That's when I found out how bad it really was."

She teared up, Christian moved next to her and engulfed her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Ana."

"He held on for 3 weeks. He needed heart surgery but he was too weak. I watched him slowly die. One night he told me he loved me and was proud of me. He died in the middle of the night."

He held her while she cried and heard her breathing slowly even out. He glanced at her and realized she fell asleep. He leaned back, with her head on his chest and just held her. After an hour, he gently woke her up. She woke up startled and looked around in a panic, her breathing increasing.

"Hey, it's ok Ana. You are here with me."

She looked at him and turned beet red. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry all over you and fall asleep..."

"It's fine. I woke you up because I have meeting to get to."

"Oh ok. I'll leave then."

"No stay. After this meeting, I can leave and I want to take you my home. If that is ok with you."

She bit her lip, glanced down and then up. "Ok."