AN: Thank-you for all the support for this story! Keep it coming!
Will Ana respect Christian's wishes?
Will they met again?
Read away and tell me what you think (Which one reviewer is kinda on the right track!). I appreciate the reviews, favourites, follows and the PMs.
Now tomorrow it is Christmas Eve, so bear with me, it's a busy time, with food prep and cleaning. The final two chapters will be posted, 12 hours apart? I'm not entirely sure, but they will be posted, because Christmas Day under my roof will be a nightmare. Enjoy.
BETA: Halo140 and pusher Stargazer93
CHAPTER SEVEN
ALL I COULD SEE on the screen were satanic demons, pitch forks, flames and my soul going straight to hell. The article, "A blindfold finally lifted over romance mystery," burned on the screen. It was only needing minor tweaking in the introduction, and a completed conclusion. My career rested on this spread, and my fulfillment was well within reach.
Instead, my stupid ill-advised head pounded the desk. Each time my head hit the wood Christian's words repeated, "Please don't publish the interview."
Didn't he understand what refusal meant?
No career. No life. And an escalated path to unsophisticated shoes on a freelance salary.
The temptation was to ignore every word he said. Anyways, the likelihood we would ever see each other again were hovering around zero. This was his typical ass move, didn't he understand how selfish this was… but deep down wasn't I being egotistical?
"Oh fuck!" I cried out loud and continued to beat the desk. "I'm going to hell!"
No matter what happened between us, it's not worth the price. Too many people had betrayed Christian during his life, and I'm determined not being next on his list.
What the fuck is wrong with me? We are never going to see each other again, so this means nothing.
Finish the damn article Ana, you do not want to lose your career? Don't think from your heart, use that intelligent head of yours.
Unfortunately it comes at a cost not following your heart, as you can spend the rest of your life wishing you had.
"Ana?" Luke's voice echoed as the sound of his chair rolled towards my desk. Why can't this guy ever use his legs? "By the looks of it the interview didn't go so well?" I turned my head to his. My eyes burned and ready to burst at any moment.
"Oh I don't doubt, it's some of my best work." Thinking back to the screen, "Only the conclusion to go." Trying my best to sound peppy, of course failing as my eyes fogged over with guilt.
"Well, what's with the tears?" wiping my face with my sleeve, I glanced up at my friend knowing there was no way I could hide this from Luke.
"I think… I'm in love with him." I murmured as I continued to bang my head, knowing how stupid this must sound.
"Knew it. He was a dude." It was clear at the very moment as my words finally sunk in, "Woah, Ana that's some conclusion."
"Yeah tell me about it." And no matter how many times I beat myself with some common sense, I could only think about Christian, especially how he made me feel.
"Break now. Cafe now."
"What but it's not even ten—" Luke didn't give me a chance to finish, pulling me from my chair straight towards Fifty's cafe.
…..
OUR QUICK BREAK extended into an early lunch. We drank obnoxious spiced tea concoctions, topped with whipped cream and Christmas sprinkles. I poured my heart out to Luke and he never once complained.
Every aching moment was Christian. Speaking, thinking, dreaming. If any two people were dissimilar, it was us, yet our attraction was instant. I couldn't deny the sex was out of this world.
"Ana, because he could lick pussy, making you froth at your flaps. The guy's prodigal cock, doesn't make him God's gift to women? Especially you." Luke explained.
Luke had it all wrong.
It was a whole new level of understanding, caring for another human being. He made me watch the stars as we made love, who does that? Christian Grey, that's who. Knowing he was alone again, I wondered if I was etched on his mind as he was all I could think about.
"Well this is a shitty situation," Luke said, "You're here and he's there that's gotta suck. If I was away from Susannah," he stared outside the cafe window, "I would literary curl up into a ball."
My eyes lapped up his form of sympathy and considered the fetal position maybe my best option.
"Tell me about it." wiping a tear from my cheek, "Now Luke it's my first day, Lincoln is on so we really should head back."
"All right, all right. I hope you aren't too disappointed. I know how you get. Don't get all blue on and crack open the depressing poetry, Christmas is right around the corner. It's the happiest time of year, you need to be happy." And with the simple mention of Christmas made me think of my craft exercise.
"Oh God, the snowflakes," I cried into my hands.
"Jesus girl, you have got it bad!"
I sighed, "Possibly. I tried to write the article. Give it my best shot and I ended up falling for him. So I better start up a new profile on LinkedIn, because Lincoln has my resignation letter. I've got less than two weeks," I stood up, pushing in the chair ready to leave.
"What the fuck? And you're giving up… like that?" Luke appeared stunned, "What did Australia do to you? It's flipped you 180. When you left you were ready for the adventure, the hunt a story of a lifetime and now you're throwing it all away?"
"God Luke. I don't know ok!" gritting my teeth, I slammed my palms to the table. I did work my ass off for this, but when your heart is on the line too, it always trumps.
Sadly I thought Luke would understand, but we left in silence.
Back in the office the tension between my shoulder blades burned, as I tried to put my head back into my current role, society mumbo jumbo and making the most of what time I had left with Seattle Daily. When it came to Christian, my decision was made. Right or wrong I'm sticking to it. Maybe Lincoln would tear up my letter and everything will be all forgotten.
Honestly who was I kidding.
The day was filled with returned messages and endless emails. It was close to the end of a very dark day and my phone rang, hoping for the last time.
"Anastasia Steele." I name sang into the phone
"Hey."
I almost fell off my chair recognizing the voice. Luke quickly snooped his way back to my desk. 'It's him,' I mouthed, and he replied, 'No fucking way.' I couldn't stop my head from nodding as the grin was burning my cheeks.
"You're calling… me here?" I whispered in near panic, leaning halfway over my desk hoping I hadn't made too much of a scene.
"I needed to hear that you got back safely."
"Yes, thank you. But I would prefer if you didn't call me at the office, compromising your identity is a serious issue."
"Well, tell me your number." he hushed his voice and I couldn't but laugh at his silly gesture.
For a moment I almost forgot and I gushed out my cell number in one breath. To ensure he had it, I checked it twice and a third for good measure. It then hit me, "You're using the satellite phone."
"Yes."
"But you said—" I knew exactly what he said, satellite calls are very expensive.
"Remember I'm an author who has sold over 1 million books." I could sense his smile growing over his face, and if I could only see it.
"And I see you haven't forgotten how to gloat." I closed my eyes as my heart began hammering wildly, "Does this mean you missed me, since this must be costing you a small fortune?"
"Anything for you, and of course I miss you very much. Can I call later?"
"Of course," I refused to hide my enthusiasm, but work crept into my mind, fucking hell! "I'm sorry I've got a red carpet event to cover tonight, but you can call after."
"I wouldn't miss it, what time will you be home?"
"11."
"Oh and Ana." I listened attentively, twisting my fingers around the phone cord.
"Yeah."
"There is a surprise on your way."
"Miss Steele." A loud voice called and I put my hand over the mouth piece, "My office now!" Elena Lincoln's head popped out of her door office.
"Well Mr Grey I think I've reached my quota of surprises." I said sinking deep into the chair.
"I only hope you don't disappoint me, I'll call tonight. Laters."
My hands were shaking, not because I'm heading for the slaughter house to the unknown, rather Christian's spoken words, 'I miss you very much.'
Brushing down my pencil skirt, tucking the few stray hairs behind my ears, I knocked against the brass lettering ELENA LINCOLN Head Editor Seattle Daily. Stepping inside, without looking away from her computer screen, she motioned for me to take a seat.
Please don't be bad. Employment is good, unemployment is bad.
"I've had a very interesting few days without you here Ana and now this." She pointed, but tacky holiday decorations obscured her screen. "Well you wouldn't believe it, I got off the phone with some big wig PR woman from L.A."
"L.A.?"
Why was someone from Los Angeles calling Lincoln, and what does it have to do with me? It doesn't make sense.
"Apparently you know the author C Grey."
All signs of life left the now shell of my body. I'm gobsmacked, how is this even possible? I've told no one other than Luke and that was only a few hours ago. Jesus are my phones tapped?
"I haven't forgotten, you were on that last effort to find them."
"Yes." my voice shook as my palms grew sweaty. I didn't want to say anything further unless she had the room bugged.
"Well congratulations are in order." she stated, "It seems you broke the unbreakable, because this PR woman says C Grey is ready for an interview. The thing which is baffling that the request is only for you. You have permission for an interview, write an article or a God damn thesis from what this woman was telling me."
My eyes drifted shut. This was Christian's surprise, the very words I wanted to hear. He's offering his anonymity on a platter for all to read. He was sacrificing it all for me to better my career. He's fucking crazy!
Joy flooded through my veins, was this Christian's way of saying he loves me? My hand pressed over my mouth, fearing I would cry at any moment.
"Well Ana, I'd be crying with joy too. I don't know what you did, but keep doing it. This is will be one of the biggest breaks this paper has had in a long time. I need you on this ASAP. I'm picturing the weekend edition, do you think it's possible for a portrait or some nice stills too? Think of the numbers."
"I'm sorry Elena," I lowered my head, "Grey will need to find someone else."
"Excuse me?" She almost fell from her chair, "You're joking, and I'm not laughing."
I needed to remain strong, now wasn't the time to back down. No matter how much I begged for my career to propel forward, but there was more on the line, than a headline.
"I can't do it." I said.
Lincoln shook her head, "The publisher insists you are the only one. No one else."
"I'm sorry," I blinked back the tears.
The hard-core Editor glared at me, holding my resignation letter, "This is still valid, think wisely Steele. You're letting this opportunity slip by so don't make the wrong choice."
Job stability wasn't playing any part of this decision. I swallowed hard, biting my lip, "I'm not going to change my mind."
Lincoln brow linked as soon as she heard my choice, but her final words weren't shocking, they were anticipated.
"I expect your desk to be cleared by new years day."
…..
RACING THROUGH THE RED carpet event, I finished earlier than expected. Kicking off my shoes, I wiggled out of my silver dress, shimmied out of my lace stockings and I grabbed the warmest pajamas I could find. Tossing back the blankets to my bed, I climbed in, staring at my cell urging it to ring.
The day had been exhausting but the night was further draining. Twice I caught myself snoring, waking up to the snort of panic, so when it did finally ring, it startled me and it almost slipped through my fingers.
"Christian," I said, knowing my voice sounded breathless and needy, "You're punctuality is perfect, right on 11."
"Hey." Of all words, this single one made all the stress from the day disappear.
The call sounded different, "Are you home? It sounds noisier for an isolated home in the desert."
"In Katherine at Tale's place. I figured since I'll be calling regularly, it would cut down spending my wealth from my many book sales." He chuckled.
"I got my surprise." my voice lacked anything but.
"You turned it down, didn't you?" I didn't know how to take his voice, but I knew what needed to be said.
"Of course I did. I care for you too much, even though this would boost my career for the better, I didn't want to unveil you to the world..." I hesitated, not sure if this was the right thing to say, "I want you all to myself."
"I know exactly how you feel, and I appreciate your kind gesture, Ana."
"Yeah." I let out a held breath, wanting him to express more.
"I really do miss you."
"Me too."
At one point I thought I had fallen asleep on the phone, due to it being so silent.
"Speak to me Christian," I begged, waiting to hear his husky voice in my ear.
"Are the stars out in Seattle?" he asked and I walked to my window. It was dark and a few speckles of light painted the sky, nothing compared to what I had experienced in Australia.
"Some and it's snowing."
"It's afternoon here, and all I can see are rainbows." he must have his snowflake with him.
"If only we were in the same place, it would be perfect."
"I would… I have something for you."
"You sure like giving gifts."
"You should have it by tomorrow, but you're exhausted," he whispered, "I need to let you go or I'm going to embarrass myself while listening to your little snores."
"No Christian, just a few minutes longer," I pleaded, yawning into my cell, "Tell me something which will wake me up."
"I haven't slept well the last few nights." his voice curled under my skin, "I miss admiring your curves, down your neck, along your breasts, over your gorgeous stomach and ending at your sweet core." Memories flood back to that night under the stars, and if I we could have more. "I never thought I could enjoy someone's company again, holding you in my arms, feeling our skin meld together burned deep Ana. The look in your eyes, when I'm buried deep inside of you." he paused, as he cleared his throat, "Ana if you could have one wish what would it be?"
This was easy and simple, "You," and I added, "home for Christmas."
"Thank you, I needed that," he whispered.
"Dream of me."
Because I knew I would be dreaming of him.
…..
THROWING MY ALARM CLOCK wasn't the best option since it was my cell. Even though I had close to six hours sleep I was rested. I hurried myself for an arduous day at Seattle Daily.
The next day, I felt rested only with a few hours of sleep. Back at Seattle Daily, there was a heavy box delivered to my desk. My chest hammered as I instantly knew it was from Christian, but surprisingly the return address was Los Angeles.
"What's in the box?" Luke asked as he wheeled his chair over from his desk. "Is it from lover boy?" he sang, pouted his lips together making repulsive kissing noises.
"Well the return address is LA, so…" I shrugged my shoulders, "maybe?" I weakly stated.
"Come on open it! I never get anything, and I'm bored out of my mind, I think your expressions with revealing its contents will fulfill the void."
"Jesus Luke!"
"What?" he gasped, "Don't keep me in suspense, I'm going grey here." And I almost choked on my saliva. "Fucking knew it." Luke chuckled while stretching his nails on the cardboard. "open me, open me," repeated until I caved.
"Fine!"
I pulled back the tap, and peeled back the cardboard flaps. The box was filled with sparkly silver paper and packing foam. Digging deep my hands stopped and out I pulled a stack of white paper tied in a grey ribbon. The front page read, "Untitled C Grey, unedited manuscript. Date Dec 2017."
"Ana what is it?" I barely heard Luke's words as I continued to stare at the stack of papers.
He sent it to me, his next story.
"It's his latest, unedited manuscript." I flicked the pages, and it was an interesting read as the story involved a woman called Anastasia.
"Ana, there's something else." Luke's head was in the box.
"Hey," I pushed him away, "my box, get out!"
My hand sieved in-between the thin slithers of paper and packing foam, until my hand found something firm. Removing it from the box, I rushed to unwrap the paper. Tears fell, as I held the grey ribbon. These were tears of joy as I admired the Swarovski crystal snowflake reflecting rainbows over my desk.