CPOV

I was sorry. I really was. There were few things in my life that I was truly sorry for, that I've wanted to kneel at the person's feet and beg for forgiveness. I could count those few things in one hand. Anastasia had added another finger to the small collection. I regretted calling her a gold digger. I regretted it because I had made assumptions that could not have been more false about a person that I did not even know. I mean, now that I knew who she was, there was no reason for her to be a gold digger when she was almost as rich as me. But the fact that I had accused her of it, made my heart crumble. If it was anyone else, I wouldn't have felt this way...it was just her. Something about her made me feel sorry, and I didn't know what it was.

Throughout the entire flight, I kept wondering if I should apologize to her. But, everytime I glanced at her, I was reminded of the way that she yelled at me, telling me that I didn't care. Granted, that she did have a good reason for yelling out the way she did, I was still worried about her. The blood on the sheets were not mine, that much I knew. So, it had to be hers. I was worried and frustrated with her.

When we arrived at Seattle, Anastasia and I have still not spoken one word to each other. Kate, Elliot and Flynn left to go to their respective places...where ever that was...promising to catch up with us tomorrow. That left Taylor, Sawyer, me and ...my wife to go to the Escala where we will be living for at least the next 6 months.

When we approached the building, I looked over at Anastasia to see if she has the same expression painted on her face as everyone else usually does. Instead, I see her face me and nod. That was...unexpected. Then, I remembered that she was also a billionaire and she was probably used to living in buildings like this or going out with men who did.

"Penthouse?" Her voice shocked me out of my revere. Her face had a bit of a grimace.

"Um...yeah" I said awkwardly. I don't know why I was so awkward about it. Probably because this was the first time we had spoken in hours, but also because of her expression that she tried to hide. It seemed as if she was used to this...in a bad way. Weird.

"Ok, where is your private elevator?" Something else that was unexpected. Wow. NO one had ever asked me that question. It took me a few seconds to get out of my head and guide her towards the elevator, while Taylor and Sawyer took the Service elevator to the Penthouse.

When we stepped in, it was once again...awkward. To be enclosed in such a small space with my wife. Wife. I need to get used to saying that, especially for the next 6 months. The tension right now could be cut with a knife. I turned to look at her. She was looking straight ahead, almost as if trying to burn a hole through the elevator door. She was not looking down or looking away, trying to avoid eye contact, or shuffling or fidgeting; the usual responses I get when I am with someone. I was surprised when she stood perfectly poised, as if she was not afraid of me. It felt different, something admirable.

I couldn't take it anymore. For the first time, I did something I have never before done in my life.

"I am sorry Anastasia. What I did today morning, the things I said...you did not deserve them, and I did not have any right to say them. I apologize. I am sorry, but look at it from my point of view as well. But, please, forgive me."

She didn't say anything. She just stood there...quietly. She didn't move, not even a millimeter, you could have mistaken her for a statue.

When the doors opened into my penthouse...she turned around and looked at me straight in the eye. "You are forgiven, but don't ever pull that shit on me again Christian. You won't be so lucky the next time." With that she turned around and stepped into my penthouse, swinging her hips.

I was shocked. One, I did not expect her to accept my apology...she didn't look like she would. Two, her words were very intimidating. Three, her hips swinging like that was sexy as fuck. She stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Its Ana by the way"

I am fucked.

It took me exactly 23 minutes to give Ana a tour of my house. She had pretty much nodded at all of the rooms, as if she was already used to it, which I suppose she was. But, when I had showed her my piano, she looked at me with a smile and a glimmer of hope, asking "Do you play?" When I had said yes, she said that it would be really nice if sometime I could play for her. I was waiting for the right time.

The next surprise came when she saw my library. I saw her jaw drop open and her eyes fill with wonder, as if she could live in the library. My heart clenched when I saw her so happy, but there was no was in hell was I allowing her to sleep in here.

When we finally arrived at the Kitchen, I offered her a glass of white wine, which she accepted. As we were drinking together in silence, she suddenly spoke. She seemed to love doing that Sitting quietly, until a thought passed her that she had to voice.

"Christian, I will need a study room when I can work"

"Sure, of course. I will have that ready for you. Would you like a separate one or do you want to share mine." For some random reason, I was hoping she would want to share mine...maybe it was just part of the guilt I still felt from today morning.

"A separate one would be nice. Thank you for the offer though, but I do believe that sometimes we might both have business calls, and it could get very stressful and inconvenient if we were in the same room.

"Right, of course. I will make sure to have one ready for you by tomorrow." I couldn't stop looking at her, she looked so delicious in that short black dress of hers and I wanted to fuck her so bad ...like right now.

She looked down at her dress, as if remembering she was still in her dress from yesterday night.

"Excuse me, I am going to go change into something more comfortable." With that she left towards her room, which I had pointed out during the tour.

"Let me know when you want dinner Ana!" I called out, hoping she would change int something appropriate for that.

Damn, I wanted to see her already...Oh jeez! When did I turn so...domestic?

AN - I hope this is starting to meet up to expectations. Sorry for the delay, but I am trying to make the chapters a bit longer. Please Review!