CPOV

After Mia talked off my ear for an hour questioning about my wife, and my refusal to let her know who she is, frankly because I wanted everyone sans Elliot to see her at the dinner rather than telling them, I finally decided to call Ana to ask her if she was available to do the dinner tonight.

"Steele." Ouch, she still hadn't changed her last name? That kind of hurt.

"You are not taking Grey as your last name?"

"Hello Christian. I am, for the sake of the public and family appearances, but because this marriage is one of business, and short, I was going to keep my last name for business purposes." It astounded me how formal she sounded now, compared to when she saw her car. When she saw her Maserati it was almost like a wall had come down showing her emotions. Someone had hurt her, and I was sure of it. Someone had hurt her so badly that had made her into this cold and aloof person. Someone had made her into someone like me.

"That's fine Anastasia. However, please do keep my last name for public events...it will be for the best."

"Alright. Now, I don't suppose you called me just for the last names"

"No, my parents have invited us to a dinner at their place. Are you available tonight to go?" I didn't know about her, but I was worried about the dinner, mainly because I hadn't done something as reckless as this since dropping out of Harvard. Surely, my dad was going to be very disappointed in me, and I didn't know how he would reflect it upon Anastasia.

"I have a meeting at 5:30, but it should be fairly fast. I will be at Escala around 6:30. Would that be alright?" It didn't surpass me that she didn't call the penthouse as her home.

"That should be fine Ana. The dinner starts at 7:30, so I believe we should be fine."

"Ok, See you in the afternoon Christian"

"And you as well Ana" With that she disconnected the line.

APOV

I returned to the Escala around 6:27. I had to admit, I was nervous for the dinner tonight. I didn't know why I had agreed to it in the first place. Maybe I could still cancel it? Don't be a coward Steel!...Grey!

When I entered the Great Room, I noticed that Christian was still not her yet.

I dropped my handbag on the Kitchen counter and left my briefcase in my room. I scanned my closet looking for something I could wear. A new navy colored lace dress caught my eye. It came up to my knees with lace sleeves that reached my elbows. It was modest, professional, casual, yet it made be feel sexy. Kate had forced me to buy it a long time ago, but I probably still fit into it.

I walked into the shower. It felt so good to have the hot water cascade down my back, especially after an extremely long and stressful day. while I was blow drying my hair, I could hear Christian out in the hall. He was back from work. Great. Another step closer to the dinner.

I left my hair down, and carefully applied a light amount of makeup. Dark blue eyeshadow, a little bit of Mascara and tinted chapstick. I pulled on my black lack underwear from Victoria Secret. I wasn't trying to seduce anyone, but how I dressed raised my confidence level.

I pulled my zipper halfway for my dress until it got stuck. In my current state, I couldn't pull my zipper up or down and I was sure half my back was showing including the back of my bra. I groaned. I had no idea what to do and I had to leave soon.

I pulled on my nude pumps and peaked out in the hallway to make sure no one was there. I tried to calmly walk to the kitchen expecting to see Gail there, only to be met with her absence. i let out another groan. This was wonderful.

With one hand on my back, I walked into Christian's room where he was buttoning up a white shirt, with his black pants already on. He looked really sexy...Not the time Ana!

"Christian...um" Frankly, I was embarrassed about my predicament. I didn't want t ask him for help, but I had no other choice.

He whirled around, surprised to see me. His eyes raked over me.

"Ana, wow, you look gorgeous." I could feel myself blush. I have never actually heard a guy say that...a guy that I was in a "relationship" with.

"Um..thanks. You clean up nicely as well" His mouth lifted up into a smirk. Egotistical bastard!

"Look, Christian, I need help."

"The great Anastasia needs help, oh tell me my dear, how can I assist you" I could hear his chuckle. Great. Yeah, keep making fun of me Grey.

"Shut up." I walked up closer to him and then turned around. I could hear his silent intake of breath when he saw my exposed back and the back of my bra.

"Can you zip it up? It's stuck." I could feel redness creeping on me. My face was burning.

"Yeah, ofcourse" With that, he settled one hand on my waist, with his thumb on the bottom of the zipper, and then used his other hand to zip it all the way up.

"There you go"

I turned around and gave him a polite thank you.

In response, he did something I didn't think he would. he kissed me near the corner of my mouth. It was a peck, but it still made me gasp.

"Your welcome Anastasia" he murmured. Is it even legal to sound that sexy?

I nodded and left the room with him following closely behind me.

We were in Christian Audi R8 driving to his parents house. I was tense, I knew it, and I knew that Christian knew it. It was just parents...it made my whole mood turn sour.

Suddenly, he grasped one of my hands with his and intertwined them. I looked at it with shock.

"It's going to be ok Ana" he said. I didn't say anything.

"Alright let's talk about something else. Where was your previous home?" he asked me. Home? Where was home for me?

"I haven't had a home in a long time Christian"

"What?" He looked at me in confusion.

"I mean I had one years ago, but it only lasted for 17 months" I knew by the look on his face that he wanted to ask more question, but we had already reached the mansion. I could feel my stress level peak.

He stepped out of the car, but before he had a chance to upon my door, I already stepped out.

"Ana, it's going to be ok...and remember, we have to show affection, kiss, hug, and what not to show that we love each other" I couldn't speak, so I just nodded.

We waited for around 15 seconds on the porch with Christian's arm around my waist, before the door opened to reveal a woman. I presumed that that was his mother...Grace.

"Hello son" she greeted with a kiss to his cheek. She noticed me, and her smile waned. Nevertheless, I held out my hand.

"Hi Mrs. Grey, I am Anastasia" Her smile started to make a reappearance.

"Call me Grace dear" Something about that made me choke. I wanted to strangle myself. Her motherly behavior made me want to cry. I could feel tears stinging at the back my eyes. I could fell my lip quiver.

I turned to look at Christian only to realize he was already looking at me. I could tell he saw what happened. I gave him a small nod, and together, we walked into the house.

Immediately, I was attacked by a girl around 23 years old, who I thought was Christian's little sister.

'Mia?' I mouthed to him. He gave me a smile and a nod. I could tell he really loved her though...I wished I had a sibling, a proper one...

"Mia, get off of her, you are probably going to kill her"

"Oh, relax Christian." she whined. She was cute.

I held out my hand. "Hi, I am Anastasia...you can call me Ana"

"Hiiiii" she squealed again. "You look familiar, like I've seen you somewhere" I knew that my face was sometimes plastered upon magazines, but I don't really notice them, and I didn't want to mention them right now, so I shrugged.

When we walked into the dining room, I was met by an enthusiastic Elliot, who spun me around

"Hi Elliot" I could feel myself smile. He was good at that.

"Hey Lelliot, can you put my wife down please" Aww, is some one jealous Chrissy?I looked up to see Elliot stick his tongue out at Christian,who returned with the same action, which made me burst out laughing. Not screaming laughing...just regular laughing which I mostly didn't do. Everything stopped, and Christian stiffened next to me when a stern man came through the door.

Christian's father. Carrick Grey

"Hello son" His tone was clipped. My initial nervousness was back.

"And you must be Anastasia"

"Hello Mr. Grey." All he did was nod at me. I could tell that everyone noticed the tension in the air.

The first ten minutes of dinner was quiet. All you could hear was the clinking of silverware. That was until things took a turn for the worse.

"Have you told your parents about this...marriage Anastasia?" Carrick asked. Why did he have to ask that, out of all the things he could ask me.

"Not yet, Mr. Grey" Stop, I don't want to talk about this

"Call me Carrick Anastasia, and why not? Are you ashamed of your marriage with my son...maybe they will see you as a gold digger daughter?"

Everyone stopped eating. Christian's fork dropped onto his plate.

"Carrick!" I could hear Grace gasp. Christian was glaring at his father full force.

"Dad, that was unnecessary" Elliot said. I was thankful he stood up for me.

"Father, you cannot speak to my wife-" I cut Christian off. I needed to do this mysef.

"It's fine Christian." I turned to Carrick.

"Perhaps, it would be more beneficial if you would have asked me why Carrick, rather than making assumptions."

"And why may that be Anastasia"

"Firstly, my parents are dead. I have no one" I could see Christian's jaw drop beside me, along with other. His hand gripped my left one tightly.

"Ana-" He began to speak.

"Secondly, I would not care how I look to my parents. And, I can assure you that I am not a gold digger"

"And how may that be? Where do you work, or do you even work at all?"

"Carrick, I don't think you know me properly" I really did not want to rub my wealth in his face.

Carrick began to speak again, but Elliot interrupted him. "Dad, she is the-"

"The what, son? Are you standing up for this whore that your brother had married?" I could feel fury take over me. Keep Calm Ana!

Christian stood up beside me, and offered me his hand which I graciously took.

I looked at Carrick straight in the eye. "I can promise you that I am no gold digger nor a whore. I happen to be Anastasia Grey, formerly Steele, billionaire CEO and owner of Steele Inc. and the 6th richest person in the United States and the wealthiest woman in the United States." I saw his jaw drop along with others and I could feel a wave of satisfaction wash over me.

I turned to Christian. "Christian I will be leaving now, you can enjoy your dinner, and I am sure that Taylor can bring you back home." I looked at all of them.

"Thank you for inviting me to dinner." They were still tense as if a Nuclear War was going to erupt. I slipped my hand away from Christian's and turned to leave.

"Ana wait" I could hear Christian's voice behind me.

"Dad, you had absolutely no right to talk to her in that manner. You know nothing about her, and until you apologize, I can promise you that I will never step foot near this house again." With that he turned and walked after me.

"Christian, it's fine, you don't have to do that." I could see a sadness in his eyes

"No Ana, what he did...what he did wasn't right and I am proud that you stood up to him...not many people would have."

AN: I hope that was a good chapter. Please review!