Ana's POV
It's been a week since dinner-gate and even though I've tried my best to never think of Christian Grey again I find myself day dreaming about him. I hate it. I mean I was never the kind of girl that would ogle guys but he is just too good looking. It doesn't help either that Jose is teasing me with him asking all the time if I have seen the crazy fucker, as he has named him, again. Thank God, so far I have managed not to see him again. Though right now I have other things on my mind. I feel like I'm going crazy. Ever since my baby brother Patrick came to visit me for a day last week I have the weird feeling that someone is watching me. Even now on my way home I keep looking behind me because I feel like someone is staring a hole into the back of my head, but of course there is no one when I turn around.
Great, now I'm getting paranoid. I would love to talk to someone about it but I can't. Kate would think I'm nuts. Jose and his boyfriend Dave would probably follow me around all day and if I would call my parents, oh boy, they would go crazy. Because even though no one knows who my biological father was or that I'm probably the richest girl in the state they would go crazy with worry and hire security or shit like that and I like the fact that even with all my wealth I can live like a normal girl. I mean not even my siblings know just how rich I am. Most people believe that my mother came from money seeing that my parents never married and that my grandfather was so crazy over the safety of his son that there was never a picture of him in the media. So basically when his Dad and he died in that accident it was believed that all their wealth went to who knows where while in reality my mother got a small part and all the rest went to yours truly.
Even if someone would look up my birth certificate no one would associate such a random name as Frank Lambert to his father and the family fortune. Other than my parents only my mother's parents, Ray and of course my fathers lawyer's know about my wealth and I want to keep it that way. Jose and Kate know I have money but they have no idea just how much as they never asked and even if they would I think I would lie. It's not that I don't trust them but my parents told me over and over again never to tell anyone so I won't.
When I arrive at Escala I look around again and roll my eyes at myself because of course there is still no-one following me. So I get inside and into the elevator frowning when the lights flicker for a second, but I just press the button for my floor. Once I have opened the apartment door I smell food and I think someone is cooking. I hurry into the kitchen and find Elliot chopping veggies while something is cooking in the wok. Kate is sitting at the breakfast bar and watches him.
"Oh thank god it's you who is cooking Elliot for a few awful seconds I thought Kate was trying to cook again" I smirk and they both look up to me. "Why is my girl such a bad cook." he asks with a boyish grin.
"Well think about this. An apartment in Vancouver 12 people with food poisoning and only one bathroom" Kate gives me a dirty look and Elliot laughs. "Thanks for the warning Ana so do you want to stay for dinner?"
"Sure what are you cooking?" I ask while I make my way to the fridge and grab a can of soda. "Stir fry with chicken."
"Sounds good count me in." I smile. "Crap" Elliot says suddenly and I frown. "I can eat out if you two want to be alone."
"What no I forgot to get soy sauce and I can't find it in your pantry."
"Oh umm I think I used the last on Saturday, you keep chopping I'll go get a new one the supermarket is just around the corner."
"No you don't have to I can go." Elliot offers. "No it's cool I go." I hurry in my ensuite to use the toilet and then make my way out of the building and into the nearest supermarket where I get the soy sauce and grab a pint of Ben&Jerry's for later this evening and get back to Escala while still feeling like someone is watching me.
I get into the elevator and just when the doors are about to close someone gets in with me. Oh joy Christian Grey. He looks down at me and smirks.
"Anastasia how nice to see you" he gives me a dazzling smile and inwardly I swoon a little.
"Christian." I mutter and try to ignore him though being in a closed elevator does not help. It's like the tension between us is palpable. I watch the numbers of the floors as we pass them and suddenly everything turns black and the elevator stops so abruptly that I almost lose my balance.
"Christian what the was that." I asked panicked because it is pitchblack and mercifully the emergency light flickers to life.
"It's ok it's just a little blackout Ana. Are you ok?" Wow who is he and where has the crazy fucker gone to?
"I think so. Oh I hate being in closed small spaces I mean how long is this going to take I don't want to be stuck in here for long." I start to pace. Shit is the car getting smaller. Oh I need to get out of here. I think Christian is calling my name but I'm consumed with panic. I mean lets face it I am stuck in a small box suspended god knows how many feet of the ground. Oh god, what if the fucking thing crashes down. I'm too young to die and... bam!
I gape at Christian he fucking slapped me. Not hard but anyway how dare he. "Are you crazy why did you do that" I asked shocked.
"Why I'm not a fucking Doctor Ana and you were ready to start hyperventaling. I'm sorry I slapped you but I didn't know what else to do" he says looking contrite for a change.
"I only panicked a little calm down" I mutter embarrassed and rub my cheek. "Do you feel better?"
"A little though I still want to get out of here." he gives me a small smile and takes his phone out of his pants pocket. "Taylor... in the service elevator... Yes I am stuck between the 10th and 11th floor. No Miss Steele is with me. Yes ... fine" I look up at him and he sighs. " My security chief Taylor, he is stuck in the service elevator as he was parking the car. So I have no idea what is going on." He explains and I'm about to answer when my phone rings. I take it from my purse and answer the call.
"Oh my god Ana there is a blackout at Escala you need to take the stairs if you want to come up." she says and I roll my eyes.
"Well I would love to do that Kate but sadly I'm stuck in the elevator between the 10th and 11th floor."
"What" I hear her talk to Elliot and he takes the phone. "Hey Ana Kate is calling the front desk to see what is going on are you ok?"
"I guess though I hate beeing stuck in here."
"Are you alone?"
"No your brother is in here, too."
"Well shit can I speak to him."
"Sure" I hold the phone out to Christian and he frowns at me. "Your brother" he takes the phone.
"Hi Elliot... what are you kidding, what do you think that I'm a fucking animal and rape her in the elevator... christ I know how to behave myself I might not do it often but I was raised by the same parents as you so I do know how to behave respectful... Fine just keep us updated and tell them Taylor is stuck in the service elevator between the third and fourth floor... yes bye."
"Why did your brother just ask you not to rape me in here because that is freaking me out" I hiss and put as much distance as possible in the small space we are in between us.
"He told me not to try anything calm down, ok, even I have boundaries and as long as you say no I am not going to touch you."
"Good to know so I guess it would be pretty stupid to ask you if you carry a spoon with you." He looks at me as if I have lost it. "Why would I carry a spoon around with me?"
"I don't know but I have a pint of Ben&Jerry's with me and I'm hungry but I'm not desperate enough to eat it with my hands." I mutter and he smirks. "You could eat it off me!" so much for knowing how to behave.
"Seriously Christian I mean how did you become so successful if all you can think about is getting laid?"
"Because I separate my work from my private life Anastasia. Though I'm in the habit of getting what I want in both areas of my life."
"So you are telling me that once you are at work you are completely different than you are now with me?"
"Basically yes."
"Maybe I should work with you then I would really like to see that." I answer and he shakes his head. "I don't employe women I want to fuck thats a no-go for me."
"So all women who work for you are unattractive?"
"No that wouldn't be possible but it's simple if a woman applies for a position where I have to work with her directly I'm to approve her before she is hired if I think about fucking her I don't do it or if she is highly qualified I find another position with in my company for her where I don't have to see her." Ok maybe I am going crazy in here but that sounds at least a bit reasonable.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask because suddenly something came to my mind. "Sure ask away"
"Elliot told me that you have a younger sister, right?"
"Yes her name is Mia, why?"
"How would you feel if someone would come on to her like you did with me?" I see him think about it for a second and his mouth presses into a hard line.
"That's what I thought"
"It's what I do ok all that hearts and flowers shit is not my style."
"It's not about hearts and flowers it's about treating someone with respect I mean we knew each other for less than 10 minutes and you threw that curveball at me. That makes you look like a douche and me feel like a cheap slut. I have more to offer than my vagina you know?!" Shit calm down Ana this is not the right place to get angry again.
"I get it ok?! I shouldn't have been that blunt but you could have told me that you're a fucking virgin maybe I would have acted differently then." Is he kidding?
"What do you expect? Am I supposed to introduce myself like that ' oh hi I'm Ana Steele, the virgin'?"
"Well I don't know that would be arkward" he chuckles and that is a really sexy sound. No, no focus Ana!
"So what do you want then, besides it doesn't matter if I'm a virgin or not I am a human being just like you and I deserve to be treated with respect. Haven't your parents taught you any manners?" This is really something I kept thinking about I mean Elliot is fun and nice so how could his brother end up like this?
"Believe me my parents are amazing and the taught me respect, manners and ethics."
"So why don't you use them?" I snap and boy he looks mad.
"I'm a misogynist ok and I was perfectly fine with that living an easy life before I had to meet you and suddenly I can't stop thinking about you. Fuck!" he damn near screams and I'm in shock. So he hates women, well that explains a lot.
"Say something" he hisses when I remain silent. "What else is there so say Christian you hate women I mean that explains your behavior but it's sad I mean basically you will be alone for the rest of your life" I muse and an idea comes to my mind. "Or maybe you should date men. I mean that way you wouldn't have to deal with women. Have you ever thought about that?" I ask and suddenly he looks fucking pissed and corners me in the elevator his face inches away from mine.
"I am not gay, no one is going to fuck me, do you hear me" he yells at me and now I am scared. "Christian please calm down. I'm sorry it was just something that came to my mind." When he continues to glare at me I try to remember all the defense moves Ray has taught me over the years. I mean I have pepperspray in my purse but I can't use that on him in here so if he doesn't back of soon I might freak out. I continue to stare wide eyed at him and suddenly he backs off and sits down on the floor.
"I'm sorry Ana I have umm issues as you might have guessed already." he says and I sigh and sit down aswell. "Well your lucky you calmed down because I was only moments away for kicking you where it really hurts." I say and he starts to laugh.
"You kicking me in the balls. You look like you couldn't even hurt a fly." he says amused and I glare at him. "My stepfather taught me how to defend myself." I snap.
"Ah yes he is ex-army" he murmurs. What, how does he know? "How do you know that?"
"Not sure I guess Elliot told me." he says. "No he can't I never told him"
"Fine I ran a background check on you." What the hell?!
"Why?" Who does something like that?
"I thought I might find something that helps me getting you laid, besides having more information is always helpful."
"So what did you find out?"
"Nothing special besides that you are as rich as I am."
"What? Fuck how did you get that information? Have you told someone?" Please say no. "Of course not, though to give you a little peace of mind Welch, my security adviser, had to dig pretty deep to find more than the account you use everyday. I assume that no one knows?"
"No and I'd like to keep it that way." I snap.
"Calm the fuck down I'm not going to expose your wealth to anyone. Believe I know how many creeps would be after you once they knew about your money."
"How did he find out?" he shrugs "I don't know I don't ask him how he gets his information as long as he does."
Great just great this day just keeps getting better. I stare at my phone but there is no new text from Kate. What is keeping her so long? I cannot wait anymore so I dial her again.
"Ana are you ok in there?"
"Yes what is going on?"
"I have no idea Elliot and I are going down to the lobby right now since no one is answering the phone on the front desk if we don't find anyone I'm going to call 911 to get help for you."
"Ok."
"Has he tried anything?"
"No"
"Good ok lets not waste your battery I'll call once I know what the hell is going on here."
"Fine" I hang up and tell Christian what Kate told me. We don't talk anymore and I'm hungry and thirsty so I get my ice cream out of my shopping bag, to hell with table manners I'm hungry.
"You shouldn't do that" Christian says when I open the pint. "Why not?"
"Because that shit is is sweet as hell you will get thirsty when you eat it and we don't have anything to drink." Shit he is right I always get really thirsty if I eat sweets or ice cream.
"Do you hate your mom and sister, too?" I ask to distract myself from being hungry.
"No it's not like that." he says clipped but now I am intrigued. "Then how is it?"
"Basically I can get along with every woman I meet if she doesn't ogle me like a piece of meat or if I don't find her attractive."
"I didn't ogle you!"
"Oh believe me you checked me out the moment you laid your eyes on me." he says in disgust. "No I didn't well I guess I didn't and if I did it wasn't intentionally. You are attractive so of course women look at you besides you are eye fucking me whenever you see me. So why is it ok for you and not for me."
"It's not respectful" he snaps and I try to stop myself but I burst out laughing. He is telling me that I'm disrespectful. Oh my god he really is crazy.
"Why the fuck are you laughing?"
"Why because you are pathetic Christian you can't expect anyone to treat you with respect if you act like you did."
"Maybe I would have done that if you wouldn't have started that shit by being disrespectful!" he snaps and I sigh. Jesus it's like talking to 3 year old. How can that man be so god damn successful if he acts like a spoiled brat all the time.
"Ok I give up Christian let's just sit here and wait until someone gets us out of here all the talking is getting us nowhere." he glares at me but finally gives me a curt nod. Thank heavens. I have no idea what is wrong with him, but he definitely has issues that I can't even begin to understand and right now I'm not in the mood to try to have a normal conversation with him. At least he said he wouldn't touch me until I would tell him I want him to. Actually for some strange reason I don't want to dwell on I want him to touch me but I would never admit that to him, he is not going to use me and somehow I think the only reason he wants me is because I told him he can't have me.
We sit there in silence and he is doing something on his Blackberry while I'm deep in thoughts and finally after 45 minutes Kate calls.
"Ana the power should be back in 10 to 15 minutes they are working on it now. It's just a small thing don't ask me what exactly I'm not good at all this tech stuff."
"Ok thanks Kate I'm glad see you soon." I hang up and tell Christian what is going on and he sends Taylor a text so he knows as well what is going on. I watch the time pass on my phone and just hope that I'm soon out of here.
"What are you doing the Saturday after next?" Christian says suddenly in a rush as if he wants to get the words out before he can change is mind. "I don't know why?"
"My parents are giving a summerparty/ fundraiser would you accompany me?" I gape at him is he asking me out?
"You want to go on a date with me?"
"Yes"
"Ok let me ask you something do you expect me to let you fuck me at the end of the date?" He shrugs with a slight grin "A man can hope"
"And once you fucked me you will just move on?"
"I told you I don't do hearts and flowers. Can't you see that I'm fucking trying here?"
"Trying to get laid" I snort and he scowls at me. "For fuck's sake Ana why is it such a crime for you that I want to fuck you."
"Because you are a complete douchebag and the moment you get off of me you are gone. I don't want to be used that is my issue. Since you seem to expect me to just accept your issues you should give me the same courtesy."
"But that is getting us nowhere" he groans in frustration. "I know so why don't you go out find another girl and fuck her." I offer and with that he goes off again. "I tried ok believe me I tried to do that. Do you want to know what happened? Nothing fucking nothing it's like my fucking dick has his own mind and won't cooperate. Shit this is why I need to fuck you out of my system!" he yells.
"Wow who said romance is dead" I cannot believe it. Is he really thinking that he can win me over like this.
"Fine let's just forget about it." And there he is again the sulking teenager and thank god right in this moment the elevator comes back to life and opens a minute later at my floor.
"Goodbye Christian" I murmur as I step out though I can't stop myself from taking one more look at him but he just gives me a cold glare so I head for my apartment wait until Kate and Elliot are back and we decide to order chinese food since what Elliot had started to cook was outside without cooling for to long now. When Kate answers the door I can't help it.
"Why does your brother hate women?" I blurt out and he looks at me and sighs. "Look Ana he has issues but it's not my place to say. He had some horrific experience both as very young child and as teenager. My parents tried their best to help him when they adopted him, but the damage was done and later on intensified. Anyways I know it is hard to believe since he was less than nice whenever you met but deep down he is a good man he just has a hard time letting anyone in."
"He is adopted?"
"We all are our parents couldn't have children."
"I see anyways thanks" he shrugs with a smile and when Kate returns with the food I take my food to my room because I need some alone time to think about what Elliot has said and what this could possibly mean. Shit why can't I just forget about Christian Grey?!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It was a little difficult to write since this story has taken it's own life and I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but I want to get to the big shocker in my story which is now 3 chapters away. I will try to update tomorrow or sunday again. Oh and please leave a review ;)
Sunny