Christians POV
Why do I force myself to work with incompetent people? Why can't anyone do their job right?
Maybe it's just me. Why do I work so hard?
Ana. That's right; I want to provide the best possible life for Ana. She is my world.
Not if she goes to London she isn't.
London. She can't go. But she did tell me to trust her, isn't that part of starting over?
I pick up my phone and call Welch, "I need everything you have on an Aaron from HarperCollins in New York City... Yes that is all the information I have. It's an urgent matter, Welch. I want it yesterday!"
I hope she realizes that Jack Hyde isn't the only man on the planet who would try and sleep with his employees. Those scumbags are all over the place and would do anything to get some ass.
But Ana doesn't even deserve to be looked at that way; I would spend my whole life protecting her if she'd let me but I know just as anyone that she won't let that happen. My girl is so stubborn and about as hard headed as they get, that's why I love her. That's why I have to let her go on this trip to London.
But if I let her go than I won't see her again for weeks...
I was going to surprise her on Wednesday at her apartment again. I love that look on her face when she sees me for the first time. Like at my parents' house last week, that look she gave me when we locked eyes, hers were filled with longing. I knew she was holding back when she saw me; that's why she left the room.
That's what you wanted wasn't? Yes. I wanted her to want me.
But now I have her and she is across the country... Fuck this, I need to drown myself in a bottle of hard whiskey - I am the CEO, I can leave whenever I want too.
"Taylor!" He immediately enters my office, "Meet me downstairs, it's time to go home."
"Sir, you do realize you have that conference call with Japan at 6:30." I glance at the clock on my desk, shit, it's only five?
"You're right." He turns and leaves my office and I swivel my chair around to the pictures of Ana that are hanging on my wall still. I start to remember the day that I almost took them down but just couldn't bring myself to keep them down. I believe they were off the wall for almost a minute before I put them right back up on the wall. That, of course, was when I was convincing myself that Ana was kidnapped and that I had to find her...
Instead I found out that she left because I was overbearing and stressing her out.
She left because I was to controlling.
But she came back...
Yeah, five fucking years later.
But she came back...
She. Came. Back.
I need to stop thinking about her and focus on work; if I keep thinking about her I am going to end up getting on the jet and fly out there tonight.
Fucking focus on work. Just focus.
I'll go to New York in the morning.
ANA's POV
Why am I getting so nervous, this is just Christian for heaven's sake…
That's right, it is JUST Christian.
I just want this to all work out. He surprises me all the time and I never get to surprise him. I just want him to know that I am all in with this relationship - or whatever we are.
I am all in no matter what.
I have talked to Taylor and Gail several times since I left New York. Taylor stated that Christian was going to leave his office around five but he talked him out of it. As I walk out of the terminal I see Sawyer standing with a sign that has my last name on it, "Ms. Steele," he says curtly.
"Sawyer, nothing has changed in the last five years, I still would appreciate it if you would call me Ana..." I say, trailing off because I know that this has been awkward for him.
"Yes, Ana. I remember and I am sorry, shall we get going?"
"Yes. Is everything sorted out at Escala?" I say, liking his sense of urgency.
"Yes, Taylor is keeping Mr. Grey at GEH for as long as possible, I just spoke with him and he said that they are probably going to be heading home in an hour or so and Gail has everything set up for you at Escala."
"Great... Let's do this." I say, I like my new stealthy self. Sawyer leads me out to the waiting SUV parked by the curb. He opens my door and helps me in, and then proceeds to the driver's side. When he gets in and starts up the car, I get hit with the realization that this is happening...
I am going to pull this off. Get it together, Steele, we didn't come all the way out here for nothing.
By the time we pull into the parking garage at Escala, I have all my thoughts sorted out. The moment I step into the elevator, they all come crumbling back to me – I take a few deep breaths and get myself together.
As soon as my foot made it into the foyer of the penthouse I was bum rushed by Gail. She was hugging me so tight I could barely breathe. "Gail, I cannot breathe."
She jumps back and clasps her hands together loudly, "Oh Ana, I am so sorry! I am just so happy to see you. You have no idea how relieved I was when Taylor told me that Christian was going to see you again in New York. I have definitely missed you being around here."
There's that word again, again. I can see the tears forming in her eyes so I immediately change the subject.
"Gail, it is wonderful to see you as well. I wish we could catch up but we are kind of stretched for time here. Maybe we can talk more over breakfast?"
As soon as I said breakfast her eyes lit up and she quickly dashed away any more falling tears, "Of course, everything is set up for you. Taylor just told me that he and Mr. Grey are going to be leaving within minutes so you need to get ready. I'm sure you aren't going to be greeting Mr. Grey in jeans and a sweater."
Oh. My. God.
I definitely could not help that blush that crept upon my face during her final sentence; she made her way behind me and into her and Taylor's living quarters. I shake off the embarrassment and rush up into the guest bedroom – throwing my bag in the closet after pulling out the essential items I will be needing.
After changing and making sure the blackout curtains are all open wide so the city lights can be seen I quickly get into my hiding spot.
I hear the elevator moving, back down to the parking garage. Showtime!
I take my place and wait patiently.
Christians POV
After what seemed like the longest conference call of my life and two more whiskeys I am finally home. I'm not even in the elevator yet but that feels better than being in the cold parking garage.
Stepping into the elevator I think about calling Ana, but decide against it. I want to get in bed and comfortable so I can fall asleep on the phone with my angel.
I discard my jacket, tie, and shirt on the couch, and then dig through my pockets for my phone to call Ana.
Fuck it, I cannot wait anymore.
"Hey baby," she answers immediately, "how was your day?"
I breathe a sigh of relief, "it was just that. Long. But I am so happy to be home and talking to you. How was work for you?"
"Same as you, I couldn't wait to get outta there so I could talk to you but I had to finish up some final things before leaving. It's so good to hear your voice, I miss you so much."
I smile, she is so adorable, "I miss you just as much, the only thing that would make this night better is if you were standing here with me. I hate that this is how it has to be."
I hear her take a deep breath and I already know the topic of London is coming, "Christian, will you do me a favor?"
"Depends on what it is, Ms. Steele," I say stifling a laugh.
"Just go out on the balcony," she says, "and tell me when you are there."
"Okay. I am out on the balcony." I can hear her open a door, probably to her balcony as well…
"Look up at the moon…do you see it? Now sit down, close your eyes and relax."
"Okay baby," I do as I am told making sure to take a comfortable seat, "I am relaxing."
"Take a deep breath, and don't say anything. I want you to act as if I am sitting next to you."
I smirk, "baby if you were sitting next to me I would not have my eyes closed."
"Christian, please? And put your phone on speaker and set it on the table," she says.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Just listen to my words, okay? I want you to take two deep breaths, and just concentrate on me being next to you. Feel me next to you, Christian."
Again, I take two deep breaths and listen to her commands. I sit back more into the chair and relax my shoulders, concentrating as if Ana was right next to me. Her tips help because I immediately feel her next to me, as if she was really here… Just picturing her in my mind sitting next to me, holding my hand, and rubbing her thumb across my palm – she always does that to soothe me.
"Okay, do you feel me next to you?" She says, and I honestly feel like she is right next to me, I can feel her hand on my hand and her thumb rubbing circles over my palm.
"Yes…" I say letting out a relaxing breathe.
"Christian, I want you to open your eyes."
"No, I don't want you to go away. I like having you next to me…" I say, almost pouting. I've wanted this feeling all day and now that I have it I won't let it go.
All of a sudden I feel her hand leave my hand and a few fingers on my shoulders; I immediately shoot up and open my eyes to see Ana sitting in the chair next to me. I look at her and rub my eyes a few times until she finally says something.
"Hey baby…" the Ana look alike says, followed by her giggle which is music to my ears.
"Ana…? Are you really here?" She stands up and takes two steps towards me.
"Yes, Christian, I am really here."
I don't hesitate to take her in my arms and bring her tight against my body, crushing my lips to hers in a passionate filled kiss that makes my knees weak. I run my hands up and down her body and take in the feel of her hands running through my hair. I run my hands down to her perfect ass and cup it hard, pulling her up so she has to wrap her legs around me. The second we break away I go right back in and catch her lips with mine; I hold her right against my body as I carry her inside.
She came back.
So...? I hope I fulfilled everybody's (somewhat) wishes on this surprise visit to Seattle. I wasn't going to go this direction at ALL trust me, I got a LOT of PM's over the last couple days about there being "other women" in his apartment when she got there.
Not yet guys, but one day.
xoxo,
Madss
P.S. - the next chapter is going to make you all crazy, and that is a promise.