Chapter 11

Monday 1st May

Ana

Tonight is the night of this big stages argument and I'm nervous. I know it's all fake and we won't actually be splitting up but it still feels like I'm going to be saying goodbye to the man I'm madly in love with.

Christian's mom and dad eventually made it to Christian's glass house on Friday night so we spent the weekend with them, they are so nice. They are the picture perfect couple, I already knew them a little, and I met Grace when I was in hospital after the Jack fiasco but I wasn't Christian's girlfriend back then. We spent the evening chatting and laughing and drinking wine. I felt at ease and honestly I forgot all about the troubles that awaited us when we left our perfect little Aspen bubble.

We told them all about the plan and the threats, they actually took it pretty well, I mean considering their lives had been threatened. My idea is winning everyone over, creative mind and all, the only person not too pleased by it is Christian, but he is meeting Ethan today so maybe his opinion will

change. I'm sure it will though Ethan is the perfect gentleman.

To: Anastasia Steele

From: Christian Grey

Subject: The New Man

Good morning Ana, I have had my meeting with Ethan. You were correct, he is

a true gentleman like myself.

I am filled with nerves for this evening but I am looking forward to seeing you again.

Christian Grey Nervous CEO of Grey Enterprise & Holdings

I knew it, I think it may be near impossible to like Ethan.

To: Christian Grey

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: The New Man?

Good morning, I don't lie Grey. As long as you don't fall in love with him and run away then

Everything should be fine. I'm glad you like him though, it will make all of this much easier.

Anastasia Steele Equally Nervous CEO of Independent Publishing Co.

We e-mail back and forth for a while but I need to cut it out, I have far too much work to catch up on after taking the last few days off.

Before I even realise the time my phone is ringing *Christian Calling*

"Hello, I'm just finishing up just now."

"Alright, I'm at the restaurant, Taylor Sawyer should be outside waiting for you just now."

I hang up and shut down my computer, making my way outside. Sure enough Sawyer is standing at the car waiting for me. He takes my bag as I lock up and hold the door open for me to climb in.

"So Ana, where did this crazy idea come from anyway?"

"Well, I'd rather not be killed because of my feeling towards someone so we both came up with it. The part you're asking about though was all me. That's what happens when you're a writer and have read far too many love stories in your short life."

I spend the rest of the drive fixing my makeup a little soon we pull up outside of the restaurant. Sawyer exits the car and holds open my door. There are already a few paparazzi gathered outside, I'm guessing they caught wind of Christian Grey having a girlfriend, little do they know they won't be leaving with the story or pictures they have in their heads.

Sawyer stand beside me as we walk into the building, holding onto my elbow guiding me as the cameras flash away and blind me.

"Good luck Ana, I hope this works out."

"Thanks, I hope so too." He flashes me a smile and I head over to the table.

It takes a lot for me to build up to the argument but I just think of everything that's happened to me in my life and let all my anger loose. I'm pretty sure Christian is taken back because I notice him flinch a little when I bite back at one of his remarks.

"How dare you, I've been by your side all this time helping you through your issues and this is how you repay me."

"I'm sorry I really am, I can't help who I love, unfortunately I have realised that isn't you."

"I can't believe this is happening." Cue the tears.

"You asshole. You have been cheating on me this whole time. Taking me away to Aspen to meet your parents and talking about how much you love me and this is what you have really been up to. I hope you have a nice life Grey. I don't ever want to see or hear from you or anyone in your family again." I throw my drink at him and storm out of the restaurant. Apologising to the people that witnessed it.

He runs out after me and grabs my arm.

"Ana please. I do love you but not like that. I want you in my life as a friend, you are right you have been by my side as I have struggled but that's why I need you. You helped me realise what it was I really wanted."

"Gee Thanks, so I was the one you made you realise you wanted to go and fuck other people. That makes me feel great. You don't love me, hell you don't even like me. You just want me in your life to parade around and act like you have the perfect life."

"Fuck you then. I could have made you something. People would have known who you were, they would have cared about you." With that I bring my hand up and slap him hard across the face. I feel a rush of power and that familiar feeling in my stomach. I want him right now, all I can think about his wrapping myself around him and kissing him but I cant.

"That's for being an asshole and cheating on me, this is for being a disrespectful bastard. I am something, I am strong and I can get along in life just fine without you paying me to act like your little bitch." I bring my hand across his face again and turn around. I keep my anger evident on my face and walk out of the restaurant.

I catch a glimpse of his face as I leave, he looks so sad and lost but I can see how pleased he is in his eyes. The cameras are going mad and I can hear everyone shouting questions at him but he storms through them all and gets into his own car. I get home and immediately feel relieved that the evening is over. Everything I have tried so hard to forget in my life came rushing back to me tonight and it's seriously bowled me over with emotion. I grab my phone and text Christian.

'I'm home and safe now. That was a tough night but I think it went well. When can I see you again?'

'Good, it was indeed, well the pap's bought it they were bombarding me with questions when you stormed off. That drink was a nice touch but you could have gave me some kind of warning, I wasn't expecting it at all, and you could have went a little easier on the slaps. I had no idea you had that much force in that tiny little body of yours.'

I can't help but laugh, maybe it would have been a good idea to tell him but then it wouldn't have gotten the same reaction.

'Yeah sorry about that, it wouldn't have been the same if I warned you though. As for the slaps, I don't even know where the power came from but it felt good. Like I was finally getting rid of all of the anger in had in me.'

*Christian calling*

I pick up, grateful to be able to hear his voice again.

"Ana, be honest with me. What were you thinking about that got you so angry?"

"Everything. Jack, Patrick my mom this Jacqueline woman. I have had such a horrible life and all the time I just pushed my feelings down and tried to ignore them. Tonight was the first time in a long time I have actually let myself feel the anger at it all."

"Shit, are you alright? Why didn't you tell me you had never really confronted it all?"

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm great actually. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want to let the anger out. I thought it would have brought everything else with it but I got over everything else when I went to my therapist when I was younger. She always told me to let the anger go and not act upon it, so that's what I did. She helped me a lot, I managed to deal with every other emotion going on in my head but I was told if I let the anger go I would be fine. I couldn't just let it go so I kinda just ignored it as best I could."

"Wow, she sounds like a horrible woman then. Listen you can go and speak to John sometime, he will help you work through the anger, I also have a trainer, you could always go to him and get your anger out by beating up some boxing bags."

"I might just take you up on that trainer. I think getting rid of all of this anger will make me feel a little better, I feel fantastic right now."

"That's probably just the adrenaline your feeling, I mean you did get it going a little when you drew your hand off my face twice."

"Yeah you're probably right. I'm going to miss being able to see you in person until this all blows over. I look forward to your comment tomorrow on this whole situation."

"So do I. Hopefully it will be over soon, I'm glad someone is looking forward to it, I'm not sure I will be able to go through with it without smirking a little."

"That's alright, people will just think you are in love and totally adore it no doubt."

"For some reason I don't think that will be the case, but we will find out tomorrow. Get to bed Anastasia. You looked exhausted at dinner."

"Alright, goodnight Christian."

"Goodnight, I love you Ana."

"I love you too."

I set my alarm and put my phone on my bedside table before closing my eyes. Sleep takes me quickly, I must've been exhausted and not realised it.

Tuesday 2nd May

Christian.

I wake up in a sweat, of course I have to have a nightmare the first night Ana isn't beside me. It's not my usual nightmare though, this ones fresh from the brain. I dreamt Ana left me and moved on, had a family and beautiful children. A life I hope to be able to give her one day.

I go to the kitchen and grab myself dome water and then take my usual seat at the piano, I play my songs until the light starts to break through the sky and stream through the windows. I get up and walk over and look down at the world below. There are already people outside, running or walking along the sidewalk unaware they are being watched from above. This is a ritual for me, play the piano and then watch the world go by before getting myself ready for the day ahead.

I climb into the shower and relax as the hot water bounces off of my skin, I lift my shower gel and lather it against my skin and then rinse it off. I take a little longer than usual in the shower trying to work out the tension I can feel in my back. I quickly check the time and it's still far too early for me to be going to work so I switch my shower to steam and take a seat, letting my body sweat out all of the tension. I sit there for half an hour before quickly rinsing my skin again and going to get ready for my day.

*Ethan calling*

"Ethan how can I help you."

"Hi Christian, I was just wondering what should I be expecting today after this story goes public. Should I be expecting death threats from overzealous woman or jealous exes?"

"No you should be fine, I don't think Kate will be too ecstatic about it all but nobody else should be contacting you. I'll have security on you as a precaution anyway so there's no need to worry. How's Aa today?"

"Okay, that makes me feel a little better. She's a little under the weather, she wasn't too well early this morning I found her huddled over the toilet bowl throwing up. It's probably just a bug though so I wouldn't worry too much, I'll take care of her."

"Okay, well tell her I'm asking for her. Gail will be over later with some soup for her and just to check on her. I trust you won't let her go to work like that today. If she needs anything let me know and I will have someone take her work to her. She is to rest until she is well are we clear."

"Yes we are. I agree with you, there's absolutely no chance she is leaving this apartment today. I'll let her know but I don't think she will even want to look at a computer right now. The bathroom light was hurting her eyes and it was dimmed away down."

"Oh dear, well Gail will be over later today and then I need you to come to the office, I need some help with something and I think you might be the guy for the job."

"Alright just text me and let me know when I'm needed and I'll be there. See you later."

"I will do, but make sure Gail is in the apartment before you leave please."

I hang up and continue getting ready. Once I'm buttoned into my suit I head to the kitchen for breakfast and let Gail know she is to make some soup and take it to Ana, she is more than happy to oblige and gets busy with the soup and her famous lemon cookies.

I eat my breakfast and drink my coffee while reading through some of the articles from last night. Ana really done well and everyone is talking about what an ass I am. I just know this day is going to be a bad day. Everyone seems to hate me right now, and I can't even imagine what they are going to say after this release.

Ethan arrives an hour before I'm due to go and release my statement and I use that hour wisely.

"Okay, I need your help to plan something special for Ana once this has all blown over. I really do love her and I want to show her but I'm not so good at the romance thing. I even tried to google it but nothing was helpful."

"Dude, you can't google romance. Lucky for you I am the king of romance, and I will be able to help you out. What are you thinking? You just have some kind of idea what you want to do."

"I don't know, I mean I do but I think it's a really stupid thing and I'm not sure she would even like it."

"Trust me Ana is a big romance fan the cheesier the better for her. Just go with what your hearts telling you man. She will love it regardless, because it's from you and as long as it's not just some expensive piece of jewellery she will be more than happy. She don't particularly like being showered with expensive gifts, but anything personal she loves."

"Okay, I was going to get her a gift but maybe I'll skip that part for now. So how do you know so much about what Ana likes anyway? Did you guys have a thing?"

My blood boils a little as I wait for his answer but he laughs a little and goes on to explain his wealth of Ana related knowledge.

"No, unfortunately not. Ana is lovely and all but she's more like a sister to me, she pretty much lived with us for so long and I constantly had to listen to her and Kate talk about boys and all that stuff. Not to mention the amount of chick flicks and romance films I've been forced into watching. Hearing the way Ana has spoken about you I can tell she really like you, the only other person she's ever talked about in the same kind of adoring way is her father."

"That's good news for me then, I've never really had that experience. Mia would never come to me or my brother for advice and it's rare that Elliot mentions girls to me. Well that was until he met Kate, I feel like I know more about their relationship than I do about my own sometimes."

"Yeah Kate likes to overshare a lot. I've heard a lot of stuff from her that a big brother should never need to hear."

"I don't even want to know what that comment means. Well I have to go and get this release over with, thank you for your help Ethan. Sawyer is downstairs he will take you back to Ana's apartment"

"Yeah you don't, I just hope your sister never comes to you with the stories I've heard from Kate. Good luck with it, I'll see you later."

As soon as he leaves my office the nervous come back. I make statements and deal with press everyday but today is totally different. I suck it up and head downstairs to face the crowd of screaming people.