Chapter six
Oh fuck, this is a mistake. As soon as she enters Kate's and Elliot's home Ana can feel the tension in the air. There's a bated conversation going in the living room area down the hall, low voices reach her as she lets Kate's au pair take her coat. Apart from that the house is quiet. Usually, Kate would be warming up to party-mode right now, playing loud music and annoying Elliot by singing along to cheesy nineties boy-bands. Especially on her birthday – Kate loves being the centre of attention at a party.
Is Christian here already? Ana's is consciously early, she wants to be here when Christian arrives with Nicole, making sure everyone's eyes will be on them when they walk in, not on Ana. She's annoyed with herself for having to plan her arrival at her best friend's party. On her way here, in the cab, she even practiced greeting Nicole Kaufman in a completely natural and casual manner. If the cab driver noticed, he didn't show it. She's behaving like a fucking teenager.
She grabs her purse and a gift box wrapped in lime green paper and walks towards the living room. Sitting in comfy, cream sofas around a beautiful drift wood table, are Kate, Elliot, Ethan and Ethan's girlfriend Tess. The huge, open space living room is flooded with natural light and looks immaculate as usual.
The two couples all greet Ana with big smiles as she enters. She's knows what they have been discussing, and they know that she knows. They all look extremely stupid.
"Come on, guys," Ana says with a sigh. "This is not a big deal. Yes, we're friends now. Please relax and let's make this a birthday party."
She walks over to Kate and kisses her on both cheeks. "Happy birthday. I love you," she whispers as she hands over the present. Ana then kisses each of them, although Elliot gives her an unusually tight hug today. He's moved, she can see that, and it dawns on her that these ten years must have been hard on him too. Always making sure to separate people he loves. Ana's asked a lot of them, she knows that. Elliot and Kate never once questioned that she was so adamant to never, ever seeing Christian. She's happy that the two of them at the same party is making Elliot happy.
More people arrive - Kate's friends from work, two of Elliot's friends with partners. Ana's met them all before. All of them are nice, easy-going people. She's had two glasses of delicious white wine already and she's enjoying herself. It's been along time since she just relaxed – not thinking about all the manuscripts waiting on her desk, bills that have to be paid and the everyday logistics involving a child who, contrary to her mother, is totally into playing soccer AND basket ball.
The door bell chimes yet again, and the shy Swedish au pair hurries from the kitchen to get the door. This time it's Christian.
"Christian!" Kate jumps up to greet him from where she's sprawled on the huge, forest green rug, and gives him a tight hug. Wow, she's really warmed to him. Ana wouldn't know this since she and Kate never discuss Christian. But she remembers him telling her that he spends a lot of time here nowadays. That would explain it, and for some reason she feels really glad that Kate and Christian finally get along. It probably got easier with Ana out of the equation.
"Where's Nicole?" Kate asks.
"She sends her apologies, she couldn't make it" Christian murmurs, keeping his eyes on the gift in his right hand, straightening the already perfect bow with his left.
He's lying, Ana knows it. That's why he's so uncomfortable. He didn't want Nicole to come, why? You know why.
"Happy birthday, Kate." Christian gives her a peck on the cheek, hands over the gift and turns to Ana. For a moment, she forgets that everybody in the room is watching, anticipating what Christian and she will do or say Instead she just takes him in. He's wearing black jeans and a graphite shirt and he looks gorgeous. His copper hair is a bit long, but then she always preferred it that way. How come she didn't notice in the café? There's simply not a more beautiful man on this earth. Please don't call me Anastasia.
"Ana," Christian walks up to her, "how are you?" He smiles sincerely and leans in a bit. "I am going to give you a big hug right now" he says quietly, his eyes locking with hers. "Give them something to talk about." A giggle escapes Ana as she hugs him back and accepts a kiss on the cheek. As he holds her, she's amazed by how familiar his touch is, and, good God, his smell. She's relieved when he lets her go, because her knees are getting wobbly. Dammit. You would think her body had been weaned off Christian Grey after ten years. Instead, it completely betrays her without a trace of shame.
As he let's her go, he smiles again. If he is feeling anything like what she is, he's hiding it extremely well. "See, the worst is over," he whispers conspiratorially. No, Ana thinks with a sinking feeling in her chest, it's just beginning.
A/N: Dear people, who are reading my story and posting such nice reviews, thank you. It's an amazing feeling that these lovely characters (belonging to EL James), who won't leave me alone and who continue their love story in my head, can entertain others.
Just so you all know, sometimes I go back to previous chapters and improve/and or elaborate. I do not change the plot, though.
If you happen to be a writer/editor as well as a reader and have ideas how I can improve my writing, please send me a pm. I'm very happy to receive feedback.