A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"I need to get home.", I whisper into Christian's ear although I'm not sure if he hears me. Not wanting to wake him up, I begin to ease out of the bed but a gentle touch on my shoulder stops me.
"What time is it?", he murmurs as he opens his eyes.
"It's only six , but I have to shower and change clothes before work."
"I'll take you after we have breakfast. Ok?"
"Nonsense. I can get a cab so you can get some more rest. Besides, I'm still full from all the junk food I had at the fun center." The go-karts were just the beginning of the fun we had at the fun center. We ended up staying for several hours, playing arcade games, riding the bumper cars, and even doing the batting cages. Dinner consisted of pizza and nachos while cotton candy served as our dessert. It was a perfect way to end the weekend. Well, it was the second perfect way. The main attraction came afterwards when Christian and I arrived at Escala where we made love until the early hours of the morning.
"I don't think that's possible since we got a pretty good exercise.", he smirks. "Gail makes the best breakfast so please stay." Christian has mentioned his housekeeper, but I've yet to meet her since she has the weekends off.
"Ok. I'll stay. Before we get up, I want to thank you for a memorable weekend. It's one that I'll never forget."
"Me either. It was full of milestones. I got to worship each and every single corner of your body, you officially became my girlfriend."
"And you became my boyfriend.", I giggle.
"Last night was also the first time I've ever had a woman in my bed. I've slept better since meeting you, but last night was the best nights sleep I've ever had. With you falling asleep first last night, I was able to watch you sleep until I drifted off. It was surreal. I guess what I'm trying to saying is...thank you. Ana, thank you for coming into my life and for being you."
"Thank you for allowing me into your life."
"Good morning Mr. Grey.", I hear being told to Christian while I follow him into the kitchen. I'm met by a woman with short blond hair and a warm smile although she appears shocked to see me. Christian is soon by my side with his arm around my waist.
"Gail, I'd like you to meet Anastasia Steele, my girlfriend." Judging from the look on her face, you would have thought she had just been told there is no Easter Bunny.
"Miss Steele, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too.", I smile back at her.
"What would the two of you like for breakfast?", she asks.
"I'll have scrambled eggs with a slice of wheat toast. Ana?" I'm aware preparing food is part of her job, but I feel slightly uncomfortable.
"The same.", I stammer. Christian pulls out one of the wooden chairs from the table and motions for me to sit. "Such chivalry." He laughs and takes the seat across from me.
"Mr. Grey, here is your coffee. Oh Miss Steele, I'm sorry. What would you like to drink?"
"Orange juice?"
"Coming right up." Moment later, she places a tall glass of orange juice in front of me and a cup of coffee with Christian.
"Thank you." While Gail begins breakfast, Christian's eyes are trained on me. "Haven't you been told it's not polite to stare?"
"I don't believe that rule applies when you're looking at someone so beautiful that you can't not stare.", he replies. "I assume you're going to be working on your book fair article today at work."
"I'm going to be working on it all week so I can have it on Olivia's desk by Friday afternoon. By now I've usually got at least a partial outline, but I have nothing besides notes."
"Do you wish you would have worked on it yesterday instead of spending the day and last night with me?" The space between us is blocked momentarily while Gail gives hands us our breakfast, but once she's finished, I reach for Christian's hand and lightly rub his knuckles.
"Nope. I've always met my deadline, and this one will be no different."
"Ethan, would you look who it is. It's our dear friend Ana.", a smug Kate grins as I close the apartment door.
"I called and told you that I was going to stay at Christian's." She shrugs in agreement and takes a drink of her coffee. "I'm surprised that Elliot isn't still here."
"He left a few minutes ago."
"I'd love to stay and avoid giving you all the details of my night, but I need to get ready for work."
"I need to get ready as well.", Ethan says while pouring out the rest of his coffee. "I'm going to look for a job today. I've come to the conclusion that psychology isn't for me. I want to do something that I'm passionate about."
"The last thing you should do is be in career where you're happy. What is it that you are passionate about?"
"Photography." His face is full of life as he speaks. Ethan's taken some brilliant photos in the past, ranging from candid shots to nature oriented. "The best part of it...my parents are behind me. When we got back from the movies last night, I went over to their house and told them. They're supporting my decision."
"I'm so happy that things within our family are getting better.", Kate sighs. "No family is perfect.", Kate adds.
"Sometimes the struggles are what strengthens families.", I say.
"You're so wise. If you think I'm not going to pressure you for details about your sleepover with Christian, think again. I'm mentally getting my list of questions ready."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
"Audrey, all I'm saying is I don't understand why someone would listen to songs so cheesy." I hit send on my email to the graphics department and look up to find Daniel trailing behind Audrey from the copy machine.
"There are two things you shouldn't insult me about, the first is the way I dress and the second is my taste in music. Do you hear me putting down what you listen to?"
"What's wrong with my music?"
"Nothing if you enjoy not being able to make out the words."
"If you listen to it long enough you'll be able to hear what it's saying."
"Uh no. If I listen to it long enough I'll be deaf.", she scoffs, walking away from him as Olivia comes from her office. "Olivia, what are your thoughts on us playing music in the office? It could be motivational while we work."
"Playing music might get you to work?", Olivia gasps jokingly. "Not threatening to send you to the unemployment line? I'm doing things all wrong."
"So that's a maybe?"
"I've already gone easy on all of you by not holding my Monday briefing. Don't make me regret it. Ana, can I have a word with you for a second?"
"Sure.", I answer. On the way into Olivia's office, I have a feeling the reason for her wanting to talk to me is somehow connected to Bryant being involved with the ad deal.
"How did the book fair go?"
"It went great. I was fortunate to meet many talented authors. Some of them have been in the industry for years while others are just getting started. There seems to be a sense of camaraderie among them. I overheard bestselling historical novelist Julian Masterson give advice to Gretchen Westmore who recently published her first novel in the historical genre."
"Julian Masterson? Wow, my father is a huge fan. He's read every piece of work by him countless times."
"I was actually surprised by how humble he is. Olivia, you didn't ask me in here just to find out about the book fair." She stops tapping the pen in her hand against the desk. "It's the advertising deal with McGregor."
"I got a call earlier from upstairs. Kurt McGregor informed them that Bryant's going to be spending some time with each department as a way to capture the "essence of the magazine." Apparently, both men feel they can better understand what they're helping to promote if they actually see it." My day has officially gone down the drain. "I tried to reason with them by telling them that he would be a distraction, but I got no where."
"When is he going to be here?", I ask.
"Wednesday. I was assured that his time would be limited, probably only an hour, if that. I feel terrible since I promised to keep him away from you."
"It's not your fault. A few years ago, Bryant was handling a deal with a soup company. He ate nothing but their soup for an entire week. It was to get him in the zone."
"If you'd like to work from home the rest of the day, I'll support you.", she says, but I wave off this suggestion.
"No. I won't let him control any aspect of my life, a life which is finally in a good place."
"Which leads me to the other reason I wanted to talk to you. I was online earlier and went on to the Seattle Nooz site which is I'm embarrassed to admit since most of the things on there is nothing but pure gossip. Let me show you what I saw." She begins typing in the web address and then turns the screen towards me. "This got my attention." Staring at me from the screen is the heading "Billionaire CEO Christian Grey and His New Love?" A small article follows stating that Christian is one of the country's most eligible bachelors, but those days may be over now that he's seeing a mystery brunette. While my name isn't mentioned, I'm sure it's just a matter of time before someone tips them off. The kicker of the article is the group of photos of me and Christian which were taken yesterday at the fun center. The top photo is one of us waiting at the concession stand, a second is of us holding hands, and the third of the trio is us kissing by the arcade.
"Shit.", I mutter. "I should have known given who he is that it was only a matter of time before word got out. Those photos are from yesterday. Who could have taken them?"
"Anyone looking to make some money.", Olivia answers. "You look great in them though."
"Thanks. I'm going to head back to my desk and call Christian to let him know."
"Are you ok? Did she give you detention?", Kate jokes after I've sat back down in my chair.
"Have you ever had a day that started out awesome but ended up taking a nosedive into the land of "what the fuck?"
"Many times. I take it you're having one of them now. The question is why?"
"Bryant's going to be here Wednesday to observe us as way of better understanding the magazine, and by being here, I mean he's going to be in this very office."
"Is this some sort of joke? Where are the hidden cameras?", she asks, turning her head in all directions.
"It's for real. Olivia broke it to me as gently as possible."
"Well, I guess we need to make his visit as miserable as possible. I'm thinking we could do the old bucket of water over the door trick?" I laugh and shake my head at the tempting prank. "No? Damn. Hmmm. Oh, we should get fish and duct tape."
"I don't think I want to know where you're going with that one. What we can do while he's here is work as usual. Ignore him.", I shrug.
"Fine.", she growls. "If he makes even one out of line remark, I'm going to mess his face up like he's a Mr. Potato Head."
"Noted." I'm about to tell her about the web article when my phone rings. "Hello."
"How's my girlfriend?", Christian asks in a soft voice.
"She's ok.", I murmur.
"Uh oh. What's wrong?"
"I just found out that Bryant's going to be sitting in while we work on Wednesday. It's his way of getting a better idea of what he's going to be helping. It's not an unusual tactic in advertising, but it's normally done with products such as food or cleaning supplies."
"The guy is looking for ways to be near you.", he hisses. "I could always buy the advertising firm." The phone almost falls out of my hand. "They'll initially claim not to be for sell, but with the right offer, I could own them."
"I don't doubt your ability in purchasing the company, but it's completely unneccessary. As I've told you, I can handle Bryant."
"I just don't like the idea of him deluding himself into thinking the two of you have a chance of being together again."
"Christian, he can think whatever he wants, but I know what I what I want. I want you, my boyfriend." Although I thought Kate was too busy concentrating on her work to hear me, her eyes widen as I refer to Christian as my boyfriend. "There's been one more developement today."
"The Seattle Nooz article.", he says.
"You've seen it?"
"Yes, and that's why I called you. Having my life on the display is nothing new but having a romance in the news is another story. I can handle the press. It's you that I'm worried about."
"It's going to take some time getting used to, but I'm not going to let them ruin what we have. I say bring it on."
"Ok. Bring it on.", he laughs. "Baby, I've got to get to a meeting, but I'll call you later."
"All right. Bye.", I tell him before hanging up.
"Boyfriend?", Kate asks.
"It happened yesterday."
"It's about damn time."