Chapter 10:
The morning fog greeted Ana as she stepped out onto her balcony with her morning tea. She sighed heavily. At one time the London fog used to soothe her wild emotions. She would find solace in the heavy earth-bound clouds as they hid her from view. She had always felt safe in London. Now, she felt lonely. Lost. Unsatisfied. Confused. Anastasia Rose Steele was homesick. She sat at her little bistro table and shook her head as the tears began. She cried into the morning, her tears adding moisture to the pea-soup fog. Even though she was more than successful in her job, even acquiring a very substantial raise and a new office at work, she was no longer excited about publishing. As much as she tried, she could not put a certain man out of her mind or the certain city he lived in. Many a time she would be in her office reading through manuscripts and researching the authors when the thought of the Seattle skyline at night would invade her thoughts. Every view from Escala had been beautiful no matter what time of day. Before she knew it, she would be researching job opportunities in Seattle. There were four publishing houses in Seattle however, none were hiring. She even searched in Portland but that was a no go. She would be going backward in her career with less pay. Ana sipped her tea and tried to get lost in the sounds of London waking up. Cars, double-decker buses, taxis and people rambling about for work overcame her thoughts of Seattle. Today would just be about London. She had the day off and she would spend it rediscovering London town.
She had just finished her public tour of Buckingham Palace and was about to catch a taxi when she heard someone yell her name. She turned to see her ex-fiancé waving at her. Ana caught her breath. Hank was still so damn handsome and exuded sexual appeal. She could see the surrounding ladies staring hotly at him!
"I thought it was you." He gave her a small peck on her cheek. "It's good to see you, Ana."
"It's good to see you, also." She gave him a smile. "All done with Superman II?"
"Yeah, it's in post-production." His hands were in his trouser pockets as he rocked back and forth on his feet. "I'll be going to South America for the next movie, I believe." He took another breath. "You look good."
"Thanks."
"You still at Bloomfield's?"
"Yes, I got a promotion with more pay and a nicer office."
"Good for you." He leaped forward when a taxi pulled in front of them. "Let me get that for you." He opened the door for her. "It's good to see you, Ana."
"You, too, Hank." She gave a gentle smile. "Thanks."
"Anytime, Precious." He closed the door for her after she got settled into the back of the taxi. They waved goodbye to each other, and Ana asked the driver to take her to her flat. The drive was slow due to late afternoon traffic, so she had time to think. Even though she still found Hank extremely attractive, that usual spark had faded. Of course she had been affected by his good looks, but she didn't feel anything remotely close to feeling distressed about seeing him. That was odd. She had been engaged to him. They had shared a bed and planned a future together. Shouldn't she feel bereft or something? She felt nothing! For the last few days, she had felt out of sorts and decided it was because she was missing Hank, but she knew now she was experiencing other emotions that had nothing to do with her ex-fiancé'. She already admitted that she was homesick for Seattle, but this was more. She was longing for Christian and her friends. She wanted to go home!
Two days later Ana was on her cellphone with Kate. She told her about her revelations which had Kate jumping up and down with glee.
"So, you are finally coming home?"
"As soon as I find a decent job. I've been looking into publishing houses in the Seattle area as well as employing a headhunter, but there's nothing."
"Did you try Grey Publishing?"
Silence. Crickets were chirping.
"Um, no, I didn't think that would be a good idea."
"You are so damn stubborn. You know Christian would make you CEO of the place."
"I don't want to be CEO." Ana replied. "Kate, I hate to do this, but could you talk to your folks about finding me a position at Kavanaugh Media?"
"Hold on." Kate put her phone next to her chest and was talking to someone. Ana could hear Kate's voice but couldn't make out any words. A few moments later, Kate was laughing. She was more than ecstatic! "Mom is here with me right now. She says to get your ass on a plane and come home. She has the perfect position for you as her PA."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Nope."
Ana couldn't stop the tears from falling. "Tell her thank you and that I accept. I must give Bloomfield my two-week notice and get packed. Kate, I'm coming home."
"I'll have your room ready for you. It will be like ole times, the Diabolical Duo rides again!"
Ana had to laugh. Kate's older brother had hung that moniker on them after they all had lived together during the girl's last year at college and they made him the butt of their pranks. "Don't give Ethan any warning."
"Not a chance." Kate laughed in return.
A month later, Ana was back in Seattle and working with Agnes Kavanaugh. The job paid the same as her stint with Bloomfield with full benefits. Her hours were a bit shorter since Agnes was adamant that she and her PAs were to be out of the office before six in the evening. She hardly had any work to take home, and Agnes wasn't the kind of employer to keep her PAs on 24-hour standby. Ana easily sold her flat in London and sent her belongings airfreight home to Seattle.
For the first time in her memory, Ana felt comfortable once again. The skyline of Seattle from their apartment was a heart soother. She was home! She reconnected with Ethan and even with Elliot and Mia. Grace was thrilled to have her back. Ana went back and forth about contacting Christian, even though she knew that he knew that she had returned. Knowing Elliot like she did, she figured that Christian was the first person that Elliot had told of her return. She quietly wondered why he didn't reach out to her. Did he return to his former lifestyle? Had he decided that she wasn't worth it anymore?
"Hey, Ana Fanna-Bo-Fan-Fanna, how ya doin'?" Elliot plopped down beside her on the sofa. His big muscle filled arm pulled her close for a brotherly hug. She slapped him away.
"You are such a doofus." She laughed. She rearranged her hair that he had messed up.
"So, Kate and I are going out tonight to a new club and should you go with us. It's Friday, let's have some fun."
Ana shook her head. "I don't think so. I hate being the third wheel."
"You won't be. I've arranged a blind date for you." He stopped her protesting with a wave of his big paw. "It will be fun, trust me."
"I don't think so." She gave him a side eye. "I'll stay home and watch reruns or something."
"Ok, fine, we all will stay home, and I'll have the guy come over."
"Elliot Grey, you will not!"
"Then go get all dolled up and be ready by seven." He got up off the sofa leaving Ana speechless and wondering when he became so dominant! He must be taking lessons from his little brother!
Elliot went down the hallway to Kate's room. His beautiful girlfriend sat on her bed looking anxious.
"Well?"
Elliot patted himself on the back. "No problem. Piece of cake. What woman can resist the Elliot Grey magnetic charm?"
Kate rolled her eyes and let the laughter roll!
