What Love Gave Us
by
Ava LeBeau
Five
"Elliot and Kate are really cute together. I want what they have…"
"You do? As in couples goals?" Christian arched an eyebrow, his hand on the passenger seat's headrest as he turned to look behind him in order to reverse the car.
"Maybe," Lily chuckled.
"Well, he's smooth, knows when to say the right thing and what's the right thing to say, he's good at playing house, being all romantic…," Christian's voice trailed off and he let out a mirthless laugh.
"You make it sound like it's a ruse, nothing but a facade. That's so mean, Christian. I'm sure he's going to ask her to marry him."
Christian could feel her eyes on him but acted as if he hadn't noticed.
"Well, I'm sure that's what my parents would like him to do. He's doing good business. So getting hitched seems to be the next logical step?"
"No need to get all grumpy and defensive," Lily teased.
"I'm not grumpy," Christian licked his lips, he really didn't like the conversational tangent they'd got lost on.
"There's nothing wrong with getting married young, Christian."
"No, not at all," he shrugged, glancing at her.
"But?"
Lily knew him just too well.
After all they'd known each other since they were children, their parents good friends long before they had kids. They'd moved in the same social circles, their children had gone to the same schools, save for Christian, who'd been expelled more than once. But their friendship had never waned. Lily had always been there. And like an older sister she'd always challenged him, teased him, been there for him when the going got rough.
"But… I still believe that it's a man's first and foremost purpose to provide stability and prosperity for his family. So, while starting a family may be important, I really believe a man's got to see to that first," he said firmly.
"While it's a woman's sole purpose to love and stand by her man? That's deep, Christian. And so… traditional."
"Mhmm," a crease appeared between Christian eyebrows and he was still anything but happy with the direction their discussion was headed.
"Well, your father owns the company, Christian. You can do whatever you like."
"I'd rather not be dependent like this, Lily," and he'd rather they just talked about something else. "As for the woman… I'd like for her to have a career of her own, if that's what she desires. I would want her to be happy."
He was staring straight ahead, waiting for Lily to mock him but she said nothing of that kind.
"Your father mentioned that your business idea is rather ambitious," from the corner of his eye he could see that she was pursing her lips.
"Less ambitious ideas tend to tank. I prefer to aim high… and that's the only way a start-up gains traction."
"Well, fair enough."
"Anyway, why the hell is he discussing my business concepts with you?" he furrowed his brow, looking at her.
Lily raised her eyebrows, "Well, it might have slipped your mind, Christian, but I happen to have a business degree and perhaps he wanted to hear my take on all this?"
"Glad to hear that you guys are all getting so invested in my business models behind my back. I just wish my father would be as invested when it comes to any financial involvement," his voice had adopted a challenging tone.
"I really like your concept, I think it's viable."
"Well, thank you for your assessment, Lily," he said flatly.
"Why are you getting so defensive, Christian? We could've talked it through."
"Lily, I—"
"You know, Christian, it's okay to be vulnerable sometimes."
His mouth set in a hard line, Christian nodded and stopped the car in front of the apartment building.
"You could stay…," Lily said and took his hand to give it a soft squeeze.
"I'd rather not, but thank you, Lily."
"You're not with someone, are you?"
"What? No."
"I mean we're not dating right now. You have every right to—"
"I said I'm not seeing anyone," Christian cut in.
"Okay," Lily arched her eyebrow again, "Thank you for the ride, Christian."
"Well, thank you, too, Lily. Mother was so pleased to see you again. I'll call you. Okay?"
"You know him?" Jack glared at her, rubbing the back of his neck. "You should've told me, Ana. I can't believe it's been almost four days that he's here and you just haven't told me. What's wrong with you?"
"I-I'm really sorry, Jack," Anastasia chewed on her lip, her gaze following him when he started pacing his office.
"Why haven't you told me?"
"Jack, I–"
"Yes?"
"I wasn't sure if that'd change anything for us… for you, actually."
"Whatever the fuck that means," he grumbled, stopping in front of one of the windows.
"My boss appoints me Grey's person of contact. My trainee lets me walk right into a trap. Great, just great."
"Jack, I did not let you walk into a trap. I mean… Trap? What do you even mean by that?"
"You're siding with him, right?"
"What?" Anastasia's eyes grew wide and darted towards him.
She hadn't seen Christian Grey in months.
And while a part of her would have loved to, she hadn't talked with him ever since that night in the garage during the party at Kate's house. But then again, love was a strong word, no?
She was anything but siding with Christian Grey who had shown up at S. I. P. out of nowhere, eliciting the most ridiculous attitudes from Jack.
And all Jack would do was accuse her of not being loyal?
"The way he looked at you. Are you with him?"
"What? No." His accusations were outrageous, but there was no denying that her insides clenched the moment the words had left Jack's lips.
Being with him, Christian… out of the question, right? She started chewing on her lip but tried to remain outwardly calm.
But then Jack turned to look at her, provoking another confirming, "No," from her just by the look on his face. Anastasia struggled to keep her voice from shaking.
"How dare you even question my loyalty, Jack? What makes you even think–"
When his face turned crimson, she bit her lower lip again, staring down at her shoes for a moment before she looked back up at him.
A corner of his mouth lifted, his chin high, he shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, that gleam of trouble in his eyes. Anastasia tilted her head, still watching him, wondering what he was up to.
"We're gonna make good use of your connections…," his voice trailed off and his wry grin widened.
"What? How?"
"Just wait, Ana. Just. Wait," he walked over to the office door and opened it. Anastasia knew that it was time for her to leave him to his thoughts and strategics, "but keep in mind that if you play with fire, you might get burned… Now get me the Fisher dossier, please."
Anastasia nodded quietly and left the room without looking at him again, anything but happy to most certainly be caught in the midst of Jack's scheming.
The way he looked at you…
Her heart skipped a beat at the very thought. She hadn't even noticed, she'd been way too surprised to see him again, this time all dressed up in a tailored suit, gray tie and all.
Deep in thought Anastasia returned to her desk. Hannah was nowhere to be seen but it was almost noon and Ana was sure that she was out to grab lunch or preparing it in the kitchen.
Anastasia hurried to knock together the requested dossier to get it to Jack and go on lunch break, too.
Anything to get away from Jack and his scheming.
Anything to get away from all this.
When she entered the kitchen, Hannah and Jerry's assistant, Jennifer, were indeed preparing their lunches. Both were talking about the holidays, gift shopping for their significant other and the upcoming office Christmas party.
"There you are," Anastasia said and put on the kettle to make herself a cup of tea.
"Is Jack still mad at you?" Hannah asked, her gaze following Anastasia who tried to act relaxed.
"I… uhm… am not sure. You know how he can be," Ana said and poured the boiling water into her mug, avoiding Hannah's gaze.
"Well, Jerry and that Mr. Grey are driving him insane," Jennifer chuckled.
"Oh?" Ana said and took a sip from her tea, glancing at Hannah who merely shrugged.
"He was fuming when he left Jerry's office the other day, I really wonder what he asked of him," Jennifer had lowered her voice, glancing around, "And you should've been there for their first meeting, all in the middle of my office," Jennifer said, letting out a dramatic sigh.
"The whole scene was like… an awkward mix of stare down, powerplay and exchanging niceties. But you could tell that they hate each other's guts. Gosh, it was rather unpleasant to watch but also so intimidating. I mean, do you know that feeling when there's something terrible happening and you know you shouldn't look but you do it anyway? It was exactly like that." Jennifer let out another sigh and Hannah stared at Anastasia.
"I was just waiting for them to beat each other up right in front of Jerry," Jennifer laughed and Anastasia drew her bottom lip between her teeth.
"You should've seen Jack… he tried to step away from Mister Grey, but he wouldn't let go of his hand," Jennifer, who'd never been the biggest fan of Jack, laughed again, dressing her salad with oil and vinegar.
"Apparently Jerry wants Mr. Grey to consult him if he has any questions," Hannah said, "And Jack seems to hate it," she chuckled.
"I guess that's why he's mad at me," Ana said.
"No, because you know him…," Hannah grinned.
"Him?" Jennifer said, glancing curiously at Anastasia.
"Mr. Grey," Hannah said casually.
"You know him?" Jennifer stared at Ana, who nodded slowly. "Oh my God, he's so hot."
"Well, I think knowing him is a bit strong. Let's just say we've met before," she said quietly and took another sip of tea, "Or better yet, let's just say we happen to have mutual acquaintances. Sounds fancy, eh?"
Better not tell her that she'd spent a night with her head resting against his broad shoulder, enveloped in what you could call a rather possessive embrace.
Anastasia's mind started wandering, back to that night and the following morning, he'd been different, definitely not the suave businessman but rather boyish, cute even… and, Jennifer had a point there, hot in all kinds of ways.
It was his voice that dragged her out of her thoughts, making Anastasia nearly choke on the mouthful of tea.
"Mister Grey," Jennifer gasped and stood, her cheeks turning scarlet, "Can I get you something, sir? Coffee perhaps?"
"Thank you, I'm fine, Jennifer," Christian said and sauntered into the kitchen, holding a brown paper lunch bag in his right hand, a wry grin plastered across his chiseled features, making Anastasia wonder if he'd overheard their whole conversation.
"May I?" he nodded towards the free chair next to Ana. Whoops, her heart had skipped a beat again.
"Mhh, yes," Anastasia mumbled, side-glancing at him while, and against her will, her whole face lit up.
The jacket and gray tie were gone and he had rolled up his sleeves. She returned his smile when Christian sat down beside her, setting down the paper bag on the table in front of him, opening it.
Hannah and Jennifer eyed him curiously, their bosses never joined them during lunch break but went out for lunch most days instead.
Always the straightforward one, Hannah asked, "How long are you going to stay at S. I. P., sir?"
Christian had pulled a rather fancy looking sandwich out of the bag and was just about to take a bite.
"Mhh, four weeks, maybe six."
"Okay, so you're going to be here over the holidays?" Hannah glanced at Ana, who arched an eyebrow before she looked down at the tea mug in her hands, her thumbs brushing over the handle again and again.
Chewing, he nodded his head, reaching for one of the paper napkins to dab at the corner of his mouth before he said, "Mhmm, yes."
"Well, then you really have to come to our Christmas party," Jennifer cut in, "Even though we don't have proper decorations this year."
"Why's that?" Christian mumbled, inspecting the opulent filling of his sandwich.
"The deco thing?" Jennifer said, blushing a little, probably wondering if she'd already said too much, "Well, Mr. Roach insisted on not having any decorations this year. Financial reasons, I suppose."
"I see," Christian said and glanced at Anastasia, his face impassive for a moment before he winked at her.
Jennifer looked down at her plate, finishing her salad before she rose and said, "I'd better get back to work. See you later."
"Not hungry?" Christian inquired, still looking at Anastasia. Surely, the fact that she hadn't even had breakfast today was causing that tingling feeling in her stomach?
"I… uhm… was in a hurry and don't have—"
"Want some?" he nodded his chin towards the other half of his sandwich.
"That's really kind of you, Christian, but I don't think…"
"That it is appropriate?" he tilted his head a little and grinned playfully.
Anastasia chuckled. He'd remembered, and the fact made her feel drunk with a sudden happiness.
Hannah cleared her throat and said, "Jack's probably already waiting, too. I'll see you guys later." With that, she was gone, but Anastasia was too busy looking at Christian, allowing her gaze to take in his features while he ripped off a part of the sandwich's wrapping paper.
"Come on, you can't leave me sitting here, eating all alone," Christian said and tilted his head again, holding out the other half of his sandwich.
"No, thanks," Ana said and shook her head.
"I insist…," Christian nodded firmly, "You need to eat, Anastasia."
"Okay," Ana said and took a careful bite of the sandwich, the scrumptious combination of fillings bringing about a small smile.
Rosemary mayo and prosciutto, her favorite.
And just when she wondered if he could make her heart skip yet another beat, Christian said casually, "You never called and, to be honest, I was really hoping you would."
His gray gaze was boring into her just like it had back then in the garage. Again and again, unnerving and enticing at the same time.
Anastasia felt that tingling sensation again, it really was time for more of that sandwich, but first, "Well, it seemed you were rather busy, Christian," taking another bite, her gaze was meeting his, "and that was when I wasn't really sure about your intentions anymore."
"What do you mean?" he cleared his throat, those silvery eyes were flickering feverishly for a moment, but he was quick to avert his gaze. Ana could tell that his jaw was tightening.
"It was all over the tabloids, the eligible bachelor… dating almost nonstop. It was really kinda difficult to keep up," she said and shrugged, glancing at him while a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"What? Ah, this," he frowned and Anastasia wondered if the slightest hint of pink had just crept up his neck, tingeing his cheeks.
There'd been several articles over the summer about him going out with all kinds of women and the tabloids had predestined almost every single one of them as his alleged fiancée only to report weeks later that, sadly, they'd split up and then the whole thing started once again, this time with another prospect.
"Mhmm," she nodded, holding his graphite gaze.
"Well, I don't know what to say, it's—," Christian cleared his throat again, obviously careful to choose the right words. He looked down at his hands, a strand of hair had fallen into his face.
Ana fought against the sudden urge to reach up and stroke it back gently, just like she had back then in the garage.
"Then just don't, Christian," Anastasia smiled loftily and for a moment all the color seemed to have drained from his face.
"Anyway, thank you for the sandwich, it's really delicious," she licked her lips.
"Glad you like it," he'd recovered quickly and smiled.
"Is that rosemary mayo?"
"Mhmm, my favorite," he smiled again.
"Anyway," the tone of his voice was now cold and business-like and there was nothing playful about his approach, "... tell me more about S. I. P., Ana. Regarding future projects… on what facts are decisions based here?" Christian took another bite from his half of the sandwich, side-glancing at her.
Anastasia's insides clenched, and not in a good way. What was he trying here?
"I'm afraid I'm not sure I'm authorized to give you any such information, Christian. I'm only a trainee."
"I see."
"Why are you asking?"
"Uh, no particular reason," he gave a half-shrug, "I was just wondering. But I suppose they're practicing an authoritarian leadership style here, then. Do you like it here?"
"Of course I do," she pressed her lips together.
"Great… Are you off for the holidays?" with pinpoint precision Christian returned his attention to the remainder of his lunch, slightly bowing his head when he took another bite from the sandwich that was now slowly falling apart.
"What?" Anastasia's eyes darted to him but he didn't look up at her.
"Uhm, no," she reached for one of the napkins and Christian pushed them towards her.
"You?"
"Of course not."
"Of course," she rolled her eyes, so, Mister Fancy Pants would be on duty between Christmas and New Year.
Kate had mentioned them spending some time away from Seattle and she'd suspected that Christian might join them wherever the rich and beautiful were congregating for the holidays. If she recalled it right, Kate had even mentioned some house in the mountains that Elliot's and his parents owned.
Anastasia let her gaze wander over his features while he seemed to devote himself to his dessert, chocolate cake to be more precise.
"Wanna try?" he asked, his smile so adorable that it made her grin.
"No, thanks," Ana raised her hand.
"Okay," he shrugged and moved on to greedily wolf down the small square of tarte au chocolat.
"Ana?" Jack appeared in the doorway, his expression hardened when he spotted Grey, "You got a sec? We need to talk."
Boredly, yet with narrowing eyes, Christian stared at Jack, who'd already turned to leave and was now out of earshot, and said, "He's not giving you a hard time because I said I know you?"
"No," Anastasia shook her head, "Not at all," she wondered if Christian could see right through her, but lied anyway. She reached for the paper bag and their used napkins as well as the wrapping paper and grabbed it all to toss it into the bin.
"Can we talk later?"
"Maybe," she said and smiled, "Thank you for the sandwich, Christian."
"Don't mention it," he rose when she walked out of the kitchen.
A/N: Thank you for reading my latest chapter and all your kind reviews.
