What Love Gave Us

by

Ava LeBeau

Fifteen

It's now or never - Come, hold me tight -

Kiss me, my darling - Be mine tonight -

Tomorrow will be too late - It's now or never -

My love won't wait,

the singer belted out as Christian reached the threshold of the ballroom doors. He was positive that they would've danced to the song had it not been for the announcement of his father. A revelation that had the potential to shatter her trust in him forever.

The night air was cool and crisp as Anastasia stormed out onto the front porch of the Greys' mansion, her heart pounding with a sickening blend of anger and hurt.

Christian followed her outside, frustration and desperation etched across his features. His voice caught in his throat as he called out her name.

"Anastasia," he breathed, his tone grave with urgency and regret. "Please… wait."

She turned to face him, her eyes blazing with a mix of emotions that mirrored his own turmoil. In this moment of exquisite tension and raw vulnerability, Christian Grey found himself teetering on the edge of a precipice - unsure if he would fall into darkness or find redemption in Anastasia's tormented gaze.

"Ana, please, let me explain," he pleaded, reaching out to touch her arm. The truth weighed heavily on his heart, but the gravity of his father's orders loomed even larger, a heavy burden that threatened to crush him from within.

Anastasia jerked away from his touch, her eyes glinting. "Explain what, Christian? That you're leaving me behind to run off with Lily?" she spat, her voice laced with bitterness.

"It's not like that, Ana," Christian's jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right words, his voice faltering.

"Alright, Ana, I… there's something I need to tell you," Christian began. "I never wanted any of this… leaving for New York, presiding over the charity. It's not what I want."

Anastasia's brow furrowed in confusion at his words.

"Then why are you doing it, Christian? Why are you leaving me behind?" she asked, her voice harsh with a jumble of frustration and hurt.

Christian hesitated, the anxiety churning inside him threatening to spill over. "It's… complicated," he finally managed to say, his gaze flickering away from hers.

Anastasia's eyes narrowed as she studied him intently.

"Complicated how? What aren't you telling me?" she pressed, her tone growing more insistent.

Christian felt a knot form in his stomach as he struggled to keep the truth at bay. He couldn't bear to see the disappointment in Anastasia's eyes. "I… I can't explain it right now, Ana," he stammered, his voice thin with desperation. "But please believe me when I say that it's not because of Lily or something like that."

Anastasia scoffed, crossing her arms defensively. "Oh, spare me the excuses, Christian. You always seem to be putting everyone else's needs before mine. Do you even care about how this affects me?"

Christian's eyes softened as he took a careful step closer to her, reaching out again. "Of course I care about you, Ana. You mean a lot to me," he insisted.

Anastasia shook her head in disbelief. "If I mean that much to you, then why didn't you tell me about this sooner? Why did I have to find out from someone else tonight?"

Christian ran a rough hand through his hair in frustration. "I wanted to tell you, Ana. I just… we got held up and… I didn't know how," he admitted, his voice heavy with regret.

Anastasia lifted an eyebrow and her eyes narrowed as she studied his features. "Is that really the truth, Christian? Or are you just playing one of your stupid mind games with me?" she challenged, her tone cutting like a knife. "Newsflash: if you're tryin' to hurt me, you're doing really well, Christian. And I know that… in the end… you'll succeed."

Christian's face fell at her accusation. "No, Ana, I swear it's not like that," he raised his hands in protest. "I care a lot for you - more than ever."

Anastasia's resolve wavered at his words, but she couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that lingered in her heart.

"I want to believe you, Christian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, quivering under the pressure as a wave of conflicting emotions was washing over her. "But how can I trust you if you can't be honest with me about what's going on? I need to know the truth, and not just what you think I can handle. I need all of it."

Christian felt a pang of guilt pierce through him at her words. He knew that keeping the truth from her was tearing them apart - but he also knew that revealing it would only cause more pain and confusion. As he looked into Anastasia's eyes, filled with a blend of love and uncertainty, he made a silent vow to himself: to protect her from the darkness that lurked within his own family, no matter the cost.

"So, tell me how," she urged, but Christian only shook his head and shoved his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, bowing his head slightly to avoid those ocean blue eyes that seemed to be able to look right through him.

"Just say… something," she pleaded, "I… I don't wanna be just friends, Christian," her voice sounded choked up all of a sudden while her words set off a sudden panic that clawed its way up Christian's throat.

Unspoken fears and doubts hung in the air like a dark cloud.

"Okay. Bye," her eyes welled up when Anastasia turned to leave, relinquishing her spot under the protecting porch roof, her heels clicking angrily against the pavement.

Christian hurried after her, his heart pounding with a mélange of anxiety and desperation.

"Ana, wait! Please," he called out, reaching for her arm.

But before Christian could stop her, a familiar voice cut through the irritation.

"Hey, Ana, need a ride?"

Ethan, Kate's brother, appeared at Anastasia's side, offering her a sympathetic smile. Ana turned to face him, her expression a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "Ethan, thank you," she said softly, her eyes flickering with disappointment as she glanced back at Christian.

Christian's jaw clenched in frustration as he watched Ethan offer to drive Anastasia home.

The paparazzi scrambling outside the venue would surely have a field day with this turn of events.

"Ana, please," Christian pleaded with sudden urgency. "Don't go with him. Let me take you home."

For a moment, Anastasia hesitated, torn between her anger towards Christian and the familiarity of Ethan's comforting presence. "I think I'll take Ethan up on his offer," she said finally, her tone firm but tinged with sadness.

Christian felt a twinge of hurt pierce through him at her decision. He knew he had let her down once again - and this time, it might be too late to make things right. Swallowing his pride, he forced himself to remain calm despite the turmoil raging inside him.

Ethan stepped forward, offering Anastasia his arm. "Let's get out of here," he said gently, casting a pointed glance at Christian before leading Anastasia towards his car.

In that moment of defeat and regret, Christian stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenched as he watched Anastasia leave with fucking Ethan.

He knew that he had lost more than just Anastasia's trust - he had lost a piece of himself that he feared he might never get back. And as he stood alone in the harsh glare of the paparazzi's cameras, his heart heavy with remorse and longing, he made a silent vow to fight for Anastasia's forgiveness no matter what it took.

Christian felt a strong hand on his shoulder, the grip both steadying as well as holding him back from running right after her.

"Sir."

His eyes blazed with intensity as he tried to shrug off Taylor, his desperation palpable in every movement. "I have to go after her," he insisted, urgency and raw emotion resonating in his voice.

"Mr. Grey, you can't go after them," Jason Taylor stated calmly as he tried to reason with the youngest Grey. "Let us handle this."

Another member of the security detail joined the two men. Sensing the rising tension in Christian, Taylor and his colleague exchanged a glance before Taylor placed a reassuring hand on Christian's arm, his touch firm yet gentle. With a sense of constraint and understanding in his eyes, Jason Taylor spoke with determination. "We need to handle the paparazzi first. Let us take care of it while you gather your thoughts, Sir."

Reluctantly, Christian relented, his chest heaving with the effort to compose himself. He knew that Taylor and his team were right - dealing with the paparazzi was crucial in protecting Anastasia.

But it wasn't just about protecting Anastasia; it was also about safeguarding Christian's own reputation and privacy in the face of ruthless media scrutiny. He knew he had to tread carefully to avoid any further scandal and that allowing his feelings to dictate his actions could have dire consequences for both himself and Anastasia.

As one of the security detail led Christian back into the house, guiding him away from the chaos of the ballroom and towards a quieter area, Christian's mind raced with thoughts of Anastasia and Ethan. The weight of their departure hung heavy on him, a knot of uncertainty tightening in his chest.

Once inside the house, away from prying eyes and flashing cameras, Christian took a moment to compose himself. His hands trembled slightly as he raked his fingers through his hair, trying to quell the gales of emotions raging within him.

Ethan's features hardened with defiance and determination, his eyes fixed on the crowd in front of them as he steered his car gingerly past the throng of paparazzi waiting outside the venue, flashes of cameras illuminated the inside of his car like fireworks.

Anastasia had pulled the tuxedo jacket he'd draped over her shoulders tighter around herself as if it were an armor. It was a futile attempt to shield herself from the piercing glances and blinding flashes. When one of the paparazzi knocked at the window to catch her attention she gasped and lowered her head to avoid his stare.

Soon enough they'd left behind the Greys' mansion and darkness engulfed them, save for the instruments on the car's dashboard that cast an eerie light. Ana blinked back at her faint reflection in the window, there was that stinging feeling in her throat again, choking her up while Ethan turned the radio on.

I know that there's a chance -

You won't be leaving with me -

…

And then I go and spoil it all -

By saying somethin' stupid like, "I love you"

…

And though it's just a line to you -

For me it's true-

And never seemed so right before…

Scraps of melody carried over from the ballroom while Christian's frustration boiled, his jaw clenched and his hands trembling with pent-up anger. The burden of his father's orders, the rift with Anastasia, and the prying eyes of the paparazzi had all taken their toll on him, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Ignoring the curious glances of the guests milling about, Christian made a beeline for the mansion's private sitting room.

Once inside, he slammed the door shut, the sound echoing through the opulent space like a thunderclap. The soft glow of the crystal chandelier cast a warm, golden light over the room, illuminating the rich mahogany furnishings and plush velvet draperies that adorned the space. He strode over to the bar, his movements sharp and purposeful, his reflection shimmering in the polished mirror as he poured himself a generous measure of Scotch into a crystal tumbler.

For a moment he stared at himself in the mirror, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo for the ball that evening, for her. The crisp white shirt beneath his jacket was impeccably tailored, the black bow tie perfectly knotted at his throat. Every detail of his attire spoke of wealth and privilege, a stark contrast to the mayhem that churned within him.

As he lifted the glass to his lips, the amber liquid glinted in the dim light, swirling gently as he took a slow sip. The smoky aroma of peat and oak filled his senses, warming him from the inside out as he savored the burn that seared down his throat.

With each swallow, Christian felt a sense of calm wash over him - a fleeting respite from the chaos that rampaged within his heart. The memories of Ana lingered in his mind like wisps of smoke, haunting him with their bittersweet allure. Their relationship had been a tumultuous choreography of passion and pain, desire and despair - a delicate balance that teetered on the edge of destruction.

As he set down the glass on the polished bar top, Christian's gaze drifted to the flickering flames of the fireplace, their dancing light casting shadows across the room. The crackling fire offered a hypnotic distraction from his thoughts, its warmth a comforting embrace in a world that felt increasingly cold and unforgiving, a world that seemed to be crumbling around him.

Chagrin and anxiety surged up inside of him as he paced the room, full of restless energy, his footsteps echoing off the polished marble floors. With each turn, his fingers tugged at the knot of his bow tie, loosening it until it hung limply around his neck, the gesture a physical manifestation of his inner pandemonium, a desperate attempt to release the tension that snaked its way right through him.

But even as he tried to lose himself in the quiet solitude of the sitting room, Christian knew that there was no escape from the truth that gnawed at him relentlessly. His relationship with Ana was a tangled web of longing and insecurities, a fragile thread that threatened to unravel at any moment.

As he reached the far end of the room, Christian raked his fingers across his scalp, tugging at the dark locks in a gesture of frustration and attempted relaxation. The strands fell back into place with a soft whisper, but the sense of unease that gripped him remained unyielding.

The Scotch in his glass had long since been drained, leaving only the faint scent of alcohol lingering in the air. Christian poured himself another drink and took a long sip, each swallow dulling the sharp edges of his emotions but doing little to ease the ache in his chest.

Christian's pacing slowed as he sank back into one of the plush armchairs. The weight of his father's expectations bore down on him like a suffocating blanket, suffusing him with a sense of helplessness and resentment. And Anastasia's disappointed expression haunted him, her words echoing in his mind like a relentless refrain. He knew he had let her down once again - and this time, it felt like there might be no coming back from it. The thought of losing her tore at his heart with a ferocity that left him breathless.

Christian took another sip of Scotch and closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. He felt adrift in a sea of uncertainty and regret, unsure of how to navigate the storm that raged within him.

And as he sat alone in the opulent setting of his family's mansion, surrounded by luxury but consumed by emptiness, Christian knew that he had reached a crossroads from which there might be no turning back. Torn between duty and desire, loyalty and love. And he knew that whatever path he chose would irrevocably alter the course of his life. Strain coiled tightly in his muscles, aching for release but finding none as he grappled with guilt, anger, and longing in equal measure.

The mass of unresolved obstacles bore down on him like a heavy burden, urging him to make a choice - to fight for love or let it slip through his fingers like grains of sand.

"Christian," the door creaked open and Mia entered the room. Her ball gown made a faint rustling noise when she crouched down beside him, taking his hand in hers.

"What's wrong? You look so upset."

Christian turned to look at his sister, his eyes clouded with anguish. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions that he was struggling to calm down inside of him.

"It's… it's nothing, Mia. Just some family matters," he pressed forth.

Mia squeezed his hand gently, her eyes filled with concern.

"Is it Dad?" her voice trembled a little. "I know you two have been at odds lately, but we both know how he can be. But can't you try to forgive him? Please," she pleaded. "We both know how much he loves you and needs you."

Her fingers traced soothing circles on the back of his hand. "We'll figure it out together, Christian. We always do," she said, looking up at him.

As Mia knelt beside him, her hand clasping his, Christian felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He couldn't bear to see the worry etched on her face, the concern in her eyes as she pleaded for peace within the family. But deep down, he knew that forgiveness was not something he could offer his father at that moment. And while he wasn't blood-related to Carrick he was still no less stubborn than the Grey family's patriarch.

Like father, like son.

He set down the tumbler on the coffee table beside the armchair before he reached up to cup her cheek in his free hand, his thumb gently brushing across her jaw.

"I'll try, Mia," Christian forced a small smile, hoping to ease her fears. "I'll do my best to make things right with Father."

Mia's eyes brightened with relief, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Christian. I know you can do it. We're stronger together."

Christian nodded, his heart leaden with his unspoken truth. But he couldn't bring himself to shatter Mia's hope and optimism by revealing the depth of his anger and resentment towards their father. She deserved to hold onto that belief in family unity, even if he couldn't share it.

Mia squeezed his hand once more before rising to her feet. Christian watched his younger sister leave the room, sad at heart. The silence that settled in its wake was deafening, a stark reminder of the rift that had formed between him and his father - a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge.

Feeling abandoned and isolated in the lavish sitting room, Christian closed his eyes and let out a weary sigh. Struggling with the unspoken truth that was suffocating him with its intensity, he knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and difficult decisions.

But for now, he would keep up appearances for Mia's sake, shielding her from all that seethed inside of him while he was silently wrestling with the demons that threatened to consume him whole.

"Daily Celeb Exclusive: Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey - Dramatic Fallout at Charity Ball

The glitz and glamor of the Grey family's annual Charity Ball turned into a scene straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster last night as Seattle's top lawyer Carrick Grey's youngest son Christian and a mystery brunette, who Daily Celeb has identified as Anastasia Steele by now, found themselves at the center of a heated confrontation that left onlookers gasping in shock.

Eyewitnesses report that tensions between the duo reached a boiling point outside the venue, with the captivating beauty, who happens to be a trainee at Seattle's S.I.P., storming off in a fit of rage, leaving 26-year-old Christian, who is usually rather private about his personal life, standing alone in disbelief. But that's not all - who was by her side as she made her dramatic exit? None other than Ethan Kavanagh, brother to Katherine Kavanagh, who is newly engaged to Christian's older brother Elliot. Adding fuel to the fire, Lily Van Houten, rumored to be romantically linked to Christian, was also in attendance.

Grey, who tried really hard not to be photographed while out, was seen being ushered back inside by security detail. …"

A/N: Thank you for all your lovely and encouraging reviews, your favs and follows. Your support and feedback really keep me going. Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out. I apologize for the delay in updating due to work-related matters that came up unexpectedly and hope you enjoyed the new chapter. As always, I'm looking forward to hearing from you. x