03/25/21

I'm so happy you loved the last chapter just as much as I had fun writing it. Let's see what Ana thinks of her shenanigans from the night before.

CHAPTER EIGHT - Necrophilia isn't my thing

APOV

I wake with a start and immediately groan at the stream of light coming through the slightly open curtains to my left. Rubbing my eyes I open them and blink, trying to take calm breaths and somehow cleanse my insides from the toxic assault of the alcohol I imbibed last night.

LAST NIGHT?

FUCK! What happened?

I jolt up and my head swims from the whiplash. That really hurt. Now I know what Springsteen meant by freight train running through my head. Looking around, I notice that this is so not the room Jose would've booked. It's too fancy. Why book me a room like this if you were going to ditch me and throw away our 7 years together?

On the side table to my right, I notice a glass of orange juice and two pills which I assume are pain medication with small place cards with the words eat me and drink me written in script.

I guess this hotel is fancy. I'll give them a five-star yelp rating for sure. Every good review helps. Working in the service industry has taught me that.

But what did I do to deserve such fancy treatment? I ponder over the question as I indulge in the chilled orange juice and pills. The cool liquid feels incredible as it travels down my esophagus to my stomach. I close my eyes and savor the feeling.

I hear the beep and click of a door opening and see a man walk in wearing workout gear. He's sweating and I swallow at the visual, pulling up my duvet and for the first time noticing that I'm wearing a towel robe and I'm still wearing my lingerie.

Oh crap, what the hell kind of shit did you pull Ana? It slowly starts coming back to me but then I'm immediately brought out of my trip down memory lane.

"Good morning, Anastasia." he smiles, knowingly… like he has a secret. Were you a dirty little secret last night, Ana?

"Uh…" He has a name... and I quickly try to piece together the night before. His eyes are grey and striking even from a distance, hell, his entire existence is beautiful. "You are, Chris–"

"Christian." He completes my struggling sentence, eyeing me curiously and then takes a seat at the small couch in the room that has different plates of what I assume is food. He lifts the lids and looks through them, finally making a small plate. It smells really good and I feel my stomach wake up but I'm also quite distracted and mesmerized by this man.

"How are you feeling, Anastasia?" The way he says my name is really nice, no it's hot but I still feel like I'm scolded.

"A little confused." I gulp and pull my robe tighter. "What exactly happened last night?"

"You don't remember?" He looks up and slowly his lips curl up into a smile. Oh fuck, oh fuck… YOU WERE A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET.

"W-We didn't––right? I mean… if I was asleep or..." I close my eyes and wiggle a slight bit, I'm totally wearing panties and I don't feel anything that would indicate I had sex.

"No, Anastasia we didn't. Necrophilia isn't my thing." He replies. "Consent is far more fun." He adds playfully.

"You took my clothes off?"

"No, you did. Quite enthusiastically, I might add." His gaze is too intense to hold but his voice is light with humor. Oh fuck me, I look down, willing to burn myself to ash in flaming embarrassment. Good job, Ana. Gave a complete but hot looking stranger a strip show.

Maybe if you'd done some of that shit with Jose he wouldn't have fucked around.

"What about you, where did you sleep?" I ask. He's spreading butter on to some toast and points with the knife to the space beside me. My eyes widen a little. He slept next to me? I'm like the worst kind of person to sleep next to. Jose always complained that I cuddled too much and talked in my sleep. Great, not only did I get shitfaced but god knows what I said or did to this man in my sleep.

"It was a novelty for me too," he muses and gets up, walking towards me and I instinctively lean back a little. He takes a seat right in front of me on the bed and I pull my legs up. I'm confused by his statement but I'm already in a haze of confusion from earlier to try and decipher it. I'm also too engrossed in the enigma of the man in front of me whose existence is overwhelmingly arresting for some reason. Not to mention the clusterfuck that is my life as of yesterday.

One disaster at a time, Ana. Pace yourself.

"You really think I'm going to hurt you? I was just bringing you some food." He says softly but again, he's teasing and holding up the plate that has two slices of toast; one with butter and the other with jam.

"N-no," I reply. "I j-just…" I look down to my hands trying to search for my words. "Did I do anything, uh… you know, I mean, I'm sorry if I said anything unsavory or did something inappropriate. I usually don't drink at all but yesterday I had a really bad day and…" I bite my lip as the memories of standing at the altar and what Jose did come rushing back again.

"You were quite the lady, drunk out of your mind but still a lady." He assures and tries to hand me the plate again which I accept gratefully before taking a bite of the buttered toast. Pieces of the night start to come to me and I remember getting stuck in the elevator and eating food and I slightly shudder at a small memory of wailing about groupon. God knows just how much I overshared with him.

"You're more than welcome to stay here for another day if you'd like. I had some clothes brought up for you since all you had was your dress." He offers.

"Oh, no thank you. I'll be fine. I'll just message my friend and she can bring me something. You didn't have to." I ramble on. "I-I.. um.… please let me know how I can repay you and… I'm starting a new job next week and I'll pay you as soon as I get my paycheck."

Show him you have manners and maybe, just maybe he won't sue your ass.

"No need." He replies. "Just promise me you won't get drunk like that again because if you do, trust me I'll know and I'll make sure you aren't able to sit for a week."

I blanche at the implication and try to figure out a reply. He's joking, right? He reaches forward and pulls my bottom lip from my teeth, while the pad of his thumb lingers just a little. His touch sends a slight shiver throughout my body. Well, that's never happened before, not even with that lying, cheating piece of shit.

"Stop biting your lip, Anastasia and eat."

I look away, swallowing the lump in my throat and nod bringing the focus back to the food he's brought me. He murmurs a good girl and gets up, taking off his t-shirt and my mind goes blank... I'm pretty sure my jaw is on the floor. Greek god alert! His defined obliques while beautiful to look at, actually hurt my own at how chiseled they are. The way he moves is sinful and frankly speaking unfair. He looks back at me and I immediately look away, taking another bite of my toast. I must look like a fucking gremlin, hunched over, avoiding eye contact and scarfing down their food. He tells me he'll be done in a few minutes and that I can use the shower right after.

Once he's inside, I quickly get out of bed and go in search of my clutch which I find in the living area. I take out my phone and see a dozen messages and calls from everyone except the lying and cheating scumbags of course. Checking the time, I see it's just after 9am so I send a quick text to Ray and Kate letting them know I'm both safe and alive.

After I'm done reading some of the texts all which do nothing but to bring my mood down as they just talk about the dumpster fire that was yesterday, I notice the lack of a ring on my finger, my shitty ring. I should probably leave it but I think I want to burn it so I go to look for it. I threw it rather dramatically across the room, so I get on my knees and I find it rather quickly since the room is so clean and well, its ugliness shines. I'm being bitter, the ring isn't all that bad I'm just really pissed off. I shove it back into my clutch along with my phone.

I walk back towards the bed and see the bathroom door open. Christian walks out with just a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair damp. I freeze and our eyes meet briefly before I spin around and mumble a hurried apology. I walk out of the room like a five year old that covers their eyes when a sex scene comes on to the screen out of nowhere and your parents are freaking the fuck out trying to change the channel and it's awkward as fuck for the few minutes that follow.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Why isn't he in jail for looking that good? Hell, for even sounding that good? He must be so good in bed.

SHUT UP ANA.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I look up to the heavens with a scowl on my face, I can hear you cackling, God.

"Anastasia?" He calls out behind me a few minutes later. Please be wearing clothes. I turn to look back from the couch I'm sitting on and see him walk into the living area towards my direction wearing black slacks, holding his jacket and white linen button up. It's such a simple look but I keep my lips firmly glued together so that I don't salivate like a dog over a piece of fresh meat. Keep it together, Ana.

"Am I that ugly looking?" He laughs, taking a seat across from me.

"No, I was just… you know, giving you privacy. I'm sorry I walked in." I nervously mumble, trying to look anywhere but in his direction.

He smirks and goes to make himself a plate for breakfast. "It's not like I was naked."

My skin heats up at the mention of any nakedness that involves him. DO NOT THINK ABOUT HIS DELICIOUS LOOKING ABS AND OBLIQUES. Nope, don't you even dare think about that face between your thighs. It's illegal and immoral and you will burn in the flames of hell. I dryly swallow and quickly get up.

"Um.. I should go and get ready. Long day ahead of me and stuff." I lie, avoiding his gaze and walk towards the bedroom again. On the way, I pick up the bag of clothes he showed me and lock myself in the bathroom where it's still humid and smells of his body wash.

Why is he so damn sexy? This is so unfair to my dumped ass. Why won't the embarrassment end already?

I rifle through the bag and see toiletries, a dress, lingerie? Shit this is faaancy lingerie, LA PERLA? What the hell? I check for price tags but there are none. I'm going to have to look up these things online and budget how I'll pay him back. Taking out the dress, I check the label and almost have a heart attack. It's a Dolce & Gabbana floral dress with shoes from the same label in a complimentary color. The entire contents of this bag cost more than my life right now.

I cannot accept this. I unlock the door and walk out to find him.

"Christian, I cannot accept this. This stuff is INSANELY expensive. I cannot…." my voice breaks but I clear my throat. "I mean, thank you very much but I––this is too much."

He puts his fork down, still chewing and sits back just staring at me. What the hell, say something? And stop looking at me with that sexy face. I implore him with a look but I see his eyes travel down my body darkly as a slow smile forms on his lips, I follow them and gasp. FUCK ME. I quickly drop the bag and try to tie my robe again. Sure I was wearing lingerie underneath but still.

"Sorry, I… uh…" I fumble over my words and suddenly the embarrassment is just too much. "Fuck!" I run back and lock myself in the bathroom. The dam bursts and I sink to the floor crying. I'm a fucking mess. My emotions are all over the place and I keep making a fool of myself.

There's a knock on the door followed by the sound of my name. Get it together, Steele. At least all this is happening in private.

I wipe my face and try to regain some of my lost and abandoned dignity before opening the door slightly.

"You forgot this." He says softly. "And I didn't see anything."

Liar, you saw everything. You're a pervert but a good looking and gentlemanly one so I'll give you a pass for now.

"You suck at lying." I murmur, avoiding eye contact and taking the bag from his hands. Our fingers brush against each other and it feels electric but I shake the feeling. I'm being an idiot.

"Thank you." I whisper and I see him nod in my periphery before I close the door and get on with my business.

Standing under the hot shower is outwardly cleansing but inwardly I am still tied up in knots of self-pity, dark humor and now, pangs of hunger. More of last night comes to me and I begin to cry again. Is this man dressing me up to have me committed or something? That would make for quite the hilarious story. Wear your Sunday best darling, gotta look good for your entry mugshot to the psych ward.

Never did I think I'd be spending my wedding night with a man who wasn't my husband. Well, it's not like I really got married. Funny how life works or ridicules you.

The dress and lingerie fit me like a glove. I look expensive and sophisticated. I look like an 'Anastasia'. The way he says my name comes to mind and something blooms deep within me. No one ever calls me by my full name and that's my fault but hell, this man could call me Bertha and I bet it still would turn me on.

I've lost my mind.

Looking in the mirror I see how puffy and swollen my entire face is. I wash it a few more times with ice cold water and since I don't have any makeup, I pinch my cheeks to try and bring some color to them and offset the haute pale vampire look, I'm always sporting.

Drying my hair, I run my fingers through it to try and style is somehow but it doesn't really work so I take the dozens of bobby pins I extracted from my birds nest last night and pin my hair so that it's out of my face and hanging loosely along my back to give off the illusion that I've got my shit together.

But let's be real, I don't got my shit together…. AT ALL.

I walk out with less than an ounce of my, actually let's be real–ZERO dignity, gathering my beloved Jimmy Choos, clutch and throw them in the Nordstrom store bag that my new clothes were neatly gift wrapped in.

Nervously walking in I take a seat where I was sitting before and give Christian a tight smile who looks up from his newspaper.

"You look beautiful."

The compliment feels so foreign yet so native in the way he says it. My body reacts to his voice but I keep my thighs tightly shut and body still as I speak, mumbling like an idiot. "It's the clothes, I suppose fancy ones can do that."

"No, it's the person who carries them that makes all the difference." He replies. I feel a blush creep up my cheeks but I'm unable to smile and just give a small nod. "I ordered a selection. I wasn't sure what you like to eat."

Telling him that I'm not fussy about food at all, I make myself a small plate and of course Mr. Control Freak has an issue with how 'little' I'm eating.

"I'm not really a breakfast person, I tend to eat a little later in the morning."

"It's the most important meal of the day. You need to eat." He scolds but there's an undertone of something I can't quite place in his voice. Concern? Panic? Sadness? His expression is serious enough.

I exhale deeply, closing my eyes deciding not to say anything, instead I take one more pancake and slowly eat it because honestly my mind is just occupied with a million things and this situation I'm in right now isn't really doing much to calm my nerves. I really need to get out of here. All this is stifling.

We eat in silence, while he continues to read the newspaper. My eyes remain on my plate but I can feel his, watching me like a hawk at times. Once I'm done eating all that I can, I neatly put my plate away and pick up my phone and bag with my belongings.

"Um, thank you for everything." I mumble, looking at him with unfocused eyes because it's just easier to keep my wits about this way if I blur out his sexiness. He's distractedly handsome, beautiful and my brain is missing a few parts so best not to leave anything to chance. As it is, I can barely speak to him without stuttering. "I-I... have to go and figure some things out now."

"I can drop you off, I'll call Alfred and we can take a ride in the batmobile." He chuckles but I'm immediately mortified at the memory that he's referring to. I screw my eyes shut, my face falling into a grimace and when I open them a few seconds later nothing has changed. If only I had ruby shoes.

"I'm still here." I mutter.

"You make it sound like a death sentence." He goads me, still smirking.

"Look, I know this is very entertaining for you but it's not for me. I'm sorry about the things I said and did last night, I wasn't in my right mind, obviously." I stand up and gather my things to leave.

He folds his paper. "Wait!" I freeze in my tracks and turn to look at him. He's still sitting but reaches for a manilla envelope on the table. "I need you to sign this first."

"What is it?"

"An NDA." Of course. Except, NDA's mean nothing when it comes to girl talk so I'm definitely telling Kate about everything. I need another, sane human being to tell me I'm not completely going crazy.

I ask him for a pen, take out the agreement and sign it. Great, now I can finally leave.

"You didn't read it. Never sign something without reading." He admonishes me.

"Look, I have nothing to my name right now so go ahead and take whatever you want to. It's an NDA, they're pretty standard unless there's a clause in there that calls to give you pints of my blood then go ahead and enforce it." I reply flatly.

I'm anemic so the joke will be on you.

He chuckles. "I'm not into bloodplay."

I frown. What the fuck does that mean? Is he testing out some weird material on me? Eccentric, that explains this man.

"Whatever that means." I mutter and place the papers on the table, turning to leave.

"Let me drop you off. Please, Anastasia." He stands and comes a little closer to where I am. Oh no, buddy. Stay far, far away from me. I've got bad luck and humiliation juju all over my person and you don't need it.

"No.. um, no thank you, I would really like to be alone." I reply, clearing my throat and keeping my eyes downcast. "Again, thank you for everything."

"I don't like the idea of you going out there alone. I can have Taylor drop you off." I shake my head, adamant on my decision. He sighs in defeat and gives me his card with his personal number written on it. Eccentric and has nice handwriting, I immediately notice.

"Call me if you need anything." I take it from him and nod, knowing full well, I am never calling this man. This was a one time show, buddy.

He leans in closer and my eyes immediately look up at him and I feel everything around me slow down. His one hand cups my face and he kisses my opposite cheek, the facial hair tickles a little but his lips linger and I get lost in the scent and warmth of his skin. As he pulls away, ever so slowly, I feel my body pull towards him a little in an effort to not lose our contact but I catch myself.

Bringing his hand down from my cheek, he grabs my chin and his thumb forces my bottom lip from the clutches of my teeth. "Stop biting that lip, Anastasia." He growls with a dark look in his eyes. Is he going to kiss me? I find myself tiptoeing a little to inch up towards his face

Not a second later, he drops his hand and stands up straight and everything is brought back into real time with the coolness of the air around us now killing the heat I was feeling just a second ago. It's like a slap in the face. Of course. You're such an idiot, Ana.

I mumble a goodbye and walk out the room without a backwards glance. Don't you dare cry, Ana.

When I walk through reception to face the outside world, it's actually a beautiful day with the sun shining brightly but I don't feel beautiful at all and I put one step in front of the other as tears fall from eyes. I take out my phone and dial for Kate.

"Hey..." I croak the moment she picks up.

"Banana, where are you?"

"Just left the hotel, I'm walking. You're at work right?"

"Yeah I am, but I can come back home. I ordered a fuck ton of ice-cream and we'll order some pizza or chinese take out and some shit."

I giggle with relief. "That sounds incredible."

"Good, there's a Starbucks on the corner of Seneca and 4th, I'll be there in 10 minutes."

"Thank you, Kate. I owe you."

"The only thank you I want is you allowing me to bury that motherfucker and that bitch." She growls. We both laugh and she hangs up.

Sure enough, 10 minutes later, Kate arrives in her sleek mercedes coupe and I walk out of Starbucks with an order of our favorite drinks.

"Banana, you didn't have to."

I shrug with a smile, it's the least I can do for her. "I wanted something sweet to offset the bitterness I'm about to spew out."

"Before all that, where the hell did you get this dress from and where is your carryon?"

I give her a two minute synopsis as she drives on and the moment I reveal the name of my eccentric Prince Charming she abruptly pulls off to the side of the curb.

"CHRISTIAN GREY? YOU SPENT THE NIGHT IN BED WITH CHRISTIAN GREY? I THOUGHT HE WAS GAY?" Kate is definitely having an episode right now.

"I didn't realize he was a big deal and he's definitely not gay." I confirm.

"DID HE KISS YOU? TELL ME HE DID!"

"He kissed my cheek and gave me his card." I mumble.

"Oh then he's definitely gay. I mean, LOOK AT YOU, you're a babe and half and he didn't sample any of this." She points to my entire body. "Man, is blind and stupid… just like that asswipe from yesterday."

"Kate, I made a complete fool of myself in front of him." I begin to cry. "I am so so stupid and it just doesn't end… but I can confirm he's not gay. I'll tell you more when we get home but this is strictly girl code okay. He made me sign an NDA and well you know…"

Kate cackles. "Fuck NDA's, this is a international crisis we're dealing with right now. We're making a stop at Freddy's– we're gonna need some more wine."

"I'm never drinking again." I mutter, while she puts the car in gear and drives on again. Kate dismisses my new life resolution almost immediately.

"He's got nice taste in clothes."

"My lingerie is La Perla," I laugh and Kate screams in delight.

"Okay, okay… you are definitely calling him. I don't care, my new mission in life is to make sure you fuck Christian Grey, I mean even if he's a rebound, what a way to say fuck you to your ex."

I snort out a giggle."You always do love a good revenge story."

"Please, I'm in the media. That shit is in my blood." She winks. "But jokes aside, I really think you need to get out there and bang all that sub par shit out of your system. Wear amazing clothes, walk the walk, mount the dick, get your orgasms and LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE, GIRLFRIEND."

Rolling my eyes I take a sip of my iced caramel frappe. "Let me pay my way out of debt then yeah sure, I'll revisit this code of life in a few years."

CPOV

What the fuck Grey?

I look around the room, cursing myself for letting her leave. Why did you have to be an ass and make fun of her? Elliot is better at this stuff anyway. I just ended up scaring the shit out of her. Pulling at my hair and pacing frantically back and forth, I contemplate going after her and apologizing, she only left a few minutes ago.

Christian Grey, apologizing to a woman outside of the family? I should check if pigs are flying.

She wanted me to kiss her but I had the sense to pull back. That would have been irresponsible but hell it would've been worth it at the same time. Those perfect lips.

She looked beautiful, incredible—deserving of being dressed in the best of the best. I need to know more about her, beyond her background check. I call Taylor and tell him to get the car ready to leave when he informs me that Sawyer has eyes on Anastasia and she's stepped into the Starbucks around the corner.

I wait in the back seat of the Batmobile, the thought makes me smile. Her antics from last night actually make me want to laugh again. Waking up later than I ever have in close to a decade, I met Taylor for a morning run who appeared simultaneously puzzled and relieved that I was indeed alive. Did he really think a drunk, jilted bride was going to kill me?

While running along the waterfront, I realized that I slept throughout the entire night. No nightmare, no sudden bouts of being woken up for no particular reason, just peaceful and restful sleep.

Was it a fluke or was it her? Even her touch didn't burn.

I watch from the corner of the street as I wait for Anastasia to leave. A car pulls up and I know who it is, per her background check and social media presence it's Katherine Kavanagh, one of her close friends. Great, she's friends with a Kavanagh, thank God she signed the NDA. Watching her walk out with a bright smile, I catch a carefree glimpse of what a happier Anastasia looks like and I find myself mirroring her smile, secretly wanting more of it.

That's new.

All of this is new.

Flynn is going to lose his shit. Elliot might jump off of the roof of Escala.

Who said the entertainment has to end?

Christian: Hey asshole, drinks tonight?

Elliot: It's Friday night and I'm not hanging out with someone who doesn't have a vagina.

I roll my eyes and shake my head at his absurdity.

Christian: I met someone and need advice.

Elliot: You're buying and it better be the good shit.

A/N: Oh Annie, you poor, sweet, funny soul... And CG, confused as hell. What will become of these two?