Just a little something. I hope you like it.

"In the pages of a book, we find not just stories, but the trust to share our true selves."

Chapters of Trust

by

Ava LeBeau

One

The bell above the door chimed softly as Christian Grey stepped into the quaint bookshop, the scent of aged paper and leather binding enveloping him like a warm embrace while he looked like he'd smelled something bad. He paused for a moment, taking in the cozy atmosphere that contrasted sharply with his own world of sleek boardrooms and high-stakes negotiations.

"Stay close," he instructed Taylor, who nodded silently, his presence looming just behind Christian like a shadow. The bodyguard's sharp suit and stoic demeanor only added to the air of intimidation that surrounded them.

Anastasia Steele was perched on a small stool behind the counter, her head bowed slightly as she looked down at the well-worn novel on her knees. She glanced up as the door opened, her expression shifting from surprise to mild annoyance when she recognized her visitor.

"Mr. Grey," she said, setting the book aside and straightening up. "To what do I owe this… unexpected visit?"

Christian's lips pressed into a thin line as he surveyed the shop. "I'm here about the building," he replied curtly, his tone clipped. "I need to discuss your lease."

Anastasia crossed her arms, her bright eyes narrowing slightly. "You mean you want to kick me out," she shot back, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

He raised an eyebrow at her boldness, intrigued despite himself. "It's not personal, Ms. Steele. I have plans for this property."

"Plans that don't include my little bookshop?" she challenged, refusing to back down.

Christian took a step closer to the counter, his steely gray gaze unwavering. "This isn't just any property; it's an investment," he said, his voice low and firm. "And I intend to maximize its potential."

Ana felt a flicker of frustration when he smiled at her, the fact that it wouldn't reach his eyes didn't go unnoticed though. "You could at least acknowledge that this 'little bookshop' has been here for decades," she replied, her tone changing slightly as she gestured around at the shelves filled with stories waiting to be discovered.

Christian's expression softened for just a moment as he glanced around the shop. There was something charming about it—the way it felt alive with history and warmth. But he quickly masked it with his usual stoicism. "Nostalgia doesn't pay rent," he stated bluntly.

"Maybe not," she retorted, her voice rising in rebellion. "But it does create community—and that matters."

Taylor cleared his throat. Christian's gaze darted to the tall, grim looking man, who remained impassive, then back to Anastasia, who stood her ground with a fierce determination that both frustrated and intrigued him.

"Community is important," he conceded, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "But I have investors to answer to. They expect results."

Anastasia leaned forward slightly, her expression stern. "And what about the people who rely on this shop? The readers who come here for solace? You can't just bulldoze that away for profit."

Grey studied her for a moment, a muscle in his jaw jumping as he noticed the way her passion lit up her delicate features, contrasting sharply with his own cool demeanor. "I'm not bulldozing anything," he replied, his voice low, softer now. "I'm simply making a business decision."

"Business decisions don't have to be heartless," she countered, her eyes sparkling with conviction. "You could find a way to incorporate the shop into your plans instead of shutting it down, Mister Grey."

Christian felt an unexpected tug at his conscience. He had always been driven by numbers and outcomes, but there was something about Anastasia's unwavering spirit that made him reconsider—if only for a fleeting moment.

"Why do you care so much?" he asked, genuinely curious. "I mean, it's just a building."

"It's not just a building," she said firmly, letting out a mirthless laugh. "It's a home for stories, memories… it's part of who we are."

For the first time since entering the shop, Christian felt a crack in his armor—a gleam of something he couldn't quite name. He opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Taylor clearing his throat softly yet again.

"Sir," Taylor said in his usual calm tone, though there was an edge of urgency beneath it. "We should keep moving."

Christian shot him a look that silenced any further interruption before turning back to Anastasia. "I'll consider your perspective, Ms. Steele," he said finally, surprising even himself with the admission.

Anastasia blinked in surprise at his unexpected concession. "You will?"

"Yes," he replied, crossing his arms as if bracing himself against the warmth of her hopeful gaze. "But don't expect me to change my mind easily."

A small smile broke across her face—bright and genuine—and Christian felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through him at the sight. It was disarming.

"Fair enough," she said lightly, her tone teasing yet sincere. "But I'll hold you to that promise, Sir."

As the smile lingered on Anastasia's lips, Christian felt a flicker of something he hadn't anticipated—an urge to protect this little sanctuary she had created. But he quickly pushed it aside, reminding himself of the cold realities of business.

"Don't get your hopes up," he said, his voice regaining its usual edge. "I have a lot of stakeholders to consider, and they won't be swayed by sentimentality."

Anastasia's expression shifted a little, her brow furrowing as she processed his words. "So you're saying that no matter what I say or do, it won't make a difference?"

Christian shrugged, his demeanor hardening again. "It's not personal; it's just how business. You should know that by now."

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he could see the fire in her spirit reigniting. "You think I don't understand business? This shop is my livelihood. I've poured my heart into it."

"I'm sure you have," Grey replied coolly, though there was an undercurrent of respect in his tone. "But that doesn't change the fact that I need to move forward with my plans."

Anastasia stepped closer to him, her voice dropping to a near whisper as if sharing a secret and tried again. "And what if those plans hurt people? What if you destroy something beautiful for the sake of profit?"

Christian felt the weight of her words pressing against him like an invisible force. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss. Instead, he simply stared at her, caught off guard by the intensity of her ocean blue gaze.

"Look," she continued, her voice steady despite the tension between them. "I'm fully aware you're used to getting your way. But maybe… just maybe… you could find a way to balance your ambitions with compassion?"

He scoffed lightly, trying to mask the unease creeping into his chest. "Compassion doesn't pay bills or build skyscrapers."

"No," she shot back fiercely, "but it builds trust and loyalty—things that can be far more valuable in the long run."

There was a flicker of admiration for her tenacity swirling in his chest for a moment but Christian quickly buried it beneath layers of pragmatism. "You're idealistic," he said dismissively, followed by a small, condescending snort.

"And you're cynical," she countered without missing a beat. "Maybe we both need to meet somewhere in the middle."

He studied her for a moment longer before shaking his head, a hint of disgust creeping into his expression. "You really think you can change my mind with these platitudes? News flash… this isn't a fairy tale, Ms. Steele."

Anastasia's eyes glinted with determination, undeterred by his dismissive tone. "And you think you can bulldoze your way through life without consequences? You're not invincible, Mr. Grey. People remember how you treat them… and I promise you they will remember what you did here."

Grey stepped back slightly, as if her words had physically pushed him away. "I'm not here to win a popularity contest," he replied sharply, masking the intrigue that simmered beneath the surface. "I'm here to make decisions that benefit my business."

"Your business?" she echoed incredulously, crossing her arms defiantly. "Or your ego? Because it sounds like you're more interested in flexing your power than actually considering what's best for this community."

Christian felt a twinge of irritation at her boldness but couldn't deny the spark of admiration that accompanied it. "You don't know anything about me," he shot back, his voice low and edged with annoyance.

"Maybe I don't," she admitted, her tone unwavering. "But I do know that people like you often hide behind their wealth and status to justify their actions. It's easy to be ruthless when you don't have to face the consequences of your choices. No?"

He clenched his jaw, feeling an unfamiliar heat rise within him at her accusation and he fought the urge to loosen the collar of his shirt. "And what would you have me do? Sacrifice my ambitions for some laughable little bookshop?" He glanced around once more, his lip curled with blatant disgust.

"It's not just a bookshop!" Ana exclaimed, stepping closer again, her voice rising with passion. "It's a place where people find connection and solace—a refuge from the harsh realities of life! You could be part of something bigger than yourself if you'd just open your eyes!"

Despite himself, Christian was intrigued by her fervor. But he wouldn't let her see it; he couldn't afford to show any weakness.

"Your naivety is astounding," he noted coldly, though there was an edge of uncertainty in his voice that betrayed him.

"Naivety?" Anastasia scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, Mr. Grey—this is called standing up for what I believe in. Something you might want to try sometime instead of hiding behind your money and power."

He opened his mouth to retort, but the words caught in his throat. There was something about her unwavering stance that made him hesitate. "You think you can just lecture me on integrity?" he finally managed, though the bite in his tone was less sharp than intended.

Anastasia took a step back, her expression softening slightly as she regarded him with a mix of frustration and empathy. "I'm not lecturing you, Mr. Grey. I'm challenging you to think beyond your spreadsheets and projections. You have the power to make a difference."

Christian felt a spark of something—an unsettling mix of admiration and irritation—as he watched her stand firm, unyielding in her beliefs. "And what if I don't want to?" he asked, defensively crossing his arms in front of his broad chest.

"Then you'll be just another businessman who sacrificed community for profit," she replied, her voice steady. "But if you do choose to listen, you might find that there's more to gain than just money."

Christian's mind raced as he processed her words. He had always prided himself on being decisive and unyielding, yet here was this woman challenging everything he thought he knew about success. It infuriated him—and intrigued him all at once.

"Fine," he said finally, exhaling sharply as if releasing a pent-up breath. "I'll consider your perspective."

Anastasia's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a determined nod. "That's all I ask."

"Don't expect miracles," he warned, his voice regaining its usual coolness. "I'm not making any promises."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Ana shot back with a hint of a smile, though there was still an edge of seriousness in her tone.

As they stood there, the tension between them shifted slightly—no longer adversaries but two people grappling with their own convictions. Christian turned to leave but paused at the door, glancing back at her one last time.

"Just remember," he said, his voice low and serious, "this isn't over."

Anastasia met his gaze head-on, unflinching. "Neither is my fight for this place."

With that final exchange hanging in the air like an unresolved chord, Christian stepped out into the bustling street, feeling both unsettled and oddly invigorated by their confrontation. A wry grin etched across his features, he shook his head and raked his fingers through his hair. As he walked away from the shop, he couldn't shake the feeling that Anastasia Steele had left an indelible mark on him. The weight of her words lingered in his mind, a challenge he hadn't anticipated but couldn't ignore.

Thank you for reading this new chapter. As always reviews and concrit are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to let me know what you think! x