Chapters of Trust

by

Ava LeBeau

Eight

Elliot and Jack exchanged glances.

"Man… He should really cool it with the steroids," Hyde said.

"Not sure he's taking any," Elliot shrugged. "We can't just let him walk off like that. He's in one of those moods again."

"Yeah, let's follow him," Jack agreed, letting out a low chuckle. "I wanna see how long it takes for him to realize he's missing out on all the fun."

They hurried after Christian, trying to catch up to him. "Hey! Slow down," Jack called when he saw Christian, just about to turn the corner, both Elliot and him breaking into a jog to match Christian's pace.

Christian didn't slow down but glanced back with a scowl. "What do you want?"

"Just making sure you don't trip over your own ego, broski," Elliot shot back, grinning.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want you to hurt yourself while brooding," Jack added mockingly. The two friends exchanged amused glances.

But Christian kept walking, clearly upset.

After what had felt like hours waiting in line outside the bathroom, Anastasia was finally on her way back to Hannah at their table.

The bar had gotten increasingly packed as the night went on. As Ana tried to weave through the crowd, she suddenly collided with something solid—no, someone—hard. To catch herself, her hands landed on the person's chest, her palms sinking into the luxurious fabric of what was definitely cashmere. For a brief moment, her fingers curled into the soft material, the feathery texture sharply contrasting with the rock-hard ripple of muscles beneath it.

Anastasia gasped when her opposite grabbed her wrists in a vice-like attempt to break the contact while she could hear him suck in a sharp breath through his teeth. Startled, her ocean blue eyes darted up, surprise washing over her when she realized who she'd just bumped into, finding herself face-to-face with him.

"You?" Was all she could mutter, furrowing her brow while she scrutinized his features in the dimly lit room.

As always, his presence was just as imposing as it was intriguing. He stood tall, his expression a mask of indifference and arrogance, but there was an intensity in his steely gray eyes that drew her in and she wondered if she'd just seen something more—a flicker of vulnerability hidden beneath his layers of aloofness. Was he buzzed? Upset? Maybe both? Anastasia wasn't sure.

In fact, it was almost like there was a storm brewing just beneath the surface—an unsettling mix of pain and longing that seemed to pulse with every heartbeat, maybe emotions he desperately tried to contain?

"Ms. Steele," he said and licked his lips, his voice oddly husky when he spoke. "What a nice surprise. Are you lost?"

His anthracite gaze lingered on their hands while a muscle in his jaw ticked.

"Mr. Grey," Anastasia said, her voice laced with sarcasm when she continued. "Don't worry, I wasn't planning on giving you a handjob or something."

"Well, that's too bad. But hey, quite a way to start a conversation, Ms. Steele," his mouth was set in a hard line now.

"I do have my way with words, remember?" Ana tilted her head slightly, still studying him closely: the sharp angles of his jawline, the slight furrow in his brow that hinted at unspoken thoughts. But it was his eyes that captivated her once again—deep pools of emotion swirling beneath an icy exterior. It was as if Grey carried the weight of unspoken words and unresolved conflicts, each glance from her revealing a glimpse of the turmoil he seemed to fight to keep at bay. For a moment, Anastasia felt the urge to ask him if he was okay but decided against it, biting her lip when he spoke again.

"Hate to disappoint you but I'm rather old school when it comes to things like that."

"Oh, really? Shame," her eyes darted to his slender fingers again, still firmly wrapped around her wrists, his touch cold against her skin. "You're hurting me," her voice was barely above a whisper when she met his gaze once more, struggling slightly against his grip.

"I'm sorry," Christian said and let go of her wrists—slowly, very slowly—furrowing his brow. As Grey shifted a little, Anastasia noticed the faint tremor in his hands, betraying a tension that contradicted his composed demeanor.

"Hey… Wait," she seized his hands, this time holding them gently. Grey's eyes darted to her. "Why are your hands shaking?"

"Are they? No, they're not…," A deep line appeared between Christian's eyebrows, his flickering gaze boring into her again, making her wonder if he could see the heat that was rising to her cheeks as they stood there in the middle of the bustling crowd.

She nodded yes.

"Not shaking," he maintained, glancing down at their hands.

"Oh, yes they are," Anastasia insisted. "Anyway, nice to meet you again."

"Yeah, likewise," he appeared somewhat baffled by the direction their conversation was taking, and there was still that flicker of chagrin in his eyes that made her insides clench for a second.

"So much that your hands are shaking?" Ana smiled softly, tilting her head a bit, scanning his features. They seemed to relax, if only a little.

"Well, I guess maybe they won't the next time I see you…," Grey trailed off, a genuine grin spread across his face, creating charming crinkles at the corner of his eyes.

But in a flash that flawless smile froze and she could feel him tensing slightly, when a man joined them, clapping a hand on Christian's shoulder. "Hey! There you are, man. We thought we'd lost you to the dark side."

The guy cast a quick look at Ana, his laughter infectious, there was no denying.

"But I see you've been well looked after in the meantime," the man's gaze drifted to Grey's hands in Ana's and he grinned, offering his right.

"Jack Hyde, great to meet you," he shook Ana's hand vigorously and before she could introduce herself, he pulled her into a hug, just tight enough to convey a friendly greeting without crossing any boundaries.

But it wasn't the fact that their cheeks brushed lightly, the faint sound of his stubble rasping against her skin echoing in Ana's ear while Jack was hinting at the possibility of a kiss on the cheek, adding a touch of familiarity that wasn't reflecting the genuine truth of their platonic encounter, that made Anastasia freeze in Hyde's arms. It was Grey, still holding her left in his hand, giving it the faintest of squeezes, gently brushing his thumb over her knuckles before he let go of her hand, that caused her heart to skip a beat. What the hell was wrong with her? And what the hell was wrong with him? Pressing her lips together Anastasia pulled away, unsure where to look for a moment.

"Anastasia Steele," she drew a deep breath and forced herself to smile.

"You should really let him take you out for dinner some day, Anastasia," Hyde nodded toward Christian, not missing a beat.

Grey simply stood there, his gaze just as piercing as it had been before while his face was unreadable.

"Just Ana," she said and continued. "You think so?"

"Well, he owes you something for babysitting him tonight," Hyde laughed. "Plus, he's a great guy, he really is," Jack patted Christian's shoulder.

"Actually I have nothing on you, Jack. Especially when it comes to charm. And you know that," Grey's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"Well, you realize that that's quite the understatement, Christian?" Hyde said, his voice calm and firm.

"No, there were countless moments when your support was crucial; I honestly don't think I would have achieved the same success without it, man," Christian said, clearing his throat, visibly uneasy as he ran a hand through his hair while Hyde offered a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder.

Anastasia furrowed her brow, observing both men who suddenly seemed to have decided to openly express what seemed like genuine respect or maybe even admiration for one another in a way that left her both impressed and a little envious of what seemed to be an authentic bond. She was convinced now that Grey must be beyond buzzed, or at least something was very wrong with him. Despite not even really knowing him, she knew this was just so unlike him and she wasn't sure what to make of it, but Hyde's voice dragged her out of his musings.

"Seriously, Christian? You know, I was just saying to Elliot how you've really got it together these days. Way more successful than both of us."

And to Ana, he said, "See, such a great guy. So humble."

"Stop it, Jack," Grey cut in, trying to keep it light, but there was an undercurrent of bitterness that seeped through. Apparently, he was just as uncomfortable as Ana who was already glancing around, looking for a way out of the situation.

Hyde laughed but quickly turned serious. "Nah, come on. You've always been the one with guts—while E and I were busy playing it safe. Remember high school? You were always ready to throw down for us." He leaned closer to Ana as if sharing a secret. "He took on those seniors like a little pit bull out there, brawling and getting into trouble. Even got himself expelled for it too."

Christian's expression remained cool and detached, but Anastasia noticed a flicker of something beneath the surface—another tightening of his jaw and a brief flash of discomfort in his eyes. He shrugged nonchalantly, trying to brush off what Hyde seemed to have meant as a compliment. "Yeah, well… I never really had that much to lose anyway," he said bitterly, his voice low but laced with an edge that cut through the jovial atmosphere.

Anastasia felt her heart tug at his words; for a split second there was that vulnerability again, a stark contrast to his aloof demeanor. But before long Grey's walls were up again, guarding the mystery behind the depths of his steely gray eyes.

Jack shot Christian a knowing look, nudging him with his elbow. "Come on, buddy, tonight's not about digging up old wounds, okay," he said lightly, trying to steer the conversation away from uncomfortable territory. "We're here to have fun."

Anastasia nodded slowly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, chewing on her lip.

"Okay, so, on a lighter note… Why have I never seen you around, Ana?" Jack said, turning his attention to Anastasia, his arm still wrapped around Christian's shoulder as if he were to keep him in check.

"Not my crowd, I think," Ana shrugged, her gaze wandering back to Grey, who stood beside his buddy, merely staring at her as if in a daze.

"I'm more into cafés and tea, to be honest," Anastasia lifted her chin, waiting for the laughter to rain down on her but it wouldn't come.

"Oh, wow, a tea aficionado?" Jack seemed intrigued; to Christian he added, "She's really a keeper, man," giving him another nudge.

"Don't think so," Ana said casually, praying for this conversation to end soon.

"No?"

"He's my landlord, you know," Anastasia explained.

"Your landlord?" Hyde furrowed his brow, glancing at Christian, somewhat confused but something told Anastasia that he knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes.

"Her landlord," Christian stated calmly, his gaze never leaving Ana's while that muscle in his jaw twitched almost frantically.

An awkward silence settled over them but Jack recovered rather quickly.

"Landlord… Interesting. So, are you alone, Ana?" he glanced around.

"Actually I'm here with a friend."

"A friend, hm? Your boyfriend? Already impatiently waitin' for you?" He wouldn't stop.

"Just a good friend," Anastasia said, pointing to the table across the room. "I don't have a boyfriend, you know." She immediately regretted saying it, cursing herself and Hyde for how easily he got her to spill that info. It made her feel like an open book—no, a vulnerable one at that.

"Well, how about Christian and I buy you and your friend a drink and join you at your table?" Hyde tilted his head slightly, his smile more than just charming—it was disarming, with a hint of mischief that suggested he knew exactly how to push her buttons.

Anastasia loathed the idea, but she hated herself even more when she caught herself nodding and mumbling, "I'd like that, thanks." What was wrong with her? Maybe it was time to call it a night. But Hyde wasn't having it.

"What can I get you? Tea?" he asked, a grin creeping onto his face.

"Pinot Noir," Ana frowned but Hyde seemingly hadn't noticed.

"Great choice," Jack said smoothly. "We'll be right with you ladies."

"Okay, great," Ana couldn't mask the hint of sarcasm that laced her last words before she left for their table.

"So, she's the girl you're planning to kick out next month, huh?" Hyde hissed as they made their way to the bar.

"Mhmm," Christian replied, still feeling a bit dazed and tense, even though the irritation from earlier was fading. There had been something unexpectedly grounding about his run-in with Ana—something soothing that made all his usual worries feel trivial and insignificant.

"Brilliant idea, man. I mean, really impressive," Hyde's voice was heavy with sarcasm. "Christ, you're really a fuckin' lunatic, Grey," Jack waved the barkeeper over to place their order while Christian whipped out his wallet.

"Shut up, Hyde," Christian grumbled, turning the sleek black card between his fingers while he waited for the barkeeper to return with their drinks.

"You know what you should totally do, man? Hand her the keys to the castle… if you catch my drift. And throw in the keys to your penthouse while you're at it. She's a total knockout."

"Will you knock it off, Jack? You know I'm not into the whole relationship thing, and unlike you, I don't make business decisions with my dick."

"Well, most of the time, anyway…" Hyde shot him a cheeky grin and gave Christian a playful shove, which only made Grey's irritation bubble up again. "You're gonna regret this, man."

"I said stop it."

"Seriously, you're such a hot mess, Chrissy," Jack sighed. "Here, this'll help you chill out." He shoved a tumbler of Macallan into Christian's hand before pushing past him toward the table, giving him a little nudge as if to knock some sense into his buddy.

"Jeez, Ana, I thought you were all about rather sticking pins in your eyes than making a pass at him and there you go holding hands with him. That was quick," Hannah said, eyeing her curiously.

But Anastasia only reached for her purse, trying to find her lip tint.

"You should've totally kissed him, you know," Hannah kept at it, and Anastasia rolled her eyes.

"He's… different tonight, Hannah," she said, furrowing her brow as she looked up at her friend from her purse.

"Yeah, right. I mean, he's not in one of those fancy suits that probably costs more than my rent for three months straight, but hey, I'm sure, he's totally different when you're holding his hands and gazing into his eyes."

Anastasia let out a deep sigh. "I mean really different. He seemed upset... and kinda lit."

"Wait, so he's drunk and getting all cuddly with you? That's kinda cute," Hannah grinned.

"Cute?" Anastasia raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.

"Well, who knows? Maybe he'll charm you into changing your mind about hating him."

"More like trying to take advantage of me by acting all sensitive," Ana shrugged, but deep down, she knew she was wrong about that. Grey had actually seemed really upset—and vulnerable, if only for a moment.

"But what if he's actually your Prince Charming, Ana?"

"Prince Charming? Oh please, Hannah. Honestly, I think Lord Look-at-Me-Me-Me is more like the Duke of Douchery," Ana grumbled as she rummaged through her purse again.

"Who?"

Anastasia froze when she heard his voice from somewhere behind her.

"Now, speak of the devil," she muttered under her breath, grimacing when she heard Hannah pipe, "Oh, hiiii," her voice suddenly sickly sweet.

Surely, Hannah was out of her mind.

"Hannah, right? It's good to see you again," his voice came again and now it was Anastasia's hands trembling while she sifted through the stuff in her purse, eager to act as if she didn't care at all.

"Likewise, Christian," Hannah replied enthusiastically and Ana wondered if they'd airkissed just like Jack had tried to only moments ago. "I didn't know you were here tonight," Hannah continued.

Up until now Ana hadn't been aware that Grey and Hannah were on first name terms and now she was certain that they must have hugged but she supposed that the night couldn't get any worse anyway.

"Just enjoying some downtime with my brother and Jack," he explained casually. "Mind if we join you?"

"How nice," Hannah seemed intrigued. "No, not at all. Right, Ana?"

"Uhm, what?" Anastasia looked up from her bag, acting as if she hadn't even noticed Grey up until now and glanced between them. "Oh, hi again," she said casually and shrugged, "Sure," feeling both annoyed and flustered by his renewed presence.

When Christian pulled out the chair beside her, she watched him with wary eyes. Shifting in his seat, he set a whisky tumbler down on the table, his gaze landing on her, and for a moment, they were locked in an awkward silence. Finally, he offered Ana a charming smile that made her stomach flutter unexpectedly.

"Well, I— I… uhm… should probably get back to my wine before it gets warm." Disappointed by her own lame excuse she reached for her glass and took a large gulp, feeling his eyes on her, his glances making her skin prickle in the weirdest ways.

"Looks like you're finally shaking off that brooding funk," Hyde said as he strolled over to the table, a waitress following behind him with their drinks.

"Brooding is my secret superpower," Christian shot back, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Well, actually you look like you just found out your trust fund is running low," Jack added with a smirk.

Christian rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile creeping onto his face. "Very funny."

Hyde chuckled, "Guess we should have kicked things off with a round of shots", grinning at the others before he turned to introduce himself to Hannah who seemed genuinely intrigued while he took a seat beside her.

"E asked me to pass on a hello," Jack added. "Gia called," he shot Grey a telling look. "Just six months in, and he's already walking on eggshells."

Christian chuckled.

"He said he's gonna call you tomorrow morning," Jack concluded and Grey only nodded.

"So, Hannah, what do you do for a living?" Hyde asked, grabbing the fresh bottle of Pinot Noir to refill her glass.

"I actually work for Ana. She runs a cute little bookshop downtown, you know."

"Oh really …," Jack pursed his lips as he took a sip of his drink and cast a glance at Grey over the rim of his glass.

"And she's got a master's in marketing," Christian added with a slight nod.

Hannah beamed at him, "You remembered."

"Of course I do," Christian shifted in his seat while his gaze flickered toward Anastasia.

"Anyway, marketing… sounds like a blast, Hannah. You know, Christian here is definitely not studying anything tonight except how to make bad decisions… and maybe how to charm unsuspecting women," Hyde smirked.

Anastasia couldn't help but roll her eyes, but she felt a flutter of amusement at the way Christian's cheeks turned slightly pink. He looked way more relaxed than before.

"Well," she said, "I hope your charming doesn't involve any more bad decisions than you've already made."

"Are you saying I'm anything less than perfect in my approach?" Grey licked his lips, giving her a look that was equal parts sincere and cocky.

"Perfectly buzzed might be more accurate," she shot back, unable to hide her smile.

Christian leaned back in his chair, a grin creeping onto his face. "Buzzed? Nah, I prefer to call it 'enhanced charisma.' It's all about perspective, you know."

Anastasia couldn't help but laugh. "Enhanced charisma? Is that what you call it when you start getting a little too friendly with strangers?"

"Only the interesting ones," Christian replied with a wink.

"Careful, bro. You might just charm her into joining us for a round… or scare her off," Jack added with a grin as he took a sip of his drink.

Anastasia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "I'm not sure I want to be part of whatever 'round' you're planning. I have a feeling it might involve more bad decisions."

Christian lowered his voice conspiratorially, his forearm brushing against her elbow when he leaned closer. "What if I promise to keep the bad decisions to a minimum? Just good company and maybe one more drink?"

Ana could feel the warmth radiating from him. "And what makes you think I'd trust your definition of 'good company'?"

"Because," he said, shifting in his seat and leaning in even closer, "I'm not just any dude at the bar. I'm Christian Grey." He flashed that infamous smirk.

"Ah yes, I totally forgot, the infamous Mr. Grey," she replied, feigning seriousness again. "The man who can charm anyone into anything—except perhaps good judgment."

"Touché," he laughed; just like Ana he seemed hesitant but finally settled for, "...Anastasia. But let's be honest; sometimes good judgment is overrated."

"Is that so?" she challenged. "And what would you know about good judgment while being… 'enhanced'?"

"So, what about you, Jack?" Hannah cut in quickly, eager to shift the focus away from Ana about to ruin the whole thing. "What do you do?"

"Oh me?" Jack grinned widely. "I'm in finance—venture capital to be precise." He sat up, straightening his shoulders before his elbows came to rest on his knees when he leaned closer. "You know, investing in startups and making sure they don't crash and burn before they even get off the ground." His blue eyes sparkled as he caught Hannah's gaze, flashing one of his flawless smiles.

Hannah beamed back at him.

"Well, I really think my firm could use someone with your charisma in our marketing department, Hannah. We might just have an opening, how about I'll have my head of HR reach out in the morning to discuss it? Who knows, this could be the start of something… exciting." Hyde paused for mere effect and glanced at her before he whipped out his phone to type a quick message.

"Sounds thrilling," Hannah replied casually, unable to hide her interest entirely.

"Uh-oh, more bad decisions," Christian chuckled, glancing sideways at Ana, who didn't seem too thrilled about what she'd just heard. But still, it was clear everyone else at the table knew Hannah might be out of a job by year's end, and so, Anastasia kept quiet.

Jack laughed and drained his tumbler. "But bad decisions make for great stories," he countered while he raked his fingers through his light hair.

Hannah cleared her throat and flashed a smile, "Thanks for the offer, Jack, that's so sweet of you… but I'm pretty happy where I'm at right now. Plus, I'd rather keep my evenings open for fun chats—like this one—than grind away in your marketing department."

"Who said I'd want you to work your butt off for me?"

Christian couldn't help but laugh.

"So, is that your philosophy? Live dangerously?" Anastasia looked at Hyde before her gaze darted to Christian, who seemed to study her for a moment, giving it some thought before he said firmly, "Great question. Well, I really believe life is about embracing new experiences, but I also value meaningful connections." His eyes were bright as he looked at Anastasia.

"And you?" Hannah tilted her head slightly, glancing at Jack while she took a sip of the Pinot.

"Same, I believe in enjoying life to the fullest, but just like with investments, it's all about finding the right balance," he said with a smile.

Christian raised his glass. "To new experiences."

"To new experiences," they echoed, clinking their glass against his.

Before she took another mouthful of her drink, Anastasia glanced at Grey and said, "You really have an answer for everything, don't you?"

"Only when I'm talking to someone as intriguing as you," he replied smoothly while Ana, nearly choking on her wine, quickly cleared her throat.

In the meantime, Jack and Hannah dove into a debate about her gym routine—cardio versus resistance training—while the moment hung between Ana and Christian, a charged silence filled with unspoken possibilities. Finally, Anastasia leaned closer, her voice soft when she said. "Just remember: I'm not easily charmed."

"Challenge accepted," Grey said cheekily and smirked into his drink.

As the night wore on and laughter echoed around them, Anastasia realized that maybe stepping out of her comfort zone wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Eventually, as they finished their drinks and chatted about what could happen next, Jack turned to Hannah and said, "... but honestly? The real thrill comes from knowing I can buy my way into any party worth hitting up. There's a club nearby—I could get us in if you're down."

"A club? That sounds fun. Ana, we should totally go."

Anastasia hesitated, glancing at Christian and then back at Hannah. "I don't know… It's already late."

Christian sat up slightly. "Come on, Ms. Steele. Live a little. You can't let a perfectly good night slip away because of a little thing like time."

"Yeah. We'll have a blast," Jack said. "Just think of it as an adventure—one that doesn't involve any bad decisions… well, maybe just one or two." He cast a telling glance at Christian before he turned to Hannah, "And what about you? You look like someone who knows how to have a good time."

Hannah laughed, clearly flattered by Jack's attention. "Well, I do enjoy a good night out."

"Then it's settled," Hyde declared with a wink. Lowering his voice he added, "We'll make sure it's unforgettable."

Anastasia couldn't help but grin at their enthusiasm but still felt a twinge of uncertainty, "I really don't know."

Hannah nudged her playfully. "You're always worried. Come on. Besides, you'll have me there to keep you grounded."

Christian crossed his arms with an amused smirk on his face. "And if things get too wild, Jack and I'll personally make sure to get you both home safely.

"Yeah, right," Anastasia chuckled with a grin but finally relented. "I guess, one drink won't hurt."

Outside, the lively chatter of the bar fading behind them, Ana suddenly halted and turned to Hannah, her expression changing. "Actually, you know what? I'm not really feeling up for it anymore."

"What? Why?" Hannah's smile faltered, disappointment washing over her face.

Ana glanced down at her shoes, dreading the fact that the guys were close by, joining them before long. "I just feel uncomfortable about going there with them right now. Are you going to be okay? I'd rather you wouldn't go either."

"Hey, everything okay?" Jack joined them and Ana pressed her lips together, glancing at Hannah.

"Ana doesn't wanna come with us," Hannah said, clearly torn now. Jack was standing way too close.

"Oh… really?" he replied and raised his eyebrows while Grey headed toward them, adjusting his leather jacket. "I thought you were excited about it?"

"What's going on?" Christian asked and looked between Jack and Anastasia while a black SUV pulled up at the curb. "You coming?" He searched Ana's gaze, holding it steadily while the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"How about we give them some space and let them talk, Hannah? The car's waiting for us," Jack gestured toward the black Audi and Hannah nodded quietly.

"Hey, are you sure you're okay?" Ana reached out for Hannah, who stopped to give Anastasia a quick hug while Anastasia muttered, "Just want to make sure you're safe."

"It's okay, Ana. Don't worry," Hannah whispered, hugging her boss and best friend to her.

"Let's check in later, alright?"

"Definitely. Love you," Hannah pulled away and smiled. "Keep an eye on yourself too, 'kay?"

"Love you too. Now go enjoy yourself… and call me, okay?" Ana gave Hyde a sceptical look as if she were to warn him to be on his best behavior. He smirked before he turned to lead Hannah to the SUV, saying, "Let her sweat a little." Taylor opened the door for them.

Anastasia glanced at Christian, who had maintained a respectful distance, standing at an angle from her, watching the whole scene.

"Early morning meeting. I'm sure you understand," she said into the silence that had settled over them.

Grey clenched his jaw ever so slightly, creating a faint shadow along his cheekbones. His gaze dropped to the floor for a brief moment. When he looked back up, there was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes that he tried to mask with a forced smile. "Don't worry," he said, his voice low and steady "I get it."

"Glad you're being cool about it," Anastasia said with a small smile.

"Maybe another time?" he suggested, lightly touching her arm.

"Well, maybe," she nodded slowly.

"Okay," Christian said with a casual smile, trying to mask his sudden eagerness. "Listen, can I at least bring you home? It's not safe for you to go alone."

She considered it for a moment, biting her lip as she weighed her options. "That's really sweet of you," she said finally, "but I think I'll just grab a taxi. It's probably for the best."

"Alright," he replied as she turned to leave, the slight furrow in his brow lingered even though he attempted to smile. "But let me wait here with you," he said, walking beside her.

Just then, a taxi pulled up, its headlights illuminating their faces. Ana turned toward it but paused for a moment, glancing back at Christian.

"Thanks for tonight," she said quietly, her voice almost lost in the night. "I had a good time."

"Me too," he replied, taking a step closer; he couldn't help but lean in slightly.

"Goodnight," she said quickly with a laugh, taking a step back, and got into the taxi before he could react.

Christian fished out several dollar bills from his wallet and approached the taxi driver before it could pull away. "Hey, wait," he said, the cash in hand.

The driver turned, raising an eyebrow as Christian counted out the bills. "Here you go, man," he said, handing them over with an impassive face. "Make sure she gets home safe, okay?"

"Will do," the driver replied, tucking the money into his pocket with a nod.

Meanwhile in the rear, Anastasia had pushed the button to lower the window. Christian took a step closer, leaning slightly toward the window.

"Goodnight, Anastasia."

"Just Ana," she smiled.

"Okay, Ana," Christian returned her smile, lifting one hand and gently placing it on the roof of the taxi.

"Take care," he said, lightly tapping the roof of the car twice, signaling for the driver that everything was okay and it was time to go. Grey took a step back, taking a deep breath.

"Goodbye," Anastasia smiled, the car window closing slowly as the taxi pulled away from the curb while Christian lowered his hand, not without a casual wave, and gave a quick nod, watching as the taxi finally took off into the night.

Rubbing the back of his neck, his lips tightening into a thin line, he walked over to the Audi, parked right in front of where the taxi had stopped just moments ago, and slid into the plush passenger seat.

"There you are," Jack said, flashing a big smile as he leaned slightly forward in the back seat, his arm draped casually around Hannah's shoulder while the car pulled away from the curb. "Now let's get this party started."

A/N:

Hey! Thanks a ton for taking the time to reach out and share your thoughts. I really loved your comments and feedback. Hope you enjoy the new one. Christian seemed a bit rattled at first, but I think he bounced back pretty quickly, don't you? And Jack's middle name? Definitely "trouble." Take care! x