AN: I wrote most of this story before The Right Influence; it has sat in my notebook because, with my neurological problems, staring at a computer screen for minutes on end causes headaches and seizures. It takes a great deal of effort to type this up. I have only managed to do this because a friend is helping. She happens to be a busy editor and a mum of three. I usually was the type to write three to four-thousand-word chapters. Unfortunately, I can no longer do that as my health has taken a turn for the worse. So, I'm afraid the chapters are going to be short.
Thank you so much to everyone for reading and reviewing; they are greatly appreciated.
When Christian Grey finally walked into her life, it was in a guise Ana had not expected, one that she would reluctantly admit thrilled her. There he was, embodied in a tailored suit and the confident demeanor Seattle had come to associate with him, but in hand was a striking painting by an unknown artist. The style of the work was a blatant homage to the brilliant Anthony Van Dyck, with its rich colors and dramatic light. The portrait's subject, a young man radiating wealth and sophistication, bore an unmistakable resemblance to Christian, each brushstroke conjuring his familiar smirk and intense gaze.
"Did you buy this because he looks like you?" Ana teased, raising a playful eyebrow as she stepped closer to examine the details of the piece.
Christian shrugged, a flicker of sheepishness crossing his otherwise composed features. "I picked it up at an auction, and yes, the resemblance is uncanny. It definitely swayed me," he confessed, his tone laced with an unexpected honesty revealing a more vulnerable side. At that moment, Ana found his embarrassed demeanor refreshingly believable. If one didn't know better, that is. It was as if the powerful persona he projected to the world was momentarily stripped away, leaving behind a man who could appreciate beauty and maybe even a little absurdity in it. He was the epitome of beauty, and it was evident that if something were to be gained, he would use that beauty. There was, after all, nothing wrong with that; she was guilty of it herself, but the difference was she didn't despise her beauty. On most days Christian Grey saw a monster when he looked into the mirror, not a man who had been taken advantage of.
The painting was a paradox, both exquisite and tragic. The sitter's face was the only part of the artwork left intact, a flawless representation. The rest of the canvas told a different story, one of decay with tears and indentations marring the surface. Decades of yellowed varnish cloaked the painting in a smoky patina, obscuring the background so that the original context of the piece was barely discernible. It was a beautiful mess to Ana, a testament to its age and the hands that had held the painting over time.
"I hope you're not in a hurry," Ana said, returning her focus to him. "Because it will be a while before I get to it. I have about a year's worth of work lined up before yours can truly begin." Ana said, despite knowing he wouldn't dare take the painting anywhere else. This piece, fraught with imperfections and stories, was one she felt a magnetic pull towards. It promised to be a challenging project, one that she would savor. Unfortunately, she did not intend to play his elusive game until then. The mere thought of not working on the painting felt like a potential loss that weighed heavily on her mind.
"I'm in no hurry," he replied with a nonchalant shrug. However, she detected a hint of eagerness beneath his composed facade.
"Good," Ana said with a satisfied smile. "Okay, so… expectations. How much do you want to be restored?" Her gaze was riveted on the painting, her mind already racing with the possibilities of what it could become.
Christian's voice snapped Ana back to attention. "I want a complete restoration. I want everything fixed, but without losing the age." He spoke with an assurance that impressed her; he had clearly researched the process. For someone who ostensibly sought the piece just to bridge their worlds, he seemed genuinely invested in his request. It was a well-played move, and she'd give him credit for that.
"I can do that," Ana said, her smile widening in anticipation of the work ahead. She turned slightly, calling out to a young man hauling several pieces of two-by-fours into the next space without so much as a bead of sweat. "JB."
With his tall frame and sculpted physique, JB was a striking presence. His tousled blonde hair framed a charming face, accentuated by a slightly crooked smile that only added to his allure. Ana noticed Christian's expression shift imperceptibly at the sight of him, a flicker of irritation that he quickly masked when she turned back.
"The usual," Ana said, gesturing toward Christian's painting, her tone light and professional.
"Of course, Ana. I'll get right on it," JB replied with a smile that bespoke their comfortable camaraderie. It was clear they had a history.
"I'll be in touch when the time comes to finalize the details and cost," she continued, excited about the work ahead despite knowing it might never be.
"Well then, I leave my twin in your expert care," Christian joked, his eyes glimmering with mischief as he referenced the portrait. Ana couldn't help but chuckle at the cleverness of his quip.
As he turned to leave, Christian paused, turning his body back to her in a fluid motion. "I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here, but would you care to have dinner with me sometime this week?"
Ana smirked. "The only night I have free is Thursday. I hoped to put my feet up and indulge in some trashy TV, but dinner sounds the better option." The banter flowed easily between them.
There could have been a real possibility of something beautiful between them if only there'd been genuine want on his part. Ana could envision herself with him, a future intertwined with his, despite his... complexities, for lack of a better word. Despite all his problems, Christian Grey had potential if only he would allow himself to see it. Elena Lincoln had indeed done a number on him, leaving behind scars that ran deeper than any surface wound.
Christian chuckled, the sound rich and warm, which would have made her stomach flutter if it possessed an ounce of genuine emotion. He took out his phone, his eagerness palpable. "I have your number from the form you filled out. I'll text you later today."
"Excellent. I'll call you with the details on the day," he said cheerfully, his demeanor shifting into something softer, more approachable. It was a pleasure meeting you properly, Miss Steele." With that, he leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to the back of her hand. His old-world charm both startled and delighted her, sending a thrill through her that was impossible to ignore. He sauntered out, a newfound bounce in his step that hinted at his satisfaction, leaving her momentarily breathless.
"Oh, this is going to be an interesting week, and it's only Monday morning," Ana murmured to herself, her mind racing as she returned to scrapping the rabbit-skin glue from her latest work.