Ana's POV
I'm lost in my work when my email pings, and I quickly check who it's from.
Holy shit. It's from Christian. How did he get my email?
My subconscious rolls her eyes at me. If he can get my mobile number and find where I lived and worked, an email is really nothing. I shake my head sadly. His stalker tendencies really know no bounds.
The sight of his name makes my eyes water. It been five days since I saw him last. Five days since I upped and walked away from all things Christian Grey.
No Ana you're at work. My subconscious scolds me as a tear slips.
Wiping it away furiously I quickly read his email.
Jose! His show, oh how could I have forgotten?
I find my phone and realize I have all my calls set to the blackberry still. With a frown I redirect them back to my mobile and stare at the screen for a moment longer. Without another thought I pick myself up and head to the bathroom. I need privacy.
Christian is right of course, as always. I have yet to purchase another car and I have no time between now and tomorrow night. I haven't even banked his check.
I bite my lip and hug myself, trying hard to hold myself together. I have to remind myself I am not at home and I cannot crumble to pieces just yet.
I miss him. I really miss him. But to see him again so soon after… everything? Can I do that? My subconscious shakes her head at me but deep in my heart I already know the answer.
Cleaning myself up I leave the bathroom, heading straight to my desk like a woman on a mission. I just need to get this over and done with so I can concentrate on putting Christian Grey behind me.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011, 14:25
To: Christian Grey
Hi Christian,
Thank you for the flowers; they are lovely.
About the show tomorrow; it was nice of you to offer but I have to decline. I have already made other arrangements.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
I read through the email once, and only once. I'm not willing to give myself an opportunity to change my mind.
As I hit send, a single thought crossing my mind. Oh no fifty is going to be so mad. He's going to think I'm with another man! I push that thought away. It's not one I welcome right now.
"Ana, are those documents finished?" Jack asks me as his head popped out of his door. I nodded as I quickly pressed save, then print.
"Printing now. Would you like me to go and fetch them?" I ask hoping he'll say yes so I can escape my desk just for a little while.
"Please Ana." He all but purrs before he disappears again, back into the confines of his office. I quickly leave my desk just as my email pings once more but I refuse to look. I know I'll be in tears again if I do.
It's been a long tiring day, one I'm glad is finally over. I send a small wave Claire's way as I leave the confines of the building and head into the busy street. I hug my jacket closer to my body as I briskly walk to the bus stop. Since Wanda, and the Audi submissive special, is no more, I've been forced to battle with public transport. It's definitely the lower point of my day.
I barely make it, in fact I have to quickly run the last couple of meters as I take a leap onto the bus. I smile embarrassed at the bus driver and he gives me a disapproving look.
After handing over my money I battle my way to the middle, huddling into my seat as I stare out of the window. As the bus drives through the busy peak hour traffic I try not to think about the email I didn't read from Christian. He'll have been so mad. I think bleakly but there's nothing I can do about it now. I make a note to go in early tomorrow and deal with it then.
My main concern is how I'm going to get to Jose's show. If I bail he'll be so disappointed but I can't see how I could possibly get there in time after finishing work. There's always Kate's car, but I've never driven it without permission and it seems wrong to start now.
I stand as I near my stop and make my way down the bus, barely glancing in the scowling bus driver's direction as I step off. It's only a short walk from the bus station to the apartment but tonight it feels so much longer. My body is aching, it's past exhaustion and I can feel the tears already gathering. I may just borrow Kate's fluffy pajamas and head to bed. There's no point in eating, my stomach is too jumbled up and the mere thought makes me gag already. Maybe by morning I can stomach a banana or a yogurt. Maybe by morning I'll have a solution to my problems.