I am frozen at the entrance, my throat parched as I look in front of me. My eyes get watery as Gail gives a big smile when she sees me. She comes forward and gives me a tight hug.

"I missed you", she whispers in my ear.

"Oh Gail!", I break into a sob as I engulf her in my bear hug.

She should be angry at me, not talk to me, but she is here, supporting me.. forgiven me. I never really thought how she must've felt after I left, she has been so close to me always, my best resort when I had arguments with Christian.

"I'm sorry Gail", I cannot stop blabbering.

"Hush. It's okay honey. How have you been?", she says as she pulls away.

"Just.. me I guess", I shrug, wiping my tears away.

"Sawyer told me about your daughter?", she says with a hint of smile.

"Yes!", I smile as I invite them inside. "Mila?", I holler.

"Yes?", she comes out of the bathroom while still brushing her teeth.

"Go rinse first!" and she runs inside when she sees Gail and Luke.

She comes out again with a puzzled look. "This is mommy's best friend Mrs. Jones", introduce her to Gail.

"Actually, its Mrs. Taylor", says Gail shyly and I look at her.

"Oh my, Gail, congratulations!", I gush. "When did you and Taylor get married?"

"Last year", she beams.

"I'm so happy for you!" and she smiles widely. "Oh, and this is Mila", I introduce Mila to her.

"I know. Sawyer told Taylor and me about everything." and we look at Sawyer who ducks his head awkwardly. "Okay enough with the introductions. I'll talk to you about everything Ana but first, you need to get ready." Gail says hurriedly as she puts the bag in her hand on the dressing table.

"Ready for what..?", and I notice Luke also puts another bag on the bed and removes a dress from it.

"What is going on?", I ask, confused, as Mila sits in a corner and watches everything silently.

"You are going clubbing with Sawyer while i'll be taking care of Mila tonight", Gail states and I stare at her. Clubbing? Me? What is happening?

"What?!"

"Mr. Grey is going clubbing tonight with his brother. Gail, here thought it'll be great if you go too since he broke up with his girlfriend yesterday.", Luke says something for the first time tonight and I remember about Mila & Christian's encounter.

"Luke why the hell didn't you tell me Dr. Claire was Christian's girlfriend?"

"Huh?"

"Mila met Christian yesterday!" and everyone goes silent. Gail is the first one to break it.

"What are you saying?"

"Yes! The doc went to meet Christian who apparently happened to be in the same hospital as us and left her with him!"

"I told you that woman is a bad influence for Mr. Grey", Gail shot her accusation at Luke too.

"Hey! Stop it! She wasn't MY girlfriend, jeez people!", he feigns annoyance. "Also, Ana,I'm so sorry, I had no time to stop it. That Dr. Gerald just called Sabrina and if she saw me with you she would've immediately told Mr. Grey and that would cause me a string of questions which I didn't want.." he trails off.

"SO YOU LEFT MY DAUGHTER WITH THAT WOMAN?", I shout.

"I said i'm sorry!", he defends.

"Stop you both!", Gail intervenes. "We are already late. Sawyer, give her the dress. Ana go wear it now.", she orders.

I make a face as Luke hands me the shimmery black dress. This sudden change of plans is making nervous. I'm going to meet Christian today.

I go inside the bathroom and put on the dress which hugs me perfectly. It stops mid-thigh and I feel a little awkward. Its been so long since I wore a dress. They are usually expensive and well, I had no occasion to wear it. Our days back in New Mexico consists of nothing but wandering in our block.

I come out of the bathroom as Gail looks at me with amazement. But she is alone in the room.

"Where are Mila and Sawyer?", I ask.

"Sawyer took her for a walk. They should be back in half an hour", Gail says. "You look amazing."

"Thank you", I say, shyly.

"Now let me see what can be done with this short hair. Christ, why did you cut them so short?", Gail says as she tells me to sit near dressing table.

"Convenience", I state and she gets it.

"Ana.. Sawyer told me about everything", Gail says a little nervously, emphasizing on 'everything'. I understand what is she saying. I don't say anything, hinting her to go ahead.

"I'm happy that you are here Ana, Mr. Grey can help you. And you are not alone", she gushes.

"I don't need help, Gail. I'm only here for Mila.", I state the truth.

"What do you mean?"

"After whatever that has happened in past, I don't want to put burden on anyone. I have made amends with what is happening. I don't want Mila to suffer with me. I'm here to drop Mila off with Christian. I don't know if he will accept Mila or no, but i'm not running this time. At least, for Mila's sake. And if I am not running, better I try my luck with Christian." and I see tears in Gail's eyes.

"Don't do this again, Anastasia. Let us help you. You are not burden, you are family."

"I lost that position long back", I whisper, tears brimming in my own eyes.

"Meet Mr. Grey, Ana, he will help you. I know you broke him. Right now, he is just a corpse roaming, without any emotions. If you leave again, he won't be able to survive."

"As far as I know, Christian is doing just fine", I say, venom oozing in my voice as I remember about his girlfriends.

"That is a façade, he is masking his emotions. I know him too well for his own good.",she says and I don't say anything. That's true. Of course, even before I came into his life, Gail took care of him real good.

We both don't speak anything for next twenty minutes. She does my make up and curls my hair. Though I don't the point of curls, I like my hair straight.

When she is finished, I look in the mirror and stare in amazement. There is a little color to my usual pale cheeks and my lashes curled. My hair goes perfect with my dress. Its like seeing an entirely new version of me. And I love what I am seeing.

"One thing", Gail says and brings knee length boots from her bag. I wear them just when the doorbell rings.

"You look so pretty mommy!", Mila exclaims as soon as she enters. I beam at her in return.

"Let's go I guess?", Luke says awkwardly.

"Sure", I chuckle and as I start walking towards the door, my stomach feels sick. I am meeting Christian tonight. Anxiety kicks in and I want to hide in a corner. Why do i feel nervous? He is my husband.. ex-husband.. whatever.

Luke drives to the club and I gasp when I see the amount of people out there. It's literally crowded. I don't know if I can find Christian here.

Luke parks the car and I get out, eager to get fresh air in my system. I need to think clearly.

"I'll be close behind you. You can call me if you need me", Luke says as he comes behind me. I nod, not trusting my voice right now.

Luke takes me straight to the entrance, avoiding the big queue. He talks with the bartenders and they look at us and let us in. Smooth.

The club is jam packed. I look behind, ensuring Luke is with me. He motions me to go forward. I take a deep breath and start walking straight to the bar. Though I don't want to have alcohol in my system, I still need to get hydrated before I pass out of dehydration.

As I come near the bar, I hear her voice. Even when the music is blaring with numerous people chatting and shouting, there is no way I can miss her voice. It gives me chills and I bite my bottom lip to control my emotions. Just what I needed today.

I brace myself at the bar counter and turn my head to the right. Even though her figure is hidden by another woman in front of her, I can never forget her voice. She is the one who ruined our life, and still going to, i'm sure of it.

They suddenly get up and leave the bar. But that is enough to give me a glimpse of her. Anger flares within me as I watch her retreating figure. Why the hell is she here? To destroy my life again?

I spin around and locate Luke. He backs a step or two when he sees my angry face.

"Why on earth you didn't mention that Elena fucking Lincoln is going to be here?!", I shout.

~*~*~*~

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Until we meet again, xoxo ~ Ava❤