"Why on earth you didn't mention Elena fucking Lincoln is going to be here?!", I shout on top of the blaring music, trying my best to keep the anger in control. Last thing I want is to make a scene and we already got a few heads turned towards us.

Luke's eyes widen a bit and he blinked at me. "She is here?", he says with surprise.

"Yes!"

"I don't know why is she here, Ana. If you want I can keep her away from you."

"Nevermind, she just left", or at least I she did. Luke nods his head towards the bar, encouraging me to search for Christian.

"Did you find Christian or Elliott?", I ask.

"No."

"Are they even here?"

"Yes", he states and I gesture him to go ahead.

"I saw Taylor outside. He knows we are here"

"Oh.." and I suddenly have an urge to meet him.

"Don't even think, Ana. Not everyone is Gail", he shakes his head as he answers my unasked question. I sigh at his response. Of course.

"What will Christian think of me, Luke?", I sigh.

"Honestly, I don't know. But I want to say, be ready for whatever his reaction may be."

I purse my lips and turn around and go to the bar again. I order orange soda, which of course costs a fortune here, but I don't care.

I sip on my drink and think of all the possible reasons how could Christian react.. that's if I can search him in this swarm of sweaty humans.

I imagine walking upto him when I find his perfect structure with his tousled hair as he runs his hand in them. I imagine his grey eyes meet mine and immediately smile when he sees me. I imagine him coming towards me with his perfect stride, circling his arms around my waist as he kisses my lips in perfect synchronization. And then whisper, "I've been waiting for you Anastasia."

But alas, this is no Disney and i'm no princess.

"Orange soda?", a voice behind me asks and I freeze.

Oh. My.

Christ.

I can never forget this. voice. I tighten my hold around the glass and almost stop breathing. My eyes frantically search for Luke, but I find him nowhere.

Shit. Where the fuck is my rescue?!

"You look lonely", he says behind me. He brings his hand where my hands are literally clutching the glass for my dear life, but he doesn't touch me. I can feel his breath on the back of my neck, but I don't move at all. It feels like if I move, everything will be over. My throat is so dry that I cannot even find my own damn voice.

His hand inches closer but suddenly withdraws as he orders 2 more glasses of orange soda.

"Don't be so coy", he tries again but I sense irritation in his voice this time. Of course, nobody rejects him.

Fucking turn, both my inner goddess and subconscious cheers.

Should I? Or should I just leave?

I was so lost in my internal dilemma that I nearly jump when his cool fingers touch the back of my palm. He didn't grab my hand or anything, just the tips of his fingers touching the back of my hand.

"Go away", I whisper, loud enough so he can hear me.

No! my inner goddess is literally bouncing.

"Why? You look so lonely, you definitely need someone tonight", he inches closer.

Now is the time. I gave him an option to leave, he didn't. I want to laugh at the pun I just made.

Taking a deep breath, I turn.

My heart is thumping against my ribs, and I stop breathing as my eyes meet his grey eyes.

To say Christian was shocked, would be an understatement. I mean he was practically hitting on his wife.. ex-wife. Though i'd give his flirting skills a straight A.

A number of emotions flitted on his face. Shock, hurt, pain, anger.. and if I am not mistaken.. even relief.

"Anastasia", he whispers.

"Christian", I try to smile but to no avail.

He is still the same. The same Christian I left broken 6 years back. I take my time and drink in his features. His grey eyes look straight into mine, like he is reading my soul. I want to reach forward, touch him, but i'm afraid to do so. I don't want to get out of this trance. It's as if I even move a finger he would go away.

But then he moves his eyes aways from mine. He backs a little, shakes his head, murmuring something to himself which I cannot understand.

And then he turns and leaves.

What the hell just happened?

I run behind, searching for Luke simultaneously. Where the hell is he?!

Christian is out of the door, going towards the parking area.

"Christian!", I holler. He doesn't stop.

"Christian just stop for a second, please!" its so darn difficult to run in heals! I should've thought this through.

But he stops. He actually stops! Though he doesn't turn around, but I know he heard me. I stop a few inches behind him. I cannot find Taylor anywhere either. Where are they?!

We are near his car but he makes no attempt to open the car. Maybe he does want to listen to me.

My legs are shaking as fury surges through me. She is here. Anastasia fucking Steele is here. Not just here but literally few inches behind me. But she doesn't touch me.

How can I be so stupid and not identify her. It's the hair, definitely the short hair that deceived me. If I knew she is going to be here, I wouldn't even make a damn plan to come here. I don't even want to be in the same vicinity as hers.

"Christian.. I am sorry..", she breathes.

I don't saw anything. I focus on my breathing instead to be calm. What is she even doing in Seattle? Didn't she go to Phoenix or something?

"I know I was stupid Christian. Just please listen to me", she pleads. Well, yeah I am, though I fucking don't know why.

"Listen!", she urges. I don't want to look at her face. I don't know what will I do if I turn around. I don't want to create a scene here. I shove my hands into the pocket of my jeans.. its cold here.

I cannot help but picture her face when her blue eyes met mine. It was almost as if her aura was mingled with mine. Her hair was short.. why did she cut her locks? They looked perfect on her pale skin..

Focus, Grey.

"I know you are listening to me so might as well look at me", she touches my arm and I shove it away. My breathing spikes when I realise I do want to turn, I do want to look at her again.

"I'm sorry.. Christian..", she repeats and I sense she is crying. Half of me wants to comfort her, but my other angry half wins.

I brace myself as I turn around and look at her. She looks paler, if that's possible. Her arms hug her slender body. She is cold. I want to reach out, but I refrain to do so. She doesn't deserve my protection anymore.

"What do you want? Why are you here?", speaks my annoyance.

"Just to make the wrongs right", she whispers.

"Honestly, Anastasia? I don't want to waste my time figuring out your words" and she looks taken aback by my curtness.

"I want you to meet someone", she states, more boldly. Meet? Who? Her boyfriend or.. husband?

"But I don't want to meet anyone."

"Trust me, you want to.", and I see a hint of smile on her face.

"Trust me, I don't.", I mock her.

She smiles a little at my imitation. "I missed you.."

"I wish I could say the same.", I reply and try to search for Taylor or Elliott. Where are they?

She looks hurt but quickly composes herself as she sees me looking at her. "Of course", she muttered.

"Excuse me?"

"You were so busy enjoying you night with that bad old Mrs. Robinson", she hits back. Where did that come from?

"What the hell Ana! First of all that's none of your business anymore and second atleast she is still a friend of mine instead of leaving me.", I hit back too, harder.

Elena always always helped me get over the break up. Sets me up with a girl sometimes. But tonight, she came purely out of friendship. At least she stood with me in my darkest times.

"Oye, Grey! Let's go", says a familiar female voice as another pair of arms pull me. I see as Elliott takes my one hand and Kate takes another.

Ana's eyes widen as she sees Kate. But Kate ignores her and they start pulling me towards my car.

"It's too cold right now. Ava must be waiting for us", says Kate and I sneak a glance at Anastasia.

"Christian please! Tomorrow?", Ana urges too.

"Guess what Miss Coward, he doesn't want to meet you ever again", Kate replies, disinterested, and I let them pull me away. I'm not going to lie, I am angry that Kate intervene but secretly grateful I can pass the last question. I don't want to meet anyone.

Though i'm still furious how today turned, I can't help the warmth that spread through me. Maybe she did live up to her letter.

~*~*~*~

Dandaradandaradan!!!!

Okay that was supposed to be Game of Thrones theme song's tune but whatever. 2k+ reads in what? 2 weeks? You guys are the best❤

This an early update for that🙌

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Until we meet again, xoxo ~ Ava❤