And So I Ran - Complete

Chapter 5

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Tomorrow

Date: June 8, 2011 15:05

To: Anastasia Steele

Dear Anastasia

Forgive this intrusion at work. I hope that it's going well. Did you get my flowers?

I note that tomorrow is the gallery opening for your friend's show, and I'm sure you've not had time to purchase a car, and it's a long drive. I would be more than happy to take you - should you wish.

Let me know,

Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I sat and stared at my screen in shock. It was Thursday morning, just past nine, and I had fired my computer and email client up for the day. The only external email in my inbox, looking at the timestamp, this must have been the message that arrived yesterday when I'd left to go to the graphic artists with Casey.

I was the worst friend in the world; I'd forgotten all about José's show opening tonight. I should have booked an early finish at work so I could attend, but with a three-hour drive to Portland, even if we left right on 5:00 pm, and assuming we got the blessing of every traffic God on the way, we still wouldn't be there until 8:00 pm. Factoring in staying for an hour, it would be at least midnight before I got home. After the week I'd had, I didn't know if I had the strength. More than anything I wanted to see Christian, but I didn't know if I could endure it.

At the heart of it, nothing between us had changed. I wanted a boyfriend I could love and touch, and Christian wanted a woman on whom he could impose his will. I couldn't accept his rules and arbitrary punishments, so as much as I still loved and wanted my mercurial man, we needed different things. Fundamentally incompatible, I think the saying was. Rereading Christian's email, I started weeping. I was trying not to read too much into things, but surely Christian offering to drive me to Portland was his way of saying he wanted to see me? Had it been solely a matter of transport, he could have booked me a car and driver. But he hadn't. Christian had thought about me and reached out. Oh, fifty - you can do hearts and flowers; you just don't know it.

Sitting at my desk, I felt more confused than I had in my life. I wished things were simple. Easier. And knowing what I needed, I picked up my cell.

"Dad?" I sniffled when Ray picked up the phone.

"Annie? What's wrong?" he asked. One word from me was enough to tell him all was not well.

"Everything," I whispered, dissolving into tears. "I'm so confused."

"What's happened? Is it Christian?"

"We broke up."

"Oh, Annie. If he's not smart enough to see everything you are then he doesn't deserve you." I'd never really dated before, so it was the first time Ray had had to deal with anything like this, and I could tell he wasn't happy.

"It's not like that. I broke up with him," I said, trying to keep my voice down. No one else was nearby, but I didn't want to be seen sniveling at work.

"I'm sure you had your reasons," Ray said calmly enough, although still sounding as though he'd like to rip Christian limb from limb.

"I did. I'm just not sure they're good ones," I moaned. "Christian emailed me and offered to take me to José's opening tonight. I'd forgotten all about it. I'm an awful friend!"

"You don't want to go with Christian?"

"I want to see him more than anything, but I'm not sure that's a good idea."