Fifty Shades Of Interracial Love

19. Am I Any Different?

"I have an empty canvas here and I have no idea what I want to do with it." I sighed, standing in the middle of the bottom floor lobby. "This is the heart of the building. The first thing people will see when they first walk in, so it has to catch everyone's eye as soon as they enter the building." I looked around, trying to rack my brain at what I wanted to do, but nothing was coming to mind.

"Some stripper poles would be a nice touch." Elliott voiced, making me laugh.

"I'm being serious!"

"So am I, but on a real serious note...this building is your baby and nobody knows how to handle your baby except you. If you want Bean bag chairs and stripper poles, then you can have them, because you feel like that's what your baby needs."

"Bean bag chairs? Seriously?" I laughed.

"Hey, I was just using them for an example, but the point I was trying to make is that you can do whatever you want because it's your company." He said, playfully nudging me.

"Yeah, you're right."

"Of course I am, but I should get back to work. Thank you again for buying me and my workers lunch."

"No problem. You guys deserve it, especially after all the great work you've been doing." I smiled, grabbing my phone out of my purse. Since I was going to be spending a majority of my day here in the building, I decided to buy Elliott and his workers some lunch. They were all so excited and humble, letting me know that I was their favorite client thus far.

"We appreciate that, and by the way...I'm glad you and Christian found each other. He's happier than he's ever been and I know that's because of you." He said, leaning down and giving me a hug. I couldn't help but to smile at what he had just said, only because the feeling was completely mutual. I was definitely happier with Christian in my life, but at the same time...it was still too early to know where I'll relationship will end. "Oh shit."

"What's wrong?"

"You've got company." I turned around and saw Anastasia walking towards me, with the stankest look on her face. "Hey Ana! Long time, no see!"

"Hey Elliott." She smiled, as they shared an awkward side hug. Elliott then gathered his things and headed towards the elevator, leaving me and Ana alone.

"So, what can I help you with?" I asked, turning around to face her.

"I'm actually looking for the owner of the building. I'm here on behalf of SIP and I'm here to make an offer to buy the building."

"Well you found me and this place isn't for sale."

"Wait...you're the owner?" She questioned, looking shocked.

"I am, and like I told your boss...what was his name? Jack Hyde? Like I told that hot mess, I'm not selling this place." I said, leaning against what will be the receptionist desk.

"Did Christian buy you this building?"

"Excuse me?"

"No wonder it's directly across the street from his office!" She spat. "I knew you were a gold digger from the moment I laid eyes on you!" A gold digger, she says? Coming from the girl that clearly shops at Walmart, wearing the cheapest outfit, I'm sure she thought looked cute. I laughed a little, clearing my throat, as I glared at her.

"Actually no, Christian did not buy me this building. I bought it, with money I had long before I met him." I said, trying to keep myself calm. This girl was really asking for a serious beat down and I wouldn't mind giving her one.

"He's incapable of love. Did you know that? He doesn't do romance, nor does he let anyone sleep in the bed with him. He just uses women for his sexual gratification, luring them into his Red Room, so he can tie them up, beat them, and have sex with them! And I can assure you, that you won't be any different from the rest of us!" Rest of us? Was there a Christian Grey fanclub I didn't know about?

I could see the anger, jealously, and sadness that filled her eyes, but her hatred for me stood out more amongst the other emotions she was feeling. That's when I got the childish idea to screw with her head a little bit. She thinks she hates me now? Oh, she was really going to hate me in a few minutes.

"I'm sorry...what's a Red Room?" I asked, acting completely clueless.

"You mean... you don't know? Like... you've never been in there?" She asked, gawking at me with disbelief plastered all over her face. It was taking everything in me not to laugh, as I shook my head.

"Can't say that I have. Care to shed some light on what you're talking about?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"It's a room in his house, where he keeps his sexual devices, and everything in the room is red. The walls, the furniture... everything. Before you're even allowed in the room though, he gives you this ridiculous contract, that you have to sign in order to be with him. I thought I was changing him though. I thought that I wouldn't be treated like the rest of them, but I was wrong." Tears filled her eyes, as I looked past her, and saw Wes standing there looking confused. I slightly shrugged my shoulders, putting my attention back on her.

Of course I knew about his Red Room and I remember him trying to get me to sign an NDA, but what ridiculous contract was she talking about? I wanted to ask her, but she was already upset, and my moment of being childish had finally passed. Now all I wanted was for her to get out of my face, and go back to her alcoholic ass boss.

"So about this offer...what ridiculously low amount did Mr. Hyde jot down this time?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Do you love him?" She asked me, completely ignoring my attempt to move on from the conversation.

"With all due respect, Ana, what me and Christian have going on is really none of your business. And for you to come in here, trash talking him as if you didn't sign the same ridiculous contract that those other women also signed, speaks volumes about your poor sportsmanship. Now, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave and also let your boss know that I'm still not selling my place. You remember where the door is right?" Her face burned red, as she ripped the paper up, and tossed the pieces at me like confetti.

"I'll be sure to let Mr. Hyde know that you've declined his offer once again. Enjoy the rest of your day, Desiree." She smiled, turning around and walking away.

"Again, it's Destiny, but you do the same Alice." I called out. Hell, if she was going to continue messing up my name, then I'll just go out my way and mess hers up as well.

"What the hell was that about?" Wes questioned, walking over to where I was.

"One of Christian's jealous ex girlfriends. A non-factor in my book, honestly."

"She seemed really upset about you dating him, and what the hell is a Red Room?"

"I honestly have no clue." I lied. "But I need to make a few phone calls, try to find an interior designer, and then we can head home." He nodded and walked away, not bothering to ask anymore questions, as I acted like I was doing something on my phone. The conversation between me and Ana was now stuck in the back of my mind, and it really had me thinking...am I any different from those so called "other girls." Sure, Christian didn't ask me to sign some ridiculous contract, aside from that NDA that I never even signed, but then again...he did take me into his playroom and what's worse...I enjoyed myself. What if she was right though? What if I wasn't any different from them other girls? Ugh, great. I done allowed that pasty face bitch to get inside my head!