Several of the characters belong to E. L. James

This chapter was EDITED

Ana and Christian met ten years ago. It was what is commonly called a summer love. She was 18, he was 21. They lived in different cities. It was just chance, or fate -if you believe in that sort of things- that placed them together back then in the same resort in Miami. He was on vacation with his brother, Elliot, and Ana was working at a hotel trying to save some money for college.

They weren't looking for a relationship, but the chemistry between them was palpable. It just happened. And when things were about to get serious, their time was over. Ana went to California where she was going to start her college education and Christian went back to Seattle, he was running a very successful business.

Christian is walking around the mall, he's carrying his six-month-old daughter. His wife of almost two years follows him looking at the showcases. They are searching for a present for Grace, Christian's mother. Jessica is talking about the baby's next doctor's appointment when he sees her.

She is in a furniture store looking at a desktop, she passes her finger gently over the wood of a nice wooden vintage desk. Ana, his first love. They never actually said the L word to each other, but he was not going to lie to himself, not after 10 years of thinking about her.

'I'm not sure furniture is the right option for Grace.' Jessica's words brought him back to the here and now.

'No... no' he answered distracted, seeing the shining ring on Ana's finger. 'I thought I saw... never mind'. He cleared his head and kept walking, holding his baby, remembering himself why he still was with his wife.

He was celebrating a one year relationship with her when he proposed. Almost 30 and single. He took what he thought was a good advice. A few months later in the marriage he realized he made a huge mistake. Jessica was not a bad person, at all. But he wasn't in love with her.

He tried everything he could to make his marriage work anyway, he was not a quitter, at least not without trying. They had good and bad days, but no matter what, he just didn't feel love for her. So he decided to finally end it and ask for a divorce.

But then, one day his wife got pregnant

and everything changed. It was not about how he felt anymore.

Ana is browsing around, not paying much attention. Her mind wanders about being in Seattle, so close to who could have been the love of her life, the thought made her feel unsettled.

Shaking her head in disapproval, she tried to focus on her task. She picked a desktop, she could see herself writing comfortable on it. They needed pretty much everything. John and her were just moving to their new apartment in downtown.

The Newlyweds were excited about starting their marriage life in a new city. Ana was distracted when John came to her passing his arm around her waist.

'This is the one?' John asked smiling to her in sign of approval, he knew how serious Ana was about the right desk to write on.

'Yes' she answered less enthusiastic, she was not feeling as excited as him.

'Are you okay, honey?' Asked the concerned husband.

'Yes..., I'm just a bit tired' she gave him a small smile.

'I know, hopefully today we'll get the shipping of our brand new bed. We should have slept at a hotel instead.' He said giving her a tender kiss on the lips. 'Let's get some lunch to get energy, let's go.' They paid for the furniture and left the store.

They were about to order when it happened. Ana was looking at a shoe store on the distance, thinking on taking a look there after lunch when she saw him.

Christian was carrying his baby, looking at the shoes, tenderly kissing the little girl's head...

'I'm not hungry anymore.' Ana said abruptly. John looked at her concerned and embarrassed.

'Oh...' replied John looking at the waitress with an apologetic smile.

'Can we order take out?' Replied Ana, trying to repair her rudeness.

'Of course, not problem' answered the server.

Ana stand up. 'You can order for me, I'll be waiting in the car.'

She didn't give him any time to reply, he was left just sitting there looking at his wife walking away.

Ana was passing by, store after store, only seeing blurry images, her eyes were humid, she was feeling big tears coming, she couldn't allow herself to cry.

It was not okay, she was a married woman, she couldn't have feelings for another man. Not after ten years. But very inside of her she knew she only got married to John because she was scared of ending up alone. And she felt worse, she rushed into a decision for the wrong reasons.

She married John two months ago, he got promoted and they had to move to Seattle. Ana's first thought when she got the news was Christian. Now standing leaning her back on the car she felt bad, even dirty, John didn't deserve to be with someone like her.

John walks to Ana carrying the bags with the food. He sees her leaning on the car, the change hasn't been easy, he could understand that. And the fact that they were sleeping very uncomfortably in sleeping bags for the last two days didn't make it any easier.

'Are you okay?' He asked when he reached her. 'You seem concerned'

Ana that has been trying to calm herself gave the only answer she could think of.

'Yes, I just have a head ache. I think I need to rest a little bit. Didn't sleep that well last night.' That was only half a lie.

'Do you want me to go and buy something for the pain?'

Jesus, she thought, why does he has to be so comprehensive?. Instead she said. 'No, I just need a nap John, but thank you.'

They got into the card and drove home. Ana was not used to the very fancy place they were living now. A building called Escala. As soon as they arrived to the empty place Ana lay down on the sleeping bag and with a very disturbed mind she felt asleep.

Ana dreamt of sand and sun, she was in her happy place, she was with him, her love. She felt so good, so happy. Everything felt so right...

'Ana, wake up' said john softly. 'The bed is finally here!' He said grinning.

Ana, disoriented for a few seconds came back to reality.

'Get up, baby. Let's go down to sign' John was so excited that Ana couldn't say no.

Christian and Jessica were arriving at Escala. They finally found a gift for Grace, after a long search and unnecessary shopping from his wife.

Taylor, their driver and security man was opening the door for her when Christian got a call from Ros.

'Hello Ros, yes. Okay, sure. Oh right now? It's fine, I'm on my way.'

'I gotta go to the lobby, I'll meet you upstairs.' Said Christian to Jessica getting out of the car and walking out of the parking to the lobby of the building.

A few urgent paperwork needed his signature. He walked to the reception table where a young man was waiting for him with an envelope.

'Mr. Grey' said the young mailman.

'How's it going?' said Christian not giving him much attention, taking the papers out and searching for his pen inside his jacket pocket. While signing, a delivery truck was downloading a king size bed. Grey gave the boy the papers and with a handshake as goodbye walked away to the elevators.

He pressed the arrow up, he didn't even wait two second when the door opened to give access out to two people inside. It was Ana, holding the hand of a blonde guy.

They were both perplex by a second that just they seemed to notice.

'Good afternoon' said John cordially, oblivious to the little tense moment. 'John Colt' he introduced himself offering his hand.

'Christian…' said him a bit out of place. 'Christian Grey' he added recovering his confidence.

'The famous Seattle businessman' said John smiling. 'You looked familiar Mr. Grey, my wife and I just moved to this building, by the way, she is my wife, Anastasia Colt.'

Christian looked at Ana fully in the eyes, eyes that he knew. 'Nice to meet you, Mrs. Colt' he answered with more resentment than he pretended to.

'Mr Grey, the pleasure is mine' she answered with a knot on her throat and feeling her face blushing.

'It has been a pleasure Mr. Grey, if you excuse us we have to receive a parcel, I hope we see you around' said Colt.

'I don't spend much time in the building' he answered coldly. Realizing of his lack of cordiality seeing that the smile on Colt's face was changing to an uncomfortable look, he added. 'But yes, I hope I see you soon too' and without giving another look he got into the elevator, wrote the code to his penthouse and the door started to close, he could see Ana turning her head to look at him, and their eyes connected once more, she had an expression of anguish that imitated his. The doors closed.