armchairs and a warm atmosphere. Christian chose a table in a quiet corner, and they sat down facin

bout yourself," he said, fi

her spoon. "I'm a literature student. I like reading,

ns? Your dreams? » he aske

want to write someday. Maybe work i

erstood. "It's good to have dr

father passed away when I was little," she said

er," he said softly. "That

"But my mother was always th

good friend," he

le creep onto her lips. "She's more

tension. Christian seemed to know a lot about her, but he remained mysterious about himself. Sh

asked. " Tell me about yourself. Y

said slowly. "But it shaped me. I learned to be strong, to never depend on anyone. And m

a wave of understa

g. "But sometimes I wonder

» she asked

ly," he said, his gaze wandering off into space. "T

the powerful and intimidating man was someone

l have things to discover,

gray eyes softening. "Perhaps

felt more and more comfortable around him, almost forgetting her initial nervousness. T

, night falling slowly outside. Finally,

he said. "I should gi

at their moment was coming to an end

" he said with a smile. "An

ated, feeling a shive

back to her apartment. In front of the door,

a said, not knowin

eplied softly. "I hope we ca

g her heart beat f

one last time bef

swirling. She knew that her life had just taken a turn, that she had just plunged into a new and

ment, she found Kate sitting o

» asked Kate wit

lopping down on the couch nex

g how? » in

g to Christian. "Let's just say I

iend. "Well, I can't wait to

r. One thing was certain: Christian Gray had turned her w

a soft, almost intimate atmosphere. Ana and Christian were seated at a table near the window, the light of the setting sun enveloping the scene in a golde

hristian said, taking a sip of his black coffee. His

terature major at the University of Washington. I like to read, obviously, and I write from tim

agingly. "What about yo

softly, her eyes looking down at her

is voice soft but laced with gravit

s invaded her when thinking of her father. "It was, but my mother was alwa

at this description. "What

daughter. He is calm, stable... everything m

e to your family,"

said, smiling. "And you,

"My family is complicated," he replied after a moment. "My adoptiv

t she decided not to push it. "I understand,"

for a moment before returning to her. "What about your

r eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Maybe even

ing. "I'm sure you'll succeed. You

hed by his words. "And you, Ch

accomplished a lot of what I wanted. But there is always mor