Anastasia's Sweetheart: A Tale of Love and Power

Anastasia Steele leaned against the headboard, clutching a bottle of wine as she gazed at the man opposite her. The room was dimly lit, casting his features into shadow and giving him an air of mystery and authority. "Name your price?" she asked, her voice soft and alluring.

Christian Grey stood with his back to the light, his face hidden in the darkness. He exuded an overwhelming sense of power and control that was almost suffocating. Ana, too drunk to notice, took another swig of wine and continued, "How about two hundred thousand? That should cover a year of your time here."

Greys eyes glittered with amusement as he watched her. He was used to women falling at his feet, but Anas bold offer was unexpected. "No more?" he asked, his voice deep and teasing.

Ana stumbled towards him, the scent of wine heavy on her breath. "Another ten thousand, how about that? I cant spare more." She looked at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

Grey caught her as she fell into his arms, his gaze dropping to her slightly parted lips. She was undeniably alluring, even in her drunken state. "Your husband doesnt provide you with enough?" he asked, his tone cold as he slid the diamond ring back onto her finger.

Ana pushed him away, her words slurring with anger. "Dont mention him! I havent seen him in three years, and he wont even tell me his name. Im the most miserable woman alive."

Greys eyes softened for a moment, a rare show of empathy. "Youre still young," he said, picking up the discarded wine bottle and disposing of it.

Ana, unsteady on her feet, moved around the room before setting up a camera on the table. "Im going to capture something scandalous," she declared, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I dont believe hell refuse a divorce if hes been cuckolded!"

Greys lips curved into a mocking smile as he helped her stand. "Naive," he whispered, his hands firm on her waist.

Ana pouted at him, her gaze defiant. "I paid for you, so stop complaining!" She pushed him onto the bed, her body following.

Up close, Greys features were strikingly handsome, causing Ana to pause and admire him. "Youre quite handsome," she murmured, her hands exploring his chest. "This is worth it."

The sudden movement startled her, and Greys kiss was overbearing and demanding, as if he intended to consume her whole. Ana, though tipsy, felt a flicker of fear at his intensity, her body trembling under his grasp.

But Greys hands were like iron, holding her captive as his kiss intensified. "Mmm... Jay, save me..." she whispered during a brief pause in his assault.

Greys eyes snapped open, his grip on her chin painful. "Who are you calling for?" he demanded, his voice cold and dangerous.

"Jay, I... I was wrong. Please, save me... Cant you just take me?" she pleaded, her emotions raw from the overwhelming presence of the stranger.

Grey released her, his gaze icy as he considered her words. "What are you willing to give?" he asked, his voice a low threat.

"I... you want me, dont you? Ill give myself to you... just dont marry anyone else, please?" she begged, her tears staining the pillow.

Greys eyes narrowed, and with a violent motion, he tore her clothes apart, his kisses brutal and overwhelming. Ana trembled beneath him, her protests lost in the storm of his passion.

"Wait, wait..." she managed to say, reaching for the bottle of wine on the bedside table.

But Grey stopped her, his hands firm as he removed the bottle from her reach. Ana lay still, her eyes closed, waiting for the inevitable.

Grey, however, released her, his gaze dark as he moved away to light a cigarette by the window. The smoke curled around his chiseled features, masking the anger that radiated from him.

The next morning, Ana woke with a throbbing head and a body that ached in places she didnt know could hurt. She slowly came to terms with what she had done the night before, regretting her impulsive decision to spend so much money on a stranger.

As she moved to check the video she had intended to record, she noticed the man beside her was already awake. He sat up, the sound of a lighter filling the silence, but no smoke followed.

Ana risked a glance at him, taking in his stern profile and the tight set of his lips, which seemed to carry a hint of anger.

"Have you finished looking?" he asked, his voice cold and biting.

She shrank back under the covers, mumbling an apology. "Dont worry, I wont shortchange you."

The man, still naked, leaned back against the headboard, seemingly unbothered by his exposure. Ana averted her eyes, her cheeks burning as she asked about the previous night.

"Did we...?" she trailed off, her mind filling with fragmented memories.

"Did," he confirmed, his tone casual.

Anas eyes widened in shock, and her heart sank. She had spent two hundred thousand dollars and lost her innocence, all for nothing. She had no evidence to present for her divorce.

"We didnt agree on recording," Grey reminded her, standing up and approaching her.

Ana closed her eyes, her voice shaky as she mentioned the amount she had spent.

"Are you trying to back out?" he asked, his proximity almost suffocating.

Ana retreated until she hit the edge of the bed, nearly falling off in her haste. Grey caught her, pulling her back onto the bed.

"Let go of me!" she demanded, her face flushed with embarrassment.

He held her hand, his thumb absently spinning the diamond ring on her finger. His voice was laced with suppressed fury as he warned, "Try discarding it again, and see what happens."

Ana was confused by his sudden anger, but she quickly gathered her clothes and wrote a check, leaving it under a water glass. She had lost more than just money and her innocence; she now had to face her mysterious husband and explain her actions.

As Grey emerged from the bathroom, he found the check on the table and sneered at it. "Mr. Grey, Mr. Black has made his move. The news has already spread," Sam reported, handing over a tablet.

Grey glanced at the headlines, which were filled with negative news about his cousin, Jacob Black, and his impending presidency of Easton Enterprises.

"It seems the Greys are not pleased with my return," he murmured, fastening the cuffs of his shirt.

"And the missus?" Sam inquired.

"Ive arranged for a taxi driver to take her home. Today is my nephews wedding, and I must give them a proper gift," Grey said with a cold smile.

Ana rushed out of the hotel, hailing a cab back to the penthouse. Ignoring the butlers questions about her late night, she hurried upstairs to ask, "Is the dress ready?"

"Ready, and Mr. Grey called to say he would have breakfast with you," the butler informed her.

Ana nearly tripped on the stairs in shock. "You mean my husband?"

The butler nodded, clearly pleased. "Get ready, he will be here soon."

Ana quickly retreated to her room, closing the door behind her. Three years of absence, and now he wanted to have breakfast together. She had no time for this.

After freshening up, Ana stood in front of the mirror, her reflection showing her in a stunning gown. "The dress was chosen by Mr. Grey himself," the maid added.

"Meddling much?" Ana muttered, lifting her skirt and rushing downstairs.

The butler chased after her, calling out, "Sir is almost back..."

"Tell him Im busy!" Ana replied, slipping into her car and speeding away from the mansion.

She had a tough battle ahead of her.