A/N: No fluff. Has a bit of background I wanted to get out though.

For those wondering, Ana and Mia are about 22, Christian 27, Elliot 29ish.

*Updated on July 2, 2016. Hoping I added better detail and fixed my errors.*

Anastasia had recently been promoted to editor at the publishing company SIP, where she had been working as an assistant since she started college. She had worked through her schooling doing mostly online, evening, and weekend classes so that she could get her foot in the door. After four long years it had finally paid off.

The last editor had up and quit without any notice and she had been thrown into the job suddenly, trying to clean up the mess the last editor had created. She had spent her days reading over manuscripts and going to meetings with authors, trying to sweet talk most of them back to the publishing company since the former editor seemed to leave a bad taste in many client's mouths.

It had been about two weeks since the last time she saw Mia or Christian because of this and she felt like she was having a bit of a withdrawal. She snorted at the thought. She barely knew Christian and he had a past that worried her…she wondered what could be so bad about it if he was never arrested. There was a part of her that wondered if she should just try to get out of it while she could, but there was a deeper part that wanted him. No man had ever caught her attention like he had and her curiosity about his past was too great to let it go.

She was even more surprised that she was missing Mia, considering she had been having a hard time with the Sean situation. Mia always had a big heart and had always felt the need to be loved and accepted by others. Mia was known to give more chances to people than what they deserved and tried to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Anastasia believed that Mia's insecurity about love is what kept her needing Sean around, even if he didn't deserve her love.

Mia had told Anastasia that Sean said he merely tried to kiss her and that when she called him stupid, he got overly upset and raised his hand when he shouldn't have. When Anastasia tried to explain that there was more to it, Mia had told her that she was just overreacting and that she needed to get over it.

Although Mia had a good heart, she was also very immature for her age. Her parents had babied her her whole life and she had no idea what the real world entailed. Mia was such a bubbly, happy soul that Anastasia found it easy to ignore her immaturity for the most part, although sometimes it made her cringe.

Anastasia sat in her office on Friday morning, trying to get through the mound of manuscripts that sat on her desk. She knew she would be bringing her work home with her for the weekend and she was a little disappointed, hoping that she would get to see Mia on Sunday. Maybe Christian would pop in for a Grey family dinner that Sunday…she should probably find something nice to wear in case. Maybe if she worked late into the night the next couple nights she could ease up on Sunday.

*Buzz*

"Yes, Olivia?"

"Miss Steele…there's someone in the lobby for you, requesting a meeting."

Anastasia frowned. She did not have the time for an unscheduled meeting with God knows who.

"Are they willing to schedule the meeting for another day?"

"Er…I don't think so, Miss Steele. Please."

Anastasia was surprised by her words. She was basically sending an SOS to relieve her of this person.

"Okay, Olivia. I'll be right there."

She heard a sigh of relief from her assistant. "Thank you, Miss Steele."

On her way, an intern named Benjamin popped up next to her. "Miss Steele, these papers came this morning that I need you to sign."

He handed her the papers and a pen as they walked towards the lobby.

"Papers? I wasn't aware of any…shit." Her eyes scanned the front page of the document. She marched toward the lobby, her jaw set.

"Miss Steele! I need that signed!" Benjamin called out, following her.

"In a minute, Benjamin!" She said as they turned the corner from the corridor to the lobby.

"But…!"

Anastasia spun around to face him. "Mister Baker! I will read through and sign this when I am ready! Do I make myself clear?!" She knew she was taking her anger out on the wrong person, but he was being ridiculous.

"Yes, Miss Steele." He scurried off looking taken aback and she marched on. She stopped in the lobby and crossed her arms, her eyes scowling at the intruder.

"Miss Steele."

"Mr. Grey."

"May we speak?"

"Please. Follow me." Anastasia answered coldly.

Olivia stood there, looking shocked.

"Olivia, could you bring me some tea? Mr. Grey? A beverage?"

Christian clenched his jaw, trying to keep the smirk off his face. Angry Anastasia was a sight to behold. "Coffee…steamed milk. Thank you Olivia."

Olivia's face flushed and Anastasia found it extremely aggravating. She didn't want Christian to find joy in anything at the moment…especially in making a female blush…when she was so angry with him.

He followed her to her office and shut the door behind him as she sat down at her desk. Once he sat down across from her, she threw the paperwork on her desk between them.

"Why?" Anastasia asked. "Why? Out of all publishing houses, you pick this one?"

"It was the most profitable." Christian answered, his face expressionless.

"I've worked so hard to get to this point and you just swoop in and take over the company and expect me to sign a new contract under you! Now I have to start all over again somewhere else!" Anastasia fumed.

"Anasta-Miss Steele… I assure you that there will be no need for that. Your job is safe here." Christian said leaning towards her.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as there was a knock on the door and Olivia appeared.

"Your tea, Miss Steele." Olivia said, setting it front of her.

"Thank you, Olivia." Anastasia said, not taking her eyes off Christian.

"Your coffee, Mr. Grey."

"Thank you, Olivia." Christian stared back at Anastasia with the same intensity and Olivia scurried out of the office, closing the door behind her.

"You realize you'll be my boss's boss? Do you realize how fucked up that is?"

"Technically, I already am and frankly I don't like your attitude, Miss Steele." Christian said, his gaze becoming hard.

"I haven't signed anything, Mr. Grey."

"Why are you so against this, Anastasia?"

"Because, people will talk. Not only am I friends with your sister, but if we decide to…pursue whatever…the rumors will fly and my reputation would be ruined! I can't be interested in my boss!" Anastasia sighed and chewed her lip.

"Your boss's boss...you wouldn't report to me." He reminded. "Please, Anastasia. Just sign." Christian slid the paperwork closer to her.

She eyed it. "How long have you owned it?"

"Two weeks."

"Why didn't you tell me?" She felt her blood boiling in her veins.

"I had a feeling you'd overreact." Christian said, running a hand through his hair. The action reminded Anastasia of the night in family room and the memory of how soft his hair had been. She quickly shook these thoughts. She needed to stay angry.

"Is that why the previous editor quit?"

Christian frowned. "He didn't quit. He was fired."

"Oh?"

"The employees are being informed today and it'll go public in two weeks. I imagine that when Jansen finds out who took over, the shit is going to hit the fan." Christian explained, taking a sip of coffee. Anastasia completely forgot they had drinks until she saw this.

She furrowed her eyebrows as she dunked her teabag in. "Why?"

"Well, isn't it obvious?" When Anastasia gave him a confused look he sat back in his chair. "You don't know? He's Sean's step-brother."

Anastasia's mouth dropped open. How could she work with him over a year and not know? Her stomach twisted at the thought. Just because Sean was bad, didn't mean he was too.

"Is that why you fired him?"

He sat with his elbow resting on the armrest, his thumb nail grazing his lower lip. When he just stared at her, her eyes widened. Her heart sunk when a thought hit her. "When did you decide this publishing house was the right one?"

Christian's tongue slid over his bottom lip. "Thirty days."

"Before or after you took me home?"

He frowned. "The Monday after."

"Christian! You can't just ruin a man's career because of mistakes his step-brother made!" Anastasia admonished.

"The company's numbers plummeted after he took over the position. It was necessary to save the company. He was shit at his job."

Anastasia sighed. "Yes, I can't deny that."

"This company was sinking and he was the cause…then you come in and you bring back three authors who paid to break their contract. You know what your doing Miss Steele. You are a real asset to this company. Sign Anastasia. Don't make me buy another company." He stood up and leaned over her desk, handing her a pen.

Anastasia stared up at his gray eyes trying to catch his bluff, but saw that they were warm again. She quickly looked down and cleared her throat. "I need to look through it first, Mr. Grey."

"Is that a yes?"

"No."

Christian stood, a frown forming. "So, a no."

"Not necessarily. Like I said, I need to look over it. You can't expect me to sign something I haven't read thoroughly." Anastasia set down her pen, annoyed that he was pushing her.

Christian nodded. "That's understandable, Miss Steele."

"Glad you understand. Now...is there anything else, Mr. Grey?" Anastasia asked, cooly.

Christian looked taken aback for a moment before his eyes went hard, his face cold. "No, that's it."

"Very well." Anastasia pushed the intercom button.

"Yes, Miss Steele?" Olivia asked through the speaker.

"Please show Mr. Grey out, Olivia."

"Yes, Miss Steele."

He stared at her, the look of shock back on his face.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Grey?" Anastasia asked, her eyes cold.

"No, Miss Steele. The meeting just ended rather abruptly for my liking." Christian said, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes, well I apologize, but I do have a mound of work to do. Some of us don't have time to chit chat all day, Mr. Grey."

Olivia knocked and opened the door, a fake, polite smile on her face.

"I expect your decision by Monday, Anastasia." Christian clenched his jaw and stalked out of her office, not bothering to wait for Olivia. With a look back at Anastasia, Olivia hurried after Christian. "Let me get the door for you Mr. Grey!"

Anastasia felt her whole body relax once they were both out of sight. She wondered if Olivia already knew about the change. He had said the employees would find out that day…was that why Olivia was so nervous around him or was it just his beautiful face and confidence? Or cockiness…Anastasia thought darkly.

Anastasia took a few deep breaths, trying to get her blood to stop boiling. She hadn't been that angry in a long time. Usually her anger was mixed with hurt or guilt when it hit her, but this anger was pure.

How could he have known and not told her? Why did it have to be the company she works for? How could he let Sean control his decision like that? How could she go on at a company where the owner is the only man to ever give her butterflies?

*Buzz*

Anastasia almost jumped out of her skin at the sound. She hadn't realized just how lost in her thoughts she was.

"Yes, Olivia?" Anastasia's voice was a little higher than normal.

"Are you okay, Miss Steele?"

"Yes, thank you, Olivia. What is it?" Anastasia sighed, trying to get her heartrate to calm.

"It's a Mia Grey on the phone…She sounds really upset. She said it's an emergency."

"Of course it is." Anastasia murmured. "Okay…put her through."

"Are you sure you're okay, Miss Steele?"

Anastasia smiled. "Yes, Olivia…these Grey's are just driving me a little crazy at the moment."

She heard Olivia's laugh. "Okay, Miss Steele. I'll send her through. Let me know if you need anything." Anastasia felt a sense of affection for the girl. She was a wonderful assistant and a lovely girl.

"Thank you Olivia."

The phone rang and she picked it up. "Anastasia St-"

"ANA! WHY HAVEN'T YOU ANSWERED YOUR PHONE?"

"Mia? Calm down! I was just in a meeting. What's wrong?"

"It's Sean! Oh, Ana! I'm so sorry!"