APOV

"I could get used to this" I said, smiling down at Christian who had just emerged from his car, to collect me for work.

"I hope so. How are you this morning" he asked, climbing the steps up to meet me.

"Very well. I do admit that your bed here is so comfortable that I do struggle to part with it."

"It is yours, all yours Ana. As am I."

"I am very happy about that" I told him, before his lips met mine.

We were in full view of anyone who should pass but at that moment, I simply did not care. Christian's lips were very distracting, as was he.

"Come, let us depart before someone calls a policeman on us for putting on a show."

I giggled, as he followed me inside for a moment to collect my purse and say goodbye to Charlotte. Before long, we were on our way.

Driving into the city, Christian was very quiet, like he suddenly had a lot on his mind.

"Christian, is something the matter" I asked.

"I am fine Ana" he told me, kissing my hand when we had to stop at a crossing. "I need to speak to you about your father and I thought the office was the best place to do that. It is not a conversation I am looking forward to having."

"What has he done" I asked quietly, thinking whatever it is, had upset Christian.

"I will explain when we arrive. What I say is sure to change your view of him and I do not want your view of myself to change also at my family's involvement in this."

"Christian, my view of that man will never change and whatever he has done, is not on you."

"I love you Ana."

"I love you too."

It was me who kissed his hand this time before we were on our way once more.

"I wanted to ask you about Taylor."

"What about him" he asked.

"He is your driver, guard even but he is not with you all the time."

"You are right, he is my driver and guard. More so in America where I am known more than I am here. In London, it is more my family name than me that is known, and I am perfectly happy about that fact. There were a few surprised faces when I introduced myself as the owner of Grey Enterprises. They have dealt with my grandfather and having someone my age come in, knowing every detail of their business was somewhat intimidating, even unsettling to some. Like you felt you had to prove yourself to work, so did I with some men in business who saw my age before my intelligence."

"Do some still see your age."

"No, they realised very quickly that if they want to do business with my company, they have no choice but to do business with me."

As Christian parked the car outside of the office building, he came around to open my door.

"How do we behave here" I asked. "Am I to keep a distance from you."

He leaned in to place a kiss on my lips before taking my hand.

"We are together Ana, a couple for everyone to see. I promise to let you do your work and keep the touching to a minimum when we are in here, but I do not want to hide us."

"Shall we go and do some work then" I asked, smiling as he led me into the building.

We walked through the main doors and into the office space where I work. I greeted everyone, returning smiles and the kind words that I was back. Throughout this, I still had Christian's hand in mine and no one said a word about it.

"Oh, thank the heavens, you have returned" Ryan greeted me, making me laugh.

"Has it been that bad" I asked, placing my purse down onto my desk and unfortunately, letting go of Christian's hand.

"The filing system is in complete disarray; you and your intelligence has been missed and especially your smile that brightens the office."

"It is good to be back Ryan" I smiled, looking to Christian. "Coffee?"

"Please" he answered before making his way into his office.

I made Christian's coffee as well as a tea for myself. Taking them into his office, I placed his coffee onto the desk.

"Take a seat please Ana" he asked.

I took a seat, placing my tea onto his desk as he came around to the front and held a file out to me.

"What is this" I asked.

"Your fathers business or should I say mine."

I opened the file, looking through page after page of paperwork, agreements, accounts, default notices and the icing on the cake, the sale of most of my father's company to Theodore Grey.

Christian had stepped out of the office to speak to Ryan as I continued to read the lies and deceit that is my father's life.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to make you cry" Christian spoke, brushing my tears away.

"You did not, he did. All this time he has made himself out to be the perfect businessman, looking down on those less fortunate than himself and it has all been a lie. Does my mother know about this."

"I do not know Ana. If she does not, she is in for a shock. I have issued him with a notice of sale."

I looked up to Christian and he had a guilty look on his face.

"Why that look" I asked, placing my hand to his cheek.

"Pulling my backing will end his company unless he has the money to put in. Before he can get to that point, he has thirty days to find the money to buy me out otherwise he will lose everything. I was angry at his treatment of you, but I did not think of how you would feel at seeing your parents destitute."

"They are my parents because they were there at my conception and birth but that is where the involvement in my childhood and upbringing ended. If it was Charlotte who was facing this fate then I would be broken hearted, but them, whatever the future holds for them, they have brought on themselves."

"That is such a relief to hear Ana."

"How did this all start. The paperwork states that my father sold off most of his company but not the reason why."

"He was in debt, serious debt. From what I know, my father introduced yours and my grandfather at a gala. They were talking business and your father approached my grandfather for a loan a few days later. Your father had gambling debts that he just could not pay back."

"Gambling" I gasped. "I should have known, he was terrible at math. I corrected him once…." I spoke quietly, bringing my hand to my cheek.

"What did he do" Christian asked angrily.

"It was a few years ago now, I think I was thirteen, fourteen. He had come home from the office very angry one evening and had left some accounts on the hall table. I took them to him, thinking he had forgotten about them and as I laid them down onto his desk, I made the mistake of telling him that one of his calculations were wrong. He went into such a rage, struck my cheek and told me I had no right knowing about his business. It was the only time he ever touched me like that and I do not know who was more shocked, he or I. I never corrected him again."

"Ana, I will make sure that man will never hurt you again, that woman too."

"I know that Christian. What will happen with this now" I asked, holding the file up.

"That is up to him. I did advise him that I would be paying a visit to the company this week. To look around the building and make sure anything of value, has been logged down."

"You are going there" I asked.

"Yes. It was my grandfather's purchase so apart from the initial meetings I had when I arrived here with all the companies I own, it has been running with the team I put in place."

"Would you have done this if not for me" I asked him.

"Eventually. His behaviour towards you has just brought my decision forward."

"When you go, can I come with you" I asked.

"Of course, if you would like to. I will require Taylor to accompany us though as your father was very angry when he came here on Friday…. Ana."

"Yes."

"With your parents and the trouble with Hyde, I would like to appoint a guard to you. Despite how much I would like it, we cannot be together every moment of the day and I would like to know you are safe when you are out by yourself."

"Lucas was my guard, for many years in fact. If there is a chance that he could be offered the job, then I would be more than happy with that."

"That is fine Ana. I would rather have someone you know and trust to look after you. I will find a way to contact him and put my job offer across."

It was after ten in the morning, when I finally left Christian's office to start my work. First thing, was the filing cabinets which were a complete mess. How hard it is to put a file back in the correct place, I do not know but they have all been warned that I will do their job next time and they can sort it out.

A few chuckles went up around the room, but they know I am more than capable of doing anything they can.

"Do you have a lunch date" Christian asked me.

"I do, with a certain curly haired young man and his mother. Would you care to join us" I asked, seeing his beautiful smile.

"I would love to."

I waited until my lunch had been delivered, before Christian and I headed for the park.

"Would they be here today" Christian asked as we crossed the road to the park. Fine rain soaking our coats that the umbrella did not cover.

"Yes, there is a shelter not far from the entrance where we sat on Wednesday of last week." I went quiet, thinking it had not even been a week since that dreadful day and so much had changed. "I was not much company last week, although Geoffrey made me smile."

"He does have a certain charm and wit about him, for someone so young."

"He does that" I said, as I heard my name being called, seeing my favourite little boy waving from the shelter.

"Anastasia you came, mama and I were worried about you. We still had lunch, but you were not here."

"Lunch" I asked, turning to Christian who had a sheepish look on his face.

"I could not let them go hungry" he whispered in my ear.

I kissed his cheek in thanks, surprising him.

"Are you better" Geoffrey asked me as I sat by his side.

"I am, very much so. I banged my head."

"You did" he asked, shocked. "Did you have an egg."

"I did" I laughed. "It was under my hair at the back of my head. I am sure if I could have seen it, my lump would have resembled an egg."

I opened my sandwiches, offering Geoffrey and his mother Paulina one before Christian and I took our own. Seeing Geoffrey and his mother, whose name I had learned only last week and Christian, were the only highlights to some very dark days.

"How is work Paulina" I asked.

"It has been fine" she said quietly, trailing off.

"What is it" Christian asked. "Is someone hurting you or Geoffrey."

"No, Christian, nothing like that. The master has been heard speaking of letting some of the staff go. My job may not have offered a lot, but it did come with a place for Geoffrey and me to sleep at night."

She looked sadly at the little grubby boy who was happily eating a sandwich. Such a simple thing could brighten his day.

"Do you think Charlotte could use an extra pair of hands at the house" Christian whispered into my ear.

"Really" I asked, looking between my two lunch guests and the man by my side.

"They would have to sleep in the servant's quarters and I am not entirely sure how having Geoffrey there would work out, but it is an idea."

"Charlotte had mentioned Holly and the harsh treatment she has gone through at the hands of my mother. I was going to ask you about bringing her over but Paulina and Geoffrey though."

"Ana that house is vast. My grandparents had twelve staff for just the two of them who did everything around the house and gardens. If you bring Holly in as well as Lucas and Paulina, that is only four."

"Do not forget Geoffrey."

"I cannot forget him Ana. He is a child and should be able to grow up like one."

"I love you Christian. You have changed my life in a way I never felt possible for me and now you want to help others."

"I will do anything for you my love."

"Anastasia" Geoffrey called to me, from the other side of the shelter where he had been playing catch with his mother and a small ball.

"Yes, Master Geoffrey."

"Have you ever ridden a horse" he asked me.

"A horse, no I do not believe that I have. Have you."

"No, they are big, scary" he shivered.

"Just because something is bigger than you, does not mean it is scary. I am bigger than you."

"You are not scary" he giggled. "Neither is Christian. Policemen are though."

"I know. Some people just like to be mean, but you are better than them."

We sat watching the heavy rain as I kept them talking. I knew lunch was over, but their clothes were so thin, that I feared they would get a fever if they were to leave at this moment.

"Paulina."

"Yes Anastasia" she said, turning to me. No more ma'am but it was a battle to get there.

"Would you like to come and work for Christian and me."

"What" she asked, looking between Christian and myself. "What about Geoffrey."

I sat and listened as Christian explained about the house where I now resided and the job he was offering.

"I could bring Geoffrey."

"Of course, we have accommodation in the house. You can both stay there."

"I do not know what to say" she spoke, tears in her eyes as she wrapped her arm around Geoffrey's shoulder.

Despite the life they live and how little they have, there is nothing more important to Paulina than her child. That is how it is supposed to be.

"I would have to inform my employer" she spoke.

"That is fine, there is no rush. You will come" I asked.

"Yes, yes please. Thank you."

As the rain died away, Paulina and Geoffrey made their leave. Christian had given Paulina instruction to come to the office and speak to Taylor who would help them with their move when she had spoken to her employer. Whether that was today or the next, there is a place for them both in my home.

"You are building a home for waifs and strays" I giggled as we made our way back to the office.

"I am giving a home and employment to those who deserve it."

"Including me" I said, turning to him, before we reached the office door.

"You maybe in my employment here, but not at home. You are the lady of the house and I am just surrounding you with the best people available that will look after you."

"I am very well looked after thank you, especially by you."

I placed my hands to his face as he brought his lips to mine. We could hear muttering around us, but they were ignored as I pulled him closer.

"Anastasia you are making it very hard to be able to concentrate this afternoon" he smiled, brushing his finger over my lips.

"I promise that once we are through those doors, I will be the perfect lady."

"Out here you are the perfect lady, my lady."

"All yours" I told him, before we entered the building.

….

The afternoon passed by quickly and I think Taylor was the busiest of us all. Christian had sent him to my parent's house with instructions to speak with Holly and Lucas and from what I hear, they had both left immediately and are now back at my home. As he arrived back, it was Paulina and Geoffrey who had his attention.

"What will happen to the staff when we leave for America" I asked.

"That will be up to them" he told me. "Gail and Taylor travel with me wherever I go. That does not mean your staff cannot do the same. It might be difficult moving Geoffrey and his mother if he wants to move into schooling here but Charlotte, Holly and Lucas are more than welcome to come with us."

"You would put Geoffrey through school" I asked, wiping a tear away.

"If that is what Paulina wishes. You can tell just by speaking to him, how intelligent Geoffrey is at such a young age. That intelligence should be encouraged, nurtured just like his mother has done. He is a credit to her, especially with how they have lived."

As we arrived home, the first thing we heard upon entering the house was Geoffrey's laughter.

"Welcome home. Can I get you anything" Charlotte greeted us.

"I would love a tea, please. How are the new additions coming along?"

"A joy" she laughed. "Master Geoffrey is having his first bubble bath."

"Does he have something clean to change into" I asked.

"Yes, he does, although it is a bit worn."

"I have money, perhaps Paulina could go out and get him some new things."

"It will all be taken care of Ana" Christian told me as he led me into the drawing room, taking a seat by my side on the couch as Charlotte went to make my tea and Christian's coffee.

"How so" I asked.

"All of my personal staff have a clothing allowance. I cannot expect Taylor to pay for the expensive suit he wears in my presence or the housekeepers uniform that Gail wears."

"But Geoffrey is not staff. I do not want him working."

"He will not be. The only work I want Geoffrey to do is his school work if Paulina lets him go. I will let them settle in before you or I speak to her about that. With regards to the clothing allowance, I think as they have come from basically nothing, they could both use it. Now Paulina is earning a proper wage, she will be able to provide for him more, but it does no harm to give them that heads start. I think she has more than earned it for all the hard work she has done."

We were interrupted by a quiet cough, before Holly entered with our drinks.

"Are you feeling well Holly. You seem to have developed a cough" I teased.

"I did not want to intrude."

"You are not, it is good to see you. It is not so good to see the mark on your face, my mother's handiwork no doubt."

"Yes, I was not working quick enough."

"There is no excuse for that" I said angrily. "I am glad you are here."

"Me too."

She left Christian and me alone as I sipped my tea.

Despite how many people were now in this house, no one interrupted my time with Christian, not that I would have been angry if they did. This house felt full of life now and it was a joy to see the smile on Geoffrey's face when he came to say goodnight.

"You have pleasant dreams young man."

"I will. Thank you for bringing mama and I here."

"It is a pleasure. I will see you in the morning. Good night" I said, hugging the little boy who held a piece of my heart. "Good night Paulina."

"Good night Ma'am."

"None of that. It is Anastasia remember."

She smiled before taking Geoffrey off to bed and with the yawn that left my own mouth, a place I will be visiting soon myself.

….

"Are you sure you want to be here Ana" Christian asked me, as we stood outside of my father's business.

"Yes, I am glad we have Taylor and Lucas with us because I know my father will not be best pleased that I am here. I would not miss this though."

Christian offered me his arm, but I took his hand in mine instead, entwining my fingers with his. Together we walked into the building.

"Good morning, what can I help you with" a portly man greeted us.

"You can let Raymond Steele know that Christian Grey is here with guests."

He looked between Christian and me, paying special attention to our two guards behind, before disappearing from sight.

"He was welcoming" I laughed as Christian led me towards a row of doors, each having an office behind.

Christian was not waiting for my father to appear as he wanted him to know that, even though this might not be his own offices, he can come and go as he pleases.

For each office we entered, we took stock of what was around us. Some were occupied, others empty. Inquisitive faces greeted us as to what we were doing there.

"I thought you said he was here" I heard my father's voice.

"He was Mr Steele; a young lady was with him and two other gentlemen."

"A lady….No, he cannot."

"I think he knows I am here" I told Christian.

"And if he steps too close to you, he will certainly know that I am here" he told me, placing a kiss to my lips.

Christian had given me a list of what had been previously recorded as his property in each room. I was checking what had been logged down for this office, making sure nothing had disappeared when the door burst open and my father appeared.

"You" he said to Christian, angry that he had brought me here. "Anastasia, you need to return home immediately."

Instead of answering my father, I turned to Christian and let him know that everything was in order.

"ANASTASIA, LOOK AT ME" He screamed, his voice echoing across the hallway and into the occupied offices beyond.

No one came out as they were either used to my father's tantrums or wanted to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

I looked to Christian, imploring him not to move as I know he was very close to hitting my father. At the moment, the only one who would benefit from that, was the man that I now faced.

"It is rude to shout" I told my father, shocking him into silence. "I can understand why this business is doing so poorly if you treat your staff the way, you treat your daughter. As for returning home, I will be happy to do so at the end of the day when my work is done. Charlotte is making my favourite meal this evening and I do not want to miss it."

"This is your work, all your fault" he turned, advancing on Christian.

"No, it is not" I said stepping in front of Christian, halting my father in his tracks. "This is all on you. I have seen the paperwork, the evidence of your lies and deceit that you live behind. You look down on people as if you are better than them, when you are not. I know people who have nothing, and they are so much more of a human being, have more kindness in their hearts than you could ever have. Whatever happens to you from this day forth is of your own making."

"Shut up child, you know nothing."

"Oh, but I do. I know you are going to lose this company because you do not have a penny to spare. I know the only thing of value you own is the home you live in or is that gone through your gambling too. As for me, you do not own me. I am my own person and I am free to give my heart to whoever I so choose, and I choose Christian."

"The man who is about to put your own flesh and blood on the streets."

I looked to Christian, taking his hand into my own.

"If that is the outcome, yes."

He raised his hand to me but before he could move any closer, Christian had my father's back to the wall, with Lucas and Taylor right behind him.

"You do not touch her" Christian spoke to him, angrily.

"First you steal my daughter and then my staff as well" he spat at Christian, nodding to Lucas who looked like he wouldn't have minded being the one to have my father pinned at the moment.

"I think you will find that, we all left freely" Lucas told him.

Christian let go of my father, coming back to my side. He kissed my forehead, taking my hand into his before turning to my father once more.

"We are going to continue our tour in peace. If you disrupt us, I will halve the time you have left to save your company."

"I cannot get the money in time" my father said, showing fear for the first time.

"That is your problem" Christian said, leading me to the door.

"One thing" I inquired, before we left the office. "My mother, does she know about this."

"Of course she doesn't. Women have no place in business."

"Then you are responsible for her fate also. I hope you can live with that."

We left my father alone with his thoughts, continuing our tour of the business. We spoke to the team that Christian had in place, running his side of the business here and trying to keep it afloat. I think when he informed them of his plans, they were relieved. I cannot blame them, having to spend day after day in a constant battle with my father.

"I can understand why the company was losing money long before your grandfather came onto the scene" I told Christian, as we drove home.

"What do you mean."

"When you are at work, you know what is going on, even in the businesses you own but are not there every day. You are very hands on and are not afraid to get them dirty. You listen to ideas, suggestions and are not afraid to put those ideas above your own if you think it would work better. My father runs his business from his chair, shouting orders and firing everyone who disagrees with him. I looked through some of the papers when we were in the accounts office, looking through paperwork of deal after deal that has fallen through or failed because he did not put the work in or listen to the advice or suggestions given. Jacob, he said that they have put plans forward to him, plans that would have put the whole company back into profit again if he was not too pig-headed to hear. One thing I know of my father, is according to him, he is always right. Even when he is wrong which he will never admit to."

"I have met many men like your father Ana. All who want to be master of the universe, all who have failed through ignorance and stupidity. Live and save for your future, not just for today, my grandfather would always tell me."

"That is very good advice" I

told him, as we stopped outside my home.

I stayed seated as Christian came around to my side. Upon opening the door, I took his hand.

"I have been thinking."

"What has that beautiful head of yours been thinking about" he asked, as we approached the front steps.

"Seeing my father today, I know more than ever why my parents were so intent on marrying me off to whoever offered the most. My mother might not have known about his business dealings but I do believe that with her insistences that I marry quickly, she did know some of his financial woes. They were not just trying to save the company, they were trying to save face in society."

"You are not a pawn Ana and I would never allow you to be. If things were different, I would rather live on the streets than be without you."

"That will never happen Christian. I am glad I was able to go with you today. It gave me an opportunity to show my father that he holds no power over me, that I am free to live my life the way that I wish. He has no say in my life any more and I have you to thank for that."

"I am here to hold your hand Ana. You are the one who is leading the way."

"Then let me lead you to the dining table. I do not know about you but after today, I am famished."

"Lead the way then My Lady" he laughed as he followed me into the house, I now call home.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.