Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story reflect those in E L James's Fifty Shades Trilogy, therefore they remain her property. The plot and themes in this story are those of the author. The author is in no way affiliated with James. No copyright infringement intended.
Once again thank you for your support! I cannot express how much it means to me! :) You can find me on twitter infamousfanfic if you want :) Please, please, please keep reviewing! It really shows me how I'm doing.
Chapter 10 will follow this one soon, as I already have it planned out.
Much love! :)
We stand in silence as the doors close, sealing us in the lift. I stand there nervous in his company, with my hands knotted in front of me. After everything we've been through over the past several months, over the whole time we've known each other, he's still keeping things from me. If it was 'no one important' who gave him the picture, why would he hide it from me? Why can't he tell me? My brain goes into overload trying to work him out.
'No one important'. That could be anyone! Immediately her name springs to mind, thinking back to how Grace was behaving at the party a few days ago - does she know? Is that why she and Carrick were acting weird, because Christian is still in contact with her? I turn to look at him through the corner of my eye; his face is cold, expressionless and tired. Where has my Christian gone? The Christian that just took away all of my dramas and anger. Instead its place is now filled with yet more stress and frustration.
The lift jumps to a holt landing at the first floor. Christian steps forward as the doors open open, ready to exit. As he makes his way out, I press for reception, hunting my BlackBerry from my purse, ready to call Sawyer to come get me.
"Ana?" I look up from my purse to see Christian standing in the doorway of the lift, preventing them from closing. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to call Sawyer to come get me, to take me home."
"No. Come. Now." He reaches out his hand and waits for me to take it. I'm frozen for a second before I reluctantly slip my hand into his.
Pulling me from the elevator I stumble, catching my heel in the door. I regain myself, shaking it off. He wasn't watching, just focused on leading me to wherever we're going.
"Christian, where are we going?"
"To meet with security. We need to sort this out."
"But why am I coming with you? It'd be best if I just left."
He stops as if he's hit a brick wall, swivelling on his heel to face me. "Anastasia, I own Grey Publishing. You will be the President within a year, it'll be yours. You need to know as much as I do. There are no secrets between us."
LIAR! I stare at him, shaking my head.
"Ana. I have no secrets from you." He reaches forward to stroke my face but I recoil, rejecting him. I falter as I watch him twist from the inside; rejection hurts him the most. Christian, I just want you to be honest with me.
He turns back on his heel, heading down the corridor, running his hand through his hair. I follow him silently until we reach a large silver door with the name 'Dawson' on it. He reaches forward and opens the door, pushing it aside, allowing me to enter the room first.
The room is rather small in comparison to the rest of Grey House - well, what I've seen of it. There are no windows, just an air conditioning machine whirling above us. A series of computer screens stack the far wall, each with an image of various rooms here in the building. I follow them, noticing the one of Christian's lobby, just outside his office - Andrea is in focus, typing away at her computer. My eyes drift around the rest of the screens, thankfully noting that there is no feed coming from Christian's office. At least no one saw anything! Was this a deliberate feature employed by Christian? A cold shiver shoots down my spine as I dread to think how many fleeting affairs have happened in that room; on that desk. Would Christian have allowed his subs to come to his workplace?
"Mr Grey." A young man rises from a chair in front of the screens; I hadn't even noticed him sitting there. He's wearing a black suit, similar to the one Taylor normally wears. His blonde hair is sharply formed into a smart buzz cut. I guess security guys all have the same style, especially if they work for Mr Grey.
"Dawson. This is my wife, Anastasia." Dawson reaches out offering his hand, I take it solemnly. I let my hand drop soon after contact is made. I may be annoyed at him but I'd rather not send him into a complete meltdown, over some petty jealous concern that another man has even dared to touch my hand. His property.
"Mrs Grey." He smiles at me before returning his gaze back to Christian.
"Developments?" Christian pulls out a chair from the desk to the left of us, sliding it behind my legs. His hand rests on my shoulder, gently pushing me down onto the seat.
"Yes Sir. We had another breach this morning, Mr Grey. Again the files they are trying to gain access to are those of Grey Publishing, Sir."
"Yes, I already know that. What else have you uncovered?" I throw my head back looking at Christian, standing with his arms crossed in front of him. I'd hurry up if I was you Dawson, he's not going to take any prisoners in the mood he's in right now.
"Of course, sorry Mr Grey." Dawson shifts, clearing his throat, avoiding any eye contact him. It's pleasant to find that I'm not the only one who feels belittled and childlike in his presence. "Welch managed to track the files they have tried to pull, they're all financial sir. Roll numbers, figures for the sale of SIP. Mr Grey, we've also uncovered that they have tried to get access to the personal work areas of several senior management in Grey Publishing."
"Who?"
"The financial head, Mr Lowerstoft; Head of Public Relations, Ms Broad; And that of Mrs Grey's, along with your assistant ma'am." He reads from memory.
They're trying to hack my files?
"Have you gained any progress in determining the source?"
"No sir, whoever they are they're using a portable device, unregistered to any fixed location. We believe that they are connecting via a wireless transmitter. But for the time being Mr Grey, the server remains unknown. We can't track where they are accessing it from."
"Continue as you were, make sure you cross check every port, even if it takes you all fucking day and night. Call Welch to have passwords and key codes changed within the hour."
"Yes sir."
"Ana." Christian holds out his hand to me, pulling me up from the chair to swiftly make our departure from the room.
He leads me back to the elevator at the far end of the corridor, gripping onto my hand, tugging me fiercely.
"Ana, please try to keep up."
"Christian where are we going now?" I whine, fed up with his attitude, even if I am partly to blame for it.
"Home. You've skipped lunch."
"Thank you Gail." I whisper to her as she places the Caesar Salad in front of me.
"You're welcome Ana." Gail quickly exits the kitchen, leaving Christian and I in silence once more.
I lift my fork and make a start on my lunch. Blip is swirling around like crazy, clearly pissed that I ignored his routine.
"Ana, I do not appreciate the way you've acted today." He voice cuts through me, stabbing me, ripping me apart.
"I don't appreciate your attitude."
"For fuck's sake Ana, you're supposed to be looking after yourself. It's not just you anymore, you need to stop thinking about yourself."
"How dare you! I am looking after myself, so I missed one meal. If you haven't realised I came to see you after a shitty morning, only to be bombarded with yet more shit!"
I push my plate away, sending it flying over to the other side of counter. I swivel in my stool, jumping down. I can't believe he's still making a big deal over this. Haven't I endured enough, what with the lecture on the way to the car about not eating?
"Anastasia, get back here and finish your meal."
I spin quickly, scowling at him. "Screw you. You can't tell me what to do Christian. In case you've forgotten I'm your wife, not a sub or employee. I do what I want, not what you tell me. But then again, when do you ever tell me anything?"
Stomping out of the room I head in the direction of our bedroom. I can hear him sliding his stool across the floor behind me, to follow me. I slam the door, pacing for a few moments. How dare he talk to me like that! His footsteps echo from outside the door. I can't even look at him right now. Feeling the tears build up in my eyes, I rush off into the bathroom as he enters the bedroom.
"Ana, please, stop." His voice is soft and calm, begging.
"Just leave me alone." I shut the door behind me, turning the lock. I slide down the door, landing on a heap on the floor. I pull my legs up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them, resting my head against my knees.
"Ana please, let me in." He knocks softly on the door.
"Please, just leave me alone." I struggle to catch my breath as the tears continue to fall, relentlessly.
"Baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you."
"I know." I mumble, wiping my nose with the back of my hand, unable to tell if he heard me. My throat is sore and throbbing.
"I love you Ana." He whispers back through the door, sinking against the other side. "Ana, I'm not leaving you. I'm never going to leave you."
