Thank you to everyone who takes the time to review/follow/favorite. Every review is appreciative, even constructive criticism, but please don't be rude. To answer your questions (if I missed any, please leave them in your next review)...

Ramanreinee: I hope I answered your questions. If you have more, feel free to ask and I'll answer them as long as they don't pertain to future storylines (I don't want to ruin the story for you).

Guest: I'm going to try portraying Ana more confident as the chapters go. Thanks for the concern.

Title: FSOG: From Heartbreak to Happiness?

Summary: Ana and Christian both suffered heartbreak from their last relationship with other people. Christian from his first attempt at one and Ana after getting cheated on. Once they meet, it's obvious there is a spark. But the question is, can they conquer their fears of getting hurt again? AH. Ana/Christian endgame.

Chapter 9

***The Next Day***

(At 'Christian Grey Enterprises', Christian is going through a few files that Courtney brought to him earlier that morning. As much as he was trying to pay attention to his paperwork, he was finding it increasingly difficult. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew the reason why he couldn't concentrate. It wasn't something, but a someone. Damn it! How the hell was he supposed to get any fucking work done when his mind was elsewhere? He didn't blame 'her' for occupying his mind. More so, he blamed himself because he allowed his mind to wonder. He hadn't prepared himself for the fact, since he met Anastasia Steele, his thoughts would continuously go to her)

(He wasn't quite sure if he regretted meeting the infamous Ana or not. In his heart, he already knew the answer to that question. He could never regret meeting her. In the short time he has known her, she brought him happiness. She opened his heart. She opened his heart to the endless possibilities life had to offer. She opened his heart to the fact that it was okay to be happy again after his disastrous relationship with Elena. Finally, Ana opened his heart to the fact that there were other women in this city besides Elena that could treat a man better)

(In his head, though, Christian wasn't sure if he could take that chance. In his head, he never needed a woman to complete him. He never needed a woman to satisfy him. He never needed a woman to make him happy. That is what his work was for. He took great pride in his work. He wasn't about to jeopardize his success for anyone, not even a woman)

(He knew full well what would happen if he risked his focus on work for a woman. His business would suffer. All his hard work would go down the drain. Hell, he could lose millions if he lost focus. He spent many years building his company from the ground up to be the success it is now. He couldn't risk wondering if he should take a chance on Ana just because she fascinated him. He wouldn't risk everything so he could see what she is like. What inspired her, what motivates her, and anything else he could find out about)

(In so many ways, he wanted to take that chance. No woman, fuck, not even Elena, has ever gotten to him like this. He didn't know how the hell Ana accomplished this in so little time. He barely knew her, for Christ sake! For all he knew, she was just another woman unworthy of his time. Deep down, though, he knew better than that. Deep down, she wasn't just another woman. She was worthy of his time. He needed to tread lightly because he has never felt this way before. Out of all the years he has come across the opposite sex, no one ever captured his attention this much)

(Christian sighs deeply in frustration. He needed to get his fucking act together. He clears his throat as he tries to avoid his current thoughts. He looks towards his window. After pondering for a few moments, he gets up from his office chair and walks towards his enormous window to look at the view)

(He sighs as he rests his hands in his suit pockets. He looks around to admire the amazing view. He knew, no matter what was wrong in his life, looking out the window to see the beautiful wonders would clear his thoughts. That's what he appreciated about looking out the window. Whatever his troubles were, they were lost in an instant. He didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. He didn't care as it helped him out)

(He almost didn't hear the knock on his door before it opened, revealing Courtney. She walks slowly to his desk with papers in her arms. She tilts her head and chuckles slightly)

Courtney: "Trying to clear your thoughts?"

(He chuckles as he turns halfway around to face her)

Christian: "How'd you guess?"

(She walks towards him until she's a few feet away)

Courtney: "Because I have worked for you long enough to know when you need an escape from reality."

Christian: (nods slightly) "Sounds like you know me well, Courtney."

Courtney: (snorts) "I'd have to, to put up with your bullshit." (apologetically) "No offense."

Christian: (shakes his head) "None taken." (sighs) "You understand me well enough to know when to keep your mouth shut or when to speak up."

Courtney: (nods) "You're right. I do. I respect you, Mr. Grey." (chuckles) "Even when you don't deserve it."

(Christian laughs as he looks towards the view again. She takes a step to admire the view before nodding)

Courtney: "It is beautiful, isn't it?"

Christian: (nods) "That it is."

(After a few seconds, Courtney looks at her boss sympathetically)

Courtney: "In case you are doubting yourself, it's okay to feel something towards Anastasia Steele."

(Christian turns his head quickly to face his secretary)

Christian: (confused) "How did you know? I didn't mention her."

Courtney: (smiles slightly) "During the interview when I knocked on your office door and let myself in to bring you some papers, I saw how you were looking at her." (chuckles) "You were so mesmerized by her that you didn't even know I was in the room until I cleared my throat, making my presence known."

Christian: "I didn't know that you were paying that much attention."

Courtney: (shrugs) "It's kind of hard not to when the object of your affection was making you do summersaults inside your body."

(Her joke causes him to roll his eyes. She smiles that she knew he was just teasing on his eye rolling)

Courtney: "Mr. Grey, I know it may not be my place to say this. It's okay to be happy and run your company at the same time."

(Christian looks out of the corner of his eyes at Courtney before facing the window again)

Christian: "You're talking about Ana again, aren't you?"

Courtney: "Yes. You may not know this, but all the times you talked to yourself about her when you didn't think that I was around, I witnessed your emotions come to light."

Christian: "Did you now? Being a little sneaky, aren't you, Courtney?"

Courtney: "Not when you ask me to bring your folders on some sort of business topic and then you forget I'm still in your office to see if you need anything else. When it's obvious your mind is elsewhere, I make my exit."

Christian: "You sound very observant."

Courtney: (shrugs) "Not intentionally, but it comes with the territory."

(After a long moment of silence, Courtney is almost ready to walk away as she wasn't sure he wanted to be alone when he speaks)

Christian: "You know, it's weird. Aside from Taylor, my guard, and Gail, my maid at my condo, you're kind of the next person I speak to. I speak to Taylor at my place or in the car. As for Gail, I speak to her at my place. Here at work, everyday, all day long you're not bad to talk to, I guess."

Courtney: (chuckles) "I'll take that as a compliment."

Christian: (sighs) "Oh, Courtney. Ana is a lovely woman." (shakes his head) "I just don't know if I can take that chance."

Courtney: (tilts her head) "Correct me if I'm wrong, sir, but if you hire her to be an Editor here, you will be seeing her a lot. That choice may be made for you, whether you like it or not."

Christian: "Any feelings I have for her would be put to the side if she is hired."

Courtney: "Have you made a decision on who you will be hiring? Is Ana at the top of that list?"

(Meanwhile, in the park, where Ana is jogging, she is listening to her mp3 player. She takes a break and sits on a bench nearby. She catches her breath and takes her ear phones out. All of a sudden, she hears a pair of footsteps stop when they reach her. She looks up to see who it is, revealing Jose)

Ana: "You can keep walking."

Jose: "It's a public place. If you don't like me here, feel free to leave."

Ana: (raises her eyebrows) "Fine. I will."

Jose: "Is this how it's going to be now? You ignoring me?"

(Ana scoffs as she shakes her head at her ex)

Ana: "Why would I want to talk to you, Jose? I have nothing to say to you."

Jose: (raises his hands) "So, we can't even be civil towards each other?

Ana: (seriously) "Nope."

(As she gets up from the bench and attempts to walk away, Jose grabs her arms to keep her in place)

Jose: (angrily) "Hey! I'm not done with you yet!"

(Ana looks at him and forcefully tries to yank her arm free)

Ana: "Don't you ever, ever do that again! I am not yours. I will never be yours. Go find some other hopeless soul you can treat like a piece of property."

Jose: (scoffs) "You know you loved it, Steele."

Ana: "Keep telling yourself that. Now, let me go or I will have no problems raising my voice. Something tells me I'll find a few people who will come to my defense and kick your sorry ass. Which you so deserve."

(Jose reluctantly lets her go with a deathly glare)

Jose: "You always were a bitch."

Ana: (smirks) "Just not yours anymore. Nice knowing you...loser."

(Ana places her ear buds back in her ear lobes and keeps jogging. Jose chuckles evilly before speaking)

Jose: "Oh, Ana. I wouldn't count me out just yet."

Chapter 9 Done

I realize that this was a very short chapter. However, I wanted to end it here as I felt it was a safe place to do so. If you have a minute, please review/follow/favorite. More reviews/follows/favorites mean more chapters. Some chapters will be shorter/longer than others. Hope you don't mind. Thank you! Until next time! Merry Christmas!