Chapter 10

Ana was sitting at her desk, reading yet another book that Jack didn't feel like reading but she read it with a smile on her face. She was smiling because she had spent her weekend with her amazing boyfriend, Christian Grey.She still could not believe that he was hers. After his confession of his past on Friday Ana felt much closer to him. They had an incredible weekend together; talking about everything, there was always something that they could talk about.

At first Ana was afraid to stay but then Christian said,

"No rush Ana, we can take this slow. I just want you here with me."

She had felt so relieved because she wasn't ready to take the next step, especially since they had really just met and began dating. She needed time to be certain of herself more than anything else. They had spent the weekend talking, Ana felt like she knew everything about Christian now, like they were so much closer. They lie next to each other and just fell asleep looking at each other. The first night Christian had gotten up after having a nightmare. He woke up in a panic and Ana looked at him confused and concerned. She wrapped her arms around him and hummed till he fell asleep again. They never talked about it until Saturday night when he confessed that he regularly had nightmares about what Sarah and he had done the night she drugged him.

"She torments my dreams she and Melissa."

"I wish there was something I could do." Ana replied, holding his face.

"Just you being with me is enough."

Sunday Ana cooked Christian a delicious lunch. Reality struck them just after lunch when Christian got a call about some issues at Grey house. He reluctantly dropped Ana back off at her apartment and said he would call her later.

Ana sat in her room thinking about Christian, Kate was with Elliot and she was alone and had enough time to arrange her thoughts. She called her parents and told them about Christian, her father was not impressed but her mother was glad that she was finally allowing love into her life. Ray wanted to meet Christian to make sure that he was not up to any funny business and Ana tried to convince her father that she needed time to get to know him before she introduced them to him. Ray wasn't happy but agreed to give Ana a few weeks.

After her parents she called Kate

"Kate, I miss you."

"I know Ana I miss you too, I will be home tomorrow."

"How is everything going with the wedding plans?"

"Well Elliot's sister Mia had basically taken over the arrangements, between Mia and my mother driving us insane we are really considering eloping."

Ana felt sorry for Kate; she had recognised that Mia had a strong personality. It was just a little amusing because Kate was just as pushy, somehow Ana thought that the pregnancy was making Kate a bit mushy. Ana was dozing off when she heard the buzzer, she looked at the time and it was eight, almost time for her to go to bed. When she opened the door she found Christian standing there. His hair was wet like he had just showered and he was dressed in jeans and a shirt. He looked amazing and smiled as he pulled her in to kiss her.

"Dinner!" he said holding up a basket.

"You are just too amazing." Ana replied

Christian stayed the night and when he woke up the next morning he smiled and said

"I sleep so much better with you next to me."

Ana was still smiling when she got to work and no matter how grumpy Jack was she didn't let it ruin her day.

"Ana" Jack said staring at her angrily

"Sorry Jack what did you say?"

"I said I need you to attend this benefit with me." He handed Ana an invite. She looked at him confused and then he continued to say,

"A few of the employees have been invited, you are teamed up with me. SIP donates a small sum of money to the cause and every year a lucky few get to go and rub shoulders with the rich and famous."

"Ok I guess i could go home and change, I will meet you there."

"I could pick you up?"

"It is fine I will go home and meet you there." Ana said

She didn't think that it was important but she sent Christian a message to say that she would not see him that evening

*Have to attend a work function tonight, I will miss you.*

The response was immediate

*With who?*

*Jack, my boss*

He didn't respond and Ana assumed that it was all fine until she stepped out her office and found Taylor waiting for her.

"Mr. Grey has sent me to drive you home and then to your function."

"Thank you Taylor."

Ana thought nothing of it, she went home, took a quick shower, put on a long black evening dress and black heels, she tied her hair into a tight side bun and finished of her look with a pair of gold hoops.

As Ana entered the Fairmount hall were the benefit was being held she felt tense as if everyone in the room had turned and llooked at her. Jack was waiting for her, he frowned and shook his head,

"Why are you dressed like you attending a funeral?"

"What does that mean?" Ana asked a little shocked

"Only that he does not appreciate true beauty." Christian said as he pulled Ana to him and kissed her.

"Christian what are you doing here?" Ana asked surprised

"My mother hosts this benefit; it's for the homeless and needy."

"You have never attended this in five years!" Jack said he looked upset.

"I have a reason to attend tonight; I could not let my beautiful girlfriend attend alone, now could I?"

Christian smiled and looked at Ana; she smiled back and felt her cheeks turn pink. Jack seemed to have disappeared as they made their way to their seats. Ana felt warm with Christian's hand on her lower back. As they sat down she noticed that many of the other SIP employees were with their partners or spouses. She felt herself coil inside as she wondered why Jack had not mentioned it to her. She also noticed that there was no other vacant seat at the table meaning that Jack had asked her and it would have looked like she was his date.

"Are you ok?" Christian asked

"Yes, I am glad you are here."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." Christian said as he put his arm around Ana possessively.

After the starters Christian pulled Ana up to dance with him, the music was slow and she laid her head on his chest and felt like the rest of the room faded away.

"You feel so wonderful in my arms." Christian said.

"It feels wonderful to be in your arms." Ana replied

The night seemed to have fast forward itself and before Ana could realize it the benefit was over and Christian was dropping her off at home. She felt at ease and happy as she laid her head on her pillow but she had no idea what hell was waiting for her the following morning.

As she arrived at her desk she found a white envelope with her name neatly typed out on it. She opened it and felt her heart sink as she read "termination".

Jack strode out his office with a smug smile and walked to Ana,

"I see you have my received my letter. Its such a shame, you have so much potential."

"Jack, I don't understand this."

"Its simple Ana I hired you and I can fire you."

"Not without a valid reason."

" I have a valid reason, we are cutting staff and I don't need an assistant. Unless you willing to make I worth my while."

"Worth your while." Ana said feel angry wash over her.

"You know what I mean Ana, don't play coy with me! After all you managed to get Christian Grey to surface. You must be giving up the goods to him."

Ana felt her cheeks turn red, she adjusted her handbag on her shoulders, grabbed the letter and walked out. She didn't look back because she knew that she could not give Jack the upper hand. There were so many thoughts going through her mind but all she wanted was to just get out of SIP. She just wanted to get away from Jack, as far away from him as possible.