A/N I was away, had time to think and act and do all the other things, but now I'm back. Hopefully I'm back till the happy ending. There is still one new kind distraction – I have the next fanfiction story forming in the back of my head, but I know that I have to think really hard before putting it into action (it would be something that could possibly collect more negative response than I'm willing to absorb, but I will not start unless I know for sure that I'll be strong enough to carry it up to the end of the story).
I try to stay focused and I hope you'll enjoy this story! Please feel free to make some noise in the review corner and preferably with your own penname and profile.
Ana's POV
I started that beautiful Monday with the short trip to SIP. Roach invited me to his office and sat me down.
"I believe you thought over the proposition I made?" he asked as I settled comfortably with tea in my hand.
"Yes, I have," I said. "I would be honored to accept. But I have to ask few things first."
"Go ahead," he motioned with his hand.
"Well, the thing is that I still have a year to go at the university. Not exactly a full year, but more like few months during spring term. I can't tell right now how of my time it will take. I will try to speak to the professors and ask them to accept as many tests and papers from last year as possible. But there still is a chance that some professors won't accept a single thing from last year and will demand I rewrite papers and retake tests. But in any case, I won't be able to work full time next spring and I want to settle the situation right now. I really do wish to finish college next spring."
"Mr. Hyde, as you definitely know, was one of our fastest editors. The amount of deals and unedited manuscripts that he left behind…" Mr. Roach said.
"I am aware." However, I sighed with relief the moment Mr. Roach spoke again.
"Well, I do need a full time editor right now. But with a longer timeframe - there is a possibility that you won't have such a large amount next spring. Since I know your potential schedule now; I'm able to push some books faster or slow some projects down. I can reassign some authors to other editors. Plus, I still would have more than four months to deliver it all. Are there any other concerns?"
"No," I shook my head. "I don't think so."
"Good! I promised you some stories for trial editing. I'm excited to see samples of your work, as your credits in WSU were more than remarkable."
He gave me a novella where he wanted to see the full editing with all the grammar and logical errors. Then he gave me two novels where he simply wanted my general opinion and estimation of the amount of work that should be done if I wanted to publish them. We talked at length over the stories and genres that were Hyde's favorites. I thank all the gods Hyde wasn't into hard science-fiction as I knew next to nothing about physics, gene technology or computers.
"Now, Miss Steele, I hope you are recovering from the trauma you went through last week?" Mr. Roach asked.
"Thank you for your concern, but I think I'll be just fine." Well it was a polite answer. In reality, I had no idea how it was going to work out. It might have gone one way or the other. If truth be told, then I was constantly on the edge of something. I didn't need Hyde in order to feel insecure or miserable. I didn't need office chatter in order to feel small and useless. It was all in me and with me all the time. There was a line I used as a road. On one side of that road there was me falling into great depression. On the other side there was me safely holding life and family in and around me. It felt as I hadn't chosen which side would be mine to have.
We said our good byes and Mr. Roach told me once again that he had high hopes for my abilities. I promised to bring the manuscripts back on Wednesday in order for him to look through my work and hear his opinion on Thursday morning. I had two choices – if I was good, I had editor's position; but if I wasn't good enough, I still had a position of assistant if I wanted one.
I hoped. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. When I looked at my phone; it made my day even more beautiful. I quickly looked at the text Christian sent and there was no way to wipe my grin from my face.
José was just here. I love you so much! (Believe me, it is the first time ever, I used the L-word in direct speech.) I do love you, Anastasia Rose Steele!
I just stood at the door of SIP and looked at that text. You know, out of all days - August 15thj just became my favorite day of the year. It was even better than my birthday, slightly better than Christian's birthday – it was the day he declared his love.
Oh, I wanted to see his face! I wanted to see his face when José showed him the portraits. I wanted to feel his hands on me when he declared his love. But it was still with me! And I just smiled.
Well, maybe there were some things I was able to do? I thought playfully and decided to tease him a little. I took my iPad out to write a little longer text than simple phone message.
I'm glad to see your words and I'm happy to help you. I believe that hiring a photographer is now out of order. I think I've been betrayed because where I was raised, people think a declaration of love should be delivered with hearts and flowers…
"Miss Steele!" I heard Sawyer's voice. "Please, Miss, we should go to the car."
"Right away," I tried to dismiss him. I had only few more sentences I wanted to write down before sending my message to Christian.
"We are standing higher than street level and it makes you too visible as a target. Please, Miss Steele, we really should go into the car."
I sighed and started to go down the steps. Suddenly Sawyer jumped in front of me and blocked my next step. It took some time to realize that he really must have seen some sort of threat coming from somewhere.
"Please stay right behind me," he finally asked. I answered affirmatively and we went slowly toward the car. I heard him speaking into his phone. It had to be Taylor on the other end, but things I heard were alarming.
"I saw Miss Williams in front of SIP, she headed east... No... I can't follow... Miss Steele is outside as well... Yes Sir... Understood... Yes..."
I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I recognized name and I knew it had something to do with that other woman I once saw. I'm quite sure that he was talking with Taylor, even if the name was never said out loud. But as soon as we reached the car and he had pretty much pushed me into it. I continued my message.
...I happen to know that these terms are new to you, so I think I can simply be the happiest girl in the world who got these words out of you. I love you! (And we aim to please).
I sent my message. Before I got my seat belt into fastened, my phone rang. Of course it was Christian.
"Hi handsome!" I said before he had a chance to speak.
"Hi! I can see that someone is bold today." He chuckled into the phone.
"Well, I wouldn't like to fee your jealousy, but one gorgeous guy just told me that he loves me. That kind of things may work as a small ego boost, but it's something I'm willing to live with."
"Well, Miss Steele, had I only known. Unfortunately all I did was wrong. You know, I saw one blue-eyed goddess, but I didn't offer flowers for her heart." He started another sentence, but someone must had stepped into his office, because the next thing I heard, was: "What?"
"Please tell me it isn't heart attack that came too early," I almost whispered into my phone. With one word all the joy and playfulness was gone from our conversation.
"Ana, please hold on for a second," Christian pled.
"Okay!" I said and waited. "Sawyer, please take me to Kate's office!" He pulled into traffic and I put my phone on speaker mode just to be sure I won't miss anything. I couldn't make out anything he was saying on the other end. I know Taylor must have reported about Leila, but at that moment it might have been a ruined business deal as well. I figured that is why he was yelling.
"Ana! Are you still there?" Christian asked after couple of minutes.
"Yes, I'm still here."
"Are you going to Escala right now?" he asked and I could hear angst and tension in his voice.
"No, Kate and I are having lunch together. I told you this morning. After that I have appointment with a shrink that I don't want to cancel."
"Ana, please go back to Escala right now. Taylor already gave instructions to Sawyer, but I really need you to cancel your lunch date."
"Why?" I was confused. I had my security with me, I hadn't told about any obvious threat.
"Just please so it! I need to know that you are safe."
"What are you not saying? Christian! What harm could happen to me? I'm nobody and I have my security with me."
"Should I remind you, Ana, that everything can happen with you?" His tone was harsh and all the sudden I wanted to crawl in bed and not come out.
"It hurt," I finally whispered.
"I'm sorry, Ana! I really am, but Leila has seen you with Sawyer and she knew him as my security. Please, just go to Escala until it all works out and we know better what she's up to."
"Please, could you be more precise? Should I be afraid or are you over-reacting?"
"I don't want you to be afraid," he said quietly. "I will tell you more this evening. You will be safe if you follow instructions."
I agreed and before I hung up, I already saw Escala. Well, he really meant what he said about Taylor giving another set of instructions to Sawyer. I went up, said hello to Gail, but refused food. Somehow I didn't feel like eating after that incident. I called Kate to tell her our lunch date was off.
However; she announced enthusiastically, "Grey already called me, I'm on my way there. I didn't know whether his housekeeper is home or not, so I ordered some Chinese food that should arrive approximately at the same time as me."
"Kate, you are genius!" I said enthusiastically.
"Hey! You are talking with the girl who was able to take part in and also organize sleep overs while I was grounded in middle school. This one is a piece of cake!"
There wasn't anything too important about our meal. We spoke and laughed and had some fun. After an hour she went back to work and I went to Flynn's office. I don't remember that particular session very well. My mind was disturbed and I answered absentmindedly. Well, there was one thing: he requested I take part in some group therapy.
"Here, in Seattle, we have a group that came directly from the same hell as you. I wouldn't suggest your participation yet, but you should go and listen. After that we can discuss it; if you want."
"I'm not sure about this week, but in future it might sound good."
He asked me about how this week went. I gave him answers about a new job, but to be honest, I have to say that I was scared as hell. Plus, Christian had an issue and I didn't know anything it. I didn't want to talk about that.
"Understandable," Flynn stated.
"No it's not! There are more, much more, but I really don't want to talk about it right now."
I almost ran out of his office and went home, where the manuscripts were waiting my arrival. I dug into them and waited for Christian. He wasn't home until dinner time. He sent some messages about 'fucked up deal in China' and emergency conference calls. Well, he had an empire to run, so I concentrated on the stories. But it didn't help! I was in the place where every single thing reminded me he wasn't there. I knew the door was secured and watched by men I was able to trust. I knew that Gail put her love into our dinner and for a second I felt guilty I had no appetite what so ever. I just sat and read till my eyes were unable to stay open.
