A/N (Do read this Author's note)

Hey, you all.

I have had a blast writing this chapter, really. Hope you feel the same way about reading it.What happened to George Floyd (and many others who couldn't make it to the headline) was brutal, inhuman and something not even animals should be subjected to.

It's a shame to the policemen, the people who stood there, silent without doing anything and the government. All we can do is sign petetions as much as we can and make donations if we are able.

We have to stand together. I have seen wonders happening through posts going viral and people signing petitions.

Lastly, I am sorry for having such a long A/N but I wished to use every platform I had to do my bit.

The NEXT CHAPTER is going to be dropped really soon. I have most of it typed out. If all goes well, I should be posting it within three days.

Love,

VA Adeles xx

How was I? Fine? As in good health and feeling well? Synonyms classified as well, healthy, alright. He wanted to know if I was healthy, alright, fine and well? Was it right to say the four-letter word that was used almost every day in life but so untrue, just some word to dodge the present, the fact?

"I am fine, daddy," I replied, anyway and it seemed to be almost convincing. That's when Gail appeared in front of me, uncertain to proceed. I nodded at her and she sat beside me and began to fix me up.

"Annie?" Ray called from the other side, his tone starting to stretch with tension. That consolation must not have been a good job then.

"Uh-huh," I avoided using my words,

"Did something happen?"

I closed my eyes, preparing myself to not botch-up and give myself away, "I am fine, dad. Just tired. I had a long day with Isaac, discussing work,"

"That's great," he said, warily, "I wanted to call you but I didn't have any time,"

"Hmm, no problem,"

He suspected, yes he did but did not hound me with follow up questions; figuring out himself he had to do the talking, "A boat turned today; several people got injured. I have been in the OR for fourteen hours now,"

Another casualty. I didn't know if I was capable of holding it together. I had to keep it as short as possible, "Everyone okay?" That was good. No too-long sentences.

"They don't have any information about the number of people on the boat. God knows some of them might still be underwater," he said in a low, hurting voice

I winced as Gail put on a band-aid on my wound. My first normal reaction since Ray called. She mouthed a sorry and excused herself. Thankfully, Ray took it as a reaction to the accident, "You okay?" I asked quickly

"Two patients died in my OR," he grumbled, "And one is yet to have another surgery,"

"Oh, daddy, I am so sorry," I whispered to him, my eyes starting to pool with tears again. I was so confused as to what exactly my apology applied to. I was being selfish, thinking about myself but it was a fact that my father warned me about Christian way before any of this was even anticipated.

"I know, baby. It's just, it's a lot of pressure," he said and exhaled a short chuckle, "Do you know what that patient told me when we brought her in?"

"What?" I asked even though I wasn't really taking notes... but as dad kept to talking to me, I realized that he was kind of stalling the tsunami that was building inside of me; his voice was the soothing charm that kept me from falling off of the verge of tears.

"She said she was here to meet her son and something about fixing what she broke, I think she meant her son by that. She held my hands in hers and pleaded with me to save her life," His voice was a low painful whisper,

That touched me. She deserved a second chance. For her son. She deserved to live. Just like Isaac, she deserved it, "I wish she lives," I thought out loud,

He hummed, "Yeah. She's got a shot, many don't," Wow, was he upset, "I have been avoiding the news but I guess I will have to check-in for the updates. We gotta be ready,"

My spine chilled. I forgot about the news and if he saw it, he would never ever forgive me. He warned me, said it was instinct and I went against it. He would see this as some sort of betrayal, wouldn't he? And this wasn't some ordinary treachery, it was telecasted on national television.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, sorry, um something came up," I said hurriedly, "But dad, um, y-you know how much news sets you off, you don't have to do this to yourself,"

"Yeah," he agreed, "Oh, hey son!" Ray suddenly said, "Oh, brilliant, thank you. Tell your mother she has hands of a goddess, the pasta yesterday was delicious,"

I heard a throaty laugh.

"Ray? Is that Jake?"

"Oh yeah, sorry, Annie. Jacob just dropped by," he informed me, "It's Ana," he whispered, and then his tone was of the normal pitch again, "Would you like to talk to him? I just got paged,"

"Yeah, yeah, you go"

"Hey." It was Jacob,

And my facade dropped.

He was quiet on the other end and all I could hear was breathing. There was something, something wrong

"Jacob, hey"

He was quiet.

"Jake?" my voice quivered,

He sighed, "Yeah,"

And it hit me, the way he said the word. He was hurt and disappointed, struggling to be distant. The disappointment wounded me the most.

"You saw it," it wasn't a question, I knew it.

"Of course, I did," he grumbled, "Are you insane or what? You are all over it,"

"I know," I whispered,

"If Ray –

"Jake! No, please, you have to make sure he doesn't do that," Panic was good, it made the tears go away, "He can't know that I am with him,"

He snorted, "So, what do you think is gonna happen? And how long do you think this will go on?"

"I don't know!" I shouted at him,

"Oh, come on, hammer. What did you think was gonna happen? That you would run away with prince charming to a distant shore and happily ever after?"

I started whimpering because my life was nowhere near that and I didn't plan it to be but I didn't imagine it this bad either.

"Oh Annie," Jacob resigned, his voice melting like snow in summer. "That was harsh, sorry. Now, don't cry on me, you know it scares the shit out of me,"

Different people, different reactions. One laughed, one's horrified.

"You okay? Really?" he asked,

"N-no, they are painting me out to be a gold digger,"

"Who cares? They don't even know you,"

"Kate does and she agrees,"

He was silent for a second, "Well, she can be a cold bitch, she's just jealous. Let it go,"

"Yeah, right."

"Look, Ana. I really don't care about what she said, okay? All I know is that guy is not the right guy. I didn't say it when you were here because I thought you were already about to explode but you know it, he is not the right guy."

"Jake, don't"

"No, you don't. It's not done when you call it, Ana," he hushed me with an angry snap, "You asked me to butt out and I will but that doesn't mean I will not call you out on something like this,"

Of course, he was right but I didn't want to hear it so I ended the call without another word and collected myself, standing up. My head was spinning a little but I seemed fine otherwise. I went up to my room and curled up inside the blanket when my tears finally stopped, leaving my eyes dry. I lightly pressed my hand on my forehead and winced, it hurt.

A knock startled me. Gail was standing on the door, seeming apologetic and hesitant, "Miss Steele, do you need anything?"

I shook my head at her and closed my eyes. I needed to sleep and forget this and pray that all of this would turn out to be just a bad dream.

But it wasn't a dream because I remembered every single detail when I woke up the next day. I was in worse shape than yesterday; something was banging against the walls of my head and my eyes hurt when they blinked. A wonderful day to start the first day at work.

I slowly slipped myself into my grey suit and white shirt, tying my hair in a ponytail. It felt like any sudden, quick movement would break me. I had to be stronger, collapsing was easy but not an option. I missed dad and his arms that I knew wouldn't harm me. I wanted my four walls around me that provided me my mother's warmth and security that nothing would ever happen to me. I looked at the mirror facing a pale, lifeless ghost and silently lifted my hand and touched my mother's earrings, the only coastline I could find and sighed. I needed to leave.

"Mrs Jones," I called her as I began to leave; she smiled at me in response, standing right behind me, "Can you do me a favor?"

Her smile faded an inch, "Of course, ma'am,"

"I hate to ask you this but can you pack my bags before I get home?"

There was no smile anymore, "Miss Steele, what happened yesterday was nothing, just wrong place at wrong –

"Gail," A voice interrupted us. Taylor; he was standing behind her with a glare. She cast her eyes down, embarrassed. He turned to me, "Your bags will be packed, ma'am," he said politely,

I nodded and the elevator door opened.

The building was beautifully tall and glassy, it reflected everything back – the steel gate that led you to a T-junction with stunning gardens and circular, extravagant fountain in the middle. The guard let me in as soon as he saw me. The cab driver took a roundabout around the fountain and stopped right in front of the automatic door when a well-dressed man waved us over in a welcoming movement. He smiled at me.

"Good morning, Miss Steele," he bowed and opened the door for me

I bit my lip to stop my high school giggle when he did that. I stepped out of the car and nodded my head at him, "Thank you, Mr?"

"Torres at your service, ma'am," he bowed again,

I couldn't help this time, "You don't have to do that, please,"

He bowed again in response and turned red. I laughed, "Thanks, Torres."

He nodded and gestured me in. The weather changed as soon as the automatic doors let me in, the room was freezing cold with the scent of lavender and freesia, a large reception area on my left with a brunette sitting behind a teak wood table talking to Isaac who seemed sociable in an all-black suit.

"Isaac?" I called and his eyes flashed at me, his lips turning into a brilliant smile.

"Ana! What a pleasant morning!" He grabbed me into a warm hug and I patted his arm, unsure how to react. He pulled away, his one hand still on my waist, turning me to look at the grand reception, "This is our reception," he gestured at the table. There was a large wooden panel right behind the table and written on it with steel letters were the words 'reception' and above it, 'AiKa Publishing'.

He smiled at the lady, "That's Olivia, she has been working here for over ten years,"

She grinned at me. Olivia looked young to me, still in her late twenties, maybe. I smiled back and glanced at Isaac.

"This is our waiting area; do you like it?" he waved his hand over to the black leather sofas with a black marble table. In the right corner was a magazine stand and above the sofa – in the in-wall shelf - was a 'gigantically-huge' Buddha figurine in white marble. It was beautiful, mesmerizing.

Isaac didn't know it but I treasured Buddha idols and I was very choosy whenever I hunted for one. He was the god of peace, love, and positivity and that's what I wanted to feel whenever I saw an idol and this picture was captivating that connected straight to my soul. It was so, so beautiful.

"The statue is beautiful, Isaac," I whispered, still in awe. The idol did something to me, I was no longer the mess that I was when I entered but collected and composed and at quite peace.

"Ana?" Isaac called out to me, gently and carefully. I realized a single tear had fell off of my eyes and I laughed.

"I just really love it,"

He laughed, "I'll have another move into your cabin if you like it that much," I nodded, still marveling, "Let's take the office tour now?"

I smiled.

"What happened to your head, by the way?"

"I fell." I lied and we stepped into the elevator.

The rest of the building was a little dull, to be honest. Somewhere you'd go to work. The office, no doubt, was updated to the newest technologies with the most expensive computers, sleek and shiny but I didn't really know much. It mostly followed the pattern of white walls and ceiling, wooden flooring, and white table that were laid out like children standing row-wise, in a boring morning assembly, and people working like robots. Some of them smiled at me when I passed by them but others just threw me a pointed look before plastering a smile.

I tried to remember their names, that was rule no. 1 of being a good leader but only some of them stayed with me that were the head of their respective departments. Miss Garcia, a petite empowered woman who (as Isaac said) had a no-nonsense attitude and kept her words mostly to herself. She was one of the best we had in our editorial team. Mr. Lee, a short and healthy man who seemed arrogant and hostile to me as soon as I met him. He was the head designer and excellent in his work and then there was the friendly Mr. Rod(riguez), head of our sales and marketing.

Each department had its own floor.

"Your office is on the eleventh floor," Isaac whispered to me, moving me forward by the small of my back towards the elevator, "The cafeteria is on twelfth and there's a lounge on the tenth that's right above us,"

I gave him a look, "Why do you have such a huge building for a publishing house? It's just… publishing a book,"

He scoffed, "We don't just publish a book," he pressed the elevator button, "We publish our own as well,"

I glared at him. He did not tell me that, "What exactly, if you may?"

He rolled his eyes, "It's online, don't worry. We maintain several kinds of blogs, we started that about a year ago," and his eyes glittered with some kind of affectionate emotion and I realized this was something special to him.

"Okay…"

He chuckled, he was happy today, "Danny, my son, he wanted us to have a blog to employ budding writers,"

I just stared at him as we entered the elevator, would he talk about me like that as well? Or does he already? "What kind of blogs, Isaac?"

He smiled, "The department handles a blog for social issues, fashion, food and traveling and also just poetry and writings,"

"I like it," I nodded,

"I don't expect you to do this alone," the elevator pinged and the door opened, "That's why we have our second-in-command Jerry Roach,"

A man was standing in front of us in a white shirt and blue sweater; his warm, sophisticated smile highlighting the wrinkles in the corner of his black eyes. His hairs were white and shiny and his skin was alabaster pale like me, "Anastasia," he greeted me in a gentle and smooth voice,

My cheeks were already lifted up with a smile that was frozen in place since hours ago and tried to lift them a little more, "Hello, Mr. Roach,"

"Oh, please, just call me Jerry,"

"Jerry, I see you already recognized her and her, you," Isaac said, cheerfully, "Ana, he has been my back through this illness while I was away,"

I suddenly felt it. How young I was in front of him and inexperienced and now he would work under me.

He saw something in my face and laughed, "I have no problem working for you, Steele,"

Isaac looked at me and I turned red, "Come on, I'll introduce you to your assistant and then walk you to your office,"

I nodded, quickly.

Hannah was a beautiful black woman with a British accent. No one in the whole building spoke to me with an accent, all of them were Americans. She was sweet and a little awkward but I liked her... and then there was my office, freshly renovated for me.

It was so me. To my right, there was a Lawson's style sofa in royal blue with yellow and white cushions, on both its hands were yellow mid-century armchairs. The little trunk and the carpet took my heart away, my mother was a fan of them. She would sacrifice anything to have a trunk but she could never buy one.

The trunk was traditional and the carpet was a gorgeous bohemian which was simply lovely and I wondered who decorated this after all and why wasn't the whole office as casual as this cabin?

Then my eyes flashed at my area. My working table was rustic with cross-legs and wide with organized markers, highlighters, pencils and pens, and files. A lot of files.

"Go, sit on it," Isaac whispered in my ear, standing right behind me and I did. I was so proud of myself and I was having this weird urge to giggle and laugh with all the freedom I could have. I sat in the chair, my chair and smiled at Isaac.

He bobbed his chin towards something at my back and I realized that there was a small corner that held a small Victorian shelf different from the ones on my other side. Several books were lined up for me with a small couch beside it and I knew that this was an address to my problem when I said I wouldn't be able to just sit and read.

"Thank you, Isaac. Really." I muttered with a heavy heart,

He shrugged, "I am trying to be considerate and my daughters helped me with it,"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise when he said his daughters but I concealed it and asked, "But when?"

"A week before you actually came," he chuckled and sat in front of me,

I just moved my head up and down and placed my palms on the table, "So, what do I do now?"

And we fell into the hours-long conversation of work. He told me about an introductory meeting of the board and that I was supposed to be the show dog today, smiling and being polite. Isaac sent me up into a frenzy when he told me that I could introduce everybody with new ideas, too if I wanted and that would help me up in making a good impression. As we indulged more and more into the conversation, I couldn't help but ask about the hostile glares I got from my colleagues which Isaac just brushed off saying that nobody likes the new king at first, anyway and that people still hated him.

I wouldn't doubt it, though. He was self-centered and arrogant mostly. He was like a teddy bear but filled with cactuses. He laughed at my analogy, by the way.

We were in the middle of a conversation when Hannah walked in, "Mr. Kay? I am sorry to interrupt you –

Isaac waved a hand at her, "You don't address me anymore, babe,"

I glared at him. She pursed her lips but then turned to me with an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Miss Steele, out of habit,"

"No, no, go ahead,"

"Umm… actually, two people are waiting to talk to you –

"Hannah," Isaac interrupted her again, annoyed this time, "I asked you to clear off her schedule for today. The first day is just to –

"Get to know everybody, I know, Mr. Kay but this wasn't in her schedule,"

He opened his mouth again.

I cleared my throat, "Isaac, will you please allow me to take over now?"

He looked lost and embarrassed. I took that as a yes, "Yes, Hannah, I am sorry, nobody's interrupting you now,"

She smiled, "Mr. Lee is standing right outside, he wants to talk to you. He's been really persistent,"

I frowned, "He's in designing, right?"

Hannah nodded.

"Well, okay. Send him in,"

"Oh no," Isaac intervened, "He can talk about whatever he wants tomorrow or if it doesn't need a conversation, just mail it, Hannah. Today stays strictly for introductions,"

"But, Isaac, if he –

He shook his head before I could finish, "Work is always going to be with you but priorities and words stay as they are,"

I nodded. He did know about the world more than I did.

"Very good, I'll convey him the message," Hannah said, "Also, Mr. Grey is here to congratulate you personally. He is at the reception,"

I gaped at her, "Who?"

She looked between us, as if I was insane, "Err... Mr. Grey? Carrick Grey from GEH, he is –

"I know who he is," I snapped and regretted it when both of them looked at me, bewildered. So much for an impression, "I am sorry, didn't mean to snap at ya. Don't keep him waiting at the reception,"

Carrick strode into the cabin as if he owned it and smiled at us, "Isaac!" he laughed and pulled him into a hug, "Congratulations on the new editor!"

Isaac grinned, "Thanks. This is Anastasia Steele," he pointed at me.

Carrick kept his smile intact, "Oh, yes, Isaac, we have met. Ana," He greeted,

"Hello, Mr. Grey," my voice came out as a whisper, "Please sit,"

And we all sat down. Isaac and Carrick Grey clearly knew each other by the way they sat, perfectly at ease, or was it just me who sat squirming in the seat which was more than comfortable?

My phone rang loudly before the silence stretched too long. It was Christian, he was probably up after the peaceful night. It didn't go unnoticed by his father and I quickly muted it. I couldn't deal with yet another issue and know what it was about, considering that I had requested Gail to pack my bags.

"You can take it if you want," Carrick shot a look at me.

Why did he hate me? "It can wait," I said, timidly

"Of course," he mumbled, "Oh, Isaac, would you mind if I steal your daughter? I would like to congratulate her in private,"

I glared at Isaac when Carrick said the word daughter. He didn't see me.

Isaac rolled his eyes, "Sure, sure. I'll show myself out. I have to get some paperwork ready and then she'll be our new president,"

With that he left me alone to be chewed out. Maybe I was just overreacting, how worse could it be? He wouldn't kill me off or something for playing a small role in a PR nightmare that GEH was already going through.

"You're afraid of me," Carrick stated,

I took a deep breath, "Not scared, just wary,"

He nodded.

"Why do you hate me, Mr. Grey?" I blurted out, my hands balled into fists at my side. My nails were digging into my skin.

He snorted, "I don't hate you. I just want you away from my son's life. I'll pay you whatever you want, buy you another company if that's what it takes,"

I was incredulous and angry and disgusted. I stood up from my seat, fuming, "What did you just say? What do you think I am? You'd pay me for what, exactly?"

He just sat there, looking at me as if he was waiting for a dog to stop barking and then come up to him, wiggling his tail.

I wasn't going to budge this time. I have had enough of being cornered and accused of something I wasn't and this had to end now, at least on his part. And so, I took my ground and kept glaring.

It could have continued for long if Carrick wouldn't have finally opened his mouth, "Look, I already know you and my son were close when you were kids but don't give me that shit where you tell me you'd take care of an addict because you still care about him. I know how the world works."

I shook my head at him, "Well, you clearly haven't valued friends and family then... but I do and I care about your son because he was my best friend. I really don't know why you want to think of me as some con who's after your money,"

"Well then, what? You're never after money?" he arched an eyebrow at me, "You were just a long lost daughter of the man who suddenly showed up to take care of his empire?"

"I wasn't lost, sir," I snapped back at him, "I didn't want anything to do with him because he wasn't a good father just like you,"

That made him stand and look straight at me, "Do not cross your line,"

"I am sorry but that's true and you know it. Isaac is dying and he wanted me to take over and I couldn't say no."

He didn't know about Isaac, apparently and the moment he turned confused I knew nobody knew. It was a secret but that wasn't the part that echoed in his head. "I wanted to be a good father," he said through his teeth, "And I wanted to believe in love and family but love never believed in me. I gave it a shot after his mother left me, that didn't work out," his jaws clenched, "love doesn't get you the bread and luxuries, young lady,"

"That's just sad,"

He laughed bitterly at me, "Sure it is. Life is, sometimes. And I don't care what you think about my parenting but I want my son to get back onto his two feet and get his ass back into the office and I would do anything it takes for him to do that with no obstacles," he brought his face close to me, just inches away.

I was the obstacle. "I am not with him for money and I feel disgusted about you and myself when I tell you that."

"Then get out and do not return,"

"I have no interest in harassing myself by either of you," My eyes blurred, "But this is my office so, respectfully, get out."

He frowned at me when his eyes scanned the band-aid on my forehead. His mouth opened and he inhaled a shocked breath, "Did he do that to you?" he whispered,

I looked away but nodded.

"H-how?"

A single, lone tear fell off my eyes, "He wasn't lucid. H-he... pushed me and I fell and hit my head,"

"I... I don't know what to say. I am sorry this happened to you." he stood up and buttoned his suit, "Meet you downstairs in five for the meeting,"

With that, he stormed out of my office.

That was when I saw Carrick with total clarity after everything I learned about him when I was a kid, everything my friend told me... and now, that I was beginning to experience the ground reality, I got to know him a little more, the bright side. He was a good man, aspiring to be a good father, too but he had weird ways to show which would leave you confused.

He did care about his family but he wasn't wired to grasp the concept and so, he ended up gifting a car to his son instead of being there for him. When his kid desired his attention, he ended up gifting them a vacation trip to Bali.

My phone screen lit up just when Isaac entered to come and take me to the party in the lounge. I held up a finger at him, moving around the table, "I'll take the call, I'll be right behind you,"

He nodded and walked off.

I answered the call and took in a deep breath, "Hello?"

"Ana?" He whispered. I couldn't understand if there was any emotion behind it.

"I am busy, Christian. I can't talk right now, am at work. Please send a message if it's something important,"

He rushed to speak before I could disconnect the call, his tone desperate and stressed, "Ana! Please, please tell me why are your bags packed?"

I just stared at the screen, "You don't know?"

"No! I don't remember, did I do something? Say anything? "

He didn't remember. "No, you didn't," he didn't need to if he didn't, "I just don't think I can handle a relationship"

"Ana, I love you," he said it like a farewell,

I ended the call and plastered a smile before walking into the lounge for the party.

My phone vibrated again but I muted it.

I don't know, Christian. I don't know about love anymore... but thinking about leaving you might be the hardest decision I'll ever have to make.

Next coming up soon. Stay tuned.