CHAPTER 2

"Phoebe just called! She's coming back here after the presentation...a meeting's been held here or something." Piper informed Paige, as she walked into the kitchen where she found Paige sitting at the table, Piper took a seat next to her, "and she asked us to keep...well the whole thing this morning just between us!"

This caught Paige's attention she looked at piper concern and worry registering on her face, "I don't like this...I mean, what's going on with her?"

Piper shrugged her shoulders, "I have no idea. Maybe we should try and talk to her tonight."

The presentation ended, and Phoebe left the conference room feeling exhausted, Jason was in the room talking to the clients but Phoebe wasn't up to small talk she walked out and headed back to her office, as she stepped in she attempted to close the door but Mark pushed his way in shutting the door behind him and drawing the blinds, "Mark get out of here!" she ordered.

He turned to her, "They really like the presentation Phoebe" He said, "You did us proud." Phoebe looked into his eyes and saw the determination, "I don't want to stop been you're partner, I like working together." He said

"Well I don't want to work with you not after last night..." she clearly stated.

Mark advanced on the spot where Phoebe was stood, "Come on just one more chance..." he said with a smile on his face.

Phoebe shook her head, "No now..." she walked past him and over to the door, "I think you..."

Before she could pull it open she felt his hand grip around her arm, and swing her around, he pushed her against the door, "Phoebe you are going to stay been my partner and you are not going to tell Jason anything about any of this..."

although Phoebe felt threatened and intimidated she stood her ground, "And what makes you think that?" she asked.

Mark brought his hand to her waist, "Because if you don't you're sisters get it...and I know people..."

Phoebe now had fear in her eyes, "Don't...threaten me!" she stammered.

Mark smiled, "Oh, it's not a threat...it's a promise. I'll kill them." Mark moved his hand from her waist to her lower back and pulled her into him so their bodies pressed together, "Got it..."

Phoebe was scared; she had seen what mark was capable of so she nodded her head, in fear that he would hurt her sisters, "Fine, we can stay partners work together, but that's it!"

Mark smiled victoriously, and released Phoebe, "For now!" Was the last thing he said, there was a nock at the door, Phoebe snapped out of her own thoughts and turned pulling it open, by now Mark was over by the desk leaning on it.

Stood at the door was Jason, he walked in, "Hay you two; I just want to tell you what a great job you've done."

"It was nothing." Mark said, Phoebe looked at him and wondered how he could change from threatening, to charming in such a short space of time.

She heard Jason's voice but didn't really pay attention, until he stood in front of her, "Phoebe! Are you okay?"

Phoebe just nodded, "...yeah fine I was..." she stopped.

"Well you did a great job" Jason said Wrapping his arms around Phoebe, who saw Mark across from them with a smile on his face. Phoebe felt physically sick, was this really happening, how had she allowed things to get so out of hand?

"Are you ready to go...we still have this meeting to get to?" he asked. Phoebe nodded her head and with that Jason kissed her on the forehead, "Great." And with that he left followed by Mark and then her-self.

She was sat in the back of the limo that was ready to take Phoebe, Jason, Mark and the client who's name was Mr. Wilson, he was an older client into his early fifties at least, Although he was dressed in a smart suit with leather shoes shined as if an army major, which Phoebe had know doubt that he had served in the forces. She wasn't really up to a meeting but knew she had to do it. She was sat opposite Mr. Wilson and Mark and next to Jason, who could feel something was off, but he came to the conclusion that Phoebe was just tired. Phoebe was uneasy because Mark had his vision fixed onto her, it was driving her insane.

"So Mr. Dean, I hear that this is the newest of you're investments" he said referring to Phoebe.

Jason smiled, "Well you don't have to make it sound so...objectified...Phoebe is the best columnist and contributes a lot to the papers reputation, isn't that right?" Jason asked.

Phoebe shook herself a wake and plastered a smile on her face, "Let's just say, I put my heart and soul into my work..."

"And it shows" Mr. Wilson complimented. The rest of the journey to the manor was much the same.

Piper walked down the stairs of the manor and as she did the front door opened, reviling her baby sister followed by three guys ,only Jason she recognized. She became increasingly worried about her sister, her darkened eyes, far off stair; she didn't look like the usual Phoebe.

Jason looked up to see Piper, "Hay, hope you don't mind?" he said referring to the meeting.

"Not at all. Go through I'll get some drinks." She offered.

Jason smiled and he walked into the room followed by Mr. Wilson. Mark turned to Phoebe, "Come on partner." He said before following them into the room.

Piper walked over to Phoebe, "Honey, is everything okay? You don't look so good."

Phoebe forced a smile for the benefit of the older sister, who could see straight through it, "I'm fine really, don't worry. And thanks for the...Drinks. I better..." she said indicating towards the room, Piper nodded in understanding.

The meeting had been underway for at least ten minuets; Piper had already brought in a tray of drinks before leaving them to talk. Phoebe was sat on the sofa next to Mark, Jason was sat across from them and Mr. Wilson next to him, "Phoebe I'd like to hear more about the development ideas you have, if I were to sign on as an investor into the bay mirror...what would change for you..." Mr. Wilson asked.

Phoebe took in a deep breath in order to pull her self together and then began, "Well, recently I have expanded my column and also written a few articles and moved into the aspect of reporter as well as columnist, I believe, as you saw in the presentation that news brought to people through a reliable and well know sources more personalized, and well if there going to ask Phoebe- I figure why can't I tell them!" She said with a smile, receiving a small, but professional laugh from the older man and a welcomed reassuring grin from Jason but as soon as Phoebe felt happy with the answer that she had given, another one was fired at her, "Phoebe you recently worked on the presentation and I understand that you worked as a team, is this something that we'll be seeing more of in the future,?" he asked

Phoebe smiled nervously, and said, "Wow this really is Ask Phoebe"

"I am sorry" Mr. Wilson offered, "I don't mean to interrogate you I was just trying to understand more about...what to expect in the future"

"Oh, no please don't be sorry, I totally understand...and as for my future, well the future of Ask Phoebe I am certain that the basis will stay pretty much the same, I mean why fix something that isn't broke, the odd changes are simply an upgrade if you will, keep the readers interested. I see myself as someone that people turn to for advise and every so often I kind of think maybe I could also answer a few questions...get to understand more about the people who read this and get more people interested."

He nodded his head and turned to Jason, "I like what I hear." He said.

Jason smiled, "So do I. I also see Phoebe and Mark joining up together more often, Well after what they produced today...why not? It couldn't harm the paper."

Phoebe forced a smile, and nodded her head. 'The only reason that I'm doing this is because of my sisters' she told herself.

The meeting continued like this for a further hour and a half, Phoebe kept up her face and kept throwing out the accurate but witty replies which all took a lightning to and Jason continued to back up his favorite columnist.

Phoebe walked into the kitchen where Piper and Paige were stood talking about what they were going to do that night, when they saw Phoebe enter they both looked at her.

She walked straight over to the sink and splashed cold water onto her face, and turned to her sisters, "I thought I was going to die..."

Before they could respond Jason walked in with a smile on his face, "We so sealed that deal!...Way to go...you were great."

Phoebe looked at him, "Is that my boss talking?" she asked with a smile, he walked over to her, "That was your boss, but this is your boy-friend" with that he lent forward and pulled Phoebe into a kiss which she willingly fell into, Wrapping her arms around his neck.

But she broke away when she hared Marks voice "Hay I'm fifty percent of 'Ask Phoebe' partnership, do I get one too boss." Mark asked, mockingly putting his arms out as if to receive a hug.

Jason walked over, and out stretched his hand, Mark did the same and they shook hands, "good work." He offered.

Mark smiled "Thanks, well I better be off. Some of us have work to get back to. I'll see you tomorrow." Before leaving, he through a smile in Phoebe's direction but she didn't even crack a smile, her face was straight if not slightly angered, and Piper and Paige saw this and exchanged worried looks.

Once Mark turned and walked away Jason turned back to Phoebe, "Has something gone on that I should know about with you two?" He asked.

Phoebe never even flinched at the question, "...know as my boy-friend or boss?" she asked again coldly.

Jason was actually taken a back, as were Piper and Paige, "Phoebe?" He asked, uncertain.

Phoebe took a deep breath, "As boss, No Mr. Dean you don't need to know anything. And as Boyfriend, Jason, you don't need to know anything." She answered with a patronizing tone audible.

Phoebe knew that she was taking it out on him and that it wasn't his fault, but something deep inside thought it was his fault, it was him who set her up with Mark as a partner in the first place.

Phoebe turned around back to the sink and took a deep breath, "Sorry Jason...I...never slept much last night and...been really stressed lately...I shouldn't take it out on you." Jason nodded taking it, unconvincingly as an excuse, but he knew that there was more to it than that.