Here we go...

Recap: Ana works part time as a 'Personal Receptionist' for Christian Grey at his office, whilst she is studying English Lit at college and has been there for nearly a year. Ana is dating Jack Hyde and has been with him for just over a year. Jack invited himself to move in with Ana after Kate moved out and in with her boyfriend and Christian's brother, Elliott. Kate and Jack don't get along and Ana's relationship with Kate is strained and distant. Jack thinks Ana is cheating on him with Christian and Ana wants to leave Jack but is worried about a future career in publishing.

Wow! Such a big response to the first chapter... Thank you to those of you who read the first chapter and have come back for this one. Also a huge thank you to those of you who have followed, favourited and reviewed.

Disclaimer: Fifty Shades of Grey and its original characters do not belong to me

Poison Apple: Chapter 2: Set Back

Ana
Two hours left of work and then I have to go home and tell Jack that I want him to move out and break up with him, I can do that... easy, right? I sighed and put my head in my hands.

"Ana, is everything ok?" I looked up and saw Christian standing in front of me with a look of concern over his face.

I sat up straight and smiled "Yes, everything is fine, thank you," I replied and looked at my computer screen but I noticed he didn't move so I looked back up to him.

"Come into my office," He requested and walked away before I had time to reply, I got up from my desk and followed Christian to his office.

I thought he was going to go over to his desk but he didn't, he sat down on the couch to the left side of office and patted the space next to him. I took a deep breath and sat down on the couch next to him. I felt my palms get sweaty as he looked at me with a questioning gaze.

"So Ana, why don't you tell me what is going on? If it's a work thing I can probably do something to help you," He started but I shook my head and opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off "If it's something to do with Jack, I can probably give you some good advice," He added.

"It was unprofessional of me to do that at my desk. Anyone could have walked in," I said "Everything is fine," I told him.

"You don't look fine," He commented softly "Have you spoken to Kate this week?" He questioned.

"I haven't had the time," I answered lamely, we both knew I had the time, in face I had two missed calls from her this week that I could have answered but decided not to.

"Ana-"

This time I was the one to cut him off "Christian, Mr Grey, thank you for taking the time to check up on me but I promise you that I am ok. I will make some time for Kate this weekend and give her a call for a catch up," I stood up from the couch "I need to get back to work." I stated and rushed out of his office.

I made it back to my desk and noticed Brittany had come back from her 'smoke break'. I smiled as I took my seat and started working on Christian's schedule for next week. He was pretty full up but he had a couple of spaces on Friday afternoon and on Tuesday morning, there was a new investor who has been dying to get a meeting with Christian. I will let Christian's PA, Michelle, know that the space is there if she wants me to call them and arrange the meeting with them.

I was just writing my e-mail to Michelle when my phone buzzed. I looked at the screen and saw I had text message from Kate;

Hi. Just checking in, making sure that everything's ok? Call me when you get the chance x

Had Christian text her or something?

I replied back to her;

Hey, everything is fine, I promise! Sorry I've been busy this week but will call you this weekend x

My phone buzzed with another text message;

If Christian has you working too hard, I can ask Elliott to kick his ass? x

I laughed a little at her text before replying;

No ass kicking needed... but thanks! X

Brittany kept looking over at me with an annoyed look so I put my phone back in my bag and gave my computer screen my full attention and finally wrote out my e-mail to Michelle;

Good Afternoon,

The investors that called this morning looking for an appointment with Mr Grey, I have a space for them Tuesday morning between 10am – 11:30am or next Friday afternoon between 3pm – 4pm.

Please advice and I will call to arrange meeting.

Ana

Michelle wasn't all that amazing at replying to e-mails so I probably won't get a reply to that until tomorrow so I wrote myself a little sticky note and put it on the bottom of my screen to remind me, in case I needed to chase it up with her otherwise the investors will just keep calling and calling.

The phone started ringing next to me.

"Grey Enterprises, Ana speaking, how can I help?"

"Hi baby, it's me," Jack greeted.

"What are you doing calling me at work?" I questioned and turned my back to Brittany who was rolling her eyes at me "I'm going to be home in a couple hours," I added.

"I want to make last night up to you. I was an idiot and I said some stupid things, things that I didn't mean," He started and I sighed "I want you to meet me at Bon Repas when you finish work," He told me.

"Jack-"

"Please Ana... just come to dinner, we can talk and I can give you an overdue explanation for my mood lately," He offered.

"Ok," I agreed "I'll be there just after five," I told him and hung up the phone. I turned my chair back around and saw Brittany not looking too happy "I'm sorry, no more distractions." I promised and went back to work.

I sat down at the table opposite Jack, he had a bottle of wine on the table and had already poured us both a glass, and he smiled when he saw me. I took a large sip of my win and waited for his explanation.

"First of all, I want to apologise for what I said last night. I shouldn't have accused you of having an affair; I know how ridiculous it is. I never should have called you the names I did either, it was wrong and I promise you that I didn't mean it... any of it. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you bring out the good in me and I can't lose you. I love you so much Ana and I hate it when you're mad at me. I know I deserve it but please, give me another chance to prove to you that I am the one for you," He explained.

"You're right; you were completely out of order for what you said to me last night. I have done nothing to deserve the treatment I got. I have been faithful to you and I have been the best girlfriend that I can be, I put up with a lot from you. How many times have you had to cancel dinners and other dates due to work? How many times have I had to go to your work events and sit there listening to everyone talking trash about me being a gold digger?" Jack looked down at the table in shame and so he should "I have done nothing to make you think that I am unfaithful," I told him sternly as I finished the wine in my glass and poured myself another.

"Work has been hard lately. They keep asking for something new and every time I bring them that 'something new' it's not what they are looking for. Sales are starting to plunge and they need me to really pull something special out of the bag. I've been so stressed and angry and I just took it out on you," He told me and grabbed hold of my hand "I mean it Ana, I won't do it again and I really am sorry." He added.

This is it. Just tell him that it isn't good enough and you want to break up and you want him to move out... this would be the perfect time to do it. We're in a restaurant and we have an audience... he can't freak out here and I know he won't. This is the best place.

"Jack-"

"Ana, Jack," We both looked up and saw Christian standing there... oh my God... what the hell is he doing here "I'm sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to say hello," He declared.

"Hello," Jack put his hand out and the two men shook hands "Are you here on a date?" Jack asked.

"No, business meeting," Christian answered "I best be getting back to them. Good to see you both, Ana I will see you tomorrow." Christian smiled and walked away from the table.

I can't believe Christian is here. I can't break up with my boyfriend when my boss is just a few tables away, that is too awkward.

I will just wait until we get home... maybe we should go home now... I don't think I can sit through dinner with Jack and then go home to a fight. I'd rather do it now whilst I've had a couple glasses of wine and am feeling a little bit brave.

"I want to go home," I stated.

"What?" Jacked asked in surprise.

"I really think we should go home," I told him.

"Ok." He agreed and stood up from the table.

I had driven to work and my car was in the parking lot, Jack doesn't drive to work, he likes to walk to work and stop at a cafe to pick up a coffee and a muffin. The two of us walked in silence towards my car, Jack reached out to grab my hand but I moved it away from him and he got the message because he took a couple of steps away from me to put some distance between us.

As I started the car the radio came on and I turned it off. I really wasn't in the mood for music right now. I need some quiet to think of how I'm going to do this, I need to be strong and tell Jack straight, I'm not happy and I don't think this relationship is the best thing for either of us right now... I need to word it so that I don't sound like a bitch but also in a way that makes me sure he understands what I am telling him and how I am feeling. I don't want him to think that he can talk to me like that and get away with it, I was raised to respect your partner and if he doesn't respect me and can accuse me of stupid things like having an affair with my boss then I don't need him.

Having a stressful job is not a reason to be nasty to me because I have a stressful job too and I don't accuse him of affairs or take my bad moods out on him. I know I have been forgiving before when we have had an argument but not this time, this time he took it too far and I'm going to end it

I pulled up to the apartment and as Jack got out of the car, I sat there for a moment and thought about the huge fight I was probably about to have with him. I got out and locked the car and followed him into the building and up to the apartment, he smiled as we got the door and when he opened the front door I realised why.

There were rose petals all over the floor, there was romantic music playing and he had the fake candles I had brought all over the place. He had done all of this as a way of apology, I walked into the apartment and he followed.

"Ana I really am sorry," He told me.

"We can't keep doing this Jack," I groaned.

"I know," He agreed.

"You can't keep doing this. Work sucks sometimes, I know but it's not my fault," I said and he nodded in agreement "I really can't put up with this. If you don't trust me then I don't see a future for us," I admitted.

"I do trust you," He replied quickly "Last night was just me being stupid. I had a couple drinks before I came home and I was angry. I wanted to let off some steam, you just got in the way," He said "Please just give me this one last chance to prove to you that I am worthy. I messed up and I know it but I will do anything to get you to forgive me," He finished.

Does he deserve one more chance? Last night was the biggest fight we've ever had. Maybe he realises that he was wrong and he can't treat me like that. Do I give him the benefit of the doubt and give him this last chance? Jack was looking at me with desperate eyes... I can't say that he doesn't love me. I do believe he loves me and although he has done me wrong a few times, I think I still love him too as crazy as that sounds.

"One more chance," I agreed.

He gave me the biggest smile he could and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I hugged him back softly as he placed a bit kiss on my lips.

"You won't regret this." He told me.

I think I am already...

No Ana! Dump him! Anyone else shouting at their screen right now or is it only me?

Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

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