Another day, another chapter

Recap: Ana was called into Christian's end of week meeting because Brittany was off sick. She ended up staying there until just after 9pm and when she got home Jack was waiting for her. He was angry at her and shouted at her accusing her of having an affair with Christian. Ana told him to leave but he pinned her against the wall and told her he isn't going anywhere. Ana called Kate and Kate told Ana that she needs to leave Jack once and for all.

Thank you for coming back for this chapter! I am so happy that you are enjoying the story so far, I hope you will continue to enjoy it. I have some really interesting things set up for this story and cannot wait to publish more.

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

Poison Apple: Chapter 4: Lunch

Christian
I thought that I was going to enjoy my weekend but it ended up being horrible, I spent Sunday afternoon with Kate and Elliott at their place and at first it was nice to catch up with my brother and of course Kate but then Kate told me something, at first she didn't want to tell me but Elliott convinced her that it was the right thing to do. I thought they were going to tell me they eloped or were having a baby or something; I wasn't expecting Kate to tell me that she received a phone call from Ana Friday night that scared Kate. Ana told Kate that Jack had been arguing with her... again... but he was accusing her of having an affair with me because she didn't get in till late.

After hearing that it was because of me I felt awful. Kate told me that Jack and Ana argue a lot and she knows that Jack doesn't treat Ana very well but something was off about the phone call Friday. Kate wanted to go over there but Elliott stopped her, she said that the way Ana sounded was something different to just being upset because of an argument. Kate shared her thoughts that the argument might have gone further than just verbal. I became angry and I wanted to go round to Ana's place but Kate and Elliott talked me out of it.

They explained that if Kate was wrong and they had just argued, me going over there would just make things worse for Ana. If Jack thinks she is having an affair with me, it wouldn't look good if I just randomly showed up at her front door to check on her and it would probably cause Ana more problems. Of course I didn't want that so I agreed to keep away from Ana's apartment but I did send Taylor to do a little bit of undercover work and what he found out worried me.

One of Ana and Jack's neighbours told Taylor that there was always shouting coming from the apartment, which was mostly Jack, the neighbour said she was actually scared for Ana and was waiting for the day the police came knocking to tell her that Ana had been killed. She admitted that she had never seen any marks or bruises on Ana but she saw the signs that Ana was in some kind of abusive relationship. The neighbour said that she was scared of Jack herself, she had a run in with him once in the hallway and he was just really nasty and cold. Ana had apologised for Jack's behaviour at the time but she always made sure to keep clear of him.

I became so worried about Ana that when she came into work this morning I couldn't help but try and check her over for marks and bruises but she didn't have any, I wanted to talk to her about what had happened on Friday and apologise if I did something wrong or got her into trouble with Jack but then I don't feel like I should have to apologise and Ana shouldn't either. Ana was brilliant at her job and after her performance in Friday's meeting, I was going to ask her if she wanted to do the meeting every week. She was so organised and she made incredible suggestions, she was everything I needed her to be. Brittany doesn't want to do it anymore and I was thinking of moving her to work over in Finances and having Ana running the show on my end, bring in another girl for the days Ana is at college. I was actually going to speak to her about it today at lunch, she was at college yesterday so I haven't had the chance to speak to her but she's in today.

I feel like there are a lot of things that the two of us need to talk about. Kate didn't want me to tell Ana I knew about the argument with Jack. I just wanted to make sure that Ana was ok and let her know that if she needs any help with anything, I'm here for her, I don't like the idea of her being scared or feeling trapped in a relationship she can't get out of. If she wants out, I can help with anything she may need.

When I got in this morning I arranged the 'lunchtime meeting' with Ana and she seemed worried at first, I did assure her that she had nothing to be worried about. There were so many things that I wanted to talk to her about but so many things I couldn't or didn't want to say either. I don't want to upset her or make her feel awkward and I certainly do not want to drop Kate in it with her because Kate can be scary.

My office door knocked and then the door opened. Ana came in and closed the door behind her and stood there looking awkward. I stood up from my desk and made my way over to the couch, indicating for her to join me and she did. She sat down opposite me and sat with her hands clasped in her lap with a worried and confused look over her face.

"Did you not bring your lunch with you?" I questioned.

"Erm, no... I will just eat it later," She replied.

"I did say you could bring it with you. This is your lunch break after all and this is not an 'official' meeting, I just wanted to catch up with you and put some things to you," I told her.

"Honestly it's ok," She said.

"Ok," I started and smiled to ease her but her face didn't change "I want to talk to you about Friday," Her face changed from worry to panic "Thank you for stepping in for Brittany, you were amazing. You were organised, well equipped and the suggestions you made were perfect. I'm very impressed and I was hoping to talk to you about making it a permanent thing," I leaned back against the back of my chair and smiled again "Brittany is going to be moving to Financial Department and I would like for you to take over from her. I will bring someone in to work the days you're at college and to help but you will be in charge out there and work directly with myself and Michelle. On Friday's the meeting will be yours and of course there will be a pay rise," I finished.

"Wow," She breathed "Thank you so much. I don't know what to say. I'm thankful for the opportunity of course but I don't want to take on too much work here and not be able to fit in study time and fall behind in college. I really need to graduate," She told me.

"I completely understand that and I would never give you work you couldn't handle. Don't forget there will be someone else that you can unload to," I said and Ana nodded slowly but I could see she was fighting an internal battle "Is that the only reason your hesitant?" I asked her.

"What do you mean?"

"I know that graduating is important and I'm really proud of your dedication to your degree and your work here. I know GEH is not your forever job but I want to give you all of the skills I can to give you the best start in your career. I also know a lot of people from various publishing houses, I can speak to them for you when you start applying," I explained.

"Has Kate spoken to you?"

"No," I replied instantly.

"She has," Ana sighed "Oh my God, I don't know what Kate has told you-"

"She told me she was worried about you," I stated, cutting her off "She knew something wasn't right on the phone Friday night. Elliott had to stop her from going to your place and laying into Jack. She knows it was more than just a couple's argument... Kate is very worried about whatever it is you are not telling her," I confessed.

"No one needs to worry about me because I am handling it," She argued.

"Handling what?" I questioned "I'm worried about you too Ana. I've noticed that you haven't been yourself today, if Jack has hurt you-"

"He didn't hurt me," She said "The argument just shook me up," She added.

"I'm sorry," I blurted "Kate said Jack accused you of having an affair with me and I'm sorry if I have caused any of this. Friday night was a late night for us all, it's not normally a meeting that goes on that long," I told her "I don't want you to allow Jack the chance to ruin things for you in your career or holding you back from things you want to do." I added.

Ana was silent for a moment and seemed to be debating on carrying on this conversation. A conversation I'm going to have to tell Kate about before Ana calls her and tells her off for blabbing to me. Kate is going to kill me.

"If I talk to you, can you not go back to Kate with it?" She asked and I nodded "Yes, Jack and I argued when I got home from work on Friday. He accused me of having an affair with you and I didn't want to put up with it anymore so I told him to leave. I even went into the bedroom, took out a duffel bag and threw clothes at it... I wanted him gone but he lashed out. He told me that he wasn't going anywhere and I was his," She explained "I was scared he was going to do something, hit me or throw me out but he didn't. I've spent my whole weekend walking on eggshells around him because I don't want to set him off again," She added.

I moved so that I was sitting next to Ana and I took her hand in mine "You don't have to live like that. You shouldn't live like that," I told her "I can help you get rid of him if that is what you want," I offered.

"No, I have to do this on my own. I don't want him to think he can scare me and I don't want him to think I'm weak. I will get rid of him," She stated.

"You don't have to do this alone," I said.

"I know I don't but I want to." She replied.

Ana's phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out to look at it, by the way her face changed I'm assuming it was Jack. Ana gave me an apologetic smile and indicated that she was going to leave; I nodded and watched as she left my office.

Kate was right and the fight Ana had with Jack Friday night went a lot further than normal. Ana said she thought Jack was going to hit her so he must have done something to make her scared. It was obvious to me that Ana wanted to leave Jack but I think she's scared of the consequences of him leaving, which is why I offered to help her. I understand she doesn't want him to see her as weak or scared but surely she understands that she can't do this all on her own and it's ok to ask for help, if not from me than Kate and Elliott... or just Kate. I doubt Jack would do anything if Kate was there because she'd probably kick his ass.

I just want to help her in any way I can.

The buzzing of the intercom brought me out of my thoughts; I rushed to the desk and pressed the button.

"Your next appointment, Mr Marshall is here," Brittany informed me.

"Ok, can you show him to meeting room two please? Make sure he has a drink; whatever he wants and get some food sent up to us please. This is going to be a long meeting so hold off any calls until I get back," I told her.

"Of course Mr Grey,"

"I'm going to send an e-mail to Ana. When she gets back from her lunch break, can you tell her that it is urgent and I need her to read it right away?"

"Of course Mr Grey." Brittany repeated.

It will take Mr Marshall about ten minutes to get settled so I have the time to send Ana the e-mail.

Ana,

Just wanted to let you know that the offer is still available for you to take Brittany's place when she is moved to the finance team, I'm hoping to get her moved on within the next couple of weeks so need an answer from you sooner rather than later.

If you need any help with anything, please ask.

Christian Grey

How much trouble is Christian going to be in with Kate for blabbing to Ana? On the plus side, at least Ana knows there are people around to help her if she needs them and I think it's clear that Christian is willing to go above and beyond for her. Do you think Christian will be able to not intervene like Ana wants?

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