Thank you to those who are loyal and review each chapter. It means alot. I love reading them. I don't get paid to write this story or my other stories as I do that in my spare time. I won't force you to review, but I admit it doesn't inspire me to write this story when not alot of people take the time to review. I don't know how I do in each update unless you tell me. I know my story isn't the most popular, but alot of people must like it if I have alot of followers/favorites. I see people review every chapter in other stories but not mine. I guess I consider it a paycheck when I get feedback on the updates because otherwise, how do I know what you like/don't like? Enjoy this next update and please take the time to review, even if it's just to say 'good' or 'okay', etc. I accept constructive criticism, but please be polite when doing so.

Title: FSOG: From Heartbreak to Happiness?

Summary: Ana and Christian both suffered heartbreak from their last relationship with other people. Christian from his first attempt at one and Ana after getting cheated on. Once they meet, it's obvious there is a spark. But the question is, can they conquer their fears of getting hurt again?

Chapter 18

***After Work***

(At Jose's place, Jose sends a text to Ana and Kate. From Jose's phone, his text read 'come to the small park we were at last time we met. Don't tell anyone unless you want your secret out'. After pressing send, both men face each other evilly)

Jose: "It's showtime."

Male Accomplice: "Let the games begin."

***Shortly Afterwards***

(At Kate and Ana's apartment, they are watching a movie when their phone's beep on the coffee table in front of them. They take a momentary break from their movie to check their phone. Kate breathes deeply and curses under her breath upon reading the text that came in. Ana shakes her head and briefly closes her eyes in despair)

Kate: "Is this ever going to stop?"

Ana: "I truly wish it would. Why are they doing this? I mean, yes, it's about the money. Don't they know we have none to give?"

Kate: "Jose is a pompous jackass and whoever his accomplice is, they think they're going to get away with it." (sighs sadly) "As much as it pains me to say this, Ana, they probably will." (groans loudly) "Ugh! I hate this!"

Ana: "Trust me, I do, too. I still wonder who Jose's accomplice is. Jose never answered us when we asked."

Kate: (snorts) "Yeah, like he's going to. No, he knows he holds all of the cards on this. He knows we know this, too."

Ana: "I admit I'm scared about what they're capable of."

Kate: (nods unevenly) I am, too, girl. While I don't get scared for no good reason, they could do anything with those pictures. I don't know if it's a man or a woman Jose is working with."

Ana: "Well, Jose made it sound like it was a man because of how we supposedly screwed them over. I don't know that many females except at the workforce. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out who 'he' could be."

Kate: (nods) "Me, too. It sounds like we screwed them over. I've always known Jose can carry a grudge. His accomplice must, too. As for who his accomplice is…I know it could be a woman. I have met many women in my life…friend wise….but none that I feel would hold a grudge as they feel I did them wrong."

Ana: "Of course, I'm sure there are some men in our lives who may feel we've done them wrong without realizing it. No offense, girl, but you know more men than I do." (chuckles) "Then again, you're easier going than I am."

Kate: (rolls her eyes) "As much as I'd like to disagree with you, you're right. I'm sure if I think long and hard, I could come up with a few names. Could one of them be a culprit? I honestly don't know. I do see your point, though. The names I think of may not be the actual ones who feel we have done them harm."

Ana: (scoffs) "What are we supposed to do, Kate? Draw up a list of names and wonder if we did them wrong? That would take way too damn long."

Kate: "True. I admit I was hoping they'd forgotten everything. Boy, that was wishful thinking on our parts."

Ana: (raises her eyebrows) "You're telling me."

Kate: (sighs) "I know our pasts aren't perfect, but I honestly didn't think I screwed anyone over."

Ana: "I know I'm nowhere near perfect and neither is my past. But, did I really hurt someone without realizing it?"

Kate: (nods) "That's the million-dollar question for us, isn't it, girl?"

Ana: (chuckles dryly) "I guess it's time to see Jose."

Kate: "Yeah, better not to keep him waiting."

***About a Half Hour Later***

(In the park, they meet up with Jose as promised. Jose shows up and smirks as he could tell that both women were squirming, even if they didn't realize it! Ooh, this is going to be an easy win!, he thought to himself. Kate and Ana knew it was coming to a head. Whatever he wanted, they were going to find out…once and for all)

Kate: (spits) "Okay, shitface, what the hell do you want?"

(Jose couldn't help the surprised look on his face at Kate's attitude)

Jose: "My, my, my, aren't we chipper tonight?"

Ana: (scoffs) "What do you expect, Jose? You're blackmailing us. You're being an asshole."

Jose: (shrugs) "True. But, in all fairness, you two brought it out in me."

Kate: (yells) "Oh, please! No one forced you to blackmail us! No one put a gun to your head and told you to do this! YOU did this! Now, what the hell do you want?!"

(Kate could no longer control her emotions. She was fucking pissed off! Jose and his damn accomplice had been dragging this out long enough! It was time it was dealt with. Ana was getting fed up, too. She almost lost her cool, but Kate did it for her. Jose narrows his eyes as he speaks)

Jose: "What do I want? I'll tell you, Steele and Kavanagh…I want money. Money and lots of it for the pictures."

(This time, it was Ana who loses her cool. She steps forward and angrily points at her enemy)

Ana: (shouts) "Who is your fucking accomplice, Jose?! We know you're working with someone!"

(Jose smirks and turns his head a bit)

Jose: "Ah, so you want to know who it is, huh? What makes you so sure I'm working with someone?"

Kate: (scoffs) "Oh, please! Don't insult our intelligence. You can't be doing this all on your own."

Jose: "You seem very sure of yourself, Kavanagh."

Ana: "It's obvious you are. So, who is it?"

Jose: (chuckles evilly) "It's someone that you wouldn't expect." (shrugs) "That's all you get for now."

(Ana and Kate face each other and sighs deeply before speaking)

Ana: "Jose, we have no money."

Kate: "Our jobs don't pay as much as we'd like."

Jose: (angrily) "Ana, you have a way of getting some…through your new boss."

(Ana looks at her blackmailer with shocked eyes! Holy shit! She was not expecting that! She shakes her head in protest)

Ana: "I don't care what you demand. I will NOT go to my boss for the money as I don't want him involved."

Jose: (shrugs) "If you want those pictures bad enough, you'll go to Christian for the money. It's a win-win situation, really."

Ana: (laughs incredulously) "Yeah, maybe for you! You're used to playing dirty! I'm not!"

Jose: "I'll give you some time to decide. Don't take too long, though, girls. The clock is ticking."

(After Jose departs, Ana and Kate compare notes)

Kate: "What are we supposed to do, Ana?"

Ana: "I don't know." (shakes her head) "I don't want Christian involved as he doesn't deserve my mess of life."

Kate: (worriedly) "I know, girl. But, I admit, I don't want to go to prison for what I did."

Ana: (shakes her head) "Neither do I."

(They both worry about what to do)

***Linc & Elena's House***

Linc: (smirks) "So, did you get a good look at the brown-haired woman working for Christian?"

(Elena sighs deeply in annoyance. She hated, absolutely hated, that Linc had this advantage over her. She shakes her head and stares at him as she spoke)

Elena: "I'm not worried about it."

(The way Linc was looking at her, it was obvious her facial expressions said otherwise. He smiles as he speaks)

Linc: "You do know that it's only a matter of time before Christian gets involved with the young woman, right?"

Elena: (shakes her head) "I don't get it. Why do you care so much since you don't love me?"

Linc: "Because I know that you love Christian. I can tell it saddens you that he's slowly moving on."

(Elena shakes her head in protest. She refused to accept it and decided to pay Christian a visit)

Elena: "I think it's time that I paid him a little visit and see for myself on what's going on."

Linc: (curiously) "And just how are you going to explain knowing so much if Christian or Taylor didn't say anything?"

Elena: (shrugs) "I'll say there's a lot of hearsay in this city and I want to see for myself."

Linc: (raises his eyebrows) "I wonder if it'll work."

Elena: (nods) "Oh, I'll make it work." (to herself) "I'll get you back, no matter what it takes. You will be mine in the end."

***Christian's Penthouse***

(Christian and Taylor are in Christian's office. Work is done for the day and the men are having a chatting session. Christian is sitting in his office chair and Taylor is across from him)

Taylor: "So, how is work treating you?"

Christian: "Can't complain. I recently hired an Editor for my magazine. She's been doing extremely well and she just started five days ago."

Taylor: (curiously) "What's her name?"

Christian: "Anastasia Steele. But 'Ana' for short."

Taylor: (confused) "Why does that name sound familiar?"

Christian: (chuckles) "She's the one I ran into on the sidewalk awhile back and looked sad. We

exchanged first names, but that was it."

Taylor: (nods) "Gotcha. You sound really impressed with her work performance."

Christian: "I am. I've told her that, too."

Taylor: "I remember a long time ago you wanted to find her and asked me for help." (sighs) "I'm sorry I wasn't very successful."

Christian: (tilts his head) "Taylor, how could you have known? I didn't give you much to go on. It worked out in the end, anyway. She's working for me now."

(Christian looks down and lifts his elbows on the edge of his desk with his fingertips touching. Taylor could tell there was more going on. Taylor crosses his legs and speaks)

Taylor: "Talk to me, sir."

(Christian raises his head to face Taylor in confusion)

Christian: "Huh?"

Taylor: "It's obvious something is eating away at you. I hope you know that you can tell me."

Christian: (nods) "I know." (sighs deeply) "I never thought I'd see her again, Taylor. I wondered for months if she would reappear in my life. Just when I was beginning to think she wouldn't…she came in for the interview. I was shocked as hell."

Taylor: "I would be too, if that happened to me."

Christian: "I-I truly thought I could handle working with her. But, with her, the way she cares, her loving nature…I'm finding it hard to ignore my feelings."

Taylor: (smiles a bit) "Sounds like you're falling for Miss Steele."

Christian: (groans in frustration) "AHH! I don't want to, Taylor! I absolutely can't! I got burned by Elena! I don't want to get burned again! But…" (sighs) "…Ana is different than Elena. Ana cares about others. Elena only seems to care about herself. When I thought Elena left Linc, I truly thought we had a future together. Then, of course, she decided to go back to him. She comes to see me now and then. It's like she expects another chance."

(Taylor can't help the laugh from escaping his mouth)

Taylor: "Wow! When Elena decides she wants something, she doesn't care about the consequences!"

Christian: (chuckles dryly) "No, she doesn't." (sighs deeply) "She came to my office recently and tried to charm me. Saying she doesn't want Linc anymore and she chooses me. She keeps flip-flopping and I hate it. I told her to leave me alone as I need to move on. You know what she does, Taylor? Talks me down and tries to convince me she loves only me. She tried to get me to kiss her and I'll be honest, I almost did."

Taylor: (eyes widen a bit) "Ooh, I'll bet she would've loved that. She probably would've milked it for all its worth."

Christian: (not amused) "Tell me about it." (shakes his head) "It sounds like she's not happy with Linc anymore, but I honestly don't care. I told her to move on and that's what I'm trying to do."

Taylor: (smirks) "With Miss Steele?"

Christian: (rolls his eyes) "I don't want to. I refuse to have a relationship with someone that I work with. Taylor, what if it doesn't end well? I still have to work with her."

Taylor: (sighs deeply) "Sir…"

Christian: "Taylor, come on. We've known each other long enough. You know what to call me now."

Taylor: "Christian, maybe it's your heart that is telling you that she's the one. You have thought about her, probably fantasized about her, wondering what it'd be like to be with her."

(Christian was caught off-guard by how well Taylor knew him! They were friends and yes, Taylor worked for Christian. Christian guessed he shouldn't be that surprised because they've worked together for a long time)

Taylor: (chuckles) "Looks like I surprised you."

Christian: (nods) "That's one way of putting it." (chuckles) "Sometimes I forget how long we've known each other."

Taylor: "Long enough to know that you needed a friend to talk to that wasn't your ex. I swear, that woman only cares about herself. Ana doesn't sound like that. That's what separates the two ladies." (smiles) "And I'm sure that you have fantasized about Miss Steele, haven't you?"

Christian: (chuckles dryly) "How could you guess? Oh, Taylor, what's a guy to do when he falls for a woman who happens to be his Editor? I made a rule to myself that I wouldn't mix business with pleasure."

Taylor: (smirks) "How's that working out for you?"

Christian: (grumbles) "Like you have to ask?"

Taylor: "Sir…Christian…I know it's hard and that you're in a difficult position. However, maybe it's time for you to officially move on from Elena. If you ask me for my opinion. I truly think Ana would make you happy. You seem happier with Ana than Elena, even though you're not technically with Ana yet. Elena broke you into a million pieces. I can't see Miss Steele doing that."

(Christian sighs deeply as he rubs his face with his hands before facing his friend/bodyguard again)

Christian: "Oh, Taylor, I wish I knew what to do."

Taylor: "Follow your heart, boss. It will steer you in the right direction."

Chapter 18 Done

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