Thank you to those who are kind in the reviews/follows/favorites. I wanted to address a few reviews I received. First off, I wanted to thank JB for always reviewing in the past. I admit in the last 2 chapters (before ch21), I forgot to personally thank you. My apologies on that. Please know I always appreciate you taking the time to review. It's easier to thank someone when they're signed in, but I appreciate guest reviews, too. Please know I read every one of them. Thank you to Munkeyfump20 for reviewing when you're able to. I know you're going through a hard time right now, so please know you're in my thoughts and I appreciate you letting me know what you think of my story when you're able to. Some of you review every chapter, some don't. Those that review after every update, I appreciate it more than you know. To those of you that want to participate in my poll (it's on my profile page), but either don't have time to do it or can't locate it/can't find it, you are free to offer your thoughts in the review box and let me know what you think. The question is...do you prefer updates every 3 weeks, or do you want me to take a hiatus and finish the story, then post more often once it's done? Totally up to you. Thank you to everyone else to leaves feedback. Enjoy this next update.

Title: FSOG: From Heartbreak to Happiness?

Chapter 22

(In Christian's office, he's staring at the pictures. He was wondering what the hell was going on. The two pictures that are currently in his possession were shocking to him. An older man's lifeless, bloody body with a wound on his head and a stab wound on his chest. He's lying on the floor next to a broken cream lamp that's shattered into a million pieces. A picture of Ana and another woman straining in pain as they leave the house, their clothes torn and bloody from the cleanup and heavy lifting)

(The first thought that popped into his mind at studying the photos in front of him? The person that took them was sick in the head. He didn't know why someone would want to take photos of such a horrendous act. He recognized one woman in the picture, causing him to sigh deeply in despair. He shook his head sadly as he'd know that woman anywhere)

Christian: "Christ, Ana. What the hell have you done? What have you gotten yourself into? The other woman that's in the picture, I gather that's a friend of yours."

(He couldn't help but study the two pictures again. He knew he needed to get to the bottom of this. He nods his head in determination as now he knew for a fact that Ana was in trouble. In that moment, he vowed to help her, no matter what)

Christian: "I don't know what happened, Ana. All I know is that you're in trouble. I'll protect you, no matter what. I care about you and I won't let you go through this alone."

(He puts the pictures down and sighs deeply)

Christian: "I know I shouldn't get involved because you work for me. I made that rule a long time ago after what happened with Elena. Elena didn't work for me, but I knew better than to feel this way for an employee. I-I don't want to get hurt the way Elena hurt me."

(He tilts his head and rests his head on the tip of his hand as he thought about the times he spent with Ana so far. His first encounter when she was a lost soul who was in pain. Even though she was two hours late for her first day of work, he could tell something was seriously wrong. She's always been on top of her game at work, until a few days ago)

(He knew something was clouding her thoughts. He wanted to be there for her, but she politely declined. She never asked him for anything, which surprised him. A lot of people asked him for something. Whether it'd be people at work, people in his personal life, or even Elena. He chuckled dryly as he thought about Elena. She always seemed to want something from him. Truth be told, he was getting fucking tired of it. If it wasn't one thing she wanted, it was something else)

(Christian smiled a bit as he thought about Ana. She never asked him for anything. Even when he offered to help her in some way, she always declined. No one's ever done that before. He was shocked at that. Usually when he offers to help someone, they take him up on it. But, Ana? She wasn't like that)

(That was the difference between Elena and Ana. Elena wanted something. Ana didn't. Ana was definitely different than Elena. As much as Christian didn't want to get hurt, he was beginning to wonder. Could Anastasia Steele really heal his broken heart that Elena Robinson caused? He was starting to think that maybe it was possible. That caused a bigger smile to form)

(His frustrations got to him again. When the package came to mind, Ana wasn't his girlfriend, so he didn't know who thought otherwise. It must have been someone who had a vendetta against Ana. He knew he needed to do something. He picks up the phone from the receiver and dialed a number. Once the person on the other line picked up, Christian spoke)

Christian: "Taylor, it's Grey. Come to my office. We need to talk."

(After setting the phone down, he looks ahead)

Christian: "Time to get the ball rolling."

***Ana & Kate's Apartment***

(Ana and Kate sigh in frustration as they couldn't believe that Jack would stoop that low with Jose)

Kate: (scoffs) "Who knew that Jack would stoop that low in being in cahoots with the asshole."

Ana: (shakes her head) "I knew Jack was probably pissed off from years ago with you. I didn't think he'd actually be this much of a prick."

Kate: (chuckles dryly) "Then again, he does have a checkered past."

Ana: "Indeed."

(Ana can't help but grow a bit doubtful as she speaks)

Ana: "Are we sure it's Jack who's working with Jose?"

Kate: (confused) "What do you mean?"

Ana: "I mean, I don't want to accuse the wrong person. Then again. He does seem to be the most obvious person."

Kate: "I don't want to accuse the wrong person, either. However, out of all our possibilities, he was the one likely to be capable."'

Ana: "That's true. In the end, there's only one way to find out."

Kate: "Go on."

Ana: "We need to contact Jose and meet with his accomplice. Then, we'll know for sure who we're dealing with."

Kate: (nods) "Agreed. It's time we're face to face with the idiot who's helping Jose take us down."

***Grey Enterprises***

(As Christian attempts to work on some files from earlier that day, his mind drifts away)

***Flashback***

(After arriving at Christian's office, Taylor sits down across from his boss)

Christian: "Thank you for coming so quickly."

Taylor: "It sounded urgent. You got me curious on what it's about."

Christian: "My employee…Anastasia Steele." (sighs) "She's in danger."

(Taylor tilts his head in mysteriousness)

Taylor: "Danger how?"

(Christian gives Taylor the envelope for him to look at)

Christian: "Look what's in it."

(Taylor takes the white piece of paper that's folded and opens it to read. His facial expression shows confusion)

Taylor: "What the hell?"

Christian: "There's more."

(Taylor digs further to see two pictures. His eyes are widened and he looks like he's seen a ghost)

Taylor: "What the fuck is this?"

Christian: (nods) "My thoughts exactly."

Taylor: "First, you get a note that asks 'Are you curious what your little girlfriend has been up to?', who, judging from the photos, is Ana. Secondly, it looks like they're covering up a crime."

Christian: "The only crime it looks like is Ana and this young woman covering up a murder. It's a guy who died, I have no idea on who it is."

(Christian angrily taps his desk as he gets up and stands next to his desk. He has his hands to his sides)

Christian: "This has got to be what Ana has been so scared of lately."

Taylor: (puzzled) "What do you mean?"

Christian: "At work, she's been disorganized at times. Other times, she's panicky. Especially the one time I asked her if she was in legal trouble and needed money."

Taylor: (shakes his head) "I don't blame her on not opening up to you considering she works for you. However, if I were in your shoes, I'd be worried, too. It's obvious, by the pictures, that your girl is in trouble."

(Christian looks at Taylor weirdly when Taylor said 'your girl' and Taylor couldn't help the smirk from forming)

Taylor: "As if you don't already secretly consider her yours."

(Christian rolls his eyes, causing Taylor to laugh. Things get serious again between the two men)

Taylor: "She must have created a real mess for herself regarding the photos. How did you get the package anyway?"

Christian: "I was catching up on paperwork when a delivery guy knocked and came in."

Taylor: "What'd he look like?"

Christian: "Gray or tan outfit, I guess. Baseball cap. I didn't pay the guy much attention. He said he had a package for me. When I asked him if I needed to sign for it, he said no. He left and I opened the package. I was as shocked as you were regarding the contents inside."

Taylor: "Did your secretary get a good look at the delivery guy?"

Christian: "I don't know. It all happened so fast that I didn't have a chance to ask her."

Taylor: (nods) "I would. Maybe he looked familiar or she could help ID him if needed."

Christian: "I'll ask her tomorrow. It's after hours and I don't want to bother her tonight."

Taylor: "No problem. This guy definitely sounds sneaky."

Christian: (smirks) "But, you're better."

Taylor: (smiles) "It's what you pay me the big bucks for." (clears his throat) "How's it going working with her everyday….or do I dare ask?"

Christian: (raises his eyebrows) "As if I can avoid her. I knew when I hired her that it would be hard with her working for me. I just didn't know that it'd be this damn hard."

Taylor: "Still having the fantasies?"

Christian: (raises one eyebrow) "Like I can get rid of them. Courtney's almost caught me. Ana's almost caught me. I'm beginning to wonder how much longer I can hold out before I burst."

Taylor: "Are you going to talk to her about everything?"

Christian: "About my feelings for her? No. About the photos that landed on my desk with the note? Yes. She doesn't know that I know all of this." (shakes his head) "I'm not sure what to do regarding all of this."

Taylor: "Would you like some advice?"

Christian: "From you?" (nods) "Yes."

Taylor: "Be there for her, no matter what. Help her in any way that you can. Strongly encourage her to open up to you as you're on her side, always. If she attempts to say that she can handle it, it'll be time to show her the photos that you received as well as the note. She'll probably be embarrassed by all of it, but you'll be the stronger person and she'll need that." (serious tone) "I'm sure it'll be a serious matter so be there to pick her up if she falls." (smiles) "I know that you'll do all of those things, Christian." (dull tone) "You did that for Elena and look where that got you. She's one fucked up bitch."

Christian: (not amused) "Don't I know it."

Taylor: "By the way, I should probably tell you. I ran into her the other day outside of the building when I was waiting for you."

Christian: (perplexed look) "Where was she?"

Taylor: "Just outside the front door to the building. She wanted to see you. I asked her if you were expecting her. I told her that, according to you, she wasn't wanted. She asked about your new brown-haired editor and if it was working out. I told her you moved on and she asked if it was with, I assume to be, Miss Steele."

(Christian scoffs as he shakes his head)

Christian: "That woman does not skip a beat, does she?"

Taylor: "Nope. Never, unfortunately. She accuses me now and then of lying to you or keeping things from you. But, you know me better than that."

Christian: (smiles) "Don't worry, Jason. I know you never would. Even when things get tense in my life, I've never expected anything less from you."

(They nod as they shake hands)

***End of Flashback***

(Christian nods in determination)

Christian: "Tomorrow, Ana, we'll get it all out in the open."

***The Next Day***

(It is early the next morning and Ana is ready to dive into work. Either today or the next day, Ana and Kate are going to meet with Jose and his accomplice. They vowed to put an end to it so they could move on with their lives. Ana is currently in her office going through some files that needed to be done at the end of the day. There is a knock at her front door before the person goes in, revealing Christian)

Christian: "Hello, Ana."

Ana: "Hello, Mr. Grey. What can I help you with?"

Christian: "There is something I would like to talk to you about in private. If you don't have any plans after work, can you please stay later? I'd prefer to talk to you when no one is here."

(Ana looks at her boss weirdly. What the hell? Why does she need to stay late? What does he possibly have to talk to her about in private? She needed to know)

Ana: "What do you have to talk to me about that requires me to stay late, Mr. Grey?"

Christian: "Please, Ana, call me Christian."

Ana: "I-I don't understand, Christian. You're freaking me out a little."

Christian: "My apologies. The subject is a sensitive one to discuss and I don't want any prying ears to eavesdrop. If you're able to, I'd like you to stay."

(Ana was wondering what the hell is going on. It must be urgent for him to need her to stay late. Her and Kate planned on meeting with Jose and the accomplice. However, Ana guessed it could be done later. She looked at her boss and nods)

Ana: "If you need me to stay a bit longer after work, I can. That's fine."

Christian: (smiles) "Thank you. I'll let you get back to work. Don't forget that report is due by the end of the day."

Ana: (chuckles) "Yep, I know. I'm working on it now."

Christian: (nods) "Sounds good."

(He leaves her office and she shakes her head as she wondered what was going on with him. She didn't know why she was needed to stay late. Maybe he needed to talk to her about work stuff and he didn't want to embarrass her or something in front of others? She honestly didn't know. Well, she would find out at the end of the day. She continued her work)

(It is now the end of the day and Ana's work assignments are complete. She didn't know if Christian was coming to her office or if she was supposed to go to him. The way he spoke earlier, she figured she would go to him. She knocks on his office door and she hears a 'come in'. After going in, she walks to the chair that's across from him. He offers a smile before speaking)

Christian: "Thank you for staying late."

Ana; "What you said sounded like it was important. What's it about?"

Christian: (sighs deeply) "I have to warn you, Ana. You won't like it."

Ana: (odd look) "What do you mean?"

(Christian takes out the brown package from his desk and gives it to her, which she takes)

Christian: "Someone gave me this the other day. It was a delivery guy, but I was caught up in my work that I didn't really pay attention."

(Ana looks at the package and grows confused)

Ana: "What's in it?"

Christian: (nods) "Open it. Just be warned…you won't like it."

(Ana opens the package to see a white piece of paper folded in half. She unfolds it to read it. She leans back a bit after reading it. She has a surprised look on her face)

Ana: "Mr. G…Christian…what's going on here?"

Christian: "I was caught off guard, too, when I read that. Whoever it was that gave me the package thinks you're my girlfriend and that we're dating."

Ana: "'Are you curious what your little girlfriend has been up to'?"

(She looks at Christian and shakes her head)

Ana: "But-But we're not dating."

Christian: "I know. There's more inside the package. Be warned, Ana, it's not good."

(Her focus is on the package again. She takes out the rest of the contents and her eyes grow wide in shock! Her mouth opens as she whispers)

Ana: "Holy shit. What the fuck?"

(She stares at the two pictures in front of her for a long time before speaking)

Ana: "Where did you get these?"

Christian: "Like I said, they were in the package when the delivery man dropped them off."

(She slowly looks up to meet his eyes)

Ana: "What did he look like?"

Christian: (sighs) "I didn't pay much attention, Ana."

Ana: (determined tone) "Tell me what you know, Christian. Please."

Christian: "I think a tan pair of pants with a small pocket in the chest area of his shirt. He had on a baseball cap and I think a mustache. That's all I remember."

(Her focus is on the pictures again. She shakes her head in frustration)

Ana: (whispers) "Why the hell would Jack give you this? I know it may not be him, but who else could it be?"

(She continues to be shocked that Jose and possibly Jack went to Christian about her problem. She knew they wanted money, but they went too far. She doesn't notice that Christian is trying to get her attention. She shakes her head to get out of her daze to face Christian)

Ana: "I-I'm sorry. What?"

Christian: (sincerely) "I said…I want to help, Ana."

(She shakes her head in determination)

Ana: "I told you before, Christian, and I'm telling you again. It's not your problem."

(She realizes she was rude, so she smiles and nods sincerely)

Ana: "I know that you want to help, Christian, I appreciate it. I do. Thank you for being a friend, but you're my boss. It's not right for you to get involved in my mess of a life."

(Christian scoffs in response. What the hell did he have to say or do to get through to her?! He understood her wanting to get out of this mess herself. Why couldn't she just accept the fact that he wanted to help?! He swore that he was losing his marbles regarding Ana. He quickly gets up from his desk chair and moans in frustration! He shakes his head as he faces the woman he adored)

(After weeks of holding back his emotions, he was growing tired. It truly felt like months or even years of keeping everything bottled in. Why the hell does Ana have to be so goddamn stubborn?! Taylor got him to admit that he fell for Ana, but he wasn't ready to admit it out loud. But, bloody hell, he couldn't hold it in anymore! He felt like he was about ready to burst)

Ana: (sighs) "Christian, I-I'm sorry, but it doesn't feel right to ask you for help. Please understand."

(Christian raises his hands to his sides and shouts to the woman of his dreams)

Christian: "DON'T YOU GET IT, ANASTASIA?! I WANT TO HELP YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"

Chapter 22 Done

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