Chapter 3:

SIP, now formally called Grey Publishing, Inc. was in a complete turmoil when Ana arrived the next morning. She could feel fear in the air. Everyone seemed nervous and on edge. She stopped to say hello to the receptionist, Clara. "Good morning, Clara. What's going on?"

Clara looked very nervous. "The big boss man has been here since five this morning. Let's just say, heads have been rolling and bodies have been taken out." She smiled at Ana but there was sadness in those misty green eyes. "He canned me this morning because I said hi instead of hello. This is my last day."

"Fuck." Ana breathed. "I'm so sorry, Clara."

The little red-head only shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think I want to work here anyway."

Ana got to her desk to find a note taped to her computer that she was to report to HR immediately at her arrival. She checked her wristwatch to see that she was fifteen minutes early for work. She powered up the computer and then made her way to the elevators to go down to Floor 14, the home of Human Resources. She stepped into the glass walled offices and told the receptionist that she was told to come to HR ASAP.

The receptionist gave a sad smile and quietly led Ana to an office and asked her to wait there. Ana figured she was out of a job. She started to form a plan to find new employment. She laughed at herself; she had been planning that since she learned that Christian bought SIP. She knew she this was a possibility, especially after last night. Christian sat outside her apartment for two hours before he gave up and left. She finally went home around midnight to find that he had burned up her home phone and cell phone with messages. The door opened bringing Ana from her thoughts and to her feet. Elizabeth Morgan, the Director of Human Resources smiled as she took a seat at her desk.

"Good Morning, Miss Steele." Elizabeth said. "I am sure you are bewildered by all the changes that are being made." Ana only nodded. "Since Jack Hyde has been dismissed, it has been decided by Roach and the other editors that you should take over his job. We already knew that you were doing his work."

"You're not firing me?" Ana asked wide-eyed.

"Fire you? Are you delusional? You are the best thing that has happened to this company in years…well besides the buyout. We might actually get the company back on track." Elizabeth stood up and offered her hand. "Welcome to Grey Publishing, Inc as our new Editor."

"So, now what? Do I take over Jack's office?"

"Umm, no, you are being moved to Floor 21."

"Ms. Morgan, that's the executive floor. Editors are usually on Floor 17."

"I only do what Roach tells me to do. Here are your new credentials, a keycard for the Executive Elevator, and of course, your new parking space assignment, and of course, you will get a raise befitting your new position. Any questions?"

"No, Ma'm." Ana said still bewildered. She was so sure that she be unemployed. She gave Elizabeth a quick nod then made her way out of the office. She was still in shock when she stepped into the elevator. Out of habit, she pushed 17. When the elevator binged, she had to force her feet to move. She went to her desk to find everything of hers gone, even her purse.

"If you are wondering about your belongings they have been moved to your office on 21." Ana turned to that familiar voice. He stood behind her, all six foot two inches of pure sex and power. "Congratulations, Miss Steele."

"Will you please leave me alone?" She whispered.

"That would be impossible for me, Anastasia." His voice was low, husky, silky, sexy, and dangerous. "I can give you the world, if you will only let me."

"I have been very patient with you, Mr. Grey, but now you are just pissing me off. I don't want the damn world. I just want to have a job that I enjoy, a few friends for laughs, and damn good night's sleep." She wanted to slap that smug look off his face. "Please, leave me alone."

"As I said, that is impossible for me." His voice was a little more menacing. His eyes turned darker. "I will escort you up to your office."

"There is no need. I do know by way around SIP." Ana went past him trying not to notice the fresh smell of his clothes and that so loved scent of just Christian. He always smelled of the outdoors, fresh air, and abundance of sunshine. Too bad that he was full of dark and troubled memories that scarred his adult life and made him unsuitable for a normal woman. Ana fought tears but her stubborn streak kept them at bay. She would not show any weakness around this man. She knew he would exploit it for his own benefit. They were silent as they entered the elevator together. Ana stepped away a few feet from him putting space between them. He only smiled as he touched the button for the 21st floor.

"You are a stubborn woman, Miss Steele, but I am used to getting what I want." His hands clasped behind his back. He couldn't kiss her as he did in the elevator at the Heathman or at Escala. "You should reconsider your attitude. We will be working closely together."

"Who says I am staying with SIP?"

"Gray Publishing." He corrected with one eyebrow arched. "Are you leaving?"

"Yes, I am." She said after a few seconds. She could not take this promotion. She did not deserve it or earn it. Ana knew that Christian had arranged all this. "I am going to the 21st floor just to get my belongings, and then I am walking out."

Christian did not expect this. His eyes fixed on the metal doors before him. Stubborn woman! He wanted to pull her over his knee and spank her little white ass until it was a bright pink. "I won't let you." He finally said.

"You have no choice in the matter Mr. Grey. You do not own me. I am not your sex slave, your sub, your girlfriend, or whatever you call those women." She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I am nothing to you except another notch on your bedpost." The doors opened and Ana walked out. She stopped wondering where to go. She yelped when Christian took her arm and led her down the hall into an office. She stumbled when he pushed her farther into the room and slammed the door. Ana noticed her belongings about the spacious office, but her eyes went back to Christian who approached her slowly. He was on the hunt. Her hands went up to stop him. "Don't touch me or I will scream bloody murder."

"Now, Miss Steele, why would you want to do that?" He drawled as he smirked at her. He stood directly in front of her so very close that they could feel the heat off each other's bodies but he did not touch her. "This is your office. You are my Executive Editor."

Ana stepped back. She turned and went around the desk to find her purse. Silence filled the room as she shoved her personal items into her purse and soft-sided briefcase. She strolled past him towards the door. When she opened it, she turned to him. "Goodbye, Christian."

Christian stood in the empty office not believing what he just witnessed. She walked out on him and her dream job. She just fucking walked out! For the love of Pete, he would never understand that woman. He just gave her a very good paying position and she walked away from it. He took out his cell phone and called Taylor. "Ana is leaving the building. Follow her and let me know where she goes. I want a report every thirty minutes. In addition, put a trace on her phone, I need to know whom she is talking with. I don't care if that's illegal. It's only illegal if we are caught. Just do it, Taylor." He hung up, shoved his fists into his pant pockets and walked briskly from the room. This didn't work out as he imagined. He forgot the main substance that made Ana Steele; pride. She could not take this job because she did not earn it and by giving it to her, he had insulted her.

Ana was surprised that he didn't follow her onto the elevator but she was relieved. She didn't know how much longer she could hold out under that heated stare of his. It pained her to admit it, but she still loved him. She still wanted him, but not on his terms. She could not be a Sub. It was not in her nature to accept punishments and pain. She stopped by Elizabeth's office and left her newly appointed credentials then made her way down to the lobby. She took the time to say goodbye to Clara who broke down into tears when she heard that Ana was leaving.

"It's for the best, Clara. As you said earlier, I don't think I want to work here anyway."

"Where are you going?" Clara sniffed.

"Right now, I am going across the street and ordering the biggest margarita that Fifty's has!" Ana said with a big smile.

"It's not even eleven yet."

Ana laughed and shook her head. "It's five o'clock somewhere."

The little redhead watched opened mouth as Ana walked away. She grabbed her purse, threw off her nametag and security badge and followed Ana. "Wait for me; I could use a margarita also."

Taylor stepped into the office that Christian was using as he reorganized this company. He cleared his voice to get Christian's attention. The copper haired man looked up at him. "Well? Where is she?"

"She is across the street at a bar called Fifty's with a few people that you fired this morning. They look like they are celebrating." Taylor's phone pinged and he looked down to read the incoming text. "Reynolds texted that they ordered another pitcher of margaritas, strawberry."

"Fuck." Christian breathed. She walked out of his life, his company, and the dream job that he gave her and now she was partying as if she had no problems. "Who is with her?"

"Clara, the receptionist you fired this morning because she said hi, Dankins, from accounting, Munroe, from HR, and Doris London, from Advertising." Taylor stood as if he was at attention. He showed no emotion.

Christian looked down at his watch and noticed that it was after one. She left right before eleven. "I bet she didn't even eat lunch."

"No, sir she did not."

"Is she drunk?"

"No, sir, just feeling good." Taylor replied with a slight smile.

Christian caught that smile on Taylor's face. He scowled at his security guard. "Tell Reynolds to keep her safe and make sure she gets home in one piece and alone."

Taylor only nodded and typed out the order to Reynolds in a text message. "Will there be anything else sir?"

"Just keep me informed of her whereabouts and who she is with."

Ana knew she was drunk. At least she thought she was drunk. The hallway spinning around was a good indicator that she was drunk and the fact that she couldn't get her apartment unlocked. She giggled as she slid down her door and sat on the floor. She knew this would hurt come morning. She sighed and let her head rest against the door. Her eyes closed and she relived the day from hell. For saying hi Clara was fired, Ana became the Executive Editor, given a raise, stalked by the CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, and she quit. She walked out of a job that she considered her dream job; however, she did not believe she earned it. She knew Christian had his hand all over this. He bought the company, provided the promotion, upped her pay and for what? For control of her and her life.

"Fuck him." She said out loud and then began to giggle.

"Steele, are you drunk?" Tara asked when she saw her neighbor sitting on the floor. "Girl, are you all right?"

"Actually, yeah…. I think I will be. Well, maybe not in the morning. I have scheduled to have a hangover in the morning." Ana giggled again. "Tara, I walked out. SIP was bought out by Grey Enterprises Holdings."

"Last hired, first fired sort a thing?" Tara asked as she kneeled before Ana.

"Nope." Ana popped the "p" for added effect. "Actually, I was promoted, given a raise, and a parking spot…probably right next to the CEO of GEH." She pointed with her index finger toward the wall as if she could see her parking spot with a 14-karat gold plated plaque with her name on it.

"You got a promotion and you quit? Have you lost your bloody mind?"

Ana started to laugh. "I lost my mind the first day, the first minute, the very first second that I saw Christian. He…he…thought he could buy me back, but I showed him. I walked out!"

"Wait a minute…your Chris is THE Christian Grey?" Ana nodded, giggled, and placed her forefinger on her pursed lips and tried to "shhh" her friend but it came out "pffttt". This only made Ana laugh even harder. "Ana, you silly girl." Tara unlocked Ana's door and carefully drug the young lady into the apartment. After she got the door closed and locked, she turned to see Ana trying to climb up the wall. All Tara could think of is that Ana is quite a little show when drinking. Ana finally stood up and turned around slowly. "I bet you feel like bloody hell come the morning."

"I wonder if I keep drinking, will I have a hangover?" She busted out laughing at her silly observation. She then got sad. "He hurt me Tara. I don't mean here." She pointed to her heart. "But everywhere."

"My God, Ana, what did he do?"

Ana shook her head. "I can't tell you. I signed a DNA…no a AND…some damn paper that states I can't discuss Christian Grey with anyone."

"NDA or also known as non-disclosure agreement." Tara said.

"Yeah, that thing. I signed it, so I can't tell you anymore."

Tara sighed and looked over her friend. This girl was a hot mess. "Why don't we put you in bed and let you sleep this off?"

"'Kay, but don't let him find me. I know he had someone watching me. He'll show up here. He'll make me go back there…and I don't want to go." There was fear in that girl's eyes. Tara could feel the anxiety burning off Ana.

"I won't let anyone hurt you." Tara put her arms around Ana's waist and helped her through the living room, down the hall, and finally into Ana's bedroom and bed. "Let's get these clothes off you."

"Tara, how long did it take you to get over Ryder?"

"Who says I have gotten over him? I miss him, but I don't want a future with him. He is toxic to me."

"He sounds like Christian." Ana felt her shoes come off and heard them hit the floor. Tara unsnapped Ana's silk stockings from the garter belt and unrolled the stockings from her legs. She tucked Ana into the bed. "I'll bring you some Advil, water, and a bucket…just in case." Tara had to laugh at the situation because she had done the same thing after her breakup with Ryder, except her "drunk" last over two weeks. Hopefully, this was it for Ana. Before Tara was out the door, Ana was snoring her breathy little lady snore. Even Tara found it charming.

A black Audi SUV sat in front of the Crestview Apartment Complex. Reynolds sat in the front with Taylor and Christian was in the back. Earlier in the evening Reynolds sent Ana home in a cab then texted Taylor to inform him that "GW", Grey's Woman, was bound for home and that he was following the said cab. She was so drunk that she never recognized Reynolds.

"How long has she been home?" Christian asked while he tapped on his Blackberry.

"A couple of hours, Sir." Reynolds answered.

"Any visitors?" The CEO of GEH asked still typing away.

"Not now, sir. Miss Holt was there but returned to her apartment. I surmise from the amount of alcohol that Miss Steele consumed that she is passed out in her apartment." He looked to Taylor and smirked.

"Has the perimeter been swept?" Still tapping on that damn phone.

"Yes, Sir." Taylor answered this time. "All is clear and Sawyer is patrolling her floor."

Christian turned off his phone. For what he was about to do, he didn't want his phone going off. He looked up at the apartment building that looked like it was a twinkling Christmas tree with lights going off and on in different apartments. "I will be in Ana's apartment."

She looked like an angel sleeping. Her soft brunette hair fanned over the white pillowcase. Christian ached to touch her, to feel her soft silky skin, to kiss her delicious lips, and to be inside her. He sat next to her on the bed. If she woke up now he would have much to explain. Such as how he got into her apartment, which was easy since his Realty company owned the building. He was able to obtain a masterkey. He unloosen his tie, that gray diamond patterned tie that he used to restrain Ana in her apartment in Portland. He swept it off and threw it on the end of the bed. He lay down next to her and pulled her into his embrace. Within a few moments, he relaxed finally finding the comfort he so desperately missed since she left him.

Morning came with a vengeance and a massive hangover for Ana. Her mouth was dry and her head pounded. She slowly sat up, stretched her neck and prayed that she wouldn't puke all over her bed. She was half way out of her bed when she saw it. That silver tie! "Oh, God, Christian, he was here!" The sheet wrapped around her leg and she fell to the floor with a thud. She laid there praying for death as her stomach pitched and rolled. She slowly got to her knees and then her stomach rebelled sending all the contents onto her polished wooden floor. Hot tears rolled down her face as she retched. Weakly she used the bed for leverage and pulled herself to her feet. She tripped over the unused bucket. Her hands shook as she opened the door slowly expecting Christian to be outside her door. She padded across the hallway to the bathroom just in time to get sick again.

The apartment was empty in which Ana was grateful. She made herself some tea and toast and sat in her living room watching television. She tried to remember last night after she returned home from the bar. She remembered Tara bringing her into the apartment and she remembered Tara taking off her stockings but there was nothing else. She knew her dreams were full of Christian but mainly because they were always full of Christian. She sipped her tea and stared unseeing at the television. She knows that he was in her apartment. She knows that he was in her bedroom last night probably watching her sleep since he said he enjoyed doing so. She found that a bit creepy.

"I think I'm going to have to leave Seattle. He will never leave me alone."