suzykepling: I'm trying thanks. You have every right to call me out if I'm not consistent with the timeline.

Jen1072: I'm literally sorry everyday for keeping you waiting.

fundays: I can always count you.

Gowildcats: Ana is not a giver uper (not a word, I know) but, yeah she's way over her head.

peachesgo: Oh but you see our dear Ana, unfortunately, refuses too. While I agree with you a 120%, Ana just won't listen to me.

Christene: I don't think Ana thought of that... could end badly because she didn't.

Tammyken: I'd really like to thank you for your review. The guest reviews really were getting to me and I really appreciate this. Thank you so much! I'll keep working hard!

joangoldman9: You literally crack me up! I love your reviews, thank you so much. Honestly, I always hated Elizabeth for that but then again Jack was blackmailing her.

carlabaptista: Brigada amiga!

hermionesteele: Me too, I trust in Ana. She just needs to trust in herself

cwalk74: This chapter is officially dedicated to you. I never want you to forget if you love this story, that's the nicest thing ever and thank you so much for the review!

Chapter Seven: Revelations, Hugs and Escala

I'm painstakingly disturbed by how right Sarah is about this place being corrupt. Everything's ruined; the whole plan rotated around going to human resources with all my evidence- they'd get rid of Jack. We'd then go to the police with the situation, so that they'd take care of the rest.

I can't believe I hadn't guessed this before, of course HR knows, it's impossible that none of Jack's assistants filed a complaint against him or accused him of sexual harassment. The question is why? Why hasn't Elizabeth handled this already? She could get Jack fired easily with her position at the company.

The videos and pictures, my subconscious reminds me. Right, the blackmail, how could I forget. I didn't know whether to feel sorry or revolted, she's not only protecting him but she's enabling him to continue.

Do I call Sarah Wilson? No, I can't… yet.

I turn to the characters, who all lay strewn about my psychological living room, actively talking over each other as they independently scribble on loose paper. Well, what do I do now? I ask them. They all pause their brainstorming session to give me equally perplexed and befuddled looks. I sigh folding my arms on my desk to cushion my pounding head. My hair cascades around me creating a wall between the outside world and me. I wonder what would happen if I never came up again, I wonder if all my problems would resolve themselves-

My blackberry buzzes, I don't look at the contact because I don't have the strength. I manoeuvre the phone through my hair until it presses against my ear. "Ana Steele."

"Hi, Steele." Ethan's drawl catches me off guard.

"Ethan!" I jump up. "Oh, my goodness, how are you?"

"Frustrated and hungry, my connecting flight got delayed so I'm only buckling up now."

"Flight? What flight?" I comb through my conversation with Kate from yesterday, I'm pretty sure her, Elliot and Ethan are only coming back in a week or so, so why is Ethan calling…

My subconscious shakes her head in defeat, making a show of putting down her pencil and paper. Only then, does she turn up the audio on mine and Kate's conversation.

'Ana, don't forget Ethan's arriving tomorrow because he's sick of me and Elliot being an incredibly, cute and amazing couple.' And had cordially I agreed that he could stay with us for some time because I hadn't been paying attention to what she was saying. The incredibly, cute couple details were not helping my misery.

"Oh Steele, your absentmindedness…"

"Shit, yeah," I murmur apologetically. "Guilty." I honestly can't deal with Ethan right now. He's someone that's so close to me, I wouldn't be able to keep everything going on right now away from him. Next to Kate, he can read me the easiest.

"Uh… where are you right now?"

"You'll never guess where I am!" Ethan yells, and I wonder how the people in his flight feel about him yelling.

"Fucking Springfield!" I wish I could match his enthusiasm. "That's right, 'The Simpsons' is real."

"Oh Ethan…" I groan.

"For real Ana, I freaked out when they said our connecting flight is in Springfield- Branson National Airport. How fucking awesome is that?!"

"Very awesome."

"I can feel your sarcasm. Anyway, we're just about to depart, it's around a 5- hour flight and then I guess I'll take a taxi to your place." I'm about to offer to pick him up when I remember all I have for transport is a bike and while Ethan could very well sit in the basket, I don't think I can pedal that far.

"Okay, I'll meet you outside the building."

"I'd rather you not it'll be late," He says. "I'll just buzz you then you can come down."

"Can you rather call I'm having dinner with my neighbor and don't know long it'll go on for."

"Oh," He says dragging the o. "Are we talking about a male neighbor?"

"She's a fifty-year-old widower with fifteen cats." I say not in the mood to even entertain jokes like this.

"Hey I'm kidding!"

"Yeah, yeah." I force a laugh. "Let me get back to work."

"Dutiful employee as always." he says, "Laters."

"Wait did you just sa…" He's already hung up when I finally react. What, is Ethan saying it too now? Then it dawns on me that Ethan's spent an extended period-of-time with Elliot and can't help picking up his phrases, no matter how much I wish he wouldn't.

After work when a group of us ready to go to the bar. I tell Jack I'll lock up for him, when he says he needs to 'take a quick leak'. My hands shake, as I quickly repeat what took me forever in the morning except this time the office is still bustling with people and Jack's just a shake and tuck, away from catching me. The battery rests at a low 35% and I stuff it in my bag before making sure the holders properly situated.

Claire's packing her huge blue bag wearing an exuberant amount of makeup when I reach reception. "Hey Claire."

"Just the girl I was looking for." She shimmies her shoulders excitedly. "You coming to Laurie's today or what?"

"Yeah," I say though I'm shaking my head. "But, I need your help." She looks confused though ultimately intrigued.

"Oh, a secret. I love it."

"I need you to film Jack and I at the bar." I say taking out the camera.

"What?" She angles her head to the side, furrows her eyebrows and chuckles. "Why?"

"You know why…"

"No," Claire's expression shifts to serious. "And I don't think I want too." She turns away from me and continues placing things in her bag. "Look I helped you okay. I don't want to know what's going on. I just want to do my job and wait for the next you or whoever to come."

"Claire." I exclaim with disbelieve, then quickly lower my voice because a few colleagues pause to stare at us. "Claire, listen-"

"I'm not doing this, I'm not getting involved in sociopathic Sarah's problems, or whatever this is. I told you I need this job; my family isn't exactly living like Aunty Farnie." I grab her wrist stopping her from putting a stapler into her bag.

"Look-"

"Ana." Jack calls suddenly right there. With my bag on the table I manage to slide the camera to Claire without being seen.

"Yeah?"

"Come on, I'll walk you there." His hand presses to the small of my back. I nod letting him lead me away, I don't glance back. Jack talks to no one else but me once we reach the bar. He switches from topic to topic having comments and opinion on everything; if I didn't know he was such a creep, he'd be charming.

I take small sips of the tall beer, he insisted in buying me, never giving him a chance to touch it or buy me a new one. At multiple points his knee touches mine, or his hand grazes my shoulder, or arm. Claire's been effectively ignoring me the whole afternoon despite sitting literally across the bar the whole time, she's ignored every side- look. I try to ignore the guilt I feel bubbling and focus on extracting information from Jack.

"So how are you liking it here so far." He asks, then nudges me playfully as he continues. "I know I'm the boss but don't worry you can tell me if you hate me."

"I love it." I smile. "Everyone's so great and welcoming, especially you and Claire. Oh, and don't get me started on Elizabeth."

His smile grows laced with confusion. "Elizabeth?"

"Yeah, she's been so nice to me, helpful and she's so pretty too. Is she single?"

"Why you interested?" He chuckles.

"No," I wave him off. "Just wondering."

He eyes me- not with suspicion. "Let me tell you a secret, honey." He leans in. I lean back.

Jack chuckles. "Don't be shy," When I don't move, he puts his hands up in surrender. "Okay fine, between you and me she's had a thing for me for years."

I resist the urge to lean in at that. "Uh, what?"

"Yeah, we hooked up once and she's been crazy about me for years." I must keep the disbelieve of this blatant lie from showing on my face. "I just didn't feel it with her, you know. I know it's a bit childish, but we're all looking for someone special, right?" He let's the sentence hang there, looking at me deeply.

My characters all huddle on the couch staring at this man in utter disbelief.

He's playing us.

He's trying to woo us.

He's good… really good.

I turn away to stop the laughter about to topple out of me, instead I take a long gulp of my beer as Jack's lips twist up in a satisfied smirk. That's enough of that. I grab my bag from where it's hanging securing it on my shoulder, as if on cue my phone buzzes.

"I should head out," I say grabbing it from the counter and pretending to check the notification. "It's getting late and I have dinner plans." I press end recording, pocketing the phone with an accomplished smirk.

"Oh well," He looks completely taken aback but recovers quickly, downing the rest of the whiskey while getting up. "You're a bit tipsy I should drive you home."

It's like dealing with an extreme, crazy, completely extra fifty shades. No! My inner goddess roars from her eternal slumber. Do not compare Christian Grey to this man.

"I think…"

"It's cool Mr Hyde," Claire who I didn't even notice approach, steps in. She gives him a large very Claire smile. "Ana's already got a ride with me."

"I insist."

"So, do I." She says hooking my arm. "I haven't had a drop and plus I'm the dinner plans." Jack nods seemingly fine with the situation but it's too late… I know better now. He wishes us both a good afternoon and turns back to the bar.

"Thanks for that," She looks at me the same way she did that day in the coffee shop before she told me about Sarah Wilson.

"Come on," She jerks her head. "I'll give you a ride home."

Her car is littered with junk; tickets, crumpled papers, empty water bottles, wrappers and take- away boxes strewn everywhere. "Ignore the mess." I nod and do because not like I had a car.

"That asshole was all over you." She murmurs angrily as she starts the car.

"I know. I've noticed."

"I'm in."

"What?"

"I'm in."

When we arrive at my apartment, Claire pulls me into a hug and despite the gear shift digging into my stomach and the camera awkwardly still in my hand it's the best feeling I've had in a while. I didn't realize how much I needed this dose of human contact until I feel tears brimming and hug her tighter.

"We'll figure this all out." She says stroking my back. "I'm sorry this is happening to you." I doubt Claire will ever know what a profound impact these words are having on me. How much this applies not only to Jack but my whole life right now. How much this means to me. It's as if all my characters and thoughts were personified and knew all I needed was a hug.

"Thank you."

Chloe's apartment is a mirror image to mine and Kate's and while you might describe ours as 'modern, chic' as Kate would put it. Chloe's apartment is best described as an art and artifacts museum meets nature reserve. She had plants and flowers everywhere; by the window sills, on the floor, on her surfaces even hanging from the ceiling. Her walls were covered in art, one of her walls was a self-made mural and everything withheld a story.

She had a radio and old-fashioned record player in place of a television, that reminded me of Ray and how I had to call him. Next to it hung a hanging chair in which I refused to try. We sat on plush round chairs, which matched the glass table.

"Wow, Chloe, this is incredible." She's made a garden salad, roasted sweet potatoes, a stir- fry vegetable mix, lasagna and garlic bread.

While eating her delicious spinach, cheese lasagna it's impossible to engage in conversation or keep up with her. My mind's to full with thoughts of Jack and He-Who Shall-Not-Be-Named. Now I had to figure out how to keep Ethan in the dark on both men. Not to mention come up with a new Operation Jackass- and fast because my internship is inching closer, and closer.

I sigh poking my salad aggressively, the fork piercing the mini tomato oozing out a watery red liquid.

"Ana, I hate to have come to this, but you've reached that stage."

"What do you mean?" I ask stabbing at another tomato.

"Where I as your new friend of one-week friend and just over a week neighbor have to say this."

I finally regard her, slightly amused. "Say what?" Chloe takes a swig of her fruity cider. The only way to get over one guy is to get under another one. There I said it, am I ashamed? Slightly."

"What?" I laugh, spluttering.

"Let's go out." She yells far to excitedly.

"Absolutely not."

"Well, we have to do something."

"It's Wednesday so… let's drink." I say downing half of the sweet cider, it's fresh and slides down my throat easily, tickling my throat with its fizz. She laughs sliding me another.

"Okay." I say pointing at her with the bottle. "Anything but that."

"We'll think of something."

I'm grateful when she drops the topic and tells me about herself instead, I try to focus on imagining her life playing out in front of me like I do all my book characters. During which I'm proud to say I have two full plates of everything.

I learn that Chloe works as a secretary at a huge company, while currently trying to obtain her fourth business related diploma. That, that little girl that opened the door for me was her sister and that her dream was to be a ballerina, but she gave it up to pursue what her parents called a 'proper' career.

"Don't you miss it?" I ask.

"I never left," She says. "I still take classes every other weekend. You can't just give up your dream like that." She snaps her finger. "I love dancing but it's risky. I'm not willing to take that risk."

I want to lecture her on how that isn't how life works and that we should always pursue our dreams no matter the risk. Then I remember that's the reverse of what I'm doing currently. Abandoning my dream to work with books to work at a company I know nothing about.

Its temporary though. They echo me.

"So," Chloe starts gathering the empty bottles. "You going to tell me about lover boy now?"

I laugh, it's the furthest thing to describe him in all honesty.

"Why not," I shrug and it's probably a result of all the alcohol coursing through me. As I pile our plates up, I finally tell Chloe my Christian story, as conservatively and evasively as a tipsy me can. By the time I'm done we're almost done with the dishes.

"That's it, Ana!"

"What is?"

"He was your first boyfriend and love. You won't be able to forget him so easily, but you left him, so you know it's for the best."

"But," I pause. "What if it isn't? What if my first is supposed to be my last?" I finally voice.

She dries her hands on her apron turning to me. "It doesn't look like he feels that way." Chloe says finally. He's not here. She might as well add.

I stare down at the soapy bubbles, at that moment my phone chooses to ring. I dry my hands on my jeans then dig out the phone, I smile grimly at the contact. "Ethan? You here?"

"Yeah just grabbing my bags."

"I'll be right down."

"Is that the roommate's brother?" I had told Chloe earlier about him, and how he thinks she's fifty. I laugh, "Mmhmm, thanks for dinner."

She nods, then unexpectedly gives me a hug. "Thanks for coming." I don't know how to feel as I rush down the stairs, not with the hug, but the whole situation.

"Ethan!" I yell as soon as I open the door. I'm met with a sun-bleached blonde hair, tan and glowing hazel eyes version of Ethan. As soon as he sees me, he envelopes me in a hug and twirls me. Hugs sure are nice.

"Ana! It's been so long." He puts me down looking me over. "You look different."

Oh great… here we go again, Jose part two.

"Hold on let me grab my bags." We grab his bags from outside and start the trek up the stairs. "You look great," I say adjusting his laptop bag strap. "Why'd the hell did you come back here for?"

"Act like you didn't miss me." He scoffs ruffling my hair with his free hand, I frown up at him. "Anyway, I was seriously fed up with sunshine, and rum punches, and Kate being hopelessly in love."

Preach, brother, I'm tired of hearing it. No matter how much I terribly miss Kate suddenly from hearing Ethan talk about her, it's exhausting pretending with my best friend.

"Sand, sun and sea, yeah, sounds like Dante's Inferno to me too. How was it really?"

"Super great." He smiles then, "Back to you though, what's up?"

"Hmm?"

"You're off, and are your eyes red?" How can he tell when he's been here with me for literally two minutes?

"Of course, they are I'm exhausted with work. But I'm also ecstatic, I mean, I finally got my almost dream job, in my dream area."

"I dunno you're probably right, I'm super jet lagged anyway, I'm never going to do so many hours of flying for a beach again."

Once we reach my door, I'm surprised to find a plastic container filled with leftover lasagna, and two ciders. I smile, "Looks like Chloe made you dinner."

"I knew fifty-year olds' were awesome." He says swooping to grab it. Luckily, Ethan doesn't ask anymore questions that night. After a quick tour of the apartment, he gobbles the lasagna- despite always saying anything without meat he'd never touch- and then collapses into Kate's bed without changing.

I switch off his lights then go to my room to review the Jack footage. There's nothing, from Jack in his office, just him being obnoxious on the phone and doing work. Though Claire, despite me not noticing her filming at all- has successfully captured me being outwardly, uncomfortable while Jack consistently flirts and touches me at the bar. Capturing our abrupt ending and conversation after via audio, when we'd both forgotten to switch it off. This coupled with the recording I took today of mine and Jack's conversation is my first bit of evidence.

Hmm… I muse, I have an accomplice now. It somehow takes off a bit of the weight.

The high of this doesn't last long, soon I'm left laying on my pillow revelling in mine and Chloe's earlier conversation. Maybe she's right… If he and I didn't work, it was because he didn't want us too. I let an absent tear trail down my cheek on to my pillow.

I must have drifted though I don't know what wakes me up. I groggily check the time on my phone. It's just past six, but sleep evades me, so I get up and put on my jogging clothes.

Christian Grey, this name that once filled me with butterflies now coils my stomach in pain. Can I let him go? Can I as a woman continue with my life, find a man, get married… Shit. It doesn't seem at all possible. When I was with him whenever the thought of what if we don't work out came to mind. I'd push the thought far down, into the corners of my brain and heart and enjoy his company. I was sure I'd change him. Positive he'd want to change for me, for us.

I pause on the spot breathing heavily and resting my hands on my knees. I can't believe you thought he'd change for plain, old Ana.

The third time I met him after he'd ask me to that coffee date, he'd told me to my face, that he doesn't do the whole 'girlfriend thing'. I was naïve thinking he'd want to change. Probably with a new submissive right now, one of them taunts.

"Aren't you supposed to be on my side." I murmur resuming my stride more rapidly. I'm being negative, I tell myself with each ragged breath. This is basic post breakup stress, and sadness and… not eating… or sleeping. I shake my head trying to clear my thoughts.

Cold air courses past me drying my already parched throat while sweat gathers on my forehead and heat pools under my jacket. I wipe my forehead to keep hair tendrils from sticking to my face.

The classic music pounds, but my ears feel clogged and all I hear is my blood pounding against my ear. My heart beating frantically against my chest, the path in front of me blurs as I plunge into full speed rounding random corners. The only thing stopping me from going faster is my shrewd stepping and unpracticed breathing.

I continue running for what feels like longer than it should take to get back to my apartment. Finally coming to an abrupt stop when my legs weigh like lead and my vision momentarily blackens. I rip the earphones from my ears letting my hands rest on my knees.

I breathe deeply; in through my nose and out through my mouth. I know that, at least. I think wryly taking in my surroundings. I gasp, making my already screaming lungs feel like they're about to burst.

Escala.

"How the hell-" I stumble as I try to straighten up. I'd somehow made my way to Escala, standing across the street from the building staring at the absolute last place I'd want to be. That's when I feel it. The heavy feeling in my heart as if I'm having heart burn, as if my body knows it's betrayed me. My mind goes blank and I falter. I couldn't possibly go in, I turn to leave cursing my brain for even thinking this.

I'll walk.

And that's when I collide with him.

He grips my forearm as I stumble in to him to steady me and I freeze. His lips move, and I know he's trying to communicate but all I hear is ringing as if he's tolling a bell next to my ear while speaking.

I think I'm deaf. Wait, am I deaf? Like in that movie…

"Miss Steele?"

Nope, I'm good.

I inhale sharply regaining my bearings nodding quickly as if I've heard every word.

"Taylor. Hi." I manage, my heart racing for a completely different reason now. I look back at the building almost willing the door to stay closed. How pathetic would I look if he came out right now?

"Are you alright, Miss Steele?"

I nod wordlessly still looking at the entrance door for a few extra seconds, before meeting his eyes. He looks genuinely worried but let's go of my arm.

"What are you doing out here?"

Shouldn't he be asking you that?

He lifts a bag wordlessly, and I blink taken aback. He's wearing clean cut, black pants and a long white sleeved button up shirt, not really shopping for groceries clothes. He looked every bit the same Taylor and I don't know why that made me smile.

"Gail needed milk for breakfast." He says, and I note how slightly embarrassed he sounds. Taylor, bodyguard extraordinaire getting milk at who knows what time and blushing.

He's eating. I silently note. Or at least drinking, milk's healthy.

"Um… I was jogging."

"I see, Miss Steele." He says. I'm overwhelmed with the urge to hug him, so I do. Sweat and all, I wrap my arms around his back and bury my face in his chest. Taylor stiffens but doesn't push me away, I hold him firmly in place. I don't know if it's because he reminds me of Ray and I really need my dad right now, or because he seems to care just a little about my wellbeing. It might just be because he'll be with him in a few minutes- a luxury I don't have.

I decide it's because of my new fondness for hugs. I feel a hand fall on my back, that's when I remember who I'm hugging and pull back blushing furiously.

"Oh Taylor, I'm so sorry." His hand hovers in mid-air for a second longer before he regains composure. "It's just I – you – and-"

"It's quite alright, Miss Steele."

I can't help myself. "Is he-"

As if reading my mind, he shakes his head. "No, he's still inside." I sigh inwardly, not sure if I'm happy or not with the news.

"Okay." I say feeling suddenly lost. "I was heading about to head back." He nods and steps aside. "Goodbye Taylor." My shoulders loosen slightly with every step and I the air around me feels lighter for the few steps I make it.

"He's different without you."

He whispers it, so lowly that I almost don't hear it, but I know I do because the tears immediately pool in my eyes and I feel all the heat rush out of my body. Taylor is not an emotional person. I've summarized this in the short time I've known him. He talks when necessary, especially to lowly submissives' like me who he knows are fleeting.

However, none of these factors register in the moment. I shake my head, and snort glancing back at him. I place my earphones back in my ears.

"Then where is he?" His face is stoic, emotionless and while the music blares in my ears I watch his mouth for any reply. After a few seconds I nod slowly, turning away. The voices all stand ready to voice their opinions. I glare at them until they sit down.

Whoa Taylor! I know right, were you expecting someone else? Me too! I miss Christian so much. However, I've decided to let you decide how Christian and Ana should reunite, I have a chapter all ready for how I think they should meet again. If any of you come up with something I like better I'll happily use it.

So review!

Sorry for any grammatical errors but I'm glad you're all enjoying the story so far. I'll keep writing hard for ya'll because every review literally fills me up with so much joy. We reached 200! Thank you so much for that. I really was hesitant to post this story and I'm so glad I did.

xoxoIvoryxoxo