A/N-

Hi readers,

I'd like to address a review a guest sent to me earlier today –I can't reply to it because it is a guest. He or she expressed that he/she didn't like the way I had asked/told my readers to follow the story, because it was misinterpreted as if I was hungry for follows or something like that.

I completely understand your concern, and I didn't mean for it to come across that way – I apologize. What I really mean and why I want follows is because you all will receive notifications when a new chapter is posted, if you follow the story. That way, everyone who starts to read the story will remember to come back and continue it.

It wasn't meant to come across as if I was hungry for follows or anything – because this guest was right- it is most definitely the reviews that matter. So I definitely don't mean you have to follow the story to read it – I should have worded it differently.

Sorry again for that misunderstanding, I hope I've cleared that up. The same guest also said that they couldn't find my Pinterest from looking up lilylilac1 – is anyone else having this problem? I'll try to find out what's going on.

As a lot of you already know, this is only the second fanfic I've ever written and I have no experience with writing, or with fanfiction at all, so I love that you guys seem to be liking the story! Thanks so much!
CHAPTER 5 – More

JACK HYDE'S POV – Monday, May 6

Ana walks in to work this morning wearing a flattering top and skirt, and looking even hotter than she did on Friday. The things I could do to her if I could just get her to agree to a fucking lunch with me. Is that honestly too much to ask? She's avoided me and scurried away every time I start to hint about it. Well, today is the day I'll ask her to get a coffee, and she won't have a choice. I'm her boss, and she has to listen to me.
She's walked into her office and presumably already started working on the film script she needs to translate to German today. She's very good at her job; efficient and gets things done. But I don't appreciate the way she avoids and ignores me when she can.

Half an hour before lunch hour, I decide to head to Ana's office. She won't be able to resist when I offer her a date. And if she does, I'll make her go. I open her door without knocking and see her sitting at her desk, on her computer. She looks up, startled.

"Mr. Hyde, may I help you?"

"Indeed, Ana." I close the door behind me, ignoring the way she stiffens, and lean against it. "I'm going to lunch at the café across the street in half an hour. Join me."

"No thank you," she says simply. No thank you?
"That wasn't an offer, it was a request, Ana," I say harshly, and she looks up. What is her problem? I'm trying to make it clear I'm interested in her, and she's acting like she's not interested in me.

"I'm sorry Mr. Hyde, I, um, have plans for lunch hour."
"Not if you want to keep your job, Ana," I say definitively, and she stares at me.

"Excuse me?" Hm, attitude.

ANA'S POV
"Watch your tone. It's just for coffee, Ana." I think for a moment. Is he really threatening to fire me if I don't go on a date with him? Everything inside me screams for me to refuse, and warning bells are going off in my head. I can't lose my job though.

"Alright," I say hesitantly, looking up at him and trying to appear expressionless. He grins from ear to ear, making me feel queasy. I can't believe I'm being such a pushover, but I don't have a choice.

"Perfect. Meet me by the elevator at noon, Ana." He opens the door and leaves, just like that. I feel a panic attack coming on. I always get nervous and jumpy when guys show any sort of interest in me, but this is different. He's… relentless. I feel like I might throw up.

At lunch, I meet him by the elevator and we go across the street to the café he was talking about. We take our seats at a table across from each other, and a waitress walks up to us and asks us what we'd like.

"Just a coffee," Jack says dismissively. "Make it good this time, would you?" I stare at him, shocked at his rude manner, but then shake my head and turn to the surprised waitress to order.

"I'll have a tea with milk and sugar, please," I say, giving her a smile. I feel bad for her – Jack is an absolute dickhead. And I'm sitting, on a date with him. I've never been more uncomfortable and ashamed of how I'm being seen than right now.

"So, Ana," Jack says as he leans forward. I lean back slightly. "How are you?" I'm disgusted, I'm uncomfortable, and I'm scared, because he reminds me of husband # 3. I try to keep myself composed, though. He's just a rude guy, he won't hurt you, I tell myself.

"I'm fine, Mr. Hyde," I reply, deciding to keep my answers short. I do not want to lead him on even more than he apparently believes I have. I want to make it clear I'm not interested, and then maybe he'll leave me alone and stop blackmailing me for dates. I could report him for this. Yes, I will report him for this. He smiles, an over-joyous, almost creepy smile.

"Just fine, Ana. Funny, that's what you say every day," he states, clasping his hands.

I don't respond.

"Ana, I saw in the newspaper that you attended an event with Christian Grey last night." I just look at him. He knows who Christian is? Was I the only one who didn't prior to meeting him?

"Are you two together, or are you just using him for publicity? Because I have a feeling the latter is the case."

I keep staring at him. I'm not going to answer, partly because I don't know what he means by using him for publicity. And the paper? I was in a newspaper? I think of the photographer who took a photo of us last night. I guess that must have been it. Is Christian Grey famous enough to be in the newspaper? I hardly even knew who he was when I met Christian, so I don't even bother answering this question and explaining to Jack. He misinterprets my silence and leans back, smiling again. The waitress comes back with our drinks.

"You see, Ana, I think I know exactly how you feel."
"What are you talking about, Jack?" I ask.

"I see the way you look at me, Ana. You keep denying it and acting as if I don't exist." He raises his eyebrows at me. What? I almost pass out from shock. He really thinks I'm interested in him? This is a nightmare.

"Mr. Hyde, I'm not interested," I start, but we're interrupted by the sound of my name and I turn to see who it is. It's Elliot Grey, smiling and heading towards me.

"And who's that, Ana?" Jack asks. Who does this guy think he is? He's acting like he's my boyfriend. I never should have agreed to come. I stand to greet Elliot, ignoring Jack. Elliot wraps me in a big hug, and it feels good to be hugged by someone friendly; like he's unknowingly protecting me from Jack. Jack stands as well.

"Hi, Elliot," I say when he lets go of me.

"Who's this?" Elliot glances at Jack and then back at me, probably because it looks like I'm on a date with this jackass.

"My boss." I look at Jack and he shakes Elliot's hand. I would say, 'he's forcing me to come to lunch with him and blackmailing me with my job', but I don't quite feel like getting fired today.

"Christian Grey's brother?" Jack asks, and Elliot nods, glancing at me. How does everyone know who he is too? Are they both famous? Is Elliot a businessman too? He doesn't seem like he would be.

"Pleasure. Ana and I were just having a lunch date." My god, that's it. Elliot looks at me and I glare at Jack.

"It's not a date. Jack insisted I come for lunch as friend," I say, ignoring the glare Jack shoots at me. Elliot looks at me, confused.

"Okay, well, tell Kate I said hi," he says, and I can tell he's about to leave. Please don't leave, I think.

But he gives me another hug, tells me we should hang out soon, nods at Jack and leaves, his coffee in hand. Ugh, I'm forced to sit back down at the table with Jack, and I run my hand through my hair, sighing. Is he going to fire me or something for saying that?
"Ana, I should fire you, but I rather like you, so I think I'll keep you around." I've never been more creeped out by someone in my life.

"Am I supposed to thank you for not blackmailing me?" I demand, throwing my hands in the air.

"Watch. Your. Mouth," he says, so quietly that it's eery enough to scare me.

"I apologize," I stutter, because I'm frightened by how familiar that tone is to me.
"Better, Ana. Now, we should get back to work." We stand, and to my horror he places his hand on the small of my back to guide me out. I instead walk quickly ahead of him, crossing the street and walking into the building before he can catch up.

CHRISTIAN'S POV

I hold a copy of The Seattle Times in my hand, smiling at the front page as I eat lunch in my office. It's the photo of the beautiful Anastasia and myself from last night. I'm slightly smiling, which I know my brother will freak out over, and Ana is beaming her gorgeous, sparkling smile. Will I ever get tired of seeing that smile?

I've never felt this way about a woman; I've already established that. But I guess a few days ago when I discovered I… was interested in her I suppose, I thought the feeling would go away. But it still hasn't. And it's not just that I only want her in bed; that's another thing that surprises me.

I've been with plenty girls, one night stands. I'm a man, and I like sex, like every other man does. But every single woman I've fucked, I haven't thought twice about since. I haven't done anything with Ana past holding her hand, and I can't stop thinking about her. She's like a goddess that keeps haunting my thoughts. Why, though?

I get it; she's extremely beautiful, seemingly intelligent, funny, charming. But I've met beautiful girls, smart girls, and charming girls with a sense of humor. None of them compare to Ana.

And I realize it's because she's more. She's more intelligent, funny, charming and beautiful than any girl I've met. She's just more. I've made up my mind – I can't forget about her, no matter how hard I try. Elliot's words from yesterday really stuck with me – 'Let her make you feel that way', he said.

My thoughts are interrupted by my phone ringing, so I pick it up, turning business mode on.

"Grey."
"Christian, dear, it's Elena."

Oh. "Hello, Elena. How are you?"

"Wonderful. I want to have lunch today – how does that sound?" I hesitate. Why am I hesitating?

"Sure. Where?" I ask, and she tells me the five - star restaurant she wants to eat at. I pack up my stuff and head down to the car, telling Taylor to drive me there.

When I arrive, Elena hugs me, as usual, but it feels different this time. It's a feeling I can't place. We sit down and order, and then she looks at me. It looks like she's gotten more surgery done, maybe botox again. She has zero wrinkles despite her age of forty - eight, and there's plastic surgery to thank for that. I would never say it out loud, but I'm not a fan of plastic surgery. She thinks it makes her more attractive; I think it just makes her stand out, and not in a good way. Her blonde hair is pulled back in its usual slick ponytail, and she looks tailor and formal as always. She looks the same as she did when she seduced me thirteen years ago, apart from the surgery. Elena leans on the table, looking at me, and I can tell she wants to talk about something.

"What is it?" I ask as the waiter gives us drinks. She waits for him to leave before speaking.

"That woman in the newspaper with you. Anastasia Steele." Ana?

"What about her, Elena?" I ask, surprising both of us with my defensive tone.

"Who is she, Christian? You're never photographed with any partners." she looks at me.

"She's a friend," I state.

"A friend," she repeats, spitting the words out. "You slept with her and then let yourself be photographed for the Times. With her. I'm asking why that is."
"I haven't slept with her, Elena," I say, keeping my voice calm. Why is she so wound up about this? Elena stares at me.

"So she's a friend that you took a photo with for the Seattle Times. Since when do you do that, Christian?"
I just look at her, and she continues.

"This is more than a friend, isn't it, Christian?" she asks, narrowing her eyes. I make the mistake of not responding once again, and she sits back, frustrated.

"Have you forgotten everything I taught you?" she hisses.

"We're friends, Elena. What's wrong with that?"
"Friends, my ass Christian. You are not interested in her, understand me?"
"Why do you care, Elena? Do you have feelings for me?" I snap back.

"For God's sake, Christian, I'm no hypocrite. I strongly believe in everything I taught you when you were a teenager. I helped you see the world how it is. Love. Does. Not. Exist." She pronounces every word clearly. I'm used to hearing these words; I heard them every day for two years. She continues, her voice getting harsher and harsher.

"And Christian, you believe it too. You are a smart man. You owe your success to me, I taught you everything. I taught you how to see the world, the business world. I taught you how to fuck, not fall in love. Love doesn't exist. You know that."
"For fuck's sake, Elena, I never said I was in love with her." She's irritating me.

"Good." She sits back, narrowing her eyes at me again. "Remember who you are, Christian. Don't let anyone change you."
"Of course no one is going to change me, Elena, I still believe in what you taught me. You know that. In the real world, love is a ridiculous concept. She's just a friend I met, I took a picture with her. It's not a big deal."

She looks at me like she doesn't buy it, but lets the subject drop. She moves on to discuss our business, the Esclava salon, with me, but my thoughts wander back to Elena's words from all throughout those two years. They're echoing through my head.

'Love does not exist.'

'In a selfish world, the selfish succeed.'

'Never allow yourself to think you're in love, Christian. Relationships are overrated.'

'Men and women succeed best with one night stands. Focus on your career.'

Suddenly, it all sounds wrong, thinking of Ana. I'm not in love; I could never be in love. But it just sounds wrong.

A/N-

Sorry there was no Ana/Christian action in this chapter, but the next one will be good, promise!
Thanks for reading! Follow this story so you can get notifications when the next chapter is up, and please do leave reviews so I know what you think.

Thanks for all the amazing reviews so far! They motivate me to write more.

ALSO- Please keep in mind that I think my computer is glitchy, and although I see a lot of your reviews show up in my email, they don't have a reply link and a lot of them don't show up on my account. Not sure why that is; I'll work on fixing that. But please keep in mind that if you're a guest, I can't reply to you : )

Xo

Lilylilac1