Getting Ready To Set Off Fireworks

Christian's POV:

I briskly sign the last remaining contracts for our latest acquisition. Grey Enterprise Holdings is now the principal provider of telecommunications in the entire North American continent. I should be thrilled or at least be revelling in the elation of this successful purchase, but I feel shrouded in darkness. Emotions that I haven't had to contend with in years continue to resurface and the minute I try to work out the source, only one thing comes to my mind, Anastasia. Achieving a decent amount of sleep has become even harder than ever. I am on a vicious cycle. First the darkness around me turns into anger and frustration, and then pain, that can't be described. I work out frantically and have daily sessions with Flynn, but the darkness always returns and the cycle beings again.

"Andrea" I snap. "Make sure Olivia takes these documents downstairs to our legal department immediately, and then can one of you make me a decent coffee! Also, can you get hold of Welch and find out what the fuck is keeping him with those reports I ordered. Seriously is everyone on slow motion here today?" I bark at my assistant, making her jump for the one-hundredth time today.

"I will get on to it immediately Mr Grey" Andrea, who is usually resilient and beyond professional regardless of my mood, practically bolts out of my office, almost running into Taylor who is entering my office. Taylor offers her a sympathetic smile, and then frowns when he looks at me. I briefly narrow my eyes at him, but then choose to ignore his disgust at my recent behavior. Even I know that I have been impossible to work with or be around since I returned from Vegas yesterday. Truth be told, I don't want to be around myself right now. Welch follows Taylor into the office with the most-anticipated reports. I harshly push my laptop to the side and put all work matters out of my mind. Screw them; I am more concerned with my long awaited files.

"Close the door" I order, but it was a needless demand, as Taylor has already done fulfilled my request. He always closes my door when he enters, its common protocol. How did I forget such a simple small thing? I can't think properly at the moment. I haven't since Ana closed the door of my suite in Vegas. No woman has ever walked away from me; it has always been me who has ended every single one of my past fifteen relationships.

I stood in front of the door in my Vegas suite; silent and frozen in time. Never in my life had I felt like that. I told Ana, I didn't want her to leave, but she chose to and therefore this means…. Fuck I don't know what it means. My relationship rules would dictate that this liaison has ended. Never to be considered again; however, I am constantly reminded of Ana. Every time I see the color blue, I think about her eyes; when someone smiles, I recall how Ana's smile bigger and more inviting. I can't even board 'The Grace' right now, without imagining her in her bikini and how carefree Ana looked when she steered the yacht. Thank god Ana has never been in my office or who knows how long it would take me be able to focus on work.

"Mr Grey, we have the background checks you're requested." Welch announces and passes them to me. I guide them to the corner of my office where my conference table is situated.

"What have you found out already?" I ask urgently, as I start to scan the files contents. I may not be able to have Anastasia Steele, but I can't accept not taking actions to ensure she is safe. I had already put measures into place to ensure her safety when we were at the Cascade Mountains but with her out of my sight, there is a greater need to make sure nothing is overlooked.

"Anastasia has been appointed to be the personal assistance of Jack Hyde, as you know he has a horrible history of never keeping his assistants for long, and they always leave the company rather than being reallocated." Welch outlines.

"We have spoken to a couple of his past assistants, and they just state that working under him was outstanding but then don't account for why they left SIP. So therefore they are lying. My intuition is telling me that he is bad news" Taylor articulates.

"I concur." I need to intervene, but in a manner that will not cause Ana to become suspicious, and quickly. It is mid-day on Friday, and she starts work on Monday morning. I start to look through the details and information that has been gathered on the company and their employees. A large smile forms on my face when I find the answer to my problem.

I pick up my work phone, and request Andrea get a hold of Bryan Lockridge, a business associate of mine that also runs a foundation to assist children with special needs, named after his second born child was born with difficulties. Ten minutes later my phone rings, and Bryan's assistant is on the phone.

"Morning Lockridge, I wanted personally to apologize for my absence at your fundraiser, my parents have informed me that it was successful….. Congratulations. I would like add to amount raised with a private donation, say double the amount Grey Enterprise's donated last year….. It is my pleasure. It's is an important cause…. Also I was looking at the status of the publishing industry in Seattle, and I noted that you still own SIP…. No, I am not looking at purchasing the company, at least not at the moment. I actually need a favor" I finished negotiating with Lockridge and then returned to the conference table where Taylor and Welch have been sitting, having heard half of my phone call.

"Taylor, instruct Sawyer that he is to remain as the CPO to Miss Steele, but he is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Anastasia is too familiar with him. If she notices' him, we will reallocate back to Escala and employee a new CPO."

"Understood Sir" Taylor nods. "Is the matter of Miss Steele employment resolved?"

"Yes. I will brief you and Sawyer on that matter this evening at Escala. Instruct Sawyer to be there at eight o'clock this evening." I nod at them both, and they leave my office immediately.

I try to focus on my most recent acquisition, but my cell phone beeps informing me I have a text message, I hold my breath. I rarely get text messages, since email is my preferred means of digital communication. The only person, besides my family members who text me, was Ana. I read the message and groan when who I see who the message is from. Elena.

Elena: You haven't called me back or answered my emails. I have a sub for you. She ticks all the boxes.

Maybe this is what I need, to get back to my standard routine. I lean back on my chair and close my eyes. I imagine a new sub in my playroom; strapped to the whipping horse, whilst their backside turns pink and the cane marks her flesh. I can feel myself start to unwind and feel in control again just imagining the scene. Whilst engaged in my self-indulgent thoughts, instinctively I pick up my cell phone to reply yes to Elena's offer, when something stops me. I imagine untying my new sub and taking her to the bed in the playroom to fuck her senseless, when I see her face. It's Anastasia. I can't get her out of mind. She is like a ghost haunting me.

I stand up and face the window of my office to look out over Seattle, and feel my vicious cycle of emotions hit again. My phone rings and its Elena, again. I cancel the call and reply to her message.

Christian: No. I don't want anyone.

I put on cell phone on silent, throw it onto my desk and resume my self-wallowing.

"Mr Grey, I have your coffee, and Olivia has taken the documents downstairs. The legal department has been instructed to take care of them without delay. Is there anything else you need?" Andrea asks.

"Yes. Can you tell our public relations and charity department that we are to donate two hundred thousand dollars to the Tyler Lockridge Foundation?" I advise her.

"Absolutely"

This is the second time this week I have spent two hundred thousand dollars due to Miss Steele. The first time was to keep Ethan Kavanagh away from her and now to ensure that she is not working under Mr Jack Hyde. Money well spent.

Ana's POV

I take several deep breaths outside of SIP. I am excited and nervous at the same time, and looking forward to the distraction of work. Ever since I returned to Seattle yesterday, my thoughts have been plagued with Christian Grey. I never expected this. The distraction of Vegas, my mother and Bob, my step father, kept my thoughts of him at a minimum, but now it has hit me. Elliot's presence has made moving on harder. He and Kate are still connected at the hip, and their constant public displays of affection have caused me to mourn whatever I had with Christian. At the same time it's a stark reminder that he can't, or wouldn't give me what I want, either way, innocent little Ana is not so innocent anymore.

I walk into the SIP building and am greeted by the receptionist Claire. She is perky, friendly, though appears to be a little disorganized. "Morning Ana. Elizabeth, the head of our human resources, wants to meet with you first thing in her office. I will walk you up; just let me divert the calls to one of the girls in admin.

Claire talks non-stop up to the second floor. Once we reach Elizabeth's office, we are practically run over but an angry looking Jack Hyde. I try to say 'good morning' to him as I am his new assistant, but he refuses even acknowledge me and storms off. Please don't tell me he is like this every morning, or else, working with him is going to be harder than dealing with Christian Grey. Fuck, why does he keep popping into my mind! I enter Elizabeth's office and smile. She looks frazzled, but that can be accounted by the look jack had on his face.

"Good Morning Ana. Please take a seat. Would you like coffee?" Elizabeth offers, recomposing herself quickly.

"No thank you"

"There have been some changes here to SIP, and as a result, you will no longer be assigned to Jack Hyde as his personal assistant."

"Oh," I reply softly. I haven't even sat behind my desk, and I am already losing my job. Damn it!

"Yes, you will now be assigned to Linda Tobin, another one of our editors. She is on this floor and is expecting you. Her office is four doors from the right."

"Okay, thank you. Could I ask the cause of the change?"

"You want me to be honest?"

"Yes" I gulp quietly.

"I have absolutely no idea. All I know is that at ten minutes to five on Friday, I got a call from the powers that be, telling me that you were to be appointed to Linda Tobin and her assistant, Benjamin Rowe, was to be assigned to Jack Hyde." Elizabeth explains.

"Is this a common occurrence?" I probe, wondering if there is a chance that I will be reallocated again.

"No. I probably shouldn't say anything especially since this is your first day here at SIP, but I have worked for this company for twelve years, and this is the first time this has ever happened" Elizabeth shrugs. "You better go. Linda will be expecting you."

"Thank you for your time" I walk out of her office and head to the office of my new boss.

My new boss is a fiery red head, with a sharp wit and aged in her forties. Her office is decorated with pictures of her family. There are pictures of her husband and three children, in every corner and spare flat bench space. Two boys and one girl, all of school age as it seems. I sit down and take notes of her expectations. Coffee in the morning, black and one sugar, briefing on Monday mornings and to always allow calls from her husband and children to go through unless she was in a meeting that cannot be disturbed, and even then only if the meeting is crucial.

At five o'clock, Linda informs me she is going to pick up her daughter from ballet before going home and that I should retire for the day. I smile and thank her. My new boss has got to be the most-well-rounded person I have ever met.

I grab my jacket and start to walk out of the building. On my way out, I pass the office of my-would-be boss Jack Hyde. His assistant Benjamin Rowe looks like he has had a hard day. He is packing up his stuff and walking out after saying goodbye to Hyde.

"Hi" I greet him.

"Hey," he replies.

"My name is Ana Steele; I just started here" I announce as we walk out of the building.

"Yes I know. I was Linda Tobin assistant until today. It seems that we were switched."

"Yes, I don't know what happened there" I shrug. "How is your new boss?"

"Let's just say Jacky-boy isn't the happiest camper in the world. I don't think he wanted me as his assistant."

"I am sure that he will come around." I encourage him.

"I doubt it. I am not his preference, but I am tough enough to withstand him. I have a good record here at SIP," Ben states confidently.

"What do you mean that you are not his preference?" I ask wanting him to elaborate on this point. Ben scrunches his lips up and then shakes his head.

"Don't worry about it. Just look after Linda she is a really great boss. I have learnt a lot from her this past year, and I know you will too."

"Thanks." We reach the door of SIP, and Ben holds it open for me. "I feel horrible that for some reason our job's got switched, and you now have to contend with Jack."

"Do you really?" Ben asks almost shrewdly.

"Yes, I do. Very much so" I tell him honestly.

"Then make it up to me by letting me take you to dinner this weekend, say Friday. Most people here go and have drinks across the road after work; we could go for dinner afterwards" I stop and look at Ben and he is completely genuine. I almost don't know what to say. Benjamin is sweet, tall and fairly good looking, and I force myself not to make comparisons between him and Christian.

"Sure why not," I tell him casually.

"Great." He smiles. "My ride is here, but do you want me to walk you to your car?"

"No, I am fine. My car is in the car park, and it's not dark." I reason.

"See you tomorrow Ana."

"Good night Ben"

I head off to my car, and the distinct feeling that someone is watching me. I turn around quickly, but all I see are people walking past me heading home from work. I shake off the ill feeling and head home.

Christians POV:

Taylor coughs at the door of the gym, several times before I look up at him. I left the office at three and came home to workout in an attempt to regain focus. These have been the hardest eight days of my life in years. No deals have been lost, and my wealth still continues to grow; however, I feel misplaced. If this continues I may just have to take up Elena on her offer, as a one off distraction.

"Taylor"

"Sawyer has contacted me and informed me that he has heard that Miss Anastasia Steele is going out to dinner" Taylor looks most uncomfortable. I told security that I wanted to be informed of anything significant that Anastasia did. Going to dinner isn't significant unless…..

"Continue"

"Miss Steele is going to dinner with a co-worker. Benjamin Rowe" My lips form a hard line. I recognize this name immediately. He is the other personal assistant that I requested the owner of SIP to switch bosses after giving him a large donation last week to his foundation. I had to get Ana away from that sleaze ball Hyde, his record was atrocious, but I also never wanted her then to hook up with another co-worker.

"Where are they going to dinner?" I probe.

"They are going for after work drinks and then it seems that Mr Rowe has made a booking for them both at a local restaurant called, 'Seven Oaks', for seven." I look at my watch and take note that I have a good two hours still.

"Taylor, contact the restaurant. Make a booking for three people, but tell them that we are likely to have another two more at our table. If they don't have room, tell them who I am and offer them a large amount of money. I don't care what you do, but make it happen. In addition have Benjamin Rowe's booking cancelled." I storm off and pullout my cell phone and locate Elliot's number.

"Elliot. What are your plans tonight? ... Great! I want to buy you and Kate dinner, the restaurant isn't my usual style, but I am considering purchasing it" I lie. "Both of you be ready at half past six. I will pick you both up with Taylor." Arrogantly I smile. So far this was too easy.

I enter the restaurant just behind Kate and Elliot, strategically. It is five minutes past seven, which is exactly the time I wanted to arrive. At the front of the restaurant, is Anastasia with her date. As predicted, they are being told that they don't have a reservation. Rowe is trying to convince them that he made a booking and that they should check again.

"I am sorry sir, but your name isn't on our system" The front of the door states.

"But I made this booking on Tuesday!" He argues.

"Ana!" Kate calls out the second she see her best friend. Perfect! I might just learn to tolerate Katherine Kavanagh. Ana turns around, and they both hug each other as if they haven't seen each other in days. Ana turns to greet Elliot. Fuck, she looks carefree and gorgeous. Pain rips through me as I realize how much I have missed her. For the first time ever, I have missed someone. I stand back for a few minutes, deliberately.

"I didn't know you were coming to dinner here tonight." Kate comments.

"Well, we can't. It seems that our booking has been lost" Ana shrugs. The fucker Rowe looks at her apologetically. Time for me to act.

"Good evening Miss Steele." I smile at Ana, not because it is the polite thing to do but because I finally get to be close to her again. Desire engulfs my body. It takes an exuberant amount of self-control to not take her to some private part of this second rate restaurant and remind her that she is mine, or at least why she would want to be so. Ana looks up at me and she is a bag of mixed emotions. Obviously there is the shock of me having turned up just as she and her date were at the front of the door, but it's the other two emotions that are dominant. Antagonism and displeasure, but deep down I can tell that she is feeling regret over our broken relationship, the thing is she just doesn't realize it. After convincing myself to take my eyes off Ana, I then focus on the fucker Rowe.

"Christian Grey" I extend my hand out. He looks at me taken back, obviously knowing who I am.

"Yes I know. I am Ben Rowe."

"Good to make your acquaintance. I am about to join my brother and his girlfriend for dinner. Was I right in hearing that there is a problem with your booking?" I inquire. I want to grin at this perfectly constructed scene, but I can't give anything away.

"Yes, they seem to have lost it" Rowe states. Yes, I know. I am the one who made sure it got lost.

"Let me see what I can do." I walk over to the front of the restaurant and put the final piece of my plan into action. I request to see the owner, who has been given a sweetener to put my plans into action.

As I re-join Ana, Ben, Elliot and Kate, I can't help but look into Ana's eyes. There are so many mixed emotions pouring out of her that I can't pinpoint on the one which is now dominant.

"Miss Steele and Mr Rowe, your booking is definitely not on their system, and they are full…." Before I can continue Ana interjects.

"We can just go somewhere else for dinner" Ana states hurriedly. She wants to run, but I won't let her leave that easily this time.

"At seven o'clock, on a Friday evening in Seattle? I don't think that would be an easy task, but not to worry, I have spoken talk to the owner, and they have stated that another two people can fit on our table for dinner" I update them all. Ana's jaw practically drops to the ground, before she recomposes herself.

"We couldn't. Neither of us wants to intrude," Ana states.

"Elliot and Kate, would you think that inviting Ana and Ben to dinner would be an intrusion?" I inquire.

"Nah, as long as you are still paying" Elliot smirks.

"Don't I always Elliot." I smirk.

"Ana, come to dinner with us. Please Ben, say yes. It will be fun. It will be like a small spontaneous party" Kate tries to convince them. She is practically pleading with Ana.

"Ben, are you willing to join us? Dinner is on me" I direct my question at him, as he is the most likely to say yes over Ana. He looks unsure at first but then shrugs his shoulders.

"Okay, why not" Ben relents.

"Perfect." I reply

Kate and Elliot follow the waiter first, followed by Ben. Ana glares at me, and she turns to head to the table. I don't react to her expression. This is going to be a dinner to remember.

Authors Note: Thanks for reading, I am off to write the dinner scene now. I hoped you enjoyed... Also this chapter is dedicated to a dear friend of mine here on FF, who is also a writer, and is having a hard time medically. I hope she is feeling better soon and I am praying for her! Maria Amore