I sit in my chair almost frozen to the spot. He told me not to be scared but how can I not be. After a couple of minutes I get up and move towards the elevator. Heart pounding, I take deep breaths to relax. It doesn't take long to travel the three floors. Andrea is sat behind her desk looking as efficient as ever.

'Andrea, I'm sorry I didn't come straight away when you asked.'

'Don't worry Matthew; you'd better go in now.'

'Did you get in trouble?'

'No, but don't keep Mr Grey waiting any longer.' She says, giving me a look of sympathy.

I enter; he's stood by the window with his back to me. He turns when he hears me close the door. I stand where I am, wanting to keep as much distance between us as possible. He starts walking towards me and then nods in the direction of the white leather chairs. I somehow manage to put one foot in front of another. He sits in one of the chairs and I sit opposite on the sofa. He watches me through his gray eyes. I stare back, trying to be braver than I feel. I wait for him to say something first.

'I'm sorry.' He says. I look at him questionably, wondering what he is sorry for. He must read my mind as he continues. 'I'm sorry for getting angry with you yesterday and I'm sorry that you are caught up in this situation with the girl. I can't believe she is evading all attempts to be found by my security team but you keep seeing her.'

'I was so scared.' I whisper. 'What does she want with me?'

'I don't know, but I will find her. I wasn't there for you was I?' I shake my head. 'Matt, I really am sorry. I only got your messages this morning, I was so shocked when I read what you'd been through and it's all because of me.' He sounds distraught. We look at each other intently. He then says. 'Please forgive me.'

I stare at him; it is down to me now. 'I was so angry with you; I've never felt like that before about you. It frightened me. Why am I getting angry with you when I love you so much and would do anything for you?' I say quietly, almost too scared to mutter the words.

'I don't know but mom says you can only be angry with those that you love.' He says. We are both fighting our emotions here, not sure what to say without upsetting the other. 'I really appreciate that you didn't tell mom and dad about her.'

'That's ok, I don't tell them everything.'

'No' he teases 'You just go and ask your own mother for the morning after pill the first time you have sex with your girlfriend.'

'OK, maybe that wasn't the wisest move, but I could hardly have asked you, you'd have killed me, Mia would have told the whole of Seattle, Elliot wasn't here and Hannah's mom would have stopped me seeing her'

'So you risked mom getting so mad with you for the first time ever on the day that's she's organised a huge social occasion. She doesn't let you sit next to her when you always have, she doesn't hug you like she did the rest of the people on the table and she doesn't talk to you for the whole meal. You had to explain to dad because he's never seen her that mad before and hey guess what you then have to explain to me because I've never seen her that mad either. You certainly know how to do things in style. I might have been mad but I would still have helped you.' I don't know whether he's cross or teasing me, I look at him warily.

'Are you still mad?' I ask.

'No, dad called me. He said you had to make your own mistakes and learn from them but what were you thinking?'

'It just happened, I got lost in the moment. It won't happen again.'

'Good. Did you not think about the possibility of a baby in nine months?'

'I don't need another lecture.' I snap at him.

'Ok, Ok, I'm just saying. By the way you're not a disappointment, I'm very proud to have you as my brother.'

'Really, I just seem to make you angry all the time at the moment.' I look at him and ask 'What is happening to us? We never used to be like this with each other.'

'Girls' he says with a smile on his face.

'You could be right there.' I smile back. 'Will we be OK?'

'I think so. Why did you stay at work so late though? I thought you would have got a lift with dad earlier in the evening.'

'I don't know, I lost track of the time.'

'I don't understand how you can lose yourself like that and you're not aware of anything around you.'

'It just happens, I suppose it's my way of coping and blocking things out. You were so angry that you wouldn't speak, when I told dad he said only Christian can get that angry. I should warn you, Mia is going to call you. She's trying to arrange a party for your birthday on Saturday.' I smirk at him 'Get out of that one.'

Christian groans 'Maybe I'll take Ana to New York for the weekend.'

'Wow, it's serious between you two then.' I say

'She's agreed to move in with me.' He grins widely. I freeze. 'Hey, what's the matter?' he asks.

'Nothing'

'Change?' he asks. I nod. 'But Matt, this is what I want, it won't affect us. You can still stay over whenever you want. You will be off to university in just over a year with Hannah and as your relationship develops you will have less time for me. At least it's happening to both of us at the same time. We'll still have boys' nights with Elliot and we can all go out together as a group.'

'That sounds good. Mrs Jones will have Ana to look after as well now. She might not have time to cook me lasagne.'

'Are you jealous?'

'Yes, she spoils me.'

'That won't change, she has a soft spot for you.' He grins again at me. 'Here are the keys to your new car, tonight dad and Taylor will be here at 6pm. We will all leave the parking lot together. Taylor will follow a short way as we will have to collect Ana. Kate's brother is arriving back from Barbados today and we're meeting up with him tonight. Elliot and Kate are still planning on returning on Friday. Dad will follow you home. Is that OK?'

'Yes, that's good.'

'OK, I've got a meeting now so I'll let you get back to work. I'll let you know if there are any further developments with the girl. What are you doing for lunch?'

'I was going to grab something at the deli.' I say but then my face falls in realisation that I can't go out.

'I'll get someone to bring you something. Oh and will you keep your phone switched on, it's hard keeping up with you when it's permanently off.' He smiles, showing he's not cross with me. I take my phone out of my pocket and switch it on in front of him.

'Happy?' I ask, as the phone vibrates with all the new messages.

'Very.'

We stand up together and he gives me a brotherly hug. 'I'll see you later, will you be OK?'

'Yes, I'll be fine' I say, making a move to leave.'

'You surprise me; you're so much stronger than you were a couple of weeks ago.'

'That's because I've got to deal with you.' I reply cheekily as I make my way out of the office. I smile at Andrea on the way out so that she knows I'm fine. 'Have a good afternoon Andrea with Mr Happy' she tries to hide a smile but just scolds me mildly 'Matthew' she says.

I return to my desk a lot happier than earlier. I text Hannah, telling her how much I'm missing her. She calls me back.

'Hi Matt'

'Hey baby, what are you up to?'

'Just working, are you free to meet later? I'm going to skip gym class tonight.'

'Hannah that would be cool, you've just made my day.'

'Mom has also given me tomorrow morning off work.'

'That's good, will you stay with me tonight, I'll skip work in the morning as well, we could do something together.'

'I'd love to, won't Christian mind though.'

'No, he owes me one. Shall I collect you on my way home from work tonight, it will be about seven. We could go out for dinner.

'Sure, see you later. Love you.'

'Love you too, laters baby' I say as I hang up.

Well I felt so brave on the phone saying that I'll skip work tomorrow but now that I'm thinking straight I don't want to make Christian angry again. I quickly email him thinking at least he can think about a reply rather than getting angry on the phone.

From: Matthew Grey

To: Christian Grey

Subject: Was brave but now worried.

Hi Christian,

I've just spoken to Hannah and arranged to meet her tonight and take her for dinner. Will this be OK? I'm worrying about whether I'll need any security.

Also she's got the morning off tomorrow and I suggested we could spend it together but I don't want to make you angry if you want me at work.

Love Matt x

He replies instantly, that means he'll be emailing in the middle of a meeting again. I roll my eyes.

From: Christian Grey

To: Matthew Grey

Subject: I want you to be happy!

Matt,

Thank you for informing me of your plans.

If it will make you happier I will have one of my security a few tables away from you in the restaurant. Just let me know the details.

Of course you can have the morning off, you've already worked so hard this week. Have fun, but be careful.

Christian

I smile at his reply, the over protective control freak is still there watching out for me.

'

'