Chapter 24: The Circus

CPOV

"Christian, I'll be fine. I have to work."

"Ana, no you don't. I own the company. You can do whatever you like. I need to make sure you are safe."

"Christian, how much safer can I be? You assigned me two CPOs and you own the company for which I work. Plus I can't just live off of you. I have bills and student loans to pay. Please?"

I sigh. This goes against my best judgment but I can never say no to her. "OK. But if Sawyer tells me that anything has happened I'm going to drop whatever I am doing and come to you. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Of course. Thank you." She stands on her to toes and kisses my cheek.

I smack her butt. "The paparazzi are already outside. So be prepared."

APOV

I'm glad Christian ignored my demands that I didn't need new clothes and had Caroline Acton send over a new wardrobe, however much I hate to admit I am being that vain. We didn't have any issues leaving Escala this morning because the reporters and paps couldn't get into the garage.

However, as we pull up to SIP I am suddenly regretting this decision. Sawyer pulls the car in front of the building, he turns to me in the backseat. "OK. Here's the plan. Prescott will go ahead of us to try and clear the path. I will be alongside of you. Keep your head down and don't respond to them. Wait for me before you get out, Ana. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Got it." I still don't know how they know where I work and why I'm a big deal. Prescott leaves the car first and clears a path taking no shit from anyone. Sawyer opens my door and puts his arm over my shoulders. He's so much bigger than I am that he practically envelops me. Flashes are going off so often and so brightly I can barely see. People are shouting questions at me from all directions.

Ana! How did you meet him?

Is it true you're pregnant?

Are you marrying him just to get your hands on his $16 billion?

Ana, did you ask him to buy the company so you won't get fired?

How soon after you began dating did you sleep with him?

Did you really force him to get a tattoo of your name to mark your territory?

Are you marrying him as a deal so people won't suspect he's gay?

Oh my God. This is horrible. It's complete chaos. Sawyer days to me, "Don't listen to them, Ana. They're scum."

We barge through the doors with them shutting swiftly behind us essentially muffling the noise from outside. "Are you OK Ana?"

I'm breathing hard trying to catch my breath. I'm afraid if I talk I'll be unable to choke back the sob stuck in my throat so I just nod.

Claire is already at the front desk. As we walk by I hear her say, "You three sure know how to make an entrance!" From my peripheral vision I see Sawyer shake his head at her indicating for her to stop.

I go into my office, well my office as temporary editor, and shut the door. Sawyer knocks and comes in.

"Ana, can I get you a tea or anything?"

"No. Thank you. Can you close the door? I have conference call I need to be on." I smile at him trying to look as genuine as possible. He nods and shuts the door.

I let out a long exhale completely overwhelmed. I'm trembling and tears start to fall. They were saying such horrible things and they don't even know me. Maybe doing some work will keep my mind off of it.

I open my email and see tons of new emails from people I don't know. They're from writers and newspapers wanting the exclusive from Christian Grey's fiancé. Someone even said I am a 'Cinderella story'. They are asking me what my price is completely disregarding the fact that I am a person with feelings. I'm completely overwhelmed. It's ten in the morning by the time I've weeded through them all and answered them saying I wasn't interested.

I start reading a manuscript when my phone rings. "Ana Steele."

"You won't keep him happy."

"Who is this?" How did someone get my work phone number.

"He won't be happy with just a girl like you. He'll get sick of you and find someone else. Just ask your beloved Christian what all his previous women looked like."

"Don't call me again! Do you understand?" The line goes dead before I get an answer.

I put my head in my hands and let the tears flow. I don't think I'm cut out for this. How long will I get harassed for?

CPOV

I'm finishing up a meeting when my phone rings and I see it's Sawyer. I excuse myself from the conference room and go to my office.

"Sawyer, is Ana OK?" I start pacing my nerves getting the best of me.

"Sir. That's why I'm calling. After our run in with the paps on our way in Ana said she had a conference call. She shut her door and locked it. She hasn't been out of her office since. She was pretty shaken up even though she tried to hide it. I'm worried about her."

"Keep an eye on her. I'll be right there." I pick up my keys from my desk and walk out the office. "Andrea, cancel my appointments for the rest of the day."

I keep walking towards the elevator. "Taylor. I'm heading out to SIP. I'll drive myself." I hang up before he even has a chance to say anything.

I park quickly in front of the building and make my way in without even acknowledging the paparazzi are there. I get to the front of her office and see Sawyer. "Has she come out at all?" He shakes his head.

I try the doorknob and it's locked. I don't say anything leaning against the cheaply made door and give it a good push with my shoulder and break the door open.

She looks up at me startled her eyes red rimmed and puffy from crying. She tries to wipe a year away. "Christian, what are you doing here?"

I walk towards her squatting so we're eye level. "Seeing as one of the duties of being your fiancé is to take care of you. I'm here to see if you're OK." I take my thumb and wipe away another stray tear. "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

She starts to cry, and practically leaps into my arms hugging me. "Oh, Christian. They were saying the worst things. And then I came in here and my email was flooded with people wanting an interview my Cinderella story. Then this…this woman called me and said you'd get bored with me."

Now she is outright sobbing. "Baby girl, you've been through a lot in the past couple of days. I will never, for as long as I live, get bored of you. You're stuck with me."

She looks at me, her blue to my gray, and she smiles at me demurely. "Come. Let's go home. You can bring things home with you to work on until this calms down. OK?"

"OK."