I blink in shock for a few moments, completely startled by his sudden appearance that I'm left speechless as I stare at my computer screen.
"How did you get in here?" I finally ask quietly as quickly scan the room. Apart from a stern and tense looking Taylor no one is paying us any attention and for that I am thankful. The last thing I need right now is an audience.
"The front door." He drawls and immediately I know he's smirking. Playful Christian has made an appearance.
"I meant in my office." I hissed as I finally turned to look at him, throwing a glare his way.
"Claire let me up." He spoke quietly as he looked me over thoroughly. His eyes glinting angrily as he took in my less then put together appearance.
"You look unwell Anastasia. When was the last time you ate?" He demands but I'm not having it. Without warning I shove my chair back hard, making him jump back in surprise before he regains his composure.
I stand just as suddenly and shoot him an icy glare as he stands in my way. After a small beat he moves, knowing better then to start something here, and I take the opportunity to push past him. I immediately feel his presence behind me, hard, firm and all things fifty. My body reacts immediately, every nerve alive with longing.
I say nothing as I pass Taylor but out of the corner of my eye I see him fall into line behind Christian. Briefly I glance around the office again and I see one or two pairs of eyes eyeing me curiously for a second or two before it's gone. With a sigh of relief I head to the empty conference room down the hall. It's somewhat soundproof and out of sight from any prying eyes despite the see through glass walls.
"Ana-'
"Don't." I hiss as I shove open the door and stalk in. I stay close the door, ready to make a quick getaway should I need one.
"Damn it Ana stop it. I can't stand this hostility from you." He starts immediately after the door shuts with a click.
"You shouldn't be here Christian." I hissed.
"What was I meant to do Ana? You're ignoring me." He cries out in frustration. For a moment I am sidetracked having never seen him so frazzled and out of control. I regain my momentum a moment later though as I stare at him hard, making sure he understands my next words clearly.
"And why would that be do you think Christian?" I snap and immediately as if an icy cold bucket of water has been dumped over us the tension in the room suddenly doubles.
"When was the last time you ate?" He asks again but this time his tone is hard and frigid, like ice. He's really mad but I can't bring myself to care. I'm mad too.
"That's not your concern anymore." I snap, my voice rising slightly.
"Bullshit it's not Anastasia. You are mine." His voice rising to match my own.
"I'm not a possession. I'm not something for you to own Christian. I'm a person, not a car or a company. I'm a person with feelings and my feelings have been hurt because of you." I cried in frustration as I threw hands up angrily.
Silence immediately washed over us as I let my head drop heavily. I felt drained again and slowly I could feel the fight leaving my body. I was tired. I was tired of the fighting, of the mind games and just tired in general.
"No. No you're not a car or a company, you're something much more precious than that." His quiet voice washed over me as his hand came up to cup my cheek. I tried to turn my head away but he held it there, guiding me up to meet his eyes as he mulled over his next words.
"I hurt you, I know that. I'm sorry, Ana I am truly sorry. We both made horrible mistakes that night." He sighed as he pushed his body closer to mine.
"Christian…" I sighed as I tried to move out of his hold but it was useless.
"Please." He whispered as his forehead touched mine.
"I can't. I'm sorry but I can't. I'm not the girl for you Christian. I can't be what you need me to be."
"I just need you Ana." He pleads desperately and it breaks my heart and I want to cry but I know I need to be strong.
"I can't. I need distance Christian, time to heal."
"Then I'll give you that but don't dismiss us so easily."
"I need to get back to work. Jack's probably mad with me already." I sigh as I pull back, Christian's hand slipping from my face leaving me feeling empty.
"I'll give you the space you want but please don't shut me out. Let me show you that I can be different." He begs desperately.
"I'm sorry." I say shakily as I back towards the door, barely meeting his wounded gaze. Poor fifty.
"Ana…"
"Goodbye Mr Grey." I whisper meeting his eyes just in time to see the shutters come down and his expression go blank.
"Miss Steele." He responds coldly as he stares at the spot above my head.
I scurry from the room, fighting back tears as I move quickly down the opposite end of the hall towards the bathrooms.
"Miss Steele." I jump in fright as I almost collide with the solid mass that's Taylor.
"Taylor." I speak softly as I move around him and flee to the bathroom.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror I almost lose it as the weight of what I've just done finally washes over me.
We're really done…
I take in my reflection as I scrub my face with water. My eyes are red rimmed with dark circles underneath, my face has lost all colour and looks sickly. I look how I feel, a mess.
I clean myself up as quickly as I can before sneaking back to my desk, my head down so no one notices a thing. I feel ill and the need to be anywhere but here hits me harder than ever. In the four years I worked at the Clayton's I never had a sick day but now more than ever I know I need to leave before I lose it completely. Packing up my belongings I stand from my desk and walk towards jack's office. I knock once and a muffled call rings out so I step in.
"Jack, I'm sorry I'm not feeling well and I really need to leave for the day. I'll take the manuscripts home and work on them if you need them today, or I'll make the hours up tomorrow but I really need to leave." I mutter under his concerned gaze.
"Ana you look dreadful, would you like me to give you a lift home?"
"No that's fine thank you. I've already one arranged."
"Go home and rest Ana the manuscripts can wait another day."
"Thank you Jack." I whisper before leaving the office.
I don't even wave at Claire as I leave the building, it's not her fault really. I hadn't told her about the break up and I hardly think it would have mattered if I did, no one says no to Fifty.
Operating on auto pilot I leave the building and head down the street to the bus stop. Reaching the bus stop not five minutes later I see another ones not due for another hour and I mentally curse myself. It's day time and the streets are full of hustle and bustle of workers, not deserted like they are of a night and the apartment isn't really that far. Without thinking I just start to walk in the direction of the apartment. The sooner I get home the sooner my nightmare may end.