Fifty Shades Darker(123)

"Ana!" Jack shouts, startling me. "Don't book that flight!"

"Oh, too late. I've done it," I reply as he strides out of his office over to me. He looks mad."Look, there's something going on. For some reason, suddenly, all travel and hotel expenses for staff have to be approved by senior management. This has come right from the top. I am going up to see old Roach. Apparently, a moratorium on all spending has just been implemented. I don't understand it." Jack pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes.

Most of the blood drains from my face and knots form in my stomach . Fifty!

"Take my calls. I'll go see what Roach has to say." He winks at me and strides off to see his boss - not the boss's boss.

Damn it. Christian Grey... My blood starts to boil again.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: What have you done?

Date: June 13, 2011 10:43

To: Christian Grey

Please tell me you won't interfere with my work.

I really want to go to this conference.

I shouldn't have to ask you.

I have deleted the offending e-mail.

Anastasia Steele

Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Christian Grey

Subject: What have you done?

Date: June 13, 2011 10:46

To: Anastasia Steele

I am just protecting what is mine.

The e-mail that you so rashly sent is wiped from the SIP server now, as are my e-mails to you.

Incidentally, I trust you implicitly. It's him I don't trust.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I check to see if I still have his e-mails, and they have disappeared. This man's influence knows no bounds. How does he do this? Who does he know that can stealthily delve into the depths of SIP's servers and remove e-mails? I am so out of my league here.

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Grown Up

Date: June 13, 2011 10:43

To: Christian Grey

Christian

I don't need protecting from my own boss.

He may make a pass at me, but I shall say no.

You cannot interfere. It's wrong and controlling on so many levels.

Anastasia Steele

Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Christian Grey

Subject: The Answer is NO

Date: June 13, 2011 10.50

To: Anastasia Steele

Ana

I have seen how "effective" you are at fighting off unwanted attention. I remember that's

how I had the pleasure of spending my first night with you. At least the photographer has feelings for you. The sleazeball, on the other hand, does not. He is a serial philanderer, and he will try to seduce you. Ask him what happened to his previous PA and the one before that.

I don't want to fight about this.

If you want to go to New York, I'll take you. We can go this weekend. I have an apartment there.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Oh, Christian! That's not the point. He's so damn frustrating. And of course he has an apartment there. Where else does he own property? Trust him to bring up Jose. Will I ever live that down? I was drunk, for heaven's sake. I wouldn't get drunk with Jack.

I shake my head at the screen, but figure I cannot continue to argue with him over e-mail. I shall have to bide my time until this evening. I check the clock. Jack is still not back from his meeting with Jerry, and I need to deal with Elena. I read her e-mail again and decide that the best way to handle it is to send it to Christian. Let him concentrate on her rather than me.