Fifty Shades Darker Part 39

"To New York?"

"Yes. We'll need to go Wednesday and stay overnight. I think you'll fnd it a very edu- cational experience." His eyes darken as he says this, but his smile is polite. "Would you make the necessary travel arrangements? And book an additional room at the hotel where I am staying? I think Sabrina, my previous PA, left all the details handy somewhere."

"Okay." I smile wanly at Jack.

c.r.a.p. I wander back to my desk. This is not going to go down well with Fifty-but the fact is, I want to go. It sounds like a real opportunity, and I'm sure I can keep Jack at arm's length if that's his ulterior motive. Back at my desk there's a response from Christian.From: Christian Grey Subject: Me, Bossy?

Date: June 13, 2011 09:07 To: Anastasia Steele Yes. Please.

Christian Grey, CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Jeez ... he does want me to move in. Oh, Christian-it's too soon. I put my head in my hands to try and recover my wits. This is all I need after my extraordinary weekend. I haven't had a moment to myself to think through and understand all that I have experienced and discovered these last two days.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Flynnisms Date: June 13, 2011: 09:20 To: Christian Grey Christian What happened to walking before we run?

Can we talk about this tonight, please?

I've been asked to go to a conference in New York on Thursday.

It means an overnight stay on Wednesday.

Just thought you should know.

A x Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP From: Christian Grey Subject: WHAT?

Date: June 13, 2011 09:21 To: Anastasia Steele Yes. Let's talk this evening.

Are you going on your own?

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia SteeleSubject: No Bold Shouty Capitals on a Monday Morning!

Date: June 13, 2011: 09:30 To: Christian Grey Can we talk about this tonight?

A x Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP From: Christian Grey Subject: You Haven't Seen Shouty Yet.

Date: June 13, 2011 09:35 To: Anastasia Steele Tell me.

If it's with the sleazeball you work with, then the answer is no, over my dead body.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

My heart sinks. s.h.i.+t-it's like he's my dad.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: No YOU haven't seen shouty yet.

Date: June 13, 2011 09:46 To: Christian Grey Yes. It is with Jack.

I want to go. It's an exciting opportunity for me.

And I have never been to New York.

Don't get your knickers in a twist.

Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP From: Christian Grey Subject: No YOU haven't seen shouty yet.

Date: June 13, 2011 09:50 To: Anastasia Steele Anastasia It's not my f.u.c.king knickers I am worried about.

The answer is NO.Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

"No!" I shout at my computer, causing the entire offce to come to a standstill and stare at me. Jack peers out from his offce.

"Everything all right, Ana?"

"Yes. Sorry," I mutter. "I er ... just didn't save a doc.u.ment." I am scarlet with embar- ra.s.sment. He smiles at me but with a puzzled expression. I take several deep breaths and quickly type a response. I am so mad.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Fifty Shades Date: June 13, 2011 09:55 To: Christian Grey Christian You need to get a grip.

I am NOT going to sleep with Jack-not for all the tea in China.

I LOVE you. That's what happens when people love each other.

They TRUST each other.

I don't think you are going to SLEEP WITH, SPANK, f.u.c.k, or WHIP anyone else. I have FAITH and TRUST in you.

Please extend the same COURTESY to me.

Ana Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP I sit waiting for his response. Nothing arrives. I call the airline and book a ticket for myself, ensuring I am on the same fight as Jack. I hear the ping of new mail.

From: Lincoln, Elena Subject: Lunch Date Date: June 13, 2011 10:15 To: Anastasia Steele Dear Anastasia I would really like to have lunch with you. I think we got off on the wrong foot, and I'd like to make that right. Are you free sometime this week?

Elena LincolnHoly c.r.a.p-not Mrs. Robinson! How the h.e.l.l did she fnd out my e-mail address? I put my head in my hands. Can this day get any worse?

My phone rings and wearily I lift my head from my hands and answer, glancing at the clock. It is only ten twenty, and already I wish I hadn't left Christian's bed.

"Jack Hyde's offce, Ana Steele speaking."

An achingly familiar voice snarls at me, "Will you please delete the last e-mail you sent me and try to be a little more circ.u.mspect in the language you use in your work e-mail?

I told you, the system is monitored. I shall endeavor to do some damage limitation from here." He hangs up.

Holy f.u.c.k ... I sit staring at the phone. Christian hung up on me. That man is stomping all over my fedgling career, and he hangs up on me? I glare at the receiver, and if it wasn't completely inanimate, I know it would shrivel in horror under my withering stare.

I open my e-mails and delete the one I sent him. It's not that bad. I just mention spank- ing and well, whipping. Jeez, if he's so ashamed of it, he d.a.m.n well shouldn't do it. I pick up my Blackberry and call his mobile.

"What?" he snaps.

"I am going to New York whether you like it or not," I hiss.

"Don't count-"

I hang up, cutting him off mid-sentence. Adrenaline is coursing through my body.

There-that told him. I am so mad.

I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. Closing my eyes, I imagine that I am in my happy place. Hmm ... a boat cabin with Christian. I shake the image off as I am too mad at Fifty right now for him to be anywhere near my happy place.

Opening my eyes, I calmly reach for my notebook and carefully run through my to do list. I take a long, deep breath, my equilibrium restored.

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

"Oh, too late. I've done it," I reply as he strides out of his offce 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.

d.a.m.n 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 GreyPlease 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 a.s.sistant 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 infuence 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 pa.s.s at me, but I shall say no.

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

Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant 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 fghting off unwanted attention. I remember that's how I had the pleasure of spending my frst 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 fght 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 d.a.m.n 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 fgure 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.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: FW Lunch date or Irritating Baggage Date: June 13, 2011 11:15 To: Christian Grey Christian While you have been busy interfering in my career and saving your a.s.s from my careless missives, I received the following e-mail from Mrs. Lincoln. I really don't want to meet with her-even if I did, I am not allowed to leave this building. How she got hold of my e-mail address, I don't know. What would you suggest I do? Her e-mail is below: Dear Anastasia, I would really like to have lunch with you. I think we got off on the wrong foot, and I'd like to make that right. Are you free sometime this week?

Elena Lincoln Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP From: Christian Grey Subject: Irritating Baggage Date: June 13, 2011 11:23 To: Anastasia SteeleDon't be mad at me. I have your best interests at heart.

If anything happened to you, I would never forgive myself.

I'll deal with Mrs. Lincoln.

Christian Grey CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Anastasia Steele Subject: Laters Date: June 13, 2011: 11:32 To: Christian Grey Can we please discuss this tonight?

I am trying to work, and your continued interference is very distracting.

Anastasia Steele a.s.sistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP Jack returns after midday and tells me that New York is off for me though he is still going and there's nothing he can do to change senior management policy. He strides into his of- fce, slamming the door, obviously furious. Why is he so angry?

Deep down, I know his intentions are less than honorable, but I am sure I can deal with him, and I wonder what Christian knows about Jack's previous PAs. I park these thoughts and continue with some work, but resolve to try to make Christian change his mind, though the prospects are bleak.

At one o'clock, Jack pokes his head out of the offce door.

"Ana, please could you go and get me some lunch?"

"Sure. What would you like?"

"Pastrami on rye, hold the mustard. I'll give you the money when you're back."

"Anything to drink?"

"c.o.ke, please. Thanks, Ana." He heads back into his offce as I reach for my purse.

c.r.a.p. I promised Christian I wouldn't go out. I sigh. He'll never know, and I'll be quick.

Claire from reception offers me her umbrella since it is still pouring with rain. As I head out of the front doors, I pull my jacket around me and take a furtive glance in both directions from beneath the overlarge golf umbrella. Nothing seems amiss. There's no sign of Ghost Girl.

I march briskly, and I hope inconspicuously, down the block to the deli. However, the closer I get to the deli, the more I have a creepy sense that I am being watched, and I don't know if it's my heightened feeling of paranoia or a reality. s.h.i.+t. I hope it's not Leila with a gun.