by E. L. James
"Good morning, Mr. Grey. This is Sarah Hunter. She'll be interning with us."
Sarah looks me squarely in the eye and holds out her hand. "Good morning, Mr. Grey. Pleased to meet you."
"Hello, Sarah. Welcome." We exchange firm handshakes.
Her grip is surprising.
Not so mousy, then.
I extract my hand.
"Could I see you in my office, Andrea?"
"Of course. Would you like Sarah to make you a coffee?"
"Yes. Black. Please."
Sarah sashays off toward the kitchen with an enthusiasm that I hope I won't find irritating, and I hold the door to my office open for Andrea. Once she's inside, I close the door.
"Andrea--"
"Mr. Grey--"
We both stop talking.
"Go," I say.
"Mr. Grey, I just wanted to say thank you for the suite. It was gorgeous. You really didn't--"
"Why didn't you tell me you were getting married?" I sit down at my desk.
Andrea blushes. This I do not see often, and she seems at a loss for what to say.
"Andrea?"
"Well. Um. There's a non-fraternization clause in my contract."
"You married someone who works here!"
How the hell did she keep that to herself?
"Yes, sir."
"Who's the lucky guy?"
"Damon Parker; he works in engineering."
"The Australian."
"He needs a green card. He's on an H1 visa at the moment."
"I see." A marriage of convenience. For some strange reason, I'm disappointed for and in her. She sees the censure on my face and hurries on.
"That's not the reason I married him. I love him," she says in a most uncharacteristic way, and she blushes. The stain on her cheeks restores my faith in her.
"Well, congratulations. Here you go." I hand her the "happily ever after" card I signed yesterday and hope she doesn't open it in front of me. "How's married life so far?" I ask, to prevent her from doing just that.
"I recommend it, sir." She's glowing. I recognize that look. It's how I feel myself. And now I'm at a loss as to what to say.
Andrea shifts back into work mode. "Shall we go through your schedule?" she asks.
"Please."
MARRIAGE. I CONTEMPLATE THE institution when Andrea leaves. It obviously agrees with her. It's what most women want. Isn't it? I wonder what Ana would do if I asked her to marry me. I shake my head, feeling ambushed by the thought.
Don't be ridiculous, Grey.
In my mind I replay this morning. I could wake up every day beside Anastasia Steele and I could close my eyes beside her every night.
You're smitten, Grey.
You've got it bad.
Enjoy this while it lasts.
I e-mail her.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Sunrise
Date: June 14 2011 09:23
To: Anastasia Steele
I love waking up with you in the morning.
Christian Grey
Completely & Utterly Smitten CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I grin when I press send.
I hope she'll read this on her BlackBerry.
Sarah brings me my coffee and I open the latest draft of the SIP agreement and start to read.
My phone buzzes. It's a text from Elena.
ELENA
Thank you for being so understanding.
I ignore it and go back to my document. When I look up, there's a response from Ana. I take a swig of coffee.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Sundown
Date: June 14 2011 09:35
To: Christian Grey
Dear Completely & Utterly Smitten
I love waking up with you, too. But I love being in bed with you and in elevators and on pianos and billiard tables and boats and desks and showers and bathtubs and strange wooden crosses with shackles and four-poster beds with red satin sheets and boathouses and childhood bedrooms.
Yours
Sex Mad and Insatiable xx
Shit. Laughing and choking at the same time, I spit coffee onto my keyboard at "Sex Mad and Insatiable." I can't believe she's written that in an e-mail. Fortunately, I have tissues left over from yesterday's coffee fiasco.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Wet Hardware
Date: June 14 2011 09:37
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Sex Mad and Insatiable
I've just spat coffee all over my keyboard.
I don't think that's ever happened to me before.
I do admire a woman who concentrates on geography.
Am I to infer you just want me for my body?
Christian Grey
Completely & Utterly Shocked CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I continue my read of the SIP agreement but don't get very far before there's a new e-mail from her.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Giggling--and wet too
Date: June 14 2011 09:42
To: Christian Grey
Dear Completely & Utterly Shocked
Always.
I have work to do.
Stop bothering me.
SM&I xx
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Do I have to?
Date: June 14 2011 09:50
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear SM&I
As ever, your wish is my command.
Love that you are giggling and wet.
Laters, baby.
x
Christian Grey
Completely & Utterly Smitten, Shocked, and Spellbound CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
LATER, I'M IN MY monthly meeting with Ros and Marco--my M&A guy--and his team. We're going through a list of companies that Marco's people have identified as potential targets for takeovers.
He is discussing the last on the list. "They are floundering, but they have four patents pending, which might be useful in the fiber-optic division."
"Has Fred reviewed them?" I ask.
"He's excited," Marco replies with an avaricious grin.
"Let's do it."
My phone buzzes and Ana's name flashes on my screen.
"Excuse me," I say as I pick up the phone. "Anastasia."
"Christian, Jack has asked me to get his lunch."
"Lazy bastard."
"So I'm going to get it. It might be handy if you gave me Sawyer's number, so I don't have to bother you."
"It's no bother, baby."
"Are you on your own?"
I look around the table. "No. There are six people staring at me right now wondering who the hell I'm talking to." Everyone looks away.
"Really?" she squeaks.
"Yes. Really," I pause. "My girlfriend." I tell the room. Ros shakes her head.
"They probably all thought you were gay, you know."
I laugh as Ros and Marco exchange a look. "Yeah, probably."
"Er--I'd better go."
"I'll let Sawyer know." I laugh at the reactions around the table. "Have you heard from your friend?"
"Not yet. You'll be the first to know, Mr. Grey."
"Good. Laters, baby."
"Bye, Christian."
I get up. "I just need to make a quick call."
Outside the boardroom, I call Sawyer.
"Mr. Grey."
"Ana's leaving to get some lunch. Please stick close."
"Yes, sir."
Back in the room, the meeting is wrapping up. Ros approaches me.
"Your private merger?" she says with a curious look.
"The very same."
"No wonder you're so upbeat. I approve," she says.
I grin, feeling smug.
BASTILLE IS ON FIRE. He's knocked me down three fucking times. "So Dante told me you brought a beautiful girl into the bar. This why you're s
oft today, Grey?"
"Maybe." I grin. "And she needs a trainer."
"Your PA spoke to me this morning. I can't wait to meet her."
"She wants to learn to kickbox."
"Keep your ass in line?"
"Yeah. Something like that." I lunge for him, but he feints left, his dreads flying, and he knocks me down with a swift roundhouse kick.
Shit. I'm on the floor again.
Bastille's pumped up. "She'll have no trouble punishing your sorry ass if you fight like this, Grey," he crows.
Enough is enough. He's going down.
I RETURN TO MY office showered after my bout with Bastille, and Andrea is waiting for me.
"Mr. Grey. Thank you. You really are too generous."
I dismiss her gratitude with a wave as I head into my office. "You're welcome, Andrea. If you use it for a proper honeymoon, make sure I'm away, too." She gives me a rare smile and I close my office door.
I notice a new e-mail from Ana when I sit down at my desk.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Visitors from Sunny Climes.
Date: June 14 2011 14:55
To: Christian Grey
Dearest Completely & Utterly SS&S
Ethan is back, and he's coming here to collect keys to the apartment.
I'd really like to make sure he's settled in okay.
Why don't you pick me up after work? We can go to the apartment, then we can ALL go out for a meal maybe?
My treat?
Your
Ana x
Still SM&I
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
She's still using her work computer.
Damn it. Ana.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Dinner Out
Date: June 14 2011 15:05
To: Anastasia Steele
I approve of your plan. Except the part about you paying!
My treat.
I'll pick you up at 6:00.
x
P.S.: Why aren't you using your BlackBerry!!!
Christian Grey
Completely and Utterly Annoyed, CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Bossiness
Date: June 14 2011 15:11
To: Christian Grey
Oh, don't be so crusty and cross.
It's all in code.
I'll see you at 6:00.
Ana x
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Maddening Woman
Date: June 14 2011 15:18
To: Anastasia Steele
Crusty and cross!
I'll give you crusty and cross.
And look forward to it.
Christian Grey
Completely and Utterly More Annoyed, but Smiling for Some Unknown Reason, CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Promises. Promises.
Date: June 14 2011 15:23
To: Christian Grey
Bring it on, Mr. Grey
I look forward to it too. ;D
Ana x
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
Andrea buzzes me. "I have Professor Choudury on the phone from WSU." The professor is the head of the environmental sciences department. It's rare that he calls. "Put him through."
"Mr. Grey. I wanted to give you some good news."
"Please, go ahead."
"Professor Gravett and her team have made a breakthrough with regard to the microbes that are responsible for nitrogen fixation. I wanted to give you a heads-up because she'll be presenting her findings to you on Friday."
"That sounds impressive."
"As you know, our research has been directed at making soils more productive. And this is a game-changer."
"I'm pleased to hear it."
"It's thanks to you, Mr. Grey, and the funding from GEH."
"I look forward to hearing more about it on Friday."
"Good day, sir."
AT 5:55 P.M. I'M outside SIP's offices, in the back of the Audi, looking forward to seeing Ana.
I call her.
"Crusty and Cross here."
"Well, this is Sex Mad and Insatiable. I take it you're outside?" she answers.
"I am indeed, Miss Steele. Looking forward to seeing you."
"Ditto, Mr. Grey. I'll be right out."
I sit and wait, reading a report on the fiber-optic patents Marco was talking about earlier today.
Ana appears a few minutes later. Her hair, shining in the late-afternoon sun, bounces in thick waves over her shoulders as she walks toward me. My spirits lift, and I'm completely under her spell.
She's everything to me.
I climb out of the car to open the door for her. "Miss Steele, you look as captivating as you did this morning." Embracing her, I plant a kiss on her lips.
"Mr. Grey, so do you."
"Let's go get your friend."
I open her door and, as she climbs in, I acknowledge Sawyer, who's standing outside the SIP office, unseen by Ana. He nods and heads to the SIP parking lot.
TAYLOR STOPS OUTSIDE ANA'S apartment and I reach for the door handle of the Q7, but I'm stopped by the buzz of my phone.
"Grey," I answer, as Ana reaches for the door.
"Christian."
"Ros, what is it?"
"Something's come up."
"I'll go and get Ethan. I'll be two minutes," Ana mouths to me as she exits the car.
"Hold on a moment, Ros." I watch Ana as she presses the entry phone and speaks to Ethan. The door buzzes and in she goes.
"What is it, Ros?"
"It's Woods."
"Woods?"
"Lucas Woods."
"Oh yes. The idiot who ran his fiber-optic company into the ground and then blamed everyone else."
"The same. He's doing some rather negative press."
"And?"
"Sam is concerned about the PR fallout. Woods has gone public about the takeover. How we came in and didn't let him continue to run the company the way he wanted."
I snort my derision. "There's a good reason for that. He'd be bankrupt by now if he'd continued the way he was going."
"True."
"Tell Sam that I know Woods sounds convincing to those who don't know his story, but those who know him realize that he reached a level beyond his ability and made some really bad decisions. He's got no one to blame but himself."
"So you're not worried."
"About him? No. He's a pretentious asshole. The community knows."
"We could go after him for defamation, and he's breached his NDA."
"Why would we do that? He's the kind that feeds off publicity. He's been given enough rope to hang himself. Though he should grow some balls and let it go."
"I thought you'd say that. Sam is agitated."
"Sam just needs some perspective. He always overreacts to bad press."
As I glance out of the window, there's a young man with a duffel bag walking with purpose toward the apartment door.
Ros is continuing to talk, but I ignore her. The man looks familiar. He's sporting the beach-bum look: long blond hair, tanned. Recognition and apprehension hit me at once.
It's Ethan Kavanagh.
Shit. Who let Ana into the apartment?
"Ros, I have to go," I bark into the phone as fear grips my chest.
Ana.
I fly out of the car. "Taylor, follow me," I shout, and we rush toward Ethan Kavanagh, who's about to put the key in the lock. He turns in alarm to see us barreling toward him.
"Kavanagh. I'm Christian Grey. Ana's upstairs with someone who could be armed. Wait here." There's a spark of recognition in his expression, but wordlessly--confused I think--he r
elinquishes hold of the key. I'm through the door and running up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
I burst into the apartment and there they are.
A face-off.
Ana and Leila.
And Leila's holding a gun.
No. No. No. A fucking gun.
And Ana is here. Alone. Vulnerable. Panic and fury burst inside me.
I want to lunge at Leila. Take the gun. Bring her down. But I freeze and check Ana. Her eyes are wide with fright and something I can't name. Compassion, maybe? But to my relief, she's unharmed.
The sight of Leila is a shock. Not only does she have her fingers wrapped around a gun, but she's lost so much weight. She's filthy. Her clothes are in tatters and her clouded brown eyes are expressionless. A lump forms in my throat and I don't know if it's fear or empathy.
But my biggest concern is that she's still holding a gun with Ana in the room.
Does she mean to harm her?
Does she mean to harm me?
Leila's eyes are on me. Her stare intensifies, no longer lifeless. She's drinking in every detail, as if she can't believe I'm real. It's unnerving. But I stand my ground and return her look.
Her eyelashes flutter as she collects herself. But her grip tightens around the gun.
Shit.
I wait. Ready to pounce. My heart thumping, the metallic taste of fear in my mouth.
What are you going to do, Leila?
What are you going to do with that gun?
She stills and lowers her head a fraction, but her eyes stay on me, gazing at me through her dark lashes.
I sense a movement behind me.
Taylor.
I hold up my hand, warning him to be still.
He's agitated. Furious. I can feel it. But he doesn't move.
My eyes never leave Leila.
She looks like a wraith; there are dark circles beneath her eyes, her skin is translucent like parchment, and her lips are chapped and flaking.
Christ, Leila, what have you done to yourself?
Time passes. Seconds. Minutes. And we stare at each other.
Slowly, the light in her eyes changes; the brightness increases, from dull brown to hazel. And I see a flash of the Leila I knew. There's a spark of connection. A kindred spirit who enjoyed everything we shared. Our old bond, it's there. I sense it between us.