Shit.
Grey, this is a bold, sudden move.
I could look after her. Full-time.
She'd be mine. Really mine.
And deep down I know there is only one answer.
A resounding yes.
I ignore all her other questions and respond.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Me, Bossy?
Date: June 13 2011 09:07
To: Anastasia Steele
Yes. Please.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
While I wait for her response I read through the rest of the report on Jack Hyde. On the surface, his background check seems fine. He's successful and earns a decent salary. He's from humble beginnings and seems bright and ambitious, but there's something unusual about his career path. Who, in publishing, starts in New York, then works at various publishers across the U.S., ending up in Seattle?
It makes no sense.
He doesn't seem to have had any long-term relationships, and he never keeps an assistant for more than three months.
That means Ana's time with him is limited.
* * *
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
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
She doesn't want to move in with me. This is not the news I wanted.
What did you expect, Grey?
At least she wants to discuss it this evening, so there's hope. But then she also wants to fuck off to New York.
Well, that sucks.
I wonder if this is a conference on her own.
Or with Hyde?
* * *
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.
Jack Hyde must be a prick to work for if he doesn't keep an assistant for more than three months. I know I'm an asshole, but Andrea's worked for me for nearly a year and a half.
I didn't know she was getting married.
Yes. That's pissed me off, but before her there was Helena. She was with me for two years, and now she works in HR, recruiting our engineers.
While I wait for Ana's answer, I read the final page of the report.
And there it is. Three hushed-up harassment claims at his previous publishers and two official warnings at SIP.
Three?
He's a fucking creep. I knew it. Why wasn't this in his employee file?
He was all over Ana at the bar. Invading her space. Like the photographer.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: 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
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
Evasive, Miss Steele.
It's a trip with him.
I know it.
She looked sensational this morning.
He's planned it, I bet.
* * *
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.
I hit send and then buzz Ros.
"Christian," she answers immediately.
"There's a lot of unnecessary expenditure at SIP. They're hemorrhaging money and we need to put a stop to it. I want a moratorium on all nonessential peripheral spending. Travel. Hotels. Hospitality. All the T&E. Especially for junior staff. You know the drill."
"Really? I don't think we'll save much money."
"Just call Roach. Make it happen. Immediately."
"What's brought this on?"
"Just do it, Ros."
She sighs. "If you insist. Do you want me to add it to the contract?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
"Thanks." I hang up.
There. Now, that should put a stop to Ana and New York. Besides, I'd like to take her there myself. She told me yesterday that she's never been there.
There's a ping and Ana has responded.
* * *
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
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
I'm about to reply when I hear a knock. "What?" I bark.
Montana pokes her head around the door and lingers, which is especially irritating--either come in or don't. "Mr. Grey, the registry for Andrea..."
For a moment I have no idea what she's talking about.
"It's at Crate and Barrel," she continues, simpering.
"Okay." What the hell am I supposed to do with that information?
"I've made a list of the items still available and their prices."
"E-mail it to me," I say through gritted teeth. "And get me another coffee."
"Yes, Mr. Grey." She smiles as if we're discussing the fucking weather and shuts the door.
Now I can respond to Miss Steele.
* * *
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 fucking knickers I am worried about.
The answer is NO.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Montana places another macchiato on my desk. "You have a meeting at ten with Barney and Fred in the lab," she says.
"Thanks, I'll take my coffee with me." I know I sound surly. But right now a certain blue-eyed woman is getting under my skin. Montana leaves and I take a sip of coffee.
Fuck. Shit.
It's scalding hot.
I drop the cup, the coffee, everything.
Hell.
Fortunately, it misses me and my keyboard, but it's all over the damn floor.
"Ms. Brooks!" I yell. Jesus, I wish Andrea was here.
Montana pops her head around the door. Neither in. Nor out. And still wearing too much freshly applied lipstick.
"I've just dropped my coffee all over the floor because it was scalding hot. Get it cleaned up, please."
"Oh, Mr. Grey. I'm so sorry."
She scurries in to survey the mess and I leave her to deal with it. For a moment I wonder whether she might have done this on purpose.
Grey, you're paranoid.
I grab my phone and decide to take the stairs.
Barney and Fred are sitting at the lab table.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
"Mr. Grey," Fred says. "Barney's cracked it."
"Oh?"
"Yes. The cover."
"We put this through the 3D printer, and voila."
He hands me a compact, hinged plastic cover that's attached to the tablet. "This is great,"
I say. "This must have taken you all weekend." I stare at Barney.
He shrugs. "Nothing better to do."
"You need to get out more, Barney. But this is good work. Is that all you wanted to show me?"
"We could easily adapt it and put this on a mobile phone cover, too."
"I'd like to see that."
"I'll get on it."
"Great. Anything else?"
"That's it for now, Mr. Grey."
"Might be worth showing the 3D printer to the mayor when he visits."
"We've got quite the show planned for him," says Fred.
"Without giving anything away," adds Barney.
"Sounds great. Thanks for the show-and-tell. I'll head back upstairs."
Waiting for the elevator, I check my e-mail. There's a reply from Ana.
* * *
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, FUCK, or WHIP anyone else.
I have FAITH and TRUST in you.
Please extend the same COURTESY to me.
Ana
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
What the hell! I told her the e-mails at SIP were monitored.
We stop at several floors and I try, really try, to contain my anger. There's that irritating, expectant hush within the elevator as my staff enter and exit, because I'm in there.
"Good morning, Mr. Grey."
"Good morning, Mr. Grey."
I nod my hellos.
But I'm not in the mood.
Beneath my polite smile, my blood is simmering.
As soon as I'm back in my office I check her work number and call her.
"Jack Hyde's office, Ana Steele speaking," she answers.
"Will you please delete the last e-mail you sent me and try to be a little more circumspect in the language you use in your work e-mail? I told you, the system is monitored. I will endeavor to do some damage limitation from here," I snarl and hang up.
I call Barney.
"Mr. Grey."
"Can you delete Miss Anastasia Steele's e-mail to me at nine fifty-five from the SIP server and all mine to her?"
There's silence at the other end of the phone.
"Barney?"
"Um. Sure, Mr. Grey, I was just working out how I can do it. I have an idea."
"Great. Let me know when it's done."
"Yes, sir."
My phone lights up. Anastasia.
"What?" I answer, and I think she can tell I'm more than grumpy.
"I am going to New York whether you like it or not."
"Don't count on it."
Silence.
"Ana?"
She's hung up on me.
Fuck. Again.
Who does that?
Well, I might have just done it to her, but that's not the point.
And I remember she did it when she drunk-dialed me.
I put my head in my hands.
Ana. Ana. Ana.
My office phone buzzes.
"Grey."
"Mr. Grey, Barney. It was much easier than I thought. Those e-mails are no longer on the SIP server."
"Thanks, Barney."
"No worries, Mr. Grey."
At least something is going right.
There's a knock on the door.
What now?
Montana opens the door; she's holding a can of carpet cleaner and some tissue.
"Later," I snap. I've had enough of her. She quickly reverses out of the office. I take a deep breath. Today is turning into a shit day and it's not even lunchtime. There's another e-mail from Ana.
* * *
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, Editor, SIP
I respond immediately.
* * *
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.
Her response is almost as immediate.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Grown Up
Date: June 13 2011 10:48
To: Christian Grey
Christian
I don't need protecting from my own boss.
He may make a pass at me, but I would say no.
You cannot interfere. It's wrong and controlling on so many levels.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
"Controlling" is my middle name, Ana. I think I've told you this already, along with "unreasonable" and "weird."
* * *
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.
She doesn't reply immediately, and I distract myself with phone calls.
Welch has nothing new on Leila. We discuss whether or not to involve the police at this stage; I'm still reluctant to do it.
"She's close, Mr. Grey," Welch says.
"She's clever. She's managed to evade us so far."
"We're watching your place, SIP, Grey House. She won't slip past us again."
"I hope she doesn't. And thanks for the report on Hyde."
"You're welcome. I can dig deeper if you wish."
"It's fine for now. But I may get back to you."
"Okay, sir."
"Bye." I hang up.
My phone buzzes before I've let go of the receiver. "I have your mother on the line," Montana chirps in a singsong voice.
Shit. That's all I need. I'm still a little pissed at my mom and her comment about Ana being after my money.
"Put her through," I mutter.
"Christian, darling," Grace says.
"Hello, Mother."
"Darling, I just wanted to apologize for what I said on Saturday. You know I think the world of Ana, it's just...all of this is so sudden."
"It's fine." But it's not fine.
She's quiet for a moment and I think she's doubting the sincerity of my response.
However, I'm already arguing with one woman in my life; I don't want to argue with another. "Grace?"
"Sorry, darling. It's your birthday on Saturday and we wanted to organize a party."
On my computer screen an e-mail from Ana appears.
"Mom, I can't talk now. I have to go."
"Okay, call me." She sounds melancholy,
but I don't have time for her right now.
"Yes. Sure."
"Bye, Christian."
"Bye." I hang up.
* * *
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 ass 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
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
Oh, this day just gets better and better. What the hell is Elena doing now? And Ana is calling me out on my shit as usual.
I didn't know arguing could be so tiresome. And discouraging. And worrying. She's mad at me.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Irritating Baggage
Date: June 13 2011 11:23
To: Anastasia Steele
Don'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.
Irritating baggage? I smile for the first time since I left Ana this morning. She has a way with words.
I call Elena.
"Christian," she answers on the fifth ring.
"Do I have to get a banner and attach it to a plane and fly it over your office?"
She laughs. "My e-mail?"
"Yes, Ana sent it to me. Please. Leave her alone. She doesn't want to see you. And I understand and respect that. You're making my life really difficult."
"You understand her?"
"Yes."
"I think she needs to know how hard you are on yourself."
"No. She doesn't need to know anything."
"You sound exhausted."
"I'm just tired of you going behind my back and chasing my girlfriend."