FIFTY SHADES of WEISS

Chapter I: 1st Shade

Refined locks of cerise hair vibrant cherry-red lip stick, looking gorgeous and disarming. All was in it's proper place, my silvern eyes shined with luster rimmed by sunken bags from the sleepless night that came before and a runny nose that refused to cease.

I opt to ignore my ill-conceived call for sympathy. "Of course I'd be happy to go Penny, would you like anything, Panadol or Nyquil?" "Nyquil if you please, Here's my digital recorder and a copy of all the essential questions. Simply press record and make notes I''ll adapt them later."

" I know nothing about the man, " I murmur trying urgently to suppress the anxiety nestling inside of me. " Stick to the questions, be concise, don't stray and you'll be fine. Now get going you've got a long drive ahead of you."

" Fine I'll be on my way, You get back into bed and rest. I made soup for you to warm up, it' in the fridge, naturally. " The things I do for you, Penny.

"I promise and thanks Ruby, You're ever my hero, ".

While gathering my rucksack I conjure the faintest remnants of a aweary simper, I close the door behind me as I make my way to the car with relative quickness. I can't believe I allowed her to talk me into this, then again it's Penny she could convince anyone to do anything irrespective of how outlandish it may be.

She'll be an impeccable journalist. She's silver-tongued, Persuasive, Quarrelsome Comely, and my most treasured friend. The roads are as lonely and clear as the sky above, it was early in the morning and I didn't need to be in down town vale until two in the afternoon.

My destination was the headquarters of Mr Schnee's international enterprise, a huge thirty story construction of steel and glass that served as an office building, an architects wet dream. It's just before two on my arrival, beyond relieved to have made a punctual appearance.

I enter into a tremendous and rather unnerving foyer of glass, steel and cold tiled flooring, seated behind a sandstone a vernal, fair and groomed young women smiles cordially at me. Dressed in the crispest albescent jacket with the blackest shirt I'd ever laid eyes on. She's the definition of flawlessness.

"I'm here to see Mr Schnee, Ruby Rose for Penny Black"

" Excuse me for a moment, Miss Rose, " She curves her eye-brows as I stand apprehensively before her. I'm beginning to wish I was better dressed for the occasion. In stead of wearing my cheap red shirt and black skirt combination.

In theory my stygian thigh highs and lavish black boot's with direct any attention away from my less than appealing jacket, playing aimlessly with my hair as I pretend in vain that she doesn't discourage me.

" Miss Black was expected. Sign here please, Miss Rose. You'll want the last elevator on the right, press for the 30th floor." She says with a guiltless smile no doubt amused with herself.

Once signed in she shuffles me a security pass with the word "Visitor" stamped in vivid white.

I couldn't resist smirking but a little, any man and his dog could tell that I was merely visiting, I couldn't be more out of place and it never changes, I sigh internally as I offer her my sincerest gratitude.

I lurch over to a corridor of elevators passing two security men both dressed sharper than I'll ever know how to be, entering the elevator it whisks me to thirtieth floor and as the steel doors smoothly side out of view I'm subject to a familiar spectacle.

I'm stagnant again in another vast lobby confronted by another immaculate desk of sandstone with an equally impeccable blonde women resting behind it. Attired in the same unflawed shades of black and white, she rises cordially to greet me.

" Miss Rose, Could you wait here, Please?"

Nonchalantly pointing to an ocean of white leather chairs in a stained glass meeting hall with an every bit as spacious darkwood desk taking residence in the centre of the room as the great glass windows encircled the exterior showcasing a glorious view of the horizon.

An arresting scene and I'm momentarily paralysed by the view. I take a seat and unsteadily fish the questions from the depths of my rucksack, going over them time and again while inwardly cursing Penny for not supplying me with a biography.

I know utterly nothing about the man I'm expected to interview, he could be a dashing thirty something or a decrepit old letch. The precariousness is bothersome to say the least. I've never been comfortable with one on one interviews preferring the anonymous indulgence of a group discussion.

Honestly though I much rather my own company, plunging into an engrossing novel or piping my eyes with some pulse pounding tunes, as opposed to fidgeting in a stupendous construction of glass and stone.

Rolling my eyes at myself I mumble under my breath, " Get ahold of yourself, Rose." Judging from the edifice which is too objective and ultramodern. I surmise that Schnee is in his early fifties, well-defined, bronzed and fair haired to match the rest of his staff, symmetry is keen after all.

Another elegantly dressed blonde a large door to my right, was is it with these flawless blondes. Taking a deep breath I spring to my feet.

" Miss Rose?, " The latest blonde asks

" That's me, " I rasp, and clear my throat

" We'll be ready to see you a moment,"

"Have you been offered any refreshment?'

" Can't say that I have, '" Oh my is blondie number one in hot water, Blondie number two leers at the blondie seated behind the desk. " Would like some Coffee, Tea, or water perhaps?" she asks casting her precious attention back to me.

" Coffee sound's terrific, " I murmur.

"Ophelia, please fetch Miss Rose a cup of coffee."

Her voice is unforgiving, Ophelia scurries to the door at the other end of the foyer.

" My sincerest apologies, Miss Rose, Ophelia is my new intern. Please be seated we'll only be few minutes more. "

Ophelia returns with haste steaming coffee in a snow white cup clenched tightly in hand.

"Here you are, Miss Rose."

" Thank you."

Blondie number two rushes over to the large desk her heels clicking in an almost mesmerising rhythm, she resumes her seat returning to her duties. Mayhaps Mr Schnee insists on all his employees be blonde. While pondering the legal repercussions of such a notion the door swings open and a gangly, attractive and elegantly dressed Indian man exits, I am most certainly undressed for the occasion.

"Duelling, next week, Schnee?" he turns and yells through the door. I don't hear a reply and he winks and smiles as he passes me, Ophelia lept from her seat sprinting to the elevator, she seems to have a gift for propulsion.

" Good afternoon, Ladies." He says as he enters the elevator vanishing from sight.

" You'll be seen now, Miss Rose." says blondie number two gesturing to the door left invitingly ajar.

I tremble helpless trying to quell my nerves, gathering my rutsack and casting my mug of coffee aside, I make my way through the partly unfastened doorway.

" No need for knocking just go in, " She whispers with a sympathetic smile, I push the door upon cumbersomely tripping into the room. Just my luck I'm on my hands and knees in office of Mr Schnee, I feel the touch of gentle hands guide me back to my imbalanced feet.

I'm so embarrassed curse my ineptitude, I have to steel myself before elevating my gaze to look him in the eye, "Miss Black, I presume?" Says a elegant yet oddly maidenly voice.,,

To my surprise I'm gazing into the eyes of the most beautiful female I've ever seen, Streaming jets of hair whiter than snow bound neatly in a ponytail, eyes clear as crystal with skin as pallid as fresh ash.

" I'm Miss Schnee. Are you feeling a little under the weather?, please take a seat."