I don't own any of the characters. That would be the marvelous Mrs. EL James. I am just a huge fan and wanted to write a story using the characters again. I just want to throw a shout out to the authors out that who are marvelous such as Perhaps, Smile Rose, Wattle, Banners and Mash. You all are the real genius. I am just out here trying. Please remember to be gentle.
My name is Angelica, and I remember it like it was yesterday. This fresh faced girl comes bounding into SIP. I was on my way back with my cup of coffee. I asked Claire who she was interviewing with. She told me Jack Hyde. I thought poor thing. He is going to eat her for breakfast. God knows he tried to sack me like every other new young girl. I was harder for him. I might look like a girl off the farm, but I have had my share of hard knocks. I was born to an immigrant chick from Ireland. She decided that motherhood was not for her wanted to have her American dream. After 6 months in foster care, I was adopted by a cute couple. They had been married 6 years. They adopted me and instead of life getting better well it got worse. He got injured on the job and went crazy. He decided one night after too much to drink that he had to save us. He pulled out his .38 special and was going to end it all. Well, my mom grabbed me, and we ran out of the house. He ended up using the gun on himself.
By the time I was 7, she was on husband number 2. This guy decided that I was just his type and night after night visited me. When I was 11, my mom found out and on to husband number 3. This guy wasn't bad. He didn't find me attractive and actually took care of us. Unfortunately, that lasted until I was 17. By then 6 years of my mom's garbage was too much for him, and he left. I still talk to him when I can. I left for Harvard because it turns out I was pretty smart. I majored in Accounting and kept my head down and got through it. My taste in men was always bad so I really didn't date. If I did, he was a loser with a drug or alcohol problem who liked to hit. I got my Master's degree and my CPA. Then I found my way to SIP. Of course, I walked in and Jack Hyde thought I was just his type. He was right, but by now I had learned if I was attracted I should stay away. Since he was more senior management, I was afraid of ruining this awesome new job I had found. I went out with him to a bar, but of course, the scumbag put something in my drink. I spotted him doing it, so I spilled it by accident on myself. I told him I had to go home. He offered to drive, but I said I liked the bus. That was the only time. I made many excuses until the next cute thing appeared.
So, as Ana walked in I just looked at Claire and said I hope she doesn't get the job. Claire just smiled. She too had been his victim. We all talk about it over drinks. SIP is a good place to work. Benefits aren't bad and the people are cool. It is a lot of fun to see all the new authors and then see the books rise up the New York Times Best Seller list. It is sad when one we really like fails to make the grade. It wasn't too long after Ana was hired that I made her acquaintance. I was in getting coffee, and she was getting a tea. The poor girl looked like death warmed over. It was only her second day. I started talking to her. She told me that she had just broken up with her boyfriend. She said that he was the first serious person she had ever dated. We talked for about 20 minutes. She was really lovely. It turns out our stories were kind of similar. I felt maybe I had found a new friend.
When I returned to my desk, there was an email from an auditor from Christian Grey. He wanted all our financials for the last 6 years. I couldn't understand what was happening. I ran to the managing partners. They agreed to his request. That really threw me. I was so nervous. I knew it had to be some kind of take over. I couldn't figure out why. Mr. Grey had no other publishing companies or interest. I was sort of a junior Christian groupie. He was at Harvard with me for few months. I watched him from a far. So, when I moved to Seattle, I kind of watched and dreamed that I would meet him. Of course, like the rest of Seattle, I figured he was gay. This was kind of cool to think I may be working for him. I hoped I would make the cut.
The next day I ran into Ana in the bathroom, she looked like she was about to burst into tears. She said that she had forgotten her best friend had an Art show on Thursday. I told her I could give her a lift if she needed. That is when she told me her ex boyfriend had offered a ride, and she was trying to figure out if she should take it. I told her to remember she is an awesome person, and I hoped he was worth it. She gave me a smile. On Thursday, Claire and I asked her to come for lunch. She told us she couldn't make it. She was leaving on time and didn't want to take a lunch. From looking at her outfit I knew where she was going. I was walking out of the building with her that night. I saw the sharp dressed driver waiting for her. I gave a long low whistle and said, "Dang girl you know how to travel. Hope you have fun. See you tomorrow." She just smiled as she walked to the car. Hyde was standing next to me. He looked like someone had just taken the wind right out of him. As I made my way to the bus, I just laughed.
Fridays are always fun at SIP. We always go out for drinks after work. Mainly the girls all sit at a table watching Hyde attempt to pick up any girl at the bar. It is definitely entertaining. Ana walked in looking amazing that Friday. I knew things must have went well with her Mr. Wonderful. It turns out Hyde was the first to ask her for drinks. She was looking a little scared when Claire and I told her we would be there. We were walking to the bar together when this strange girl was standing near the corner. We just ignored her, but she seemed to be watching us. Ana told us on the way to the bar that her boyfriend would be joining us. Well I nearly fell out of my chair when none other than Christian Grey walked in to take Ana's hand. I suddenly felt unworthy of her friendship. My idol was sitting in front of me. Claire, of course being the pal she is, saw me nearly fall. She just laughed. Suddenly I knew exactly why Christian Grey wanted a publishing business. I just didn't think Ana was the type to sleep her way to the top. She seemed so nice. Oh well, live and learn.