*So here's my take on 50 Shades of Grey with Faking It*
*I do not own any of the 50 Shades of Grey parts*
*Reviews and comments are much appreciated!*
Chapter 1
I scowl with frustration at my reflection in the mirror. Damn my hair for not behaving and damn Shane Harvey for being ill and subjecting me to this ordeal. Instead of studying for finals, I'm getting ready to go interview some mega-industrialist tycoon I've never even heard of for the student newspaper. But no, I have to drive to Dallas to meet the enigmatic CEO of Raudenfeld Enterprises Holdings Inc. According to Shane this is a big deal for the school paper, damn you Shane for being sick. He's huddled on the couch in the living room, "Karma, I'm sorry. It took me forever to get this interview and it will probably take even longer to reschedule and by then we'll have graduated. I can't blow this off…please." He throws a little pout at the end and I know that I'm going to end up doing the interview. "Of course I'll go, shouldn't you be in bed?" He smiled before breaking into a coughing fit. "Here are the questions and my recorder. Just take notes and I'll transcribe it all later." And with that I'm off in Shane's car because I don't think my old VW Beetle would survive the journey. The entire ride there I can't help but think of how I am not a reporter, writing has never been my passion. Music is my passion, yet here I am about to go do an interview.
The headquarters of Raudenfeld global enterprise is a huge twenty-story office building, all curved glass and steel. Very modern. I enter the enormous lobby and walk to the desk where a very attractive, well groomed brunette sits. "I'm here to see Ms. Raudenfeld. Karma Ashcroft for Shane Harvey." She gives me a once over and arches her eyebrow, making me feel self conscious about my outfit. "Excuse me for one moment, Miss Ashcroft." After her eyeballing my outfit I wish I had let Shane pick something out for me.
"Mister Harvey is expected. Please sign in here, Miss Ashcroft. You'll want the last elevator on the right, press for the twentieth floor." I'm handed a security pass with the words VISTOR very obviously stamped on the front.
The elevator shoots me up to the twentieth floor faster than I could say "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and I walk out into another lobby. Another perfectly dressed brunette sits behind the desk, she rises and greets me. "Miss Ashcroft, please have a seat" she says as she points to an area of black leather chairs. My nerves start to catch up with me as I sit there waiting, I know nothing of this woman. She could be ninety or thirty. I start fidgeting with the hem of my skirt. Another brunette comes out from the double doors on the other side of the room. What is with all the perfectly dress women? "Ms. Raudenfeld will see you now." Maybe Ms. Raudenfeld insists on all her employees being brunette, is that even legal? I get up and walk shakily to the partially open door. And as I push open the door I trip over my own two feet, falling head first into her office. Shit. Good job Karma, could you be more embarrassing?
Gentle hands reach out and help me up. It takes all my nerves to glance up. Oh my god - she's so young. "You're not Mr. Harvey" she says with a slight frown on her face. So young and so attractive, very attractive. She's tall, dressed in a skin tight black dress with long blond hair that falls down her shoulders. And her eyes, bright gray eyes that seem to be piercing right through me. If she's over thirty then I'm a top selling singer. Extending my hand I say "Um. Actually I'm Karma Ashcroft. Shane Harvey is my roommate and he came down with the flu so I offered to take his place. I hope you don't mind." She takes my hand and as our fingers touch, I feel an exhilarating shiver run through me. I withdraw my hand hastily, embarrassed. It must've been static. My heart is beating rapidly. "I see" she states simple. Her voice is warm, she almost sounds amused but its difficult to tell from her impassive expression. "Would you like to sit?" She waves me toward a black leather buttoned couch.
Her office is so large for just one person, floor to ceiling windows, a large modern dark wood desk sits in front of the windows. The desk is so large that my whole family could sit comfortably around it and have dinner. I sit down and set up the recorder, but I'm so nervous that I drop it twice on the floor. She says nothing, waiting patiently as I become increasingly embarrassed and flustered. I look up and she's watching me with one hand in her lap, the other trailing her index finger across her lips. I think she's trying to suppress a smile. "Sorry, I'm not used to this." I stutter.
"Please, take your time Miss Ashcroft."
"I hope you don't mind if record this?"
"After you've taken so much time to set up - you ask me now?"
I flush, she's teasing me. I blush slightly unsure of what to say and I pout slightly. I think she takes pity on me because she says "No, of course I don't mind."
So I start the interview and its fairly easy since I have all of Shane's questions.
"You're very young to have amassed such an empire. How did you amount to such success?" I make the mistake of glancing up at her, she's smirking at me which causes me to blush. She's having more of an effect on me than I anticipated.
"Business is all about people, and I'm very good at judging people."
We exchange questions and answers, it feels natural to be talking to her. And I try really hard not to stray from the questions Shane gives me but I can't help but get sassy with her, but from the faint smile on her lips and the way her eyes sparkle I think she is enjoying it.
"And do you have any interests outside your work?"
"I have varied interests, Miss Ashcroft."
There is a hint of a smile on her lips, "very varied." And for some reason, this one sentence makes my heart beat faster and my blood heat with desire. The last question on Shane's list I ask without even thinking. "Are you gay, Ms. Raudenfeld?" She laughs and it is one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard.
"Thats a very private question don't you think, Karma?"
Shit, why did Shane have to ask that? Its so mortifying! "Uh. I'm sorry its just written here." Hearing her say my name has my heart beating faster and the way she said it, it was as if I was something she wanted to eat. But I want to hear her say it again and maybe in a more sexual way. No. I can't think like that right now. I bet she can hear how fast my heart is beating. As I lick my bottom lip, her pupils dilate infinitesimally causing me to blush. She wants me….I think, I hope. No! Don't go there Karma.
"To answer your question Ms. Ashcroft, indeed I am." Relief flows through me, glad that I didn't offend her.
And right when I think I'm done and can escape, she states "I want to know about you." But the way she says it sounds like there is a double meaning behind it. And I want her to get to know me but I also want to escape her because she is doing things to me that I don't quite understand and I need to process this whole thing.
"I'm sorry Ms. Raudenfeld but I have a long drive back."
"You're driving back to Austin?" She sounds anxious. I nod my head and stand up making it clear that I was leaving. Why should she care? "Thank you for the interview Ms. Raudenfeld." I say extending my hand.
"The pleasure's been all mine." she says and again there is the hint of something else in her voice.
She takes my hand and there is that feeling between us, sending shivers down my spine. Maybe I'm just imagining it.
She walks me all the way to the elevator door, and we stand there awkwardly. At least I think its awkward, I can't tell what she thinks, but I keep glancing at her out of the corner of my eye and I think she notices because she's wearing a small smile. Eventually the elevator arrives and I enter and turn back to look at her. Her eyes are burning into me.
"Karma," she says as a farewell.
"Amy," I reply. Her mouth drops, clearly she is shocked that I used her first name, so am I. It almost looks like she is going to step into the elevator after me but luckily the doors close.
And I can't help but wish that Amy Raudenfeld had stepped into the elevator with me.
