Pain is More Trouble than Love is Worth
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything involving the series 50 Shades of Grey. All rights are owned by E.L. James
This story will basically be similar to what was written but with my own different twist.
Info: Your name is Charlotte Sophia James, but everyone calls you Charlie, Char (pronounced "Shar." Like a shard but without the d), or CJ. If you don't like this name, you can insert your own name in the story but I have made one up for easier purposes. You are a 22 year old college student who is in her final semester and about to graduate. You are a student at California State University majoring in Journalism and minoring in fashion and your dream would be to work for a high fashion editorial, like Vogue, writing columns or possibly editing them. For Charlotte's or your looks, you can pick what you look like but I've pictured her to have almost raven, very dark chocolate long slightly wavy hair with hazel eyes. Her frame isn't too big or too little and she's of average height with curves in the right places. She's from Calabasas, CA where her mother, father and younger sister live. Basically, your character is physically striking but tends to hide behind her dull outfits even though she absolutely loves fashion. Charlie is very bright, funny, sarcastic, loving and friendly. She is always willing to help whoever is in need and tends not be able to say no which is something I know that a lot of us struggle with. I'll let you know of other things along the way. Hope you enjoy and please comment because I'd like to know what you want to see or what it is that I need to work on. Thanks!
"blah blah" - dialogue
'blah blah' - inner thoughts
Blah blah - conscience
Chapter One: Here We Go
It's Monday morning and you're lying in bed, sleeping peacefully, that is, until you hear your annoying alarm clock screeching, waking you from deep slumber.
"Ugh!" You moan as you turn over to face your alarm to see that it is seven o'clock in the morning. You reach over to press the snooze button and immediately turn back over to settle back into your warm, soft blankets like you normally do. You begin to drift off until you hear a loud knock at your bedroom door, causing your eyes to suddenly snap open.
"What!?" You yell hoarsely, frustrated that you can't get back to your dreams of whatever famous male you happen to be obsessed with right now.
"Charlie! Get up! Remember you have your interview directly after your first class and you need to look presentable!" Your roommate Kylie Kensington yells at you. "Shit!" You say out loud, cursing yourself for almost forgetting your extremely important interview for the school newspaper.
Kylie, or Kyle, as she is affectionately known, opens the door and makes her way in as you sit up to rub your eyes. She's a tall blonde with blue eyes and killer, svelte body. Any man would be lucky to have her on his arm. She often gets compared to the likes of Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively.
Kylie is also a senior and will be graduating with you in a couple of weeks. She is a very ambitious go getter and has no problem telling anyone what's on her mind. You two have been inseparable since freshman year. Oh memories.
When Kylie comes in, she turns on the lights, causing you to close your eyes quickly due to the sensitivity of light after being in darkness for so long. "Come on Char. Get your ass up. I'm not just going to let you go in whatever you decide is decent looking today. I can never get over how you can give the best fashion advice for others, yet never use it yourself." Kyle says to you.
You laugh because you know it's true.
"I don't know either. It's just easiest to put on whatever is most comfortable." You shrug your shoulders looking at her, finally being able to see clearly without squinting at the light. "Well, today, you will wear something presentable. I mean, you're interviewing one of the most powerful men in California. This is a big deal." Kylie says, cracking a smile at you that would be similar to a proud mother looking at her daughter.
"If he's so important, why haven't I heard of him then? Besides his donations to the school, I have no idea know who this man is." You say as you climb out of bed. "This wasn't even my assignment. Sarah, my editor, was supposed to do this. She left me some notes and questions that she had written so that I didn't have to into it blind, but still I'm so unprepared." You open your closet and stand in front of it, gazing over what you could possibly wear.
Kyle comes over and stands next to you, looking at your clothes as well.
"She gave the interview to you, though, out of everyone on the staff which is a big honor." Kyle says.
After thinking over her statement, you nod while you pull out a pair of khaki slacks to pair with a white button down shirt and a teal cardigan to go over it. You lay the outfit on your bed, assembling it to make sure you think it is okay.
"Put some pearls with it and throw on a pair of black pumps and I think it's cute." Kyle tells you.
"Pumps?" You say out loud confused, staring at her as if she's grown five heads.
"I don't think so. I'm not going to class in heels and killing my feet all day." You roll your eyes at her as you make your way to your bathroom to turn on the shower.
"Okay, you don't have to wear heels but don't wear those ratty old flats that you always wear." She warns you knowingly. "They're so comfortable." You whine and pout as you stand in the doorway of your bathroom looking at her.
"They're ugly." She chides you. "You need another pair. I'll give you mine. I'll leave them by the front door."
"Okay. Thanks!" You smile at her. "Do great today! I know you're gonna kill it." She reassures you.
"Love you, boo!" She smiles and as she leaves your room, you tell her the same.
After showering, you brush your teeth and get dressed in your outfit, putting on slippers to keep your feet from getting cold. You try to dry your hair with a blow dryer, but since your hair is so thick, it takes time. Very annoyed by your hair, you decide to throw it up in a messy bun. You don't put on any makeup except for eyeliner and lip gloss and you put on the pearl necklace that Kyle suggested. When you walk into the living room, you discover that your roommate has already left but she made coffee in the kitchen which you gladly drink while reviewing your notes for the interview. (If you don't like coffee then insert your favorite morning beverage.)
When you're done, you notice that you have twenty minutes to get to class, so you grab your backpack and purse and make your way out the door. You almost forget to change shoes when you notice the shoes that Kyle left for you on the ground. "I'm gonna kill her." You mumble to yourself.
The shoes that she left were, in fact, heels, but, they were two to three inch heels. You go back in your room to look for your ratty black flats, and when you can't find them anywhere in your room or closet, you realize that she took them and hid them.
'Damn! She's so sneaky.' You think to yourself. 'Whatever. I don't have time.'
You concede and put on the shoes, surprised at their initial comfort. You walk out of your apartment that you live in off campus and go to your car, a white range rover that your father got you as a graduation gift. You climb in and drive to campus.
After your eight o'clock journalism lecture, you hurry out, speaking to no one and head straight to your car. You have over a thirty minute drive to make your way from Calabasas to LA but with the traffic, it might take an hour. You're a stickler about being on time so you hop to it. After a little less than an hour, you finally make it to LA and eventually find the building you're looking for. As you enter the premises, you notice the sign that says "Grey Enterprises."
Directly in front of you is a huge, tall primarily steel and glass building that you gawk at as you make your way to the parking garage. You guess there is probably twenty or more floors overall.
Once you've parked your SUV, you quickly make your way to the elevator, your heels clacking against the ground on the way. When you reach the elevator, you press the button with for the lobby floor and once you're there, step out into an elegant and spacious lobby with a fountain directly in the middle.
'Wow.' You think to yourself. 'This is nice. Really nice.'
You notice a woman sitting behind the front desk and when she hears the sounds of your heels, she instantly looks up at you and smile.
"Hello. How can I help you?" The blonde woman smiles. "Hi. My name is Charlotte James and I'm here to meet Mr. Grey for an interview at ten thirty." You tell her in the most professional voice you can muster.
The receptionist looks on her computer for your appointment. "Hmm, I don't have your name here but I have a Miss Sarah Winston for a ten thirty appointment." She looks quizzically at you. "I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you. Miss Winston is the editor of my school's newspaper and she was supposed to interview Mr. Grey, but unfortunately she couldn't make it and sent me in her place." You smile earnestly at her.
"Oh, I understand. Let me correct this and I will let the receptionist on the twenty-first floor know that you're on your way up. Take this visitor pass please." She hands you a badge that you pin to your cardigan.
"Thanks!" You smile and make your way to the elevators.
Once inside, you press the twenty-first floor button and turn around to look at the view of the outlying area outside. The elevator is made mostly of glass and allows you to see a beautiful view of the city. Only when you hear the ding of the elevator do you notice that you have arrived at your destination. You turn around and step out of the steel doors into another elegantly furnished and decorated lobby. Another blonde woman sits behind the desk and also smiles at you upon your arrival.
"Miss James, I presume? Could you have a seat? Mr. Grey will be ready for you in five minutes." She points to a seating area where there are several comfortable arm chairs that look extremely inviting. You nod at her request and take a seat, taking your notebook out of your purse and reviewing your notes. After a few minutes, you hear the door that leads to Mr. Grey's office opening and out walks a handsome gentleman of thirty with dark hair and a very polished suit.
"I'll see you later Grey." He smiles and closes the door. As he walks through the lobby to the elevators he smiles at you and the receptionist and simply says, "Ladies." and nods.
Another minute or so passes and the blonde behind the desk tells you that Mr. Grey is ready to see you. You look at your phone and watch it turn exactly to 10:30 am.
'He's prompt. I like it so far. Okay, here goes nothing.'
You make your way to the large, wooden doors and turn the handle, walking into the office.