Chapter 1

CPOV

I was pissed off, mad, fuming even. I could feel my face burning from the rage.

How dare my father set me up like that? When dad had called me at lunch time today to invite me over for dinner with the family because they hadn't seen me for about a month I accepted, thinking it was better than spending my Friday night alone. I would have just spent the night in my study working anyway and there was nothing that couldn't wait, but now I wish I had declined.

Flashback

I have given Taylor my driver and security the night off, he wouldn't be needed tonight as I was only driving to my parent's house for dinner and then back home, the guy deserved a break from me and my moods every once in a while.

As I drove past the gates and down my parent's driveway at about 6 o'clock, I noticed a car that didn't belong to any of my family members and felt dread wash over me. "They wouldn't" I thought out loud, not again.

I entered my parent's living room greeting my mother first with a kiss on her cheek, "Hello mother." Grace Grey was still a beautiful women and to me she will always have a special place in my so called heart, the angel who saved me. I really am a shitty son at times and should make more of an effort to spend time with her. That's all she ever asks for.

"Hi darling, are you well? I haven't seen you in so long." Grace's eyes lit up upon seeing me making me feel even worse about not seeing her sooner.

"Yes mother, fine, just busy with work, you know how it is."

"Of course" she replied giving me a tight smile in return.

Turning my head to the right I saw my younger sister Mia on the lounge quietly chatting with a blonde woman I didn't know and realized my parent's plan for tonight was to try to set me up with a date again. I didn't even bother to take a good look at her. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and counted to ten. I didn't greet my father just demanded "Dad a word in your study please" and with that I left the room without another word. I waited for him for about 30 seconds, pacing dad's study getting angrier with every second before I heard him come in and close the door.

"Now Christian, don't get mad just listen, she's a nice young lady, her name is Julia and works with your mother at the hospital as a nurse. She only moved to Seattle a month ago and doesn't really know anybody here. We thought it would be nice to introduce her to you and maybe you could take her out sometime."

My dad is a smart man, a successful attorney and I never could get anything passed him when I was younger but seriously how stupid can he be to try do this to me again after the last three times were disastrous where we argued about it and I left. Well history is about to repeat itself.

"Stop right there dad. I don't care who she is or what her name is. Are you fucking kidding me? After the last three times you tried to set me up with someone, you do this again? I'm 28, capable of finding myself a date if I want to. I don't need your help to get laid. I can get plenty on my own and I do. One night stands work just fine for me, I don't want nor need any of your relationship crap." I was yelling by this point. "I have asked you to stay out of my life and let me live it my way but you and mum keep insisting on trying to fix me up with these so called nice girls. Maybe I don't want a nice girl. Whores will do just fine for me. In fact I had a real friendly one just a few days ago." I could see my dad was getting frustrated by my attitude but I really couldn't care less at that point.

Carrick tried to make me see reason, "We're just worried about you son. All you do is work. Your whole life is that company and I understand I do, your mother and I couldn't be prouder of you Christian but you need more, you need to find happiness, love, someone to share your life with."

I was ready to explode by now. I'm not listening to this shit again. I get the same crap every couple of months from them. "Fuck this, I'm leaving." I walked out of dad's study, down the hall, out the front door and got into my car. I could hear my father calling me as I walked away

"Christian, don't you walk away. You're being rude and embarrassing your mother. Christian!"

I'm sure everybody heard what was said. I feel horrible walking out on my mother but, come on, what did she expect would happen. Does she not know me by now?

End flashback

So here I now am speeding through the streets of Seattle, mad as hell, which wasn't very smart considering it was pouring with rain, on my way back home.

Fuck, I was a grown man, successful, a billionaire who had built up my company from scratch all on my own. Yes, my company was my baby but I don't feel like something is missing from my life. I just wanted to live my life my way but no my parents couldn't let me do that. I know it comes from a good place in their hearts, that they care about me, but they don't understand. Love, happiness, it wasn't for me, not now not ever, it wasn't going to happen. The sooner they accept that the better. Shit I didn't even have a heart to give to someone else, even years of therapy hasn't helped me. I was not deserving of it so I will just stick to the one thing I know I am successful at and that's my job.

I was about 5 minutes from home at Escala when I came upon a red traffic light. Stopping the car at the light I looked around the city. It was practically deserted thanks to the rain and the time. Looking at the dash in the car I noted it was just after 7 and I was hungry seeing as I missed my parent's dinner. These damn lights were taking a really long time to change. After another good minute the lights were still red – something's not right, they should have changed by now. Looking around I couldn't see any traffic flowing opposite me. What is going on, I've got a bad feeling about this.

Out of nowhere I heard a car engine revving and looked up into my rear view mirror where I spotted a black van coming up behind me speeding. They were not going to stop, "What the fuck." BANG!

I was jerked forward by the force of the collision, my air bag exploding in my face causing me to black out.

APOV

I was just about ready to leave work for the day. I've been working at Seattle Independent Publishing as an editor's assistant for the last five months and I absolutely love my job, it is everything I ever dreamed it would be and more, given my absolute love of books.

I have only been living in Seattle for the past six months moving here after graduating from college where I finally received my degree in English literature after 4 long years with my roommate and best friend Kate. It sure has been an interesting experience so far.

This afternoon my boss left early for the weekend but I decided to stay back and finish work on some manuscripts so I wouldn't have to think about them over the weekend and just be able to relax. My boss Jack was a bit of a creep but he hadn't really crossed any lines yet, even so I didn't want to give him any reason to bother me more than usual come Monday morning over the unfinished work. I had the apartment to myself all weekend as Kate's new boyfriend was taking her on a little romantic getaway and really looking forward to the peace and quiet. I love Kate like a sister but she is on the go all the time, never a dull moment with her around. Although for the past couple of months I really don't know what I would have done without her, she has really been there for me and given me a distraction when I have really needed it, especially on the days I didn't want to get out of bed.

Glancing at the time on my computer screen it was just after 7 and I was finished for the night and feeling mentally exhausted. I grabbed my bag and started making my way out to the front of the building while thinking about what to grab for dinner. I was just too tired to cook for myself tonight.

As I came out the front doors of SIP I noticed the rain coming down heavily and felt the cold chill in the November air. Winter was on its way. Great, of course I forgot my umbrella today; I'll be soaked by the time I get to my car. You would think living in Seattle I would remember to always have my umbrella with me by now. Stepping into the rain I saw a silver sports car stopped at the traffic lights directly in front of me. "Nice car" I admired.

As I was about to turn away to continue on my way I heard a car engine revving and looked up seeing a black van speeding down the road towards the silver sports car and it wasn't going to stop in time.

I watched it all unfold before me as the black van rammed up the rear of the sports car, the momentum pushing it forward into the intersection, luckily there were no oncoming cars. I screamed out in fright and shock.

I started running towards the sports car to help the driver and check if they were okay. Gazing through the window all I could see was a man with copper colored hair passed out, face down on his exploded airbag. I reached into my bag for my phone to call 911 and was about to open the car door to check on the driver when three men all dressed in black with balaclavas over their faces stepped out of the van and ran up to me.

Next thing I knew I had a gun pointed to my face. I was paralyzed with fear and couldn't do a thing, not run, scream, fight, nothing at all. All the training Ray had given me about defending myself was nowhere to be found. No one was around either to help me thanks to the rain and no other cars driving past which was very odd.

All I could see of the man pointing the gun at me were his eyes. They were green and cold. Eyes that made you feel afraid. I would always remember those eyes. He tilted his head to the side and spoke to me in an accent I couldn't place. "Wrong place at the wrong time little lady. Looks like you're coming with us too."

?POV

Christian Grey was not an easy man to get close to. My men have been following him around for the past couple of months and have had no luck. He always has security with him and I bet it is easier getting access to the fucking president than this prick. But I can be patient.

The bastard made a mistake tonight though by leaving his security behind, it was the opportunity I needed to put my plan into action. All it will take is some manipulation of traffic lights and I will have him. It's amazing what money and computer nerds desperate for it can do.

He will get what's coming to him and then some. I will not be made to look like a fool, no one backs out of a deal with me. If only that was all it was I would of left him alone but no, he had to insult me on top of it and that is unacceptable.

Eventually I get the call that I have been waiting for.

Hi Ladies,

This is the first story I have ever written so please let me know what you think.

A big thank you to Sdaisys for all her help and encouragement.