I run around my bedroom like a damn chicken with its head cut off. I have been on time this whole week and on a Friday I decide to be late! I dump laundry baskets out and dig through pockets.
Where are my damn keys? I shouldn't have drank so much last night. Not remembering where I set my shit is infuriating. I hear my bedroom door hit the wall from being swung open. Looking back over my shoulder, I see Kate standing at the edge of my room. She looks annoyed, her hip out and arms crossed while a scowl marks her flawless face. What did I do now?
"What?" I ask, still trying to rummage through all of my shit.
"This room is destroyed Steele! What have I told you about going on a hunt without asking me?" she snaps. I stop and look at her.
"Kate, we were both drunk last night. I highly doubt you can help me."
"What are you looking for?"
"My keys." I state. She rolls her eyes.
"There on the dining table you idiot."
I groan while balancing myself on my feet. Damn hangover. I swear it's like we're back in college all over again. All we seem to do is go out and party, and Hyde doesn't like it when his coffee isn't ready for him in the mornings. I forgot about having to dealing with him. I stomp my foot immaturely.
I walk out of my bedroom and through the living room to the kitchen. I lift up the People's magazine and spot my keys underneath. Figures. I quickly grab them and set them next to my purse.
I run back into my bedroom and grab the nude belt and heels I chose to wear today. I slip the belt in the loops of my dark blue knee length dress. I slide my heels on, and hop over to the counter, grabbing my keys and purse.
I turn to head for the door but I see Kate trying not to laugh at me. I raise an eyebrow at her.
"How about we don't drink on the weekdays?" I roll my eyes.
"What gave you that idea?" I respond with sarcasm. She just shrugs.
"No idea. I'm going to be trying out some of the new recipes here. Don't let your boss push you around." I ignore her and walk out the door.
I walk out to my car. It's a black Hyundai Genesis. Ray got it for my birthday, and said it was the safest pick in its class. Overprotective man, that's what he is. I love how he thinks about my safety but the cost of this car almost sent me into shock. He said that he could afford it, but that is not the point. I hate being spoiled and given things I didn't work for. I feel like my mother.
It's been months since I've spoken to her. Her and Stephen are still happily married even after what he did. I feel a growl rumble low in my chest. They're both sick bastards and I'm thankful my mom doesn't have the pleasure of calling me.
As I step on the gas, only having ten minutes left to be on time, I think of what was on my schedule today. After lunch, I'm supposed to head to some writers home and type for him. I didn't know that was part of my job description until Jack and I argued for several hours over it. I guess it will give me more practice as I edit the author's story. I still want to punch Jack in the face, though. He thinks just because someone is below him that he can push them around. If he keeps pushing me, I'll show him who not to push around.
As I pull up to SIP, I notice how there is nowhere to park. Of course there isn't, especially when Ana is late. I drive around for five minutes before finally finding a space.
I quickly head inside and go straight to the elevator. I hit the button for the seventh floor. I pull out my iPad and notice that Jack has nothing on his schedule for today. Hopefully he stayed put at home.
I walk out and onto the seventh floor seeing that my luck is shit. I see Jack leaning back on my desk while looking at his phone. I guess he hears my heels, because he looks up and glares at me. Oh, this should be fun.
I walk over to my desk, ignoring Jack, and set my purse down going over my schedule for today. I sense his eyes on me but don't bother looking up. I hear him say something under his breath.
"In my office. Now." he hisses, then storms off to his office. I groan, and storm after him. This isn't going to be good.
As I step into his office, I notice documents are all over the place. I look over at the window, and underneath it is a smashed laptop. My eyes widen, and I look up at Jack.
"What is going on?" I ask.
"Why are you late?" he snaps.
"I couldn't find my keys." I tell him honestly. "I apologize for being late. It won't happen again. Trust me."
"Well, while you were on a search, this new author who you will be helping is thinking of moving to another publishing company." he says, clearly irritated.
"Why would they do that, and why is this person so important?" I ask. Jack looks at me like I'm an idiot.
"Do you realize who you are working with? He is the man who everyone wants to be acknowledged by. The man that whatever his story is about any woman would read it." he says, pacing. "We will become known by many by having worked with him. I will not pass an opportunity like this vanish." he shouts.
I throw my hands up in surrender. I guess I should be honored that Jack is letting me work with this guy. Wait.
"Why am I working with him? Why not you?"
"I am going to be busy with the Conference in New York and Cincinnati. Sadly I do not have time to work by him, but I thought you were the best option for the job."
"Thank you Jack. What's the man's name?"
"Christian Grey." he murmurs. Who?
"I gave him your email, and he will be sending you an address to where you can meet him. I guess he doesn't want anyone knowing where he lives." he rolls his eyes. "Even though most the people who follow him in the papers know that he lives in that building called Escala."
"I'll just wait for the email and inform you when I'm leaving." he nods.
"You should already have an email from him. Go check and get back to me on when you will be leaving."
"Yes, sir." I say, turning and walking out of his office.
This should be fun. I've never done something like this before and to be able to actually hear the thoughts of the author coming out of their own mouth is exciting. I hope this guy doesn't write about some creepy homicidal man who takes women back to his lair and cuts them up. There has been too many of those being sent to us and it's annoying. If I have to read another manuscript, involving a man wearing a woman's thong, one more time I'm going to lose it.
I reach my desk and turn on my computer. It takes only a few seconds to start up and I log into my email. Jack was right. The Grey guy already sent me the address, but it's not where the building called Escala is. This place is further out and will most likely take over an hour to get there. I groan inwardly. Isn't that just great? I flip my subconscious off and open his email.
To: Anastasia Steele
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Locations
When you arrive, there will be a man by the name of Jason Taylor waiting for you outside. You may come at whatever time you are comfortable with today. Upon your arrival you will be handed a set of documents. If I'm not with you at the time you arrive, sign the documents and give them to Taylor.
Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprise and Holding
I read the email again. He seems like a nice man. I wonder if he's married or has kids. He probably spoils them. I smile at my computer thinking of Ray. I roll my eyes. Hopefully this man isn't overprotective of his children or wife. I don't want to be watched just because someone doesn't trust me. Yet again, I think of Ray.
I shake my head as I think about calling the overprotective human being later on. I miss him so much and it's only been two weeks. I guess after the break up with Alex, I sort of glued myself to Ray and Kate for emotional protection. I push the thoughts of Alex aside as the pain starts to surface again. Don't go there Ana! Would she go the fuck away?
As I let the pain dissipate, I feel someone staring at me. I look up and see Hannah smirking. I have to hide a laugh. She walks over to me and plops her bottom on my desk. I look at her in annoyance, but that makes her smile grow.
"Is someone having a bad day?" she mocks. I chuckle.
"No, actually, I get to work with one of the authors." her mouth does a plummet.
"Way to go Ana. I guess after two hard years of working here, you finally get what you deserve." she says. She looks at me as if she were a proud mother. I feel my heart swell.
"Thank you Hannah." she winks at me, and pulls out her phone. She sends a quick text. I raise a questioning eyebrow.
"We are celebrating tonight and Kate's all for it." I groan. Not again.
"No more alcohol. I have to meet with the author today and I don't know how long I'll be." she just shrugs.
"Well, if you make it back by yours and Kate's place by ten then we will be okay."
"Can't we have one night where we don't party? I'm twenty three but I feel like I'm eighteen." I whine.
"That's good. We like trying to keep each other young." Hannah is grinning like she's ready for this night to begin. So I just give up.
"Fine." I sigh in frustration. She gets off my desk and walks back over to hers.
This is getting annoying having two Kates as friends. I shake my head and look through the stack of manuscripts on my desk.