Sticky. The warm air stands still and humid in the bright Florida sun, the hot rays bounce off the walls of my newly painted apartment. I sigh pushing my blonde bangs back off my forehead noticing a few spots I missed. Lazily I pick up the roller and dab the offending wall. Satisfied with the result I stow the roller and flop myself down onto the couch. Loneliness creeps up on me as I gaze around the vast empty apartment. Oh, how I miss home! Just recently I had decided to move to southern Florida after graduating beauty school. Only now, feeling cold even in the high morning sun do I let second guesses in. A loud rings interrupts my thought process.
'Hello.' I answer with uncertainty.
'Oh Faith, I'm so glad to catch you.' I soften knowing my mothers anxious voice.
'Mom, hi, I'm just trying to get the painting finished so I can finally unpack.' I gaze around at the wet sea foam blue that winks at me in the sunlight.
'That's great honey. You must be so excited to start your new job, you know I'm so proud of you Faith. Your going to be fantastic, I just know it.' I smile at my mothers reassuring tone.
'Yes mom. I'm nervous but excited. Hopefully all will go well my first day.' I trail off feeling butterflies bunch in my stomach. Somehow I landed myself a position at Miami's most up and coming salon.
'Well I just wanted to call and wish you good luck tomorrow...oh and there was one other thing.' My ears perk at her tone. I think she takes my silence as an unspoken go ahead.
'Well I was just reading online about Miami's news and I couldn't help my eyes landing on an article about a young, handsome billionaire.' I roll my eyes, of course my mother would try and make it seem like I would have a chance with him.
'He's single.' She chimes as if that makes a world of difference. I roll my eyes, she's always trying to set me up after my horrible break up last year. The truth is I just haven't met anyone who interests me yet.
'Mom, this guy probably has no interest in a twenty year old, just graduated hairdresser.' I laugh awkwardly into the phone because my own words actually sting.
'He's only twenty-five Faith, I'm just saying if you ever get the chance to sink your paws into him latch on.' I'm quiet as if contemplating doing just that.
'I'll keep that in mind mom.' I say knowing she won't let up until I at least acknowledge the idea. Might as well keep her happy.
'Whats his name mom?'
'Christian Grey. It says he's staying in Miami right now making arrangements to have his companies headquarters transferred to the city in hopes of broadening his horizons.' Huh, so he's not even from here.
'Where is his company stationed presently?'
'Uhh...Seattle, Washington State.' She says obviously flipping through pages on the internet.
'That's a ways away.' I say more to myself than her. She agrees and we say our goodbyes and I put my Iphone back into my jean pocket.
Deciding that the painting is done I begin to pick up newspapers I had strewn across the floor as a drop cloth. The business section of today's paper looks up at me. 'CHRISTIAN GREY TAKES MIAMI BY STORM' in bold black letters stamps the top of the page. Underneath a black and white picture takes my breath away. He IS young, and really, really good looking. I frown noticing a small framed mousy looking brunette on the crook of his arm. I huff, alarmed by my sudden surge of jealousy. Maybe she's his sister, or something. Longing creeps into my belly and I crumple the newspaper in my fist. Like he would want anything with you says a small voice inside my head.
Monday morning rolls around and feeling optimistic I pull on a pair of daisy dukes and a silky hot pink blouse. I smile down at my shorts thinking you can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl. I stand in front of my full length mirror and smile my most convincing hundred watt smile. Perfect, I grin. Grabbing keys, my cell phone and purse I make my way out the door feeling just about as close to a million bucks as I can get.
I climb into my blue Honda civic and race out into the traffic of Monday morning. The drive isn't long but I get lost momentarily ogling at all the sights of the city. Finally only about fifteen minutes late I pull up to what seems to be the salon. Odd, there isn't a car in sight. I step out of the car and hitting the lock button step onto the sidewalk to see a tall man wearing a slate grey suit sticking a sign to the front door of the building. I get closer and notice the entire inside of the building is dererted. Fear bites at my gut and I take a sharp breath inward. The broad man in front of me must not have noticed because he continues trying to get the sign to stick to the glass door. I creep up closer and try to read the sign over his shoulder. 'THIS PREMISE HAS BEEN LIQUIDATED BY GREY ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS TO MAKE ROOM FOR A MIAMI LOCATION. ALL RIGHTS ARE NOW SIGNED OVER TO MR. CHRISTIAN GREY AND ANY PROBLEMS CAN BE SCHEDULED AND DISCUSSED AT A LATER DATE.' Unaware of how close I had got to him he turns suddenly and knocks me flat on my butt.
'OH! I'm sorry miss. I didn't see you there.' I think I almost pee my pants, looking down at me is the copper haired, silver eyed god from the newspaper. He extends a hand to help me up. I timidly place my hand in his, feeling the power behind his smooth exterior. A jolt of something travels up my arm and I almost pull away at the touch. I brush myself off and look up at him with anguish in my eyes.
'Faith, my name in Faith Spence.' I say more out of homegrown hospitality than anything.
'Miss. Spence, it is a pleasure. Was there any reason you were standing so close to me?' I blush crimson thinking well I sure as hell weren't expecting it to be you.
'Today was supposed to be my first day of work at this salon. I didn't get a call saying otherwise and when I showed up you were the only person in sight. I noticed you putting something on the door and tried to get close enough to read it. I didn't mean to scare you.' I frown wondering what I'm going to do now.
'Oh, I'm sorry Miss. Spence I just bought this company over the weekend on short notice and I thought I had let all of the employees know. Seems like you must have slipped through the cracks.' He pauses running his fingers through his hair in distress. His cell phone begins to ring and obviously annoyed he picks it up.
'Grey.' He says gruffly. Someone must be too important to call back because instead he asks for them to hold for a moment.
'Faith would you like to have dinner with me tonight? The Cartier? Six o'clock?' He rummages through his pockets and digs out a business card. Next he hauls out a pen and scribbles what I assume to be the address to the restaurant. Whoa, that's awfully sudden. I gaze up at this beautiful man as he stretches out the card.
'Listen you don't have to show, I just will have my nagging conscious after me if I just leave you here, unemployed.' He frowns
'Look I'm not trying to sound like a child but we've only just met and you want to take me out on a date?' My insides turn to mush, oh I hope he wants to take me on a date.
'I don't date , I just feel given your predicament I shouldn't leave you out here on the street. I'd just like to talk over some options I may have for you tonight.' My minds sent reeling, he doesn't date. That must have been his girlfriend in the picture with him.
'I don't know...' His honesty kicked me right in the stomach, I feel like I can't breathe.
'Please, just an hour of your time.' Suddenly I get the feeling he wants to see me again.
'Oh alright I'll see you tonight.' He smiles a confident award winning smile.
'Until then Christian.' His mouth drops and I don't know why but hurriedly make my way back to my car. His gaze does something to my judgement.
'Until then Faith.' I hear him call out behind me.