There's an icon of an incoming e-mail in the corner of my computer. I sighed for a moment and opened a mailbox. It's only my third day of work and there was still so much to do before leaving to Portland. I felt that I simply didn't have any time or energy left for the e-mails. Once the mailbox was opened and I saw the sender of the latest e-mail, I simply sat there, frozen to the spot, and watched the screen. I had an e-mail from Christian Gray.
I was lost! Part of me didn't want to open the letter as the letter could bite. All my fears and pain from the last days surfaced in my mind. I shrugged. I was in office and needed to do work in here so, there was no way I let tears come into my eyes! The second part of me was exited. Maybe, just maybe, there was some way we could be together again? No, I recalled his last answers. I loved the man and he? He said that I couldn'tâĤ Reluctantly I opened the e-mail before more of those negative thoughts could surface.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011 14:04
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Anastasia
Forgive this intrusion at work. I hope that it's going well. Did you get my flowers?
I note that tomorrow is the gallery opening for your friend's show, and I'm sure you've not had time to purchase a car, and it's a long drive. I would be more than happy to take you â should you so wish.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I fished my phone out from my purse â there's no missed calls, no messages, nothing. Shit! Shit, it's probably still sending everything to the blackberry, Christian gave me. Somehow it was even a bit amusing that all Jose's calls went straight to Escala. Quickly I changed my phone settings and tried to figure out good response for Christian. I had to be in Portland anyway, so I didn't need transport to there. But if I ever was going to the opening, there was no way I could have made it to the last public transport from Portland to Seattle. Next day was still a work day.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011 14:24
To: Christian Grey
Hi Christian
Thank you for the flowers; they are lovely.
Your Offer for tomorrow is the most thoughtful but I'll be in Portland earlier that day with my boss. However, I was little troubled about the midnight ride back. So, if you still are interested in Jose's photography, I'd appreciate a ride back home.
Thank you.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
I hit "send" button and smiled for a moment. It was so fifty to arrange all the transport issues. He always saw more than I did and there was no way that things would have gone wrong by accident or neglection. My heart collapsed again over that thought. He simply didn't love me.
"Have you finished preparing the morning meeting's documents?" I heard Hyde's voice behind me.
"Yes sir!" I took the papers from my desk and stood up.
"So why were these still on your desk while you were obviously not working over these anymore?"
"I'm sorry! There is quite a lot to do today, I tried to optimize everything."
"Less thinking, more working!" Hyde hissed looking up and down of her body. Oh great, it was my third day of working and already I got the "you're probably not worth your pay check" look! "I want copies of the hand outs on my desk in an hour! So start moving!"
I ignored the parking sound of my boss, took the papers and started to work. Half an hour later I gave copies to Hyde, listened next lecture and finally managed to sit down again. I still had a ton of work to do and leaving time was ultimately closing.
I smiled when I saw Christian's e-mail and decided to read that first.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011 14:26
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Anastasia
I hope there are more people around You tomorrow than just Your boss. If You wouldn't mind my question: is it a one day trip?
Give me the address of the office You are visiting tomorrow, so I can come and still take you to the exhibition.
What time shall I pick you up?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc
There was a click in my head. I was already pissed off by my boss and frustrated by the amount of work, waiting ahead. How could he even think that I had to answer to him? It was plain and simple â we were not together anymore because he didn't or couldn't love me. He was the one who didn't want me into his life. But, still, I didn't want to tell him, we were leaving tonight. No lying!
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011 15:12
To: Christian Grey
Hi Christian,
As You can recall: we are not together. So everything I do or don't is only my business. You already have invaded my privacy by knowing about my job (mind to remind You: I didn't tell You), my office e-mail account and probably even my co-workers.
For Your peace of mind I can reassure that our first meeting in Portland starts at 11 AM tomorrow morning. I will be free again a little before 7, but since our last meeting is quite close to the exhibition location, I will be more than glad to walk there by myself.
I'm a big girl with two healthy legs!
I hope to see you at the exhibition centre at 7:30.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
I already felt myself awful after I hit the "send" button but it was just that. We were not together and who was he to make me feel so miserably? Tears bricked in my eyes and I just had to go to the lady's room to breathe. I smiled to everyone when I left the room but there was no way I could have held myself back when the door closed behind my back.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011 15:13
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Anastasia
I'll see You there then.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc
The short answer gave me everything I needed. Christian was pissed off and a little noise of fear went through my body before I started to laugh. It really shouldn't be bothering over his anger. It was simply the next evidence that we could never be loved ones.
We left from office a little before 5 and Hyde and I started to head to the Portland with Hyde's car. It was silent, awkwardly silent. Hyde started few casual chats but the all went down quite quickly and we ended up with the radio for a long time.
"So Anastasia," started Hyde the next conversation, "You don't have a boyfriend?"