Ana

I have just gotten back from my morning run and I am feeling so good about today. I am sitting here in my flat alone enjoying my morning cup of coffee thinking how my world went to smithereens in just a few short weeks. I worked for a company called 'Better You' right after I left the Marine Corps after 4 years of active duty due to a very mild case of COPD. I will always be a marine at heart and have being waiting foe a year to officially resign. Yes, daddy Ray was one proud man the day I graduated top of my class and the youngest female in my platoon at only 17. I don't like to dwelling on those years too much but leaving my team was the hardest and saddest thing I have ever done in my life. The level of secrecy my team had to work on was so covert that there is no record of any kind of us ever being in the marines and by looking at me you would never ever guess. I'm tiny at 5'0 tall or short, as Ray would always say. Long Auburn hair trailing all the way past my backside. Blue eyes with the palest skin. My excessive workouts and fighting training has kept my body in the best shape.

I moved in with my dad Ray when I was 9 years old. I was in such bad shape that he decided I would be better off on my own doing private tutoring at home instead of going to public school, which was the best thing for me. I also started taking self defense and martial arts training which helped me with my self esteem issues but I soon found out I only signed up for the harsher and violent sports because I thought I needed the pain and suffering from every blow to remind me of what I went through as a little girl.

I figured out very quickly how Carla was holding me back both mentally and intellectually. Ray figured out how smart I really was when I managed to graduate from school with the highest marks in the state. He didn't even make a fuss at me wanting to studying to be a muscle and fitness therapist. I just found that studding was so easy that it was sometimes very boring so to keep me interested my tutor Mrs. Paisley started introducing me to different languages, which was a godsend in the line of duty.

At 'Better You' I was the youngest employee at only 22 and the best at my job and darn proud of myself. I was employed as an injury therapist and personal trainer. My job was in muscle therapy. The best part of my job was when I was able to help an injured soldiers get back to full active duty.

I'm sitting here and my mind wonders to that disaster of a day. It was a Friday afternoon and my last patient for the week Luke was running a little late which I didn't mind. He was a good patient and by his progress I was sure he would be back to active duty and out of his wheelchair in a few weeks. When he came in I immediately went up to him to greet him but to my horror he pulled me onto his lap and kissed me like there was no tomorrow. With the shock I just sat there in his lap until we heard a throat course my boss Jack who had been harassing me for the past 6 months to go out with him just caught me on the lap of one of my patients with his tough down my throat. That could not look any worse for Luke or for me.

No matter what I said in my defense he would not hear any of it. 2 weeks later here I am jobless and hurt. I did not kiss my patient and neither did I seduce him like Jack said. Luke tried everything to explain what happened between us Jack and to try and clear my name but he would hear nothing of it. In the end I not only lost my job but I was humiliated in front of everyone I worked for.

After all that Luke decided to leave the navy and join the private sector. My neighbor and best friend the very famous Seattle journalist Katherine Kavanagh wanted to publish a piece on the way I was treated but I refused. I just wanted this to all go away.

Now here I am looking through the Seattle times for a job. At this rate I may have to settle working as a waitress till something better comes along. Then a very interesting private add catches my eye.

I am looking for a very driven, experienced, private trainer to assist me with my leg injury. Flexible hours non-debatable. Drop a detailed CV off with Mr Taylor at Grey House no later than Friday. Chancers need not apply.

This is perfect for me and just what I need. I have wanted to go private for a while now and I finally have my chance. I knew this was a good day. I print out a copy of my CV making sure I leave out my photo. I hate being judged by my looks and prefer to be chosen for my skills. I put all my paper work into an envelope and run a quick background check on Mr Taylor. Yes I have my own little private security office and a few privileges from my marine days. Ok maybe my marine days are not that far behind ma as I am officially still a marine thats on medical pension till I retire but with my qualifications I can do the odd private job hear and there.

My office is a little to hi tech than I claim but a girls got to do what a girls got to do in order to keep herself out of any danger. I need to know who he is before I apply for this job. I jump into the shower leaving my computer to run the check. I After I am well scrubbed I change into my best black skinny jeans and white ribbed tank top with my black leather biker jacket over that to cover up the fact that I am packing. My black calf length leather boots go over that and I am all dressed. I braid my hair down the middle of my back and secure it with a tie. I go back to my office and am pleased my check is complete.

"Well, Mr Taylor lets see who you are." I say out loud to nobody.

Mr Jason Taylor is 34

Ex marine. I smile at this. We may be just get along fine.

Private security for a Mr Grey

One daughter Miss Sophie Taylor 6 years old

Ex wife Mrs. Pam Stellar

No criminal records My eyes almost bug out of my head when I read the next line.

15 Audi A3's. 15 freaking cars. Oh hell. What the hell is this man into and why the hell does he need that many of the same car and all in red? This is a mystery I want to solve. I store that bit of information for later use and carry on. The rest of the information is standard and I am satisfied.

I arm my security system and am out the door and off to Grey house in 10 minutes tops and it leaves me wondering how some people need hours to get ready. I walk down the single flight of stairs and there I spot the love of my life all sexy and clean. I walk over to it and feel such pride in the fact I worked my ass off to afford to buy this super bike for myself. Kate thinks I am crazy and calls it's a coffin on wheels. I on the other hand feel free. Who needs four wheels anyway? If the weather is bad I get a cab or use Kate car no big deal. I put my black envelope under the seat and get on. Surprising it only takes me 5 minutes to get there and I am stunned at the beauty of the building. All sleek glass and steel.

I dismount, retrieve my envelope and walk in. I stand a few seconds taking in my surroundings. It's an old habit. There are 10 high tech cameras above. 2 lifts on the right. Two security gauds to my left and bingo a single camera zoomed in on me telling me someone is watching me at this very minute. I carefully walk over to the reception desk and cant help but laugh. This is so not what I ever expected to be doing after I enlisted. The blond woman that is wearing more makeup on her face than I own is staring at me like I am a lunatic.

"Excuse me can I help you?" I pull myself together and its back to business.

"Yes thank you. I am here to see Mr Taylor please." She raises her eyes like that's the last thing she ever expected to here. Then to irritate me more she giggles to herself. Then it clicks. She is laughing at me. I guess I Anastasia Steele does not have the appearance of someone important enough to be here. Fine bitch let the games begin.

"Is there a problem I need to know about Ms.?... James is it?"

"No ma'am you may wait over there on those seats Mr. Taylor will be down…. She looks up and her whole face turns to shock. I take a glance to my left and a very tall man in a tailored suit that looks like it is worth more than my entire wardrobe is walking towards us. I turn my attention back to the receptionist and she is still staring at him and ignoring me. Now I am annoyed. I can smell bullshit from a mile off and it stinks from here.