Chapter One

Christian's POV

I'm sitting in my office sipping a coffee and going over some information on my newest employee, Anastasia Steele, while waiting for her to arrive. I regret not being present during the hiring process but some damn meetings had gotten in the way that I just couldn't overlook.

Since when am I never there to greet my employees? I make it a foremost priority to get to know them, regardless of their character, and Miss Steele is now the first one that I'm blindly meeting for the first time. I just hope it's worth it for her sake. I lose too many employees a day from inexperience, confounded decisions or less than moral achievements. Fortuitously, Miss Steele looks promising.

I'm going over Miss Steele's resumé for the hundredth time and fortunately, there's no red flags in play. I'm intrigued by the part of her working in a hardware store before applying to my company. What made her come to that decision? Seems an odd choice and I wonder idly if I should be concerned. Still, I can at least give the girl a chance. It just seems odd that she would come here. Even my more advanced employees had some level of experience but still, I'm almost up to the challenge to see if she has what it takes. My intentions are still in place as I can't afford to go through the same fiasco as I did with Leila, my former intern from almost two years ago.

She was pleasant to work with but once our working relationship took a harder turn, I began to regret hiring her at all. Business and pleasure didn't mix well with us. No submissive has ever been to my place in Aspen, so I don't know how she found it at all. Why wasn't Sawyer or Prescott more up-to-date with that? They should be distancing her. Not posing her as a threat. I just hope she's taken care of now. I'm far too busy to deal with her antics. Not on a day like this.

Soon Olivia, another one of my new interns, calls me on the intercom and I'm momentarily distracted.

"Mr. Grey, Anastasia Steele has just arrived. Are you ready to see her?", she asks timidly. Good.

"Yes. Send her in."

For fuck's sake.

Putting away the resumé, I straighten myself and stand from my desk. Time to meet the delectable Anastasia Steele. As I straighten a final button on my suit, my direction is turned to a commotion at the door. I look to see a wave of chestnut hair flying and a frail body hitting the floor, obviously from her own two-left feet. Is that her? Even Ros looks surprised.

"Miss Steele, are you alright?", I ask as I help the girl to her feet.

Ros starts to help her but I tell her that I can handle it. She takes the hint and departs.

As I help Anastasia to her feet, I'm suddenly stopped in my tracks. This is my newest employee?

Did no-one inform me of her appearance? Honestly, I'm glad they didn't. She has a small, pale face, chestnut hair and clear, guileless blue eyes that seem to stare deep into my dark soul. It makes me feel uneasy.

I collect myself and ask if she wants to sit down. She nods and I help her sit down on one of the chairs inside my office and leave to get her a glass of ice water. I return and she graciously takes a sip. I ask her if she's okay. She looks embarrassed as I do.

"Yes, fine, thank you, Mr. Grey", she babbles and I try to contain my laughter.

"Nice to see that your color is returning. I apologize that I wasn't here to meet you yesterday for your first real interview. Some meetings had come up that I just couldn't ignore", I explain and the guilt comes in full circle. She expresses that she understands that I'm busy but does so in a throaty manner. She corrects herself and tries again.

Good.

I tell that I had no excuse not to meet with her and that I hope it never happens again. I then ask her to tell me about herself since I make it a policy to do that on someone's first day. I want to know everything I can. Of course, I already have the information on her but want to hear it in her own words. She looks as if she can tell me a lot.

"Um," she starts and then straightens her shoulders to appear more businesslike. I struggle to hide my amusement. "I have previous work experience at Clayton's Hardware, a 4.0 GPA and finals coming up from Washington State University. I haven't worked in this type of company before but I am willing to learn and Kate, um, my roommate suggested this position to me." Oh, this girl is nervous. I can't help but wonder if it's natural for her or if I make her feel uncomfortable. I'm secretly hoping for the latter.

"Sounds like you'll fit right in, Miss Steele", I remark.

"I personally don't think that I'll last very long here", she confesses. I narrow my eyebrows as I try to contemplate what she's just told me.

"Why would you say that, Miss Steele? Do you not feel as though you belong here?"

"Well, obviously, everyone looks the part and frankly I just feel out of place. I had to borrow my roommate's clothes just so I could be presentable."

This catches me off-guard. I've never had an employee feel as though they didn't belong at my company. Except Leila. I had to convince her that she was fine.

"Looks do not matter here, Anastasia. Power and a business-appearance are what make one "fit in", so to speak, as well as a strong sense of character. Clearly, I see much of this in you", I retort. She looks at me as if she can't quite believe what I've just said or the fact that I used her full name.

Shit. Since when am I ever on first-name basis so quickly?

"Is there anything you want me to do for you, Mr. Grey?"

"I would think you figured that out as you applied here." She looks slightly embarrassed by my comment. She stutters to find the words and I can't hide my amusement any longer.

"As of now, I just want you to understand my company better. I could show you around if you wish", I say and hope that I don't sound too desperate. For some reasons I can't explain, I don't want her to leave. She states that she's fine and I ask if there's anything else she wants to know. She asks about the dress code and I furrow my brows at her comment. Odd question.

"Dress. Or skirt. I don't care about the top. Wear a t-shirt for all I care", I answer coldly. Didn't Ros or Olivia tell her about this?

"Well, I guess that's it then. Um, thank you Mr. Grey for you acquaintance. I promise to follow protocol here, once I'm more settled", she says before standing and I stand as well. Is she anxious to leave?

"Are you sure I can't show you around?", I ask, hoping that I don't sound too anxious myself.

"Yes", she whispers and heads for the door. I open it to ensure she exits more gracefully.

"That's very considerate, Mr. Grey", she remarks with a forced smile and departs from my office. She turns around as I regard her intently from the doorway.

"Anastasia", I state.

"Christian", she replies before turning on her heel to leave. Her comment catches me off-guard. I'm not used to someone using my first name, unless it's my family or Ros of course. Or Elena. With one more look, I slowly close my door and head back to my desk. Just as I sit down, I notice I have a new e-mail and the header catches me by surprise; it's Leila. Why would Leila be e-mailing me at work? Confused, I open it and start to read.

From: Leila Williams

Subject: Rekindling

Date: January 10 2011 8:00

To: Christian Grey

Sir, I know I shouldn't be contacting you, but I am truly sorry about what I did.

I want to see you. Please.

I just want to talk.

Leila

What the hell? She wants to see me? I thought we agreed to keep our distance after that fiasco we called a relationship. I told her that I couldn't give her more than what she wanted, but she wouldn't budge and kept harassing me about it. I wanted to let her down easy but I had no choice when I fired her almost two weeks after we split. Will women ever understand that I'm not a hearts and flowers type of guy? I've never done that shit and I doubt I ever will. Not my style in the slightest. Leila should understand. She wouldn't be the first one though.

Damn it.

I delete the e-mail and call for Olivia on the intercom. A few moments later, she's stumbling into my office with a mixture of a bashful and flirtatious expression on her face. God, will she ever stop looking at me like that?

"Get me my usual. I have a meeting in a few minutes."

"Yes, sir", she responds quietly and finally leaves. Jesus… It's just a face, get over it.

The meeting is brief but productive. We're developing a new project for solar energy after our last one backfired at the last minute. I knew it would happen but the Board of Directors wouldn't heed my warning. I'm sure Elena would have a field day with them. The thought makes me smile.

"Mr. Grey, what do you suppose we do?", one of the board members addresses me, interrupting my reverie.

"I have some ideas in mind but won't know until next week of the blueprints for it. They look promising", I assure him.

"They should. It's been two months since we started."

"Don't worry, Mr. Dornan. I know my team and they always follow along."

"Whatever you say, Mr. Grey", he responds, although not fully believing what I have to say.

The day drags but I hardly care anymore. I think back to my new employee, Miss Steele, and our unlikely encounter today. I've had women fawn over me in this past but with her, it feels different from before. Even though she's had previous employment, it doesn't look like she's too experienced for this. If she was anyone else, I wouldn't have agreed to her joining my company, but her resumé looked promising so I had to give her a chance. Honestly, I'm pleased that I did. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. However, I'm not holding my breath.. These things never last and I'm uncertain they ever will. Still, maybe a man can hope.

Taylor drops me at the door of Elena's place, and I'm also reluctant to go and see her. She's always nagging me about my day and although I haven't seen for a while, or that often, that doesn't stop her inquisition whenever I'm around. It's almost impossible to think of the relationship we used to have but still, that's in the past and I don't need to think about that right now. Right now, there's other matters in hand. Whether I want there to be or not.

I step into the great room of Elena's apartment and she smiles as I do.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were making it", she remarks.

"If I wasn't, then I knew you wouldn't be too happy", I reply.

"Come on. I want to hear all about this new employee before the facts get cold."

And so it begins…

"She sounds interesting", Elena remarks. We've been talking non-stop about Anastasia for the past hour and honestly, I'm surprised that we have. The only other woman I've ever talked about for this long was Leila, but it was for a completely different reason.

"From what I've read, she is."

"That's not what I meant", she retorts. I raise an eyebrow at her remark.

"What do you mean?"

"Christian, you and I both know that this whole relationship idea isn't for you, but…" I raise my hand to stop her.

"Elena, that's not what this is about."

"It's not?"

"Why would it be?"

"What about the last one?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay, but Christian do you really think this Anastasia would be interested in what you have to offer? I know you weren't when I addressed it to you."

"I know but that was different for me. You didn't make it easy to say no."

"I know", she chuckles, obviously pleased with herself. "But Christian, seriously, do you think she would be?"

"It's too soon to tell. She looks too innocent to be my submissive."

"She wouldn't be the first."

"That's not the point. Maybe it's just not her thing."

"Christian, to be honest, it wasn't your thing ether. Even when you did get used to it. is there any indication that it could work out with her? You're not yourself when you're not in control."

"It doesn't matter. I'm far too busy to train a new submissive."

"That's your excuse for everything."

"It's not an excuse. It's the truth."

"Maybe, but don't you miss it at least a little?" As she asks this, I ponder the question. It has been a while since I've been in the Red Room but lately, I've been more cautious since the last time I was there. Leila was a perfect submissive, always willing to do what I asked from her, but then one incident in that room changed everything; she told me her feelings and that's when we had to stop. I reminded her again and again that it could never work, but every time I told her no, she always came back and I couldn't concentrate on my life anymore. I had to let her go. And apart from this morning, I haven't heard from her since.

What if Miss Steele would act the same way? What if we ended up in the same position leading into her letting me go? Not all my submissives have felt that way with me, but why the hell should I take the chance in them doing so when it only ends the same? Anastasia wouldn't be the first. It wouldn't be worth it if we ever came to that.

"Maybe, but I can't through Leila again."

"I know, Christian", she responds and places a hand on my shoulder, cautious of my reaction.

"I'm only saying this because I care about you. If it works, great. If not…I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Elena, I'm not fifteen anymore. I'm fully capable of moving on when I need to. I've already proven that in the past. I'm sure I could do it again."

"Whatever you say, Christian. But still, at least give this girl a chance. I would like to see her last for more than two months."

"It's not my fault when the wrong people are hired."

"Still, just give her a chance." I let out a long sigh before I answer.

"Fine. But no promises."

"I wouldn't expect those from you."

An hour or so passes and I'm once again in the comfort of my home. Gail is off for the night and for once, I'm grateful. I need to be alone. I head to my office and send a quick e-mail for Welch to read in the morning.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Leila Williams

Date: January 10 2011 10:00

To: Welch

Welch, Leila Williams sent me an e-mail this morning. Please contact her and keep an eye on anything she might do. This is not supposed to happen. Keep me up to date.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

He's asleep but I know he'll respond when he can. Why won't women ever take no for an answer? Hopefully she gets the message this time.

I slip on a pair of gray sweatpants and head for my room. I have too many thoughts racing through my mind and I'm failing to keep them at bay. I half-wish that Miss Steele was working tomorrow, but it's a policy for my employees to take one day off before they start. If it was up to me, this wouldn't be the case. Even after spending a few moments with her, she hasn't left my mind but I'm still pondering over my decision. If I've learned anything about this, it's that I shouldn't rush things and wait to see if the woman is willing. Usually, they are but Miss Steele is a different case. I'll have to wait and see. But for now, I have another busy day tomorrow, so I close my eyes and hope that I can sleep. Miss Steele isn't the only woman that I wish would leave my mind.