I don't own Fifty Shades of Grey or the characters, but the plot is mine. I did, however, keep the interview similar to the book because I felt it was important.
Anastasia's POV:
My roommate, Katherine, and best friend in the world is sick today, which means I have to do her interview. She is a beautiful confident woman who happens to be the head of our school newspaper here at WSU. I scowl as I stare at myself in my gold ornate Victorian style mirror. Damn my frizzy hair – it just won't behave. Katherine Kavanagh has been like a sister to me since our first year at WSU. I want to bury myself in books and study for my exams next week, but no I have to drive all the way to Seattle for an interview. I give up and put my hair into a sailor's knot braid. I thank Kate for showing me how to do this. I roll my eyes as I stare into the mirror. The guy I will be interviewing is some hot-shot industrialist tycoon. The name is familiar, but I know nothing about him. I decide to wear my Trouvé Leather Jacket, rag & bone jean tank & J brand skinny jeans, which my father, Ray, sent me with his last gift package. Ray adopted me after my mother died. Our fathers were in the army together and he swore to protect me. I admire Ray more than anyone in the world. He's a single father who started his company from nothing. Ray has been nothing, but good to me and raised me as his own. He and I are cut from the same cloth and enjoy the simpler things in life, but unfortunately, he loves to spoil his little girl.
When I leave my room, I see Kate huddled over on the couch in the pyjamas she wears when she's sick or just been dumped. I look at her and can visibly see a difference in her appearance. Her normally bright green eyes are red-rimmed and her usually perfect hair is all over the place. I have a mental debate about taking a picture so she can't coerce me into anything like this again. I can't be mad at her for this. I banish all bad thoughts from my mind. "You need rest, Kate."
"I will. I can't thank you enough, Ana." Her voice is raspy and nasally at the same time. Poor Katherine. Maybe this won't be so bad. It might help me get my mind off of Adam. I can't believe let that happen again.
"I just took some NyQuil. I'll get some sleep I promise." She gives me a half smile.
"Good."
"Here are the questions and my digital recorder. If you could take notes, that would be fantastic."
"Alright, I'll do my best."
"Thank you. You don't have to leave now." She says observing me.
"I know, but if I leave now I'll have time to see Ray."
"Tell him I say hi." She burst into a coughing fit and my face falls.
"I will."I throw the notebook and the digital recorder into my purse and grab my keys.
"There is leftover soup in the fridge."
"Thank you, Ana. You always take care of me when I'm sick." I smile wryly at her and head out the door. Kate can convince anyone to do what she wants. She is going to make a great journalist once we graduate. I climb into my 67' four-door Impala. I remember when Ray first bought me this car it was a total wreck and we spent countless months tuning her up until she was perfect. She has a V8 engine and top of the line safety features. It was my 16th birthday present and I couldn't believe he bought me a car. I have always loved the show Supernatural and he would watch it with me when he had the time. I would go on and on about how much I loved the car. I smile thinking back to that day.
Thankfully, the roads are clear as I head towards Interstate five. It's early and I don't have to be there until two and the drive takes about two hours and forty-five minutes. I put my foot on the gas and watch the familiar landscape slip away. My favourite Billy Joel song comes on and I start to sing the lyrics of Innocent Man. I arrive in Seattle at twelve and park outside my father's office. I skip inside and head to the elevators. I step in and hit the button for the tenth floor.
There are only two offices on the tenth-floor one is Ray's and the other is his right-hand man John. The other person in the elevator gets off on the fourth floor and I ride the rest of the way up alone. Dancing along to the song innocent man, which is still playing in my head. I step out into the reception area and wave at his assistant.
"Ana, what a lovely surprise."
"Good to see you Hilary is the old man busy?"
"No, you can go right in." I give her a smile before walking into my dad's office. Ray is sitting on the phone and looks up at me with an angry expression at first, but soon morphs into a full Cheshire grin.
"Sandra, I'll have to call you back." He says before hanging up the phone.
"To what I owe the pleasure?" He stands up and walks around his table and gives me a hug.
"It's good to see you, dad."
"What are you doing in Seattle? Aren't your exams next week?" He scolds me.
"Kate is sick so I have to do an interview for the school newspaper." I shrug.
"Alright, tell her I wish her a speedy recovery."
"I will. Do you have time to have lunch with your daughter?"
"Always, Annie." Ray and I talk over lunch at our favourite restaurant. He asks about Adam and I tell him everything that happened and he is absolutely livid. I explain what my friends already did for me and he nods his head in approval. I've missed Ray so much. We say our goodbyes around one thirty and I drive towards Grey House.
My destination is a huge twenty-story building with Grey House written on the side how obnoxious. The structure is all curved glass and steel, this is an architect's wet dream. I giggle to myself as I walk inside. Even though Ray is the CEO of Steele Asher and Partners I get intimidated as I walk through the doors. The lobby is over the top and beautiful. It is all white sandstone. A very attractive blonde is sitting at the sandstone desk in the centre of the lobby.
"I am here to see Mr Grey."
"Alright, what's your name?"
"Anastasia Steele. I'm here for Katherine Kavanagh"
"One moment please." I stand there and she looks at me questionably. As I look around, I am glad I dressed up for this. I would not fit in if I were wearing my regular attire. The more I look around, the more intimidated I feel. Geez, who is this guy? I wonder how old he must be to have this empire. Kate said he was young, but can't be that young.
"Mr Grey is expecting you. Please sign in and walk to the last elevator on the right." I sign my name and she hands me a security badge with visitor printed in bold letters on the front. I scowl like I need to stand out any more than I already do.
"Which floor?" I ask and she looks amused. Since I am a visitor, which is clearly printed on my left breast it seems like a reasonable question.
"Twentieth." I walk past her to the bank of elevators. I am the only one in the elevator as it takes me to the twentieth floor. I step out into another sleek, modern lobby and find another two beautiful, smartly dressed blondes. Maybe this Christian fellow has a thing for blondes. Oh, he would have loved Kate. I don't think I need this visitors' badge, it's obvious I don't belong with his minions of blonde women. I wonder idly if he only highers blondes. I doubt that would be legal.
"Miss Steele, if you could wait here a moment." the younger blonde says, directing me to a small seating area. I don't complain there is the most beautiful view of Seattle I've ever seen. I gasp in astonishment. I sit for a few minutes looking at the wonders of Seattle from this height. I wonder what the view is going to be like from our apartment here once Kate and I move.
From what Kate has told me, Christian is young and successful, which is not much to go on if I'm interviewing him. Suddenly I'm feeling rather anxious about my lack of preparation. I wish Kate had given me a fact sheet or something. Honestly, now that I'm here, I would much rather be at home studying. I am called back to planet earth when the older blonde calls my name. "Miss Steele, Mr Grey will see you now." I stand up and collect my purse. "Would you like me to take your jacket?"
"No, thank you." I am only wearing a tank top under this and it's rather cold. I make my way to the door and look back anxiously.
"There's no need to knock just walk right in." I push on the heavy door and almost fall, but catch myself. Nice save Steele My subconscious applauds me.
"You alright?" A baritone voice asks.
"Yes, I'm fine. I caught myself before I fell." I look over in his direction and he is closer than I thought. He is young and hot! He's a scale model of Adonis. A blush creeps up my face. I give him an apologetic smile. I step further into the room and he extends his hand to me.
"Christian Grey, It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kavanagh." I shake his hand.
"Actually, Miss Kavanagh has the flu my name is Anastasia Steele."
"Alright, Miss Steele. Would you like to sit?" He gestures to a white leather sofa. He is sharply dressed in a gray suit, with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. Stop drooling Steele remember Nick and Adam? My subconscious says ruining my fun. She's right the last thing I need to think about right now is some guy. I take a seat on the couch and he sits across from me.
"So are you a part of the newspaper?" He asks as I pull out a pen, the notebook and the voice recorder.
"No, Kate is my roommate and she got sick."
"I see." He says coolly. Yeah, I don't want to be here either so suck it up. I sigh inwardly. At least it will be over soon.
"Do you mind if I record this?" I ask, finally looking up at him.
"Not at all." There is a hint of a smile on his lips. His mood seems to change quickly. Maybe he just has trouble being polite all the time.
"Alright, I have some questions here." I rip the page out of the book so I can take notes.
"I thought you would." Is he making fun of me? I blush. I look up at him, but my eyes are drawn to the painting on the wall behind him. Well, it's actually thirty-six smaller paintings. They are absolutely exquisite – a series of every day objects one probably wouldn't take notice of unless they were looking for them. The detail is so incredible they could be mistaken for photographs.
"A local artist did those, Trouton." He says as I continue to stare at them.
"They're wonderful. Raising the ordinary to extraordinary," I say looking back at him and he cocks his head to the side. I bite my lip to stifle my giggle. My dog used to do that all the time.
"I couldn't agree more. Shall we get started?"
"Yes." I hit play on the voice recorder and ask my first question.
"You're very young yet you have amassed such an empire. To what do you owe your success?" I look up at him and he looks pretty disappointed by my question.
"Business is all about people, Miss Steele, and I am very good at judging people. I know how they tick, what makes them flourish, what doesn't, what inspires them, and how to incentivize them. I employ an exceptional team, and I reward them well." He pauses for a brief moment before continuing to speak. "My belief is to achieve success in any scheme one has to make oneself master of that scheme, I know it all inside and out, know every detail. I work hard, very hard to do that. I make decisions based on logic and facts. I have a natural gut instinct that can spot and nurture a good solid idea and good people. The bottom line is it's always down to good people."
"Maybe you're just lucky," I say taking him by surprise. I've only asked one question and he seems to have a very high self-worth. Not to say he isn't impressive, I just don't think people should be overly aware of that fact.
"I don't believe in luck or chance. The harder I work Miss Steele the more luck I seem to have. It's really about having the right people on your team and directing their energies accordingly. I think it was Henry Firestone who said 'The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.'"
"You sound like a control freak." He's an arrogant son of a bitch just like most of the businessmen I've met. The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, but I don't care.
"Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," He says without any trace of humour. My eyes widen in shock, well, at least, he admits it.
"How did you start your business?" It's not one of the questions, but I am genuinely interested.
"With a loan." His answers seem to be calculated making sure not to give away too much.
"So, are you interested in the arts." I nod my head in the direction of the paintings.
"Yes, Miss Steele. I think expressing one's emotion is very important. In a piece of art, one person can see one thing and another something completely different. It's all subjective"
"I couldn't agree more Mr Grey," I say repeating his words to me from earlier. "Are you interested in anything other than paintings?".
"I read as well. Books are one of the greatest joys in life." I smile finally some common ground.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well," He pauses "Writing is a form of expression. I couldn't write a story to save my life, but I enjoy reading the stories of others. Reading also happens to be an escape." An escape? This peaks my interest. That's where my love of reading stemmed from. It also feels like the first genuine thing he's said to me.
"And what do you think you need to escape from?" He looks at me harshly and I squirm in my seat.
"We all have our problems, Miss Steele."
"How evasive of you." I laugh. "How about we move to the next question." I bite my lip and look down at the questions Kate gave me.
"Do you have any interests outside of work?" This is a lighter topic.
"I have a variety of interests, Miss Steele." I ghost of a smile touches his lips. I find myself wondering what he's thinking about.
"Well, If you work as hard as you say you do when do you find the time to chill out?"
"Chill out?" He says testing the words. "Well to 'chill out' as you put it – I sail, I fly, I indulge in various physical pursuits. I also read and enjoy browsing local artists work. I have a variety of interests." He shifts in his place. "I am a very wealthy man, Miss Steele, and I have expensive and absorbing hobbies."
"Well, which one do you enjoy the most." He seems to think about something before responding and once again I wonder what it was.
"Sailing is by far my favourite. It demands control and attention." He really does like to control things not just things and people, but also to be in control of things himself.
"You invest in manufacturing. Why?" He's starting to make me uncomfortable.
"I like to build things. I like to know how things work: what makes them tick, how to construct and deconstruct and I have a love of ships. What can I say?"
"That sounds like your heart talking rather than facts and logic." His mouth twitches and he stares at me with those gray eyes.
"Possibly. Though there are people who would say I don't have a heart."
"Why would they say that?" I can think of a few reasons based on what he's said so far.
"Because they know me well." I find it hard to believe he actually lets people get to know there real him.
"So, where does your love of ships stem from?"
"When I was younger I would get absorbed watching people sail on the bay and when my father took me out for the first time I fell in love with it."
"I assume you have your own ship."
"Yes – The Grace." He seems so happy and full of life just talking about sailing.
"You invest in farming technology. Why?"
"Because you can't eat money, Miss Steele, and there are too many people on this planet who don't have enough to eat." I know that very well. Why would people say he doesn't have a heart? That is very wonderful.
"That sounds very philanthropic. Is it something you feel passionate about? Feeding the world's poor?" He just shrugs.
"It's a shrewd business."
"What made you pick this cause. I'm not saying it's not a worthy one, but there are so many people who need help."
"Because it's close to me." Now, what on earth could he mean by that? He doesn't seem like he's ever had to need for anything, but I could be wrong.
"Do you have a guiding philosophy?" I say returning to Kate's questions.
"I don't have a philosophy as such, but a guiding principle – Carnegie's: 'A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I am very singular, driven. I like control – of myself and those around me."
"So, you want to possess things?" I say confused.
"I want to deserve to possess them, but yes, bottom line. I do." Definitely a control freak!
"You sound like the ultimate consumer." My tone is light.
"I am." He smiles thinking about this. The next question is rather personal.
"You were adopted. How do you think this has shaped who you are?"
"I have no way of knowing."
"How old were you why you were adopted?"
"That's a matter of public record." I roll my eyes. This guy is pissing me off.
"I apologize, Mr Grey. I didn't have time to do any research before I came."
"That's alright," He seems to relax slightly. "I was adopted at age four."
"Are you fortunate for you adopted family?" I certainly am fortunate for Ray.
"Of course. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for my family."
"I am sure your parents are proud of you. I mean how could they not be?"
"They are very proud of all of us"
"Are you gay Mr Grey?" He inhales sharply and glares at me with his gray eyes. I try to hide my smile. It is right here written in black and white, but why did I ask?
"No, Anastasia, I'm not" I feel a blush creep across my face and suddenly I feel a pull towards him. What the hell was that?
"Well, I think that's all." I hit stop and gather my belongings. I want to get out of here this second. Not only does he make me uncomfortable, but now I'm mortified.
"What are your plans for after graduation?"
"I've applied to some local publishing companies," I say as I stand up.
"Publishing?" He asks "How interesting."
"Writing is my passion," I mutter.
"Would you like me to show you around? We have a wonderful intern program here" He asks.
"I'm sure you have better things to do Mr Grey." I do not want to work for you.
"It'd be my pleasure."
"I have a long drive home," I say and extend my hand, which he shakes. "Alright, drive carefully." He sounds rather disappointed. I run to the elevators and step in. If I never see him again it would be too soon. I walk back through the sandstone lobby and out the doors. That's when I realize it has started to rain, fantastic. I hate driving in the rain. I open the car door and get in, placing my purse on the passenger seat. The drive home is much worse than the drive to Seattle for some reason I can't get Christian off my mind. It's almost six when I get home and Kate is waiting for me on the couch.
"How'd it go?" She sounds a little better.
"Fine." I give a small smile and hand over the recorder and notebook. "I have some work to do," I say before walking into my room. I decide to finish my essay on Tess of The D'urbervilles. Once I'm done, I eat a small snack since I skipped dinner and crawl into bed. I am exhausted and I won't even get a proper night sleep before I have to go to work in the morning. I've worked at Clayton's Hardware since my first year and I love the people. I have two more weeks before I leave work and school behind. I close my eyes and drift into a restful sleep for once.
Christian's POV:
Holy shit! Who was that girl and why did she affect me so much? I called Welch, my head of security right after she left to get a background check on her. I know why I find her attractive, but there's so much more to her. She's not like my submissive although I want her to make my next one. I found her challenging me was a refreshing change to the women who ogle me. The first good thing to come out of me agreeing to hand out the certificates at the WSU graduation ceremony is that I get to see her again. I don't want to wait another two weeks before I see her, though. What's happening to you, Grey?
I got my ass kicked by my trainer today just because I couldn't get her out of my head. No one has ever talked to me like that and I am shocked by how much I enjoyed it. She wasn't afraid of me. Although, she should be. Maybe I should call Elena to get me a new submissive. It's been a couple months maybe I'm sexually frustrated. My cell phone starts ringing.
"Grey"
"It's Welch I got the information you wanted and send it to your e-mail."
"Thank you." I hang up and head into my home office closing the door behind me. I open up the email with the subject 'Anastasia Steele'.
Anastasia Rose Steele
DOB: Sept 10, 1989—Montesano, WA
Address: 1114 SW Green Street, Apartment 7, Haven Heights, Vancouver, WA 98888
Mobile No: 360 959 4320
Social Security No: 987-65-4320
Banking Details: Wells Fargo Bank, Vancouver, WA, Acct No: 309361: $10,683.16 Balance
Occupation: Undergraduate Student WSU Vancouver College of Liberal Arts – English Major
GPA: 4.0
Prior Education: Montesano JR-SR High School
SAT Score: 2150
Employment: Clayton's Hardware Store, NW Vancouver Drive, Portland, OR (part-time)
Birth Father: Franklin A, Lambert
DOB: September 1, 1969
Deceased: September 11, 1989
Birth Mother: Carla May Wilks Adams
DOB: July 18, 1970
Deceased: January, 1st, 1995
m Frank Lambert – March 1, 1969; widowed: September 11, 1969
Adoptive Father: Raymond Steele DOB: June 6, 1960
Father's Occupation: CEO of Steele Asher and Partners
Political Affiliations: None found
Religious Affiliations: None found
Sexual Orientation: Not known
Relationships: None indicated at present
So, her father is wealthy, but she still chooses to work. I respect that, a lot. I close my laptop and head to bed, dreaming of big blue eyes and chestnut coloured hair.
Don't forget to check out my Pinterest page to see outfits and other stuff in my story /kickedinthecass/not-you-again/