Prologue

Beep. Beep. The sound that starts my life every day. It's followed by music that starts slow and quiet. Ode to Joy builds as I stretch out beneath my soft sheets. I feel the delicious ache of my workout with Claude yesterday. He really did beat the shit out of me. I shouldn't have taken that time off my sessions. I flip the covers off and feel the cool air wash over me. The music begins to build to its crescendo. I take a deep breath and jump out of bed. Let's fucking do this.

I've gotten my run in and a shower before the phone starts to ring. I'm glad Andrea has remembered what time she was allowed to start calling for non-emergencies. She has called right on the dot. It makes my day a little better knowing that she's a competent assistant. I dry my hand and answer the call. "Grey," I answer as I pull a drawer open.

"Good morning, sir. Takei and Fushun requested a meeting today for the merger. There is no open time in your schedule. I might be able to fit it in if you'd like to reschedule your interview with the college newspaper."

Good. Takei and Fushun were considering to drop the sell price to what I had required and it sounds like they'll take the deal. Have to get that done and signed before doubt gets them. Doubt is such a weed in my work. "How long is the interview scheduled for?"

"Thirty minutes."

"Make it ten and schedule Takei and Fushun right after."

"Yes, sir. That was all."

I hang up. Andrea is doing well with following directions in general. She doesn't spend too much time on the phone and speaks clearly and quickly. I can't handle how much time people usually take to talk on the phone. No one really understands how much a minute costs me. Time is my greatest resource.

Well I'm going to need to know the board for these companies now. See what pruning needs done. I press a button on my phone with one hand as I shave with the other. "What can I help you with?" Siri's disembodied voice asks.

"Call Bailey."

There's only one ring before he answers, "Hey Grey."

"I need someone to do a merger profile on all board members of Takei and Fushun Technology Firm by 11am and Welch needs to do basics on them all too."

"Consider it done."

I hang up again. Have to move faster. There's too much to do. Always too much to focus on which, for now, I appreciate.

"Busy day today, Mr. Grey?" Jones asks as I wolf down my omelet.

I give her a wry smile. "Is there any other kind of day?" I ask as I wipe my mouth and push away from the granite island. She takes away my dishes as I stand and grab my suit jacket as I pass the corner of the island. As I'm shrugging it on, I take a second to think of something to be grateful for. Every morning I do this to maintain a good mental attitude throughout the day. Well Andrea, Bailey, and Jones are all intelligent, expeditious workers. They make my life simpler every day. I'm grateful for who they are and my ability to recognize their talent when I decided to hire each of them.

I glance at Jones as she wipes down the counter. "Thank you for all your hard work, Mrs. Jones," I say briskly as I button my jacket. She looks around at me, her bright blue eyes a little surprised by my polite outburst. I smile, amused.

"Thank you, Mr. Grey," she says smiling back. I turn and walk to the hall towards the personal elevator.

"Oh, Mr. Grey should I make food for this weekend?" she calls after me and I'm grateful she doesn't see the frustration that crosses my face.

"Yes please. Until I say otherwise, make meals for the weekends." I can see in her eyes that she's guessed a little bit of my thoughts. I nod politely and turn to keep walking.

"Yes sir," she smiles warmly and turns towards the kitchen. I cross the last few steps and push the elevator button consciously trying to reign in my annoyance.

I'm more than a little frustrated with not being able to find a suitable sub. It's too bad this type of relationship isn't more common. I might be able to enlist someone to help me search. As it is, I have to do more of the legwork and the search than I would ever do for anything else. It's like trying to find drugs, I muse.

The elevator arrives and I step in quickly, pushing garage level. If I don't get to fuck and hit someone soon, I'll start spending every day with Claude getting my ass handed to me on the mats to get it out of my system. I need to beat something. Even after all this time, the thought that I need that still saddens a small piece of me. What? You're fucked up. You know this.

The elevator sounds a clear bing as it slows to a halt. I lift my eyes as the elevator doors slide open. "Good morning, Mr. Grey," Taylor is there waiting for me hands folded in front of him. I give him a curt nod and he turns to lead the way to the car. I clench my fists as I follow him. Yes, I know I answer myself.