FSOG - Christian Claus
Chapter 1
Christian POV
December 12, 2016
GEH is covered with sparkling lights, Christmas trees, menorahs and decorations to represent a host of religions and ethnicities. Holiday music is being piped through the elevators and common areas. I think I might vomit if I see any more holidays cheer. Everyone is so excited this week.
Although today is a Monday everyone is trying to get as much as they can completed so they can enjoy the nine days off at the end of the week.
After several months of pestering I gave in and agreed to give Grey House staff the week of Christmas off. I usually only give Christmas day off but Ros caught me in a good mood after we closed the Vestas deal. She knew how excited I would be to get my hands on the Danish wind turbine manufacturer. What was I thinking?! We will have a ghost team on and all my top executives know that no matter what, they are still on call twenty-four seven. It is in their contracts and the ridiculous amount of money I pay them should have them at my beck and call.
I arrive at the top floor and it looks like Santa's fucking workshop. What the fuck have they done?
Just as I am about to chastise my office staff, Olivia hands me my coffee. Instead of my normal coffee cup, in my hands is some weird ass contraption. It is shaped as Santa's body, little boots come out the bottom and it even looks as though Santa's hat is hanging off the top. It also has a candy cane sticking out of the top of the hideous thing.
"Olivia what is this fucking thing you handed me? Andrea why does it look like Santa fucking Claus is going to be taking pictures with kids on the executive floor of Grey House?" I feel like I am going to explode, Olivia looks like she might shrink into oblivion and Andrea has yet to speak.
"Sir, that is peppermint coffee and we added a candy cane to help sweeten it. Just trying to be a little festive, the decorations well sir", Andrea never stutters. This is madness!
"Spit it out Andrea, I don't have all day." I am losing my patience.
Finally she straightens up and looks more like her normal confident self.
"Sir, your mother arranged for the kids from Coping Together to come and see Santa. They are having lunch in the banquet hall with the GEH employees that volunteered to sponsor a family. This will be the first time some of those families get to meet their sponsor family. The GEH employee's family is also coming. We have seventy sponsored families that have RSVP. Combine that with the GEH families.. we have about a thousand people attending. Ros suggested that we had Santa separate from everyone else. This was all sent to you in the Christmas program for this week. It includes the toys for tots pick up and the list of employees that are helping out in the GEH outreach programs. I can change your coffee if it is not to your liking." Andrea explains everything I should already know.
I only skimmed the Christmas program. I don't usually do that but I haven't enjoyed Christmas since I was 15.
After handing my coffee to Andrea I walk into my office. At least my sanctuary is free from all the holiday garbage. I check my emails and delete all the crap about GoFundMe. I don't know why Mia is sending me this shit. She knows I hate this junk. The one time I looked at GoFundMe was when Elliot sent me a link; He told me that it was urgent. I clicked on the link and it was some lazy ass trying to get other people to fund his trip to the Super bowl. Seriously people are that stupid to send someone else money just because. I mean GEH donates millions each month and I personally donate to many charities; but really how is going to a sporting event can be that important? I could sympathize if it was make a wish foundation and I have given them money but Joe Shmoe can watch the game on his TV or at the bar.
The day is dragging and I keep hearing people talking about this GoFundMe. What is going on? I don't pay these people to be messing around on company time. I just finished meeting with my marketing and advertising directors. They want me to do more holiday advertisements. Not going to happen. Each of my subsidiaries has an M&A budget, which is not going up just so they can put out a commercial with Santa in it. As I walk past Andrea and Olivia I hear them mention GoFundMe. I am not sure if I should fire everyone or find out what is going on.
"Andrea what is everyone going on about, I have heard dozens of people talk about this GoFundMe today?"
"Well sir, there is a local family, actually a single mother and her very young son. Her house was set on fire by her former boss. She had said no to his advances. One night she was about to leave, when he attacked her in the staff kitchen. She took him down with some military moves and he was fired. Apparently he was released on bail the other night. He went to her home and was pounding on the door. He threw rocks through the windows and tried to break down the door. When she wouldn't let him in he started to pour gasoline around the house. She had already called 911 but they hadn't arrived yet. The young mother did have a gun and she took a shot at him through the window. They believe she got his leg. He is still on the loose. Before he left he started a fire and the house went up in no time. The door was jammed and glass and smoke were everywhere. She couldn't get out of the house. They were trapped. Just as the police and fire department arrived she was able to break through the door. The little boy's pajamas caught on fire. Luckily there were minor burns and some smoke inhalation. The mom got lots of cuts from the glass and some burns and other injuries. The GoFundMe page was set up by her friends to help pay for the medical bills and hopefully get some Christmas toys in time. The house is gone and they have nothing. Even the clothes they were wearing were burned. It has been all over the news. I can't imagine everything she is going through." As Andrea finishes the story she and Olivia are crying. I see Ros has joined us and my ball-buster second in command has a few tears. That's a first. I have to admit I feel bad. I am not crying, I haven't done that since I was four.
Ros gives me that look, she knows me well enough to not say anything but already knows what will happen. I just nod.
"Andrea, forward me the link to the GoFundMe page please and any other information you have. Get Barney and Welch in my office in fifteen minutes."
As I walk back into my office I think about that little boy not having anything for Christmas. I remember my first Christmas as a Grey. I didn't want to open any of the gifts, they all looked so pretty. I was afraid if I opened them they would disappear. I watched Elliot tear into his boxes and colorful paper and ribbons flew everywhere. Each box had another surprise. The only way that they could convince me to open a present was that Grace would re-wrap a few that I could keep in my room. I meticulously un-wrapped each gift making sure not to tear the wrapping paper so it could be reused; It was so shiny and bright. I was so used to dingy and dirty brown. The bright colors were all so new. The only thing I had to compare the Grey's Christmas was to just before the crack whore over dosed. She had a few days that she told me everything was going to be different. We made a Christmas tree out of paper bags. We used the little crayons that I had to color it and attach it to the dirty, sticky walls. I even had my first ever present. It was a toy car just in a paper bag from the liquor store on the corner. I was so excited. I really believed that things would change. I was happy for just a moment. Then he came back and tore up the tree. I could hear him beating her from the cabinet under the sink. I hoped that my new hiding spot would keep him from finding me. I remember it got quiet and then he grabbed me and threw me across the room so I hit the wall where my handmade Christmas tree had been. He left and whatever he gave her was too much because that was the night she over dosed. I spent the next few days playing with my car and trying to wake her. She eventually started to smell. When the police showed up and they took me to the hospital they left my prized possession, my toy car. It took years of being with the Greys to believe that everything was not going to be taken away from me. I had to learn to not over eat, that the refrigerator would always have food. My mission was not to become rich; my mission has always been to never be poor, never be hungry and to help others that are in a bad situation.
I loved Christmas for years. That first Christmas Grace re-wrapped several of the boxes as promised. I kept those in my room all year. They helped remind me of the good and colorful parts of life instead of focusing on the darkness of my nightmares. It wasn't until a few years later that Mia was adopted. She was born at the end of November and Carrick and Grace brought her home two weeks before Christmas. She was so tiny. As soon as I held her I knew that I had to protect her and that she would never hurt me. She had a special clean baby smell, and the way that she would hold on to my finger and just coo would make me smile. I was always worried that she wasn't getting enough to eat but eventually I found out what the different cries meant. My first word after two years of self-imposed silence was Mia.
I don't know what brought on those memories. I have ten minutes until Barney and Welch are supposed to be here so I decide to call Mia. I really do need to spend more time with my family. Get it together Grey! Where is this touchy feely crap coming from?
I shake my head and try to forget the memories as I call Mia.
"Hello Christian, how are you doing?" Mia is always so chipper; I don't know how she does it.
"I am good Mia, I just got out of a long day of meetings and wanted to see how you were doing?"
"I am good, just really busy!" She sounds tired what could be so exhausting about shopping all day?
"Oh, did you find a job or was there a sale at the mall?"
"Seriously Christian I don't need you to be an ass, if you are only calling to talk about my lack of employment I have more important things to do, good bye!" CLICK.
WTF… Did Mia just hang up on me? Nobody hangs up on me. I know my sister can be a spoiled brat and that is mostly my fault because of the black AMEX she has, but she has never acted like this. I call her three more times and she doesn't answer. Something must be going on. I text Taylor to get in here as I call the house line, he arrives at the same time as Welch and Barney. I motion for everyone to sit. I press speaker phone just as Mia answers.
"Grey residence Mia speaking"
"Mia, what is going on? Why the fuck are you hanging up on me?" I am trying to control my temper but I am losing the battle here.
"Christian my friend and her son were almost killed over the weekend. I have spent many hours at her house and I was there three hours before the incident. Now her son is in the ICU and she has third degree burns. Sorry if I am not in the mood for your weekly speech about how I should apply myself. I am trying to find some clothes for her right now so I got to go, Bye!"
"Mia STOP! What are you talking about? What friend? What do you mean you were just in that house?" I am seething; all control is out the window.
"Jesus, Christian didn't you read the GoFundMe email I sent you this morning?" Mia shouts
"Mia, what does that have to do with this?"
"Christian, my friend Kate and I set up the GoFundMe for our friend Ana. She is the woman that's home got burned down. Her son is 3 years old, his name is Jaxson. She was engaged to her high school boyfriend who was Jaxson's father. He was a year older then her and in the Army. He died while deployed. He never even got to meet his son. Anyway, her father is in the army also. He is a general, he is also deployed and we haven't been able to get in contact with him to let him know what is going on."
"Mia how long have you known her, how do know this isn't a scam?" I feel bad for this Ana and her son but it seems very convenient. I need to make sure.
"Christian, give me a little credit, I have known her since I started at WSU. We met at the beginning of freshmen year. That was four years ago. Kate and I co-hosted her baby shower. Mom and dad have met her bunch of times. If you weren't such an anti-social ass you would know her too. Anyways, she didn't find out she was pregnant until half way through the first semester. Her fiancé had already been deployed. He didn't make it back before Jaxson was born and he didn't make it back alive. He never got to hold his son. In any case, Ana worked her butt off and was able to graduate early. She had her dream job as an assistant editor at SIP until her boss got more and more inappropriate. He even gave me the creeps."
"Mia, what do you mean?" Has she been putting herself in danger and she hasn't told me or Elliot.
"I would pick Ana up from work sometimes, the way her boss would look at her like she was a piece of meat. She told him many times that she wasn't interested and even told human resources. They did nothing. One time I went to pick her up but had to use the ladies room and he started to ask me out and I flat out told him to get lost. He didn't like that and tried to tell me that he was some bigwig in the publishing world. I already knew he wasn't, not that it would have mattered and he was a complete sleaze ball. I tried to convince Ana to quit. I even told her I would put in a good word with you so she could get a job at GEH. She flat out said no. She doesn't like to take favors or anything from anyone. A week later, Jack attacked Ana in the staff kitchen of SIP. Kate was meeting her that day for dinner. Kate got worried when Ana didn't answer her phone; when Kate got inside she and the receptionist convinced security to go in search of Ana. Jack had locked himself and Ana in the staff kitchen. Security broke down the door and found Jack on the ground but Ana's dress torn and bruises to her arms and face. Ana was able to take him down after the initial shock of the attack. Luckily her dad had taught her plenty of self-defense moves just in case." Mia finally takes a breath so I can start to talk.
"Jack what? What is this asshole last name?"
"Jack Hyde" Mia states as if just the mention of his name makes her sick.
"First things first Mia, Your CPO will be moving from covert to close protection and I don't want any arguments. If this guy is willing to murder a woman and a child he won't have a problem taking you out. I am guessing he has no idea who you are so at least he won't expect you to have protection." I am not giving Mia room to argue on this.
"Fine, but can your undercover giant dress normally so he doesn't stick out like a sore thumb? Also can he pretend to be my friend? I like to talk, at least allow them to have a conversation with me. Please Christian!" I hate saying no and she knows it.
"That will be acceptable." I give in
"Also, I will be going to yoga at six and then to the hospital to see Ana. I also have a spin class at 7 tomorrow morning. I hope your giant is flexible and can fit his butt on those little bicycle seats."
"Thank you for being agreeable, I will see what I can do to help your friend. I will ask Taylor to get in touch with some of his military contacts and see if they can get a hold of your friend's dad. Use my card and go purchase some clothes for your friend and her son."
"Thank you Christian, you are the best! Sorry I hung up on you."
"Bye Mia, please let me know what is happening and no ditching your CPO I am serious. I will take away your new car if you do." Mia giggles and says goodbye.
I look up and Welch, Barney and Taylor all know what I expect. Barney is the first to speak up.
"I have confirmed everything your sister, Andrea and the news have said. In the file you will find a background check on Ms. Steele, information on her son, a background check on her deceased fiancé Paul Clayton, what we could find on her father, Raymond Steele. Actually General Steele, his military clearance is pretty high, so most of the information on him is generic. I also included information on a Carla Mae Morton Wilkes Lambert Adams Smith Flores Zucko. Apparently Ms. Steele's mother is a character… From what I can tell, they haven't been in contact with each other since she married Stephen Morton, a known child molester. Mr. Steele used his contacts to have her parental rights terminated." I thought the crack whore was bad. At least she was a teenager and under the influence of god knows what. This lady seems like a complete flake. I wonder what her daughter is like. On paper they are completely different. She was a star student, involved in every activity that is not a sport, she scored perfect on SAT's and ACT's, she got into all the Ivy League colleges. I wonder why she choose WSU, not that it is bad, just curious. She worked through high school and college although her father's bank account suggests that was not needed. She has zero debt and the house she owned, although a small two bedroom, she owned it outright which is hard to do in Seattle. No credit cards and zero student loans. Ms. Steele seems more of an enigma the more I read.
"Welch what can you tell me?"
"Well Hyde is hiding out somewhere. No activity on his credit cards and since he was just released from jail a week ago, the only address we have is a halfway house that stated to the police that he has not been back since the morning prior to the fire. He was put in jail for six months for the attack on Ms. Steele. Barney took the liberty of looking into SIP's personnel records and Hyde had a series of assistants, none lasted even three months but all would give glowing reviews when they would leave." Welch states, I am not asking how they got into SIP's personnel records - the less I know the better.
"That sounds fishy, I have had some assistants leave and even they say it is because they can't handle the demands of working for someone as demanding as myself. Stop smiling guys I know what my personality is like I don't pay you for that." All three burst out laughing before getting serious again.
"Taylor I want covert security for Ms. Steele and her son. I will go tonight and introduce myself and see what else I can do to help. I don't like the thought of this guy getting to anyone in my family and if she is close to them they will all be coming to the hospital. What else do you suggest security wise?" I haven't even met this woman, why do I care? I could just tell my family to stay away, but even I know that won't work.
Taylor finally speaks up, "I think we need to have extra undercovers on any floor that your family will be on. With so many people being off, I might need to bring in some extra people. I know a few guys that have recently left the service. It won't be cheap."
"Seriously Taylor, you never have a budget when it comes to my family and security. Now tell me you want me to pay extra so they dress up as Santa and I might give you a hard time."
"Very well sir. Also I will work on getting a hold of General Steele. What should I tell him once I get a hold of him" Taylor looks at a loss. Well that's a first. Welch and Barney are also looking down.
"Taylor, she wasn't a sub, tell him the truth. Explain who I am and that my sister is best friends with his daughter. Arrange for the GEH jet to be as close as possible to his location. If we have to call in a few favors let me know. I have been putting up with Senator Blandino's daughter for over a year. I don't think Olivia has said a complete sentence to me without breaking down. That should get me something." These three men and Gail are the only people that know all about my lifestyle. I don't know why they are all becoming shy now.
"Lastly, Barney, I need you to arrange for all hospital bills to be paid by me. I don't care if it is done anonymously or if you have everyone in finance sign an NDA, just get it done. Also I need you to create me a fake account link to a real credit card. I want to pay off the GoFundMe page for Ms. Steele and her son. Thank you gentlemen, I expect you to keep me updated. I don't want Jack Hyde near my family. I will introduce myself to Ms. Steele tonight and talk to her about moving security closer."
After finishing up two more meetings that I was completely distracted during, I receive the GoFundMe account information. All the pictures are of a brunette and her son. The little boy is always the focus of the picture. It seems as though the original goal set by Mia and Kate was $50,000 but that has been surpassed. The account now has $200,000. Since nobody knows that I will be paying the medical bills this will all be going to Ms. Steele and her son. I decide to match what they have. I enter $200,000 and type "Merry Christmas" as the comment. Nobody will think that it's from me. Maybe I should of written Bah humbug. Once I have the confirmation it has gone through I let Taylor know that we will be leaving for the hospital.
We arrive at Northwest Hospital after stopping at a toy store and getting a few items for Ms. Steele's son. I don't know why but I just feel connected to him. I know what it is like to never know your father and loose everything you had in one night. At least he still has his mom.
I think about going and seeing my mom first but then I would need to explain why I am acting this way. I could have Taylor speak with Ms. Steele, I really don't need to get personally involved but for some reason I can't stay away.
Barney lets me know that Ms. Steele should be in her own room but she is refusing to leave her sons room. I make my way to his room. I see a tiny little body attached to so many tubes and wires. Sleeping in a chair with her hair over her face is who I am guessing is Ms. Steele. She is also in a hospital gown, also attached to an IV. It looks like her legs and maybe arms were injured because she has some kind of medical bandages covering both legs and her left arm.
As soon as I close the door she pops up looking at all the machines and searching her son for any change. Once satisfied that he is fine she turns towards the door.
As soon as I see her I regret coming to the hospital. She looks at me with a questioning glance.
"Christian?" she says.
Why didn't Welch or Barney provide me with a picture? Looking at her beautiful sapphire blue eyes and long mahogany hair that is thrown up into a messy bun I know that I am a goner. I can tell she is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen, the hospital gown, the bandages and injuries take nothing away from her beauty. I can feel my pants getting tight. I need to discreetly readjust myself before she notices. I need to say something before she thinks I am crazy. I reach out my hand.
"Hello, I am Christian Grey but you already knew that" as soon as our hands touch there is a spark. Something I have never felt before. The look on her face tells me she felt it too. Just as I am about to say something I hear a little voice coming from the hospital bed.
"Mommy its Santa, Toys!"
More to come, this will only be a short Christmas Story.
Thank you to my amazing Betas Hofit, , Jeanette and Heather.
I am still very new at writing stories, so please be patient. I will not abandon a story. Thanks for reading and
Reviewing. More to come soon.
