The day is cloudy, but it doesn't stop Kate's excitement in the slightest. We're on our way to Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc., home of the enigmatic billionaire Christian Grey, for a very extensive internship for Kate's expense. We've heard about him over the news and in magazines but this is the first time we're meeting him in person. And as always, Kate is intrigued. I think I'm starting to admire that a little.
"Are you sure you don't join in on the interview?", Kate inquires as we pull up outside GEH. Wow, the man has taste, I'll give him that.
"Kate, you know that's not my thing", I reply. I'm happy for her, I am, but working in this kind of place isn't exactly a career I want. I've told her time and time again that literature is my passion, so how could I fit in with business and blondes? It's just not my scene.
"Is it because of where he works?", Kate asks, curious as always.
"Kind of, but also because I just wouldn't fit in really well."
"Why not? You're amazing."
"You're sweet, but I can't. After Clayton's, I just haven't found my calling yet. Interning at GEH? It doesn't fit me at all."
"I hope you're right, Ana. But aren't you just a little bit curious?"
"Maybe. After all, he is attractive"
"Only by what we've heard. Mia's pretty persistent."
"Yeah, but she's the reason why we're here at all. If it hadn't been for her, we wouldn't have this interview."
"True, but still", she smiles and I smile in return. After taking a deep breath, she opens her door and I take my cue.
"You ready?", I ask.
"Yes", she replies.
We head inside and my curiosity is piqued. How can one man have this much space?
"Hello, may I help you?", an older woman with black, medium-length hair addresses us warmly.
"Hi, I'm here for an interview with Christian Grey", Kate responds.
"Just one moment", the woman retorts and if I'm not mistaken, I think she has an English accent. I like her already.
"Kate Kavanagh?", the woman asks after a while.
"Yes, please", Kate replies, looking slightly red as she does.
"He's waiting for you in his office. Please, follow the signs and head for the twentieth floor."
"Okay. Thank you", Kate remarks and quickly heads off to find the elevators. I follow in her wake, like a lost little puppy, and finally, we find the elevator and press a button for it to arrive. A few seconds later, the doors open and we head inside. I press the button for the floor and soon the elevator ascends. I think my heart is dropping as we climb.
The elevator dings after a while and we exit to find rows upon rows of desks, women, and artwork that should belong in a museum. Now I'm starting to see why Kate's so nervous.
"Excuse me, may I take your coat?", a young girl asks, around my age I think, and Kate shrugs out of her overcoat and hands it to her outstretched hand. The girl then approaches me and I hand her my coat as well.
"I'm here to see Mr. Grey", Kate chimes, never missing a beat.
"Reason?", the girl smiles.
"Interview. I'm supposed to meet him at eleven."
"Of course, just one moment", the girl says as she takes our coats, hangs them on a nearby rack, and heads down the hallway to an oversized office at the end. Kate starts shivering and I wonder idly if I should get her coat back.
"You okay?", I ask.
"I just can't believe it", she begins. "I'm gonna be interning for Christian Grey. I just really hope everything goes well."
"You'll do fine, Kate. He already arranged for an interview with you."
"I know, but…", she starts but the girl from before interrupts her from continuing.
"Mr. Grey will see you now", the girl addresses and after a deep breath, we follow in her wake. Once we arrive, Kate's nerves start to shoot and honestly, I can't say that I blame her.
"Just knock before entering and see me when you're done", the girl says.
"Will do. Thank you", Kate replies and the girl heads off.
"Okay, remember what we said about breathing?", I joke.
"I know, I know", Kate laughs in-response. "Wish me luck."
"You don't need it", I reassure her and kiss her cheek before turning her to the door. She knocks after a moment and we hear a muffled voice call out for her to enter. Here goes nothing… Kate gives me a final look, straightens her lavender dress, and swiftly enters the room. Once the door is closed, I proceed in taking a seat in the waiting area, silently praying that things will go well. The girl from earlier approaches me and asks if I would like something to drink.
"Some tea, if you have it."
"How do you take it?"
"Weak and black, please."
"Coming right up."
As I'm sitting there waiting for my tea, I start to contemplate if I could work here with Kate.
Ana, you love books, my subconscious remarks.
I know, but it'd give us a chance to reconnect after what happened last month. I was slightly responsible for her losing her job at Clayton's—by confessing that she was hooking up with Paul—but since then, we've tried to make amends and had just gotten on our feet. Once a position opened for her to work here with Mr. Grey, our old feud was rekindled and we haven't brought it up since. I've been trying to find another job since then but would I fit in here? Kate's beautiful, like every woman here and I'm…not exactly the girl for the job, or qualified for that matter. I highly doubt that I could ever work at GEH.
"Hey, is this yours?", someone asks, interrupting my thoughts, and I look up to see a slightly older man around my age handing me a cup of what I presume to be my tea.
"Um, is that tea?", I ask confused.
"Yeah. Um, I was here visiting my brother and thought this was for me", he shrugs and I smile as he hands me the cup.
"Thank you", I answer.
"My pleasure", he smiles. I take a quick sip, suddenly feeling shy again, just as he takes a seat across from me.
"So, what's your story?", the man asks and I check to make sure it's at me.
"Um, my roommate is having an interview with Mr. Grey and I, um, came for support", I explain.
"Oh, really? You gonna be working here too?"
"Um, no. I couldn't fit in if I tried."
"What do you mean?"
"Um, I'm into literature so, working with Mr. Grey isn't exactly on my agenda at the moment."
"Then, what would be on your agenda?", he asks with mirth in his eyes. Oh my…
"Something in publishing, if I'm lucky", I shrug.
"Cool. Can I know your name?"
"Ana. Ana Steele."
"I'm Elliot. Christian's my brother" he says as he extends his hand for mine. Oh, I wonder if good looks run in the family.
"Nice to meet you", I state, quietly hoping he doesn't notice my blush.
"Um, you come here a lot?", I ask for a distraction. Real smooth, Ana. Elliot stands and sits beside me, surprising me as he breaks the space between us.
"On occasion. Christian got me a job working for him but lately, I feel like I could be doing something better."
"Like what?" Now I'm intrigued.
"Construction, mostly. I wanna be able to build homes for the poor."
"That's so sweet."
"Thanks. I'm hoping that after this job, I could finance some business and start on my own."
"Does Christian, um, Mr. Grey help you with that?"
"Kind of, but I do it on my own", he winks, obviously holding a sense of pride as he does. Before I can continue, I suddenly hear the door open and look up to see Kate. Mr. Grey helps her out and shakes her hand, looking slightly pleased as he does. Oh?
"Um, I gotta go."
"It was nice to meet you, Ana."
"You too, Elliot. Thanks for the tea" I say as I stand.
"Anytime", he smirks before standing as well.
"Oh, this is my roommate, Ana. She helped me prepare", Kate explains once I approach her and Mr. Grey. He extends his hand for mine and I willingly accept.
"Miss Steele, delighted to meet you", he states. My hunch stands corrected.
"Likewise, Mr. Grey. Thank you again for finding the time to do this."
"By the looks of it, it was well worth the wait", he smiles before looking at Kate, causing her to play with her hair in response. Oh boy, not good.
"Um, Mr. Grey, I know this sounds weird but is there any way that Ana could come work for you as well?", she asks suddenly, catching us both off-guard.
"What?", I inquire. Where's she going at with this?
"You see, she's really into reading and since you mentioned a publishing house, I figured maybe a short internship could help her achieve her goals in the future."
"Um, I'm not sure. There's a lot of spots to fill, so I'm not sure if we could squeeze her in", he interjects.
"Actually, Veronica quit last week, so I think we could find Ana some space", Elliot states. "Just temporarily, of course." Christian directs his attention to him, not fully convinced.
"Elliot, I don't think it's a good idea."
"It's a position for a Fiction Editor. SIP has been working closely with your company, so maybe once Ana's done with this, she can move on to something more profitable. No offence", he says and my brows furrow at his comment. Is he getting me a job?
"Miss Steele…", Christian begins. "I'm not sure if this is a position you want, but Kate mentioned how devoted you are, so I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to find something better."
"Mr. Grey, I don't really…"
"Oh please?", Kate interrupts. "It would give us a chance to work together again." As I look at her, I can tell she's pleading inside but at the same time I think it's because she wants me to help her with Mr. Male Model as well. Letting out a deep breath, I finally nod in response.
"Perfect. Is Monday okay for you two?", Christian replies, looking more pleased as he does.
"Fine by me", Kate answers for us. Elliot leans down and whispers in my ear.
"Maybe I can help you with that job after all." I smile shyly in his wake but for some reason, I like what he said.
"Good. I'll see you both Monday, then", Christian says as he shakes Kate's hand before reaching for my own.
"I look forward to seeing you again, Mr. Grey."
"The feeling is mutual, Miss Kavanagh", he responds before saying something to Elliot and walking away. Elliot waves in my direction and I wave back.
"You really like putting me on the spot, don't you?", I ask Kate once they're out of earshot.
"I don't know what you mean", she says, feigning innocence. I roll my eyes just as What's-Her-Face hands us our coats and we give our thanks in return. We head for the elevator and I can't help but feel as something's gonna change. Once we're inside, my stomach drops on our descend as I can't help thinking of what just occurred.
"So, everything go okay?", I ask when we reach the car.
"You could say that. Christian's really sweet", she blushes.
"Oh, so it's Christian now?", I ask with an eyebrow raised.
"It's nothing, really. So, who was that man you were talking to?" And here we go…
"Elliot. Apparently he's Christian's brother."
"You like him?"
"Kate, we just met."
"Has that stopped you before?"
"Kate, you're gonna be working for Seattle's most eligible bachelor, and I'm suddenly behind you every step of the way; what could possibly happen after that?"
"Still, you gotta admit they were really hot."
"Yeah. I guess they were."
"Seriously? That's all you're gonna say?"
"Kate, trust me. Once these jobs break out, Christian and Elliot will be a thing of the past."
"I hope you're right, Ana", she lies and I chuckle in response. I can't tell what's about to go down, but I have a feeling it won't be what we expected.
