Alright, so after all the reviews I feel like this needed clearing up. YES, THIS IS AN EVENTUAL OCxCHRISTIAN PAIRING. If you get nightmares at night of Christian having sex with other females and wake up in terror then this fic is probably not for you. Honestly, turn around. Ana will most likely pop up eventually but no, they are not getting back together. I wanted to see what it would be like if Ana and Christian never ended up together, try not to lose sleep over it. I realize lots of people love AnaxChristian, and trust me when I say I do too. This is just a little story I did on my own time.

Anyways, thanks so much to all the civil and mature reviews! :)

CHAPTER 1

Admittance

The doors open.

Andrea is gazing at me with kind eyes as I exit the elevator. She's Mr. Grey's assistant and one of the many blondes that are employed at Grey Enterprises Holdings, but somehow she seems different. More real. Like maybe she doesn't spend 5 hours getting ready every morning. But for what it's worth - I like her, which is an important thing considering she is now my boss.

"Nora, welcome to your first day at GEH." She holds out her hand with a wide smile plastered on her flawless face. She seems anxious. For what?

"Thank you, Andrea. I must admit, I'm a bit nervous. I've never worked for such a high end company before." Not that I ever needed to, I'm about to add, but I don't. I don't think explaining my colored past is really a good way to start my first day. I shake her hand.

"That's just fine. Mr. Grey only hires the best so I'm sure you'll do great." For some reason I get the feeling she is more so speaking to herself than to me.

She leads me behind the large sandstone desk, directly facing Mr. Grey's office. "This is where you'll be working. I'm assuming Sarah talked you through most of the basics already, correct?"

I nod.

Stacks of files and papers sit between two expensive looking computer monitors and matching keyboards. In front of them are ritzy twin leather work chairs and I sink down into one. Yes, I think I could get used to this. From this spot I can see out over the landscape of Seattle, and isn't it beautiful. I feel so secluded - up high in the sky safely hidden within GEH. It's a rainy day, clouds fog most of the view and I can only see a few buildings - but I never really liked sunshine anyways. Andrea continues talking as she gathers a few sheets together.

"You can get set up while I run over Mr. Grey's schedule. It should only take a couple minutes. Anything else?"

It takes me a moment to realize that she's talking to me as I attempt to sit upright in my chair. "No - thank you, Andrea. I think I have it covered." I smile up to her and wait until she disappears into Mr. Grey's office to sigh heavily.

I now officially work at Grey Enterprises Holdings under the command of the successful and oh-so-very-rich Christian Grey. A part of me wants to tear ass out of here and go home and watch bad 80's movies with my roommate Carter for eternity. But I push it aside and make room for the other half that actually wants to take this job somewhere. I've been from one rich millionaire to the next and relying on them to carry my way through Seattle University where I've been studying psychology for the past 4 years. I don't plan on stopping this trend any time soon however - and I will admit Mr. Grey seems a promising candidate. It's quick cash and I've actually grown to enjoy parts of these relationships, but I also want to have a life. I want to have a job, buy my own clothes, pay my own rent, and do things most 22 year olds should be doing. It's an odd aspiration, but I've never experienced having to scuttle coins together to make a payment. I'm starting to believe I might be missing out on something that I deserve. No one should have it as easy as me.

I boot up the computer. Within seconds its completely open and I enter my company email. I'm not surprised to see I have no new messages awaiting me.

Suddenly I hear the sound of my iPhone and I shuffle through my purse to retrieve it. It's Carter.

*To congratulate you on your first day I have decided to have dinner ready for you when you return tonight ;)*

I roll my eyes and text back quickly.

*Oh no. I'm scared.*

*Are you mocking my cooking skills?*

*Yes.*

*Yeah, well, you need not fear. I was just going to order pizza.*

*Cheese? :)*

*Of course. Is there even any other kind of pizza in the world?*

I giggle and look up to reassure myself the coast is clear.

*Carter, I'm at work. You're going to get me fired. ON MY FIRST DAY.*

*I get it, okay. See you tonight, Smith ;)*

*See you tonight, Knox.*

I hear the door open and put my phone down just in time to see a blushing Andrea exit Mr. Grey's office. Her appearance is almost laughable as she closes the door - her breathing is noticeably heavier, her skin is flushed, and I think I notice a few more buttons undone on her blouse. Damn, does Mr. Grey have this effect on every one of his employees? Or maybe him and Andrea are..?

"Any news, Andrea?" I ask a little too quickly as my thoughts wander into dangerous territory. Andrea looks up with wide eyes.

"Yes, there are a few things I would like you to add to Mr. Grey's schedule. I have them written down here." Andrea hands me a note pad listed with a few event dates.

"Will do." I smile.

"There is one more thing that is required of Mr. Grey's employees."

"What is it?"

"You'll need to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement." What? An NDA? What crazy shit is going on around here that I need to sign an NDA?

"If you don't mind me asking, why?" I say.

Andrea shrugs, I think she's trying to act casual. "Mr. Grey is a very private man. He gets very irritated when matters of his personal life are leaked into the media."

"I see." I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised. He's young, he's rich, he's attractive - his sex life is probably off the walls. I picture a long line of impeccably dressed blondes standing outside his doorway just hoping they are the next one to be taken in. If word got out about man-whore Christian Grey, I don't think he'd be able to shake his reputation.

Andrea fishes the NDA from the stack of papers in her hands and gives it to me. I don't even bother reading it as I sign in ink and hand it back. She smiles and begins working on her own computer as I begin entering events into Mr. Grey's online calendar. Most of them are various openings, appearances, charity events - everything you'd expect from a big time CEO. The only event that catches my eye is an opening to an art gallery Friday night sponsored by none other than Peter McQueen.

Peter was the first among my long line of millionaire bachelors - although bachelor probably isn't the best wording. He's almost 70. But when you're 18 and just moving into the shittiest apartment you've ever seen, 70 suddenly doesn't seem so old. Luckily we ended on good terms and talk from time to time. Occasionally he'll ask me if I want to resume what we had but I always decline. Although I do have him to thank for my lovely 2011 Porsche Boxster currently occupying one of the parking spaces outside - we'd never work. For obvious reasons.

For the next few hours Andrea has me do a few more menial, time consuming tasks that seem to make the day go by with efficient speed. When I look back at the clock I notice lunch is only an hour away and I attempt to silence the grumbling in my stomach.

I turn to Andrea. "I'm going to get some coffee, would you like anything?"

She looks back at me with a tight smile. She's still anxious. "Just some water, please. Thank you, Nora."

"Of course." With that I walk toward the small enclosed eating area that still somehow manages to look sleek and grab some water and a cup of coffee. Within minutes I am back and am welcomed to the sight of an empty waiting area. Andrea is gone and for some reason I don't really know what to do with myself. Setting the water down by her side I get back to editing the schedule.

Not even a minute later I see Mr. Grey's door burst open and hear a cold voice snap, "Andrea."

In enters one of the most gorgeous men I've had the pleasure to look upon. He's tall with wild copper hair and a tense demeanor. His suit is grey and he has the first two buttons of his dress shirt undone and suddenly I feel like a teenager again - I'm heating up shamefully at the sight of his exposed collar bone. But it's not until he storms toward my desk that I notice his eyes - bright, conflicting grey. They are registering me with a fire that I am uncontrollably eager to explore and I sense myself exit my body. Suddenly it feels as if my earth has shifted on its axis and I am frozen under his man's gaze.

"Mr. Grey." I breathe, because I don't think I can say anything else.

He pauses for a moment.

"Where is Andrea?" His voice is clipped. Nice to see you too.

"I'm not quite sure, Mr. Grey. I got up to get something to drink and she was gone when I got back."

His look gets tighter and I think he's angry. With who? Andrea? She's probably just going pee - calm down, Grey!

"Fine. I'll need you to cancel my 12 o'clock meeting-something came up."

"Of course, Mr. Grey." I try and fail miserably to strengthen my voice.

"Thank you, Miss..?"

"Smith." I say, getting to my feet to meet him face to face. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work since he is quite taller than I.

"Nora Smith." I swallow.

For a moment I think his eyes alight with amusement before he quickly recovers his glare. "Miss Smith." And with that he disappears back into his cove before I even get the chance to check out his backside.

Whoa. That's Christian Grey? The photos of him don't nearly give him credit.

I stand there stock still until Andrea comes back. I'm not sure how long it's been exactly, but long enough for my feet to start aching. I feel unhinged - like that brief encounter completely unearthed something within me that I can't quite place. It makes me uncomfortable.

"Nora, are you alright? You look flushed."

Yeah no shit, I'm about to say but I stop myself. Flushed? I don't blush! "What?"

"Are you feeling well?" She's settling back into her chair with a look of concern on her face.

"Oh yes. Mr. Grey just told me to cancel his 12 o'clock meeting." I say as if that were a viable explanation.

Her face falls. "Mr. Grey was here?"

"Yes. He asked where you were." Is he the reason she's been so anxious today? "Andrea, is there a problem? You seem nervous."

She looks down and pinches an invisible piece of lint from her pencil skirt. "It's nothing, really."

And suddenly I am also overwhelmed with anxiety. I'm not sure why, but her unease seems to be rubbing off on me as well - and I don't do unease. I lean toward her and force her to look into my eyes. "Andrea, I know you're my boss and all-but I hope we can also be friends. I mean, we're going to be working together now. I swear if you don't want me to say a word to anyone, I won't. I want you to trust me." I smile at her as I cross my hand over my chest.

She visibly relaxes and I inwardly sigh. Maybe now she can give me some answers. "Mr. Grey has been very... agitated these past few months. More so than usual. All of us around here have had to walk on eggshells around him for fear of our jobs and he's disposed of practically all his new employees."

Shit.

"So you think he's going to fire me?"

She nods apologetically.

"What do you think?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"What do you think happened to make Mr. Grey so agitated?" I ask before I can stop myself. I hope I didn't cross a line. Andrea looks startled at my question, like nobody has ever asked her what she thinks before. She opens her mouth as if to speak but immediately shuts it and shakes her head. "I can't say - NDA." She says in simple explanation.

"But you do suspect something, right?"

"Yes."

Hmm. "If I figure it out will you tell me?" I raise a brow in silent challenge.

She pauses and stares and the table for a moment before coming to an internal conclusion.

"Yes."

I smile smugly. I'm a woman on a mission. When Nora Smith puts her mind to something, she is never let down. I reassure myself I have nothing left to do and delve into my Christian Grey research project. During lunch I scavenger through the internet finding several different articles on Christian Grey's many awards, his surprising contributions to world hunger, but nothing noteworthy to my cause. I'm not even ashamed of my outright admiration of him when I go through Google images - he's really quite beautiful. I decide to narrow my search and look into his most recent events within the last 6 months.

I come across a WSU school newsletter published 4 months ago. It's an interview with Christian on his contribution to WSU written by a girl named Katherine Kavanagh.

I open another tab and put in a Google Images search for her, but nothing comes up but a few school photos. Shit, dead end.

Going back to the article I skim though it and find that a different girl interviewed Mr. Grey - one Anastasia Steele. Hmm.

I return to Google Images and enter in her name. Several copies of the same image pop up - Mr. Grey standing with his arm around a pretty young girl with long chestnut hair and big blue eyes. Anastasia Steele. I smile wickedly as I feel the answer to Mr. Grey's irritability may be nearing. Switching back to Google I type her name back in and am faced with several articles all on Christian and the "Mystery Girl" he was seen with at the WSU graduation. There are others that claim several people have witnessed the two of them out in public before, but no more pictures.

This is it. I'm sure of it. Now I just need confirmation from Andrea and then we can work on how to get Mr. Grey out of his funk. I just got this job and I am determined not to lose it over my CEO's sexual frustration. But even if Andrea does agree that this Anastasia Steele is the pit of our problem, I doubt she'll know exactly what happened. Perhaps that will have to be dragged out of Mr. Grey himself?

I almost laugh right there. Yeah right, like I'll get anything out of him. I can't even be in the same room as him without feeling faint.

It's when Andrea gets back that I realized I've worked straight through lunch, but I ignore the grumbling in my stomach and turn to Andrea with a smirk.

"Anastasia Steele." I say simply.

Andrea stops wide eyed at the desk. She hushes me and scurries around into her leather chair. "What are you talking about?" Her voice is quiet.

"Anastasia Steele. She's the reason Mr. Grey has been so upset these past few months, isn't she?" I whisper, and suddenly I flash back to my days in high school where gossiping was my one true obsession. Only now I'm gossiping about my ridiculously gorgeous and mysterious CEO.

A look of anxiety washes over Andrea and eventually she nods. I smile, victorious. "Alright, so what are we going to do about it?"

"What?" She looks utterly dumbfounded.

"About Mr. Grey? We have to do something." I don't want to get fucking fired!

"I told you, Nora, Mr. Grey is extremely gentle on such matters. You don't understand how angry he can get sometimes."

I have an idea. "How long have you worked for him?"

"Over 4 years now."

"And you can honestly say you're not even a little bit worried about him?"

"Nora, no. Leave it." She's speaking at full volume now, and I stop. Although Andrea doesn't exactly act it, she's still my boss. If I lose my job now, all this snooping will have been for nothing.

I nod. Fine, I'll fix Mr. Grey on my own time.

As soon as I'm through the door of our apartment I am slugged with a lovable Carter. His skinny frame is enveloping me in a huge hug and I have to fight for air. "Oh Nora, today has been so dreadful without you!"

I laugh and peel myself from his arms. "What are you talking about?"

He ruffles his dark brown hair and sighs over dramatically in a way only Carter can while sauntering into the kitchen. Grabbing a piece of pizza from the box he flops down at the counter. Our apartment is small and simple, but neither of us ever cared for having an extravagant place. The fact that the Park South Apartments have an gym and a pool to go along with the room also make living here a comfortable experience. Both Carter and I love our little apartment, even with all its cheap flaws. "I spent all day watching Keeping up with the Kardashian's. You were right - its terrifying."

I shake my head and sit down next to him. "I told you."

"I know you did, and because of your absence I was subjected to that for hours on end!" He says hysterically, jokingly slapping my shoulder.

Just then I realize how tight my clothes are and I get up to change. The dress code at GEH is terribly dull - limiting their employees to just black and white attire. Not that I don't have enough black and white clothing, if anything I have too much clothing altogether. But seriously, there needs to be a Casual Friday or something. I vaguely wonder if Mr. Grey himself has to follow his own dress code. Who corrects him when he gets out of line I wonder?

I walk into my room, ridding myself of my tight checkered top and skirt and quickly shrug on some sweats. Glancing at the mirror I'm gratified to see that my makeup has managed to stay relatively presentable throughout the day - although failing to hide the circles under my dark eyes. My ridiculously long baby brown hair is a little frizzed, but otherwise decent. I hurriedly brush it out and make my way to the kitchen. "So Nora Smith, how was your first day at Grey Enterprises Holdings?"

Carter raises his eyebrows suggestively and I know what he is really asking.

"Nothing happened." I say simply, grabbing a slice of pizza and joining Carter on our overly plushy leather couch. He gawks at me.

"What? You mean you don't already have Christian Grey wrapped around your finger?" He smiles and bites into his pizza.

"No I only talked to him once, Carter."

"That's usually all the time you need. I'm beginning to doubt your skills, Smith."

I shrug. "He's going to me more difficult."

"Why do you say that?"

For a moment I pause and realize I've signed an NDA. How am I going to tell Carter anything that goes on at my job now? Maybe Andrea could make him sign one too? Yeah, right.

"He's... different." I fill my mouth with pizza before my face gets the chance to break out into a smile. Why does Christian Grey make me so giggly?

"Uh oh." Carter says alarmingly.

"What?"

"Nora Smith, no."

"Carter, what the fuck are you talking about?"

"He's not different. He's just like every other rich bachelor out there, okay?" Carter is growing more serious.

"Carter?"

"First it's 'he's different' and before you know it you two are writing your wedding vows!"

I gawk at him. Is he being serious? Okay, yes, he is different. However I most certainly do not have any intention of saying "I do" anytime soon. Actually - ever.

I feel like I'm going to throw up. Me? Married? No way.

"I don't even know if I want to even pursue him, Carter. I just mean it's not going to be easy getting on his good side. According to his assistant he's been a real prick lately." I stop myself before I say anymore. NDA, Nora! Shut the fuck up!

"What? Why?"

"I can't say."

Carter narrows his eyes. "How come?"

"Mr. Grey makes all his employees sign NDA's."

Carter groans and sinks into the couch, pouting like a whiny toddler. "But that means we won't be able to gossip about your hot CEO."

"Sorry." I say, switching on the T.V.

"So, then what can you tell me about Mr. Money?" Carter inquires.

"He's certainly got a thing for blondes." I smirk. "All of his employees are perfect and fair haired."

"Whoa, really?"

"Yep. It's a good thing I did the interview back before I went brunette, huh?"

"Guess so. Well, I suppose every guy's got a type." And then I'm brought back to the picture of the abstruse Anastasia Steele. She was skinny, pale, and brunette and extremely nothing like the people hired at GEH. Another mystery to add to the many I have listed under Christian Grey.

That's the last we speak of him. However that doesn't stop the dreams I have that night of grey suits and dark eyes.