A/N. So, fair warning ahead I know very little about business and how it all works. Trying to research it makes me want to stick a fork in my eye. I'm doing my best to make sound believable.
Thanks so much for the great response to this story. All your kind words are what keep me going. I was blown away…. So, I hope I do this story justice. Let me know what you think
All mistakes are mine
CHRISTIAN POV
I wake up the following morning to my phone ringing. I look at the time and growl when I notice it's only five a.m.
However, I'm grateful to hear Ana's voice on the other end offering me the position of her COO. Never in a million years did I think she was actually going to hire me.
Then to add to my surprise she wants me to start today. At eight a.m. sharp.
I throw myself out of bed and quickly shower and shave. I dig through my closet and find my best Armani suit.
Always make sure you dress to impress. Well, that's what my mother always says.
Grabbing my car keys off the ledge I make my way to the garage to my Lexus IS, that I got for graduating college from my parents, and make my way downtown to the Steele Enterprise building. It's one of the many buildings that line the skyline in Seattle.
I used to picture my name on the front of one of the skyscrapers.
It's hard to believe that she started this business in her father's house. From what google was saying; Ana got the funding money from a friend, and she struggled for about over a year. Well, till six months ago, she bought and sold four companies, making her worth over a hundred million almost overnight. She also now has about twenty companies under her umbrella, which are all doing more than well since she took over.
If I can't have my own at the moment, I feel glad to be apart of what she has built. I'll be the one helping her making it great. I just think I need to show Ana that I've changed and show her how willing I am to work and to work hard. Then maybe some of my ideas too, can become a reality.
I know she's holding onto what happened to us in the past, hopefully she'll see I'm not that kid anymore.
I arrive fifteen minutes early and the cute blonde receptionist gets me a cup of coffee and lets me know Miss Steele would be with me shortly.
I wonder if I get my own personal assistant?
"Mr. Grey?" I hear Ana's voice with the same disdain she had yesterday when she said my name. She waves me in and turns around back into her office.
I stand up and follow her through the doors. She shows me to a small conference table in the corner of her office and I sit down.
"I'm glad to see you're punctual." She tells me as she carries over a large stack of papers to the table and sits down next to me. "So, let's get right to it. As you stated yesterday you would be willing to sign anything about not using anything you learn while working here. That also means using anyone on our clients list and you won't be able to take any employees with you if you decide to leave and start your own thing."
She pushes over a thick pile of papers in front of me. I look them over, one is a simple NDA. I sign that easily enough and give it back to her.
"The next one is your contract and what duties I expect from you. I highly recommend that you take your time to look over it. We can discuss any questions you might have. While I wait for you to read, I'm going to get some work done."
She stands up and moves her desk. I glance over my shoulder as she walks away. I'm trying to rack my brain to remember if she was always this good looking. Her style is definitely better than in high school. I remember she used to hide in baggy shirts and pants.
Maybe because everyone was calling her fat and she tried to hide her body. I know I didn't help with any of her self-esteem issues. I guess I was somewhat the leader of the pack. I was the one that could've stopped it, and I didn't.
God, I really was an ass in high school.
I read over my contract and it's pretty basic. I'm to be available twenty-four hours, be willing to travel at any minute, no trade of secrets and so on. There's a lot of lawyer jargon that explains what will happen if I share any valuable information.
Basically, I would be left on a street corner, more than likely butt naked, without a penny to my name.
I notice I'm also on a six-week trial period. During that period, I will be paid one lump sum of 15,000 dollars. If I'm then hired my salary will be 200,000 to start, not including bonus' and will increase yearly based on performance and how the company is succeeding.
And if it's anything like MSNBC is reporting Steele Enterprises will be in the top twenty of fortune 500 companies and exceeded the 5-billion-dollar mark by the end of this year.
It's freakin' impressive.
I glance over at her as she busy types away at her computer. Her brows are knitted together as she concentrates hard at whatever she's doing. I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is?
I wonder if after she left Seattle Prep she was able to gain the confidence she needed. I guess looking at the great scheme of things, this company is a good sign that she did overcome. However, it's easy to tell she still holds on to some painful memories.
And I don't think they all belong to me.
"All done." I tell her. She looks up from her paperwork and gives me a half smile.
"Great, any questions?" She asks as she stands back up, walking back to the table.
"No. I think you pretty much covered everything." I know I should ask a hundred questions, but I really don't see any to ask. I could get into time off and etc. but I think I'll wait till my six weeks is up.
"Wonderful. Well, let's not waste any time. I have a company I'm trying to scout out, but I need some research done on it first." She walks back over to her desk and picks up a large file. "The company is Jameson International. They are a small telecommunications plant. I would like a full report on it, see if it's something we can even use. I really would like it done as soon as possible... Do you think you can handle that?"
"Yes, I believe I can." I tell her smiling brightly.
"Good. Well, if we're done, I will come and get you in an hour for a heads of department meeting. I would like to introduce you to the staff. Then at two, we have another meeting with accounting. Then at four another meeting with research and development. I want you to start sharing some of your findings with the Jameson project, I gave you. Then tomorrow at seven a.m we have a meeting with legal. Also, I would like you to now to go to IT and security, to get your badges, passwords and laptop. You got that?"
"Yeah." I answer, nodding my head.
She's coming out the gate, cracking the whip. I have to admire that.
"Actually, I do have one question." I state
"Yes?" She asks almost annoyed. I know she's been wanting me out of this office since I entered it.
"Shouldn't we get to know each other a little better? I mean we're going to be working side by side."
"I much rather chew on glass then get to know you better. We're here to work not socialize."
"I don't get why you can't give me a chance? I just want to make amends. Even get to know you."
I mean we're working together, shouldn't we have some common ground?
"I am giving you a chance. The fact that you're standing in front of me, working for me should show you that. Just because I don't want to talk to you or get to know you shouldn't say otherwise. I don't have time to sing kumbaya with my employees, got it?" She bites out, shooting me down to the ground.
"Yes, ma'am." I say resigned. "I'll get to work on this, right away." I tell her holding up the Jameson research that she wants me to do.
x-x-x-x
It's now eight p.m and I'm still trudging away at this research. I've had to stop a couple of times to meet with employees. One was a heads of department meeting, where I was met with a couple sour faces, wondering why I got hired, and why she didn't hire a COO within the company.
Ana's simple answer was she needed new blood and new eyes. I have a feeling also nobody else could actually handle the job. Working with Miss Steele itself doesn't seem like an easy task.
She comes off cold-hearted, calculated, and domineering. A tyrant.
I mean can I handle this job? I mean this is kind of what I wanted for myself, but I wanted to be the boss, the big cheese. I wanted people to quiver under my look, much like they do when Anastasia, walks into the room.
I do have to say how hot she is when she commands a whole room. She takes charge and takes no prisoners. She makes her employees shake in their boots however, even though she's a hard ass you can see the admiration they have for her. I know I do.
My phone rings and groan when I look at the caller ID. It's my dad. I feel like I could be in Ana's shoes right now if it wasn't for my dad.
Shit, by the end of the year, I'll have enough money for a startup of my own.
But, would I be able to go toe to toe with Anastasia?
Would I want to?
"Hey dad," I answer.
"Christian. How's it going son? Have you heard anything from your interview yesterday?"
"I got the job actually and I already started." I inform him.
"Really?" He seems surprised.
"Why do you seem so surprised?"
"No reason. So, what's it been like working with Anastasia Steele?" He asks probing. I really don't see why he cares.
"I think she hates my guts to be honest."
It's quiet for a second, I don't think he was expecting that answer. "Why do you say that?"
"We actually went to highschool together- and well…"
"You were your asshole self to her?" He chuckles.
"Kind of. It was so long ago, but I think she's holding grudge or at least some of one."
"Well, she hired you, so she can't hate you that much. I've done a lot of research on Miss Steele. She's tough as nails, but she would have to be considering-" his words trail off.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm just saying. She would-" he pauses and clears his throat. "She would just have to be strong as a woman in power. I would just give her a benefit of a doubt, she might end up teaching you a thing or too."
"Right." I have a feeling he's not telling me something, but I'll just let it slide for now. "Listen, as much as I love to chat, I need to try and finish up for tonight."
"You're still working?"
"Yes, I really want to try and finish up this assignment. I just want to be able to show her I have what it takes."
"I'm sure you will. I want to hear all about this on Saturday at the ball."
I moan and roll my eyes. I never look forward to these functions. Granted it's for a great cause. "I'll be there." I say in the best cheerful voice I can muster up, but it still comes out sarcastic.
We finish saying our goodbyes and hang up. I decide that I need a cup of coffee to keep me going so, I make my way to the break room. I prep the coffee maker and look around for a snack. I ordered and ate dinner an hour ago, but I'm still hungry.
"Still here?" Ana's voice comes from behind me as I finish pouring my cup of coffee.
"Yes. You gave me something to do. I would like to have it finished by tomorrow for you." I tell her, spinning around to look at her.
"Hmm." Is the only sound she makes before going to the fridge. She pulls out what looks like a tiny salad in a clear container.
"Is that your dinner?" I question. It looks like a couple pieces of lettuce. I hope she has some protein with that.
"As a matter of fact, it is. Problem?" She slams the container on the counter then pulls out a bottled water.
"That's not food. Unless you're a rabbit."
She scoffs at me. "I don't see why it's any of your concern, Mr. Grey."
"You need to eat something substantial. To keep your energy going. Or at least put some chicken on it."
"Well, I have to watch what I eat. I would hate for anyone to think I was a cow." she says sarcastically, before grabbing her salad and walking out of the room.
I run my hands down my face. I don't know how to get her to trust me. She's obviously holding on to the past tightly. I guess all I can do is do my job and blow it out of the water.
She'll have to start playing nice with me when I start scoring deals and making her lots of money. There will be no denying how good I am at my job.
x-x-x
After burning the midnight oil, I finish my research. The company is in the middle of folding and I think if we grab it now we can turn it around. Certain department heads at Jameson need to be fired and it has to be revamped, but I believe it has the potential to be great. I think I just have to sell it a little more than what's printed on the papers. Because on paper, well, it sucks.
I'm working on only three hours of sleep. I haven't slept this poorly since I was still in high school, when I was wracked by nightmares. I got over the nightmares after Junior year but my touch issues still remain.
I know one person that can touch me, and if I'm honest with myself I want to know if Ana still can. Maybe it was all a fluke. It's not like I haven't tried after the days Ana shoved me into those lockers.
I tried my mother, my sister, and even a girlfriend in college, but the pain remained, including the anger that came with it. I ended up hurting, Jackie, when I pushed her away in a blind rage. She ended up breaking an arm, and dumping me. I felt awful, but it's like I become a different person when someone touches me.
Ana's touch has to be a fluke.
But, there's a small part of me that hopes it isn't.
I can't lie to myself and not say that she isn't hot and that she does cause my dick to twitch; I just don't know if it could ever me more.
After a drawn-out meeting with Legal, that I tried not to fall asleep in, with mind numbing dribble, I follow Miss Steele to her office.
"It would be nice if you could try to stay awake during a meeting." She addresses me as she goes and sits behind her desk.
"Sorry, just had a long night."
"It's only day one. If you can't handle the hours…"
"I can handle the hours. However, Mr. Shay going on and on about what he doesn't know for over an hour, it was hard to keep my eyes open."
"I'm glad you noticed that. Because you'll get to be the one to fire him."
"Excuse me?"
"Fire him. I agree with you, he doesn't know what he's talking about. He barely even does a half assed job as is. He's been slacking for a month. I need him to go. So, I want you to fire him." She says before sitting behind her desk.
"So, he'll hate me instead of you." I quip.
"He hates me anyways. But, this is part of your job. You obviously saw a bad seed, so now I'm telling you to do something about it. Plus, I know you have the asshole part covered, so I know you can handle it."
"Right, I'll get right on it then. I also finished the research you wanted-"
"Put it on my desk, and I'll look at it later." She waves her hand at me as I drop the report on her desk.
"I just want to discuss some points-"
"Is it in the report?" She asks cutting me off once again.
"Kind of- I just think you should hear me out."
"I don't have time right now, Mr. Grey. I will look at your report in the next couple of hours and if I have questions I will get back to you. Now I think you need to go find yourself to HR, you have something to do."
God, maybe this is why her other COO left. Can't get a word in edgewise. Or maybe it's just me.
"Yes, ma'am." I mock salute. She doesn't see it, because she's not paying any mind to me.
An hour later, I have done my first firing. It didn't feel good, especially when Mr. Shay left the room in tears. He left with a small severance package and a cardboard box.
I know this is all part of the job, but I just met this guy today, and I'm already sending him on his way. No clue to all his shortcomings. I wonder now if I will be dealing with all the firings? Hopefully, next time I have more reason besides he bored me to death.
The hours past once again. I have a stack of work that Miss Steele gave me, and she wants everything done by Friday. I'm starting to think she wants me to fail. This mountain of papers looks very steep.
But, why hire me to watch me fall from the cliff?
I leave the comfort of my office and pack up for the day, deciding to finish work back at home. I stop at the receptionist desk and pick up any messages left for me, and notice Ana by the elevators talking to some young gentleman. A blonde hair, surfer dude.
He kind of looks familiar.
The surfer dude catches my eye and nods to me. Ana turns to me but then quickly looks away. She says something to the guy, who nods his head, before giving her a hug. He then walks onto the open elevator, when the doors close, Ana walks back over to me.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah, I thought maybe I could work with a clearer head. Who was that?" I point back to the doors of the elevator.
"Ethan Kavanagh. Kate's brother. He works in PR. I'm sure you'll see him around"
Ah, yes. I remember Ethan. He was a senior when I was a Junior. I only met him once though, when I protected Kate from a couple of bitchy cheerleaders. He thanked me and that was the end of that.
"Boyfriend?" I ask and I'm not quite sure why I asked.
Curiosity? I shake it off as she narrows her eyes at me.
"If he was, I don't see why it's any of your business." she hisses. Now I know I upset the kitty and can see her claws coming out.
I decide I need to change the subject.
"Did you get a chance to review my report?"
"Yes, and I decided against the company."
"What? That's why I wanted to talk to you about, I think it would be a great opportunity."
"But, that's not what your report was saying. The company is failing, it's been in the red for years. If you thought the company would've been worth it, you should have driven those points in your report. What I saw, was run away and run away fast." She tells me bluntly
"That's why I wanted to talk to you about it. I understand my findings, but I think there's a way-"
Ana raises her hand to stop me, "You should've presented your facts in the report. I'm not always going to have to have time to meet with you every single time. I like to see my information written down, laid out in front of me. I want proof, not word of mouth. Figure this a good learning point for you." And with that she turns and walks away.
Well, I guess I was told.
Second day down, and now I just need to make it through the third.
A/N: Thanks to QueenBee03 for her help and letting me bounce ideas off of her… If you're not reading her stories… well what are you waiting for?
