A/N: I cannot tell you how excited I am for you to read this chapter!
Enjoy! :D
APOV
"Hey, Ana." I look up from the manuscript I was editing when I hear Claire from SIP's front reception and see her standing at my desk.
"Did you hear the rumor going around that SIP was sold?" She says in a hushed whisper as she looks around to make sure nobody heard her.
"No." I try to sound clam, but what does that mean for SIP's employees, for me? I just started working here Monday.
"Yeah, I heard GEH bought SIP."
"GEH?"
"Grey Enterprises and Holdings." She clarifies. "GEH is known for buying companies and selling them off, piece by piece."
"Great." I sigh and roll my eyes.
"Ana!" My boss calls for me through his open door.
"I'll let you get back to working for the Grinch."
I giggle at Claire's nickname for him as I stand and smooth the skirt I borrowed from Kate's closet.
"Yes, Mr. Hyde?" I ask when I enter his office.
"Get me a coffee, sugar."
At first I'm taken aback, thinking it's an endearment, but then I realize he's telling me he wants sugar with his coffee.
"Yes, sir."
I go to the employee kitchen/break room and grab his coffee and a few sugar packets as he requested and walk back to his office.
I knock before I enter and place the coffee mug and sugar pockets on his desk.
"I don't need any sugar." He tosses the packets aside.
I frown, confused. Didn't he ask for sugar?
"If it's alright, I'd like to take my lunch break now."
"Sure."
I give him a polite smile as I turn to leave and gather my bag from my desk to leave.
There's a café down the street on the corner I want to try so I walk the few short blocks and order a sandwich.
I'm given a number, and am told they will bring my meal to me, so I find a table in the back of the small café and sit alone. I pull out a book to read while I wait since I always have a book with me. It doesn't take long for my food to arrive so I put my book down on the table and start eating.
I look up when I see shadows in my peripheral vision and see two men sitting at the table in front of mine. I can see the front of an older gentleman with salt and pepper like hair, dressed in business attire, and the back of the other younger gentleman with copper color hair, dressed the same but slightly more expensive, not that I would know anything about designers but his suit looks like it was made specifically for him.
They begin a conversation that I'm not paying any attention to as I continue eating my lunch.
"Will there be anything else, Mr. Grey?"
My head snaps up when I hear the waitress purr his name.
Grey? Grey of GEH, Grey? GEH that is taking over SIP, Grey?
"No, thank you." The older gentleman dismisses her and she takes one last longing look at the younger of the two then sashays away, putting way too much swing in her hips.
Mr. Grey looks like I would expect a CEO to look. Sophisticated, distinguished, older gentleman, although, he has kind eyes.
I wasn't listening to their conversation before, but now I inch forward a bit to listen in, hopeful that they will discuss SIP and I will know if he plans on selling or keeping the company.
Mr. Grey chuckles, shaking his head.
"What?" The younger man snaps.
"She was just being polite, did you have to roll your eyes?"
"She was trying to get laid." He's so brusque.
Mr. Grey begins eating and soon they converse.
"What is GEH planning to do with the publishing house?" Mr. Grey asks the younger gentleman, I suspect is a GEH employee.
So it's true, GEH did buy SIP. Unless GEH bought another publishing house, but it can't be a coincidence. Can it?
"Sell it." The younger man says after he swallows his bite.
I gasp when I hear this.
"Ros convinced me to buy it since it was going under so we're going to sell it piece by piece and make a lot of money from it. I have no need for a publishing house, there's no money in it." The younger employee continues.
He must work for Mr. Grey.
Mr. Grey notices me watching them which alerts his employee and just as the younger man turns around, I quickly look down and take a big bite of my sandwich to act as if I wasn't eavesdropping, but to no surprise, the sauce from my sandwich gets all over the side of my mouth.
I put my sandwich down and quickly wipe my lip with my finger and suck on it as I reach for a napkin.
I realize I no longer hear the men talking so I peek at them through my lashes, looking like a fool with my finger still in my mouth. I am met with intense grey eyes that belong to the most beautiful man I have ever seen, a glimpse of perfection at it's finest.
I gasp but start to cough as I still had food and my finger in my mouth.
I finally take my finger out of my mouth and cover my coughing as I grab the napkin and clean my face.
I risk another glimpse of the gentlemen when I take a drink of my water, looking over the rim of the glass, and see the man glancing over his shoulder before he turns back around completely to continue his lunch and conversation with Mr. Grey.
I can feel my cheeks heat with the familiar blush as I continue my lunch.
When I'm finished eating, I quickly walk passed Mr. Grey's table even though he has already left and only his younger companion remains, but that's the reason I'm rushing. I'm so embarrassed he caught me staring and with food all over my face and my finger in my mouth.
I make it out of the café without any bodily harm or tripping over my own two feet, only to realize I forgot my book on the table so I quickly turn around and nearly crash into someone but luckily I don't.
"I'm sorry." I look up as I apologize and am met with the same grey, beautiful, intense, eyes.
There's something about the look he has, I've seen it before, and for some unknown reason, I quickly bow my head and look down in his dominating presence.
I swear I think I heard him gasp but I can't be sure since he cleared his throat immediately after he sharply inhaled.
"Look at me." He demands mildly.
Almost instinctively, I lift my head and see a spark in his eyes like he's just found a missing piece to a puzzle, and that smirk is totally swoon worthy.
I bite my lip as I get my first good look at this man. Handsome, extremely handsome, and tall, really tall, muscular, his strong jaw, his straight nose, his unruly copper hair, his grey eyes that now shine with wonder and awe. He looks like the Greek God Adonis. I'm completely taken with his beauty.
When he looks at my mouth, breaking the hold his eyes had on me, I quickly shake my head to clear it and release my lip.
What am I doing?!
"Excuse me." I try to walk around him but he holds up a book, my book, stopping me.
"Is this yours?"
"Yes, sir." I say when I see the book I forgot in his hand. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
I look at him again, but I can't hold his gaze for long.
I don't say anything more, I just turn around and walk away.
As I walk, I glance over my shoulder to see the man still standing in the middle of the sidewalk with his hands deep inside his pockets watching me like a lion would a lamb before he strikes.
Is he a Dominant?
When I return to work from lunch, I don't mention the conversation I overheard with Mr. Grey and his employee about selling SIP because I don't want to scare everyone. I just sit at my desk and begin to work.
Mr. Hyde is in a meeting, but left me a note, asking me to type and send an email to his authors.
I turn my computer on and log into my SIP email account. I'm about to create a new message when I see I have an email. I roll my eyes when I see it's from him and that he sent it to my work email address as I click to read the message.
.
To: Anastasia Steele
From: Chadwick Garrett
Subject: Tomorrow
Dear Anastasia,
Forgive this intrusion at work. I hope that it's going well.
Did you get my flowers?
I note that tomorrow is the gallery opening for your friend's show, and you did invite me to join you.
I would be more than happy to give you a ride since we are both attending, should you wish.
Let me know.
Chad Garrett
Owner of Garrett's Bar & Grill
.
We broke up, his invitation surely is voided, right? Although, it is quite a long drive and it will be late when I returned to Seattle, perhaps it's wise to go with a man since I'm alone, and I guess I did invite him. But why does he still want to come after we broke up? He said if I left that would be it.
I text José to find out when his show starts tomorrow and receive his message saying 7:30.
.
To: Chadwick Garrett
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Tomorrow.
Hello, Chad.
Yes, I received your flowers, they're lovely.
How did you get this email address?
And yes, I would appreciate a ride to José's show. It begins at 7:30.
Thank you.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
.
I don't mention he sent the roses on my second day and not my first, maybe he was nervous to send them since he said once we're done, we're done, and didn't want me to get the wrong idea. After I send the email I get back to work and start to type out the email Mr. Hyde left for me to send to the authors but I get another email alert and see it's from Chad again, responding to my message.
.
To: Anastasia Steele
From: Chadwick Garrett
Subject: Tomorrow
Anastasia,
It wasn't difficult, regarding how I got your work email. Anyone with a brain could have figured it out.
What time shall I pick you up?
Chad Garrett
Owner of Garrett's Bar & Grill
.
I roll my eyes, knowing full well he can't see me or punish me for my misdemeanor. Not everyone is computer smart.
.
To: Chadwick Garrett
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Tomorrow
I'm finished working at 5 o'clock.
I will drive home, you can pick me up there.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
.
.
To: Anastasia Steele
From: Chadwick Garrett
Subject: Tomorrow
I look forward to seeing you.
Chad Garrett
Owner of Garrett's Bar & Grill
.
He looks forward to seeing me? He didn't seem to mind me leaving Saturday morning with my sore behind and ego. I don't even understand why he's offering to accompany me to José's show. I asked him Friday when we were still together, but I'm thankful to go with someone and since Kate is still in Barbados, Chad will have to do. Maybe we can be friends or try a more tame BDSM relationship like my pen-pal FiftyShades suggested.
I continue working on the email but quickly look up when someone sits on my desk and leans toward me a little too close for comfort.
"Looking good, Ana." Mr. Hyde murmurs with dark eyes and a smirk as he rubs my shoulder with one hand.
It almost sounds like he's talking about something else, something dirty minded.
"I hope so," I say as I shrug him off discreetly, putting some of my hair that has fallen out of place behind my ear and move my chair a little further from him so he wont touch me again. "I had to correct a few grammar errors so far and I've just started."
"You're doing great. Perhaps we should celebrate with drinks."
"Oh." I frown. "I don't think that's very appropriate."
I can't date my boss! Even if he wasn't creepy. It's just... wrong.
"A few of us go out on Friday after work, perhaps you can join us?"
"Maybe." I say to pacify him and get him off my desk since we would be going with a group.
"Great." He grins as he finally gets off my desk, like I just agreed to something else entirely, and walks into his office.
I shake off the creepy feeling he gives me and get back to work.
I'm laying in bed, trying to sleep but I'm just tossing and turning because I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I know I'm not. Then I turn my head and see Kate's laptop on my bedside table and sit up. I've been messaging that person from the BDSM chat room the last couple nights, perhaps that's the reason I'm feeling like I'm forgetting something.
I grab the laptop and open it, power it on and log into the BDSM chat-room site to private message FiftyShades, wondering if he or she will be on as well.
BlushingRose: Hi.
It doesn't take Fifty long to respond.
FiftyShades: Hello.
BlushingRose: Are you always on this site?
FiftyShades: Actually, no. The first time I was on the BDSM chat site was the night we began chatting after I stumbled upon it. After we spoke, I set it up that your messages are sent to my email instead of the BDSM site incase you had anymore questions. Are you always on the BDSM site?
BlushingRose: Only to message you.
FiftyShades: Interesting.
BlushingRose: I just felt like I was forgetting something until I remembered I was talking to you the last couple nights.
FiftyShades: I see. So have you made your decision regarding the BDSM lifestyle?
BlushingRose: Um, I'm still not sure about the punishments or controlling every aspect of my life, but the um, kinky sex is great. I'd like to try it again but more tame. I'm not sure if I could find anyone willing to have just kinky BDSM sex without the hardcore punishments, but my ex emailed me today and I'm seeing him tomorrow.
FiftyShades: To reconcile?
BlushingRose: To escort me to my friend's photography show. I'm not sure why he offered to take me after we broke up though.
FiftyShades: Perhaps you can talk to him about trying a lighter version of BDSM, since you're still interested.
BlushingRose: I think I will. Thank you, Fifty.
FiftyShades: You're welcome.
I like chatting with Fifty and I'm not ready to sleep just yet so I continue.
BlushingRose: How was your day?
FiftyShades: Busy, per usual, although, interesting. Very interesting. You? How's the new job?
BlushingRose: Ugh, creepy boss, rumors of a takeover, and I still don't have a car. I've been using my roommates while she's on vacation.
FiftyShades: Why does your boss creep you out?
BlushingRose: He's just really weird. He even asked me out for drinks.
FiftyShades: Why is that weird?
BlushingRose: It's not. I wouldn't feel comfortable dating my boss even if I was attracted to him, but he's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with his mood swings. Which is funny because his name is Hyde. My first day he was pretty 'normal', yesterday he was a grouch, and today he was weird. He asked me for a coffee with sugar and when I brought him a coffee with sugar, he said he didn't need the sugar. I swear he asked for sugar. He sits to close to me or touches me and he's really mercurial. Hence, creepy.
FiftyShades: He touches you?!
Why is he getting so upset? Oh, he must think inappropriately.
BlushingRose: Just my shoulder, nothing like you're thinking. It's just uncomfortable.
FiftyShades: You need to speak with him about your boundaries and if he continues, take the issue to higher up. You shouldn't feel uncomfortable at work.
BlushingRose: Okay, I will. Thank you.
FiftyShades: You mentioned rumors of a takeover?
BlushingRose: Yes, it's going around my office that another company is going to takeover the company I work for, and the company is known for keeping companies or selling them piece by piece to the highest bidder. It's believed they are going to sell the company I work for. I just started, if the rumors are true, which I believe they are, I'll be out of a job before I even start. I guess I should start looking for another job now.
It's only rumored that GEH bought SIP, but I heard Mr. Grey and his employee talking about selling a publishing company. It can't be a coincidence.
FiftyShades: What company is taking over yours?
I don't know much about GEH or Mr. Grey because I'm not involved in the business world, but I know a few people know of Grey Enterprises and Holdings and the infamous CEO, Mr. Grey, and Fifty said he was in business so if I tell Fifty, Grey Enterprises and Holdings, he may know I'm located in Seattle, then again, GEH does take over companies all over the world so he may not now I am located in Seattle. I decide to go ahead and tell him. What harm could it do? Even if he finds out I'm from Seattle there are tons of people here and he doesn't know my real name.
BlushingRose: A company named GEH.
He doesn't reply as fast as he usually does so I wait for a response.
I wait and wait and wait with still no reply.
BlushingRose: Fifty?
He still doesn't reply.
Maybe it's really late where he is and he fell asleep?
Before I turn off the laptop, I set up a personal email account since I don't have one yet then I click the box that will send Fifty's messages to my email so I wont have to log into the BDSM chat room again, then put the laptop on my side table and lay down in bed.
I didn't even get a chance to tell Fifty I think I ran into a Dominant today.
Is it weird that I'm not thinking about seeing Chad tomorrow but about the mysterious FiftyShades?
I hope Fifty is a guy, perhaps I should ask.
When I close my eyes, I dream of grey eyes, copper just fucked hair, and designer gray suits as my FiftyShades.
A/N: I hope I didn't disappoint too much since most of you were so convinced you knew what was going on.
Those who have read my previous stories know I do FSoG with a twist. ;) This is my twist for this story.
If you want it to be more like the books, my suggestion; re-read the books.
Thanks for reading and reviewing this story.