Chapter 2: New beginnings.
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
Mahatma Gandhi
I was stuck in my head to the point where I didn't even notice I had already entered the business district, no longer was I walking past mothers and fathers dropping their kids off to day care, but I was walking amongst business people dressed in pant suits or suits in general. I felt oddly out of place in my summer dress. Blue with white polka dots, I smirk as I remember Ella's dress sense, it seems she really does take after me in some ways.
I seemed to venture back into my mind for a little too long, because before I knew it I ran straight into someone, I almost expected to fall flat on my behind on the sidewalk. However, that never happened, I felt strong fingers grasping my forearms, I looked up from the pale blue shirt in front of me.. I was met with wide grey eyes surrounded by copper hair.
"Shit, I'm sorry!" I gasp out, as I look up into those cold grey eyes, he looks utterly bewildered.
"Don't apologise..." He manages to mutter out. I look down at where his hands are still holding onto my arms, as if my look electrocuted his body he retracts his hands. "Uh. Good bye." He mutters and scurries off into the building we're standing out the front of, his what I could only assume are body guards follow him inside. Shit, he must be pretty important. I look up at the buildings name in front of me.
Grey Industries stares at me, I smirk at the thought I might run into the grey eyed beauty again. Although hopefully manage to not swear at the man. I walk into the lobby and head directly into the café on the left side of the foyer. I order a cappuccino and a small cake and sit facing towards the lobby, getting my laptop out I begin to write my term essay due in only a couple of weeks.
I was in the zone as I was tapping away at the keys on my laptop, I wasn't even looking up at this stage completely oblivious to everything going on around me. I heard a cough from behind my laptop, I stopped tapping away for a moment to look up and see a large man in front of me, he looked oddly familiar but I couldn't say from where.
"Hello." I cock my head to the side as I regard him.
"Hello. Are you able to come with me please?" He doesn't smile, his facial expression doesn't change in the slightest.
"Why?" I raise my eyebrows as I regard him, he must be security.
"Because you've been in this coffee shop since Mr Grey arrived, and you haven't left. You don't seem to have business in the building and we don't know who you are. So if you would be so kind Miss, please follow me." He stands in a no-nonsense fashion, rather than arguing I gather my things and stand as well to follow Mr Security. He leads me towards the elevator, he presses the button and we wait in silence. Once it arrives we spend more time in a closed elevator not talking, we seem to be heading to the top of the building though. I wonder who Mr Grey is.
I scan over my memories of conversations I've had with Kate in the past about who Mr Grey might be, but nothing comes to mind. I imagine him being in his 40's with balding or receding hair line, I stifle a chuckle. I doubt Mr Security would appreciate me laughing about his boss, although the idea remotely humours me. The elevator opens to a large reception area with a single desk at the end that's manned by a skinny blonde, she doesn't smile as we enter. I almost feel like sticking my tongue out at her as we passed towards the large doors on the left. Mr Security opens the door and ushers me in the room, his body language screams don't argue with me. I oblige and head in the room tripping over my own two feet, once again today I feel two strong arms on my forearms keeping me steady.
I look up into grey eyes for the second time today, although this time the eyes are not filled with questions and curiosities but rather are hard and cold but mostly guarded. "Miss, we meet again." There's no humour in his voice, he sounds like he's just stating a fact.
"Yes, I guess so. The only thing is I'm not sure why we're meeting for the second time today." I raise an eyebrow as I look up at him, noticing his hands are still locked around my arms. "Also can you please release your grip on me?" I look down at his hands then back up to him. He lets my arms ago but his eyes remain distant to me.
"Please, sit." He ventures towards the couch in the huge office we're in. I follow him towards them and sit in the chair opposite him. We both end up staring each other down, it reminded me of the time Ella refused to eat her vegetables and we ended up in a similar situation, I nearly smirk at the memory but the cold steel of this strangers eyes still me. "What is your name? If you don't mind me asking."
"My name is Anastasia Steele, what is yours?" I raise my eyebrow at him. A challenge of sorts, no matter how good-looking you may be stranger, you're never going to outwit a mumma.
"You don't know?" The cold steel in his eyes turning to confusion. Why would I know who he is? I mean sure this office is huge but I'm sure there's plenty more like it in Seattle?
"Should I?" Tension between us is beginning to grow.
"Hmm. My name is Christian Grey, Miss Steele. I own this building, in fact this company." Confusion turns to cocky. I feel a fire burning through my stomach, what a cocky jerk, who cares if he owns the building that doesn't mean everyone needs to know who he is.
"Okay, so you're the owner of a building where I'm writing a term paper and having coffee? Please explain why you've summoned me your royal highness?"
"Royal highness?" His lips twitch slightly upwards, a small smirk gracing his lips... Careful Steele. You're in a showdown with a complete stranger. Don't worry about the lips and worry about the why you're here. "Regardless Miss Steele, we needed to ensure you weren't a threat to the building. However, I can see that's not the case. If you'll please excuse me." He stands suddenly, even though he's excusing himself I can tell I've been requested to leave abruptly.
"Of course your royal highness." I curtsey mockingly to him and turn to leave without a second glance or thought behind me. What a royal cocky jerk. My inner goddess wants to scream at him, however with my head held high and my hips swinging slightly I leave. I pull my phone out of my bag when I'm standing at the elevator waiting to go downstairs when I notice it's 2:30, shit I've got to pick up Eleanora.
I hear the door from Grey's office open up, and I instantly want to press the button 50 more times in hope that speeds the damn thing up. "Miss Steele, a word please?" I want to groan the man standing behind me, yet I know if I refuse to turn around I'll be acting like Ella on a bad day.
I slowly spin to face him, taking in his good looks for the first time properly, he's tall with broad shoulders, piercing grey eyes, gorgeous copper sex hair and his body is all lean but muscular, definitely someone I could look at for a long time coming. Damn it Steele, get your head out of the gutter! "What is it?" I say rather rudely, I can see his face twitch with annoyance. Good. He stops dead in his tracks, unsure of how to continue. Doesn't strike me as the type to be uncertain.
"Miss Steele... Please feel free to visit again, just don't trip on your way out." He smirks and walks back into his office, I glare at his back. God damn you Grey, god damn your good looks and stupid boy-ish charm.
The elevator finally dings open and I clamber inside, pressing the ground floor button. Thank god Mr Security is not in the room, I think I'd die of embarrassment if he had to witness me unravelling at the seams. I lean against the wall of the elevator waiting for the ground to swallow me up. The doors ping open and I shoot out of the building quicker than I've ever done before. It didn't take to long until I was in front of Ella's day care centre, the minute the door was open I saw my blonde haired angel running towards me at full point.
"MUMMA!" She giggles with joy and excitement.
"Ella baby!" I pull her into my arms and we both giggle. A daily routine. "Come baby lets go home."
"Bakery first mumma!" She pouts.
"Of course Ella, bakery then home I promise." I put her down on the floor and we hold hands as we walk out the building. Although today was confusing and full of different and unique experiences I'm glad I've got my baby to hold my world together so I don't become unravelled. Although, I wonder what Kate would have to say about my impromptu meeting with Mr Grey... Alas that waits to be seen.