I've started to change perspectives here a bit, switching between Christian and Ana, but I think it works. Thanks for all the kind comments so far xx
One hour. One hour I've just been sitting her at Christian Grey's command. Now I usually consider myself to be a patient person but this could be stretching it. Then there's how mad he looked. Maybe my anger will help; I'll channel it into my confidence when he finally reappears.
When they do reappear I get the chance to speak with Mr Aster before my Grey grilling. I love Mr Aster's weather reference to the song from earlier but I blush a little - I don't want anyone else to find out how we met. I almost laugh at the parting shot he gives Christian Grey. 'Hold on to this one' ... I knew that mischievous twinkle in his eye would cause me trouble. Worse still I'm not sure Grey sees the funny side. "My office, now." He commands. Shit! Confidence Steele.
When he closes the office door he walks around his desk, indicates a chair opposite and says, "Perhaps you would be so kind as to explain your relationship with Mr Aster, Ms Steele". His voice isn't raised but I can tell he is aiming for menacing and obligingly I feel menaced.
"Mr Aster and I do not have a relationship, Mr Grey. I had the good fortune to meet the gentleman this afternoon and as he seemed to have lost his bearing I escorted him back here." I respond; pleased with my tone and general forbearance.
"He left that meeting room for more than 15 minutes. What happened during that time?" he snarls.
I sit in silence. What am I supposed to say? Well Mr Grey, your client, from what I am sure was a very important meeting, stumbled across me doing my subterranean impersonation of Frank Sinatra? I don't think so. The clock is ticking so I go with a half truth, just leaving out the singing part. "Mr Aster and I discussed my experiences of working at Grey Enterprise Holdings."
"And?" he hisses across the desk.
"That was all" I say while trying to sit up straight and hold my own. God if only Kate was still here. She'd tell him that it was none of his god damn business but I guess it kind of is his business.
"So why did Aster say you were concerned about our business? And explain to me about Los Angeles and the performance you mentioned, wont you Ms Steele" Christian fumes.
I don't think I'm going to get out of this one. Downstairs I thought I'd been doing Grey a favour talking about my job here, the opportunity I was given. Now I wish I'd kept my mouth shut and launched into my version of Witchcraft. So I go with, "Private joke". It really is the best excuse I can offer and before he can say anything else I rise from my seat. "Thank you for your time Mr Grey". Why am I thanking him? I don't know.
As I reach for the handle and start opening the door Christian Grey is right behind me. He closes the door, resting his hand above me, effectively blocking my exit. He is already close and then he leans a little closer. He isn't touching me but the space is so limited I don't even think about turning round. I can smell him and feel the heat radiating off him; all of it is sexy as hell but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of intimidating me or anything else.
"I am used to getting my own way, Ms Steele" he whispers in my ear.
I am blushing scandalously; so much so that I won't even look up. When I decide to speak I pray my voice sounds even and not full of the lust I can't deny I'm feeling right now. "And I'm used to leaving a room relatively unencumbered, Mr Grey" is the best I can manage given my situation. Thankfully it works. I feel more than hear him back off and I leave without looking back.
Hours later I recount the story to Ryan and Sam over drinks at our local bar. We come here most Fridays after work and depending on the type of day it has been, some other days too. This has been the type of day that merits drinks at the bar. Needless to say they find the singing in the basement part of my story absolutely hilarious and try to make me promise to recreate the event later at the local karaoke place. I think my singing days might be behind me.
When I tell them about the mysterious yet slightly sexual I always get my way, Ms Steele warning they are both silent for a moment, I guess considering what he meant.
Then Ryan responds, "That is the most sexual sentence I have heard all year while being worryingly akin to sexual harassment. He's your boss you say?" he says as Sam begins to fan us both with an obliging flyer.
"Oh he's not just the boss. He's the CEO. He's the Grey in Grey Enterprise Holdings." I state.
"Fuck", the both respond together.
"Exactly", I say then sigh.
After we talk it all through we return to the more important matter of their impending nuptials. They have decided on a small ceremony with close family and friends only, followed by a bigger party with more guests. The ceremony really is just about them and their love. Luckily I get to attend and act as one of the witnesses. I'm so thrilled.
Ryan and Sam are far from the cheap stereotype of gay men that is sometimes prevalent in our modern society but they know my financial situation and have insisted on helping me pick out and pay for my outfit. Sometimes I think Sam knows my style better than me so I reluctantly accept. Just one day of skilfully avoiding Christian Grey and I'll have a weekend of shopping and catching up to look forward to.
Christian POV
What the fuck was that? It felt like I half threatened, half hit on her. She definitely seemed a little intimidated but I don't think she seemed bothered about the other part. Why is that the bit I'm so concerned about? I really need to find a new sub because I almost got even closer back there. In fact if innocent little Ms Steele had been wearing her hair in a pony tail or braid I'm not sure I could have stopped myself.
I need to get a grip. This isn't me. In the office I'm all business. I return to my desk and call Welch; I order him to get me a full check on her ASAP. Then I think about my next move. What happened with her and Aster? She either mesmerised him, and I think she got me a little too, or she has the business equivalent of the Midas touch. Fifteen minutes with her and he came back a changed man. The reference to Los Angeles is really bothering me. She's too low level for a corporate spy but all the same I decide to call HR. That way I can see what her current duties involve and make arrangements to keep a closer eye on Ms Steele.
When the preliminary report comes back from Welch I relax a little. It seems Ms Anastasia Rose Steele is a student at UW but she has currently suspended her studies in favour of work. Judging by her bank record that's purely for financial reasons. The HR report rings a bell; she's the student I allowed on the graduate program without earning her degree. I vaguely remember a recommendation and an impressive academic record being my justification for the unusual move. What to do with her now?
Ana POV
When I get to my desk on Friday there is a post-it note inviting me to HR. Why didn't I just tell the truth yesterday when I had the chance. Now the story will sound even more improbable and make everyone more suspicious. Crap. Yesterday I would just have looked like an idiot but today I think I'll look more like a liar. Double crap.
On the way to HR I pray that they are not firing me. What with already having to find my own place, my finances are a bit stretched. This is not good. My palms are sweaty as I approach the first desk in the HR office. From there I'm directed to the appropriate desk and I await my sentence.
"Hello Anastasia, I Maria, head of HR" says the woman offering me her hand. Oh God.
I sit silently waiting to hear the inevitable. I feel nauseous; I just want this to be over. Why oh why didn't I just answer Christian Grey with the truth when he asked me? By now I'd be over the embarrassment; instead now I'm about to be fired.
"Well Anastasia, it seems yesterday you had some involvement in the Aster deal. Is that correct?" She asks. I can only nod my head. Here it comes. "Well it seems that someone was impressed by your work, so you are being promoted as of Monday. Congratulations!" she says with a smile. Say again!
I sit there dumb struck for a few moments. Obviously Maria has a busy day ahead because despite my silent stupor she carries on regardless. First she takes my access card and makes sure I have up-to-date access to the new areas I will need. They she has me fill in the new paperwork and sign the contract for the promoted job. Finally she issues me with details of where to report Monday and outlines salary and benefit details for the new job. This is the bit I start to take notice of. First it's a very welcome salary increase, second I get a company phone that has a personal allowance attached to it and then comes the only blemish on this world of good news – my new desk is on the management floor; where, of course Christian Grey works. There goes that low profile I was hoping to keep.