Anastasia's Point of View
Packing is my least favourite thing to do, of course I can ask my maid to do the packing for me but I don't want to forget anything whilst I'm in Washington to give out diplomas to WSU graduates with Mr. Grey. I am not fond of the idea that I'm going to be beside him for a couple of hours but I can't just bail. Besides, being away from Seattle can be a good thing. I need to relax and be away from all my hectic meetings, appointments and anxiety; I mean, I'm still going to work in Washington but it's nice to work with a relaxing view.
I went outside my room for a while to look for Sawyer, only to find him sitting on the couch; I don't really mind Sawyer kind of relaxing whenever I'm home. My house is really secure and there is no chance in hell that my security will ever be compromised.
"Sawyer, get Pierre to ready the jet. We're going to Washington early" I said
"Yes, Ana" He said, stood up and walked out of the door
I need not to worry about where I am staying in Washington since I own a moderately big and comfortable home in Washington since I visit WSU regularly to check up on that scholarship grants funds every moment I'm free so, no worries.
Once I'm packed I called in Sawyer again to grab my luggage and went ahead. I was wearing a tan suede ankle boots, black leggings and a red raincoat since I want to be comfortable whilst on the plane.
Flying to Washington is uneventful, of course there will always be paparazzi since I'm on top of my games in two industries but nothing Sawyer can handle. I tend to not be snobbish to my fans as well; as long as it doesn't compromise my security and we are in a safe environment I'm down in taking photos and signing autographs.
We arrived at my lovely home in Washington; my housekeeper Vick who is ever so motherly greets me by the door. Once I went in, I grabbed my laptop; few files, phone and I went straight to my office. My office here in Washington has a lovely view of trees; I asked both my interior designer and contractor to use a giant glass a wall so that I can see the tress and all that nature shit. I swear to heaven above that once I look into that view, all the stress in my body disappears.
I called Kate to let her know that I arrived in Washington safely and she mentions that both Cosmopolitan and Vogue wants me to be their cover girl in next months issue. Of course, that being my second job, I accepted the offer and we would shoot in two weeks time.
People are baffled as to why I still choose to be a model they keep on saying, "Now that you're stable in the business industry, why still be a model?" I still choose to be a model because it was my first job. I wouldn't have Steele Corp if it weren't for my modeling career.
After the phone call I immediately started replying to other emails about work when I saw that my chief of financial officer emailed me regarding the company we've wanted to acquire for quite some time now.
To: Anastasia Steele
From: Juliet O'Hara
Subject: Acquisition of Burton Construction Company
Ms Steele,
The CEO of BCC accepted our offer and we will soon file the proper paper works in order for the acquisition to go on smoothly, it will take 2 weeks for the turn over to be complete. I assume that you will be back by then to sign the ownership and meet with the administrators and employees of BCC after the take-over.
Juliet O'Hara
Chief Financial Officer, Steele Corporations
I sighed a breath of relief. The Burton Construction Company has a great potential in excelling into the construction industry. Unfortunately, the CEO has no wife and children to pass on the legacy. He told us that one company (which he won't tell us) also wants to acquire his company so we've increased our offer just so we can acquire it. I didn't mind increasing our monetary offer just to get it because the profit that I will be getting in the future will be much more and I promised him that no deserving employees would get fired from the job.
I looked at clock and realized that I have to get ready at the graduation. I decided to wear an Alexander McQueen patchwork knit pencil dress in red. I also wore my trusty-ole Christian Louboutins peep-toe suede heels in black. I paired my outfit with a natural-esque makeup since my dress kind of pop.
We arrived at WSU and it was just as I remembered. I see anxious graduates having their photos taken with their friends and family not knowing what the working world is going to give them.
I smiled as I walk pass them only to be stopped by the school photographer asking to have my photo taken. I obliged because I know they will need that for documentation and bragging rights. I went inside the auditorium to be greeted by the Dean of the school.
We had a small talk about what the school needs in order to allow less-privileged students to get a college degree. I am really passionate about giving the youth an opportunity to have a college degree. Some kid born under a marginalized community may answer the cure for cancer but he's trapped in a world wherein he can't attain a medicine degree because they can't pay for college.
The ceremony started and when I went to my seat, guesses who is beside me the lovely and ever so kind Christian Grey (I am being sarcastic if you haven't noticed). I mentally grunted, I really don't want him to be beside me.
After the dean gave his speech, it was Grey's turn. I have to admit; I am at awe on how he values the environment. If he wasn't an ass at the ball, I will probably befriend him and talk about merging some of our companies together since we're both in the acquisition and merging industry.
Oh, it's my turn already.
"Graduates, I have 3 matters to discuss with you all.
Number 1: You may think that you can relax now because you don't have to deal with terror professors, meet deadlines and all that other crap. In the working world, you will realize that your professor in Calculus was a saint compared to your scumbag boss. I am not trying to scare you. I am here to prepare you to a world wherein everyone cannot be your friends. It is a war out there and this university was your training zone. If you hadn't trained well, you're going to die in a matter of seconds. You have to prove yourself that you deserve the job and if you don't you're out
Number 2: I hope you took the degree of your dreams. My dad always told me that if you're doing what you love then you don't have to work for a single day in your life. You want to be rich while being the CEO of your own company whilst getting to travel the world with your spouse? You may think that dream I mentioned is far-fetched but let me tell you this: if you start doing what you love, all the things that you ever wanted will come straight at you without you even noticing. I don't want you to look back into your life when you're old and regret that you didn't do this, you didn't tell that significant person that you love her and all that what ifs. Don't let that be you. Do you know the saying "A person told me that once you die, you will see the person you have been for the rest of your life and person you could have become" I don't want you to see that 'could have become' person and regret that you didn't become that person. You own your life, you direct your life. It's up to you on whether or not you make it happy and worthwhile or depressed and worthless.
Number 3: Be strong, believe in yourself; Who can lift your spirits up more than yourself. Don't let yourself be trampled on by other people. DO NOT depend on others to be successful and happy. Do not settle for anything less than you deserve because I pity you if you do."
I finished my speech and everyone in the auditorium stood up. It was a short speech in comparison with Grey and the Dean's speech. We moved on in giving the diplomas to the students. It makes me happy and giddy to see the excitement in the graduate's eyes when I hand his/her diploma Oh kid, you have no idea what's out there.
We sat down for a while to give way for the graduates to settle down and Grey tapped me on the shoulder.
"Ms. Steele, if you don't mind, after the ceremony can I talk with you for a moment" He asked. It didn't looked like he asked; it looked like he forced me to talk with him.
"Okay," I replied and he just nodded.
After the ceremony, as we agreed upon we went inside a secluded room with Sawyer and Grey's CPO waiting on the other side of the door.
"So , what is it that you want to talk about? I assume it is something important for you to have this conversation with me immediately after the ceremony" I sneered
"Why yes Ms. Steele this is something in utmost importance since it concerns you" He coaxed. What would that be?
"I am not sure what you're talking about " I replied
"Since you have been stealing my thunder in my industry why don't we make this clear shall we? I know all about your horrible childhood under the hands of Jack Hyde and it would certainly be unfortunate if the media finds out wouldn't it?" He sniggered. I stopped at my tracks. How did he know about Jack? I made sure no one will ever find out what happened to me. Okay, get your shit together Steele. Don't let him know that it's a fact.
"My, my, Mr. Grey, whoever gave you that information must be out of their mind. With money like yours you should've hired a more competent employee" I mocked. Grey grabbed my arm so hard that I know after he lets go will show a bruise.
"Let me go, Grey. Your mother doesn't teach you any manners on how to treat a woman?" I said still trying to loosen his grip on my wrist.
"I don't share what's mine Steele. Merging and acquisitions industry is mine! Go back to your petty modeling career" He fumed. I can't breathe. I can't let go. No, no, no! My vision suddenly blurred and I see Jack coming after me. NO! NO! NO!
"SAWYER, HELP ME! PLEASE! He's here. It's Jack. Ray, Mom, someone help me!" I cried. No seems to hear me. Jack is starting to touch me.
"Ana, Ana, Ana" Someone's calling me! PLEASE! HELP ME! He's trying to hurt me! Air doesn't seem to be filling my lungs. I can't breathe. H…h…help…m..me…pl…please…. and I slipped into unconsciousness.
Hi! I hoped you liked this chapter. Leave a review if you don't mind. Also, I've been loving the tv series Psych so I decided to name a few of my favourite characters in my fanfic story. Shawn Spencer will make an appearance in future chapters! AGAIN, MESSAGE ME YOUR IDEAS TO MAKE THIS FANFIC STORY BETTER. Thank you for reading. :)
