As the elevator sailed silently down from the 25th floor to the lobby Anastasia felt a sense of relief wash over her. A few of the other interns were in the elevator with her, talking excitedly about the events of the day and the prospect of one of them being given a coveted role at Grey Holdings Limited after graduation. Ana could not bring herself to share in their excitement - her day had been god damn confusing in contrast. As Ana made her way out of the building and began the short walk to where her car was parked in a nearby residential street, she once again tried to make sense of Christian's behaviour, as well as the reaction it evoked in her.
'Let's just say I have a few more ways of teaching somebody a lesson than simply a few stern words.'
His words echoed in her head for what seemed like the thousandth time that day. What did that even mean? She thought again to herself as she slid into the driver's seat of her aging but well-loved Volkswagen. Perhaps he would report her to the college on some kind of libelous allegation? No, surely not. That would be ridiculous. She almost wished she had asked him for some clarification when he had made the threat...oh the message was clear enough - this was not a man to be messed with, she knew that much. Perhaps he was just trying to scare her. Yes, that's what it was, she decided. He obviously got some sort of kick out of making idle threats to young girls who didn't know any better. She didn't want to acknowledge that she too got a kick out of being on the receiving end of it. She vowed next time, should there be a next time, she would do as her Stepfather had always taught her and stand up for herself!
As it turned out, Anastasia would have to wait quite some time to test this new resolve as Christian Grey did not make an appearance for almost two weeks. As each day passed she found that, to her surprise, she actually began to enjoy her time at Grey Holdings Limited. Seeing business principles applied in practice was fascinating to Anastasia in a way that she had never previously found during her business classes at college. She had a sharp mind and enjoyed the problem solving exercises they were given as interns. Even enthusiastic David and the other interns seemed a lot more bearable to her now. On the fifth day of the internship she had been paired with him for a group task and was delighted when collectively they had come up with the correct answer before any of the other pairs. Although a small part of her longed to set eyes on Christian again, she could not help but feel relieved that she could walk in the doors in the morning without the gnawing trepidation that had plagued her on the first few days.
It was perhaps this letting down of her guard that was responsible for her next encounter with Mr Grey being just as troublesome as the previous ones.
Her second Friday at GHL and her tenth day in total there started much the same as any other. It was 07:55 when she pulled into the drive through at Starbucks to order her usual Skinny Hazelnut Latte, a process that usually took no more than five minutes. She began to feel slightly edgy when at 08:05 her car still hadn't moved in the line and, what's more, she had no way of reversing out due to the vehicle waiting behind her. She craned her head out of the car window to try and see what was causing the delay, but could see nothing. At 08:15 she resigned herself to the fact that she was not going to make it to the offices by 08:30 and wondered idly if she should try and contact Diane, a Senior Executive at GHL who had been working with them that week, to let her know. As she was about to get her phone from her bag, the cars in front of her began to move and before she knew it she was at the window collecting her order. Phew. If she drove quickly she would be no more than ten minutes late.
Ana took one last look at her watch as she stood in the elevator going up to the 25th floor. 08:45 - not too bad, all things considered. She had been early or at the very least on time every other day, she consoled herself as the elevator doors opened.
It took all of her strength not to let the coffee slip from her hand onto the marble floor as she found herself looking directly into the eyes of Mr Christian Grey.
Fuck! Why did he have to be here? Why now, why today of all days?
'Well, well, well. This seems to be a recurring theme with you, Miss Steele.' He purred.
'And what theme would that be, Mr Grey?' She replied. She was determined not to crack under his cold stare. I haven't done anything wrong, she told herself. There were circumstances I couldn't help. I'll apologise for being late, but that's it.
Christian could not hide his amusement at her retort. Feeling brave today, was she?
'Perhaps you'd like to discuss it in my office, Miss Steele?'
She looked up at him but his face betrayed nothing. Keep strong Ana, she told herself, don't let him intimidate you.
'Fine.' She said quietly, waiting for him to lead the way.
He smirked at her as he plucked the coffee cup from her hand, raised it to his lips and drank from it, his eyes never leaving hers.
'Hazelnut, Anastasia. Nice choice.' He handed the cup back to her and left her standing speechless as he turned and strode towards his office.
Whaaaat? Why the hell had he done that?
Ana nervously closed the door to his office behind her and sat opposite him in the same chair she'd sat in on her very first day.
'Would you like to explain to me why you think it is acceptable to arrive fifteen minutes late when everybody else has managed to arrive on time?' He looked relaxed as he looked over his desk her. She was positive he was enjoying making her feel uncomfortable.
'With all due respect, Mr Grey, this is the first time I have been late since I started here and I can assure you I didn't do it on purpose. I'm very sorry I'm late and that I seem to have held up your day, although why you'd be waiting around for me I just don't know!' The more she went on the bolder she seemed to become.
'Sometimes, things happen that you just can't help and this morning was one of those times. There are some things you just can't control, Mr Grey!'
A slience hung in the air between them before it was broken by Christian laughing out loud.
Why the hell was he laughing?
'Why, Anastasia, that what quite a little speech for such a little girl. But you're wrong, you know. I find I can exercise control over most things.' A smile played on his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes.
'But not me,' she heard herself say.
'Is that a challenge, Miss Steele?'
Her face began to heat up and there was no denying the burning desire she felt when he spoke those six little words.
His voice interrupted the quiet that had fallen between them.
'Do you have plans this Saturday night, Anastasia?'
