Thank you for all the great feedback. All of it has made me smile and a few of the messages have made me laugh. So grateful!
Ana POV
The weekend passes in a wedding planning and promotion celebrating blur. On Saturday morning we visit at least half the shops in Seattle looking for the perfect outfit for me, while shopping up a storm for my new elevated position. For the ceremony Sam wants me in something classic with a vintage feel but when we stop for lunch he hasn't seen anything that fits the description.
"Something classic like Audrey Hepburn's dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's but a little more daring." Sam says as he squints into the distance, presumably imagining this mythical dress. It's the daring part that slightly concerns me. How do you take a classic dress like that and give it a twist?
Over lunch I have him explain it to me again. I feel reassured as Sam described something just below the knee and unembellished. It sounds perfect... if only it existed.
"Imagine it Ana, you'd look like the classic beauty. Maybe we could just sharpen the accessories or your hair to make it more modern." Sam says as he continues to explain his vision.
So over lunch we discuss the possibilities and when I suggest maybe cutting my hair we all decide it's the perfect decision. In the afternoon we visit the remainder of Seattle's shopping boutiques and book a last minute appointment at a luxurious salon. I've always had my hair long and I feel slightly trepidations about altering my appearance but I could use the change. Sometimes I wonder if my look it too wholesome – maybe this will give me some edge.
Eventually, in what feels like the last undiscovered store on the face of the earth we find it. Of course it's vintage Chanel. We have somehow found the quintessential little black dress and I adore it. The only problem is that it's tiny; actually minuscule. I am going to have to pour myself into it, then be prepared to let everyone see every curve of my body. I make a vow right there to watch my diet and smile at the thought of wearing something so beautiful.
Christian POV
I thought about my Ms Steele problem for a long time, too long, before deciding to promote her. There is something unfamiliar, maybe unwelcome, about the way I feel when I'm near her. The smell of her when she stood trapped between me and the door; the way her breathe hitched. How she looked me in the eye when she should have been trembling at my words and aggressive tone. The way she alluded my questioning and took control by rising to leave the room.
I feel an escalating panic because I've never experienced this before. I cannot have anyone interfering with my control but I don't want to fire her without reason. Although I don't exactly have any friends I remember what the old sage advice says to do with your enemies. I arrange it all – the desk on my floor, the phone (because for some unknown reasons records indicate she doesn't have one), the salary increase; which should make it easier for her to return to her studies.
If I had a current sub I'd busy myself and push Ms Steele out of my mind. Instead I call Claude and arrange to get my ass kicked in the kickboxing ring. Maybe one of the blows I receive will knock some much needed sense into me.
Ana POV
As I travel to my new desk on Monday morning I'm slightly self conscious. I spent an eternity styling my new sleek bob – trying to get it to sit well. Although my hair has a natural wave I've gone with straight this morning. I relax when I think that none of my new colleagues will know any different; no harm done.
I'm shown to a small office not far from the reception desk but mercifully in the opposite direction from Christian Grey. I learn that later on I'm expected to attend a meeting regarding the Aster deal. I feel like my involvement may be a bit misunderstood but maybe it will be informative. Perhaps there will be the opportunity to see Mr Aster again, maybe tell him off for rattling the tiger's cage. I follow Mark, who I'm shadowing to learn the ropes, out of the office and along to the main conference room where the meeting is to take place.
The conference room with its views over Seattle is definitely a step up in the world from filing in the basement. I am distracted, staring out of the window and wondering how I got this lucky so I don't think about the vacant seat at the end of the table; nor do I notice its rightful occupant as he strides into the room. If fact the first time I'm aware of Christian Grey is when I feel his penetrating glare fixed on me. I almost shrink from his ferocious gaze. What have I done now?
There is an uncomfortable cough from someone in the room, then a questioning look from Mark before I'm saved by the diming of the lights and the beginning of a presentation about how the Aster deal will progress and what it will mean to GEH. Due to the light from the window Christian Grey's face is in darkness, I only risk a few fleeting glances but they tell me nothing. The whole time I sit there I get the strangest feeling that he is watching me; like his eyes don't leave me even for a moment.
Christian's POV
I've arranged for Ms Steel to attend our meeting this morning. When the deal is finalised and I sign the papers in New York I want to be certain of everything. 100% control. Ms Steele is about to get a master class in GEH; leaving her in no doubt as to who is in command. I wait till they are all seated before I make my way to the conference room. I'm momentarily thrown when I enter because don't see her straight away. It's only when I take my seat that I notice her opposite the window, with her back to the door.
I am transfixed. Instead of little innocent Ms Steele from the other day, a sight I already found strangely captivating, I am greeted by the new improved Anastasia Steele. At first I'm furious that she has cut her beautiful hair. Its previous long length would have been very adaptable to my needs. As I continue to stare at her I see more than someone to bend to my will; but a woman in her own right. I see her shrink almost imperceptibly from my gaze and I think I'm sorry that this is the emotion I most inspire in her.
When the lights dim I use it as an opportunity to examine her further. What is it that's drawing me to her? I see her glance my way a few times but I don't know if she is interested or just worried. I think I'll find out a little bit more about Ms Steele; directly from the source.
Ana's POV
When the meeting ends and everyone stands I make a hasty retreat from the room. As I enter my new office and sit at my desk I'm aware of someone behind me. I quickly take my seat and look up to see Mark looking back. He isn't who I expected, or at least who I think I was hoping for.
"Ana, is there something going on I should know about?" he says as he stares down at me; confusion and concern clouding his expression.
"No Mark, nothing". I say a little too quickly. Great job Steele. You've more or less admitted that something is going on. So I follow up quickly with, "I'm not sure exactly what you mean."
He says nothing but returns to his desk. I log in to my new computer and via email learn that I've to collect and sign for my phone later today. I try to distract myself, learning the ropes and getting to grips with the job that I'll be responsible for now.
At lunch I make my way to the small break room, new phone in hand. The last phone I had was like a dinosaur compared to this slim and lightweight iPhone 5. Thanks to the IT guys my phone is fully powered up and ready to go. Is there nothing GEH can't do?
My lunch consist of a tiny salad and water. I'm taking this dress mission seriously. As I eat I examine my phone and try to work out how to call or text Ryan to let him know how my day has been. I'm wondering if I should tell him about the smouldering look from Christian Grey when the man himself walks into the break room. Surely The Christian Grey doesn't get his own lunch. I'd half imagined an army of beautiful woman at his beck and call; ready to cater to his every need.
Instead of walking to the counter or the fridge or wherever he stores his lunch, he walks directly to me. He indicates the seat and says, "May I, Ms Steele."
I am astounded. What does he want? Surely he's let the Aster thing go by now. "Of course, Mr Grey" I say. I want to ask him what he wants but there doesn't seem a polite way to do that so I just wait.
"I hope you are enjoying your new position at GEH" he says and I detect the slightest smirk on him face. I can't deny it, only a fool would, he is the most attractive man I have ever seen. I blush as he speaks; his whole look is sinfully alluring. Why do I have to work for the most gorgeous man on the planet and why does that man have to dislike me so much?
"Yes, thank you." Is all I can say.
"I was wondering if you had anything to add to this morning's presentation, since you and Mr Aster seem to have discussed our ongoing business" he says as the smirk continues to play on his beautiful lips.
I sit for a moment in silence; I can see that he is messing with me. I could act like a coward and just mumble my way out of this or I could give Grey a taste of his own medicine. So I decide to go with the latter option as I say, "I don't think that I do, Mr Grey. All seemed in good order". Inside I am laughing but ever so slightly terrified; wondering how he will take my blatant cheek.
"Well Ms Steele that is good news" he replies before continuing. "I'll let you tell Mr Aster himself on Wednesday when we meet him in New York" he says with his eyes fixed on me. Then in a moment he gracefully stands and leaves the room. I sit there dumbfounded. Maybe he's playing one-upmanship but I am prepared to immediately concede defeat. New York?