.

"Hair Today, Gone Today"
Friday 13th May 2011 continued
Christian's POV

It's five o'clock and I make my way out to the elevator via Taylor's fluorescent pink security room. I wince as I open the door and the vivid colors hit me in the face, causing my eyeballs to hurt. No wonder the man always wears his Ray-Bans at work, this room is headache inducing.

"Taylor, why don't you repaint this place in a nice dull shade of gray, or maybe soft dove white? It will save you wearing those things," I suggest as I point to his shades.

"But I like my pink, sir. Makes me think of…" At this point, he goes quiet and I wonder what he was going to say. Maybe it reminds him of the staff apartment, his home, which is fundamentally pink. Even his office there is a dull version in a rather fetching shade of rose. I know that Mrs Jones is rather a girlie sort of woman, so maybe she has influenced his taste over the years.

I make him aware that I'm ready to leave, but my phone pings to indicate I have an incoming text message. I look down and it's from Elena. I've not contacted her since I threw her out of the office on Tuesday, but she's now wanting me to go to the salon as there is a serious issue that only I can sort out. Not sure why she wants me there, as I know she's capable of dealing with it by herself. However, if I refuse or ignore her, then she may come to the apartment later and catch me with my pants down.

Mm? Maybe that's not such a bad thing, it might shut her up for once.

I decide against that thought as Ana would never forgive me, so make my way down to the car in order to sort out whatever crap has occurred. I still have two hours before I am due at Haddock Place Corner so can get to the salon, then back home to wash my bits and dress in my ripped jeans and sponge bob square pants t-shirt before I head off to pick up my baby.

As I reach the ground floor foyer, Ros intercepts me and tells me that I am needed back upstairs. "Ros, I need to go to Esclava. Something has come up that Mrs Lincoln can't handle. Besides, didn't you hear the going home bell?"

"Shit Christian, this isn't high school. You own a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, not a frigging kindergarten. Heaven knows why you installed that damn bell."

"You know it prevents anyone working unscheduled overtime and costing me extra money. This way, there is no excuse for the extra hour here and there that some tack onto their designated hours, just because they lost track of time. Now, I suggest you go home, enjoy your weekend with Gwendoline and I'll see you first thing on Monday." She huffs and goes back upstairs, hopefully to gather her things and go home. I have to keep my eye on that one, she's one of the staff that takes advantage with these extra hours.

I am wondering what the problem is that Elena can't handle and hope it's something other than staffing issues, as I've had enough of those for one day. What with Jack being a right ass trying to defend himself in Roache's office, and squirming his way out of his dismissal by blaming Ana. He took great satisfaction in saying she had the attitude of a delinquent teenager and the ability of an ant on dope. I nearly lost it and called him a prejudice bigot. He didn't even flinch when I told him that I knew Ana very well and that she was very capable. Well she is, her deep throat is top class and I don't know anyone who can cum as often as she does. She's like a frigging freight train.

He tried to deny it when I suggested that he only wanted her gone as she didn't live up to his 'ideal assistant' with long legs, a short skirt and not a lot going on between her ears. He rebuffed this, of course, saying that they all weren't long legged, but admitted that most were as thick as a sun baked dung heap.

The traffic is light for this time of day and Taylor arrives in less than ten minutes. The car pulls up outside of the salon and I get out, hoping to only be a few minutes. But as I straighten myself out I am hit head on by a woman, who has just run out of the place in a rage and collided with me. "Argh!" This nearly knocks me flying and I can do nothing but grab her about the waist to try and steady myself from falling backwards. Then, when I look up and into her eyes, my heart stops beating.

"Fucking Hell!"

Ana's POV - Three hours Earlier

I leave SIP at around two, as I've managed to book an appointment at Esclava at three o'clock, so this gives me enough time to buy three happy meals and a zero coke from the local Mcdonalds. I'm so hungry I could eat a bison.

I wonder if they do bison burgers?

I think the excitement of this morning has made me ravenous in more ways than one. As Christian paid particular attention to my behind, my heart began to pound. My blood began to flow through my veins at an increasing rate, taking me to the brink of nearly collapsing in a heap on the floor. That wouldn't have gone down well as I probably would have fallen straight on top of, and then flattened, the man who was so desperately close to my vagi-foo-foo. His lips, his tongue, only a half inch away from my everything. I wanted him to tip the velvet and put me out of my misery, but he chose to tease me with his proximity. So close, yet so far.

I sit down on one of the benches in the market square, but squirm when I feel the wetness that has developed between my legs dampen the back of my skirt, and so creating a conductive bridge from my skin to the coldness of the stone seat. I shiver at the sensation and it magnifies the fact that I am extremely aroused. I can't have an orgasm in the middle of the market place, where everyone is enjoying their late lunch breaks. It would put them right off their food. Luckily, my mind begins to wander back to how Titty reacted when she returned to the staff room this morning.

**** Flashback

"What the fuck were you doing with Mr Beefcakes?" she says as she comes down to my level on the floor in the staff room.

"What?" I feign innocence, but the grin on my face is giving me away.

Damn you, face muscles! I really need to get Botox in my cheeks.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Don't come the innocent with me, Ana, I saw what I saw. He was on his knees… worshipping your ass!"

"I had a splinter. He was getting it out for me."

"Seriously, with his teeth‽ I noticed his behavior when he came over to you earlier and your hair stood up on end. That's a dead giveaway, girl. What's going on?"

"Okay, we're dating." Titty sits back on her heels, flabbergasted at what I have just said. "Well, you asked. What did you expect me to say? That he was a highly qualified tree surgeon and performing minor surgery on me so that I didn't die of a massive wood clot?" Actually, the wood clot bit is true, I feared for my life at that very moment.

She shakes her head and doesn't know what to say. "Hannah," I prompt, "do you honestly think it impossible that a man like Christian Grey would look twice at me?" This question hurts more than I expected it to and I feel a lump form in my throat.

"I don't know."

Thanks a lot. I thought you were my mate.

"Who knows what makes people attracted to a certain sort. Although, I have heard that some people have what's known as mapping when it comes to sexual attraction."

"Mapping?" Mm? I remember Christian mentioning a road map last weekend. I'll have to question him on this road map business and see where it takes us.

"Yes, some people form their ideal partner based on past memories, or people they knew and experiences during their younger adolescent years. For instance, if your first love had blue eyes, then they are likely to be attracted to blue eyes from then on. The map builds up over time and you end up with a 'type' that you are attracted to."

"So what you are saying is that I look like someone he once loved?" This thought fills me with dread. Am I just a replacement for a long lost love of his? Then I remember him saying that I was his dream girl that he had been waiting for all his life. So, I assume that he's not felt like this before with anyone remotely resembling me. I relax in the knowledge that I am not some replacement, new for old, looky-likey doppelgänger to compensate for an absent lover who may have died in a tragic way.

"Maybe?… So, what was he doing here?" Shit, I'm sure it's no secret. I mean, he didn't say not to say anything and Jack seemed to accept him as the boss when he thought I was for the axe. I bet that's what the editors meeting was about this morning.

"He owns SIP. He bought it this week, but you can't say anything until it's properly announced. I'm not sure it's embargoed for a period of time. He said he wanted to buy it so he could keep me safe. I can only assume from Jack, who has now been sacked."

"Sacked‽ I knew you two didn't get along but did you ask Mr Grey to fire him?"

"No, that would be taking advantage of the situation. Jack did this all by himself. He called me a stupid fucking fat bitch in front of Christian. I think he's getting his marching orders as we speak."

"Oh, we gotta see this," Titty says as she clambers to her feet. I'm sure if she was around in the French Revolution, she would have watched all the beheadings taking place. "Let's go back."

As we return to our desks, I hear raised voices in Roache's office. Shit, it's full guns a-blazing in there. "She has the attitude of a delinquent teenager and the ability of an ant on dope," Jack says trying to defend himself.

Fucking cheek, I've never taken mar-widgey-wana in my life! I have the ability, you just didn't utilize it, pal! Your fault, not mine!

"I know Miss Steele and she is very capable at what she does. I assume she was not your choice for an assistant, as she doesn't live up to your ideal with long legs, a short skirt and not lot going on between the ears."

There is some additional discussions, but to be honest I have now pushed my fingers into my ears, so that I don't hear any more, as I've had enough. Then the door suddenly opens and both Titty and I crouch down behind the monitor once more, which I find extremely painful as my chest squashes against a rather large rubber ink stamp on the desk. I panic at the thought of getting "PASSED" stamped across my cleavage fills me with dread. My dress is low cut and I know that I will end up with some sort of temporary bright red tattoo in a very conspicuous place. At least it wasn't the 'REFUSED' one.

"Do you think Jack's going today?" she whispers to me.

"Think so. I doubt he will be allowed to work his notice as he's been sacked and not resigned. I peer around the side of the monitor and see him standing there, staring at me with daggers. I then see Christian behind him and he mumbles something before Jack goes to his office to collect his belongings in a trusty storwell box, before leaving.

Christian makes his way over to me and I know he wants to kiss me goodbye, but he can't. He bends over my desk in a dominant fashion and tells me to take the afternoon off, reinforcing his wishes from earlier. I notice his eyes wander and I think he's going to say something in front of Titty, but smiles when he prizes the stamp out from between my bosoms. "I see you have passed, Miss Steele." Shit Christian, get that sexy grin off of your face.

"Erm? Have I?" Fuck, why did I say that? He's gonna say yes now, because of what happened in the staff room.

"I think so. An A+ is in order." Titty giggles beside me and I nudge her hard with my elbow.

"Ow!"

"So you okay?"

"Yes."

"You don't want that Arnica cream? I have some in the car."

"No! Christian… please." I'm so embarrassed and Titty is cracking up beside me.Bitch!

"Please what, Miss Steele?" His eyes are alive and I want to pull him down into a full on smooch. "I am only making sure my staff are in good health and not in need of anything."

Not in need? Hell, I'm in need, right now! Please go away Christian, before I combust.

"I'll see you later," he softly coos as his hand comes up and strokes a few hair strands from off of my face, as the static has come back into the room. I nod and before I can tell him to leave, he stands up straight and heads for the door.

**** End of Flashback

As I start on my third meal, I notice I have a toy inside.

How come I didn't with the other two? I'm sure I didn't accidentally eat them. Hm! I'm gonna demand a refund. That's just not fair.

I pull out the small package and it seems familiar. It's the ears that's got me intrigued and then I remember Christian's bath robe. What did he call it? Yoda? I continue to peruse the plastic bag that it came in. It's a "Star Wars, The Clone Wars, Yoda the Levitator #3." Oh, Christian is gonna love this.

I put it into my handbag and let out a near silent burp into my fist when I finish the soda so that nobody around can hear how unladylike I really am. I get up and put the trash in the bin like any good do'er would do and head off towards the salon. It's close to a quarter to the hour, so just have enough time to get there.

As I reach the door, I see the old blond haired stylist, who notices me and beckons me over. I have been coming here twice a week to have my out of control mane tamed since I arrived in Seattle, and think I am becoming part of the furniture here. "Just my hair washed and a blow job today, Elena. I have a date tonight, so wanna look my best," I announce proudly. I'm sure she would be envious if I told her who. Poor thing can't have much luck at her age and also the fact that she wears the most horrendous wig. I won't mock anyone who has a hair loss problem as it's not their fault and it must be very traumatic, but surely as a hair stylist she would at least invest in something made out of real human hair and not some artificial nylon affair, which to be honest, makes her look like Donald Trump.

"Oh, going anywhere nice?" she asks as she takes me to the sink.

"Yeah, he's taking me out on his yacht. I've never been out sailing before. I hope I don't get sick."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. I've been out on a friend's catamaran and I felt a bit woozy to begin with, but I got used to it pretty quickly."

"I hope so, as we're having dinner and the last thing I need is to start chucking up everywhere."

"Where is his yacht docked? Anywhere local?"

"I think so. He mentioned The Grace was parked at Elliott Bay Marina." I hear a gasp when she drops the shower head in the basin right next to my ear. The water must have been hot and I thank god the shower wasn't aimed at my head at the time. She stays silent for a while, as she concentrates on washing my hair.

"How do you feel about a new look, Ana? I know you prefer your long dark brown hair, but maybe a slight change in color to make it richer. Henna perhaps?"

"Oh, I don't have the cash on me." I had considered one of those more subtle henna treatments to liven it up for summer, just a warm shade to enhance the natural tones rather than the bright red ones.

"It will be on the house. You are a good customer and it will be my treat. I can trim it too if you want?" She smiles sweetly at me. She reminds me of my mom, although quite a bit older. I wonder if Elena has any kids and if so, do they work here. I look around the salon and notice that none of the girls particularly look like her and then there is Franco, who is a diamond. Dear thing, he thinks everyone believes he is Italian when we all know he has a rich southern accent.

"It does need a trim. The last cut I had was in Montesano and that was several weeks ago… Are you sure you have the time?"

"Oh sweetie, I can make the time for you. Would you indulge me on doing this as a special reveal? I want it to be a surprise unveiling, so will take you in the back to do the work. I know you like Franco to style it, so he can come in towards the end to finish you off. Then we can do an unveiling in the salon and maybe take a few snap shots."

An hour later and I have had the color treatment done and Elena is combing out my hair. I must admit that it didn't smell as I thought it would, considering it's a natural product. The stuff also was a bit stingy on my scalp, but Elena said it was because I wasn't used to the product and the sensation would lessen with usage. I am so relaxed as she combs through my hair. It's one thing my mom used to do when I was a child and I would almost fall to sleep as she preened my locks. As Elena continues to de-tangle my hair, I end up almost in a trance, but I am brought out of my reverie by the feeling of weight loss… from my head! My eyes fly open and I grab the back of my neck, hoping to feel the gathered hair, but all I now hold onto is the shortened ends.

"What have you done?" I look around and it's Franco, not Elena.

"Bella? Mrs Lincoln tolda me you want a shorta bob? Iza that nota whata you ask for?" He looks seriously worried. I peer down to his hand, which is still holding the ponytail of hair that he's cut off. It's blond!

Fucking hell, my hair is short and blond?

"Where's the mirror? WHERE'S THE FUCKING MIRROR‽" I cry out as I scramble to my feet. Franco grabs the hand mirror from the side, which they use to show the back of your head and I cry out as I am over eager with the thing and smash it against my face. I then take a good look and scream again at my reflection. It's blond, it's short, it's not me.

"Mrs Lincoln saida you want a newa look, to go lighter anda shorter. She saida you want a blunt cut bob."

"I wanted a trim and a henna treatment to liven up my dark hair! Why the fuck has she done this to me?"

At this moment, the bitch walks back into the room with a smirk on her face. Why is she frigging smiling?

"What have you done?" I growl at the woman, who is now hell-bent on laughing at me. I am almost in tears at the fact that my hair has been chopped off and over three years growth has gone.

"Oh, don't you like it? I know I said a trim but thought this suited you better. Makes you look slimmer." Franco is standing there, gaping at Elena and what she has just said.

"Fucking like it‽ A trim is an inch or maybe two at this length, not a foot and a half! And it's blond! You can't tell me this is a shade or two different using henna. You did this on purpose! Why‽" I don't get an answer and she continues to laugh at me. She sounds like a demented hyena on heat and Franco doesn't know where to look, but down at the floor. At least he has the decency to look remorseful like a disobedient dog who's just been caught shitting in the middle of the living room. You know, that doey eyed expression they have as they bend their heads slightly down and peer up at you for forgiveness.

"Well?"

"If you don't know, sweetie? Then I suggest you ask your date… You know, the one with the yacht."

"What's that supposed to mean? What the fuck has he got to do with this?" I spit back as I hold up my rat's tails.

She remains silent, well silent except for her cackling. I can't stay here watching this witch with a capital B continue to ridicule me. I know that the dye can be rectified, but not the length… Not unless I have extensions, and to be honest, I don't want those as you can't run your fingers through those properly and they can cause hair loss.

I run through the salon and out of the door and straight into the arms of the Mr Christian Grey.

"Argh!" He cries out as my body crashes against him, but his arms wrap around me so that he doesn't fall back as his toes are precariously on the edge of the curbstone. He's not realized it's me, not until I look up at him through my bleary eyeballs.

"Fucking hell!" Is all he says. He stares at me, eyes wide and I think he's stop breathing.