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A/N All characters belong to EL James. I do NOT own the characters or lay claim to them.
Chapter Seven:
A week of non stop sight seeing, never a dull moment, my mind continually occupied with wonder and excitement at what treasures my new city held. Visiting places of interest such as the Frye Art Museum, and a day trip to Mt Vernon out along the I-5. An entire family day with the Rodriguez's that Mr Rodriguez insisted on paying for at Woodland Park Zoo and then a second Rodriguez family day at the Seattle Aquarium. We spent a day just wandering around Seattle, allowing me to gain my bearings and stumbled across the Seattle Underground tours, boy were we tired that night after so much walking. A day spent wandering again, checking out the Pike Place Markets after finding the address Kate had given us, my new apartment. Then late that afternoon Jose decided after a dinner of hot chips sitting on the Pier that a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel which extends nearly 40 feet beyond the end of the pier, over Elliott Bay, would be a perfect end to the day. Which it most certainly was, watching the lights of Seattle coming alive was amazing. I think our most relaxing day though was the picnic lunch Mrs Rodriguez had packed yesterday and after a drive around we found ourselves lazing on a blanket at the Olympic Sculpture Park, laying back and watching the clouds float by, making out various pictures in the clouds and laughing like lunatics, like good friends do.
In between the whirlwind sightseeing Jose and I spent time doing one of our favourite shared past-times, long, long, long coffee breaks, full of reminiscent chat down at Jose's favourite diner called Gloria's. It was run by the loudest but most efficient woman I've ever come across, the epitome of every 'diner' I'd seen on television shows, just as my mind had imagined it, slide in booths, big rounded counter, wide enough that stools were lined up and many a diner sat there, chatting away to the counter staff, some obvious regulars calling out to Jose periodically, full of friendly banter. The place was bright, had that old worn feeling but the most homiest of feels. With the constant chatter surrounding me in that American drawl, the different phrases I was catching snippets of, if I closed my eyes long enough it almost felt like I was on some movie set, the feeling was surreal. I open my eyes to Jose looking bemused, obviously realising where my thoughts were going, and more than happy to play out an old long standing joke, only it was his turn to pinch me and almost whisper, "You really are here Ana". That was enough to send both of us off laughing and back to reminiscing about our Australian adventures, time spent each weekend combing Sydney, Jose getting to see the place from a local perspective. Hours of escape and many a laugh.
It was now though, after such a hectic week, I was finally alone and it was Friday, last day of the week and my cut off day for calling Grey Enterprise Holdings to organise my company induction prior to starting. Mr Rodriguez was at work, he runs a small gardening and lawn business, with a worker calling in sick Jose has gone to help out for a few hours, promising to be back once the bulk of the work is done. Mrs Rodriguez has gone off to do some grocery shopping and run errands. The younger two Juan and Yolanda are at school. But my tourist days were now ending, Jose returning to work and the reality I must also organise myself.
The house is eerily quiet as I attempt to muster the courage to make that phone call. Get with it Ana, seriously, he is the CEO, he will not answer the phone. He wouldn't have even remembered you after striding out of the Honolulu Qantas Lounge. So, why was itI was sitting here nervous as hell, palms sweaty and sticky, my breathe catching as I remember those hands on me, those liquid grey eyes. No man, ever, has made me think twice. A legacy of hiding my whole life and avoiding contact, after fending off one too many drunken step fathers whilst my often comatose mother couldn't care for anything, let alone herself, I learnt to hide. I learnt out of sight to drunken parents was almost as good as out of mind. Breathe Ana, Breathe. I even out my breathing, reasoning I am continents away, they can't hurt me now. Then the thoughts of those eyes boring into mine return, my breathing spikes again, and hitches at each thought that overtakes, those large hands splayed out at my side, that smell, an aftershave smell almost but way too intimate for that, it was like he had a smell of his own. Whatever hold this man has taken over me I need to snap out of it, for who he is, he may as well remain a stranger. Way out of my league, in so many ways.
With the reality of comparison, wealth versus make do, a self made billionaire college drop out versus a recent graduate just starting out with so many self doubts and really no idea, a jaw dropping male specimen versus me. Enough said. I pick up the phone and call the number I have, speaking to a highly efficient, almost pompous sounding receptionist called Adriana who promptly places me on hold in a fluster to find the right person I need to speak with. Efficient to flustered in a breathe, and I thought my emotions were on a roller coaster, a giggle escapes before I regain my composure and await the 'right person' to speak with. A few moments later a second crisp and efficient voice, one that sounded older and one that sounded like nothing would fluster it, thanks me for my patience and holding the line, I am now speaking with someone called Andrea. She explains that my supervisor Amanda is currently in a meeting, it takes all I can not to giggle out loud as I wonder if it is a prerequisite all females must have a first name starting with A. I am sure though that after my research on Grey Enterprise Holdings that with 35,000 employees their first name wouldn't come into factor. I am asked of my plans for today, this throws me, I really have no plans, but with Jose at work I have no transport from the outer suburbs into the Downtown area, and am yet to navigate the public transport. I pause for a second, what do I say, the seconds tick by before I decide honesty is the best bet. Plus I am a hopeless liar, it just isn't me. After explaining myself I do not know why, but I feel the urge to tack on that when I commence work in a few weeks that transport will not be an issue as I have secured an apartment closer to town in the Pike Market District. Whoa, did I hear right or is there a second person listening to this conversation, that was an awfully large intake of breathe in the background when mentioned I am moving to the Pike Market District, am I on speaker phone, that would explain the slight echo in the line, and come to think of it I can hear what sounds like shuffling in the background. Hmm. Get a grip Steele.
In that clear, crisp phone voice Andrea asks, "Can you be ready in an hour?". I am slightly taken back, I was simply ringing to make an induction time for next week sometime, I needed time to antagonise and map out the whole arriving at GEH main building for the first time. Here I was being thrown in the deep end. What do I wear? I was planning on spending an hour people watching outside GEH in the next day or so, to gauge what to wear, to fit in, to blend in. Plus didn't I just say I had no transport to get there, let alone get there in an hour. "Um", the hesitation in my voice must have been apparent. With crystal clear authority Andrea takes control, she is obviously used to organising people. "We will have a driver pick you up in a company car, please expect a gentleman named, ah,", Andrea hesitates for one moment and there is my confirmation there is someone else there as I hear a low voice, no more than a muffle, so I am unable to make out exactly what is said, then Andrea continues back to utter efficiency, "Sawyer. Sawyer will bring you back here to Grey Enterprise Holdings where we can get your induction paperwork done, a tour of the building. We are expecting a second Foreign Intake Placement through today, so you can get this done together, plus we have a press opportunity in regards to this program later today, if you would be so kind to provide a few words to a journalist about your feelings and expectations of your placement with GEH, and maybe a photo, that would be wonderful". Did she just say photo, ground please just swallow me up right about... NOW. In the meekest voice, partly due to shock and partly knowing I have been railroaded, I mutter, "I'll be ready, thank you Andrea". Lucky my manners are that ingrained, they come automatically so I hopefully don't appear totally rude or clueless. Returning the phone to it's cradle panic sets in. Breathe Ana, Breathe. It then hits me, Andrea did not ask me for the address of where Sawyer needs to pick me up from, and I am sure I didn't tell her. I decide to get ready, and on the hour I shall ring back and explain the address misunderstanding, that will buy me some extra time.
I am showered, dressed and hopefully presentable early. I stare at the full length mirror in Yolanda's room we have been sharing. For a throw together panic dress I do not look too bad, maybe that is the trick, not to think whilst getting dressed, mental note taken. My hair tied back loosely, allowed to drape freely down my back. Minimal makeup, too much make up reminds me of my Mother, to even walk to the mailbox she requires a ton of makeup, 'you just never know who you will meet out and about Ana', I can hear that trill voice spouting her wisdom, and my tart unspoken words that forever remained silent, rattling around my head, 'yeah never know who you will pick up next, drop the last as quick as you find your next poor prospect'. Anger will do you no good Ana, get a grip. Smart dark grey skirt, falling just below the knee, light grey blouse, fitted, collar correctly turned, matching jacket to skirt, appropriate colour choice there Ana, grey. Black shoes, slight heel, nothing outlandish and trip worthy. Or then again, last trip did land you into the arms of a hot, hot man. No sensible black shoes to remain.
As I walk through to the lounge area, bending to collect my tote bag, large enough to carry my necessary paperwork and visa information, the last requested information from a lovely girl called Claire in the GEH Human Resource Department I had been dealing with, I hear a sharp rap at the front door. Glancing at the clock as I walk to the front door I realise it has been an hour since I hung up the phone. Exactly to the dot, one hour.
I open the door, warily looking out to be met by the gaze of a large, well muscled man in a crisp black suit. He gives a nod and introduces himself, "Sawyer Miss Steele, are you ready to go?". All I can do is nod in return, quickly turning to check the note I'd left the Rodriguez's was on the kitchen table visible from the front door, and double checking I was indeed ready. "Ready as I'll ever be Mr Sawyer". He chuckles which seems to lessen the severity on his face, the hard lines give way to a grin, "Lose the Mr part, just Sawyer". With that I close the front door and walk down the path, Sawyer already waiting at the large black Audi SUV, door held open for me. I slid in, ready as I'll ever be I quietly repeat to myself. Sawyer walks around the car and jumps in the drivers seat, "Any particular music you would like to listen to on your way back to GEH, just not sure what you Aussie's listen to?", Sawyer spins in his seat to ask, with a huge grin. "No, not really, your call Sawyer, I need some American culture", I return fire, with an equally big grin. I immediately warm to Sawyer, he genuinely seems like a good guy and I surprisingly feel very safe in his company. With that we are off, with Sawyer navigating the morning traffic with ease.
The line of view I have from the back seat has me staring at Sawyer's profile. It hits me after about five minutes. He is familiar, too familiar. The Aussie comment. Oh crap Ana, Breathe. It hits me, Sawyer is one of the covert black suits that was traveling with none other than Mr Christian Grey on my flight from Sydney to Seattle. I also recognise him from the plane as he wandered past our seats a few times. Oh boy, Breathe. I look away and concentrate on my hands that have taken on their own life with the jitters.
Please let me know your thoughts, next chapter the fireworks start :)
