A/N: OMG! I now have 102 followers to my story of which 29 have marked it as favorite. Yipee! Thank you for following/ favoring it.
My apologies to all my readers and followers for the time I took to update. Real Life took over and you know how that can be… In any case, I hope to post the next chapter shortly and cover up for the time gap.
Thank you, MidnightSteele for your help in editing. Niti, I love the way you pick all the errors I miss out.
To my readers and reviewers-
msjnx: Yes, I hate cry-babies, too. I needed a strong protagonist in my story. Glad you like my Ana
Anga Larte: The credit is shared by Ms. Pam Matthews, my FB friend.
1: Thank you. Hope I make the wait worth it.
LoveReads: Ah yes, that is something that remains to be seen, aint it. ;-)
Ella West: All 10 in a go? Really? Wow, Thank you. And thank you for acknowledging that one can get drunk on champagne. Make's me feel less of a bozo. ;-)
CMA: OTB recognizes that the written matter published on this work, with any inference to, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, belongs to the true owner being E L James and such 'fan fiction' material is considered 'not for-profit' thus, constitutes fair use, and that no copyright infringement was/is intended. Anastasia, Chrisian and Sawyer are characters hers but I have tweaked the characterizations to suit MY story. Almost all OOCs are mine and based on friends from real life, with a few exceptions of friends from FB. I have, however, changed a few names keeping their privacy in mind. They know who they are in the story. I have their permission to use them as my muse. If anyone knowing them objects... take it up with them dude.
Chapter 11.
Thank God, Jena is so thorough at her work. She is sure to have the invoice of the cell phone filed away. I'm glad mom used the phone I gifted her, even though she felt I was 'showering her with too expensive of a gift'.
"Yes Ma'am?" Jena answers on the first ring.
"Jena, I need the IMEI number of my mom's cell. It should be mentioned on the invoice. Can you give it to me immediately?"
"Ma'am, give me 2 minutes. I'll email it to you."
"Sure, Jena. Just do it as top priority."
"I understand. I'm opening the file as we speak. The number will be in you inbox in the next 2 minutes."
Sure enough, I have the IMEI number along with a picture of the invoice.
Smart thinking, Jena.
I forward the message to Christian.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Mom's IMEI number
Date: October 7 2013 15:50 EST
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey,
I'm attaching a copy of the invoice for my mom's iPhone. It has her IMEI number. I hope we can use this to find her phone. Her cell phone number is
**********.
Do call as soon as you have an update. And thank you for all your help.
Regards,
Anastasia Steele
A worried daughter and CEO, Steele Inc.
I don't know why I edited my signature line. Because you wanted him to 'realize' that you were worried. I don't think he will read that. After all, who reads signatures?
So, what are you hoping for? That he read it? Ignore it? Take the hint?
Argh! You are exasperating.
Really? Are you sure you are talking about me?
The ping on my cell breaks the inner dialogue/monologue. My heart skips a beat when I see the sender's name and subject
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Brave Girl
Date: October 7 2013 15:53 EST
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Ms. Steele,
Let me begin by assuring you, my team is working on this mission as top-most priority. Having said that, I must say I admire you holding yourself together and staying sharp and calm. I don't know any other woman who could.
I promise you, I'll be in touch as soon as I hear something from the team. You take care of yourself.
Regards,
Christian Grey
A well-resourced guy and CEO, Grey Enterprise Holdings Inc.
I have a multitude of feelings fighting inside of me. Worry that they may not succeed, a sense of assurance that someone is looking for my mom, pleasure that he edited his signature which means he read mine, a hint of joy at someone thinking I'm brave…
Hah, so you are happy at him thinking you are brave. Good. At least you are learning to be honest with yourself.
Suddenly I'm feeling foolish and bad about feeling any amount of joy while my mom is missing. What am I doing? I'm reveling in a compliment while my mom is out there with complete strangers who have no intention of taking care of her. I can't sit here on my ass and wait for a miracle. I learned long back that miracles don't happen.
Yes, we just hope they do, don't we?
Stop with your sarcasm and let me look at organizing my funds.
Don't you think Kaanshi will want to know about all this.
Oh crap! I don't want to load any more of my shit on her.
You'd want her to call you. She's your soul-sister.
It's unfair on her.
Is it? What if she didn't call you if Nita aunty were in trouble?
Then I'd hate her forever.
Fair enough. So what should you do?
I hate it when TheBitch talks sense.
I call Kaanshi on her cell. In all probability, Dr. Kaanshi Gupta will be in her lab working on one of her high-profile researches. She's a brilliant girl and I owe a lot to her. I would never have made it big if she didn't stand behind me as a rock solid pillar. I don't think she realizes the amount of strength I draw from her. The shit I have gone through in life, I wouldn't have recovered, if not for her.
"Hello Annie, how are you?"
"Hey Kaanshi. I'm fine. Are you busy?"
"What's wrong?"
God, I just told her I'm fine and she's asking me what's wrong?
That's 'coz you've known each other since your play-school days, you dummy.
"Kaanshi, I don't want you to panic, okay? I'm already working on this. I have a team of experts at my disposal and they are doing everything they can…"
"Annie, stop messing with my head and tell me what's wrong."
Rip off the Band-Aid.
"Mom's kidnapped."
Gasp!
"Kaanshi, Bob received an email that was addressed to me. They have asked for ransom."
"How much"
"$100,000,000"
"Oh! I may have a few hundred thousand stashed away. Lemme see how much more I can organize. I will be there by the end of the day. I'm guessing you are in Denver."
"No Kaanshi. Don't. I am working on the funds and I don't want you to skip on your work. I know how time-sensitive your researches are. Please, I can handle this."
"I know you are capable of handling it. I don't doubt you, Annie. I'm coming there. So stop worrying about my work and just focus on what you need to do."
"Okay, should I send the plane?"
"Babes, it'll be faster if I just hopped on a flight."
"Okay. Lemme know your schedule. Sawyer will be there to pick you. And please, don't argue with me on this."
"Fine. I'll inform you."
As soon as I disconnect and turn my head, Sawyer steps forward. "I know I need to pick Dr. Gupta, Ma'am. Don't worry. I will bring her safely to you."
"Thanks Sawyer. Can you please get me my laptop?"
I work on my laptop and begin organizing my funds. There are a few 'liquid assets' but it will take at least one working day to turn them into cash.
At around 5:00 pm, Kaanshi calls to inform me that she will be here in two hours time. I may have told her not to come, but now I just can't wait to see her. I need her.
Yes, and she knew you would, which is why she's flying in, Ms. Brave.
My phone rings again and I answer in the first ring, "Yes, Jena?"
"Ma'am, there is a delivery for you. The sender's name… it's odd. I'm uncertain what to do."
"What's the sender's name Jena?"
"Well-Wishers."
It's them. They said they would use another channel of communication.
I take a deep breath and tell Jena to accept it after having the security check it. I don't want my staff to be at any risk. "Jena, I want you to find a secured space and open it for me. Show it to me from our videoconference line."
A few minutes later, Jena video calls me. "Ma'am, the security team has checked the box. I am in the conference room and have left instructions that I'm not to be disturbed and no one is to come into this room. Would you like me to show you the sealed packet?"
"Yes, please"
She shows me a small box wrapped in brown paper with my office address printed on a regular address label. In space of sender's name, it says 'With good wishes from Well-Wishers'.
"Jena, I think we could find a few clues from the paper. Please open it very carefully and save the paper and box for me. I will let you know what is to be done with it later. Don't allow any one else to touch it and keep it safely with you. Now open it and show me what is inside."
I wait with baited breath as Jena opens the packet gently as I had instructed. Inside, there is the silicone bracelet my mom wears all the time. It has the words 'Best Mom' printed on it. I think it's the one I had bought her from my first salary. I think of how happy she was with such a mundane gift and almost break down.
They did this to break you down. There will be time for that later. Right now, you can't let them win. Calm down. You need to focus.
I pull in a deep breath and release slowly. TheBitch is right. I have to stay calm. "Jena, please check. Is there anything else inside the box?"
She pulls out a small white piece of paper and flips it. "Ma'am it says '8.45 pm'. Look…"
She brings the paper closer to the camera. I can clearly see the numbers printed out in a regular Arial font. This is hardly any help.
You don't know that. For one, it tells you they want you scared. For another, we now know that we have up to 8.45 pm to organize our funds. That also means Christian and his team have up to 8:45 pm to trace Mom.
Christian! I must tell him about this package. I disconnect my call with Jena after thanking her and dial his number. He answers on the first ring. I'm glad. I don't think I'd have the patience.
"Anastasia…"
"Christian, there is a small update for you. Those bas… the kidnappers have sent a package to my office in Seattle. It contains something that I know belongs to my mom… it's a silicone bracelet I had picked for my mom. There was also a note which said '8:45 p.m.'
"Anastasia, why did you allow anyone to open it? It could have been a bomb! Christ!"
"Christian, I'm not stupid, you know. I had my security check it. Since it's non-metallic, they probably didn't think it was bomb."
"Anastasia, I'm sorry. I know you are a smart woman. I was just worried. Also, not all bombs need have anything metallic. Though I'm glad all is well, you should consider relooking at the devices available to your team."
"Sorry Christian, I didn't mean to snap. It's just all nerves. Thanks. I will take it under advisement, though at this point, it is not something I want to focus on. I just wanted to update you."
"You said there was a note…?"
"Yes, the things were in a normal cardboard box wrapped in plain brown paper. There was the bracelet in the box and the note was at the base of the box containing the bracelet. The note was a plain white paper and 8:45 pm was printed in Arial font, on a normal printer. It could have been done anywhere. I've asked Jena to save the paper and the box. It might have some prints or tell tale signs. We can access it if required."
"I see you have already considered the options on that front. Well, at least we have some time on hand. How are you, besides worried, I mean?" he asks with so much sincerity in his voice.
"I'm as well as can be, all things given. The kidnappers' aim was to clearly have me tensed and broken down so that I couldn't think. That I can't allow. So, I'm dealing. Thank you for asking."
"Oh, you are a brave and smart woman. A rare combination."
"I thought beauty and brains was a rare combination."
"Yes, that too. Put all three in the equation and it makes you one-in-a-billion. I'm so proud I know you, Anastasia."
"Well, thank you Christian. Now, do you have any updates for me."
"I wish I could tell you something. All I can say is that they are working on it and as soon as I hear from them, I will let you know. I don't want to call them and break their thought process. I know how Welch works. Trust me, if there is any one who can track you mom, it's my team."
"Thank you, Christian. I'm certain you have the best people working for you. I cant help but worry. It's my mom out…" my voice cracks and I realize I'm losing control.
That will just not do. Take a deep breath. Breath in, breath out. In. Out. Relax. I follow her advice.
"I'm sorry Christian. Just let me know as soon as you have an update."
"Of course, Anastasia. Would you like me to fly down?"
I take a moment to ponder why he would do that and then let it pass. There are more pressing matters to be worried about. "Thanks for the offer, Christian. I have someone flying in, a very close friend. I should be fine."
I hear a pause, as if he is weighing something, or holding a thought. When the pause grows longer, "I'm sorry I took up so much of your time and distracted you from you work. I appreciate your stepping up to help me. I wont waste any more of your time, and let you get back to work."
"Anastasia, you really do need to get it into that otherwise smart brain of yours. I. Love. Spending Time. With. You. Every minute spent with you is a minute well-lived, not wasted. Never wasted. So please, feel free to call anytime. I promise to get back as soon as I have any worthwhile news."
"Thank you, Christian. Both, for those wonderful words and for your help. I look forward to your update. Bye."
Sawyer steps up close to me and says, "Ma'am. It's time for me to pick Dr. Gupta. Please promise me, you will not step out of this premise till I return with Dr. Gupta. I can only do my job well if you allow me."
"I understand Sawyer. Under the circumstances, I understand the dangers involved. Unfortunately, I can't make promises that I don't know if I can keep. If however I do step out, I will take Norma with me. You will not be held responsible for my safety.'
He takes in a deep breath and I think I saw him nod his head slightly, as if accepting that this is the best he can get from me at this time.
A/N 2: I'm a sucker for feedbacks and reviews. The fact that they help more people find my story is a small bonus to that. I love interacting with my readers. Please leave me a review. If you don't want to sign up, you can leave it as a guest too, you know. Or just PM me. Pics on pinterest.