Chapter 29
APOV
Christian said once word gets out about our engagement gets out things are going to go a little crazy so he's assigned someone from his security to be my CPO. His name is Sawyer. He seems nice, but stoic - like Taylor. It's like they are from the same mold.
We haven't been together long and I'm nervous that when word gets out people will assume I'm pregnant or a gold digger, or both. I'm not sure if I am ready to be under public scrutiny just yet. I told Christian I wouldn't wear the engagement ring in public until a formal announcement has been made. I don't think he was too happy but he understood.
We were talking last night and he wants to get married in a month. I don't even know if that's possible. I don't even know who I would invite. I'm not much of a party planner; that was always Kate's area of expertise. Luckily, Mia is very excited so I hope she will help me with all this stuff. I just want something simple with our family and close friends but I don't know if that will be possible. I only have my mom and Ray as my family so my guest list will be short. Thinking about that makes me sad. I always wished I had a bigger family. Being an only child was incredibly lonely at times. But I suppose now I will have a larger family.
It's about two in the afternoon and I am sitting at my desk daydreaming. Hannah, my assistant knocks on the door to my office.
"Hey, Ana. Are you OK? You seem a little off today."
I'm a little surprised she noticed, I didn't think I was acting any differently. "Oh, I'm fine. We had guests last night so I didn't get much sleep. Thanks for asking, though."
"Would you like me to get you a latte?" I have never had an assistant but I will say it 's pretty nice.
"Oh, sure. Thank you. Boyce Fox, one of our new authors, should be coming in about a half hour for a meeting. Can you make sure the small conference room is available?"
"Consider it done. I'll be right back with that latte."
I'm in the conference room with Boyce. I've met him a couple times before but never for a one-on-one meeting. I sit down on the one side of the table. It's a smaller conference room so the table is round and can seat about eight people. I'm a little put back when he sits right next to me. Maybe it's so we won't have to reach across the table. But, as the meeting goes on I'm beginning to notice he is getting closer to me and his eyes linger a little longer than necessary.
I try to wrap things up with Boyce. "So, we should have the edits for the manuscript for you next week. We can have a meeting to review them then. Why don't you check with Hannah about my schedule?"
"Ana, we could always do the meeting outside of work. Say, at dinner?" Now I don't know what to do or how to react. I've never had this happen before. I don't want to jeopardize the working relationship but I can't lead him on in any way.
I start to blush, "Oh, I don't think my boyfriend would like that." His smile fades a little bit once I say that.
He gives me a charming smile, "I'll schedule a time with Hannah. So, Miss Steele, I will see you next week."
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Fox."
Crisis averted, thankfully.
CPOV
Ana said she wouldn't wear the engagement ring in public until a formal announcement is made. So, I will take care of that right away.
"Andrea, please get Sharon DeLosantos from Public Relations on the line for me."
"Yes, Mr. Grey. Right away."
"Hi, Sharon. I need you to put out a press release. I will email you what I would like it to say. Please contact me if you have any questions. I would like this to go out to all media ASAP."
"Yes, Sir. I will get that ready for your approval shortly."
Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings headquartered in Seattle, Washington has announced his engagement to Anastasia Steele of Montesano, Washington. The couple met when Steele (21) interviewed Grey (27) for a special edition of her college newspaper.
A date and wedding details for the happy couple will be decided at a later time. They thank you for your respect of their privacy during this most happy time in their life.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings
I need to contact Taylor and have him prepared for the increased need for security both at Grey House and at Escala. I also want to make sure Anastasia has a safer car. I don't trust that Volkswagen she has.
Sharon sends me the draft of the press release for approval and I tell her to send it out. About fifteen minutes later I get a call from Mia.
"Christian! All the news outlets and TMZ have reported on your engagement. Isn't that exciting?"
"Not really, Mia. How did you hear about it so quickly?"
"I have a Google alert set up. I bet they are going to go crazy trying to get a picture of you and Ana."
"I bet they are. But they won't get one; I've had extra security setup for Anastasia."
"Oh, Christian. You're such a wet blanket sometimes. You should be flaunting your hot fiancee and having fun. They are going to report on you anyway." Mia gives me her best whiny pout - she's perfected it even over the phone.
"Listen, Mia. I have to go. I will talk to you later."
"Wait! Christian, Mom wanted me to tell you she is having a 4th of July party and wants you and Ana to come."
I roll my eyes. When I was single, I wasn't expected to attend these things. Why has it changed now that I have a girlfriend - fiancée? "Yes, Mia. You can tell Mom we will be there."
"Yay! That should be so fun and the fireworks this year are going to be amazing!"
I hang up with Mia and decide I should warn Ana about the tornado of Mia.
To: asteele
From: cgrey
RE: A Warning
Dear Anastasia,
I thought I should warn you that the media have picked up on the press release regarding our engagement. Mia called me and saw it. There may be more of a paparazzi presence outside of SIP this evening so I will pick you up. I can have Taylor pick up your car.
Also, I have been informed my mother is having a 4th of July party and our presence has been requested.
Laters.
Christian Grey
CEO & Smitten Fiance, Grey Enterprises Holdings
To: cgrey
From: asteele
RE: Warning is Heeded
Dear Mr. Grey,
An excited Katherine Kavanagh also contacted me regarding the announcement. Now it's too late for you to back out. :-)
A 4th of July party sounds fun.
Laters.
Your fiancée.
Anastasia Steele
Editor, Seattle Independent Publishing
When I leave Grey House for the day, it's obvious that the circus has begun. There are no less than twenty paparazzi waiting outside for pictures and asking me questions. I hope they haven't figured out where Ana works yet. I don't think she will be prepared for this.
I get into the back of the SUV. "Taylor, I would like to go inside SIP to pick Ana up. If there are any paps outside, she won't be prepared."
"Sir, would you like me to go to the delivery entrance?"
"Let's see how it looks before we decide. I don't want to make her unnecessarily nervous." We pull up to SIP and there are even more paparazzi waiting out front. So, word about who Ana is has gotten out. We'll have to get Sawyer on the detail starting tomorrow.
I get out of the SUV. "Taylor, wait here with the car running in case we need to make a quick getaway."
"Yes, Sir."
I power through the paps asking me all kinds of questions. Some of them are really stupid like, "Are you in love?" or "Is Ana your beard?". The questions they ask just get dumber and dumber.
I come through the doors just as Ana is entering the lobby. "Christian, hi."
I walk up and give her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, baby. The paparazzi have figured out where you work so I thought I would come and pick you up since you don't have Sawyer yet. So, are you ready, soon to be Mrs. Grey?"
She immediately looks nervous and her eyes get really big. "Do I look OK? I didn't think my picture would get taken."
I smile. Sometimes her innocence and naivety are endearing and sweet. "Ana, you look stunningly beautiful."
"And you are complimentary. I guess we should go and face the firing squad. I'm starving and want to get home."
I take my arm and wrap it around her shoulders to shield her from the chaos. Even though it is still sunny out there are so many camera flashes that it is hard to see. I open the back door of the car to let Ana in and close it behind her essentially blocking the view of prying cameras. I guess we should get ready for this. Now that I am engaged I am suddenly exponentially more interesting.
