CHAPTER 54
Thursday
When Andrea arrived down in the huge atrium it was packed. Not only were the press filing into the room, but workers from GEH, Grey Construction and Grey Publishing were also congregating. There wouldn't be space for them in the press briefing room that Melanie had set up. Above her, the vast glass fronts of the three office blocks were reflecting the morning sun, throwing out silver beams of light as pane after pane displayed a silver foil heart. It brought a lump to her throat. Had Christian Grey noticed them? Did he know what they were for? Susannah McDowell approached her.
"I came to say well done," she said. "Taking down King and expressing public support for Christian Grey was a brave thing to do."
"I don't think so," said Andrea. "King's an asshole and as for Mr Grey, I've worked for him for well over ten years and I've yet to find a flaw. Uh, no," she added. "Correction. His taste in board shorts a few summers ago. That was hideous," she shuddered
Susannah came closer. "So this book, 'White Tower'? Is this the same one that's been circulating?"
"You haven't read it?" Andrea was surprised.
"I spend my evenings reading contracts and reports. I don't have the time to read for pleasure. But, I was intrigued by the weather presenter's reaction. She linked the character to Christian?" Susannah's countenance turned serious. "I'm aware that he's been writing about his experience; but I was told, by Ana herself, that it wouldn't be out for some time because she needed to do more work on it. It was too honest, apparently. Your comment leads me to think that it's been released and they don't know. Andrea, did you…"
"No! It was not me!" she hissed.
"So it's out, then?"
Under the force of Susannah's stare the world seemed to cease turning.
"Yes," Andrea admitted and Susannah's eyes closed as her face displayed pain.
"Oh God. I'd better tell them," said Susannah, glancing at her watch "There isn't much time. Certainly not enough to allow them to calm down before this thing starts." the lawyer cast her eyes to the heavens seeking help, noticing the hearts glittering on every window. "Oh my…"
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Silver hearts." She was stunned. "Like you asked them to."
"Gray hearts. And it's not just us, Susannah. It's across the city."
Susannah looked at Andrea, her eyes wide.
"Across the city?"
"When you get back to your office look out the window. There is so much support for him." Andrea started. "That's it!"
"What?"
"That's how we tell him. Well, we don't tell him we just…" She ran towards the conference room.
"Andrea?" Susannah called, but to no avail.
Andrea was on a mission.
xXXx
She found the Grey family clustered around Grace trying to block her escape on every side.
"Mom," said Mia. "Can we fight one battle at a time, please, without you deciding to invade Canada to flush Elena Lincoln out? The press conference is about to start. Christian needs to get in there and you need to be right behind him. Preferably not with a face that looks like you're going to murder someone."
"I am not going to murder anyone," said Grace, placing her hand on her daughter's arm. The family relaxed and Christian took a step towards the press room.
"Right, let's get…"
"Doesn't mean that I won't bitch slap her around Seattle."
"Mom!" said Christian, "that's not helpful." Behind Grace, Ana was biting back a smile.
"Mr Grey?" Andrea intervened.
"Is it important, Andrea? I'm a little busy right now."
"Very. But it'll just take a moment. Mrs Grey, could I borrow you too, please?"
Ana and Christian followed her out to the middle of the atrium.
"Turn around," she said.
Christian peered at her. "Why?"
"Because you won't see them if you don't."
With faces reflecting their view that Andrea had probably lost it and they should humour her, the couple turned around. Andrea went to stand in front of them.
"Mr Grey, I just want to tell you that whatever happens during the press conference, this is how the people who work in this building feel about you. Look up."
Ana and Christian looked up at the bank of windows.
"Silver hearts?" asked Ana looking back to Andrea for clarification.
"Gray hearts. Like the women's necklaces. It's an expression of support for him."
Christian continued to look up. He was silent and unresponsive. Ana took hold of his hand but addressed her comments to Andrea.
"What do you mean, whatever happens? Christian's just making a statement and taking some questions."
"Yes, I know, but…" she thought quickly. "You don't know what those questions will be. We just want you to know that whatever they ask, you'll have our full support."
What Andrea was expecting and what transpired were two different things. Instead of gratitude, her boss's face grew darker and he turned to her with a closed down look that she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Your full support? Sorry to rain on your parade, Andrea, but I don't need it. You have no idea what any of this is truly about and if you did, then… " He stopped abruptly, tugged Ana away and stalked off towards the press room.
Andrea watched him go, joy leaking from her like air from a punctured balloon.
"That's where you're wrong, Mr Grey," she murmured, well out of earshot, wrapping her arms around herself for comfort. "We know more about you than you think."
