I decided to see if Olivia wanted some company for lunch and she was more than happy to join me in a conference room. She was a very sweet girl and extremely smart and motivated. I liked her instantly.
"I moved back to Seattle after finishing Law and Pre-Law at USC. I really miss the weather," she explained. "I was an intern here, actually holding the same position before Mr. Grey and Mr. Sullivan decided to hire me full time while I'm studying for the bar exam. What about you?"
"I was born in Montesano, and lived with my step-dad for ten years after my father died when I was a baby. My mom remarried and I moved back to Washington from Georgia when I was sixteen to spend more time with him. I wanted to go to school here, so I chose Washington State and just graduated," I explained, leaving out the part about the bar shooting and the real reason I was suddenly on the Grey's radar. I also didn't want to dig up Ray's death either. "What can you tell me about Mr. Sullivan?"
She smiled. "He's a very interesting character. Scary as hell, but very good at his job, actually. He's one of the best in the country. Christian Grey, Carrick's son, actually hired him exclusively oversee all legal work for his company. Grey Enterprises Holdings actually has an interior law department, but with the number of high profile mergers they oversee, Mr. Sullivan is actually needed. Worth his weight in gold, according to the other lawyers here."
"It's interesting he outsources some of his contracts," I mused. She shrugged.
"I don't really know too much about mergers and acquisitions, so I couldn't tell you. Mr. Grey and Mr. Sullivan went to the same high school in Chicago. Both of their fathers were lawyers and they reconnected in Harvard Law before taking over one of Mr. Sullivan's father's many branch firms as one of their own. It's actually a rather sweet story," she said, finishing her salad.
I nodded and finished my sandwich, thanking her for lunch. She was a very lovely girl, and I had a sneaking suspicion she and Kate would get on fabulously.
Carrick was waiting for me and began to walk out of his office. "Let's go introduce you to Barney."
Carrick waited while I packed up my purse and I tried to figure out an appropriate way to apologize to him. "I'm sorry for the way I let my temper get out of control earlier."
Carrick started laughing as we continued to ride the elevator down to the ground floor. "Anastasia, what you said was so incredibly true and you may have just saved me millions. I don't mind how you deliver news or ideas as long as they are correct. However, that isn't really the style of my office."
I swallowed, preparing myself for the inevitable. He continued. "That's why I'm introducing you to Barney. If you want to work at damage control the way you seemed naturally inclined to, it's more his style."
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Carrick."
"Did you really think I would fire you after you saved my son's life and managed to convince people to ally with us to sue the government instead of me personally? You're valuable, Anastasia, and I think you would be much better suited to learn under Barney," Carrick said, leading me out of the law firm's building and across the street.
We strolled through the imposing, automatic doors of Grey House and I tried to stifle my awe as I took in the modern, white, and imposing interior. It screamed power and it screamed Christian.
Carrick strolled towards a long desk full of gorgeous blondes. They all sat up straighter and the one who he chose to talk to looked as though she had won the lottery. "Mr. Grey, how I help you?"
She simpered as Carrick leaned in to talk to her. I wasn't blind and I could easily admit that Carrick was a very attractive man with his salt and pepper hair and deep blue eyes. He took good care of himself, and I vaguely wondered if his fitness level was conducive to his other job. Carrick handed me a sticker and I stuck it to my blouse.
"Taylor," Carrick acknowledged, as a man with a buzzcut and black suit appeared at our sides out of nowhere.
"Mr. Grey, Miss Steele, Mr. Grey would like you both to join him for a late lunch once your business with Mr. Sullivan is concluded," Taylor said, stoically.
"I already took my lunch," I said, glancing up at Carrick.
"Join us anyway," Carrick said, as we stepped into an elevator heading for the top floor. People in the elevator were staring, obviously recognizing Taylor and Carrick. I had a distinct feeling that Taylor was Christian's close protection officer and something more.
Carrick and Taylor both waited for me to exit the elevator and I strolled into another reception area. Another blonde stood to her feet.
"Mr. Grey, Mr. Sullivan is waiting for you in conference room two. Can I get you anything to drink?" she asked. Carrick stiffened, obviously displeased that she hadn't made a move to acknowledge me.
"Anastasia?" he asked. The receptionist took one look at me and tried very hard not to sneer. It wasn't like I was wearing some cheap skirt from Walmart- this outfit was a gift from the Kavanaugh's, and knowing them, it cost an arm and a leg. I rolled my eyes at her, causing her to look shocked at my blatant lack of respect. She tried to establish herself as superior and obviously failed. I patted myself on the back, finally using one of Kate's trademark moves to establish a level of dominance among other women. I shook my head. I glanced slyly at Carrick and Taylor who were both trying to school their faces into neutral expressions. Carrick started walking to the double doors, and pulled one open for me and I strolled into the main room. Carrick's office was only partitioned by clear glass, but everywhere I looked, there were fogged glass walls. It was slightly eerie, as the light could still filter through, but it prevented any wandering eyes from seeing what was going on in each room. The views from every side of the floor were absolutely incredible.
Carrick pulled open a door with a number two painted above the sleek metal handle.
"Miss Steele, it's a pleasure," the man said, standing. He was taller than Carrick, and was much more intimidating.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan," I responded, refusing to show my intimidation.
"It's Barney, to you, Miss Steele," he said, chuckling. "May I call you Anastasia?"
I nodded and took a seat across from him. Carrick left the room.
"When I received the call from Carrick, I was very intrigued to say in the least," he said. "But before we start, I need you to sign a few non-disclosure agreements."
I nodded and skimmed through the papers and signed four separate agreements.
"Now, Anastasia, how much do you know about the Grey family business?" he asked.
"Not too much. I know you and Carrick are both high profile lawyers, that Grace is a pediatrician at Seattle Grace, Elliot is in the construction business, and Christian owns this company, focusing on mergers and acquisitions," I explained. "They also own a bar and a club."
"Astute observations. Carrick has informed me that you are trustworthy, loyal, and above all, discreet. Therefore, I feel comfortable taking you under my wing so to speak. How much do you know about The Jungle?" he asked.
"You mean the homeless encampment by the freeway?" I asked, extremely interested to see where this was going. The Jungle was the main homeless encampment in Seattle. There were constant battles within City Hall, the State, and even local residents to get it shut down that usually ended in violence and exploitation.
"Yes, Mr. Grey has been having some issues with some of the residents," he explained. "What I am about to tell you cannot be spoken of to anyone, expect for myself and Christian."
I nodded. "I just signed the NDA, Barney."
He smirked at me, his brown eyes watching me shrewdly. "Christian is from The Jungle. And the woman who took him from there is threatening to expose some very unsavory information about him. Now, Carrick said you show promise as someone who might be able to work in the unofficial department of damage control. It's not illegal, but no company wants to admit that they have people in specialized positions running clean up operations. You will in close contact with the PR, HR, and legal departments. I will be introducing you to Gwen Bailey who will be your boss."
I paused, unsure if I should ask the question that was at the front of my mind. I swallowed and asked anyway. "These clean up operations thrive in the grey area of laws, don't they?"
Barney nodded as the door opened. A petite redhead swept into the room, grinning at me. "Anastasia Steele, I have heard good things."
"Gwen Bailey?" I asked shaking her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said. "I have had many people try to work with me, but very few of them have enough talent or simple intelligence to do the job. Already you seem to show a natural talent for this line of work."
"Thank you," I said, surprised that everyone seemed to be so interested in me and some kind of latent talent they thought I had.
"Anastasia, I'll see you after you finish up lunch with Carrick and Christian," she said, leaving the room once again.
Barney turned to me again. "I'm very glad you'll be working under Christian's umbrella, Anastasia. Carrick won't be able to protect you once he loses power."
I paused. Barney seemed to know more than what he was offering by this veiled warning. "Because when Christian takes the family power, Elliot will be on a war path."
Barney raised his eyebrows. "Watch your back, Miss Steele."
I left the conference room and walked towards another reception area, with yet another blonde seated behind a desk. I bristled ready for more judgement, but I was met with a kind smile.
"Miss Steele, I've been asked to ask you to wait here," she said. "Please take a seat."
I heard a crash coming from behind more fogged glass and I looked at the receptionist in surprise. She shrugged and began making more calls. I could hear voices becoming louder and louder behind the glass.
"Anastasia?" A tall African-American woman asked. She was more intimidating than Christian and Barney combined, her eyes appraising me in one sweep. It had to have been her level of confidence that intimidated me. Her hair was cut in sleek, chic bob, and I made a mental note to get a better hair cut. "My name is Ros Bailey. Christian is a bit occupied at the moment, so Gwen and I decided to take you to lunch."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said, happy that I wouldn't have to walk into that office, where another crash altered me that there was some kind of fight going on.
Ros smiled, and we began to walk to the other side of the floor. Some of the offices and conference rooms now had clear glass, and I could have sworn they were fogged glass before.
"Weren't those rooms more private before?" I asked, gesturing to the offices and empty conference rooms.
She chuckled. "There's a button that controls the glass. You can decide if you want it fogged or clear."
"I thought I was going insane for a second," I explained, cursing my stupidity.
"At least you noticed," she said chuckling. "Let's go and find my lovely wife."
Gwen popped out of an office and grinned at me. "I hope my wife hasn't been too tough on you. Her management style is to bust anyone's balls, even people that don't work for her. Because she's a such huge fan of pussies, she tries to turn everyone into one."
I blanched, my mouth dropping open at that comment. I glanced up at Ros who threw her head back laughing and back to Gwen who was grinning at me mischievously. I was blushing furiously and I had no idea how to respond to that comment.
"Relax, Ana!" Ros said, smiling kindly at my embarrassment. "There's a reason Christian hired us."
"We keep him from becoming too arrogant, or growing a dick too large," Gwen said happily as we stepped into the elevator. "We also keep him on a leash."
"I'm surprised he let's you two dominate him like that," I said boldly. They exchanged a look and grinned.
"You have no idea," Gwen said, winking at me.
Ros and Gwen were the epitome of a power couple, and I found myself rather envious of their success and happiness. I knew that Ros was the Chief Operating Officer, basically his second in command. She apparently took on many responsibilities that an executive support officer would be in charge of, and I knew she was nearly his equal. Gwen's job wasn't really titled, but for formalities, she was a Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
"I'm a fixer. I take care of all of the problems other departments can't handle due to confidentiality issues, the sheer scale of the particular fuck up, or because they are 'incompetent fools' who aren't smart enough to think of a solution," Gwen explained to me. "Those were Christian's own words from an angry email he sent to the public relations department last speaking I'm a Senior Vice President of Human Resources, but I share that title with someone else who actually does the human resources stuff a bit more seriously. I'm essentially the third in command here, after Ros, and then of course, our favorite CEO."
"I was hired as your intern, right?" I asked, remembering the forms I signed with Barney.
"Yes, although you will report to Barney occasionally. He seems to believe I'm very good at my job, but function with little regard to development of future talent. He hopes to develop you into my equal in the next few years," she explained. "Where do you want to go, babe?"
Ros turned to me. "Do you have a request?"
I shook my head. "I ate with the other assistant back at Grey and Sullivan."
"Let's go to the cafe, then," Gwen said, leading the way.
"I realize this is all very overwhelming, but full immersion is the quickest way to learn at a company like this," Ros said. "Especially for your job responsibilities."
I nodded and followed Gwen into the cafe. We ordered and sat at table, chatting more about their experience at GEH and how the came to work at the company. I started on my second cup of tea, if could even be called that according to Ros, when the chair next to me was pulled out by an extremely well-manicured, masculine hand. I looked up and was caught up in the concerned gaze of one Christian Grey.
"Anastasia, how are you? It's been quite a day for you," he asked, sitting next to me. "How are you recovering?"
"Very well, thank you," I responded with a small smile. I felt bold. "Have you recovered from your temper tantrum this afternoon?"
His mouth popped open and I heard Ros and Gwen coughing, trying to disguise their laughter. He quirked an eyebrow, but his eyes looked incredibly dangerous. "I have, Miss Steele. Thank you for your concern."
I nodded and went back to my tea. I knew Christian respected me, and I had to keep him guessing and interested in order to really gain his full trust.
"Are you not eating?" he asked. I looked up, caught off guard by his question.
"I already ate," I said. "Not that my nutrition habits are any business of yours."
He stared me down. I wanted to look away, but I refused to let him win. "I need you keep your strength up for a job like this. Especially since you are still healing."
I rolled my eyes. "It's a desk job, Christian."
"You didn't tell her what she was getting into?" Gwen asked, surprised and a little bit angry. "Ana, we rarely work behind a desk. Most of what we do requires us to be in top physical condition and carry guns."
I raised my eyebrows. "This is the grey area of the law right? It sounds more like prostitution for a pimp."
Christian coughed. "I have been called many things, but never a pimp. This certainly takes the cake."
Ros chuckled and nodded. "Prostitution is well within the grey area of the law. You'll learn that very fast, especially when we have to clean up the messes of GEH employees. We have to get you back in time for your meeting with Welch."
I smiled. "Thank you for a wonderful lunch break."
We left the cafe, and I ignored the stares and whispers of the other patrons. It probably wasn't everyday they saw the three highest ranking people from one company, especially considering how interested the general public was when it came to the Grey family.
All three of them dropped me off in a conference room where a young man with black, square glasses was waiting.
"Miss Steele? Please have a seat. My name is Welch, just Welch. I'm here to go over the results of your background check with you," he said. I sat down, slightly nervous that the FBI hadn't changed the circumstances of Ray's death.
He started off running through my personal history, and I felt extremely relieved when he had only managed to find the false story of Ray's death.
"You're estranged from your mother, correct?" he asked.
I nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"When employees, especially those closest to Mr. Grey are estranged from family members, they usually become targets for blackmail and sometime violence. We believe it's our philosophy to keep those employees safe," he explained. "If it becomes an issue, all you will have to do is notify me, or your superior and it will be taken care of, no questions asked."
I nodded in response, feeling as though the words "take care of" meant something entirely different than a hefty pay day. Welch was Christian's go to man for everything involving security or technology. He had to know something. I made a mental note to write to Luke and mention him.
I left the conference room and headed to Gwen's office. She opened the door when I knocked, and gestured for me to sit at a small desk.
"This is your tiny intern desk that you will hardly ever use, save for emails, or times you need a place to escape," she said. Her office was light and sleek. Unlike other parts of the floor and other offices, she had three real walls and a floor to ceiling window with a spectacular view of Seattle. "If you think this office is incredible, wait until you see Mr. Grey's."
I nodded in agreement as she showed me the private bathroom she shared with Ros and how to work the fogged glass controls for the door. I noticed a gorgeous black and white photograph of Ros and Gwen, their arms around each other as they smiled at one another. It was familiar in a sense, and absolutely stunning. "Who took this photo?"
She smiled. "It was a gift form Christian for our fifth anniversary. He had it commissioned by Jose Rodriguez, an up and coming photographer."
I grinned. "Jose is actually a very close personal friend of mine."
Gwen smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "How did you two meet?"
"We were in the same drawing seminar freshman year," I explained, pleased that he had managed to do some work for such a high profile client. "May I take a picture of it in your office to send to him?"
She nodded and was busy texting someone on her phone. I quickly sent the picture to Jose, dropping the subject and hoping that the reason behind her reaction was just melancholy.
"Now we get to work, Anastasia," she said, motioning for me to sit next to her on the white leather sofa. "Christian is a silent partner in the salon chain, Esclava. There's a reason he's a silent partner, but recently, he's been having some questions about the financial reports. You and I will be meeting with the CFO, Issac Reynolds. You will be doing the talking, and I'm treating this as an exercise. He can't fire you and his job isn't really in danger, so there's no risk if you do happen to piss him off for any reason."
I thumbed through the financial statements, wondering what the miscellaneous charges were. Everything else was meticulously labeled. But I was more concerned about the charges for things like electricity and gas that were exorbitant, well over the price they should be, but charged very quickly one after the other. "Let's go."
Gwen smiled. "Follow me."
Gwen strolled into another office, ignoring the receptionist's protests about appointments, and that Mr. Reynolds was on a very important conference call. I smiled apologetically at her, as I followed my boss into the fogged glass room.
He was facing the window with his chair swiveled so his back was to us. He moaned and I gasped. Gwen's eyebrows rose.
"Shit!" he swore, frantically trying to pull up his pants. Someone pushed him back into the chair so he was seated and a blonde head slowly appeared. The woman stood, towering over him in horrendously high heels and slapped him hard across the face. Her leather top was zipped down completely, and her obviously enhanced breasts were on full display. I managed to hold back a laugh when I noticed her areolas had been surgically altered into hearts. Gwen glowered at the woman, and I was suddenly very trepidatious. The woman looked up, her anger disputing and a fake smile on her overly plump lips. Her face was completely smooth, and I had no idea how old this woman was, except she was well over her forties.
"Gwen! I'm so sorry you had to walk in on this!" she explained with false humility. She grinned at Gwen who was getting angrier and angrier by the second. "You're the perfect person to ask, actually. How do you like my new breasts?"
I instantly hated this woman, but now I was livid. "You could be in a freak show."
The blonde woman glared at me, zipped up her top, making sure her plentiful cleavage was still visible. "Dear me, someone doesn't know how to respect their superiors."
She laughed, and it was an awful nasally sound. "Someone doesn't understand respect at all."
I raised my eyebrows at her. "Gwen, why don't you go and alert security that an unwelcome visitor is on the 31st floor, harassing an employee on her very first day."
Gwen stormed out of the room, leaving me and the fuming blonde bitch. She set of every single alarm bell in my head. "I happen to have an all access pass, darling."
"Give it to me," I said, holding out my hand. She walked out from behind the desk, wearing sheer black panties. I giggled as I saw her bedazzled skin and she glared at me handing me the card. I was shocked when I saw she wasn't lying. "Please get dressed, Mrs. Lincoln."
"And if I refuse?" she asked, challenging me.
"That's fine," I said. I pulled out my phone and called Christian's personal line. "Hi Christian. I didn't realize it was part of my job description to take out the trash. I thought you thought more highly of me."
He chuckled darkly. "Is that so, Miss Steele. Well, you aren't the average intern."
I kept eye contact with Elena Lincoln as I continued laying it on thick. "I know I'm above average, but I still might need a little bit of help."
"What can I do for you Anastasia?" he asked, curiously.
"Please come into Mr. Reynold's office immediately. I have a sort of, how should I say this, gift, for you," I said, watching Elena huff and look slightly apprehensive.
The door opened and I hung up as I watched Christian's eyes sweep over the scene in front of him. "Elena."
She grinned at him and strolled towards him. Placing her hand on his chest, he looked terrified and froze. I rolled my eyes and pulled her hand off his chest and stood in front of her, my back to a very scared Christian. I was eye level with her enormous breasts and I glared at her.
"Christian, you need to do a much better job controlling your employees!" she admonished, stepping back and pulling on ridiculously tight black leather pants.
"Just like you have an all access card, I have the full backing from the CEO behind me, his HR, law, and PR department to do as I wish. And right now, I would like you to leave so I can have an important discussion with Mr. Reynolds," I said, watching her try and figure me out. "I don't quite understand what I walked in on, and I would really like to forget about it, so I'm going to be generous and give you a free pass. You see, because I have the full support of GEH to do what I please, all I have to do is hit myself on the side of the desk and run crying muttering something about assault. Your slap didn't go unnoticed, Mrs. Lincoln. It will be my word versus your's. I realize that some people might not believe me. That's fine, but since you seem to have some kind of hold over Mr. Grey here, if that were to pop up during the court case, I think they would be more inclined to side with me. And that's what would happen. Or I could cry self defense after shooting you with this gun."
I pulled up my skirt to reveal the tiny gun strapped to the inside of my thigh. I decided to continue. "Now it's pretty nasty being shot by one of these. You won't die and I don't like killing people. It would probably mean a lot of reconstructive surgery though. You see, Elena. You don't mind if I call you that, do you? I know everything. Everything about your sordid history with Mr. Grey, who you are, what you've done, what you are capable of doing. After I call the police screaming assault or self-defense, all it will take is a few whispers dropped strategically to ruin your reputation. But, as I mentioned before, I will give you a free pass this time. Use it."
She nodded and quietly left the office as Taylor opened the door. Issac Reynolds looked positively terrified. I took a deep breath and turned to Christian who regarded me with a furious expression on his face.
"Who told you about her?" he whispered, true menace slipping into his tone. For the first time, I was scared.
"I have no idea who she is," I said softly, touching his arm gently. He took a step back.
"I don't believe you," he said softly, dangerously.
Let's give a warm welcome to Elena Lincoln! Driving a wedge between Christian and Ana since day one! Thank you for all of the support and reviews- I am so encouraged by your support!
I created a Pinterest board for this story- check my profile page for details if you're interested. Also please check out my other story The Fling!
