It's a long shift at Clayton's and honestly, it's getting harder to focus at all, even with restocking to distract me from the day.
I've been working here since I was about fifteen back when my parents wanted me to get a job but now, I'm just ready to go home. The owners treat me well—except that Paul won't stop flirting with me even when I tell him I'm not interested—and the pay is nice but for the most part, I'm just ready for something else. I always wanted to be a writer like my idol, Erika L James ever since I was little but for now, I'm too busy stocking up and helping with DIY's to even write a page, let alone a whole paragraph. My life is good and I am grateful but for the sake of humanity, I'm ready for something new.
"Hey, Ana," Paul asks and I suddenly realize that he's standing right behind me. Shit, how long has he been standing there?
"Sorry, Paul, what's up?", I ask, hoping I sound normal.
"I just wanted to let you know that some guy is coming in later for some supplies and I got some errands to run, so could you take care of things for me until I get back?"
"Sure. What's his name?"
"Some hotshot billionaire named Christian Grey." Holy fuck.
"As in Seattle's most eligible bachelor and entrepreneur, Christian Grey?", I ask as I lean my arm against the wall and stare at Paul in disbelief.
"Yeah, that one. Apparently he's doing some remodeling and without him, we wouldn't still be in business. So play nice, okay?"
"I'm not guaranteeing anything but sure, I can try. As long as he stays out of my way, we should get along just fine."
"Good, thanks Ana. I'll be back as soon as I can," he winks and I roll my eyes after watching him head out the door and leaves me on my own. Christian Grey; it just had to be Christian Grey.
Honestly, I've never met the guy apart from some interviews on TV and what I read in a magazine but either way, I never had a desire to meet him. He "fixes up" any rundown building or fading company that he sees and after that, takes all the credit and profits for himself. He thinks he can just buy any store he sets his sights on and then act like he's in charge of it? And all because he's rich? God, if it was up to me, I would avoid this guy at all costs.
Just do it for Paul, Ana. He's never let you down before.
I sigh deeply and deep down, I know it's the truth. Paul might need to retain some boundaries every once in a while but for the most part, he's a good guy and one that I can look up to whenever I need some help. If there was ever a moment I could pay him back, maybe handling Christian Grey could be my opportunity to make it happen. Really, how bad could he be?
Just then, I hear the front door bell ring and turn around just as my jaw drops to the floor. Right by the door is probably the most gorgeous man I've ever seen in my life, wearing an expensive suit and talking on the phone as another, much older, man follows him inside and starts scanning around the store.
Holy cow, it's Mr. Grey.
Gathering my equilibrium, I straighten my uniform, pull my hair in a ponytail and after taking a deep breath, walk over to the men.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen. May I help you with anything?", I inquire as politely as I can manage.
"Christian Grey. I have an order in the back," he answers coldly and suddenly I feel a little uncomfortable in his presence.
"Is that it?", I ask, hoping I sound normal.
"I would think so. I'm kind of in a hurry, so please run up my order so I can be on my way. I don't have time to waste here." Okay, so my hunch stands corrected. Turning around and rolling my eyes once it's safe, I walk to the back of the store and start looking for the bag with Christian's name written on the side. After a few moments, I finally find it and walk back to the counter as Christian's still on the phone and still standing where I left him. I ring up his order and motion for him to step forward and after a beat, he hangs up the phone and does as he's told.
"That'll be $595 and ninety-nine cents," I say and Christian looks at me as if I've gone insane.
"What? It was less than half of that when I placed my order on the phone."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Grey, but we recently raised our prices once materials got more expensive."
"That's bullshit! Don't you know who I am?" A pompous jerk?
"I know full well who you are, Mr. Grey, but the prices still stay and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Where's the manager, then? I was told these were on sale."
"The manager's not here at the moment and whether you like it or not, the prices are gonna stay," I boldly remark and raise my brow to emphasize my point.
"And who are you?"
"Ana Steele," I rudely respond, not caring how he reacts. I've dealt with challenging customers before, but this guy takes the cake and I'm not backing down now.
"And that's supposed to intimidate me?"
"Then why don't you tell me who you are since you seem to know so much?"
"The man who can fire your ass if you don't give me my deal," he snarls as he slams his phone on the counter and stares me coldly in the eye.
"You don't scare me, Mr. Grey, and I'm not changing my mind."
"Miss Steele...", he starts but I stop him before he can continue.
"Listen, you can either take the fucking items and walk out of the store or be ready with an alibi after I call the cops on you for causing a scene in my store. So, do you want to take your purchase and shut the fuck up or can I make the call now? It's your fucking choice", I remark, patting myself on the back for putting this guy in his place. I don't know what came over me but after dealing with this, I don't fucking care. Mr. Grey sighs before taking out his credit card and setting it on the counter and after ringing him up, I hand him his bag and watch smugly as he and the other man exit out of the store. Holy shit, did I really just do that? For the first time in my life, I really need a drink.
My shift ends about two hours later and I'm about to lock up the store but before I have the chance, Paul starts storming up to me and with one quick glance, I can already tell he's mad. On no...
"Ana, what the hell?! Christian Grey comes into the store and you fucking threaten to call the cops on him?"
"I'm sorry, Paul. He was making a scene and when I couldn't take it anymore, I just lost it after that."
"Do you have any idea how my dad's gonna react to this? What the hell were you thinking?!"
"I...", I start but before I can finish, Mr. Clayton enters the room and motions for me to come into his office. I gulp loudly and after one final glance at Paul, I make my way to Mr. Clayton and quickly sit down before he can say another word.
"Ana, what were you thinking talking to Mr. Grey like that? Do you have any idea what you've done?" Fuck, I feel like I'm in the principal's office again..
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Clayton. I don't know what came over me."
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in after the stunt you pulled out there?"
"I know and I'm sorry," I say sincerely, pushing my hair behind my ear and twisting my hands in my lap.
"Well, you're lucky that Mr. Grey isn't saying anything after the arrangement we've been set in. Otherwise, we would've been shut down by now." What?
"What arrangement?"
"Didn't Paul tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Where's he going at with this? Mr. Clayton looks nervous as if it's a terrible truth and after taking a deep breath, he finally gives me an answer.
"Ana, you're arranged to be married...to Christian Grey."