Chpt. 11 Ana's POV:
Later that day I am unpacking in my new apartment looking back at the last couple of days and everything that has happened. I am glad that I decided to hear Christian out last night; had I written him off too fast I never would have known that he emailed me over those two weeks and that I had an employee who was hacking into my email account. Just when things began spinning out of control this morning, Christian stepped into dom mode knowing exactly what I needed. After the amazing shower sex I felt much more focused and in control. He quickly helped me pack up the last few boxes just as the movers arrived and took me out for lunch before driving me to Escala. He went back to his apartment as I went to mine to begin unpacking. It takes me several hours but I finally have the apartment completely unpacked; at least until the rest of my belongings arrive from New York.
Join me for dinner tonight? –C
Would love to. –A
Come up when you can. Code to the elevator is 06547 –C
See you soon –A
It was a pleasant surprise to hear from Christian since when we parted ways we said we would talk during the week as we both had a lot to do tonight. Unfortunately I have nothing that I can take to his apartment for dinner, not even a bottle of wine, since I haven't had a chance to go food shopping today. I vow tomorrow after work to find a grocery store and seriously stock up my new kitchen. I love to cook, and prefer a home cooked meal after work whenever possible. I'm pretty tired of hotel food and eating out which is mostly all I have done since I arrived in Seattle a few months ago.
I take a quick shower realizing I am pretty sweaty from unpacking today and throw on a pair of skinny jeans with an oversized red blouse before heading to Christian's. I use the code he provided and the elevator immediately grants me access to the only floor above mine. Taylor greats me in the foyer and escorts me to the great room where he says Christian will join me momentarily.
"I thought you might want a drink?" Christian suggests handing me a glass of red wine.
"Yes, thank you" I answer.
"Are you all unpacked?" he asks as we sit on the sofa.
"For now," I laugh. "The rest of my stuff arrives tomorrow from New York so I will still have some unpacking to do the rest of the week."
"I hate moving just for that reason…it seems like you never finish unpacking" he says.
"When I moved to New York I had boxes in my closet for a year before I finally unpacked them" I agree.
"Sir, ma'am dinner is ready" Gail announces.
"Shall we?" Christian asks taking my hand.
"Thank you" I answer as he leads me to the beautiful dining room where the table has been set.
We enjoy a delicious roasted chicken and potato dinner that Gail prepared while making small talk about the business world. We return back to the great room with another glass of wine after dinner.
"How did you start your business?" I ask.
"I was in Harvard, majoring in business administration when I grew tired of focusing on the books and just wanted to get into the real world. One of my classes required we draw up a business plan including financial data which sparked my immediate interest. I spent so many hours on this project deciding to use this assignment to develop my true business plan. While the professor was impressed, what it reinforced in me is that I didn't belong in college. I needed to be in the real world, so I went home on winter break that year and told my parents I was dropping out of college" he answers.
"Wow, they must have been upset" I say.
"To some degree, at least initially yes" He explains. "But when my dad reviewed the business plan that I wrote he saw the potential. I was not able to secure my own business loan since I was so young and basically had no credit history so my parents cosigned the loan for me using their house as collateral. My business immediately took off and within a year I was able to pay the entire loan off with interest. I started by purchasing a small communications company, quickly turning it around so it started making a profit by changing its marketing strategy. That was when I saw the potential to fix other companies but providing additional resources or redirection. I followed similar plans with the next couple of businesses and my company grew from there. Today we still purchase companies with a goal to adjust their strategy so they have a bottom line, however there are other companies we now purchase simply to break apart and sell."
"I see" I say.
"What about you? How did you come to purchase SIP and Seattle E Books?" He asks.
"After I graduated from college, I was offered an assistant editor position with a large publishing company in New York. I quickly accepted the position without knowing much about the company, picked up and moved across the country to a huge city where I knew no one. I spent a couple years with that company, making several key contacts including several up and coming authors. I did not like the way the company treated its employees or its business contacts; they seem to only want to publish books that would be guaranteed best sellers. They didn't want to take chances with new authors or a book that was in a genre they wasn't typical for them" I explain.
"Sounds like a recipe for business disaster" Christian comments.
"Although I knew very little about business at that point, I realize it now" I begin. "I worked with several authors that I thought had great potential but none of the editors ever wanted to listen. During my second year in New York my dad died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack-"
"I'm so sorry" Christian interrupts.
"Thank you" I sigh. "It was a very rough time, we were very close so it hit me hard. I was surprised to learn that my father had a very large life insurance policy that I was the sole beneficiary of. I ended up selling his house, as I couldn't step back in it without thinking of him. I took the money from the life insurance policy and the sale of the house, after covering all the funeral costs, and decided to start my own publishing company. A couple of the authors that I thought had potential decided to follow me since they were not contracted with the large publishing company. Several of those authors had best selling novels within the first year of contracting with me."
"Wow, I guess your intuition was right" he says in awe.
"Or it was just luck…the plan could have back fired completely on me" I admit. "I knew very little about the business world when I decided to start my own business. Luckily I found an employee with a strong business background who specialized in finances. He guided me through the business world and was the one who brought SIP and Seattle E books to my attention. I had been looking to expand the company but knew that I couldn't do it by myself and New York is such a competitive market. When SIP came up, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. They need financial backing but had a lot of potential in the publishing industry."
"I agree, it was why we initially looked at them" Christian interjects.
"You looked at SIP?" I asked surprised.
"We did…." He pauses. "I knew they needed a significant amount of financial backing but I wasn't convinced that their business plan was solid to survive. They seemed to focus strictly on printing, yet were missing a key piece of the industry – electronic publishing."
"That was my first impression as well" I agree. "However, my plan was to almost immediately introduce electronic publishing as soon as things settled down. Just as we finalized the sale of SIP, my finance guy Bob found Seattle E books and brought it to my attention."
"I have to ask, if you don't mind sharing" he smiles. "How did you get Mr. and Mrs. Snyder to sale? I increased the purchase price and they still declined, saying it wasn't about the money."
"Interesting, I had no idea you upped the purchased price" I say. "The first time I set eyes on the Snyder's I knew they weren't going to be motivated by money."
"Really? How did you know that?" he asks.
"Simple, they were in love" I answer but continue as he looks at me confused. "It was obvious from looking at them that they were madly in love with each other and that this was their baby. I gave them an opportunity to remain in control of their baby while preventing their baby from sinking. I proposed that they merge with SIP; they will still manage the day to day operations of their company however they will have the opportunity to publish more books with SIP providing support to them. In turn, SIP will be able to electronically publish books by partnering with Seattle E Books. It's a win win for both companies since each one brings what the other was lacking."
"That's an interesting approach" Christian admits.
"It was risky taking on two new companies at once and moving everything across the country but in the end I believe the payoff will be worth it" I say.
"Well personally I'm pleased that you decided to move across country again" he smiles.
"Me too" I admit shyly. "But I should be going now, I have an early morning meeting tomorrow with HR."
"Thank you for joining me for dinner" Christian walks me to elevator.
"Thank you, it saved me from ordering out again since I didn't have time to go food shopping today" I smile.
Christian kisses me gently on the lips before the elevator doors open; I step into the elevator and enter the code for my floor just as the doors close. Returning to my apartment, I quickly change into pajamas and climb into my bed. I am really pleased with how tonight went with Christian; our interaction over dinner was exactly what I wanted it to be. He didn't treat me like a sub after our shower session this morning and we enjoyed getting to know a little more about each other. When Christian and I spoke last night this was exactly what I envisioned for us but didn't know how to describe. I want the dom/sub relationship in the bedroom or in the playroom, but outside of there I want a somewhat normal relationship. Granted this whole situation is still new to both of us, I am happy with how we are progressing.
"Good Morning Ms. Steele" Stacy knocks on my door.
"Good Morning Stacy, how was your weekend?" I ask.
"It was good, I am finally completely unpacked from the move" she smiles. "Ah, I know that feeling. I finally moved into my new apartment yesterday."
"I have a meeting scheduled with HR for 9am, followed by the meeting with Jack Hyde at 9:30 as you requested. Both meetings will be in the conference room on this floor" she says.
"Perfect, thank you" I dismiss her.
I quickly finish the breakfast that I grabbed on my way into the office before finalizing the termination letter that I plan to provide to Jack Hyde this morning.
"Good Morning" I say walking into the conference room. "Thank you for meeting with me on short notice."
"Not a problem Ms. Steele" says Maurice the head of HR under SIP. "What can I assist you with today?"
"I have a meeting scheduled with Jack Hyde, an editor with Seattle E Books at 9:30 today to terminate his employment with us" I answer.
"What are the grounds for the termination?" he asks, writing the information down.
"Jack Hyde hacked into our server and set up an email monitoring program in which all of emails were diverted to a dummy account so he could screen them before they were forwarded me. Several emails were subsequently deleted from the server without ever reaching my account" I explain.
"I see" Maurice raises his eyebrows in surprise.
"After the meeting, I want you to escort him out to his office before being escorted out. He is never to be left alone while in this building. I have confiscated his computer, his portable hard drives and various files which are locked in my office. He is to only take personal belongings; no paperwork or company property" I instruct.
"Understood" Maurice says.
"Excuse me Ms. Steele?" Stacy opens the door. "Mr. Hyde is here."
"Please show him in Stacy, thank you" I instruct taking a deep breath.
Jack Hyde walks into the conference room, full of confidence and arrogance. He is a fairly young man, with his straggly hair pulled into an unkempt ponytail wearing jeans and a faded T shirt. I make a mental note to have Stacy send out the dress code policy; this look is completely unacceptable for any employee much less someone that is supposed to be an editor representing the company to potential authors.
"Mr. Hyde, I am Anastasia Steele the owner of SIP" I shake his hand.
"Ms. Steele, it's finally nice to meet you" Jack says holding my hand a little longer the necessary.
"I believe you know Maurice" I say.
"Yes" he answers suspiciously.
"Please have a seat" I gesture. "I am sure you are wondering why I have called you here this early in the morning-"
"I assume it has something to do with the Senior Editor position that was recently announced?" Jack smiles. "I cannot tell you how excited I was when I saw the email on Friday describing this newly created position-"
"Excuse me Mr. Hyde" I interrupt. "On the contrary, this meeting is to inform you that your employment is being terminated with SIP, and by partnership Seattle E Books, effective immediately. You will be escorted to your office by Maurice to collect your personal belongings however you are not permitted to take any company owned files, documents or physical items with you."
"What? What the hell are you talking about?" He raises his voice. "What am I being accused of?"
"Mr. Hyde, we have proof that you have hacked into the server at Seattle E books where you downloaded an email program that provided you access to all of my incoming emails" I confront him.
"What? That is not true, I didn't do anything of the sort" Jack says.
"Mr. Hyde we have proof" I assure him. "This is a clear violation of privacy and is in poor business taste. I will not have my employees hacking into other employees email accounts or access secure information that is stored on the servers. Your employment is being terminated for this reason."
"You will be sorry, you bitch! I am tied so tightly to the authors here that they will all follow me when I leave. I will bring you down slut!" he yells.
"If you even try to take a single author, manuscript or idea with you I will sue you for contract violation. Here is a copy of the contract you signed when SIP was sold; this contract specifically states that should you employment be terminated with SIP you are not permitted to take any authors, publications, manuscripts or employees with you to another publisher. Should you attempt to do, SIP will be entitled to 90% of all profits from that author, manuscript or revenue earned by the former employee. The contract also states that you are not to associate with any of our authors for a period of no less than five years" I say handing him a copy of the signed document.
"You can't do this!" He screams.
"Actually, I can" I say confidently. "You signed the document which is enforceable in a court of law. Now Maurice will escort you to your office to collect your personal belongings. If you step foot in this building or at Seattle E books I will have you arrested for trespassing. If you even attempt to hack into any of my servers again, I will see that you are criminally prosecuted."
"You will be sorry for this; I will see that you pay! No one does this to me! You better sleep with one eye open!" He screams.
"I suggest you follow Maurice out of here before you say something that will allow me to file a police report on the fact that you are threatening me" I say calmly.
"You have no proof" He smirks.
"Actually, I recently had cameras installed" I point to several corners of the room. "This meeting is being recorded."
"You little BITCH!" He screams as he storms out, Maurice following him.
I return to my office, closing the door behind me and taking a few deep breaths. I have only ever had to fire one person before and compared to this that one was a breeze. I get that he was angry since I'm sure he didn't expect me to catch him hacking into our server, but he seemed to make it personal. I try not to think about it too much but I can't help but wonder why he chose to only access my email account and only delete the ones from Christian. Perhaps it was because those were the only personal emails that were sent to me during that time? Whatever the reason, I am thankful for the security at Escala knowing that only the two apartments on my floor have the elevator code so he can't just come to my apartment should he discover where I live.
The rest of my day goes by quickly as I work closely with our IT department on seeing that all bugs that Jack Hyde could have planted are removed. The server is replaced and the security system is upgraded after they consult with the IT department at GEH. Barney, Christian's IT guy, recommended several upgrades and monitoring programs that I decided to purchase so prevent something like from occurring again. I insisted everything occur as quickly as possible to prevent Jack from accessing any other data stored on the server including several manuscripts that are currently in the editing process. With as angry as he is, I wouldn't put it past him to try to sabotage manuscripts that we are currently working on.
I return home at almost 9pm, and immediately realize I forgot to go food shopping again tonight. Sighing I walk into the kitchen to see if I at least have something I could quickly make because the last thing I feel like doing is ordering in and waiting for delivery. I am shocked when I open my freezer to find it filled with not only meats but several pre made dishes each with instructions on how to heat it up. I look in my fridge and find it stocked with lunch meat, cheese, milk, juice, yogurt and several other staple items. My cabinets are also filled with pasta, cereal, coffee, tea, sugar, flour and many other items. It's only when I turn around do I see a note on the encounter:
Didn't think you would have time today to go food shopping. Please heat up one the meals Gail made tonight –Christian
Never would I have suspected he would do something like this; I am touched that he thought of me during the day today. Although I know he isn't the one who went shopping for me, I am still in awe that he asked someone to arrange all of this.
Thank you so much for the food! You didn't have to do this –A
You're welcome, I take it you just got home? –C
Yes, didn't have any time to shop for food today. Thought I was going to be stuck eating bread for dinner –A
I figured you would be too busy –C
Long day –A
How did your meeting go this morning? –C
He denied everything of course, but it's over –A
I'd like to see you soon –C
You saw me last night for dinner J -A
I'd like to see you for something else –C
Friday night? –A
Yes….meet me here 6pm –C
Yes sir –A
The remainder of the week goes by quickly and I am more thankful than ever for Gail's premade meals, as I find myself working late every night this week. Things have been hectic at work since I fired Jack Hyde; we have been left trying to make sense of his notes on various manuscripts and find all the contact information for his authors. I implement several processes to prevent miscommunication like this from occurring again, but in the meantime we have to sort everything that he was working on out. Before I know it, Friday arrives and I find myself looking forward to seeing Christian tonight. We have talked several times on the phone or through text this week but we both have been working so much we haven't been able to see each other.
Tonight 6pm, meet me in the room –C
Understood sir –A
Clearly his text is referencing the playroom but he must not want to say it in writing; I wonder if we should come up with some sort of key word that will let the other know? Or maybe a certain day/time set aside for the playroom? I suppose these are things we need to work out as we try to find a balance between our lives and the dom/sub lifestyle. I am gathering up my stuff for the weekend as the printer suddenly calls with an issue. I end up spending an hour on the phone with them before they finally have the information they need to resume printing. I glance at my watch realizing it's after 6 and I'm late meeting Christian. I quickly rush back to Escala and immediately head to Christian's penthouse without stopping at mine. I enter his apartment quickly and find it eerily silent; maybe he isn't home yet? I place my purse and laptop bag on the loveseat in the great room before going upstairs to the playroom.
"You're late" Christian says as soon as I open the door.
I don't say anything; my eyes immediately drop to the floor.
"Answer me" he demands.
"Yes sir, I'm late" I answer.
"Did you not think to call or text me to notify me you were running late?" he asks.
"It slipped my mind sir, I was rushing-" I begin.
"Enough!" he interrupts. "Take off your clothes."
I immediately undress, folding each article of clothing and carefully placing them on the nearby table as he has instructed me to do so many times in the past.
"I think you should be punished for disobeying me, don't you?" He asks staring at my naked body.
"If you think I deserve to be punished sir" I answer without looking at him.
"Do you remember your safe words?" he asks.
"Yes sir" I answer.
"Walk over to the cross" he instructs.
I quickly walk over to the large wooden cross affixed to the wall and stand in front of it awaiting his instruction. He places each of my feet on steps, before placing my hands on bars above my head. I am facing the cross so I can't see what he is doing but I feel him attach metal cuffs to my ankles and wrists. My legs are spread fairly wide apart in this position and I find my sex gushing with liquid as I try to anticipate what he is going to do. He is standing behind me, so close to me I can feel his breath on my neck. His hands roam my entire body, increasing my excitement and the anticipation. Just as his fingers approach my sex, he pulls away leaving me aching for his touch.
"Owwwwwwww" I feel a sharp slap against my ass.
"You will count" he instructs hitting me again.
"One! Two!" I exclaim. "Three!"
"Next time you will remember to notify me if you are running late, won't you?" He says before hitting me again with what I can only think is a riding crop.
"Four! Yes sir!" I cry out.
He continues to hit me until we reach ten at which point he suddenly stops. The riding crop was not very painful; I think it was more embarrassing than painful. My skin is hot and ultrasensitive right now; I hiss as he applies cool oil to my ass massaging it in with his hands. I have no choice but to allow him to do this as I am still strapped to the cross. He unhooks my wrists and my feet before assisting me down from the cross. He leads me over to the bed, instructing me to climb to the middle before he disappears over to the chest against the wall.
"Face me on your knees" he instructs as he sits on the couch facing the bed.
I immediately comply; he takes in my entire body, his eyes roaming from my breasts to my sex. I have never been comfortable having someone look at me naked but with Christian he makes me feel desired. I don't feel like he is staring at me to find flaws in my body, but instead he is looking at me with want and need.
"Play with yourself" he instructs.
I look at him confused; but he doesn't elaborate. Although I've tried to masturbate, I've never been very successful at it – I've never reached an orgasm from it. My hands play with my breasts, pinching my nipples which are hardening under my touch. My eyes close as I picture Christian's hands on my breasts…
"Play with your clit….your sex…." He says breathless.
I open my eyes and watch him taking off his pants and underwear freeing his massive hard erection before he sits back down. Motivated by his arousal, I immediately comply; I separate my folds with my fingers purposely going slow as if I'm putting on a show for Christian. My fingers find my clit and begin lightly rubbing it as my other fingers explore my sex. I slowly push a finger into my core as my thumb continues rubbing my clit. My juices are coating my hand as my I slowly feel an orgasm rising. I know it's not enough to push me over the edge, but it's enough to keep me on edge.
"Don't come…you are not to come" he says.
Opening my eyes, I see him stroking himself while watching me. I add a second finger just as my other hand pinches my nipple causing me to moan. Christian stands up, slowly walking over to the bed watching me closer.
"Use this" he says handing me a pink vibrator.
I pause….I've never used a vibrator on myself.
"Is there a problem?" he asks sternly.
"No sir….I've just….I've never…." I stutter.
"I'm aware of that" he says guiding my hand that is holding the vibrator back to my sex.
I rub the vibrator against my clit and through my folds, soaking it with my juices. I'm nervous but watching Christian stroke himself while sitting on the bed next to me is pushing me to do this. Suddenly I feel the vibrator begin vibrating and realize that Christian must have somehow turned it on remotely. The vibrations feel so good against my clit as I rub it back and forth.
"Put it inside of you, but don't come" he says.
I slowly insert the vibrator inside of me; it feels much different than Christian. It's not as big and this one has bumps all over it which feel so good when it's inside of me. I slowly move the vibrator in and out of me, the bumps rubbing against my insides pushing me closer and closer to the edge. The need is building deep within me and I don't know how much longer I can stave off the orgasm if Christian continues to make me do this. Opening my eyes momentarily, I see Christian stroking himself staring at my sex with passion in his eyes. Seeing how excited he is by my actions nearly push me over the edge and I moan loudly, begging for permission to come but he continues to watch me stroking himself more urgently.
"Don't stop….harder and faster" he instructs.
I whimper but immediately comply, fucking myself as he instructed with the pink vibrator. My eyes are closed tightly as the vision of him masturbating to me pleasuring myself is too much for me. I can still hear him breathing loudly and occasionally groaning as I try to tune everything out. I try to think of things going on at work and not focus on the incredible pleasure I am bringing myself with this toy.
"Stop" He suddenly orders.
I immediately comply and drop the vibrator on the bed below me, thankful for the momentary stop in sensation overload. I open my eyes, finding his eyes full of hunger and passion meeting mine. He slowly moves behind me, pulling my arms forcefully behind my back; holding my wrists with one hand he pushes my chest down against the bed.
"Are you going to remember to contact me if you are going to be late again?" He asks as he rubs his erection through my folds.
"Yes! Yes sir!" I cry out.
Without warning, he slams into me hard continuing to thrust in and out of me forcefully giving my body little time to adjust to him. This is a true punishment fuck; he is focused on his need to control me and for me to surrender to him. He continues to hold my wrists behind my back so there is little I can do but accept the pace he has set.
"Do you want to come?" He asks with gritted teeth.
"Please sir! I need to come…" I beg.
"Do you think you deserve to come?" he asks.
"If you think I have earned it, sir I would like very much to come" I cry out in agony still trying to withhold the orgasm.
"Come only when I do" he directs.
He continues fucking me hard, fast and deep causing me to see stars just before I feel him reach his release inside of. Screaming out loudly, the orgasm rips through me as my knees collapse causing him to nearly fall on top of me on the bed.