Chapter Twelve - Discreet Photo Developing . GEH
I arrive at Grey Enterprises Holdings; my company and my building and pull my Lexus into the parking space where the sign in bold block letters proclaims: 'GREY'.
When I step out of the elevator on the twentieth floor Judith, my PA leaps to her feet. "Mr. Grey," she exclaims.
"The same!" It comes out harsher than I intended. She'll get over it. She was probably filing her nails, shopping on line or something else she wasn't supposed to be doing on company time. I don't follow up.
I let my office door close behind me. I sit behind my desk and place my brief case at hand. I know my film is safely tucked inside and I'm anxious to send it off to be developed and prints made but I'll not let my employees surmise their importance nor speculate about a reason. Knowledge… information… is power. And I don't share.
Sixty seconds later there's a knock on my door. It's Judith, of course, here to fetch my coffee. "Coffee, Mr. Grey?" She knows I want coffee, just not how I want it this morning. I like to keep them guessing.
"Yes, Judith, latte'."
Judith is back very quickly with my coffee and places it in front of me. She'll wait, silently, until I dismiss her or give her an errand.
"Judith, I want a messenger within the hour."
"Yes, Mr. Grey." She scurries off to make the arrangements.
I phone Matt, a professional photographer. He's been a great consultant on all things photographic. His studio includes a fancy boudoir set. He and his lovely assistant Mari are also a Dom / submissive couple with their own private dungeon. I wonder what that might be like… it will never be me.
Their darkroom has little maneuvering space with the two of them in there. I happen to know there's also a stunning nude of Mari in a Kikkou rope tie on the inside of the darkroom door, only visible if the door is fully closed. I smile at the thought.
"Mari, would you let Matt know to expect some film by messenger."
"Yes, of course, Mr. Grey. The usual special handling."
"Absolutely."
"Delighted, sir. We'll be expecting it." There's a subtle tone of deference in her voice. Even though I'm not her Dom, Mari shows me the proper respect due.
I hang up, address the package and buzz Judith on the intercom. I'm supremely confident of Matt's perfect developing, printing and occasionally special effects… and always discreet processing. His skills extend to salvaging poor exposures and compensating for photographer's errors for one of a kind originals.
My second call is to my brother, Elliot.
"Grey Construction."
"Grey Enterprises."
"Christian! I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. I just saw you the other day."
"Elliot. We need to discuss your business image… some night this week. Not in front of Mom or Dad."
"Geese, is it that bad?" I don't answer. His P & L hasn't had any surprises and his bookkeeper works for me. He wants to go into energy efficient construction. It's the wave of the future. It's a great idea. Everyone would like all the energy efficient features but the input cost is almost always higher. 'It takes money to make money'. Selling home owners premium features… selling to well off clients… needs a upscale professional image. His old truck with the ancient magnetic sign doesn't exude high class premium branding. He needs a new truck, painted signage, logos.
"Is tomorrow night good? That'll be Tuesday. My place. Just be there. Pizza, beer, pool." Elliot won't pass up free beer.
"You want me to pick up the pizza?"
"No, I've got it covered." I'm taking Mrs. Jones at her word. "You bring the beer." Ha! The jokes on him.
"Bye!" I hang up.
I call Judith back in with the intercom.
"Judith, my schedule, please." I sound a little growly. She hasn't screwed up… yet. Judith comes in with a fresh coffee for me, followed by her assistant carrying Judith's laptop which she sets on the end of my desk so she's facing me. Her assistant takes my cold cup of brew and retreats.
Judith fetches her rolling office chair and opens her computer. I won't have any assistant leaning over me purporting to share my computer... rubbing up against me… touching me… an excuse to stick their ass in my face or block my view of the screen with their boobs.
Judith's computer is synced with my own. We are both seeing my schedule. "Add my brother in for a working dinner Wednesday night. Grey Construction." The appropriate box on my schedule highlights as she types. Grey Construction is the only business I have meetings at my home for obvious reasons.
"Where, sir?" With any other firm it would be a restaurant or here in the office.
"Escala."
"Got it."
"I want you to call my Home Manager; you have her number. Set it up so my schedule syncs with my house tablet. I want you to work with her. She'll need prompt notification of any schedule changes."
"Yes, sir."
"Have you got the credit card I asked for, for household expenses?"
"Of course, sir. It's in the envelope in your top drawer, sir."
I pull out my drawer and the envelope is there, neatly opened, the contents inspected for correctness. Judith's JA mark is on the envelope's corner to show she verified everything. It's her ass if it's not right!
"Good." I grunt out with a little nod. While tucking it into the top pocket in my brief case.
"Where are we on her car?"
"It hasn't come in yet, Mr. Grey."
"Call the Audi dealer and see what the hold up is. Light a fire under them, if necessary."
"Yes, sir."
"What's my first meeting today?"
"Strategy session with Fred from the Tech Division."
"Oh, yes." I meet regularly with my tech geniuses. We talk new concepts in the tech world… I want to be ahead of the curve. I need to know what the new innovations mean and if they have potential value to G.E.H.. It's a Wild West environment out there. I have my acquisitions team keep an eye on companies with emerging technology… a few clever stock purchases and they might be mine.
It has been a busy day filled with meetings. It's been productive. Fred and Barney have a coffee acquaintance with some radical ideas. They'll quietly observe the progress and report developments to me.
I'm glad that today's over. I'll go home, take a shower and change… and Mrs. Jones will stand ready to make my dinner. Mrs. Jones and I have business to transact but it can wait until after dinner.
Mrs. Jones greets me when I arrive home. "Welcome home, Mr. Grey. Would you like a cocktail or wine?"
"Sancere."
There must have been a wine glass ready on the breakfast bar. She retrieves the bottle from the wine fridge and pours some into the glass. I shrug off my coat and hand it to her with my briefcase, step into the great room and sit in a comfortable chair.
"Thank you." I'm a little brusque. I take a deep breath and slowly blow it out. We are both feeling our way in this new relationship. Mrs. Jones heads off with my coat and briefcase in the direction of my rooms.
I lean back in my chair with my glass of Sancere. It's peaceful. At times, one can almost look down on the clouds. It's like a castle in the clouds… maybe from some childhood fairy tale.
"Mrs. Jones, I'll take a shower and change before dinner."
"Very well, sir. Half an hour?"
"That will be fine."
I see through my office door that my fine leather briefcase is on my desk, exactly where it belongs. Mrs. Jones is very knowledgeable or very observant or both.
I go into my dressing room and find my coat is perfectly hung on the wooden valet. My tie, which I'd stuffed into a pocket, is now hanging smooth and straight… I suppose it prevents wrinkles, very smart. My things from my pockets are laid out for me on the dresser. I feel… cared for… as if I had my own private valet or butler. I guess, in a way, I do.
I remove my pants and add them neatly onto the wooden valet as well. Wearing just my underwear, I go into my shower, toss them aside and relax under the stream of hot water. I'm acutely conscious that there's a woman in my home now. I feel a flash of restraint but then I'm not prone to walk around the apartment nude… well, except for weekend trysts with my submissive when Mrs. Jones is off. I haven't bothered to close any doors but I shouldn't need to. She knows I am showering. Even if she didn't know, surely she'd be able to hear the water. Mrs. Jones seems to have the extra sense of discretion. I'm comfortable having her in my home. It doesn't seem intrusive at all.
I dry off; toss my towel into the hamper. I pull on fresh underwear, a pair of luxurious soft cashmere lounge pants and a comfortable micro-fiber shirt…
I pad to the kitchen in bare feet and find Mrs. Jones busy with my dinner. With my appearance she returns my wine glass out from the fridge.
"An appetizer, sir." I accept the small plate she's holding. It's a small bowl of tasty crab dip and some crunchy triangular crackers.
From where I lounge at the breakfast bar, I see behind the wrought iron grid room divider, that my dinner table is set. I take my wine and the appetizer and sit at the table head. Very shortly, I am enjoying steak, corn on the cob, steamed carrots with butter and fresh garden salad.
"Coffee? Desert, sir? I made peach cobbler."
"Yes."
I make short work of fruits of her labor. I take a fresh cup of coffee.
"I'll be in my office."
"Certainly, sir."
I have some things to discuss with Mrs. Jones tonight. We really need a routine… a time… to review schedules and other details as needed. Judith will keep her up to date on most scheduled events, business dinners, charity events and the like… There isn't time for anything in detail in the morning. And I don't want to be ambushed the second I get home and I think she senses that. After dinners would be a good time to schedule confer with Mrs. Jones.
- Home Office – after dinner
There's a knock at my door… Mrs. Jones is there with the house tablet in her hands.
"May I have a few minutes, sir? There is some household business to go over."
"Sure."
"I spoke with Judith… "
"…my PA…" I prompt.
"Yes. She linked your schedule to come up on the household tablet. She is very helpful."
"Excellent."
"Have you decided on what dinner you want tomorrow, with your brother? Are we still going with the Homemade Pizza?"
"That sounds good."
"Thin or thick crust?"
"Thin."
"I usually make thin crust on a rectangular sheet rather than round which is better for the thick crust."
"You are the expert. However you think best." We'll try it her way this time.
"What toppings?"
"Everything but anchovies."
She nods in agreement. "Got it." … "What about beer, Sir?"
"He's supposed to be bringing the beer." I'm smirking… and she knows I am.
"What kind does he drink?"
"Bud light will do."
"I'll see that you have a backup supply of Bud light… cold."
"Thanks."
"Desert?"
"I'll make something."
"I have a draft contract for you to review. I hope it will be satisfactory. Please, read it over and we can discuss any changes."
"I will."
"Here is a credit card for household expenses."
"Thankyou, sir. That will make things easier."
"My job includes keeping the household well supplied not only for yourself but also so you can host your guests, excellently… whether expected or unexpected. I will not intrude into your relationships. It's not my place."
"Thankyou for that."
"I have some questions about keeping your guest's room. Surely, your house guest will notice I've been in her room. As your Housekeeper, I represent you; I act only on your instructions. I want to support you, so you can be the perfect host. Would you like me to launder clothing for her here? She left some things…"
"Sure. If it's not too much trouble."
I want to jump up and run upstairs to see if Brandy left a mess behind. I know we had a difficult weekend but if she broke the rules, there will be consequences.
"It's no problem. It's just a few delicate items that probably weren't dry." I think Mrs. Jones is reading my reaction. I thought I was a better actor than that.
She continues "I'd be glad to shop for any personal items she might require while she's here so she wouldn't have to go out. I didn't search the cabinets but I didn't see spares of toothpaste, mouthwash, feminine products… in case her period were to begin unexpectedly. … Trust me, sir; she'll appreciate your thoughtfulness. I'd suggest a note pad for her shopping list which I would purchase with the normal shopping. She'll certainly have specific preferences."
"Alright." She's concluding Brandy is my girl friend but it's an illusion that I'll play along with. She's trying to make me look good. I almost chuckle to myself.
She takes a deep breath.
"Your suits, sir."
"What about my suits?"
"Sir, your suits are as fine as any I've ever seen. You have the correct fitted wooden hangers so they don't crease. Best practice is to brush them. I can do it and spot clean if necessary. It's not necessary to send them out."
"You'd do all that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent!"
"Is there anything else?"
"I don't think so. Can I get you anything? More coffee? Wine?"
"I'll have a small glass of wine."
"Right away, sir!"
Mrs. Jones returns with my wine.
"Goodnight, Mr. Grey."
"Good night, Mrs. Jones."