Christian was bewildered.
At first, he took little notice of Anastasia Steele. She was just another employee. The one thing interesting being that she was part of the programme for college graduates.
He realised that there was something intriguing about her, the day that she gave him that muffin. He had realised that she had caught his attention at that coffee shop one day but hadn't spared her a thought since. Everything about her screamed kindness. Her smiles, her eyes, her presence on a whole.
In the business world, everyone wanted something. Whether that be recognition, money or status. But Anastasia? She didn't have any hidden intentions.
No one had ever offered him their food like she had and all but demanded that he take it. He found that he actually liked her taking charge like that.
When she'd told him she lost that report, he wasn't as angry as he was disappointed. He also had a feeling she was lying. Simply misplacing a report wasn't something that she would do. She was way more attentive than that.
In that meeting with the marketing team, old Ralph Dodd's was trying to sell him on some idea when he'd seen Anastasia get up. Her gait was graceful and confident, but her body language betrayed the fact that she didn't think she belonged here. He was watching her, pondering why on earth she had covered for Miss Morgan. Andrea had told him everything.
Anastasia had done what she'd done because she didn't want a woman who she didn't know from Adam, to lose her job, so she was willing to put her own job on the line instead. He could guarantee there was no other employee at GEH who would have done that. They would've ratted out Miss Morgan straight away. Anastasia's heart was so… pure.
He was absolutely furious when he had found out that somebody had basically groped her in that room. He had been watching her, but he wasn't aware of anyone else around her and hadn't seen her be grabbed. The refreshment table was too crowded. He would find out soon enough though.
Christian didn't know what to think. Everything this woman did, confused him. Her intentions were always so...genuine. She was an enigma.
On the way back from his meeting, he decided to stop by The Split Bean and try out their other baked goods as per Anastasia's suggestion.
He walked up to the counter and looked at the bakery cabinet. There was an array of pastries and muffins on display. There was nothing special about them appearance wise but if that muffin was anything to go by, he knew they would taste amazing.
"Hi, what can I get you today?" The barista asked. Christian took note of her name tag; Emily.
He smiled at the barista. "My assistant made me try a muffin from here and told me to come and check it out. I don't have the faintest clue as to what to get though. What would you recommend?"
"You mean Ana? I mean Anastasia Steele?" The barista asked. Christian raised his eyebrow at her. "Sorry. I know you are Christian Grey; I mean who doesn't, and I know Ana's your assistant. She's my friend." She clarified. "She actually gave me the recipe for the cinnamon buns today and they turned out really well I think."
"Ah she did mention you actually. I'll take two of the cinnamon buns then. And I'll take a black coffee as well." He said reaching for his wallet. He thought he'd take Taylor one, who was waiting in the car outside.
Emily handed him two paper bags and his coffee. "Ana's actually sat over there."
She pointed to the corner. Christian turned around and saw Ana's back. She was sat with a young man in a suit and they seemed to be laughing away. His eyes narrowed slightly.
He turned back to Emily. "Thank you for your help today Emily." He smiled at her. He should have walked out. He should have left her alone. Christian didn't know what compelled him, but he started walking towards Anastasia's table.
"No problem Mr Grey." Emily's voice trailed after him. She smiled to herself. She saw the way he looked at them. She spied on them secretly, pretending to clean the cabinet.
Christian walked up behind Ana and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. "Anastasia. What a nice surprise."
Ana was having lunch at The Split Bean with Jose. He had said that he hadn't seen enough of her since she'd started working for Grey and so Ana decided to invite him out to lunch. They were catching each other up on their lives and laughing away. Ana had to admit, Jose could definitely tell a story.
Ana was telling him about Lily and some of her antics when Jose looked up all of a sudden and his eyes got very, very wide. Just as she was about to turn around, a large warm hand clamped down on her shoulder.
"Anastasia. What a nice surprise." Oh god. She looked up to find him smiling down at her with two bags and a coffee in his other hand. He looked striking in a blue suit today and his smile nearly dazzled her.
"Mr Grey! What are you doing here?" She asked surprised. He took his hand off her shoulder. It was almost tingling.
"I think that would have been obvious Miss Steele." He smirked looking pointedly at his food. Ana blushed. "I actually bought two of the cinnamon buns. I heard that they were your recipe so I'm very excited to try these. I have high expectations Anastasia. I hope they live up to that muffin you gave me."
Ana nearly looked offended. "Mr Grey, they will rock your world. I'm telling you now. I'm quite the baking superstar." She winked at him. She winked at him. Ana what the fuck. Grey's eyebrows nearly hit his hairline.
Before she embarrassed herself further, Jose cleared his throat loudly. Ana and Christian both forgot he was there.
"Oh! Mr Grey, this is Jose Rodriguez. He works in R&D. Jose, Mr Grey." Ana knew Jose had never personally met Mr Grey.
Jose stood up and put his hand out. "It's nice to finally meet you Mr Grey." He nearly winced when Mr Grey shook his hand a little too tightly.
Grey looked at Jose with impassive eyes. "Likewise, Mr Rodriguez. I've heard good things about you from Natalia."
Ana was still sat, looking back and forth between the two men. She had no idea what was going on, but Mr Grey's demeanour just took a full 180 ever since Jose made his presence known. She bit her lip nervously.
Mr Grey looked back down at Ana as Jose sat down. His eyes zeroed in on her lips. He shook himself out of whatever daze he was in. "Well, I'll let you both get back to your lunch. Taylor's waiting for me and I need to go try these treats." He smiled at Ana as he turned around. "I'll see you back at the office Miss Steele. Don't be late."
"Let me know what you think!" Ana shouted at his retreating back. In return, he gave her a little wave.
Ana turned back to Jose. He was just staring at her. "What?" She asked.
Jose shook his head. "Nothing. It's just that he seemed very…laid-back than what I've been told about him."
"Yeah that's what I thought too." Ana mused.
"Maybe he's just like that around you?" Jose said carefully. He saw the attention Grey gave Ana.
Ana narrowed her eyes. "Are you saying he gives me special treatment or something? Because he definitely does not. He treats me the way he treats all his employees."
Jose watched Ana for a moment then shook his head. "No. I don't know what I'm saying. Forget it." He smiled at her.
Behind the counter, Emily was grinning to herself. She couldn't believe what she'd seen. It seemed that the Christian Grey, the billionaire, had taken an interest in Anastasia.
The man was jealous. He probably didn't know it himself, but Emily knew what she had seen. She was sure Ana had no clue about it. The girl was a bit oblivious to things like that.
Oh, this was good.
"Hey, how was lunch with Jose?" Andrea asked with interest.
Ana shrugged off her coat and pulled out a small paper bag from her handbag. "It was good. He's a funny guy. Always a hoot."
"Is that all? A funny guy?"
Ana looked confused. "I guess so. What did you want me to say?"
"Oh, come on Ana. The man likes you. You have to know that!" Andrea threw her hands up.
Ana sighed. "It doesn't matter. I don't see him like that. I haven't done anything to make him believe I like him. He's a good friend. I don't want to ruin our friendship." She turned back to her computer. "Now shut up and eat that." She pointed at the bag.
Andrea reached for it and pulled out the cinnamon bun. "Oooh. Thank you. I saw Grey come back earlier with a bag from this cafe too."
"Yeah I saw him there." Ana decided not to mention that they'd spoke at the coffee shop. She didn't need any more insinuations today.
Later on, Mr Grey walked past both women on his way out.
"Ladies." He nodded at them. Ana turned to look at him and met his gaze head on.
"See you later Mr Grey." Andrea called out. Ana just smiled at him.
"Oh, and Miss Steele?" He called. Both of them turned to look at him standing near the opened elevator doors. Ana furrowed her brows.
"It did, in fact rock my world." He winked at her with a grin. Just as his words registered in their brains, the doors closed on him.
Ana blushed scarlet. Andrea's brows had hit the roof. She stared at Ana with wide eyes.
"What the hell was that about Ana? I've never seen him like that before. Spill. Right now, Miss Steele."
Ana sighed in defeat.
That Friday night, Ana cooked herself some dinner and put on some mindless television. Kate was once again nowhere to be seen. However, she did text Ana earlier to let her know she was staying at a 'friends' house. Ana rolled her eyes when she read the text. 'Friend'. At least she could rest easy knowing Kate wasn't lying in a ditch somewhere.
Ana pondered over her future. She had been at GEH for a few months now. She really liked it. The environment was almost inspiring, and it urged you to be productive and have a good day. She'd learnt a lot thus far, but she knew she could learn more. Andrea had taught her everything about assistant duties and the bits and pieces behind the scenes of the business world.
Mr Grey was possibly the most inspiring person she's met. Building this huge empire from the ground up and now it's a billion-dollar company. And he's only 28. She was sure the things the man could teach her would be priceless.
Ana still wanted to go into publishing. It was her passion. But she was finding that business was also quite interesting. She knew she would work in publishing one day. She had to. She just didn't know when. She was sort of envious of all her friends. They were all secure and so sure of their lives. Kate was kicking ass at her dad's company, Jose loved art and graphic design, Emily was in her last year of college, but she had an internship lined up for her at an interior design company and Lily was off frolicking around the world whilst teaching kids here and there.
She wished she wanted to do something like teach. The world always needed teachers. She decided to check online to see if any publishing firms around her were hiring. She liked GEH, but it wouldn't be wise to get too comfortable in her job there.
After hours of searching, she couldn't find anything. Maybe she should just go around and hand her resume to random firms for when they were hiring. Maybe she should try her hand at another type of job. She could work for a newspaper or a magazine. She threw her laptop onto the sofa and rubbed her face. She needed some advice or someone else's opinion.
No one ever said it would be this hard after college. College was supposed to open doors for you. Or so she'd been told.
"Steele!" Kate bellowed before she even got through the door at 11am the next day.
"Katherine." Ana drawled dryly from her seat at the breakfast bar where she was reading.
"We're going for lunch. Get dressed." Kate said without even stopping to look at her as she strolled to her room. She came back out a moment later and looked at Ana. "I've met a guy. His name's Elliot and I think it's time you met him." Kate was nearly swooning when she said the guy's name. Ana had never seen her act like this over a guy. "Oh, and his sisters coming to lunch too. Elliot wanted me to meet her and so I figured this was a kill two birds with one stone kind of situation." Kate grinned at her.
Ana shook her head in amusement. "Where are we going?"
"Antonio's!" Came from somewhere in the vicinity of her room.
Ana had decided to wear a blue playsuit and Kate was wearing a red maxi dress. On the way here, Kate had explained how her, and Elliot had met. Elliot has his own construction company and he was hired at Kavannaugh Media to redo some of the floors in the building. They'd bumped into each other (literally) and Elliot took one look at her and said, 'I'm going to need your name and number for insurance purposes I'm afraid', and it had been smooth sailing from there.
Both girls walked into the restaurant and Elliot called out to them before they could speak to the hostess.
Elliot looked like the typical American boy. Tall, blonde hair, blue eyes and was built like a wall. There was another girl with him, also blonde and tall and she was very pretty.
"You must be Ana. It's great to finally meet you." Elliot's grin sparkled as he pulled Ana in for a hug.
"And you must be Elliot." She laughed. She liked this guy.
"This is Mia, my sister. Mia, this is Kate, and this is Ana, her best friend." He said gesturing at each one of them.
The girl nearly jumped up. "Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi. I can't believe you've railed the beast in." She said hugging Kate. She then hugged Ana. "Oh my gosh! I love your outfit. You look so cute!"
They all sat down and ordered. Ana was actually quite surprised. Mia was decked in designer but not 'in your face' designer and she was really sweet. A bit excitable but she was a hoot. Elliot and Kate could hardly keep their hands off each other. Ana smiled. She was so happy for Kate. They learned a lot about each other with their stories and were making quite the ruckus. They didn't talk about work or their jobs though which was nice for a change. Ana really needed some space from the thought of her career.
Mia was telling a story about the boys in France that she went to college with and how they were like a different breed.
"Do you have a boyfriend Ana? I wish I had one. Life would be so much more interesting." Mia asked her.
Ana blushed from being put on the spot. "Uh…no. I don't." She shook her head.
"What! You telling me no one has wifed you up yet Ana?" Elliot asked aghast.
Ana blushed even deeper. "Nope." She said meekly.
"Ana's a catch but she doesn't think so. She's a beautiful woman, she's the smartest person I know, she taught me how to cook, and she bakes all the time. I'm surprised I'm not 50 stone." Kate gushed.
Elliot nearly started drooling. He looked at Ana. "You bake as well?" He then turned to Kate. "I'm sorry Kate but Ana here is the woman for me." He said in mock seriousness. Kate just rolled her eyes at him and punched his shoulder. Ana and Mia just laughed at his goofiness.
After about 3 hours, they all finally got up.
"It was so nice to meet you Ana! We need to hang out soon!" Mia hugged Ana tightly. They both looked at Kate and Elliot who were too wrapped up in each other.
"I think its inevitable that we'll be seeing each other. I mean look at those two." Ana said.
They went their separate ways and Kate and Ana decided to take a quick stop at the supermarket.
Ana was looking at some chocolate bars when a magazine caught her eye. She turned to fully look at it and there on the cover was Christian Grey. He was with a tall brunette woman and they were both dressed to the nines. They looked like timeless Hollywood royalty. Clearly, they'd been pictured at some event.
Kate came back to her side and looked at what had caught Ana's attention.
"Woah. They look so good together." Kate said. "I'm not going to lie; the man might be very temperamental and possibly bipolar but he's one good looking son of a bitch. I don't know how you can be around that all day and be so unaffected."
Ana rolled her eyes at Kate. "I can appreciate a good-looking man when I see one Kate. I just don't fawn over him like every other woman. He's my boss. Not a piece of meat. It's inappropriate."
"Okay. Okay. I didn't mean anything by it." Kate held her hands up in surrender. "I wonder who she is though. Does he use some kind of escort service or something? Or maybe they're actually together!" The journalist in Kate was jumping out.
"I wouldn't know. It's not like he airs his private life out in the open at work. It's none of our business Kate." Ana turned to face her. "Can you grab me some toothpaste really quick? I need to go in the other direction."
"Sure. Crest?" At Ana's nod she turned and headed back up the aisle. Kate paused and turned to face Ana again. She watched Ana just gaze thoughtfully at the picture of Grey and his date. Ana had a look in her eyes.
Kate's eyes narrowed. She's never seen Ana get that look. But no, it couldn't be. And it was aimed at Christian Grey. Her boss. Kate wondered what exactly was going through Ana's mind.
AN/ I have no clue how to write Mia's character so sorry if its off.
