We arrive into the heart of Seattle. Gigantic buildings scale the skyline, blocking the sunlight that's beaming down. The reflection of the buildings makes me realise how haggard I look. A sunken face, chapped lips and frail skin; no wonder Mr Grey isn't paying attention to me.
It's mid morning and people are covering every square inch of the city. I find myself admiring people out of the window as we drive past,not daring to take a look at the beautiful man beside me.
Escala is an amazing penthouse block, filled with the most prestigious people. Of course Christian has to live here. He pulls into the garage, hops out, collecting our stuff and makes his way to a side door into what I think is the building. I wait. Am I allowed out? Twenty or so minutes pass by and I still remain the luxurious car. The side door whips open, crashing into the wall beside it. An angry Christian stalks towards me. Oh no. Please not this again. He large hands heaps the my side door handle, yanking it open. He stares blankly at me. "Anastasia, why the fuck are you still sitting here?". He's more than angry.
"Uh.. you never said I could.. er… l-leave." I stutter. His eyes widen with realisation and nods. "Come along, Anna." He puts his arm around my back, his hand pressing deep. I squirm out of his clasp. Oh no. Christian's eyes narrow into little slits, glaring at me. "Anastasia get here." The hand goes to my back again.
"No." My voice is crystal clear this time.
"What do you mean no?"
"Please… don't touch me there."
"I will touch you were I please. Now come on." The anger in his face is very apparent. His cheeks pool red. The strain of shouting, obviously flushes him. I love that shade. Again, his hand finds its way back to that spot on my back. His nails dig into the blistering skin, sending waves of pain rippling through my body, making me yelp.
"Will you please act modest in front of my staff. Did you need reminding that you are not longer a child, Anastasia, you're Twenty Two." I simply nod, ignoring the horrific sensation surging through my veins, and let Christian guide me towards the exit of the garage and to the elevator of the main building.
Neither him nor i make a word until we arrive in his penthouse. It is how I expected it to be: clinical, modern and emotionless, much like Mr Grey himself. The inertia is plain, too plane. It feels almost like an office rather than a home. The walls are white, adorned with multiple pieces of artwork like at Elena's house. However unlike her art, it brings a sophisticated simplicity to the room, drawing your attention from the lack of trinkets and home like touches one should have. It's all open plan, no dividers, meaning I'll be watched like a hawk at all times. I have no escape. The kitchen faces south, overlooking the Seattle skyline. It's beautiful. The couch area appears to be immaculate, no trace of ever being used. It's black, contrasting with the white walls and the wooden floor. I could stare at this vast room forever!
Christian brings be back to my senses, leading through the beautiful palace up the winding wooden stairs into a narrow corridor with rooms flitting off in different directions. I follow him until we stop at the second door on left hand side. With his large muscular hands, he twists the silver knob opening the door, revealing an expected plain bedroom. "This is yours, whilst you stay with me." He grumbled. I nod. Instead of all the walls being white, one back wall behind the double bed is silver, giving it a slight edge. There's a dresser in the corner next to a small vanity, which holds several types of expensive cosmetics. Did he organise this? For me..? I clutch my rucksack between both my hands, standing in the centre of the room. It doesn't occur to me that Christian is still standing me as I admire the furniture. I glance over his way, "thank you sir!" I send a small smile his way signifying my gratitude.
"You're most welcome Anastasia. I will be in my study, which is off the kitchen, please unpack, shower and change. Be there in fifteen minutes."
"Certainly, Christian." His faces snaps, clearly agitated from my response. I look up inquisitively.
"To you, it is Mr Grey. Only family or close friends call me Christian, and you are not my friend. You are just an immature little girl who can't stay in a home for two seconds without wrecking it. You're a burden, Anastasia, not a friend. Now go, you stink." With that he stomps out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The art rattles as he exits and tears swim in my eyes. Fuck you Christian.
The water of the shower is scorching under my faint flesh. It burns but I remain under there as a punishment, mother would of liked that. I should of never of called Mr Grey by his given name, that was wrong of me. Reluctantly, I stay under the sizzling droplets and search around shower shelves for some type of soap. You stink! I probably do, so I grab the nearest bottle and laver myself in the suds, washing away all the grime from Elena's house hoping that it will rid me of every wretched memory of that place. The towels are fluffy around my body as I exit the bathroom back into the bedroom. My wet feet pad on the floor, leaving a trail across the grey carpet, as if Hansel and Gretel. I check the time on the small clock upon the bedside cabinet. Oh fuck. I have two minutes left. He's going to be so angry. No, he's going to be furious. I'm so stupid. I stumble across the wet carpet to where I left my clothes, no even bothering to get fresh ones from my bag. That will anger him too. Clumsily, I slip on my navy cardigan along with the black skirt and white shirt and I race down the stairs, trying not to miss a step. My heart races as I plummet across the floor boards, through the kitchen, into the conjoined room beside it. As I cross the threshold of the study, I already know I'm in bother.
Christian sits in a leather chair behind a large mahogany desk. He leans back in it with a smirk crossing his lips. I frown, looking down towards the floor. His fingers motion for me to come closer; the index pointing towards me, then curling upwards and finally retracting towards himself.
"Oh Anastasia three minutes late" he tuts as I walk closer.
"I… I'm sorry, I was in the shower too long and i couldn't find anything and it took longer than expected. " I ramble nonsense hoping that it will distract him.
"Do you think I care about what you can and can't find.?"
"No sir."
"Then when I ask you to come to me at a certain time, I expect you to be there at the given time. Is that hard to understand? Did I speak in a different language? Or where you simply not listening to what I was saying?"
"N-no you were clear, Mr Grey." I mumble as I reach his desk.
"Take a seat Miss Steele." I willing take a seat in a black leather chair, crossing one knee over another and looking down towards my bare feet.
"I want to ask you, what would you like from this experience, Anastasia? By this experience i mean learning respect under my careful guidance."
"Uh.. erm.. I d-dont know" my voice trembles. I don't really know why I'm here. I don't need teaching respect. Its Elena, not me.
"You don't know?" His voice booms. Christian moves around the desk, perching himself against it right in front of me. His eyes glare down at me, analysing every tremble I make.
He continues his little tirade.
"Have I failed to remind you, that you are under my roof? That this is my house? That I have willingly took you in to help you become a better person? Have you really forgotten all about that? I thought you were a troubled girl who needed guiding along the right path, but you Anastasia Steele are a whole other level of trouble. Fifty shades or trouble more like. You are compliant in most tasks and ask permission for everything yet you test every limit I have. Anastasia I assure you I am all for testing limits but you seem to push every button I have." He Huff's as he rushed out every word at a tremendous pace. I push limits?
"I'm sorry Chr.. Mr Grey. I'm really sorry." Tears begin to pool in my eyes.
"No, you are not sorry. You have been here, what, an hour and I'm ready to throw you out. If I wasn't up for the challenge you'd be back at Elena's house right now. She was right, you are a nasty piece of work. I don't even understand why she deals with you." He spits.
Tears cascade down my cheeks. I've cried a lot today. This gorgeous man is so tenacious in his criticisms, that the frequent dig is only expected.
Christian reaches forward, grading the collar of my white shirt. He grimaces at the sight of it and pulls his top lip between his teeth. I hear a defeated huff escape his lips as I close my eyes. Is he going to hurt me?
"I thought I told you to get change?" He mutters, running his hand through his hair.
"i-i didn't want to be even more late than i-i already w..was."
"You defy me at every opportunity. It's disgraceful. I think I'm going to have to get that out your system."
With a swift movement I am out of the chair and over Christians lap, my behind in the air and my head dangling towards the carpeted floor. His hand glides up the back of my calf up to the top of my thigh, Twitching near my panties. I quiver under his touch.
"Do you like that Miss Steele?" He questions.
My skirt is moved so my pantie clad behind is on show. I begin. To struggle against his touch, trying to stop whatever Christian is trying to do.
"Now.. now Miss Steele, moving will only make matters worse. Now be a good girl." Mr Grey wraps one are around my waist stilling my movements, and the other hangs in mid air. Suddenly the free hand comes shooting down, spanking my behind with one huge wack. I whimper. What is he doing? Is he really spanking me? He does it again and I groan against his harsh touch. My bottom throbs at his relentless assault. His movements get harsher and the echoing sound of contact becomes louder. Little moans and pleas escape my lips.
"S-s-stopp!" I beg.
Another smack.
"Please!"
Another.
"Christian…"
Harder.
His actions halt but we remain in the same position. He reaches for my hair, yanking my long brown locks causing my head to jolt upwards.
"If you act like a child, Anastasia,I will treat you like one. And what do naughty children get? Spanks." My hair is released and my head falls back down. With one final blow, I hiss in pain and tears cloud my vision. Mr Grey stands, pushing me off him onto the cold floor. I just sit there and son. Casually, he moves back around to his chair behind the desk, leaving me on the floor.
"Thank you for your time Miss Steele, I'm glad we could work out our differences." He smirks whilst stapling some papers together.
I scramble to me feet and run to the door.
"One more thing Anastasia." I turn to face him.
"Welcome."
I stare at him confused.
"Welcome to my world, I hope you enjoy your stay."