"Sorry Ma'am, didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay Sawyer, and please call me Ana." I drop to my knees and pick up the scattered files that are decorating the carpet.
"I just need to run over a few security things with you."
"Sure, take a seat." I stand up and take the files to my desk, placing them on top of my Mac.
"As you can see, there have been a few changes while you were away."
"A few?" I murmur sarcastically. He coughs to suppress a laugh then pulls a piece of paper out of his pants pocket.
"A list of all the codes you will need." I glance down at the paper.
In the event of card failure when entering safe room - 6623
In the event of card failure when entering office - 3266
Access code to view security cameras - 144521
Access to main server - 00267
Input code to bypass computer monitoring - your computer only - 22458
Safe access - 75488965246
Alarm system activation - 65849
"What does bypass computer monitoring mean?" I ask
"It means you can enter your code on the desktop of your computer and it will allow you to work, send emails and the like without the information being relayed and stored in the main server. Privacy, pretty much."
"Oh, okay, well that's surprising, are you sure his majesty approved that?." Sawyer nods. "And access to main server?"
"Allows you to access the GP server, check what staff are up to, emails being sent, who's accessing what in the building, access to security software for personnel checks etc."
"Wow, this is a lot to take in." I sit staring down at all the numbers. "I'll never remember these." I shake my head.
"We have loaded an app on your phone, one click and they will all appear on your screen."
"And if someone steals my phone?"
"The app is voice activated Ana, you have to open the app with your voice, that is something we will program today." Sawyer continues to fill me in on all the safety procedures, security personnel and camera system. I am bored to death, saved only by my door swinging open, it can only be one of 2 people.
"Husband." I tense up in my chair and give him my best CEO look only to have him rolls his eyes at me. He strides over to me and plants a soft kiss on my forehead.
"Wifey." he grins. I want to smile back, but don't. I don't want to give him the satisfaction of thinking he's gotten away with this.
"Welcome to Grey prison, what can I do for you today?" I mutter sarcastically, I can feel the anger creeping back..
"Careful." he scowls, glaring at me.
"Or what Christian, you'll rearrange my home while I'm at work?" I snap, pushing myself out of my seat and standing, my shoulders pushed back and fists clenched.
"Sawyer, give me a minute with my wife please." Sawyer nods and scans himself out.
"For fucks sake Christian, scan cards, codes, filing rooms, big brother cameras, a guy named Alby, what this shit all necessary?"
"Yes it was, and watch your mouth." I roll my eyes and sit back down burying my face in my hands in frustration.
"Ana, after you told me about Leila and Jose, I had Barney and Taylor do a little digging. Grey Publishing was monitored at Grey house, but never to the same extreme that GEH is. Against my better judgement, I let you have your privacy, there was never any major reason to make me believe you needed extra security. Until Barney started digging. Your computers were being accessed from a remote location, they could have had access to your schedule, your security codes, everything. I was fucking pissed when I found out, so when you were conducting your interview on Wednesday afternoon I assigned a team to overhaul the building."
I sit in silence for a moment while I try to take everything in.
"Why me?, I thought it was you they were trying to destroy."
"Baby, if they can get to you, they can get to me." He's right, if they had my schedule they would have known when and where I was meeting Christian, all the functions we were attending, everything.
I suddenly feel a dark shadow over me, a huge invasion of privacy. I start to tear up, if anything had of happened to Christian it would have been because of me, because of how relaxed I was with security. The thought disgusts me, my mind however is still reeling with anger. I can't think clearly right now. One second I feel like I want to slap him hard - real hard, for doing this without consulting me, the next second I want to wrap my arms around him and never let go, protect him from whatever is being planned. I rub my hands over my tired face. At this very moment I am at a crossroads, do I let him get away with this, or do I make dam sure he doesn't pull a stunt like this on me again?
"Christian, I am so fucking angry right now, why do you constantly feel the need to keep things from me? We are married for fucks sake, if you had just sat me down on Wednesday afternoon and told me what you told me just now…."
"Baby, I just….."
"Enough with the baby. Just don't! Please, just shut up and let me be angry." His eye remain focused on me, he looks hurt. Tough shit, he caused this himself.
"I'm not stopping you from being angry." he booms.
"Your trying to apologise your way out of this, I know you well enough." I slump down into my chair.
"I'm not apologising for anything Anastasia, you're my fucking wife, and I'll do anything I want, whenever I want to protect you, whether you fucking like it or not." Angry Christian has made an appearance, great!
"What are you saying Christian?"
He runs a hand through his hair. "Ana, you just don't get a say in these matters."
His words hit me like a slap to the face, a punch to the gut. Did he really just say that, after everything we have been through together, he still doesn't see me as his equal. I can feel the tears starting to pool in my eyes.
"I think it's best if you leave." I mumble, trying to hold back my tears.
"Ana?"
"What?" I snap, refusing to look at him.
"I didn't mean it."
"You never mean it, but it doesn't stop you from saying it, now please go." I wipe a stray tear from my cheek with the back of my hand.
"Ana." he isn't moving, he stands dead still, his hands by his side, searching my face for a cue on what to say to make things better.
"Christian, I'm your wife, you should be able to discuss things with me, and trust me enough to include me in everything, you should WANT my say in things, if we don't have trust and communication, what the fuck do we have? Now, if you won't leave, then I will." I grab my phone from my desk, then storm past him, I can't look at him as I do. I scan myself out and run down the corridor before I change my mind.
I find myself at the coffee house down the road, I can sense Sawyer around, but can't see him. I just need some time to breathe and think things through. I know Christian loves me more than words could ever describe, he just has an odd way of showing it at times. I sit alone with my thoughts while I sip on my tea. I must sit there for at least an hour analysing everything, our marriage, my work, and the only thing it ever comes back to is Christian, I just want to see Christian. Not just to feel his arms around me or his lips on mine, I need to sort this out, I can't function properly when things aren't right between us.
I walk slowly back to GP, the SUV is still parked out front so I know Christian is still there. Not wanting to face him just yet, I decide to take a look around myself.
It's not long before I come across the computer room. It is dimly lit, filled with screens, keyboards, cords, and other electrical things.
A young man with black hair, tanned skin and green eyes turns in his swivel chair holding his hand out to me.
"You must be Mrs Grey, James Albom." he introduces himself.
"Pleased to meet you James." I nod. His hand shake is firm for such a young man, he looks around 20.
"Please, call me Alby." I smile in acknowledgement of his request.
"Hows it looking." I ask, not exactly sure what I'm expecting him to say in return.
"Good so far, though it seems you have an employee who rather likes Face book." he grins. I used to have a Facebook account, until I married Christian, it was one of the few things he requested of me - deleting my account.
"So, who's been updating status's then." I giggle, and start to relax a little.
"That would be your P.A, Hannah." he says, while clicking a few buttons to pull up her activity.
Activity - Outside website accessed
Web address:face book .com
Time spent on site - current, 126 minutes. Idle.
Activity Input:
9.33 am - Status update: Swoon, the bosses dreamy husband just walked in, I could stare at him all day, he's too good looking to be real.
9.57 am- Status update: Ouch, the boss just stormed out of her office, wonder what she's done to him this time
10.01 am- Status update: Mr god himself just walked past, swoon, he looks sad ;( don't know what he sees in miss moody, perhaps I should cheer him up a bit.
What the hell Hannah? I stare completely gob smacked at the screen. I knew she had maybe a little crush on Christian, but a running commentary on a social networking site?
"Ah, sorry Mrs Grey." Alby mutters awkwardly.
"Don't be sorry, I'm surprised, but glad that I seen it." My eyes move to the screen again after some movement.
10.59 am -Status update. Here goes nothing. Gloss. Check. Cleavage. Check. Let me see if I can show the bosses husband what it feels like to be appreciated for once.
"Oh you are fucking kidding me! This day keeps getting better and better." I mutter, louder than I intended. "Can I access this from my computer Alby?"
"Sure can, if you want I can come up after lunch and walk you through everything."
"Sounds great. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to sort out"
"Ah, Mrs Grey, would you like to know where she is first?"
"You can tell me that?" I ask surprised.
"Sure can." he looks over and grins. "Come look at this." He types a few things into the keyboard and points to a section of screens above him. The first screen shows the staff kitchen. I can see Christian sitting on a stool by himself, he's drinking something, his elbow is resting on the bench in front of him, and his head is in his hand. Alby then points to the screen next to the one showing Christian. It is Hannah. She is in the filing room next to the kitchen. She is pacing the room, and looks to be mumbling something to herself. Her hands rise to her blouse, she undoes a few buttons and using her hands, pushes her breasts up and wiggles them a little. Then she reaches for her hair tie and pulling it, lets her hair fall to her shoulders. I can't believe what I am seeing. If that wasn't enough, she hoists up her pencil skirt and folds the waist band over, shortening her already short skirt. She paces a little more than exit's the screen through the archway that leads to the staff kitchen. I watch fuming as she enters the screen showing the kitchen. Christian looks up, but when he sees it's her he puts his head back into his hand.
"Can we get sound on this?" I ask, still focused on the screen in front of me.
"Sorry Mrs Grey, I'm afraid not. Not today anyway, we are setting it up though"
I watch as Hannah moves closer to Christian, and moves in to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Bitch." I yell at the screen." Christian jolts in his chair and moves away. "Good boy." I mutter. I can't take this anymore. I have to get down there.
"If you'll excuse me Alby."
"Have you got your phone on you Mrs grey?"
"Yes."
"Good, keep it close, I'll be sending you something in a few minutes that I think will help you out." he winks.
I march out of the computer room and down to the kitchen, stopping in the filing room to see if I can hear them talking.
"I'm so sorry Mr Grey, I never meant…"
"You are my wife's PA, so I will not fire you, that's not my decision to make, but you will stay the fuck away from me from now on."
"I'm so sorry, you just looked like you needed someone to talk to and…"
"Fuck off." he yells. " why the fuck would I talk to you? You do anything, and I mean anything to upset my wife, and I will make your life hell, understand me?"
"Yes sir." she mumbles. I need to step in.
I straighten my shirt and walk into the kitchen, they look up at me in unison. Both nervous, they don't know that I know what is going on.
"Am I interrupting something?" I shoot daggers at Hannah.
"No Mrs Grey." she stops to clear her throat. "I was just offering Mr Grey a coffee."
I walk to the fridge and grab myself a juice. My phone pings, it's an email from Alby. I notice movement and look up to see Hannah turning to leave.
"Stay right where you are." I yell, before returning to the email. James Alby, you are my new best friend. I look over to Christian who is watching me nervously, then turn my attention back to Hannah.
"Something happen to your buttons?" I ask. She looks down, and remembers her cleavage is spilling out.
"It's not what it looks…" I hold my hand up and stop Christian from saying anything further., I know he's only trying to defend himself, he doesn't need to, but he doesn't know that.
"You know babe, remember when we took The Grace out a few weekends back, and the press got those photos of you?"
"Um…yeah?" Christian replies puzzled.
"Well I wondered how they knew where we were, no one knew our plans, and it was a very last minute decision. You rang me that day Hannah, did you ever manage to find those files you were looking for at the time, I forgot to follow up on that?"
"Yes Mrs Grey, I got it sorted."
"You also rang me on Saturday, to see how my trip was going, and to confirm some details regarding an account, I remember thinking how dedicated you were, to be working on your day off."
Hannah clears her throat.
I hear the photocopy machine in the next room beeping. "I'll be back in a second."
I bring back the information that Alby sent down to the copier for me. Hannah is sitting at the table tapping her fingers nervously, Christian is looking at me wondering what the heck is going on.
I slap the top few sheets of paper in front of Hannah on the table. "Look familiar?" It is a print out of recent facebook statuses that mention either Christian or myself including one from the day we took the boat out, and one from our Saturday in Vegas. She gasps in shock, and turns beet red.
Status update: Just rang the boss, she's out on the sound boating it up with Mr Sex on legs, wonder how much the paper would pay me for info on where they are.
Status update: so just got off the phone from the boss, apparently she's having a great time at the Wynn, soaking up the sun with Mr sex on legs as I type this, lucky bitch. Now those photos would be worth a bit!
"Did they pay you well?" I ask her, my voice eerily polite. She remains silent.
"What is this about?" Christian finally breaks his silence, his voice puzzled, but demanding.
"Nothing I can't handle Christian. Anything you'd like to say Hannah?" Silence. "No?, Well there is something I'd like to hear you say."
I place 2 more pieces of paper in front of her. "Read it, out loud so I know you understand."
She clears her throat.
"Section 4.26 of the Non Disclosure Agreement.
Due to the status and media interest of the said Employer - The employee shall not disclose any information regarding the whereabouts or activity of her employer when outside of business hours, unless it is that of business nature, to approved persons only - and only then under instruction from the employer. This includes but is not limited to - information given through telephone conversations, E-mail, text, and or social networking sites."
"Now would you read the second piece of paper."
"Failure to comply with any and/or all clauses of the Non disclosure agreement: shall result in immediate termination of the employees contract. Any and all equipment in the possession of the employee at the time of termination shall be surrendered and returned to the employer. This includes, but is not limited to: Cell phone, computer, hard files and electronic data. All allowances will be stopped immediately. The employee will be paid in full the equivalent of 2 months wages."
I lean down in front of her. "Unless you want my lawyers knocking on your door, I suggest you delete any information you have on any of your social accounts regarding my husband and I, and if you don't want me throwing the book at you, you best refrain from posting anymore. Do you understand?" I am fuming. I never ever expected this from Hannah, this is not something I needed to be dealing with on top of everything else.
"Yes Ma'am."
"Good, now go and pack your desk and get out of my building."
"You can't fire me." she mumbles.
"Like fuck I can't." I raise my voice at the sheer stupidity of her comment.
"I never mentioned any specific names." I begin to laugh, she's correct, she didn't mention our names, not once, but I'm one step ahead of her thanks to Alby.
I hand her another piece of paper. Her information page of her face book profile.
Employer - Grey Publishing, P.A to Anastasia Grey.
"You didn't have to mention names in your updates, your information page says it all. Now get the fuck out of my sight before I decide to involve my lawyers anyway." I point at the door, and remain pointing until she has left the room.
I sigh, that was exhausting, and I still have my husband to deal with, and a new PA to find. I turn to face Christian who is grinning like a Cheshire cat. He slides off the bar stool and strides over to me.
"Watching you go all CEO is so fucking hot baby." he leans down and nuzzles my neck.
"Back up Mister, I've not finished yet." I push his chest to create some distance. I am on a roll, feeling confident, and Christian is next on my shit list of crap I need to deal with this morning.
I pace the room trying to think of the right words to describe how I'm feeling. Christian stands still, watching me intently, like a boy who's been cornered by a wild dog, waiting to be pounced on.
"Christian Grey, I am your wife, the mother of your children and your equal. What you did was anything but acceptable, I realise your motives were good, but you crossed a major line by going behind my back. I am angry and hurt, and I swear to god, if you pull ANYTHING like this again, I will drag your ass to Escala and hang you in the playroom by your balls, understand?" I place my fists on my hips and inhale slowly to catch my breath.
Christian snakes his arm around my back and pulls me into an embrace. "Loud and clear Mrs Grey. I'm sorry baby." he pulls my hair to the side and begins to trail kisses from my shoulder to that sweet spot behind my ear. "Now let me show you how very sorry I am in your new sound proof office." he whispers against my neck.
"Oh no you don't, 5 days Christian, 5 looooong days." I glance up at him to see him pouting like a young child. "Suffer the consequences babe, now if you'll excuse me, my husband called a staff meeting, and I don't want to be late." I give him a quick peck on the cheek before making my way up to the board room, hopefully it's still in the same place.