Wounds to Bind Chapter 10 – 'Sounds like you kids have some talking to do. I'll be eavesdropping from the kitchen.' – Jill Shalvis
Monday, June 20 – CPOV
I search Coping Together's website. I purchase and download Anastasia's picture to my laptop. I purchase a second copy to crop. I crop the second copy with Anastasia's face and the lovely mask, her blue eyes, and those lashes. Gazing at her face–I'm destroyed. 'I'm sorry, Anastasia. I wish I had been a better man.' I look at the glider on my desk and I remember more. I remember going to Georgia to see her because I missed her. I want her so much.
My morning is blown up by emails my PR people regarding Coping Together. Sam enthusiastically reports the release of the family picture and caption dead ended Blandino's PR launch of the photo bomb. Sam is normally discreet, but discretion is not in her PR kit this morning. She scoffed at the photo bomb for the press who love Grey House.
I check emails from Ros, Barney and Welch. Coffee! I need coffee to deal with this bullshit. Olivia brings me a fresh carafe of coffee. I ignore her batting eyes and come-hither smile. I ignore her comment about how wonderful Coping Together was Saturday evening. I ignore her sympathies because I left the festivities early. She was pleased Mia asked her to participate in the first dance auction. I obviously do not reply, breathing a sigh of relief when she departs. I must address that situation, but not today.
I ring Ros and ask her to come to my office. I ring Andrea and ask her to arrange a working lunch for Welch, Barney, Ros and me. I tell Ros everything I know about SIP. I show her Eamon Kavanagh's materials and the materials I gathered in the last 24 hours. Barney and Welch will provide more information during lunch. SIP needs reorganization now. I feel e-Publishing is an expanding business and we acquire another facet of the communications industry.
Ros agrees SIP could be a potential buy for us, especially when we enlarge the e-Publishing sector. However, she recommends we consider acquiring a commercial printer for business reports, business cards, etc. for Grey House and its subsidies. Ros suggests we find a commercial printer who can print large items, like posters for conferences to streamline the vetting process and standardize output. I send Barney an email, ordering him to find commercial printers who are ripe for takeover.
Taylor tells me a message was delivered – a picture of me arriving at Coping Together. Writing on the back of the picture asks why I'm hiding my pretty brunette girlfriend. I give Taylor marching orders to find out who left the message if possible. I want to know if Anastasia received one also.
XXX – APOV
"Interesting weekend dancing at a charity event with your roommate?" Jack dropped the Sunday Seattle Times lifestyle section on my desk.
He had to research Coping Together's website to find pictures of Ethan and me. Jackass. "Yes, the Kavanaghs are good company. I don't know how you know I attended with Ethan; our pictures aren't in the papers. The venue and the music were lovely, but I didn't dance." I attempt to ignore him.
"Pictures of you and your roommate are included on Coping Together's website. For a nominal fee you can purchase an 8x10 picture of playing you playing Cinderella in a couture gown designed by Celeste Kavanagh at Carrick and Grace Grey's mansion." Jack stated.
"Are you ready for coffee?" I deflected.
"I'll take coffee with a side of business rumors," Jack announced.
"Meaning?" If he thinks I'm gossiping about my personal life – he and the universe are so wrong about me.
"The place was full of corporate raiders and professionals. Since you didn't dance, did you overhear any conversations regarding business acquisitions, business expansions, or business losses?" Jack interrogated me.
"Sorry, I've learned to not discuss proprietary information gleaned from hanging out with Kate or her family," I stressed again.
"You need to know this about me," Jack snapped. "I want more from an intern than a pretty face, a speed reader or a social climber. This is the business world. Get your head out of designer clothes racks and get your head in the game."
"I don't know what game you are playing…but I don't discuss my personal life nor the personal or business lives of my friends and their families." I rise from my desk. "I'll get coffee for you now."
"When we go to the fiction symposium in New York the first week of July, I expect you to observe, overhear and overshare with me. I want to know who is unhappy with their current publisher, who is getting ready to sign multi-book deals, who is sleeping with whom, etc." Jack announced. "I'll write specific work performance standards for conferences, if necessary, to make you do your job properly as my assistant."
"I don't remember corporate spy being listed in the job requirements." My voice could cool all the coffee in the building. I walked away from him, taking my bloody sweet time fetching his coffee. There has been a demand for coffee today. There isn't a full cup remaining in the bottom of the two pots. I email pictures of the virtually empty pots to Jack, explaining I will be gone from my desk for a while. He will probably act passive/aggressive about how long I need to make coffee. I dump the grounds, clean the carafes and brew new pots. I stop four people from interrupting the brewing process until there is a half-pot in both carafes. I just love being the coffee guard. I fill Jack's cup and go back to work.
On the way home, I detour past a Salvation Army drop box and throw the Heathman ensemble inside. The Salvation Army bag took up a lot of room in my tote today, but I cherish the peace of mind. I was constantly distracted by Christian and memories today. Making coffee reminded me Christian had to make coffee our first morning together at Escala. Getting my lunch out of my tote bag reminded me the clothes were there, which reminded me of the morning at Heathman. Eating my lunch reminded me of Christian's need to feed me and his food rules. Checking emails reminded me of the emails we exchanged. I thought about Christian's brain-scrambling kiss in the Heathman elevator when I left work today.
The Salvation Army container is almost full, but I can't obsess about things out of my purview. My small bag fits right inside the opening of the container. The clothes are out of my life. I will cross this outfit off Kate's list of ensembles and add the four new tops and jeans and the three new dresses and summer jackets.
I stop at the front desk to get our mail. I open the manila envelope addressed to me. I find a picture of Christian at Coping Together. In red drippy letters (which I guess are supposed to resemble blood drops), I am warned I will not be safe even if Christian hides me from the world. I put a sticky note on the front of the picture to Taylor. This is an FYI, not a reason to assign surveillance to me. I put the picture back in the envelope and reseal. I cross through my name and write Taylor in big block letters. I guess I'm driving to work tomorrow and making a delivery on the way.
XXX – 3PPOV
Leila followed Anastasia Steele when she got off the bus. Anastasia didn't head straight to her condo and Leila wondered why. She watched Anastasia stuff a bag from her tote in the Salvation Army drop box before heading to her condo. Leila hung back, waiting for the crowd on the street to dissipate before she strolled over to the drop box to retrieve the cast-off bag. She peeked inside to see a nice shirt, jeans and European lacy underwear which had been washed and carefully folded. There was a pair of barely worn shoes and a pretty blue jacket included in the bag. Why was Anastasia getting rid of such nice, fairly new clothes? Nothing was stained or torn. Maybe Anastasia bought these clothes for her preliminary meeting with Mr. Grey. Since Sir obviously bought the designer clothes Anastasia wore to work, maybe she discarded clothes she would not wear again.
Leila didn't want to be caught in the area. She disappeared through Pike Place Market, past the Post Alley Esclava Salon. She looked longingly at the sign. She needed personal grooming before she talked to Sir again. However, she had no intention of dealing with that bitch Elena. She would use the beauty academy close to her motel for a good haircut, body waxing, facial and eyebrow shaping. Leila couldn't afford the upkeep of acrylic tips, but she could afford a decent manicure and pedicure with subtle polish. With these nice new clothes, people would think she was Anastasia when she slipped in and out of Escala.
XXX – CPOV
Ros and I drive past SIP when staff departs at the end of the day. I can't watch for Anastasia; Ros will know something is up. I want to see Anastasia, but Ros interrupts my thoughts.
"If we buy SIP, we must move the company to Grey Annex. We are vulnerable in that building. We need SIP where there is security staff, firewalled servers, etc." Ros swears about the building and location. "The last thing we need is a business near a bar, no matter how many potential Ernest Hemingway writers or editors they have."
"Agreed. I want an in-depth research packet for SIP completed by Thursday afternoon – including financial history, financial forecast, social media presence, etc. I want a list of departments and staff with background checks and financial history. I want to know how many authors are under contract. I want background checks and financial history for authors. I want a list of SIP's biggest vendors, with background and financial checks." What I really want is Anastasia…but I will acquire SIP as a starting point.
"Welch, Barney, HR, M&A and I will complete these tasks. We'll meet for lunch on Wednesday and finalize the paperwork. Tomorrow, Andrea can schedule a merger meeting with Jerald Roach late Thursday afternoon. She can arrange a Friday morning meeting with Roach and his legal team." Ros sighed. "This will be a push to finalize before the end of the fiscal year. I will work with Security and HR to determine logistics for relocating the company."
XXX – APOV
"He's such an asshole!" I exploded. I vent my frustration by ripping salad greens into bite-size pieces. I viciously chop vegetables for salad. I pound a lemon and zest. I shake the hell out of a lemon Caesar salad dressing. Somehow, being active is cathartic.
"Knowledge is power," Ethan intoned while watching the strip steaks on the grill. He moved the steaks to the side and added a grilling tray of sliced onions and mushrooms. "Some people, who are not secure in their abilities, seek information to give them an advantage over their friends, coworkers, employees, etc. Some use knowledge for blackmail. Dad's people research future companies and employees for any acquisition. I'm sure Grey Enterprises Holdings has a security team who runs background checks on companies, senior staff, finances, etc. of companies they acquire. Christian Grey probably ran a background check on Kate before he agreed to the interview. I'm sure once you conducted the interview instead of Kate, he had a background check completed on you."
"Assholes," I sniped. "Both Hyde and Grey. I deserve the right to have a personal life without interference and investigation from anyone."
"So, how will you fulfill the work performance standards of your job?" Ethan's question is phrased to make me think, not react.
"I am fulfilling the work performance standards for my job. However, I will do my best to engage other conference attendees in conversations about sightseeing in New York, the fashion district, etc. instead of pumping them for gossip." I quit shaking the life out of the salad dressing and put salad on the table. I refill Ethan's glass from a pitcher of cold Chai tea I put on the table with steak sauce and table settings.
"Listen, I'm not busy for the next few days. Why don't I research New York events scheduled during your trip? Attend the conference as directed by your boss, but ensure you have evenings as free as possible. There's no reason for you to attend dinners with Hyde and potential authors. Explain you're networking with support staff who are more apt to speak freely when they aren't around their bosses. Hyde should realize the sensibility of your suggestion. If I can get a copy of the conference agenda in advance, I can search social media for gossip you can share with him without feeling guilty." Ethan turns the steaks and vegetables. "I made extra steaks for grilled steak salad lunches for a few days."
"I was thinking…maybe I should attend as many author presentations as possible at local bookstores," I mused. "Surely, I will glean a nugget or two of information at those events. I can talk to the authors, their agents, and the bookstore owners. Maybe I can get a copy of their calendar for upcoming book releases, author talks, book signings, etc."
"Sounds like a plan," Ethan agreed. "I left a list of links about Coping Together on your desk. There are a few pictures of us. You should know what your boss researched. I'll write down four conversations I remember my mother having at Coping Together."
"Why?" I frowned.
"For well-known gossip…one divorce, one impending marriage which merges two business families, one family reunion and one family civil war. I'll pick you up from work for the remainder of the week. I'll come to your desk and we'll gossip in the elevator, discussing those bits of information. One piece of information each day will keep Hyde placated this week. If he's trying to profit from the gossip – we'll know soon enough." Ethan plates the steaks and veggies, signaling dinner time and more palatable conversation.
Tuesday, June 21 – APOV
Ethan offers me a ride to SIP. He's collecting another carload of clothes and possessions. I explain I must drop something off at Escala. He doesn't ask and I don't tell. Ethan promises to watch Escala so I can get in and out without issues.
"Mr. Grey left explicit instructions. You are not to deliver anything at the front desk for him. You are to take it up to the penthouse," the day concierge informs me.
"This is not for Mr. Grey. This is for Taylor, his close protection officer." I showed the concierge the manila envelope was addressed to Jason Taylor. "Do you have explicit instructions regarding Taylor's deliveries and correspondence?"
"No," the day concierge is uneasy.
"Good. Please notify Taylor there is correspondence awaiting him at the front desk." I departed and didn't look back.
I just want to get through work today, especially the damned editorial meeting. I worry about the impending New York trip. I want to discuss New York with Amber. After the editorial meeting, Amber suggests we skip lunch with the editors. We walk to the deli. I thank her for agreeing to share a hotel room in New York. However, I need help packing for the trip. I would feel more comfortable at my first conference if she could guide me.
Amber teaches me about Style Sudoku. She drew an empty copy of the frame and sketched out a completed copy. She showed me how to layout four tops, bottoms, sweaters or jackets and shoes/accessories. Style Sudoku gives her over a dozen different outfits with four sets of basics. She adds a cocktail dress, exercise clothes, pajamas and lingerie to the list. She fits everything in space bags in a carry-on suitcase and adds a clothes steamer. She buys toiletry kits which meet the TSA requirements in bulk, keeping half-a-dozen kits on hand at all times. When the conference ends, she donates the toiletry kit to the homeless around the hotel. She patronizes a convenience store or mini-mart close to the hotel. She buys sodas and snacks for her room instead of using anything from the mini bar. She says she hopes for double sinks in our room, as she uses one for holding ice and sodas.
This was an enlightening lunch hour. Amber says we are wing women for one another at the conference. She asked Finance to seat us next to each other on the plane, also. She asks me to give her a few pieces of information about myself which she can share if her editor asks questions.
"Tell him I'm an ex-military brat. I applied for an updated carry conceal permit. I've shot expert at shooting competitions since I was thirteen. I own a Glock Gen4 and a set of combat quality shooting earmuffs. Those pieces of information are all true and usually make avid questioners step out of line of fire." I cannot bite back the sarcasm. "Make sure Jack Hyde hears your recitation."
"Remind me not to get on your bad side," Amber's generally pleasant persona sobered. "Be careful at the conference, Ana. Don't go alone to Hyde's room, don't have dinner alone with him, don't drink anything he gives you."
"Dad would echo your comments," I assured her.
XXX
"How do you feel about dinner at the Metropolitan Grill?" Ethan joined me in the elevator at the end of the day. "I promised I'd have dinner and drinks with my friend, Greg Beymer and his fiancée tonight. He was at Coping Together and bought the First Dance with Sarah, the girl in the gold gown made by Mom. Greg's family is experiencing a civil war of sorts. His grandfather is not well. Greg's dad and twin brother are at odds over who will run the family business. Beymer BMW may disband and each of the four children will run one of the BMW businesses in Seattle, Portland, Boise and Las Vegas. Sarah was looking forward to my mother designing her wedding gown and having a huge family wedding at Thornewood Castle."
"Dinner would be nice. Kate says Metropolitan Grill has great seafood entrees." If I have a good dinner, I can survive boring conversations.
"Greg tells the funniest story about the BMW woman. She bought a new customized BMW. She paid for an insurance policy to cover driving her new car from the car lot to DMV where she would register the car. She didn't want anyone else driving her new toy. Some drunk ran a stoplight and t-boned her new car while she was on the way to DMV. The highway patrol didn't know which wounds on the driver were inflicted by the crash or by the woman. When the highway patrol arrived, she was on top of the other driver, pounding the hell out of him."
I noticed Jack texting as we exited the elevator. He headed for the bathrooms while Ethan and I headed for the front door.
"Heads up," I warned Ethan.
"I've been considering your issue. Jack Hyde might be using proprietary information for some reason – and stock purchases might explain his interest. We watch to see if there are any purchases or sales of Beymer BMW stock over the next week. So how was your day?"
"Jackass was making me do twice the work necessary for the editorial meetings. One of the support staff took pity on me and gave me directions for an updated procedures manual. During today's editorial meeting, Hyde learned we aren't sitting together on the plane. He learned I am sharing a hotel room with Amber. When he demanded explanations for the travel arrangements. Amber explained she was bumped on the return flight from their last conference. She received two free round-trip tickets for future business flights. The airline agreed to use her two free tickets for us for the New York trip. Consequently, we had must sit together for both flights. She explained the room block set aside for the conference was full, so our sharing a room was a better option than being housed in separate hotels. Before Jack could launch a protest, my coworker and I escaped at lunch time." I felt relieved at the travel arrangements.
"I think that calls for an adult beverage," Ethan pronounced,
XXX
"Who are they?" Greg noticed two people at the restaurant who were overtly interested in our table.
"My boss and the HR director from my new job," I identified Jack and Elizabeth as the hostess approached our table.
"No," Greg responded to the request by the hostess. "We're a cozy group, we don't want gatecrashers. They should wait for an empty table like the rest of the queue." He gave her a sizeable tip to ensure we would not be bothered.
"Understood," She pocketed the tip and returned to her hostessing podium.
"Ana," Greg poured more wine for everyone. "Don't let them ruin our evening."
Our entrees had just been cleared when the hostess led Jack and Elizabeth past our table on the way to theirs.
"Ana," Jack put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulder, "Introduce us to your gay little party."
"Allow me, Ana," Greg stood, towering over Jack. "I am the host; introductions are my task. I'm Greg Beymer, college friend of Ethan Kavanagh. I coordinate water fountain regattas for intercity youth. I teach kazoo marching on weekends. In my spare time I make balloon animals for people who are allergic to live pets."
"Allow me to introduce my college friend, Ethan Kavanagh. Ethan loves to play polo on merry-go-round ponies. He makes colorful clown wigs out of cotton candy. He has been voted MVP at carnival baseball tosses. This beautiful lady," he indicated Sarah, "is Sarah Jackson, my fiancée. Sarah works at a steampunk bakery, volunteers as a mechanic for steam engine parades, and is a currency exchange officer for parking meters. Ana, the pretty and petite roommate of Ethan, studies ballet and borscht cooking at the Russian Embassy. She paints neon red anarchy signs at Graffiti Row. She is a quality control officer for Smirnoff Vodka potatoes." Greg turned to Ana. "This is..." he prompted her for Elizabeth's name.
"Elizabeth Morgan, HR Director, Seattle Independent Printers." I replied.
"And this is..." Greg prompted for response.
"Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, Seattle Independent Printers." I twirled my steak knife in my right hand.
"Delighted to meet you," Greg's voice was suddenly posh English snobbery. He solemnly shook hands with both.
"Brilliant," Sarah copied Greg's lead.
"Capital," Ethan played follow the leader. "Don't let us keep you from your dinner." He nodded to the hostess to finish seating Jack and Elizabeth.
"If there is fallout from our introductions, please let me know," Greg sat and resumed eating his dinner. "My grandfather belongs to the same club as Jerald Roach." He grinned because he knew his comment had been overheard by both Jack and Elizabeth.
XXX – CPOV
Striker text to Grey:
A. Steele rode to work with E. Kavanagh. Envelope delivered to Escala. Lunch at local deli with coworker. Editorial trip to NY discussed. E.K. picked A.S. up from work. Dinner at Metropolitan Grille w/ E. Kavanagh, G. Beymer and fiancée. S. Jackson. Dinner, wine, conversation about summer plans and events. J. Hyde appeared w/ E. Morgan. They requested the hostess seat them w/ Beymer and Kavanagh. Hostess refused, but they walked past Ana's table and said hello. Beymer facilitated a round of introductions. I'm attaching video. Brief background checks on Beymer and fiancée attached. Kavanagh was a gentleman – held A.S. chair, offered her his arm when they were leaving, opened the car door for her. We followed back to condo when evening was done, which was before eight-thirty.
Grey email to Striker:
Someone left threatening message for A. Steele, she delivered it to Taylor this morning. Pull the CCTV from her building. See if you can find out who left envelope. Keep an eye out for future messages. Talk to building manager. Pay them to keep eye out for her and let you know if there are issues. Research the travel arrangements for NY. Can you put two operatives on the plane and at the conference? Do you have any other background checks for SIP employees?
After he emailed Striker, Christian watched the video of introductions. He laughed so hard; he barely caught his breath between rounds of introductions. He could not share the video with anyone, but dear god…he laughed every time he watched.
Wednesday, June 22 – 3PPOV
******** Seattle Nooz *******
Ethan Kavanagh and date were seen at the Metropolitan Grille w/ Greg Beymer and fiancée, Sarah Jackson. Rumor says Ethan Kavanagh is going back to college at UDub to get his master's degree in psychology. Greg and Sarah are due for a September 2011 wedding at Thornewood Castle. Best gossip of the evening…the lovely brunette seen with Ethan Kavanagh was the young lady seen in the Seattle Times paper with Christian Grey at the WSUV graduation in May. She was the young lady in the background pictures of Christian Grey at Portland Place photography exhibit. She is featured in pictures on Coping Together's website with Ethan Kavanagh. Restaurant staff said she was introduced as Anastasia Steele, a 'roommate' of Ethan Kavanagh. They are sharing a condo with his sister/her friend Katherine Kavanagh who is currently vacationing in Barbados with Elliot Grey. Who is this lovely young woman who seems to have her pick of the trust fund boys of Seattle?
******** Seattle Nooz *******
Barney sighed. Grey wouldn't like this bit of PR at all. He would send the blip to Communications and let Sam break the news to Grey. The problem was...the introductions of Miss Steele and friends to Jack Hyde and Elizabeth Morgan had gone viral. The video made Barney and his IT people howl. He wasn't sure Grey would appreciate the attention Miss Steele might garner from the video or from the Seattle Nooz blip.
XXX – APOV
"So, what did your mom say?" Ethan and I ignore Elizabeth and Jack Hyde on the elevator with us. We moved to one corner away from them.
"Mom recommends I maintain my friendship with Lance Gilson. I heard his mom was at Coping Together with Benjamin Davies from Seattle Legal. His parents are divorcing and part of their divorce settlement is corporate paperwork naming Lance as the CEO of Gilson Graphics."
"Are you off to dinner with him tonight?" I asked.
"No, but I might go out with him and a group of friends this weekend. They all finished their master degrees this spring. You know I volunteered for eighteen months in South America with Catholic Charities. I'm the only one returning to college this fall and I have two-three years ahead of me before I'll have my master of science in psychology. We're still on for a quiet night at the condo. I know Kate plans to Skype with travel details for Elliot and her." Ethan reminded me.
I watched Jack typing on his phone as we exited the elevator. He and Elizabeth moved off to the reception area as we headed for the front door.
"Now what?" I asked Ethan when we were in the car and on our way home.
"We watch to see if there is a change in the stock holdings of Gilson Graphics. There were sales of Beymer BMW stock overnight, but unless we know who Hyde's investment company is, we may be able to prove he's benefiting from the gossip. Just speaking about these changes in people's businesses is not enough to charge him with insider trading. However, if his stockbroker makes a profit on what Hyde orders, that can be construed as insider trading." Ethan concentrated on his driving. "You wouldn't know how to hack Hyde's email would you?"
"No, they don't exactly teach computer hacking in English Literature classes." I shrugged.
"Any time he leaves his computer on and steps away – find out what you can," Ethan urged.
"I'm not comfortable with hanging around in his office whether he is there or not. I try to avoid being near his person. I don't like him."
"Well, then we must clone his phone when he's not watching." Ethan concentrated on how to accomplish the task.
"Can you do that?" I know I sounded surprised.
"I'm a man of many talents, Ana." Ethan expertly drove the streets of Seattle. "I learned how to not have my phone cloned while I was out of the country. I learned to not use free WIFI. I learned how to not leave my laptop accessible. I learned to not conduct online banking while overseas. Don't assume the natives don't speak English. The best trick I learned is how to know you are being followed and to avoid potential kidnap and ransom scenarios. Always be in a crowd. Constantly check your 3-6-9. Never accept drinks from a stranger, not even a bottle of water. Never drink to excess. Tell me how the rest of your day went?"
"Gee, you would NEVER know we were in the paper," I snarked. "I didn't breathe right or do anything right. Ten minutes after Hyde arrived, he slapped the newspaper article about our dinner on my desk. Then he checks out the oversize tunic and snorts, 'Arm candy,' before he sends me for coffee. I barely get back from making coffee before Jack asks me to chat up two beta readers who arrived, making sure they have coffee, etc. He wanted me to offer to help them if needed. I hesitated, because I had a full day already with everything I didn't get done yesterday because of the editorial meeting."
"Then what?"
"Hyde claimed he was only asking for an hour of my time. I replied I'd be glad to help, but I had a full schedule this morning. and waved my micro-management schedule at him." I unlock our condo door.
"Then what?" Ethan pours iced chai tea for both of us.
"Jack insisted on facilitating introductions. The editors and support staff working with those beta readers appeared. Jack offered my assistance fetching coffee or going to the deli if they wanted something to eat. Amber, the senior editorial assistant apologized she didn't have time to train me about beta readers today. She promised a training session with beta readers in the next fortnight. Jack overheard her comments, and was pissed." I pull out ingredients for a green salad.
"WTF?" Ethan nukes two stuffed baked potatoes for us.
"MY question exactly. I just gave Jackass a look and went about doing what was on my schedule. Someone videotaped our famous round of introductions last night and posted the video on the web. By the way, you would never know the video went viral! He was definitely on a tear today until he went drinking at lunch. I swear he passed out in his office for two hours because I didn't hear a peep from him from 2:30 to 4:30, which is when I sent manuscripts to archive. We had three shelves of manuscripts which aged out. Plus, I had two totes of new manuscripts to enter in the database." I take my frustrations out on shaking the salad dressing bottle.
"Perhaps Hyde expects you to go along with whatever he says, regardless. I don't understand why he wanted you to talk to someone else's beta reader unless he expected you to learn how to handle his beta reader in the future." Ethan commiserated while he set the breakfast bar.
"I considered the possibility so I plan to read the beta reader procedures and watch the calendar for a beta reader appointment sometime this month. I'm also keeping watch on his mail to see if there's paperwork from a beta reader." I shook the bacon bits package and crouton box. Ethan nodded at both.
"Just keep thinking through the situation," Ethan advised. "Plan and be proactive. Speaking of which…after dinner I'm in my room. I registered for two online classes. I need to acclimate my brain to the academic life again."
"I'll be in my room," I explain. "I need to read and review some manuscripts."
XXX – CPOV
"The playroom is dismantled," I tell Flynn about waking in the early hours of Monday morning and how Taylor and I packed up the toys. Taylor supervised the crew who dismantled and removed the playroom furniture from the penthouse.
"I know Taylor has many talents, but I'm unaware of his connections to the community," Flynn commented. "Are you sure your actions were safe?"
"Taylor called Dominick and Louis from Locke and Keyes. They have experience setting up playrooms and furniture. I'm sure they are experts at dismantling playrooms and furniture also. All the toys were packed in duffle bags when I left for work on Monday morning and the room was empty when I returned Monday evening. Mrs. Jones was out of the penthouse when the deconstruction occurred."
"Sabine's employees Dominick and Louis from Locke and Keyes?" Flynn's poker face adjusted to the news. "You don't see an issue there?"
"Locke and Keyes is dark on Sunday and Monday. Dominick and Louis were on their time, not club time. They were paid and signed an NDA. They might sell the furniture to club members but they will not announce where they acquired furniture and toys. Sabine might see flyers for the furniture and wonder, but her NDA and their NDA prevent discussion."
I handed Flynn a twenty-gallon trash bag. "Monday night I shredded contracts, hard and soft limit lists, medical files, financial files and background checks for all submissives. I shredded the insurance pictures. This is filled with shredded documents. I videotaped the destruction of Ana's NDA, her background check, etc. I kept contact information with the most current NDA for the fifteen submissives, but anything else is gone. I had Barney erase Leila's music off my iPod and reload the playlist with upbeat music for running."
"What are your plans for the playroom?" Flynn quirked an eyebrow.
"I will ask Elliot to send a work crew over to repair holes in the walls and ceiling, paint the room, install normal windows to replace the frosted ones and rekey the lock on the door. I'll announce I'm not using the room for storage any longer. He needs to renovate for guests. He can keep the frosted windows for his construction materials recycling program."
Flynn appears shocked at the contents of the trash bag and my announcement. "Did you do this for you or for Anastasia? If you did this for her, will you resent her? Will you resent giving up this lifestyle? You must give her time to sort her feelings. Plus, you must come to grips with your own feelings."
"You were right, I wasn't happy with Susannah or before Susannah. I want Anastasia. She doesn't want the playroom or the lifestyle. If she wants me, I gladly give up the lifestyle. Anastasia is the first woman who shared my bed. I want her to share my bed with me again." My desires were simple – Grey House and Anastasia.
"Honestly, I don't think Anastasia minded the playroom. From what you have said, she enjoyed your times in there – except for the punishment scene. She said, 'you'll never do that to me again' after punishment, not sex. You've had an extreme reaction to her reaction. We've had this discussion. You are not a sadist. Think of yourself as unexplored territory. You choose whether you make a positive or negative impact on the world. Keep your weekly appointments with me. Call if there is an issue or if you need an emergency session. What is your next goal?" Flynn's mask as back in place.
"Grey House is in the process of purchasing Seattle Independent Printers. The business will move into Grey Annex." I explain.
"You are buying the company where Anastasia works?" Flynn frowned.
"Yes, and before you lecture me on how inappropriate that is," I revealed what Eamon Kavanagh shared with me.
"Are there CCTVs at Grey Annex?" Flynn's curious question is more of a fact-finding mission.
"Yes, but they are only in common areas like the basement parking levels, lobby, gym, cafeteria, hallways, elevators, stairwells, roof and outside. There aren't any CCTVs inside the businesses. The CCTVs are there for the security guards to protect the people and building."
"How much of this is for the benefit of Grey House, and how much of this is a benefit for Christian Grey? Don't tell me what is good for Grey House is good for you," Flynn ordered.
I explain the need for a publishing company. Grey House will keep SIP from imploding. Anastasia and most of her coworkers will continue to be gainfully employed. Once Grey House has no need for a publishing company, we can sell a stronger company to interested buyers. However, I plan to make Grey Publishing the west coast publishing company for e-Books. Grey Publishing would segue well into the telecommunications market.
Flynn, bless his British hide, is unconvinced about my motives.
I tell him about Elena asking Anastasia to join her ensemble and what Sawyer reported.
"I know," Flynn reached for his phone and played the message Anastasia sent him the night of Coping Together.
I sat there in shock, listening to the conversation between Anastasia and Elena.
"Deep, positive breathing. Anastasia carried herself with poise and intellect. She could have punched Elena in the mouth. Then she might have found you and kicked you in your nether regions. Both would have been media worthy and raised a great many questions. Instead, she loves you, and she's willing to go to war with Elena over you." Flynn forwarded the message to my phone.
"I'm sure she pissed off Elena, which just exacerbates the issue with her being a person of interest for Seattle Nooz." What is my next move?