Wounds to Bind Chapter 15 – 'I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have. Your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.' –Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
July 11 – APOV
Emily, Amber and Claire arrived at the condo just before eight. Google Map directions eased the drive to Grey Annex. We parked in the Grey Annex visitor parking. Security took our pictures, contact information and gave us security/ID badges. Security provided a map of the building and a quick tour. Grey Annex is much nicer than the SIP building. Grey Annex has a cafeteria, with floor to ceiling windows which face south. Open from 7:30 to 4:30 M-F, the cafeteria offers daily soup, salad and sandwich specials. GA also has a pristine looking, state-of-the-art gym which we all swear to use. The women's locker room boasts six individual shower rooms with locking doors. The treadmills have charging stations, and iPad/iPhone docks. GA has an underground parking garage, which is available by assigned or purchased space.
Security tells us about nearby businesses: a 24-hour drycleaner, a small post office, a coffee shop, and a sports bar. The sports bar, Swine and Wine, features pork dishes or bacon-garnished food. They have a takeout menu which features BLT sandwiches and pork sliders. We can order by phone, pick up or eat in.
Security escorts us to the fifth floor, which is dedicated to Grey Publishing. They show us how to open the large glass double doors with Grey Publishing name and stack of books logo. The east side of the Grey Publishing floor contains a large conference room, two smaller conference rooms, IT, storage, copy and mail room, and file room. The north middle area of the floor hosts the main elevator, a visitor area/reception, kitchen facilities and restrooms. There is an elevator with a mini lobby area at the south end of the floor. There is a stairway located next to both elevators. The west side of the floor contains Management, Fiscal, HR and the editorial staff. Management, Fiscal and HR create a U-shape around the north cubicle farm. The editorial offices create a U-shape around the south cubicle farm.
Security notifies us the phones are installed and activated. Claire records a notification message which explains Seattle Independent Printers is now Grey Publishing. Her recording announces the office is closed until July eighteenth for relocation. She clarifies the change in our website address, new location, and hours. Today the movers bring the IT equipment, storage items, copiers, conference room furniture and reception furniture. The new furniture requires assembly. Tomorrow begins the location of furniture in the west offices. Wednesday the north and south cubicle farms and furniture for support staff will be assembled. The long, wide halls are perfect for holding filing cabinets for different sections and for the manuscript bookcases. The older, shabby SIP furniture will be donated to charity when the SIP building is empty.
Four support staff and four IT techs dress in jeans and sneakers. Claire tunes the sound system to classic rock to keep us energized. Amber scopes out the hard body Grey Annex Security who prowl the building. The man Claire is seeing is too boring for anyone other than mothers and fathers to adore. She doesn't want to break off with him until after her birthday, but she checks out the IT techs. Barney from Grey House distracts Emily.
"Barney…" Emily called out to him. "Where are we putting the archive manuscripts?"
"Offsite," Barney replied. "They are a fire hazard. I have a temporary crew scanning them to a server. They will be accessible to research, but hard copies will be kept offsite. Current manuscripts will occupy the manuscript shelves. Once ninety-days lapses, the manuscripts are sent offsite. Do you have any other questions Miss…?"
"Emily," she flirted. "Emily Martin. If I have any other questions…I'll find you."
I avoid overt interest from Barney and the IT team. Sometimes I look up and see them watching me. I hope they're checking out my ass, not reporting my moves to Christian. I just want to snap at them to quit watching me – but then I remember the behavior clause from the contract. I keep my mouth shut and get back to work. At least I don't wear oversized tunic shirts and sweaters around these guys.
Whoever planned our move provides a map to of everyone's location. I learn why the IT team is not returning, why four editors and two support staff are not returning, and why the Finance Director is not returning. I wish Jack and Elizabeth weren't returning. How they missed the cut…I will never understand. However, the level of office gossip worries me. I'm keeping information about my personal life quiet. I want to keep the office gossip about me to a minimum.
Gourmet box lunches, complete with a note from Mr. Grey, were delivered today. I smiled and shook my head. Fifty's still trying to feed me. Our lunches included chicken Waldorf salad, a petite herbed croissant, cucumber spears and cherry tomatoes with green goddess dip, two strawberry crème petit fours and one white-chocolate dipped strawberry for dessert, and bottles of cold green tea. My coworkers thought the note was signed by one of Gorgeous Grey's assistants. I recognize Christian's handwriting on the pristine white card.
Ladies, lunch is on Grey House to thank you for your
help to get Grey Publishing settled. Today is box lunches.
We've arranged lunch for you in the cafeteria for the rest of the week.
It's all comped, just show them your Grey Publishing identification.
Welcome to Grey Annex. We hope you will be happy here.
Christian Grey
Since my name was on the main delivery box, I am awarded custody of the note. I don't reread the card…I drop the note in my memory box at home without a second glance. I will be pleased if Christian Grey stays in Grey House and does not visit Grey Publishing. However, Claire explained there is a grand opening set for next Monday. She will coordinate food and libations (for the staff, guests and the press) with Mia Grey.
While the remark of dressing inappropriately was removed from my employee evaluation…the clothes in my closet, courtesy of Kate and Mom, will be appropriate attire for Grey Publishing, located in Grey Annex. I'd love to wear my grey halter dress from graduation for the grand opening, but the dress is not work appropriate. I need to find a salon this weekend. I email Kate…we need a girl's day on Saturday. I tell her about the grand opening next Monday for Grey Publishing. She's so excited! GEEZ, I hate this part of my life…and I'm not terribly happy Christian thrust this upon me.
Ethan volunteers at UDub Medical Center. Kate and Elliot planned a dinner and a movie date. I try not to be jealous of Kate's easy relationship with Elliot. I'm alone for dinner, but I'm too tired to eat anything other than tea and toast. I take a hot shower and head for bed. Tonight's companion is a manuscript. I made damn sure the manuscript isn't a romance, or a murder mystery. I hope this tech thriller is better than a sleeping pill.
July 12 – APOV
We talk about clothes. Emily's wardrobe contains taupe, navy, green and black. Claire sports lots of bright clothes – lemons, oranges, mango, watermelon, fuchsia, turquoise and purple. Amber's wardrobe choices are mostly teal, turquoise, blue and black. My clothes are blues and purples with blacks, whites and greys. The ladies recommend I have a power color like cranberry or plum. They all agree the plum dress is divine, and like the photograph, but they don't recommend the plum dress for the grand opening.
Emily says my navy column dress is great with the apple green accessories, but she recommends getting red accessories for summer, copper accessories for fall and pale blue accessories for winter. We talk about consignment stores, with promises we will have a Saturday or Sunday shopping event once Grey Publishing opens and we see what everyone else is wearing.
SIP/GP won't have casual Fridays anymore. Grey House coordinates one casual Friday each quarter for employees, which costs $10 to participate. The funds raised from Casual Fridays is donated to the Seattle Boys and Girls Club to facilitate programs for youth. Since over twenty-five thousand people work for Grey House and subsidiaries…Casual Fridays can collect $250K for charity if all the employees participate.
Grey House will pay for meals and refreshments for those of us working at Grey Publishing this week. We can choose whatever we desire from the cafeteria but must sign our names to the receipts. I shake my head…Christian will know what I eat and drink this week. I had planned to brown bag my lunch…but my coworkers plan to accept the offer. Instead of spending my lunch hours reading this week, I bring a list of the work clothes I own. Emily, Amber and Claire do the same. We eat lunch in the GA cafeteria, while working on our laptops. Amber refreshes my Style Soduku course while teaching Emily and Claire. They help create a list of what I should purchase along with suggestions of outfits I can create from what I have. We all find great ideas on Pinterest and on Amazon. I save my favorites in a file on my desktop to print when I get home tonight. We talk about a 95/5 wardrobe where 95% is classic items and 5% is trendy. The classics can last for a few seasons and the 5% trendy will be cheaper to replace than an entire wardrobe.
Amber, Claire and Emily share their favorite fashion websites with me. They share addresses for their favorite consignment shopping stores. I share Aqua Spa information with them. I invite my coworkers to join Kate and me on Saturday.
July 13 – APOV
After work, I drop my friends at their abodes and head to Harley's place. Harley's partner, Shawn, prepared gourmet pizza for us…basil, chopped tomato and chicken on white garlic sauce and rosemary-herbed crust. He kept our rosé wine spritzer glasses filled while Harley and I completed paperwork.
I explained I wasn't around for the rumors July first when the SIP people drank at Fifty's. I told Harley about the meetings held on July fifth to announce the sale to Grey House. I told him about Jack's smug comment about some of us would know what was going on sooner than others. I didn't know what he meant.
Harley took comprehensive notes as I outlined what happened at SIP/GP since July fifth. "There were two large groups of SIP stock bought over the July fourth weekend," Harley explained. As the stock purchases took place before the merger was announced…someone had insider information. Harley says…in baseball parlance…we just scored first base.
"There's an issue," I explain about Kate, the interview and how I met Christian. I explain about Christian's stalker tendencies and how his security detail investigates everyone. I know Christian conducted a background check on me and I think he did one on Dad, Mom and the Rodriguez men. If Christian thinks I'm seeing Harley, he'll investigate him.
"Not to worry," Harley assured me. "Shawn works as a forensic computer/technology analyst for the Washington Bureau of Investigation. Shawn and my cover stories as day traders are secure. Grey's people can run background checks on us all they want. We have business cards; we have offices and we have support staff in place who keep our cover intact. Ethan thought I was a stockbroker. He came to me for advice on Hyde and I explained I really work for SEC. He signed nondisclosure paperwork, just like you did."
July 15 – CPOV
"Let's talk about touch," Sela began a PowerPoint containing one hundred slides of people touching. "People generally touch when saying hello or goodbye, handshakes, kiss on the cheek, hugs, or a pat on the back. In business, you could exchange a handshake, or a pat on the back.
If you are grieving, consolation touches can be holding hands, a comforting hug, rocking a distressed child or wiping away tears. Reassuring touches are usually a pat on the back or shoulder or a squeeze of the hand. Playful touches with a child could be ticking, hugging and ruffling someone's hair or a pat on the head. Touching could become body contact while playing a physical sport like football or basketball. Or, when you practice your kick boxing."
"A task-oriented touch could be when a teacher shows a student how to properly hold a pencil, or fingering of a piece of musical equipment. Task-oriented touch includes holding a child's hand with a spoon or fork when teaching them to eat, or teaching a child how to take a bath or wash their hair. A task-oriented touch could be teaching a child to do household chores, like making beds or raking the lawn."
Sela noticed me give a little shake of my head and paused the PowerPoint. "You didn't experience teaching touch?"
"I didn't let my parents dress or undress me as a child. I bathed myself and shampooed my hair. I watched Mom help Elliot bathe, but she understood I didn't like to be touched. Mom watched me wash myself and then would comment if I needed to scrub my knees or my ears better. By the time I began talking at age six, she stopped supervising my personal hygiene. She had to nag at Elliot to wash his hands before dinner, or wipe his mouth better, but never me."
"Okay, let's resume," Sela restarted the PowerPoint. "There are celebratory touches: a high five, a pat on the back, or a group hug. There is an inadvertent touch –unintentional, involuntary, chance or unpremeditated. An inadvertent touch could happen on a crowded bus, train or elevator when people momentarily lose their balance. An inadvertent touch could happen when someone is not watching where they are going and bump into someone."
I push away the memory of Ana flying into my office and landing in a pile of ugly skirt and sweater and flying chestnut hair. I push away the memory of Ana and the cyclist. I push away the memory of Ana collapsing in my arms at the club.
"There's a preservation touch where someone needs to be pulled out of the way of an oncoming car, or a falling object, or keeping them from touching a hot stove. This touch occurs when you give someone a hand up when they've fallen down, or reach out to grab someone so they don't slip and fall. Before seatbelts – mothers extended a right arm across a child in the front seat to keep them from injury during a quick stop."
"Defensive touches happen when someone takes a swing at family or a friend and you intervene. Your bodyguard escorts a threatening person out of your building. You defend yourself against an attacker."
Sela sighed as the PowerPoint ended. "There are abusive touches. There are inappropriate touches. There are sexual touches. I use appropriate touch to offset the effects of harmful touches. Flynn says you were physically abused as a child."
I nodded, "The bruises faded, but the cigarette burns are permanent."
"Flynn says you became sexually active when you were fifteen. I don't judge; you never owe me an explanation. I will help you to own and express the feelings you have." Sela confirmed. "I excel at reading body language: unconscious movement of body parts, flushing, blushing and muscle tension. I understand when I'm invading your personal space. I understand vocal changes reflect the tension in your body. I interpret changes in inflection, intensity, pitch, tone, or pauses. I understand non-verbal gestures like raised eyebrows, narrowing eyes, pursed lips. I understand about body adornment. Some abused women cut their hair, or dye their hair a shocking color, or get a noticeable tramp stamp. Some wear long skirts and sleeves to cover bruises or to keep men from leering at them, some wear skimpy clothes to garner attention."
"You know I was a Dominant?" I don't need to employ the persona or voice. "I can read body language."
"Flynn told me. He told me you were struggling with the lifestyle back in March." Sela admitted.
"I terminated with my last submissive in March. She broke one of my cardinal rules. I always have down time between submissives, usually a few months. By the time I considered contracting with another submissive – I met a woman."
"Met…as in a normal meeting...not a look it over and kick the tires, check out the ride kind of meeting with submissives." Sela asked.
I laughed and laughed. Anastasia's distain of the Submissive Special and Sela's description of meeting a potential … the car/ride analogies are not lost in translation. "There was nothing normal about our meeting." I explained about the roommate, flu, interview, Anastasia falling into my office, our first touch, and my need to touch her again before she left, etc. I described the feeling she could look through me and see my soul. "She means a great deal to me. She's not in the lifestyle. She said she loves me…and she wants to touch me… but it hurts. Well, I'm afraid it will hurt. I'm afraid I will hurt her physically when I shove her away from me. However, there are times, like when we slept together, we spooned and her touch was comforting, not painful. I was able to sleep all night without night terrors."
"Pause for a minute. When you slept together, did you initiate the contact? Pulling her into your arms and spooning?"
I thought. "Yes, every time. I can hug my sister. I can kiss my mother on her cheek. My brother and I can biff each other on the shoulder. My dad can pat me on the shoulder once or twice. My grandmother can hug the longest of anyone, but she's learned to hold my shoulders when she hugs and to turn her head to my left chest…not the middle of my chest where the most scars are. My grandfather taught me how to high five when he said hello or goodbye so we touched, we had a connection."
"Does your sister initiate the hug?" Sela asked. "Is she spontaneous, or does she approach and hug when you give permission?"
"She's a hugger, anytime, anyplace. The longest one I got from her was when she returned from Paris. I think she saved up several months of hugs." I laughed.
"Touch plays a significant role in human development. Babies bond to their parents. Parents express emotions through touch…but not all emotions are pleasurable ones. Touch deficiencies can have lifelong negative ramifications. America is a low-touch culture, but still…humans need touch. Touch increases your immune system's ability to maintain wellness defenses. Massage, which I will use with you, has been shown to decrease anxiety, depression, hyperactivity or stress."
"We'll work up to that, right?" I ask tentatively.
"I use special care when I conduct massage therapy on clients who have experienced assault, molestation, neglect, attachment issues or self-harming episodes. Sometimes there is a long period of trust building for clients who are paranoid, hostile, aggressive, highly sexualized, or who equate touch with acceptance. I ask for permission to touch before I touch."
I snorted. "I understand that."
"You would…but you use touch as a control mechanism. Asking for permission to touch is self-preservation for me. A PTSD patient threw me across the room and broke ribs. I've learned the necessity of asking before touching. Sexual, erotic or violent touch in therapy is unethical. I will not touch you sexually or violently…ever."
I think I unnerved her a little when I tilted my head and looked at her.
"Let's step back and take a break," Sela stood and stretched. "We'll walk to the kitchen and get coffee."
XXX
"TTT works to integrate all of your feelings into acceptable living levels for you. I'll ask you to think through the therapy. You must tell me where you have pain. You must tell me what causes tension for you. You will continue sessions with Dr. Flynn. I'm not here to usurp him. Please share with me whatever you tell him about our sessions. My therapy brings emotions to the surface. Flynn will help you find meaning and acceptance of them. Flynn does not know how to conduct massage therapy. I do not know how to treat or advise others who have been abused. I know what works for me. I know what has worked for my abuse, PTSD and burn patients."
"What I do is an organic process, like building blocks. We collaborate with one another. I don't say, how do you feel about that? TTT begins with touch, or holding a spot. TTT focuses on how you feel in your body. I will not go beyond what you can handle on any one day. There are different stages of touch. you must be mentally present during the sessions. You cannot zone out on me…that's how the retraumatization occurs. I work to allow you to regain physical feeling in the taboo parts of your body without getting overwhelmed."
"For several of my clients, smell has been a contributing factor to touch aversion. If you cannot sleep…try listing your favorite smells. Lists help to relax you and lull you to sleep. I have a list of two dozen favorite smells – baking bread, Italian lasagna, spring rain, sheets dried on an outside line, a baby after its bath, cinnamon rolls, the cold smell of fresh snow, the salt air coming off the Sound, fall in a forest, vanilla sugar cookies, etc. I never make stay awake long enough to restart the full list. The next time you have difficulty sleeping…create a list in your head."
We discuss what each massage session entails. Each session ends with a ten-minute touch exercise with questions and answers. Sela and I stand toe-to-toe. I cup her elbows, her hands rest by my elbows. This time when Flynn picks an alphabet stick, we list food. For M, Sela lists milkshake and I list macaroni and cheese. Our session is over when both our stomachs growl. There's no time to play Twister tonight, Sela says if she doesn't eat in the next twenty minutes, she'll be a low-blood-sugar bitch when she gets home and her husband won't appreciate that. We shake left hands goodbye and bid one another goodnight.
July 16 – APOV
I breathe a sigh of relief. Spa day wasn't too bad. Kate and I opt for the Polished Professional package at Aqua Spa near our condo. I had a manicure, pedicure, shampoo and haircut, facial, eyebrow shape and body waxing. Kate got a Brazilian while I got a massage. The massage was fabulous. If I can get a massage each time we have a girly day…I can survive the torture of the rest of the salon visit. I remember Christian's rules and giggle to myself. I can keep my pubes trimmed. Personally, after hearing Kate complain…I think a Brazilian is punishment.
We shopped at a consignment store near our condo. I found a fabulous belted, washed linen, fit and flare dress in charcoal grey. I can use my graduation shoes and handbag. Kate recommends silver jewelry. She recommended I buy a black cashmere cardigan we see. She claimed the cardigan was perfect to wear with the dress to work. I can remove the sweater when I get to work. I look at the to-buy clothes list on my phone. I buy a lined charcoal grey pencil skirt and a white brushed cotton summer shirt. I'm almost giddy when I find red pumps, purse and sweater for the navy column dress.
Kate found a sectioned black leather tote for me. The tote will hold my laptop and a manuscript, gym clothes and my lunch. The bottom unzips to make a section to hold shoes. I can wear sneakers to work and change into heels. Kate claims the tote is much more professional than the canvas totes I've been using. She offers to help with my makeup on Monday morning. She promised light foundation, my plum lip gloss and light smoky eyes. She recommends I keep my head down during the open house events and remain on the perimeter of the group. I can affect a quick get-away if I don't want to see Christian.
July 18 – APOV
I was glad to wear jeans to work last week while SIP/GP moved. For today's grand opening, I have a professional dress, good haircut, natural French manicure and appropriate makeup. I have a raging case of nerves. I couldn't manage tea this morning, let alone breakfast. I drive to Grey Annex; today is not the day to be late because of transportation issues. I have a full tote with a spare pair of black heels and black flats. I have my fix-it toiletries case with feminine needs, extra stockings, toiletries, sewing kit, first aid kit, flashlight, etc. I have a banker box of manuscripts. Security races to help me. The guard takes the box of manuscripts and follows me into the elevator.
A large bouquet of white roses on the reception desk at the north end of Grey Publishing cheerfully greets everyone. My three coworkers are early also. They have maps and are the official greeters this morning, showing everyone to their new digs. They are dressed for success today. Curvy Emily wears a sage green column dress with navy heels. Her hair is freshly body-permed like Taylor Swift. Her nails are taupe with sage and navy stripes. Claire wears a color block dress of mango, lemon, lime and watermelon. She has a new Halle Berry pixie haircut with wispy bangs which suits her mocha skin and is summery fresh. Her nails are mango and lemon. Her lime-colored heels, hoop earrings and bracelet finish her ensemble. Willowy, almost-blonde Amber wears a light blue fit and flare dress with sapphire earrings and sapphire heeled sandals. Her hair is freshly root-permed like Nicole Kidman. I feel like a grey dormouse compared to all of them.
I'm delayed accessing my cubicle on the southwest side of the floor because three energetic women, dressed in grey pants and white shirts, flit around, staging everything.
Once I reach my cubicle, I'm handed a vase containing three deep pink rosebuds and a new white coffee/tea mug with Grey Publishing imprinted in grey. A woman hands me a permanent marker and requests I sign my name on the bottom of my cup. Everyone is urged to personalize a cup and additional ones will be stored in the kitchen area for visitors. They will match the coffee service items – carafes, trays, sugars, creamers, etc.
The worker checks her phone absentmindedly and snaps to attention. "Incoming! South Elevator. Make sure the South Foyer is unlocked." She shrieks into a Bluetooth headphone. "Mia Grey!" She snaps at the person inquiring. She's moves off to quickly place roses and mugs on desks determined by a layout in her hand.
With the move to the new location, I could not stay on top of my micro-management schedule last week. I'm sure Jack will have a list of tasks for me to accomplish today.
For some reason, Jack exits the South Elevator with Mia. He's busy watching her ass; she's busy texting. She heads for reception. I wait until she's out of sight before I approach Jack, offering to retrieve coffee for him, but I need his new coffee cup off his desk.
In the kitchen, while standing in line to get coffee, we pass permanent markers to one another, personalizing cups. Before I exit the kitchen, Mia lets out a shriek. "Ana!" She hugs me enthusiastically. She's dressed in a spectacular silver grey fitted suit with a white silk and lace camisole. She wears black Louboutins and black diamond earrings. Her hair is styled in a mid-length Ashlee Greene bob. However, she's wearing blood red nails and lipstick…which remind me of Mrs. Robinson.
"Mia," I hugged back, "how are you?"
"Busy day!" She grinned.
"Walk with me," I suggest. "I must deliver this coffee before my boss experiences caffeine withdrawal."
Mia hovers by my cubicle while I deliver the coffee to Jack. His observation of my attire is unwelcome. His observation of Mia waiting at my cubicle is more unwelcome. Mia examines me as I return to my cubicle.
"You look spectacular." Mia compliments my outfit, my haircut and manicure. I explain Kate and I went to Aqua Spa, which provides a spa experience geared for young women. We like Aqua Spa a great deal and plan to continue our patronage. I urge Mia to go with us in a couple weeks. "You don't think this too much – a grey dress for Grey Publishing?" I smooth the skirt of my dress.
"You look perfect! Christian and I are both wearing grey today also. Christian hired me to coordinate this event. A lot of press will be here soon. Christian's helping me start my own events company." Mia bragged.
"You will be great at that!" I exclaim.
"I promised to deliver this note Christian wrote to go with your flowers," Mia whispered to not be overheard. " He didn't want this not to sit on your desk where anyone could read it." She giggled. "I feel like I'm back in middle school, passing notes from one person to another."
I thanked her, hugging her again, and tell her I'll see her at the grand opening. When she departs, I read the note.
Anastasia, pink roses for you…
they remind me of your blush.
Please talk to me. Christian
I can't return the roses because every woman has a bud vase on her desk. My inner goddess whines…she wants Christian so bad she endeavors to keep me from thinking about anything else. I don't want him when I think about Mrs. Robinson…not the way she made him. I'm reminded of The Beauty and the Beast…Mrs. Robinson is the sorceress who changed Christian into the monster. The monster won't turn back into the handsome prince until he learns to love. Belle told the Beast she loved him first…just like I did with Christian. We won't have an HEA until Christian makes an effort to be a real person.
I slide the card into a zippered compartment of my purse. I slide my purse in the empty bottom left drawer of my desk. I must be professional…he is Mr. Grey. I am an employee. There will be no fraternizing.
I unpack my personal items, turn on my computer and start my day. With Jack in close proximity, I can't unpack the fifteen manuscripts I reviewed last week. I just tuck the box under the desk so I can unpack later when Jack's not observing me. I settle down to work, following my schedule as much as possible.
"I'm going for coffee, Ana," Jack appears about five minutes before the Grand Opening. "Why don't you stay here and answer phones? Or you could catch up on work you should have done last week if Grey House hadn't assigned you here. Our calendars need synced by the way!" Jack yells over his shoulder as he walks away.
Work I should have done last week? Excuse me…everyone except Amber, Claire, Emily and I had a week's vacation with pay! Jack ordered me to stay away from the Grand Opening. The minute Jack is out of sight, the fifteen manuscripts are out of the box, placed on my bookcase and the box is disassembled and slid behind the bookcase. I'm busy reading when…
"Ana!" Mia's loud whisper interrupts my reading. "What are you doing? You should be at the Grand Opening! Come on," she urged, arms crossed and leaning on the grey tweed cubicle farm demi-wall.
"I can't," I whisper back to her, avoiding press who tour Grey Publishing with upper management staff. "My boss told me to stay here to catch up on work from last week."
"Christian will be upset if you don't show," Mia whispered.
"Miss Steele!" Mr. Roach's voice called. "You should be at the Grand Opening!"
I hurriedly stand and smooth my dress. "Sorry, sir," I apologize. "I was lost in my tasks. Mia Grey, sister of Christian Grey, this is Jerald Roach, CEO of Grey Publishing. Mia coordinated today's event and came looking for me. I'm sorry to be such a bother."
"Nonsense," Mr. Roach smiled. "How refreshing to have someone trying to work! Everyone else acts like they are at fun day at Disneyland." He poses with Mia and me while a photographer snaps our picture.
The hair on the back of my neck stands at full attention. Christian…MR. GREY…is here.
Mia looks at her phone. "Mr. Roach, let's go greet Christian…he just stepped off the North Elevator."
Time to face the music. I smile when Mia and Mr. Roach head to the North Elevator. I approach from the south side of the floor to join the throng from the back. Jack sees me approach and scowls fiercely at me. I point at Mr. Roach who is approaching the crowd with Christian and Mia. Jack can talk to his boss about my presence.
XXX
"This food is to die for," Emily ventured dreamily. Emily, Amber, Claire and I hide out in my cubicle, eating refreshments. For the first time ever, I'm hungry instead of having nervous knots in my stomach. Of course, I couldn't eat breakfast, so I'm not surprised I'm hungry.
"No dying allowed, just enjoy," a voice floats over us. "Help yourselves to more," Mr. Grey brought a tray of food for eight staff, to my cubicle. Fifty's trying to feed me again! "Thank you, ladies, for working last week, while everyone else had the week off. Grey Publishing owes you a week's vacation with pay."
Emily acts as our unofficial spokeswoman. "Thanks are not necessary, Mr. Grey. We were just doing our jobs." She flutters her exceptionally well-mascaraed eyelashes while taking the tray of food from him as a reason to stand near him.
'Get away from him!' My inner goddess screams. 'Don't make me scratch your eyes out!'
He hands each of us a card to present to Elizabeth when we want our week off. I feel the current pass between us when his fingers brush against mine. I blush because my inner goddess regales me with memories of how talented those fingers are at ripping off my panties. He shakes hands with all of us, thanking us again.
"Have you eaten yet, Mr. Grey," I ask.
Christian quirks a smile at me and says, "What do you recommend Miss Steele?"
I look over the platter. "I recommend the roast beef, sharp cheddar cheese and tomato jam finger sandwiches on whole grain bread. The veggie sticks are fresh and crisp." I hand him a plate and napkin. "Have Sawyer or Taylor eaten yet?" I look over at them. I hold a plate and napkin up and indicate Sawyer and Taylor should come get some food. They both shake their head at me. I shrug. Ensuring they eat is not my problem. I'm sure eating healthy is one of the rules of their employment by Mr. Grey. "If you don't eat sweets," I say, "the strawberries are juicy and delicious."
"I eat sweet things," Mr. Grey says, as he loads his plate with sandwiches, veggies and strawberries, "just not lately."
My inner goddess is modeling strawberry-flavored edible underwear. 'I'm sweet Mr. Grey...'
'STFU,' I mentally scream at her.
I blush and ignore him, adding a sandwich finger, cucumber and zucchini sticks and three strawberries to my plate when Emily offers me the tray. He smiles because I am eating. Claire and Amber refill their plates also, just to have a reason to stand close to the handsome and good smelling Mr. Grey. Amber recommends the cappuccino brownies. Claire recommends the toffee brownies.
Mr. Grey hands me a plate of brownies from the tray. "A treat for your afternoon break."
Emily thanks him for his thoughtfulness. "They are very good…I doubt there will be any left this afternoon."
IT approaches and hands out work-assigned tablets to the four of us. Emily is disappointed Barney is not working. She sets the food tray on my credenza to join in IT training, obviously disappointed because she must step away from Mr. Grey.
…and for some reason my inner goddess stops screaming at Emily to back the fuck off.
"When you are away from the office, you'll be able to access work email, sync calendars, read manuscripts online, etc." Mr. Grey explains. He observes while IT teaches the four of us how to access everything.
However, before IT is done with us, Jack is at my cubicle, observing IT and Mr. Grey. He helps himself, eating off the tray instead of getting a plate or napkin. Out of the corner of my eye – I see Mr. Grey reach for the plate and napkin I offered to Taylor and Sawyer. He thrusts them at Jack as Mr. Roach finds us. A server retrieves the tray, offering food to Jack before she moves off. I see Mr. Grey 's eyes narrow as he observes Jack watching the server's ass. Another server appears with a full tray of food. She hovers by Mr. Grey for a few minutes until he waves her off. When she offers food to Jack, he's busy checking out her breasts. Another server refreshes beverages. Once the servers move off, Mr. Roach has access to Mr. Grey. I'm concentrating on my tablet and IT instructions. I will not watch Mr. Grey. I will not indicate my awareness of Jack watching Mr. Grey and watching me.
"You met our staff who coordinated the move last week?" Mr. Roach indicates the four of us. Mr. Grey nodded. "I'm glad we had Ana working here last week."
"Really?" Mr. Grey murmurs looking at me. I blush, again.
"She coordinated the furniture installers. She knew exactly what tools, screws or connectors they needed. She brought her own tool box on Tuesday and was able to keep them on task. They were finished with installation on Thursday. Ana checked every office and noted what needed fixed or completed. When the workers returned on Friday, she split the to-do list and workers into fourths. We were completely set up by three p.m. on Friday. Security bragged this was the fastest and cleanest office move they've ever experienced." Mr. Roach smiled. "Additionally, Ana created a binder for us which holds the user manuals and directions for assembling and disassembling furniture. She separated the binder alphabetically into rooms or sections of Grey Publishing to facilitate use. We keep the binder at the front desk if there are any future issues."
"I had help accomplishing the tasks. Claire handled phones, visitors and security. Amber worked with statistics and layouts. Emily worked with the tech crew." But I blush again…and Mr. Grey is not immune…his eyes burn brightly while watching me.
"Ana, since you've added syncing calendars to your skill base, give me a lesson," Jack interrupts.
"IT can do that now; the ladies spent twenty minutes of their lunch hour on IT training," Mr. Grey stopped IT from leaving the cubicle farm. "Please take Hyde to his office and don't leave until he has demonstrated proficiency in accessing and syncing his calendar, accessing email and manuscripts, entering information into the author and manuscript database, and Skyping with his authors." Mr. Grey paused. "Then I expect you to train the other editors as thoroughly also."
Jack gives me a scorching glare but follows IT back to his office. Mr. Grey moves off with Mr. Roach. Marketing wants pictures of him in our new conference room.
I apply myself to my lunch and gossiping with the girls…but they talk about how gorgeous Mr. Grey is. They gossip about how Mia has personality to go. Claire says someone incurred Mia's ire this morning. After the ceremony she heard Mr. Grey and Mia and a spate of French roll out of the kitchen. She knows they spoke French because she had a one-week vacation with her family in Quebec. The ladies wonder what the conversation topic was. I don't wonder. I'll bet Mia told Christian about Jack ordering me not to attend the ceremony.
XXX – APOV
At the end of the day, I load my new tote with my old tea mug and my new tablet with the extra charger. The tablet will make reading manuscripts on the bus, in the doctor's office or at home easier. After I upload three synopses into the manuscript server off my flash drive and put the manuscripts in the mail center for IT to file, Security asks me to go to Mr. Roach's office before I leave. What did I do now?
"Ana, I have a huge favor to ask," Mr. Roach says. "Several of the tour pictures didn't turn out – photobombs, shadows, bumped photographers, etc. Kavanagh Media sent a photographer back to get pictures. We normally wouldn't retake them, but they are important for our upgraded website. Mr. Kavanagh specifically asked for you. He said you've worked with photographers before and will know what is needed?"
"Yes, I worked as a photographer's assistant several times in college." I admitted.
"Have I ever seen any of the pictures?" Mr. Roach is amazed by my response.
"Go online to WSUV, my alma mater. Go to the 2011 special graduation issue of the student newspaper. There's an article by Katherine Kavanagh; she is my roommate. I was the photography assistant. I think you'll recognize the subject of the photo shoot."
Mr. Roach accesses the Internet. In a shocked voice, he suggests I wait at reception for the photographer. He says he will approve overtime for me today. I assure him it is not necessary, I'm happy to do it for Grey Publishing and for Kavanagh Media.
An hour later, the photographer is done. I get my purse and tote, letting him escort me to Security before he walks me to my car. Security wants to know why I'm not parked in the parking garage when the photographer and I announce our plans to depart. I explain I haven't purchased a parking spot in the garage. They show me the database which has my assigned space.
Apparently, as part of today's Open House events, there was a lottery for support staff. The prize is an assigned parking space in the garage for a year, July 1 to June 30. Elizabeth was notified when the drawing occurred, but has yet to tell me. Security gives me the gate code to enter the parking garage, which is the same code to enter for the elevators from the parking garage. They give me the number to my parking space and show the spot on a map. I have a parking spot near the south elevator. Security reminds me to renew my space before the end of the fiscal year.
I wonder if Christian had anything to do with this. I don't know why I wonder…of course this win is courtesy of Christian. I wonder if Elizabeth suspects, which is why she's delayed in telling me. I wonder when she will tell me. But I don't dwell on my thoughts. I need to go home and take off these shoes. I've had a long day.
XXX – CPOV
No talent mother fucker! Eye fucking every woman in the place today. I wanted to deck him for eye fucking Anastasia. She looked lovely in her grey linen dress. I'm glad she didn't wear the grey halter dress from graduation. The sight of her alabaster skin in that dress has to be for my eyes only. Mia told me Hyde ordered Anastasia not to attend the Grand Opening ceremony. He said she needed to complete work she didn't do last week. Everyone was off duty last week except the four ladies who coordinated the office move. WTF? I'm glad I thought to give the four ladies a business card certifying they had a week's leave when they wanted it. I need more information on Hyde, other than how exemplary his work performance has been at SIP/GP.
Striker reported Anastasia's shopping trip with Katherine and her spa day. I am relieved they didn't use Esclava. I don't want Anastasia in proximity to Elena. I can't deal with Elena's questions about Anastasia. I can't deal with Anastasia's attitudes about Elena. I wore my favorite grey Brioni suit and our favorite tie. Then I manufactured a way to get close to her. Although I could only touch her when I gave her my business card and when I shook her hand…her blush told me she's still affected by me. I was pleased to know she was eating lunch and talking with friends instead of working through like Hyde wanted.