Hi my dear readers, I know I promised not to abandon this story, but real life got in the way and writing fiction was the last thing on my mind. I'm sorry I've been MIA for so long but at the moment I find that my mojo for writing has come back. I've reread the story and find that two years later I want to make some changes and rewrite some parts so the old version will be taken down and I will repost the updated one.

While I won't commit to a posting schedule I promise to do my best to rewrite and finish this story.

Thank you for taking your time and reading my work because it really means the world to me. Once again thank you for your understanding.

And as usual, all characters belong to E.L. James and this is just my twist on the story. Also a little reminder that English is not my first language, not even the second, so sorry for typos and mistakes in advance. Hope you enjoy.

Christian POV

May 9 2019

It's only Thursday and I'm hanging by a thread from killing someone. The deal with Japanese shipyard is going south at the speed of light despite all of our efforts. Ross and her team have been combing all the details 24/7 this week and still it looks like the Japanese may pull out at the last moment.

It the opinion of my right hand woman is that our Japanese counterpart don't trust GEH, plain and simple. Ok, fine, Ross said that I'm the main issue and it goes along the lines of my age and single status.

It's driving me insane that being only 26 and the sole owner of the business doesn't make me trustworthy in the opinion of those assholes. And for the life of me I can't fathom what my personal life has to do with the deal we were about to broker. All I can say – this is a huge load of bullshit! But then again this deal alone can bring GEH to a multibillion dollar mark and it is the breakthrough that I needed for a long time. I feel we still can negotiate and sign on the dotted line by the end of summer. All my team has to do is pull their heads out of their asses a do their jobs.

Thank the heavens that tomorrow is Friday and Susannah is due to be at the penthouse by 7 p.m. on the dot. I really need a release or I might explode and nuclear Christian Grey is never a pretty sight.

Susannah has been a good submissive these past two months and my only hope is that she won't become attached and can stick around for a while longer without going all hearts and flowers on me.

I shake the thoughts of a naked and bound woman out of my head and see that it's already 11.30 and it's time for my weekly lunch meeting with Elena. Maybe that's what I need to distract me from acting on impulse and dismissing my whole acquisition team for incompetence.

There is a knock on my door and Taylor steps in looking grim. I have a feeling that the news he is about to deliver are not the pleasant kind and is the last thing I need at the moment.

'' Out with it Taylor, what is it now?''

'' This came in your mail about half an hour ago, and the contents are quite disturbing and that's putting it mildly, sir.'' He says as he hands me a manila folder.

I snatch the folder with irritation, but when I open the contents all breath leaves my body. Inside there are my insurance policy pictures of a bound and naked submissive. Leila Williams the fucking conniving bitch! How in the hell did this happen? The only copies of my proactivity are secured in my home safe. As I look thru the folder I see the photos of me with her in my bed. How the fuck did this happen, submissives are not allowed to step foot in my bedroom, forget about sleeping in my bed! My first thought is that these images were doctored, but at a closer inspection they seem genuine. Shit! The shots were definitely taken in my bedroom and look like a series of selfies she took while I was asleep.

That bitch! I knew something was off with her by the end of our arrangement, she became to comfortable around me and in my home for my liking. She also started dropping hints that she wanted to change the nature of our contract and become more of a girlfriend than a submissive. Yeah right, like that was going to happen. I'm not interested in all of that love bullshit, never was and never will and all of that is clearly outline in the contract every sub has to sign.

My arrangement with Leila came to a screeching halt when she attempted to do a meet and greet with my brother one Sunday. Of course that never happened and our contract was terminated then and there. That was the last time I've seen or heard from Leila and honestly I've forgotten she even existed. Well, untill now.

But the million dollar and most disturbing question is how did she get her scrawny hands on all of the insurance pictures? And what does she want with them now?

As I look thru the files again and see a handwritten note attached.

Sir, now I hope you can see how good we are together.

No one will love you like I do, I can be everything than you need.

A submissive in the playroom and a loving girlfriend in public.

If I'm not on your arm by the end of the month then a story about your lifestyle

And our time together will hit the news.

Yours only

Leila.

P.S. My contact information is in the folder with all the pictures.

The ball is in your court now, Sir

So I will be waiting for your email.

Oh, and good luck to Taylor in trying to find me.

XXX

This cannot be happening right now! Ok, Christian breathe and don't panic just yet!

First of, letting that conniving bitch back into my life is out of the question! But on the other hand if the press get a wind of my weekend fun, all that I've achieved with GEH will crash and burn. Yep, might as well kiss the Japanese deal goodbye. And sure as hell, other partners will jump ship like rats for sure. Damn that morality clause!

Deep event breaths Grey, you have time find a way out of this cluster fuck! First thing I need to find out how she got the pictures out of the safe. How did my team miss this kind of breach? What do I pay them the top dollar for? Fine, this will be addressed at a later time, right now we need to track Leila down and deal with her. She signed an NDA after all, but then again if this shit will be made public suing her will be pretty pointless.

''What is your take on this pile of shit Taylor? How did she gain access to my home unannounced? This situation is a major fuckup on your part!'' I say in my most threatening voice, I just feel all my self-control is slipping away by the second.

''First thing we need to track Ms. Williams and try to secure the damaging evidence, Welch and Barney are already on it. I will put Ryan and Reynolds to monitor CCTV from the penthouse from your time with Ms. Williams, but it will take some time since she was with you for almost 9 months.'' He says trying to keep his features impassive, but by the slight tick of his jaw I see that he is very bothered by this situation. Well he should be! I spend a fortune on security so things like that should not happen! And in the end I ended up with this dumpster fire! But going off on Taylor right now is just not worth the effort. Sure, my head of security and his team are for one hell of an ass whooping, but now I need to clear my head and come up with a foolproof plan of action. And to do that I need to get out of here and give the guys some time to gather all the information on MS. Williams. Hmm, maybe Elena can assist here, she was the one who vetted the skank in the first place!

''I'm off to lunch with Mrs. Lincoln and I won't be back in the office today. I will see what info on Leila's whereabouts Elena has. But you and your idiots are not off the hook, so there should be some good news when I get home or heads will roll, and you are the first in line Taylor!''

I grab my suit jacket and storm out of the office past Andrea and Olivia.

''Cancel all of my meetings for today, I won't be returning after lunch'' I throw over my shoulder to my assistants.

As I drive to The Mile High Club I can't help but wonder what miracle will get me out of this mess. I hope Elena can shed some light about Leila and the hole she is hiding in. I know for a fact Elena's contacts in the BDSM community are wide and discreet so maybe few inquiries will be fruitful.

When I reach the restaurant I can see Elena is already seated and waiting for me.

''Hello Darling, what happened? It's not like you to be late and keep me waiting.'' She says with a coy smile and a kiss on my cheek. But her harsh undertone of disapproval is not lost on me.

''Hello Elena, nice to see you to, but today I'm not in the mood to be scolded for tardiness.'' I say taking my seat.

''What put you in such a state? You look stressed and out of control, doesn't Susannah meet your needs anymore? If so, then we can find you a new girl in no time, Darling.'' Elena says with concern, but her facial features are still as a statue. What did she do to her face this time?

''Actually I have a shit storm of epic proportions coming my way from an ex-sub!" before I even have the time to finish the sentence Elena tries to butt in, but I put my hand up to halt her. She needs to know the depth of the hole I'm in at the moment before sprewing her opinion.

"I'm being blackmailed by none other than Leila Williams. Time is the essence here so I need to find her very fast or all of my personal business will be news across the country by the end of the month!'' I tell her lowly trying to keep as calm as I can considering my state of mind right now.

Elena is staring at me in shock and I see her thoughts are running wild. But to my disappointment, she stays silent, probably not knowing how to react to this kind of development. So I take Leila's note and hand it to Elena.

''She somehow got my insurance pictures my safe, but that is not the worst part! She managed to take a picture of her and me in my bed while I was sleeping. That one is the only confirmation the press will need as proof of our involvement! What I need from you right now is help in tracking that lowlife down and fast. Can you discreetly ask around in the clubs on her whereabouts? ''

We sit in silence while Elena reads Leila's missive many times over. What is she hoping to find there is anybody's guess.

''Christian, it's just insane, how could you be so careless! For her to get to you like that! I told you that she was getting to comfortable about 6 months into the contract, but as usual you were stubborn and didn't listen and look where it got you!'' she says in her commanding Domme voice. It's been years since we were in a Dom/Sub relationship, but that tone still gets to me every single time and she knows it. But it's time to remind the woman that that ship has sailed long ago and I'm not willing to tolerate that kind of treatment.

''Elena, I came here as a friend looking for assistance in a very delicate matter. If you are not willing to help so be it, but save your commands for Isaac, I won't tolerate that tone and you know it!'' I say thru gritted teeth.

''I'm sorry Darling, it was just a huge shock to me! Of course I will do everything to help get you out of this situation. But have you thought what will you do if Leila is crazy enough to go to the press sooner than she is claiming?'' her words drop on me like a ton of bricks. And truly, I didn't have the time to think of what actions to take if my dirty laundry will hit the newsstands. Once again I feel my control slipping, but no way in hell I will show such weakness to anyone, Elena included.

''Don't worry, if the worst happens I will be ready. But for now I will do anything in my power to prevent it!''

'' Then let's finish lunch and I will start making calls to find you rouge ex-sub '' Elena says as the waiter brings us our order.

As I finish my food I start to think of legal actions I could take against Leila and the press if my involvement in BDSM will come out? GEH legal team is out of the question for now, I don't want them knowing my business if it is not necessary. The only people I that come to mind are my Dad and Grandpa Theo. I was dreading that I would have to disclose my secret to the family someday, but I don't see any other way for now.

I say goodbye to Elena and leave the restaurant. Once in my car I take a deep breath and dial Gramps.