I had planned to post this chapter two days ago, but work got in the way so here it is. I'll post another chapter later to make up for it, I promise.
p.s I have written this chapter in three very different ways, but I sort of figured this one made more sense with the rest of the forty-six chapters I've saved on my USB drive.
Sorry for the typo's!
Enjoy!
Christian
I'm woken up by the alarm when it buzzes at six am and I'm aware I haven't woken up in the middle of the night by a night-terror. How strange. I get up and make my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. When I'm done showering I wrap a towel around my waist and walk to the sink. I brush my teeth after I'm done shaving, and look at my self in the mirror. My eyes automatically spot the six small very faint circular burns I have on my chest and abdomen. You can't notice them unless you have a good look, but I notice them immediately, even when I have my eyes closed, I know what they look like and where they're located. I open my eyes and walk away from my horrid past as its reflected back through the mirror.
I dress in my gray boxer briefs, a white button up and in my gray suite, with my black designer shoes. My hair is tussled and to be honest I could really care less about it, since it never cooperates, so I leave it as is. I walk out of my bedroom to the kitchen and grab an apple from the fruit basket that's placed in the center of the kitchen island. I hear Luke walking through the foyer towards the kitchen, where I'm standing.
"Boss, Taylor will be here in about four hours, but I will be accompanying you to GEH." He states and I nod and continue eating my apple.
"Alright, Luke I'll be ready in a minute." I say as I turn and make my way to my study and grab my briefcase. I turn back around and go straight to the elevator where Luke is waiting for me. We step in and we descend to the underground parking structure. Luke opens the back door of the Black Audi SUV and I climb in, when he closes my door he walks to the driver's side and climbs in himself.
It takes fifteen minutes to arrive to Grey House, three minutes to arrive to my office on the twenty-fifth floor, and two minutes to have a fresh cup of coffee on my desk. Life is good, I think to myself.
I've been occupied looking through the contract for one of our major take downs, when I hear a knock on the door.
"Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey is on the line for you." Andrea comes through the door. I look at her with confusion, why didn't she page me?
"She's been on hold for almost five minutes Sir." She states. I look at my office phone and pick it up. "Thank you Andrea," I nod and she takes her leave.
"Hi, mom I'm sorry for not answering your call sooner. My mind must've been somewhere else." I say eyeing my watch. Wow, it's already lunch time?
"It's alright sweetheart I know you're busy at work. I just wanted to check if you've already gone to pick up Mia's book?" oh fuck, I forgot. Shit!
"Sorry mom, it must have slipped my mind," I hear her sigh at the other end of the phone. "But I'm on my way as I speak. I'll call you once I have it."
"It's okay Christian I'll just call your father." She says and I can tell she's sad. Maybe because I forgot my own promise to my mother!
"No, mom, I'll do it okay bye." I hang up and dial the security office number.
"Mr. Grey?" When did Taylor get back?
"Taylor we have to go to SIP, to pick up a book for mother right away. Meet me at the elevator now." I say and hang up not even bothering to put on my grey suite jacket on, and walk out of my office as I am.
"Andrea I'll be back in an hour. If anyone calls take a message." I tell her as I wait for the elevator to arrive.
"Yes, Mr. Grey." she nods and I see Taylor walking towards me. We climb in the elevator and I turn to look at Taylor.
"I hope you both had a nice time," I smirk when I see him blush slightly and he smiles.
"Yeah I though you two would." I say as I smile as well.
"We did, Sir. Thank you." He nods and composes himself.
We arrive at SIP and Taylor parks the car in front of the lobby entrance. I don't know what it is, but I have a gut feeling, something is off. I shake my head and climb out and walk through the main lobby doors and make my way to the receptionist's desk with Taylor at heels, where she points me to the elevators. As I'm walking towards the opened elevator, a woman bumps into me. She smells of raspberries and I know immediately who she is. Anastasia Steele. And then it hits me, she works here.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." She says and I can see she's eyeing me up and down and I do same. She's dressed like me, what a coincidence, in a white satin blouse that is somewhat translucent, I can tell she's wearing a laced bra, probably in nude or white color. I wonder if she's wearing a matching thong or panty. She's wearing a gray pencil skirt that sits bellow her knees with long mid leg length black suede six inch heeled boots. Fuck she looks hot!
"Don't worry," I tell her as I see her biting that delicious lip. God, I want to bite it! "I was also… distracted." I wonder what it tastes like. I lick my lips thinking how her bottom lips would taste as well. I see her take a deep breath and she blushes. Oh Ms. Steele what I would give to read your mind right about now. I smirk at my thoughts.
"I would love to know what you're thinking, Anastasia." I lean forward and whisper in her ear. I close my eyes as I can smell her and god she smells fantastic. I look up as I see movement from behind her. Who the fuck is this guy?
"Come on Ana," he comes up behind her and places his hands and her hips. Why the fuck is he holding on to her fucken hips? I clench my teeth when I see she doesn't make a move to remove his hands. Fucker!
"Let's go." He says to her and I see him kiss her temple even as I'm still looking at his hands. What the fuck? Is that her husband? No the kids don't look anything like him, I think to my self. If you were mine, I would beat this fucker to a pulp in an instant for touching you like that. I'm aware he's pushing her towards the lobby doors and I can't help but feel anger grow within me.
"Fuck." I hiss once we're inside the elevator. I lean my head on the wall as I try to erase the feeling's I felt and the image I now have playing in my head. "Damn it." I growl again when I look at all the pressed buttons on the panel on the elevator wall. "Son of a bitch." I shake my head and look at Taylor who has a confused look on his face no doubt from the interaction he just witnessed between Ana and myself.
"It's a long story Taylor." I say shaking my head.
"It's going to be a long ride Mr. Grey." He smirks, as he point to the panel and all twenty two buttons that are glowing. I shake my head and begin to tell him everything that happened yesterday. Ten minutes later we've arrived on the twenty second floor of SIP, and we're making our way to see the CEO of SIP, Rob Federin.
"Good afternoon Mr. Grey, Mr. Federin is expecting you. Please go on in." His assistant informs me, but she doesn't swoon when I smile at her. I smile to my self when I realize she's gay. I like her!
"Thank you." I tell her and walk right into Mr. Federin's office. He's sitting on his office chair with a bruised jaw. I smile noticing my dad probably punched him. He looks up and sees me smiling. Yup, that would be my dads doing. My father Carrick is a respected lawyer, but outside of work my dad is a family man first and a lawyer second. My dad has that, 'no shit policy' and plays well with it. He probably told Rob off then punched him for disrespecting mom, and then told him about sexual harassment. My dad is badass lawyer, but is even better father and husband.
"I see you approve." He says eyeing my smile on my face.
"Wouldn't you if the shoe was on the other foot?" I ask him referring to his wife.
"Touché," he nods and stands from his office chair and walks to his filing cabinet and produces a gift wrapped book. I eye it with curiosity as he hands it to me.
"Tell Mrs. Grey, it's just what she asked for." He says as I grab the book and turns to take his seat once more on his office chair. He's skittish around me and I can tell by his fidgeting he's nervous about me being here. I look at him and automatically come to the conclusion, he's afraid of making another mistake, of disrespecting any of us Greys.
"Thank you." I tell him as I've been standing since I've entered his office. I extend my hand to shake his, but he shakes his head and smiles at me instead. Wow, dad really did a number on him.
"Have a good day Mr. Grey." He doesn't even bother seeing me out the door.
"You as well," I say opening his office door and stepping out. Before the doors close all the way I can hear him exhale and I want to laugh. Oh this is great! Taylor stands from the seating area and looks at me intently.
"I'll explain in the elevator." I tell him as we meet half way towards the elevator doors. He nods and we patiently wait for the elevator to arrive.
Once we step in the now opened elevator doors, I catch the hint of Ana's scent. I turn to Taylor and he slowly shakes his head. I mentioned to Taylor that she's married, and he as well as Flynn, have both advised me to stay away from her. Fuck they're right! I know they are but, that doesn't mean I don't feel how I feel. I shake my head and decide to change the topic.
"Rob hit on mom and dad came to talk," I tell Taylor and he bursts into laughter. "He has a formed bruised on his jaw and I can tell it was his right arm." I shake my head. Dad has always been the 'violence settles nothing' type of person. But I guess even dad has a limit for discussions only.
Taylor has tears forming in his eyes and I can tell he's trying to collect himself a bit, before we arrive to the lobby floor.
"I go away for only a couple of hours," he says through laughter. "And you decide to go grocery shopping and your father decides to punch a guy." He says as he shakes his head in disbelief while wiping his eyes. "I should leave more often." He says with a smile on his face "Just to find out what sorts of mischief The Greys will take actions upon." He says as we have now arrived at the lobby floor.
He's right. If he would've not gone out with Gail to celebrate their anniversary yesterday, I wouldn't have gone grocery shopping and came across Ms. Steele. That would have been a shame.
"Thanks Taylor." I say with a small smile.
"For what?" he asks confused.
"For leaving yesterday," I state with a smile on my face.
We arrive to the SUV and Taylor pulls out of the parking spot as I dial mom's number.
"Hello sweetheart." She answers on the second ring.
"I got for you mom. He said, "it's exactly what you asked for" and he's already gift wrapped it for you." I say looking at the nicely wrapped book. I could never do that!
"Thank you honey, would you mind bringing it with you tomorrow?"
"Yes mom. I'll take it with me. Matter of fact I'll place it in my car so I don't forget it,"
"Thank you honey, oh by the way have you spoken to your father?" Why would I?
"No mom, I haven't. Is he okay?" I ask now sitting up at attention in the backseat.
"Not sure, he came home with a bruised hand. He assured me it was nothing but I would like for you to check up on him either way." She says with concern in her voice. I know for a fact dad hid the truth from mom about his hand, but to make mom feel better I'll call dad anyway.
"Yes mom. I'll call him as soon as I can." I tell her with sincerity in my voice. I would do anything for mother.
"Thank you baby, well I have to go. There are some children I need to attend to. I love you sweetheart." She says as she hangs up. I sigh and smile at my mothers love for me. I used to feel undeserving of her love, but John helped me see that even broken people as my self need love as well. I sigh and pick up my phone and dial my dad's office phone.
"Grey speaking." He says sounding all business like.
"Hey dad, mom asked to call and check up on you." I say as I hear him laugh.
"She did now, did she?" he asks with what I can tell he has a smile on his face at the thought of mom.
"Yeah, she did. She was concerned about your bruised hand and where you got it from." I say trying to hold my laughter. We have arrived at Grey House and Taylor is parking the SUV as my dad has gone silent over the phone.
"You know dad, we know you better than you think. Well we do, mom believes you wouldn't hurt a fly, but we know better." I say as I let out the laughter I was holding.
"How do you know?" he asks with curiosity.
"What, that you punched Rob on his face and now has a bruise on his jaw? Mom asked if I could go in her place to SIP and pick up a book she got for Mia, from Rob." I shrug as if he can see me. Taylor and I have now walked in the elevator and are now ascending to my office floor.
"Yeah well he deserved it." He says deadpanned, and I laugh once more.
"How's your hand?" I ask as I've made it through my office door.
"Bruised but it will go away." He says as I can hear him shuffling through some papers.
"Dad I didn't mean to bother you while you're working, I'll call you later." I say wanting to get off the phone, so he can go back to work.
"Oh it's nothing, just a beautiful intelligent woman who has just filed for divorce. I swear son, how can some people be so blind to see what's in front of them?" I can tell by his tone of voice my dad has grown to respect this woman, who ever she is.
"I don't know dad." I say truthfully.
"It's a damn shame." Dad says and I know he's shaking his head in disapproval.
"Dad I would love to keep talking but I have a meeting in 30 minutes and I still have to get everything ready."
"Alright son, thank you for checking up on me, and for doing your mother that favor. I'm glad she didn't have to see that asshole."
"No problem dad."
"I'll see you tomorrow at the house bright an early, I will need your help organizing everything for the barbeque."
"Yes dad, I'll be there in the morning. Bye dad."
"Until tomorrow, son." He hangs up.
It's a quarter to five and I have everything ready for the presentation for Monday's morning meeting. I shut down the computer, put on my suit jacket, and then grab my briefcase. I walk out my door and notice Taylor is waiting for me in front of Andrea's desk.
"Good night Mr. Grey." She says with a big smile on her face when she pushes two boxes in my direction and she grabs two boxes as well. I shake my head knowing the contents that are inside the boxes.
"Has Ros seen them?" I ask her as Taylor has now picked up Mia's gifts and I have picked up Andrea's.
"Yes she has." She smiles a triumphant smile, "She said it was not fair she was in a board meeting with plenty of penis heads," she blushes, but Taylor and I know Ros to well. She wouldn't say penis heads, she would say dickheads. Taylor and I erupt in a good laugh as we descend to the ground parking. I help Andrea place her gifts in her car, and turn back around to head to the SUV after she thanks me and I thank her by buying Mia's gifts.
Arriving home I place mom's gift for Mia in the R8 as well as my gifts for Mia. We walk to the elevators and I dial the code to the penthouse on the key pad on the inside wall of the elevator.
"Taylor would you and Gail, like to accompany me to the barbeque at my parent's home tomorrow? We can have Sawyer as my CPO." I ask looking straight ahead at our reflection through the metal elevator doors. Taylor looks shocked and just nods his head. The elevator pings to a stop and Sawyer greets us by the foyer.
"Boss, you have a lady by the name of Gloria waiting for you in the livingroom." Luke looks embarrassed for a moment. Gloria the Submissive? I rub my forehead with my hand. Why am I forgetting things today? I ask myself this question as an image of Ana comes to mind. I shake my head, I can't have her!
"Thanks Luke, Taylor," I nod to them both, "I'll handle it from here." I say as I walk passed them and straight to my study to pick up an NDA and then walk to the living room where Gloria is sitting.
"Hello Gloria," I say walking behind her, "I need you to sign this NDA before we begin to talk." I pass her one of my NDA contracts and a pen. She signs after she's read it and I sit across from her, her head is bowed and she doesn't even flinch. I open her folder and begin to go through it.
"It says here," I point to her portfolio, "you've been a submissive for three years." I ask looking for confirmation, but she doesn't respond.
"Gloria you may speak when spoken to." I inform her and she lifts her head to see me. Fuck!
I close my eyes when I see her blue eyes staring back at me. I swallow and a picture of Ana smiling at me like she did at the grocery store comes to mind. Opening my eyes, I look intently at Gloria. She has no similarities to Ana, except of course the obvious, but I still can't stop myself from picturing Ana in her place.
"Stand and turn around slowly." I command, pushing her file away, and she does as she's told. But I just can't stop myself from comparing her to Ana.
Gloria has a petite ass and a decent pair of breasts. Her legs are long, and her skin tone is a shade of alabaster, her tummy is flat and her hips are narrow. Her hair is a darker shade of mahogany and only reaches the middle of her back. She's definitely no Ana!
She stops after completing her turn, and I stand from where I'm sitting and remove her jacket. I can tell she's wearing a blush pink transparent bra, under her white satin blouse that does nothing to hide her pink erect nipples.
Wondering what shade Ana's nipples are, how she'd taste, or how her voice would sound when I make love to her on my bed, I absentmindedly walk behind her and grab hold of her hips. She twists her neck to give me a better angel and I inhale her sweet fragrance. She smells of raspberries, and immediately the picture of myself with Ana, disappears. What the fuck am I doing? Letting go of Gloria, as if she was on fire I holler for Taylor who comes into view no more than three seconds later.
"Please escort Gloria out of the premises." I say to Taylor and turn my gaze back to Gloria. I have to admit she would make a good submissive.
"I'll remind you, that you've signed an NDA. Thank you for your time." I leave Taylor alone to deal with Ms. Gloria while I head to my bedroom, where I close the door with my foot and make my way to the bathroom to wash my hands. I still feel dirty after I've thoroughly washed them. I feel disgusted with my self, but why? I turn to my shower and press the automatic button to the setting I desire. I strip of all my clothes and jump in. I scrub my hands, my arms, my neck, my entire body furiously. She's not Ana! I can feel the hot water stinging my now, redden skin. Stretching, I place my hands on the tile wall and lift my face towards the streaming showerhead. What the fuck is she doing to me?
I've been standing in the shower a little over thirty minutes thinking about Ana, until Taylor informs me Gail has dinner ready.
"I'll be right out Taylor." Sighing I push the off button for the shower, and glance at my hands as I extend my arm to get the towel and they are beyond wrinkly. Wrapping the towel around my hip, I exit the steamed bathroom. Dressing in boxer briefs and my gray pajama bottoms and a black shirt, I walk to the kitchen island where Taylor, Gail, and Sawyer are standing, I nod my head and sit down.
"Here you go Mr. Grey." Gail places a plate of her homemade macaroni and cheese in front of me, and offers me wine but Taylor hands me a beer instead, which I gladly take.
Shaking my head I can't help but ask, "What is she doing to me?" I look up to see Gail holding back her tears, while Taylor and Sawyer stand beside her. I know Taylor has told Gail of the situation and Sawyer knows because he was there. This situation is all fucked up.
Running my hand through my head I come to a decision.
"Get rid of it, Taylor. Do what you must, but get rid of it." I shake my head, ignoring my barely touched plate of food and get up, leaving everyone in the kitchen with a shocked expression, and make my way to bed where I dream of a monster with his ugly laugh.