I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy characters – those belong to E.L. James.
Two months Later
I finally find the building as I'm still trying to figure my way through my new city, Seattle. Grey House. It's all glass and steel and as modern as can be. I'm a little early for my three pm appointment with one Mr. Christian Grey and I'm hoping he can shed some light on Leila's letter. Leila, my quirky fun loving sister that just couldn't take life. Well, she was my half-sister that was severely depressed, but hid it well until the last couple months of her life. I'd always plan to move here to Seattle with Kate, but had to ditch Kate and her new condo for a run-down, one bedroom apartment so I could care for Leila.
I take a deep breath and head into the modern structure for an appointment that I'm very nervous about. I'm never persistent and just takes what life gives me, but I need to know who Christian Grey is. What I could find on the internet that he is a young billionaire and started Grey Enterprise Holdings at twenty-one, which is where I'm at now. He is good-looking guy, but I couldn't find much information about him. Good thing I'm good friends with Kate Kavanagh, as this is the same Christian Grey she interviewed before graduation. She didn't have much information about his personal life except he wasn't gay, and that was because she asked him outright. However the mystery is how did Leila know him but why was she in love with him.
When I reach the reception desk, there is a young woman with long blond hair and a sharp suit answering the phone. She finally gives me her attention once she finishes talking through her little head set.
"Can I help you?", she asks in a clipped tone with a cold, serious look.
"Um, yes, I have an appointment with Mr. Grey".
"And your name?"
"Anastasia Steele".
She presses a button on a phone and continues with her cold glare. "Yes Andrea, I have a Anastasia Steele downstairs for Mr. Grey. Yes, ma'am".
She grabs a badge marked "Visitor" that is next to her phone and hands it over to me. "You may go up to the twentieth floor. Please use the last elevator on the right and go to the reception desk when you get off the elevator". As soon as she is done with her sentence, she takes another call and I'm dismissed.
I make it up to the twentieth floor and I'm in awe with the reception area. It's the same sandstone desk that is downstairs in the lobby but there is a large conference room with floor to ceiling windows that has the most amazing view of Seattle and the Sound. I wonder how many people pay attention to meetings in there with that view.
When I reach the reception desk, there are two more blonds in sharp suits typing away on their computers. One of them finally looks at me.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, Anastasia Steele for Mr. Grey".
"Oh yes, you're a bit early. Please have a seat and I'll let him know that you are here. Can I get you some coffee or water?"
"Water, please. Thank you".
She scurries off behind a door to fetch my water. I make self comfortable on the large, white leather couch that is facing the conference room. I pull out my iPhone to check some emails, but really to keep myself busy. I hope this meeting isn't a disaster as I took time off from work to meet with Mr. Grey, but I'm glad it's Friday as I'm meeting Kate and Ethan for a drink afterwards. I have a feeling I'm going to need one once I leave here. The last two months have been difficult for me, but I'm hoping that this meeting will help me figure out who my late sister really was. I thought I knew her, but I guess I didn't if I'm meeting one of the loves of her life for the first time. I thought we shared all our thoughts and dreams, but I guess she didn't.
Miss Blond finally comes out and hands me a small bottle of water, which I thank her. I take a sip to help the dryness in my mouth, but as the seconds tick on, I'm getting nervous. I start my breathing exercises that my therapist suggests I do when I get nervous to calm myself. I was never like this, until Leila's death.
What seems like an eternity but is more like twenty minutes, Miss Blond lets me know that Mr. Grey is now available and I may go into his office. Taking a deep breath and wiping my sweaty palms on my black dress pants, I get up. Kate suggested that I wear business clothes to meet with Christian Grey though it's casual Friday in my office. Then of course, everyone in the office was wondering where I was going for my appointment this afternoon. I had to assure a few people I didn't have a job interview, but a personal matter that I needed to take care of and required that I dress appropriately.
When I open the door, I'm impressed with the office of Mr. Grey. Again, floor to ceiling windows that overlook the city and the Sound. All the walls are white except some artwork on a far wall. It looks like thirty six mini paintings of everyday objects, but in fine detail. In the middle of the office is a white leather couch and two matching chairs around a large coffee table. This man is all about minimalism and the color white. Then there is the man himself.
I knew what he looked like from the photos online and Kate described him in much detail, but he is breathtaking. I need to concentrate. I need to get some answers from him.
"Miss Steele", and he extends his hand out to me. "Christian Grey".
"Hello Mr. Grey. Nice to finally meet you". He is tall, just the right height at around six feet. He's slender with broad shoulders, definitely works out. He has the most amazing gray eyes and crazy copper hair that you could run your fingers through. He doesn't seem to do casual Fridays as he has navy dress pants on and white button down shirt with his navy-striped tie still in a perfect knot.
"Please, have a seat", and he gestures towards the large white couch in the office. Glad to be sitting here than in front of his desk.
"Thank you", and I tell him as I sit down. "I want to thank you for meeting with me about such a personal matter, but I'm hoping that you can help figure out who my sister really was".
He cocks his head to the side. "Was? Did something happen?"
"Um, yes, Leila passed away two months ago".
He gasps at my revelation. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. That is the last time I saw her. I was trying to help her, but then she disappeared. How did she pass?"
"She, um, committed suicide". That was very hard for me to say as I'm embarrassed of how she passed.
"Again Miss Steele, I'm sorry for your loss. In your message to me, you said she was your sister?"
"Yes, actually half-sister. We had different fathers".
"Well, I see the resemblance", and there is a dark emotion that passes briefly in his eyes.
"Mr. Grey, how did you know my sister and how did you try to help her? I didn't know about you until her death as she never mentioned you and I thought she told me everything".
He takes a deep breath as it seems he is trying to figure out a way to explain himself. "Well, she contacted me a couple of months back and she didn't seem well. I wanted to get her some help, but then she disappeared and I didn't hear anything about her until you contacted me recently".
"Okay", and draw that out as he didn't answer my first question. "So why did she contact you? How does she know you?" I want to ask him how come she loves you, but want to find out how they know each other first.
"I don't know why she contacted me a couple of months back. Your sister and I had a sexual relationship about three years ago, which ended six months after it started". As sexual relationship? I knew he wasn't gay, but how come she never mentioned that Christian was her boyfriend? She fucking told me everything!
"Oh. Three years ago, you say? Why did it end?"
His demeanor changes and he looks angry. "Miss Steele, I really wish not discuss my personal relationship I had with your sister. It was long ago and I was willing to help her as a friend when she sought me out recently". He is so strange! Why doesn't he want to talk about he sexual relationship with Leila? What is he hiding?
"Well, Mr. Grey. I'm sorry you don't want to talk about the relationship you had with her three years ago, but I'm just trying to figure out how she was in love with you when I nor anyone else she was close to at that time knew nothing about you or the affair you both had. Listen, my sister was a sick girl and took the easy way out when she ended her life. I just wanted to know what caused her to think she couldn't be loved and you're the missing piece to the puzzle. Please, I need to lay this to rest so at least I can honor my sister's life".
"Did she tell you about me or our relationship?"
"No, not really. In her note, she mentions her three loves. He ex husband that left her, her ex-boyfriend that recently died, and then you. Her first love that didn't love her back that brought her both pleasure and pain, whatever that means".
"A note? You mean a suicide note?"
"Yes. I found it with her body and it was addressed to me". We are both silent after that last statement. He looks down at his long fingers, probably thinking about his next words.
"I'm a very private man, Miss Steele. I don't share my personal life, so when I had the relationship with Leila three years ago, we agreed to keep it quiet. I was attracted to your sister, but I was honest and upfront with her that I didn't want a relationship or serious girlfriend at the time. After she confessed her love to me, I broke off the relationship. Then I heard she got married, so I assumed she found love and moved on. I didn't intentionally break her heart, I was just being honest with her".
I release the breath I was holding and I'm relieved by his honesty. I could see how Leila could get attached to someone and fall in love. She was a bit of a hopeless romantic like that, always hoping some boy would fall in love with her. I can also see how Leila fell in love with Christian Grey. Not only is he good-looking but she would have been dazzled by his wealth and power too.
"Thank you Mr. Grey. You've helped answer the questions I had about your relationship with Leila. However, you must have sworn her to some secrecy as she didn't even told me about you and she told me everything", and I chuckle as some of the memories of her being so open to me about her sex life, especially with David and Troy.
"Miss Steele, you don't plan to share this conversation with the public, do you?"
"No, Mr. Grey. I wouldn't disrespect Leila like that. Your secret is safe with me", and I give a warm smile to let him know that I'm being honest.
He stands up and I know that is the end of our meeting. I came looking for some sort of clue or answer and I got it, though their affair will always be a mystery to me. I just need to bury like I did Leila.
"Miss Steele, it was a pleasure to finally meet you. Leila did talk about you in length when we were together and how proud she was of you. She mentioned that you received an academic scholarship to WSU?"
"Yes, I did".
"And what was your major when you graduated?"
"English literature. I just graduated in May".
"Congratulations Miss Steele. Do you live in the area now?"
"Yes, I just moved to Seattle after graduation, as I have a job here".
"Oh, where do you work?"
"Seattle Independent Publishing. I'm an assistant editor".
"Do you like it?" Jeez, what is this, twenty questions?
"Yes, sir, nothing else I rather be doing than read for a living", and we both chuckle.
"Well, Miss Steele, if there is anything else I can do, please let me know".
"Oh, well, I'm hosting a fundraiser in Leila's memory next Thursday at the Gibson Gallery. We are displaying her artwork along with some photographs from a photographer friend of mine. We are raising money for a scholarship fund that I'm starting in her honor for art students graduating high school. You should come by".
"Thank you Miss Steele. I should be in town on Thursday, so I'll try to stop by".
"Okay. Well, thank you again for meeting with me Mr. Grey", and I extend my hand to him to shake. He takes my hand and his hold is softer than when I walked in the door an hour ago. It also lasts a bit longer, like we both don't want to let go and gives off a feeling in my body that makes me gasp slightly. We both let go. "May be I'll see you Thursday", and I walk towards the door of his office.
"I'll walk you out, Miss Steele", and he is right behind me holding the door for me.
We walk by both his receptionists to the elevator and he presses the call button for me. Lucky for me, the elevator opens immediately, waiting for my arrival.
"Have a nice weekend, Mr. Grey", and I give him a soft smile when I enter the elevator.
"You too Anastasia", and the doors close on us.