Chp 8 Harvard and four years' latter
It dark and quiet in the office. Everyone is gone home. Home? I sit huddled in a corner, clutching my dream catcher. I shake and cry. I am achieving everything I ever dreamed of, yet here I lay racked by fears, doubt, longing. I am about to achieve my first billion dollars' status. Yet I'm here alone, so alone. How did four years go so fast. Just yesterday I was arriving at Harvard.
I stare out my window of my apartment near Harvard. I got special permission to live off campus because of my nightmares. I look around. Mom has decorated the place. The last six months I've learned to wash cloth, cook somewhat, and shop for food. I start summer classes tomorrow, mostly short courses and electives; dealing with difficult people, time management, short hand, typing, etc. etc. I know it filler to forget the last six month of high school. I watch the weather roll in.
December:
I look forward to going home. The semester has been a killer. I've taken 23 units plus rowing, also I challenge 9 courses won 7. Frigging economic teacher wouldn't allow me to skip econ 1&2. Jumped to 4yr business. After finals I challenge 7 more requirements won all 7. I start next semester as a last term. sophomore. The plane is packed with holiday traveler. I read and ignore the stares and attempts to get my attention. It's just a face people.
Mom and dad have gone all out for the holiday. I had to skip thanksgiving to much school work. Mia is bummed about some school angst. Elliot brought a porn star to dinner my first night back. God, can't he at least bring one with brain cells. Mom is not happy with older brother. I find myself wishing I hadn't missed Thanksgiving, Ray and Annie came by. I work hard the whole holiday on next semesters classes.
Half way thru my second semester the company of my dream pop up and bites me. Lloyd telecomm, Inc. I quit school, didn't ask, just did it. Within three months I have converted the company and made my first million dollars. I pick up my first three employees. Rose "Roz" Baily my COO, 40 yrs. old Fred Miller IT and technology genius, George Wojrmshki accounting wizard. GEH is born and takes flight.
Three year later. My team is set Roz, George, Helen Westbrook HR, my Flintstones; Fred Miller and Barney Sullivan IT geniuses, Scott McCloud and Andrea Field our PA's and Adam Welch security. We are poised to move the company into billion-dollar range. Move into bigger better offices. I have Elliot draw up plans for my own building a twenty storied tower. Yet here I lay huddled alone in the dark, clutching a teddy bear, racked by fear and doubts.
6a.m. Tuesday: Dawn breaks thru the clouds; I need to move. I head out to run. Running clears my head. I can't wait to move. My new office as an ensuite with a shower. No more showering in the Gym on the first floor. I pace thru the dawn, alone, so frigging alone. My world is shrinking. I barely have time for myself. I tried to have some submissive, but so far just three in the last four years. None last more than three sessions. I can't seem to relax; I wait for something; I don't know what.
3:30 Tuesday: I have six acquisitions on the table. Any three will push me over the top. I plan on all six. I am pouring over the dull mind numbing contract paperwork for Henderson Software. When a knock and Andrea enters. "Mr. Grey I need clarification on an issue." "what?" I'm tried. "A Mr. Steele has been calling want to talk to you about a personal matter, he is not on the list. Your Mother called and want me to put him thru." Shit "Sorry Andrea and oversight, please add Mr. Steele to the family list, also Anastasia Steele as well. Please see if you can reach Mr. Steele and put him thru" "Right away, Sir." I wonder what he wants.
My phone rings. "yes Andrea?" "I have Mr. Steele on line 4" I press 4. "Mr. Steele, how are you?" "I'm good Christian, yourself?" "busy, very busy. What can I do for you?" "I need a favor, I have to go out of state this summer, a historic house in Kentucky. Annie had an internship set up this summer in Tacoma before starting WSU in the fall; but she had a bad prom date, he got handsy. His father killed the internship. So I was hoping you might have a position she could fit into?" "Sorry to hear that. Yes, I have an opening here in Seattle. does she have a place to stay?" "Excellent, yes she's staying with your parents." "when can she start?" "Tomorrow is good. She on the road to Gracie right now, didn't want her here all alone, I fly out Thursday." "good luck, send pictures, I know Elliot would love to see the work. I'll take care of Annie."
I sit a relax, Annie is coming here. Graduating high school at seventeen. Almost 18. I lose my thought and just remember. My phone ring snaps me out of my thoughts. An hour later, I'm pissed and tired and so frigging stressed. I get up, shit my back, the muscle ache. I can't seem to get the knots out. I walk out of my office. "Andrea. You still have an open position for intern?" "yes. Mr. Grey. I was just reviewing the resumes for interviews." "don't, the position is fill. Anastasia Steele will be here tomorrow, just for the summer. She's a family friend." "Yes Sir. Anything else." "yes. Order a pizza before you leave. I'm working late tonight." I go back into my office. Work friggin work.
Andrea pov:
Great just frigging great. I just got rid of one useless intern, daddy is a state senator. An Glenna is acting out with Roz intern Beth. Scott and me are looking to replace them all. Now he wants a family friend as intern. Shit I better call Helen to get paperwork started. I finish for the day. Order his pizza. The man is living in his office. I try to be mad. But he works so hard, and makes sure we're taken care of, while ignoring his own needs. Tomorrow.
Wed 730 am:
I walk into the office at 7:30. Put my bag and coat away. Check Grey's office. Good he's out running. I grab the sheets and blankets, cloths and put them in the Laundry service hamper. Spray some air fresher around. I can't wait till the new offices. Check outbound files on the side table. Go back and start coffee. Scott arrives at 7:40 with pastries and croissants, his day to get them. I sort the outbound files and I hear him start his tea kettle. Roz comes in at 7:50. She looks happy; her new girlfriend is working out. I look at the clock 7:55. And still no interns. I'm mad.
I see the elevator open and a small brown haired girl walks out. Checks with reception and then enter our wing. "Hello Mrs. Fields, I'm Anna Steele. Here is my resume." Hands me a paper. Good paper, good work history for a girl who just graduated high school at 17. I look her over. Beautiful face, bright intelligent eyes. Innocent written all over her. "Excellent, It's Miss, but call me Andrea, this is Scott, the COO PA. let me show you around and get you started on the paper work." "yes Ma'am."
After showing Anna the ropes and getting her started. I look at the clock 8:15. Just then the two interns show up. I listen to bullshit about traffic. I order them to the file room to pack, reminding them that they will be unpacking the file, so don't mess them up. Anna finish her paperwork. I check neat and precise. I notice the address is Grey Manor, Grey's parent house. I hope I don't need kit gloves with this one. Good the mail is here. I put Anna to sorting and cataloging the mail. It's already gone thru the new security screening, but I still have her wear gloves, so the hate mail can be fingerprinted if necessary. Usually Glenna takes all morning, and Beth even longer.
Grey walks in at 9 am showered and sharp suit. Welch has security restock grey's suit in the gym locker downstairs. Looking tired. "coffee" walks into his office. I enter after him. Going over is schedule and messages. I hear a sound behind me. It's Anna with a tray. She puts coffee and a pastry on Grey's desk. And leaves. I watch as grumpy, smiles and relax. Sipping his Coffee. We go over the day needs.
"Andrea, to you have a minute to go over the invitation." "Are you done with the rest?" "Yes Ma'am." I look at the clock it's just 10 am. I check her work, excellent work. Sort the invitation; put her to work on RSVP. She gets working. Fifteen minutes later I hear a knock. She entering Grey office with a coffee and plate. What's going on? She exits with an empty plate and mug. She smiles at me.
1130am her phone rings. She answers. Short yes, no's. she comes over gets the takeout file and starts searching. I ask "what are you look for?" "Mr. Grey wants a turkey club sandwich from the sandwich shop." "I quickly hand her the correct menu." "Would you like something from the sandwich shop?" "yes, the tuna salad sub." "Scott?" she asks "Pastrami on sourdough, and Roz wants the Italian sub with extra jalapeno." She goes to the file room. Comes back an orders the food. At 12 am the food arrives as the interns leave for lunch.
Anna sorts the food. Plates Grey's and hers on a tray and enter his office. Closing the door. After thirty minute's I check on them. They're at the table laughing and I see Grey relaxed and happy, something I haven't seen in months. I exit. A few minutes later I hear moaning and OH's and AH's. I look at Scott. We wonder what's going on. At 115pm Anna exits the office, looking normal. I see Grey face down on his couch, shirtless before the door close.
"Anna, what just happened?" I ask afraid to know. "Christian's was stressed and tense. His back was hurting. So I gave him a back massage to get the knots out." "you, touched his back? I was told never to touch is back or chest, it's a fire able offence." "Yes, he can only take family and me touching him. His' ah, before his adoption was very brutal." "I know this Roz briefed me. But? please be careful in the office." "yes ma'am." I try to wrap my head around this. The rest of the day goes good. Grey is relaxed, easy going, less stressed. I think maybe Anna is a good thing.
