Christian POV

I wake up in a cold sweat at 4:30am. Well this is a great start to an already shitty day. I recently bought a publishing company as a favor to a friend and I'm expected to host some dull meeting today to meet the senior staff from each branch of the company. There are five spread throughout the UK with two in London, one in Edinburgh, one in Newcastle and one in York. The one in York I am already considering shutting down because the senior editor there has already pissed me off by being unavailable for today's meeting and sent her intern instead to represent the branch. If these are the careless decisions that she makes then I would prefer it if Ms Warner no longer worked for me. After lying in bed thinking for another half hour, I decide to head out and enjoy the sunrise over the Thames as I go on my morning run.

By 10am I am even more pissed off as one of my assistants, Olivia, has managed to spill coffee all over my jacket because she was staring at my face rather than concentrating on where she was walking. It would be unprofessional of me to leave the office just so that I can have a session in the playroom but then again, I don't have a submissive so that isn't really an option right now. I throw myself into paperwork and reading contracts until 1:25 when it's time to meet my newest employees. There are twelve seats around the large glass table in the centre of the boardroom but only I see that only eight seats are taken. I take a seat at the head of the table next to a nerdy looking guy with glasses and a spare seat, which I assume must be for the editor who couldn't make it. I hear a commotion at the door as the person who walks in behind me must have bumped into the doorframe and dropped a couple of files which Taylor is now kindly helping to pick up. I don't look up from my reading as I have no time for this sort of clumsiness so as I look up to fire the idiot I am met by a pair of startled, powder blue eyes. Holy fuck. She is, by far, the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Upon noticing my staring she immediately breaks our eye contact and looks down at the table. Hmm, a natural submissive. I take a quick glance over the list of people who are supposed to be present at this meeting and notice that Ros has been added to the list. What the hell? The only two who haven't been crossed off yet are Anastasia Steele and Andrew Kelly. I want Miss Steele to be as close to me as possible to protect her from that fucker Kelly. What the hell Grey where did that thought come from?

"Miss Steele?"

She looks flustered and blushes as I speak to her. This is getting old, I'm so uncomfortable with how women react to me.

"I was wondering why you decided to put a spare seat between us?"

"I wasn't sure if there was a specific plan and, since Ms Warner couldn't be here today, I thought that seat was for her so I left it spare"

"Well Miss Steele you can move over and sit next to me if you like? I don't bite"

She blushes and bites her lip.

"Yes sir"

Her response catches me off guard. Shit. Ros enters the room next and sits opposite before winking at me and begins shuffling papers for no reason in particular. I motion for Taylor to close the door to the room so I can begin the meeting.

"Good afternoon everyone I'm Christian Grey, CEO of Grey's Enterprise Holdings and now the new owner of BXC Publishing. This meeting won't take long I just wanted to give you the opportunity to meet your new boss and meet your colleagues."

As I am about to carry on my welcome speech I hear the door opening and see, whom I assume to be Kelly, trying to sneak in without being noticed. He takes a seat next to Anastasia. I decide to ignore his late entrance and deal with him later.

"We have 5 branches throughout the UK and although the company has been established for eight years it is my understanding that there has been very little interaction between branches. I promise you now that the hierarchy will not be changing and I am happy with your work so I will make as little change as possible to the company"

I glance around the room at my employees. Kelly isn't even looking at me but is instead taking the opportunity to stare down Anastasia's shirt while she isn't looking. That disrespectful fucker is fired. I glance slightly to his left and am, again, met with those incredible blue eyes that stare right into my soul. It's unnerving.

Ana POV

So far the meeting has been quite interesting however from what I heard about Mr Grey I thought he would be a middle-aged, grumpy creep; the type who hires 20 year olds to accompany him to events. From the second I stepped into the building I have felt out of place but when he asked me to sit next to him it made me feel comfortable and worthy of being here. I listen intently to his speech and I am pleased to hear that he won't be making any major changes to the company because I am very happy with my internship. After the meeting we all head to the cafeteria at Grey House. Mr Kelly is an editor at the Edinburgh branch and he is creeping me out. I can feel him undressing me with his eyes and it makes me feel sick.

"Well hello beautiful, what's a sexy woman like yourself doing in book publishing?"

"Mr Kelly, I don't know how you expect me to take you seriously after you just said that to me. First of all I am disgusted that you find that an acceptable thing to a woman, especially one who is at least half your age and a colleague whom you just met. Secondly, I will be telling my editor about this and she'll tell Mr Grey which means you will most likely be fired soon or have a lawsuit against you for harassment. Would you like me to continue?"

"No need for that Miss Steele, I think you've made your point"

I turn around and I am met by those ice grey eyes. Fuck my life. My new boss just heard my threat to a fellow employee.

"Mr Grey, Sir, I am so sorry.."

"No need to apologise Anastasia, I completely agree with you. Mr Kelly you're fired"

"What?! You are a crazy man! How can you fire me just because this slut doesn't want me? I can make her want me"

"SLUT?! You bastard! You are a sick son of a bitch you here me?! If you…OH MY GOD CHRISTIAN!"

I was about to defend myself as calmly as I possibly could when out of nowhere the red headed woman from the boardroom pulls me back just as Mr Grey swings a punch at Andrew. As soon as he lunged all hell broke loose. The other employees were, luckily, getting food from the buffet and didn't have to witness the exchange. Mr Grey's bodyguard pulled him away from Andrew and two men appeared from nowhere to escort him out of the building.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes…I…thank you"

"No problem, I'm pretty badass," the redhead says with a wink, "I'm Ros, I work alongside Christian. I noticed you in the boardroom earlier are you an editor?"

"I'm Ana I have an internship with BXC in York."

"Oh wow so you're only 21? Well good job on how you handled that creep back there"

"Thank you. I didn't want to cause any trouble and I don't usually act like this I promise it was just a one time thing"

"Hey don't worry kiddo, I get the same way when I have to defend myself either for being a woman or for being gay"

"Really? It should just be accepted I don't see why people make such a big deal about it, just love who you want to"

"See I had a feeling we'd get along"

We head over to the other room where the buffet is set up and all the other employees are oblivious to what has just happened a few feet away from them.

"What is going to happen to Mr Grey, is he okay?"

She laughs, "don't worry Ana, he'll be getting told off by Taylor for causing such hassle for his team but physically he's fine"

"Oh good"

"You don't sound like you're from round here, are you staying overnight?"

"Yeah I'm from York but I have spent quite a lot of time in London so I'm meeting some friends for cocktails after this"

"Mind if we make it a work thing? I wouldn't mind joining and I think there are a couple of people here that could use a drink"

"Sure! The more the merrier"

"Great, here's my number. See you later"

She leaves just as Mr Grey returns and winks at him as they pass. What was that about?

Christian POV

I was stood with my back to Anastasia while I was pouring coffee but I couldn't help but overhear her conversation with Kelly. I have to say, I am proud at how she defended herself because when I first saw her in the boardroom I thought she would just be submissive in her work, the stereotypical nerdy bookworm who works in book publishing. I was wrong. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself and I find that refreshing for all the women that I have been with seem to rely on me for everything. I got told off by Taylor for stepping in to save Miss Steele but we both agreed that Kelly should be escorted from the premises and never be allowed in my employment again. While I was cooling off before entering the cafeteria again I thought back to what Anastasia said when punched Kelly. She called me Christian. Only my family call me Christian but the way it rolled off her tongue made me feel calm and the familiarity didn't piss me off. I scan the room to search for Anastasia and see that she is talking to Ros. That woman is a force of nature so it's no surprise that they get along well. She notices me and finishes up her conversation and leaves, winking at me on the way out.

"Anastasia"

"Mr Grey I am so sorry for causing you such a hassle"

"It's quite alright Miss Steele. Although I have to say it was quite a shock to hear such obscene language coming from such a beautiful woman. Forgive me, I sound like that jackass that I just had thrown out"
"No Sir, I take it as a compliment coming from you"

Again her comment catches me off guard. She bites her lip and all I can think about is how deliciously sweet I bet she tastes.

"I was speaking to Ros earlier and she invited herself and some of the other employees out for cocktails with my friends and I, care to join us?"

"No thank you Miss Steele. I don't often mix business with pleasure"

"Often?"

"Another time Miss Steele"

As I walk away I feel bad for leaving her like that but it's for the best. She looks so innocent she probably doesn't even know anything about the lifestyle and she probably has some dick of a boyfriend waiting back in York for her. I decide to try my chance anyway. Seize the day Grey.

"Welch? Get my everything you can on Anastasia Steele"

1:30am at NightJar Cocktail Bar

Ana POV

I have had such an amazing night catching up with my old friends and getting to know Ros and other employees from the 'Grey Empire'. I get up to find the bathroom and as soon as I stand up I regret it, my head is spinning so bad. I find the line for the ladies room and I get a text from Kate.

"Hope you are safe and having fun without me. Yes it is Mr Grey that I am interviewing next week"

I quickly text a reply and try to lock my phone when I accidentally click on the contacts icon and see an unfamiliar name. In my alcohol infused confidence I decide to call it.

"Grey"

"Hello?"

"Anastasia?"

"Yes, who is this? How did I get your number?"

"It's your new boss. You called me Christian when I was saving your life earlier so I took the liberty of giving you my personal number"

"Well that was very kind of you Mr Grey" I can tell he is smirking.

"Where are you?"

"I'm having fun I'm with your lady Miss Ros"

"Anastasia have you been drinking?"

"Yep, just a teeny tiny bit"

"I'm coming to get you"

"What? Christian no I…"

He hung up on me. Bastard.

The next morning (still Ana)

I wake up in a comfortable bed with the sun blinding me momentarily when I open my eyes. Shit, this isn't my hotel room. I notice a glass of juice and two pills beside me to help with the hangover. I cover myself with the blanket as I realise I am not wearing anything other than a white shirt which has a comforting, familiar scent yet I can't quite put my finger on where I recognise it from. The door unlocks and I stare wide eyes at who walks through.

"Good morning!"

"I can't remember anything from last night, what the fuck?!"

"Oh don't worry everything will be clear in a couple of hours"

"No Ros, tell me now!"

AN: I decided this story needs a little attention and spicing up (check my profile for more details on updates). So what do you think of the story so far and what do you think happened that Ana can't remember? As always, please follow/favourite/review because you don't know how much your comments mean to me (good or bad). Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy! Becca x