Chapter 3
Cpov
I call Ana into my office, since we have so much shit to go over and this needs to get done and finalised today. While talking to Ana, I notice Sawyer flirting with some blonde girl from a different department. I know I'm a demanding boss, but I pay him to be a CPO, not fucking Romeo.
A few minutes later, Ana walks in with our snacks and sits across from me so we can begin. She likes to bring snacks while we work, and I find we both get more done when we have a sweet treat. I will never tell my personal trainer Claude that.
We discuss the photo shoot first. I can't seem to find a model suitable for the job. Everyone I've seen so far is missing something. The wow factor. I want a certain type of look and I'm not finding it, however, I know I am very hard to please.
I've notice Ana has had a smile plastered on her face for the last few days and has texted more than usual, so when I look up to see her phone in her hand and that smile on her face, I get annoyed. We're trying to conduct business here. Who the fuck is she texting and why is she smiling like that?
"Anastasia, who the hell are you texting?" I grunt in frustration.
"No one important."
"Well, it's distracting."
"I'm sorry," She finally puts her phone away. "Let's continue. I have Olivia bringing lunch in soon."
"Very well. My mother called this morning to confirm the guest list for Coping Together." I remind her. "I told her the usual set up."
I see her smile leave her face and the 'I have something to tell you face' replaces it.
"Well, Christian," She starts, "I have a date, so I cant be your plus one this year. I'm sorry, I forgot to mention it."
This is just perfect. Ana knows that she makes the night easier for me, and now suddenly she wants to bring some dickhead. Great. Since when does she have time to meet anyone, let alone date. I keep her busy enough.
"A date?" I try not to let my annoyance show in my tone. "Since when do you date?"
"Since today." She says offended. "I'm allowed to have a life besides you, Christian. I will call Grace and tell her there's been a change of plans, and to sit me by my date."
"Fine." I growl petulantly. "I am guessing the texts are from... What did you say his name was again?"
I know she didn't mention a name, but I need to run all the necessary checks on him.
"Yes, they are from him, and I didn't tell you his name."
Her smart mouth drives me insane. I don't know why she just doesn't tell me who the mystery guy is. She knows I will make it my business to find out. We are in the middle of another Christian and Ana stare-off, but I'm not backing down this time. I always find a way.
"Anastasia, just tell me who it is. Save Welch the trouble of finding out. He is a very busy man."
"Jeez. Fine, Christian! His name is Cooper Helfet."
So this douche has a name. Cooper Helfet. Oh shit, he's a Seattle Seahawk. Great, she's dating an NFL player. Well, this is going to end in a disaster.
"So you're dating a pro footballer. How did you meet him?"
"I met him at the re-opening for your club. We talked, and hit it off, so we swapped numbers. And we're not exactly dating. The
Seahawks are invited to Coping Together, and he knew I was going since I work with you, so he asked if I would be his date."
"You met him in my club, while I was there." I wonder out loud. "I never saw any of this. And Sawyer didn't say anything to me about a guy with you."
And there it is; the death glare. I have gotten this look from her many times, but I know I am in trouble now from my slip-up.
"You said he was for protection, Christian, not to be your inside spy." She snaps at me. "Furthermore, it's none of your business who I go out with or what I do."
"We're friends, first and foremost, and I care about you. I want you to be safe and happy." Non-negotiable.
"Thanks for your concern." She replies sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "Hopefully I will get to repay you when you start dating someone."
I can't help but laugh. That is the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I don't, and will never, date.
"Of course you can," I agree with her joke. "But you will be waiting awhile."
Olivia interrupts, calling into my office to inform us that she has our lunch. Before I can tell Olivia to bring it in, Anastasia gets up and walks out. She returns moments later with lunch, placing mine on my desk in front of me, then she turns around and leaves. I guess we're not having lunch together today. You sure pissed her off this time, Grey. Oh well, it's time to call Welch.
"Welch," I snap as soon as he answers. "I need a background check on Cooper Helfet. He's a Seattle Seahawk. I want it by the end of the day."
I end the call without further instructions or waiting for a reply.
The rest of the day is pretty tense since Anastasia is upset with me, but I am only looking out for her, that's what friends do. Well.. so am told. I've never really had a friend before Anastasia besides Elena, but Elena never was my true friend. Near the end of the day, I go to Anastasia's desk when I can't get her on the intercom, but she's not there. She obviously must have gone somewhere, but where? I'm about to return to my office when I hear her phone chime, announcing an incoming text message. The phone is on her desk, and it lights up so I'm able to see the sender is that Seahawk douche. Her phone displays a bit of the text, and it clearly says he's looking forward to seeing her tonight. Tonight?! I thought he was just her Coping Together date? This makes my blood run cold, and I can't understand why it's bothering me so much. I need to see Flynn. I leave work early so I can speak to my expensive charlatan, as Ana calls my therapist.
"So, Christian, what brings you in today?"
"Ana." Is all I say.
"Care to elaborate?"
"She has started dating some douche, and... I don't know, it's bothering me I guess."
"So you have met him then?"
"No, why?"
"You've called him a name, so I assumed you know him."
"No, I don't know him. What are you getting at it?"
"Well, Christian, if you don't know this guy, how can you call him a douche?"
"I just can." Because he probably is.
"Why don't you tell me what's bothering you, Christian? I'm sensing there's something you're not telling me."
"I don't know, that's why I am here."
I pay this fucker thousands upon thousands of dollars, for what, to piss me off?
"Well, Christian, the way I see it, Ana is your not only your employee, but she is also your close friend. You have a great relationship with her, and I know you don't have many friends. Could it be you're upset because you believe if she has a man in her life that she's going to abandon you?"
"Of course not." I do my usual hair pulling. Ana says I will be bald by 30, so I better enjoy it while I can.
"Then what are you worried about?"
"Everything, like her safety, her happiness, the douchebag's intentions, the list goes on and on."
"Christian, do you think that maybe you're jealous?"
"Flynn," I chuckle, "No, I'm not jealous because Ana's dating. I don't want to date, at all. Seriously, Flynn, come on now, you can do better than that."
"I wasn't referring to Ana, I was referring to the man she's dating."
"I'm not jealous of some douche." How ridiculous. Why would I be? "I need real answers here, Flynn."
My session with Flynn is proving useless, as usual. Sometimes I don't know why the fuck I come here. I feel like he always wants me to work on my problems alone and solving shit myself. That's what I pay him for, but he's always going on about walking before I can run, and all that bullshit.
After we talk a bit more, I leave Flynn's office. I have to deal with Sawyer now, since Anastasia is going out with that Seahawk douche tonight. I'm not please that Sawyer left her unattended, giving this prick the chance to talk to her, and now she's going out with him. He's lucky I'm in a forgiving mood, but it better not happen again. Ever. Taylor drives me to Anastasia's apartment, where Sawyer is, and soon he pulls up behind Sawyer's SUV .
As I get out, buttoning my jacket, I look up to Ana's apartment. Her bedroom light is on so she must be getting ready for her date. This displeases me, and now I'm in a foul mood, no longer in a forgiving mood.
"Mr. Grey," Sawyer steps out as soon as he sees me approach. "Taylor said you wanted to speak with me."
"That is correct, Sawyer. What do I pay you to do?" Rhetorical question, but let's see if he knows the answer.
"To protect Miss Steele. I'm to report back to Taylor or yourself when needed, sir."
"Well seems like you know your job description pretty well, so tell me this. How was I not made aware that Ms. Steele was unprotected?
"Forgive me, sir, but I don't recall a time when she was unprotected. I always have my eye on her."
"At the re-opening of my club, Sawyer." I growl, annoyed that I have to explain when. "She was cornered by a Seahawk."
"I was there, sir, and didn't see him as a threat. He was very respectful of her boundaries."
"Why was I not made aware of this?"
"With all due respect, Mr. Grey, Miss Steele asked me not report her private life back to you. She said I'm for protection only, not a spy."
"You will do well to remember in future that you work for me, not Ana!" I snap. "If you slip up again, you're fired. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, sir."
I storm back to my car. What is wrong with my staff? Ana is right, Sawyer doesn't report her personal life to me, only the threats, but I pay them for fucks sake.
"Escala, Taylor."
Apov
Christian has really pissed me off today. I know he drives me insane on a daily basis, but sometimes he even outdoes himself. I don't see what the big deal is, that I have a date, I work long hours and barely have a personal life. Even if it's just one date, I need this 'me time'.
"Kate, I need your help." I call out to my roommate and best girl friend. "I'm in my closet."
"Where is Christian dragging you off to now?" She grumbles as she walks in. Saying Christian and Kate don't get along well, is an understatement. They literally hate each other, and I have no idea why. Neither one will explain to me what it is they don't like about the other, so I keep them at a distance when necessary, like when we attend events.
"Cooper," I stress his name. "asked me to join him for dinner tonight, so I want your help on choosing my outfit."
"Yes, Ana," She squeals. "I am so happy that you are going out with that beefcake. He is so big and yummy and mmm."
Kate excitedly picks out a little black dress, matching it with a pair of my Louboutins and a clutch. It's plain and simple, a little too short for dinner, but what the hell. You only live once right? I'm ready to go so I make my way outside. Cooper said he would pick me up, but I thought would be easy for Sawyer to drive me. He's to stalk, I'm sorry, protect me anyway so he might as well. When I get outside, I notice Christian's SUV preparing to drive off. Great. He didn't come up to my apartment to see me so I assume Sawyer got an ear full about the whole Cooper ordeal, and not reporting back to Christian about it. Just just what a girl needs, a pissed off hulk driving her to a date.
"So, Sawyer, did you get your ass fired?" I ask when he opens the rear door for me.
"I'm here, aren't I?" He grins, helping me in the back of the SUV .
"But he complained, didn't he?"
"Something like that, Ana." Since day one, I asked Sawyer not to call me ma'am. He calls me Ana, but only if Christian is not around. Christian prefers everything to stay professional, so in Christian's presence, I am Ms. Steele.
"I wouldn't worry about it, I'll be fine." He tells me when he's in the driver's seat.
"I don't want to get you into trouble because of me. It's not fair."
"Don't worry, I can handle myself. You look beautiful by the way."
I blush as I never get complimented by him.
"Thank you."
"I will try to keep my distance this evening. You know, give you the normal thing."
Cpov
Just before Taylor pulls out into traffic, I see Ana leave her apartment. All I can think, is what the fuck is she wearing?! She can't go out
like that. I swear she has no concern for her own safety. I'm probably overreacting, as usual, but I'm freaking out seeing what Anastasia is wearing, and at this moment, I don't trust Sawyer's judgment. Maybe I need to replace him.
Taylor pulls out into traffic when Ana climbs into the back of Sawyer's SUV , and Sawyer pulls out behind us, but Taylor turns left, taking me to Escala, as Sawyer turns right, driving Ana to the restaurant where her date is waiting. I can't let this happen. If this is the game she wants to play, I will gladly pick up the gauntlet that she has inadvertently thrown down.
"Barney," I snap as Taylor pulls into Escala's underground parking. "I need you to use that virus programme you created to wipe my GEH and home server, as well as Ms. Steele's."
"Sir, what is it that you want me to get rid of?"
"The schedules. I want it wiped, and make it stick. How long?"
"Give me ten minutes, sir."
By the time I make it to my office, it's only been a few minutes, but what I wanted gone has be taken off of our servers. Now it's time for part two of my plan; call Ana to fix this. She keeps a handwritten diary so she'll be able to fix the schedule until Barney 'fixes' the problem.
"Christian, what is it? I am busy." She answers annoyed, after my second attempt at calling her.
"Anastasia, there has been a crisis." I lie smoothly. "A virus has hit the network and the schedules are all gone. I hate to do this, but I need you to come to Escala now. Barney is working on the problem, but I don't have my schedule. I need your help."
I hear her let out a sigh of frustration.
"Christian, can't this wait until, you know, office hours."
"I wish it could, but how will we know what's happening in the morning once we get to the office."
"I'll come in early." She explains.
"Not good enough." I need you now, and away from that Seahawk.
"Jeez, fine, okay," She reluctantly agrees. "I will be there in half and hour."
"I'll see you then." I grin.
"You best order me my favourite takeout, and I want a bottle of your most expensive wine, chilled, ready and waiting for me."
My plan worked.
Apov
Cooper is waiting outside when we arrive at the restaurant. Shit, I told him to meet me inside. I don't want to explain why I have Sawyer with me.
"Hello, Ana." He greets me once I step out. "Wow, you look amazing."
"Hi, Cooper. Thank you, you look very handsome."
I feel Sawyer behind me, and it's confirmed when I see Cooper glare at him. Oh hell, what a first date this will be.
"Is our table ready?" I ask to move us along and away from explaining Sawyer's presence.
"Yes, let's head inside."
He escorts me inside restaurant and we are seated as soon as we walk in. Our table has a beautiful floral arrangement in the middle, and a complimentary bottle of Dom Perigon is delivered to us, with compliments from the owner. I know they cater to Christian because he is the infamous Christian Grey, but wow. I'm impressed.
"So that must happen a lot?"
"It does, but it gets annoying after a while." He admits.
He's not how I expected him to be. I smile more genuinely now, at his laidback demeanor.
"I guess you're right. I would hate that."
"They just want to keep you happy. Since we get photographed being here, it ups their business. But I am sure you're used to perks of the job too."
"I guess I am."
As the waiter comes to the table I hear my phone going off before we order. And shit, I forgot to silence my phone so it's playing the ringtone I assigned for Christian. It so happens to be Rihanna's S&M song. I thought it was funny. He didn't laugh of course. I fumble in my clutch to turn it off and silence my phone but Christian calls again.
"It's okay," Cooper tells me, "Answer it, might be important."
"I'm so sorry, you're right it might be. I'll be right back. Please excuse me."
"Christian, what is it? I am busy." I answer as I step away from the table.
Just one evening for myself, that's all I ask, but no there has to be a crisis.
I feel so embarrassed that I have to go back to the table and tell my date I have to leave.
"I hope everything is okay." Cooper says when I don't sit back down upon returning.
"Something major has happened with work, and I need to fix it. I am so sorry I have to leave like this. I feel so bad."
"It's okay, Ana, I know what it's like when work takes over your personal life. I'll leave with you and we can just reschedule another time."
I exhale relieved and together we leave the restaurant. Sawyer is already waiting for me, with the SUV at the entrance of the restaurant, so I suspect Christian has told him to expect me. Cooper gives me a polite kiss on my cheek with the promise of calling me later. After I'm safely inside the SUV , Sawyer drives me towards Escala so I can deal with Christian's overdramatic scheduling issue. He best have everything I requested ready and waiting for me. I am not pleased with him at all.