Thank you for the wonderful reviews y'all made my day
I am giving you all a early treat enjoy
Well I'm not sure how I am going to tell Christian about this upsetting news that just came across my computer. I know I have to but sweet Jesus. How do I do it? He will go ballistic. I know him so well he will never wait till we have all the players involved. He will be out for murder.
Before I go that route we need to look at some reasons that might help us in the long run as she says to herself
"Alright people we need to look at some reasons for what these people are doing and why," She says as she walks up to the board and starts writing
Andrea Decker is fed up with his yelling and calling her 24-7 even on weekends no matter the time of day it is, No thank you, or please and it's been eight years she has put up with this. Even though she knew that was her duties when he hired her she agreed to them and got extra pay. But is that reason enough to do this?
Jonathan Roberts, CFO, hates Christian never liked him in college when he was there for 2 years. Christian saw potential in Roberts and gave him a very good job, one of the best. But could he be involved in this?
Ros Bailey what can I say about her. She is tired of playing second fiddle to him. She is his number 2 but it's time for her to take her rank and start her own company fuck Christian Grey. Has she had enough of his high handedness that he throws around the office and she wants to tell someone to do her bidding.
She might not be quite as smart as Christian but she has been with him a long time and has the know-how to get the job done. Could it possibly be her ?
Samantha Peterson she has always put out fires for Mr. CEO no matter what time it was, or how bad it was. She has bent over backwards taking calls all the time and putting out fires for him. Heard her say a while back she just wanted to get away and retire far away from Seattle. but that is just hearsay. Could it be?
Gwen Ritchey we know she is Ros's partner and has to put up with Ros being gone all hours and working over time. She wants Ros to leave GEH and open her own company. So she can leave her cushiony job and become Ros's corporate attorney. She is tired of Christian's Holier-than-thou attitude. Could she be working with them?
Elliot and Mia were so tired of everyone saying Christian's brother or sister when they would say their last name. Going out to clubs with friends Mia would just Grey and no problem getting in. Doors opened for them because of their brother and they didn't care
Christian gave Mia whatever the little princess wanted. Trips, shopping sprees,cars, credit cards.
She never really missed him not coming to Sunday brunches or staying long at events. She always acted like the sun set and rose in him but she really only wanted his money. They have had their differences over money in the past but she never listens and just keeps right on enjoying the free money coming to her. Now she has nothing. Could it be possible that she is working with someone?
Elliot has always been there for him even when they were younger and even later when Christian didn't want him around. He never hated Christian he was envious of him. He had it all. The penthouse that is his fortress in the sky. Only coming down to work or for events or maybe visiting family once in a blue moon. He never had time for his brother. Elliot tried to get him out of the office for lunch but he always said another time. He tried on the weekends but he was too busy with work.
Christian did give him the startup funds to get his business started and he stayed out of it. But he really wanted time with his this be reason enough to be a part of this? Was he jealous of his own brother?
Brother and sister are tired of taking a backseat to their mighty brother The Christian Grey. But do you think it is enough or a reason to commit this crime?
Grace Grey I really don't know why she would be involved in this crime unless she wants a big piece of this pie. Christian basically turned his back on her and the family for a while and she barely saw him unless she called him at work to join her for lunch some days. Most of the time he was already having lunch with Mrs. Elena Lincoln but Grace didn't know that.
She was tired of asking him to Sunday Brunch and she was fed up with him. He treated them unfairly, never inviting her or family out to eat. Pictures always showed him and Elena. That made her mad at times. She was glad he had a friend in Elena but Grace was his mother not Elena. But are they good enough reasons to do this?
"Alright y'all what do you think about what I put on the board? Tell me your thoughts."she says
"Well Ms. Ana, Andrea does work her butt off for him and she is on call all the time. But as you stated she knew all of this. Maybe she just wants out and now knows too much. She may be caught up in this crime now."Barney says
"I agree with Barney to a point Ana but Andrea knows how Mr. Gray operators know the ends and outs of his life basically. She makes all of his arrangements and travel plans for him. She can tell you the time and day where he will be if he allows her to. I feel like she might be caught between a rock and hard place. It's possible she overheard what was going on and now she has to help them."Welch says
"I agree with both of them and she has been with him as long as Ros has and has knowledge that a lot of people don't have about him. I wouldn't put it past her to know more than me on some things. So yes she might be helping or she could be being blackmailed." Taylor says
"Alright guys those are good reasons. Now let me hear from some of the teams that don't know them." she says looking out in the audience of men and women in sitting at the large dining room table
"Yes Nancy." Ana says
"Well Ana from what the guys are saying it is possible she has a vendetta against Mr. Grey for abusing her job for his purposes. She has worked this long but hasn't spoken up about the times he calls or what she does for him on her days off which are the weekends. That's time with her family. So she could be pissed enough to help them." she says looking around the room
"I have to agree with y'all Mr. Grey has abused her time off. I understand him needing her for certain things but come on get real. Why call the poor woman on a weekend when he can talk to her Monday morning at work unless it is an emergency. But what kind of an emergency would befall him on the weekend unless one of his companies was on fire and needed her to contact certain people in his business that he was doing his part and needed help on her end. I feel like she has a vendetta against him. She could possibly be involved in this with whoever started it." Bethany says
"Ok I like all those answers now Christian what do you have to say about these answers." she says
All eyes turn to him. He feels like he has just been put under a microscope to be analyzed. He doesn't like it
"Well those are some good reasons but I don't believe that I have abused her weekends that much. I admit I have called or texted her some to do some spur of the moment but not enough to where she would want to hurt me and my company. Yes she knows everything about me. Hell she books my lunches, dinners, meetings, trips and so forth. She knows me like a book. I am not sure she has a part in this unless she is playing it to cool for me to catch her making a mistake. Yes she access to everything I do and say. She knows important numbers and can look something up for me in a heartbeat. She knows everything from memory and can tell you what I had for lunch a week ago and with whom. But why is she involved and what purpose or agenda is she after and if she is helping someone who is it?" He says sighing and rolling his eyes
"Christian does she know codes and all your personal account information? Does she have access to your business accounts here? Ana asked him
"Well now that you mentioned it she doesn't know any codes or my private passwords but she does handle my personal accounts because I have her order gifts for my mother and Mia. Sometimes flowers. She makes all my reservations for me at hotels. So yes she has access to them. My business accounts go through my CFO Jonathan Roberts and his people."he says sitting straight up in his chair
"So she can't get into any of your business accounts right?" Ana ask him
"I have only ever given her access to my personal accounts. I don't see how she could have my business accounts information." He says looking at her
"Unless she is working with Jonathan but she is married." He says
"Doesn't mean she isn't cheating just saying." she says
"Ok let's go to Jonathan, he has been your CFO for how many years ?" She ask Christian
"The last 3 years and I've never had a problem with him. No reason to doubt that he would or could do something like this. I mean he has my life in his hands at his office and can just about do anything financially with the touch of a keyboard without checking with me up to a certain limit of funds that I allow him or Ros to purchase something without my approval as long as it isn't more than a twenty million dollar deal.
He didn't like me in college because for one I was the team captain of our rowing team. He said I got where I am because of who adopted me and we fought a few times but nothing that would call attention to us." He says
"Well there's got to be more if he hates you?" She says and looks at him
"I don't know anything else besides I had my own apartment. I didn't live in the dorm for obvious reasons. I wasn't comfortable with people close to me." He says looking at Ana
She knows there's more but she won't mention BT to them
"Sounds like he was jealous of you Mr. Grey."
Said Ana's CPO Davidson
"I guess a lot of people were but I always stayed to myself and never messed with anyone." He says
"Did you headhunt him or did you make recommendations for HR to get him on board here?" Marcus from the FBI ask him
"He was headhunted by my recommendations and Ros's. She finished college with him. I don't know if they were friends. I never asked her."he says shaking his head
"Hum the plot thickens." Ana says "Who brought his name up first, you or Ros?" I'm not accusing Ros, just trying to make a point here." She tells him
"Ros did see his name on the list and told me I would be crazy not to get him here. She knew about our college years but she said let bygones be bygones. So I offered him the position of CFO. After he read the contract and asked a million and one questions he accepted the position and seemed happy to me. As I said, I never had any problems with him." Hr says
"Ana you have done BGC's on all of them right?"She nods her head and says yes
"Ok let's look at them again please." Bethany says
"Davidson, will you pass the papers out please to everyone. Make sure they get copies of each person." She says
As he is doing this Ana is looking at something on her phone. She takes a deep breath and stands up. "I'll be right back. Carry on." She tells them
Christian looks at her as she is leaving wondering what is going on now.
"Anastasia, are you alright?" He ask with worry in his voice
"Yes I'm Ok. I'll be back in a few minutes. I have to call daddy." Shd says as she disappears around the corner of the room
Christian knows by the tone of her voice this isn't good. Damn what next?
They all know something is amiss and it won't be long before they all find out who did this and why. They all look at each other wondering what Ray needs to talk to her about. Did he find something else? Will Ana let us know when she comes back?
Christian is wondering what all the looks are for. Everyone looks dumbfounded right now.
"Well she said to carry on. Let's carry on." Taylor says
"So are we through with Jonathan for now?" Taylor asks them. They all say yes
"Ok how about your COO Ros. You met her in college and you and she worked on some fake acquisitions together and knew that you both clicked and wanted the same things. Were you trying to feel her out when you got your company up and running Mr. Grey?" Ask Milton from the FBI
"We had business class together and were going for the same goal. She knew that I wasn't going to stay the whole four years. Before I left I told her after I got my company GEH started if she didn't have a job after college I would hire her as my COO. Only thing that really would have put a hold on hiring her was her girlfriend; they lived together in Boston. That meant if Ros accepted the position she would have to move to Seattle. She told me she would talk it over with Gwen, who is girlfriend and get back to me after she graduated because I knew it would be awhile before I got established here." He told them
"So she had no problem talking her girlfriend into moving to Seattle?" Milton ask
"Not to my knowledge she never said anything was wrong. Gwen got a job at one of the big companies as a corporate attorney here so there were no problems."
They all nod their heads saying nothing just listening like their jobs requires them to do. Listen and learn
"Was Ros and Jonathan friends in college?" Nancy ask him
"I wouldn't call them friends per se more like
acquaintances would be more appropriate."
He says
"They spoke in passing and I know they had a few classes together but as far as her mentioning anything about what we discussed I don't think she would. Because she knew Jonathan and I didn't get along." He says
"So you and Ros both agreed on Jonathan coming to work as CFO?" Bethany ask him
"Yes ma'am we did and I've had no problems at all. Well until recently with all this happening." He says
"Ok let's move on. Now we come to your sister Mia. Would she have any reason to want to hurt you like this? We know you take care of her from what you and Ana have already stated. Have you had any problems in the past that was …how can I put this without sounding mean ... .oh yes.. has Mia been extremely put out overly upset with you about anything? It doesn't matter how imperative it is, we need to know." He says. " I apologize Mr. Grey my name Arnold Forrester I have worked on a few cases with Ms. Steele in the past
He stands up and shakes Mr. Forrester hand
"Well we have clashed I guess you could say in the past few years on different things mainly about money and her spending on it by her so-called friends." He says rubbing the back of his neck
No one says anything
"I tried talking to her logically that if she didn't stop abusing my generosity I would take it all away and mom and dad would have to take care of her." He says getting up to get a bottle of water from the table
"Please explain what all you gave her Mr. Grey?" He ask
Christian sighs sits back down and looks around the table at all the people in his house or all the feds in his house
"She has her own credit cards with a limit she sometimes abuses and I have to cover by calling that it's alright to up the limit. I was done with that before all this happened. I told her no more spending. She lost her trip back to Paris. I stopped that. Mom and dad didn't like that. So I told them they could pay for her to go. I told her she wasn't going to get a new car and the money I put in her account was going to be monitored from now on because she was spending way too much of my money. She told me many times that you are a multi billionaire many times over. That I would never miss it. She's right about that but the point was she didn't care about me, just my money and I am just realizing that. Sad but true." He sighs falling back in his seat
"Mr. Grey, I am going to analyze your sister Mia. She is the baby of the family, correct sir?" she ask
"Yes she is." he says
"Very well as I said I am going to analyze Mia Grey. That is what I do: I look, listen, and read all about people and then tell others about them. I am not trying to be mean or disrespectful to you or your sister do you understand what I am saying Mr. Grey? Your name will come up after analyzing your sister." she ask him
"Yes ma'am I understand and I am very curious what you have come up with on my sister Mia. She is a wild card at time I love her dearly but she does wear on my nerves."he says
"Mia Grey is a spoiled young lady she has been like this since she was a baby and you have contributed greatly to her spoiledness as she was growing up and even now. Everything she wants she comes to you with her hand out and you hand it over without batting an eye. Mia thinks just because she was the first person that you spoke to and said her name that you owe her. Well let me tell you young man you don't owe that young lady a dime. You were a child when she was brought into your home as a baby. You felt the need to protect her from harm at the tender age of six because of what happened to you and your mother God Rest Her Soul. Now Mia is using you to foot her bills so she can party, shop and make friends by showering them with gifts. Do you have any idea how much of your hard earned money she spends on her so-called possy of friends? I bet you never ask, do you sir? Do you think she would tell you the truth? I can tell you no to both those questions I just asked you Mr. Grey because I can see it in your eyes and on your face that you know I am telling you the truth." she says
"Yes ma'am you are correct. I have always felt the need to be there for her and as you said since I was a little boy I thought she needed my protection. She has always been my little sister and I have always looked out for her. Yes ma'am she has abused my generosity for the last time. Even before all this happened we were having problems. Now that all my money is gone we had a really bad argument about her spending any more money. I told her she was cut off and to get her money from mom and dad her brother's bank was closed. She didn't believe me and tried to buy clothes at Neiman Marcus with her friends and the Neimans called me and I told them to keep the cards and cut them up in front of them. They did and Mia blew up right there in the store. If her PO hadn't shown up she would have been facing charges. I love Mia but she is getting way out of hand and yes I know I am the cause of some of it. I will admit that. I am not ashamed to admit when I am wrong and I am extremely wrong when it comes to my baby sister. No, let me correct that she isn't a baby anymore and I realize that now."
"Well Mr. Grey, you made my job a lot easier to deal with you now. That you understand that your baby sister is not a baby, she is a twenty one year old spoiled brat . She has been manipulating you for years making you her money king for saying her name first and able to hug you to some extent. And she knows that Ms. Steele can hug you fully. I believe in a way she is jealous of Ms. Steele because of that and she knows that she isn't the only one you care that deeply for." she says
"Again yes ma'am you are correct." he says
"Next and last Elliot Grey he is your older brother correct Mr. Grey?" she ask him "I apologize Mr. Grey name is Cora Stone and I am a Analyst for the FBI and a friend of Ms. Steeles and her father Raymond."
"A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Stone." he says
"Ok now Elliot I have heard what everyone is saying and what Ana put on the board. Now I'm going to analyze your brother from what I have learned today. Elliot is jealous of you and wants to be you. He is tired of taking a backseat to his baby brother and he wants his own limelight so to speak. Yes I see where you helped him start his company and you never offered any input to help him bring it to the top. As I am looking at his background check he is number 6 on the list of businesses and you are number 1 for the last 6 years since you hit millionaire status. I feel like Elliot has been left out and you didn't ask him if you could help him build his portfolio higher with his company. Yes he is doing very good now as a millionaire but he is wanting more. Does any of this make sense Mr. Grey? In other words he is tired of being in the dark." she says
"Alright y'all let's take a break for a little while. I've got some snacks on the bar if you all would care for any and coffee in the kitchen."
Ana says to them
Sounds good to me they all agree
"Boo you alright? I know that was rough but we need to know every little detail no matter how small or insignificant it may be. You knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. It's like one of your acquisitions but I bet this is more than you expected when we started this, am I right?" She ask him rubbing his back
"Oh Anastasia you don't have any idea how this is affecting me do you? This is my family and my team at my company. I just want to close my eyes and wake up and it will all be a dream but I know it's not and I have to live with the consequences of who did this to me and why. Now one question is any closer to finding out anything about any offshore accounts on anyone?" He ask looking her straight in the eyes
"I am pulling everything that I can find on everyone connected to you and them. It is taking time. My stealth mode and codes are working overtime. I am getting good hits but nothing definite that I can say to ease your mind."
"Can I ask what Ray wanted or is that hush hush for now?" He smiles at her
"He just wanted to go over some of the things we have been discussing lately. I'll fill you in on it all soon. Just try to be patient please for me."
"Come on, let's get some chips and my famous ranch dip before it all gets ate up" She says giggling
"Lead the way Ana I'll follow you anywhere." He says the last part in a whisper but she heard him and smiles
They walk in the kitchen and stares at the counter and bar and looks at each other then the ones holding up the counter
"Now I know y'all did not eat all those snacks and where in the world are the chips and my dip?" She says raising her voice but giggling
"Calm down Ms. Ana we put the dip in the fridge. By the way, it was delicious and the chips were in the cabinet. The rest of the snacks like the nuts and fruit are on the table covered up." He says pointing to everything
"Wow umm thank you Barney and everyone else. Come on Christian let's munch down. I'm hungry and I know you are." She smiles at him
They grab plates and put a little bit of everything on their plates. Christian gets the dip out and holds it away from Ana
"Christian Trevelyan Grey, you better share that dip." She leaves the words hanging
"Catch me if you can Anastasia Rose Steele." Christian says running out of the kitchen with his plate overflowing and the dip bowl in his hand laughing like crazy
Everyone stops what they are doing and watches them.
"Christian not if I catch you mister but when I catch I am going to…well I'm not going to tell you what I am going to do. But be prepared for anything, boo." She says trying not laugh and keep a straight face
She jumps over the bar. Christian is stunned for a moment then takes off running and hands his plate off to Barney who is closest to him but keeps the dip and runs away laughing his head off
"How the hell did you jump that bar Ana it's taller than your five foot nothing?" He says still laughing hard and running
" Oh Mr. Grey there is a lot about me you don't know or remember it seems like." She tells him giggling
"Now stay where you are and give me the dip bowl." She says
"You gotta catch me if you want it." He says dipping his finger in the bowl. Umm, delicious. Want some?" He teases her
He doesn't realize that she has gotten closer to him as he was talking. Just as she reaches to grab his arm he sees her and takes off again. Everyone is rolling on the floor and that's the way Mrs. Jones and Ray find them
"What in the world is going on here? Ray's commanding voice booms across the great room
Everyone stops and looks at each other and continues to laugh and points to Ana and Christian running around like chickens with their heads cut off
"What does he have that she wants so badly?" Mrs. Jones ask laughing watching them act like kids
"He took her dip bowl and told her to catch him if she could." Taylor says in between laughing
"Oh Lordy, that girl doesn't play when it comes to her ranch dip. I assume it's ranch right?" Ray's says smiling
"Yes sir it is. She will catch him. I know she will. You should have saw her jump over the bar Mrs. Jones it was something to see," Taylor says
Ray is laughing his ass off watching them play like they did when they were younger and happy back then.
"Oh I've no doubt she won't catch him. Just sit back and watch. This is going to be fun." Ray says still laughing
They all just sat around the table and on the couch and watched what used to be two best friends acting like themselves again. Ray was beyond happy. Taylor saw the look on his face and I guess it mirrored Christian's when he looked at him
Ana was sneaking up behind Christian when he happened to look out the windows and saw her behind him
He jumped and screeched…if you can call it that when Ana went to grab his right arm but he moved and she got him by the neck and swung him around. The dip bowl went flying and Ana caught it mid air still holding onto Christian. They were trying to catch their breath from laughing so hard.
"Oh my goodness that was so much fun Christian thank you we needed that breather." She told him giggling
"Yes ma'am it was. I miss those days, don't you?" He ask her
She looks at him and smiles "Sure do boo sure do." She says hugging him
Christian hugged her back
"Daddy, when did you and Mrs. Jones get here?" She ask him giving him a hug
"Oh after you jumped the bar is what Taylor was saying. And we've all been watching the show. I knew you would catch him." He told her
"Christian you should have known her better than that son. She has been taking all kinds of classes to keep her firm and physically fit. Not only for her government work but her company cause this girl right here tastes everything she makes." Ray tells him smiling at his daughter
Christian just sits on a chair smiling and says
"Yes sir I just underestimated her skills I guess. But how the hell did you catch that bowl and hold onto me too?" He ask her
"Quick reflexes I reckon." She says giggling
"Well Annie fix your old man a sandwich or whatever you have. Mrs. Jones, would you like something? Where did my manners go? I apologize sweet lady."he says
" Mr. Steele, no apology needed but thank you. Ana I would love a glass of your sweet Georgia Tea." Gail says smiling
They all look at her and wonder if she had it before
"Oh y'all don't look at her like that. She had my tea yesterday. Thank you very much and I loved it." She told them
"I sure did. I am going to have her to show me how she makes it. It was so good and refreshing quenched my thirst that's for you
While they were talking Ana was busy fixin Ray a sandwich and both of them a glass of tea
"Here you go daddy. Gail, enjoy your tea." She tells them
"It's so good to see y'all laughing and cutting up. It does this old man's heart good." Ray says to them
"Lordy mercy I haven't chased him in years and still got it." She says laughing
"Christian do you still run? Don't you have a gym here? I know there's one downstairs." She says
"Yes I do run usually in the mornings but not lately to many paparazzis being damn nosy.
I do have a gym here but it's not equipped. Ike the one downstairs. It has everything. Want to down later and try it out?" He ask her
"Sure later we can." She says "Davidson we are going to the gym downstairs later tonight." Ana tells him
"Yes ma'am, is anyone else going besides you too and me?" He ask pointing at them
"Not sure we'll decide later after we eat."She tells him
Walking over to Ray and smiles and ask him
"Daddy you gonna man the grill tonight? We are having hamburgers and hotdogs. I've already made my slaw and Chili for them. We have all the fixins for them. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions but fry them on the grill please. Christian has a huge ass grill I saw on his balcony. Do you ever use it? It looks brand spankin new." She smiles as she says all of this to them
"Yes Annie I will grill. Can't pass up your slaw and chili." He tells her
Christian looks a little sheepish when he looks at her "Yes I have used it but dad does when he and mom would come over but rarely did I see them. Taylor cooks a mean steak on it. And you can thank Mrs. Jones for it looking brand spankin new as you say." He tells her
"Ok now another question: does everyone want burgers and hotdogs with fries or steak tonight?" Burgers and hotdogs sound good, they say. Gotta try the fixins says Barney smiling
"If they are anything like you've been making, they're gonna be mighty good." Barney says
"Mr. Steele, have you tried her new cinnamon rolls?" She made some for us and oh my goodness they were out of this world." Barney says
Ray laughs at Barney walking over to him and putting his hand around his shoulder and says
"Son there isn't anything that my Annie makes that I haven't tried. Oh my goodness yes the cinnamon rolls are delicious did she tell y'all that's one of her new baby foods desserts?" He ask them
"Yes she did." Christian says
"Ok it's getting late to start the grill daddy. Burgers are seasoned and ready for you. We have different kinds of cheese, y'all take your pick."
"Ok there are thirty hamburgers and I have thirty hotdogs. That should be plenty if not we got more." She tells them
"Damn son just how big is your grill?" He ask Christian
"Umm Ray it's like an outdoor kitchen but on a balcony. There is everything you need out there. Tables, a sink, ice maker Oh the works." He tells him
"In others words daddy it's like the outdoor kitchen at the house grandpa left you" She says
"Well let's fire it up. Does this one use pellets and electricity?" He ask Christian as he's opens the glass doors to the balcony
"Yes sir, I didn't want gas this far up. Never know what could happen and God didn't give us wings to fly so I believe it's safer with electricity." He says
"Smart man Annie." He says "Yes daddy I know." She smirks at him
All the ladies are standing in line to help
"What can we do Ana?" They ask
"Well we are using fine Chinet plates tonight. No dirty dishes for this food. It'll be like camping out only in a penthouse." She laughs
"I know that laugh anywhere. Where are you Little Annie Rose?" A woman calls Ana's name
"Everyone of the ladies are waiting for Ana to say something
"Oh for pity sakes get your butt over here," Ana tells her
"Oh my goodness Annie look at you you're all grown up and more beautiful than I remember the little girl being when we were younger. Even two years has changed your look girlfriend."Says her childhood friend Maddie
"Oh me oh my Maddie you are beautiful too. It's been two years too long, I have missed you. Daddy will be so surprised to see you." Ana tells her
Ana looks at everyone staring at them and smiles
"So sorry ladies this is my best friend Maddie Johnson she is the president's niece. Maddie, these lovely ladies are FBI agents and the lovely blonde here was and still is Mr. Grey's house manager. She is staying in one of the apartments the next floor down. Which one are you in? She ask
"First let me introduce myself to these lovely ladies. Nice to meet you all. As Annie said I am Maddie Johnson please call me Maddie. And Annie I'm apartment 1A very nice accommodations and this penthouse is to die for. It's gorgeous but needs color." She says
Everyone gets quiet "Did I say something wrong?" She ask
"No you didn't, I have told Christian the same thing over and over." She says
"Come join us Christian you and daddy. She says
"Maddie this is Christian Grey."She says
"Nice to meet you Maddie, any friend of Anastasia's is most welcome and yes I'm the owner of the penthouse that needs color." He laughs with everyone
"Oh my lord, come here little Maddie and give this old man a hug. It's been years since I saw you. Still beautiful as ever. Has no man claimed you yet?" Ray says
Maddie laughs and shows him her ring.
"Wow what a gorgeous diamond it's gorgeous. Look at this Annie." He says
"Oh goodness it's amazing, truly gorgeous but too big for my dainty finger. It's perfect for you my friend." Ana says
"So who's hungry suppers almost ready?"Ray says
"Welk get back out there before y'all burn supper." She giggles
They walk out and the ladies start getting everything set up
"Just put the condiments on the counter. The ice is in the ice maker here. The lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles are in the fridge. The French fries are almost done . I need to take the onions out to daddy."She says
"Oh yeah the plates and plasticware are on the bar the plasticware are rolled up in the napkins….she laughs betcha Mr. Grey has never eaten out of a paper plate, never drank from a red solo cup and I know he has never eaten his food with a plastic fork, spoon or knife. He is going to flip his lid and I can't wait to see his face…The cups are to your right in that cabinet Nancy. If you don't mind. Oh are we missing anything?" She ask them
"Ana the slaw is on the counter, your chili is on the stove with the baked beans, the buns are in the warmer. I would say we are good to go. Now take the onions to your daddy." Mrs. Jones tells her
"Here daddy everything is set out for y'all to help yourselves. I'll let the others know it'll be buffet style again tonight. She says
"Alright Annie I'll get them on the grill. Christian you and Annie take those trays in and let everybody start adding their choice of cheese while the burgers are still hot. So the cheese will melt." He says " I for one don't like cold cheese on my burger." He says looking at them
Ana giggles "Come on let's pacify him before he has a conniption fit"…she giggles again as they walk back inside
"Watch it young lady." Ray says laughing
"Christian stops for a minute to say something to her
"I just love the camaraderie you and your dad have. It's amazing to see after all these years." He says smiling at her
She looks at him for a minute "Yeah it's just been me and him. We were there for each other through good and bad times. Especially when our last members of our family lost their lives when I was younger. We have trust and the love we share is unbreakable. That's why we get along so well and joke with each other." She says softly
"You know I never had that with anyone in my family. It's hard to explain but sometimes I just didn't feel safe with even Grace there. I'm probably not wording or explaining myself right but it felt like someone was always watching me waiting for me to do something wrong so they could get rid of me." He says standing there looking at her
"Boo come on let's get the food in and eat first then you and I can go somewhere and talk. I'm not putting you off or thinking what you said isn't important cause it is. It's just daddy's gonna get us if we don't hurry." She giggles and looks over Christian's shoulder
Christian looks at what she sees and smiles cause Ray is smiling not frowning. He knows Ray heard them
"Go on now you two." Ray says looking at two of them thinking they should have been married by now with a couple of kids if that bitch hadn't got ahold of Christian. Oh yeah I know it all and I would like to sit down and talk to him one day… maybe one he sighs
"Daddy you alright?" Ana looks at his face worried
""Just a fine sweet girl. Just thinking." he says
Alright everything is set out and now it's time to chow down
"Come on y'all time to get some vittles." Ana says laughing at her vittles commit
"Vittles you say little lady? I'm Malcom by the way and I'm retired from the FBI. Ray and I go back a long way. I haven't heard vittles in ages." he says smiling at her
"Very nice to meet you, Malcolm. Yes daddy has spoken highly of you sir." she says holding her hand out to shake but he grabs her and hugs her….Christian sees this and it bothers him…humm wonder why
"Christian this is one of daddy's comrades in the service and I haven't seen him since I was probably 6 or 7 years old. He used to bring me homemade butter pecan ice cream. It was so good."
"Welcome to my humble home sir." he says
"Ok grab a plate and the fixings are all there for you all. It's buffet style and you can sit wherever you are comfortable. There is seating on the balcony if you prefer outside." Ana says
As everyone is getting their plates and things Ana is watching Christian to see his reaction to the plates and things. He is next in line and he already sees what the others are holding. They are not the flimsy paper plates they won't fall apart
Ok here he goes…he looks at the plates and around for more. He shrugs his shoulders and grabs a paper plate and looks at it to make sure it will hold his food. He looks for silverware. As he is looking Ray walks up to him and points to the rolled up napkins with the utensils in them.
"What do you need son you look lost in your own damn kitchen?" Ray laughs not meaning too
"Umm Ray, umm Ana where are the glasses?" that's all he says
Ana giggles and walks over to him and her daddy and points to the big Red Solo cups that have ice in them already. "Right here sugar. Have you ever drank out of anything but high priced glasses?" she says looking at him like she has never saw him before
"Umm no never but I guess there is a first time for everything right?" he says looking a little off
"Boo if you would rather have a real plate, silverware and a glass that can be easily taken care of. No big deal, this is your home not mine. I was just trying to make it convenient for all of us so there wouldn't be a big mess to clean up later and we could get down to important matters." she sighs and reaches for his plate
"No Ana this is fine I will eat out of what you have for me and the others. I was just surprised I had these things in my home is all." he says
Ana laughs out loud really laughs
"Oh Christian you didn't. I had Mrs. Jones picked all this up when she went to the grocery store earlier today." she tells him
"Come on son, let's get our food and go talk while we eat. Ana, join us when you are ready." Ray says to them
"Sure, let's dig in. I'm starving and it looks and smells delicious Ana. Thank you for taking the time to cook this awesome meal for all of us. Now can I please have a cup of that delicious sweet Georgia tea I know you have on hand?" he tells her
"Of course you can darlin 'anything else you need?" she ask him
"No ma'am i'm good." he says sipping his tea…"Mercy that is good." he says to no one in particular
Malcom says "Has everyone had enough to eat or would y'all like dessert?" he says looking at Ana
Ana jumps up and down like a little girl and runs over the deep freezer and opens it up and squeals like crazy
She runs back over and jumps in Malcolm's arms
"Oh my goodness you remembered my favorite ice cream." she says hugging him
"Annie let the man breathe, you are choking him." Ray laughs
"Yes little Annie Rose I did and there are more flavors in there too. We have your butter pecan, chocolate fudge and homemade peach too."he tells all of them
"Well what are we waiting for? Come on y'all help yourselves but me first."she says running back to the freezer and grabbing her butter pecan for herself
Everybody grabs a bowl, yes a plastic bowl. Ana looks at Christian he just shakes his head and fills his bowl with chocolate ice cream his favorite
Oh my goodness they all say that was the best meal and the best ice cream we have ever ate
"Ms. Ana, will you please give me your recipe for the chili please, please?" Barney says with pleading eyes
Ana puts him out of his misery and walks over to him
"Of course I will give you the recipe for my chili. I am so happy you like it."she says
"Oh no ma'am Ms. Ana I love it. It's better than any I have ever tried before. I even put it on my cheeseburger like I saw Ray doing. I just had to try it Southern Style." he says smiling
"Are we ready to get down to business now?" Christian asks, looking around the room at all the faces and wondering if anyone is missing.
"Yes I think we are. Daddy are all your guys here? I think I saw most of them. You had 4 coming right?" Yes ma'am." he says
"Walter, Malcom, Edward and Ralph they are over there." Ray points along the bar
"Ok now let me see if I can get you all right." she laughs
Maddie, Nancy, Bethany, Cora, Marcus, Milton, Larry, Henry, George, Harold, Jennifer, Janson, Amber, Patricia, Rickey, Carson, Lynn, Albert, Arnold." she said and each one stepped up as she spoke their names
They were looking at her like they couldn't believe she called of them by name
"Something wrong y'all?" she ask looking at them
"Umm no ma'am but how did you do all that just now? Calling each of our names by just looking at all of us?" Marcus ask her
"If I may Ana?" Christian ask her smirking
"Of course Christian go ahead." she smiles at him
"Ladies and gentlemen that don't know all there is to know about our Ana extraordinaire, she has a photographic memory." Christian tells them
"So that's how you do all the things you do so fast? I assume you are a speed reader to Ana am I right?" Welch ask her
"Yes you are correct on both Welch." she tells him
"Ok y'all, let's gather around the table and the big screen." Ray says
Christian looks around again to make sure no one is missing but asks Ana again… "Ana, are you sure everyone is here? What about my team of lawyers?" he says but then remembers he said he didn't trust anyone but who was in the room with him before
"We decided to leave all of them out of this meeting. They are not needed Boo this is about the something else you are not going to like but I am not sure if it is who these initials belong to cause there are breaks in the signals that don't match the others. They are not as defined as the ones we are getting from Seattle. So therefore we are dismissing the ones that are bouncing from London to Seattle." she explains to him
The doors open and Sawyer announces more people
"Mr. Grey, this is the SEC Officers." he says
Christian looks at Ana, Ray and his guys dumbfounded
"Ana, Ray, Taylor did you all forget to tell me something very important, humm?" he says glaring at them
Ana walks over to him and rubs his arm "Calm down Boo I was trying to tell you just before Sawyer announced them." she says
"Alright." he says walking over to them
"Welcome to my home I am Christian Grey."he says shaking the first man's hand "Reggie Stevens nice to meet you Mr. Grey "Wilson Harper sir, nice to meet you." "Rebbeca Conner, a pleasure to meet you sir." Ellie McAdams pleasure sir." Owen Roberts sir, nice to meet you as well." they all stand there
Mr. Stevens speaks first and asks if they are late. No they say
"Well let's all take a seat ladies and gentlemen so we can get this very delicate but important matter handled as quickly as possible and put the criminals behind bars. This is no laughing matter, it is very serious. Mr. Grey I am sorry I didn't mean to take over like that. Please forgive my rudeness sir." he says
'That's quite alright Mr. Stevens I am the same way as you. I am just confused about what you all are doing here in my home with all these Feds. I know what SEC is but I haven't been told anything about this matter you are referring to." Christian says
"That is understandable Mr. Grey. Ms. Steele has just recently found this disturbing detail and she informed us this morning and we got a team together and well here we are. We did not want to go into your company and do any searching to alert anyone there. As we all know what the situation is, we can't tip our hats so to speak until we can catch them red handed." Mr. Stevens replies
Christian looks like he is going to pass out from shock
Ana walks back over to him and rubs his back with one hand and the other one on his cheek.
"Come on over here with me sugar and sit down. You need to breathe Boo come on in and out in and out slow breath with me come on. That's it, that's it there you go. Keep looking at me and breathing with me a few more times." she says smiling and never taking her hand off his cheek
Christian just looks at her but doesn't say a word just keeps looking at her
Everybody in the room turns their heads cause this seems like a private moment between the two.
Christian clears his throat and smiles at Ana and stands up . He walks over to the kitchen and opens the fridge and grabs a bottle of water, opens it and downs it in a few seconds. Throws the bottle away in the recycle bin and walks back over to Ana and the rest of the teams
"Come on Ms. Steele, let's get down to business and conquer this delicate matter where someone is trying to take my livelihood from me."He says he doesn't look mad or upset. He knew there was more going on.
Mrs. Jones asked "Would anyone like something to drink? We have water, coffee, sweet Georgia Tea and all kinds of juice." she tells them
They all say not right this minute by thank her kindly
"Mr. Grey I am going to go back down to my quarters if Ms. Steele needs me." she says
"Very well Mrs. Jones, thank you for your help today. Ana will let you know if she needs any assistance later." he tells her ..she nods her head and walks out
"Now then let's pull up on that huge screen what Ms. Steele found last night about the
"Are you alright son?" Ray as him
"Not really sir but I will be. Seems like I have the best of the best here in my home helping me. That is all I can ask and I have my best friend (hopefully) he says and her father by my side again." he says smiling at Ana
"Yes Boo you do." she smiles back at him and they go and sit down together
"Mr. Grey if I may I would like to ask you some very serious questions sir." he says
"Yes of course I am here to help anyway I possibly can. I had no idea this was going on." he points to the new papers on the screen
"Yes sir, we are very aware of that. This has just come to all of our attention. No one is trying to blindside you sir." he says
"Now Mr. Grey this shows that there is a company that Rosalyn Bailey bought without your knowledge and doesn't show your signature anywhere on the contract sir." he gets up and walks to the board and points to the signatures and none is Christians.
"Can you explain that to us? Ii know there is certain amount you give leeway to your COO and CFO to conduct business without you but this isn't one of those times." he says
Christian gets up and looks at the contracts on the screen and sees that it is more than a twenty million dollar deal and sits down
"I give authorization to them for deals under twenty million. I have no idea they would go behind my back and do this, this is a shell company I have never heard of." he says looking at all of them
"Yes sir we understand that and we are going to take care of the ones that did this. You sir are in no way at fault in this situation. Ms. Steele has already looked at every option available to see why they would do this to you and who all are involved." he says
"Ana, do you know who is doing this to me? Please tell me." he looks so sad and lost
"Ana told him in private." Ray says
"Alright with you son to wait a little longer but we need to show you these initials and you tell us who you believe they are sir." he says and walks up to the screen and touches it and three initials show up one at a time
GMR
The room goes quiet. Not one word was spoken. Ana and Ray are looking at Christian to gauge his mindset right now. Ana walks over to him
"Christian I know this is hard but we need the names.I know them but you have to tell us please." she says
he takes a deep breath and says
"Gwen Ritchey, my COO's partner"
"Mia Grey, my sister"
"Rosalyn Bailey, my COO"
He bows his head and pulls his hair. Ana takes his hands out of his hair and says you're gonna be bald if you don't stop." they both laugh
"Thank you Mr. Grey . Now I am not saying for sure that these ladies are the main culprits but we believe they are in there with the ones that are. I can't say who started this because we are still tracking the uneven signals that we are getting." Mr. Stevens tells him
"i can tell you it will not be long before they are all brought up on charges and your money and properties will be returned to you." he says with a kind smile
"Thank you for all your help and consideration in this matter." Christian says
"Ms. Steele, would you like to do the honors and tell him the rest but not the private part yet?" he says
"Christian I have found all of your money and assets and they will all be returned to you as soon as we get all the parties involved in jail and questioned." she smiles at him
Christian is stunned he can't seem to be able to form a word, much less a sentence. He just looks at Ana with tears in his eyes. He grabs her and gives her a bone crushing hug
"Thank you, thank you, God thank you Ana what would I do without you? Oh my lord I am so sorry for what I did to you so many years ago. I know I hurt you deeply."He says into her hair crying
"Christian it's alright we will talk about all this later.. smile sweetheart. He looks at her and does just that
Wow I am giving y'all an early chapter just cause I feel better and wanted to give you more of my story
Well that's all for now. There is a lot more action coming in the next few chapters. I can't give it all away yet or my story will be over. Again you all for the wonderful reviews and hope you all continue to stay with me. Thank you for your time to read and review. Y'all make me happy I started writing