Scold and praise as much as you like. I will take into account criticism and suggestions.
I m walking towards the Gray House building, and with every step my awe of this skyscraper intensifies. Is Gray compensating them for something or what? No, it definitely compensates. I enter the hall and see that it is all made of gold and silver. There are vases with fresh flowers by the huge windows, I don t care about the interior... I let out a whistle and go to the reception desk. Behind her is a pretty Mexican woman of about 30. Dressed in a black and white suit, her makeup and hair are perfect.
- How can I help you? She asks in a pleasant chesty voice, looking at me with a smile. Yes, fuck, I'm wearing jeans and a Potter T-shirt. I hate this whole dress code of pompous offices and balls that my parents drag me to.
I m going to Mr. Gray for an interview, Miss Ana Still, I say brazenly and look at her.
We are waiting for an interview with Miss Kavanagh, but we don t have any Miss Still booked, the Mexican woman reports, staring at me.
- Listen, Donald Trump's nightmare, I'm not here of my own free will. Let me through to Gray, I say brazenly.
Sorry Miss, but Mr. Gray accepts by appointment only, she says sympathetically.
Wow... I'd rather go bowling with Jack and Jose. I roll my eyes and look at her impudently.
Tell Gray that I m Kate, I finally come up with a reason to go to this asshole.
You don t give up, Miss Still, I hear someone s velvety, hoarse voice behind me.
My toes suddenly cramp and something warm fills my chest. This voice is beautiful... I don t see its owner, but something tells me that this is Gray. I turn around and meet the gaze of brown eyes. Nevermind. Yes, he is younger than I thought. That is, I expected to see a ruin of about 90 years old, and in front of me was a rather vigorous man of about... 40? 50? It is difficult to determine his age. Messy hair, a nice mole on his cheek, a simple gray shirt with a warm black jumper over it.
Mr. Gray, this is impudent, the Mexican woman begins to attack me.
Andrea, I ll figure it out myself, Gray says coldly and looks at me. Damn, I think I'm in trouble. Andrea nods and gives me a pass. Gray nods at her and gestures towards the elevator. I silently trail behind him. Fuck, Still, why are you drooling over this old fart? No, he has a great voice, but damn, it's just a voice. I get into the elevator, take out the questions and look at them.
- By the way, where is Miss Kavanagh? Gray asks as we exit the elevator.
ARVI, she is sick. She could have put you on Mia Jones, but she put you on me. Do I need it? I sigh and look at Gray, expecting an angry yell. But no, he laughs.
Don't like community service, Miss Still? - Gray asks and I nod.
I love drinking, parties, bowling. Offices and social life make me sick, so I take out a cigarette and light it.
We don t smoke here, Gray growls when we enter his office. The office is as luxurious as the hall. Photos on the walls, emerald curtains, a pleasantly crackling fireplace. I brazenly plop myself down in a chair opposite Gray s desk.
- Fuck you, I'm stressed. Not only did your servant fuck my brain in the 69 position for about 10 minutes, but I also can t smoke, I answer.
Gray laughs.
- You're funny, Ana. Is this your full name? - he says, looking into my eyes.
- No, completely Anastasia. Well, now I ll torment you with boring questions, I say with my signature grin.
We can arrange a cross-interview. It s not often that arrogant eighteen-year-old schoolgirls with the appearance of a fashion model break into my office, Gray crosses his legs.
- Come on, I'm not afraid. I ask first, since I am a lady. So, you own a multi-billion dollar empire. Hundreds of thousands of people work for you. How did you achieve this? - I read out the question.
Bribes, bribery, blackmail, placing the right people in the right places, deals that both ruined me and made me rich. Sometimes I got my way through dishonest means, Miss Still. And I'm not ashamed of it. Business is like a jungle: either you eat or you are eaten, Christian says seriously.
Wait, what? He is one of those who achieves his goal by any means. I ended up with a man. Related to crime? Well thank you Kate, thank you so much bitch, fuck it, thank you.
- How did you get away from the cops? Kate didn t write this, but I m curious.
Money, Miss Still. They rule the world. Any problem can be solved with their help. But seriously, I have connections in all the organizations I need. Sometimes I help the families of those who can help me. I literally own the city, a brash, handsome, spoiled son of a bitch.
So you re not that bad, you re really bad, I say, quickly writing some nonsense into my notebook about Business for Gray it s people. This cannot be allowed in the media, and it will be very good if I get my skinny ass out of here.
Miss Still, in our world we cannot say that there are definitely good and definitely bad people. A hero can become a villain, and a villain can become a hero, it all depends on the situation and the person, Gray smiles sarcastically. Showing slightly pointed snow-white teeth.
Are you a philosopher? I write down his statement in my notebook.
- Sometimes it skids. I do not accept the division into Darkness and Light, as the respected Professor Dumbledore does with the hero that is on your T-shirt. By the way, Crookshanks or Hedwig? - Christian asks, getting up.
- Didn't understand? I confess to him, tucking my hair behind my ears.
- What animal would you like to have from the world of Harry Potter? Christian stands behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders. Hell, no... Scars... I grit my teeth and wince. He sees my reaction and quickly removes his palms. I note his beautiful, sinewy, well-shaped hands and perfect manicure.
- An owl and a cat. But my parents won t let me in if I get an animal. They don t have time to look after him, and I have school too, I say, embarrassed.
Gray nods and walks around me.
You work so hard, but how do you relax? Chess in a club, for those over fifty-five? - I giggle.
- No, Anastasia, balls, social events, hunting, planning, sailing, casinos, red light districts. At my age, I try new things and get to know my mind and body, Gray sits down at the table, and you?
- Drinking, parties, online games. I tried to read Dostoevsky and Shakespeare a couple of times, it was such a drag, I admit.
- Well, what about Hugo? Dumas? Mayne Reid? Fenimore Cooper? - Christian asks.
I'm smiling. Why do I want to answer him? Why do his brown eyes and honest answers captivate me? Yes, when he was younger, he apparently drove women crazy, and even now he is beautiful. Fuck, Still, your panties are wringable.
- No, I haven t read it. I've heard about their books, but haven't gotten around to it. Studies. Eleventh grade, preparing for exams, I answer.
And drinking in the company of majors who are ready to do anything to get into your panties, Christian chuckles.
- Uh... you went too far, Christian. I'm a tomboy, an alcoholic, but not a whore. - I flush.
Sorry, Gray lowers his eyes and blushes.
- You have no family. Did you sacrifice it for the sake of business? - I ask.
I don t need a family, Ana. I like freedom, I like pleasure. I will never subordinate myself to the interests of another person, Gray grins.
- What if you fall in love with someone? - I ask carefully.
Love is for fools, Anastasia, the man declares.