MY MORNING IS UNEVENTFUL, but there’s a certain excitement running through GEH. It’s not often that I host delegations to the company, but the mayor’s visit is causing a buzz throughout the building. I get through a few early meetings and all seems in place.
At 11:30, when I’m back in my office, Andrea puts Flynn through to me.
“John, thanks for calling me.”
“I assumed you wanted to talk about Leila Williams, but I noticed that you’re in my schedule and I’m seeing you tomorrow evening.”
“I asked Ana to marry me.”
John says nothing.
“You’re surprised?” I ask.
“Frankly, no.”
That’s not what I expect him to say. But I let it go.
He continues. “Christian, you’re impulsive. And you’re in love. What did she say?”
“She wants to talk to you.”
“She’s not my patient, Christian.”
“But I am, and I’m asking you.”
He’s silent for a moment. “Okay,” he says eventually.
“Please, tell her whatever she wants to know.”
“If that’s what you wish.”
“I do. How’s Leila?”
“She had a comfortable night and was forthcoming this morning. I think I can help her.”
“Good.”
“Christian.” He pauses. “Marriage is a serious commitment.”
“I know.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
It’s my turn to pause. Spend the rest of my life with Ana…“Yes.”
“It’s not all rainbows and unicorns,” John says. “It’s hard work.”
Rainbows? Unicorns? What the hell!
“I’ve never shied away from hard work, John.”
John laughs. “That’s true. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
MY PHONE BUZZES, AND it’s another text from Elena.
ELENA
Can we do dinner?
Not at the moment, Elena. I just can’t deal with her at this time. I press delete. It’s after midday and I realize I’ve heard nothing more from Ana. I type a quick e-mail.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Crickets
Date: June 15 2011 12:15
To: Anastasia Steele
I haven’t heard from you.
Please tell me you are okay.
You know how I worry.
I will send Taylor to check!
x
Christian Grey
Overanxious CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
My next meeting is lunch with the mayor and his delegation. They want a tour of the building, and my PR guy is beside himself. Sam’s all about raising the profile of the company, though sometimes I think it’s about elevating his own profile.
Andrea knocks and opens the door. “Sam’s here, Mr. Grey,” she says.
“Show him in. Oh, can you update the contacts on my phone?”
“Sure.” I hand her my phone and she stands aside to let Sam enter. He gives me a supercilious smile and starts a run-through of the various photo opportunities he’s planned for the tour. Sam is a pretentious man and a recent hire I’m beginning to regret.
There’s a knock on the door and Andrea pokes her head around. “I have Anastasia Steele on your phone. But I can’t bring it to you—it’s downloading your contacts, and I’m not brave enough to stop it mid-sync.”
I leap up, ignoring Sam, and follow her to her desk. She hands me the phone, which is on such a short cable I have to bend over her computer.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Ana replies. Thank goodness.
“Christian, why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“You’re normally so quick at responding to my e-mails. After what I told you yesterday, I was worried.” I keep my voice low. I don’t want Andrea or the new girl to hear me.
“Mr. Grey.” Andrea is holding her phone to her neck and trying to get my attention. “The mayor and his delegation are in reception downstairs. Shall I ask them to come up?
“No, Andrea. Tell them to wait.”
She looks stricken. “I think it’s too late; they’re on their way.”
“No. I said wait.”
Shit.
“Christian, you’re obviously busy. I only called to let you know that I’m okay, and I mean that, just very busy today. Jack has been cracking the whip. Er…I mean—” She stops.
What an interesting choice of words.
“Cracking the whip, eh? Well, there was a time when I would have called him a lucky man. Don’t let him get on top of you, baby.”
“Christian!” she scolds.
And I grin. I like shocking her. “Just watch him, that’s all. Look, I’m glad you’re okay. What time should I pick you up?”
“I’ll e-mail you.”
“From your BlackBerry,” I emphasize.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Laters, baby.”
“Bye.”
I glance up and see the elevator is climbing to the executive floor. The mayor is on his way.
“Hang up,” she says, and I hear the smile in her voice.
“I wish you’d never gone to work this morning.”
“Me, too. But I am busy. Hang up.”
“You hang up.” I grin.
“We’ve been here before,” she says in that teasing tone she has.
“You’re biting your lip.”
She inhales, quickly.
“You see, you think I don’t know you, Anastasia. But I know you better than you think.”
“Christian, I’ll talk to you later. Right now, I really wish I hadn’t left this morning, too.”
“I’ll wait for your e-mail, Miss Steele.”
“Good day, Mr. Grey.”
She hangs up as the elevator doors open.
BY 3:45 I’M BACK in my office. The mayor’s visit was a success and a PR windfall for GEH. Andrea buzzes me.
“Yes?”
“I have Mia Grey on the line for you.”
“Put her through.”
“Christian?”
“Hi.”
“We’re having a party for your birthday on Saturday and I want to invite Anastasia.”
“Whatever happened to ‘Hello? How are you?’?”
Mia makes a dismissive noise. “Spare me one of your lectures, big brother.”
“I’m busy on Saturday.”
“Cancel it. It’s happening.”
“Mia!”
“No ifs or buts. What’s Ana’s number?”
I sigh and stay silent.
“Christian!” she shouts down the phone.
Jesus. “I’ll text it to you.”
“No bailing. You’ll disappoint Mom and Dad and me and Elliot!”
I sigh. “Whatever, Mia.”
“Great! See you then. Bye.” She hangs up and I stare at the phone with frustrated amusement. My sister is a pain in the ass. I hate birthdays. Well, my birthday. Reluctantly, I text Mia Ana’s number, knowing that I’m unleashing the force that is my little sister on an unsuspecting victim.
I go back to reading a report.
When I finish, I check my e-mail and there’s one from Ana.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Antediluvian
Date: June 15 2011 16:11
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey
When, exactly, were you going to tell me?
What shall I get my old man for his birthday?
Perhaps some new batteries for his hearing aid?
A x
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
Mia is as good as her word. She hasn’t wasted any time. I have some fun with my response.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Prehistoric
Date: June 15 2011 16:20
To: Anastasia Steele
Don’t mock the elderly.
Glad you are alive and kicking.
And that Mia has been in touch.
Batteries are always useful.
I don’t like celebrating my birthday.
x