"Laters, baby."
"Have a good day at the office, dear," I call after him. He turns and flashes me his beautiful smile then he's gone. Mrs. Jones hands me a cup of tea, and suddenly I feel awkward with just the two of us here.
"How long have you worked for Christian?" I ask, thinking I ought to make some kind of conversation.
"Four years or so," she says pleasantly, as she sets about making my packed lunch.
"You know, I can do that," I mutter, embarrassed that she should be doing this for me.
"You eat your breakfast, Ana. This is what I do. I enjoy it. It's nice to look after someone other than Mr. Taylor and Mr. Grey." She smiles very sweetly at me.
My cheeks pink with pleasure, and I want to bombard this woman with questions. She must know so much about Fifty, and although her manner is warm and friendly, it's also very professional. I know I'll only embarrass both of us if I start quizzing her, so I finish my breakfast in a reasonably comfortable silence, punctuated only by her questions on my food preferences for lunch.
Twenty-five minutes later Sawyer appears at the entrance to the great room. I have brushed my teeth, and I'm waiting to go. Clutching my brown paper lunch bag - I can't even remember my mom doing this for me - Sawyer and I head to the first floor via the elevator. He's very taciturn, too, giving nothing away. Taylor is waiting in the Audi, and I climb into the rear passenger seat when Sawyer opens the door.
"Good morning, Taylor," I say brightly.
"Miss Steele." He smiles.
"Taylor, I'm sorry about yesterday and my inappropriate remarks. I hope I didn't get you into trouble."
Taylor frowns in bemusement at me from the rearview mirror as he pulls out into the Seattle traffic.
"Miss Steele, I'm rarely in trouble," he says reassuringly.
Oh good. Maybe Christian didn't tell him off. Just me, then, I think sourly.
"I'm glad to hear it, Taylor." I smile.
Jack gazes at me, assessing my appearance, as I make my way to my desk.
"Morning, Ana. Good weekend?"
"Yes, thanks. You?"
"It was good. Get settled in - I have work for you to do."
I nod and sit down at my computer. It seems like years since I was at work. I switch on my computer and fire up my e-mail program - and of course there's an e-mail from Christian.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Boss
Date: June 13, 2011 08:24
To: Anastasia Steele
Good morning, Miss Steele
I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful weekend in spite of all the drama.
I hope you never leave, ever.
And just to remind you that the news of SIP is embargoed for four weeks.
Delete this e-mail as soon as you've read it.
Yours
Christian Grey,
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. & Your boss's boss's boss.
Hope I never leave? Does he want me to move in? Holy Moses... I barely know the man.
I press delete.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Bossy
Date: June 13, 2011: 09:03
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey
Are you asking me to move in with you? And of course, I remembered that the evidence of your epic stalking capabilities is embargoed for another four weeks. Do I make a check out to Coping Together and send to your dad? Please don't delete this e-mail. Please respond to it.
ILY xxx
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
"Ana!" Jack makes me jump.
"Yes," I flush, and Jack frowns at me.
"Everything okay?"
"Sure." I scramble up and take my notebook into his office.
"Good. As you probably remember, I'm going to that Commissioning Fiction Sympo-sium in New York on Thursday. I have tickets and reservations, but I'd like you to come with me."
"To New York?"
"Yes. We'll need to go Wednesday and stay overnight. I think you'll find it a very educational experience." His eyes darken as he says this, but his smile is polite. "Would you make the necessary travel arrangements? And book an additional room at the hotel where I am staying? I think Sabrina, my previous PA, left all the details handy somewhere."
"Okay." I smile wanly at Jack.
Crap. I wander back to my desk. This is not going to go down well with Fifty - but the fact is, I want to go. It sounds like a real opportunity, and I'm sure I can keep Jack at arm's length if that's his ulterior motive. Back at my desk there's a response from Christian.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Me, Bossy?
Date: June 13, 2011 09:07
To: Anastasia Steele
Yes. Please.
Christian Grey,
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
Jeez... he does want me to move in. Oh, Christian - it's too soon. I put my head in my hands to try and recover my wits. This is all I need after my extraordinary weekend. I haven't had a moment to myself to think through and understand all that I have experienced and discovered these last two days.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Flynnisms
Date: June 13, 2011: 09:20
To: Christian Grey
Christian
What happened to walking before we run?
Can we talk about this tonight, please?
I've been asked to go to a conference in New York on Thursday.
It means an overnight stay on Wednesday.
Just thought you should know.
A x
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
From: Christian Grey
Subject: WHAT?
Date: June 13, 2011 09:21
To: Anastasia Steele
Yes. Let's talk this evening.
Are you going on your own?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele