“Coffee?” she chirps.
“Please.”
“With or without milk?”
Good girl.
“With. Steamed milk.”
“Yes, Mr. Grey.”
“Try Caroline Acton. I’d like to speak to her right away.”
“Of course.”
“And make an appointment for me to see Flynn, next week.” She nods and sits down to work. At my desk, I switch on my computer.
The first e-mail in my inbox is from Elena.
* * *
From: Elena Lincoln
Subject: The Weekend
Date: May 30 2011, 10:15
To: Christian Grey
Christian, what gives?
Your mother told me you took a young woman to dinner yesterday.
I’m intrigued. It’s so not your style.
You’ve found a new submissive?
Call me.
Ex
ELENA LINCOLN
ESCLAVA
For The Beauty That Is You™
That’s all I need. I close her e-mail, resolving to ignore it for now. Olivia knocks and enters with my coffee as Andrea buzzes my phone.
“I have Welch for you, and I’ve left a message for Ms. Acton,” Andrea announces.
“Good. Put him through.”
Olivia places the latte on my desk and exits flustered. I do my best to ignore her.
“Welch.”
“No airline tickets purchased as yet, Mr. Grey. But I’ll monitor the situation and inform you, should that change.”
“Please do.”
He hangs up. I take a sip of coffee and dial Ros.
JUST BEFORE LUNCH ANDREA puts Caroline Acton through. “Mr. Grey, how lovely to hear from you. What can I do for you?”
“Hello, Ms. Acton. I’d like the usual.”
“The capsule wardrobe? Do you have a color palette in mind?”
“Blues and greens. Silver maybe, for a formal event.” The Chamber of Commerce dinner springs to mind. “Gem colors, I think.”
“Nice,” Ms. Acton responds with her usual enthusiasm.
“And satin and silk underwear and nightwear. Something glamorous.”
“Yes, sir. Do you have a budget in mind?”
“No budget. Go all-out. I want everything high-end.”
“Shoes, too?”
“Please.”
“Great. Sizes?”
“I’ll e-mail you. I have your address from last time.”
“When would you like delivery?”
“This Friday.”
“I’m sure I can do that. Would you like to see photographs of my choices?”
“Please.”
“Great. I’ll get on it.”
“Thank you.” I hang up and Andrea puts Welch through.
“Welch.”
“Miss Steele is traveling on DL2610 to Atlanta, departing at 22:25 this evening.”
I jot down all the details of her flights and connection into Savannah. I summon Andrea, who enters moments later, carrying her notebook.
“Andrea, Anastasia Steele is traveling on these flights. Upgrade her to first class, check her in, and pay for her to enter the first-class lounge. And buy the seat beside her on all flights, there and back. Use my personal credit card.” Andrea’s puzzled look tells me that she thinks I’ve taken leave of my senses, but she recovers quickly and accepts my hand-scribbled note.
“Will do, Mr. Grey.” She’s trying her best to keep it professional, but I catch her smiling.
This is none of her business.
MY AFTERNOON IS SPENT in meetings. Marco has prepared preliminary reports on the four publishing houses based in Seattle. I set them aside to read later. He’s also in agreement with me about Woods and his company. This is going to get ugly, but having looked at the synergies, the only way forward is to absorb Woods’s tech division and liquidate the rest of his company. It’s going to be expensive, but it’s best for GEH.
In the late afternoon I manage to have a quick and strenuous workout with Bastille, so I’m calm and relaxed when I head home.
After a light supper I sit down to read at my desk. First order of the evening is to reply to Elena. But when I open my e-mails, there’s one from Ana. She hasn’t been far from my thoughts all day.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Interviews
Date: May 30 2011 18:49
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir,
My interviews went well today.
Thought you might be interested.
How was your day?
Ana
I type my response immediately.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: My Day
Date: May 30 2011 19:03
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
Everything you do interests me. You are the most fascinating woman I know.
I’m glad your interviews went well.
My morning was beyond all expectations.
My afternoon was very dull in comparison.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I sit back and rub my chin, waiting.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Fine Morning
Date: May 30 2011 19:05
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir,
The morning was exemplary for me, too, in spite of you weirding out on me after the impeccable desk sex. Don’t think I didn’t notice.
Thank you for breakfast. Or thank Mrs. Jones.
I’d like to ask you questions about her—without you weirding out on me again.
Ana
Weirding? What on earth does she mean by that? Is she saying I’m weird? Well, I am, I suppose. Maybe. Perhaps she’s realized how surprised I was when she jumped me—and no one’s done that for a long time.
“Impeccable”… I’ll take that.
* * *