Chapter 48
Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian (Fifty Shades 4)
The sassy wench is implying I donât do any work.
Well to hell with that!
I spy Fredâs rather dry summary report open on my desktop and decide to set the record straight with Ana.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your New Computer (again on loan)
Date: May 23 2011 08:26
To: Anastasia Steele
Laters, baby.
P.S.: I work for a living, too.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I find it impossible to concentrate on my work, waiting for the telltale ping to announce a new e-mail from Ana. When it comes, I look up immediatelyâbut itâs from Elena. And Iâm surprised by my disappointment.
* * *
From: Elena Lincoln
Subject: The Weekend
Date: May 23 2011 08:33
To: Christian Grey
Christian, you work too hard. Whatâs in Portland? Work?
Ex
ELENA LINCOLN
ESCLAVA
For The Beauty That Is Youâ¢
Do I tell her? If I do, sheâll call immediately with questions, and Iâm not ready to divulge my weekend experiences yet. I type her a quick e-mail saying itâs work, and get back to my reading.
Andrea calls me at nine and we run through my schedule. As Iâm in Portland, I ask her to set up a meeting with the president and the AVP of economic development at WSU, to discuss the soil science project weâve set up and their need for additional funding in the next fiscal year. She agrees to cancel all my social engagements this week, and then connects me through to my first videoconference of the day.
AT 3:00 IâM PORING over some tablet design schematics that Barney has sent me when Iâm disturbed by a knock at my door. The interruption is annoying but for a moment I hope that itâs Miss Steele. Itâs Taylor.
âHello.â I hope my voice doesnât reveal my disappointment.
âI have your clothes, Mr. Grey,â he says politely.
âCome in. Can you hang them in the closet? Iâm expecting my next conference call.â
âCertainly, sir.â He hurries into the bedroom, carrying a couple of suit bags and a duffel.
When he returns Iâm still waiting for my call.
âTaylor, I donât think Iâm going to need you for the next couple of days. Why donât you take the time to see your daughter?â
âThatâs very good of you, sir, but her mother and Iââ He stops, embarrassed.
âAh. Like that, is it?â I ask.
He nods. âYes, sir. It will take some negotiating.â
âOkay. Would Wednesday be better?â
âIâll ask. Thank you, sir.â
âAnything I can do to help?â
âYou do enough, sir.â
He doesnât want to talk about this. âOkay. I think Iâm going to need a printerâcan you arrange it?â
âYes, sir.â He nods. As he leaves, closing the door softly behind him, I frown. I hope his ex-wife isnât giving him grief. I pay for his daughterâs schooling as another incentive for him to stay in my employment; heâs a good man, and I donât want to lose him. The phone ringsâitâs my conference call with Ros and Senator Blandino.
MY LAST CALL WRAPS up at 5:20. Stretching in my chair, I think about how productive Iâve been today. Itâs amazing how much more I get done when Iâm not in the office. Only a couple of reports to read and Iâm finished for the day. As I look out the window at the early-evening sky, my mind strays to a certain potential submissive.
I wonder how her day at Claytonâs has been, pricing cable ties and measuring out lengths of rope. I hope one day Iâll get to use them on her. The thought conjures images of her tethered in my playroom. I dwell on this for a momentâ¦then quickly send her an e-mail. All this waiting, working, and e-mailing is making me restless. I know how Iâd like to release this pent-up energy, but I have to settle for a run.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Working for a Living
Date: May 23 2011 17:24
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
I do hope you had a good day at work.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I change back into my running gear. Taylor has brought me two more pairs of sweatpants. Iâm sure thatâs Gailâs doing. As I head toward the door I check my e-mail. Sheâs replied.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Working for a Living
Date: May 23 2011 17:48
To: Christian Grey
Sir⦠I had a very good day at work.
Thank you.
Ana
But she hasnât done her homework. I e-mail her back.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Do the Work!
Date: May 23 2011 17:50
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele,
Delighted you had a good day.
While you are e-mailing, you are not researching.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
And rather than leave the room, I wait for her reply. She doesnât keep me waiting long.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Nuisance
Date: May 23 2011 17:53
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey, stop e-mailing me, and I can start my assignment.
Iâd like another A.
Ana
I laugh out loud. Yes. That A was something else. Closing my eyes, I see and feel her mouth around my cock once more.
Fuck.
Bringing my errant body to heel, I press send on my reply, and wait.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Impatient
Date: May 23 2011 17:55
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele,
Stop e-mailing meâand do your assignment.