From: Christian Grey
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011, 14:35
To: Anastasia Steele
I know you haven't banked my check Anastasia… and therefore I know you do not have a car…
I'm heading down to Portland for business, I'd be more than happy to take you.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Tomorrow
Date: June 8 2011, 14:56
To: Anastasia Steele
I'll take your silence as an answer. You know how to contact me should you change your mind.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises
Well shit. I think as I stare at the two offending emails from Christian. His last email oozes with his anger. Of course he'd know I haven't banked his check, he would have been scanning his bank account to make sure it's come out. The thought of an angry Christian has my stomach doing little backflips.
Oh Christian how you affect me so.
"Ana are you able to duck out and grab me a coffee?" Jack asks, his head poking out of his office startling me from my thoughts.
"Sure. Flat white right?" I ask as I stand and grab my purse.
"Sure is, make sure you grab one for yourself and I'll fix you up when you get back. I have a big day, lots of meetings." He smiles before ducking back inside his office. I sigh, shutting the offending emails as I stand.
The walk from the office to the little café across the road is quick but the line for coffee this hour of the morning is long. For such a small café this place is packed the max during peak hours.
I frown as my phone buzzes against my leg. Delving into my pocket I withdraw my phone, opening my one and only text message. It's from Jose, and my heart sinks a little at the thought of having to tell him I might not be able to come.
Ana, can't wait to see you! It's been too long. Come and find me when you arrive, I have a surprise for you.
I frown in confusion as I read his message.
I spend the rest of my wait in line wondering about his 'surprise'. Racking my brains I can't for the life of me work out what it may be.
I glace at the clock on my computer when I return to the office. I'm shocked to find I've been gone almost thirty minutes. My only hope is jack is in a good mood and not an angry bear today.
I knock quietly on his office door, announcing myself before walking in. He's sitting behind his desk, on the phone, looking every bit superior as he thinks he is. I walk towards him silently, sitting his coffee down on his desk carefully. He frowns a little when he catches the time but says nothing so I take the moment to back out quietly.
Sitting back down at my desk I go back to reading the first three chapters of the tall stack of manuscripts in front of me. Jack wants detailed reports on each of them before the end of the day and I know it's going to take me until the end of the day to complete them all so I get straight down to work. There's no time for Christian Grey to fill my thoughts now.
With a sigh I finally collapse back into my chair. It's exactly five-thirty. Gathering my pile I stand and head for Jack office. He's busy on the phone again so I don't interrupt, instead I give him a small smile and place the stack of papers on his desk. He beams back with a nod of approval and I take that as my cue to leave for the day.
My movements are sluggish as I collect my things from my desk. It's been a long day and now I'm faced with the long drive to Portland and back. My body is screaming at me for sleep but it also knows by the time my head hits the pillow sleep will have evaded me and I'll be awake all night thinking of all things Christian.
I smile and wave at Claire as I head out the main office doors and onto the busy street. The hussle and bustle of the peak hour traffic awakens me. I make a run for my bus stop, eager to get home, changed and then hit the road. I feel awful about taking Kate's car without permission but I spent all night trying to work out ways around it and my only option was Christian. And I am so not ready to face the thought of that just yet, so Kate's car has won out.
It takes me a couple of hours in the busy traffic before I make it to Portland. It's wet, windy and completely matches my mood. I sigh in relief as I park Kate's car carefully in the car park. Her baby and I have made it in one piece.
I tighten my jacket closer around my body as I make a beeline for the front door. I smile nervously at two men who are beaming widely at me. It's rather odd and completely downright creepy. A woman in a red dress beams at me as I take an offered drink of champagne and I frown at her as she pushes past people on her way over to me.
"Ana, how lovely it is to finally meet you."
"Uh, hello?" I asked confused.
"The pictures are absolutely breathtaking. Jose's best work in my opinion."
"Pictures?" I ask nervously.
"Ana! You've made it." Jose calls as he makes his way through the crowd towards me.
"Jose." I breath out in relief as the woman leaves and I'm swept up in a hug from Jose.
"Ana have you lost weight?" Jose asks concerned as he steps back to get a better look at me.
"Don't be silly Jose, it's just been a while since we've seen each other." I lie.
Yes Jose I have. I've lost ten pounds all because I stupidly fell for a man who carries a lot of baggage.
"So what's this surprise?" I ask nervously as I sip at my champagne.
"I probably should have warned you about these earlier but I was afraid if I did you wouldn't let me display them."
"Display what?" I demand, a sinking feeling settling into the pit of my stomach.
"Come with me. Keep an open mind please Ana."
"Jose what have you done?" I sigh as I let him lead me through the gallery. As we walk I catch glimpses of his work- lots of landscapes and a few portraits.
My jaw drops as I take in the cluster of portraits in front of me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jose eyeing me nervously but I can't take my eyes of the five huge portraits of me. Yes, me!
"Say something Ana." Jose begs.
"I… I don't know what to say Jose." I stutter out, gulping down the rest of my drink before grabbing another as the waiter walks past.
"Well you're calm that's a good sign." He jokes. I say nothing as I blink. I feel anything but calm on the inside. I'm a mess of nerves and confusion.
"They've all sold. You're a poster girl Ana." I cringe and make a small whimpering noise. Great now some creep had these rather up close and personal pictures on me in their possession.
"Great." I whisper in fake happiness before I down yet another glass of cheap champagne.