To: Anastasia Steele
The computer is on loan. Indefinitely, Miss Steele.
I note from your tone that you have read the doc.u.mentation I gave you.
Do you have any questions so far?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I can"t help but grin.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Enquiring Minds
Date: May 23 2011 08:25
To: Christian Grey
I have many questions, but not suitable for email, and some of us have to work for a living.
I do not want or need a computer indefinitely.
Until later, good day. Sir.
Ana
His reply again is instant, and it makes me smile.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your New Computer (again on loan)
Date: May 23 2011 08:26
To: Anastasia Steele
Laters, baby.
PS: I work for a living too.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I shut the computer down, grinning like an idiot. How can I resist playful ChristianI am going to be late for work. Well, it is my last week - Mr. and Mrs. Clayton will probably cut me some slack. I race into the shower, unable to shake my face-splitting grin. He emailed me. I"m like a small, giddy child. And all the contract angst fades. As I wash my hair, I try and think what I could possibly ask him via email. Surely it"s better to talk these things through. Suppose someone hacked into his accountI flush at the thought. I dress quickly, shout a hasty goodbye to Kate, and I"m off to work my last week at Clayton"s.
Jose phones at eleven.
"Hey, are we doing coffee?" He sounds like the old Jose. Jose my friend, not a - what did Christian call himSuitor. Ugh.
"Sure. I"m at work. Can you make it here for say twelve?"
"See you then."
He hangs up, and I go back to restocking the paintbrushes and thinking about Christian Grey and his contract.
Jose is punctual. He comes bounding into the shop like a gamboling dark-eyed puppy.
"Ana," he smiles his dazzling toothy all-Hispanic-American smile, and I can"t be angry with him anymore.
"Hi Jose." I hug him. "I"m starving. I"ll just let Mrs. Clayton know I"m going for lunch."
As we stroll to the local coffee shop, I slip my arm through Jose"s. I"m so grateful for his
- normality. Someone I know and understand.
"Hey Ana," he murmurs. "You"ve really forgiven me?"
"Jose, you know I can never stay mad at you for long."
He grins.
I can"t wait to get home. The lure of emailing Christian, and maybe I can begin my research project. Kate is out somewhere, so I fire up the new laptop and open my email. Sure enough, there"s an email from Christian sitting in the inbox. I"m practically bouncing out of my seat with glee.
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 hit reply.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Working for living
Date: May 23 2011 17:48
To: Christian Grey
Sir... I had a very good day at work.
Thank you.
Ana
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 emailing, you are not researching.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Nuisance
Date: May 23 2011 17:53
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey, stop emailing me, and I can start my a.s.signment.
I"d like another A.
Ana
I hug myself.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Impatient
Date: May 23 2011 17:55
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele
Stop emailing me - and do your a.s.signment.
I"d like to award another A.
The first one was so well deserved. ;)
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
Christian Grey just sent me a winking smiley... Oh my. I fire up Google.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Internet Research
Date: May 23 2011 17:59
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
What would you suggest I put into a search engine?
Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Internet Research
Date: May 23 2011 18:02
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele
Always start with Wikipedia.
No more emails unless you have questions. Understood?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Bossy!
Date: May 23 2011 18:04
To: Christian Grey
Yes... Sir.
You are so bossy.
Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: In Control
Date: May 23 2011 18:06
To: Anastasia Steele
Anastasia, you have no idea.
Well, maybe an inkling now.
Do the work.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I type Submissive into Wikipedia.
Half an hour later, I feel slight queasy and frankly shocked to my core. Do I really want this stuff in my headJeez - is this what he gets up to in the Red Room of PainI sit staring at the screen, and part of me, a very moist and integral part of me - that I"ve only become acquainted with very recently, is seriously turned on. Oh my, some of this stuff is HOT. But is it for meHoly s.h.i.t... could I do thisI need s.p.a.ce. I need to think.
Chapter Twelve
For the first time in my life, I voluntarily go for a run. I find my nasty, never-used sneakers, some sweat pants, and a t-shirt. I put my hair in pigtails, blushing at the memories they bring back, and I plug in my iPod. I can"t sit in front of that marvel of technology and look at or read any more disturbing material. I need to expend some of this excess, enervating, energy. Quite frankly, I have a mind to run to the Heathman hotel and just demand s.e.x from the control freak. But that"s five miles, and I don"t think I"ll be able to run one mile, let alone five, and of course, he might turn me down which would be beyond humiliating.