To: Christian Grey
I am eating a banana as I type. I have not had breakfast for several days, so it is a step forward. I love the British Library App-I started rereading Robinson Crusoe… and of course, I love you.
Now leave me alone-I am trying to work.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Is that all you’ve eaten?
Date: June 10, 2011 08:36
To: Anastasia Steele
You can do better than that. You’re going to need your energy for begging.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Pest
Date: June 10, 2011 08:39
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey-I am trying to work for a living-and it’s you that will be begging.
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Bring it On!
Date: June 10, 2011 08:36
To: Anastasia Steele
Why Miss Steele, I love a challenge…
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I sit grinning at the screen like an idiot. But I need to read these chapters for Jack and write reports on all of them. Placing the manuscripts on my desk, I begin.
At lunchtime I head to the deli for a pastrami sandwich and listen to the playlist on my iPad. First up there’s Nitin Sawhney, some world music called “Homelands”-it’s good. Mr. Grey has an eclectic taste in music. I wander back, listening to a classical piece,
The afternoon drags. I decide, in an unguarded moment, to e-mail Christian.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Bored…
Date: June 10, 2011 16:05
To: Christian Grey
Twiddling my thumbs.
How are you?
What are you doing?
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your thumbs
Date: June 10, 2011 16:15
To: Anastasia Steele
You should have come to work for me.
You wouldn’t be twiddling your thumbs.
I am sure I could put them to better use.
In fact I can think of a number of options…
I am doing the usual humdrum mergers and acquisitions.
It’s all very dry.
Your e-mails at SIP are monitored.
Christian Grey
Distracted CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
Oh shit. I had no idea. How the hell does he know? I scowl at the screen and quickly check the e-mails we’ve sent, deleting them as I do.
Promptly at five thirty, Jack is at my desk. It is Dress-down Friday so he’s wearing jeans and a black shirt. He looks very casual.
“Drink, Ana? We usually like to go for a quick one at the bar across the street.”
“We?” I ask, hopeful.
“Yeah, most of us go… you coming?”
For some unknown reason, which I don’t want to examine too closely, relief floods through me.
“I’d love to. What’s the bar called?”
“50s.”
“You’re kidding.”
He looks at me oddly. “No. Some significance for you?”
“No, sorry. I’ll join you over there.”
“What would you like to drink?”
“A beer please.”
“Cool.”
I make my way to the powder room and e-mail Christian from the Blackberry.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: You’ll Fit Right In
Date: June 10, 2011 17:36
To: Christian Grey
We are going to a bar called Fifty’s.
The rich seam of humor that I could mine from this is endless.
I look forward to seeing you there, Mr. Grey.
A x
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Hazards
Date: June 10, 2011 17:38
To: Anastasia Steele
Mining is a very, very dangerous occupation.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Hazards?
Date: June 10, 2011 17:40
