Chapter 175


    “Hmm…semantics. But what I’m reading into this situation is that you hold the key to your happiness.


    You’re in control. You just need to let it in. And not deliberately put obstacles in its way.”


    I nce down at the mini orchids on his coffee table. “Can I?” The words are out before I realize I’ve


    said them out loud.


    “Can you what?”


    “Let it in.”


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    “That’s entirely up to you.”


    “But what if she leaves?”


    He sighs. “There are no certainties in life except death and taxes. Everyone runs the risk of being hurt;


    you know this. You’ve had more than your fair share of that as a child. But you’re not a child anymore.


    Give yourself permission to enjoy your life and your wife.”


    Is it as simple as that?


    “Now. Le,” he says, and I know we’ve moved on.


    Monday, September 5, 2011


    Taylor pulls away from the curb as I watch Ana and Prescott disappear into SIP. My uneasy sense of


    bliss lingers. We’ve had an amazing weekend…more fun and frolics with Mrs. Grey. This is what I’ve


    been missing from my life.


    “Sir.” Taylor distracts me from my happy ce.


    “Yes?”


    “The R8 Spyder for Mrs. Grey will be ready at the end of the week.”


    “Excellent. Thanks.”


    His gaze does not leave mine in the rearview mirror.


    “What?”


    “Gail has a suggestion for you, with regard to Mrs. Grey’s birthday.”


    “Oh?” I wait for him to tell me more, but he continues to drive. “Are you going to tell me?”


    His eyes flick back to mine in the rearview mirror, and in them I see a silent plea. He doesn’t want to


    rain on her parade.


    “I’ll talk to her.”


    “Thank you, sir.”


    My phone buzzes.


    ELLIOT


    It begins!


    He’s attached a photograph of his team taking down one of the rear walls of our house on the coast.


    It’s a dramatic shot: blue skies, a gaping hole in a wall, clouds of brick dust, and five hulking men in


    yellow hard hats wielding sledgehammers.


    Whoa! Leave some of it standing!


    ELLIOT


    Don’t get your panties in a wad.


    We’re following the ns.


    I’d expect no less. Good luck.


    In the elevator at Grey House, I check my e-mails.


    From: Anastasia Grey


    Subject: Sailing & Soaring & Spanking


    Date: September 5 2011 09:18


    To: Christian Grey


    Husband


    You sure know how to show a girl a good time.


    I shall of course be expecting this kind of treatment every weekend.


    You are spoiling me. I love it.


    Your wife


    xox


    Anastasia Grey


    Editor, SIP


    At my desk, I respond.


    From: Christian Grey


    Subject: My Life’s Mission…


    Date: September 5 2011 09:25


    To: Anastasia Grey


    Is to spoil you, Mrs. Grey.


    And keep you safe because I love you.


    Christian Grey


    Smitten CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.


    Smitten doesn’t cover it. I want to do something special for her birthday, and I wonder what Mrs. Jones


    has in mind. I’ll talk to her this evening. In the meantime, I’d like to get Ana something other than the


    car…a gift that requires a little more creative thought.


    As I sip my coffee, an idea slowly forms in my mind.


    Something to celebrate all our firsts.


    When I finish my coffee, her response is in my inbox.


    From: Anastasia Grey


    Subject: My Life’s Mission…


    Date: September 5 2011 09:33


    To: Christian Grey


    Is to let you—because I love you, too.


    Now stop being so sappy.


    You are making me cry.


    Anastasia Grey


    Equally Smitten Editor, SIP


    I grin. We’re both smitten.


    Tuesday, September 6, 2011


    Astoria Fine Jewelry has outdone itself. My lunchtime quest was a sess, and I’m delighted with the


    gift I’ve bought for Ana. I hope she likes it, too. ncing at her beautiful face on my office wall, I admire


    her secret smile as she peers down at me, but as ever, she gives nothing away.


    Lord, she is lovely.


    I find myself grinning at her portrait like the lovesick fool I am.


    A man in love with his wife.


    Get a grip, Grey.


    My ns for Ana’s birthday are falling into ce. Mrs. Jones has volunteered to cook a surprise dinner


    party for Ana, and I’m waiting to hear if all our guests can make it. I’ve offered to send the jet to collect


    Ca and Bob, Ray is on, and my siblings have both said yes, but I’ve yet to hear from my folks. Ana


    knows nothing of this, and the event will be the first surprise party I’ve ever organized. I remember,


    when I bought my apartment pre-construction, how the real estate agent had waxed lyrical about the


    expansive entertainment space within. I never thought I’d actually get to use it. That wasn’t my life. And


    now, two yearster, I’m hosting a party.


    For my wife. Who knew.


    It should be fun.


    Perhaps we could take everyone to see the new house on Sunday after lunch and check out how Elliot


    and his team are doing. Or perhaps we could go before, just Ana and me. Maybe on Friday. I check my


    schedule, but I’m interrupted by a text from Taylor, and a nanosecondter, an e-mail from Ana. I open


    the e-mail first.


    From: Anastasia Grey


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