Chapter 181


    “I think that’s all with regard to the weekend. I’ve been liaising with Mrs. Jones.”


    “Great. Now, the Taiwanese delegation.” I check my watch. “They should be here by eleven.”


    “Everything’s in ce.” Andrea is exuding her usual efficiency. “They’reing from the Fairmont


    Olympic. In addition to the owners, Mr. and Miss Hwang, and their chief operating officer, Mr. Chen,


    they’re bringing their interpreter; I’m sorry that I don’t have his or her name yet. Marco will meet them in


    reception and escort them to the conference room.”


    “Odd that they are bringing an interpreter. They all speak fluent English.”


    Andrea shrugs. “Lunch is booked in your name, at the Four Seasons at one thirty p.m.”


    “Thanks, Andrea, sounds like everything is in hand.”


    “Will that be all?”


    “For now.”


    Once she’s gone, I turn to my iMac and check my e-mail. The title of Ana’s jumps out at me.


    From: Anastasia Grey


    Subject: The List


    Date: September 9 2011 09:33


    To: Christian Grey


    That’s definitely at the top.


    :D


    A x


    Anastasia Grey


    Editor, SIP


    Iugh out loud and shift in my seat as I remember the spreader bar and how exceptionally


    amodating my wife wasst night. Then again, she has been every night since Le intruded on


    our lives. Thankfully, that drama is over—Le is home and Flynn has reassured me that she’s happily


    settled back into her life in Connecticut.


    Ana is as insatiable as ever.


    I am a lucky, lucky man.


    From: Christian Grey


    Subject: Tell Me Something New


    Date: September 9 2011 09:42


    To: Anastasia Grey


    You’ve said that for thest three days.


    Make your mind up.


    Or…we could try something else.


    ;)


    Christian Grey


    CEO, Enjoying This Game, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.


    Our only source of conflict has been Ana’s campaign to rehire Prescott, in spite of the fact that Ana


    herself said she wasn’t certain about her. I’ve reassured Ana that I’ll give Prescott a good reference,


    but that’s it, and for me the matter is closed. I return to the documents in front of me for a reread; I need


    to be on my game.


    That done, I check for any further e-mails from Ana, but there are none. I’m restless for the meeting to


    start, but with forty-five minutes to go, I need to stretch my legs. Leaping up, I grab my phone and head


    out of my office.


    “Andrea, I’m just going to see Ros. I’ve got my phone.” I wave it in front of her, and notice it needs


    charging.


    Damn. “Can you charge this for me?”


    “Yes, Mr. Grey.”


    With a need to burn off some of my excess energy prior to the meeting, I vault down the stairs to Ros’s


    office.


    Ros has a ream of final questions for the Hwangs, and we’re discussing tactics when there’s a knock


    on the door. It’s Andrea. “Mrs. Grey called you. She wanted to talk to you urgently. I thought you would


    want to know.” She hands me my phone.


    “Thank you.” Frowning, I step out of Ros’s office and dial Ana’s number.


    “Christian,” Ana gasps, breathless and choked.


    A frisson runs up my spine. “Christ, Ana. What’s wrong?”


    “It’s Ray—he’s been in an ident.”


    “Shit!”


    “I’m on my way to Pornd.”


    “Pornd? Please tell me Sawyer is with you.”


    “Yes, he’s driving.”


    “Where’s Ray?”


    “At OHSU.”


    Ros steps out of her office, distracting me. “Christian, they’ll be here shortly.” My eyes dart to the clock


    on the wall. It’s 10:48.


    “Yes, Ros, I know!” The meeting will take at least two hours. Hell. I was going to take them to lunch.


    Ros and Marco can do it.


    “Sorry, baby—I can be there in about three hours. I have business I need to finish here. I’ll fly down.”


    Thank God Charlie Tango is back in operation. “I have a meeting with some guys over from Taiwan. I


    can’t blow them off. It’s a deal we’ve been hammering out for months. I’ll leave as soon as I can.”


    “Okay,” she whispers, her voice small and scared.


    A fist tightens around my heart. This is not Ana’s usual demeanor. “Oh, baby,” I murmur, overwhelmed


    with the need to drop everything and join her. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    She needs me.


    But I can’t. I have responsibilities here.


    Sawyer is with her.


    “I’ll be okay, Christian. Take your time. Don’t rush. I don’t want to worry about you, too. Fly safely.”


    “I will.”


    “Love you.”


    “I love you, too, baby. I’ll be with you as soon as I can. Keep Luke close.”


    “Yes, I will.”


    “I’ll see youter.”


    “Bye.” She hangs up.


    “Everything okay?” Ros asks.


    I shake my head. “No. Ana’s dad has had an ident.”


    “Oh no…”


    “He’s in OHSU hospital in Pornd. She’s heading there now. I have to make a quick call.” I speed-dial


    my mother, and by some miracle Grace answers her cell.


    “Christian, darling. How lovely to hear from you.”


    “Mom, Ana’s dad has been in an ident.”


    “Oh no, poor Ray. Is he okay? Where is he?”


    “OHSU.”


    “Is it serious?”


    “I don’t know. Ana’s on her way down there. Unfortunately, I have a meeting here that I need to take


    before I can join her.”


    “I see. A friend from Yale works there. I’ll make some calls.”


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