Chapter 118


    A+A++


    My recent memory of this room is not a good one.


    Well, you are one fucked-up son of a bitch.


    Ana’s words haunt me. A vision of her tearstained, anguished facees to mind. I close my eyes.


    Suddenly I’m empty and aching, feeling a remorse so deep it cuts through sinew and bone. I never


    want to see her that unhappy again. Last night she was sobbing; she cried her heart out, but this


    time she let mefort her. That’s a huge difference fromst time.


    Isn’t it?


    I gaze around the room. What will be of it, I wonder?


    I’ve had some amazing times in here…


    Ana on the cross. Ana shackled to the bed. Ana on her knees.


    I like your kinky fuckery.


    I sigh and my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Taylor. He’s outside waiting for me. With ast lingering


    look at what was once my safe ce, I shut the door.


    MY MORNING IS UNEVENTFUL, but there’s a certain excitement running through GEH. It’s not


    often that I host delegations to thepany, but the mayor’s visit is causing a buzz throughout the


    building. I get through a few early meetings and all seems in ce.


    At 11:30, when I’m back in my office, Andrea puts Flynn through to me.


    “John, thanks for calling me.”


    “I assumed you wanted to talk about Le Williams, but I noticed that you’re in my schedule and I’m


    seeing you tomorrow evening.”


    “I asked Ana to marry me.”


    John says nothing.


    “You’re surprised?” I ask.


    “Frankly, no.”


    That’s not what I expect him to say. But I let it go.


    He continues. “Christian, you’re impulsive. And you’re in love. What did she say?”


    “She wants to talk to you.”


    “She’s not my patient, Christian.”


    “But I am, and I’m asking you.”


    He’s silent for a moment. “Okay,” he says eventually.


    “Please, tell her whatever she wants to know.”


    “If that’s what you wish.”


    “I do. How’s Le?”


    “She had afortable night and was forting this morning. I think I can help her.”


    “Good.”


    “Christian.” He pauses. “Marriage is a seriousmitment.”


    “I know.”


    “Are you sure that’s what you want?”


    It’s my turn to pause. Spend the rest of my life with Ana…“Yes.”


    “It’s not all rainbows and unicorns,” John says. “It’s hard work.”


    Rainbows? Unicorns? What the hell!


    “I’ve never shied away from hard work, John.”


    Johnughs. “That’s true. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”


    “Thanks.”


    MY PHONE BUZZES, AND it’s another text from Elena.


    ELENA


    Can we do dinner?


    Not at the moment, Elena. I just can’t deal with her at this time. I press delete. It’s after midday and I


    realize I’ve heard nothing more from Ana. I type a quick e-mail.


    * * *


    From: Christian Grey


    Subject: Crickets


    Date: June 15 2011 12:15


    To: Anastasia Steele


    I haven’t heard from you.


    Please tell me you are okay.


    You know how I worry.


    I will send Taylor to check!


    x


    Christian Grey


    Overanxious CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.


    My next meeting is lunch with the mayor and his delegation. They want a tour of the building, and


    my PR guy is beside himself. Sam’s all about raising the profile of thepany, though sometimes I


    think it’s about elevating his own profile.


    Andrea knocks and opens the door. “Sam’s here, Mr. Grey,” she says.


    “Show him in. Oh, can you update the contacts on my phone?”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    “Sure.” I hand her my phone and she stands aside to let Sam enter. He gives me a supercilious


    smile and starts a run-through of the various photo opportunities he’s nned for the tour. Sam is a


    pretentious man and a recent hire I’m beginning to regret.


    There’s a knock on the door and Andrea pokes her head around. “I have Anastasia Steele on your


    phone. But I can’t bring it to you—it’s downloading your contacts, and I’m not brave enough to stop


    it mid-sync.”


    I leap up, ignoring Sam, and follow her to her desk. She hands me the phone, which is on such a


    short cable I have to bend over herputer.


    “Are you okay?” I ask.


    “Yes, I’m fine,” Ana replies. Thank goodness.


    “Christian, why wouldn’t I be okay?”


    “You’re normally so quick at responding to my e-mails. After what I told you yesterday, I was


    worried.” I keep my voice low. I don’t want Andrea or the new girl to hear me.


    “Mr. Grey.” Andrea is holding her phone to her neck and trying to get my attention. “The mayor and


    his delegation are in reception downstairs. Shall I ask them toe up?


    “No, Andrea. Tell them to wait.”


    She looks stricken. “I think it’s toote; they’re on their way.”


    “No. I said wait.”


    Shit.


    “Christian, you’re obviously busy. I only called to let you know that I’m okay, and I mean that, just


    very busy today. Jack has been cracking the whip. Er…I mean—” She stops.


    What an interesting choice of words.


    “Cracking the whip, eh? Well, there was a time when I would have called him a lucky man. Don’t let


    him get on top of you, baby.”


    “Christian!” she scolds.


    And I grin. I like shocking her. “Just watch him, that’s all. Look, I’m d you’re okay. What time


    should I pick you up?”


    Source:


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    by


    Articles you may like


    Ads by