Fifty Shades Trilogy 01 - Fifty Shades of Grey

come up. I am on my way to Hilton Head now. Please apologize to your mother – I can’t make dinner.” He sounds very businesslike.
    “Nothing serious, I hope?”
    “I have a situation which I have to deal with. I’ll see you Friday. I’ll send Taylor to collect you from the airport if I can’t come myself.” He sounds cold. Angry even. But for the first time, I don’t immediately think it’s me.
    “Okay. I hope you sort out your situation. Have a safe flight.”
    “You too, baby,” he breathes, and with those words, my Christian is back briefly. Then he hangs up.
    Oh no. The last ‘situation’ he had was my virginity. Jeez, I hope it’s nothing like that. I gaze at my mom. Her earlier jubilation has metamorphosed into concern.
    “It’s Christian. He’s had to go back to Seattle. He apologizes.”
    “Oh! That’s a shame, darling. We can still have our barbecue, and now we have something to celebrate – your new job! You have to tell me all about it.”
    It’s late afternoon, and Mom and I are lying beside the pool. My mother has relaxed to the point where she is literally horizontal now that Mr. Megabucks is not coming to dinner. As I lie in the sun, endeavoring to lose the pale, I think about yesterday evening and breakfast today. I think about Christian, and my ridiculous grin refuses to subside. It keeps creeping across my face, unbidden and disconcerting, as I recall our various conversations and what we did… what he did.
    There seems to be tidal shift in Christian’s attitude. He denies it but – he admits he’s trying for more. What could have changed? What has altered since he sent his long e-mail and when I saw him yesterday? What has he done? I sit up suddenly, almost spilling my Dr. Pepper. He had dinner with… her. Elena.
    Holy Fuck!
    My scalp prickles at the realization. Did she say something to him? Oh… to have been a fly on the wall during their dinner. I could have landed in her soup or on her wine glass and choked her.
    “What is it, Ana, honey?” Mom asks, startled from her torpor.
    “I’m just having a moment, Mom. What time is it?”
    “About 6:30 p.m., darling.”
    Hmm… he won’t have landed yet. Can I ask him? Should I ask him? Or perhaps she has nothing to do with it. I fervently hope so. What did I say in my sleep? Crap … some unguarded remark while dreaming about him, I bet? Whatever it is, or was, I hope the sea of change is coming from within him and not because of her.
    I am sweltering in this damned heat. I need another dip in the pool.
    As I get ready for bed, I switch on my computer. I have heard nothing from Christian. Not even a word that he’s arrived safely.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: Safe Arrival?
    Date: June 2 2011 22:32 EST
    To: Christian Grey
    Dear Sir
Please let me know that you have arrived safely. I am starting to worry. Thinking of you.
Your Ana. x
    Three minutes later, I hear the ping from my e-mail inbox.

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Sorry
    Date: June 2 2011 19:36
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Dear Miss Steele
I have arrived safely, and please accept my apologies for not letting you know. I don’t want to cause you any worry, it’s heart-warming to know that you care for me. I am thinking of you, too, and as ever looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    I sigh, Christian is back to formality.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: The Situation
    Date: June 2 2011 22:40 EST
    To: Christian Grey
    Dear Mr. Grey
I think it is very evident that I care for you deeply. How could you doubt that?
I hope your ‘situation’ is in hand.
Your Ana x
PS: Are you going to tell me what I said in my sleep?

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Pleading the Fifth
    Date: June 2 2011 19:45
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Dear Miss Steele
I like very much that you care for me. The ‘situation’ here is not yet resolved.
With regard to your PS: The answer is - No.
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

    From: Anastasia Steele
    Subject: Pleading Insanity
    Date: June 2 2011 22:48 EST
    To: Christian Grey
    I hope it was amusing. But you should know I cannot accept any responsibility for what comes out of my mouth when I am unconscious. In fact – you probably misheard me.
A man of your advanced years is surely a little deaf.

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Pleading Guilty
    Date: June 2 2011 19:52
    To: Anastasia Steele
    Dear Miss Steele
Sorry, could you speak up? I can’t hear you.
    Christian