I scowl with frustration at myself in the mirror. Damn my hair – it just won’t behave, yet here I am trying to brush my hair into submission. I must not sleep with it wet. I must not sleep with it wet.

Reciting this mantra several times, I attempt, once more, to bring it under control with the brush. I roll my eyes in exasperation and gaze at the pale, brown-haired girl with blue eyes too big for her face staring back at me, and give up. My only option is to restrain my wayward hair in a ponytail and hope that I look semi presentable.

today I have to drive a hundred and sixty-five miles to downtown Seattle in order to meet the enigmatic CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. As an exceptional

entrepreneur and major benefactor of our University, his time is extraordinarily precious

– much more precious than mine

It took me nine months to get this interview. It will take another

six to reschedule,

Ohh!! I forgot to introduce me I'm Anna, and I live with my roommate kate. She’s articulate, strong, persuasive, argumentative,

beautiful – and she’s my dearest, dearest friend. The roads are clear as I set off from Vancouver, WA toward Portland and the I-5. It’s early,

and I don’t have to be in Seattle until two this afternoon. Fortunately, Kate’s lent me her

sporty Mercedes CLK. I’m not sure Wanda, my old VW Beetle, would make the journey in

time. Oh, the Merc is a fun drive, and the miles slip away as I floor the pedal to the metal.

My destination is the headquarters of Mr. Grey’s global enterprise. It’s a huge twenty story office building, all curved glass and steel, an architect’s utilitarian fantasy, with Grey House written discreetly in steel over the glass front doors. It’s a quarter to two when I

arrive, greatly relieved that I’m not late as I walk into the enormous – and frankly intimidating – glass, steel, and white sandstone lobby. A bolde girl came and said me to go inside I was nervous,my handshaking.“Mr. Grey will see you now, Miss Steele. Do go through,” Blonde Number Two says.

I stand rather shakily trying to suppress my nerves. Gathering up my satchel, I abandon my

glass of water and make my way to the partially open door.

“You don’t need to knock – just go in.” She smiles kindly

I push open the door and stumble through, tripping over my own feet, and falling head

first into the office.

Double crap – me and my two left feet! I am on my hands and knees in the doorway

to Mr. Grey’s office, and gentle hands are around me helping me to stand. I am so embarrassed, damn my clumsiness. I have to steel myself to glance up. Holy cow – he’s so

young, So young – and attractive, very attractive.

He’s tall, dressed in a fine gray suit, white shirt, and black tie with unruly dark copper colored hair and intense, bright gray eyes that

regard me shrewdly. It takes a moment for me to find my voice.

“Um. Actually–” I mutter. If this guy is over thirty then I’m a monkey’s uncle. In a

daze, I place my hand in his and we shake. As our fingers touch, I feel an odd exhilarating

shiver run through me. I withdraw my hand hastily, embarrassed. Must be static. I blink

rapidly, my eyelids matching my heart rate.

“And you are?” His voice is warm, possibly amused, but it’s difficult to tell from his

impassive expression. He looks mildly interested, but above all, polite.

“Anastasia boot . I’m studying English Literature with Kate, um… Katherine…

um… Miss Kavanagh at Houston State.”

“I see,” he says simply. I think I see the ghost of a smile in his expression, but I’m not

sure.

“Would you like to sit?” He waves me toward a white leather buttoned L-shaped couch.

His office is way too big for just one man

“I have some questions, Mr. Grey.” I smooth a stray

lock of hair behind my ear.

“I thought you might,” he says, deadpan. He’s laughing at me. My cheeks heat at the

realization, and I sit up and square my shoulders in an attempt to look taller and more intimidating. Pressing the start button on the recorder, I try to look professional.

“You’re very young to have amassed such an empire. To what do you owe your success?” I glance up at him. His smile is rueful, but he looks vaguely disappointed.

“Business is all about people, Miss Steele, and I’m very good at judging people. I

know how they tick, what makes them flourish, what doesn’t, what inspires them, and how

to incentivize them. I employ an exceptional team, and I reward them well.” He pauses

and fixes me with his gray stare. “My belief is to achieve success in any scheme one has

to make oneself master of that scheme, know it inside and out, know every detail. I work

hard, very hard to do that. I make decisions based on logic and facts. I have a natural gut

instinct that can spot and nurture a good solid idea and good people. The bottom line is,

it’s always down to good people.”

“Maybe you’re just lucky.” This isn’t on Kate’s list – but he’s so arrogant. His eyes

flare momentarily in surprise.

“Do you feel that you have immense power?” Control Freak.

“I employ over forty thousand people, Miss Steele. That gives me a certain sense of

responsibility – power, if you will. If I were to decide I was no longer interested in the

telecommunications business and sell up, twenty thousand people would struggle to make

their mortgage payments after a month or so.”

My mouth drops open. I am staggered by his lack of humility.

“Don’t you have a board to answer to?” I ask, disgusted.

“I own my company. I don’t have to answer to a board.” He raises an eyebrow at me.

I flush. Of course, I would know this if I had done some research. But holy crap, he’s so

arrogant. I change tack

Though there are people who’d say I don’t have a heart.”

“Why would they say that?”

“Because they know me well.” His lip curls in a wry smile.

“Would your friends say you’re easy to get to know?” And I regret the question as soon

as I say it.

“You’ve had to sacrifice a family life for your work.”

“That’s not a question.” He’s terse.

“Sorry.” I squirm, and he’s made me feel like an errant child. I try again. “Have you

had to sacrifice a family life for your work?”

“I have a family. I have a brother and a sister and two loving parents. I’m not interested in extending my family beyond that.” “Are you gay, Mr. Grey?”

He inhales sharply, and I cringe, mortified. Crap. Why didn’t I employ some kind

of filter before I read this straight out? How can I tell him I’m just reading the questions?

Damn!

“No Anastasia, I’m not.” He raises his eyebrows, a cool gleam in his eyes. He does

not look pleased.

“I apologize. It’s um… written here.” It’s the first time he’s said my name. My heartbeat has accelerated, and my cheeks are heating up again. Nervously, I tuck my loosened

hair behind my ear. want to know about you. I think that’s only fair.” His gray eyes are alight with curiosity. Double crap. Where’s he going with this? He places his elbows on the arms of

the chair and steeples his fingers in front of his mouth. His mouth is very… distracting. I

swallow.

“There’s not much to know,” I say, flushing again.

“What are your plans after you graduate?”

I shrug, thrown by his interest. Come to Seattle with Kate, find a place, find a job. I

haven’t really thought beyond my finals.

“I haven’t made any plans, Mr. Grey. I just need to get through my final exams.”