One Night Stand With A Heartbreaker

Chapter 004

"Can I help you, sir?", Hannah enquires.

"My boss would like to speak with a Jack Hyde on an important matter. He said it can't wait."

"Who's your boss?", Hannah asks as I take a sip of my tea.

"Anthony Grey", the man answers and I nearly choke on my drink.

"Oh. Okay, um, let me just check with him and you can wait out here", Hannah remarks before heading off to Jack's office. I look up and see Anthony Grey standing in the doorway walking in my direction. I quickly turn in my chair and avoid his gaze. f**k. What's he doing here?

"Right this way", Hannah calls out and I continue to turn my chair so he can't see my face. Fortunately, he doesn't.

A few minutes go by and Anthony emerges form Jack's office with a look of satisfaction on his face. Oh? I try to avoid his gaze and pretend that I'm hard at work.

"Anastasia?", I hear someone ask and look up to see him gazing down at me, with more satisfaction on his face.

"Hello", I squeak before correcting myself. "Hello, Mr. Grey."

"Never thought I'd see you again. How are you feeling?", he asks.

"Um, just fine. Did you take me home?"

"You don't remember?"

"No?"

"You passed out, so I had no choice but to take you home. I can see you don't handle alcohol very well."

"I can handle it just fine. But last night, I guess it got to me more than what I wanted."

"No one's judging, Miss…"

"Steele."

"Miss Steele."

"Just call me Ana", I smile and go back to work. Anthony sits down across from me with a look of concern on his face.

"Ana, I apologize for my behavior last night. I didn't mean to lead you on like that, but since you were drunk…"

"You figured you'd take advantage of me? Since I was under the influence and at your command?"

"As I remember, you could've said no."

"And you could've stayed away. We were both out of sorts, so who's fault was that?"

"I didn't…", he begins but the older man steps out before he can finish. He stands and goes to talk to him. A few moments later, the older gentleman comes over and offers his hand for mine.

"Miss Steele, we apologize for our actions and hope to make it up to you if you'll let us."

"What do you mean?"

"We wish to take you out to discuss the issue at hand."

"Right now?"

"No, later. I can come by and pick you up while Mr. Grey meets us wherever you want to go."

"Um, I don't understand."

"This incident has garnered some bad publicity for both companies and the sharks are already circling. Due to Mr. Grey's—he says before clearing his throat—personal addictions, the press are assuming that foul play was at hand."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"A rising employee as yourself getting caught with someone of Mr. Grey's past, as well as some other felony accounts, could reflect your career as taking a turn for the worst. Especially due to the fact that you're working at SIP. Your boss has had the company's reputation ruined in the past but this? It's taking things too far. It makes you look more incapable of your job and unreliable for higher grounds in your life."

"But it was just a misunderstanding. I didn't even know who he was until this morning. If I had, I would've stayed away."

"Please, Miss Steele. Just come to dinner with my employer and we can make this all go away."

"How?"

"We can discuss that later. It's your choice." As he says this, I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. All this because I hooked up with the wrong man? Especially a man like Anthony Grey? If it had been someone else, would I be in this much trouble? Still, I've thrown Jack's name into the ground one-too-many times in the past, so how the hell could I make this right?

Finally, I take a deep breath before answering.

"Fine. I get off work at seven forty-five."

"Splendid. I'll come pick you up then."

"Okay", I say before shaking his hand and he walks away. Anthony gives me one more glance before walking away himself. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Hannah approaching looking just as confused as I feel.

"What was that all about?"

"You up for a lunch break? I'll pay."

"Sure thing."

Me and Hannah are sitting at a window seat at a nearby deli and she can hardly believe the rundown she's been given. Join the club…

"So, he wants to meet up with you later?", she asks.

"Looks that way", I answer.

"Damn. No wonder I gave up on men."

"Oh, come on. Sawyer wasn't that bad."

"Yeah, but when you get a call to join the army…"

"At least he keeps in touch."

"Wish he was doing that in a different way", she laughs. I find myself joining in as well.

"So, do you like him?", she asks suddenly.

"Who?"

"Anthony Grey?"

"What? Why would I like him?"

"HELLO. You just had s*x with him while celebrating your promotion. It's been all over the news since we got here and even the barista recognized you as soon as we walked in."

"Yeah, and then he asked for my phone number without making eye contact, so don't act like I'm some kind of celebrity."

"Ana, you are a celebrity. How many people can say they've done something like this?"

"Get real, Hannah. I'm sure Mr. Grey's slept with half of Blossom City by now."

"Oh, so it's Mr. Grey now?", she inquires with one eyebrow raised.

"Well, that is his name after all."

"And do you think you meant anything to him?"

"I doubt that I did."

"He did bring you home after all."

"Because I passed out! Anyone could've done that."

"Not in this lifetime. Chivalry is dead you know. Even Kate believes that and she's dating Elliot as we speak."

"Well, Kate has always had interesting taste in men", I say under my breath.

"And apparently, so do you", Hannah remarks and I let out a heavy sigh.

"What do I do?"

"Maybe take the ball while you're at it."

"What do you mean?"

"Ana, you're a Junior Editor that's barely making it by because Jack's too proud to give you a raise or higher position. He might see something in you, but he's not doing anything about it and you've been working for him for almost nine years now and it hasn't gotten any better. Even Liz is noticing that but nothing she says will ever come to light. I just think that maybe, just maybe, you should take this opportunity while you can and just see where it goes for now. If it doesn't work out, fine. But if it does, what have you got to lose?"

As she says this, I can see her point. I've been waiting for my life to start but even with my latest promotion, it just doesn't feel like enough. If I could hold onto Anthony Grey for now, maybe Jack would give me the job I want and I could leave it at that and then Anthony would do fine. But, would I really want to be associated with a man that's an alcoholic and unpredictable with his actions? Would I ever want that? He can't even keep a date for more than three weeks. Why would I ever matter for someone like that? I've been broken before and I don't want to go down that road again. Besides, I would just be using him. So it wouldn't be worth it for either one of us. I don't know what to do.

"I feel like Annie right now", I huff.

"At least she had a happy ending." I chuckle in response.

"Just, tell me how it goes and what you wanna do. Who knows, he might surprise you."

"All men surprise me. Just never in the way I want", I confess. Hannah takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Just give it a chance, okay? I'm here for you if you ever wanna talk."

"Thanks, Hannah. I might take you up on that."

Later that day, I read the clock and it says 7:30. Today's events have been racing through my mind and now I'm wishing that I had a drink right about now. Just as I'm preparing to leave, Jack comes out of his office and I hear him lock the door behind him.

"Be sure to lock up when you leave, Ana. I'll see you the next time you come in."

"Jack, I'm really sorry about this. I swear that it wasn't my intention to embarrass you or the company in any way. I'll make this right; I promise." He smiles in response.

"I'll hold you to that. Goodnight."

"Goodnight", I reply and soon, he's gone. I'm about to make a few final notes when I hear a ping on my computer. I check the address and my brows furrow in response; it's from Anthony Grey. How the hell did he get my e-mail? Is he stalking me now? Reluctantly, I open it and start reading.

From: Anthony Grey

Subject: Dinner

Date: September 10 2024 15:30

To: Anastasia Steele

Miss Steele, I hope your day has been productive. Taylor, my driver, is waiting outside for you with something that I hope will ease the misunderstanding we have faced. I shall see you soon.

Anthony Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I sit staring at my screen in disbelief. He's really taking this personal, isn't he? And what could Taylor have that would make me feel better? Should I be worried? I send him a quick response and make my final notes before grabbing my bag and heading outside. Maybe Hannah's right, maybe I should give this a chance but just how far will it go? It was an unbiased one-night stand. Just how important could it possibly be?