Metropolitan Grill dubbed “The Best Steak in Town” is housed in Seattle’s historical Marion Building that dates back to 1903. Recognized for its green awning and tall mahogany doors, the establishment is known for twenty foot columns that reach the ceiling, trimmed with crown moldings. From the tuxedo clad maître’d, the restaurant serves a wild array of beef and succulent steaks. Here, Ana Steele dressed in a simple balloon skirt and oversized button top met with the mysterious Grey brothers who happened to be waiting for her by the bar.
Dr. Elliot Grey looked handsome as ever wearing a light pink dress shirt and gray cardigan. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal the muscular curves of his biceps as he fished into the pockets of his tight black trousers that he wore to locate his I-Phone. Dark blond curls were slicked back to reveal exotic blue eyes staring at the young woman coming toward them as he put his cell back in his pocket. To his right, his younger brother Christian dressed in a fine black suit sipped the drink her had in his hand. Straightening the blue silk tie that he wore, his gray eyes observed each movement of the young intern heading in their direction. He quickly set his drink down on the counter as soon as she arrived.
“Mr. and Dr. Grey,” she greeted. Another nervous tone escaped her lips. Both brothers were just too damn beautiful to even look at. She found herself staring at the bartender behind them.
“Please call us my first names,” said Elliot. “We are going to work together after all on this article for Catwalk. Is it all right to call you Ana?”
She smiled playing with the loose piece of hair of her bun. Without realizing it, she began twirling the strand with her finger. “Sure. Ana would be fine.”
“Your table is ready Mr. Grey.” A waiter interrupted the tension. All three followed their server to a booth table by the window with a nice view of the downtown area of Seattle. Elliot sat on one side of while Christian sat on the other. Situated in the middle was Ana who suddenly realized that both men had trapped her at the center. She now had become a prisoner.
Grabbing her glass of water, she gulped down the contents. Her nerves were shot at this point. How was she ever going to get through this interview? She dug into her purse producing a tape recorder and placed the device on the table.
“You don’t mind if I record this?” She asked.
Christian smiled. Crystal clear gray eyes glanced her way as she pressed record. “No not all. You’ve pretty much got the gist of me in our first interview. I’m sure you want more details.”
“That is the whole point of this article,” the young intern answered. Her hand began to shake as she grabbed another drink from her glass. “By the way, why did you both agree to this?”
“Elena is a good friend of ours,” replied Elliot. Soft blue eyes met with hers causing a quiet breath to escape her lips. “We trust her that she would send the right person to tell the story of our success. Everyone has this preconceived notion of us so Christian and I agreed to share our lives with the public.”
“But why me?” Ana pestered. “There are million reporters out there clamoring for your story. Why would you put your faith in some intern who you barely know?”
“Trust,” Christian answered bluntly. “We know that Elena has a good judge of character and we have faith that she knows the right people to trust them with our story. You seem to be the right person.”
She surreptitiously gazed at the copper haired man beneath her lashes. Her inner voice told her that she could watch him all day observing and analyzing the tall, broad shoulders and slim waistline of this gorgeous hunk of man. Her face suddenly went crimson.
“You seem to blush a lot,” grinned Elliot. He cocked his head to the side while combing a hand through his dark blond mane. “I wish I knew what you were blushing about.”
“You two,” the young woman said directly. Her face turned into more scarlet. She could not believe that she blurted out her admittance. All she could do now was confess. “I find you both intimidating.”
She listened to the sharp intake of breath originating from Christian. “You should find us intimidating. It gives us a sense of power and…”
“Control?” Ana added surprised by her candor. She cast her eyes down on her hands. “I’m sorry I don’t know why I said that.”
Elliot nodded. “You’re very honest. We admire that in a woman. Please don’t look down. Let us see that pretty face of yours.” She complied lifting her face up to meet their gaze. “There that’s better. You seem to be nervous around men.”
The way Elliot Grey made the comment hit close to home. Ana never felt comfortable around any male which made her dating life very difficult. “I’m afraid I’m just not use to be surrounding by two handsome gentlemen.”
Her face flushed red again. What was wrong with her? It felt like her brain and her mouth had no censorship button. Sounds of laughter echoed from her table.
“I like this one,” Christian guffawed. “Not only is she pretty but she tells it like is. No wonder Elena sent you.”
Hoping to change the subject, Ana placed both hands to her temple in the hopes of gaining some direction during this interview. “Why don’t we start with the basics? Tell me a little something about yourselves.”
Elliot spoke up first. “Besides the obvious, Christian and I hail from Detroit. I am older than him by four years. We were orphaned when I was seven and Christian was three. The Greys adopted us and the rest is history. I become a Seattle’s number one pediatrician and Christian a corporate raider.”
“Do you know anything about your birth parents?” She questioned. “Like if they had any relatives?”
“Not that we know of,” answered Christian. “The birth and adoption records were sealed which is fine by us. We have a much better life with the Greys. A loving one.”
“I see,” noted Ana. Sensing his annoyance, she changed her line of questioning. “Elliot. On your love life you have been linked with many women from supermodels, actresses, and socialites. Why is it that you’ve never married and instead have three broken engagements?”
Elliot Grey’s smile turned serious. “You certainly don’t beat around the bush.” The young intern could feel daggers piercing right through her. “Let’s just say that I’m a complicated man. Yes everyone woman wants to land a rich doctor but I want someone who can be my equal and understand my needs. I want someone willing to make all the sacrifices for love.”
There was a beauty in his words but the young intern had difficulty believing if his answers were genuine or simply what she wanted to hear. Next, she faced Christian. “Christian, same question.”
He smirked raising his eyebrows in surprise. “You’ve interviewed me once already, and I can recollect that some of the questions were quite probing even then.” Rubbing his chin in deep thought, he stared at the young woman and asked dryly, “What about you Ana Steele, do you believe in love?”
Surprised by how the tables have been turned, she racked her brain to come up with a response. Once again she let her mouth move before her brain did. “No, I don’t think I believe in love, Christian. As little girls, we are inclined to believe in fairy tales and happily ever after’s. In truth, they don’t exist. I believe in reality and right now I refuse to compromise who am I am for anyone. I suppose that is why I get nervous around men because I’m afraid they’re always taking something away from me and I refuse to let that happen. I refuse to be weak. I’m will never be a victim.”
Christian’s lips give a half smile. “I never said you were. You’re a strong, beautiful woman who has to be in control. Elliot and I can both relate. Strength is our biggest ally but so is understanding your opponent’s weaknesses.”
“Spoken like a true businessman,” added Elliot. “Enough about us tell us something about you Ana. It’s only fair.”
“But I’m supposed to be writing a story about the Grey brothers,” she remarked. “I don’t want to get off track.”
“You have two months to learn our story,” explained Christian. “I assure you that it will be a very informative and educational two months for you.” He smiled exhibiting a wicked grin on his face that made her blush again.
Ana sat back against the cushion of the booth and sighed. “Where do I begin? Like you, I too was adopted. My father died in car accident when I was three and my mother abandoned me when I was six. Luckily her sister, my Aunt Kate, took me in, adopted me, and raised me. The rest is history.”
The copper haired man did not appear convinced. “Why were institutionalized when you were fifteen?” The bluntness in his voice shocked the dark haired woman. She wanted the ground to open up and grab her down into its eternal abyss.
“How…how…did you know…” she started say.
“Are you three ready to order?”
Their server interrupted the tense conversation. Ana breathed a sigh of relief before she could answer as she pulled the menu and selected the first thing she saw.
“The 14 ounce prime rib steak with potatoes and veggies on the side,” she announced. “Medium rare.”
“Wow a girl that can eat!” Christian laughed. “Now that is a woman I can admire. I hate when food is wasted. I guess you don’t follow the size zero idea of Catwalk’s cover models. I’ll have the same.”
Elliot formed a smile. “Me too. I prefer my woman with some meat on her bones.”
All three handed their menus to their server. Nothing more was said concerning Christian’s comment much to the relief of Ana. Instead the trio made small talk discussing their personal interests. From Elliot, the young intern learned that the pediatrician enjoyed sailing and even owned his own yacht. From Christian, she discovered his love of classical music and piloting his own plane. Both men had a sense of adventure that the dark haired beauty found intriguing. The more she talked with them, the more she wanted to know.
Their steaks arrived on time given her an opportunity for pleasant conversation. As usual, Christian began probing more into Ana’s life.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” He asked digging into his steak.
She smiled meekly during the question and provided a feeble answer. “No…I don’t. I mean I date…or dated a few guys in college but nothing really came out of it.”
“I’m surprised,” remarked the blue eyed older Grey. “A pretty girl like you? There are plenty of good looking guys out there who should be lining up to date you.”
“Well in all in honesty,” she confessed. “Gorgeous guys like you both don’t fall for plain Janes like me.” Once again she felt like she put her foot her mouth. Her boldness embarrassed her. Why could she not keep her opinions to herself?
“You think we’re gorgeous?” Elliot exhibited another devilish smile as he cut into his meat. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re an attractive woman.”
“Most definitely,” Christian agreed. The gray eyed hunk popped a vegetable into his mouth that even made Ana drool. The fact that the man could make a piece of agriculture sexy solicited illicit thoughts within her. “We wouldn’t want that beauty to go to waste, Ana.” He reached into his the hidden pocket of his sports coat and handed her an envelope.
“What’s this?” She asked.
“It’s an invitation to a private party this weekend at our mansion, Thornfield,” the entrepreneur informed her. “It’s very selective and only certainly groups of Seattle’s finest elite are allowed entrance. It’ll will give you an insight into the social circles we choose to engage in.”
The only thing Ana heard was the name of the Grey’s mansion. “You named your mansion Thornfield? Like in Jane Eyre?”
“It’s a bit of a pun,” explained Elliot. “We both enjoyed the Bronte sisters growing up that we chose the name Thornfield as the legendary house of secrets and sin. It’s a bit overdramatic but it works.” He released another giggle in between bites of his steak.
Ana opened up the invitation and read the contents.
You are cordially invited this weekend to the social event of the century. The Scelus Sceleris Masquerade Ball hosted by the Elliot and Christian Grey. Please come in mask and costume and show your invitation at the door at ten o’clock sharp. Do not be late!
Slipping the invite back in the envelope, she thanked her hosts for the offer. “I think I’ll decline. I don’t think I fit in with your social circle.”
Elliot began to pout. “Nonsense. You’ll fit in fine. If it is costume you need, Christian and I could pay for one…”
Ana raised her hand. “No, no. That is quite all right. I’m sure I can find something suitable to wear.”
“That won’t be a problem,” smirked Christian. The way he addressed his comment made her feel uneasy. He looked like he wanted to devour her. “Whatever you wear I’m sure will be suitable.”
“I’ll definitely think…about it,” she hesitated.
“Don’t think about too long,” said Elliot. “We expect to you to be there and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. As you said, you wanted to know more about us. This is your perfect opportunity.”
Ana nodded her head in response to the Grey brothers’ request. The rest of the lunch went smoothly with the wealthy siblings picking up the tab for her meal. Bidding both men goodbye, she picked up her leftovers placed in a doggy bag and headed for her car. Already she received a call from her boss Elena.
“How did it ago?” The Catwalk editor asked from the other end of the line.
“It went really well,” the dark haired woman answered. “The lunch date was quite pleasant. They are even inviting me to a private party this weekend at their mansion.”
“The Scelus Sceleris?” She heard Elena gasped. “Do you know what this means, my dear Anastasia? It means you’re in!”
To Ana, she remained confused. “Exactly what is this private gala?”
“It’s a very exclusive event inviting only those with special tastes,” Elena informed her. “You have to attend.”
“Is it like an art gallery showing?” Ana asked.
She heard her boss giggle. “It definitely considered an art form. What are you wearing? This usually involves a masquerade costume.”
“I thought I’d swing by the costume shop and rent something,” she told Elena.
“Absolutely not!” Her employee clucked her tongue. “I’m sending you something to wear for the event this weekend. You are expected to attend in order to gather more information about the Greys for your article.”
“Elena…thank you,” the young woman paused. “But that isn’t necessary…”
The magazine editor would not let her get a word in edgewise. “Oh hush! You’ll wear what I give you and like it!” She heard the call end.
“What have I gotten myself into?”
Back at home, Jose devoured the leftovers Ana brought home leaving nothing left but steak juice and gravy in the Styrofoam container. Apparently the medication he had been taking was working because his pneumonia was almost gone.
“Slow down there buddy,” she teased lounging in her pajamas on the couch. In her lap, she had settled her MacBook there and began typing up some notes. “You look like you’ve been smoking pot and have the munchies.”
“It’s this Molotov cocktail of drugs I’m taking,” he replied. “I guess the side effects are hunger because I’m starving.” He proved his point by grabbing two bags of chips from the shelf and wolfing them down.
“Well at least you’re looking better.”
“I’m feeling better,” said Jose stuffing his face with snacks. “I should be heading back to SIP in a couple days.” The ringing of the doorbell caught their attention as the Latin man answered the door. “Ana, it’s for you!”
Ana put her laptop on the coffee table to address the visitor at the door. Catwalk’s shaved pink haired, nose ring receptionist stood in the front of her doorway carrying a small box and a dress bag. The young intern recognized her as Tammy and greeted her.
“Mrs. Lincoln said I need to deliver these to you,” said Tammy rolling her eyes. “Here.” She handed off both items to her.
“Why thank you Tammy…” Ana smiled accepting the gifts.
“Whatever,” clucked the receptionist. Turning her heels in the opposite direction, she walked away. Shutting the door behind her, Ana placed the dress bag on the couch while placing the small package on the coffee table. Jose also became intrigued by the items.
“What is it?” He asked her.
“I think it’s the masquerade dress Elena sent me to wear this weekend at the private party,” she noted. Ripping open the dress bag, she pulled out a blue ball gown drape in laced pink and red ruffles and embellished silver sequence. However it was the row of silk flowers that completed the outfit. Then there were the matching silver shoes that really set it off. Jose nearly jumped off the couch.
“Girl! Those shoes are Stuart Weitzman!” He shouted. Pulling at the tag inside of the garment, he saw the label and fainted. “Holy shit! It’s Dior!”
Ana almost had a heart attack. “D…D…Dior? I can’t afford Dior and she’s sending it to me?”
“Bitch, read the card!” Jose ordered pulling the envelope from the dress bag.
“Wear this for the ball this weekend,” Ana read aloud. “I’m sorry I can’t be there for your outing this season. Prior commitments have been occupied. I wish you the best of luck, my young protégé. Love, Elena.”
“Outing?” Her Latin roommate questioned. “You’re not coming out of the closet?”
“Shut up,” she teased playfully hitting him on the shoulder. “I have no idea what this means. It sounds like it’s all Victorian like in Jane Eyre or Jane Austen. It’s bizarre.”
Jose’s eyes then darted to the small package on the coffee table. He raced to it, yanked the envelope open, and read the card. “Check this out Ana! Thank you for a wonderful lunch today. As a token of our appreciation, please accept these gifts and wear this for this weekend’s event. Sincerely, Elliot and Christian Grey.” He placed the package in her hands as she ripped it open.
Inside she pulled out a medium size black velvet box. She opened the contents. Housed inside the silk lining of the container, a white porcelain mask with a row of cubic zirconium stones placed around the eyes and edge of the domino. It simply was exquisite.
“Damn girl,” Jose commented. “Don’t tell me you lost your virginity already to those fine ass men for that?”
Ana clucked her tongue. “No queenie! My virginity still remains in tacked and will stay that way for a long time.” She examined the intricate features of the mask before one large, velvet black box in the package caught her eye. Lifting the lid of the item, she looked inside and gasped.
“Shit! No way can that be real!” Her roommate screamed.
Placed within the silken folds of the large box was a webbed shaped diamond necklace and matching chandelier earrings. She pulled the jewelry to her neck and let another gasp.
“Oh my God!” She squealed. “There’s over fifteen thousand dollars worth of diamonds here! What are they thinking?”
“That you in desperate need of a Sugar Daddy,” replied Jose.
Disgusted with herself, she set the necklace down on the coffee table. “I…I…I can’t do this. I’m not going to this party.”
“THE HELL YOU AIN’T!” Her roommate screamed. “You’re going to this party and accepting these gifts! That’s final!”
“But I’m not a prostitute!” The young intern hissed.
“Who said you were?” Jose pointed out. “You have three fairy godparents looking after you and you’re disgracing them by not taking advantage of this golden opportunity. Suck up your pride and go! I’ll even do your hair and make-up!”
“You do hair and make-up?”
“I’m gay, aren’t I?” The Latin man emphasized. “That makes me even more qualified.”
Red is the color of rage. My shade is showing through my fury and anger. How dare the Grey brothers think they can buy me my support for this article on their lives? First they embarrass me by asking personal questions about my past. Then they bully me into accepting an invitation to their elitist cult. Next they drop expensive gifts at my feet hoping I remain fair and impartial. Finally, they force my hand by agreeing to be a whore for them. Well Elliot and Christian Grey, perhaps I should turn the tables on you and really expose you for the charlatans that you are. Nothing but spoiled, rich kids with too much time and money to care about the real problems plaguing the world! This is the true shade of the Greys!
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