My phone vibrates. Taking it from my pocket the words 'Bill Welch, PI' display on the LCD panel.

"Yes," I answer.

"Anastasia Steele has a history of social activism against the exploitation of women and children.  Her social network page has an invitation from a college friend to protest against child labour in agriculture last weekend.  I'll run a full background check and send you a situation assessment report in an hour."

"Were there costs related to the incident?"

"I'm waiting for college administration to get back to me Mr. Grey."

"I look forward to your situation assessment," I terminate the call, my attention reverts back to Miss Steele.

"Could you repeat your last question Miss Steele?"

"I asked if you wield immense power," she says with an air of defiance and incredulity.

She has thrown down the gauntlet. I'm not one to back away from a challenge. Rising from behind my desk, I sit at the edge of my mahogany desk. Unconsciously my fingers drum then clench the edge of my desk pondering how best to answer. Rather than lean on the desk, I sink into the white leather chair directly opposite Miss Steele.

"In the last twelve months, I reported total revenue of over sixty five billion dollars of which over twenty three billion was operating income. If I stopped all company activity today, not only would the IRS miss taxes from Grey Enterprises projects in telecommunications, emerging technologies, renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, finance, security etc, unemployment numbers would rise overnight by forty thousand. There would be a knock on effect on contactors and organisations I collaborate with in the supply chain. I estimate another fifty thousand jobs could be at risk. If the philanthropic work of the Grey foundation ended, millions of vulnerable people could die from lack of essential supplies, like food and medication. Power and responsibility go hand in hand."

She purses her lips and continues, "If nearly one hundred thousand jobs and millions of lives rely on you, do you have contingencies? If something happened to you, do you have others to make decisions or do you answer to a board?"

"I don't answer to a board, but have a great management team headed by Ros Bailey, Chief Operating Officer and long time business partner, Elena Lincoln. If something happened to me, there wouldn't be a management vacuum." I'm irked by her incredulity. "Miss Steele, twenty something year old college drop outs have been successfully managing companies since millennials like us were born. One of the wealthiest men in the US today Bill Gates, founded Microsoft as a twenty year old in nineteen seventy five, that is, thirty six years ago."

"You weren't a twinkle in your parents' eyes then," she blurts out then blushes profusely, "I'm sorry..."

"You're right, Miss Steele."

She refers to her notepad. "You likened what you do to a choreographer directing the show, mastering the detail and dominating your share of the market. Interesting choice of words given your holding company acquires small competitors are these anti competitive practices, like Microsoft did?" She looks up, piercing my grey suit of armour with steely sapphire eyes.

"Competitors successfully sued Microsoft and received substantial damages, there's never been a single anticompetitive law suit brought against me."

"The many projects you are working on must keep you busy. Do you get much free time, if so, what do you do in your free time?"

"Another question about my private life?"

"Sorry," she smiles as if she had to give it another shot.

Miss Steele is an interesting contradiction. She's clumsy yet from our short verbal exchange she fires probing, intelligent follow up questions. She bites her full lower lip as if lacking confidence. I want to reach out and free that lower lip that curls when repeating my words. She makes them sound like double entendres, "...directing...mastering... dominating..."

"The next question on here is, why do you invest in manufacturing?"

"Much of our manufacturing projects are about empowering people, some products we manufacture give the poorest people a chance at life. We manufacture and give away life saving generics like the ones dealing with the AIDS pandemic. Since the drugs are manufactured in the US, it means several thousand jobs are created locally at a time when many corporations are relocating their manufacturing abroad, where labour costs are cheaper. I could say more about the sustainable, drought resistant food production projects like the one being pioneered with WSU, cheap renewable and green energies like solar lamps or cooking utensils for people without access to electricity but I realise you have other questions."

"Is compassion for the poor and dispossessed at the heart of what you do?"

"People regardless of their status in life and business that empowers them, is what I do." I have outlived my biological parents, will never have children, if I am ever to be remembered, it will be from the work I leave behind.

"Isn't that more idealistic, philanthropic than a capitalist drive for profit?"

"My annual performance reports wouldn't have substantial profits if there wasn't a strong business foundation for the work I do. The global recession three years ago caused an economic slowdown in most developed nations. We look to the poorest regions in this country as well as developing nations to increase global economic performance. When I give away generic medicines or food to those who cannot afford it, it increases the potential and productivity of those people. We have to remember that our forefathers migrated seeking opportunities in the New World. Although the debt situation has not yet reached a crisis in Puerto Rico the working age population are slowly migrating to areas like Florida looking for employment opportunities. Instability in North Africa and the Middle East is increasing migration to Europe. Initiatives to give the poorest people here whether in Detroit or Puerto Rico or abroad in unstable and sometimes resource rich regions like the Sudan or the DRC, food, shelter, education and jobs to fulfil their potential where they live, lessens the financial imperative to migrate away from loved ones. It's a win-win proposition."

"Do you formulate your vision and projects from here at Grey House?"

"Yes, I am in control of myself and everyone as we work here."

"Have you had to sacrifice family life for your work?"

"Another question about my private life Miss Steele?"

There's a knock at the door, and Andrea leans in.

"Mr. Grey, you wanted to leave about now for your next appointment."

"Thank you Andrea, let Taylor know I'm on my way down."

"Yes, Mr. Grey," she says exiting.

"Miss Steele, you started by asking about my success. No one deserves to be poor or wealthy. I would know. My earliest memories are of ecological crisis, economic and racial inequality being right in my face. Social services rescued me from a deplorable family situation, I benefited from a free public education thanks to Uncle Sam. At Harvard, I ventured into technology and telecommunications. The infrastructure that I used to build this company was built through public or Government funded R&D. As a member of the Patriotic Millionaires, I feel an obligation to give back through paying all taxes due and giving millions every year through my charitable foundation. I do that Miss Steele so others may have the same opportunity of living the American Dream."

"A rags to riches story could be just the inspiration for this year's graduates."

"I don't want to be late for my next appointment. Let's walk and talk."

The click sound announces Miss Steele stopped the dictaphone recording. She hastily puts away her notepad and borrowed pencil into her bag. I hold open the door and she self consciously exits my office.

Olivia hands a weathered navy blue, hooded overcoat to Miss Steele. She then gives me the grey overcoat that I slip into. "Thank you Olivia. Did you take the code and design, behind the child drawing down to the workshop for them to make a copy?"

"I...I...I did...Mr. Grey."

"Where is it?"

"I'm...sorry, I'm working on the management meeting minutes, I forgot to bring it back."

"Focus Olivia. Soon after you send the minutes and key performance indicators, retrieve that document and leave it on my desk."

"I...I will...Mr. Grey," she says scurrying away towards her desk.

Ros witnesses the exchange, "She's still in awe of you."

"Whose idea was it to place an intern in my office again?"

"You wanted corporate management to lead by example."

"Ugh huh," I say dubiously.

"You have not yet found a suitable second Executive Assistant. Andrea needed the extra pair of hands. Second thoughts?"

"Few adapt to the pace and long hours of my office. Olivia will find the pace easier with another senior manager, like you for example. Can you find another placement for her by this afternoon?"

"I'll see what can be done and ask HR to interview more candidates to fill your vacancy."

"This is Miss Anastasia Steele the WSU student who interviewed me for the graduation edition. Miss Steele, this is Ms Ros Bailey, Chief Operating Officer."

The two women shake hands as I turn to Andrea. "Hold my calls until I get back."

"Yes Mr. Grey," Andrea replies returning to the open plan desk outside my office.

"See you in a few hours when we have the video conference with President," Ros says walking towards her office.

I press the button for the executive elevator that instantly opens. Miss Steele and I step in and stand facing the door.

There's silence in the confined space.

"I have a confession to make Mr. Grey."

I turn to see Miss Steele remove the hair tie and let her thick, dark auburn hair tumble down to her shoulders. She bites her cherry red lower lip so hard, it pales for an instant before colour floods back into the luscious flesh that her teeth has marked.

My fist clenches over an imaginary stress ball.

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Content Warning: The fan fiction you are reading describes adult, liberal, unconventional relationships. The characters, their personalities, occupations, relationships and events in this story are not always consistent with the original stories 'Fifty Shades of Grey' or 'Grey'. Hopefully they reflect the complexities and moral ambiguities of the original. Billed as erotica with unconventional relationships accessible to a mature audience, this story develops through consensual BDSM themed sexual encounters.

If you do not want to access a multimedia erotic romance that involves extra marital relationships, same sex attraction, ménage à trios, triggers, mental health issues, flash backs of child abuse or descriptions of sexual conduct, please stop reading now.

***This story is under construction, it has not been edited and content could change***

October, 15, 2016