Clocks

Chapter 3. Navigating Grey's World

Renesmee Point of View:

As I sat in our cozy dorm room at UW, Shannon's raspy cough echoed through the space, a testament to her battle with the stubborn cold that had taken hold of her. It had been months since we'd first moved in together, and in that time, Shannon had become more than just a roommate – she was like a sister to me. "Are you sure you're up for this interview, Renesmee?" Shannon asked, her voice hoarse but determined. "I hate to ask, but I really can't miss this opportunity." I nodded, reaching out to squeeze her hand in reassurance. "Of course, Shannon. I've got this," I replied, offering her a comforting smile. "Just focus on getting better, and I'll take care of the rest." Shannon handed me a stack of notes, her eyes pleading for understanding. "I've prepared all the questions for the interview with Christian Grey," she explained, her Irish accent lending a musical lilt to her words. "Just follow the list, and you'll be fine." I flipped through the pages, scanning the carefully written questions with a sense of determination. "I've got it, Shannon. Don't worry about a thing," I reassured her, tucking the notes safely into my bag. As Shannon settled back into bed, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for her friendship. It had been months since we'd first met, and in that time, she had become my closest confidante, my partner in crime, and my rock. "I'll make you proud, Shannon," I promised, my voice filled with determination. "You just focus on getting better, and leave the interview to me." With a nod of thanks from Shannon and a newfound sense of purpose, I set out to face the daunting task ahead: interviewing none other than Christian Grey himself. Little did I know, this opportunity would change my life in ways I never could have imagined.

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The next week arrived with a sense of anticipation tingling in the air. As the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of our dorm room, I knew that today was the day of my interview with Christian Grey. After a week of preparation and nerves, the moment had finally arrived. I grabbed my bag and headed out of the dorm, the brisk autumn air filling my lungs as I made my way to the parking lot. With each step, my excitement grew, mingling with a hint of nervousness that fluttered in the pit of my stomach. Driving to the towering skyscraper that housed Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc., I couldn't help but feel a surge of awe at the sight of the impressive building. It loomed before me like a beacon of success, a symbol of the opportunities that awaited within its walls. Parking the car, I made my way to the entrance, my heart pounding with anticipation. The lobby was bustling with activity, the sound of ringing phones and clicking heels filling the air as people hurried about their day. Approaching the reception desk, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist with a warm smile. "Good morning, do you have an appointment with Mr. Grey?" she asked, her voice polite but professional. "Yes, I do," I replied, returning her smile. "My name is Renesmee Cullen." The receptionist checked her computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she searched for my appointment. "Ah, here you are," she said, her smile widening. Then an assistant came in. "Mr. Grey is expecting you. Follow me, please." I followed the assistant through the maze of corridors, my heart pounding with anticipation. As we approached Christian Grey's office, I couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves. This was it – the moment I had been preparing for. The assistant knocked on the door before opening it, announcing my arrival to Christian Grey. As I stepped into the opulent office, guided by Grey's assistant, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. My pen slipped from my grasp as I entered, adding to my already flustered state. "Ms. O'Malley, are you alright?" Grey's voice was smooth, his hand reaching out to assist me. I took it, feeling a strange flutter in my chest as our eyes met. "Christian Grey," he introduced himself with a charming smile. "Renesmee Cullen," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "Um, Miss O'Malley has a cold, so she asked me to fill in." Grey nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I see. So you're studying English lit?" "Yes," I confirmed, trying to regain my composure. "Um, my roommate is dating your assistant." As Grey led me to a seat, I noticed the absence of a pen. Panic washed over me momentarily before Grey, ever observant, handed me a pencil from his desk, leaning in closer as he did so. "Thank you," I murmured, feeling a flush creep up my neck. "Ready?" Grey nodded, his demeanor calm and collected. "Whenever you are." As the interview began, I felt a rush of nerves, stumbling over my words as Grey's piercing gaze bore into me. "Okay. So this is for the special graduation issue of the student paper," I started, trying to sound confident. "Yes. I'm giving the commencement address at this year's ceremony," Grey replied smoothly, his tone unwavering. "You are? Um, I mean, I know. Uh, you are very young to have amassed such an empire," I remarked, my voice trailing off nervously. "To what do I owe my success?" Grey repeated, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yep." "Seriously?" Grey arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Yes," I managed to squeak out, mentally kicking myself for the lack of eloquence. "Business is about people and I've always been good at people. What motivates them, what incentivizes them, what inspires them," Grey explained, his words smooth and practiced. "Well, maybe you're just lucky," I suggested, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "I've always found that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. The key to my success has been in identifying talented individuals... and harnessing their efforts," Grey replied, his tone confident. "So you're a control freak?" I blurted out, the question escaping before I could stop it. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Cullen," Grey responded, his gaze intense. "Okay, um, your company is involved... primarily in the telecommunications sector, yet you also invest in numerous agriculture projects, including several in Africa. Is that something you feel passionate about, feeding the world's poor?" I asked, shifting nervously in my seat. "It's smart business. You don't agree?" Grey countered, his tone cool and collected. "I don't know enough about it. I just wonder... if perhaps your heart might be a bit bigger than you want to let on," I ventured cautiously. "There are some people who say that I don't have a heart at all," Grey remarked, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Why would they say that?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued. "Because they know me well," Grey replied cryptically, his gaze never wavering. "Gathering my courage, I spoke up, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "Do you have an actual question, Miss Cullen?" Grey inquired, his tone inviting. "Are you gay?" I blurted out, feeling the weight of the question hanging heavily in the air. It wasn't my intention to pry, but it was a question that I couldn't shake off, especially considering the rumors that surrounded someone as enigmatic as Christian Grey. Grey's reaction was swift, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed my question. "No, Renesmee, I'm not gay," he responded firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. I felt a rush of embarrassment flood through me, realizing the awkwardness of my inquiry. "I apologize, Mr. Grey," I muttered, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks. "Shannon can be a little... intrusive." "Intrusive?" Grey echoed, his eyebrow quirking up in amusement. "Curious?" I nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Yes, curious." "What about you? Why don't you ask me something you want to know?" Grey's voice interrupted my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. The tension in the room was palpable as we stared at each other, a silent exchange passing between us. Then the assistant came in. "Mr. Grey, your next meeting is in the conference room." "Cancel, please. We're not finished here," Grey instructed without breaking eye contact. "No, um, I- we- I can go. It's fine," I interjected hastily, feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. "I'd like to know more about you," Grey said softly, his eyes softening slightly. "There's really not much to know about me," I replied, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. "You said you were an English major? Tell me, was it Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, or Thomas Hardy... who first made you fall in love with literature?" Grey inquired, his voice gentle. "Hardy," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I would have guessed Jane Austen," Grey mused, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "What are your plans after you graduate?" "I'm just trying to get through finals right now," I admitted, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden shift in focus. "And then?" Grey pressed, his gaze unwavering. "And then I was planning on moving into, an apartment with Shannon," I confessed, feeling a pang of uncertainty. "We offer an excellent internship program," Grey offered, his tone inviting. "I don't think I'd fit in here. Look at me," I replied, feeling suddenly self-conscious under Grey's scrutinizing gaze. "I am," Grey responded, his eyes locked with mine. The tension between us was thick as we stood there, the unspoken words hanging in the air. As I walked out of Grey's office, my mind buzzed with a whirlwind of emotions. The encounter had left me feeling both exhilarated and unsettled. Christian Grey's enigmatic presence lingered in the air, his penetrating gaze etched into my memory. "I hope you got everything you needed," Grey's voice echoed in my mind, breaking the silence as I stepped into the elevator. "I-I think you only answered four questions," I stammered, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks, the embarrassment of my incomplete interview washing over me. Our eyes met one last time, a silent exchange passing between us, filled with unspoken words and lingering curiosity. "Renesmee," Grey's voice softened, a hint of something unreadable in his tone. "Christian," I replied, the name feeling unfamiliar yet strangely comforting on my lips. As the elevator doors closed behind me, I couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes on me, as if he had peeled back the layers of my soul with just a glance. Despite his charming demeanor, there was an underlying mystery about him that intrigued me. I glanced down at the paper in my hand, realizing that I had barely scratched the surface of the interview. Yet, somehow, I knew that the exchange had been more than just a series of questions and answers. There was a connection between us, a spark that ignited something deep within me. With a newfound sense of curiosity and determination, I stepped out into the bustling streets of Seattle, ready to embark on whatever adventure awaited me, leaving behind a lingering sense of intrigue and the promise of more encounters with Christian Grey. As I walked outside into the rain from the building and got into my car, I couldn't help but think, "Holy shit, what just happened?" But amidst the confusion, there was an undeniable excitement, a feeling that this was only the beginning of something extraordinary.

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As I stepped back into the dorm room, the familiar strains of music filled the air, Shannon's playlist providing a soothing backdrop to our conversation. "Ah, before ya start, you're a bleedin' saint! This is feckin' perfect," Shannon exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement as she turned to face me. I arched an eyebrow in confusion. "What?" I asked, unsure of what she was referring to. "I just got his email. He answered every question. So, what was he like?" Shannon pressed, her eagerness palpable. "Um... He was fine," I replied, trying to downplay the intensity of the encounter. "Grand? Just grand?" Shannon prodded, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Um, he was really polite, and he was courteous, and very formal, and clean," I explained, stumbling over my words as I struggled to find the right description. "Clean?" Shannon repeated, her amusement evident. "I mean, he was very smart. And intense. It was kind of intimidatin'. I can understand the fascination," I admitted, feeling a flush creep up my cheeks. Shannon chuckled, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she typed away. "Ya have to admit, he's ridiculously hot. I'm sure if ya are attracted to that sort of human, then..." "The hot type of human?" I interjected, unable to suppress a laugh. "I asked him if he was gay. That was in your questions. Why would ya do that to me?" I said as Shannon shrugged, her grin unapologetic. "Because whenever he's in the society pages, he's never been photographed with a woman. So, naturally..." "Well, maybe he just wants to keep his private life private, Shan," I reasoned, hoping to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "And now you're defendin' him," Shannon teased, her tone playful. "I'm terminatin' this conversation," I declared, grabbing a sandwich from the fridge in an attempt to change the subject. "Too bad we don't have some original stills of your hot, clean 27-year-old billionaire. The camera loves him almost as much as you do," Shannon quipped, her words following me as I made my way to the couch with my sandwich. I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "Okay, I wasn't hungry, but now I am. Thank you. I love ya," As Shannon's voice tinged with affection as I settled in beside her, as she took my sandwich.