And So I Ran - Complete

Chapter 39

"Thank you all for coming. If you could all squeeze in?" Jerry Roach requested as the full staff of SIP crammed into the boardroom. Every seat was already taken, so I joined the other editorial assistants standing at the rear. As a group, we listened to Jerry as he complimented us all on our hard work for SIP, before moving on to discuss the need for SIP to grow and move with the times.

It was so packed in the meeting room, I couldn't see through the outer glass wall, yet somehow my body knew Christian had arrived. I could sense him. Determined not to react, I focused on Mr. Roach, mostly just wishing this was over.

"... and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the new owner of Seattle Independent Publishing – Mr. Christian Grey of Grey Enterprises Holdings."

Christian stepped into the room accompanied by several staff I didn't know. He shook Roach's hand, looking every part the young, ultra-successful businessman that he was. There were sharp intakes of breath as some people turned to look at me, knowing about our connection, while others gaped at his good looks, while others muttered unhappily to one another. Christian ignored the rumbling, instead turning on his mega-watt smile as his eyes searched the crowd looking for me. A tiny crinkling at the corner of his eyes was the only outward indication he'd placed me, but now he had, he was eager to start.

"Staff of SIP, I'd like to start by assuring you that your jobs are secure. With any change of management, it's natural staff worry about restructuring and job losses. While I can say there will definitely be change, I plan to expand SIP and its operations, so there is no need for anyone to be fearful about their employment. As Mr. Roach has outlined, SIP has an outstanding history in fiction, non-fiction, and technical publishing. This has, and will remain, the company's core business. However, with advancing digital technologies come opportunities and threats. Alongside its traditional format publishing, SIP needs to move with the times and embrace E-Publishing."

Christian paused and let his words sink in. I could see some of the traditionalists in the room shake their heads and disagree, but others – especially the younger ones – didn't look like they needed convincing.

"As few stats to support this idea. Over ninety percent of high school students in America use computing technology in some form on a daily basis for their education. Many senior students have laptops or e-readers they use for educational purposes in class. Last year fifteen percent of high school texts were E-books accessed via tablet or computer. This is a massive market that is only going to expand, and with our strong technical department already a leader in textbook sales, it's the obvious first step for SIP to move into E-Publishing."

There were nods of agreement, particularly from the academic text division. My understanding is that'd been pushing for this for a while. I continued to listen as Christian outlined key points of his plan for SIP, introducing the people with him and explaining how the existing infrastructure of GEH would be used to support the expansion of SIP. By the time he'd finished, the overall mood of the room was positive. Christian had managed to convince the SIP staff that the change coming was necessary yet also exciting. The meeting over, staff were filing out of the room, several of the more senior staff stopping to introduce themselves to Christian and his team. I was attempting to slip out of the room unnoticed with Casey when Christian's voice stopped me.

"Miss Steele? A moment, please?"

Casey gave me a wink before continuing out the door. The more senior staff were watching Christian and me with interest.

"You know Ana?" Cheryl asked curiously. I'd been reporting to her since Jack left but we hadn't interacted on a social level.

"I do," he confirmed, gray eyes meeting mine, silently asking how much I wanted to reveal. I'd thought about it, and now he'd singled me out there was no point playing it down. So I gave him a tiny nod. He grinned, taking my hand in his and slipping the other behind me into the small of my back. "Anastasia is my girlfriend." There was more than one surprised look, from the SIP staff as well as his own, but Christian ignored them.