Fifty Shades of BLACK SILK

BLACK SILK: Part 28

Katie and I were seated in the conference room awaiting Christian Grey to grace us with his presence. Kimberly especially wanted a passing glance of my interaction with Christian, to gather whether or not I'm asking the right questions, doing the right things. The term 'right' being spoken loosely, in this case, all things considered. My heart was beating so fast the longer I waited, and it was a mixture of seeing Christian after the night we spent together, since we hadn't seen each other since then, and springing Katie on Christian. He has no idea that Kimberly wants a second reporter on this profile, and I don't imagine it going down easy. Christian is a man of many things, but it's apparent that he likes to control the surprises amongst everything else.

"What's he like?" Katie asked, wide eyed beaming.

Katie sat cross-legged in a short black shirt. Tight around the hips, it left very little to the imagination when looking head on. Believe me, I saw. This isn't to say short skirts are forbidden in my eyes, but Katie was known to be full on. She'd recently been hired and barely does anything, smooches off people, and eats everyone's food. Okay, maybe I'm a little biased. I never entirely liked her, and I still don't. She's a weasel. I can see why Kimberly chose her as an additional reporter on this account.

"He's really...intense," I said with uncertainty.

Katie smiled and nodded slowly. "I like intense."

I winced. "Yeah, well, he is. I think he's a lot more respected than people assume also."

"I don't think he cares about respect."

"I think he does," I pressed. Katie glanced my way, confusedly. Admittedly, my tone was a tad harsh. I cleared my throat. "I mean, despite him having opened up about his past and certain things about his present—"

"—like the Red Room? Hottest thing I've ever heard. Have you been?—"

"—he's still quite reserved."

"I call bullshit."

I blinked twice, like a cartoon. "What?"

"A man like that being all reserved? Bullshit." She whipped her index finger in the air. "He's totally into being exposed. I bet he feeds off the exposure. That's why we know he does all this charity work."

"Umm, I don't think he does charity work for the fame."

"Of course he does. I can't imagine why else anyone would." She fanned her nails out and then curled them in, picking at the red bottoms.

"To help the world, maybe?"

"Yeah, like Michael Jackson. And look how well that turned out?"

I shook my head, flabbergasted. "You don't think any of these people have compassion for the world?"

"Sure they do," Katie said, sarcastically, "that's why they raise money instead of putting in half of their wealth."

I rolled my eyes. "If every rich person did that then they'd run out of money I'm sure. Besides, not everyone is as a billionaire."

"Yes, but we are talking about Christian. What's your deal anyway? Why are you defending him so much?"

"I'm not."

"You must have a thing for him. Predictable. Don't worry, every girl does. Your secret is safe with me," she winked.

"I'm not—"

The glass doors flew open. "Christian Grey here to see you ladies," the receptionist said.

I shot up. "Christian!" I shrieked.

Shit.

Great opener. Dogs could hear me from a block away.

Katie peered up and smirked at me before standing up and leaning over to shake Christian's hand, her boobs about to spill over onto the conference table. Honestly, Christian couldn't take his eyes off her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Grey. And may I just say the charity work you do for this world is an honourable feat, we all thank you for your work."

I narrowed my eyes at Katie and she shot me a dirty, proud look, like she was so pleased with herself. Ugh, I felt so gross.

Throughout the meeting, I was sitting in silence for most of the time, watching Katie and Christian bounce off each other. Often times, Christian had a way of teetering away from Katie and throwing me an acknowledgement that I was still here. More often than that, he appeared to be appraising me with concern, his eyes flickering between mine, my cheeks, my lips, my jaw, my collarbone, my chest, my hands folded in over my lap as I leaned back in the plush, leather chair. I felt oddly safe in his study of me, and yet, naked, so much so that I almost hated his concern over me. If it even was concern, maybe he was angry that I left his place without a trace. Maybe he was frustrated that I never called or texted back. I suppose I would be too, but then again, I'm not Christian-Fucking-Grey.

"How are we all doing in here?" Kimberly asked when she walked in on our meeting.

"We're doing great, Kimberly," Katie said.

Christian hadn't taken his eyes off me even after Kimberly barged in.

Kimberly tilted her head, and then cackled awkwardly. "Hi, Christian."

He swivelled around and shot to his feet effortlessly. "How are you, Kimberly?" His voice low and levelled, as if she was working for him.

"Just fine, and yourself?"

"Good."

"Good. I hope my girls are treating you well."

"They are doing just fine, especially Madison, here."

"Oh?" Kimberly said.

"Oh what?" Katie barked. When we all looked at her, she struggled to laugh through the awkward silence. Attempting to resurge the fake smile she so effortlessly had plastered on her face the entire day.

Believe me, I was trust as surprised as Katie was. Honestly, it made me mad. Why does he feel the need to protect me all the time? I can handle this myself.

"Well, in that case," Kimberly started. "I'm going to steal Katie away for just a moment, but keep the interview going, please, don't stop on my account."

"But I..." Katie began to protest.

"Come on, Katie," Kimberly said.

Reluctantly, Katie packed her notes up with limp hands and dragged her feet out the door.

"Why would you even?—" I started.

"—No, no, no," Christian said, raising a hand to stop me from going on. He leaned over, his eyes low and brooding, captivating my own. What was once grey waters flowing like liquid Mercury, now hardened and cold. "I think you have some explaining to do."

I raised my eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

***Should Madison stay in the conference room and confront Christian, or leave?***