Chapter 22

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           Iammanicured,massaged,andI’vehadtwoglassesofchampagne.Thefirstclassloungehasmanyredeemingfeatures.WitheachsipofMoet,IfeelslightlymoreinclinedtoforgiveChristianandhisintervention.IopenupmyMacBook,hopingtotestthetheorythatitworksanywhereontheplanet.

           ***

           From:AnastasiaSteele

           Subject:Over-ExtravagantGestures

           Date:May30201121:53

           To:ChristianGrey

           DearMr.Grey,

           WhatreallyalarmsmeishowyouknewwhichflightIwason.

           Yourstalkingknowsnobounds.Let’shopethatDr.Flynnisbackfromvacation.

           Ihavehadamanicure,abackmassage,andtwoglassesofchampagne—averynicestarttomyvacation.

           Thankyou.

           Ana

           ***

           From:ChristianGrey

           Subject:You’reMostWelcome

           Date:May30201121:59

           To:AnastasiaSteele

           DearMissSteele,

           Dr.Flynnisback,andIhaveanappointmentthisweek.

           Whowasmassagingyourback?

           ChristianGrey

           CEOwithfriendsintherightplaces,

           GreyEnterprisesHoldings,Inc.

           Aha!Paybacktime.Ourflighthasbeencalled,soIshalle-mailhimfromtheplane.Itwillbesafer.Ialmosthugmyselfwithmischievousglee.

           THEREISSOMUCHroominfirstclass.Champagnecocktailinhand,Isettlemyselfintothesumptuousleatherwindowseatasthecabinslowlyfills.IcallRaytotellhimwhereIam—amercifullybriefcall,asit’ssolateforhim.“Loveyou,Dad,”Imurmur.

           “You,too,Annie.Sayhitoyourmom.Goodnight.”

           “Goodnight.”Ihangup.

           Rayisingoodform.IstareatmyMac,andwiththesamechildishgleebuilding,Iopenmylaptopandopenupmye-mail.