VERY IMPORTANT A/N:

Hi guys. As some of you may know, I've been suffering from depression and anxiety for the past few years and updates have been sporadic with my stories for that reason. Sometimes I have no motivation at all but with this new story I've been working on, I've actually enjoyed writing it for the first time in a while. With my other stories, I haven't enjoyed writing them anymore. (Not that I won't finish them of course) but I've been having a blast writing this story and I really want to share it with you, despite all my other stories I have going on. I've pre-written a lot of this story so updates should be more regular. I'm sorry I've been hit and miss. Along with the stress of second year English literature degree work, a few weeks ago I finally got started on a course of medication for my depression and my moods have been up and down. I've finally realized that I'm ill and that's okay, I'm going to try my best to get better so please, be easy on me. I hope you enjoy my new story. The next chapter will be soon and be sure to tell me what you think. Your feedback is what encourages me to keep going. Elizabeth x

August 24th 2016

It is a matter of circumstance and convenience which has brought me here today. I'm wearing a navy-blue dress with my hair in a ponytail. This interview now makes it my fourth in two weeks. As it turns out, not many people are willing to hire freshly out-of-school high school graduates for decent paying jobs. If I was being interviewed for Wendy's, sure, but I've long outgrown rowdy fast food joints and groups of thirteen-year-old boys out on Friday nights. I'm in need of something calmer, dignified and more importantly, higher paid.

This year, I've decided to take a much-needed year out in order to save up for college. My father, Ray, will help me where he can but being as his job isn't amazingly paid and he has a house to look after, it will only be the minimum amount.

So I'm here, standing outside of one of the largest houses I've ever seen, for a babysitting/tutoring job for CEO billionaire Christian Grey's young child. I'm here to be interviewed to pick up, take home, help with homework, entertain and keep occupied a five-year-old little boy, whose parents clearly have no time to do themselves. With their money and rigid schedules, if I land it, I'll be earning $35 an hour which is definitely more than my last job.

So yeah, I really need this.

A tall woman with long blonde hair opens the door for me. I recognize her from websites and news magazines when being photographed occasionally with Mr Grey. She nods curtly and beckons me in. If I dare thought the house was big from the outside, it's incomparable inside. I walk along marble floors into a vast immaculate hallway with winding stairs but I barely have time to examine. She sweeps me forward into a small, neat office and gestures toward a chair opposite the desk. Naturally, she takes the seat on the other side.

The first thing she does is pick up a clipboard and peer at it closely. The first thing I do is notice the shiny diamond ring on her finger which is impossible to miss. I look at her face more observantly. She's dripping in expense, from the diamond earrings to the eyelash extensions and designer silk blouse. I vaguely wonder what it'd be like to be this wealthy. It's a world I could never comprehend.

"Anastasia Steele," her voice is sharp and authoritative. I don't like it much. "My name is Emma Grey, as you're probably aware."

"Yes," I answer.

"You're here to be the tutor and babysitter for my son, Charlie." She acknowledges.

"Yes," I answer again.

"Okay," she picks up the clipboard again and flicks her hair behind her ears.

She's pretty, in a very traditional sort of way. Blonde, thin, elfin like. Her eyes are a deep chocolate brown that contrast heavily with her light complexion.

"You graduated in June," she says without looking at me. "GPA 4.0, previous jobs, Target, Kmart, excellent references from your teachers and former employers. You're on a deferred year from the University of Washington."

None of these are questions. They're facts she's reading aloud from my application. I sit in silence, waiting. Finally, she looks up.

"Tell me about yourself," she asks. "What's the reason you applied for this job?"

"I love children," I admit. "I actually would like to be a teacher. I feel as though getting to bond with a child and help them will not only enrich them, but myself also."

She nods her head. "Fantastic."

It's one of those times when I can't work out whether she's being sarcastic or not. I can tell from her demeanor that she's a very severe woman and not one to mess with. Honestly, she's intimidating. She gets to her feet to fetch something.

"My husband and I work long hours," she says, coming back with a big folder in her hands. "As you know, my husband is the CEO of Grey's enterprise holdings and I'm a lawyer."

Of course, "Yeah," I nod. "I know."

"Good." She opens the folder. "Now that Charlie has started school, he's in need of being picked up each day and attended to. He needs help with homework and entertaining in the evenings, before we get home."

She finds a wallet and rips it out of the folder, handing it to me.

"Look over this in your own time," she instructs. "It's Charlie's schedule and other things which you'll need to adhere to." She closes the folder and stands again to put it back.

"He finishes school at three but we're not usually back until between seven and eight, sometimes later." Her heels click on the tile floor as she walks. They're Jimmy Choos. "You're not expected to cook for him or clean, anything like that. We have a housekeeper for all of those things and she'll make you your dinner too, which you'll eat with Charlie."

She stands in front of the desk now, with her legs crossed leaning against it. "You're to be his friend really. Look after him, keep him happy. Play games, take him to the park, that sort of thing. All you need to know is in the folder I got you. Do you have any questions?"

Yes. "Um, does this mean I've got the job?" I ask nervously. I never expected things to be this instant.

She looks at me as if I'm stupid. When she realizes I'm being serious, she answers.

"Yes," she says pointedly. "You'll start tomorrow if that's okay, three o clock? I'll issue you your keys, Charlie's car seat, and that will be all. Thank you."

She gives me the keys and then sees me out. It's all just so fast. I walk back to my car feeling surprised, confused, and exceedingly happy.

The moment I get home I get out of my tight and stuffy dress before changing into sweats and a sweater. I leave Kate and Jose, my best friends, a message on the group chat that I got the job, as well as my mom and Ray, before heading downstairs to make dinner. I settle on baked potatoes tonight. In the kitchen, I marinate them with herbs and butter before placing them in the oven on a low heat. Ray won't be back for a while yet.

After I'm finished, I head back into the lounge where I switch on the TV. My home is a small, 2 bedroomed, 2 bath roomed, semi-detached house in a decent area. It's nowhere near as grand as the Grey's but I love it so much. Ray worked so hard to provide a decent place for me to live and he's the best father I could ask for. A couple minutes later, my phone rings. It's my mom.

"Hi mom," I answer, turning on the channel to some show about wedding dresses.

"Oh Annie I'm so happy for you darling, but you don't need to pay for college anymore. I've just made things official with Simon and I'll ask him to pay."

I roll my eyes. My mother has been expertly making her way through as many rich men as possible since I was eleven years old, trying to find long lasting love. She had that with Ray but gave it up for someone better. I love her dearly but she's a hopeless romantic, currently engaged to her fifth husband and living in San Diego.

"Mom, it's fine," I assure her. "I need a job anyway. I can't just sit still for a year."

"Oh alright," she sighs, "but I'm still going to help out with your funds. Also, I'm coming to see you soon. I've missed you honey."

Yes, my crazy erratic mother, Carla. Always full of empty promises and road trips that lead nowhere.

"I miss you too mom."

The door knocks and I immediately get up. "Mom, I have to go. Congratulations with Simon. I'll call you back later."

I ignore her protests, hang up, and go to answer the door. As presumed, it's Kate and Jose and Jose is clutching a huge bottle of wine wearing glitter all over his eyes.

"PARTY!" He screams.

"Shut up," I laugh, letting them in and closing the door behind them. "Did this occasion warrant the eye glitter?"

"No, but I'm glad I wore it," he says, as they both come into the living room and sit down.

"Ahh, bad date night?" I ask. Any time Jose has a bad date night he comes over in glitter to make himself feel fabulous and wine to drown his sorrows. Kate prefers short skirts, red lips and vodka.

"How did you guess?" He says glumly. "He was a dick. Wanted to fuck in the bathroom on the first date. I tell you, I could've hit him."

I fetch the wine glasses. "What an ass. Come on, let's take this upstairs before Ray gets back. The last thing he needs to see is us drinking."

"He's not coming," Kate grins. "Well, not till much later."

"What do you mean?" I ask, setting down the glasses as Jose opens the bottle.

"We told him we were coming over for a little while and suddenly he had a huge mountain of work to do, which would keep him there all night," she laughs.

"But I put in two potatoes," I sigh.

"I'll eat one," Jose offers, pouring us all drinks. "I'm starving. I had to pretend to be satisfied with a salad at dinner. A fucking salad." He takes a big gulp of wine.

"Do you have vodka instead?" Kate asks.

I shake my head and go to find it.

August 25th 2016

By 2am, we're all pretty out of it. Kate and Jose are still dancing in the dark in my bedroom and I'm lying in bed feeling very sick and very stupid. I'm starting work tomorrow and I cannot be hung over and tired. I sit up and a wave of nausea washes over me. I sprint to the bathroom and vomit up wine, vodka and potato. It's disgusting.

"Right," I say, when I walk back into the room. I turn off the music. "It's bed time, I'm not waking up hungover. Jose you have work too."

"Party pooper," Kate pouts as we all climb into bed.

"Don't worry," Jose whispers to her. "You can help me out on tinder."

She squeals excitedly and that's the last thing I hear before I pass out.

I have a restful, dreamless sleep and awake at 8 by Jose pottering around the room. Surprisingly, I don't feel too bad. Perhaps a little tired, but that can always be fixed by a large dose of coffee.

"9 o clock start for the girl I'm tutoring," he says wearily, trying to comb his hair.

By night he works as a waiter at Revolution restaurant and bar in town. In the days, he tutors children in violin. He's a music prodigy with an affinity for strip poles. Kate's still sleeping soundly. Her parents are rich so she didn't need to take a year out to save like us but she didn't want to go to college without us either. She landed herself an internship at CHANEL for a year which is the biggest achievement ever. She only attends four days a week and today isn't one of them.

After Jose's gone, we head over to Scribbles cafe for breakfast. A place we've always gone to since we were kids. Children can scribble on the white board walls hence the name. I order pancakes, Kate orders bacon with extra bacon and black coffee.

"Still no carbs?" I ask.

She shakes her head. Kate has the worst hangovers. It's like trying to communicate with a blonde zombie.

"Nervous for today?" She finally asks, through a mouthful of bacon.

I nod. "Terrified. What if the boy doesn't like me?"

She makes a face and puts down her fork. "Not likely Ana. He'll love you, I'm sure." She leans across the table to give my hand a squeeze.

I smile and then my phone buzzes. It's from Ray wishing me luck also.

"What are you doing later?" Kate asks as we finish up and head out.

"Nothing, want to do something?" I ask.

She nods. "Movie night would be nice, or a drive somewhere."

"Sounds great, I'll message you."

"Good luck," she calls.

We both get in our separate cars and I make my way home to get ready for work.

After my shower, I dress smart casually in a blue satin blouse and my favourite pair of blue jeans. I've borrowed Kate's Louboutin flats for an extra confidence boost and I pile my hair into a high pony tail, wearing minimal makeup. I smooth over my blouse as I stare at myself in the mirror. My heart is beating fast.

All I can say, is that I sincerely hope little Charlie Grey takes a liking to me.

Please review xxx