Christian POV

Everything has its price, every problem has a solution. It doesn't matter how, it doesn't matter when or how long a problem takes to get resolved, it depends on how you handle the situation

Many problems require certain different things. One that requires your time, your money, your fame, or one that might want to take your life.

As I blinked up to the man sitting before me, clad in a black suit, his blue orbs surveying curiously, waiting for whatever I've got to say concerning the issue on ground

"So what?" He said with a sly smile.

God knows how much I detest a smile like that. "You can pay me off and I won't let anybody know of this. No! I won't tell the media"

There is this sincerity in his eyes that made me want to believe his word, but there is also this thought at the back of my mind that kept telling me never to be deceived by his fake glimmering eyes

Which do I listen to? A voice that kept whispering to me or should I just believe that the man before me was saying the truth?

No! I got slapped by my mind! How much do I need to be taught a lesson to understand? For how long should I resort to this kind of way to save myself and my name?

I've lived for good thirty years, I did not learn everything in life, but I sure learned quite a few good things in life. Some in a good way, and some in a bad and painful way!

The man sighed, waving an impatient hand in the air. "If you don't want to do this," he mumbled, the smile still on his lips. "you can just tell me, and let me go ahead with my plan!"

Whatever his plan is, I'm not ready to know, neither do I want to listen!

There's something that's just slapped me back to reality, his sly smile!

I cannot, I don't want to be a victim of that smile again.

I checked out my fingers a few more times before I softly slapped my forehead. Fighting with my inner demon. I did not like negotiating, it's the thing I hated most even as a businessman.

I prefer taking responsibility for my actions, then trying to hide behind the shadow of negotiation.

Again, I took in the features of the man before me, and for the second time, I was stunned by the acne and the pimples on his face.

Of course, I believe him. After all, this is not the first time I'll be meeting him, and then, there's not sort of these things on his face whenever he came to visit until today

I'm ready to do anything, ready to apologize to the public and take responsibility for the damages caused to this man, but I'm not ready to negotiate and solve this illegally!

"I'm sorry Mr. Lewis," I said as calmly as I could. "I'll take responsibility for your face, but I can't pay you off just to keep your mouth shut!"

I can tell that he's surprised. Well, judging by the look on his face. He frowned deeply, his lips permed together as he glared at me. "If you refuse to pay me, I can..."

"You can do that if that makes you better," I cut him off, my eyes not leaving his shocked face. "But I can assure you that I'll surely take responsibility for whatever happens."

Not waiting for whatever he's got to say, I stood on my feet, offered a light bow to the man before me before I strode out of the room.

Not like I've not gotten the money he's asked for. How much are a few million dollars that I could not pay, but then, I could not risk having a secret somewhere

Sure enough, after I pay him, he'll never stop bugging me for another money.

It's not my first time dealing with blackmailers, I know how they work for I have had it quite bad with one, and that left me with quite a big scar in my heart!

"You have a visitor waiting for you in your office, Mr. Grey!"

I stopped on my track, a brow arched. I turned to Harold behind him who had his head bow.

"A visitor?" I repeated. "I thought I was only scheduled to meet just Mr. Lewis today"

"I'm sorry," Harold replied courteously, trying everything to avoid my lingering gaze. "I just got a call from Linda..."

"And why would she let the person inside my office?" I mumbled. "And that too, without my permission"

I know how Linda works, after all, she's been with me for the past ten years, she could not have let in any stranger, but then, she knows that I don't accept even business partners in my office.

I hummed softly, different thoughts running through my dazed mind, but I couldn't reach any conclusions. I have no friends that will visit me, and the only relative I have was in no condition to visit me.

"Alright," I mumbled. I walked down the hallway to my office.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Grey" Linda greeted, her body shaking slightly and that made me wonder what on Earth is having her body on fire.

"I have a visitor?" I said, more of a sentence than a question. "In my office"

"Yes," Linda replied softly. I noticed how her voice shook slightly.

Of course, she should be scared. Agreed that I don't have a nasty temper, but my temper is not that good either. I hate it when someone does not follow my rules!

Linda bowed her head, her blonde hair sprouting forward, following the motion of her head. "I told her not to..."

"Her?" I was surprised. Who's her? ' I only know two ' hers ' in my life, and none of them will ever try to visit me... Well, that I know

Taking a last glance at Linda, I walked past her and pulled open my office door and for the first time today, I was met with a gracious body standing beside my table.

I stumbled back on the door, my back pummelled against it as I took my time to admire the beauty before me.

Her back was turned to me, and that made her quite oblivious of my appearance. Of course, I'm not ready to let her know that I'm in, at least I need to know who she's.

She's clad in a red body hug knee-length gown, her spotless leg was illuminated by the light in the room which makes it more exposed to me.

I was in deep thought trying to remember where I'd met this young lady before. I could compare her with the lady I know, but it doesn't fit, and I know that I'll never know if I didn't see her face.

I cleared my throat which thankfully made her turn to me. And as soon as her eyes met mine, that smile, the smile that gave me a nightmare appeared on her lips

She gave me a cunning smile.

"Welcome back, Christian Grey!"