A/N: I do not own anything from Glee, Versace or Harry Potter.

Chapter 2: Blue and Gray

Gray. If I am going to sum up my life in one word, that would be it. Perhaps being in a business that involves everything about money is a dream come true, but really it sucks the life out of you.

It is not always this way, I still remember a time in my life where I am truly and genuinely happy. I do not have a lot on those time, but what I do have is the knowledge that I am unequivocally, undeniably, very, very happy. Blue. Thats the word I use to describe that part of my life. That is the color of my happiness.

But one cannot learn to appreciate what one have until its gone. Back then I was so hungry for success, for power, for money. I was hungry and desperate for the life that I have now. Now everything is Gray and I was such an asshole and a first class jerk that I drew the Blue away.

Im sitting at my desk looking at the latest financial reports and checking the progress of our companys stocks, when I heard my name being called in a sassy tone, "Blaine, Mr. Fletcher wants your ass on his office now"

"Thanks Santana" I replied in a professional voice. What in the world does Andrew want now?

Andrew Fletcher has been my boss ever since I started in Gringotts Financials. If you asked me as a young adult if this is something that I wanted, then the young me will probably smile and charmingly say, "Financial what?".

My young heart wanted to be a musician. I wanted to compose and write music. I was so set to do that, that I did not factored in the practicality of it. After a heated argument with my parents- my dad mostly, I go to New York, with only a little money and lots of naïve dreams. The idea of doing something so unplanned, so risky and so sudden was very thrilling for my young soul. But reality bites me in the ass hard.

Living in New York, in its most honest truth, is quite expensive. After a few months, I am almost starving. I took nine to five jobs just to survive the city. After many months of trying, I decided to give up my dreams and find something suitable for myself.

To make the long story short, I took up Business and Finance and graduated at the top of my class in NYU. Such decision patched things up with my father. My brother, Cooper, often say, that because of this decision, I single-handedly replaced him as the apple of my Dads eye. I love my Dad. I know now that he just wanted whats best for me- like most parents did with their own sons.

Finance, as surprising as it is, is something that I am really good at. It is also good in generating money. LOTS of money. I am living a very comfortable and luxurious life. But money cant buy happiness, I learn that now. In fact I learned that a long time ago, when I lose the most important part of my life.

I frowned. This is not the time to think of him. I need to go and see Andrew.

I stood up, and straightened my all black, boring clothes, (oh how would old Blaine, with his red pants and colorful bowties would dread this future me) and walked the short distance to an enclosed door with a brass plate, "Andrew Fletcher, CEO"

I knocked before turning the brass handle and walked inside a very minimalist office.

Sat on the chair behind a huge table is the CEO of Gringotts Financial, giving me a confident smile.

"Well, if it isnt my favorite manager! Come on and sit Blaine" Andrew said in his booming voice.

I gave a small smile and sat down. "You called for me Andrew" I stated.

"Always, straight to the point Anderson" Andrew replied, but his smile got bigger.

"Blaine, you know youve been the best employee that we have since youve left those stupid assholes at Clarke and Spencers a few years back. Their loss, is totally my gain" Andrew said looking for my reaction.

I gave him a confident smirk, the one that anyone in business and finance learned to perfect. The one that is arrogant and confident at the same time, "Tell me something I dont know Fletcher"

That statement only made Andrews smile grow bigger. "That Anderson, is what I loved most about you! Youre a winner. Hence, I am now thinking to elevate you into a partner"

For anyone hearing this, they may jump or freak out from joy; Andrew must have been expecting the same, but frowned when he was proven wrong

I just looked at him with a calculating stare, with my smirk still in place. You learn to assess whats really behind everything and not judge a subject based on first value.

"I see a BUT coming" I said.

"Its not a BUT! You are definitely a shoo-in" Andrew said, then added sheepishly, "BUT" he said in disappointment that I have caught him, and this made my smirk bigger, "I have one final request."

"Im listening" I said flatly.

"House of Elizabeth" Andrew said seriously. What the hell is a House of Elizabeth? I thought. Another rule in business, never let your opponent know that you are lacking something, especially if it is something that they know and you dont.

"Ok" I said, not giving the impression that I am not in any way aware of what he is talking about.

"I received a call from none other than Estefano Dela Rossi himself. He wants us to set a meeting with the CEO of the said fashion line" Andrew said, clearly wanting me to be impressed with what he is saying. I just looked confused.

I knew Estefano Dela Rossi. He is a successful broker who have some major clients but a fashion line? Really?

"Now I know you might be thinking, since when do we do fashion?" Ahh, at least we are on the same page. "But the House of Elizabeth is as big as it gets. They are a key player now in the fashion world, and is now starting to be aggressive with the US market. Their portfolio alone…" Andrew said dropping a folder containing the Investment and Financial Report of the said company. I browsed it shortly as Andrew continued to speak, "You know what this means Anderson?"

"Goldmine" I said, completely impressed with what Im seeing from the folder. Whoever is the owner of this company, must have been either filthy rich to start with; an obnoxious, anorexic-bulimic woman or a very old, ugly, going bald gay person.

But I am seeing what Andrew is seeing, House of Elizabeth as a client, would boost the reputation of Gringotts and open opportunities for the business as a new player in the fashion-finance world.

"Im in" I said, accepting the challenge.

"Atta boy!" Andrew said.

"While Im at it, prepare my new office, will ya?" I said as I stood up, leaving Andrew laughing happily.

As soon as I entered my office, I dropped the folder at my assistants desk as the feisty Latina suddenly look up.

"What the-!"

"I want all the information you can find about the House of Elizabeth and send it to me the soonest possible time. Free all my schedule for the next three days and then call Estefano Dela Rossi to set a meeting with the line" I barked the orders as I looked at the Latina.

"The House of Elizabeth? Oh my god!" Santana shouted forgetting my earlier outburst as she looked at me like Christmas came early.

"You know about them?" I asked shocked.

"Ay dios mio! Of course I know about them, what sane, fashionable, perfect person doesnt?" Santana said as if what Im saying is totally ridiculous.

I just raised my eyebrows.

"Well of course not you. You are this safe, boring, black wearing, lifeless individual" Santana said seriously. "I still wonder why they didnt revoke your gay card"

"It was not that bad!" I said defending my choice of clothes. This is what is normal in my world now.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night gayby. Anyway," Santana continued as if she did not just insult me, "I need to be in on this project Anderson, or I swear to god Ill shave your head off with all the razors stuck in my under boob"

"You know I cant just take-"

"And destroyer dildo to stuck in your ass while Im doing it" Santana said threateningly. She is so serious that I gulped before going to my office and get my blazer preparing to leave.

"I did not hear a yes, Anderson!" Santana said.

"Just get what I asked Lopez, and Ill think about it" I said as started to walk out.

"Asshole! If youre not my boss, Ill go all Lima heights on your perfectly-shaped gay ass!" Santana shouted as I left my office to go home. I need to prepare for this meeting.

A few days passed, and I was sitting in my condo, looking at the information Santana had found for me about the House of Elizabeth. I am sitting in the sofa of my luxurious, totally modern condo.

I am sipping at my coffee, with cold Chinese food, which is a day old from the refrigerator. I dont even have the energy to reheat it. On my desk lies the pizza box from the night before. If my mom saw this, shell surely glare at me as she resist, but eventually give in, and calls me a hobo.

I smiled at that term as I hear my mom in my head, "You cannot live your life like this Blaine. You need to find someone who will take care of you"

Though my smile banished, like hers in my memory on that second sentence. I used to have someone like that. Someone who took care of me. I used to eat home cooked meals and laughed, not this boring, monotonous life. I used to have him.

Usually when this happens, my Mom will hug me as I took a deep breath and forced myself to smile, which I did now. God! Get a grip Anderson, its been years!

I shook myself from my reverie and looked at the reports again about the House of Elizabeth.

As I am getting to know this company, I am becoming more impressed not only with their financial profile but also with how they started.

It started out in France, wherein it is tied with Versace. A few year after that, the line removed itself from Versace and produced its very own clothing line for women. It is so high end that a few famous people in Europe have gushed about it.

A few years after they part ways with Versace, they expanded their horizons in the United States. Here the brand is considered a shiny young thing.

The US label is just an extension in Paris, but basing on the reports submitted by Santana, it seems that the line is planning an aggressive approach to dominate the US market by opening a clothing line for Men. Hence, it will involve a lot of money and assets to be distributed. That is the main reason why they need Gringotts.

The move is brilliant, but hiring a financial company is a really smart move and only comes from years of experience and a strong background on business. My imagination couldnt help but conjure again a fat, balding, filthy-rich businessman.

I smiled as I start to Google the House of Elizabeth. Upon clicking I am bombarded with images of high fashion ensembles that even my dusty, fashion mind could appreciate.

An obnoxious, anorexic blond woman then, probably wearing shades even inside the office. I thought as I tried and search for the CEO of the company.

Better search for him/her now and proved my suspicions. I thought as I typed. Right before I pressed enter, my phone started ringing. I gave a sigh, closed my laptop and answered the call.

"Hello" I answered without looking at the caller id as I begin to wander in my kitchen. Shit! I really need to call the housemaid, my mom would kill me if she saw all these thrash.

"Hi Tiger" Shit! My mind cursed a lot these days. It is Sebastian Smythe.

"Sebastian, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" I snapped. I am so not in the mood for him right now.

"Not what youre saying when I am blowing you" Sebastian said seductively.

"I am in the middle of something now, do you need anything?" I took a deep breath as I try to stop myself from snapping.

"Well, since you asked so nicely, I was wondering if I can use your car on Friday? The Audi one? I am to attend this huge event and I cant be outdone!" Sebastian replied.

"The R-8? And what do you mean you cant be outdone? Didnt I just bought you an expensive suit for that purpose? And where is your car?" I replied trying to prevent an incoming headache.

"Of course, the R-8, baby. And thanks for the suit, but my car and my suit didnt complement each other. On Audi however…"

"Fine" I said in flat tone.

"Yay! Thanks Tiger" He said in glee, "and Ill make sure to make it up to you. Ill try very, very HARD!" he said seductively.

"Whatever! I gotta go now. Bye" I ended the line before I could snap again.

I took a deep breathe. Sebastian technically is my boyfriend but the truth is, Sebastian in my life has always been a distraction. Distraction from what, I am not sure. I met Sebastian during one of our company events and the instant lust that we have for each other is undeniable.

After which, we see each other from time to time to, well… fuck. We tried going out on romantic dates but decided that we are terrible at it. My life since…him, was a constant whirlwind of nameless faces. It was a good thing that I have Sebastian now, without him, I will be in clubs or on Grindr, trying to alleviate this emptiness that is inside me.

Sebastian may not fill up that void, I realized now that nobody can after him, but Sebastian made me escape from this constant gray that is my life. If I need him, Sebastian is there. Usually to fuck, yes, but he also gave me something that is constant, for lack of the better word. Not a nameless face. Not a quick one night stand.

So yes, Sebastian is my boyfriend. But there is no love there and it is always clear on both our ends. We need each other. I need an option to escape this gray life whenever I wanted, and he needs me for all the material things that I can give him.

In summary, our relationship is really a transaction in which both parties benefited from.

Seeing my life now, I realized what an idiot I am to want this life. To choose success and money over my happiness. I thought money can make me happy. Now I realized I am just plain stupid.

Too angsty Anderson! A voice in my head said. There is no use dwelling on the past. This is your life now. Suck it up!

Scolding myself, I decided to forget the blue and focus on the gray. I picked up my laptop, closed the search engine and study the portfolios.

I got this! The cocky, bastard, soon-to-be partner voice resounded in my head. That bastard voice made me smirked none the less. If I will live a gray life, then Ill make this life my bitch.

Perhaps I should have known better, for nothing can prepare me for the blue hues that will descend upon this boring and grayish life.

A/N: I dont know if anyone is reading this. If you are there, please let me know your thoughts. I need it! Make my gray life, a blue one. *wink wink