Michael Fassbender / Reader (4)
- No, no and no. Michael Fassbender said when you told him that you were his new personal assistant. You had been employed to the position by an agency that managed the assistants of many famous actors and actresses. You had been very happy to get a job after being unemployed for a couple of months but now that you stared at the annoyed Irishman in front of you, you started to feel that applying to the job and then accepting it had been the worst decision you had ever made. You snapped out from your thoughts and answered with a calm tone
- Mr. Fassbender, I understand-
- No, you do not. I specifically requested an assistant who would be-
- I can assure you, I am more than qualified for this job. The agency-
- Anyone could do your job. Mr. Fassbender scoffed and rolled his eyes.
- Right. you sighed. It was getting ridiculous, the whole freaking thing. You could not understand why someone could be so narrow-minded and shallow. If your client really thought that anyone could do your job, then it only meant that the person had his head far up in his own ass and saw the world in a very black-and-white –manner, because your job was not easy.
- I was expecting someone more physically appealing. he added and flashed a bitter, slightly mocking smile.
- I am not sure how being “more physically appealing” could help me to perform my job any better. you answered as you were getting somewhat angry, however you wanted to remain calm. You were not paid to explode at your client and you knew that if you did that, you could say goodbye to your career as a personal assistant. News travelled fast after all and being successful at the job you had chosen to forge into a career required you to keep your cool and protect your image, as well as the image of your client, at all times.
- It probably would not, but at least someone else would be more pleasant for me to look at. he said and glanced you like you had been yesterdays leftovers.
- I see… Well, 70 percent of this job I can do remotely, you do not really even need to see m-
- No. I want someone else. Mr. Fassbender said and it really sounded like there was nothing that you could have done to change his mind about it.
- Alright. I will email the agency today and they will assign someone else within a month. you answered after swallowing your pride and gathering the remaining pieces of your composure.
- A month? he exclaimed and sighed with a frustrated tone.
- Ahem, yes. I am sorry, but for a month you are stuck with me. you answered and made notes to your tablet-device. A silence followed as you tried your best to avoid looking at your client who had insulted you greatly, more than you had ever thought to be even possible.
- 70 percent remotely, you said? he said after a moment and rubbed his chin.
- Yes. you answered, still keeping your eyes fixed upon the screen.
- I think it is manageable. he commented and turned away. You lifted your eyes and saw him shaking his head as he walked further away. Then you opened your email and wrote the email to your boss without any more specific reason for being reassigned than “we both felt that there was no working chemistry and it would be better if someone else was managing Mr. Fassbender’s account”. You knew that it could get your client into trouble if you stated that he did not want you to be his assistant because you were not attractive enough. It would be terrible if the yellow press heard about it and it could really hurt his public image.
Your boss answered like you had expected; it would take about a month for the agency to find a replacement. You started to work with your client and you tried to work as much remotely as possible but there were times when it was completely impossible. You managed Mr. Fassbender’s account very well. He was always there where he was supposed to be and even your client had no other choice than to admit that you were doing your job well.
Then the month was over and you returned to the office. There you were being asked why Mr. Fassbender was not pleased with you but you never told anyone the real reason. The new assistant began with him and she was gorgeous. You saw her once at the office but you did not talk with her. You however knew that she would please the eye if your ex-client but you did not know how good she was at what she was supposed to do. It was strange that during the month you and your client had started to get along pretty nicely and it was a shame that you had to go. You never talked about the one-month-deadline with Mr. Fassbender and you did not know if he remembered that you were leaving, or not.
Michael was surprised when one Monday morning he was greeted by another woman, someone whom he did not know. He suddenly remembered the first day and felt a bit sorry for being an ass like that because during the month he had actually started to like your company although he had not see you that often. He had actually decided to ask you to work less remotely but now your time was ended and it made him somewhat sad although he knew that he had requested for another assistant.
One week passed and Mr. Fassbender started to notice how wrong he had been. The new assistant did not do her job well and she was very stupid. He decided to give the new assistant one more week to prove herself professionally but it did not make any difference. The woman used more time to flirt with people and hitting on her client than actually working on the tasks that she was supposed to. Therefore Michael went to the office looking for you 2,5 weeks after you had stopped working for him.
He entered a tall, modern office building and walked to the counter that was located near to the main entrance. There was a blonde woman working and he decided to ask her if you were available for a quick chat.
- Hey, is (Y/N) here? he asked the receptionist.
- No, sorry Mr. Fassbender… She is not. the receptionist answered and stared at him curiously.
- Is she coming soon? he asked and drummed the desk nervously with his fingers.
- No, she got fired. the receptionist answered. Now she sounded more puzzled than curious. The look on Michaels face turned surprised and he exclaimed
- Why?
- Well, as far as I know, she got hired to be your assistant and then when she did not find working chemistry with you, our agency gave her two weeks to either find another client or if you, Mr. Fassbender changed your mind about the new assistant and since you did not…
- Shit! he sighed and dropped his head. He raised his hand onto his forehead and rubbed it as he tried to come up with a reasonable game plan to fix things.
- I am very sorry, Mr. Fassbender, but there is nothing I can do. the receptionist said when he noticed that Michael was clearly upset with the answer. He went through his options and then stated
- I need to contact her. Do you have her phone number or address?
-- I do, but I am sorry, the personal information of our present and former employees is confidential-
- Listen… I was an ass and I need to at least apologize to her. Michael said and leaned to the table with his both hands. In that position he looked almost threatening, especially when his physical position was combined to the intense stare of his piercing eyes. The sight made the receptionist to gulp and lean back in her chair.
- I just heard that there was no chemistry-
- There was. I wanted another assistant because I thought that (Y/N) was not attractive enough. he said and corrected his posture immediately when he realized that his position was indeed quite threatening and it was making the receptionist uncomfortable.
- Well… that is… the receptionist said and it was obvious that she wanted to say “terrible” and disapprove Michaels actions but since he was a famous actor, she did not dare to judge. The last thing she wanted to do was to get fired for insulting a client of the agency.
- So I am sure that you can see why I need to make this better. Besides I am completely lost with the new assistant. She is not either smart or funny. Do you know who was both? he asked with a desperate tone.
- (Y/N). Yes, she was very much liked at the office too. Very professional. the receptionist answered and sighed. She did not know what to do because the whole situation was kind of pain in the ass; she wanted to help Michael to fix things but on the other hand she had clear guidelines about the personal information of the current and former employees of the agency.
- Yes! So please-
- I am deeply sorry but my hands are tied. she replied and smiled politely, although there was a hint of sadness in her smile. It was clear that if it was up to her, she would help, but like she had said; her hands were tied and there was nothing she could do. Michael nodded with a sigh, then turned away and left.
He felt bad for getting you fired for not being attractive enough, although he had changed is opinion about that during the month as well, and in a way it was a karma’s bitchslap in his face when the assistant who looked like a supermodel was actually pretty useless and not suitable for the job at all. Michael walked out from the agency and rubbed his chin. He sighed again when he saw his current assistant calling him on the phone, he decided not to answer the call, he was not on the mood for her shit. At that moment the receptionist came out from the building and handed him a note.
- You did not get her number or her address from me. she said and looked around to make sure that there were no intrusive eyes to see the breaking of the rules.
- No. Michael said with a firm tone and nodded as an agreement.
- And you better make it right. I mean, (Y/N) is a talented and lovely person and if she indeed got fired because she was “not attractive enough” then I’m sorry to say that it really sucks. she dared to say now that she was acting as herself and not as the representative of the agency.
- Yes, I am aware of that. Michael answered and squeezed the note tightly in his hand, almost as if it had been his most precious thing in the world, and in that moment, it was.
- Oh. (Y/N) is living at the hotel nearby but I think she flew home already. the receptionist added just before Michael was going to leave. He nodded and thanked for the help. First thing he did, was to visit the hotel where you had been staying in but you had checked out already.
You got home. To be honest you had not thought about returning that soon and actually it was embarrassing to be back after seven weeks. It was the low-point of your career and it felt so stupid that you had even taken a chance like that and left everything you had known to reach to the stars and beyond. The next days you basically lay in your bed and tried to get over the embarrassment. Then one morning there was someone at the door. You had just woken up and went to open the door in your pajama since the person at the door did not stop knocking. You shouted “yeah-yeah” and then opened the door a little bit.
- Good morning. Michael greeted you. You opened the door more and let him in because you did not want your neighbors to hear the forthcoming conversation. You were still half-asleep, not really completely sure if you were dreaming or was this actually happening for real. One thing was certain no matter what; there was no obligation for you to act polite towards the man who had gotten you fired and caused the embarrassing situation where you were now in.
- I don’t know about the goodness of it but sure. Hi, how may I help you? you asked after Michael had closed the door and was standing in your entrance hall.
- May I come in? he asked and opened the zipper of his leather jacket.
- I do not think it is a good ide-
- Thank you. he said and took off his shoes as well as his jacket. “You’re most welcome” you mumbled and walked into your living room. Michael followed you but he did not sit down.
- I need you back. he said. His tone was apologetic and desperate.
- Right. you scoffed and sat down on your sofa. You buried your face into your hands and tried to wake up. Maybe it was all just an annoying dream and soon you would wake up and find yourself alone in your own bed.
- I am so sorry that I got you fired. Michael said after a moment of silence.
- Yeah, well… Whatever. Isn’t that new assistant pretty enough? you asked with a bitter tone.
- Yeah but she is not you. he stated and tried to guess the expression on your face since he was completely unable to see it.
- Oh and now it’s a problem? you asked and raised your head as you removed your hands that had been covering it. You looked pissed off and Michael, to be honest, was not blaming you at all. He knew that he deserved every bit of anger or disappointment you had stored for him.
- Yes. There is no chemistry and it is not working. he answered and hoped that you noticed the sincere undertone of his voice.
- It did not work with me either. you blurted, stood up and walked into your kitchen. You wanted to drink a glass of cold water to help you clear your head and also to get some distance to the tall, handsome Irishman that had inserted himself into your life all so unexpectedly.
- It did! But I was too stupid to realize it. I am sorry. he said as he followed you.
- So what now? What are you expecting me to do? To waltz back like nothing ever happened? you asked after you had emptied the glass and put it back on the kitchen counter. Michael noticed that he was standing too close and stepped a little further away. You crossed your arms and leaned onto the counter.
- Well… with a hefty raise of course. he said and flashed a hopeful smile. You thought about it for a moment and then started to prepare breakfast. Michael helped you and while eating you talked about the specifics and managed to come up with an agreement, although you had not said whether you were going to accept his offer or not; you wanted to think it through and make him suffer a bit, see him crawl. The day passed quite quickly after you had gotten used to have him around and for your surprise you enjoyed having Michael there and talking with him. Hours passed by and suddenly it was getting dark outside.
You prepared food and offered Michael dinner. It was somewhat funny how you felt the old chemistry returning and decided to accept the job offer. It was getting late and you made him a bed in your living room. He appreciated the gesture and the fact that he did not have to check in to a hotel. Your head was spinning. It was funny to see Michael in your home and talk to him like he was just a guy. When you had been working for him, you had always been strict about keeping the relationship between you two as professional as possible but now you had agreed that instead of working for him, you would work with him and you would have a right to tell him if he was being an ass or half-assing things.
You bought a flight ticket and returned with Michael to his filming location just after a couple of days rearranging your life. He asked you to work remotely as little as possible because he enjoyed your company very much, a bit too much actually. Then after 13 months of working together Michael suddenly called you on your day off. He was feeling stressed out about his career and he had rented a house from an island where he was going to spend the late summer alone, away from the tabloids and fame.
He called you because
- I want you to come with me. he said after telling you about his plan to get away for a moment.
- What? you asked. You were surprised to hear about the whole holiday-cottage-thing since he had not spoken about his plans before that moment and now that he said that he wanted you to go with him, it really caught you off guard.
- Yes, I would like you to come with me and spend a month with me there. he repeated his offer.
- Why me? you asked curiously.
- Because you’re the one I trust and I rather spend that month with you than anyone else, so please. he explained. You had to admit that you had noticed him getting stressed out and tired even so maybe holiday was the thing that he needed and to be honest, you were quite flattered that you were the person, the only one in the entire world, who he would trust enough to go with him.
- Would I be a… housekeeper or-
- No… All you have to do is to keep me company. I do not want to go alone. Michael said. He hoped that you would accept his invitation without asking too many questions, mostly because he was tired of answering questions all together, but also because he had a reason that he did not want to reveal, not just yet at least.
- Right… you answered.
- Take it as a paid holiday. he added.
- How much will you pay me? you asked curiously.
- 10 000 pounds extra to your monthly salary. Michael answered and hoped that at least extra money would make you to decide in his favor.
- For one month? you asked, just to be sure about the specifics before making any promises.
- Yes and I will take care of any other expenses; traveling, living and so on. he replied. You knew that you were in a need of a holiday and a paid vacation by the sea sounded quite nice, besides you enjoyed Michael’s company now that he treated you with respect. Therefore you accepted his invitation and agreed to accompany him.
After a couple of weeks you found yourself staring at a ship disappearing into the horizon with Michael. You had not realized that the cottage was located on an island that located quite remotely in the middle of the sea so when you looked around, to any direction, there was no land in sight. You checked your phone and noticed that there was no internet connection either. You were not sure if this was something that you had agreed on, but there was no other choice than to go with it now.
You took your bag and followed Michael into the cottage. He told you that the boat would come twice a week to bring supplies and there was a radio in the cabin for emergencies. You did not hear anything he said because you were trying your best to understand what you had gotten yourself into. Michael escorted you to your room and then after making sure that you were all settled, he settled into his room which was on the other side of the house.
Your room had a view to the open sea and there was literally nothing blocking the horizon. The room was quite small but you did not need much space anyway. You unpacked your bags and lay down on the bed. It was a comfortable bed and suddenly you drifted away. It had been a long travel and you were somewhat jetlagged. Your dreams were disturbed when Michael knocked on the door and stepped in. He had just made some dinner and his plan was to invite you to dine with him. You got off from the bed and followed Michael into the kitchen. It was getting dark already and the only light there was outside, was the faint grow in the west.
The weather was great and you spent the days outside sunbathing, reading and staring at the horizon and in a few days you learned to enjoy the calmness and silence. You had long conversations with Michael and although you had been terrified of getting bored with the slow, isolated life, for your surprise the days slipped away too fast and suddenly over a half of your holiday was gone. Yes, you realized all of a sudden that you were flying away in ten days and then you would return to your normal life. Sure you had missed the Internet and being connected to everything at all times, but then again, spending time with Michael had been plenty of fun and surprisingly relaxing as well. The line between working with him and being his friend had blurred and you did not quite know how to get back to the way things had been before the holiday, although your relationship had been friendship-like throughout the past year, but not quite like this.
One thing that worried you, it worried you actually the most, was the fact that your friendly feelings for “your boss” had started to get deeper and even the line between being Michael’s friend and something else entirely had started to blur after two weeks of being completely alone with him on the remote island that you now shared with the Irishman. It worried you and terrified you. It made you anxious because you knew that the holiday was going to end and then you would get back to the busy life that Michael had wanted to escape for a month with you.
It was getting stormy one evening. The weather had been great until the dark clouds had appeared in the northern horizon and then filled the skies all over, as far as the eye can see. You liked the storms and for the first time you were going to see the sea raging all around you. You had lighted some candles and carried a blanket on the terrace where there was a swing-chair for two persons hanging from the ceiling. Michael sat next to you and offered you a glass of wine. You smiled and took the glass with pleasure. It was a perfect moment; the storm getting closer, you feeling warm wrapped into the blanket in the middle of it all, still safe.
- You always tell me if I half-ass something. Michael began. You put the glass on the table and focused your attention to the charming actor next to you. You raised your eyebrows and answered
- Well, that’s what we agreed that I’ll do, whether it is an interview, an audition or-
- Or the relationships I have with different people. Yes…
- So? you chuckled. You had noticed that Michael had been behaving in a different way around you for some time and especially since you had arrived to the island. It felt almost like you were a couple, although he had not even tried to make a move on you or anything… but your relationship with him had gotten warm, warm in a different way. You had not paid any attention to the whole thing before but now you noticed it. Michael looked at you with a serious look on his face and continued
- I need to point out that you are half-assing your life.
- Excuse me? you asked, not quite sure if you had heard right or not. What was he talking about? Why was he saying that?
- Yes, you are not really living your life, are you? When is the last time you have gone out on a date? he asked. You stood up and walked to the end of the terrace, where there were a couple of stairs that led to into the garden that was more like a spot that was a little less rocky than the rest of the island.
-What? Are you seriously asking me that? you asked after you had gathered your thoughts.
- Yes I am. You’re always honest with me and now it is my turn to return the favor. he answered and stood up. He walked a bit closer with a blanket in his hands. Michael did not want you to get sick so his plan was to put the blanket on your shoulders that were bare, since you were wearing a sleeveless dress. You however refused the gesture by stepping a bit further away from the handsome man.
- My personal life is none of your business. But in any case, let me assure you that I have gone through countless of dates so I know for a fact that I am not missing anything… quite opposite actually; my life is much more calm and stress-free now that I do not have time to date anyone! you replied although in a way you knew that there was no obligation for you to explain yourself, it was Michael who was being seriously out of line, very unprofessional indeed.
- You mean predictable and safe? What about desire and love? Butterflies in your stomach? he asked and tried to see if his words made you feel anything or cause any reaction.
- It is all overrated. I like my life as it is. Besides, why does it bother you now, all of a sudden? you asked and turned around to stare at the roaring sea and the lightning that was followed by a loud rumbling sound.
- No… not “all of a sudden”. I have been thinking about this for some time already but I have not had courage to make my thoughts known before. Michael admitted. You sighed. It made no sense that Michael brought this up, not now, not ever. Your personal life was not his business and it did not concern him, unless…
- Have you considered dating me? he asked suddenly. His voice sounded insecure and hopeful at the same time and the combination was almost too much to take. “Because I want a life with you… and I need you to want-“ he continued but you interrupted him.
- Dating… you? you asked with a surprised tone. Sure, you had thought about it, no, more like dreamed about it but you had never seriously considered it.
- Don’t you… have any feelings for me? he asked with a fragile tone which made your heart ache. He emphasized the word “any” and it made him sound almost desperate. You did not want to break his heart and if he really had feelings for you, it made everything so much more complicated.
- You’re my boss!
That was the only thing that you managed to say. Your head was spinning and you could not look at Michael and his expression that was still so hopeful and insecure. He was clearly waiting for you to say anything but all you had managed to do was to state the obvious; your working relationship with him. Michael rubbed his chin a couple of times and then said
- Technically I am not since you’re working with me and not for me. There is a difference-
- Yeah, whatever-
- What do you mean “whatever”? he asked. He could not believe his ears, your response had been so much colder than he had expected. He had hoped that you felt the same because it really had felt like you had been a couple on an island, although nothing… physical had not happened… yet.
- It is irrelevant! Sure I find you attractive and charming and yeah… I think I like you a bit too much-
- So what is the problem? he asked with a frustrated tone. He was raising his voice although he had decided that he would not, but now it felt almost impossible to keep such promise.
- Do you know how unprofessional that would be! Besides, you do not find me attractive! It is the main reason why we have this… this… great work-chemistry. you answered with a bitter tone, which you corrected to neutral as soon as you had realized it yourself.
- No, it is because I respect you! Michael shouted. The sea was making a loud noise and as it got mixed with the wind and the sound of thunder, there was no longer room for soft tone. The wind danced violently in your hair and chilled you under your summer dress.
- You clearly do not respect me enough. you answered. You sounded ruder than you had hoped and cursed yourself for saying such thing with that tone.
- How can you say that? he asked and his tone changed from hopeful into offended and desperate.
- If you did you would not fill my head with these… hopes and ideas! I am not the type that you date for a moment and after you get bored, you just throw away-
- Why do you think-
- Oh, I’ve seen you dating Michael! I have seen you charming women and then losing interest… just like that. you scoffed and snapped your fingers to emphasize the easiness and quickness of his actions.
Michael knew that you were right and therefore he did not say anything. He also knew that he felt something different this time. He had known you over a year now and spending time on that remote island with you had confirmed his feelings for you to be real. He had asked you there mostly because he enjoyed your company and trusted you but also because he wanted to see if being ripped away from the surrounding world would show him if you had any deeper feelings for him. Sure he had been a jerk in the beginning and he had been working the entire time since then to make it up to you, whether you had noticed it or not, but he had done his very best to make you feel appreciated.
You had mistaken this as a “great work-chemistry” although it did make it easy to work with him when he tried to make your work and life as easy as possible. Michael could have questioned your decisions but he had trusted you and respected your professional opinion and he knew that you only wanted what was best for him… or his career… well… for him entirely. And it was true; you had become a fearless lioness when it came to Michaels career. You had worked hard and wrestled your way to be respected and admired assistant in Hollywood and nowadays everyone took you seriously.
It was one thing that you were afraid to lose if you let your professional friendship with Michael to evolve into anything else and it was apparent that it had been a mistake to go on the island with him. Now you were facing a decision; which one would be more important to you, your career or a possible love affair? Could you take such a risk knowing that if the relationship failed, you would lose your job and the respect of your fellow-assistants in the process? But would you be able to stare into those blue eyes and lie that your feelings are strictly friendly, knowing that you would also break his heart by saying so? What if getting back to the way you used to be was no longer possible?