Margaret Qualley attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)
Jeff Baena was a truly talented filmmaker. It saddens me deeply he died so young with so much left to share with the world. I'm sure he was loved by all who knew him. My thoughts are with his family as they go though this difficult time.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts please reach out for help. Even if you think you are alone I promise you there are people who care about you. Even if they are strangers.
— summary: As a film actress, your troubles have never landed you farther than the Hollywood sign. Yet, all that seems to change when you find yourself being blackmailed by a rather striking spy agent. In order to keep your secrets safe, you must take on the hardest role of your career; playing Sarah Fidel’s fake celebrity girlfriend.
— word count: 2,572
— a/n: requested! anon you have caused me to fixate on operation fortune LMAO
This was the last time you’d ever cover up for your cousin.
No matter how much you attempted to help the man, somehow he always managed to threaten the reputation of not only himself but your family as well. The latest scandal involved petty shoplifting, a crime he hadn’t needed to indulge in due to the amount of money you made in a year. He simply did it for fun. Never did he thank you for paying the store hush money to avoid leaks to the press. To your cousin, you were just A stuck up actress who followed in your parents footsteps. You never attempted to argue with him, after all he had always been irritated that your father hadn’t allowed him to intern alongside him. An argument would just prove pointless.
Yet, this time he had gone too far.
You hadn’t a clue how they did it. One minute you were on a flight to Madrid for your next murder mystery film, and the next your plane was hijacked by spies. The same spies who were threatening to blackmail you if you didn’t cooperate in their plan. The instructions were simple: play lovebirds with one of the spies at a charity event in order to distract the targeted individual. It would’ve been easy enough, had you been blissfully unaware of the fact that your life was on the line.
“I don’t know if I can do this.” you mumbled as your heels clicked against the wooden boardwalk.
Your gold dress complimented the color worn by your new “girlfriend” for the evening, Sarah Fidel, who you had learned was the computer analyst of the team. Part of you wondered if she had been the one to dig up the information about your cousin. Upon hearing your words, Sarah stopped within her tracks, before turning upon her heel to face you. Her coworker, Orson Fortune, quickly did the same.
“Oh sweetheart you’ll be fine,” Sarah insisted, taking a step towards you. “You just do what you’re good at, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
While the smoothness of Sarah’s voice sent a wave of ease over you, you couldn’t help but feel as if Orson and herself were trying to corner you. Taking a step backwards, you watched as Sarah’s eyes lit up in amusement.
“Easy for you to say, you’re not having to put on a show for a bunch of killers.” you huffed, gesturing towards the yacht.
“Come on, I’m sure you didn’t win all those big movie awards for nothing.” Sarah teased.
A small groan left your lips as Sarah took the opportunity to move beside you. Swiftly brushing against your hip, she looped her arm with yours. Her nails ran against your skin in small circular patterns, a motion meant to soothe your nerves. Swallowing harshly, you ignored the flutter within your stomach as you fixated on the touch.
“How do we know she won’t crack?” Orson asked, raising a brow as the three of you began to make your way towards the yacht.
You resisted the urge to roll your eyes at his question. If he was even questioning your mental strength, why bother with the blackmail? There were plenty of other actresses in Hollywood fit for saving the world.
“Relax baby, she won’t.” Sarah insisted, and you couldn’t help but feel the slightest tug of disappointment within your chest at the pet name.
Was she with the other agent? You doubted it given the narrowed glance that painted Orson’s expression. Pushing the feeling aside, you took a deep breath as the yacht grew closer. It was just an act, you weren’t actually jealous were you? You barely knew the agent.
“Showtime.” Sarah hummed, pulling you closer against her side as the two of you stepped onto the luxury boat.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
There were a lot more people than you expected.
Laughter rang around you like a duet of melodic bells, causing your attention to occasionally drift over to the different clusters of attendees. You clung to a glass of champagne, the stem practically shaking under your anxious grasp. Bringing it up to your lips, the alcohol stung at tongue as you forced it down your throat.
“Well I’ll be damned, it’s not every day we’re in the presence of a star.”
The compliment came from Greg Simmonds, an incredibly wealthy arms broker that stood before you. The very one you had been tasked to distract. A forced polite smile tugged at the corner of your lips as Sarah gently squeezed your arm.
“That’s what you normally tell me when we’re in bed, right dear?” she teased, earning a round of laughter from the men around you.
Instinctively your cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as your head snapped towards her direction. A playful smirk painted Sarah’s expression, and if you squinted you could practically see the amusement behind your eyes.
“Seems you got yourself a catch,” Greg commented, offering a wink before taking a sip of his own drink.
His old fashion somehow looked even less appetizing than your champagne.
“Isn’t she?” you replied, causing Sarah to scrunch her nose up at you.
A gesture that caused your expression to soften for a moment. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but with every second that passed, Sarah’s touch upon you felt more real than before. You bit the inside of your cheek, attempting to deter the thought away. You couldn’t think like that, you were on the job. She was just acting, just as you were. If you were even acting at all.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
“So this acting style of yours, how does it work?” Greg asked, after about three rounds of drinks later.
You could’ve swore the yacht was rocking back and forth. Taking a deep breath, your cheeks remained a soft shade of scarlet as Sarah sat upon your lap. Your arms remained lazily wrapped around her waist in a natural manner. Almost as if the two of you had done this before. Her own arm was draped over your shoulder, tracing idle circles as you talked.
“Hm, method acting?” you asked, tilting your head. You resisted the urge to shiver as Sarah’s tracings grew close to your neck. “It’s simple really. You put yourself into the headspace of your character in order to understand them better. Some actors will go for weeks acting like the part in their daily life.”
Greg set down his glass, astonishment laced within the creases of his face. “Incredible. Did you do that for your recent movie?”
You giggled softly against Sarah at the question, your answer leaving your lips before you could even think.
“Well, I always do method for romance films. I’m in a romance movie every time I step into Micheala’s presence.”
Thankfully you had used Sarah’s pseudonym, despite your clear drunkness. Turning her attention towards you, a chuckle slipped from Sarah’s lips as she gently reached for your chin. Tilting it up with her free hand, she paused for a moment as if she were calculating her next move. You wondered if her brain operated similar to the computers that always occupied her fingers. She was so intelligent, so diligent, that you honestly were surprised when you had heard she had been new to the team. Her gaze flickered to your lips for a moment before pressing a gentle kiss against them. You smiled against her lips as you tasted the red wine that lingered upon them.
It was for the act, you reminded yourself.
It wasn’t real.
Unfortunately, you couldn’t say the same for the storm of butterflies threatening to erupt from your stomach.
As she pulled away from the kiss, her fingers still remained upon your chin for a moment. A faint pout formed upon your expression at the absence of her cherry wine lips, causing herself and the group around you to laugh.
“The power of a woman.” Greg joked, raising his glass in honor of Sarah.
Everyone else followed suit, their glasses mirroring the billionaires. Through a flustered state, your own glass is raised. Sarah grinned at the motion before dramatically bowing at the gesture.
“Thank you, thank you. I’ll be here all night.” she joked.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
“Sweetheart?”
Sarah’s words tugged you from your thoughts as you immediately shift your attention towards the brunette. Greg really needed to stop buying you drinks. He had introduced the two of you to another group of billionaires, though frankly you hadn’t been listening enough to catch their names. They simply appeared as two tech geniuses. Though, you figured if they had been put in a room with Sarah, she could easily outskill them.
“Hm?” you responded, slightly dazed.
Keeping her arm around your waist, she gently squeezed it as she stood beside you. Pulling you into an embrace, you melted as her lips brushed against your ear.
“We’re clear to head back.” she whispered quietly.
Your expression faltered at her words.
Going back meant going back to reality.
Going back to simply being co-workers at the very most.
“But we haven’t won the bid yet.” you protested, earning a confused smile from Sarah.
“What do you mean?”
“The painting you liked. The one with the couple picnicking in Italy. I haven’t won it yet.”
Sarah’s eyes softened for a second. Tracing small patterns against the back of your neck, she smiled.
“Oh honey, you don’t have to.”
“I want to.” you insisted, before shifting your attention over to the auctioneer.
Setting your glass of champagne down, you waved him over. Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but before the words could leave her lips you quickly asked for the price of the painting.
“This one is half a million, madam.” the auctioneer explained.
Sarah’s eyes widened as you reached into your clutch. Swiftly, you grabbed your checkbook and began to write.
“I’ll take it.” you replied, slipping the check into the auctioneer’s hand.
Greg chuckled at the sight as he slapped his hand against your shoulder.
“Atta girl. I must say Michaela, I’m jealous. You must be a witch to have this one wrapped around your finger.”
Sarah innocently laughed as she waved her fingers dramatically.
“Watch out or you’ll be under my spell next.”
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
While Sarah had to practically drag you off of the yacht and away from Greg’s antics, the mission had been a success. Giggling softly, you stumbled against Sarah as she helped you onto the private jet’s leather sofa. JJ, another agent on the team, widened his eyes as he raised a brow at Sarah.
“How much did you let her drink?” he asked, baffled as Sarah shot him an annoyed glance.
“Greg kept buying rounds for her.” she insisted, as you held your arms out for her.
“He was so cool, you’re so cool,” you rambled drunkenly.
Sarah ran a hand through her hair before gently patting your thigh. “Mhm sweetheart.”
Peering back at JJ, she mouthed for him to grab you a glass of water. Quickly moving towards the back of the plane, he reached into the mini fridge before pulling out the nearest bottle of water. Tossing it to Sarah, she twisted the cap off before holding it up to your lips. You pouted against the rim.
“Drink.” she commanded, narrowing her gaze at you.
You shook your head in protest. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Sarah groaned quietly as JJ chuckled.
“Have fun with that.” JJ snickered.
“Thanks.” Sarah shot back sarcastically.
Turning her attention back to you, she thought for a moment before sitting upon your lap. Instinctively, you let out a soft gasp, giving Sarah enough room to tilt the water into your mouth. Your cheeks reddened as you wrapped your arms around Sarah’s waist. Pulling the bottle away, Sarah grinned in triumph as you rested your head against her shoulder.
“See, that wasn’t so hard was it?” she teased, rubbing gentle circles against your back.
You didn’t respond, but Sarah hadn’t expected you to. She could feel the steadiness of your heartbeat as you drifted off to sleep.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The next time you had fallen victim to Greg’s infinite round of drinks, you were in Turkey.
It was another job, one you had drunkenly agreed to on the Yacht. Frankly, you hadn’t even remembered agreeing to until Sarah had reminded you of the next morning. Her gaze towards you had shifted over the past couple of the days, her eyes holding a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
“So, how’d you get into character for this?” Sarah asked curiously.
She stood across from you in the lavish hot tub that sat within Greg’s estate. The sun had fallen now, leaving the two of you alone outside. Sarah wore a black bikini alongside the diamonds that adorned her neck. You couldn’t help but fixate on the way her hair barely grazed against the water. Realizing she had asked you a question, you quickly snapped out of your staring before taking a sip of your margarita.
“Hm?”
“Acting. Did you use method for all this too?” she asked, raising a brow at you as she mirrored your action with her tequila sunrise.
Laughing quietly, you set down your drink against the edge of the hot tub before shaking your head.
“I don’t need to use method for this.” you replied, earning a curious smirk from Sarah.
“Oh?” she asked, shifting against the water. “Why’s that, sweetheart?”
You shrugged as your attention shifted towards the sky. The stars seemed almost more vibrant in Turkey, though you never had time to study them in Hollywood. Back home it was always work and never anytime to actually take in the world around you.
“Method would mean that I would have to get into a headspace that I don’t have, or embrace feelings that I don’t already feel.” you explained.
The tequila was making your body feel warm. Something flickered within Sarah’s glance, something soft and warm.
“Oh? Are you telling me that you already have feelings for me, Miss Hollywood Star?” she teased.
Once again, the tequila spoke for you.
“Who wouldn’t? You’re incredible. The way you carry yourself from how smart you are, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who is as well versed as you are. You make everyone laugh, even when the room was silent before. Not to mention you’re stunning, and I just,” you rambled, cutting yourself off as you feel Sarah’s wide eyed gaze upon you.
Instantly you turn a cherry red.
“You just what?”
“I just really like you.”
A gentle smile tugged at Sarah’s lips as her own cheeks held a hint of pinkness to them. Pushing herself from the wall of the hot tub, she gently reached out for your hands to pull you into her. Rising to your feet, you stumbled slightly as your arms found their way to her shoulders. Studying you for a moment, Sarah gently tucked a loose strand of your hair behind your ear before letting her fingers linger upon your jaw.
“You’re cute when you’re drunk, you know that?” she whispered, grinning quietly.
“Does this mean you like me too?”
“Oh my god, you dork. Yes I really like you too.”
Laughing softly at your drunken question, Sarah gently pulled your face towards her before pressing her lips against your own under the starlight. Yet, out of all of the stars in the sky, the only one she truly cared about was right there in her arms.
I’m the Sarah Fidel anon and I’m so excited that you’re enjoying the movie! It’s my comfort movie and Sarah is very much my comfort character. I’m also (selfishly) excited that this means the fic must be coming soonish 😊
it was so good omg i loved it!! i think sarah is lowkey becoming a comfort character for me as well, so definitely expect more fics of her after this!! i’m working on your request today so it’ll hopefully be out tonight or tomorrow!!
I love your writing! I’m very curious about your process. Do you have a lot of WIPs at once or just one? Do you have designated writing time/a writing schedule or just write whenever you feel like it? Do you do lots of planning or just kinda wing it?
aaa i’m so glad you like it!! 🫶 when it comes to my writing process i’m lowkey all over the place. i usually have around four WIPs at a time (my horror manuscript i plan to publish, screenplays, maiden mother crone, and fic one shots).
for my horror manuscript, i’ve a set word count i’ve to hit every day to reach a deadline, so rather than scheduling in a time to work on it, i just work on it throughout the day to hit my word count (usually 3k to 7k a day).
maiden mother crone is a bit different because the chapters average between 5k-20k depending on how many routes i add. usually i try and complete one character route a day per chapter, which normally takes me 3-4 hours.
one shots and screenplays i kinda do sporadically, usually whenever i’ve free time between other projects. one shots i can typically get done fairly quick (my riley johnson one took around 2 hours) while screenplays normally take me a day if it’s a short film.
planning looks a lot different for each work.
for my horror manuscript, i took an entire week to write a 10k word outline that tells me exactly what will happen in each chapter so that way i don’t get writer’s block. i used an app called plottr to make outlines for longer works!
maiden mother crone on the other hand, is completely different. i use an app called milanote that lets me make little boxes and connect them to one another to outline the routes and choices. unlike my horror manuscript, i do very brief details for mmc’s outline.
one shots and screenplays i go off of ✨vibes✨, unless it’s a feature length film, then i’ll outline with plottr.
