Thanks for the message, Anon. 😃 (This is a long one, folks.)
The Amateur stars and director break down that twist ending — and plans for a sequel
"There is room for many of these people to come back and for us to see what lies ahead for Charlie Heller," Rami Malek tells EW.
Rami Malek in 'The Amateur'. / Credit: John Wilson/20th Century Studios
Key Points:
The Amateur stars Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne, along with director James Hawes, break down the movie's twist ending.
The trio reveals that the final scene between Heller and Henderson was not in the original script and was shot later to set up future movies.
The actors and filmmaker confirm they all want to return for sequels.
This article contains spoilers for The Amateur.
The Amateur stars Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne, along with director James Hawes, are ready to get back in the field and turn their espionage thriller into a franchise. But if Malek's CIA decoder Charlie Heller returns for a sequel, it's going to need a new title.
While the introverted, risk-averse, desk jockey starts off as a true amateur when it comes to spycraft, by the end of the film, he proves he's got what it takes to be a professional secret agent.
Based on the novel by Robert Littell, the movie follows Heller as he embarks on a quest for revenge against the terrorists who killed his wife (played by Rachel Brosnahan). After he discovers the CIA covered up more than 1,000 casualties in illegal operations, Heller uses that information to blackmail Deputy Director Moore (Holt McCallany) into approving his mission. Still, the data analyst knows he needs combat training, so he also demands lessons from Col. Henderson (Fishburne) — known by "Hendo" to his friends (which does not include Heller).
Rami Malek in 'The Amateur'. / John Wilson/20th Century Studios
Against all odds, and to everyone's shock, Heller actually succeeds in getting his revenge. He kills three out of the four terrorists responsible for his wife's murder — accidentally causing Gretchen (Barbara Probst) to get hit by a car, intentionally dropping Blazhic (Marc Rissman) 16 stories by cracking a glass-bottomed pool, and blowing up Ellish (Joseph Millson) with a homemade IED. But when it came to the fourth and final terrorist, their leader, Schiller (Michael Stuhlbarg), Heller threw everyone for a twist.
At first, it seems like he's going to shoot Schiller point-blank, but he ultimately decides he doesn't need to kill him to get his revenge. Instead, Heller outsmarts him by secretly luring Schiller's ship into Finnish waters after tipping off the Finnish Navy and Interpol, who promptly commandeer the vessel and arrest him. This way, Heller kills two birds with one stone, getting his revenge on Schiller while also exposing his illegal dealings with Deputy Director Moore. By the end of the movie, CIA Director O'Brien (Julianne Nicholson) announces in a press conference that Moore has been arrested and that Charlie "is safe and will continue to serve with the agency."
It's the kind of ending that perfectly sets up sequels — and Malek says that's "of course" their ultimate goal. "We would love for people to appreciate this film on its own as a standalone feature — if it resonated with people, that would be enough for me," he tells Entertainment Weekly. "But to take Charlie’s story into further iterations would be an absolute joy."
Laurence Fishburne and Rami Malek in 'The Amateur'. / 20th Century Studios
Malek "would love to continue" working with Hawes "and this extraordinary cast we assembled, so many of which I have been dying to work with," in the future. "There is room for many of these people to come back and for us to see what lies ahead for Charlie Heller," Malek adds. "He is a battered, broken soul with so much vulnerability but an immense amount of strength that we could find avenues to venture into again."
Hawes says that any decisions about future movies lie with 20th Century Studios but adds that he's extremely interested in making sequels. "The best thing for me to come out of this was the fact that, at the end of it, people were going, 'I have to see what happens to Charlie and Hendo next,'" the director says. "And that was almost by accident — that last scene where they re-meet again was additional photography.
That final scene sees Henderson reunite with Heller after nearly dying towards the end of the film. Henderson pops up in the backseat of his former pupil's car to say he's proud of his success. He also seems to tease more adventures together, leaving him with, "See you around, Charlie."
That [scene] was not in the original script, but we felt that there was something so satisfying in that kind of tutor-mentor relationship that we could take that further," Hawes reveals. "And we wanted the rounding off, we wanted the bookends, we wanted the satisfaction of learning that Hendo was still definitely alive, not just a question mark at the end of the movie. The studio will think about it, obviously, and it depends how people respond to it, but it just felt like that connection had much more traveling to do."
Fishburne tells EW that "it was lovely" to have that final moment. "As we were shooting the movie, they realized that there was something really, really special about Rami and I being on screen together and that people would want more of it," he says. "[Henderson's original ending] was left up in the air, and I think that was deliberate. It was not clear one way or the other how it was going to play out."
If a sequel is greenlit, Hawes already has ideas for what it could entail. "The eventual development has got to be, and this is epic and classic, and it's in mythology, and it's in Star Wars, it's the gradual development of the teacher and the pupil, and the point at which the two reverse," the director says. "Some element of that is already happening. But first of all, you'd want to see them as sidekicks — the least likely sidekicks ever. And it would be the strangest kind of buddy spy movie."
Fishburne is absolutely down to return to the character to make that happen. "Of course," he says. "I mean, if the fates allow that to happen, that would be wonderful, wouldn't it? We certainly have the desire [to work together again]."
The Amateur is playing now in theatres.
Entertainment Weekly
• • •
Caitríona Balfe opens up about possible prequel to her new spy film and Irish action heroes
Four-minute 📹 available @ Joe
‘We should have an Irish action hero, shouldn’t we?’
Irish actress Caitríona Balfe (Belfast, Outlander) is among the stars of the new action spy revenge thriller The Amateur, which is in cinemas today (Friday, 11 April).
The movie sees Oscar-winner Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) play Charlie Heller, a brilliant but deeply introverted techwiz and decoder for the CIA whose life is turned upside down when his wife (Rachel Brosnahan, James Gunn’s Superman) is killed in a London terrorist attack.
When his superiors (led by Holt McCallany, Mindhunter) refuse to take action against the people behind the murder, Charlie uses his access to CIA intelligence to blackmail his bosses into giving him training, cash and a new identity. This is so that he himself can trek across the globe to find and kill those responsible.
Balfe, meanwhile, plays the enigmatic Inquiline – a long-distance acquaintance of Charlie from Russia, who winds up helping him on this quest.
We here at JOE enjoyed The Amateur – writing that it mined plenty of thrills from its tantalising premise, which is basically: “What if Q from the James Bond films went into the field on a vengeance mission?”
Another great aspect of the film is Inquiline, a character that Balfe describes to JOE as both a “hero” and a “champion”.
Without spoiling, over the course of the story, the character reveals herself as being not what people expect of her at first. This is as the audience comes to learn her fascinating backstory about how she came to be involved in hacking and spycraft.
As such, when we spoke to the Irish actress, we had to ask if there could ever be a prequel film or series about Inquiline if The Amateur is a success.
To this, Caitríona Balfe replied:
“I mean, who knows right? You’ve said it now so maybe, we’ll just have to have words in somebody’s ears. But yeah, it would be cool to see her whole backstory.
“It’s somebody who when you meet her, you realise that there’s been a whole life there and it sounds very interesting. So, you never know.”
Also, given Balfe has played a Russian action hero in The Amateur and a British action hero in the hit series Outlander, JOE had to ask if we will ever see her play an Irish action hero someday.
“Oh, I mean, we should have an Irish action hero, shouldn’t we? That would be fun,” she responded. “Yeah, I don’t know, we need to create one, don’t we?”
The actress, who has also been doing more producing and directing in recent years, then added, laughing: “Maybe that’s what I need to do.”
The Amateur is in cinemas now.
Remember… if a sequel is greenlit, (James) Hawes (the film’s director) already has ideas for what it could entail.
It's been mentioned several times in the story that Soowon's ultimate goal is to conquer Kai, the biggest threat to Kouka.
However, from the way the story's going, I feel like the manga will end before that happens. Right now we're in the final arc and the last villains seem to be the dragon gods. It looks like there's no room for a second war with South Kai and even less one with North Kai, which leads me to think about the possibility of a sequel in which Kouka conquers the two Kais.
One might think that in the last chapter we'll get a prologue in which we learn that both North and South Kai were subjugated, but I feel like it'd be too underwhelming. I believe that South Kai isn't doomed yet. While Kouka might've defeated the majority of its armies, Mei-Nyan did mention that they could request reinforcements from North Kai if needed, and that South Kai had 8 great generals.
We've only seen 5 out of the 8, and it seems North Kai's troops weren't requested during the previous battle, which means South Kai still got a few assets up its sleeve. I would find it a shame if all these details were skipped/ forgotten and we only got two panels that said South Kai was conquered.
As for North Kai, only one of its provinces was conquered by Kouka: the Sen province formerly ruled by Lee Hazara. The rest of the country is still vast and could pose a threat, especially since the country seems to be infested with greedy powerful families.
We were also teased about their empror, his name is "Sheng Hong" and apparently he's cousin with Chagol?!Lmao.
In any case, I wouldn't want for all this info to be swept under the rug. It would be nice if we could expand on it properly in a sequel instead of rushing things in the prologue.
All this to say that if we're lucky enough to have a sequel about the conquest of the two Kais, I'd like it to focus on the same cast of main characters we've had 'till now instead of their children. I dislike Boruto types of stories and while I do want to see the children, I believe they're better off as side characters. When the children take the lead the parents oftenly get nerfed or disappear with little to no explanation.
What do you think about all of this? Do you believe in the possibility of a sequel? And what would you like to see in it?
God I'd read the hell out of an interactive where we play as a runaway Blood Guard. Is that something you're actually planning on making?
Maybe 👀😅 I'll wait and see how well-received COE is once it's eventually released and whether I'm in the mood to do another fantasy IF that will probably take another five years to develop 😓🥲
Bro I can just imagine the yanderes that weren’t picked in the hot yandere singles story just…sticking around? Like yanderes don’t give up so it’s expected that…some of them hung around. *wink wink* possible harem
I know it’s all talk at this point, but there’s SO much that can be explored for a sequel. At least Casarosa isn’t completely saying no to the possibilities.
While my Luberto-loving heart wants a sequel where the two get together, I’ll honestly be happy with whatever they give us. (There’s always fan fiction, right?) But the whole Alberto taking a home ec class so he can learn how to cook and clean is just downright hilarious to me. 😂
This is dark!(mob)Loki and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.
Summary: You (literally) run into a powerful man but find it hard to shake him.
Note: So we’re taking a tiny break from Painted Windows. The last chapter was intense and even my heart needs some respite. So I let myself wonder down the backstreets and wrote some mob!Loki with a good chance of a sequel.
Thank you. Love you guys!
Please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3
After a long day and a longer week, you were looking forward to the small get together. Several nights in a row you came home late and gulped down a microwave dinner before passing out on the couch. An unglamorous life, to say the least.
For Nisha’s birthday, you agreed to meet up at a nice restaurant downtown for drinks and hopefully dinner. Tiana and Ana were already there with Nisha as you rushed in. You weren’t used to being the last to arrive. Usually you were the first there and waiting for at least twenty minutes.
You gave a frantic greeting to the small group and dropped your purse in your empty chair.
“I’m so sorry. Nisha, happy birthday but I’m gonna burst,” You said as you caught your breath.
They laughed at your panic and waved you towards the restrooms. You snaked around tables and to the narrow hall that led to the facilities. You were quick to sweep inside and into a stall. Your pants were barely past your thighs before you sat; the stream was painful and squeezed your bladder terribly. You sighed and took a moment to gather yourself as soft classical music plucked from the speakers.
Finished, you washed your hands and stared at yourself in the mirror. Your jacket hung open over your flowery blouse and pressed slacks. You wore a pair of low wedges that gave you a few inches. You were exhausted and you looked it. A night of drinking would surely wake you up… or at least lull you into the sleep you’d been lacking.
You smoothed out your shirt and slipped out of the jacket. You slung it over your arm and tried to fix your hair as best as you could. Your latest client was demanding and worse, a perfectionist. Usually, your suggestions were accepted without a single glance but Stacey Forrest was very particular. She needed to impress her new circle of peers; many twenty years her senior. Just thinking of her stabbed your temples with frustration.
You shook off the moment of chagrin and took a breath. Work was done. You had Saturday to sleep off the hangover you planned on feeding tonight. Sunday was far away at the present.
You pushed open the door and strolled back to the dining room. You spotted the table of women awaiting you, giggling as they sipped from their respective glasses, and set off to join them. In your tunnel vision, you didn’t notice the party to your right. The man whom you walked directly into and barely kept you from tripping over his leather shoes. You were so embarrassed, you hardly realized how the entire room had gone silent.
You backed up and slipped free of the man’s grasp. You looked up at him and caught your coat before it could fall to the floor.
“Oh, sorry,” You said as your cheeks burned. “I wasn’t…” You glanced around. “Paying attention…”
“It’s quite alright,” The lilt in his voice surprised you as much as the glimmer in his green eyes. “These things happen.”
“Yeah, I… Sorry again.” You sidestepped between some tables. “Um, okay.”
You spun away awkwardly as you tried to ignore your audience. Even Nisha, Tiana, and Ana had turned to watch the debacle. Well, the night was never complete without you making a fool of yourself. You hung your coat over the back of your chair and moved your purse as you sat. The room was still in a hush.
“Smooth,” Tiana raised her brows.
“Shut up,” You grumbled.
“Only you.” Nisha chided.
You peeked around at those who whispered around you and followed their own attention to the man you’d nearly tackled. He was with a group of several men and was shown to a booth near the back of the restaurant. You turned back and shook your head.
“I need a drink.” You declared.
“I’d say you do,” Tiana shook her head. “And a knock in the head.”
“You do know who’s foot you just stomped, right?” Ana asked.
“When do I ever know what is going on?” You said dryly. “So we doing just drinks or dinner?”
“She doesn’t even care,” Tiana gasped. “We should leave before she gets in anymore trouble.”
“Oh my god, what is the big deal?” You demanded.
“Take another look at that man,” Ana intoned.
You huffed and turned in your chair. You looked at the man as the server listened intently to him and you felt as if he was familiar but you couldn’t place him. He smiled at the waiter and then his eyes met yours. You blinked and spun back so quickly your chair wobbled. You shrugged as you steadied yourself.
“His name, which I’m sure will shake something loose, is Loki Laufeyson.” Tiana scoffed. “You might have heard that somewhere through that haze you call sentience.”
Your eyes rounded. A waitress appeared and asked for an order. You opted for gin on ice and rubbed your forehead.
“Shit.” You swore. “Well, I mean, it was just an accident. Not like I pulled a gun on him.”
“You scuffed his shoe,” Ana mused. “I’ve heard stories of him taking offence at less.”
“Don’t,” You warned. “I already have enough on my plate without worrying about…” You lowered your voice. “...the mob.”
“Oh, we’re teasing you,” Tiana insisted. “So how is Mrs. Forrest.”
“Nee Marris,” Ana added.
“Oh, you know, the same girl she was in uni,” You grinned. “Only this time she’s married her sugar daddy.”
“And she hired you to style her new house?” Nisha asked.
“Manse,” You corrected her. “As she prefers.”
“Definitely hasn’t changed,” Tiana smirked.
You all laughed as the waitress set your drink in front of you and you thanked her. You continued to gab over your menus and eventually ordered. You forgot about the bumpy beginning and were soon lost in the cheer. You had longed for a night out. A rare occasion when you reverted to the college girl procrastinating on her studying.
When your dinner came, so did another round of drinks. You paused and stopped the waitress before she could flit away.
“Sorry, but we didn’t order another round,” You wondered.
“Compliments of Mr. Laufeyson,” She said quietly.
You froze and the other women looked at you curiously. You raised a brow and tried to subtly look over your shoulder. You didn’t turn all the way as you sensed another’s gaze on you.
“You can thank him but we can pay for them,” You insisted. “Really…”
The waitress blanched and your friends tittered.
“Oh, what’s the harm,” Nisha chimed. “Better than him sending something else.”
“Loosen up,” Tiana took a large gulp. “The free drink should help with that.
You sighed and Anna added to the plea with a grin. You rubbed your chin and relented. “You can thank Mr. Laufeyson.”
She exhaled in relief and agreed to do so. You grabbed your glass reluctantly and sneered at the girls before you forced your finest smile. You turned and found the man in question watching you. You raised your glass at him as a gratitude and quickly righted yourself in your chair.
“Oh,” Ana preened. “You think he’d pay for the whole meal? Give him a wink or something.”
“An,” You warned. “Really. That’s not the type of man you want to owe favours.”
“Really?” Tiana challenged. “Twenty minutes ago you barely recognized him.”
“Maybe not but I’d heard of him and his… supposed deeds.” You said. “You aren’t really encouraging this, are you?”
“He must like the whole clueless vibe you’ve got going for you,” Tiana trilled. “Rather endearing even if it does leave your toes a bit tender.”
“Hush,” You hissed. “Really. Let’s eat and then we shall relocate so that I do not entangle myself further with thugs.”
They laughed and you flaked away a piece of salmon with your fork. You shook your head. You had the sense of being watched and didn’t need to look to know why. It sent a frightful tickle along your spine. You were always quite skilled at walking, or rather, tripping head first into trouble.
🐍
That night was just another fleeting thrill in a series of missteps that never quite came to fruition. You didn’t need to worry about the mobster or your little stumble. Sometimes a kind gesture was just that and a coincidence was nothing more. No serendipity, no fate, just another anecdote about how your clumsiness had nearly gotten you in trouble.
You finished your dinner and found your way to a pub just down the way. The music was a little young for your tastes but the cocktails were on special and it wasn’t too rowdy. It was like Sex and the City but duller; and likely sadder. You shared stories of failed dates, workplaces peeves, and the latest drama witnessed on the tube. Provoking stuff.
Nisha crashed at yours. You woke on the couch, the birthday girl was offered the bed. You drank coffee with the curtains drawn but she didn’t wake up until noon. When she did, she finished the pot and dressed in her wrinkled clothing. You saw her off to the station and stopped by the shop for some orange juice and paracetamol.
You spent the rest of the day in the dark with Netflix in the background. You dreaded another day of Stacey’s obstinacy. What kind of person needed more than a dozen bedrooms in one house? Oh, and she did mention their summer house in the south? Well, if you couldn’t start appeasing her Cher Horowitz tastes, she might not need you for that.
The only thing you could do to prepare was set your alarm and sleep off your hangover. When you woke, the ice pick had dislodged from your skull and the fog outside helped mute the harshness of the sun. You dressed, had your coffee, a small breakfast, and readied to face off with Stacey.
The drive was an hour out of the city. Your small car puttered along but never failed to get you where you needed. You sang along to Petula Clark on the scratchy radio station as you yawned over the steering wheel. The old house rose before you; a hideous mishmash of an old Tudor cottage and a modern geometric renovation.
You drove up the winding drive and around the back. Classified as a member of the help, you weren’t permitted to park with the Bentley and the Rolls. You didn’t recognize the Aston Martin but you assumed it was another of Mr. Forrest’s associates. You climbed out, locked your car, and dropped your keys in your pocket.
There was a backdoor, formerly the entrance to the servants’ quarters, and you ducked through the arched doorway. The old corridor had recently been remodelled with a couple guestrooms, a modified laundry room, and a wine cellar. Paintings left by the former owners had been reframed and hung. Stacey couldn’t decide if she wanted to be old aristocracy or the new age elite.
You found Stacey in the kitchen. Her assistant, Deanna, was making her a green smoothie. She greeted you with a smile and flicked her finger across her tablet.
“Just in time,” She beckoned you over as Deanna set the glass down beside her. “I was thinking this lamp would be perfect for the master.”
You looked at the image. The clear glass body of the lamp was filled with large round sequins; a fishtank of tackiness with a feather shade. You had to hide your distaste.
“It could work,” You allowed, “But we would have to revert a few other choices.”
“Revert?” Her voice went deep and she sipped noisily through her straw.
“The curtains. You want sheen or lace. Not both.”
“Hmm,” She pressed her lips together. “I suppose. We could still have the curtains, they would be cute in the loo.”
“Cute,” You repeated as you resisted a laugh. “Well, as long as we keep to that theme in there.”
“I was talking to Paul,” She batted her lashes as she always did when she spoke of her husband; you suspected she held more affection for his last name and wallet than his person. “He did mentioned he wouldn’t mind a hint of snakeskin in his office. He doesn’t want anything too stuffy or old.”
“Oh yes, he is one for the… younger tastes,” You intoned. “We could probably work it in subtly. We don’t want it to be overbearing.”
“I suppose…” She rolled her eyes and took another long drink. “Well, I’ve tracked down those lamps in the city. I say we go and have a look around the boutique while we pick them up. Perhaps we can muster some inspiration, maybe even some imagination.”
You smiled and accepted the rebuke in stride. “At your leisure, Mrs. Forrest.”
“Stacey,” She corrected. “You know that makes me feel old.”
“Stacey,” You repeated and leaned on the counter.
“I’ll just finish this and then I’ll have Stuart drive us into the city.”
“I have a car,” You offered.
“And so do I. It’s much nicer,” She insisted. “And we will discuss ideas on the w--”
She turned completely in the tall chair and stood. “Paul,” She greeted her husband in a sing song.
You watched her and angled yourself to keep your eye on her. Paul’s silver hair was thinning and still wore hints of the black dye he’d used to reclaim his youth upon his wedding day. His wrinkles deepened as he grinned and welcomed her against him. She wore stilettos and a skirt so tight it looked painful.
Your amusement dwindled as another figure appeared behind him. You recognised the man immediately. It hadn’t been two days since your first and last encounter. As you remembered him, you were sure he remembered you. You were convinced of it as his green eyes sparkled and he smirked in your direction.
“Sweetheart, I thought you’d be off already,” Paul’s arm held Stacey around her waist. “I was just discussing our renovations with Mr. Laufeyson on his way out and was about to show him the east wing.”
“We were just on our way,” She announced. “We’ve some items to pick up for the master and soon enough we’ll move onto the rest of guest rooms.”
“Mr. Laufeyson,” Paul turned back to his visitor, his arm still around his young wife, “Pardon my negligence, this is Stacey’s designer.” He introduced you kindly. He might have been an easy dupe but he was nice enough. “They go back a ways. To university I believe.”
“Oh yes, I was in fashion and she was in interior, and so we ran into each other a couple times a year,” Stacey explained. “She always did have a good eye.”
“Ah,” Laufeyson neared and held out his hand cordially. You eyed it and the scene of you crashing into him replayed in your head. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” You shook his hand awkwardly and prayed Stacey would not stay too long to boast.
“Actually,” He let go slowly, “If you’re not too tied up at the moment, I have a place not far from here that needs a breath of fresh air. You see, it was my father’s and it still bears much of his tastes. Not very akin to my own but I am terribly obtuse at these things.”
“Hmm, well,” You swallowed and looked to Stacey, “My roster is rather full at the moment. How many rooms did you say there were in this place, Mrs. Forrest?”
“Oh, but she is not that burdened, Mr. Laufeyson.” Stacey insisted. “We have sorted plans for most of the rooms. You might take her on the odd days, if you wish?”
Your nostrils flared. She acted as if she owned you. As if you were to be lent out like one of her designer dresses.
“I do have a waiting list--”
“We are old friends,” She interjected, “As a favour from me, Mr. Laufeyson, as a thank you for your wonderful wedding gift, you might have a consultation upon us. Right, Paul?”
“Oh, yes,” He seemed to have awoken from a trance at the mention of his name. “That old place your father kept, it could use a good dusting.”
You glared at Stacey. If she wasn’t paying twice your hourly rate, you might have walked out. You quickly wiped away your chagrin as the attention turned back to you.
“Well, I suppose if Mrs. Forrest can spare me…”
“Tomorrow,” Stacey affirmed. “Leave the address with Paul and she’ll meet with you in the morning. I can survive the day without her. The contractors will be back for the west wing.”
🐍
The next morning, you left early to make sure you arrived on time, all so that you could eventually leave on time. Mr. Laufeyson’s house was not far from the Forrests’. You pulled up to the tall gates and rolled down your window to push the buzzer. A voice rose from the crackly speaker and you called out your purpose several times before you were understood.
The wrought iron gates finally opened and you pulled through slowly. The drive was even longer than Stacey’s and the house grander. It was indeed old-fashioned. You pulled up before the large garage off the side of the house and stepped out onto the cobblestone. Your thick heel skidded over them and you nearly tripped. You locked your car and carefully walked along to the front steps.
You climbed them carefully but stumbled up the last. As you fell and scraped your hands on the stone porch, you heard the door open. You looked up and cringed as Mr. Laufeyson looked down at you. He stepped out onto the porch and you dragged yourself up by the column at the top of the railing.
“You okay?” He touched your elbow gently as you dusted your hands off on your jacket.
“Fine,” You assured him. “You know, gotta make an entrance.
“You’re early,” He said.
“Shall I wait?” You asked.
He chuckled and waved you ahead of him to the door. “Not at all. I’ve been eagerly awaiting you.”
You were silent as you neared the open door and entered the large foyer. He was close behind as he pulled the door closed and you tried not to flinch as he brushed close to you. You looked up at the grand chandelier and the towering portraits of ancestors.
“Where shall we start?” He asked.
“Well, I usually begin with a walk through and then we can go over my notes at the end. Discuss what you want to change, what you’d like to keep,” You took out your notebook as you spoke. “You’ll have a copy of it all. Should you choose to carry out the plans with another designer, you’ll still have them as reference.”
“Very well,” He nodded and you waited for him to lead you; up the stairs, through the door to your left or to your right. Just to start the whole awkward day.
“Mr. Laufeyson?” You glanced over at him and he smirked.
“Loki,” He said. “We can go without the formalities for the day, I think.”
“Loki, where should we start?”
“I know you remember me,” He ignored your question. “And I certainly remember you.”
“I did appreciate the drink,” You said evenly. “And again, I do apologise for my carelessness.”
He considered you a moment. He didn’t move.
“And you know who I am?” He asked.
“Who doesn’t?” You answered as you looked around tensely. Heat began to crawl up your neck.
“A thug, no?” He wondered. You blanched at the word you’d used only days before.
“It was a joke…”
“I do not deny it,” He assured you. “Or take offence. I’ve been called worse.”
You took a deep breath and tapped your pen on your notebook. Your turned to look at him directly.
“Did you bring me here to reprimand me?” You asked.
His smirk remained and he buttoned his jacket.
“I brought you here to rid this place of my father’s stench,” He said coolly. “And because this universe has a peculiar way of aligning the stars.”
“Left, right, or up,” You pointed to each door and then the broad stairway. “We should begin before the time gets ahead of us.”
“We should,” He agreed. “The left, dear.”
🐍
It took you all day to get through every room of the house. As you explored, you pieced together the story of the old place. A family property passed down through the generations. Nobles until the Great War, criminals in its aftermath and since. They hid their delinquency beneath their titles.
Loki seemed to have little love for his late father. His words were resentful. He explained that this was the lesser of two houses; the other was bequeathed to his brother. Expected but still a thorn.
He talked more than you expected, as if to fill the silence as you jotted down notes. Perhaps to loosen your own tongue. A man used to charming others. His words were as useful a weapon as a gun. You found it hard not to let them sway you. It was easy to see him as pleasant when his task was not so odious.
You caught yourself several times. He followed a bit too closely, leaned in a bit too much to look over your shoulders, held doors for you, brushed against you a little too conspicuously. You sensed him closing in the further you delved into the old family stead. Felt him looming around you as you tried to focus on the peeling wallpaper and golden candlesticks.
You were on the third floor. The walls were lined with geometric sconces of the art deco era. They could be restored easily and once more stylish even a century later. You reached the end of the hall and tucked your notebook under your arm as he pushed open the door there. He stepped back and waited for you to enter. You did, cautiously.
You walked the perimeter of the room, around the armoire and the bed, the standing lamp, the curled feet of the night tables. An extravagant fireplace with statues of lions on its mantle gaped back at you. You stopped before it as you scribbled on the paper. You turned and looked around once more.
“Are you set on the bed frame?” You asked. “An antique but clunky.”
“Hmmm,” He thought as he neared the foot of the bed. “I’m not sure.”
“I suppose if you removed the canopy and replaced the duvet it might…” You glanced at him and your eyes strayed behind him. The door was closed. You hadn’t heard it shut. You shook off the tremor and looked back to the tasseled canopy. “It might work but you could free up a lot of space, make it a little more open with something less… imposing.”
He rounded to your side of the bed slowly. He dragged his fingers along the bedding and stopped beside you.
“I think I know what might make it look a little nicer,” He said.
“Oh?” You kept your eyes on your notebook as you scribbled down nonsense.
“Yes,” He lifted his hand from the bed and grabbed your notebook. “I think you might look rather striking in it.”
He dislodged the book from your hand and you tried to catch it before he flung it across the room. You stared up at him in shock and he ripped the pen from your hand in kind. You stepped back, startled.
“Loki,” You gasped. “What are--”
“You knew the kind of man I was back in that restaurant,” He blocked you as you tried to skirt past him. “You knew it at the Forrests’, and yet you came here.”
“I came to work.” You insisted. “I came because another said I would.”
You tried to push past him but he caught you around your waist. He swept you off your feet and swung you onto the bed. You bounced on the mattress and sat up quickly.
“Loki,” You tried to shimmy off the bed. “I don’t--”
He was on top of you before you could get your feet over the edge. He shoved you back down and straddled you beneath him. You tried to wriggle out, tried to push him off, bat him away, but he caught your hands and pinned them to the bed.
“You knew that night who I was and what I can do.” He purred. “And I knew what I would do. Sooner or later.” He leaned over you until his nose almost touched yours. “I knew I would find you again.”
“Please,” You breathed shakily. “Please, you can stop and we can both forget--”
“I can’t forget,” He sneered. “I won’t.”
“Let me go,” You begged. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean for any of it. I said sorry, I--”
“Oh, dear, this isn’t about that,” He rubbed his nose against yours cloyingly. “This is about the way that ass looks in those pants.”
You whined and kicked helplessly beneath him. “Help!” You yelled. “Someone, please!”
“I dismissed the help when you showed up. It’s an empty house, dear,” He rocked his pelvis against yours. “In the middle of the country.”
You grunted in frustration. He sat back and released your hands. He pushed your jacket open. He barely noticed as you slapped his arms and chest. He chuckled even. He tore your blouse and his hands cupped your bra. He squeezed and rocked his hips. He groaned as he groped you.
He slid his body down over yours until he was draped over you. He bent his head to your chest and kissed along your cleavage. You pulled his hair roughly as you tried to wrench him away. A hand slithered up and closed around your throat. He squeezed as his teeth pinched your flesh. You cried out from the pain.
Slowly, he raised his head. A black strand fell across his forehead. “My dear, it means nothing for me to hurt you.” His grip tightened. “So if you insist upon it, I will.”
You grasped at his hand as you tried to breathe. Your eyes watered and you nodded frantically. Your head was starting to throb. He let go and once more buried his head in your chest. His hand crawled back down as he held him over you, he flicked your fly open with one hand and pushed the zipper down slowly.
You were paralysed. Shock, fear, mortification washed over you. You were stupid enough to come hear. Weak enough to go along with Stacey’s demands. And desperate enough to be inflamed by his touch.
His fingers hooked beneath the waist of your pants and the elastic of your panties. He tore them down. He jolted your entire body and backed off of you as he forced them down your legs and over your boots. You tried to sit up but he was quick to shove you back down. He put his arm across your throat and held you there as he pushed his knees between your legs.
You shook and clung to his arm as he leaned on your windpipe.
“Loki…” You pleaded.
He tickled along your thigh and slipped two fingers between your lips. You gulped as he flicked your clit and your thighs tingled. You bit down and he did it again. He delved between your folds and your arousal was soon obvious. He returned to your bud and rubbed until your thighs were tensed against his.
“You can try to resist me, dear,” He snarled. “But know, I’ll always find a way to get to you.”
He shoved his fingers inside and you cried out. He pressed his thumb to your clit as he drew his fingers in and out. You slapped his shoulder and latched onto it as he kept on. You could feel your ascent and he urged you to your tipping point. You moaned and closed your eyes as your body quaked in betrayal. You came on his fingers. You could feel it, hear it.
You tried to catch his breath as he left you empty. He slipped his arm off your throat and leaned on his elbow as he unzipped his trousers. You squirmed and he grabbed a hank of your hair and pulled. You whimpered and he rolled his pants down to his thighs. He dragged his tip along your wet folds and you spread your hands over his chest.
You shook your head and tried to beg with your eyes. You pushed on his chest and he lined himself up with your entrance. He slammed his hips down and you yelped as he impaled you to his limit. Your fingers clawed at the lapels of his jacket as he began to rock. You went limp beneath him as your body buzzed. You were repulsed by how good it felt.
He sat up and grabbed your thighs. He held your legs against him as he watched his cock slide in and out of you. Each thrust came sooner than last, harder than the last, deeper than the last. You reached out and balled the duvet in your fists as you tried to breathe away the mixture of agony and ecstasy. It didn’t work.
You came again. This time you shook even more and exclaimed louder than before. He let go of your left leg and reached to pulled your bra down beneath your tits. He kneaded as he tilted into you.
“Say my name,” He commanded. You shook your head and he pinched your nipple. “Say it!”
“Loki,” You whimpered.
“Again.” He growled.
“Loki,” You repeated.
“Keep going.”
His name tumbled from your lips over and over. Each time he pounded into you, you recited the syllables. You came a third time and covered your face in shame. You were dizzy and confused. He sank into as deep as he could and the bed stilled. You felt him spill inside of you, his cock twitched as he groaned.
You went quiet and all strength drained from your body. He sighed and eased himself out of you. His cum leaked down onto the duvet between your legs as he crawled backward off the bed. You drew your legs together as he stood. He bent to grab your pants from the floor and tossed them over you.
He tucked his cock away and zipped up his fly. He pushed his shoulders back and let out another deep breath. He watched you smugly as you shakily sat up and grasped your pants. His eye brow crooked and he felt around in his jacket as it began to buzz. He pulled out his phone and read the screen.
“That’s the wife,” He said. “Shit. I’ll have to let her know I’m running late.”
You blinked as he turned and answered the phone. Your eyes were wide and your heart seemed to stop as he opened the door and disappeared into the hall. His wife. You hadn’t thought you could feel worse but like many things, you were wrong.
