An Assistant ? | Jaafar!Michael Jackson x Reader
summary: You’ve been given instructions clear as day yet the tasks you’re given makes you wonder, is this really what it’s like being an assistant ?
word count: approx 2.5 k
an: i loved the film so i had to write this!! i may make a part 2 to this and/or write more jaafar!michael pieces lmk what you think!!!
During the protracted car ride, you felt nauseous. The dizziness worsened as the car fastened, the street lights passing by in a flash. Your finger nails dug into the leather seats, clawing at any sensation of being grounded. You were desperate for work, young and
It was hard not to compare yourself to the
young ladies that you considered old peers with. They were either making their names well known in successful careers or were associated with such folks. It was when you looked up and met the unamused and slightly worrying eyes of the driver did your realise your first mistake. Your eyes snapped down and say the white tightness of your knuckles. “Sorry !” You exclaimed, pulling your hand away from the leather. You were about to make a dent.
John Branca, an old friend of your family had graced you with the desperately needed opportunity.
You weren’t looking for anything special. Anything that could you some independence and time away from home.
You knew he worked for well known names in the industry yet your somewhat naiveness failed to make you realise that you would become familiar with them aswell.
“I’ve been struggling for awhile.” You shrugged, slouching in your seat. “You’re still young.” John nodded. “Besides, you still have options. Are you still thinking about college ?” He asks, taking a sip of his drink. “John.” You lean forward, a grave stare in your eyes. “I’ve never been academic !
I don’t really want to work anyway but I’m so sick of my parents telling me that I’m wasting my life away. What what they know anyway because as far as I-
You always caught yourself when you got carried away. A sigh escaped past your lips as you huffed in annoyance.
“I know someone who could use some assistance. Do you have it in you to be an assistant?”
“An assistant ?” You wondered. Not once had it ever crossed your mind. Being someone’s assistant couldn’t be too difficult could it ? You’d handle phone calls and run a couple of errands. Yeah, what else could you expect ?
“It’s Michael Jackson.” John stated calmly.
Your eyes widen in shock.
“As in…the singer ?” Your words fumbled over, your thoughts non clear.
“Do you know any other Michael Jackson by any chance ?” He chuckled and you could only join him, allowing yourself just one moment of ease.
It became suddenly so real when the giant gates opened and the car cruised by the electric fan gathered around, screaming at practically another that went by as an attempt to get a glimpse of the Jackson’s home.
Then the car stopped and you were jolted out of your seat, your head bumping into the passenger seat head rest right in front of you.
You could only grip on your notebook tightly as you opened the car door, your legs slightly shaking as you rose.
“Um..” You paused, your head turned left to right and right to left. John gave you nothing to work with. Surely you weren’t expected to just walk up and knock on the door ?
“Is this the right address ?” Your lame attempt of speaking to the driver was useless as before you could even get your last word in, the driver shamelessly rolled up his window and scurried off, leaving you standing even more dumbfounded than before.
You swiftly turned, hoping to shake off your nerves only to be met with the sight of a roaming peacock.
“Hello…” you mumbled, tiptoeing around the careless creature. As you looked up to look at the massive home, you had to halt your movements to take it all in. Just from the outside you could tell it was a grand home and a well deserved one at best. You could only wonder, if they had peacocks walking around what else did they-
“A giraffe ?!” You gasped, jumping a few paces back. Was the entire garden a zoo by any chance ?
Before you could stare up at the animal any longer, a tall man made his presence known.
“Did John send you ?” A man who you could only assume was security of some sort asked
“I’m y/n !” Your nervousness got the best of you and all you could do was stare up at the man with a crooked smile and a twitching eye. How long does it take for eye contact to be no longer polite ?
The man could only raise a brow as he extended his hand. “I’m Bill, pleasure to meet you. I’m Michael’s personal bodyguard. Follow me.” He nodded before turning straight towards the house. You skittishly followed behind, somewhat grateful for the forwardness amid the confusion.
As you walked into the house you couldn’t believe the sight before you. You’d never seen a finer house, especially one with housekeeping !
A woman walked by, dusting the furniture as another swept the floor. Just then you hear the sound of someone coming down the stairs.
That odd feeling in your stomach returned, leaving you to force your eyes down at your notebook and dreading the moment you’d have to look up again.
“Hello Bill, who is this ?” a soft yet recognisable voice spoke out. Your neck began to ache as you slowly built up the courage to meet his eyes.
Just like that the man himself stood right before you. It was odd really, seeing someone face to face that you thought you would only ever see on television. You got a good look at his dark ethereal eyes and the way thy softened when the light hit them. He wore a plain white shirt that tucked in perfectly at his waist, black jeans and a towel resting on his shoulders as a slight line of sweat formed around his hairline.
The realisation that you were standing still was awfully awkward hit you hard.
“I’m ! I uh-“
Words failed to leave you as you tried.
What was your name again?
Not once in your entire life had you ever been starstruck and yet here you were. Your eyes fell once again and you find yourself staring at his well known shoes along with the white socks.
He must’ve been practicing.
“You don’t like my loafers ?” He teased, a bright smile was evident on his face. His light humour was obvious yet it left you in a panic.
“What ! No I don’t ! I mean yes I do like them I didn’t mean I didn’t it’s just-
You could only close your eyes and wished that the ground would swallow you whole.
Yet it seemed that Michael’s bodyguard came to your aid. “Her name is y/n. Branca sent her.”
“y/n.” Michael nodded. You liked the way it rolled off his tongue. “Pretty name.”
Like a fish out of water your mouth was agape.
“Well I’ve got to get back, was nice meeting you, y/n !” Michael ran back up the stairs as quick as he came down and you were left standing there even more puzzled than before. Bill himself was no help as all he gave was a simple shrug and off he too went.
It was some time later you were called and straight to duty you were ready.
“I need to go to the store.” Michael stated, polite as ever. “Sure ! What do you need ?” You asked, following behind as he strutted towards the car.
“You’ll see.” was all he said with a giggle.
You tilt your head in awe. You never worked for anyone before so you couldn’t really compare but there was something about Michael that made him different from others beside the obvious. Perhaps naively you thought he’d boss you around and would be strict, rude even but it was evident now more than ever that you were wrong.
Were you different compared to other assistants or was it that the person you worked for was different ? It seemed so as you were certain you would be attending some meeting or arrangements and yet here you were… in a toys store. You weren’t expecting to be spoon fed information but the lack of acknowledgment left you baffled. Bill pushed the cart along as you stood by his side, your eyes scanning the list of endless toys, checking them off as you collected each.
You didn’t even realise that Michael wasn’t with you until you turned around and saw Michael hiding around the corner, holding a shooting toy. He smiled at you and lifted his index finger to his lips, cheekily warning you not to expose him. You smiled back nodding to play along. Then pop !
A ball smacked Bill in the back of the head and you had to practically spin around in an attempt to cover your laugh, your hand catching your lips so quick.
“You should pick out a toy, y/n !” Michael said, placing a board game into the cart.
“Um.. What type of game ?” You wondered.
“Any ! What games do you like ?” He questioned, gently nudging his shoulder against yours.
You did not have in you to come up with an excuse or think of various different games so you named the first one that you eyed on a shelf nearby. “Twister !” You grinned, proud of your effort.
It was getting late and before you would go, you made a quick trip back to the car to retrieve
shopping bag as you had forgotten to collect it earlier. As you ran up the stairs in a hurry, you passed through the corridor making your way to Michael’s room. As quick as you were walking you were as quick to stop as you heard a demanding voice. You took small steps closer to the closed door and placed your ear against it.
You knew Michael was there and you subconsciously started to grit your teeth as you heard his father’s voice on the other side.
You couldn’t make out what he was saying yet you knew his tone was stern and Michael wasn’t quick to answer back. It left an unease within you but you couldn’t find it within yourself to move and maybe it was the same for Michael.
When the door creaked open you took a couple of steps back, making yourself just out of eye view. You waited patiently until the huffs and puffs of Michael’s father were at a safe distance before entering.
“Michael ?” You whispered, not wanting to disturb him. It was a disheartening sight, Michael was sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. He looked so defeated and you wanted to solve his problems but you also knew your place.
Keeping your distance, you sat down at his side. You didn’t force him to look at you or force him to open up. In the silence all you could hear was his quickened breath and it seemed that he couldn’t lower it. It was then you gently placed your hand on top of his clenched fist. As soon as you did, you could feel his hand relax under yours and finally his chest stopped rising so high. You could be perceived as unprofessional yes but right now that didn’t cross your mind.
What did was the fact the your heavy heart yearned for warmth and it seemed like it was exactly what Michael needed. Crismin blush scattered your face and all you could do was turn your cheek the other way and pretend that you spotted a rather interesting looking toy night the many scattered across the shelves.
You could feel his eyes on you but it wasn’t harsh like a predator gnawing at its prey but rather soft like a someone in need of light.
“I need to do some things.” He was trying to distract himself, it was clear to you so all you could do was give him a genuine small smile and leave him be.
At the bottom of the stairs was your belongings that you left discarded before making your way to Michael’s room but as you grabbed your bag you noticed something was missing.
Your notebook !
Just then you heard the squealing sound that only a certain animal would make and you found yourself running out to the driveway and standing before the fountain. There he was Bubbles the chimp himself was standing on the edge, out of all the stuff in the house he could’ve grabbed onto, it just had to be your notebook.
“Bubbles…” you raised your hand out carefully, not wanting to startle the chimp.
Yet it seemed Bubbles was going to have it his way or no way as he raised the notebook above his head and dumped it right into the water.
With a cheer, Bubbles ran off leaving you to deal with your own misery.
As you leaned over the fountain trying desperately to grab it, your foot tripped and you went face first into the fountain causing a big splash. You gasped as the cold water hit you and your clothes as the heavy clothes suddenly weighed you down.
“y/n !” Michael called out. He was making his way towards find you to say goodbye when he found you in a compromising position.
You could barely make out but as you squinted your eyes you could just about make out his figure making his way towards you. You were in an inch of water yet you hoped to drown. There was a slight look of worry in Michael’s eyes yet despite that, the unusual situation that you found yourself in had him grinning. Looking back now, you were glad that your slight woe
tended to his apparent sorrowness.
“Here ! Grab my hand.” He extended his arm to you but as you grabbed it your foot slipped on the tile and Michael found himself just as soaked as you as he was toppled over into the water.
“I’m s-so sorry ! I didn’t mean for this to happen ! Your chimp took my notebook and he dumped it here so I tried to-
You were still hunched over in the water and was stuttering out many apologies.
John was not going to be happy hearing about this.
You only stopped when Michael stood up, dripping wet has he gently took your hand and climbed out of the fountain. “I see that.” He raised a brow in amusement.
Michael picked up your ruined notebook and although the ink had been running down the page he could still make out the writing left on a page that Bubbles so happened to left open.
Michael <3
“Great notes you’ve got there.” He laughed, leaning down to take off his saturated shoes.
“Those aren’t notes !” You tried to defend yourself, squeezing the water out of your hair.
“So this was never your notebook ?” He titled his head, taking a step towards you. You began to shiver and you weren’t sure if it was because of being drenched from head to toe or was it Michael himself ? “Is it your diary ?” He pursued, holding the sopping notebook up.
Damn him and his cute squinting eyes.
This was certainly not how an assistant should work and act but when you stared into Michael’s eyes and he stared back just as much as you.
You knew you could never be professional.