Noelle was dragging a six-pack of water under the unusual heat of that year. Not any water of course. A specific, exclusive brand of mineral sparkling water.
She had just returned from the nearest grocery store A production car had dropped her off, thanks to the intervention of Tom Vega, a very helpful and friendly line producer.
Now, under the bright sun, she was cursing. Noelle was blaming climate change, world leaders for doing nothing about carbon emissions, herself for using too much electricity, and even her parents for not recycling properly. She kept reminding herself that there were far more serious problems in the world than her situation. But all that philosophical awareness evaporated the moment she reached the man with the well-deserved alias of Lucafer.
That smirk of his... She wanted so badly to wipe it off his face.
"That was quick! I knew you were the best choice for my personal assistant!" Lucafer said.
He is going to constantly remind me that, isn't he?
Yeah… He was correct. The same morning, her second day on the set, Mr. Luca West himself informed her about her… promotion.
She still had no idea how that happened. It had been awkward. Like everything around him.
"Christmas, I got news. You'll get the opportunity to add a unique experience to your CV. Starting today, you will be my assistant on the set! My personal assistant!" he had said, thrilled with himself.
Noelle had looked from Luca West, to Lexi, and back again, trying to figure out if this was a joke. Lexi, that traitor, already knew. Why hadn't she warned her? She just stood there with a silly smile plastered across her face. And, even worse, she wouldn't stick around for the rest of the day.
Noelle asked her: "I don't understand... Why do I have to assist Mr West?"
Lexi didn't even get the chance to reply because… Mr West jumped in: "You're an intern. What did you expect? A management position?"
She had felt awful.
Before leaving, Lexi whispered to her: "Don't mind what he says. He is changing, trust me!"
Like I will ever trust you again…
That girl was supposed to guide her. She just double-crossed her.
The first task that Lucafer instructed her for, was his hydration needs. Noelle was to keep him hydrated at all times. The production team wasn't stupid. There was plenty of fresh, cold water around. But no, he wanted that specific brand. Stars don't drink the same water as the commoners apparently.
Lucafer was now sitting outside his trailer, taking a break. "Pour me a glass, please," he demanded. That 'please' sounded weird coming from him.
Noelle opened a bottle and filled a glass with the sparkling water. She placed it on the table next to him.
"No tray? I thought you guys in France invented savoir vivre," Lucafer said, curling his lip at her poor performance.
"Apologies. I was born with an inherent defiance of conventions."
"You definitely look prim and proper," he commented.
You son of…
He took a sip of what Noelle served. "It's warm!"
She cursed the fate that had brought this man into her life.
"Six-packs are not usually refrigerated," she commented.
"Then you should also buy a cold one, ready for me to drink right away."
"I followed your orders to the letter. You asked for a six-pack, and that is what I got for you."
"You are smart, right?" he told her, with a condescending tone.
"I don't know anymore," Noelle said. It felt true. If she was smart she would have run away weeks before.
"Listen. Try to learn and adapt, and I will report to Chloe how great we are doing. Wouldn't that make her happy? There are more privileges to the role. I'm a lead actor in an ultra popular show. It's an honor to support me. Your friends will be thrilled if they find out, and you can get them TikTok shoutouts or VIP access."
"I have no friends with such poor taste in entertainment."
He grimaced. "Says the girl who based her academic course on me! Having no friends at all seems more likely…"
Deep breath in, deep breath out…
_______________
Thirty minutes later, they were preparing to walk to the shooting spot. She was supposed to follow him around everywhere, wasn't she?
And she would carry the sacred bag: a backpack full of his 'essential' items. He gave her a 'quick training.'
"The bag has several compartments, each with things I cannot work without, or even live without. So pay extra attention. Compartment A is for my tablet - fully charged, at any cost. Compartment B is for my script - it's full of notes, never lose one. Compartment C is for my water - as I told you before the right temperature is exactly four degrees Celsius. Since you are French I'm using the metric system for your convenience." And he went on demonstrating all items.
"You are expected to retrieve each and every one within two seconds," he concluded, raising his eyebrows. "Do you want to give it a try before leaving?"
She grabbed the bag and walked away. Like she would entertain him by performing tricks on command.
At the place where they were shooting, he began calling for items:
"Sunglasses!"
"Sunscreen!"
"Script!"
She was of course failing to find the items easily. She was slightly surprised by how well organised his bag was, but what he was asking was insane.
She just received disapproving head shakes.
Him underestimating her got to her nerves. This was one more of their battles. Giving him the satisfaction of winning? Out of the question!
She concentrated harder and by the end of that scene, she was faster and producing whatever he requested in seconds.
No room for comments now, huh?
She immediately felt disgusted with herself, feeling even remotely satisfied by performing well.
No grimaces, no smirks, no glares. But it didn't last long.
"Good girl…" Lucafer said with sickening sweetness.
Her pride was scattered. The words felt like a pat on the head and a slap in the face at the same time. It was patronizing, infuriating, and he was winning again.
On their way to his trailer, still carrying the sacred bag, she reflected in her new role. Was this what Chloe meant by 'we'll figure out what else you can do'? Noelle had just declared that she was excited to learn more about the industry and agreed to 'observe him closely.' 'Serve him obediently' was not in her plans.
Noelle thought of checking with Chloe. She was just an intern, never protested and did as she was told. But this didn't feel right. Or was she too proud to assume this job?
Maybe complaining to Chloe would only bring trouble. Maybe it could be interpreted as unwillingness to step out of her comfort zone or as an excuse not to work hard. Noelle absolutely didn't want to give that impression. Besides, she couldn't reach Chloe anyway. She had already left, travelling somewhere between the UK and Spain. Sending an email felt inappropriate. She would return. Any day now.
At his trailer, the hairdresser, Lainey, was expecting him to remove the wig. Noelle remained standing a few steps away from them. Why she was not sitting down, she didn't know. Probably she was too agitated to stay put.
"We are done! Do you want me to do your hair today? I think they need a bit of shaping," Lainey said.
"No, thank you. I will take a shower the moment I get home!" Lucafer replied smiling.
"Ok, but I'm not letting you walk out the trailer with your hair looking like that! The heat took its toll today!" Lainey continued.
Indeed, his usually flawless, wavy hair was like a bird's nest. Wet from the sweat, pressed by the wig.
"Silly me! I forgot the dry shampoo. I'm going to get it," Lainey said.
"No! Christmas will fetch it!"
Seriously? Is he calling me that in front of other people?
Her parents had chosen her name because she was born on Christmas Day during a cold winter. Luckily, she had grown to like her name. It was short and cute, but in elementary school a couple of kids made fun of it. Kids can be cruel. It left a small scar, and she never liked explaining the origin of her name, especially to non-French speakers.
And now, out of nowhere, a mediocre actor had given her a nickname. He would call her 'Christmas' out loud every time he addressed her.
"Christmas?" Lainey wondered.
"Yeah. My assistant here. Isn't she an early Christmas gift, or what?"
"It's Noelle…" she informed Lainey, who was looking at her awkwardly. Noelle was suppressing with all her might the urge to scream.
"Yes, I remember. But she doesn't even know where to look at. I'll be back in a minute," Lainey said and left.
She was kind enough not to comment on the nickname.
Noelle just stood there, her entire body tense, her fists clenched, her nails digging sharply into her own skin.
Lucafer sensed her agitation. A hint of smirk appeared in his lips and his eyes glinted.
That made her clench her fists harder.
"You did well on your first day. Giving feedback is good, right? Isn't that what your books say? And you look like someone who craves affirmation. The good girl who always wants to excel."
His words cut under her skin. A shiver ran through her entire body. How did he see right through her?
"I'll be off soon. You can leave as well," he told her.
She immediately turned around and left. She was suffocating.
"No goodbye?" Lucafer asked. She didn't bother to answer. She was already at the door.
"See you tomorrow…" she heard him say.
That was a threat.
How was she to endure this?
How many years does someone get for assault? It will definitely feel less than being his assistant for another week.