Just a short note, to those concerned with the sudden jump in tempo, this was an intentional decision I made so that I could get to the more plot heavy parts of the story. I cut out a lot of 'filler' that wasn't important to the story, and what it did provide, which was insight into the other characters backstories and lives, I will be finding another opportunity to work those in. So we aren't losing much, but I just really wanted to get to the meat of the story after being away for so long. This entire story is drafted and planned out, with a real ending and everything. The good parts haven't even been hinted at yet, and I hope you all understand my desire to move things along.
(BLD)
Michael couldn't think of a better day to be able to sit down and go over resumes of his new potential personal assistant. He had a hot cup of tea on his beside table, and a warm croissant. Literately, nothing could ruin his morning.
He flipped through the five resumes he had received, freshly printed off from his emails, three of which were from aspiring business entrepreneurs probably hoping to learn the ins and outs of business while working for him. Unfortunately, not one of them had any actual experience in a job other than fast food or retail. One other one was from a college student, probably not understanding the requirements for the job. It seemed as though she thought she'd be able to be an assistant on the days she didn't have classes. Which amounted to three days a week. He shook his head slightly, unsure of why she even applied.
The last resume came from a woman who looked to have an enormous amount of experience and had even worked for some names he recognized. He didn't know these people personally, but he knew of them, and if she wasn't bluffing, it meant she was exactly who he needed.
Michael grabbed for his laptop and shot an email to several of the references listed, hoping to get good feedback. He took another glance at the resume in hand, a sense of optimism washing over him, something he hadn't felt in the past couple of months.
Though what still perplexed him was the fact that his company had many connections. And with all their connections, it seemed as though these resumes came from the bottom of the barrel. And there were only five. How could that be possible? Last time he needed someone, it took only a few hours to get over one hundred potential applicants. He drummed his fingers on his thigh, contemplating. He then checked the time and wondered if his resource manager was in for the day yet. Or if he was even able to get in due to the raging storm.
He quickly plucked up his phone and dialed up Ned, the HR chief he put in charge of collecting the resumes. In his blinding rage from yesterday, he'd mistakenly called Becky and barked orders at her, and it was only until an hour later that she called, asking specific questions about where to even post that a job was available that he'd realized he'd made a mistake. It wasn't before long that his call was answered.
"Hello, good morning to you, Michael." Ned answered in a chipper tone.
Michael was only slightly annoyed by Ned's constant beaming personality. He's gotten very good at hiding his annoyance in the business setting.
"And good morning to you, Ned." He greeted back, but with slightly less enthusiasm.
"What can I do for you?"
Michael gave a sigh while looking at the pitiful stack of resumes, "Well, it's about the resumes you turned in."
"Oh? Was there a problem?"
"Well…" Michael paused, unsure if it was a problem, or if people genuinely didn't want to work for him. A sudden uneasiness washed over him. What if a rumor started that he was some kind of horrible boss?
He closed his eyes, willing the irrational thoughts away, having no time for them, "I'm gonna have to ask if these five are really all the ones that came in… There's no way we only received five…" He asked, reasoning with himself as he spoke.
Ned gave a short cough, sounding a bit nervous, "Well, you see, in the first few hours, we received about 40."
Michael's brows furrowed, "Are you kidding me? Then what happened?"
Ned sighed before continuing, "We kept receiving a steady stream of them all through out the day, but… They all suddenly started calling and sending emails, withdrawing their resumes… I can't explain it."
Michael sat up a bit straighter in his bed. "What…?" he couldn't even comprehend it. Why? What in the hell happened?
Ned sighed again, "After about the 20th one, I tried asking them why they suddenly changed their minds, but most of them said they'd found a better opportunity. Most of the ones who emailed didn't reply back at all."
Michael's mouth hung agape, brows nit together in frustration.
"Uhp…" Ned made a sound of acknowledgment, some keys clicking in the background, no doubt the man was at his desk, "Ashley Hale just withdrew hers. Just now. I got the email." He informed Michael.
Michael quickly went through the five, finding Ashley. She was the college student. He stared down at the resume that had more written in about her special skills than it did about her actual job experience. She wouldn't have gotten the job anyway. He already found someone who seemed perfect. There was no reason he should care as to why all these people were suddenly withdrawing.
Yet he couldn't help but to find her mobile phone number listed…
He suddenly had a nagging urge to find out why this was happening. He didn't want to admit it, but a part of him felt as though it was his own fault. Perhaps people looked him up after applying and realized they didn't like him based on his sparse business magazine interviews. He licked his lips, now starting to overthink everything.
He was feeling like maybe he was the one who was inadequate. Like it was because of his personality, or attitude, or maybe they didn't think he was a strong enough leader. Or maybe he spent too much time at work…
Oddly, these reasons seemed to mirror all the things his wife had screamed at him before she left…
"Mr. Autman?"
Michael was quickly brought back to reality, and judging from Ned's tone, it hadn't been the first time he'd called out to him.
"I'm sorry, I got distracted. What were you saying?" he asked, closing his eyes as he rubbed the side of his face, trying to calm himself down.
"It's no problem. I was just wondering if you wanted me to cast out a second net? Try and catch more fish?" Ned at least sounded optimistic.
Michael shook his head, though to no one, "No, that's not necessary. I actually found someone in the few you gave me." He answered. Although this should be good news, Michael couldn't help but to sound a bit disappointed.
"Oh, well thank God."
Michael's lips formed a taut line, unease still creeping over him, "Well, that was all I needed." He spoke, indicating he wanted this transaction to end.
"Alrighty then. You have a good rest of your day, Michael."
"You too." He replied back, then quickly hung up.
The hand holding his phone fell to the bed, and for a few moments, Michael didn't attempt to move, and simply stared at the ground. Why was he suddenly thinking about Miranda?
Slowly, he glanced over to where he'd left his wallet, on the small desk in the room. He got up, a bit sluggish, and retrieved it. He began rummaging through the business cards he had stacked inside, most of them being for a restaurant or shopping center, but eventually, he got to the one he was looking for.
It was red card stock with a white glossed front, a family coat of arms adorning the top corner. It was a card to the therapist he'd seen for quite some time after he and Miranda had divorced. He'd stopped going some time last year.
Michael inhaled deeply, letting his lungs fill to capacity before letting it all out, his eyes closing as he let his head fall back. Maybe it was time to start seeing him again.
Castiel had been very excited to bring Dean to his family home, but perhaps during more favorable weather. The rain came down so hard that it was difficult to see the true beauty of the home. Castiel had just pulled up to the front gate and had to roll down the window, needing to type in the new code he'd been given not too long ago. The button panel and system had finally been installed and was fully operational.
Dean whistled, "Fancy shmancy." He mumbled, turning his head around to glance back at Sam, brows raised.
Sam rolled his eyes. If Dean was already impressed by a simple security feature, then he was sure he'd be astounded from this point on.
"Well, we only have to resort to this keypad when our gatekeeper is off duty." He told them.
That part actually made Sam's brows raise. Apparently a security feature could be impressive.
A second later, the gate was opening for them, "Alright. This is my home." Castiel announced, glancing to each of them as he slowly drove up. Castiel found himself waiting for their reactions, hoping they were impressed. Though, the home was indeed impressive, Castiel needed to know that the Winchester's thought it was. Of course they would, but he needed to hear it.
As they came upon the large fountain that sat in the center of the circle that was their driveway, Castiel informed them, "Our company makes these fountains, and we even have sculptors who can fulfill any request."
Sam gave an impressed, "That's amazing." The woman, who on further inspection looked to be an angel was sculpted from copper, or at least in part, the green and blue hue of patination giving it away. Though it didn't detract from its beauty. Her wings were only slightly unfurled and her arm reached up toward the sky. Her hair seemed to be in one large braid that wrapped around her head, and as the braid came to an end back at the base of the hair, was a blooming flower. The details were intricate and all together mesmerizing.
Sam soon realized that the car had actually slowed to an almost stop, as if giving them time to look at the statue, and at the moment he realized this, Castiel spoke up.
"My father swears that this statue wasn't made to look like my mother. In fact, this statue is older than he is." He looked to Dean, then Sam, "So maybe its fate that the woman my father married looks like our statue's depiction of the angel Iofiel."
The story made the brothers smile, as if they'd taken a bite of very good apple pie. Something wholesome to warm their insides.
Castiel then didn't waste any more time in pulling in behind his brother Michael's car. "If you look down on the floorboard back there, I think there might be an umbrella." He instructed Sam. The rain was still coming down in heavy sheets, and Castiel was certain that the boys wouldn't want to be any wetter than they already were.
"Found out." Sam said, pulling the small umbrella up from under his seat.
Castiel then reached in front of Dean, giving a quiet, "Excuse me." And then opened his glove compartment and found yet another umbrella. Living in Seattle has made him very cautious when it comes to carrying around umbrellas. Unfortunately, there are even more still at his home in Washington, having accidentally left an umbrella at home and buying a cheap one on his way back many times. So, needless to say, he had a few.
Soon, the three of them were hurriedly scuttling out of the SUV and quite surprisingly, Dean quickly jumped in underneath Castiel's umbrella, leaving Sam with one of his own. Castiel was so flustered, he'd actually stopped in his tracks, though Dean was quick to grab hold of the situation.
"C'mon, Cas." He chuckled, nodding towards the entrance. Castiel snapped out of it and then laughed to himself, more under his breath.
They sped past the outside adornments and made it to the front door where another keypad had been installed, though this one was more out of convenience. A lot easier than rustling around with some keys in the rain.
Soon the three were inside, where it was nice and toasty.
Sam and Dean were both swiveling their heads, already looking around the foyer, and double staircase. "Wow, Cas…" Dean mumbled, not waiting around before he began wandering off. Sam Quickly reached an arm out and grabbed Dean at the bend of his elbow, giving him a wide-eyed threatening look when Dean snapped his head back at him.
It was a silent warning to wait. Castiel was still tucking away his umbrella and slipping out of his bulky over coat. It was rude to enter someone's home and just wander off without being shown around.
Dean lifted his arm and flailed it a bit, getting Sam's hand off him, then grabbed at his canvas jacket and straightened it out, annoyed. Dean wasn't about to just walk off without them, it was a big foyer, was he not allowed to look around?
This silent argument went unnoticed by Castiel was still a bit flushed from having had Dean saddle up to him like that earlier. He tried shacking it off, hiding the motion in the way he fixed his hair in one smooth swipe of his hand. He then came up to the Winchester's with a smile, "Let me show you around."
And with that, the tour was started, first showing them around the large entrance, pointing out the coat room, and broom closet then headed for the kitchen. Sam seemed more impressed than Dean. Sam's hands glided over the new stove, having never used an eyeless stove before. It seemed so hi-tech to him.
The next room over, connected by a door in the kitchen was the dinning room. The table was large enough to seat 22 at a time, 10 on each side, and one at the head and the foot. Currently, the only thing on the table was a table runner and some paper work at the foot of the table, and a mug, possibly filled with coffee. Curiously, Sam took a glance at the papers. They all seemed to be recipes, and several different grocery lists. Some recipes were on paper so old that it was yellowing.
Sam then realized all the dishes were traditional Thanksgiving dishes. This was what the Autman's were having for Thanksgiving. A small smile formed on his lips. When was the last time he'd attended a real, honest to God Thanksgiving dinner?
Sam then left the table, having fallen behind a bit from the tour. It was as he regrouped with Castiel and Dean that he realized something else.
Those notes had probably been made by Lucifer.
Sam felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach, realizing he'd have to interact with him today.
The next room the entered was filled with various activities, including a pool table and a dart board. Now it was Dean's turn to be impressed. "Oh sweet." He mumbled, eyeing the expensive looking pool cues on the rack hung up on the wall.
Castiel smiled to himself, glad to see Dean finding something he liked, "If you want," he spoke up, coming over near Dean, "After we're done, we could play… if you wanted." He suggested, but started feeling a bit insecure about it.
"Sounds great." Dean answered. "Though I hope you know, that I'll be beating you senseless." He told him, putting a hand on Castiel's shoulder, and giving him a look as if to say, 'I'm sorry for your loss.'
Castiel chuckled, "Perhaps so." He mumbled, then gave Dean a half-lidded look. Castiel had merely been amused, but based on Dean's reaction from the look, it was as if he took it in a different way.
Dean's eyes went slightly wide at the alluring look Castiel had given him, very taken by surprise. His eyes were half lidded, and his smile had been more of a smirk. Dean felt like he'd been knocked out at the very start of a fight, and had to quickly turn away out of embarrassment.
When had this preppy nerd learned to do something like that?
He then quickly changed the subject, hoping the change didn't seem too disjointed, "Anyway, what's down here?" he asked, looking down the hall in the den.
Castiel's smile widened, some how even more amused by Dean's reaction than the joke he'd made. He liked this feeling.
"Down this hall are a few guest bedrooms. Right now Michael is staying in one." He pointed out which one, "But I'm not sure if he's up or not, so let's move along. I don't want to wake him accidentally."
As Castiel led them out of the den, Sam stared after both Castiel and Dean, that whole interaction having not escaped him. Their flirting was making him sick. Though he was glad for the both of them, that didn't mean he liked witnessing his brother put on the moves. Although he had to admit, seeing his brother get flustered in turn was hilarious.
Sam was still smirking to himself as they were led under the double staircases via walkways built-in underneath them, making it easier to get to the other side of the house.
On the other side, they were taken into the living room, and Castiel was surprised to see Lucifer sitting there reading from a book, wearing glasses. Castiel's eyes narrowed slightly.
Those weren't Lucifer's glasses. And Lucifer barely wore the glasses he was supposed to be wearing anyway.
"Oh, Castiel! I see you've brought the Winchester boys over." He greeted, standing up, and setting his book down.
Castiel's eyes narrowed even further, having seen how Lucifer just closed the book without marking his place in any way.
"I'm pretty sure I told you I was going to pick them-" "Have you guys been touring the house?" Lucifer asked, interrupting Castiel.
Castiel rolled his eyes, "Yes. We have been."
"Oh, great. How have you guys liked it so far?" Lucifer asked, putting a hand on his hip.
Sam wasn't one hundred percent sure, but he had a sinking suspicion Lucifer was trying to impress him. He'd gathered earlier that he'd been working at the kitchen table, and recently, judging from his half empty mug of coffee. So it was as if he'd come into the living room and started reading a book… about business finance… to some how make him seem… smarter?
Sam was unimpressed.
"It's beautiful." Sam answered with a polite smile.
"Oh, thank you. But I was talking about the house." Lucifer snickered, very pleased with himself, giving Sam a smirk and a wink.
Sam wanted to die. Perhaps bubble back into a primordial ooze and sink trough the floorboards to be one with the Earth. Anywhere but here would do, really.
Dean chuckled along with Lucifer, oblivious to the shenanigans afoot. "Good one." He mumbled. His attention was then taken by the fireplace. He came up to it, noticing that it wasn't real, though the flames were. Castiel came up beside him, pointing out a light switch on the wall, "It runs off gas." He informed him.
Dean gave a hum of acknowledgement. Though the fireplace wasn't exactly that impressive, the heat felt good on his cold soggy body. "I think I want one." Dean mumbled.
Castiel chuckled, happy to stand next to Dean while he warmed up.
Sam sighed, pulling out his phone, hoping beyond all hope that there was a reason to make a phone call or perhaps send a text, but alas, nothing.
Lucifer had stepped up closer to him as Dean and Castiel went off to the fireplace. He was now staring down at him intently. Sam could feel sweat form on his brow.
"So, has Castiel invited you over for Thanksgiving yet?" Lucifer finally spoke.
Sam hesitantly looked at him to answer, "Yea, actually. Dean told me." He informed him.
Lucifer grinned, "Good. I can't wait to fill you up."
Sam's eyes closed as an uncomfortable wave washed over him.
"Okay, okay, that was a little much." Lucifer admitted, though couldn't help but laugh at Sam's expression.
"Ya'know…" Sam started, finally looking at Lucifer fully, "I have a girlfriend."
"Ooh, is she cute?" Lucifer asked, seemingly unphased.
Sam paused, his eyes narrowing, then, much quieter than before, spoke, "Also, I'm not gay."
Lucifer scoffed, "Me neither."
Sam sighed heavily, his head falling back, defeated.