Chapter Text
Jared Padalecki was an aspiring young advertiser. He was currently sitting in the main entrance of the office of the best company in the business- Ackles Advertising. He was waiting in line to be interviewed for a junior assistant job. It wasn’t what he wanted but he knew that to make it big, you had to start somewhere, and that usually meant starting right at the bottom.
He could quite easily work his way to achieve his dream job as a successful advertiser. But he knew that he only had one shot to get this job, in particular. To have a company as big and as successful as Ackles Advertising on his résumé would look very impressive indeed and could unlock any door he wanted in the future.
The pay was only a fraction over the minimum wage but it would just about pay his share of the rent on the two bedroom apartment which he shared with his good friend Chloe whom he had known since kindergarten.
Jared cautiously eyed the rest of the candidates who were sitting next to him. There was a young, thin man who was wearing a suit that was at least two sizes too big for him. He was bouncing his knees up and down frantically whilst biting the skin around his nails.
His eyes moved down to the next person. A smartly dressed woman who was sitting up poker straight. Her nails were perfectly manicured and there was not a hair out of place. She was fairly attractive but she wore far too much make-up, giving her skin a ghastly orange tinge to it. She was pre-occupied in filing her nails and flipping through her resume, calmly.
As he moved further down the line, he saw someone that could potentially pose as a threat. This man looked a little older than himself and was wearing a perfectly tailored suit. He held tightly onto his briefcase as he skimmed through sheets of paper on the clipboard that was resting on top of the briefcase. Shit, Jared thought. He was obviously well prepared.
Jared looked down at himself. He had very little money as he was spent out from putting himself through college. His parents had loaned him some money to buy his suit. It was nothing special, but it fitted him well in all the right places. His shoes were brand new and just out of the box and were gleaming back up at him. All he had with him was a small black bag which contained his résumé and a few other things that might be needed for the interview.
He had done his research into the background of the company and it’s excellent reputation that came with it. It was a family run company and was now in the hands of the original founder’s great grandson- Jensen Ackles. He had memorised their average gross income and turn overs and some of their most successful work.
Finally, after watching the candidates come and go, his name was called and he was taken up in the elevator to the top floor and led into a large open plan office. Jared paused in the doorway to read the name on the door.
Jensen Ackles.
He didn’t think that he’d be meeting the top man himself. Surely he would be interviewed by a panel of his employers. His nerves were frayed and his throat dried up. He suddenly felt un-prepared and very awkward and uncomfortable.
“Sit down” Jensen said distractedly as he gestured to the empty chair on the opposite side of his desk. “Tell me something about yourself” he asked with the same monotone he had used with all of the other candidates.
Jared swallowed back the wave of nausea and dug down deep to find his voice that was lost with all the anxiety. “Uh…my name is Jared” he started. It was simple but breaking the ice gave him the confidence he needed to continue. “I left college a few months ago. I really want to become a successful advertiser someday. I know all about your company, sir” he added out of respect and kindness. “You’re one of the longest running companies in the business, you finally went global 20 years ago…….”.
Jensen raised his hand and cut Jared off mid sentence. “Okay, so you’ve Googled me. Big wow. Any monkey can do that. When can you start?”.
Jared’s mouth went impossibly dry. He was sure that he had misheard. “What? You’re offering me the job? You chose me?” he asked, positive that there had been a complete misunderstanding.
“Don’t flatter yourself. There was not a lot to choose from really. One of them was a snivelling snotty kid fresh from high school who looked like he would crap his pants at the first instance, and the other’s seemed too high maintenance for me to cope with. I don’t do drama queens. So by process of elimination, you’re the only one left. So when can you start?” Jensen asked in a bored, monotonous voice. He was keen to move on from this and carry on with his day.
“Uh……” Jared said feeling a pang of disappointment. He was getting the job through default, not through his hard work, determination and enthusiasm. Still, there was no way he was going to turn it down. “As soon as you want me to”.
“Great. How about right now. I’ve got your first task lined up” Jensen said as he pushed a pile of papers through the paper shredder, not really paying much attention to the younger man on the opposite side of the desk.
Jared was a bit taken back. He didn’t know if he was ready to dive straight into the deep end yet. He hadn’t expected to start so soon. He would have read through some of his old college books if he had known. “I can start now” he said painting a smile on his face to hide his obvious apprehension.
Jensen stiffened. “Great. Now here’s what I want. Try to keep up because you need to get it right. A skinny latte, lightly frothed milk dusted with amaretto, not cinnamon, that stuff just makes me heave. And for God’s sake, make sure that they secure the lid because I don’t want it cold when it gets to me”.
“You want me to get you coffee?” Jared asked disbelievingly as he blinked back at the other man.
“Don’t interrupt me. I’m not done yet. I also need a sesame seed bagel, lightly toasted and fresh from the oven. Think you can manage that?” Jensen demanded as he waved a finger in the air.
Jared faltered. “Yeah. It’s just, I thought that this was a junior assistant advertiser post?”. He tried to hide his shock and disappointment without sounding too rude. After all, it was rude to look a gift horse in the mouth. The words ‘You have to start somewhere’ echoed in his head.
Jensen shrugged his shoulders. “It is. Well alright, it’s just a posh way of saying coffee boy but that sounds a bit harsh, don’t you think? If you’ve got a problem with the job Jarrett, I’m sure I could find someone else. There‘s people lining up to work for me”.
“Actually it’s Jared” he muttered under his breath. “There’s no problem. I’ll go and get them for you right now”. He wasn’t sure where he was going to get them from seeing as his new boss didn’t specify where from, but he agreed to the task in hand anyway. This was San Francisco and there was a Coffee Bean at practically every corner.
“Excellent” Jensen said satisfied. “Don’t take too long though. I’ve got a conference call in 20 minutes and I need my caffeine fix before then, so off you go” he said waving his hand to indicate that they were finished here.
Jared moved awkwardly off the chair and stood up. “Yes sir” he said fumbling around to get a hold of his bag. His thigh caught the sharp corner of the table and he bit his lip to stop himself from cursing out loud.
Jensen looked up from his desk and addressed his new eager assistant. “Oh and you shall address me as Mr.Ackles” he said, simply put.
Not knowing what else to do or say, Jared looked at his watch, mentally worked out his time limit and left the office, closing the door behind him as silently and as inconspicuously as he could. “Fuck” he said as he rubbed his bruised leg.
He had resigned himself to the fact that he would have to start at the bottom somewhere, but he didn’t think that he’d have to sink this low to get what he wanted to ultimately achieve his final goal. He hadn’t wasted all of his time and money in going through college just to be someone’s servant. He sighed heavily. He had a feeling that Mr. Jensen Ackles was going to be a very hard man to please and that the stick up his ass would be a permanent fixture.
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As Jared lived in the neighbourhood, his apartment being only a mile away, he was familiar with the surroundings which would make his task slightly easier on him. He headed to the nearest coffee place that he knew would serve the very specific items that his new employer wanted. It was lucky that he was good at memorising instructions. His photographic memory had earned him high credits in some of his modules.
His phone started to vibrate in the inside pocket of his jacket. He had obviously forgotten to switch it off. He had a feeling that had it have gone off in his ‘interview’ it wouldn’t have gone down too well. He made a mental note to disable the vibration settings for future reference. He smiled as he saw the caller ID. He kept up his fast pace towards the coffee shop, grateful for his long legs- as he flipped up the lid on his cell and barely had a chance to say anything before the familiar voice started to chat animatedly.
“So? Did you get the job then?” Chloe asked excitedly. “I’ve been waiting for you to ring for ages. I couldn’t wait anymore”.
“Yeah, I got the job” Jared said glumly. He moved his cell away from his ear as his best friend started to scream happily down the other end of the phone.
“I knew you could do it!” Chloe squeaked. “I told you that doing some research into the company would get you through. These corporate people, they like that sort of thing, makes them feel more important…inflates their egos….”.
Jared rolled his eyes at the irony. “Yeah” he said as he entered the busy coffee shop. He frowned at the queue that backed up all the way back to the door. It was peak time. Excellent. He was going to screw up his first task. He was going to fail the simple task of getting his boss a cup of coffee and a bagel.
Chloe could sense her best friend’s low mood from over the other end of the phone. “Jay? What’s wrong? I thought this was what you wanted, right?”.
Jared took a small step forward as there was one less person in front of him in the queue. “Yeah. It is what I want. I want to be an advertiser Chlo. Not a fricking coffee boy….not that there‘s anything wrong with that” he added quickly.
“What? You have got to be kidding me. Why the hell can’t he get his own damn coffee. He’s got two arms and two legs, right?” his friend asked.
“Yes he has. But apparently he doesn’t like to use them to do such simple, mundane tasks as that. That’s probably a bit beneath him” Jared said as he took one more step forwards in the lengthy queue to the counter.
Chloe huffed. “So that’s your job then? To pander to his every whim? Bow at his feet? Jay, you didn’t spend all that time and money going to college to wait hand and foot on some big shop arrogant prick who’s obviously had everything handed to him on a plate by mommy and daddy”.
Jared suddenly realised what he had agreed to do. And for just over the minimum wage too. He cringed. He was glad that his room-mate couldn’t see him blushing like hell right now. “Well I’ve got to start somewhere. It’s bound to get me somewhere in the end Chlo”.
“I know sweetie, but you’ve worked hard in college. And now you’ve just accepted a job that pays less than what I earn. And I’m a waitress who never went to college! You’re effectively doing the same dead-end job that I’m doing but for less money” Chloe said diplomatically.
As he edged closer to the front of the queue, Jared checked his watch. 10 minutes of his precious time had already lapsed. He was now cutting it dangerously fine. “I know you’re only looking out for me Chlo, but seriously, it’ll work out okay. It’s not going to be like this forever. I’ll put my feelers out and look for something bigger and better” he said, trying to convince and reassure himself of that fact.
“You’re my best friend Jay, and I care about you. I just don’t want you to throw away your life after working so hard to get here” Chloe said as she tried to cheer up her friend.
Jared was now very near the front of the queue and he hadn’t even read the board to see what he needed to order. He didn’t have time to waste trying to decipher the menu when it was his turn to be served. “Chlo, I’ve got to go. If I don’t get his coffee and bagel back in 8 minutes I think my life won’t be worth living!”.
Chloe clicked her tongue. “Fine. I’ll see you later on at home. I’ll order us in a pizza and put a bottle of wine in the fridge ready”.
“That sounds like just what I need. I’ll see you later on. Love you” Jared said as he pulled the phone away from his ear.
“Wait!” Chloe shouted quickly.
Jared brought the phone back to his ear. “What?”.
“Aren’t you just a little tempted to spit in his coffee?” she asked wickedly. She smiled when she heard her best friend laugh.
“Yeah. A little bit!” Jared said amusedly. He could always rely on Chloe to put a spin on things and to cheer him up when he’s down. “See you later Chlo” he said as he ended the call. He made sure to switch off his cell before tucking it safely back away in his jacket pocket.
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Jared pressed the button on the elevator frantically, crossing his fingers that it would hurry up and reach his level. There was no way that he was going to be able to run up twelve flights of stairs. Especially since he’d already ran from the coffee place. He looked at his watch. 90 seconds left and counting. Finally the door to the elevator opened and he got in. As he watched the level indicator on the panel count up, he peered into the bag to make sure that the coffee hadn’t spilt onto the bagel. He had a feeling that Sir Ackles would not be amused with a soggy bagel.
It couldn’t have worked out any better. He skidded to a halt outside his new boss’s office door just as his mental alarm went off in his head. The door was slightly ajar. Should he just walk straight in? Or should he knock first? He had know no idea on the ‘protocol’. Before he had time to ponder the situation, a voice from the inside summoned him in.
“About time too. Don’t linger in the doorway. I need my coffee” Jensen said with authority. He took the bag from his assistant and took out the cup and bagel. He inspected them both for a few seconds then crumpled the paper bag up into a ball and threw it into the trash can by the side of his desk. “That will do. You can go now” he said.
Jared had practically killed himself getting the coffee and bagel to him on time. Actually nearly got himself killed by running across the pedestrian crossings when the red hand told him not to cross. And he didn’t get anything close to a ‘Thank you’. Not a single sign of gratitude. He cleared his throat subtly and plucked up the courage to speak aloud. “Go where?” he asked bravely, astonished at how weak and shaky his voice sounded. This was ridiculous. This man was only a few years older than him and yet he was afraid to say anything to upset him to jeopardise his chances of getting anywhere with his job.
Jensen looked up from his desk and sighed. He took a sip of his coffee. He frowned slightly, but took another sip nonetheless. “To Brad’s office. He’s got the list of all the errands that you need to undertake today. I shall be in touch when I require your assistance again. Thank you Jarrett”.
Jared just nodded his head. “It’s Jared” he corrected him under his breath. He didn’t have the faintest idea who Brad was or where his office was located. He didn’t want to ask so he nodded his head and exited the office. Chloe was right. He was practically bowing down to him and kissing his expensive Italian leather shoes. “What the hell have I got myself into?” he cursed himself.
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After walking aimlessly around on the 12th floor, and making some enquiries, Jared finally found himself outside an office door bearing the name ‘Brad Jennings’ on the front of it.
He tapped gently on the door and pressed his ear up against it to listen for a reply. When a gruff voice told him to enter he turned the handle and pushed the door open. No-one could be any worse than the big man himself so he was prepared.
Brad Jennings was a sharply dressed, burly looking man in his late forties Jared guessed. He looked to be friendly and approachable enough. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
Jared looked around the office. It was much different to Jensen’s. Jensen’s had lacked any personal touches. There were no family pictures, nothing that made it distinguishable as his. Brad’s desk contained several pictures of what Jared presumed to be his wife and three children- two sons and a daughter. Hung up on his notice board were pictures and drawings done by children- presumably his own.
“I’m Jared” he said extending out his hand.
Brad took his hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you Jared. Do you have an appointment?” he asked as he scanned the diary in front of him.
“No. I’m uh…well Mr Ackles’ new assistant. He only hired me like half an hour ago. He told me to come and see you” Jared said nervously. “That’s the only instruction I received, and I’m not entirely sure what I’m meant to do” he admitted.
“Sit down then Jared. So you’re the latest unlucky bastard who’s been carefully selected to attend to our master’s needs?” Brad said amusedly. “The most anyone has ever lasted was a month. And that’s because they were off sick for over 3 weeks!”.
Jared opened his mouth to speak but when he couldn’t think of anything to say, he shut it again quickly.
“So, are you hoping to get into advertising then?” Brad asked the latest addition to the company.
Finally someone was getting down to it, enabling him to express an interest and enthusiasm in his chosen career. “Yeah, I’ve been trying to find someone to take me on for a few months now, since leaving college…….”.
“Well believe me, you’re not the first I’ve seen come through these doors looking for a job and to get on the career ladder. And no-one has been successful as yet, everyone has crumbled under pressure from the wrath of the Ackles curse. As you’ve probably worked out for yourself already, our boss is a very hard man to please. We all work our arses off here kid, but it’s never good enough and we don’t get any thanks. Just a party with cheap food and drink every Christmas” Brad said as he stretched his arms up above his head. “You’d think, with all of his money…..well…never mind, eh?”.
Jared’s face fell even more than he thought possible. He had only been employed for less than an hour or so and it was already unbearable. Maybe the key to his success was to try and out-do the previous assistances and beat the record of staying at least a month. “Okay, so my job sucks and I’m not going to get any joy here. I’ve failed before I’ve even started. You may as well make the rest of my day and give me the list or errands that I’ve got to do today”.
Brad felt genuinely sorry for the poor kid that had obviously been allured here under false allusions of getting somewhere. He retrieved his e-mail, opened up the attachment and clicked print. He picked up the sheet of paper and scanned down the list. “Do you drive?” he asked.
“Yeah. But I don’t have a car. I live not that far away. In a big city like this I don’t see the point of me owning one. I walk everywhere or take public transport. It’s too costly to keep a car when I don’t need to use it” Jared said. He stopped as he realised that he was rambling on.
“Then I just hope that you’re a fast walker or great at hailing taxi’s. Otherwise you’re going to have an extremely long day ahead of you” the older man said as he handed over the list of errands to Jared.
The young assistant took the paper and scrolled down the list, frowning at each one. Brad was right. Today was going to be an extremely long and tiring day. It’s just as well that he knew the city like the back of his hand.
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“Evening coffee boy” Chloe said as she greeted her best friend with a kiss on the cheek.
Jared groaned and loosened his tie before throwing it down on the couch. He signalled to the full glass of wine on their recycled coffee table. “Is that mine?” he asked hopefully.
Chloe flicked her blond hair behind her ears and sipped from her own wine glass. “Yep! I couldn’t wait for you to come back so I’ve eaten my half of the pizza. It’s in the microwave ready for you to re-heat. And yes, I gave you all of my bits of pepperoni”.
“I love you, do you know that?” Jared said as he took a swig of wine from his glass. He slouched back in the couch and lifted his friend’s legs up to rest on his.
“I’m not really your type now am I Jay? I’m missing the vital tackle that you seem to enjoy so much” she joked.
Jared punched her playfully on the arm. “You know what I mean. So tell me about your day”.
Chloe looked at him dazed. “You know exactly how my day goes. I get to work by half eight, open up, turn on the coffee pot, take orders, pour the coffee, take to the table, and repeat until all the customers are satisfied. I want to hear about your day”.
“Chlo…..” Jared moaned. “I’m so tired. I’ve literally been running around the entire city all day”.
“I’ll re-heat your pizza for you and make you my famous chocolate ice cream sundae?” she said enticingly.
“Damn it. You always use your ice-cream sundae against me. You know I can’t resist. Fine. So this is what happened after I got off the phone to you……..” Jared started as his best friend kept up her promise and pressed the re-heat program on the microwave.
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Jensen parked his silver Porsche in the underground parking facility of his luxury apartment, overlooking downtown San Francisco. He looked at his watch. It was gone 11:30pm. It didn’t matter, no-one was expecting him home. No family waiting eagerly for his arrival. No-one even rang him at home except for his parents who only rang when it came to business matters, never on a personal level. His parents had shipped him off to boarding school when he was just about able to walk by himself.
Even though his parent’s had handed him the reigns to their company, he felt that he had to keep trying to prove himself all of the time and to show that he’s worthy of it. Except that his parents never appreciated or recognised the hard work he had put into keeping it running. The only major ties he had with his parents, was the lump sum of money that went from his bank account to theirs on the first of every month. That fuelled their lavish lifestyle in one of their many homes around the world.
He unlocked the front door and threw his belongings down onto the floor. The maid he hired had done a good job on cleaning today and had left him a homemade lasagne in the refrigerator. Loretta was worth her weight in gold.
A tabby cat greeted her owner and rubbed up against his leg affectionately. He bent down to smooth her as she purred louder.
“I’m glad someone’s missed me Lucy” Jensen said as he scratched behind her ear. She had won him over when she turned up on his doorstep a year ago, looking dishevelled and worse for wear. After some tender loving care, he had managed to nurse her back to health and she had loyally stayed around.
He picked her up and she settled into the safety of his arms and closed her eyes. There was nothing for Jensen to do but to go upstairs to his big, empty queen size bed and watch whatever trash was on his 60 inch plasma TV. What was the point of living the life of luxury if you had no-one to spend it with?