The Assistant (EXPLICIT!!)

I stood in the back of the theater. A week had past in the blink of an eye. Meetings and appearances had made the week hectic. Lin and I had seen each other every day but we hadn't been with each other since California. Which was fine. He had a lot on his plate. The actual global opening for Jazz Singer would be in two days. Critics were loving the movie and Oscar buzz was happening. We had just had the red carpet event and everyone was settling into their chairs to watch. I had watched Lin and his family head to their seats in the front. I stood in the back with the other staff and assistants to answer any questions asked.

I wasn't wearing my usual black pantsuit. I wore a black and white flowered dress with comfortable flats. My caramel hair was in an updo. I had decided to start looking like the woman I was since Luis had made those comments. My phone buzzed as I was talking to one of Chris Evan's bodyguards. I put one finger up and answered my phone.
"Yes."
"Don't you always wear a black suit?"
"Yes. But I decided to wear a dress tonight. Who is this and why do you have Lin's phone? "
"It's Miguel. He asked me to call and see if you could bring water. Mom is thirsty."
I grabbed a cold water and headed to the front. I saw Luz and Miguel standing together and walked straight to them. I smiled as they noticed me. I handed Luz the opened bottle. She took a couple of sips.
"Thank you. Lin-Manuel said it would be quicker for you to bring. "
"Of course. I am standing next to the table. It's my job to help out. If you need anything else let me know."
"I like the dress. Very pretty," Luz said, " You look beautiful. "
"Thank you very much Luz."
Miguel handed me the phone, "He also asked if you would hold on to this. Said you always take it."
"Yes. He puts it in his pocket and well he has lost two phones that way."
They both laugh. Luz puts the cap on the water and Luis steps over to us. He gives me a strange look that the others see as well.
"How are you Luis?"
"Fine. Time to sit. Let's find our seats."
He pulls Luz away toward the seats. Miguel shrugs and follows. I know I don't have any hickeys showing but he has been indifferent to me since we got back from LA. I turned and almost run into Vanessa. She is wearing a tight blue cocktail dress with wedges. She takes my hand.
"How are you?"
"Well and yourself? "
"Wonderful. Lin has given me so much attention this week. We are stronger than ever."
"I am glad. I hear the movie is about to start. Better find your seat."
"You aren't a sore loser are you and going to quit?"
"I am not a sore loser. I haven't lost anything. What we have is casual. We have each other when we need it. Please sit down."
Lin walked up to us as she dropped my hand and glared. "No fighting in public ladies."
I took in the black t-shirt and black jeans. It always got me how he looked so good in the simplest outfit. The t shirt was a custom design from his own Teerico and had the Jazz Singer logo. I reached over and picked the white fuzz off his shirt.
"Sorry. It's a habit. Take your seats."
I walked away from them both and headed to the back wall. I couldn't look at him cause I wanted to kiss him. I found my spot and watched the movie. Halfway through, I saw Lin slipping toward me from the front. I waited for him at the aisle. He grabbed my hand and we walked out and into the hallway. He pulled me into a side room and shut the door. His lips were immediately on mine and he was pulling me toward him. I pulled away and held him at arms length.
"Stop. You treat me like an employee all week and now you want to kiss me? No."
"I like the dress. I see why you didn't want to come with us. You are so sexy."
"Lin, why is your dad acting funny towards me? Why is Vanessa gloating that you are stronger than ever? And thank you."

He shook his head, " V and I aren't stronger. I have been around more this week since been doing interviews at home. You have been busy working to get this off the ground, with everyone so I knew you were tired cause I was, so I stayed home and worked on other things. I think Pop suspects something is between us. More than friendship. "
"He barely talks to me."
"Everyone has noticed. He won't say anything about you and he used to. Being separate this week has helped." He kissed me again, " I don't care what my father thinks .Or what V says. I know we are together and I am happy. I am happy because of you. "
I kissed him and cupped his cheeks, "I am happy because of you."
"Later, maybe I come over and take you out of this dress? Take down that hair? "
"Maybe. You need to get back though. Hey, maybe I should date someone? That would throw your Dad off."
He ran his hands down my body, "Let some other man touch your body? No. Rather you told him you really are gay. Then only I could touch you."
"Baby, he'll think we are trying to throw him off. Another man, he won't suspect a thing."
"You are right, Leah. "
He unlocked the door and we stepped out. No one was in the hallway so we walked back together. Before we went back in, I handed him his phone.
"Don't put it in your front pocket."
He looked both ways, have me a quick peck on the lips, and went inside. "Thanks. I won't."
"Liar ," I said as he turned back to the front of the room. I went back to my spot on the wall. The bodyguard was still standing there and smiled at me. I smiled back, thinking boyfriend material. He slid over next to me.
"You work for Miranda?"
"Yes. Personal assistant. You work for Chris Evans right?"
"Currently yes. I'm Ari by the way."
"Leah."

We shook hands. God he had soft hands. He was 6'2" , beautiful dark skin, wearing a blue polo shirt and black dress pants. His smile was bright and cheery. We chatted a bit quietly while the movie finished. We traded phones and added our numbers. He asked me out for lunch the next day as they would still be in town. I agreed as we could have a long distance relationship that would be a perfect cover up.
The after party was held at a club two doors down so everyone could just head over. We agreed to have a dance at the party . As I left to find Lin, Ari reached out and kissed my cheek. I blushed and turned away to see the entire Miranda clan staring at us. Everyone was smiling, but Lin who looked very annoyed.
"Who is your friend Leah?" Luz asked.
"Ari. He works for Chris Evans right now. We are meeting for lunch tomorrow."
"How nice," Vanessa said smirking.
"Good," Luis said, "Nice to see you have a life outside Lin-Manuel. He is a nice man?"
"Yes. Party is down the street. I need to pick up a few things. So, see everyone there that is coming. "
Everyone left except for Lin. He followed me around as I gathered up trash. Finally, he grabbed my hands.
"There are people here for this. Why are you avoiding?"
"What?"
He crossed his arms and stared at me. "That didn't take long."
"We need something or your Dad will kill you. I can date a man. They go back to California after tomorrow. Long distance relationship is perfect. Where is your phone?"
Lin smiled and pulled it out of his back pocket. He showed it to me before returning it to the pocket. He grabbed my hand.
"You don't have to sacrifice yourself for me."
"It's for us Miranda,"I kissed him on the cheek and led him out the theater. We walked down the street. Our hands locked together. I didn't care if anyone saw us. Everyone knew Lin was touchy and had seen us holding hands before. His family has seen us. We were almost to the after party when Lin pulled me into a alley and kissed me. His hands cradling my body against his. He pulled away.
"Do what you have to do for us . I am coming to your apartment later and ripping this fucking dress off of you so you can never wear it again."
"You don't like my dress?"
" I love it. It's dangerous. I saw his eyes. He wanted to ravage you. You are mine. "
I cupped his cheek and laughed "Later then boss."