Beyond the Set: Chapter 1
Summary: Special agent, Jackson Brooks, on assignment to protect Hollywood's most outspoken diva.
warning: profane language, forced proximity, jackson!brooksxblack!oc, semislow burn, mentions of racial threats and racist groups, bitchy!oc, strict!jackson!brooks, sub!jackson!brooks, Domme!OC, smut (eventually)
Ms. Adams, is it true that you intend to exploit the poor black elders of Ugamont county for the sake of your documentary?
Ms. Adams, why further the racial tension of the country at the moment?
Ms. Adams, any comments on the recent tweets of President Trump in regard to your most recent film?
One would have stopped and corrected them and answered in annoyance. Threw out an insult or two. Pushed the cameras and mics away from their face. But not Gizelle. She moved gracefully through the swarm of reporters. The confidence in her stride never weakened the entire path to the doors of the production company that automatically opened for her.
This was her normal for the past few year. After the release of her film ‘black and White’, a film about the modern American government and its many ways at sabotaging the advancement of the black community. The critics enjoyed it but a certain group of people did not. Many politicians had put forth their opinions on the movie. Accusing her and others involved of bringing shame to the great nation.
Mainly Gizele because of her being openly vocal about her unabashed involvement in the film. All she cared about was the truth being put forth, nothing less of the sort.
“Good Morning Miss Adams” a cheery Makayla smiled at the woman as she walked from her spot at the front desk. “Cute bracelets!” The younger woman raved.
“Good morning love and thank you! How’ve you been?” Her stride slowed as she awaited a response.
It was often they held conversations if they had the time. Well Gizelle always made time.
“I’ve been ok! Mama asked about you. Wanted to see how you were doing” you could tell by her facial expression, she was hesitant to ask. “With….everything”
Flashing a soft reassuring smile, Gizelle started on her path again. “I’m doing well. Send her my love!” She threw over her shoulder, waving goodbye for the moment.
Sighing as she turned the corner, her publicist stood right outside the boardroom. The impatient taps of her heeled feet stopped once Gizelle came into view. “Really?”
“I don’t wanna hear it Tierra.You called this meeting, I’m here lets go.”
“Yeah but 30 minutes late?” Tierra trailed behind her letting the door close. Upon entering, she greets several other people on her team. Taking her seat at the table, her shoulders slightly slumped.
“30 minutes? And I know it’s deliberate cause you hate being less than an hour early anywhere. This is serious Gizelle, you are more than aware of that.”
“Tierra, I understand the concern but I have been prepared for this. We all knew what feedback this doc was going to receive right?” Gizelle looked around, receiving nods from everyone and an eyeroll from Tierra. “So why are we so surprised that this bigoted, irrational group of trumpers have sent a couple of empty threats?” she leaned back in her chair, completely over this meeting.
“This isn’t just empty threats! The minute the synopsis of the documentary was leaked people were lined up outside your house! I mean come on G! You just got a noose in the mailbox! You know as well as I do that these people hate the truth. What you’re doing is eye opening, yes! But I’m not risking your safety because “we knew what the feedback was going to be”
“I don’t know what you expect me to do. I can’t help what intimidation tactics they use.”
Now it was Barry’s, your head of security, turn to speak up. “These aren’t just intimidation tactics Gizelle. It took two weeks just to find a hotel to take your reservations because extremist groups are on their premises actively threatening to burn the establishments down.”
Her once somber and unwavering demeanor breaks just a tad. “So now I have to cancel all those interviews? These folks have a story to tell Barry! And I need to be the one to give em the platform to do so.”
“I know you do, which is why, moving forward we take a different approach.” A look of confusion crossed Gizelle’s face. A knock at the door caught her attention and in walked Makayla.
“H-hi Um, There are some men here. Very serious looking, Men in Black kind of vibe. They have said very few words and honestly they’re scaring me.” A nervous Makayla stood in the doorway peeking back out and looking at everyone back with alert eyes. “Please say they are the 9:15 because there wasn’t any notes in the appointment slot and-”
Emerest, her manager, gave the timid receptionist a comforting smile, “They are sweetie. Please send them in.”
“Send who in? What the hell is going on?” Gizelle looked around at the individuals. It wasn’t until now that she noticed the extra chairs lined along the floor to ceiling windows.
“We have decided to take the necessary precautions in order for you to finish this film.”
When she had grown tired of the silence, the door opens and in walks a group of men. All stoic and intimidating but proceeding to greet Barry with a handshake before sitting down. One in particular didn’t just stop at Barry like the others, he introduced himself to Tierra and Emerest as well.
“Special agent Jackson Brooks, pleasure to see you all again” his voice cutting through Gizelle’s tunnel vision of confusion for a brief second.
“Happy to have you here Agent Brooks”
“Tierra, what is going on? None of you can hear me?” Gizelle sat kind of offended that she was completely ignored during the greeting.
“These men are taking over as your security until further notice” Barry motioned toward the entourage.
Gizelle’s gaze went down the line of men seated at the window and then to the giant man just across the table. The all black ensemble was tailored perfectly to his body. His hands were intertwined in front of him and his attention was now on the lady of the hour. She stood from her seat and walked around the table. “There’s no way any of you are serious right now.” she spoke slowly as she came within a few feet of the door.
“Tierra!” her tone thickened the tension within the room. She turned towards the guests of the room. “Thank you all for coming but your services are not needed.” holding the door open motioned for them to leave the room. When they didn’t move, she paused her movements seeing them stay seated. Her face went from annoyed to threatening quickly. The men in the chair shifted uncomfortably before beginning to stand.
“Ms. Adams” The wall of a man spoke.
She turned to the man, His voice sending the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up. “Now you speak?”
“My apologies for any disrespect my colleagues and I may have shown. Though you are not to give them orders of any kind.”
“Excuse me?” All of her team watched the interaction with closed mouths, not wanting to jump in the middle and be hit in the crossfire. Gizelle looked at the man trying not to melt under his harsh stare. His cologne wafted into her senses almost making her eyes disappear into the back of her head but the challenging look on her face still remained.
“If it upsets you, that's not my concern. I was brought here for a job and I intend on fulfilling my duties.” Tierra sighed quietly to herself sinking into her seat.
When she went to the object, Jackson diverted his attention elsewhere. “Mr. Veridian, the agency wanted to know if you received the contract. It was faxed over last week, morning of the 21st exactly. My team and I can not install surveillance systems of the residence and this building until then. ”
“Contract?” Gizelle whispered. Surely there was no way all of this transpired without her knowing. It was one thing to hire help but contracts meant that there had been conversations prior to.
Barry nodded once, “Of course. The paperwork was faxed over around 6:00 this morning.”
“Okay, let’s just pause for a second,” Gizelle declared. Her fingers rubbed her temples. “What the hell is going on?” she slowly questioned. “Residence? These strangers are going to be in my house? The one that I paid for?” she pointed to herself staring at Barry.
“Yes,” he nodded. “Elle I know this is all being sprung on you last minute but I promise all will be worth it. We knew you would not be on board with the extra help but Warner Brothers has personally reached out requesting there be a step up in your security detail or this documentary gets trashed. They see where this is going.”
Her eyes went to slits almost. “You say ALL of this to me right now?” her arms gesturing towards the room. “We’re a team. Are we not?”
“Then what is with all the secrecy? It’s one thing to hire extra help but it’s another to move them into my home and give me, what? A 24 hour notice?”
“NO! you don’t know! Cause where is this contract? I at least would’ve liked to look at the conditions of this arrangement.”
Emerest side eyed Barry as if to say I told you. The questions hung in the silence of the room and Gizelle’s eye contact grew even harsher.
“HELLO?!?” she shouted, not hearing any answers. The men along the window watched on.
“Elle it was not our intention to upset you” an apologetic look on Tierra face.
“Just–” she stopped herself before she could say something she knew she’d regret. “Just do whatever at this point. My opinion clearly doesn’t matter.” Picking up her purse, she swung the door open and stormed out the facility.
The following day was one of constant movement all around Gizelle’s property. The crew for the security system arrived at 7 a.m. sharp. The entirety of the outside of the home had been covered in security cameras. From the entry gate on back, not a spot was left uncovered.
Gizelle sat in her kitchen watching the view of men from her breakfast nook. She had said all she needed to say to her team yesterday…well not really but she was going to hold off until later on. For now, she was just making sure that the people who were installing this stupid system stayed far away from her lemon trees.
“Gizelleeee” Emerest sang waltzing into the kitchen. She’d been giving them the silent treatment for the last 24 hours.
“Cmon mami! If anything I’m the one that told them to at least give you a heads up!” still nothing from the woman distracted in the window.
“Elle pleeeeaaasseeeeeeeeee” the dominican woman laid across Gizelle’s lap like a cat begging for attention.
Almost cracking a smile, Giselle looked down at the woman. “Leave me alone Em foreal”
Smacking her teeth, “But it’s not my faaauuullt” she whined. “And at least he’s cute!” she whined.
“I don’t care. I don’t want him in my house. I don’t want them in my shadow. I don’t want this period. And yet–here they are.” The sound of concentrated footsteps against the marble flooring were heard and pulled Emerest’s attention.
“Good morning. I was hoping to discuss the schedule for the upcoming week.” Jackson stood a few feet away from them. “It was my understanding that we will be boarding the plane tomorrow afternoon.”
“No,” Gizelle answered, her attention still on the trees. “You hire security and he can’t remember simple details of a flight?” she looked at Emerest. “We depart at 10:30 a.m.”
“Actually Miss Adams, I took the liberty in pushing the time up on the departure.” her head snapped to the man.
“I am not able to disclose that information but we will be leaving for the airport at noon. Just wanted to give you a heads up.” his face didn’t show it, but his tone was a little smug.
Standing up she walked towards him. “The hell you mean you can’t disclose the reason you’re messing up my work schedule.” attitude at an all time high.
“I don’t give a damn what your job is! I do know that the next time you feel the need to mess with anything pertaining to my work, you involve me.” her eyes bore into his.
“As I was saying,” Jackson started slowly. “I can not disclose that information with you Miss Adams. I understand this is not ideal but my concern is making sure you are safe. You want to make it on the plane, correct?” her face scrunched up.
“And as I was saying, a heads up would be nice” she looked him up and down. The faux disgust on her face hid the fact that she was checking him out. The black button up and grey slacks fit him so nicely. “You got a smart mouth on you”
“I’m just asking a question, Ma’am. From my perspective I can’t tell if you do or don’t”
“Having a say in what I do is all I want. I already can’t receive that kind of respect from my team”
“Hey! I-” she cut Emerest protest short.
“I don’t even know you and you’re already moved in, messing with the flow of shit, and your mob is tracking dirt into my house!” she pointed to the floors at the entrance of her home.
“Ma’am, Our intentions are not to make this an even more stressful situation than what it already is. If you could just trust that–”
“Hell no” he exhaled hard.
“May I continue?” as she rolled her eyes and folded her arms, he began again.”If you could just trust that we are doing everything in your favor , this whole thing will flow rather smoothly. You have to let me do my job.” his hands together as he moves them while trying to reason.
“Kill the drama Mr. Bodyguard. No need for the theatrics” she waved him off moving around him. His scent traveled through her nostrils. Goosebumps raised on her arms as she went toward the stairs.
It was best for her to walk away or she would have done or said something to embarrass herself. His…everything fueled her attitude to the max. How could someone who was just doing their job, cause her stomach to do somersaults. Gizelle blamed it on the lack of intimacy with anyone for the last 2 years. She felt like she was going feral.
To distract her hormones, she decided to use this time to finish packing her bags. When she’d triple checked her belongings and grew bored with looking at the four corners of her room, she got dressed for the day. A brown spaghetti strapped maxi dress clung to her figure as she descended the staircase. The clicking of her coach flip flops against the stairs made the conversation in front of her stop.
“Hey Elle” Tierra greeted. “Where are you off to?” she eyed the purse on the woman’s arm.
“To mind my damn business” she responded. Her layered blowout swayed against her dark skin as she adjusted her shades on her head. Moving through the group of people and out the door of her home. She made her way to her forest green audi getting ready to go in but a hand pushed the door shut.
Turning around, she was met with a confused Jackson. “May I ask where you’re headed Miss Adams?”
“Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it won’t be anywhere without me”
Looking off to the side and back at the man, “I’ve managed before I’m sure I can do it now.” going to open the door again, only for it to not be able to bulge because of his hold. “Can you move?”
“I have appointments to make and you’re holding me up”
“Actually, you’re holding yourself up. We could be enroute right now if you would just follow me.” He'd taken her keys from her hand in a sly fashion gesturing towards the blacked out escalade.
Adjusting her glasses to her face, she side eyed the man through her shades and started towards the truck. “This is so stupid”
Making her way over to the driver’s window, she gestured for it to be rolled down. Giving the man specific directions to her destination, she moved to open her door and was stopped yet again.
“You don’t get tired of being a pain in the ass?” turning fully to Jackson. “Is it apart of your job description ?”
He didn’t answer, just opened the door and waited for her to enter.
On the drive there, Gizelle grew tired of the quietness and decided to give herself some fresh air and let the window down.
“Excuse me” rolling her eyes, she turned her head to Jackson.
“I need you to roll the window back up”
“Why?” a bored expression on her face.
“People do not need to know you occupy this vehicle”
“They don’t. It’s not even all the way down”
“Will you just let the window back up?” pursing her lips, Gizelle thought for a minute.
“Mm..say please” his eyebrows raised slightly.
“Say. Please.” a soft yet authoritative tone present.
A sharp exhale left his nose before his eyes connected with the woman. “Let the window up..please” satisfied, the window rolled up and gizelle turned her attention outside yet again.
“Thank you” the man breathed.
Ten minutes later, the driver arrived at the location given. The duo made their way into the building and right up to the front desk. A smiling receptionist sat, concluding her phone call before acknowledging the two.
“Hello Miss Adams, how are you on today?”
“I’m well Keisha and yourself?”
“I’m doing okay. Are you Jalissa’s…11:00?” The woman typed on the computer before looking up.
“Perfect! I’ll notify her you’re here” giving a quick thank you, Gizelle turned on her heels towards the sitting area.
“Will you sit down?” she looked at Jackson as he stood close to the exit.
“This is a spa of some sort right?”
“How many people know you come here?” his eyes look through the room.
“Just you?” it didn’t seem like he believed her.
“Yes Mr. Brooks, just me” she nodded with a tight lipped looking at him scan the room yet again. “You don’t wanna take my word for it?” something close to a laugh almost left him.
“How long are we going to be here?”
“Did you not just hear the time of the appointment?”
“Kind of rude to answer a question with a question.”
“You never shut up do you?” Turning towards him fully, her hand under her chin. “Just a ball of curiosity”
“It would be nice to know what we’re here for. This outing was not on the itinerary given to me. So yes I am very curious as to why we’re here.” An attitude breaking through the restraints he had been holding.
“A Brazilian quizlet. Is that okay?” she watched him side-eye her from below.
“A grooming treatment would’ve been a much more professional way to express that Miss Adams.” She rolls her eyes.
“You badger me and then want to dictate how I respond to your question. You men kill me” turning forward, she watched an eager Jalissa come from the back.
“Hey girl! How have you been?” the two engaged in small conversation making their way to the room. As they went to enter the room both women came to a halt, turning around to see Jackson.
“I didn’t know you brought your boyfriend Gizelle!”
“That is not my man, that’s my bodyguard.”
“Ooooh so why is he…?” she gestured to him following them to the back.
“I have no idea. Can you give us a minute actually?” she smiled. Giving her an okay and walking into her suite, Gizelle turned to the man.
“I’m not worried about what’s going on in there, I am only here to guard the door.”
“Aaaannnnd you couldn’t do that at the front?”
“There’s an entrance back here and from the looks of it many people occupy this facility. Who knows where an intruder could come from in this place?” he pointed around the hallway before pointing up at the ceiling. “There is also no surveillance as far as I can see and though I know it’s for privacy reasons it’s also a safety risk.” she released a sigh. Not entertaining him anymore she went inside the suite closing the door.
The session lasted all of 20 minutes. Gizelle ended up leaving a way larger tip than necessary for her waxer and the duo were on their way.
When exiting, the two were suddenly swarmed with reporters. A confused Gizelle quickly hid her face behind her hand. The harsh lights from the cameras seemingly brighter than the sun.
How’d they know I was here? She thought to herself walking towards the truck. Jackson’s hand wrapped securely around her wrist, walking in front of her maneuvering through the crowd. Questions from left and right, comments on her attire, the constant shoving of mini microphones in her face becoming more hectic by the second.
“Miss Adams! the citizens of Fairingly colt county send this” a splash of thick red liquid is thrown on Gizelle almost knocking her off her balance. The crowd of reporters scattered a little as the majority of it misses her and hits them. An angry Jackson turns in the direction of the person grabbing them by the neck of the shirt and pushing them into a nearby tree.
“Hey!” nearby police officers call from afar. Gizelle was pulled out of the crowd by the driver. Directing her to the car as she tried to look back at the commotion behind her. The liquid dried on her dress causing her movements to become restricted. Getting settled into the back seat, she watched the policemen run over and jack the man up from Jackson's hold before they exchanged words. The vigilante was pulled away and Jackson started on his way to the car. Once inside, he looked at Gizelle scanning over her face and down her body.
Shaking her head, she tugged at the sundress annoyed. “No just…sticky” sniffing her hands she questioned. “Is this paint?” further inspecting the substance.
“That’s all that bastard claimed it was.” he mumbled. “We can be en route to the police station if you wish to press charges.”
“I don’t even have the energy” she expressed. “I just want to go home and get this stuff off of me.”
Looking closely at her side profile, Jackson didn’t probe any further. He gave the driver the okay to go and off they went.
“What the fuck do you mean you’re not pressing charges?” Otis Adams carried throughout the room as Gizelle sat at her vanity applying her skincare. Her blowout in silk rods under as bonnet and scarf. An Emerald cotton pajama pant set kept her body warm from the coolness of her room.
The news didn’t take long to spread thus causing her parents to be the first to contact her. By now she had heard it all from her team, her siblings, and now from her parents. Given their age, they weren't able to navigate social media that well, but the folks in their small town knew how to gossip.
“Otis Language!” A shocked Jennifer Adams chastised her husband.
“Jen, now is not the time! He couldn’t hurt her! Today it’s paint, tomorrow it’s a bullet!”
“Mom…Dad” Gizelle tried to interrupt their bickering but the couple continued.
“You need to stop this documentary bullshit elle! Just give it a rest! Who knows what call we’re going to receive next!” her dad continued.
“Otis you know she that’s not going to happen” her mom failed miserably at whispering. “Girl’s as stubborn as her daddy”
“Oh Don’t go putting this on me!”
“Ma! Can ya’ll listen?” the other end of the phone went quiet. “I am fine, everything is fine, moving forward all will be fine. There's no need to get worked up over some paint.”
“I will talk to you two before I board the plane, okay? I love you both and Goodnight” she dismissed, pressing the end call button.
Everyone from her team had left and now the only people that occupied her residence was her new found alarm system as well men bordering the premises. She couldn’t deny that she felt a little bit of security but she’d be damned if she admitted it.
Hearing a knock on her door she called for whoever to come in.
Jackson enters from the darkness of the hallway. “Evening Miss Adams. I just wanted to ensure that you were okay from earlier.”
“Yes Mr. Brooks, I am okay thank you for asking.” She made eye contact with him through the vanity mirror. Sarcasm at an all time high.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your free time, I was just making sure”
“I said I’m okay” her patience was starting to run a little thin but in all actuality his actions from earlier had done something to her. People around had come to her defense before but the physicality of it all made her insides warp into something she’d never experienced.
“Miss Adams, I know today was unexpected but I would appreciate a little bit less of an attitude throughout this whole ordeal.”
“I have been asked the same question for the past 7 hours Mr. Brooks. So yes, I am going to grow tired of answering the same way after a while.”
Turning in her seat to face him, “I doubt it” she hit the light on her vanity mirror getting up.
“And there it will stay.” she looked at him. “Why are you even here? What’s the purpose of you even being in the house? You have the military guarding my property, so what’s with you having to occupy my space?”
“If I’m not mistaken you told me that you were the only one that knew you went to that spa we were at, correct?”
“So you don’t find it a little suspicious that the one place you go to by yourself was bombarded with paparazzi?” Gizelle went quiet thinking to herself. “...Right”
“Are you usually this smart with people or just me?”
“Do you usually make it this hard for people to do their jobs or just me?”
“If you knew how to do your job, maybe you wouldn’t get all the push back.”
“I operate very well Miss Adams, no thanks to you.”
Gizelle walked until she was just a foot away from him. “Is that so?” her arms folded.
“I’ll have you know, I’ve been a lot more compliant than the average person in this position.”
“You’ve been combative from the jump”
“You’ve been an ass from the jump” she shrugged.
“You heard me, hell nothing like today ever happened until you got here. Who knows what other bad luck you bring.”
“I’ve been every bit of patient with you Miss Adams.” He moved closer. “But these arguments are juvenile. Trying to pin something as serious as this on me is ridiculous.” the focus of his stare and his tone sending a shock way to her lower region.
“Why does everyone think I need to be spooked by a can of paint?!” she scoffed.
“I think you need to be aware of how lucky you are that it was just paint and nothing more! Are you that ungrateful?!”
“Then what is your problem?!”
“You!” Her eyes bounced between both of his before dropping to his lips. Her chest rose and fell at a semi rapid pace while she tried to get her breathing together.
“What?” his voice dropped in confusion. “I’m the problem?” he asked. Holding eye contact she tilted her head slightly.
“No?” Gizelle looked shocked.
“No” he finalized. “We’re going to be in each other’s way for a pretty long time so either we reach some kind of common ground or this will continue to be a difficult time for the both of us.” Closing her eyes and taking deep breaths, she finally spoke.
“I really don’t give a shit how long they hired you to follow me around and I damn sure don’t care to find a common ground with you or anybody else at the moment. Yes! I can admit, it was incredibly suspicious that the one place I said nobody knew I went to once a month, was bombarded with paparazzi. Yes, I’m aware I was attacked today and as I have said all damn evening, IT. WAS. JUST. PAINT! You saved me and I so appreciated it.” she thanked sarcastically. “But coming into my house, dirtying up my floors, messing up my garden, and confiscating my baby DOES NOT leave any room for common ground.” She was extremely close to him now. Eyes serious. “So I guess times will remain difficult, Mr. Brooks”
They stood there having a staredown. The tension in the room is as thick as frozen molasses.
“If you wish, Miss Adams” he finally spoke. Turning and making his way to the door he looked back one last time, hand on the door knob. “You should rest up. Got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
She didn’t say anything back as he disappeared into the hallway.
This was going to be hell on earth for her for sure.
a/n: hey yall! i hope everyone is doing well. I planned to have this broken up into about 4 parts or 5? maybe idk. I also know there was someone who asked to be added to the taglist of this series but I lost the comment. so if you see this and it was you I am so sorry. just leave a comment and I'll make sure to add you, I promise <3 smooches 😙
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