Work Text:
𓅪 Terms of Service 𓅪
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1.1 Your specific duties and responsibilities are set out in the job description.
1.2 The Employer may, from time to time, require you to carry out other duties either on a temporary or permanent basis, which are considered to be within your skill and competence.
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Even applying had been a long shot. She knew that. Because even though she had plenty of work experience, it wasn’t the sort of work a billionaire who ran a charity would necessarily see as particularly desirable. But it showed her work ethic, and surely that was a valuable trait in a potential assistant?
It must have shown something, since it scored her the opportunity to interview and a ferry ticket to Port Haven.
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She had listed her current places of employment with as much pride as she possibly could, given their lack of prestige. And she was proud. Not of the amount of money she made or the lifestyle she had—it was pitiful at best. But she showed up on time, her bosses liked her, and she always mustered a smile for even the rudest of customers.
She might not be the smartest or most experienced applicant, but she promised to be the hardest-working.
Michaela had given her a sympathetic look when she said this, then leaned in slightly and said, “A piece of advice? Never repeat any of that on a resume, ever.”
Michaela had a way of making people like they were ten feet tall. Valuable. Important. It was wonderful.
But the flipside was true, too, and she was equally capable of making those around her feel small. Tiny. Insignificant. It was awful, and that was Simone’s first taste of what this woman was capable of.
But then she leaned in and smiled, “But after working for me, you won’t need a resume—doors will open based on reputation alone.”
It was true. All of it.
It was just…
Those doors were opened for Michaela…by employees who feared disappointing her.
And Simone walked through…positioned two steps behind Michaela, as was respectful.
And after working for Michaela, Simone didn’t need a resume—she didn’t even need a job.
Because she was married to a fucking billionaire.
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2.1 There will be a probationary period of six months. If the Employee’s performance is satisfactory, the Employee’s continuing employment will be confirmed in writing.
2.2 The Probationary period may be extended, with reason, by the Employer if necessary.
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Michaela had waived her probationary period after three months, insisting she didn’t like that hanging between them. She wanted Simone to have a more permanent place there.
“I know how much feeling a sense of belonging means to you.”
It did.
“I want you to feel that, I do, but—there are things that might hold you back from finding that. Things a piece of paper can’t fix.”
Simone knew what Michaela meant by things. She just hadn’t expected her to offer a fix so suddenly—to have a Technician on the island, set up on the premises.
“Won’t it be nice to have a clean slate? Sometimes starting over hurts, but it will be worth it.”
The worst part was that it had been nice. Not getting them removed. No, that hurt like a bitch.
But it was nice not to have to explain them or hide them. They were just…gone, and it gave her hope that other bits of her past could disappear, too—the parts that hurt more than a laser or needle ever could.
When it was over, she could almost imagine that it was her idea in the first place.
But it wasn’t.
The tattoo hadn’t been her idea, either, but she had been excited to get it at the time. Because it was something Devon wanted to share with her, and at the time, that had been precious to her.
It had felt like a link that could never be broken.
A link she never expected she would want to break.
She didn’t regret getting the tattoos, but she didn’t regret having them removed, either.
She just wished she had been the one to make those choices of her own free will, rather than simply agreeing to appease the older women she wanted to impress.
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3.1 You are contracted to work a minimum of 60 hours per week.
3.2 The Employer reserves the right to vary your start and finish times and the number of hours worked on any given day. You may be required to work overtime, including weekends and federal holidays.
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It didn’t take long for things to start to blur.
Where did work end? When did work start?
She had been so flattered by the way Michaela doted on her, going above and beyond what she had ever expected from the woman.
She had given her a place to stay, insisted upon a meal plan, and invited her to run on the beach with her each day.
“We don’t just care for birds here…eat like them, too, we have to. Slenderness speaks to self-control, and people respond to that. Remember that.”
As if she could ever forget.
Her closet slowly filled with items of Michaela’s choosing, sometimes with notes requesting her to wear specific items and telling her how to style them.
“You’re a pretty girl, I hate to see you dressed in…well, I can’t have my employees looking homeless, can I? Even if you are. God, I wish I had this sort of guidance when I was your age and entering this world.”
Simone wasn’t used to that level of interest in her health and well-being, and it was nice.
She didn’t mind the extra hours because it meant spending time with Michaela, and she liked spending time with her.
She liked being seen as worthy of spending time with her.
She didn’t like getting up early, not really. She didn’t like the dry granola, green juice, and nuts portioned into tiny servings of a half-dozen that were doled out thrice daily. She didn’t particularly like how florals looked on her and she fucking loathed that woman’s obsesion with panty-hose.
But eating what she wanted and dressing how she wanted hardly felt like sacrifices when they came along with the opportunity to be Michaela Kell’s protege.
That is what she had called her one day, and when she did, Simone had to bite back her squeal of delight at all the implications that came with that, with having Michaela as a mentor.
But the joy she felt then couldn’t compare to what came just a few months later, when Michaela called her a friend.
“Call me Kiki, Simone, all my friends do.”
She had almost called her sister that night…because she didn’t have anyone else to call, and she wanted to share her happiness with someone.
But Devon wouldn’t want to share it. She would try to steal it from her, and if she couldn’t do that, then she would destroy for them both.
She set her phone back down. She would text her later. That was easier.
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4.1 If the Employee is unable to attend work because of sickness or any other reason, they must inform the Employer personally, by telephone, as soon as they are aware of their inability to attend.
4.2 Unauthorised absence may be considered by the Employer to be gross misconduct and may result in the termination of your employment without notice.
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There was pressure that came with being Michaela Kell’s protégée. She had to wear heels now and keep her hair neatly tied up. She had to look professional and respectable. She was no longer concerned with impressing Kiki, but was terrified that she might embarass the older woman.
“I’m going into the city this week, you will be joining me, Simone.”
It wasn’t uncommon for Kiki to travel—not exactly, but it was never without reason.
This time, the reason was to visit an old friend — she just failed to mention that her ‘old friend’ was a plastic surgeon, at least until they stepped into the office and it became obvious.
“It’s amazing that we live in a time where if you don’t like something about yourself, you can change it. It is a privilege to be able to fix things rather than fixate on them. If only I had the opportunity to resolve my insecurities earlier…”
Simone disliked many things about herself, but none of them could be fixed with a facelift.
“Isn’t there something you want to change, Simone? Think about it. Dr. Roberts does excellent work.”
Kiki tapped Simone on the nose, but her finger lingered a bit too long for it to be a cutesy gesture. Her eyes were focused on the center of Simone’s face, and she didn’t try to hide it. It wasn’t a subtle hint, even if it wasn’t spoken out loud—not this time, at least.
A few weeks ago, however…
“Shapewear works miracles, but it is a pity that it can’t smooth out bumps in bone.”
She hadn’t thought much of it at the time. It wasn’t like she ever had the money or connections to make it possible, so why would she bother considering it?
But if Kiki thought she should…
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That night, she had looked at her reflection and thought about what she saw.
She saw a pretty face.
It was so similar to her mother’s face that it was almost eerie. Maybe if her childhood had been different, she would have been comforted by the features they shared.
But as it was, Simone saw them as reminders of the woman who attempted to kill her.
And when she looked past the similarities and accepted her face as something belonging to her rather than her mother, well, there was no comfort to be found there, either.
Her face, was also the face of a woman who attempted to kill her.
Because Simone had tried to kill herself, too.
Which meant she had the face of a suicidal maniac.
She was disgusted by that part of herself.
Disgusted by the fact she had failed, even in that.
It might be nice, not having to look at that face every day.
Or ever again.
Because she wasn’t that woman anymore. She didn’t want to be that woman ever again. And she certainly wasn’t her mother.
She didn’t want to look like her, either.
And she didn’t have to, did she?
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5.1 The Employee must respect the privacy of the Employer and their family. The Employee must maintain a professional approach at all times, keep information gained in the course of their employment confidential.
5.2 The Employee must not disclose any personal details of their employer on any social media platforms, to ensure that the employer’s privacy is protected.
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They had stayed in the city for almost three weeks, until the worst of the bruising and swelling had gone down.
Three months later, it was practically undetectable unless you knew to look for the change. The doctor had seemed pleased with the result, and so had Michaela.
Simone was pleased too. She thought she was, at least. She definitely said she was.
“Let’s just keep this between you and me; my husband has these…hangups about the sort of maintenance required for women in this world. Best just to keep him in the dark. That is what friends are for, isn’t it? Keeping secrets.”
A non-disclosure agreement wasn’t enough, apparently. Because it couldn’t keep her from talking within the walls of the estate.
Who would she talk to, though?
The other staff made no secret of their hatred for her, and she had spent mere minutes in the presence of the elusive Mr. Kell.
Most of the time, her world was shrunk down to her and Kiki. And she liked to think friendship was for more than secrets.
But she hadn’t had enough friends to say as much with any amount of confidence.
“Do you have any secrets, Simone? You know you can tell me anything.”
It wasn’t the telling part that worried her. It was how Kiki might respond to the knowledge.
She might hate her if she knew.
Or worse—she might try to fix her.
But short of a lobotomy, Simone didn’t see how she could.
And she really didn’t want to find out.
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6.1 You are required to give the Employer a minimum of four weeks written notice of your intention to terminate your employment.
6.2 Nothing in this contract prevents the Employer from terminating your employment in the event of any serious breach by the employee of the terms of your employment or in the event of any act of gross misconduct or gross negligence perpetrated by you.
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The contract was pretty standard, or she thought it was. She read it over and over. Memorized every word and traced her finger across the dotted line as she did so.
When she signed it, she had done so with determination.
She was determined to be the best assistant.
She had been the best assistant.
And for a long time, she thought Michaela Kell was the best boss.
And her best friend.
And then, there was the ‘event of gross misconduct.’
And then, there was nothing at all.
As was within her legal rights as her employer.
Because that was all Simone ever was to Michaela.
An Employee.
Someone replaceable
Michaela had been a lawyer. She knew better than to breach a contract. She probably memorized the one she signed, too.
And Simone was certain that there was a time when she thought that Peter was the best boss.
And the best husband.
And the best man.
And then, there was the ‘event of gross misconduct.’
And then, there was nothing at all.
As was within his legal rights as her employer.
Because Michaela was replaceable, too.
And Michaela was the one to get fired.
And Simone…she got promoted.
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The parties here contemplate entering into marriage, and in anticipation of said marriage, the parties have reached this Agreement.
a) The parties acknowledge that they are entering into this agreement as their free and voluntary act, free of any fraud, coercion, or duress.
b) This Agreement shall become effective when and if, and only when and if, the contemplated marriage between the parties is actually entered into. If the marriage is not entered into, this Agreement shall become wholly null and void.
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A new job. A new contract. That’s all a prenuptial agreement was.
Though this one was longer, and it would be a while before she could recite it word for word, even if most of it was predictable legalize.
She signed her name with a flourish, no less determined in that moment than she had been when Michaela presented her with employment papers more than two years ago.
This time, the weight of the Montblanc felt natural in her hand.
This time, her nails were freshly polished, rather than chipped.
This time, a diamond ring decorated her left hand, while a tennis bracelet encircled her right wrist. Before coming here, the only adornment worn there was a stray hair tie.
This time, her arms were lightly tanned from her time spent outside, but they were otherwise unblemished. They were no longer tattooed and scattered with fresh blisters, mementos from weekends spent working in front of a fryer that liked to unpredictably spit oil.
She felt like a different person now. Two years had changed things and changed her.
It seemed fitting that by this time next week, she would have a different name to match.
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“What are you thinking?” Peter asked. She was fiddling with the pen while she watched the ink dry, her signature settling into the lines of the thick paper.
“You’re smiling,” he said accusingly, reaching to pluck his pen from her fingers, removing the distraction and leaving her little choice but to look up at him.
Not that that was some great hardship, or anything.
“I was just thinking that…I’m going to be the best wife.”
It was a promise. More to herself than to him.
But she liked how he smiled, how he nodded, lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed her knuckles.
She liked how he believed her and how he believed in her.
One of the benefits of her new position.
He pressed a kiss to her wrist, a gleam of something she now recognized as desire in his blue eyes.
It was hard to come by a job with such generous benefits.
She would have to let her boss know how much she appreciated them.
How much she appreciated him.
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