Flashing Lights | Cillian Murphy x Reader

Chapter Two

I felt my nerves increasingly worsen as the meeting began. We all sat at round tables, listening to Mark and Nancy explain the plot of the movie. I'd done bigger films before, but this was different. It needed to be perfect. I needed to be perfect.

I slowly took a drink of my coke classic, which was my favorite soda, trying to calm down the knot that was growing in my stomach. To be working with such important people, on such an important movie? Yes, the opportunity was incredible. But that meant the risk of failure was even greater. To top it off, I was sitting a few feet away from film star Cillian Murphy, who I was supposed to be in love with in this movie.

I couldn't help but steal a few glances at him, my inner fangirl couldn't help it. I watched how intently he listened to Mark as he spoke, and took in what exactly he was wearing. He had a black sweater and a white buttoned up undershirt, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms. He was wearing black dress pants and I couldn't help but feel a bit underdressed compared to him, sitting in my simple flattering top of my favorite color and jeans. I continued to analyze him, wanting to know what he was like when he wasn't playing a role.

I watched the way his jaw moved slightly as Mark spoke, talking about Cillian's character, whose name was Anthony. I watched the way his bright eyes seemed so focused on Mark and what he was saying, completely contradictory to me who was only absorbing every other word and was instead focused on looking at Cillian for an uncomfortably long time. I couldn't help but crack a small smile when Cillian would bashfully laugh and look away as Mark praised him, and thought to myself how modest he must be to be avoiding compliments. Then he looked directly at me.

As we made eye contact, his eyes lingered on mine for a moment before his eyebrows furrowed a bit in playful expression, almost as if he was silently wondering how long I had been gaping at him like a fish. Feeling embarrassed at being caught I quickly averted by gaze back to Mark, pretending to be interested in his talking about the mood of the movie. Dammit, I should be listening to this, but Cillian Murphy is right there!

I took a moment to glance back at the man across from me, just to make sure he was no longer looking, only to make eye contact with him yet again. Shoot! I thought to myself as I glanced away again. Note to self, do not look over there any more during the duration of this meeting.

And I succeeded much to my surprise, and did my hardest to listen to Mark. He was a fantastic director but he wasn't a very good speaker as he rambled for God knows how long and it didn't take long for me to become bored out of my mind and ready for the meeting to be over so I could go over my lines in my hotel room. I took the last swig of my coke, wanting to get up and grab another one but feeling it would be inappropriate as no one else had stood up to get more food since the meeting had started. Taking a deep breath, I tried to remain focus.

Finally Mark dismissed us, and everyone began to mingle again. As I pushed my chair in, I looked up to where Cillian was and noticed he had disappeared. Slippery fella. I thought to myself as I turned around, only to see him standing right behind me. "Ah!" I exclaimed, jumping in surprise.

"I'm sorry! You're alright, yeah? I didn't mean to frighten you." His sweet irish accent expressed what seemed like genuine concern for me as his hand hovered over my arm yet again. Touchy guy. I thought as I chuckled awkwardly. "Yes, yes, I'm alright. You just caught me by surprise, I didn't expect you right behind me." I laughed, rubbing my arm nervously. When he was in front of me I felt myself practically sinking into myself, given how much taller he was in comparison to me and how intimidating his aura was, despite his friendly demeanor.