Stars in her Eyes

The Interview

You are in a long line of interviewers waiting to interview the national treasure that is Benedict Cumberbatch. You get to interview him twice, once before you see his new film and once after because that way, as your boss puts it, “You can reach out and grab the whole story”.

You are at the front of the queue now and you are clutching the sheet of questions that your boss has given you to ask Benedict. You are under strict instructions to stick to that list. You sit down opposite Benedict, most girls would probably fangirl but you are used to interviewing famous celebrities, it is all part of the job. “Hello Mr Benedict Cumberbatch, my name is y/n and I am here from Stars in her Eyes magazine.”

“Very nice to meet you y/n” the silkiness in his voice could turn anyone on and you were warned that he is able to flirt with anyone. You ask the questions which Benedict answers in great detail and you knew your step-father would be pleased. Your step-father is your boss so you are under a lot of pressure daily to pursue his wishes. “One more question Benedict…” you freeze looking at this question. You cannot ask this! The interview was going so well and you’ve got to interview him again tomorrow. There were rumours going round, spread by his makeup artist, that him and his makeup artist were seeing each other. This has kind of been proven not true but the question on your piece of paper reads ‘Do you sleep with all your makeup artists?’, you pause and look up to see him longing for the question. “Sorry Mr Cumberbatch, my mistake. That is all the questions I have for you, enjoy the premiere.” You say drearily.

“Ok…thank you y/n, it has been a pleasure. Enjoy the film.” With that you leave the interview room to go and watch the film, slightly scared about how your step-father will react.

The film was really good and you arrive back at the office pumped and pleased that you were the one chosen to review it. You walk into your step-father’s office and put the recording of the interview on his desk and he begins to watch it. You try to leave but before you could, “Where is the last question?” You gulp not looking round. “Where is the last question, y/n?” He turns you around waiting for answers. “Ummmm…I didn’t ask the last question sir” He sits you down in the chair and starts wondering around you like it is an interrogation. “Why y/n, didn’t you ask the question?! You better have a good reason!”

“I didn’t think it was appropriate, he is a nice guy and I have got to interview him again tomorrow! You know what; I don’t have to put up with this.” You stand up and begin to leave the room when he grabs your arm to stop you from moving, he squeezes hard, and you know there is going to be a bruise there tomorrow. It hurts and you begin to groan as he squeezes harder. “I took you in and gave you a respectable job when your mother died. You get to talk to celebrities and all I ask is that you obey orders.” He roars this and then releases you but then whacks you around your head, there is blood dripping from your forehead but this happens a lot and you have learned to patch yourself up the best as you can without going to hospital. You probably need stitches but you decide to go without and go home and clean up.

You are waiting in line, again, to interview Benedict. Although it is very warm, you are wearing a jacket, to cover the bruises going up your arm and your fringe nicely covers the deep cut to your forehead. You sit opposite Benedict again and he looks pleased. You were his last interview of the day so you were trying to work out if he was pleased to see you or pleased to know the end is near. “Hello Mr Cumberbatch, it is a pleasure to speak to you again from Stars in her Eyes magazine.”

“The pleasure is all mine, y/n.” He remembers your name, which seeing he has probably seen millions of interviewers since yesterday you feel special which kind of makes you feel a bit better about getting up this morning. Your arm hurts whenever you move it and your cut stings like hell whenever it comes into contact with the hair touching it or water. So today you are not on top form and you think Benedict can sense that.

You finish the interview, turn the camera off and begin to walk away when someone grabs your arm, softly but it still hurts because they are touching yesterday’s bruises. You jerk your arm out of their hand and you are embarrassed when you realise it was Benedict. “I am so sorry Benedict!” This sounds abrupt but you ignore this.

“Are you okay today y/n? You seem a bit out of it and jumpy.” He looks concerning at you, no one has looked like that at you for years. “I am fine Mr Cumberbatch, sir.”

“Call me Ben, it is only fair because I call you y/n.” He notices something and moves in closer to you. He swipes your fringe back to reveal the deep, seeping cut on your forehead. He looks sad and peers around to see if anyone was watching. “Who did this to you?” You shake your head quickly; you cannot tell him that, you panic and run off, not turning back to Benedict.