Potential | Gustavo Fring x Reader

Chapter 3

KEY: Your POV, Gus' POV

        I woke up groggily to my ear-piercing alarm. Oh shit, it's time for Tommy's school, we're late.

"Tommy, wake up!"

         I lunged out of bed & got my son ready for school as fast as I could. I then remembered I left my car at Los Pollos Hermanos, fuck. I looked to my side to see a note with my name on it. I grabbed the note & unfolded it, confused. Some money fell out into my hand.

I read the note aloud, "You fell asleep in my car so I brought you up to your apartment. I left you some cash to call a cab to get to school & work. I'll have my mechanic fix your car in the morning."

             I blushed out of sheer shock from this stranger's kindness. Mr. Fring has done so much for me already, I am so lucky. I snapped back into panicked dad mode & got Tommy down to the street before calling a cab. 

              I tapped my fingers on the front counter as I waited for Y/N to arrive. They weren't late I was just antsy. That apartment complex of theirs was definitely sketchy, I don't know how their father let that happen. I do hope they are okay. What if someone broke in? It was easy for Mike to get in, what's stopping some druggie from doing the same. I should've had Mike watch over the apartment, kept them safe. I'm such an idiot. 

"Mr. Fring?" A voice snapped me from my dissociation, "Are you okay?"

               Y/N stood in front of me looking worried & disheveled. I looked them up & down, they somehow managed to wear mismatched shoes.

"Yes, I'm fine. How are you, you seemed to have had a rushed morning."

Y/N looked down at their clothes, "Oh, yeah. I'm sorry sir. I'll go get cleaned up & in uniform."

"No worries at all, Y/N."

               Y/N walked off towards the employee bathrooms & I began my day's work. I thought about Mike's progress in getting Y/N kicked out of their apartment. I reassured myself that I had good intentions, I didn't want them living in such a dangerous place. On top of this, I received a call from Mike this morning informing me that Albuquerque's very own Heisenberg wishes to work for me. So much business all in one day. It's fine. I'm wary of Heisen- ah hell, Walter White, such a stupid street name. I'm wary of  Walter White's lack of caution anyways so he's not much of a concern partnership-wise. 

                I exited the bathroom & adjusted my yellow work shirt. I looked up to see Gus looking at me, when I noticed he smiled & turned away. I walked up to the cash register & took over for the girl whose shift just ended. A familiar-looking man walked in. He walked right up to me & looked up at the menu.

"Welcome to Los Pollos Hermanos," I spoke in a cheery customer service voice, "What can I get for you today?"

"Uh, I think I'll get a chicken tenders combo," the man replied in a somewhat gruff voice.

"Right away, that will be $8.99."

                   The man handed me his card & I slid it into the reader. Before handing it back the name on the card caught my eye.

"Mr. White! I knew you looked familiar."

"I- What."

"I'm Y/N Merkert. I took your junior year chemistry class a couple years back. I sat next to Jesse Pinkman!"

The man seemed panicked when I recognized him, "Oh, yes, yes. Of course, I remember you. I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush."

"Oh, would you like me to make this order to-go then?"

"I-No no. That's fine. I just mean I can't talk a lot right now."

"Okay, Mr. White. I hope life's treating you well. Have a wonderful day, your food should be ready in a few minutes."

                     I watched as Y/N talked to Walter White, I didn't realize they knew each other. Walter moved to a seat next to the window, soon joined by his partner Jesse Pinkman. I decided to interrupt their heated-looking conversation, "Gentlemen, is everything to your satisfaction."

"Yes," Walter seemed to ignore me.

                     The druggie, Jesse, who had already arrived late, decided to leave early as well. These two are so unprofessional. Walter remained in his spot, barely touching his food for the next hour & a half or so before leaving as well. How pathetic, these two. Though, I guess I would commend Walter's stubbornness if it actually had some intelligence behind it. Nonetheless, I shouldn't fret over such negative things. 

                   I turned my attention back to Y/N who was hard at work. Now that is something I can appreciate, a good work ethic. They wiped the sweat off their brow & huffed.

My co-worker, Vanessa, pulled me aside, "Mr. Fring is staring at you a lot."

"What?"

"Every time I see him he's watching you!"

"Yeah, well... I'm new. I bet he's just making sure I'm doing things right."

"I haven't seen him doing that with anyone, why are you special?"

I gave Vanessa a confused look, "I'm not?"

"Well, Mr. Fring sure acts like it."

                    My phone went off & I stepped away from Vanessa. I checked my phone & was immediately put on the verge of tears.

                     I noticed Y/N checking their phone. They covered their mouth with their hand & hurried outside. I gave it a moment before following him outside. They were walking in the parking lot with their hands behind their head.

"Y/N?" I seemed to startle them.

"O-Oh Mr. Fring, I'll go right back in. I felt a little fuzzy & went to get fresh air."

"No, I understand completely. Are you okay, do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine," their voice broke as they spoke.

I paused & stepped closer to Y/N, placing a hand on their shoulder & looking deep into their eyes, "Are you sure?"

                   Y/N dropped their head into their hands & began crying. I pulled them into a hug & placed my hand on the small of their back. Y/N gripped the back of my shirt tightly.

"If you'd like to talk about what happened, I'm here. If an employee hurt you in any way please tell me."

"I got an eviction notice from my landlord."

                    I fought the urge to crack a smile because they were sad, but I am now one step further to making them mine.