Chapter 1: First Impressions
Guinevere
Today is my first day at PBC and I'm nervous as hell. Why did I agree to even do this? A television show this is crazy! Guinevere mentally scolds herself as she pulls into the parking lot of PBC Studios.
The drive to PBC studios was pleasant enough traffic was crazy but hell this was city life. Honesty I can't believe I even agreed to do this tv gig. When Merlin, the producer of Afternoons with Arthur called me asking if I would do a few shows for them, I said no. I'm opening another restaurant this week, I don't have time to help some lousy tv personality with his ratings. Besides I have never even seen this show before, who was this Arthur dude anyway? I bet he's a douche most minor famous people are complete assholes. But the head of PBC studios called her himself making her an offer she couldn't refuse.
Primetime tv and as many commercials for her new restaurant Esmerelda's opening in a few weeks. Who could say no to that? Guinevere DeGrance known as Chef Gwen, is a popular chef with several restaurants scattered across Europe, she's just opened a few restaurants in the States but, she isn't Emeril or Rachel Ray famous, not yet anyway. She could use all the publicity she could get and free publicity with a nice size salary for a few appearances on tv even better.
A kind older man with a friendly smile begins to put his car in reverse pulling out the parking spot and waving at her. She smiles back. Maybe this won't be so bad. She thinks. As the older gentleman drives off and bright red sports car zips into her spot before she can do anything about it.
"Son of a bitch!" She yells in frustration, slamming her hand against the horn. She wishes she could see who the asshole was but the windows are tinted so dark she can make them out. She honks her honk a litany of swear words ensue as she pulls off to search for another place to park.
Arthur
Stepping out of his red sports car Arthur looks back to find a lime green electric honking at him, before speeding away. "What the hell's wrong with them?" He says not really caring either way he shrugs as he heads into the front door of Pendragon Broadcasting Company.
It's another day at the office for Arthur Pendragon at PBC headquarters. Most people would be astounded by the grand building, the marble floors, the immaculate decorated lobby and studios. But not Arthur, hell he's practically grew up in this building. When his mother passed away after losing a battle with cancer, his father, or should he say Uther, what kind of parent forbids their child from calling him dad?
Anyway Uther devoted all of his spare time into make Pendragon Broadcasting Company the most powerful media group in the world. And he had succeed in many ways neglecting his son for most of his life and which has resulted in some serious daddy issues, but hell that's what therapy was for right?
As he made his way to the top floor of the building he was greeted by several lower level employees whom he ignored completely. One day they'd be working for me or fired by me, no use in getting attached. He reasoned.
He pushed the button for the top floor the elevator opened and stepped in, as the doors begin to close someone called out to hold the door. He saw a woman with light brown skin, loaded with boxes and bags. Though he could barely make out how she looked, he only saw her arms and the top of her head, covered in rich dark chocolate curls. She could be pretty, but taking a second look at all that stuff she was carrying. She can catch the next one, besides if I let her on then I'd have to help and I certainly didn't feel like helping anyone, not today, so he quickly pushed the close button.
Leaving whoever that was to fend for themselves, they had other elevators it wasn't the end of the world. Besides he wasn't in the conversational or sharing mood. Uther had summoned he to his office and that usually was never a good thing. They never did have the best relationship but every time they were in the same space, it was usually bad news, so this meeting caused his mind to churn with all kinds of crazy thoughts about what his father would want.
Once the elevator reached the top floor he got out of the elevator and made his way to his father's office. The walk down the hallway was tormented. Why is it that every time I'm was around Uther, I always felt so small and insignificant. Maybe it was Uther's presence, he was a very commanding person anyway. I'm pretty sure that other people were intimidated by the great Uther Pendragon, but that was other people, I'm his son, I shouldn't be.
Guinevere
After driving around the PBC studios parking lot for another ten minutes she finally parks her car. Her anger is still high but at a reasonable level for her. She is still reeling over that jerk who stole her parking spot, now technically is wasn't hers but she was waiting for it. Hell it was as good as hers until the idiot in the shiny red car just swooped in and took it. Her phone rings she steps, out of the car Guinevere heads to the back seat to gather her equipment. She takes a deep breath to calm her growing anger, hits the answer button and takes the call.
"Hello."
"Omigod Gwen I know I should have been at the studio before you but we have a bit of a problem here." Morgana, her best friend, fellow chef and co-owner of Esmeralda's.
"You're not here? Okay do I need to come back?"
"No, no, no. I can handle things here. You just go and become a super famous tv chef. I'll send one of the su chefs to back you up."
"Alright, you're sure I don't need to-"
"Everything is fine. Stop worrying."
"I'm not worrying."
"Oh yes you are I can see your frowny worry face from here."
"Shut up Morgana." Gwen says. How the hell does she do that? " Okay if you say you got it, I believe you."
"And remember to mind your temper."
"I don't have a temper."
"Yes you do."
"No I don't!"
"Then why are you yelling and so defensive?"
"I'm not yelling!" She yells. Great just what I needed, now I have to take shit from Morgana too?
"See you can't blow up like that on tv."
"I don't have time for this shit! Why don't you just worry about running the restaurant, that is your job isn't it?" She snaps.
"Okay calm down. everything is under control, and Gwen good luck-"
"I gotta go, bye." Gwen says rushing Morgana off the phone and hanging up.
Upon entering the building Gwen makes her way over to the elevators. Seeing a blonde-haired man enter in the center elevator she tries to walk faster to catch a ride with him.
"Hold the doors please." She calls out. Upon reaching the elevator the doors close in her face.
"What a dick! I know he saw me coming!" She growls in frustration, setting her boxes down she presses the button for the next elevator.
Arthur
Uther rambled on about something, Arthur wasn't listening. After he'd finished he asked Arthur if he had any questions. Questions about what? What the hell were you even babbling on about. He looks at his watch it's been 30 minutes.
"Good then you should go on down and meet your co-host."
"Co-host? Oh yeah um right I just go and do that." He says leaving Uther's office. Making his way to the studio level of the building he spots Merlin the show's producer.
"Merlin what's this about a co-host?"
"What didn't you just meet with your father?"
"I did but you know I never listen. Why the hell do I need a fucking co-host?"
"Shh keep your voice down. In case you haven't notice your show ratings are on a rapid decline so we've hired a chef to do a few episodes to boost ratings."
"Whatever I don't need a stupid co-host." Arthur says looking up he catches a glance at a beautiful woman with golden light brown skin and body that he'd love to get to know a little better. "Uh, who am I working with?"
"You really just tune people out don't you? I just told you."
"Huh? Sorry what did you say?" The gorgeous honey skinned goddess walks out of the room into break room and Arthur is drawn to follow her. The sway of her hips, how her hair bounces at each steps lures him in like a fish.
"Arthur." Merlin calls.
"What!" Arthur yells.
"We need to discuss the show."
"Yeah, later." And he rushes off to pursue the caramel covered beauty. He finds her bent over looking into the fridge giving him lovely view of her round ass, smiling he walks over making his move.
"Hey there." He eyes her body with no shame whatsoever." What's your name sweetheart?" Damn, she's even finer up close.
"It's Guinevere." She stands to face him annoyed. He's the bastard that closed the elevator in my face. Okay maybe that was kinda harsh, he could have been running late, or perhaps he didn't even hear me, he may not be such a jerk. Besides he's kinda cute.
"Mmm, pretty name for a pretty face."
She rolls her eyes at him. What a lame come on.
"Listen um don't have anything to do for the next two hours, so how about we go back to my dressing room and keep each other company."
"No thank you." Yep, I was right he is a jerk!
"You don't understand I have a private dressing room." With a couch we can make use of. He thinks seductively.
"Oh you have you're own dressing room? I've never seen one before."
Score! I knew she couldn't resist me. "Yeah well I could give you the grand tour-"
"That was sarcasm, incase my tone wasn't clear enough."
Ouch. "Okay I guess I deserved that. That pick up line was pretty bad."
"Yep."
"Listen here's the thing. I'll just get right to it so maybe we can get right to it. You're hot and I'm hot and think we could work really well together."
"Hmm. Well I guess I could help you cool down a little." She says picking up a can of soda, she pops the tab and takes a sip. "Would you like that?" She bites her bottom lip knowing his eyes would be drawn there.
"Hell yeah."
Swaying her hips seductively as she approaches him she leans in close to his ear and whispers."Well let's go big boy." He smiles and she does too before she empties the entire can of Cola all over his head soaking his clothes.
"Ahh, what the fuck did you do that for?"
"You obviously needed to cool off!" She snaps and she leaves him standing drenched in a puddle of soda.
A/N: So yeah not the best first meeting in the history of romance. Okay so let me start off by saying that I wanted to do something different with Guinevere's character for this story. We've all read stories where Arthur's a prat, jerk, arrogant, cocky, egotistical and with the help of his beloved Guinevere he becomes a better man. Well this story will follow that with a slight twist Gwen has some serious anger management issues. So both of them need to change in some ways.