(A/N): Here is Ch.2 of Mr. Kirkland! Thank you to "Interested Anon" and Nr. 707 for leaving reviews on the first chapter. I'm really happy that you find this story interesting and that you think it has potential. I plan for it to get even more interesting, hehehe...
Standard Disclaimers Apply.
It was interesting to him how much one's circumstances can change within a matter of moments, a splattering of seconds, or even the inconsequential span of merely a day. For Arthur, it had been three years since he used to work for a company under a branch of the government, as one of their best officers. Now he spent his time taking clashes with it and running from its officers. The irony amused him at times. Such as now, as he arranged his measly belongings in his new residence.
Things used to be so orderly and composed then, he thought, arranging three books on a shelf and several stacks of different folders. He placed a simple lamp on top of the shelf and switched it on before walking to his worn down table.
Now I shove everything into misshapen piles. No room for belongings, his thoughts continued. He liked to think highly of himself, you know, and often wandered into pretentious self-narration. Three years with hardly anyone other than yourself does that to a person.
Fingers brushing against more folders and yellowing papers, his internal musing went on.
What to do, what to do…it's been fun and all, but nick-picking at the solitary politician or businessman hardly does anything if they're just replaced by an equally rotten apple. Stealing for sustenance is still highly disagreeable, and I cannot think of any corrupt government leaders calling for a good thrashing right now…
Sitting and reading the yellow paper in front of him, his face puckered into a solid scowl.
I'm hardly any closer to where I was before. A step forward, a step back, and no new progress anywhere in between. Three years of simple meandering.
Hunger calling Arthur's attention back to reality, the dirty blond sighed and put away his papers into a hazardous pile, grabbing his keys and heading out the door. It was dusk by now and the city around him was in a pleasant haze. The market was conveniently close and some groceries were in order to make his flat more livable.
"Ah, perdon, señor," exclaimed a man as he bumped into Arthur head on. It was hardly an accident, but he shook his head, hands up in a placating gesture.
"Don't worry, its fine. Are you alright?"
"Si, thank you for asking! Here, a token of my thanks," the stranger said, handing Arthur a slip of paper. Looking at the paper, the blond quickly shook his head.
"You don't need to thank me, it was-," but when he looked up, the stranger was gone,"- nothing…"
Looking back at the slip of paper, he slowly unfurled it and reading the message within, curious.
'Dear Mr. Kirkland,
Greetings. Our family has taken great interest in you, Mr. Kirkland. You have built quite the reputation as a criminal and your reputation has grown notoriously as of late. It intrigues us that you seem to be more of a vigilante of sorts rather than a criminal mastermind, however. We would like to request your services. Before you discard this letter, be aware that we can aide you with whatever agenda you have up your sleeve, Mr. Kirkland. Our family is a powerful asset and ally. In fact, we may even have the same agenda in mind. If you wish to respond, please meet at the disclosed location. It is advisable that you rid evidence of this letter to avoid leads back to the family. Understandable, yes?
Best wishes,
The Vargas Family'
Arthur stared at the paper in astonishment. The mafia had contacted him. Well…that certainly made things interesting. They could also help him…that most certainly would move him along in his quest. But really…he laughed. Vigilante indeed. Was helping others not just common courtesy and common sense? It was human nature to not want to die, after all.
"It seems that someone has sent him a point of direct communication, sir."
"Excellent. Keep your reports up to date and make sure to report back often. Your vigilance of this dangerous criminal is important, you know. You do your fellow man a great service."
"Thank you. You flatter me greatly."
"Report back tomorrow at the same time."
"Of course."
Shivering with the sensation of someone following him, Arthur checked his surroundings, frowning when he saw no one of suspicion. At least he already acquired his groceries. Putting them away in his ancient fridge, he gasped suddenly.
"Antonio! Of course, that's who he was. Silly me, how did I not notice earlier? So he joined the mafia…interesting change of occupation."
Looking back at the slip of paper, he fished around for a match stick. Holding the paper over the sink, he watched the ashes sprinkle down in a meager pile, ignoring the heat on his skin when the flame licked his fingertips.
"Should I agree to the meeting place? I do have a large bounty upon me…and for all I know, Antonio could be posing as a mafia correspondent to get to me. Ah, the options, the options…"
Walking down the road, Arthur mulled over the letter and its request. He could arrive and get arrested. He could arrive and get recruited for a job he didn't want to do and risk being on the family's blacklist for refusing it. Or he could show up and gain the biggest allies he could ever dream of. All he had to do was decide if he would meet up with Carriedo.
So it was this Saturday morning, merely two days after his eventful arrival in London, that he found himself at the quaint corner of a hidden alley way, in front of a fairly recently built dancing studio. Double checking the address, Arthur entered through the back of the building. The building itself was closed for the upcoming holidays.
"Carriedo, you there?"
Receiving no response, Arthur skeptically inched through the dim hall, straining his ears for any sounds. The walls seemed to be insulated with sound proof material, most likely to not disturb neighboring businesses. Silence seemed to bellow here. On edge, sidling forward, Arthur examined the extravagantly furnished studio. The lack of human company effectively unnerved him.
A dance studio owner and instructor seems to be the perfect cover for Antonio, mused Arthur as he neared the end of the hall.
Judging from the fancy equipment and lavish rooms, he seems to take pride in it as well.
Finally finding an open door, he peeked in.
"Olé!" came Antonio's cheery voice, clapping to the rhythm of a Latin song. He was praising whoever was dancing in front of him. Inching forward a little, Arthur saw the dancer was a young man a little shorter than himself, and the young man was dancing in perfect synchronization to the song. He was a magnificent dancer. Sweat dripped down his face, his expression one of utter concentration.
"Good, good, Lovi! Your footwork has really improved!"
The man scowled and was about to retort but was caught off-guard by Antonio grabbing his hand and turning the dance into a partnership. Their complicated footwork fascinated Arthur; the choreography definitely had a Spanish flare to it. The pair moved in unison, their dance embodying a captivating strength and unspoken grace. They looked as though they were lost in each other, the shorter of the two just beginning to smile, the whole world holding only them. Their finesse went unmatched and while the song sang its final note, they gazed into each other's eyes, out of breath from the intensity of the dance. Just as their lips were about to meet, Arthur ruined the moment with polite applause.
"That was some splendid dancing! I've never seen better in my entire life."
The pair flushed, and the one Antonio called 'Lovi' quickly grabbed his things before flying out the door, Antonio staggering after him.
"Lovino, wait! Damn, those Italians sure can run," his dance student was long gone before he could even take a step. Heaving a strangled sigh, Antonio turned to Arthur, trying to mask his annoyance with a strained smile. It didn't help much.
"Hola, amigo. I've been teaching Lovino for a long time, and as you had seen, he is my best pupil. He can be very shy though…"
Arthur hid his amusement while Antonio sat and took a long drink from his water bottle.
"I trust that you've come with your answer to our request, Señor Kirkland?"
Nodding, Arthur took a seat across from Antonio, crossing his legs in a business-like manner.
"Yes, I have. I have decided to take up whatever this request you have for me is. Seeing as you lot are the mafia, though, I don't entirely trust you. I would also like to know who it is precisely that I am working for."
Antonio's eyes seem to twinkle with a humorless sort of amusement.
"Lo siento, but my boss will reveal himself in due time. It's understandable that you'd find our jobs and motives questionable, but I assure you, both of our parties have a common goal in mind at the end of the day."
Arthur straightened up in interest.
"Once you've accepted this job of ours, the family will expect you to answer to their every beck and call from then on, as an honorary ally of sorts. Do you still accept our request?"
A pause. Then, a nod.
"My answer remains the same."
Smiling, Antonio gathered his things, glad to not have to talk to him anymore.
"Buenisimo! Now, how about some tea? I'm wondering what you Englishmen love about it so much."
Amused by Antonio's attempt at politeness, Arthur trailed behind, smiling at how peeved the Spanish man was that he had actually accepted. Perhaps this deal with the mafia could make for a quick, beneficial acquaintance. It didn't hurt to have allies for certain things. Following Antonio into a nondescript café, Arthur's stray thoughts turned to a memory of the past.
A step forward, a step back, for three years straight…But right now, it seems like I've taken six whole steps in an entirely new direction, Arthur grinned, making Antonio pay for his tea. Unbeknownst to the both of them, they were being followed.
So, what did you think? This chapter is shorter than the previous chapter in terms of word length, but it is the same amount of pages. I plan to aim for at least five pages per chapter. Also, let me know what you think about the story pacing. It's only the second chapter, but does it seem too slow, too fast? Thanks for reading! Please leave me a review telling me what you think. Until next time, my lovely readers!
