Chapter 2

It was one of those days when Merlin found himself muttering profanities to the cold damp December morning. Of all the days his car would break, it chose today to give up on him. How he hated his boss to the core.

From six in the morning he had been running errands, delivering this, collecting that, filing this and stocking that. It wasn't even his duty and yet he was ordered than asked, which irked him to no end. His stomach has been complaining since an hour ago and his temper worsened seeing the sun at its highest point.

Another repulsive word escaped his mouth. He could only wish his boss suffered the imprecations of his word.

He decided to take the underground instead. As much as he hated the injustice at work he wouldn't let his boss find a way to sack him. He would rather resign than get fired. 'Resign, I like the sound of that'. Merlin thought.

With one final look at his old car, stack of folders at hand, he trailed after the many people rushing to the nearest tube station.

There were not many people inside the train to his surprise. He looked around observing the people and noted that there were at least 15 inside the coach. Few meters to his left were an elderly couple. The man reading Financial Times while the woman has a book on her hands, though he could clearly tell that she's sleeping. In front of him sat a teenage girl. She was rather a bit under dressed for the harsh weather outside, Merlin noted. 'Some people just couldn't help but be fashionable even if they suffer.' He thought with slight amusement. Not far from the girl was a man in blue suit with a bag on his lap and a boy around 10 or 11 who was too focused in playing with his PSP.

There were times when he wondered how his life would turn out had he finished his studies. Would he have a work from one of those big firms whose names he always see on televisions and the business bulletins or managing his own company? His life would take a hundred eighty degree twist he supposed.

It has been his dream to establish a restaurant or to work in a five star hotel continuously creating delightful a la carte the customers would love and motivate them to return more often. Now he figures that dream will remain a dream if he continues with his current job. He couldn't even send money to his mother for Pete's sake.

He fished a card from his rear pocket and inspected the name on it. 'Camelot Inc.' Merlin read silently. The name sounds familiar to him, but somehow couldn't remember from where he had seen or heard the name.

His thought reverts back to that night he met Arthur and a hopeful smile appeared on his face.

Gwen found Merlin pacing his room later that day.

She knocked on the door to get his intention but was only granted with silence from her friend.

"Merlin!" Gwen called aloud.

Startled, Merlin spun around to find his caller. "Gwen. You gave me a start!" He acknowledged and sat down on the bed.

"Sorry. I tried knocking on the door but apparently your mind is elsewhere. Not that I don't understand your current state I mean, I know how much you love Freya and after what happened in the bar I cannot imagine how hurt you must be feeling right now. But you know that I will always be here right?" Gwen explained trying to find the right words to appease her friend.

Merlin walked up to her.

"I am fine." He assured embracing Gwen. "No need to worry about me."

She pulled back at looked up at him "Are you sure?"

Finally after few moments of silence Merlin was able to reply. "Yes." Looking intently at her friend he continued sealing it with a smile afterwards. "I'm fine."

"So, what's with the moping then?"

Merlin returned on his bed to sit with Gwen on his trail. "I just resigned from my job."

After thoughtful thinking during his train ride earlier, Merlin decided to try his luck in Camelot Inc. He laid his resignation in front of his clodhopping boss as soon as he had delivered the files in the office, which ended quite well with only just few words exchanged between them as if his boss had been expecting his resignation. He resolved to go to Camelot Inc. right after but got nervous on his way and went home instead.

Gwen replied with a big smile. "That's great Merlin! You finally got your mind fixed and left that worthless job."

"It's not worthless." Merlin tried to defend.

"It is worthless. They make you work longer, no benefits and pay you less. They make you do jobs out of your agreed contract and you, you being you always happily accept whatever they throw down at your feet."

"I just don't want any conflicts and besides I need the job."

"So you persevered, I know." Gwen lets out a sigh, but soon her mood returned to being joyous. "Well we should celebrate!"

"You should sound at least a bit sad even if it's fake. I won't have any money now you know."

"Merlin, if you're worried about the rent..."

"I can't always rely on you Gwen."Merlin stopped her. Every time he has financial problems he can always count on his friend. But she has her own fair share of responsibilities too. So as much as possible he doesn't want to be an imposition on her. "You also have responsibilities."

Gwen nodded in understanding. "Still, we should celebrate. You can always find a new job and a better one at that, I am sure of it."

Merlin took a deep breath. "Actually I met a guy the other night, right after I left the pub. He seems nice and respectable and well, he offered me a job."

"You see! When a door closes, a window opens. Did you accept it?"

"I haven't replied yet. He told me he would wait for my response. I was thinking of meeting him today after I handed over my resignation but I didn't, because... well... I was kind of..."

"Nervous?" Gwen finished his sentence teasingly. "Well, if you think this guy can be trusted and the job he offered you is true and respectable, not from some gangdom who lures their prey with nice promise of a high paying job then go for it."

Merlin brought his left hand to his mouth biting a nail anxiously. He has been meaning to call Arthur's number on the card, but somehow he couldn't find the courage to dial the numbers.

Gwen sensing his hesitation asked. "Are you wavering?"

"Not exactly. But after I have thought about the offer I kind of feel like stupid or something."

"Or something. Very eloquent." His friend teased him which he responded with a blush in embarrassment.

"I mean, I met him only once, he doesn't even know me or any qualifications I have for that matter, yet he offered me a job to be his Personal Assistant. Seriously, Personal Assistant when I can't even organise my own schedule." Merlin explained.

"There are hardly any appointments for you to organise."

"Exactly! Yet my life is a mess."

Gwen smiled at him. "It is not a mess, you just haven't found the right way yet. Who knows this guy might be the answer to your dreams. He will help you steer your life in the right direction."

"Thanks Gwen, you really are a great friend."

"Of course, I am. Now my turn. I came here actually to tell you that I will be away for 4 days. Lance invited me to attend his sister's wedding and we are leaving tomorrow night. And..." said Gwen shifting slightly in her seat. She raised her left hand to show the ring. "Lance proposed to me last night." She finished with a huge smile on her face.

His eyes went wide from the surprise. But realising what his friend meant he hugged her ecstatically. "Oh my word Gwen that is some news! I am so happy for you!" Merlin exclaimed.

"Thank you." She started to speak after they separated. "This is actually one of the reasons why we are going to attend his sister's wedding. Lance would like to introduce me to his parents. I told him that we can do it some other time and just focus on his sister but he was so insistent." She stopped to pause for breath. "And well, to talk about the wedding as well."

"Talk about fast. But I am happy for you." Again Merlin smiled at her.

Merlin was in full agreement when Gwen repeated that they have to celebrate. They decided to walk to the nearest pub with Gwen relaying sheepishly how her boyfriend now fiancé proposed to her, however on their way something cropped up and Gwen though reluctantly has to go. They agreed to just celebrate once the couple returns and that Lance has to be there.

Arthur went to the park where his encounter with Merlin occurred. He looked at his watch and noted that it was already quarter past 7 in the evening. 'Just what do you expect to find here Arthur?' He thought with disdain.

He sat on the bench where he found Merlin and memories of what happened came flooding back into his mind.

"So Merlin, what brought you weeping in this park?" Arthur asked after he finally gathered his courage.

A sniff escaped from the brunette. "A lot of things." He replied shortly.

"I have a lot of time." Arthur countered, which Merlin responded with a smile.

"Fine." Merlin wiped his face of any tears remain. "Let's see. It could be the fact that one, I was thrown out of the pub, two, my friend ditched me to be with her boyfriend, three, now I am alone and four, I hate my job and five I am alone." He narrated while counting the reasons with his fingers.

"Only four." Arthur corrected. He could tell that Merlin wasn't exactly being honest. His reasons were too shallow for what he had witnessed.

"Four?" Merlin asked in confusion.

"You mentioned I am alone twice."

"That was because I am alone in two different aspects."He replied in a cryptic manner.

Arthur wanted to dig differ, but he doesn't want to scare the other with his stalker like questions. Like himself, he knows when a topic is too emotional to be touched and Merlin seems not keen on discussing it anyway so he just nodded as if understanding what the brunette meant. "Would you like to have some coffee?" He asked to change the topic.

Merlin gave him a bright smile that made his heart beat loud again.

'I am in too deep.' He thought.

"Arthur?"

Arthur was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice a figure standing in front of him nor heard his name was called thus how surprised he was when the said figure waved their hand in front of his face. His eyes went saucer wide and stood up very quickly.

"Merlin!" His voice cracked and saw Merlin raised his eyebrow half an inch in amusement. "Merlin." He repeated as collected as he could. He couldn't believe that the man he was fantasising not a while ago stood in front of him. "Surprise to see you here."

"I was on my way home when I thought I saw you, so I came to say hi." said Merlin. "What are you doing here?"

"Unwind."

"Unwind..." Merlin repeated, nodding slightly. "How have you been?"

"Good." Came his short reply, berating himself inwardly. 'Smooth Arthur, very smooth.'

Arthur's mind was doing a roller coaster, eyes transfixed at the sight of Merlin. "I..." Arthur started but had to blink continuously due to confusion. 'What was he going to say?' He thought to himself. "Do you fancy a cup of coffee?" He finally managed to ask.

Merlin gave him a bright smile that made his heart beat loud and he was embraced with a sudden feeling of deja vu.

"Sure." Merlin replied.

They left the park and headed to the same coffee shop they went to before. He breathes a sigh of relief when he observed that there were not many people and Merlin chose a seat at a far end corner of the shop.

"How are you?" Arthur asked after they made their orders.

"I am alright, not crying. See?" replied Merlin, pointing his face free of any tears stain.

"I noted." He said with a smile and looked at the poster behind Merlin. He doesn't trust himself yet to be able to act normal every time he sees the other with a bright face.

"Actually, I have been meaning to call you all afternoon." Merlin said, casually. "I wanted to know... is the job you offered still available?"

"It is." He replied hastily. "I mean, yes, the position is still open."

Arthur was thankful for the destruction when their coffee was finally delivered. He still felt nervous having the brunette in front of him.

Arthur looked into Merlin's blue eyes and saw relief.

Funny how he hated the idea of having a Personal Assistant, how he argued with his sister several times about the issue and yet here he was offering the same job many had failed. 'Love can make you do the silliest thing.' He told himself, smiling inwardly. It was the same line he delivered in one of the numerous romantic movies he had starred. Before, he doesn't really understand the true meaning of the words. He found it absurd that a mere affection can have a great impact in someone's will. But now, as much as he hated to sound sappy, he will do anything just to be with the man sitting opposite him.

"I wish to apply, if possible. I may not have vast experience as Personal Assistant; in fact I don't have any." Merlin winced slightly. "But I am willing to try. I can submit all the necessary documents you may require."

"Alright." He replied. "You can meet me tomorrow so I can introduce you to my Manager."

"Your Manager?"

"She is my sister. She is a Movie Director by profession but also my Manager. She usually organised everything for me, but with a great price, I tell you. Tomorrow when you meet her you can handover your résumé."

"She's a Movie Director?" Merlin asked with incredulity in his voice.

"Yes." Arthur replied with a question in his voice.

"She's a Director and a Manager, your Manager." Merlin said, more to himself.

"Yes." Again he repeated.

"What do you do exactly?" Merlin asked hastily.

Arthur looked at him, trying to see if he was just having him on but saw innocence and pure curiosity.

"I..." He shifted slightly, trying to be comfortable in his seat. "I am an actor."

Merlin's eyes went wide at the information. "Oh."

"Is that a problem?" He asked.

"No! I just... I never really considered. I mean, you're handsome and you look like a cut out from an A-list fashion magazine. But, it just never really occurred to me. You seem to be the type who would hate crowds."

Arthur snorted. "I assure you, your description of me hating crowds is correct."

"Then, why are you an actor?"

"Because it is what is expected of me to be." He replied bitterly. It is not that he hates being an actor. In fact he loves it. He loves acting. But it wasn't a secret that he started at the top because of his name, of his father and still being shadowed by it until now. He wants to do it on his own; he wants to experience climbing the ladder and see how far he can go with his talent, which his father snapped him at when he told him.

Merlin wanted to hit himself for being such a busybody or cursed himself for his ignorance. He accepted the job offered to him by Arthur without really knowing what he was getting himself into. He could have looked him up on the net for heaven's sake or searched the Company's name and yet he didn't. Now seeing the annoyance marring the face of the handsome blonde made him want to smack himself harder and he couldn't even begin to fathom why.

"Sorry."

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why are you sorry?"

"Well it seems I have hit a sensitive topic."

His face lightens up at that. "There is no reason for you to apologise. I should be used to it by now. I have been questioned about it several times."

"But you're not."

"Let's just say that I would rather be asked the 'how good of an actor are you', than the reason why I became an actor." Arthur replied, looking at him intently.

"I could cope with that." Merlin agreed grinning widely at him.

The rest of their conversation went smoothly. They enquired and answered each other like old friends and Arthur had never felt relaxed.

After finishing their cups of coffee, they agreed to meet next morning and separated ways.

Arthur can't wait.

TBC