CHAPTER ELEVEN: Deadlines

"Hey, I recognize that ad. Is that a Sunflowers billboard?" Alfred looked out Arthur's window and across the street to a billboard for a toothpaste company.

"Yes, unfortunately. It seems that I take my work home with me."

Alfred laughed.

"You know, Alfred, when you first started working here, one of your ads was put on that board. This was when I couldn't stand you. I shut the curtains everyday just out of spite. I didn't want to think of you. But that's all different now, my love."

Alfred smiled and gave him a kiss.

A week later, when the New York Branch returned from its winter break, Alfred and Arthur left Arthur's apartment and headed to work. Alfred had basically been staying in the nicer apartment since New Year's- his apartment and new clean clothes were just a few blocks away. Life had been good for the couple during their vacation. They had been a very cheesy and loving pair the entire time. Arthur was impressed by his lover's romantic act during the holiday, and Alfred was just happy that his feelings were reciprocated.

So when they came in to work on Monday, it was so hard to pull away from the other and act like they were just colleagues. But they forced themselves and went their separate ways.

Soon enough, however, all the employees were gathered into a meeting room with their scary CEO's face on the projection screen.

Once everyone was seated, Ivan Braginsky began to speak.

"Hello everybody. I must say congratulations for your success this year. I would like for you all to know that the New York branch of Sunflowers Inc. will be joining several other international branches of the company on an all-expenses paid trip to Italy for a staff seminar. I would like you all to have fun with your colleagues in an exotic place while learning more about new changes in Sunflowers Inc."

The room was filled with excitement at the Russian's announcement. Arthur shushed them quickly to allow the CEO to finish.

"We will be leaving at the beginning of February. Please be ready with all the necessary travel items. You will be choosing a roommate yourself. Please be sure that you get along with them well. Send your roommate requests to Mr. Kirkland by the end of the week. Thank you. Goodbye."

People were already chattering and getting up to talk to their friends. Arthur met Alfred's eyes for a brief second, and then they broke eye contact.

"ALL RIGHT YOU INGRATES, BACK TO WORK." That did it. Everyone shuffled out of the conference room and went back into the sectioned office cubicles. Arthur felt a hand slide across his back, and started to berate his boyfriend.

To his horror, it was that damned French bastard who had been molesting him.

"Al—aah—uh… What are you doing, Frog?"

"Oh nothing, mon cher. I was just wondering if you would like to stay with me in Italy. It must be so lonely being you, no one to be with all the time. Sad."

Arthur was nothing if not angry.

"Listen you—I am not lonely. And I already have someone I'd rather be with. So thanks for nothing."

He stormed off in a rage. Honestly, did that pervert think that he was alone and sad because they weren't together? His arrogance was showing. Sometimes he wished that he could parade Alfred around the office, just to show Francis and everyone else that he wasn't heartless. That if one actually tried, they could win him over. Honestly, he was surprised when he realized that he had fallen for Alfred Jones. He was not his usual type, and Arthur always had a nagging feeling that he didn't deserve a good person like Alfred. And slowly, Al had changed him into a better person. He didn't always take things seriously anymore, he had learned to joke around with himself and open up a little. And he was happy with his life for the first time in what felt like forever.

But while he wished that Francis could see that, he knew that it could cost Alfred or Arthur their jobs. And he didn't want to risk that. Alfred loved his job- he was good at it, too. Arthur never liked his job at Sunflowers, he didn't even think he was good at it. He was crap with visuals, only good at writing. Writing. Arthur missed writing.

And at the thought of his job, Arthur realized that he had a job to do. So he got to work.

END of CHAPTER ELEVEN