'' My father is holding a little reception tonight after work so I hired a babysitter to keep an eye on you,'' Arthur casually told Rose in the car on the way to her school.
'' I don't need a babysitter Arthur. I can take care of myself,'' Rose pouted knitting her eyebrows.
'' This is not up to discussion young lady. I don't want you to stay alone''
''Bugger, '' Rose muttered under her breath. '' Perhaps I could come with you,'' she suggested hoping he would say yes. She wasn't exactly thrilled to spend the evening alone with a so-called babysitter plus she's always wanted to meet Arthur's father: The mighty and powerful Uther Pendragon.
'' I'm afraid you can't. It's a business reception with our bank shareholders. I'm pretty sure you'll end up bored begging me to take you back to the flat''
'' I see,'' she whispered. '' You don't want me to meet your father.''
''No Rose it's not that. My father is a complicated man and I just … I don't think he'll-''
'' Hey it's all right Arthur you don't need to explain yourself. I understand,'' Rose said looking away, through the window. The sky was grey and dark menacing clouds added to the gloomy weather. No doubt that rain would have soon began to fall.
'' I'll tell father about you I promise Rose. I will, just please give me some time''
'' It's fine Arthur you don't have to do that,'' she smiled weakly at him.
They arrived in front of the school just as the rain started to fall.
'' Have a nice day. Be nice,'' his usual goodbye.
'' I will,'' she replied getting out of the car then she scurried inside the establishment.
Arthur sighed. I have to tell father about Rose. I can tell she's upset… she wants to meet him though I don't think he will be pleased. All that matters to him is his bank.
I don't know what to do…
And it was in moments like this that Arthur really needed his mother. If only he had had the chance to know her.
°°O°°
'' Hello my love,'' Vivian whispered seductively as she stepped inside Arthur's office.
Arthur was so deeply absorbed in his work that he didn't even noticed his girlfriend until she cleared her throat loud enough for him to hear. He looked up at her from his Mac. Vivian had her hair and make up nicely done.
''You look pretty,'' Arthur complimented standing from his desk to join her.
She looped her arms around his neck and kissed him longingly.
Arthur pulled away quickly walking past her towards a table to pour himself some water.
Ever since what happened or rather didn't happen in the kitchen with Guinevere few days ago, he hadn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't explain why or how he felt so drawn to her. Guinevere was indeed a very beautiful woman, but it was much more than that. Arthur was always looking forward to her next visits. At least then he had the assurance of seeing her again. He couldn't help, but feel genuine sense of happiness every time she was around. Her incredible beauty, her eyes, her laugh, her everything appealed him.
'' What is it Arthur? You seem very distracted today,'' Vivian said wrapping her arms around him from behind.
'' Nothing…It's nothing,'' Arthur replied taking a quick sip of water before walking back to his desk.
'' There's something you're not telling me Arthur. It's like you've totally changed these past few days. You don't even pay attention to me anymore. Have I done something wrong?'' Vivian asked following him to his desk.
'' No, of course not''
'' Then tell me. What is on your mind?''
Arthur sighed resigning.'' I just feel a little overwhelmed. That's all. You haven't done anything wrong I promise.''
'' Do you know what we need love? We need a good and long week of vacations, away from London with just the two of us. We could go to Paris, the city of love''
'' That would be great, but I just can't. I don't think father would let me take some days off to take and I have to take care of Rose remember?''
'' Right…her,'' Vivian muttered under her breath.
'' I'll pick you up at six,'' Arthur said suddenly changing subjects.
''Oh excellent,'' she smiled. '' I better go now ''
'' Okay, see you later,''
Vivian blew him a kiss before walking to door, leaving his office.
Arthur's cell phone rang. Unknown number.
''Hello?'' He answered.
°°O°°
Is that Gwen? What is she doing in here?
'' Gwen! Gwen!'' Rose called.
Gwen who was on her way out of the establishment stopped and turned around as she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
Busted!'' Hey Rose, how are you?''
'' I'm good thanks. What are you doing here?''
'' Oh, hum… I nothing really just wandering,'' Gwen stammered biting her lower lip.
'' You…wandering?'' She arched an eyebrow.
''Yes''
'' Here, of all places,'' Rose frowned crossing her arms over her chest.
'' I'm terrible liar, aren't I?''
'' Yeah,'' Rose chuckled.
Guinevere sighed resignedly. '' I came here to meet your teachers and you were not supposed to know about it''
'' That's it. Why all this secrecy?''
'' Orders from mister Wilson,'' Gwen explained.
'' I see. So did my teachers tell you anything good or bad about me?''
'' Hum let me think. No don't worry everyone said you were a wonderful student,'' Gwen smiled proudly at her squeezing her shoulder lightly.
'' I quite like it here. It's very strict though,''
'' It's fantastic to see you happy like that''
Suddenly, an idea popped into Rose's mind. '' Do you know what would make me happier?''
'' No, but I'm sure you'll be telling me soon''
'' It's just tonight Arthur has a little reception to attend to after work and he hired a babysitter to keep an eye on me. I told him that I didn't need one, but he insisted. So I thought maybe I could stay with you since you are much cooler than a babysitter. I mean only if it doesn't bother you''
'' Uh… yes of course, but only if Arthur agrees''
''Thank you so much Gwen,'' Rose exclaimed hugging her.
'' My pleasure," Gwen smiled down at her.
The bell rang announcing the beginning of the afternoon classes.
" I should go now, but I'll see you later bye Gwen!"
" Yes, bye"
°°O°°
As usual, Arthur went to pick Rose up after school. It was pouring rain outside. They arrived home and changed into their normal comfortable clothes.
''You're not going to your party anymore?'' Rose asked from Arthur's bedroom doorway curious as to why he wasn't dressed up already.
'' Your babysitter cancelled for tonight and I don't have any other choice, but to stay home with you''
'' Oh you don't have to. Actually I-''
'' If this is about you staying here alone I warn you right now it's no"
" Could please let me finish," Rose protested.
" Go ahead," he gave in waving a hand at her.
" Thank you. Now what I was going to say is that I saw Guinevere today. She was at my school and I asked her if she could look after me while you are gone and she said yes,"
"Wait, you mean Gwen is coming here" And suddenly I don't feel like going anymore…
"She should be there in any minute now," Rose nodded.
" Are you sure she agreed to it… I mean you didn't threaten her or something, did you?"
" Artie, shouldn't you be happy? You'll be able to attend to that party after all," Rose replied hands on her hips.
"It's not a party Rosie, it's a reception"
" Reception uh, isn't that the posh word rich people use to say a party,'' she said rubbing her chin looking up at the ceiling.
Arthur just rolled his eyes and shook his head. The doorbell rang and Rose rushed to the door opening it.
" Hey!" Gwen said unbuttoning her raincoat.
"Gwen, come in"
After taking a quick shower, Arthur emerged in the living room struggling with the cufflinks. He was clad in a navy blue well-fitted suit along with a pair of expensive black alligator skin shoes. Guinevere couldn't help, but notice how extremely dashing Arthur looked.
" Ladies, how do I look?''
" You look okay," Rose shrugged.
" Don't listen to her Arthur you look very handsome," Gwen said surprising herself, standing from the sofa to help him fix his cufflinks.
" Thank you Guinevere," he smiled down at her his heart beating so fast from her closeness. " At least someone here has good tastes," he added his eyes not leaving Guinevere's beautiful face.
They stood there staring deeply into each other's eyes obliviously. Rose pretended not to notice, but clearly she could feel the electricity in the air. She could feel the sparks between the two of them. It was undeniable.
Bloody hell, they're so into each other. But wait Arthur's with Vivian! Yet he deserves so much better… Oh! I could totally matchmaker here! Great, this is going to be so much fun…Rose cleared her throat loudly snapping them out of their trance."I should go," Arthur said softly walking to the door grabbing the umbrella that was hanging on the doorknob. " Guinevere thank you so much and please make yourself at home. Rose behave," he added before exiting the flat." Have fun!" Rose called.°°O°°
As they arrived at the bank's reception hall, Vivian and Arthur were greeted by a nicely dressed waiter proposing them a glass of champagne. Vivian gladly took one while Arthur decided to wait a bit before starting to drink." Ah, Arthur!" Uther exclaimed patting his son's shoulder.
" Father," he nodded at him.
" Vivian my dear you look magnificent tonight," Uther complimented slightly raising his own glass of champagne at her.
" Oh thank you. Is my father here yet?" she asked glancing around the room.
" I haven't seen–"
" I'm right here," Olaf declared kissing his daughter's cheek. "Vivian darling you look beautiful as always"
" Thanks father and so do you," she smiled.
"Good evening Mr. Lewis," Arthur greeted Vivian's father shaking the old man's hand.
"Arthur! Good this see you son,'' Olaf replied shaking his hand firmly, but gently.
The four of them chatted a bit about business and life in general. Olaf and Uther even tease the two lovers about what was taking them so long to get engaged. Arthur had quickly grabbed a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter's tray. He took a long gulp of his champagne in order to hide his discomfort then politely excused himself from the conversation.
Arthur spotted Merlin and Freya near the buffet and made his way to them.
"Arthur," Merlin said grinning.
" Merlin," Arthur replied, " Good evening Freya," he smiled down at her, which she returned.
"So what were you all four discussing about? You clearly seemed to be enjoying yourself," Merlin teased. He had noticed Arthur's uncomfortable expression.
" Jeez Merlin I was about die out there. If discomfort could kill I'd be long dead"
"It was that bad?" Freya asked chuckling.
" Yes"
°°O°°
Gwen and Rose were flipping through the TV channels looking for something good to watch. Finally, they stumble into a fantasy program called Emrys. The story of a young wizard living in kingdom where magic was banned. Just when the program was reaching an exciting and intense point, a dazzling light flashed from the sky followed by the loud noise of the thunder rumbling.
The power went out.
" Nooo!" Rose shouted.
" Just when it was getting good," Gwen sighed. " Does Arthur have any candles?"
" Uh, don't know"
" Perhaps we should call him? Do you have his number?"
" I-I don't "
"Great, what do we do now?"
Rose started to laugh rather loudly at their mischance.
" What's so funny?" Guinevere asked joining her laughter.
" I guess all that bad luck makes me laugh"
They waited for at least half an hour. They rainstorm had gradually stopped, but still the electricity didn't come back. Gwen then decided to bring Rose to her house. She left a note with her address on Arthur's table so he could come and pick Rose up there.
" You have a lovely home Gwen," Rose said looking around.
Gwen's house wasn't that big, but it was definitely warm and inviting and electricity provided.
" Thank you, are you hungry?"
" Quite yeah,"
" I have some chicken noodle soup. Is that alright for you?" Gwen asked from her kitchen.
" Yes, thank you" Rose replied. She walked towards the fireplace and looked at the pictures. There was one with a beautiful woman with long auburn hair, freckles, and light brown eyes. That must be her mother…
Another one was with Gwen and a man Rose presumed to be Gwen's father.
" Food is ready," Guinevere declared slightly startling Rose in the process.
" Oh, good" she turned around and went to sit at the dining table.
They ate in a comfortable silence, occasionally chatting about everything and nothing.
" Guinevere don't you have a boyfriend or a fiancé or a husband?" Rose had asked her.
"No, not at the moment. As you can see I live alone," Gwen had replied, which had made Rose smirk interiorly. Operation bring-Arthur-and-Gwen-together is totally on!
" Your gym class teacher did try to flirt with me today though,"
"He did not! Mr. Patrick?"
" He did! It was very funny. He even said something like if you were a new hamburger at McDonald's, you would be McGorgeous"
" That has got to be the worst pick up line I've ever heard," Rose laughed.
After eating, the girls sat comfortably in the living room (Rose on the rocking sofa and Gwen on the large L shaped couch). They found Lord of the Rings on the telly and watched it while waiting for Arthur.
An hour later, Gwen heard the bell ring. Rose was sleeping soundly.
" Hi," Gwen whispered opening the door.
" Hi, I'm sorry I know it's late. Wait why are we whispering," Arthur asked.
"Because Rose is asleep," Gwen explained letting Arthur in before closing the door. He had changed into a pair of jogging pants and a red Adidas hoodie jacket. Arthur first took his shoes off then followed Gwen.
" I don't want to wake her," Arthur said now into the living room.
" I'm sure she'll wake soon until then you can sit and wait," she offered.
Arthur sat on the couch glancing around the room. " I like your house," he said.
Gwen joined Arthur on the couch sitting next to him a respectable distance separating him.
" Thank you though you haven't even seen the whole house yet," she smiled.
" Okay then I like what I'm seeing right now," he amended causing Guinevere to giggle.
" How was the reception?"
"It was nice thanks," Arthur answers. " How about you two?"
" Well everything was fine until the power went out at your flat. That's why Rose and I came here. We couldn't find the candles plus she didn't have your number"
" Oh, I'm sorry I totally forgot"
" It's okay. I brought her here, we ate and watched some telly. Had a great time"
"Good I'm glad everything went well,"
Lord of the Rings was still playing on TV so Arthur and Gwen resumed watching it in a pleasant silence. After a while, they somehow fell deeply asleep shortly before the end of the movie.
Rose stirred and opened her eyes. She looked at her right; Arthur and Gwen were sleeping on the couch. Gwen's head was resting on Arthur's torso, while he had his arm absentmindedly around her waist.
Rose smiled to herself. They look so adorable and comfy… No point in waking them. She went back to her sleep.