Chapter 6
Why do I feel so comfy and warm and what is that sound? …Someone's snoring.
Guinevere awoke the next morning to the sound of Arthur's soft snoring. She blinked her eyes open few times and looked around only to realize that she had been sleeping on Arthur's chest the whole night while his right hand comfortably rested on her waist.
Oh no! I can't believe we fell asleep on my couch…
Gwen carefully tried to remove Arthur's arm from around her waist, but froze as he stirred and slightly tightened his grip around her. She waited few seconds before trying again and this time Arthur stayed still. Guinevere glanced at both Arthur and Rose sleeping so peacefully.
They were simply adorable.
Gwen smiled to herself before disappearing in the bathroom.
Moments later, she re-emerged in the living room braiding her hair into a single plait. Her two guests were now waking up.
" Morning Gwen," Rose yawned rubbing her eyes.
" Good morning Guinevere. Sorry for… well you know," Arthur said scratching his head.
" Good morning to the two of you," she smiled," And Arthur don't worry it's fine," she reassured sitting on the arm of the couch.
" Well, anyone had a good sleep? I sure did. This sofa is incredibly comfortable Gwen," Rose declared stretching.
" I'm glad you've enjoyed it," Guinevere chuckled.
" Oh I need to use the loo"
" Sure. Upstairs, second door on your left"
" Thanks" Rose rushed towards them.
" We should probably go. Don't wish to importune you much further," Arthur said quietly.
" You didn't importune me Arthur. I mean apart from your very loud snoring-"
" I. Do. Not. Snore," Arthur protested knitting his brows.
" You do," Gwen insisted giggling. " I even thought a pig had gotten into the house,'' she smirked at him.
" Oh so now I'm a pig, thank you Guinevere," Arthur feigned to be hurt.
" I just meant you sound like a pig," she clarified trying to hold back her laughter.
" Again thank you I feel so much better knowing that"
" You're welcome," she laughed.
God she has a beautiful laugh, Arthur found himself thinking while joining in her laughter.
" I'm back and what's so funny here?" Rose asked.
"Oh I'm just teasing this one that's all," Gwen replied shoving Arthur's shoulder lightly.
"You wound me Guinevere," Arthur said.
" Awn, please pardon me Arthur," Gwen said meeting his gaze then suddenly forgetting how to breath.
°°O°°
As soon as Arthur withdrew his key from the lock and pushed the door of the flat open, Rose rushed to the bathroom before Arthur could have the chance to lay a foot in the apartment.
" No, no, no, Rose I called dibs on the loo first and you agreed," he shouted.
Arthur ran to the bathroom hoping he'd be fast enough to catch her up, but just as he reached the them Rose slammed the door right on his face laughing diabolically.
" Rose! Get out!" he knocked loudly on the door.
" No too late! I'm already in there," Rose shouted back.
" Fine, you will pay for this" Arthur muttered through gritted teeth. He went to his room and sprawled on his bed throwing an arm on his forehead, waiting and thinking.
Guinevere
She's funny not to mention her very infectious laugh. She's kind, breathtakingly beautiful. I could spend a lifetime contemplating her. How is that she has so much effect on me? How is that she consumes my every thoughts? Does she even feel the same? But I can't…no I can't think of her that way. Gwen is Rose's social assistant. She comes here to work nothing more, nothing less, besides I have a… girlfriend. Right, I should be focusing on Vivian, but still my mind keeps drifting back to Guinevere. I wish… I just wish I could hold her, kiss her, love her.
Stop it! What is wrong with me? Why can't I stop thinking about her? Why…
The sound of the shower being turned off snapped him out of his reflections bringing him back to reality.
"I'm done!" Rose called.
Arthur climbed off his bed heading straight to the loo. He stepped into the damp bathtub and turned on the shower allowing the hot water to wash away his thoughts.
" Hey Pippa," Rose said answering the phone.
" Rose, guess who has an extra ticket front row ticket for Ed Sheeran's concert tonight at the Hammy O," Pippa gushed all at once.
" You don't," Rose gasped excited.
" I do! And I'm actually looking for someone to go with me"
" It will be my pleasure to accompany you"
" Who said I was taking you?" Pippa teased.
" Well, you wouldn't have called if you didn't have the intention of inviting me"
" Good point… so can you come?"
" Of course!" Rose paused a moment biting her lower lip," I mean I have to ask Arthur first"
" Alright, then just call me back if he says yes"
" Okay. I'll ask him now, bye"
" Bye"
Rose hung up the phone then went to Arthur's bedroom.
" Arthur my favorite man in the whole world," she started softly.
" The answer is no," Arthur replied firmly not looking up from his Mac.
" Bloody hell, Arthur I haven't even asked for anything yet!" Rose threw her hands in the air in disbelief.
"You're right. It's not fair. I should listen to what you have to say, please proceed," Arthur allowed closing his laptop setting it next to him on the bed.
" Well, my friend Pippa invited me to Ed Sheeran's concert today and-"
" Ed Sheeran… the ginger guy?"
" Yes"
" His music is decent. Go on," Arthur nodded.
" Can I go?"
" Oh so now you want my permission. Let me think… do you really deserve such privilege. Mmm? I don't think so"
" Oh Arthur please, I'm sorry for what I did earlier. It was just a joke," Rose pleaded.
" A joke yes ah, ah, ah," he started to laugh before stopping abruptly saying," No"
Rose pouted clasping her hands together, battling her lashes.
She's trying to look pitiful, but it's clearly not working.
" Please," Rose begged one last time.
Arthur sighed." Fine, permission granted. But I want you to call me as soon as it's over"
" I will. Thank you so very much. You are the best!"
" I know," Arthur sniffed, " Oh and Rose before you go the dishes won't wash themselves you know," Arthur whispered with a grin.
" Right away!"
Pippa's driver parked the car in front of the flat where Rose was waiting outside. She was wearing a Mickey Mouse sweater along with a pair of black skinny jeans and her black converse shoes. Her hair was up in a chignon. She spotted her friend who opened the door beckoning her to get in the car.
°°O°°
"Leon, would you like to come over at my flat? We'll watch some football, Merlin's bringing pizza"
" Yeah sure mate, but what about Rose? "
" She's at Ed Sheeran's concert"
" The ginger guy?"
"Yeah"
" Oh cool then I'm on my way"
Half an hour later, both Merlin and Leon came knocking at Arthur's door.
" Lads come in," Arthur stepped aside letting Merlin and Leon in.
They sat in living room eating, laughing, watching and cheering at the game: Manchester United Vs Liverpool.
The commentator announced the beginning of the first half and commercials followed the on screen.
Arthur went to the kitchen fetching some more bottles of ale. He came back tossing one to Leon who caught it easily and another one to Merlin who clumsily seized it. The three men heard the sound of a phone ringing. Arthur frowned that wasn't his phone nor Merlin's or Leon's. Merlin lifted a cushion on the right side of the Arthur's couch discovering the hidden mobile.
" There," Merlin handed it to Arthur.
Arthur checked the name on the screen.
Home
He walked to his bedroom away from the noisy living room.
" Hello?" he answered.
" Arthur thank god," Gwen gasped.
" Guinevere is that you?"
" Yes it's me. I don't know how I must have left my phone at your flat yesterday. Thought I lost it, but I'm glad you found it"
" Oh, uh do you want me to-"
" It won't be necessary. I have to visit someone in about an hour and your flat is actually on the way so I'll just stop by to pick it up, if it's okay with you"
" No problem, I'll wait for you. I mean not me, the phone will wait for you…I mean-"
"Thank you Arthur," Guinevere laughed." I'm coming"
Arthur returned to the living room shoving Gwen's phone inside his pocket.
"Whose phone is it?" Merlin asked.
"Rose's social assistant. She forgot it here yesterday" Arthur explained crashing on the couch.
" We finally get to meet her then," Leon said.
" Perhaps"
A short while later, Gwen rang at Arthur's door. She heard the sounds of men cheering and screaming. It was Leon who answered the door since Merlin and Arthur were too absorbed in the game. Is that Gwen? Leon couldn't believe it.
"Oh my, Leon! " Gwen gasped eyes widening.
" Guinevere, wow I can't believe this is you," he said stunned. She's become gorgeous.
" Who's that?" They heard Arthur call.
" It's me Arthur," Gwen replied.
She followed Leon to the living room.
"Arthur why didn't you tell me that Rose's assistant was Gwen?" Leon asked still dumbstruck.
" Wait what you two know each other?" Arthur asked arching an eyebrow.
" We do. Leon and I knew each other ever since we were born" Gwen informed.
" Yeah, we practically grew up together in Alford, Aberdeenshire. Our families were really close," Leon added.
"Well, it's small world. Hi I'm Merlin by the way," the young dark haired man introduced himself to Gwen.
" Nice to meet you Merlin," Gwen smiled," I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen"
Guinevere sat next Arthur, Leon and Merlin for a while chatting with them. She learned more about Leon's life. He was now dating Mithian, the same woman who was teaching at Rose's school and he worked as an accountant at the Albion Bank.
" So tell me Guinevere did you ever get to see Leon wearing a kilt?" Arthur asked teasing his mate.
" Oh god no I didn't," she chuckled absentmindedly touching Arthur's shoulder.
" Pity you didn't get the chance to see Leon nicely shaped legs," Merlin chaffed.
" Ok, ok sod off you two," Leon said rolling his eyes.
" We did learned how to play bagpipe though," Gwen said changing the subject.
" Oh now that's great. I'm looking forward to hear you play someday," Arthur said looking down at her with a shy smile.
" Perhaps," Gwen winked smirking.
What is going between this two? They're clearly flirting… Merlin found himself thinking.
Guinevere quickly glanced at her wristwatch." I have to go," she stood up.
" Let me walk you to the door," Arthur offered.
" Okay, hum Merlin it was really nice to meet you and Leon we'll keep in touch "
" Bye Gwen," both men chorused.
" Again thank you Arthur," Gwen said softly from the doorframe.
" There's no need really," he replied his eyes drawn to her lips. Arthur slowly leaned forward biting his lip…
" Arthur! Love is that you?" Vivian's voice gushed from the ground floor.
Arthur groaned inwardly as he watched Guinevere walk away.
Gwen smiled slightly at Vivian as they crossed each other on the stairs. Vivian looked at her out of the corner of the eye and continued her way up to Arthur's flat door.
" Lads Vivian's here," Arthur declared.
" I think I'm going to…leave," Merlin said heading towards the door.
" Yeah me to. Wait for me mate," Leon added.
" What no guys you can stay"
" I just remembered that Freya is waiting for me," Merlin lied.
" Right and you Leon,"
" Uh, I do not wish to disturb you and Vivian"
" Well, I'll see you Monday at I work I guess" Arthur sighed.
Both men nodded and just as they left Vivian entered and immediately threw herself in Arthur's arms.
"Rose isn't here?" she asked kissing his neck.
" She's at a concert with her friend," Arthur replied.
" Perfect I finally get to have you all for myself," Vivian murmured kissing his chin and unbuttoning Arthur's shirt promptly.
" Slow down Vivian. There's… there's something I need to tell you"