Chapter 8

Days had gone and passed without Arthur hearing any news of Vivian. He thought that perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps she was moving on, letting go. But he didn't know that Vivian was actually there, following his every move from the distance. Since pretty much three days now, she patiently witnessed as Arthur and Rose hurried in the car every morning and drove away towards her school. Vivian had put Percival in charge of retracing Rose's mother and so far he had found a grand total of twenty eight Sophia Watson registered in the UK database.

Something was nagging Vivian. All this time she's been spying on Arthur; she noticed that he appeared happier these past few days.

But how can he be happy without me? She wondered frowning.

"Leon!" Arthur called his mate who was on his way out of the bank, going out for lunch.

The tall man turned around having heard someone calling his name." Arthur, something's wrong?"

" No, no Just thought we could go grab some lunch plus there is something I wished to discuss with you"

" Ah I'm sorry mate, but I'm meeting Gwen for lunch in about," he glanced at his wristwatch," ten minutes"

" You're meeting with Guinevere?" Arthur asked a tiny hint of jealousy clear in his voice.

" Yep. She called me this morning and asked if I was free and she also wanted to chat with Mithian"

" Oh…well, have fun then. I'll ask Merlin instead," Arthur shrugged, slightly disappointed. He actually wanted to know more about Guinevere through Leon. Better luck next time…

" Thanks," Leon turned to leave, but turned back again saying" Hum, Arthur I think Merlin's having lunch with Freya"

"Bugger," Arthur muttered," Well thanks for telling me," he sighed then went back to his office slumping down on his chair.

Someone knocked on his door.

" Come in," he called.

Uther entered shutting the door behind him.

"Father"

"Son I haven't seen Vivian lately. Is she all right? Is she ill?" Uther asked, slightly concerned.

" Vivian's fine father. She's just really busy these days," Arthur lied looking down at a paper on his desk.

" Oh," Uther sighed relieved." Now let's talk about your engagement. Have you proposed to her yet?"

Arthur literally froze at his father's words.

" No," he answered after a while.

" And what are you waiting for?" Uther demanded crossing his arm over his chest as he sat in the vacant seat in front of Arthur's desk.

" Father I'm not ready to get married yet besides I'm not sure of my feelings for Vivian anymore"

" Arthur, what are you saying?"

" I'm saying that I don't want to marry someone I don't love. Yes Vivian is indeed a very pretty woman and she would make a wonderful bride," Arthur looked straight at his father," but not for me I'm afraid"

" Have you lost your mind, son? Do I need to remind you Vivian is the daughter of our wealthiest shareholder? Marrying her will assure the survival and prosperity of our bank. Surely you must understand that this is a part of your duty in order to carry on the Pendragon legacy I've spent years and years building "

" I understand father, but what about how I feel?"

" Arthur, my son, this isn't a matter of the heart. It is a matter of business. You wouldn't want to disappoint me now would you?"

"But-"

"Answer me Arthur"

" No, father. I wouldn't," Arthur sighed.

"Good. That's exactly what I needed to hear"

°°O°°

" So tell me Gwen. How's Elyan and how's your father?" Leon asked taking a gulp of his juice. They were seated in the terrace of a small cafe enjoying the sun and a light summer breeze.

" Dad and Elyan are doing really fine. They're actually gone to visit granddad back in Scotland"

" Oh that's fantastic, but why didn't you go with them?"

" Well I was actually supposed to go, but I had to cancel at the last minute. Gaius, my boss, summoned me for Rose's case. He really insisted and I just couldn't refuse"

" Now that's totally you Gwen always so selfless, always thinking about others before your own self"

"I'm not always like that," Guinevere retorted setting her fork down her plate.

" Yes you are. Remember when you, Elyan, and me went catching frogs even tough your mother had forbidden us. We came back home covered in mud and-"

" Mum was so furious," Gwen added chuckling.

" Yeah, but you took all the blame. You told your mum that you were the one who wanted to do it that you somehow dragged El and I in all this."

" Yeah, I guess you may be right," Gwen sighed rolling her eyes.

" What you still don't believe me? Then what about when-"

"Bloody hell Leon you're right. I get it thank you," Gwen interrupted him chuckling.

" Hey I'm just trying to prove my point here"

" I know… So how did you end up working with Ar-"

" Sorry, sorry I'm late," a beautiful brunette woman said as she reached Leon and Gwen's table.

"Hey love," Leon greeted his girlfriend kissing her cheek. "Gwen this is my lovely girlfriend Mithian," he introduced.

" Hello Gwen. I am pleased to meet you again," Mithian smiled warmly at her.

" I am too," Gwen replied returning the smile.

" Again?" Leon asked, confused.

" Yes love Gwen and I already met at Abbey Dawn not long ago actually," Mithian explained.

" I was there to visit Rose's teachers. See how things were going for her," Guinevere added.

" Oh," he nodded understanding now.

The waitress took Mithian's order then left.

"So Mithian tell me more about yourself," Guinevere said genuinely curious.

" Well…"

°°O°°

"Girls, girls guess what? Instead of making you run around the entire period. I, your favorite teacher in the world, have decided to teach you how to play football!" Mr. Patrick announced cheerfully only to be thanked by complaining sounds and grumbles by his pupils.

" Why can't we just sit here and enjoy the sun?" Pippa asked.

"Trust me miss Caerleon I would give anything just to have the chance to lie on a beach somewhere far, far away from here, enjoying a nice pina colada cocktail, but guess what…I'm stuck here with all of you, so it's football or else everyone is doing push-ups lots and lots of push-ups," he threatened and instantly all the complaints ceased. " That's what I thought," he grinned." Now let's start with penalty shots. I want everyone on of the field now," Gwaine ordered. " Chop-chop girls!" he clapped his hands.

"Who doesn't know how to play football anyway? That's stupid we all do," Rose muttered.

" Oh really? Well Rose why don't you show us your prowess," Gwaine challenged throwing her the ball.

" Gladly," she answered catching the ball easily.

Gwaine positioned himself in front of the football net as Rose set the ball on the ground. She took few steps back then lunged forward kicking the ball with all her might. It had landed right in Gwaine's family jewels and he collapsed on the synthetic grass growling in pain. Rose's hand flew to her mouth as her eyes widened in shock.

"Oh I'm s-so sorry Mr. Patrick. I didn't mean to-"Rose stammered trying to help him up.

"You stay away from me," he growled.

" Is everything alright here?" Mithian asked. She and Gwen had been walking back to the school together chatting companionably. Both women found out they had a lot in common.

" I accidentally-" Rose started.

" Yes, yes everything is perfect," Gwaine interrupted getting on his feet quickly as if the earlier pain had magically disappeared. " Hello Gwen," he winked at her with a smirk slowly running his hand through his dark brown hair. Gwen gave him small smile.

"Okay then we'll leave you to whatever it was you were doing," Mithian said leaving the field with her new friend heading to the back door entrance of the establishment. Gwen squeezed Rose's shoulder as she passed near her.

" Goodbye Gwen," Gwaine called grinning like an idiot. She turned around and waved at him giggling.

No, don't you dare flirt with her Mr. Patrick. She's Arthur's-soon-very- soon-to-be-girlfriend even though she's not aware of it yet! I'll have to find you a girlfriend too…

°°O°°

Saturday

" We'll have to go to the hardware store. Have to fix that doorknob before you get locked in the loo again" Arthur chuckled setting a plate of scrambled eggs and toasts in front of Rose.

" Thanks and it wasn't my fault. You didn't even warn me that the doorknob was broken," Rose replied eying the partially burnt food suspiciously. Oh well, don't really care I'm starving. " And wait you plan of fixing it by yourself?"

" Yup"

She coughed pretty much sure he'd end up aggravating the problem.

" What?" Arthur raised an eyebrow at her.

" Nothing," she shook her head.

"Rosie"

"Hey stop calling me that!" she complained. " I just thought perhaps you should call a professional"

"Pff nonsense I am perfectly capable of doing it myself. Doesn't take a rocket scientist"

"If you say so she shrugged. When you'll realize that you're incapable…I'll be there reminding you that I told you so, but you were to stubborn to listen"

"Ah, ah, ah very funny. Hurry up and eat!" He ordered taking a bite of his toast.

"I am"

" Is Guinevere coming today?" he asked after a moment.

She smirked inwardly. "I don't know. It's been a long time since she last showed up"

" Indeed"

" You miss her Arthur?"

" Yes, I mean no. I mean… ugh you and your stupid questions!"

"Awn you do!"

"No I don't. Don't be ridiculous. She's your assistant"

"So what!"

"You're done yes?" Arthur asked taking her empty plate bringing to the sink. "Come on time to go"

After spending nearly an hour at the hardware store where Arthur desperately tried to explain his problem to the salesman well aware of Rose who was biting back her laugh, Arthur had decided to stop at the supermarket. He pushed the trolley as Rose put several items in it. Cookie boxes, jars of and jam, bread, crisps, frozen pizza, ice cream, chips, she was basically emptying all the shelves. Arthur didn't mind though, he had plenty of money to pay for everything.

"Oh! I forgot something," Rose exclaimed as she ran in the opposite direction of the aisle they were in.

"Rose? Where are you-"

"I'll be right back!"

Arthur glanced at the cereal boxes as if they were the most fascinating things in the world or maybe was he just purposively trying to ignore the tall ginger woman who kept looking and smiling seductively at him.

Rose! What on earth are you doing?

Just as she started to approach Arthur, he promptly spun the trolley around walking away as fast he could. In the refrigerated products area, he found Rose reaching up for a carton of milk then handing it to an elderly woman.

"Thank you very much," the woman said smiling at her.

"It's my pleasure," she replied.

" Hey you," Arthur joined them giving Rose a quick sideway hug.

"Hey"

"You have lovely daughter young man"

Arthur opened his mouth to retort, but just then the woman decided to leave. He looked at Rose who was already looking up at him and they started to laugh.

"Don't get me wrong Arthur, but you would make a very horrible father," she teased still laughing.

" And you are impossible," Arthur teased back.

" Well since we're both terrible people. Let's just agree to disagree then"

" Fine with me. Come on let's go pay for all this"

They got home shortly after two. Arthur busied himself repairing the handle while Rose did her homework and watched the telly at the same time.

The doorbell rang and she went to answer it.

"Gwen!" Rose gushed, genuinely glad to see her then her eyes flew to the brown stain on her blouse.

" Hi… I spilled some tea on my blouse as you can see," she explained, " Need to use the loo to clean up the mess..."

" Sure, you already know where they are"

"Yes thank you"

"Oh no but Gwen-"

Arthur's repairing the… Mmm? She doesn't really need to know that.

" Yes?"

" Uh, no-nothing. I'm just…I'm going at the corner store. Can you tell Arthur that I'll be back in a minute or two?"

"Okay," she nodded before rushing to the bathroom quietly closing the door. She hadn't noticed Arthur who was knelt in a corner of the wide room searching for something in his toolbox.

"Arthur," Gwen gasped slightly startled at the sight of him here.

" Guinevere-"

"I-I'm sorry I d-didn't know you were in here," she stammered as her hand flew to the doorknob trying to open the door. She nervously rotated it few times, but it wasn't working as if it was stuck.

" Guinevere the doorknob is broken," Arthur blurted.

"What?"

" Yeah, I was actually trying to fix it before you entered"

" So you're telling me that technically we are stuck in here"

" Yes… I mean no. Technically Rose can open the door from the outside"

"Oh no," Gwen sighed rubbing her forehead.

" What?"

" She's gone to the corner store"

" Great we'll just have to wait for her then"

" I guess so"

Arthur sat on the ledge of the large bathtub then patted the place next to him inviting her to sit.

"What happened to your bl-"

"I spilled tea on it. I can be quite clumsy at times," she sighed looking down at her chemise.

"If it can make you feel any better, Rose too was locked here this morning"

"Really? " Gwen chuckled.

"Yup. Although it was all my fault, I didn't exactly cautioned her"

"How nice of you…"

" You should have heard her Guinevere. She was screaming and banging on the door. Arthur! Arthur! Help me. I'm stuck, please Arthuuur," he said imitating Rose's voice exaggeratedly. Gwen threw her head back laughing; losing her balance she almost fell into the tub. Fortunately for her, Arthur had been swift enough to grab her by the waist pulling her close helping her regain her balance.

For some reason, he didn't want to let go of her. She was close…so close to him and this was his chance to finally kiss her. Her beautiful brown eyes met his blue-gray ones. Arthur bit lower lip as his breath caught in his throat, mesmerized. His right hand loosened its grip from around her waist to caress her cheek feeling her soft caramel skin. He leaned down but just as his lips tenderly made contact with hers…

A/N: Thank you so very extremely much for the birthday wishes! If it took me quite a while to update, it's because of the crazy rehearsal schedule my teacher had been imposing us for my school's first musical play! Thank you for reading, your reviews mean a LOT to me! -Believe Faith