Chapter 2: The Fiancée's rat…
The drilling noise of my alarm clock drained into my ears. As usual I did what came naturally to me.
I pressed the snooze button.
After some moments it occurred to me that perhaps I had pressed that button too many times this morning. I got up instantly and to my sheer surprise I found myself once more, late for the daily morning briefings.
I practically sprang out of bed, dashed into the bathroom, washed my face, stumbled out of the bathroom, grabbed a shirt, jumped into my trousers, struggled to button up the shirt and finally found my jacket and- like the wind, I jotted out of my room.
A brief stop to have a brief chat with my Uncle Gaius, who was having his breakfast all alone.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked, sounding clearly offended, "You used to wake me up…why the sudden change?"
He looked up from his cereal bowl and calmly replied, "Sudden change, Merlin? A day ago you insisted on being treated like the 24 year old you are….I am doing just that…."
I would have stayed to reason this out with him, but I was only too aware that time was not on my side and I would have a very pissed off boss waiting for me.
Shrugging my shoulders, I just cursed out loud and dashed out of the door.
As I stepped out on the front porch, I realized instantly that the company car was no where in sight!
Rushing back into the house I hollered, "Gaius! Where is the driver?"
"What driver?"
"Theee driver that picks me up every morning to go to work…"
Gaius poured himself another cup of tea, "You mean theeee driver that arrives always on time and you make him wait an hour or more for you?"
I rolled my eyes, "Yes! Him!"
"What is his name?"
"I don't know….it's not always the same guy. Where is he?"
"I told John, he may leave as it was clearly obvious you were not waking up anytime soon."
I could feel my blood pressure rising. For a minute I stood dumbfounded watching my uncle eat his breakfast in utter serenity, "You did what?"
"I told him to leave Merlin. You don't expect a grown man waiting on a young chap like that. Clearly he had other errands to do…."
"Picking me up is part of his job description!" I practically shrieked.
"And so is visiting his only child…"
"What?"
"While he was out waiting for you, to hopefully wake up….we got to know each other better. He was scheduled to meet his child from his estranged wife….I understood completely and urged him to go ahead, that young Merlin…YOUNG 24 year old Merlin would understand….I gave him my word…Nice young man."
I couldn't believe my luck. Why I had never bothered to pursue a driver's license was beyond my comprehension, "I….I'll just take a cab, I am late…we will have to discuss our estranged relationship when I get back from work….!"
I could hear my uncle laugh from a distance.
It was easy finding a cab, my greatest fear was entering that office, Arthur was clearly waiting for me….and he would be fuming…..this was my 3rd late day in a row, I would have a lot to answer for.
I scuttled into the office, greeted by the ever loving frown of the rest of the team.
The path was blocked by no other person than Lance himself, who smiled at me wholeheartedly, "Look at that! Today you are just 52 minutes late….well done Merlin!"
"I….over slept…." I say almost breathless.
"Pfff!" Lance turned his face away, "Don't you go anywhere…you've got killer breath mate!"
He dashed into his office, asking me to follow suit, all the rush and I had actually forgotten to brush my teeth.
He threw at me a British Airway Business class pouch, "There is a toothbrush and some paste in it. Use it wisely…." He was about stepping out of the office when he suddenly stopped as if remembering something, "Oh…and Merlin…Arthur's pretty pissed off…this time….so….Good luck."
My day couldn't be any worse, shoulders slouched I took the damned toothbrush and shut myself inside Lance's private bathroom….it was going to be a hell of a day.
Arthur's office was shut, my little office desk was just outside his door, on happy days he kept his door wide open able to usher out all sorts of commands to me…after all I was just a scream/shout away… yet still I possessed a view that practically showed the splendor of Camelot. Yes, we were way up on the 36thfloor.
But today even the view could not ease my troubled soul. From my office desk I could hear the thundering voices of Arthur and his Father. Their argument was getting heated and I could only hope that Arthur would storm out of his office, never to return until the next day….he did that sometimes….once he even went from the office straight to the Maldives….I was really praying today would be one of those….
His office door slammed open, Uther's tall figure thundered out, "YOU CANNOT OBJECT FOR TOO LONG! IF YOU WANT WHAT IS …YOU CLAIM…IS RIGHTFULLY YOURS…THEN I SUGGEST YOU HAVE HER SIGN THAT BLOODY PRENUP!"
"YOU CANNOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO, FATHER!" Arthur retorted.
"I HAVE SPOKEN ARTHUR!" Uther took one glance at me, turning his face in disgust he instantly stormed off, bellowing across the corridor, "SHOW IS OVER! GET BACK TO WORK!"
I sat frozen in my chair, mentally counting down each second, hoping to see the younger Pendragon dash out and head to Cambodia or somewhere far far away.
"MEERLIIIIN!"
I almost fell over my chair. Swiftly I stood up, "Yes, sir!"
"IN MY OFFICE NOW!"
I was in his office in seconds….clearly today was not his best day and whenever he had a bad day….he automatically made sure that I would have a worse one.
"You are late…" he calmly pointed out.
"I….I…I…"
"Fuck it! I don't care…." He began pacing around, a thing he did when extremely angered, suddenly he stopped, "You heard that?"
"Heard….?"
"What my father said!"
"I…."
"MERLIN!"
"Yes…."
Once more he began pacing around, "Okay…so…I proposed to Elena and she agreed to marry my good self…."
"That she did…"
He shot me a piercing look, "with the condition that?"
"There will be no prenup…."
He clapped his hands, generally pleased with my answer, "Yes….no prenup and now….Father dearest insists on it….."
We stare blankly at each other….
"Knowing Elena…she will call the whole thing off…" he thought for a moment, "Get me Lance!" he suddenly ordered, "He will know what to do."
Without another word, I left his office immediately, relief written on my face. Rarely was I let off for being late…but Arthur had bigger issues.
Picking up the receiver I dialed Lance's extension, "Arthur would like to see you."
No further questions asked. As always, Lance was readily available.
The young business man came by quickly, before going into Arthur's office he made a quick stop over at mine.
"What am I to expect?" he cheekily asked.
"Huh?"
Lance shook his head, "Merlin! Wake up….what am I to expect? Is it business or personal issues?"
I smiled, "It's personal…."
He sighed, "It always is…."
I didn't say anything to that, instead opting to be busy on the computer – playing solitaire.
But then my phone rang, VP's Office….I picked it up reluctantly,
"Get in here!" and with that Arthur hung up.
There I thought I had escaped the worse of the day.
Once inside the office I assumed my position at the right corner of the door and observed silently the discussion between the two senior-most people of Pendragon Corporation…after Uther that is.
"Just get her to sign it. If you both love each other….then nothing matters." Lance urged.
"That's the thing. Love has nothing to do with this..."
If that line didn't catch Lance off-guard, it sure did catch me well off guard. But judging from his partner's look….he was very well surprised.
"Then….why the hell are you marrying her?"
Arthur smiled at his friend, looking at me he urged me to come closer, as if wanting me to be involved in this, "Godwyn Enterprises."
Lance cursed out silently, "You are thinking business?"
"Very much so….should Pendragon and Godwyn join forces, we would be unstoppable…"
I knew Arthur Pendragon was many things, but this sort of shrewdness was not his kind of character, perhaps with time he was becoming more of his father's son.
I observed the little drama that was about to unfold
Lance turned his face away, clearly in disgust, "She is a good woman, Arthur…it is unwise…."
"No one objects, but you…." Arthur cut in sharply.
"I only object because she is too young to be dragged into the world of business, into our world." Lance turned to me, perhaps to check how I reacted towards this issue. He knew me well and my look of indifference upset him even more.
"She wants to get married! I could care less…I marry her and life goes on….big deal." Arthur sighed out loud, "I just don't want her to sign any prenup!"
"Because you will be on the loosing side?" Lance questioned.
To which, Arthur nodded, "Yes….I am only being honest…."
They argued for a bit longer where as I found myself drifting elsewhere, eventually – finally my eyes settled themselves on an opened page of a popular high society Magazine, a picture of this "business" couple, Elena filled with pride, arms tightly clutched around a carefree Arthur Pemdragon, whose focus seemed elsewhere, whereas the naïve Elena was smiling with much adulation at her man.
It was not news to me or anyone else in this cooperation; Arthur had plenty of girls running after him. I guess in the corporate world one would say he was a hot asset to have.
The public saw him in the limelight…be it charity functions, corporate functions, awards such as the grammys etc, you name it he was there….
What interested them the most usually was who was by his side. Which hot blonde, brunette or red head he was trolling around with. Who was his latest squeeze?
Women were after him, the old, the young…they wanted him and Men envied him.
For a couple of years, Arthur simply had taken a fancy to the single life, he was comfortable with the random yacht parties, the clubbing and dare I say the one night stands.
At one point, the media gave up pointing out which girl he was with, it didn't matter because the younger Pendragon changed them like how one would change underwear.
And then came Elena….and the rest was history…you could say….
My focus of attention was brought back to the two friends, Lance waved his hands, a signal that indicated that it had been pointless arguing with Arthur.
I wondered why he even tried challenging Arthur when it came to his personal love life.
He turned his back and proceeded out the door.
"What about you?" Arthur called out causing his friend to come to a sudden stop.
Lance eyes rolled up to the ceiling, before he finally turned to face the question, "What do you mean what about me?"
"When do…." Arthur pauses and points at himself and in my direction as well, "We….meet her?"
"What?"
"Lance, you know what I mean. Your girlfriend?"
I watched them closely, it was amazing how Arthur would drag me into some situations. Within me, I was boiling. The shit I care about Lance's girl!
"I…she….she's alright." A private person by nature, Lance never really enjoyed bringing his personal life to the work place, but Arthur wasn't just his boss/work colleague….no, Arthur Pendragon is perhaps one of the few friends Lance ever had.
"We know that." Arthur firmly stated
I rolled my eyes, there he goes talking in "we" terms.
"But what we want to know is, when can we meet her?" Arthur slyly remarked, "She's never been to our parties, our gatherings….and it's been like almost a year!"
"It's been 3 weeks, Arthur." Lance corrected.
"Very well, stop hiding her and introduce her to your…." He thought carefully, before finally concluding, "….family."
The room's stillness marked Arthur's words. However shallow it may have seemed to the outsider, it was but a heavy, deep and soul rendering statement to each one of us in that office.
For Lance had no one….and now finally after 4 years….he was considered by one member of a family, he loved so dearly, a family he respected and adored, finally…he was considered a part of them….
Slowly he began to speak, "You are right…you should meet her."
Arthur was all smiles now, placing his hand on Lance's shoulder, "Good, you are invited for drinks…On me….today. With Merlin as well…. I'll try and persuade Elena to come along. You know, female bonding….or whatever it's called." He smiled at me sheepishly, "Let's get back to work, shall we?"
Lance's lips transformed themselves into a thin line, it was clear, his thoughts were elsewhere, simply nodding he excused himself and was headed to the front door, but before closing it behind him, he stopped, "one more thing Arthur…."
"Yes?"
"Thank you…." He only muttered.
"For what?" Arthur smiled genuinely at him.
"For…accepting me…into the family…." He suddenly stopped watching the two of us, anticipating his next words, a smile escapes from the corner of his lips and as soft spoken as he was he softly added, "…into your family…" before closing the door behind him.
Our eyes lingered on the tightly shut wooden door, after a few seconds, Arthur took in a deep breath, "Well….Merlin…..doesn't get weirder than that, does it?"
I smile at him, "Where do you want me to make the reservations?"
"Huh?"
"You are inviting Lance and his girl out…" I reminded him
"Ah yes, and you. You are tagging along as well….I am not going to be there on my own…" he retorted, saying this more to himself.
"I believe you mentioned, Elena?" and myself, I thought to myself….he always did see me as a human black berry…..
"I did….but I did not mean it. I want to laugh. Elena would just prohibit me from making fun of him….where is the fun in that?" his eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Let's go!" he suddenly exclaimed.
"Where to?" I ask, clearly after 4 years, still not used to the Pendragon's natural spontaneity.
In a stern manner he scoffed at me, "I shall spend the rest of the day with Elena. Call the driver. After that you appear and tell me….INFRONT of her, that my father called for a dinner meeting. Are we clear?"
"Where do I appear?" I fumbled with my pen, writing down this garbage.
"I'll let you know as the day proceeds. Have her meet me at Café du Camelot." He signaled me to leave his office, "Dinner will be in that new bar that opened…don't know the name…but , make reservations for 4."
I was literally being pushed out of the office.
"One more thing Merlin."
"Yes?"
"Make sure Lance appears!" and with that he closed the door shut behind me.
Once more I stood baffled and confused outside Arthur Pendragon's office, looking at my office desk, I wondered when I could complete the more important stuff…such as budget reviews and forecasts….sighing to myself I slumped on my office chair and proceeded to make the necessary arrangements.
"Are you serious?" Kiki's palms landed on the table, "Are you shitting with me?"
Merlin fell back on his chair, "As serious as I can get…."
"You were supposed to tell me about the wedding…."
"I did." He convincingly pointed out.
"Yes…but then you are deviating…." She uttered, "Stop wasting my time!" She sprung up and found herself pacing around.
It was not a good sign, the suspect could sense her impatience….hadn't she told him, she had all night?
Merlin let out a little chuckle, "I believe for you to understand….my point of view…I would have to start from the very beginning…."
She thought for a quick moment, "Agreed. But Arthur meeting Lance's girl is unimportant."
His eyes shone with excitement, "Ah and that is where you are wrong, my dear CIA agent! Very…utterly…wrong."
"You are some smart-ass!" she pointed out, "and there I thought I could like you…"
He folded his arms, bringing them closer to his chest, "Arthur did want to marry Elena….it was all set….the public was waiting….plans were made."
Kiki nodded, "Yes, that I know…." She fumbled in her back pocket, struggling to bring out her pack of cigarette. Taking out a cigarette she lit it confidently, he was watching her closely the whole time…she wasn't a chain smoker…yet….perhaps if she kept this line of work….a couple of years more and she would be….
"Tell me Merlin. If Arthur was so determined to marry that Godwyn heiress…then why….are we in this room right now?"
"Because strange things happen in the most normal places, Kiki. Perhaps it would be best if you would listen to what I have to say? Perhaps then you can judge for yourself….that not all fingers point at me….that I am innocent….but I need you to listen." He spoke in a low manner, she studied him carefully, he was scared but brave…
"Okay…" she would let him talk….she would hear him out and she would ask the right questions, "Tell me about Lance's girl….perhaps you are getting somewhere with this. Who is she?"
He smiled at her, "Up until that day….I had not known such a person existed…up until that day we were all in that usual state called day to day life….meeting Lance's girl…was what I would pin point as a changing moment….to all of us…"
She took in a long drag, puffing out a huge cloud of smoke, legs comfortably resting on top of each other on the wooden table, "You don't say….would it not be better for me to associate a name to such an intriguing lady?"
He stared at her blankly, it took him a while…but eventually hugging himself tight, he whispered into the stillness of the smoky room, "Gwen." His eyes fell to the floor, "Her name's Gwen….and she changed all our lives….forever….."
Author's Note: Thank you for reading people...as always ideas are more than welcome :)