A/N: Hey guys! So I just wanted to greet every one of you a Happy New Year! I know it's been literally a year since I updated this story and I'm really sorry for that, I know you must really hate me right now. I've just been really busy with college and everything with my family so right now, I'm trying to remedy the situation. It's kind of important that you read this message because I'm also promoting my two new stories "When He Forgets" and "Fight for Me" which are both one-shots although one of them is divided into 4 parts (please read them) and I'm about to post them along with this update. I'm still on vacation right now so I have the time to write again, thankfully. So here it is, presenting Chapter 5. The following chapter/s will be up soon. Hope you enjoy and please review. Thank you :D
Back at the Pendragon Advertisement Agency, in a huge office, at the second highest floor possible, was none other than Arthur, who was spinning his chair lazily, not having the strength to go home, thinking about what he just said to Merlin and the others. He managed to say everything that he felt for the past five months in a heartbeat. As he ponders on all of the mistakes that he made, his thoughts were interrupted by his father walking into his office.
To some people, they would think that Uther was a tyrant who didn't care about anything except his company but it turns out, those people were wrong. He cared too much about all things. He cared about what everyone thought. But most of all, he cared about his children, Arthur and Morgana. What made them happy actually made him happier. But even if it was so, it never got to the point where they both would become spoiled prats. Uther knew the right times when to discipline them. And so because of this, Uther would be considered to have done a good job in raising his children alone, without the guidance of his late wife, Ygraine. But never did Uther forget the last words of his wife: "Take care of them for me. Take care of them for us…". It was what made him try harder to be a better father to his children. He had to think about what his wife would think if he did things wrongly. Even in death, Uther still values his wife with a great deal of his heart.
Right now, Uther worried about Arthur. He worried about how broken his son was because of his recent break up. Oddly enough, even he was upset with Arthur for breaking up with Gwen, who was like a daughter to him.
As he comes inside Arthur's office, again, he tries to speak but Arthur interrupted him.
"Ar-" Uther spoke.
"Yes, father I know it's you." Arthur said, turning his chair around, with the back of his chair facing Uther, looking at the ceiling for no good reason.
"Arthur, surely you know it's already past beyond working hours. You should be going home." Uther said, trying to convince him, knowing what was happening for the past five months, knowing that he was heart broken.
"And what's the point of going home, father? Can you tell me anything that I can look forward to when I go home? I'm absolutely sure she won't be there. When I come home, everything I see reminds me of her and every time that happens, I keep remembering how much pain I've caused her… that hurts too much." Arthur said softly, doing his best not to break into tears, again.
Uther sighed deeply as he walked towards Arthur, stopping when he came nearer, the desk serving as a barrier between them, putting his hands in his pocket.
"Arthur… I know how much Gwen means to you and that you know you've made a mistake. Even for quite some time, Tom and I've been disappointed in you for hurting her because she was, of course, his daughter and I also treated her like she was my own other than your sister. Until I knew that it was Agravaine who messed with your head… I realized that it wasn't your fault. You must realize that yourself." Uther said softly, trying his best to soothe his son, with nothing to see but the back of his chair.
Arthur pondered on everything that his father said for a while, slowly began turning around, to see his father looking back at him with such sympathy. Arthur then leaned his elbows on the table and put his head between his hands, looking down on the flat surface.
"I don't know what to do, father. I have no idea… what to do… I've hurt her so much..." Arthur said devastatingly and softly. And before he knew it, he felt his father's hand on his shoulder and he looked up slowly with tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
Uther held his son's neck as a fatherly gesture and looked straight into his eyes, giving him a sad smile and sighed "My son is deeply in love. What could he do?... Mainly nothing" he said as he shrugged "… but I do know that he is a Pendragon… and I believe that this Pendragon is strong, there is nothing that he cannot handle. Most importantly… I truly think that in time… soon… everything will be all right." Uther said sympathetically and metaphorically, as he and Tom were already informed that Gwen was to come back in London. And with this, he nodded at his son and squeezed his shoulder, leaving him to let him think things through.
Arthur then stared hopefully at his father walking to the door. He raised his eyebrows as his father began to speak.
"Don't forget about the breakfast meeting we have tomorrow and last one out turns off the lights." Uther called as he continued to walk his way outside Arthur's office.
As Uther left the room, Arthur found himself smiling and chuckling slightly at his father's little humor. After a few moments, his phone began to ring and knew immediately that it was either Morgana or Merlin calling him, being used to the thought of them asking him how he is when his answers were always the same. Seeing Morgana as the caller, he groaned and swiped his phone, reluctantly answering the call.
"What is it, Morgana?" he asked lazily.
"Nothing much, just wanted to know where you are, that's all." Morgana says cheerfully, making Arthur confused and annoyed by her tone, as if she had something in mind.
"Really?... You're not going to ask me how my day was or anything like that?" Arthur asked her suspiciously.
"No! Of course not, I promise. So where are you exactly?" Morgana asked him with mischief.
Arthur sighed deeply, knowing that Morgana and the others would be upset but nonetheless said "I'm still at the office." with sadness flowing back in him, remembering again. He then heard Morgana sigh as if she was disappointed or lonely for him.
"Oh. Well, I just thought that I'd tell you something you might like to know." she said, mischief and cheerfulness back in her tone of speaking.
For a moment, he left his moment of sadness and went back to being confused and annoyed at his sister "And… what is it that I might like to know? If it's about your relationship with Gwaine, then I'd rather not-"
"Gwen just called." Morgana said quickly after she rolled her eyes at Arthur.
"What?" Arthur asked her, shocked and probably caught off guard.
"She said that she had an interview on a show called "The View" and it has a replay tonight so… it's up to you with what you're going to do with that information, okay?" Morgana said hastily with a smile as she talks to him.
Arthur furrowed his brows immediately with shock and said "What?! Morgana what are you-"
"Goodbye, Arthur. Take care!" Morgana said quickly and hung up, ignoring Arthur's reply to what she just said. Arthur heard the disconnection and looked at his phone before holding it back onto his ear.
"Morgana?... Morgana?" Arthur repeated annoyingly, being cut off by his words during the end of their conversation. He sighed deeply then put down his phone on his desk, leaning back again on his chair and began thinking.
Did I really hear correctly? Morgana actually told me something about Guinevere. My Guinevere… at least she was. *sigh* Morgana's never told me anything about her since she left. What is she trying to say?
Arthur wondered as he brought his attention to his laptop and quickly went into the streaming of the TV show. As he browsed the website, he sighed with relief that he didn't miss the show, it was just starting.
As he watches the introduction, he can't help being nervous about seeing her again, even if it wasn't personal. He suddenly thought of random things that could've happened since she left.
Am I really that desperate to see Guinevere just because I'm nervous? Even if it's only on screen? It's been a really long time since I've seen her. It's been five months now, but it feels like I haven't seen her so much longer than that. I miss her so much. I miss her touch, her soothing words, I miss everything about her. I'm such a fool for letting her slip through my fingers. And it's all my fault. Now, all I ever think about is her. I think about how she's doing. I often wonder if she's met someone else. Someone who might be better than me. Someone who cares so much for her that he wouldn't leave her, ever. Someone who would never hurt her. Someone who isn't me. That's what would hurt me the most. Seeing her in another man's arms. I can't even bear the thought of it. But… seeing as it's my fault, I can't seem to blame her for choosing someone else. I'd give anything to have her back in my arms. If she ever comes back, I'd beg for her forgiveness and I would ask for another chance. Seeing her so successful right now makes me so proud of her, so happy for her. And I am truly happy for her, but I wouldn't know what to feel if she was seeing someone else.
As Gwen's name was being introduced, prompting her to finally make her appearance, Arthur held his breath and prepared himself in seeing her after such a long time and that he couldn't help feeling nervous, eager to see her face again.
Finally, after a few moments, she makes her appearance and the audience starts to applaud as she makes her way to the hosts. The hosts welcome her as they all sit down and begin their conversation. Arthur watches the full show although he only seems to stare at Gwen, not caring what the hosts were saying or what they were asking her. He only holds onto Gwen's every word.
Guinevere looks even more beautiful than I remember. She looks so confident and sophisticated.
As the conversation progresses, he suddenly paid attention to the hosts because they now moved onto the guest's personal life, which involved her love life and career as a fashion designer.
They start talking about her career and suddenly Arthur was shocked and stunned to hear the words that came out of the conversation.
"Actually, thanks to everyone who supported my endeavors for fashion designing, I'm about to open another boutique branch back home in London… maybe." Gwen says as the audience gives her a round of applause and she continues saying "Yeah, I'll be flying for London on Thursday night. I'll be there in time for a family-related charity gala on Saturday night so, it's good for socializing with people and to also be reunited with my family and friends. Spending time with loved ones and the like." Gwen finishes off with a smile.
As the hosts listen to her, they give out the traditional "ooh's" and "aah's" and as she finishes her last statement of the hosts give out her excited "oohh" and suddenly asked her a question.
"And speaking of loved ones, is there a special loved one we should know about? Either back home or someone you've met here in New York?" The host asks her coyly as some of the audience roar coyly with her.
Gwen giggles at the question as she seems to think of what to answer.
"Well, as much as I want to, I didn't really have enough time to do those kinds of things. I've just been really busy with my career and for now I'm just really looking forward to going home." She answered accompanied with disappointed "aww's" from the audience.
Gwen laughed amusingly at them and answered quickly "But don't get me wrong. I've met new people and made really close friends while I was here, so who knows what might happen when I get back." she finishes as she giggled.
As Arthur continues to watch the interview, he seemed to be overwhelmed. At the same time, he was surprised by the fact that Gwen was about to go back to London and he was also relieved to hear that Gwen was unattached, which makes him nervous all at the same.
Guinevere's coming back? But when? and why do I get the feeling that I'm the only one who knew just now. Morgana and the others must've known something. No wonder why Morgana sounded so giddy while we talked over the phone. Arthur thought as he ran his hands on his face. His mind reverted back to the interview and as it finishes, he hung onto every word that Gwen said.
"So when do you plan to come back after your visit from London?" one of the hosts asked.
"Honestly, I'm not sure yet. As I've said before, I was thinking of opening another branch of my clothing line there so, I might be staying longer than I'd like to think… double purpose you know so, I might tag a friend along to help me decide." Gwen answers and smiles at them.
After seeing and hearing the interview, Arthur immediately got up from his chair and grabbed his keys, gathered his things and left the office as fast as he could.
I have to know everything. What else have they not been telling me? he thinks as walked with speed. As he passed by the foyer, he reminds security to ensure that everything's settled as he leaves and went straight to the parking lot, got into his car and started to drive to Merlin's place.
If they know something I don't, it will break me. This proves how much Guinevere doesn't want to see me. She doesn't want me to see her. Oh God, I hope it's not too late…
As Arthur stepped on Merlin's house, he quickly knocked on the door. From the inside, as Merlin kept nagging Morgana for what she did, their argument was stopped by a constant banging on the door. Merlin realizes that it might be Arthur, looking over his shoulder and turns to Morgana.
"Do you hear that? That might be you brother knocking on the door, probably wanting to know what on earth is going on." Merlin continues, annoyingly rolling his eyes.
"Well, that's good. We're all here anyway, he's bound to know some time." Morgana says as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. She then looked at the door and turned back to Merlin "I'll go let him in." she said as she started walking to the door.
Merlin looked as Morgana walked and a thought came to him.
I gave Arthur back his spare key to my place, right?
Merlin's thought was confirmed as Morgana stopped walking. Everyone turned to the door opening and in no time, barged in an overwhelmed Arthur.
"Guinevere's coming back and you all knew, didn't you?" Arthur asked immediately and devastatingly.
They all just stared guiltily at him, not knowing what to say.
Morgana looked at Arthur, his back facing her. "Arthur, maybe you should sit down for a while. We'll tell what you want know." she decides as Arthur flipped his head back at her, eyes searching for answers.