Chapter Seven

My dear super-cool-iPhone-de-stress-er-note-pad-thingy,

Aaaaannnnnnd... We're back in the Grand Ol'States and finally getting into the swing of things. Okay, so that's a lie. There was nothing to swing into! Artie won't let me do anything other than: "Sit here and look pretty," he said as he walked into his office first thing in the morning. "Just don't touch anything and trust me; I'll know because I know everything." I smirked. Really now? Challenge accepted, ran through my mind before it stuttered to a complete stop and-HE THINKS I'M PRETTY! Handsome would have been preferable, and I really wish I had recorded that now, but in his eyes I'm pretty!

So as soon as he closed the door to his office I jumped up with my fists in the air in victory. Admitting attraction is practically like the first step to a relationship. Well, he didn't really admit it, but close enough! I'll take it!

After a little excited dance (yeah I know I'm fanboying here), I sat down and was bored again, but it didn't last long. I had company once more as Artie poked his head out, trying to control his wayward lips moving upward in amusement and questioned, "What the bloody hell was that?"

"What was what?"

"T-that dance or wiggle or whatever you damn did just a moment ago."

Soooo... that was creepy; how'd he know?! I wasn't about to admit it that I had a mini celebratory dance because of his choice of words, so I played innocent. Much like I used to do whenever my mother was mad at me. I increased the charm. Eyes slightly wide and innocent-like as I looked up at him with a dazzling (at least I think it's dazzling) smile, I asked, "What ever do you mean, Artie?"

It must have temporarily blinded him because he didn't push for an answer or glare at me for using Artie (I think he actually likes it ;D Alright! Score again!), but sighed before stepping back into his office. "Never mind then, do what you want. If anyone comes through those doors, kindly behave and allow them through. Otherwise, do what you want."

Yeah, okay. It sounded easy enough, except I found out five minutes later that there was NOTHING FOR ME TO DO! It was like I was in an insane asylum and... and and AND I was going crazy! I swirled around in my very comfy office chair, making faces at the mirror behind me every time I faced it, but that ended a minute later because I felt as if breakfast was going to repay me a little visit soon. So I moved onto making paper airplanes with the paper in the recycling bin next to my desk. They sucked unfortunately, so I stopped to make paper cranes instead, but I forgot a few steps so they ended up headless. Then, to end my five minutes, I took a nap... yep a two minute nap.

I sat up suddenly as if I was back in high school and was caught sleeping, but I technically was never caught and there was nobody around here to catch me. However, I wasn't able to handle sitting in that chair for any minute longer without doing anything, so I took a walk around the room to observe more.

The paintings hanging throughout the room were really pretty, but seeing as I don't know much about paintings I couldn't appreciate them as much. They were mostly scenery, probably places in England with all the vegetation, but I'd have to ask Arthur later. (Maybe on our first day! ;D)

To the right of the largest painting, there was a tall book case in the corner across from the desk that appeared to be made out of the same ebony wood as the desk. The books ranged from thick, boring marketing and statistic books to thin paperback novelettes. My eyes raked across the titles until I spotted an odd title. It sounded like a thriller or horror, but upon opening it and reading a few lines, I dropped it as if it had scorched me.

It was an erotica!

He reads this kind of stuff?!

I continued staring at it on the floor then looked up to stare at myself in the mirror/wall that separated the office as if I could see past it towards Arthur. Well, I guess it could be worse like those magazines in my drawer, but they were a joke from my sister. No harm there. And I wouldn't put it past Artie's brothers to put this here, but something about him tells me he might actually enjoy reading it. Then again, that could just be my wishful thinking. You can do those same things to a guy's ass right? I don't really see any difference and hey, I'll take any chance I can on getting to knowing Artie better and learning about what turns him on so it couldn't hurt. ;D

So I pick it up, walk over to my desk and opened the book. Slightly aroused with the threesome action I read and a few hours later, I finished the smutty novel and realized I had missed lunch! I couldn't believe it, but that also meant Artie hadn't come out for lunch, unless he ate in his office without telling me. Yet, when I knocked on the door to inquire about his appetite, there was no answer. My imagination went a little wild before I slammed open the door, scaring the smaller Englishman working away.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" He disappeared behind his desk to pick up the pen he had dropped, but when he came back up, he gave me the cutest glare I had ever seen.

Now, a hero never stutters, but how was I supposed to explain that I thought some ninja assassins had climbed up to the 67th floor, gone through the window and killed my precious boss? Exactly. I couldn't, shouldn't, and wouldn't, so I responded with my original question that drew me towards his door.

"H-have you eaten lunch?"

"You interrupted my work for that?" his glare softened a little, but the scowl remained. "No, I have not. It's not even... Oh, look at that, it's two. Well, I guess I can't go to the cafeteria anymore." Then he continued with whatever he was working on.

This was insane to me. How can someone not eat lunch and continue to work? "Nuh-uh. You need to eat mister. You need nutrition in that body to continue with all your work that you refuse to allow your awesome secretary to help you with. Your family hired me to keep you alive... Well actually, I was hired to get you a social life, but without your energy supply you'll die on me!" Determination coursed through my veins as I walked into his office to pull him out.

However, his stubbornness seemed to out weigh him as he crossed his arms and stayed firmly in his chair as I tried to yank him out of it with no luck. I couldn't use too much force or else I'd hurt him, but a grand idea popped into my head. "If we don't go out to eat then I'll carry you out bridal style and feed you like a child."

"You wouldn't," his glare came back full force.

"Oh, you know me enough to know I would," I matched it with a devilish grin so he'd know I meant it.

We had a good stare down before he sighed heavily and relaxed his arms. "Fine, but we'll take a maximum of twenty minutes." I didn't mind the time, but when he picked up a packet so he could read while he ate, and I drew the line.

"If you're going to bring work with you, then you need at least forty minutes, ah hour if you need it done by tomorrow," I doubted it was needed any time soon and I was right. (Like always!) Unfortunately, he took it with him anyways. Oh well, I'll still chalk this up as a victory for me. Yay! Late lunch with Artie!

I turned to give him some space before we left, but then I saw it. The two way mirror separating the office in two. This explained how he saw my little dance, but I honestly didn't realize that until now. Instead, thoughts still lingering about what I had just read, I found it oddly kinky of him. The book really must be his.

"What's that?"

"What's what? The two way mirror?" he sounded annoyed as he passed me through the door. "Have you never seen one before?"

"Hell yea-"

"Cop shows don't count."

"Oh." Disappointment colored my tone and he snickered when the elevator opened. "Well, uh, then no, but why do you have it as a wall?"

He shrugged and pushed the main lobby button. "Half a wall, actually. The bottom half is actually a plain wall, but I thought with the two way mirror, the secretary's office would appear bigger. It also allows me to see which irate sibling is headed towards my door, well usually." Emerald eyes loose a bit of focus and looked up to the right as if he was remembering something.

I dropped my voice into mock dismay and teasingly asked, "Aww, so it's not for kinky purposes?"

"Excuse me?"

"SO! Food! How can you not be starving?!" I smoothly transitioned! Unfortunately, my heart speed up and butterflies invaded my stomach when the elevator door reopened at the lobby floor, "And from what little I saw of your morning eating habits back in England, I doubt you ate anything for breakfast other than tea and those scone stuff." And I know I ramble when I'm nervous, but I didn't give myself a chance to calm down because I grabbed his hand to string him along. "Dude, no wonder you're so thin! Hasn't anyone taught you that breakfast's the most important meal of the day? Well, no worries Artie, because you have me as your hero and I know just the place that has great food at a great price within walking distance and that everyone loves!"

"Where are you taking me?" he wouldn't let me hold his hand when we stepped out onto the street so I had to drag him along by I steering him by the shoulders.

"The best food place ever for those in a rush! McDonald's!" At this he began to struggle ferociously, but I was stronger, taller, and sexier (well, Arthur's probably tied with me at that last one, but the point is I won!). "Hey, hey, you're the one that wants to get back as soon as possible. So let's go!"

Resembling much like an annoyed Peter when he was not quite ready to give in, but not left with any alternatives, Arthur sighed and slapped my hands away. "I can get myself there just fine. No need to lead me like a child."

I begged to differ, but kept my mouth shut.

Once we got there, it was somewhat busy, but not as bad as the lunch rush it there would have been a few hours ago. We ordered our food (haha, he ordered chips and got weird looks from the girl who took his order) and sat down in a nearly vacant area so Artie could do his work. ... Which was a real bore, until I started to map out his face after observing the interior design of this Micky D's.

It's not like I hadn't watched Arthur all throughout our trip in England, but it was hard not looking at him. There was always that little crease between his large brows when he read through his papers, yet it disappeared when he read for leisure or until the plot thickened or he read something amusing. At his home with his family, his expressions while eating were more lively, while maintaining an elegant or proper appearance until one of his siblings angered him. Even then, when he was eating his fried and smoothie, he was so elegant compared to how I probably looked, munching away at my pile of food. We must have looked really odd to those people observing us, but I didn't then of that then. I just continued staring at him.

I couldn't see his eyes, but his eyelashes were just as captivating, a dark blond in contrast with his smooth, porcelain skin. The curve of his cheekbones were tempting my hands to cradle them and lift them up so I could see his eyes and bring his lips closer to mine. Thinking of his lips, my eyes traveled down the curve to his mouth, turned downward in a slight frown, but it didn't hinder his appearance. It completes him, stern and understanding. I wonder if I did this, what would his reaction have been like?

My thoughts were cut short because he glanced up and started to choke on his fry when he noticed I was staring! Immediately, I shot up to give him the heimlich maneuver, but he slapped me away until his coughing died down.

"What wa-was that?"

"Huh?"

"Why were you staring at me?!"

"Wh- Y-you eat s-so little and all daintily! It's weird!"

"Th-that's no reason to stare!"

"Well what else was I supposed to do? I don't have any work to do like you do."

"I don't know! Play in the ball pit, or whatever they have, or mess around with your cellular device like I always see you doing." His face was cherry red, probably just like mine or darker. That was another thing I loved about his face.

With no other alternative, that's what I'm doing. Clicking and munching away, glancing back at him every now and then. D: Why'd it become so TYUIOjp328kdiDK99[jasd!

I caught him staring too!

"What is it that you do on your phone that keeps you so entertained?"Arthur sat his jaw on his palm and regarded him with curiosity.

"Eh, heh, stuff?" The younger man fumbled his phone before hiding it underneath the table along with his Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

A thick but still groomed eyebrow rose. "I can see that, but could you elaborate on it? You've been constantly tap tap tapping away at that thing ever since met you."

Alfred quickly got off of his notepad and clicked on the first game app he saw. "It's a game," he glanced back down at it and realized he hadn't touched it in a few months, or maybe a year or two. "It's called Temple Run."

Arthur snorted, "Figures you would."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing really," he shrugged, taking a sip of his blueberry pomegranate smoothing. "You're just...very predictable."

Again, Alfred took offense. "Am not!" He looked around as if the answer to proving the man before him wrong was hidden somewhere. Then his eyes finally settled on the sandy blond's drink and finished the remainder of the fruity dink. "See? Didn't see that coming did ya?"

The other's nose wrinkled in distaste. "In a sense, yes, I did. I wasn't expecting it to be my drink, but something of the childish nature. Thank goodness I was done with it."

All the taller man could do was prove Arthur right again as he pouted childishly and blushed after having realizing what he had done. It was like an indirect kiss, the last bit of drinks were mostly backwash, therefore the American had just drank Arthur's saliva. "Well, you're predictable too."

"Really now?" he smirked. "Give me your phone. If I can get a higher score than you, then you mustn't bother me about my work schedule again. On the other hand, if I can't score higher than you, I'll give you work to do. Deal?"

This was his chance; there was no reason for him to say no to his boss despite the sudden challenge startling him a little, but he always figured Arthur would be of the gambling type. The chances of Arthur being good at the game was low due to learning from his brothers that he disliked electronic games, so Alfred shouldn't have felt nervous like the way he did. However, there was something in the back of his mind that told him he should worry a bit. What was his highest score again? There must have been a reason he had stopped playing it.

Arthur took the phone from him and opened the game. After reading over the instructions, he deemed it simple enough and began to play. Unfortunately, his timing wasn't exact and he lost right away, but he swatted Alfred's hand when he tried to take it away, "I never said anything about winning right away."

So he tried again and again, always improving his score and frightening his secretary. It got to the point that Arthur was doing so well that Alfred reasoned, since he kind of cheated in the first place by not taking his first score, that he could intervene a little as well. At first he tried taking his phone back, but the Englishman was quicker. Then he removed himself from his seat to sit next to the smaller blond to intimidate him, unfortunately to no avail. Not wanting to flat out pin the man down for his phone, because Arthur really was quite good at Temple Run, the younger man settled for poking him in the side. And the reaction was quite amusing.

At the first poke, Arthur's whole body twitched in surprise, but he didn't stop or glare at Alfred; he wouldn't let his emerald eyes threaten the younger one in favor of getting more points. The second jab received a squirm, but didn't lose his focus. By the third and fourth, he was vocalizing his discomfort without breaking contact with the device. Finally, pokes ceased to be and morphed into tickles.

Two grown men, wiggling and giggling in their seats while oblivious to the world, drew attention to themselves. Even children stopped playing for a moment to stare in wonder at the two blonds in suits messing around and giggled themselves, regaining hope that adulthood didn't have to be boring. The men looked to be such good friends having more fun than themselves and the children wouldn't have any of that, so they decided they wouldn't be out done by grown up and played louder.

At last, Arthur gave up; tears of laughter that hung from the corners of his eyes were whipped away and replaced by his usual scowl. "Alfred, Alfred, ALFRED! Stop it!" Another giggle rippled through him as larger hands ghosted through his abdomen, but was quickly smothered by a frown. "Why are you stopping me? Are you so set on working right away? You could relax while still getting paid if you just let me be."

Sparkling sky blue eyes from their little tickling war seemed to transitioned into a shade darker at the questions and his smile was smoothed out into a serious, and longing frown. "Because I really do want to help you. I know I can help you get over whatever happened with your other... Five? Or was it six secretaries? I can handle business work and I can help you gain back your social life that your family seems to think your lacking. I don't want my four years at Columbia to go to waste by just sitting in your office playing Tetirs. You've said so yourself, I'm overqualified to just be your social life trainer, so let me be your actual secretary, too." With the tension in the air that was starting to dawn on Alfred, he added, "Besides, I'm reeeeaaaallly bored in there. Your erotic novel can only do so much."

The serious, and somewhat touching, moment shattered when Arthur's faced blossomed red. "W-what? What b-bloody novel?"

A sly, yet handsome look on Alfred's face appeared. "Why, the on your bookshelf of course, ya know, the one with the secret-lover-turn-threesome smut one. There's two handsome men on the cover." Eyebrows wiggled suggestively, and he even threw in a wink after a while to evoke even more blood to rush to the Englishman's face.

And he received just that. The director's face became scarlet in embarrassment, not only from his secretary's gestures, but because he was found out. Although it had been over five years since he read that smut novel, he couldn't recall ever taking the book out of his apartment. There was no reason for him to take it out of his library because his face always tinted pink no matter how vague the erotic novel was written. Even a little schoolgirl would be able to suppress her blush better than Arthur. Fortunately for him, the does not have to restrain another part of his body while reading those types of arousing novels. He would be lying to himself, however, if he didn't admit that very well written erotica didn't turn him on.

Alfred laughed obnoxiously in glee, attracting even the attention of the little children playing on the playpen once more and making them giggle along with him. The man had quite an infections laughter, as well as an aura that told the children he was just like them, but the man's ambience was slightly off.

By the glowing blush on his superior's face, Alfred could tell the man remembered the book and loved the delicious expression on his face. Perhaps he'll buy more smut novels and lay them around his director's office. "I knew it! It is yours."

Arthur opened his mouth to protest, but knew it was futile. Scowling at the circumstance he was in, all he could do was stand, throw away his trash and walk out the door to get away from the imprudent American. He didn't have to explain himself to the immature man. Everyone had somewhat of a dirty secret; the fool didn't have to look so giddy at discovering his. Alfred was being inconsiderate. Arthur growled at himself for the unreasonable pricking behind his eyes. It wasn't as if he was looking for the younger man's approval.

"That wanker, git, twat, idiot, bast-"

"Me?" Said man easily fell into step with the shorter man. One look at the elder's set expression, and blue eyes closed tightly in regret. "Ah jeez, okay, so I guess I do deserve that, and... heh, I'm not denying that I do do that. I... You see... It's... I'm sorry, Arthur. I wasn't trying to tease, it was just.. Well, I was, but not in a mean way. It was just so... You were...Oh hell." A deep, frustrated sigh deflated his lungs.

"I apologize for embarrassing you. I obviously read it too and enjoyed it, so it's not like I think any little of you. It just makes you seem more relatable, human... Not that you weren't human before, because you obviously are, but there was something about you that made you seem like you were on a different level than others so I was glad to see a different side of you..."

He continued rambling while his superior had tried to understand where he was going with it, but ended up ignoring the young adult's rant. How was he going to explain to his father and brothers that he fired his secretary this time because he read his erotic novel? Perhaps he could simply omit that and admit that the child stepped over the line. Of course they would question him about it, hound him for a credible answer, but it was his office and he called the shots. So that was the first thing he would do when he returned to his office, write a letter of dismissal.

Thus, Alfred was continuously ignored for the rest of trip back to their offices on the 67th floor, unaware of his unfortunate fate. His prolix never wavered until the door to Arthur's office shut in his face. Had the New York Director looked through his two-way mirror, he would have seen his secretary swing angrily at his desk then run his hand through his hair in frustration.

With nothing else that the inexperienced secretary could do, he sat down on his desk and, much like what he did when he prepared for a huge exam, he began to organize the desk. Folders and files randomly hidden in the draws were quickly read through and placed into the small filing cabinet behind him. Other papers soon had him moving the other cabinet on the other side of the office that gave him a chance to exert his anxiety. In less than thirty minutes, the small chaos of loose documents were where they belonged and another document in the office adjacent to his was finished.

Alfred sat down on his desk and turned on the computer. As it hummed to life, his attention was pulled towards Arthur's door where the man stood with a stern expression and a piece of paper.

"What are you doing?"

"What is that?"

Both men questioned at the same time.

"I'm going to log o-," but the man never finished because Arthur's response was quicker and more shocking.

"Your dismissal form."

"My what?!"

Poisonous eyes glared. "You heard me."

"Yes, I did, but why?"

He couldn't believe his luck; misfortune never really played with him, so why was she here now?

"You know why."

"And I apologized. I truly meant it!"

"Nevertheless," a pale hand thrust the paper towards Alfred.

Cerulean eyes looked up at him with so much hurt, that Arthur couldn't stop his firm hand from wavering. "Over a little joke?" The man's voice trembled along with that hand. "I... I haven't even had the chance to help you socialize. It was a playful tease that I realized now was too soon for you. Arthur, when was the last time someone you fooled around with someone? I was expecting a quick comeback like the ones I heard come out of your mouth with your siblings. Aside from them, have you had friendly banters with friends?"

What could he say to that? He really hadn't. The Englishman hadn't even seen his old frenemy, whom he used to do all sorts of sparing with, since the break up with Marie. All contact with the outside world was cut off and he focused on his work. That however, was no excuse for how poorly Alfred had behaved with him and nothing would change the director's mind.

"That is none of your business now," again he moved the paper closer to him, but the other wouldn't take it. Finally, he slapped it onto the desk and stalked off towards his office. "Do read it and sign it before you kindly remove yourself out of the building."

Alfred winced when he slammed the door. Arthur was serious. He had exposed one of Arthur's embarrassing hobby and was now paying the consequences for being too brash. With no other option, he read the document, signed it, and walked out the door, ruefully smiling at those who gave him questioning looks as he walked out of the building.

The sidewalk was fairly spacious for the time of day, but it was busy enough for him to become lost in a crowd and move along with it. He was still brooding by the time he had reached his apartment, but a ring coming from his left pant's pocket snapped him out of it.

"Hello?"

A bellowing laugh greeted him. "You poor, pitiful lad! So despondent and pathetic!"

The American frowned, recognizing Patrick's voice. After being excused by one Kirkland, this was not what he wanted to hear at the moment. He didn't need to hear a lecture about what he was hired to do; Alfred knew all to well of his mistakes that prevented him from helping Arthur, and he didn't need to be made fun of either. Therefore, because he was let go, he felt he was free to hang up on the man. Before he could do so, however, the laughter died down and the Irish accented Englishman continued.

"Alfred, mate, I didn't know you were the type to quit. You looked so promising while you where here, so full of life and hope for us," on the other side of the line, Patrick mimicked a disappointed look even if the other couldn't see it. "Arthur actually got out of the house instead of spending his time in father's office. Granted, he needed to get your lost arse back to the house, but apparently he showed you around before coming back. Art read for leisure more and had an audience of you and Peter. He fought less with us, probably because he was trying to get his stuff back from you, but that's not the point I'm trying to make.

"You see, we've seen as little improvement in our wee brother. We've given him his chance to get his shit together without help, but he has failed and now he needs you. Also, I do not recall the brat ever hiring you. If memory serves, I believe I hired you and only father and I have the right to say when your term ends with us. Unless what I've heard is correct, have decided to quit?"

"No..."

Patrick grinned and gave his fiancée's knee a little squeeze. "That's what I like to hear ole boy. Don't let Art bully you; he's just a little sensitive. If you need any help, go to Angelique on the 60th floor. That lass'll point you in the right direction. Good luck, lad. Don't hesitate to call or text if our boy tries anything foolish."

The two men said their good-byes and Patrick returned to his date. He gave a gentile smile as he put away his cellular device. "I have a good feeling about this one. It's almost as great as I feel about you." He kissed his brunette loving, cupping her face. "Perhaps mother will soon have all of her children happily married."

~7~

The following morning was an adventure. Alfred woke up 4:45 to be able to get into the office before six. He was a pile of nerves the night before, imagining all the horrible possible outcomes of his and Arthur's interaction, thus not getting the proper rest he needed. As he stumbled into the shower, shampooing his body and body washing his hair, the American thought back to the week he had lived alongside his director and tried to remember how the man had made his tea. Perhaps if he presented Arthur with a peace offering of wonderfully made tea, then he wouldn't blow a gasket so quickly and threaten to involve the police. It seemed a little dramatic, but there was no telling with Arthur Kirkland.

Finally, after literally slipping out of the shower, Alfred attempted to look sharp in black trousers, a light, calming blue shirt, black neck tie, and a navy blue, form fitting sweater. He hopped around as he tried to get into his pants, knotted his tie too tightly, squirmed into his sweater, and dug around his drawer for a nice pair of black socks. The man barely made it out the door with his hair brushed, teeth cleaned, and a hot cup of coffee in his hand before 5:30.

He didn't even stop to think that perhaps the doors wouldn't even open, but luckily for him, a small woman with long brown hair and caramel complexion was standing half asleep by the doors.

"Miss?" he gently called out, steadying her when she jolted.

Chocolate eyes rapidly blinked up at him, "Alfred Jones? Oh good, I don't know what I would do if you were some creep. I'm Angelique, PR for New York's branch. Patrick told me to let you in this morning."

Alfred chuckled, allowing his tensed shoulders to relax a little. "Well a pretty, young thing like you should have waited instead for me then. I could have been a creep, pretending to be me. Er... well you know what I mean."

The young woman chuckled nervously. "Right...I obviously wasn't fully awake. Is that coffee?"

The tall blond handed her his thermos cup. "Here, I didn't drink from it. I think you need it more than me."

She happily took it from him and opened the door. "Thank you so much! I'll get you a spare key and card so you can let yourself in whenever you need to. Knowing Eyebrows, he'll try to keep you out for a while, so just come to me or call me if you need to get in or anything. Now if you need me, I'll be on the 46th floor's infirmary taking a nap. One cup will not last me until my shift actually starts."

Before she could leave however, he asked if there was any way for him to make tea.

"Oh, the break room on the 64th floor has a coffee maker," she took a sip before she could continue and sighed in content. "You should be able to find a pink kettle that Arthur's first secretary used to make him tea. I don't know if we still have tea, however."

They went their separate ways after the elevator stopped at Angelique's floor for a quick nap. The doors closed and Alfred released his huge yawn, a little sad to see his coffee go. However, when he reached his floor, he reverted to his earlier frenzy and began to prepare the tea. The water was boiling, actual tea leaves were found in a drawer and already added, but he couldn't find milk!

Alfred was about ready to cry when he heard the elevators doors open and steps headed his way. With no place to hide and the kettle whistling, the American couldn't move. His breath stopped when he saw a flash blonde hair followed by green eyes widen in shock at him.

"Oh," the woman clasped her hand over her heart. "For a second there, I thought I had left something running over night here. Are you alright dear?"

His legs just about gave out in relief. "Yeah, I thought you were someone else. Ah, I was just making tea, but I noticed there wasn't any milk..."

The woman smiled brightly at him and lifted a grocery bag. "Lucky you! That is why I came in early today. I know some of the employees here drop by first to make themselves coffee or tea before the start of the day, but I see you beat me here. I'm Emma. I haven't seen you before on the upper levels."

"Hahaha, yeah I'm newish here. I'm Alfred."

~7~

Arthur didn't find it strange that the front doors were already open. He normally was the first to arrive ever since the break up, but occasionally an employee or two would get an early jumpstart to the day, especially if they were running behind on a few matters. It also wasn't terribly early, as other companies and buildings had already begun their day an hour or so ago. The director was the one who was a little late according to his usual schedule, but he was tired from the night before.

He didn't sleep well that night nor was able to concentrate on his work after he discharged Alfred. It couldn't have been remorse, but there was no other explanation that he could use to lie to himself with. The young man deserved a second chance seeing as Arthur had jumped the gun with something so trifling now that he thought back to it. It was embarrassing, and he knew he couldn't handle humiliation as well as others, but pride was even more important to him. If he asked Alfred back, the little bit of dignity he had left would have evaporated. Therefore he had to continue forward without looking back at what he had done.

The Englishman had to ignore the dreams of last night mixed with memories of the week at home. For the first time in quite a while, he had remembered his dream, but Arthur didn't take that fact too close to heart. He simply remembered them because he soon awoke after them to use the toilet. There was no significant reason behind them at all. Dreams were random thoughts floating in his head. It wasn't as if he had lost a friend.

"No reason to dwell in the past," he spoke to himself as the doors to his floor opened. "What is done is done." Arthur missed the fact that the waiting room was brightly lit. No glance was spared at the glowing computer filled with opened documents on the secretarial desk. He didn't notice that his office door was open when the day before he had closed it before retiring. The smell of warm tea, however, was not missed as he stepped into his office.

It was a little off to his preference, but tea was tea and he wouldn't complain. Arthur set his briefcase down and brought the steaming cup up to his lips, blew across the top, and took a sip. His nose scrunched up, taking back the mental comment about not complaining. The drink wasn't horrible, but it wasn't satisfying either. There was too little milk for his liking and too much sugar was well as part of a leaf floating in it. He'd have a word with-

Arthur spun around to face his open door. Who made his tea? Why would anyone make him tea?

As if there was a murderer outside his office, the man gently placed his cup down, and slowly walked to the door. He didn't hear anything out of the ordinary until he reached the door frame and saw the elevator doors open after a ping.

Out walked Alfred F. Jones looking well groomed while haggard at the same time. He sighed letting his shoulders drop and strode through the door, only to freeze for the second time that morning. A second later he recovered and back tracked his steps, hoping to get back into the elevator, but slammed into the doors instead.

Anger replaced the shock written on Arthur's face. How dare the man break into his office, let alone his building.

"What are you doing here?"

Alfred's gulp was audible. "H-Hello. My name is Alfred Jones, and I was hired by your brother and father to assist you." The idea in his mind to start from the beginning sounded a lot better than it appeared to be.

"I don't give a bloody damn what they told you to do! I dismissed you of your supposed duties yesterday! You have no right to-" he took a step closer towards the man only to become distracted by the computer next to him. "What is this?!" Still in his aggressive tone, he signaled at the desktop.

"I was reviewing a few of your documents, Mr. Kirkland," Alfred straightened himself, reverting to his composed self. "For me to understand the business, I thought I'd familiarize myself with what you were working on. Unfortunately, the files seem to be out of date."

His harsh stance dissolved and his eyebrows wrinkled in thought. "How did you get on?"

"Uh... I logged on?"

Arthur gave him a sarcastic look. "I see that boy, I meant how were you able to get in? There was a password in place that even I didn't know."

Seeing the director lose his fury and replaced with confusion and wonder, Alfred was able to relax and answer honestly. "I hacked it. The password would have been easy to decode, but I did't see what it was until I got in to change it."

"You hacked it?!"

"Yes, sir."

"Don't call me that."

"Of course, Mr. Kirkland."

Arthur became annoyed at the sudden change of address, but there were other things bothering him. "How did you hack it?"

Alfred then went off to explain how computer science had been his original major at the beginning of his collegiate journey, with a specific interest in hacking, but his ideals of a modest career didn't really involve hacking. He briefly went over the process he went through to get in, but didn't elaborate seeing as Arthur looked even more confused than before.

"So what was the password?"

Alfred blushed. "Uh, I'm keeping the password, so I can't tell you."

"I'm your boss," Arthur growled, regaining the glare from earlier.

A grin appeared on the other's face as soon as he said that. "My apologies Mr. Kirkland, but there are things you are better off not knowing. I'll be using this computer after all, to assist me in helping organize your life."

"Stop calling me that," the smaller blond groaned. It didn't sound right to his ears having Alfred call him that. "If you're going to work for me, then you have to follow at least some of my rules or else we'll get nowhere and nothing done."

"I understand, Arthur."

It still didn't sit well with him, but the director had more pressing matters. "Now that we have that settled. As the director of the New York branch, I demand you to tell me the password. I have been trying to open the system to retrieve some files."

"Then I shall get them for you."

"What is the password, Mr. Jones."

"If I tell you, then it would not be a password Mr. Kirkland," Alfred mimicked his tone, but there was a playful glint in his eyes. "You have me now, so tell me what you need and I shall fetch it for you."

"Tell me the password, Alfred."

Alfred shivered when his voice darkened at his name.

"So how was the tea?"

"Disgusting," Arthur lied, forgetting the previous matter completely so he could fix Alfred's tea errors. "First of all, you put way too much sugar into the drink. It's not like your bloody coffee you git. This is a delicate drink for those who know what true rich beverages are. Secondly..."

Alfred exaggerated his movements to grab a legal pad and to pretend to jot notes down, loving the expressions Arthur made as he described his precious tea.

The End.

Just kidding! I mean I guess you could stop here if you're rather sick of my erratic updating schedule. Just live a happy life and know that they live happily ever after together and never know the drama I have in store for them next. It might be the best you seeing as I have no clue when I'll be able to update again.

"Here she goes..." Is what you are all thinking, but I am sorry. Life is so overwhelming right now, but I'm about to live my dream in a few days. I'm studying abroad in England for three months (not as much as I would have liked, but for me this is HUGE, especially since I'm such a homebody, but LOVE England with a passion.). I need to focus more in my studies seeing as Hetalia has pretty much taken over. I HAVE DROPPED TO A B- AVERAGE AND THAT IS KILLING ME INSIDE! Okay, maybe not that low, but it's not a score I'm proud of because I know I can do better. However, I can't just leave all my fanfictions and little drabbles I have created.

So if you're still interested in my stories, know that I'm still writing, I'll update as soon a I can and when writer's block gets out of my way. I have made a tumblr (woo, big surprise) where I have posted three of my drabbles thus far. That will probably update little stories faster because they're random things I don't spend as much time on and really short. If you're interested it's called .com. Thus far I only have 1 Spamano, 1 HongIce, and 1 USUK, so it will be various pairings. I might post pictures on there of my trip to England, but I'm not sure about that yet, my life is pretty boring (even if I'm going to England), so I'll probably stick with just having fanfic on there.

Thank you for reading! It means a lot, even if you don't review, just knowing people are reading is enough. This will probably be my last author's note on this and most of my stories except It's A Lifestyle, which really needs explanations. However, don't hesitate to call my attention to mistakes, because I do want to learn from them. I hope to update soon!

The password: Arthur is a sexy beast!

XD