Re: The Beautiful Side of Somewhere [LOCKED TOPIC]

by Guest Fri May 13, 2011 10:26 pm

The CEO sighed, standing up from his seat and walking around the table to stand in front of Alfred. "I'll only do this once," he said, reaching out to fix Alfred's tie for him. Really, how did Alfred manage to make a knot like... like this? It was absolutely terrible! Arthur could've tied it better if he were drunk and blinded! "And wipe your mouth; you've some crumbs around your lips, still."

Once the necktie was fixed and perfect, Arthur reached up, running his hands through Alfred's hair and trying to fix it. Alfred's hair was most definitely not as messy as his own, but he knew for a fact that it could be tidied up more than this. (Arthur's hair, on the other hand... well, it was soft, he had to admit, but it was also unruly no matter what he did.)

by **Assistant Jones** Fri May 13, 2011 11:00 pm

Alfred blinks in surprise when that happens and he carefully watches Arthur as he started to fix his tie though he couldn't help but be rather…stunned…with how the other was able to tie his tie. Alright, admittedly, he was never the greatest at tying his tie. It was always sloppy and many times, he had to have his brother help him. There wouldn't be any worries though, especially when he was going to Google how to tie a tie correctly! He would make certain that his boss would be impressed but he hoped that the other's impression of him didn't already fall in the toilet. That would really suck. He couldn't get fired on his second day!

Yet the moment that Arthur started to run his hand through his hair, the assistant stood as stiff as a board, just hesitantly watching the other man. Though he was sure that it wasn't every day that your boss would start fixing you up. It was…embarrassing? No, that probably wasn't the word for it. Even though it was embarrassing in a way.

"Sorry sir." He replies simply as he reaches up to wipe the crumbs off and simply waits for his boss to finish.

by Guest Sat May 14, 2011 12:30 am

Arthur only stepped back to look Alfred over again once his assistant's hair was in an acceptable state. Alfred was still just a touch messier than he would've liked, but he supposed this would have to do, for now.

"Now get to making my tea and writing down my schedule for today," Arthur said, heading over to sit back down on his seat and start working immediately. He didn't receive many emails (yet), given that it was rather early in the morning, but he knew that in just a few hours, his inbox would be full. That particular thought made the CEO almost sigh again. Almost.

Nevertheless, it didn't take Arthur too long to slip into the flow of work, and he was back to typing up a contract for an upcoming deal before Alfred even have a chance to leave the room.

by **Assistant Jones** Sat May 14, 2011 12:51 am

Alfred reaches up to touch his hair gently, patting it lightly to make certain that it really was neat. It was neat, not including the cowlick that always seemed to defy gravity somehow but he had long since given up trying to tame that damn thing. It would take a horrid amount of gel to even think about getting it down so to save money, he decided to keep it untouched.

Just smiling, the assistant nods as he starts heading for his desk to grab the post-it notes (which were still a rather dull colour) and a pen before making his way towards the door "Of course, sir. I will get your tea right away and…thank you. For…fixing up my appearance." He mentions the last part hesitantly before stepping out of the office. Alfred soon goes to the kettle and sighs softly as he runs the directions through his head that his boss gave him. Alright, milk first and then the tea then he would put in the two sugar cubes. Honestly, how could he even fuck this up when Arthur told him directly how to do this?

Soon he brings the tea back to Arthur's desk and places it down before quickly hurrying to his desk to jot down the man's schedule for the day. Of course in his most legible handwriting, which was still somewhat legible though still rather messy. Ripping of the post it notes, Alfred goes back to the CEO's desk and gives him his most charming smile. "And your schedule for the day."

by Guest Tue May 17, 2011 3:27 pm

Arthur just nodded, not really listening to whatever Alfred was saying as he worked. He got his tea, and he got his schedule; that was all that was really important.

"I forwarded some documents to you earlier," the CEO said, still typing. "Organize it into a powerpoint presentation and send it back to me. Make sure it's clearly organized, and don't leave a single detail out of it. Ah, go downstairs to the receptionist; your cellphone should've arrived. There's a list of numbers you need to input on your desk, so get to that."

When he drank the tea, he noted that it was... well, unsurprisingly shitty as usual. But he supposed he couldn't blame the lad; he was undoubtedly American, after all. (And everyone knows how the quality of tea dropped in America after they threw it all into that harbor all those years ago.)

by **Assistant Jones** Tue May 17, 2011 3:44 pm

Alfred couldn't help the small frown that pulled at his lips as all he received back were directions on what he was to do next. Yet rather than completely fret about it, the assistant simply gives a bright smile to his boss and nods. "Of course, sir. At godspeed." He replies as he starts to head downstairs to the receptionist. He was finally going to get his mobile! Finally, something nice! So it was almost enthusiastically that the man walked out of the office before running across the narrow pathway between the cubicles so he could go grab his new mobile.

"Yes, yes! I got a new cellphone! This is fucking awesome!" He cheers to himself and plus, it was still too early in the morning for people to really stare at him. Of course he had to throw in a small dance while he was in the elevator before calming himself down and stepping out of the elevator quietly. Though of course he couldn't help that wide grin on his lips as he went to the receptionist and got his mobile.

Looking at it in absolute wonder, the young man's eyes couldn't help but be glued onto the sleek mobile as he went back to the top floor, figuring out the different functions accompanying his new work phone. He couldn't even bring himself to care about how shitty his tea may have tasted. It probably wasn't that shitty in taste or else his boss would have long since have had him find someone else to make tea for him. (Though if he was to be honest, southern ice tea topped any kind of gross English tea. It was wonderfully sweet like how all drinks should be!)

Soon Alfred goes back into the office, eyes still glued onto the mobile as he soon sat down at his desk to start getting his job going. At least he had a minor distraction.

by Guest Tue May 17, 2011 4:13 pm

Arthur just continued working, not really paying attention to what Alfred was doing. Hopefully, the man would remember his directions and execute them perfectly instead of just getting distracted by that phone. (It was one of the best and newest brands out, capable of multiple functions. Arthur didn't doubt that Alfred could easily get distracted from work, even if he tried not to.)

He paused momentarily to drink some more tea, and then went back to typing, with the occasional alt-tab to read some of the reports sent to him by the division managers. Obviously, Arthur Kirkland's life was full of excitement.

by **Assistant Jones** Tue May 17, 2011 4:23 pm

After a while of playing with the phone, Alfred finally decides to put it down (for now) and actually start working on the task that Arthur had given him. Tapping his desk lightly, he tries to make a presentable layout at least. Admittedly, he had to go on Google to find some more professional layouts because his idea of a good layout included many different colours and something more exciting than this bland working atmosphere.

Yet if this is what Arthur did everyday, then he pitied the man. He had to make things more exciting…make him smile more often. Certainly he knew the man for only about a day or so but he couldn't help but feel that urge to make thinks so much more exciting. Looking down at his schedule, he sees Arthur's birthday again and he quickly writes down a note to himself.

Give Boss a present and wish him a Happy Birthday.

A small smile pulls at his lips.

by Guest Tue May 17, 2011 6:37 pm

This routine carried on for quite a while. Alfred had actually proved himself to be an indespensible part of his office, but a professional gap remained in between them. He didn't know a thing about Alfred as a person, and only knew of the man as his assistant. That was all fine and dandy, though, because Arthur preferred it that way. (Because, if anything, Alfred was The Man Who Let Arthur Watch The Office In His Free Time, and not... The Idiot.)

Today was just another day, the same as yesterday and the day before that. He hadn't gotten any sleep the night previous, and had only managed to go home to take a quick shower before rushing back to his office to finish his work. That said, he was extremely tired, and running solely on tea... which was something that he was used to by now, but by no means pleased with.

by **Assistant Jones** Tue May 17, 2011 7:20 pm

As time started to pass, Alfred started to feel a sense of…attachment…in a way. In a very, very odd way but it still lingered there deep inside. It wasn't as if he really liked the man per say, just more like, a need to be around him more and make him happy. Though he supposed that was just the feeling an assistant should get after working for a while under his boss. Yet he had today marked and though the man had told him to have it not interrupt his work, he felt that it wouldn't. In the slightest bit…plus even the working man needed some appreciation on his birthday.

So coming in, precisely on time though with a cup of tea in his hands as he soon places it down. He was chipper, more so than usual in the morning, as he just comes into the room to quickly write down the man's schedule for the day.

"Well, we've been assistant and boss for a while now." He starts off, that same smile always on his lips. "And I've been thinking…hahaha…ah whatever. Here you go!" And with that, Alfred gives him a small box, which obviously is meant to be a present for the man considering the red bow on the blue wrapping paper. "Happy Birthday, sir! I know you told me that personal things shouldn't get in the way but I don't think it would hurt to get you something and wish you a Happy Birthday!" He smiles a bit more. "I would have gotten a cake, but it would have been hard to get up all the way here."

by Guest Thu May 19, 2011 6:52 am

Arthur blinked, looking first from the gift then up at Alfred. "...What's this for?" he asked, tentatively taking the gift.

Why would Alfred just... Randomly say that and give him a gift? Was he trying to hint at something? Was This Alfred's way of... Asking him out...? At that thought, Arthur stiffened, and his gaze bordered on bring horrified. Sure, Alfred had proved himself to be a very dear, sensible lad, but... He couldn't date his assistant! That was just wrong in every way possible!

"I... I couldn't possibly take this, Jones..."

by **Assistant Jones** Thu May 19, 2011 8:17 am

Alfred was confused and if anything, very confused. Why wasn't Arthur accepting his gift? Was his boss just so work oriented that he couldn't even accept any birthday gifts? So he continues to try pushing it on his desk, a small smile on his lips.

"Hey, don't worry about it, sir! I hope you like the present." He chirps as he soon stands up straight. "And Happy Birthday again. I'll make sure to do my work extra quick and efficient so you can have more extra time during the day."

Truthfully, he didn't even have the concept of dating in his mind though who would? Alfred was just simply giving a present for his boss but he couldn't help but think more. He should make this day more special, make him less work oriented.

"And then if you're free, I can take you out, hm? If that's alright." He would have to figure out where to go but probably somewhere nice for a birthday!

by Guest Thu May 19, 2011 8:40 am

"Birthday?" Arthur repeated, even more confused. He frowned, glancing at the little calendar on his desk in confusion. It was far from his birthday... What the hell was Alfred talking about? "Today isn't my birthday..."

The CEO paused, and thought again. When he caught aught of the post it notes on his desk, it hit him at once. That's right! He'd lied about it in the very beginning to test Alfred, hadn't he? Well damn, now he felt bad.

"...It was a test," he explained, sighing as he held the gift out for Alfred to take. "I wanted to see if your priorities were straight. My birthday is on the 23rd."

The month was left unsaid. It wasn't important anyway.

by **Assistant Jones** Thu May 19, 2011 8:51 am

Alfred frowns when he hears that it was a test for setting his priorities straight. So instead, he just gives a small smile and just shakes his head. "Well, that's alright also, sir. Just take the present...for our partnership, then. Or an early birthday present."

Was he going to get fired? That would absolutely suck because he just thought it would be nice to give something to his boss for his 'birthday' but too bad that wasn't his birthday at all. He wasn't going to do much! It just wouldn't have hurt to actually give some cheer to the man's day.

So not accepting the gift back, Alfred just laughs a bit and goes back to his desk to work. Well...that was horribly embarrassing and it definitely showed on his features as he typed.

by Guest Thu May 19, 2011 8:59 am

Arthur sighed, looking at the gift before setting it off to the side. He wasn't very good with reactions, not to mention that he just didn't like opening presents in front of people. (He believed that it was because his brothers had always stolen or broken his gifts when they were all young, but it could've been anything.)

"Thank you regardless," he said, going back to work. His eyes kept going to the present, though, wondering what it was. He berated himself for even feeling a little hopeful almost immediately, though. It was not likely a new tie, maybe a watch... Something that just wasn't personal. (When was the last time he received a thoughtful, homemade gift? He couldn't remember.) Then again, such gifts were to be expected.

Aside from the trash (that he still kept) that Francis Bonnefoy sent him, all he ever got for his birthday on the rare occasions that people remembered were gift cards, ties, and so on and so forth.

...As if he couldn't buy those things by himself...

by **Assistant Jones** Thu May 19, 2011 9:22 am

Alfred made sure to make the present a bit special. It wasn't even like he could buy something that would satisfy to his boss's needs. He was doing a job, he couldn't even buy a dinner that was satisfactory to the man's needs without bankrupting him. He just hoped that it wasn't too amateurish for the man's tastes. Honestly, that would suck but he actually had to start focusing on his work rather than watch Arthur from the corner of his eyes.

Just calm down, Alfred. Just simply calm down. There was no need to worry about all of this. What did it matter that his boss actually liked his present or not? Any hurt feelings would be pushed to the side later, but at least he wasn't going to get fired.

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