[Fanfiction] - How to leave the closet, {Part 6}
Francis Bonnefoy wasn't your normal chief from work. Actually he was everything but ordinary. He would never come to work in just a plain, black suit. No, he would always be wearing the most daring colour combinations, have shoes with heel and several rings on his fingers. He dressed up for even the smallest occasion. 'Everyday is party-day' was his motto.
As the chief of a successful advertising company he surely did a good job at selling himself as he danced around with long, elegant steps, making all the women swoon in admiration. He was the perfect actor; he could pretend to be the trust worthiest man on Earth when making a contract with another company, but when with his nearest employees his lips would curve into an evil smirk and he would laugh: 'Those idiots have no idea what they've agreed to!'
Francis Bonnefoy was, indeed, a scary, powerful man.
Therefore Arthur couldn't help but shake as he stood in front of the man's office.
'It's official. This day will be my last on Earth. No, stop, wait a second, Arthur. What is the worst thing he can do to you? Fire you! … Well, that would be terrible, since I would lose my home. I can't afford even the lousiest place in town, so I would be forced to live on the street. Bollocks. Oh well, at least I won't die. Yet. … Unless the rumours about him being a cannibal are true!'
"Fuck!" Arthur smacked himself shortly on the right cheek. He shouldn't be thinking such depressing thoughts, Francis could smell fear! He would take one look at his shaking legs when he entered the room and then he would know exactly at what points he should aim his terror. Arthur sank a large mouthful of spit in a loud gulp. He had to relax!
"Arthur, are you standing out there?" Francis' voice sounded from the other side of the door. Busted. Arthur felt his face heat up in embarrassment, and he wasn't sure whether he should open the door and answer, or do it from the outside, or, or, or! "Come on in." Okay, open the door. He reached out for the doorknob and turned it. "Ah, finally, there you are," Francis sugar sweet voice greeted him as he entered the room. Arthur gave a short, respectful bow in the direction of the man, before he closed the door behind.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I was told that you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, please take a seat."
'In front of the guillotine?' Arthur added in his thoughts, before he slowly walked over to the chair in front of Francis' desk.
Francis' office was just as flamboyant as Francis himself. Each wall had its own colour and on them pictures of beautiful women were hanging. There were flowers in the windowsill, several books in French on the shelves (which Francis would refer to as his porn-collection) and a bottle of wine on the desk. Arthur eyed it as he took a seat in the chair. Did his chief drink alcohol while at work? It would explain his behaviour sometimes.
Francis leaned in across the desk with a wide smile on his lips, distracting his thoughts. "Mr. Kirkland. I do not see enough of you, now do I? How are you these days?" Arthur's eyes widened, and he almost felt like gasping.
Oh, the devil! Francis was being smart about the whole situation. Instead of just attacking him, he would have him slowly admitting his actions with his son Friday evening. And if he did not admit, he could be accused of being a liar. Either way he was doomed to be fired.
Arthur closed his eyes and took in a deep breath as the office suddenly started to blur. He wasn't about to cry, but he was about to pass out. Francis' blue, blue eyes were watching him so carefully. He was waiting for him to break down, break into tears, a pleading mess on the floor. But Arthur wanted to keep his dignity. So he tried to stay calm as he answered:
"I've been fine, how about you, sir?" He opened his eyes again with a friendly smile. Francis did not even blink as he stated:
"I've been troubled." Arthur felt his mouth go dry.
"Troubled, sir? In what way?"
"You can't guess?" Francis lifted his eyebrows. Arthur's pupils were shaking.
"I… I am not sure what could be troubling you, sir." He stuttered. Arthur bit down onto his lower lip. Francis did not seem the slightest impressed.
"…You can't? Think. Think; what event may be troubling my chief? Think." Arthur did not have to think. He knew what event that was bothering Francis. The event last Friday. The fact that he had been standing with his cock flashed and the cock of Francis' son in his hand, jerking away. The sheer thought made him blush an even deeper shade of red, and he had to look down, unable to look into Francis' eyes.
"I am so deeply sorry, sir. I-"
"You should be sorry! Forgetting your chief's birthday isn't being looked lightly on." Arthur gaped.
"…Birthday?"
"Yes, it's my birthday next week. I'm turning 45." Francis got up from his chair. Arthur shook his head in disbelief.
"What? Was it your birthday you brought me in here to discuss?"
"Is that a problem?" Francis crossed his arms as he looked down at Arthur. The Englishman shook his head.
"No, but… You spoke of your son earlier?"
"Yes! My son Matthew."
"Matthew?"
"Yes, Matthew? …Arthur, you seem to have a problem with your hearing." Arthur could just shrug his shoulders and before he had the time to stop himself, a light laughter fell from his lips. This had nothing to do with Alfred! Hell, the bloke probably hadn't even told Francis that they've seen each other. And from where should Alfred also know that he worked for Francis? There probably were hundreds named Arthur in the town! Why shouldn't he even have told his father about them? Suddenly his former assumptions didn't make sense to himself, and he laughed even more, making Francis stand dumbfounded.
"…Arthur?"
"I'm… I'm so sorry, sir," Arthur hiccupped between his laughter, "I'm just… Ah, never mind, I am really sorry. Do please continue, sir." Francis looked confused, but he nodded slightly. Like he could bother with asking into his employees! He walked over to the window and pretended to look out, though he really was just watching Arthur in the reflection.
"As I said, it's my birthday next week. My son Matthew will be coming to town to celebrate it with me. However, it's his first time visiting this town, so he will be arriving earlier in order to have time to see the place. But this week I am extremely busy with meetings, so I cannot show him around myself. Therefore…" Francis turned to face Arthur. He smiled slightly as he continued. "Therefore I want you to be his guide the days up to my birthday."
Arthur hesitated. Had Francis just asked him to take care of his son? What was this, day-care? Francis had apparently read his face, for he sent him an apologizing look.
"Arthur, you know me well - I do not like to involve people in my private life. But I do not know whom else to turn to. He's so very shy and he gets lost so easily. I need to know that someone is with him. And I trust you." Francis went back to Arthur, leaning against the desk next to him. He placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. "I trust you, Arthur. And of course this won't be just another task of yours. If you do it well, you can of course expect a promotion."
Arthur was stunned. A promotion? This just wasn't happening! He'd been waiting for years for a promotion. Back when he still had his wife, she would comfort him on monthly basis because he felt like a loser for still being a lowly paid common man. But now, when he was finally offered the chance for better work, for better payment, what was he to accomplish in order to get it? He had to get even more infiltrated with the Bonnefoy-family. Alfred. Francis. Matthew. He surely hoped the family had no more members!
"Arthur, you seem to hesitate?" Arthur placed his hands on the table in order to push himself up to stand, but Francis' hand slipped to cover his right hand. He looked at it, then up at Francis as the guy squeezed his fingers. Francis gave him a warm smile. "Arthur…" His tone was soft. Arthur opened his mouth to say something, but he had no words to speak in a situation like this. Then the Frenchman leaned down, and he felt those soft lips brush lightly over his cheek. "Arthur," the man whispered again, "please. Please."
"Okay, okay!" Arthur ripped himself free of the man as he stumbled onto his feet. He stared at his chief with wide eyes, a hand placed on the cheek on which the other had kissed him. "I… I will make sure your son gets a good time here in town." Francis seemed somewhat disappointed. But only for a second. He could've imagined it.
"Brilliant!" Francis clapped together his hands as he too rose to his feet. "Then that's a deal. Let's get the basics lined out…"
----
As Arthur left Francis' office, it was with a smaller fortune in his hands. He looked at the golden credit card Francis had given him. 'So you'll have enough money for whatever the two of you figure out you'll be doing,' he'd said. It should hold several thousands of dollars. The guy was far to rich, but at the moment Arthur surely wasn't going to complain.
Credit card, Matthew's contact information, yet a kiss on his cheek… Arthur wondered if that was the formula for success.
It was weird, though. Francis had said that he'd asked Arthur because he hadn't got the time himself and because Matthew knew no others in town. But if Matthew was Alfred's brother, shouldn't they know of one another? Alfred did speak of his brother… Arthur shook his head. It was all very, very weird.
"Arthur!" Ludwig came up from behind. He looked worried. "Arthur, how did it go? You didn't get fired or something, did you? …what's that credit card for?" Arthur looked up at him and smiled a little.
"No, I didn't. It went fine. He just wanted to ask me if I could do him a favour."
"A favour?"
"If I do it good, I might get promoted." Ludwig's eyes widened, and a big smile spread across his face.
"Really? About time! Man, that's great, Arthur!" He gave his back a friendly pat. "We'll have to celebrate this with a beer!"
"Uh, I am to pick up his son tomorrow at the airport, so-"
"Just one beer! Just one!" Ludwig almost begged. Arthur bit down onto his lower lips. How was he to say no to an old friend? "I'll pay."
"Okay then," Arthur quickly nodded. "After work, beer."