Time's Up, Chapter 5
Chapter 4 Part 2
Time, dormant during winter, began to spin on a fast track. Before Merlin knew it, March and April were over, as well as the first week of May. With all those visits to Arthur, adventures with Gwaine, and also constant contact with Will, he almost forgot about his paper and an essay being due, and about upcoming tests. He was brought back to reality when professor Geoffrey reminded him that Merlin had an assignment due in two weeks. And before Merlin could procrastinate, waiting until the last day, this time he dove into his studies, driven to present the best work among his peers.
Even his father said, “They’re expecting a masterpiece from you.”
They’d always excepted a masterpiece from him, Merlin thought, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. His eyes hurt from reading small font, his fingers were covered with ink, and it felt as if the pile of books in front him would never decrease in size. Merlin was working on three different assignments at the same time, as well as his final paper-last year of uni wasn’t a joke. And once he got his bachelor degree, he was going to apply for a Masters, so he could continue studying on his specialty. Then-PhD, and, if things work out-his own business. For now...
Merlin yawned, so wide he could swallow a whale, and lowered his head onto the textbook. Enough for today. He stopped digesting the information about half an hour ago; even basic formulas weren’t sticking, and in order to not go mad, Merlin decided to go over what he wrote this morning. Or afternoon. Or he’d do it tomorrow. Before or after his therapeutic session with Arthur. Or better, instead of it. Merlin chewed on his bottom lip, assessed his work and reached for the phone.
“What now, my little junkie friend?” Arthur asked fondly on the other end of the phone.
“A rain check.” Merlin yawned again, completely ignoring Arthur’s teasing. His jaw was at risk of dislocation.
“Why?”
“Not enough time,” Merlin said earnestly.
Arthur knew about his workload at school, often asked about his progress, but never canceled their meetings. Only reduced them to once a week. His job, as luck would have it, allowed him to allocate time for these therapeutic dates. Every Thursday, three o’clock. And not a minute later.
“That bad?” Arthur asked, and the unhealthy enthusiasm in his voice made Merlin think of wanting to go jump off the cliff.
“Worse. So, maybe we postpone my absolution until next time? Or talk on the phone?”
“Not a chance. Get ready,” Arthur said in a voice leaving no chance for negotiations.
“Why?” Merlin was surprised.
“Let’s go get some fresh air. Take your mind off things.”
“I doubt tomorrow’s hangover would help me to get into the right mood to study.” Merlin chuckled, looking around for his jeans.
“Who said anything about drinking?”
There was no drinking involved. At first they took a slow walk on the streets of London, teasing each other and sharing the latest in their lives, then they spent a long time looking for a free bench in Green Park. The weather this week was warm, and lots people rolled out of bars and pubs to enjoy it. Spilling over the fresh grass, they were spreading their blankets and snacks, throwing improvised picnics. But even though there were a lot of people, it wasn’t loud or chaotic. Everyone tried to not disturb their neighbours. After wandering around for long enough, Arthur abandoned hope, and after finding a more or less private spot, sat right on one of the lawns. Merlin gladly sprawled out next to him..
“July can’t come soon enough.” He sighed, looking at the darkening sky without a single cloud.
“That exhausted?” Arthur asked with sympathy.
“Not exhausted, just don’t have enough time. I’m trying to present as much research as possible. You understand, family name and all.” Merlin smirked.
“Oh, I understand. But you have to admit-you love it. And when you’re done with school and start working, you’ll love what you do, not everyone can brag about that.”
“Well-I guess. But that’s a distant future-work.” Merlin scoffed, his face darkened at once.
He recalled the conversation he had with his father just a few days ago-or, rather, the fifteen-hundredth version of it. Merlin insisted on working for his father’s company, and was being rejected again.
“First earn a degree, then, a job. Your access level at the lab is too high as is already.”
“Merlin?” Arthur nudged his shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yes, it’s just-never mind.” Merlin ruffled his already messy hair. “And you are, obviously, the lucky one? Your job brings nothing but joy and satisfaction?”
“Indeed.” Arthur nodded, deciding to not ask Merlin any other questions. For now. “Maybe that’s where the meaning of life is-finding the positive in everything you do, and not concentrating on the negative. Getting up every morning not with the thought that you’re going to a bloody prison, but looking forward to it.”
“Dalai Lama can retire now, oh, Master Yoda. He has nothing on your philosophical wisdom.”
“I still have a ways to go, but I certainly appreciate his views on life.” Arthur smiled.
“And you always knew you’d work with your father? Have you ever felt the pressure?” Merlin stared at him quizzically.
“I’m my own boss,” Arthur corrected him. “I did start under my father’s mentorship, but at this point I have my own company, even if thirty percent of our stocks belongs to the Pendragon Corporation. You can say Uther Pendragon monitored my business and then made a successful investment.”
“Really? I thought you represent the same company together.”
“I do represent Pendragon Corporation’s interests, they are our major client. But I have others, so even without my father’s business with us, I wouldn’t go broke.”
“Good for you,” Merlin said slowly, feeling a little jealous. “I hope to find my own niche, too. When I receive my qualifications.”
“I thought you wanted to work in Balinor’s lab,” Arthur prodded carefully. “And he said it many times in his interviews, about already having a worthy successor.”
“Ha. I’m nothing without a degree. You think I started making meth because of my worthiness? It helped me to built a small lab outside of the family business. Where no one could look over my shoulder.” Merlin kept quiet for a bit and then added, barely audible, “But it’s all bullshit, because I need expensive equipment I can’t afford for at least few more years.”
“I think Balinor doesn’t want you failing school. He can see you’re absolutely as mental about the lab as he is.”
“Maybe. That’s no bother. What’s more interesting-”
Merlin stopped talking, tensed. Arthur looked at him, frowning, and then, followed his eyes and saw a couple laying not too far away from them. Two blokes, who were enjoying the falling darkness and warm weather. Arthur smiled and arched his eyebrows.
“What’s wrong, Merlin? Jealous?”
“As if,” Merlin muttered, his shoulders twitched. “It’s time to go. I have to get up early tomorrow. Can you drop me off?”
“You’re so strange, Merlin. Didn’t you tell me you like sleeping with blokes?”
“Spare me your reverse psychology, Pendragon. My brain is about to explode,” Merlin said tiredly.
All the way to the car and while driving to Merlin’s house, they kept silent. Both deep in their own thoughts, they hadn’t noticed how they reached the destination. Merlin didn’t rush to get out, and for the first time ever, Arthur didn’t know how to deal with Merlin. He really, terribly, wanted to clear up one particular issue. And Merlin studied Arthur with his big, blue eyes, as if daring him to do it.
Huffing, Arthur leaned in and kissed his warm, soft lips.
Don’t let it go too far.
Fucking work ethic.
Backing away with regret, Arthur grinned and unlocked the doors. “Goodnight, sweetheart,” he said playfully with a terrible accent, trying to relieve the tension. “Thank you for the wonderful evening.”
He felt elated. Great. Except Merlin didn’t share his mood.
.
“Go fuck yourself, Pendragon,” he barked and slammed the door, leaving Arthur staring at his retreating back in astonishment.
Five days later Arthur found a thick folder on his desk. George did a great job. The first set of documents, after review and appropriate comments, was handed to Elyan. Arthur had no doubt in his employee’s abilities: Elyan had his place on his team for a reason. He had a quick and flexible mind, could find a way out of the most difficult situations, and knew how to steer clients in the right direction. And then gently convince them that it wasn’t Elyan offering to make a deal, but the client themselves who wanted it so much, they practically begged Elyan to sign it already. The training was going to turn out great, and Arthur could kill two birds with one stone-coach his team and see Merlin’s reactions. And if Arthur could show off a little in the process... that wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Arthur flipped through the second set of the documents and pulled the phone out of his pocket, refusing to acknowledge the fact that Merlin moved to the first line in his speed-dial list.
“You’re interrupting my lecture,” Merlin hissed into the phone.
“Call me back,” Arthur said and hung up.
Someone knocked on the door to his office.
“Yes?”
George squeezed in through the narrow gap in the opened door and froze ten feet away from his desk.
“My apologies for interrupting you, sir, but Morris said you’d already presented some of the documents to Elyan, and I wanted to know if you were satisfied with my work and if you have any other assignments for me.”
George never ceased to amaze Arthur by his ability to fluidly converse in a horridly rigid way, choosing the least pronounceable phrases, as if he just came off the page of the statistic report. Arthur had often used his gift, sending him to “entertain” the clients. Normally, by the time Arthur showed up, they were so hypnotised by George’s signature phrases, “It will be my pleasure to provide you with the distilled water, enriched with ionic silver” or “the efficiency ratio of our company could be close to 1 if the probability theory accepted the usage of the absolute values” that hearing a normal person’s talk, they were a lot more willing to compromise. But sometimes Arthur himself was tired of his very talented assistant’s special abilities.
“I found the work you completed meeting the requirements adequately,” Arthur played along. “No new assignments at this time. Except... let everyone know that we’re having training on Thursday at three o’clock. It concerns the round table.”
George blossomed at Arthur’s words, nodded and disappeared. Arthur sighed and dove into the reports provided by his assistant.
Merlin called two full hours later.
“I thought we’d see our last days there. Why the hell our professors make us learn off the constants or atomic mass of all periodic elements by heart?” Merin seethed, exhaling loudly, as if he’d just run or walked really fast.
“I suspect there’s a point in all this. And you know it. “Arthur leaned back in his chair and almost started chewing on the cap of his pen. Merlin’s voice was affecting him in a strange way.
“Right, as if I’d have time to check any of that when I’m in a lab, especially when all of it is written on huge posters on the walls exactly for that purpose,” Merlin replied and mumbled something to the side. Probably bumped into one of his classmates.
“Going home?”
“Yes, sir.” The sounds in the background indicated that Merlin was now outside. “What did you want from me? Good thing I had my phone on silent; if I was tossed out, I’d-”
“Enough,” Arthur interrupted his rumblings. “This Thursday we’ll have a different session.”
“Going to invite a hypnotist, and he’d have my body levitate in the air?”
“You wish.” Arthur snorted. “You’ll join us during our employee training.”
“Why?” Merlin went on guard right away. “Going to finally try to use me for your own benefit? Your altruistic tendencies expired rather quickly.”
“I can’t afford it any longer,” Arthur agreed. “Actually I just wanted to show you the ‘meaning of life’.”
Merlin didn’t respond right away. Probably recalled that evening and how it unfortunately it ended.
“What am I supposed to do there? I have no clue about your business.”
“You don’t even have to try too hard, just keep playing the arsehole you are. An arrogant client, who indeed has no idea about our business and does everything to throw a monkey wrench into our process.”
“I’m terribly flattered you’ve assigned this role to me.” By Merlin’s tone it was obvious he was about to get upset.
“I’m going to throw you to a real shark in my business,” Arthur promised. “I dropped you an email with a scenario, consider it roleplay.”
“I have a completely different picture in my head when I think of roleplay.” Crisis averted, Merlin calmed down.
“Feel free to dress like a maid.” Arthur laughed and hung up.
He dropped his phone into his breast pocket, and, folding his hands behind his head, stared out the window. The conversation went without a hitch, Merlin was going to swallow the bait, except... Arthur wanted to keep quarrelling and flirting. He closed his eyes and stretched, hoping that this would help him to clear his head. Alas, when he returned to his desk, Arthur still had a stupid grin on his face and by the evening, he somehow managed to chew the poor cap off his pen.
The last time he chewed on plastic was back in school, when he fell in love for the first time and couldn’t take his eyes off the dark-skinned girl he really liked.
“Are you all clear?” Arthur asked, watching Merlin inhaling a Big Mac.
And where was this mad love for fast food coming from?
Merlin wiped his fingers with a napkin and nodded. “I own a pharmaceutical company and plan on expanding. I’m considering my options of opening a lab either in Italy or France. I have money, but I’d like to stick to a budget and I’m sure your rep is going to dupe me. Did I get it right?”
Arthur smiled. “Perfectly. During the meeting don’t hesitate to be rude. Clients like that consider my people as something like servants, sort of like their waiters, except instead of food we offer real estate in our menu.”
“No problem. Okay, I’m done.” Merlin tossed a couple of squares of gum into his mouth, flicked a few invisible crumbs off the jacket borrowed from Gwaine, and stilled, waiting.
Arthur called Morris, letting him know that he was delivering training and didn’t want to be disturbed. He was very proud of the venue they were about to use. It morphed depending on a purpose and a situation. Today the room seemed big and bright, with an excellent view, comfortable furniture and modest decor. Last time Arthur ordered someone to close the sun-blocking curtains, replace the cushy chairs with cheap and uncomfortable plastic, and hang flowers with an overwhelming smell on the walls. His employees were learning to be professionals regardless of the room’s interior.
The “round table” in the room was already full. That was how Arthur called the team members he valued the most. They often discussed the hardest cases, shared their experience and ideas, and together looked for the most optimal solutions. The circle was limited to Arthur himself, Gwaine, Lancelot-the husband of Arthur’s ex-girlfriend, Elyan-the brother of that same ex-girlfriend, and Leon, who came to work for Arthur per Uther Pendragon’s insistence. Recently, Lancelot brought in Percival, assuring them that the bloke had true talent, and today’s training was also a test for this new member.
“Hello,” Arthur greeted his men at the table. “This is Merlin, today he’ll play the role of a client.”
Merlin smiled and said hello, but Arthur could tell he was not himself and guarded. Of course, this was Arthur’s patch and his people; Merlin couldn’t not feel himself a stranger there.
“Relax,” Arthur whispered, pulling a chair for him.
Everyone had identical black folders with the information laying on the table in front of them, bottles of water and glasses. On the left side of each folder there were blank notepads with the company’s logo and pens with the company’s name. Gwaine insisted that it was time to switch to tablets, but Arthur disagreed. A lot of potential clients were still not comfortable with electronic devices, yet doodling on the notepads was a great tell for Arthur, from their level of interest to their current mood.
“I think it’s time to start.” Arthur opened his folder. “Mr Emrys is a client, Elyan-our rep. I’d like to make sure you all pay attention to their conversation, note what worked and what didn’t, and in general comment on everything you find worthy of a discussion later.”
The training started. Elyan trilled like a nightingale, presenting the potential locations chosen for a lab and following with comparative analysis; Arthur listened and tried not to smile.
“...managing business in Italy is very different from doing so in France. In France you’d have to spend a significant amount of your resources on your legal department, which would have to be responsible for making sure every law is followed. Besides, you’d have to face rigid control from the government-healthcare in France plays a big role in the political arena. But if you follow the processes and procedures you’re guaranteed a patent and the right to distribute the drugs in the country. In Italy it’s drastically different. The system is still driven by a complex web of corruption and bribery. You may pay off a minister who’d turn a blind eye, and your drug can hit the market without any serious scrutiny. Moreover, if the payoff is big enough, the competitor’s drug might suddenly disappear from the pharmacies, which would lead to practically having a monopoly on the market. Do you follow me, Merlin?”
Arthur quickly noted something in his notepad.
“Yes.” Merlin no longer looked like a repressed teenager, the opposite-he now looked very confident. He settled comfortably and followed Elyan’s presentation with great attention. “What would you recommend? France or Italy?”
“It depends on your goal. If you’re interested in long-term business with a smaller, but stable profit, France is your best choice. If you’d like risky, but quick return-Italy.”
“You didn’t mention any risks.” Merlin frowned.
“There’s always a chance that your competitors beat your bribe in price. In that case, your lab may be subject to a sudden audit, and even if you follow every letter of the Italian law, it might get shut down. Or, if they don’t find a good reason (which is not realistic, their laws are vague enough to allow the lawyers free reign), your drug wouldn’t make it to pharmacies. Ampoules would break on the way, pills would be accidentally crushed, and so forth. And on top of that, your proxy might end up in jail for accepting a bribe; it’s pretty common in Italy.”
“And what are the chances of my losing business?”
“I can’t say.” Elyan bit his lip. “There’s no statistical data for situations like this. You’d just have to keep your fingers on pulse and your eye on a situation in the country.”
Arthur made another note.
“I see.” Merlin took a sip from his bottle of water. “Just like I thought. You’re useless.”
Elyan’s face froze in a standard professional smile.
“You keep criticising Italy, yet I heard they have excellent conditions for business. Instead, you’re describing to me something off of a mafia film.” Merlin huffed. “That’s fine, let’s forget about your misconceptions. Can you arrange the said fingers on a pulse?”
“Not me personally.” Elyan adjusted his tie. “But if you decide to open your lab there, we’d find you an Italian firm to help you to monitor the market.”
“And I’d have to pay them, too?” Merlin mouth formed a thin line. “First I drop a hefty sum on you, although you just mumble and provide zero insight, and then I’d have to sponsor some Italian crooks? How would I know they didn’t inflate the amount of bribe? Or maybe you’d already made a deal with the locals, decided to manipulate me into thinking the entire system in Italy is corrupt, and then split the bribe?”
The training was getting more interesting. Arthur thought with pride that he made the right choice with Merlin. He’d gotten into character perfectly.
“We have no reason to lie to you, Mr Emrys,” Elyan said in a soothing voice. “Our company has been in the financial consultation business for a long time, we value our reputation. If you’re unsure about having your business in Italy, let’s take another look at our options in France.”
“Does it mean you suggest I open my business there?” Merlin asked.
“Perhaps, yes,” Elyan agreed.
Another note was made in the notepad.
“And my people will waste their time fighting French bureaucracy instead of creating new drugs? I plan to open a lab, not a lawyer’s office,” Merlin said with irritation.
“You can’t change the rules of the game at your whim; you must follow the particulars of the local market if you’d like to succeed,” Elyan objected. “It would be stupid to think they’d bend over just for you.”
A big, fat exclamation mark took almost half a page.
“Stupid to think? And the advice from a sweaty stinking arse like you is better?” Merlin barked and rose on his feet. “I’ve no desire to have anything to do with your company, and don’t you dare assume I’m going to pay for your so-called consultation today! What a waste of time!”
Arthur started applauding and jumped on his feet.
“That’s enough,” he said and gestured for Merlin to sit down. “Thank you, you did a great job. Elyan, excellent job, as well. I’m very happy. Let’s go over it.” He sat back down, flipped his notepad and gestured for Percival to speak.
“What were Elyan’s mistakes?”
Percival removed his jacket, showing off his perfectly muscled forearms, more suitable for a bodybuilder than for a sly businessman.
“The presentation,” he started. “It’s better to anticipate all of a client’s questions. A client may barely think of what might interest him, and we should already be providing the answers. Also, Elyan got owned on risks, and managed to make Mr Emrys think we were withholding information.”
“Good.” Arthur nodded.
“You shouldn’t answer the client’s questions with ‘I’m not sure’, it doesn’t look professional. Use a generic reply and change the direction of the conversation. Consider that he might be one of those clients who actually prefers ‘the harsh reality’.”
“Excellent,” Elyan praised him.
“The same goes for Mr Emrys’ question about arranging the system of bribery and monitoring in Italy. You shouldn’t have told him we won’t be representing him, a ‘no’ always leads to a negative reaction.” Percival glanced at his notepad. “And, of course, the major mistake was implying that the client is not Einstein. The minute they feel like idiots, you can forget about getting their business.”
“Absolutely correct,” Arthur agreed. “But you missed two more points. First, at the beginning of the conversation Elyan addressed Merlin by his first name. Some like it, but a majority prefer to be more formal. Especially if they’d just been promoted and do everything they can to stress their own worth. And one more: never choose for a client, even if they ask you themselves to do so. Every option has negative sides, and your client would certainly blame their lack of profit on you since we were the ones suggesting it to them.”
“I fell into that trap a couple of times at the beginning,” Elyan confirmed. “What do you think Arthur? I think Percival did well.”
“Four out of six.” Arthur checked his notes. “Lance, you know how to choose your friends.”
Merlin chuckled and blushed when five pairs of eyes stared at him.
“Do you want to say something?” Arthur asked him softly.
“Yes.” Merlin pushed the glass of water away. “Elyan, I apologise for my choice of words.”
“No worries.” Elyan rose up a little and offered his hand to Merlin.” You did great, real nightmare of a client.”
Merlin shook it firmly.
“Mr Pendragon gave me very specific instructions.” He turned to Arthur. “How about some fresh air?”
“Of course.” Arthur got up. “Guys, ten minutes break.”
They both walked into the hall.
“So?”
“Very informative. Going to hire that Percival bloke?”
“Why? You didn’t like him?” Arthur asked, wondering where the worry stirred inside him came from. Why was it so important that Merlin approved the decision he’d pretty much already made?
“I liked him. He’s going to kill it. Looks like a meathead, while in reality he’s sharp. Way to fool your clients.” Merlin laughed.
“I don’t practice that,” Arthur objected and jokingly pushed Merlin to the side. “Will you stay for the second part?”
“Who’s the client this time?”
“Percival. He’ll play a playboy who just inherited a large sum and has no clue what to do with all the money.”
“And this time there won’t be any rookie mistakes?” Merlin stood leaning against the wall and Arthur didn’t register the question right away-he wanted to kiss that smiling mouth terribly.
“What? Ah, no. No mistakes. Let’s go?” His thoughts were a mess; the closeness of Merlin’s body intoxicated him, and he also started to think that he’d figured out another one of Merlin’s issue.
At the very beginning of the training, when Elyan asked Merlin to describe his imaginary company, Merlin got carried away and, with surprising passion and detail, shared what kind of a lab he’d wanted to build. Now Arthur, who had studied Merlin’s dossier scrupulously, was sure that some of the details in George’s documents were missing.
And all of it was leading to very interesting conclusions.
Chapter 6