The Writer and The Café

Chapter Two

Alfred looked at the Briton with a curious look and nodded his head giving the man permission to ask whatever he wanted. Arthur nodded and looked at the book in Alfred's hands again and asked, "Did you lie to me earlier?" Pouting, he shook his head signaling that he hadn't and asked, "Why do you ask that?"

He took the book from Alfred's hand and looked at the american, "Because you look as if you are reading it now." Alfred couldn't help but laugh wildly as he clutched his stomach trying to breathe in air. Tears formed in his eyes as he looked at Arthur, that man will never know how many times Alfred has had to read his own book. For someone to assume that he hasn't ever read his own book brought more tears to his eyes and he began to wipe them away. "Arthur, I promise you that I have read that book more times than you can imagine."

Arthur glared at him as he gritted his teeth trying to stay patient and calm. "If that's so you don't mind me quizzing you then?"

Placing his elbow onto the table and resting his jaw on his clenched hand, Alfred looked at Arthur with excited eyes and nodded his head. Seeing the challenging look in his eyes Arthur smiled and welcomed it, "Okay, well since you know the main character tell me his dead sisters name."

"She never got one, their parents were too devastated to give her a name and wanted to forget the experience." Alfred stated correctly as he looked at his 'opponent' triumphantly.

Arthur being the stubborn Englishman he is continued to bombard the author with questions and Alfred answered them all correctly and happily. He was surprised that Arthur was so into his book and realized that he was probably the one who left all of the side notes in the margins. Arthur sat back in his seat and stared at Alfred with wide, curious eyes. "I can't believe you know so much about the book." He commented with a warm smile across his face.

"Of course I would," Alfred chuckled to himself as he looked at the worn book.

"Why do you say it like that?" The Briton asked and Alfred froze trying to think of and excuse instead of 'I wrote it.' Thankfully before he could answer Arthur looked longingly at the book and murmured, "I would love to meet Mr. Smith one day and ask where he got the idea for the book."

Alfred shook his head at the name, he had used a pen name because the people who published his book thought that his personality didn't quite fit with the writing. "Well aren't you excited though?" He asked at he looked up at the dazed Englishman who's mind had wondered.

"Excited for what?" He asked curiously.

"Haven't you heard? His second book is going to be coming out relatively soon," Alfred said with a small smile on his face. He almost had it done but just needed to go back and add more detail about the scenery and places around London. No one other than Alfred and the company knew that they were going to be publishing so soon but he felt the need to tell Arthur, he liked seeing his excited and smiling face.

And Arthur didn't disappoint, his eyes grew wide with happiness as he smiled brightly. "Please tell me your kidding," Arthur asked as he grabbed Alfred hands, looking as if he was ready to jump around like a excited little girl. A blush quickly spread across Alfred face as he pulled his hands away from the others, his heart was racing just from the slight contact. He knew that the Brit was attractive but he needed to calm down, "Yeah, my brother is his editor and told me that Mr. Smith was almost done with the book."

Arthur saw the blush on the Americans face and realized what he had done when Alfred's hands were pulled from his own but he couldn't focus on that when he heard what Alfred had said. "Your brother works with Mr. Smith? Have you met him? What's he like?" Before he could ask anything else Alfred's hand covered Arthur's mouth and he shushed him. "Go take care of your customers Arthur," Alfred mumbled wearily as he pointed to the couple waiting by the counter.

"I'll be right back," Arthur frantically said as he ran behind the counter. Waiting until the Brits back was turned Alfred made a dash for the door and made his way back down the street towards his apartment. He couldn't shake the feeling that Arthur left with him, Alfred hadn't felt this attracted to someone in a long while. That's why he had to leave, he felt that if he had stayed any longer he might have told Arthur that he had written the book.

Alfred didn't realize that he had made it to his apartment complex until he nearly ran into a street pole. He couldn't believe that the Brit distracted him so much, especially when he needed to focus on his book. As he unlocked his door Alfred could hear the scratching of that animal on the other side wanting to see his owner. As he opened the door the fluffy tan and brown cat tackled his leg and meowed angrily, wanting his afternoon dinner. "Jeeze Freedom, I'm starting to wonder if you're really just 'fluffy' anymore," he mumbled to the cat as it ran towards the kitchen for his food.

Pulling the bag of cat food off of the top of the fridge, Alfred poured some into a bowl for the cat. It has started to pur and rub its head on Alfred's leg signaling that it wanted its food and was happy that it was finally getting it. Alfred chuckled at his cat until he heard a loud crash on the balcony of his apartment and quickly turned to find Arthur's cat standing over a broken potted plant.

Before he could walk over to it Freedom ran over to the female cat and tackled her. "Woah, Freedom don't play so roughly dude," Alfred yelled as he walked over to his cat and pulled him off the other. She looked shaken up but okay which Alfred was thankful for, he mumbled, "Why are you here sweetheart? You shouldn't have followed me home." He began to pet the cat and she purred underneath his hand, Alfred smiled and picked the cat up and carried her into the kitchen, setting her on the counter. "Would you like some milk?" He asked the female cat and she pawed at his arm wanting the milk. He fixed her a small dish and placed it on the counter and watched her lap it up. "Well, I'm going to have to take you back tomorrow sweetheart," Alfred sighed deeply thinking about going back to the café and froze, he would have to see Arthur tomorrow.