Back then (FrUK)

Chapter Eleven

~Francis POV~ flashback
I continued to take Arthur to school for the next week, he was really starting to be so appealing to me. His sense of humor was so perfect and I loved it. Although he only asked me to drive him around for one day, I kept offering to drive him places because he was so fun to be around. Also....he did remind me of her, but I need to forget about it. "Where would you like to go today sir?" I asked, smirking. "I would like you to take me to work," he laughed. It was so cute.

"As you wish," I smiled. He looked away out the window and I continued to stare, not even starting the car yet. "What is it?" He asked curiously. "I have something to ask that I have been wondering for a while" I smiled innocently. "What is it?" He asked. I looked back at the steering wheel before finally answering. "I have been wondering if you had a girlfriend or something.....or maybe boyfriend?" I asked a bit nervous. What if he got mad at me for asking such a personal question? He looked at me confused and soon started to laugh.

"Significant other, Huh? Why on earth would you want to know this information?" He asked. He was trying to toy with my head. I kind of liked it, honestly. "Because, since we are friends, I think it would be cool information to know about you, my new friend," I smiled. He looked at me in a studying way. Trying to figure out if I was messing with him or not. Although we did agree to be friends, he tends to have trust issues. Why wouldn't he though? I haven't known him long. "I don't have a significant other,"

For some reason, I was so excited and relieved to hear that information. That he was single and ready to mingle. I smiled at the thought of my comment before looking back at him. "That is great!" I said. "I mean....that is not bad; I am sure if you wanted to, you could have anyone you wanted" I laughed a bit. He looked at me with a lifted eyebrow, making me smile more. "Oh really?" He asked, not convinced. "Yup, so go for it, "I laughed. I started the car, still excited that he was not seeing anyone.

~
As we continued driving, the car started to get silent. "What about you? Do you have a significant other? or someone new?" Arthur asked. I nearly slammed on the brakes, but I stopped myself. "Nope, I used to, remember? Not anymore though. This guy is single and ready to mingle," I tried to laugh but he looked at me disgusted. "Please don't ever say that again. That was so gross," he laughed at me some more as I felt my heart beat faster. He was so cute, like.....NO! I need to stop this thinking. I don't want to hurt Arthur with my stupidity.

"We should hang out sometime?" I suggested. He looked at me once again with a lifted brow before nodding. "What did you have in mind?" He asked. "How about a movie? Just me and you?" I suggested. Arthur nodded once more in agreement. "Alright then it should be fun," he laughed.

~
After driving to his work and dropping him off, I got Antonio on the phone to discuss the recent event that just happened. He seemed happy but, at the same time, very uncertain about the consequences of my suggested hanging out with Arthur. I could not help it, though; there was something about him that drew me toward him. His personality? Maybe his looks? Or his sense of humor? Or perhaps just the plain fact that he continuously reminded me of Sophia. Whatever it was, I knew I had to stop. He would have never seen me that way, so why did I keep thinking about him that way? I started to think about the movie I invited him to go see. My goal is to not be so weird around him, and hopefully, I can achieve that.

~present again~

Once I snapped out of my daydream, I looked at Arthur, still telling the story to everyone. The movie I remembered was terrific. It was technically our first date, but not really. That night I couldn't forget. We were still friends for months after that, but it was okay because I wanted to take things slow. During the movies, I had never felt so much for someone before; Sophia had nothing on him. It was when I realized I had a slight crush on Arthur. I wanted to prove my feelings, though, if it was fake affection because of Sophia or if it was the real deal. I just had to know.

I looked at Arthur, smiling so much that his wrinkling skin doubled in a few seconds. I loved him so much. Asking him to the movies was the best decision I could have made all those years ago. I smiled at the thought as Arthur turned to look at me. "Isn't that right, Francis?" He asked, and I lifted my brow confused. "What?" I laughed out a bit. "That you kept asking me on a date for a whole month before I said yes," he laughed.

I smiled at the thought and soon nodded. "Oh yeah, your grandfather did not go easy on me," I laughed. How could he have though? Especially after I told him that I thought I loved him because he reminded me of my ex-girlfriend. It took a long time for him to trust me. I smiled at Arthur, and his sly smile started dropping slightly. I am sure he remembered why it took so long. "How come you made papa wait so long?" Maddie asked sadly. "Because I needed to see if he was actually the one," he added, making the kids look confused.

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