The Beautiful Side of Somewhere [LOCKED TOPIC]

Arthur nodded in response. Well, it was a good thing that Italian was fine, because he was craving it, and didn't have much of a mind to change it to something else. He turned his computer back to sleep mode and stood up, taking his phone and slipping it into his pocket and before coming around the desk.

"It's a little too far to walk, so we'll take my car," the CEO said, making sure he had all the essential items on his person before making his way towards the door. "Tell me more about yourself whlie we get there."

A friend of his from graduate school had told him that it was imperative to get to know his workers, if he wanted them to work efficiently. The key was apparently to form a friendship of sorts, but still have a side to the relationship that was purely professional. Arthur was admittedly terrible at doing this, but it wouldn't hurt to try just one more time, he supposed.

"Lock the door behind you, too," he added, glancing back at Alfred to check if his assistant was following or not.

Alfred just smiles a bit and locks the door behind them both before following alongside with him as he thought of well…possible things that he could say to the man. Though he was able to go into the CEO's car? Wow! It must have been pretty damn high end considering how rich he must be! Alfred was starting to find himself rather excited to actually be able to ride such a car. That would totally be amazing. Completely.

Though considering the rumours, Arthur didn't seem to fit them at all. He seemed sociable to a minimum, not too terrifying, and he was young as well. Which always helped him. At least he was not too horrifying to look at though what he initially believed was that well…Arthur was an old man. An old, very grouchy man. At least he wasn't the old part…but still the grouchy part.

He soon follows Arthur and thinks about more of who he was. "Well…you already know that I'm Alfred Jones, sir! Though I'm from the DC area, I moved over here to for business school. I'm full fledged American, of course, and…" He starts rambling on more and more about himself. It was rather obvious that the man was a social butterfly, loving to talk about different things such as the food he ate, his interests, and even more. That was until he realised he was talking to his boss of all people and so he quickly shuts up.

As Alfred began talking on their way to the car, Arthur actually found himself listening attentively. It was painfully obvious that yes, Alfred Jones was used to receiving much love and attention from his peers. Looking at him now, it wasn't all that big of a surprise. Alfred was tall, with a good build and a bright smile. He had pleasant blue eyes and nice sunshine blonde hair, and seemed like a pleasant and intelligent enough bloke. The recipe for popularity in the American society.

Surprisingly enough, Arthur didn't mind all that much. In fact, he found it... even remotely interesting. It'd been a while since anyone had talked to him like a normal person, so this... was definitely a refreshing change. That was perhaps why he couldn't help but frown when Alfred stopped, and so abruptly, too.

"Why did you stop?" Arthur asked as they reached his car, a gorgeous Bugatti Veyron custom-painted to be white and red - the very colors of the English flag. (Alright, well... it was more of a very light metallic silver, but from afar, it looked white.) "I didn't mind. Keep going."

He then unlocked the car, gesturing for Alfred to get in while he, himself, climbed into the driver's seat.

Alfred's eyes widen when he actually looks at the Bugatti Veyron that was just…right there. Looking as expensive as always and…wasn't this considered as one of the most expensive cars in the world? Holy hell! Though he couldn't help but smile slightly to himself as he sees the colours it was painted. "Nice colours, sir. Very patriotic." He chuckles a bit.

Yet he finds himself still rather in shock as he climbs into the passenger's seat, looking around the very expensive car curiously and trying to resist the temptation to touch about everything that was in the vehicle. He couldn't help but feel that temptation claw at him and continue on doing so as he stared at everything. Though when he hears that Arthur really didn't mind him talking, he easily falls back into his rant about himself.

Who knew what was going through the man's mind but he felt that it was best if his boss knew a bit about him so their work relationship wouldn't be…well…awkward. To say the least.

Alfred's expression was almost comical when he saw the car, and though it wasn't the first time someone stopped to share, it was definitely the first time he'd let anyone other than himself ride this particular vehicle.

The whole drive there, he listened to Alfred talk, occasionally nodding to indicate that he was listening. He didn't really care for the content of his assistant's words than just the fact that the American was talking to him like this, so casually and without a hint of fear. Although Arthur couldn't care any less for whatever video game Alfred was rambling about now, this was admittedly very, very nice. He felt normal, and that... Was just a feeling that he came to forget over time.

However, the more he found himself listening to Alfred, the more he found himself wanting to talk just a little about himself, too. But every time something came to mind, he was quick to brush it off, reminding himself that this was a professional relationship, not some blind friendship date.

(Obviously, this whole... "befriending your assistant but still remaining his boss" thing was going to take him a bit of time to grow adjusted to...)

How could someone just leave this car out in the open? How the hell has no one tried to steal this car yet? If he was a petty thief, he would have definitely found this to be the jackpot and wow was it stunning. Though he felt himself just fortunate enough to at least be able to sit in this very car.

As they start approaching the Italian restaurant, his ranting starts to dwindle down and while Alfred clearly knew that Arthur couldn't care less…he still felt comfortable actually rambling on about all of these things. He had no idea why. He just did. Yet Alfred soon starts rambling on and glances over at his boss, smiling a bit.

"I hope not to sound impolite, sir, …but would you mind sharing a bit about yourself as well?"

Arthur wasn't stupid. He knew very well all the things he was risking by driving around such a nice car. That was why he opted to go to this particular Italian restaurant, where the security was amazing and the food, even more so. It was, by all means, a very high end restaurant, but he was often able to have his own booth and thus just came whenever he craved some pasta while at work.

"Myself?" Arthur repeated, a little surprised as he stepped out of the car and gave control over it to the valet. After receiving the ticket, he waited for Alfred to catch up before speaking again. "Well, what is there to know that isn't in the magazines?"

There was a lot, really. He hardly revealed information about his personal life to the press, which really drove them mad. They stalked him day and night for a chance to find out about any mistresses or hobbies he shouldn't have, only to leave empty handed each time. He considered it funny, how they expected him to have a lover in the first place, especially since he hadn't had one since his rebellious high school days.

Alfred decided to conclude that the man really wasn't stupid just seeming to leave it out in the open. There must have been security absolutely everywhere who were paid quite a bit just to protect that car. Okay, so all in all…it was a really nice car. He always enjoyed Italian food so that was always a bright side to this whole situation.

The assistant soon steps out of the car as well and jogs a bit to reach to his boss. He thinks about it as he runs a hand through his golden locks before smiling a bit. "I'm certain that there's quite a bit that isn't in the magazines, sir." He just gives a small nod.

"The press only ever gives a skewed perception of people. I learned not to always trust them, sir." He continues as he tugs at his tie again, finding it much too uncomfortable for his own good. Honestly, how was he going to wear this thing every day to work? It was uncomfortable, stuffy, and practically choked him to death.

Arthur chuckled a little, clearly impressed. "I don't read the tabloids at all, to be honest. They're trash."

He led his assistant inside. The workers merely took one look at him before escorting him to his private booth, though they were clearly surprised by Alfred's presence. Well, he didn't blame them; after all, he'd been coming here to eat by himself for over a year, now. Never had he ever brought a guest before Alfred Jones.

"In any case, what do you want to know?" Arthur asked, being led to a beautiful, secluded area in the balcony area. It overlooked the gardens, and had a clear view of the fountain that decorated the center. "I'll answer anything, given it isn't too personal."

In other words, he'd only answer if he deemed that it wouldn't make himself vulnerable I'm front of his new assistant.

Alfred just smiles a bit at that. Truthfully, he read a few tabloids but only for the entertainment. "I agree fully, sir." He murmurs before following his boss inside the restaurant.

Yet the moment he notices that the workers only had to take one look before leading him to a private booth, Alfred was certainly impressed. It seemed like a very nice restaurant. Much nicer in comparison to McDonald's or just about any fast food chain out there. Though he had to admit…they were pretty damn good. Really damn good actually.

But they seemed surprised when they look at him. Maybe Arthur really didn't bring his assistants to lunch all the time or maybe he did and that was just a way to signify that, 'God, this man brought another assistant in?' He had no idea. "It seems like you're a regular here, sir." He murmurs, smiling a bit before sitting down at the beautiful secluded balcony area.

Alfred just glances over to look at the gardens and the fountain. It really was beautiful. Not necessarily his tastes but still very nice.

"I don't know, sir. Share anything you're comfortable with. I don't want to accidentally prod into something uncomfortable for you."

"This was the first nice restaurant I ate at since becoming the CEO of the company," Arthur admitted, relaxing a little as he admired the view. "It has sentimental value... Not to mention that the food is delicious."

That was a bit of information that he never revealed to anyone, but it wasn't a big deal. No one just asked him about it before, so he never mentioned it.

"And if you're not willing to as questions, then I won't give any answers. You can't get anywhere by just accepting what you get; you have to have set goals, and pursue them to the best of your ability," he continued, accepting the menu when the server came to offer them. He flipped through the pages, idly wondering which dish he'd get today.

He didn't know why he bothered looking, when he always ended up ordering the same thing in the end.

Alfred just nods a bit at that, not really caring about how nice the restaurant was. The main thing was that he got his share of food for the lunch. Though he truly preferred the fast food chains, he decided that a change would be nice for once in comparison to his normal eating habits. It wouldn't do at all for his boss to see him practically suck down a whole hamburger just out of starvation.

Though he just smiles at that, nodding. "Fine, fine. You win, sir." He furrows his eyebrows as he tries to think it through.

"Well, let's see. Where were you born and what inspired you to become a CEO?" He asks before furrowing his eyebrows. "And uh…how old are you?"

He looks down at the menu for a moment before picking out a dish that looked rather good. Though how was he suppose to know the difference between all these Italian names? They were all pasta…right?

Ah, classic interview questions. How boring. (But then again, what was he expecting?)

"I was born and raised in London, but flew over here to the States in order to attend Yale University. The company was actually my father's, to be inherited equally by each one of my brothers and I once he retired. I was the only one with a natural knack for business and economics, so I took on the role of CEO while my brothers currently run the smaller branches in each country in the United Kingdom," Arthur answered. It was most definitely true, but it wasn't the entire truth.

Arthur had been in graduate school when his father announced retirement. Naturally, his oldest brother had stepped up to take over, but Arthur had grown up believing that his only goal was (and ought to be) inheriting the company. It was difficult, clawing his way to the top and securing the position for himself, and he'd be lying through his teeth if he said that his methods were all savory and fair. But that was a dirty little secret that all CEOs had, regardless of how pure and upright they seemed on the surface. That was why Arthur chose his enemies and allies carefully, never once letting his guard down around either group.

"As for my age, I'm 27, to turn 28 later on in the year," the Englishman continued, stopping only when the server swung by again to take their orders. After placing his order, he waits for Alfred to do the same.

Just wanted to start off with the easy questions for right now, trying to grow more familiar with his boss. They were simple, easy, and rather logical in a way. He soon leans forward as he eagerly listens to the man's story and he soon just nods in understanding. "Ah, well that's pretty cool." Murmurs, a small smile on his lips.

Alfred soon thinks hard about his next question. He really did want to get to know more about the man. "Alright. I have three questions for you, sir. Is the glass half empty or half full? Did the chicken or the egg come first? And what happens if an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, sir?" Alfred just smiles at that, leaning closer to the man.

Yet the moment he sees the server swing by, he quickly gives him his order before glancing back at Arthur. "Ah…twenty seven?" He questions softly before laughing a bit. "I'm twenty one, sir." He adds in.

Wow, that was quite a bit of an age difference in all reality. That was kind of interesting though the man was a lot younger than he thought he was. Surprisingly enough. Especially considering how he seemed to act around him so far.

Arthur nodded. In his head, he was already expecting some ridiculous questions that he'd been asked millions of times before. Favorite color? Favorite car? Favorite music genre?

However, when Alfred listed his three questions, the CEO paused his train of thought, genuinely surprised. Well... he certainly had never been asked things of those nature before. It was... again, refreshing, and he couldn't help but crack a small smile in amusement. Perhaps this Alfred Jones really was worth keeping around.

"It's half empty, the chick came first, and if there existed an unstoppable force, there would be no such thing as an immovable object, and vice-versa," he answered smoothly, taking a sip of his water. "And what if I were to ask you the same thing?"

Alfred grins at that and could easily tell that his boss was definitely not…expecting those questions to come from his lips. He just chuckles though and nods in understanding, taking the information he was given and trying to associate it with the man's character. Well, that certainly made sense now that he truly thought about it.

Though when the question is asked of him, he doesn't even hesitate in his response, already knowing it. "As for myself…it's full." Alfred grins a bit. "One always has to take account the air particles above because who knows how many oxygen atoms and gases are taking up that supposedly 'empty' half. Though to follow the lines of this question, I would say half full. Though I still think it's full." He laughs softly and leans back a bit in his chair.

"Also, the chicken came first and I suppose I never thought about the third answer. Though I agree with you there." Alfred just gives him a kind smile. He was always considered as an optimistic man, truly. He saw the brighter side of a situation and strived to reach that brighter side.

"And what about Schrödinger's cat? If the cat was stuck in a box and at a set time, a poisonous gas fills the box… Just before you open the box, is the cat dead or alive? Or is it both dead and alive at once?"

"I can't understand why you majored in business when you seem to be interested in paradoxes," Arthur replied, actually chuckling a bit. "You'd have been better off majoring in philosophy and perhaps even psychology."

Nevertheless, he found Alfred's answers to be just as intriguing as the fact that he'd asked them. They were clearly opposites. While Arthur was a cynical pessimist to the very bitter end, Alfred seemed like the ever-bright optimist that'd begin and end each day with a smile. It was strangely endearing, and yet, somehow, extremely aggravating as well.

"As for Schrödinger's cat, that would depend on when I open the box and what state the cat was in when it was first placed in there, wouldn't it?"

Alfred laughs softly and shakes his head. "You simply looked bored with the regular questions so I decided to spice things up a bit." He continues on waiting for his food though it seemed as if the man in front of him wasn't completely bored with all the questions he was asking. In fact, he looked rather intrigued. "And I don't find it harmful to have some side interests alongside with business, sir."

Though he knew that this was completely a business relationship, he felt the need to ease the other up and make him happier about all of this. He wanted their business partnership to be light and happy. Yet the moment that Arthur tells him about Schrödinger's cat, he grins a bit more.

"No, no, sir. The cat may have died by the time you have opened the box rather then the moment right before you check the box. The thing is that there really is no true answer and in a way, the cat is seen as both alive and dead." Though despite this, he could pull more about the man in front of him through these questions. He seemed to be a very logical man in all honesty.

"Perhaps," Arthur admitted. He, himself, had many side-interests during his college years. The only reason he was able to pull off a double major in Literature was definitely something that he attributed to his genuine love for books, and the sheer amount of them he'd read when he was younger. "You'd get a little tired too, after answering the same questions over and over again. Interviewers these days don't really have much of an imagination anymore, I'm afraid."

He sipped his water again before placing the glass down, for once finding himself not tempted to work on his phone while he waited for his food. (But then again, that might've been attributable to just having company.)

"As for the cat... well, if I had to be honest, none of that really matters to me. The end result is that the cat is dead, and let me tell you now, that's all that matters in business. The ends will justify the means." And oh, how well he knew this...

Alfred certainly had many side-interests for himself and how could he not? There was just so much out there that had to be enjoyed! The tastes of food, the space that seems impossible to fully discover, the final frontier (the deep ocean), ruins and bones hiding under the soil of the Earth, and just so much. He had to enjoy life as he got it and he would make the best of it. How could he live life without truly living it? That would have been a silly existence.

"Did they ever have much of an imagination when it comes to questions?" He asks with amusement, raising an eyebrow in curiosity before thinking about it.

"Well the cat may not be dead." Alfred does listen to his boss carefully though. "Ah well, I guess I can see that, sir." It wasn't like he particularly enjoyed thinking about it though. Definitely not. He never was fond of all those pessimistic thoughts but this was his boss and he had to bring a bit of optimism in his life. Despite this, Alfred's eyes brighten when he sees the food. It looked amazing.

"Great! Food!"

Arthur didn't even have to think before shaking his head. "Heavens, no. Respectable and notable magazines asked me rather generic questions that centered around my career. 'How old were you when you first decided that you wanted Kirkland Corps. to be yours', 'what are your goals for the company', and so on and so forth. The more useless tabloids just focus on romance and sex, and you can imagine just what sorts of questions they'd ask."

He'd honestly been initimidated by all the questions, at first. He didn't know how much he ought to give out, how much he ought to keep in, and so on and so forth. He didn't want to sound stupid by asking anyone, so he went with his first instinct: hide everything. So far, it served him well.

That particular train of that was immediately swept away, however, when their food finally came. Arthur smiled slightly, thanking the server as the food was set before them. It looked delicious, as it always did, and he didn't hesitate before beginning to eat. "What do you like, aside from Italian?"

Alfred just hums a bit and thinks about it long and hard. He didn't know too much about the Kirkland Corps in all reality other than the fact that it was a very well to do company. That was why he was extremely ecstatic to even get an office assistant job for even the CEO! When his brother had heard that he was going to be the assistant to Arthur Kirkland, he was extremely proud of his brother. Though in all reality, he knew nothing about the tabloids on Arthur, instead deciding to just go in the job for the money.

He wasn't interested in those silly things such as the man's love life or anything like that. He preferred to know this man's character, know the man that he was going to work with and try his best to impress him and be the best he could be.

When he starts eating the food, Alfred couldn't help but grin widely as the taste of the food seeped into his very taste and was just complete bliss. Taking some pasta on his fork, he glances over at his boss and thinks. "Well I tend to like anything you can give me though I always do love the American food like a nice, warm apple pie. Or ice cream!"

Arthur ate at a far more leisurely pace, but enjoyed his food just the same. It was nice to see that Alfred was enjoying as well, not so much because he wanted to impress his new assistant, but because he genuinely and truly loved this restaurant. And besides, impressing the man hired to help him was just ridiculous. If anything Alfred should've been the one trying to impress him. (He was, and did. Many times.)

In response to Alfred's favorite foods, the CEO simply nodded. He'd forget these things probably by tomorrow, but... for the sake of conversation and 'professional bonding' or whatnot, it was pleasant. (It made him feel like he had a friend, but that was a ridiculous and unwated and absolutely true.)

"I see," he responded, swallowing the food down with some water. "How are you finding the soup?"

Alfred always was a quick eater though he did have to satisfy his ever hungry stomach. Smiling a bit to himself, he takes a sip of the soup and nods in satisfaction. "The soup is really good!" He wasn't just saying this to satisfy his boss. No, he was saying it because he meant it. He was a man full of honesty and he wanted to remain genuine, not be one of those assistants who said something just to appeal to his boss.

While he certainly was going to do his best, he wasn't going to just lie and ruin who he was just for a certain boss. No matter how powerful he was. Soon he manages to finish his food and he lets out a satisfied sigh, absolutely filled with warmth and he felt like he could take on any amount of work that Arthur threw at his way.

With no more conversation topics coming to mind, Arthur just continued to eat quietly, posture straight and manners perfect. It took him a while longer to finish, but when he finally did, he was certain that this was probably the most content he'd been all day. Good food with an assistant that just might last over two weeks certainly was a mood lifter.

He most certainly didn't want to go back to work, but if he didn't run the company, who would? His brothers? That thought nearly made him scoff, and urged him to gesture for a server to bring him the check. Arthur pulled out his wallet, easily picking out a credit card and giving it to the man before turning back to Alfred. Just before he could speak, however, his phone rang.

"Excuse me," he murmured, taking out the ringing device and answering it. "Arthur Kirkland speaking. Ah, yes, hello. I'm doing well, thank you; and you?" A pause, "That's good to hear. Well, I called you earlier to discuss the terms of our agreement..."

The server returned not too long later with the card and two receipts - one for him to keep, and the other for the restaurant to hold -, the latter on which he wrote down a $20 tip. He then stood up, gesturing for Alfred to follow, before beginning to head out of the restaurant.