Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

The week went by all too slowly for both Annabelle and Mr. Gold. Both were extremely glad when Friday rolled around again, but first, they had to survive the day. So far, Mr. Gold was close to a meltdown. Angrily, he dropped his pen and pressed a button on his office phone.

"Hold all my calls until after my break."

Hopefully no one too important would call until then. If he was really lucky, they wouldn't call until Monday. With a frustrated groan, he turned his chair to look out the window. Due to the height of his building, he could see all the way to the cove, but the sight did little to calm his mind. A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter,"he called out without turning around.

Heeled footsteps echoed throughout the office only to stop at his desk."Enjoying your view?"

At the sound of her voice, he turned to see Annabelle standing over him with a tea tray in her hands. She placed it on his desk and held up the familiar white blue cup she'd chipped on her first day. She'd been worried that he'd fire her for it, but he dismissed it and drank out of it everyday since. He took it once again and took a sip. As he suspected, it was perfect, and he let out a content moan as the warmth spread through him before finishing the rest.

"Not really. The one I have now is much better."

"Flatterer."

"I simply speak the truth, dearie, and you're early."

Annie took a seat on the edge of his desk and looked at the clock. It was only eleven."I know, but you sounded like you were close to loosing it. I figured you'd need something to keep you sane."

"Bless you, dearie."He placed his cup down and took her hand."Marry me. We can run away to Guatemala and hide for the rest of our lives."

She laughed at him."I don't think the board of executives would like your little plan. Besides if you left, Regina would probably steal the company, and I know you'd hate for her to take everything you worked for."

Of course, she was right. Belle was exceptionally bright, and he sometimes wondered why she was only a secretary. If she ever wanted a new position, he'd give it to her without question. Not only could she handle it, but she'd probably do a better job than most of the people already working for him.

"When you're right, you're right, dearie. I'd rather die than let that evil witch take my company. Sometimes I wonder why I even deal with her."

Annie refilled his cup before filling one for herself and adding some sugar, knowing he wouldn't mind."I always thought it was because of how powerful you both were. Golden Threads may be the most powerful shipping company on the east coast, but you have little business on the west coast. Regina, on the other hand, does, and is willing to work with you because you have just as much power as she does, if not more."

Gold eyed Annabelle as she sipped her tea for a moment before drinking his own."Again, you a correct, dearie. Remind me again why I hired you as a secretary. You have more sense than half the people in this office."

"I was just starting college when you hired me, and I graduated in May. I took that Friday off, remember."

He groaned at the memory of that day."Ah, yes. The dreary day when it rained enough to cause a flood, and I was stuck with Ashley Boyd as my secretary."

"She couldn't have been that bad."

"She double booked my schedule and my tea was as sweet as fruit punch. I swear I could feel the cavities form each time took a sip."

The secretary winced. She knew how Mr. Gold liked everything but his tea sweet. Add the rain, and his day was probably hell."I'm sorry for putting you through that."

"You should be. I spent the entire weekend fixing her mistakes to my schedule. I'm not sure I can forgive you."

Annie saw the wicked gleam in his eyes and smiled."I would hate for one day to spoil your opinion of me. How ever could I earn your forgiveness?"

Gold couldn't hold in a chuckle at her theatrics."Have dinner with me tomorrow."

She looked at him and realized that he was dead serious."What?"

"Come to my house at around I don't know...eight, and have dinner with me."

"Mr. Gold I couldn't. I-"

He placed a single finger to her lips to silence her."I live outside of the city on the other side of the cove. There will be no one will be there but us. Please?"

Belle wanted to refuse, but the pleading look in his eyes made her cave."Fine. I'll come."

He smiled."Thank you, Belle. I promise you won't regret it."Gold took one of the business cards on his desk and wrote his address on the back of it."I warn you, it's a bit of a long drive. Not many people live around me either."

She took the card and folded it in half."Don't you get lonely?"

"Sometimes, but I like the silence. I do see animals from time to time because of all the trees though. Not to mention, the view is to die for."

"It sounds beautiful,"Belle said, already picturing the scene. She then stood up and smoothed out her skirt"If you'll excuse me, Mr. Gold, it's time for my break."

She watched her boss look at the clock."Indeed it is, dearie. You're free to go then."

"Thank you. I'll see you at eight."

"It's a date."

TBC