Chapter 1
Regina honestly could not stand coming to these sort of parties. After a trying week of press scandal, the last thing she wanted to do was listen to loud music and superficial people. Unfortunately, she had not been able to talk Graham, her publicist, into getting her out of this one. Since she was being forced to attend at least she could take advantage of the free bar. She decided that if the press wanted pictures of her life falling apart, well to hell with it, she would give them their damn pictures. Instead of taking Graham's advice and keeping a low profile, she was going to get very drunk indeed.
"One scotch a soda, and keep 'em coming" Regina barked at the first waitress walking by her table. The waitress gave her a scared look and ran off to fetch her drink. She had long past stopped caring what people thought of her. Cora, her mother, often said that fear was better than being liked. At this point, Regina was apt to believe her mother on this one. Being a Latina meant having a fiery temper and she used to to further her image. If that made her a bitch, well, so be it. Far too long had she cared about the opinions of others. Hell, look where it got her. A pariah in a town of bimbos, being mocked by trash only famous for a sex tape. As the waitress set down her scotch, Regina leaned back in her chair and stared at the crowd. As her gaze shifted, a group of people from her current job came into view.
Great she thought to herself, just what I need on this shit show of a day...
"Regina!" came the most shrill voice she had ever heard in her life. She looked up to see Mary Margaret, the producer, headed her way. She silently mummered several swear words to herself before looking up at her with a plastered on fake smile. "I didn't expect you to be here. I heard you canceled."
"Oh you know me, I never miss one of your get-togethers!" God, did she loathe this woman, but Regina kept it cordial for the sake of her job.
"I just thought with your recent-"
"No, no, no. Absoluetly not, there is nothing I enjoy more" Regina cut her off before had to endure the phony sympathy from her.
"Well, enjoy yourself. One of my good friends is performing in a few minutes-"
"Yes dear, I'm sure I will. Now if you'll excuse me, I am in need of another drink. See you around" she waved her off, hoping that she could at least be rid of her for the time being. As she waved her waitress down she thought about the headache she could already feel coming on just from thinking about some silly little band about to play. As her waitress came up with her scotch, Ruby her nametag read, Regina generously tipped her in the hopes that she would be a little quicker with the drinks. Swirling the cool liquid in her glass, she noticed the lights dimming slightly as Mary Margaret got up on the stage. Damn does that bitch like to hear herself talk.
"Hello everyone and thank you for attending my little soiree tonight" Mary Margaret smiled and paused for all her little lemurs to applaud. "So, as you know, the benefits of tonight go towards a special charity of mine called Once Upon a Time, a group dedicated to helping foster children find their own fairytale endings." More applause broke out as Regina started on her third drink of the evening. "My guest tonight is the founder of this charity after she herself came through the foster system. She, like myself, wants to help these poor, underpriviledge children find a home and finally be treated like the little prince and princesses that they are!" Regina sighed as more accolades rang out through the room. Mary Margaret waved her hand in false modesty all the while smiling like the cheshire cat. "So without further ado, I am thrilled to present you with tonights entertainment, the one and only EMMA SWAN!"
By now she was finished with her drink and saw Ruby, out of the corner of her eye, bringing her another scotch. Her head was already buzzing, she guessed the lack of food she had eaten was slowing down her tolerance. The lights dimmed down almost completely as the spotlight on the stage lit up the most beautiful woman Regina had ever seen. Holy fuck was this woman hot. The things I would love to do to her... she thought to herself. Letting her imagination momentarily run wild. But before she could daydream any further, the tempo of the song picked up and she caught herself before she bobbed her head along to the beat. Seemlessly the blonde goddess began dancing along to the beat, Regina could feel herself getting warm.
What do you mean? Ooh
When you nod your head yes,
but you wanna say no
What do you mean? Heey
The way Emma danced made Regina squirm in her seat. How in the hell did Mary Margaret know this woman, because for the life of her, Regina couldn't figure out what they had in common. Where Mary Margaret dressed like a nun, Emma was clad in tight leather pants, sneakers and a tiny black crop top that showed the end of her toned abs.
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?
What do you mean?
Said we're running out of time
What do you mean?
Oh oh oh What do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?
Emma danced so fluidly it was like watching a living work of art. Only Regina had never seen art move so provacatively, or sound so heavenly for that matter.
You're so indecisive of what I'm saying
trying to catch the beat, make up your heart.
Don't know if you're happy or complaining.
Don't want for us to end where do I start.
First you wanna go the left and you want to turn right
Wanna argue all day, making love all night.
Sinful. That was the word that popped into her head as Emma thrust her hips to punctuate that last line. Her eyes never left the woman on stage, forgetting about everything else. Regina didn't really listen to "Top 40" music so she wasn't surprised that she hadn't heard of her before, but if she was performing for this group, she had to be someone riducuously popular. As Emma finished up that song and segued into another, Regina remembered her drink and downed the remaining dreggs to cool herself down. Signalling Ruby, yet again, she thought about her week and her daydreams about Emma deflated. Normally confident in her sex appeal, the last few weeks had left Regina feeling rather lackluster about dating. Emma had been a temporary distraction, but nothing more. She took her drink and walked to the back of the room and into the adjoining parlor, away from all the commotion.
"Problem, dearie?" She turned and found herself facing her boss Mr. Gold.
"Mr Gold, how nice to see you tonight" she plastered on yet another fake smile.
"Not one for loud music, I presume?" He smiled, flashing a glint of his gold tooth. While Regina wasn't scared of Mr Gold by any means, she tried to avoid conflict with the man at all costs. He did sign her check after all.
"No, actually I was thinking about leaving. I've had a trying week, and we both know that I'm not exactly welcome here."
"Yes you certainly have brought my company quite a bit of publicity this week. It seems everyone loves a scandal don't they dearie? Though I suppose in this business divorce sells papers, yes?" he chuckled. Regina was on the verge of losing her composure, the alcohol only making it worse.
"Excuse me" she mummered and she raced to the nearest powder room before anyone could see her moment of weekness. She held in her feelings as long as possible as she thrust the door open quickly, but by the time she reached the stall her tears were flowing freely. Thank God everyone was out gawking at the entertainment becasue in that moment she could hold her composure no more. She broke down and sobbed until no more tears came, thankful that she had worn waterproof mascara that day. Of course Kathryn had left her, it's not exactly like things had been great between them these past few months. The two had agreed to try to make it work, that is until she decided to run off with that meat-head Frederick. What the hell kind of name was that anyway?
Realizing that she had been in there the better part of thirty minutes, Regina quickly grabbed some toilet paper and started dabbing her cheecks. As she flung open the door to make a run for it, she collided with something solid. She fell backwards hitting her head on the door as she did so.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry, I'm such a clutz. I wasn't even looking where I was going." Fuming, Regina turned her glare to the woman who had knocked her over. It quickly melted as she was met with a pair of the brightest emerald eyes imaginable. In that moment, Regina forgot her anger, her sadness. Hell she forgot everything except those damn eyes.