The next morning, I woke to hearing loud creeks and bumps on the upstairs and hallway.
"What the hell?" I said waking up out of the covers. I quickly walk out to give Robin a piece of my mind. It was 6am and he was creating a racket.
I walked out to the main hallway wearing my favorite booty short pajamas showed half of my ass and a silk tank top. I had been living by myself since the age of 18 so being in my own home half naked and braless was a default habit, so I thought nothing of it. I walked out to find an empty main hallway. I walked up the stairs to see if the new neighbor was moving in.
"Wow" I heard a voice.
"What?" I turn around halfway up the stairs with a stern look in face. For some reason, I knew that comment was directed at the fact that you could see half my bare ass with my shorts.
"Oh nothing! It's... just..." Robin said pausing as he saw me approaching.
"Just… what?" I ask raising my eyebrows getting closer to him.
He had blue sweatpants and a white tee on. He was holding a brown box that made him flex his muscles. I stared at his muscles thinking of how they would feel if I was wrapped around in them. I quickly snapped out of the trans snapped at him. "You know, you're not the only one that lives here so next time you plan on creating an earthquake in this house be mindful of whoever else lives here. What the hell is wrong with you did you grow up in the forest or have you just never lived with someone else?"
He smiled at me. He placed his box on the floor and extended his hand out towards me.
"What are you doing?" I asked completely confused. I expected him to yell back at me at least or roll his eyes.
"Place your hand on top of mine" he said calmly.
"What? Why?" I looked at him with a stern confused look.
"Just place your hand on mine, please." He said still smiling at me and speaking softly.
I did as he asked even though I was still confused the hell out of my mind.
Once I placed my hand on his I felt a surge of energy rush through my veins. He then rubbed his thumb on the side of my hand and placed a kiss on the top of my hand. My eyes opened wide as I felt his lips on my hand. My mouth opened stunned and quickly closed as I saw him come back up from my hand. He looked me in the eyes and said sweetly, "I do apologize for disturbing your sleep milady. Please let me make it up to you by taking you out for dinner."
I paused for a moment processing what he told me.
"Wait," I replied. I had realized what was going on.
"You did this on purpose just so I could come outside and you could ask me on a date" I replied with a slight smile.
"Well I thought it was quite a smart plan. Last night I came back and knocked but you didn't answer. And I didn't think it quite proper to disturb a beautiful woman's sleep." He responded still holding my hand rubbing his thumb on it.
"Oh, but in the morning you think it's okay even though I still am asleep?" I replied.
"Well you had your rest and thought it to be better to ask once well rested. And may I say you do look stunning in the morning." I smiled and shook my head as I started to remove my hand from his grasp. He only held on to it tighter and looked me in the eyes.
"You haven't answered my request." He said.
"Then you'll just have to wait for a response won't you." I looked at him smiling and took my hand away from his grasp. I turned around to enter my apartment and he says, "Then I'll just have to keep creating earthquakes every morning until you do won't I?"
"Yes, I supposed you do." I smirked at him. And closed the door to my apartment.
.*.
Later on, in the afternoon, as I was getting ready to go for a walk my phone rang.
"Hello." I said
"Hello, my name is Angie. I am calling from Project Reach is Regina Mills available?"
"Yes, this is she." I said excitedly.
"Hello Ms. Mills. I am calling you in regard to the position that you applied with us to be youth counselor."
"Yes?" I asked intently.
"Ms. Mills, I am sorry but you were not selected for the position. We have decided to go with another candidate." She said. I felt so hopeless. I had thought the interview went so well.
"Oh. Well thank you for calling to let-"
"Ms. Mills, I'm sorry I don't believe I was clear. We are not placing you for the youth counselor position, but our executive director was impressed with your resume, especially you double majoring in theatre and creative arts. Our executive director would like to offer you the head position of the Creative Arts program. The program entails, theatre, music, art, cinematography, photography, among others. You would be running the entire program."
"Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much!" I replied ecstatic.
"I do assume this means you accept the offer?"
"Yes! Absolutely!"
"Okay! Perfect. Are you available to start this Monday?"
"Yes, I am!"
"Perfect. You will need to be here at 9am. Please ask for myself at front desk so I can get you started on orientation. And Ms. Mills, welcome to Project Reach."
"Thank you." I replied. I could not believe it. Everything was coming along so perfectly. Things were turning up great.
I was so stunned that the knock on the door scared me. I went ahead to open the door to find an elderly man in a black suit.
"Regina Marie Mills?" The man asked.
"Yes. What can I help you with?" I said confused. How did he know my name?
"Good. Now may I come in? I have news that's important for you."
"I'm sorry but who are you?" I asked confused and hesitant to let him in.
"Child, I am your fathers lawyer. I have been looking for you for a year and 2 months trying to give you his will." He replied sternly. "Now will you let an old man have a seat? My bones aren't what they used to be."
I was in complete shock. My heart was pounding almost about to fly out of my chest and my hands got sweaty from the nerves. I opened the door to him and he sat on my dinner table.
"My father? What do you mean my father?" I asked because I had been in foster system since I was 5. To my knowledge my parents were dead and I was placed in foster care for my safety. My social worker had always told me that my parents were being targeted by dangerous people and since they died it was only time they would find me. And that's why I was never adopted, for fear of being found. So, I was constantly moved from foster care to foster care never being given a home.
"Yes, you have a father and a mother. But we will talk about her in a bit. Now, the will and testament." He opened his suitcase and pulled out a manila folder carrying multiple pages.
He read "My dearest Regina. If you are being read this letter by my lawyer and dear friend Alfred. This only means that I have passed on. I want to tell you few things but the first thing is that I love you with all my heart my sweet child. Ever since I held you in my arms the day you were born I knew that you were the queen of my heart, that is why I named you Regina. I hope that you had a good life so far, but i fear that may not the case. As i know that you have been moved to different foster cares as I instructed your social worker. You see, I had to do this. I had to keep you safe from your mother. Your mother has only ever been after my money. And the day she found out you would be the heir to my fortune, she was determined to end your life. That is why i sent you away, and I have been in hiding. I sold my companies, all our properties and disappeared. But your mother found me. And therefore, now you are being read this letter. Regina, you must ensure that your mother never gets this money. Keep it for yourself and your future family, put it to use. Most of all my child, remember that I love you and always will. Your loving father, Henry Mills."
I sat in silence, not realizing that tears had flushed me entire face. I began to sob. Therefore, I was left alone, why I was always told it was dangerous to have someone with me. And even now it was more dangerous.
.*.
"Ms. Mills?" Alfred said trying to snap me out of my shock. I quickly snapped myself out of it still stunned but trying to focus.
"I do understand that this is a lot for you to-"
There was a knock on the door. I turned to look at the door. Fear filled me and i thought, what if it's my mother? Did she find me? Why does she want to kill me? What happened that I cannot remember any of my memories with them?
Alfred placed his hand on top mine and I looked at him as he said, "It's okay. I made sure I was not followed and we have gone to a great deal ensuring that she does not know where you are."
A felt a bit of relief come into me as I stood up and walked towards the door.
I open and Robin is standing in front of me with a smile in his face.
(ROBINS POV)
I wait at her door. I wanted to see her again, and ask her on a date again. I assumed she'd tease me a bit I even loved doing that with her. She opened the door. My smile turned into worry. I saw her, eyes red, cheeks wet. She looked at me, I could see the look in her eyes. She looked heartbroken and scared. I just wanted to hold her in my arms and keep her safe.
"Regina, what's wrong?"
"Robin, please this is not the time." She said wiping away her tears.
"But what's happened? You're not okay. Tell me, I can help."
I took my hand and cupped her cheek. Trying to show her she could count on me. As my hand touched her cheek, she closed her eyes more tears rushing out. I approached her and wrapped her around in my arms. She began sobbing even more with her face buried on my chest. I kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. As I looked up I saw an elderly man sitting at her dinner table looking at us with a half-smile and a saddened look in his face. I then looked down at Regina and cupped her face in my hands and cleared her tears from her cheek.
"Hey, hey... it's going to be okay. Alright? Tell me what's going on sweet queen?" I asked softly. Trying to calm her down.
"Robin... I... Please I can't right now. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have loaded my emotions on you." She said with her voice cracking and tears still flowing down.
"No, no, no, no. It's okay. I'm here. I'm here for you alright?"
She stood in silence looking at me. Her eyes told me she just wanted me to hold her and keep her safe. Her lip trembled. I stroked her cheek with my thumb and looked at here. Trying to just calm her down with my silence.
"Who is that man in there?" I asked.
"He's. Uh… Alfred.," she said hesitantly.
"Is he the reason you are crying? Did he tell you something?" I asked softly trying to keep her calm and find out why she was crying.
"He uh... um-"
"Alfred White, attorney at law." The man said as he stood up.
"What's going on? Why is she crying?"
"No Robin, please it's fine. You can go. I'm sorry for all of this. Just go and I'll speak to you later today alright?" She said trying not to cry again.
"Regina, please. I only want to help."
"Robin, please!"
I saw her face, about to break down once more but intent on making me know that whatever was going on she needed to do alone.
"Very well. But, hey, look at me." I said to her cupping one of her cheeks. "I am here when you want to talk. Just a flight of stairs away." I kissed her forehead and walked out.
"Now, to your fathers will, shall we?" I heard Alfred say to her she the door closed.
Her father had died. I didn't want to leave her but I had to respect her wishes. I can't imagine what she must be going through. I had to make sure that she was okay. However strong and new my interest or feelings were for her I knew one thing. I needed to take care of her, and do whatever I could to make her happy.
(Regina's POV)
"Sorry about that." I said to Alfred.
"Oh no it's quite alright madam. I think it's great you have found someone to share your life with."
"Oh, no no. We're not like that, no."
"Oh well I do apologize. You two do seem to be made for each other." He said smiling.
I smiled back. "So, the will?"
"Ah yes! Let's get to that. I must get back to Maine soon to settle the legal matters for your father's current house."
"He… he had a house?"
"Yes, it was his sort of shelter for the last few years. Until well your mother had your men made it and found him. And well then that is why I am here... sad truly. Henry was a great man and a good friend." He continued as we sat at the table. "He was honest, kind, loyal to his friends and family. He truly was someone you would want to have in your life."
"And what about other family? Aunts, uncles do I have any?" I asked with tears running down my cheeks.
"I am so sorry Regina. They are all gone. Sadly, your mother's wrath and hatred was the downfall of your loved ones."
"But why? What happened that made her this way?" I asked desperately.
"Truly, your mother was not like this when she met your father. But something happened after she married your father. She became... how do I say this... vengeful of your father. I truly do believe it was because of where your father came from and she felt that his family would never accept her. You see, your father's family was very well off, and your mother came from a poor family. They married for love but then you were born and he found a greater love. The love of a child. And your mother became angry towards the love he had for you and feared he would leave her. Your mother truly was a good woman, but pain and revenge fueled her heart and she went down a road that you don't come back out of. And that is why your father needed you to disappear. Your mother has been on the warpath to find all blood related to you and with that find you. You have been protected since you birth Regina. From silent angels."
"Well it's never felt like that." I sobbed.
"I know child but it was for your safety. We could not risk going to the police either for fear that it would lead to your discovery."
I paused for a moment, processing everything.
"Okay so to be clear. If I continue as I have been before. Laying low, not making noise... then I'll be fine."
"Yes, I will ensure of that. You father left me a sum to make sure of that. So that your mother never hears about you and cannot track you down."
"Okay. So, what about the will?"
"Okay, I will read the will to you the single heir of your father, Henry Mills. The will reads as follows. To Regina Mills, single and only child to Henry Daniel Mills the sum of $9,967,125,355.27 is transferred on for ownership. Along with this necklace that was given to you on your birth and is now being returned to you." Alfred pulled the necklace from his pocket.
It was a thin golden string line with a circle and in it was a golden tree.
"It's beautiful. Thank you." I said still shedding tears.
"Now child, I want you to listen to me." He said with a smile on his face.
"Now, I have been dealing with your mother for a very long time. She cannot get to you without getting to me. And even after I am gone I have made sure that you will still be safe. So please child. Live your life, do some good and try to find your home in this world. Even perhaps with that fellow out there that I know is waiting for me to leave." He held my hand "Now, all you need to do is sign and it's yours."
As i signed he spoke "I will be forwarding you on the sum in small increments as not to cause alarm. Your father did ask that I keep a portion stored away in case of anything happening there is a safety net amount until your mother is out of the picture."
"Thank you truly. For coming to speak to me and putting yourself in danger. Please stay safe." I begged him.
I showed Alfred out and close the door. I sunk down to the floor and began to sob. Why was this happening? Why me? I felt so confused about it all. But I had found my family, in such a horrible way that it almost seemed liked some sort of dream. But this was my reality, my constant horrid reality.