Chapter 2: At That Moment
Regina looked around in her office as she waited for her sister to arrive. Cora Mills, her mother and former boss, entered and leaned against the wall.
"Well dear, I hope everything is to your liking," she said. Regina looked up at her mother and smiled. "Regina I hope you take your new position with honor and realize that now you can take more time off and maybe give me a grandchild".
"Mother, I have a company to run now, I don't have time to make children and plus you already have grandchildren", Regina sighed and sat down.
"Sweetheart, I know that but the perks of being your own boss is that you don't have to worry about the company, you have people to worry for you. You call the shots dear", she replied and sat down in front of Regina's desk. "I love my grandchildren by the way, but I want more."
"As you should mother", Zelena Mills said walking into the office.
"Ah, my eldest child, please enlighten your sister on motherhood and the purpose of expanding our empire", Cora smiled.
"Hold your breath Z...mother I will try ok? Did you make our dinner reservation?", Regina asked her sister.
"Everything is taken care of, maybe you and Kat can celebrate tonight afterwards...get out, get laid, and get expanding", Zelena smiled as she placed documents on Regina's desk, on her way out she turned around and smirked, "Mother hopefully Regina will find a woman who wants to adopt". Regina mouth nearly fell as her sister revealed her secret. Yes, it's true, Regina liked women, she figured it out a long time ago, men bored her. Regina liked the fact that women brought excitement to her life and she needs excitement.
Cora looked at her daughter with a face Regina couldn't describe, she didn't look upset, shocked or disappointed.
"Regina, don't look surprised, I already know sweetheart. Your father told me, I wish you would've told me like you told him but don't fret, I won't judge, I'm sure I can find you a woman with wealth-"
"Mother, no, please, I don't need you to play matchmaker, and plus I'm fine, I enjoy my single life", Regina didn't know if she was convincing her mother or her self. Truth be told, Regina has only had sex 4 times in life. Between school, grad school and work, she never made time for love, relationships or sex.
Emma looked through the kitchen window and saw the Mills family enter. "Alright guys, they are here, Neal is really bitching so I need everything to taste perfect", Emma yells to the kitchen crew.
Ruby comes to the kitchen door, "Yo Ems, who do these people think they are, who rents out a restaurant for dinner? It's only 5 of them", Ruby says in disgust.
Emma chuckles and shakes your head, "They respect family privacy, I read it in Enterprise, Regina was on their 30 under 30 list."
Ruby smirks, "Hmm you did your research huh? I know you Em, you got your eye on her." Emma looks at Ruby as if she is crazy.
"Ruby please, don't be silly. She's untouchable. And she would never be interested in somebody like me anyway...", Emma sighs and fixes her chef hat.
Neal walks into the kitchen clasping his hands together, "Ok Emma, I need you to go out there and introduce yourself as the top chef tonight, they are almost ready to order, they are finishing the wine."
"What? Me? Are you sure?", Emma looks at her boss shocked, like a deer in headlights. Neal nods while pushing her out the kitchen door. Emma walks over to the center table while buttoning her top button on her jacket.
"Good Evening, I'm Emma Swan, I'll be your head chef tonight. I will be personally supervising and preparing your meals tonight. If there is anything that you need or if something isn't to your liking, please do not hesitate to let me know", Emma smiled, "This is Ruby, she will be your waitress tonight".
Henry Mills, the richest stock broker in Chicago, smiled at Emma spoke for the family, "Thank you Chef Swan, I'm Henry Mills, this my wife Cora and our three children, Zelena, Regina and Jefferson."
Emma smiled and replied, "It's nice to meet you all, and congrats Regina."
Regina looked her from her phone, she and Emma locked eyes.
"Thank you Miss Swan, I uh greatly appreciate it." At that moment, Regina saw something in those green eyes that she's never seen before and it scared her because she didn't know what she was feeling. Emma on the other hand, had everything she thought confirmed, she indeed had interest in Regina Mills and she had no chance.
" Neal, I thank you for everything, the food is amazing," Henry stated. Neal had come to check on the family and he was pleased to see that everyone was enjoying their meal.
"I'm glad to hear that sir, Emma is a wonderful chef and so dedicated that she is spending her birthday in the kitchen, she works too hard," Neal replies. Regina nearly choked hearing the news, what person spends their birthday in a kitchen, cooking for others. Henry apparently was thinking the same thing, Regina almost missed when her father invited Emma to take a break and join the family at their table.
"Henry you can't be serious, she's the help, you can't just invite a stranger to eat with us," Cora said eyes wide.
"Relax Cora, she's not some maid, she's a chef," Henry said in a tone that Cora hated, she didn't reply back to him she just turned her nose up and looked away. "Neal bring us another chair please, we want our guest to be...", he smirked at Cora before replying, "Comfortable."