"She said she would be in touch about a meeting Sir, It's not my fault she hasn't got back to me to schedule one"
Killian Jones sneered at the blonde as she dropped some folders onto his desk.
"Then who's fault is it Emma!I don't pay you to sit on your ass all day do i?
Emma held on tongue.
"No Sir. I did all I could, I mean I was there so early and I waited for the perfect time and she heard me out"
Killian wasn't paying attention as he bagan fumbling through the folders. He lifted his head,
"Hmm? Did you say something Emma, I wasn't listening after you didn't tell me when our meeting was with Regina Mills!
Emma threw her hands into the air.
"Very well I'll go call her"
Killian gestured his hand and she turned on the spot exiting the office cursing him under her breath.
"That man is a pirate!
Emma plonked herself at her work station noting the amount of fresh folders for her to complete for the day. She exhaled loudly as her desk phone lit up. She answered.
"I don't pay you to sit on your ass!
Emma slammed the phone down and scrambled through her handbag finding Regina's private contact details she borrowed from her desk when she wasn't looking before Regina showed her out. She dialed the cell number and held her breath.
"Hello who's this?
Emma tried to play it as cool as she could knowing well the woman on the other end would lay into her.
"It's me… Your new friend Emma"
Regina's eyes grew wide on the other side of the phone,
"Miss Swan… How on earth did you manage to get my private cell number?
Regina chuckled throwing Emma completely of course.
"You're not mad at me for calling?
Regina smirked.
"Mad dear… Do you think of me as some Evil Queen Miss Swan that I don't answer my phone even when it is someone I don't know well enough to have my private contact details dear"
Emma smiled.
"An Evil Queen… you… never you're more like…ummm"
Regina listened eagerly for a reply.
"Actually don't answer that Miss Swan it might end up making me hang up on you"
Emma sighed.
"I wasn't gonna say anything bad Regina… I mean Miss Mills! I was gonna say you are wonderfully Regal and you scare the hell out of me but I wouldn't call you Evil… not if you paid me"
Regina found herself actually taken aback and laughed heartily into the phone.
"You my dear are full of surprises Miss Swan. Your bravery astounds me. For someone who barely knows me you seem to know me, how odd… Anyways dear as much as I enjoyed your little trick today I must run I have a meeting at Che le riare in approx eight minutes. Please refrain from calling me on my cell again unless it is a dire emergency I am incredibly busy…"
Emma began to babble as fast as she could before Regina could hang up.
"Wait Regina!
Regina stopped talking.
"Yes Miss Swan?
Emma frantically blurted out her intentions.
"Look I'm sorry I borrowed your number… I'm gonna be honest with you cause I know you seem to get that about me… I don't play dumb… well mostly I don't. Anyways my stupid ass of a boss won't leave me alone until I get him that meeting with you… "
Regina grinned like the Cheshire cat.
"Do go on dear I do only hope that your darling ass of o boss isn't listening into our call"
Emma's stomach dropped as she glanced over into his office glass window, seeing that he was in fact playing darts she was safe.
"No he's playing darts… what's new?
Regina chuckled.
"Oh doesn't he sound utterly delightful dear"
Emma threw her eyes up to heaven.
"I hope you were being sarcastic Miss Mills because I'm certainly not joking. Please Regina please if you can find a spare moment please schedule a meeting with him. You don't have to agree to his proposal just meet the ass…"
Regina heard the sincerity in the blonde's voice.
"Alright Miss Swan. You drive a hard deal. I shall be in touch about a meeting next week"
Emma exhaled.
"Oh thank you Miss Mills. I really owe you one your Majesty"
Regina actually found herself blushing at the sweet girls reply.
"Yes well dear you are good at your job. Take care"
Regina hung up the phone and stood up straightening herself in the mirror as her next client walked into the office.
After Regina had shown her client out she found herself slumping onto the couch in her waiting room. She removed her heels from her exhausted feet and lay flat on her back as she began to massage her temples. She jumped in fright as her assistant returned from her assignment.
Isla a 31 year old redhead stood at her desk startled as she turned eyeing up the exhausted Regina Mills.
"Oh Miss Mills I didn't see you there. Tough meeting huh?
Regina hummed.
"That bad huh?
Regina rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Yes Isla I'm afraid it was just one of those hectic days"
Isla sighed as she gathered her belongings.
"What's new Miss Mills? Every day is a hectic day for you! Do you ever just chill? I asked you out numerous times now to join me and the staff for drinks and you decline every time. We don't hate you if that's what you think?
Regina smiled sweetly at her assistant.
"No dear I know you all love me dearly"
Regina winked playfully.
"Then what is it? Look I know it's not my place but I'm worried about you. You may be my boss, but you are my friend and dammit I wanna help you"
Regina sat up bewilderment setting in.
"Look dear, I know I may be reclusive but that's just the way I am…"
Isla inhaled.
"Look forgive me Regina… But you can see the stress coming out of your ears! When's the last time you got laid?
Regina went pale.
"I… I… I don't think that's any of your concern Isla"
Isla frowned.
"Look I'm sorry for being so forward I just think maybe if you were dating someone work wouldn't seem so stressful and... Oh I dunno you would be more sociable with us?
Regina pursed her lips.
"I appreciate your trying to help and for your observant views dear but I don't think that dating…
Isla cut across her.
"Look I know this guy. He's dreamy and smart and I'd like to set you up with him for a dinner date next week?
Regina was lost for words.
"I.. I don't know what to say? You've obviously been thinking about this in detail"
Isla finished packing her stuff away.
"Just say yes boss…
Regina rolled her eyes.
"Oh alright one date but that's it dear!
Isla smiled.
"Oh great I'll go call him this weekend!
Regina smiled at the excited redhead.
"You go do that so dear, enjoy your weekend"
Isla practically skipped through the office exit doors as Regina collapsed back onto the couch. A familiar look of worry seeping into her powerful defined features. Brown eyes become glassy as shame consumed her body. Regina would be turning 35 the following week and she had a secret that she had never told anyone. Regina was a virgin. Her past was a dark one and she worked so hard to where she was now. Regina dreaded telling people out of fear and judgement that they wouldn't understand her reasons. She gulped as anxiety hit and she found herself reliving a past memory of her old boss asking for sexual favors to be performed on him. She was 17 years old and he was old enough to be her father twice over. She shivered as the memory consumed her and she felt worthless. Just then her cell screen lit up and began to ring. Regina wiped her tears away and answered the unsaved number.
"How was your meeting?
The familiar voice chirped into her ear.
"Miss Swan?
Emma giggled.
"No it's the tooth fairy actually"
Regina smiled a big toothy grin and sniffled loudly.
"I should have known any unknown number was you dear"
Emma's tone changed as she sounded concerned.
"Hey you okay Miss Mills?
Regina immediately cleared her throat and composed herself.
"Yes of course dear, why wouldn't I be?
Emma shrugged off the blunt reply.
"Umm okay… Just checking. I'm lame like that"
Regina smirked.
"You've said that before dear I think the word you are looking for is sweet"
Emma genuinely smiled.
"Yeah well… Umm Miss Mills I just wanted to ask you if you could possibly phone my boss first thing on Monday… I have to stay late tonight to finish the extra work he dumped on me with through no fault of yours… I mean I just worked my ass off to see you and I guess it wasn't good enough for him"
Regina heard the familiar helpless tone she knew all too well.
"Emma dear, consider it done. In fact you will see me first thing on Monday I shall pay the ass a visit myself!
Emma laughed.
"Do you really mean that?
Regina stood up and put on her heels.
"You can tell when people are lying dear…
Emma blushed.
"You remembered…
Regina grabbed her coat from her hook and grabbed her keys.
"Miss Swan I told you that you fascinate me… I mean't that. I remember everything"
Emma gulped hard.
"Regina?
Regina paused.
"Yes?
Emma scratched her head as her heart pounded in her chest. Her body was telling her to ask her out. But her head was scaring her out of it.
"Umm never mind, It's nothing"
Regina listened as the silence grew between them.
"You sure dear?
Emma nodded against her phone.
"Yeah I'm sure... you go have a great night whatever you get up to. I'll be typing away"
Regina sighed.
"Emma Swan how old are you because you sound like someone who needs to stand up for yourself more… don't let your boss be the boss of who you are!
Emma felt the lightening tingle straight to her heart.
"I… Ummm… Wow that's one of the most kindest profoundest things a practical stranger and potential business client has ever said to me… Oh and I'm 28"
Regina beamed as she exited her office building. Her heels echoed through the car park as she walked up to her black Mercedes.
"I gotta run dear. I'll see you Monday and you can call me Regina"
Emma smiled.
"How bout Reggie?
Regina slammed her car door shut.
"Don't push it Miss Swan!
Emma exhaled loudly on purpose.
"You can call me Emma!
Regina smiled as she backed out of her spot in the underground car park.
"I know I just choose not to… Miss Swan"
Emma's laugh echoed over the Bluetooth loud speaker.
"Bye Reggie"
Regina clicked the end call button.