So, I've slacked. Sorry about that! Between writers block, and just being tangled up with a million other things, I wasn't sure where to go with this. Thanks for reading! :) I'll update sooner than later this time. Promise! :)
Emma was slightly shocked that he wanted to walk. The nearest restaurant that served a decent meal was about three miles down the road. It was a nice day, so she was kind of glad for the scenery, and his company.
"Italian good for you, love? My treat." He smiled. That damn smirk would get her to agree to nearly anything, and sadly, she was convinced that he wasn't even trying for that. It just melted her.
"Sure, works for me!" she replied, returning the smile. "You don't have to pay for me, you know. I ca..."
"Enough." He cut her off. "I asked you to dinner, now let me be a gentleman and pay. Please, and thank you. Not another word." He scorned, with a wink.
"Okay, then." She returned a smug grin. "You're hard to argue with, you know that right?"
"So I've been told..." He laughed as they were escorted to a table. The fireplace gave off a great ambiance, and it made her glad that they kept the building somewhat cold. Both of them looked over their menus, and placed an order with the server. Talking in the mean time about anything, and everything. Favorite music, movies, books, colors... the typical stupid things you would openly discuss on a date, or so she thought. The best part was the fact that they both spit out what was on their mind the night before, and it was never spoken of again. There was an undoubted mutual respect about it, and that was something she didn't think she'd trust anyone to give. The same kind of respect that refused to let her ask about his hand in the first place. When he felt he was ready to tell her, she knew he would. At his own time, his own pace. That's probably why this was going so well. She just refused to fall so far into this entire situation that she couldn't get back out. Again. She wasn't ready to have her heart shattered again, and she knew it would take a lot to give it completely to anyone. All the trust was broken, and it wasn't even the tiniest bit of this man's fault. The food came, and went pretty much unnoticed. She stared blankly at her plate as she twirled her spaghetti, still trying to comprehend that she was out to dinner with this handsome stranger who stumbled into the diner just days ago. Her daze was interrupted as the server returned.
"Here's your champagne. Enjoy!" the server said cheerfully, leaving a silver tray with a bottle, two glasses, and a note card on the table. Emma stared at Killian blankly.
"I don't drink, and I should have probably told you that..." she began. "Now I feel bad."
"Not as bad as I do, love. I didn't order champagne." Killian said with a puzzled look on his face. Emma reached for the envelope on the tray, and pulled out a handwritten card.
For the lovely couple.
Compliments of the one who got away...
...or did I?
She read it to herself, and she knew the look on her face had to say more than the card ever could. She began to scan the restaurant, making eye contact with every other guest she could. She was positive that she was making these unfortunate strangers feel just as uncomfortable as she felt. "What's the matter?" Killian asked with a stern tone of concern in his voice.
"Here." she said, handing him the card. "Don't make a scene, I just want to leave. We need to find the server and ask where the hell this came from."
"I'm guessing that this..." he began, and was quickly interrupted.
"Your guess is likely the same as mine. I just don't see him anywhere." She began to panic, as she saw the familiar man walk past the bar. "I need to leave. Can we please just leave?" Emma began to panic. She hated to let this slimeball see that he had succeeded in ruffling her feathers, but she couldn't help it. She was too busy trying to figure out why he randomly just reappeared after all these years. He had no family here. No friends, from what she remembered. Clearly, he wanted something from her, and she wasn't going to lie to herself, or anyone else. He terrified her. In every way imaginable.
"I'll go get the check. Stay here." Killian said with a worried, yet disgusted look. He figured this poor excuse for a man couldn't possibly be stupid enough to go anywhere near her with all of these people around. He handed the server a fifty, and told her to keep the change, then hurriedly made his way back to their table. "Come on, let's get you out of here."
Emma pushed her seat in, and they both made their way toward the door. As bad as she felt for letting him visibly get to her, she felt even worse for ruining this damn date because of him. Even worse, she just dragged an innocent man into this vortex of her own personal Hell, and there wasn't anything she could do to take that back. She was digging in her purse for her cell phone. There was no way in hell she was walking three miles back to the Diner. She started to dial for the cab, when the door closed in front of them.
"Well, well. Emma Swan. You haven't changed a bit." a voice shouted from behind. Her skin crawled with every word.
"Just keep walking." She muttered under her breath. She kept her sights on the door, although she knew he knew she had heard him.
"Don't ignore me, Emma. You, of all people, know how much I hate to be ignored." the voice followed behind her. "Clearly, you've made an entirely new life for yourself. I sure can't wait to hear about it." The sarcastic tone filled the room.
"Please, just go away!" She screamed, without ever making eye contact. "Leave me alone!"
"Now, there's that fiesty little bitch that I fell in love with! I knew she was still in there somewhere!" He sneered.
She felt Killian jolt with the comment. She nudged him. "Not. Worth. It. Just keep walking." She spoke through clenched teeth. She could feel his tension rising with every second that passed.
"What did I say about ignoring me, you bitch?" She turned as she felt him grasp her arm.
"Don't fucking touch me. Ever. What the hell do you want? Why are you even here?" She pulled away and took five steps back, almost glad that they were inside so others were seeing this happen, as well. "Quit causing a scene, and leave me alone!"
"What's the matter? You always complained that I never showed you enough attention, and now you have everyone's attention. You should be thrilled that I did this for you!" He cackled. "and I love the personal touch of finding some pitiful, worthless man to make yourself feel complete, by the way. That was the problem with us, darling. I was just too perfect. You needed to find someone whose imperfections you could thrive on to make yourself feel like a better person. So glad to see that worked out for you! I'd say that everyone watching should just give the lovely couple a hand, you know... a round of applause... but I won't say it. Oh. Damn. So sorry. The words, they just won't stop coming out of my mouth. The truth hurts."
Emma felt herself building up tears. She was fine with him tearing her apart, but what she was afraid of was happening. Killian did nothing wrong. Hell, he wasn't even her boyfriend, as this jackass was insinuating. He was hitting him where it hurt, and it was hurting her more than anything he could say about her. He could say that this didn't bother him, but she knew it was a lie. "You are the most cruel, unimaginable bastard that I've ever had the displeasure of knowing. Stay away from us." Emma scathed as she walked out the door. As if it happened for a reason, there was a cab sitting outside that was available, so they took the first chance they got. She realized once she sat down and he was out of sight, that he was coming after her. There was no doubt. Not single, shred of doubt. Unsure of his motive, but positive of the beginning of whatever it was.
"Are you alright, love?" Killian questioned, clearly concerned with the mess she had melted into. She was still shaking, tears running down her face, and rightfully so. He knew there really weren't words or anything to make it easier. He could just imagine if it were him in that situation. Sure, the situations were different, but yet the same in so many ways. What if it were his 'father' that just randomly showed up after years of not existing. He would be a complete mess too.
"Not really, but I'll get over it." She sniffled between the tears. "I just don't know why this is happening. Our date was ruined because of him. Something decent finally happens in my life, and of course he's there to destroy it. He won't stop until he does. Until he destroys me." She wiped her tears, as the driver asked where they were headed. She proceeded to uneasily tell him to take her to the coffee shop, convinced deep down that Neal would follow. Either that, or when she got home, he'd be there waiting. She still lived in the same apartment that they lived in together, back when. "He'll find me. He always does."
"I'm not trying to sound inappropriate or anything, but you're more than welcome to crash at my place until this gets taken care of. I assume you're calling the cops, since you were talking about a restraining order earlier?" He suggested, warmingly. He really didn't want to freak her out, but he also didn't want her to be alone.
"Oh, I'm definitely calling. And, although I appreciate it... I can't go anywhere. He'll get into my place. He'll break down the door if he has to. Everything I own will be gone. Everything. I don't know what he's after, but it's clearly something." She replied with a deep breath, and a half smile. "I'll be alright. Thank you, though."
"I'd like to be sure you get home, then. I'll take refuge on the sidewalk if I have to." He smiled.
She nodded and agreed. "I'll take the company if you'd like to join. I'd rather not be by myself anyway." What the hell are you doing, Emma? Bringing him back to your place after what? One half of a messed-up date?! That damn conscience. She smiled as the cab pulled up to the coffee shop. "So, are you coming or what?" She grinned, getting her car keys from her purse. Although it wasn't quite the perfect ending she was hoping for, at least she had a little more time with him, to try and make the best of the night.
