Chapter 4

Emma is well aware that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, one she wasn't going to waste. The fact that Mills' were big and successful is known to all, but Emma needs to know more. And that's what Google is for, right?

Sitting on a bar stool in Granny's, with her laptop connected to the extra plug near the cash register, Emma reads in earnest. Some of what she reads, she repeats to Ruby when the brunette passes her seat "Did you know they are one of the largest all-American companies?" and "Wow, they're also involved in technology and data combined housing"

Ruby, in turn, would give her a thumbs up and go back to her previous occupation.

Sitting on her sofa, Emma eyes her cell phone wearily. Eventually, after minutes of doing nothing, she picks it up and dials the number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Nolan?"

"Yes?"

"It's Emma Swan, I'm calling about the job."

Silence.

Emma clears her throat and tries again "The welfare program for" automatically lowering her voice like any other time she has to discuss her past, and continues "Adults who grew up in foster care."

"Oh! Yes, of course! Hi, Emma, it's good to hear from you."

She sighs in relief, finally leaning comfortably against the couch.

"Yes, thank you" she replies, not knowing what else to say.

"You were instructed to contact me regarding the details of your employment, correct?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I would love to explain everything but I think it's better we meet and talk about it in person."

"Yes, I agree."

"Good, how about tomorrow? The position we would like to offer you needs to be filled quickly."

"Sure, tomorrow sounds good."

"Okay, hold on a second" the sound of typing fills the line. A moment later Kathryn's back "How about 8:30 in the morning? Or is it too early for you?" the light-hearted tease can be easily spotted, making her smile.

"8:30 is perfect"

"Excellent, I will see you tomorrow then. Please bring the file you were given and some kind of identification, it could be your ID or drivers' license."

"Will do. And thank you." She adds as an afterthought.

"No problem, have a good evening."

"You too."

And just like that, she has got herself an appointment at Mills' Corp.

Dammit, she combs a hand through her hair, she needs something to wear.

She digs in her closet, looking for nothing in particular. Eventually, coming across the, apparently, only pair of tailored pants she owns. She doesn't even remember getting them but they are a blessed find, nonetheless. She matches it with her white buttoned up shirt and simple black shoes. Needless to say that Emma doesn't own anything fancy like pantsuits or power suits, she doesn't even own heels. Well, at least not that are work-appropriate.

Both shirt and pants are more wrinkled than the 90-year-old Nana, who used to sit right across the street from her foster home and stare at nothing all day. She makes her way down to the second floor, and with a shy smile asks for Mrs. O'Malley's help. The older woman is thrilled at the prospect of helping, happily ushering Emma in. Ordering Emma to sit quietly with a cup of tea in hand, she does all the work. The blonde feels uncomfortable sitting there doing nothing, but Rosie seems genuinely happy to have someone to take care of, so she lets this one go.

With clothes straightened and folded neatly in a bag, Emma is sent back to her place. Black under your eyes creates a bad impression, honey. Try to avoid it. Rosie lectures as she goes up the stairs and all Emma can to do is agree.

"Ruby, I'm not hungry"

She shoves the plate away just to have it shoved right back at her by an irritated looking Ruby.

"Emma, you need to eat. Do you want your stomach grumbling throughout the interview?"

"No, but-"

"Eat!"

"Fine!"

Exasperated, Emma forces in one mouthful after the other. Deep down, she knows Ruby is absolutely right, she needs to eat. But her stomach has been in knots since the previous night; her mind swirling with the same repeating thought that somehow, with her terrible luck and (lack of) grace, she would manage to mess it up. It's all set, it's not even a real interview and the job is already hers, but trust Emma Swan to screw up a safe bet.

Today, of all the days, she woke up with a mess of curls that refused to submit itself to her endless attempts of combing it into a semi-presentable mane. Eventually, she gave up and scooped it into a high ponytail. Emma wasn't really a make-up person, and attempting to change that on an important interview day seemed futile and unbelievably risky; and so, she ended up using some mascara and nothing more.

Shoving in about half of what she was served seems to satisfy Ruby, earning Emma some approval. She sticks a hand in her bag, looking for a spare change.

"Leave it," Ruby dismisses "good luck" she leans in to kiss her goodbye and pushes her towards the exit.

The building is, at least, sixty stories of silver, metal, and glass. The name 'Mills' Corporations' is carved in the metal, contributing to the building's modern, clean look. The sheer glass allows a glimpse of the people in the building, in their work environment.

The building's entrance, a long row of glassed spinning doors, occupies the entire front-side of the building. She pushes her way in, immediately met with clean, marble-like scent.

Eyes scanning the multiple reception desks, she goes for a non-occupied one.

"Welcome to Mills' Corporations, how may I help you?" the redhead receptionist smiles politely from her seat.

"Hey, I'm Emma Swan, I'm here to see Ms. Nolan."

"One moment, please" she holds up the phone, as delicate manicured fingers dial the number, and waits for the other side to pick up.

"Hey, Anna? It's Lisa from the reception."

A pause.

"Mmm," she hums in response "Yes, I have Emma Swan here, for Ms. Nolan."

Another pause.

"Yes. Of course. I understand. I'll let her know. Thank you. You too."

Looking up, the redhead informs "Ms. Swan, Ms. Nolan is located in our Finance Department. Entering this floor requires an authorized badge. Therefore, a representative will come to escort you in a moment. Please go ahead and have a seat, I'll direct her to you once she arrives." She gestures towards the lounge area.

"Thank you."

There are sofas, armchairs and coffee tables with today's papers neatly folded on top, scattered all around the waiting area.

She sits down and takes a look around, intrigued. The people surrounding her are impeccably dressed, sharp suits and expensive looking dresses, looking like they came out of a movie. Emma looks down at her outfit, deflating a little upon realizing that she sticks out like a sore thumb.

"Miss Swan?" she looks up to a petite blonde woman, at best, in her twenties, wearing a pretty similar set of clothes to what she has on. Maybe she is not that under-dressed after all.

"I am Ms. Nolan's assistant, if you would please join me." She gestures towards a line of glass tag-readers.

Emma follows her into the elevator. The woman presses the 72 button, earning an impressed look from Emma in return.

"You're pretty high up there, huh?"

She asks in an attempt to break the awkward silence. There is still an impressive amount of floors left to cross for them to reach their destination.

"Yes, I guess so" she smiles "but you get used to it." Emma nods and after a short pause the petite blonde adds "To be honest, I was terrified at first."

"Yes, I can see why." They share an understanding smile. A minute later, the doors of the elevator open.

The welcoming view is pretty similar to the first floor: sharp, clean, modern, white, glasses and silver metal; Clean desks, glass offices, and well-dressed people. It looks like she's back to feeling under-dressed. She follows the assistant through the corridor, all the way to the end, where offices are getting bigger and more 'expensive looking' as they go. The last few are simply luxurious: white couches, conference tables and extensive windows with the mesmerizing view of the city.

They reach a closed door. The blonde knocks lightly, opening it a moment later, not bothering to wait for a come in.

"Kathryn" she peeks in "Emma Swan is here".

She opens the door and waits for Emma to enter the room. The office is spacious and beautifully designed, much to Emma's admiration. The blonde (are there any brunettes here?) rises from her chair, offering a hand.

"Hello, I'm Kathryn Nolan"

"Emma" she responded kindly, as their hands connect in a firm shake.

"Nice to meet you Emma, please have a sit."

In the blink of an eye, the meeting is over.

She is due to start working the following week. According to Kathryn, she will be doing, mainly, logistic work such as keeping up with meetings, project's timelines and managing incoming information. She learns that Kathryn is the HR manager of the entire building, and is sitting in the Finance dept. due to their undeniable connection. She will also be seated at that department, and work next to Mary Margaret Blanchard; the secretary of the dept. manager, Regina Mills.

Emma has never heard of Regina, who she assumes is related to the management. She knows of Henry and Cora, the founders of the company and the ones running it (Cora, the European extension and Henry here, in the United States). She also knows Zelena, the head of Public Relations and the face of the company. But Regina, she has never heard of, even after her extensive research. Making a mental note to look her up when she gets home, Emma leaves the building and heads uptown.

On her way home she stops at Forever 21 to buy additional pairs of tailored pants, four buttoned-up shirts in various colors, a black pair of elegant-looking shoes, and one tailored blazer. It's not cheap (despite it being Forever 21), and definitely not easy on her wallet, but it's necessary, at least until she can afford more clothes, better clothes.

Sitting on her couch, a bottle of beer in hand and laptop on her thighs, she researches.

Apparently, this Regina is a mastermind, or at least something close to that. A double-major in Business Management and Economy from Columbia University, where she, of course, was the first in her class. After graduation, Regina started working for the family business, becoming the Financial dept.'s head at the young age of twenty-seven. Commentators predict a bright future for this lady, including leading the entire company once her parents have retired.

Despite her famous family-status, Emma can't find pictures of her. Searching for them leads her to blogs discussing the fact that, unlike her other family members, Regina tends to stay out of the spotlight and manage a private life.

Emma tries to think of possible reasons for her to stay off the spotlight. Failing to think of a reasonable explanations, Emma entertains herself with rather ridiculous ones. Maybe she is not good looking in comparison to her pretty nice looking family and feels bad about it. Maybe, for the nerd that she obviously is, she is so socially inept that she can't keep up with her family's good reputation.

Emma chuckles as possible looks of her future boss, each version nerdier and weirder than its prior, pop in her head. She pictures her fat with puberty-pimples that never went away. Then, as extremely lanky with an 80s looking hair, huge round glasses and no social manners.

She keeps that up for a while, but it's getting late. Knowing she has to work the following morning (and evening, those double shifts be damned), she calls it a night. She will have to talk to Stephan about reducing the number of her shifts, weekends only, until she gets settled in her new job. Then, if possible, she'll add two or three night shifts during the week.

Maybe she's short, chubby and hairy like her father. Her mind suggests, and an involuntarily snort escapes.

Go to sleep, Swan

Mentally chastising herself, she orders her eyes to close, and soon sleep takes over.