Chapter 6
When Emma comes home after her first day at Mills' she is a little tired, but it isn't remotely close to the level of exhaustion that follows a double-shift at the restaurant.
Thursday and Wednesday are pretty much the same: chart work, small talks with Mary Margaret and surprise visits from Kathryn, who drops by to make sure everything is okay.
Emma isn't a talker, a force of habit. Luckily for her, Mary Margaret is. It's so easy to keep quiet and let her do the talking. The brunette blabbers about her personal life, work gossip and random – and she means truly random – topics. It starts with a woman she saw the other day that looked like an old famous lady, then continues with why she prefers a heart shape on her coffee rather than a leaf, and ends with a story on how she accidentally switched the sugar with salt trying to bake a cake for her boyfriend. A boyfriend, whom Emma learned, works in the same building as them. David is in charge of the security of the tech labs located between the 22nd and 31st floors. Who knew they had tech labs?
"So how did you two meet? You're not even on the same floor."
"Technically, you're right. Okay, so doing the night patrol is part of their job, and they take turns doing that. Now, I work late all the time."
Upon Emma's perplexed face, Mary Margaret elaborates.
"The perks of working for Regina." she shrugs.
"Oh"
"Yes. Where was I? Oh! So, there is a lounge on our floor with a kitchen, a shower, a couch… Everything you need in case you stay in late. All the security guys have a device that allows them to keep track on everything from every spot in this building, so technically, they don't really need to be on a specific floor, but just to be present in the building."
"Yeah, that makes sense"
"Exactly" the brunette agrees "He was getting tired of sitting there all by himself, so he decided to move to the lounge. Eventually, we met on one of those nights when I was working late. The rest," she smiles, "is history."
"You should meet him" she clasps her hands excitedly and her face brightens "Let's do lunch!" she determines, before Emma even has a chance to reply.
"So, how do like it so far?"
"It's good"
David smiles warmly at her. He's, just like his girlfriend, a nice and compassionate human being. She could see why they were together. He is tall, blonde, with blue eyes and a charming smile. His big shoulders and charismatic posture make it easy for her to imagine him as a security man.
They're sitting in a quiet garden, one that Emma didn't even know existed. Right between Park and Madison on 46th, shielded by three walls, there is this space. Benches, tables, plants scattered all over, and a small fountain, all make it look like a safe haven in the concrete jungles of New York City.
Emma absorbs the calm atmosphere as she's eating her meat sandwich from the nearby deli.
"I guess you're not considered a true New Yorker until you actually know all of these hiding places."
She breaks the silence after minutes of silent eating.
"Don't beat yourself up over it," David says kindly "I know a lot of born and raised New Yorkers who don't have a clue about these little hiding spots."
Emma hums and takes another bite.
"So," he continues "how is it to work with Regina? Did she bite you already?" he jokes.
"Regina isn't here this week," Mary Margaret answers for her "she's in London."
"Lucky you" he chuckles "you've had a smooth landing."
"Is she that bad?"
David is not the first one to imply that Regina is difficult to work with. Hell, if the sweet Mary Margaret called her a character it must mean something.
"Let's just say that if Mary Margaret ever quits her job, I can't think of someone who can go through a whole week without getting their ass fired. Or resign themselves."
He retorts cheekily, earning a light slap on his shoulder from his girlfriend.
"Don't be so mean, David." She chastises, turning to Emma "Regina is a very strong minded woman who knows what she wants and how she wants it, sometimes she goes at it a little too aggressively but I still admire her. I think she is an amazing example for women who think they can't make it in companies filled with powerful men."
"I don't see anything wrong with going after what you want." the blonde shrugs in response, she's not one to be intimidated that easily.
"Exactly" the brunette agrees.
"Just be careful not to get on her bad side," David adds "that's all."
Emma comes home that day, realizing that the 'in front of the computer' type of work was getting easier by the day. The only shortcoming of the current situation is the inevitable reduction in the number of her shifts. That proves to be a problem on two aspects. The first one is the money. She is going to have to pay attention to her expenses, now that her significant income has been cut. The second one was moving her body. When she worked six days a week, running around the restaurant and lifting trays, she could tell herself that maybe she is not doing a classic type of sports, but at least she was doing something.
But sitting in front of the computer all day just isn't going to cut it. She needs to find a way to incorporate workouts in her everyday routine. It's supposed to be significantly easier now rather than after twelve hours on her feet. Getting familiar with the average work hours, Emma is positive that adding a shift or two during the weekdays isn't going to be that hard. If she can squeeze four shifts a week and stay alive, she will be alright. Her savings are running low, especially now, that she can't just eat three meals a day at the restaurant and dress with the same plain t-shirts.
She starts around 8:30, which is, to be honest, earlier than what she is used to, but at the same time not as bad as it could have been, and finishes around 6 pm.
Night shifts at Antony's are usually covered by two waiters. The one who comes in first is the first one to leave, unless there is a big event. Emma wouldn't be able to make it by six, despite wanting to. That leaves her with the seven o'clock slot, which is the one who usually ends up closing the restaurant.
She will have to talk to Stephan about that. Being the closing waiter when she has to work the following day is less than ideal, and if she can somehow manage to convince him to keep the other waiter, despite the usual setting, she will be able to pull it off.
"Oh, come on, Stephan, I'm sure some people would love the extra money."
"Emma, asking for a 6 pm waiter to close the restaurant instead of you is just... I mean I can try, but I can't make them do it if they say no."
"Just remember this: when you needed me to do double, yes, double shifts," she pauses for the dramatic effect "I still opened and closed everything for you. Just cut me some slack, I'm not asking you to kill a double shifter."
"Emma..." he sighs, sounding unconvinced.
"You know what? If I work two days a week and you let me off the hook in one, I'll do the other."
She can make it as long as it's only one night, it will not be easy but it's doable. She has to remember that all of it is just temporary, just until she will start getting paid.
"Emma, you know I want to help you but how can I commit to it when the shifts are constantly changing?"
Deeming the money important enough, Emma decides to sweeten the deal.
"Okay, how about this: I give you two permanent days a week, in both of them I start at seven, and in one you let me off the hook with the whole closing thing. I give you two shifts each weekend…"
"But like I said, Em-"
"And if you need a backup for an event during the week and can't find someone, I'll do my best to help you out. How about that?"
This is her wild card. Two waiters in a full restaurant are just not enough. Those events are usually last minute, and the owners always have problems finding waiters who agree to get their ass off the couch for a couple of hours, even if the money is good. Emma always hated those things. But now, it's actually the best solution for her, a significant amount of money for a short period of work-time.
His sigh fills the, otherwise, quiet line. He won't give up on that offer, it's too good to pass on.
"Let me think about it, kay, Emma?"
"Sure thing. Thanks again."
"I haven't agreed to anything."
"Yet," she retorts "I know you will."
"I'll let you know."
"Cool, bye"
"Later"
She rests her head on the couch and closes her eyes. This was exhausting. Looks like she's going to have to wait with the whole working out thing until she gets her shit together. With a hand draped over her eyes, she groans, reaching for her ringing phone.
"Hello"
"Hey, Em. Tired?"
"You have no idea."
A couple of moments pass in silence.
"Rubs?"
"Mm?"
"Is everything okay?"
"Kinda"
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not really"
"Okay..." she frowns, waiting for Ruby to continue.
"Can I crash at your place tonight, I'll sleep on the couch."
"Of course you can and don't be silly, we will just have snuggle a little, that's all."
"Okay," Ruby sounds relieved "Thanks"
"Sure"
"When can I come?"
"Whenever you want"
"Cool"
"See ya"
That night, even with exhaustion overflowing her system, Emma can't sleep.
Well, she could, at first. When they entered her single bed together Emma was out before Ruby even had a chance to say goodnight. Few hours later Emma wakes up, sleepily noticing Ruby all over her. Her leg draped over the blonde's thighs, her hand laying flatly on Emma's half-bared stomach, sending tingles all the way to Emma's toes upon the slightest movement.
Just go to sleep
She tries but soon finds that she can't. This proximity is so foreign, and yet so comforting at the same time. The smoothness of Ruby's skin and the softness of her curves against Emma's, it feels nothing like Neal's bony embrace used to feel. Ruby is a pillow and a blanket, and Emma doesn't want this feeling to end. She keeps up as long as she can manage, the skies much lighter when exhaustion finally takes over.
The sound of her alarm invades her sleep, despite her best attempts to ignore it.
"Emma" Ruby mumbles groggily "Turn this fucking thing off."
"Mhm" Emma groans into her pillow, sleep regaining its hold on her.
"Emma!"
Ruby is much louder this time, making her jump.
"I'm up," she sits up, pressing the silence button "I'm up."
When she's ready to leave, Ruby is still deep in sleep world.
"Ruby" she nudges her to no avail, the brunette's wiped out.
"Ruby!" she calls, louder, as she nudges her best friend.
"Mm?"
"Please lock after you, keys are in the drawer"
"Mm"
"Ruby!"
"Fine!" she grumbles, voice muffled by the pillow "I heard, keys, door. Now fuck off"
"This is my house" she rolls her eyes. Ruby gives her the finger and turns on her side, back facing Emma. Shaking her head in disbelief, she leaves the apartment. On the subway, on her way to work, she texts Ruby again about the keys. Can't be too safe right?
Hours later comes a reply.
Ruby- Do you think I'm dumb? I said I heard you the first time.
Emma- Had to make sure… Oh, and still not sure about the whole dumb thing.
Ruby- Fuck off
The weekend arrives, proving to be just as bad when Emma has to spend both Saturday and Sunday at the restaurant. She's reached the point where she's no longer sure which one she hates more, the weekdays or the weekends; and that alone is enough to make her feel miserable and unbelievably tired.
In a blink of an eye, it's Monday and she can barely drag herself out of bed. She's sitting near her desk, lists upon lists of workers piled on her desk and she slowly types them in.
"You look so tired"
Mary Margaret points out, voice cheerful and so awake-sounding. No one should be this happy on Monday morning, she thinks bitterly.
"That's because I am tired" the edge noticeable in her tone.
"What did you do this weekend?" the brunette inquires, unfazed by Emma's grumpiness.
"Work"
"The waitressing thing?"
"Mm"
"Wow, that must be exhausting"
"It is." she sighs, eyes refocusing on the screen.
The following minutes pass in silence as each concentrates on their work.
"Did you do something interesting this weekend?" Emma pipes up, the boredom proving to be too much.
"Not really." her companion shrugs "Though the funniest thing happened."
Emma turns to look her "Well?"
"But you can't tell David I told you this" Mary Margaret whispers, an aura of confidentiality oozing from her, effectively earning Emma's attention.
The blonde lifts her hand in a 'swear' motion.
"Promise"
Deeming it sufficient she continues.
"David keeps leaving food on the counter as if he hasn't grown up here and doesn't know that it attracts cockroaches."
"It does?" Emma's eyes widen and she swallows thickly. She needs to make sure everything is tucked in when she gets back to her apartment.
The brunette responds with a duh look.
"Anyway, yesterday he was up first. He was mumbling something about breakfast but I felt like staying in bed so I told him to go and make one himself. All of a sudden I hear a scream, and I mean a high-pitched girly scream. I run to the kitchen and I find David standing on the couch pointing at this cockroach and yells like a little girl 'Oh my god, oh my god, kill it'"
Picturing the big masculine man in that ridiculous situation makes Emma topple over in laughter. Mary Margaret joins her and they both sit there, feeding off each other's laughter.
Eventually, they calm down, and get back to work with broad smiles on their faces.
The sound of her typing is muffled by a clicking sound produced by heels on the marble floor. She's interrupted by a low, velvety voice, so unique she would've remembered hearing before, asking
"And you are?"