Chapter 7: A stranger named Gabriel

After slipping on a pair of dark jeans, Belle looked out the window to look at the dark clouds hovering above the entire town.

"Rain or shine, I'm still going out today" she muttered.

Pulling on a red thin blouse, Belle picked up her hair and went downstairs to grab her coat and umbrella. Having no job at the moment, doing things around the house made her quite bored and lonely. Without him, the house felt completely empty.

Digging her feet into rain boots, one hand grabbed at the doorknob and twisted to reveal the storm that was taking over the skies. Light drops of rain began to hit the concrete as she made her way onto the sidewalk.

It didn't take long for Belle to arrive at Main Street. The winds became stronger as heavy rain splashed violently against the top of the umbrella.

"Shhhit!"

The umbrella was pulled out of her grasp by the winds, and thrown several feet in front of her. The thin hair tie that kept her braid together broke and her locks whipped around her face. Grabbing at the strands that were blinding her she twisted her hair furiously and tucked it under the collar of her coat.

"Bad day for a walk huh"

In front of her was a tall man with dark hair and thick eyebrows. He was holding her umbrella up, walking closer to give it to her.

"Well I didn't want to stay in…guess I made a mistake"

Reaching up to take back her umbrella, Belle felt his hands touch hers. A flash of memories appeared before her following a bad headache.

"Here let's get inside…are you alright?" he asked, deep voice filled with concern.

With her palm cupping her forehead, she looked up to smile at him.

"Yes…yes I'm fine and thank you"

Pulling open the door of the small boutique next to them, the man held it open for her to rush in. A gust of wind and rain pushed into the store as Belle rushed inside.

"Gabriel" he said as he held out a hand.

Running her fingers through her hair, Belle let out a huff and shook his hand gently.

"Belle"

Looking around the small shop, pots and pans of all kinds could be seen. It was her favorite kitchen goods shop in town.

"So what were your plans for today?"

"Well my plans included going for a nice walk but at the moment that doesn't seem like a good plan anymore"

She heard him chuckle as she continued to look outside hoping that the rain would lessen.

"No, I'd have to agree"

Looking up to see his warm smile, Belle turned to look around the store. Beautiful white teapots shined a few feet away from her and she walked over to look at them.

The old wooden shelves carried many teapots with the small cups surrounding them. Picking up a small black and gold rimmed cup, she couldn't help but smile. For such a long time, Mr. Gold still kept the chipped cup.

"That's beautiful…my mother loves them"

"Yes…I uh, I have one sort of like this at home…it means a lot to me"

He was standing next to her and his closeness was beginning to bother her. Moving on to look at the display at the other side, she could hear his footsteps. In the back of the store was a small café and the smell of fresh coffee made its way to his nose.

"I'm sorry but I can't help but feel like we've met before"

Turning around, Belle met his gaze.

"I'm sorry…I don't know you"

The rain was no longer hitting against the windows so Belle felt this was her opportunity to leave. Before she could fully pass him he caught her hand gently.

"Wait…well even if…would you like some coffee?"

Looking down at his hand, he let go instantly and she moved backwards towards the front door.

"Oh I'm uh…I'm with someone actually"

His brows arched up and he looked surprised.

"Oh okay…I apologize…it was nice meeting you though"

"Same"

She didn't know what else to say in the awkward moment and once she stepped outside she took in a much needed breath. Her memories revealed his true character but she was confused as to why he didn't quite remember her. The rain was reduced to sprinkles and the dark clouds were moving away.

Preventing herself from looking back in, Belle decided to keep walking down the block.

…..

Ding Ding

The little bell to his shop sang as she entered. The smell of antiques invaded her senses as she closed her umbrella and placed it next to the coat rack.

"Ah Belle what are you doing here love?"

The sound of his voice almost erased Gabriel from her mind.

"Just thought I'd come and visit you s'all"

"You were not able to completely shelter yourself from the storm I see"

Her hair was a tangled mess twisted onto one shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed and her coat soaked with droplets streaming down to the end.

"You know you could just say I look nice"

He chuckled lightly as he walked over to her. Having no customers in the shop, Mr. Gold wrapped an arm around her waist.

"My dear, nice is much too simple" he spoke against her lips.

Capturing her pout in a quick passionate kiss, Belle moaned at the feeling. She has always been addicted to his kisses and felt him pull away.

"I would love to take you in the back of this shop but…"

"Later" she finished, smiling with pink cheeks.

"Yes" he replied in a husky tone. Mr. Gold turned to walk back to the counter area. Looking back at her, he noticed that she was fidgeting where she stood.

"Something wrong dear?"

His brows knit in concern, whatever bothered her bothered him. He hated to see her look worried about anything.

Her thumbs stopped from flicking against each other as her head snapped up to meet his gaze.

"I um…I bumped into someone before I got here"

His brows now turned downwards as he thought about Regina.

"Who?"

"A tall man named Gabriel"

His right hand clutched into a tight fist as he looked over to his cash register with tight lips. The name of that man had him boiling.

"Rum…I know who he is…I remember…but does he?"

The sound of his nickname made him relax just a bit before answering.

"No, no he does not and I believe that he is better off not knowing"

His tone suggested that she doesn't push for more but Belle's stubborn attitude wouldn't allow it.

"You made him forget…"

"I made him forget because he is better off as just another stranger you met in town"

Mr. Gold rounded the corner to his register and picked up a stack of cards to look through.

"He asked me out for coffee…don't you think he would have done it regardless?"

Flipping through the cards fast with a stone expression he didn't answer.

"And I told him I'm with someone…someone I love and someone who I wouldn't leave behind for some stranger"

Hoping those words would lighten his mood, Gold finally looked up.

"I believe you love…I just don't trust the man…I should've kept the bastard as a rose"

The last of his words were muttered to keep her from hearing across the room. Setting down the cards he walked to his work space in the back, leaving her alone for just a few seconds.

"I can handle myself Rum" Belle yelled out. She smiled knowing his intentions.

The curtains were pushed aside as Mr. Gold stepped through.

"Oh I know my dear…that I know"

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of the ringing bell. Gold's face turned sharply to check the visitor. Thankfully it wasn't the man Belle was talking about. Putting on a small smile, he greeted the customer and walked to the front.

With both hands on her shoulders, Gold looked at her.

"I have a customer to attend to…if you'd like to stay…"

"Oh no it's alright…I'm gonna head home now and make us some dinner"

"Alright…I will be there soon and Belle…be careful"

With a light laugh she assured him, "My goodness don't worry"

With one last grin he turned away from her to let her be. Grabbing her umbrella from where it sat, Belle pushed open the door and headed back home.

….

Hello everyone!

It has been a while since I updated this story. This chapter is short but it does introduce another character who will become a 'small' problem later. I'm pretty sure you all know who this man is. Anyway, next chapter will deliver.

Robert Carlyle has appeared in films which sadly aren't available here but…I might just create a few miscellaneous.

There are so many new RumBelle stories that are being posted that it's great. You all are amazing writers. Anyway, keep reading and Enjoy.