Chapter 9
Emma ran her hands up and down her arms as the chilly fall air was hitting her. While the white shirt and black tie were better than her work uniform, it was still a uniform.
"Equal? This is ogre shit your highness," Killian gritted from between clenched teeth. He tugged on his red jacket, his long legs shaking as they stood side-by-side on the curb.
"Well…we are here." Emma shivered.
"Hey!" Cora came gracefully walking down the sidewalk. "Okay, just give them a ticket, take the car and park it down the street," she said commandingly to Killian. It took all the man had not to balk at being a valet driver. "Emma come with me. I want to show you something." Emma nodded and grinned at Killian. Served him right. He had been an ass all day and now he could cool off for the evening.
"Welcome to the inside of casa de Mills," Cora said as they stepped into the cozy home. It was quite nice, and larger than most homes she had seen in the New York area. The entrance led to a dual staircase heading to the upstairs. Following Cora she passed a large home office, before heading into a larger open room that was off the kitchen and dining room.
"This is my entertaining area. Off there is a small room where we can sit and watch television if we please," Emma nodded, noticing the large screen in the room. "But here…here is it."
"It is quite nice."
"You know, my parents were immigrants too. I think that's why I like you. Growing up, 9 of us lived in a shack not even as big as this room. And look where I am today," she said, her voice choking up. "I only wish Henry were still here to enjoy it."
"I'm sure he would be proud. You have a beautiful home ma'am."
"Thank you," Cora said smiling. "In 10 years or so, with hard work and the right connections, you too could have a home like this."
"That would be something," Emma mumbled out loud to herself as Cora led her over to the large bar in the great room.
"It would, wouldn't it. And I have no problem introducing you to people who could help," Cora stepped aside allowing Emma to enter behind the bar, before pointing to a few champagne bottles. "This is where you can work tonight. Just keep the glasses full. I'm going to finish getting dressed, so until the guests arrive….feel free to make yourself at home. We have over 300 channels."
[SQ]
Emma watched as the party went into full swing. Cora walked from person to person welcoming them with a smile and small talk that would have made Queen Snow White herself proud. She filled numerous glasses with wine and champagne and even helped the caterer with placing out hors d'oeuvres for the guests.
"Hey. Can I get a refill," Emma put on a fake smile as Robin walked up to her. She couldn't stand the man, and the more she got to know him, the more she realized her hate was just because of who he was. Sure his relationship with Regina was a spot of jealousy, but he was obnoxious and arrogant. "That was impressive the way you and your friend handled that shooter the other day."
"Thank you," Emma mumbled wishing he would just leave.
"I would have helped out too…but…I was…you know, too far….and I had coffee."
"That's ok."
"You get that kind of experience, fighting on the streets over in Eastern Europe?"
"Yeah, sure!" Emma said exasperated. "Where I'm from you need to be very aggressive."
"I'm all for that," the rich man said, sipping from his drink, looking at Regina. "Especially when it comes to love. I know a lot about you women. You know, you don't admit it, but you want a man to take charge. Tell you what to do. Make decisions." Emma simply raised an eyebrow. Maybe it was because she was a woman raised to be more than just someone's wife, but she wanted to throw the champagne bottle right in his face.
She shrugged as he walked off, making his way over to Cora. She had no idea what he was going to do, but she figured Regina wouldn't like it. Ok, so she had known the CFO for little more than a week, but even so, Regina didn't seem to be the type to want someone to take charge of her.
"Emma!" Cora ran over to the bar excited moment later. "Keep everyone's glasses full. I am about to make a special announcement!"
"Of course Ms. Mills." Killian poked his head in for a moment, making his way over to Emma as Cora went to stand in the middle of the great room.
"What's going on little Swan."
"Not sure, but Cora is happier than a werewolf inside a sheep pen."
Clicking her glass with a spoon, Cora caught everyone's attention. "Everyone. May I have your attention please?" she said, wrapping her arm around Robin. "Mr. and Mrs. Locksley, please join me."
Emma turned her attention to Regina, who looked on with interest like everyone else. The brunette kept a straight face as she looked at her boyfriend, a questioning expression forming on her face.
"I have just heard some amazing news," Cora exclaimed. "News that makes me the happiest woman alive at the moment. Killian, please bring us champagne!" Regina's face scrunched up as Killian went about passing drinks to everyone standing next to Cora.
"As everyone knows, Robin and Regina have been seeing each other for quite some time." Emma could feel her blood run cold as Cora's excitement increased with every word. She'd seen this happen many times. "Just a few moments ago, Robin popped the big question…..and Regina happily accepted!"
Murmurs of joy went about the room as Emma struggled to keep breathing. This couldn't be happening. He wasn't right for her. Regina said she hated the way he acted sometimes. He wanted her to be someone she wasn't. How could she have said yes?
Looking toward the brunette, Emma's thoughts slowed as an expression of fury began making its way across the olive skin. That was not the look of a woman happily engaged, but the look for a woman who would happily rip someone's heart out and crush it.
"So as it turns out, this is an engagement party!" Cora said, adding to the ruckus of happiness throughout the room. "To the bride and groom!"
As toasts were made, Killian looked on, drinking several of the glasses on the serving tray, it wasnt his usual rum, but this was getting interesting and he needed a drink. Regina and Emma seemed to be the only two in the room not drinking. Regina was nodding apathetically as everyone who walked past her issued congratulations. He wasn't skilled at reading women, unless it was in the throws of passion, but her nods were clearly forced.
"Excuse me," the brunette said after a moment, rushing over to her new fiancée. "We need to talk!" She grabbed him by the arm, her nails digging into his skin beneath the jacket. Pulling him roughly, the businesswoman made her way to the laundry room and shut the door behind him. "Next time you and my mother want to get together to plan my life, do you mind letting me in on it?!"
"Baby! It's not-"
"No shut up. What the hell is wrong with you?" Robin kept grinning reaching out to wrap her in his arms. She quickly shoved him away. "Don't touch me!"
"Baby…it's our engagement party!" Regina couldn't believe it. He saw no issue with his actions. He expected her to be happy, as if this is what she wanted. For him to arrange her marriage without her say.
"Are you...Are you insane...what the hell? You thought I'd be happy about this?"
"Of course...you and me, married."
"Then you ask me!" The brunette turned around, her back to the man, as she struggled to contain the violent urges that were making their way through her mind. This was her mother's dinner. She would not cause a scene. She could wait. She could wait until her mother's business friends were gone and then she would choke the life out of her now ex-boyfriend.
"Regin-"
"I have to go," she opened the door, then shut again, wanting to keep everyone from hearing. "Stay the hell away from me for the rest of this night. I won't embarrass my mother, but you and I...we're done!" She walked out, slamming the door behind her.
[SQ]
Emma draped her jacket over the brunette's shoulders, as she moved to the side of the bench. It was a chill in the air, but Regina seemed not to notice, her right leg bouncing in anxiety.
"Would you like some champagne?" she offered, holding up the bottle she'd pilfered from the bar.
"No thanks. Unlike everyone else, I am not in the mood to celebrate." The blond nodded, heading back towards the house. "Wait! Sit down and keep me company."
Emma gave the beautiful woman a small grin. She could tell Regina was upset, yet Emma still felt a certain amount of joy at having been invited to spend time with the businesswoman. She sat straight-backed on the bench, adopting the regal pose that her mother taught her from a young age.
"Ok, we're not at work Emma. You can loosen up. Relax."
"Be loose? I can be loose." Emma slouched a bit, resting her forearms on her thighs. "Better?"
"Much better," the brunette smiled. The smile was short-lived as her gaze wandered off to the snow covered plants in the lavish garden.
"Are you alright?" Emma saw the frown appearing on Regina's face.
"I'm fine. I just…I cannot believe what happened. Robin can be a presumptuous ass, but the nerve of him. He didn't ask me to marry him and I for one will not be told who i am going to marry. Not by my mother, Robin or anyone."
"I understand completely. Where I am from, arranged marriages are quite common. In my opinion, no one should get married out of obligation. If it's not love then…." Emma left the thought unfinished.
"You're right," Regina sighed. "I can't understand why I even considered dating Robin for as long as I did."
"I was wondering the same thing."
"I know my mother thinks he's perfect, hell he thinks he's perfect, but we are nothing alike. Our values are so different." Regina continued, not acknowledging Emma's response. "He made me so...I wanted to slap him, right there...instead I let it go till tomorrow. I know my mother would say to 'forgive him, give him another chance', that I'm being hotheaded. I know I've been one to snap at people, but...I told him that we're done. You don't think I'm overreacting do you?"
"I've noticed that the first response is usually the correct one, particularly when it's something this important."
"You are so easy to talk to," Regina smiled warmly, bumping shoulders with the still slouched blonde. "I honestly feel like I could tell you anything and you wouldn't mind." Emma kept her face neutral, ignoring the fireworks that were going off in her head at the brunettes compliment.
"Hey!" the backdoor opened to reveal Zelena with a champagne glass in her hand. "Emma, we need you back at the bar. Peoples glasses are getting empty."
Emma nodded, making a point to ignore the wink that Zelena gave her. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I completely forgot I was here in a professional capacity."
"Thanks you listening."
"Anytime," the blonde placed a light hand on Regina's shoulder. "Anytime Regina Mills."
"Oh and be careful, I think my sister is into you."
