I'm so sorry for taking so long to post this chapter, but I hope you enjoy it! Previously Neal found out about Belle and Gold's relationship and then so did the rest of Belle's office...

Chapter 10

Ruby dragged herself up the stairs to her apartment. After a lovely weekend with Dorothy in Boston she'd had to deal with a delayed return flight and then a broken down taxi on her way home from the airport. It was getting late and all she wanted was a hot shower and to curl up in bed with a good book.

Those thoughts flew out of her mind, however, the moment she opened the front door and saw Belle lying on the sofa, bundled up in blankets, a half eaten piece of toast on the coffee table and a book abandoned on the floor amidst a sea of tissues.

'Hey, what's wrong? Are you ok?' Ruby asked, dropping her bags and hurrying over to check on her housemate.

Belle shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. She'd been wondering throughout the afternoon if there comes a point when there are simply no tears left. When the body has physically run out. Because if so, she hadn't reached it yet, despite her best efforts.

'Has something happened? Is it your dad? Gold?'

Again Belle shook her head.

'Ok Belle you're starting to worry me now.'

Belle cleared her throat, which had been raw from hours of crying. 'People at work know about William,' she rasped.

Ruby gasped. 'Oh shit! But how? You've been hiding it so well.'

'Becky told everyone. Neal must have told her.'

'Neal?! How does Neal know?'

'He's William's son. He came here last night when - '

'Hold on! Neal Cassidy is William Gold's son?!'

Belle spent the next hour filling Ruby in on everything that had happened over the weekend. The whole situation sounded even more ridiculous when spoken out loud. She still couldn't believe it had actually happened.

'And now I don't know what to do. This job is my life and I'm so close to that promotion. I've worked my ass off.' Her head fell back against the armrest of the sofa. 'It's all so fucked up.'

Ruby reached for her friend's hand, providing a calmness Belle desperately needed. 'It will all turn out alright in the end. Technically you didn't do anything wrong right? Let people think what they want. Fuck them. You know the truth and that's all that matters.'

'I know, but that doesn't make me feel any better right now.'

'I know it doesn't. But it will eventually get better, I promise. Christmas is right around the corner and by January everyone will have forgotten about it, you'll see. You just have to stick it out a couple more weeks.'

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of Belle's phone on the coffee table. They both looked down and saw Gold's name light up on the screen.

'Does he know?' Ruby asked.

Belle shook her head. 'I don't think I can face him at the moment. He's got important business to tend to in California; I don't want to worry him.'

'Then don't answer. He's back tomorrow right? Take tonight for yourself and you can speak to him tomorrow in person with a clearer mind.'

Belle agreed and, as hard as it was for her to do, she turned the phone face down on the table. She'd text him before bed, tell him she wasn't feeling well, and invite him round for dinner the next day.

She and Ruby continued talking for a while longer before Ruby made them a light dinner and Belle had an early night, desperate for the day to be over, but equally dreading work the next morning, and more importantly Gold's reaction when she told him the news.

Belle awoke reluctantly the next morning, feeling like her head was about to split open. For a very brief second she thought that perhaps she'd gone out drinking the night before and had gotten so drunk that she couldn't remember. But then, as she started to wake more fully, the memories of the previous day came rushing back. She groaned and threw the blankets over her head, trying to hide from the alarm that had started to ring on her bedside table, alerting her to the fact that it was time to face the world. Taking a deep breath and gathering all the strength and determination she had she threw aside the blankets and got up. It would be easy to call in sick and hide in her apartment, but that would only add fuel to the rumour fire. She had to be strong and show her colleagues that she wouldn't let herself be dragged down. Ruby was right. They hadn't broken any rules - they'd checked - and people would eventually move on. Though she hated herself for it, Belle secretly hoped that a new scandal would soon break to distract everyone.

As to be expected, work was a struggle that day. Between the constant staring and poorly hidden whispers Belle had been sorely tempted to call it quits several times. But then her boss had brought her an important piece of work that needed to be completed and returned that same day, so that gave Belle something to focus on. She kept her head down and powered through until it was finished and she could leave. Neal was once again absent, though Belle was rather glad of that. Before she had a chance to work out what to say she didn't want to face him. Though, despite her anger at him, a small part of her couldn't help but worry whether something had happened to him. It was unlike him to miss work without reason. Then again his loudmouth girlfriend was still acting her usual self around the office, so Belle figured nothing too serious could be wrong with him.

The only highlight of Belle's day was a text message from Gold, telling her that he had returned to New York and was looking forward to their dinner. But then her thoughts turned to what she was going to tell him. She knew him well enough to know he'd try and blame himself, even though there was no reason to. She was just as much in the relationship as he was and it wasn't their fault that the secret had come out. Her biggest worry was how it would affect his relationship with Neal. Gold had been so excited when he'd returned from the cafe on Sunday and she didn't want their relationship to be jeopardised because of her. So maybe she shouldn't tell him that it was Neal's fault?

Oh, but she hated the idea of lying to him. Especially given that they had specifically promised to always be honest with each other following the Cora Mills magazine saga. But would it not be for the greater good?

With her thoughts in turmoil, Belle gave her boss the finished task and raced out of the office, stopping by a supermarket on the way home to pick up dinner supplies. She had decided on a bacon and mushroom risotto. Gold enjoyed cooking and under his guidance she'd had a chance to improve her culinary skills over the past five months. She drew the line at making a dessert though. Not after the cookie disaster on Sunday.

Making the risotto ended up being a much needed distraction and she took great care in following the recipe she'd found to the letter. The aromas rising out of the pot gave her an appetite for the first time in two days and she was so involved in her cooking that the ringing of the doorbell made her jump in surprise. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself for what was to come, she opened the door.

'Hello love,' Gold said, greeting her with a kiss. 'How are you feeling?'

'I'm ok. Dinner should be ready soon. How was your trip?' she asked as he followed her back into the kitchen.

'It was good. Productive. I think we might be able to go ahead with the purchase.'

'That's good,' Belle replied as she stirred the risotto. All of a sudden the worries and fears she'd managed to suppress whilst cooking came back full force. What am I supposed to tell him?!

Gold wrapped an arm around her from behind and presented her with a bag she hadn't noticed before. 'I hope this helps you feel better.'

The bag revealed a jar of expensive honey, her ultimate guilty pleasure. 'I'm told it's the sweetest honey in all of California,' he purred into her ear.

Belle turned in his arms, thanking him with a hug and burying her face in the crook of his neck as the tears threatened to fall again. He was so kind and sweet and she was so lucky to have him and that made the events of the past two days all the more upsetting. Why couldn't they just enjoy a nice quiet life together? Why did something always have to get in the way to ruin things? Tightening her arms around him, as if trying to lose herself in his embrace, she couldn't stop the sob that escaped.

Gold pulled back to see tears sliding down her beautiful cheeks. 'Sweetheart, what's wrong? Was it the wrong honey? I can get a different one - '

'The honey is perfect, thank you,' she mumbled, unable to look at him.

He gently lifted her chin. 'Then please tell me. You're scaring me.'

Looking into those eyes she loved so much she knew there was no way she could lie to him. 'People at work have found out about us.'

'Fuck.' Gold dropped his head and heaved a deep sigh. 'When?'

'Yesterday.'

'How?'

Belle hesitated. 'I - I don't know,' she said, focusing on the wall clock over his right shoulder.

But Gold saw straight through her lie. 'Belle, how did people find out?'

Instead of replying she dropped her eyes back to the floor. She couldn't do it. She couldn't lie to him. Not when he was looking at her with such worry in his eyes, with such love. But how was she supposed to tell him that it was most likely his own son who had betrayed them? The same son he'd spent year after year trying to reconnect with. Maybe if she just didn't reply then he'd stop asking.

'It was Neal wasn't it?'

Never mind.

Before Belle could respond Gold turned and stormed towards the front door.

'Where are you going?' She called after him.

'To speak to my son.'

She chased after him and reached for his arm before he passed through the threshold of the apartment. 'Please don't do this William. We don't know if it was him, and even if, it was probably an accident. Think about how far the two of you have come. Don't throw it all away because of this. It's not worth it.'

Gold stared at her for a moment, at the tears in her eyes, the worry lines on her forehead, the trembling of her lips. 'I'll be back soon.' He pulled his arm free and left the apartment.

Gold marched down the street towards Neal's apartment, almost shaking with rage. How dare Neal do this to them? To Belle? There was no excuse. None.

He caught the open door to the building as a couple left and climbed the steps to Neal's floor, going by the address he'd send his letter to, giving the front door a good bang when he found it.

'What the hell are you doing here?' Neal demanded when he opened the door and saw his father standing there. He looked like he'd been asleep and didn't have the energy to prevent Gold from barging in.

Gold turned to face his son, ready to unleash his fury, but faltered when he took a look at him. Neal looked terrible. His hair was messy, his clothes untidy, and Gold noticed the stale smell of alcohol and cigarettes hanging in the air. Clearly the news of his relationship with Belle had had a greater effect on his son than even he had anticipated. Losing some of his resolve he said slightly more calmly, 'We need to talk.'

Neal rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up. 'I'm not in the mood right now.'

'Why did you tell people about my relationship with Belle?! Because of you she is suffering at work and may miss out on the promotion she deserves.'

'Well maybe she should have thought of that before jumping into bed with you!'

'Things were going fine until you went and told your girlfriend. No one would have known.'

'Things were going fine in my life until you had to show up again! You know what? This is so typical. It's literally been a few days since you claimed you wanted to make amends and here we are, once again fighting over one of your women! You said you'd changed.'

'This isn't because Belle is my girlfriend! She's your best friend and you betrayed her. Do you have any idea the upset you've caused her?!'

'That's rich coming from you!'

Gold sighed, trying not to let this spiral into another argument. 'Neal, please. This isn't about you and me. This is Belle we're talking about. We both care deeply for her and she's suffering. Please just talk to her and apologise.'

Gold's request was met with silence but he saw the shift in Neal's eyes, the anger making way for guilt. Feeling that his point had been made he didn't wait for a verbal response before leaving the apartment.

Belle was angry.

No, scrap that. She was furious.

Not only with Gold for running after his son like that, but also with herself. Had she been more prepared she could have gone about the situation differently and spared the inevitable argument between father and son. She felt like it was her fault and she hated herself for it.

And where the hell was he anyway?! She had managed to clean the entire kitchen in anger while waiting for him to return, all while the meal she'd put so much effort into was going cold.

Not that she had much of an appetite anymore anyway. But that was beside the point.

She had just made a start on cleaning the living room when he finally returned, a good hour later. She silently opened the door for him and went back to dusting the bookshelves.

He dropped himself onto the sofa with a weary sigh. After leaving Neal's apartment he'd gone for a walk, making various phone calls along the way and trying to get his thoughts in order after this latest shock. 'I've spoken to my publicist about minimising press coverage. They're bound to catch wind of it, if they haven't already, so we need to be prepared for that.'

Silence.

'I've also spoken to Neal. I think he realises he was in the wrong. I'm hoping he'll apologise.'

Still no response.

'Belle are you listening?'

'Mhmm'

'Is something wrong?'

Belle scoffed and turned on him. 'How can you even ask that?! I am so mad at you right now. I've just had two of the worst days of my life, I may get fired this week and instead of comforting me you go running after the son you've only just reconnected with and jeopardise your relationship with him once again. And I feel like it's all my fault and I'm such a failure and I don't know how -'

Gold had risen from the sofa during Belle's rant and collected her into his arms. 'Oh Sweetheart, I'm so sorry. You're right, I should have stayed with you. Please know that none of this is your fault. I can promise you that,' he said as she broke down in tears again. 'It'll be ok.'

He lead her back to the sofa and continued to hold her until her shoulders had stopped shaking and her tears had subsided, whispering words of apology and reassurance all the while.

'Maybe we should release a statement? Clear everything up and put any rumours to rest?' he suggested a while later.

He felt her shake her head against his chest.

'It might help Belle.'

'That would only draw more attention to it. I'm so scared my boss will find out.'

'Belle we didn't do anything wrong. We checked. They can't fire you and they can't prevent your promotion based on rumours. Want me to talk to your boss?'

'No, please don't get involved. I'm hoping it'll all go away soon.'

Gold sighed. 'There must be something I can do? I feel helpless right now Belle.'

'Just stay here and hold me.'

He tightened his arms around her. 'Of course love.'

Comforting Belle may have helped to ease her worries, but it did nothing to lessen his feelings of guilt. It was his fault that Belle was suffering. Yet again.

There had to be something he could do.