Dinner was amazing. Emma couldn't remember the last time she had a home cooked meal. Regina prepared lasagna, apparently, she only baked it on special occasions.
Emma was currently following Regina to her home office when she stated;
"Thanks for fixing me dinner. I know usually, bosses don't do that"
"Well, I'm more than just your boss Emma. I own you" Regina stated. She turned her head towards Emma while walking and winked at her. "It's my job to take care of you, my pet"
Emma blushed. Every time Regina called her that she would become extremely embarrassed. Yet, at the same time her heart leaped for joy, shivers ran down her back, and she found herself grinning like a fool.
Emma tried to pay attention to the home. From what she'd seen so far, this house was beautifully decorated. Everything looked super expensive. So far she's seen the kitchen, the dining room, the reading room, the family room, the guest bathroom, and now, she was headed toward Regina's home office. All of this was located on the first floor.
"Emma, Come in and sit down. Make yourself at home" Regina stated as crossed the room and sat behind her desk. Emma did as instructed and awaited what Regina had to say. "To begin, I have a few questions"
"Okay"
"I need to be able to reach you, do you have a phone?"
Emma shook her head. A bit embarrassed. She couldn't afford a cell phone. "No"
Regina smiled. She opened one of her desk drawers and pulled out a box with a picture of an IPHONE on the top. She pushed it over to Emma.
"I can't accept this" Emma shook her head.
"Sure you can. I need to be able to reach you at all times and you don't have a phone. Besides, it's not a request that you accept it, it's an order"
Emma sighed, she didn't want Regina to give her a gift she didn't earn, but at the same time, she didn't want to seem ungrateful, so she smiled. "Thank-you"
"You're welcomed. I programmed my cell number, my landline, my office number at City Hall-"
"You work at City Hall?" Emma couldn't help but ask. She wanted to know all there was to know about her employer.
"Of course, I am the Mayor of this town"
"Really?" Emma questioned in disbelief. Regina was amazing. She was beautiful, and successful. Two things that Emma only wished she was. The day Regina called her beautiful, Emma tried her hardest to ignore and forget. She wasn't beautiful. Regina was only saying that to be nice.
"Yes. Now, When are you finishing school?"
"Um...My last day is Friday, and then Graduation is next Monday, but I'm not participating in Graduation..."
"May I ask why not?"
Emma shrugged. "I don't...I really would prefer to skip it. I don't want to see any of those people ever again, to be honest" Emma stated looking down at the iPhone box. "Being in Foster care...school has never been a good place for me..." She traced the edge of her box with her phone. She was sure she sounded pathetic to Regina who was probably valedictorian, voted most popular, prom queen, and most likely to succeed, while she was in high school. "I just really don't want to talk about it right now" Emma admitted. Mostly to herself, but Regina got the message.
"I understand" Regina stated placing her hand on top of Emma's. "Final question, you may so no, you may say yes. Neither answer will be held against you, okay?" Regina questioned.
Emma nodded.
"Would you like to move in today? You wouldn't have to start work until next Monday. I can show you your room, I can show you the town, or we can get to know each other better. Next Monday, you'll start working, and then the following Wednesday we can begin easing you into the role of my pet" Regina stated with a warm smile.
Emma bit her lip. "Um" She sighed. She wanted more than anything to move in. There was just one problem. "What about your husband? What would he say?"
Again Regina's face changed at the mention of her husband. Emma thought she was just imagining it last time, but this time, she was sure there was something up with Regina and her husband. "Trust me, Emma, you don't have to worry about him. I'm sure he'll turn up tomorrow morning" She stated while looking straight ahead. She wasn't really looking at Emma, more like through her. "Look, I want you, Emma, nothing would make me happier at the moment than you moving in today" Regina stated with such honestly. It made Emma warm and happy inside. "What do you say?"