Regina arrived back to her empty apartment a few hours later and started unpacking. She was not happy at all with the way Robin had made her feel so unwanted and unimportant. A part of her wanted to go out and find the first person she could get her hands on just so she didn't have to be alone. She wanted to show him she was desirable and deserved more than just a sham marriage. She didn't go through with it though as she knew it was petty and if she was honest, she couldn't stand the idea of being intimate with someone she didn't know. It had been almost 4 months now since they were last together physically. It had gotten to the point where she just accepted that and whenever they did actually meet up, it was a big fuss over nothing, but she craved intimacy so badly and her body was crying out to feel the touch of another. It would be so easy to call Graham. She'd turned him down many a time but there was just no chemist for her. Their on screen romance was purely that on her behalf. It just made her cringe to think about being with him. She didn't see the attraction and she honestly thought it was because she only had eyes for Robin.

When they'd met, she hadn't really found him attractive but over time, working together so closely and the familiarity between them had slowly turned into something else. They had never been shy about their off screen romance in front of the media and in a way, Regina knew that was partly to blame for their rush to get married. Neither of them were particularly ready to do so and had said that if it were to happen, it would be a private affair. That, of course, was not what happened and ever since, that had been trying to live up to the ideal romance they had played so well on screen. That's why Regina was weary of dating other actors. She knew how easy it was to hide behind the character. She knew she had done it too and it just felt so fruitless, so unsatisfying.

Regina slipped out of her travel outfit and into yoga pants and a t-shirt. She was sick to death of playing the part of smitten wife or girlfriend both on and off screen. She was ready for a new role although what that entailed, she still wasn't sure.

...

Emma got back to Ruby's and let herself in. She figured she'd make the girl coffee at least to say thanks for lending her the car and as life assurance. While she waited for the pot to brew, she looked at her phone for the first time in a while. Her internet hadn't been connect for some reason. She figured she'd turned it off with her butt or something and switched it back on. No sooner had it connected, her phone began spitting out thousands of notifications. "What the fuck?" She shouted. "Hey Rubes, I think there's a virus on my phone! What the hell is going on? I swear I'm gonna be so pissed if it's fried."

Ruby groaned and came out of the bedroom clutching her head. "Why are are shouting? Do you have a death wish?"

"Seriously what is going on with my phone?" She handed it over to the grouchy brunette and began pouring the coffee out.

"Woah! That isn't a virus! That's you getting famous bitch!"

"What?"

"What did you post last night?"

"I didn't post... oh..."

"What oh?"

"Regina tagged me singing on her story saying 'someone sign this woman' but I totally forgot."

Ruby perked up instantly. "Sounds like you owe the lady a hell lot more than a drink dude! She just gave you an in!" She took out her own phone and clicked open the app to see what was going on. "How many followers did you have yesterday?"

Emma scrunched up her face trying to remember. "Uhm about 400 I think."

Ruby laughed. "Babe that's pathetic, you do know that right?"

Emma rolled her eyes back. "I'm crap with these things as you never fail to tell me."

"Guess how many you have now."

Her eyes widened. "I don't know. 500?"

"Pffft! Try again!"

"600?"

"Dude... how many followers does Regina have?"

Emma blushed. "Uhm about 50 million."

Ruby grinned. "Sorry to tell you babe but your phone isn't gonna be working for a pretty long time. You've got over 100k followers and rising, you jammy bitch!"

Emma tried to digest what Ruby was telling her. She looked at the image of her profile and sure enough, Ruby was not lying. "No fuckin way!"

"I'm totally calling in sick tonight! We need to celebrate!"

"Celebrate what? It's just Instagram. It's not like I got signed or anything."

"Not yet baby girl.."

After about an hour, Emma was finally able to get into her phone. She switched off the notifications so she could actually use it again and checked through some of the comments. There were so many amazing comments from people saying how much they loved her music, how beautiful she was and asking where they could buy her tunes. She checked her Twitter and again, there were almost 100k followers. She couldn't believe it.

Emma sent a text to Regina.

E: Wanted to say thank you for that tag. I'm at 100k followers!

She typed a kiss but deleted it.

R: That's brilliant! I'm so happy for you. You deserve it though. No thanks needed. Maybe we can celebrate over champagne when you finally get that deal. X

Emma giggled. She didn't know what she was more thrilled about, that Regina really thought she would get signed or the kiss on the end.

E: I'm starting to believe that could actually be a possibility. Watch out, my head might explode from trying to contain my ego! X

She nervously sent the last one.

R: You should believe it! It's crazy isn't it? To know that many people are interested in what you're doing. I think you needed an ego boost! X

E: It's flattering. I'm reading some of the comments on that crappy video and it's just mind blowing. X

Emma's phone started ringing and her heart went to her throat.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself! I thought you could do with a proper chat. It's a pretty big deal hitting your first hundred."

"You're telling me! Ruby basically just quit her job thinking I owe her something for borrowing the car!"

"She didn't!"

"No, but she is calling in sick. How was your flight?"

"Uneventful. I said I'd call you when I got back safe and sound. I just finished unpacking."

"Oh sorry if you're busy, we can.."

"Emma, I called you dear! Now, I think you should post a teaser of that song you played last night." Regina pulled her knees up under her and got comfortable on her couch.

"Which one?"

"If I Were Your Lover."

Emma blushed. "I can't post that one!"

"Why ever not?" Regina grinned into the phone. "I found it quite intriguing."

Emma was silent for a while. "It's too, uhm, I just think it's too personal."

"You played it last night."

"Yeah but that was a small crowd. I don't think I'm ready for that amount of people to hear it."

"Worried that it will get played by the wrong person, or should I say, the right one?"

Emma blushed again. "If Kil hears it.."

"Oh, of course! Say no more! I forgot you are in a complicated situation. Well what about the other one? Paralyzed is it?"

Emma grinned so hard. It made her feel so special that Regina knew so many of her songs. "Yeah I could do a little teaser of that. You really are a bit of a fan aren't you!"

"Told you so! Good music always sticks in my head. Now Ruby has the day off, she could help you film it."

"I think you're right! Thanks Regina. I'm gonna go get that done now! Speak to you soon."

Regina pouted down the phone. She wasn't ready to cut short their conversation but she was excited to see Emma's post. "Any time dear. Good luck!"

Emma clicked off the phone and gathered up her stuff. "Rubes, I'm heading down to the studio. Gonna do a teaser of a song for a post. Wanna come and film it for me?"

Ruby clapped her hands together excitedly. "Yes! Let me just grab my camera."

The pair headed off to the studio excitedly. As they walked Emma spoke. "I think I'm gonna do it on the piano. What do you think?"

Ruby squealed. "I love it! I have heard you play for so long!"

They got to the studio and Emma gave it a go on the piano. Ruby was stunned. "Emma, I think I like it even better than the band version. It sounds so dark and you can really hear the tone of your voice without you screaming. Can I record it now?"

Emma stretched out her hands and rolled her shoulders back. "Yup, let's do this!"

Ruby made her play the song four times. The first time, she held the camera steady and filmed from a distance. The second time, she filmed a close up of Emma's face. The third, just her hands playing and the last time, she filmed from a side view. "This is going to be awesome! I'm gonna edit this up properly before you post it babe. But I'm crediting myself just so you know!" She winked and Emma laughed.

"Alright Rubes. Thanks a million."

"That's what I'm aiming for!"

Ruby dropped Emma back off at her apartment and drove off. Emma wasn't looking forward to seeing Killian after everything that had happened in the past 24 hours. She already felt a heaviness in her stomach as she turned the key in the lock.

"What bloody time do you call this?" Killian fumed before Emma had even closed the door.

"Oh don't start Kil. I told you I was crashing at Ruby's."

"You could have at least called! I've been worried sick all night and then you swan in at 4 p.m. like it's nothing!"

Emma put her guitar case down and smoothed her hand through her hair. "I was busy. I had that gig then I got sidetracked. You never call when you go out and I don't screw at you the next day. You're being ridiculous."

"I'm being ridiculous? I'm the one paying everything around here and you just do what the bloody hell you please! You have zero consideration for how I might feel and can't even be bothered to let me know where you are! How much did you spend last night, hmm? Or doesn't it matter seeing as it's my fucking money!"

Killian was in a vile mood. She knew he only played the money argument when he really wanted to make her feel guilty. Normally it worked but she had gotten to the point where she was beginning to see through his manipulations. "I didn't spend anything. I was working for Christ's sake! I actually got paid so if you're that concerned..." She took out her purse and pulled the wad of notes out, throwing them in his direction. "..here! Take the fucking lot of it!"

Killian was turning red with anger and shaking. It scared her to see this side of him and she regretted throwing the money in his face. "You are a selfish, ungrateful bitch! You think throwing a couple of hundred dollar bills my way is gonna smooth things over?"

Emma huffed and grabbed her own car keys. "You know what, I can't deal with this right now." She was about to leave but she needed to say something. "You just can't stand to think I can actually have any fun or any social life without you! I was having a great day until now. It's like everytime I'm happy, you want to rip me to pieces. I'm sick of you trying to control me. I'm going out to clear my head."

She opened the door and as she was heading out she heard him shout. "Yeah that's right Emma! Run off back to your lesbian friends and tell them how much of an asshole I am."

She slammed the door and ran off down the stairs. She was crying by the time she reached the bottom step and slumped down on it. She loved him so much but he was so cruel to her. She hardly ever went out anymore and she'd cut off so many friendships to make him feel secure. She'd tried her best to keep him happy and avoid any topics that would cause him any discomfort. It wasn't fair how he was behaving. She hadn't done anything wrong for a very long time and to keep throwing it back in her face whenever she went out or spent time with Ruby wasn't healthy or productive. Her mind and heart were torn. Right now, she hated him so much and was about ready to leave for good but she was terrified of what that would mean.