AN: Perhaps fancy restaurants and Belle are not the best match….


Chapter 11: Progress?

Belle was waiting outside her house for Mr. Gold's car to arrive. She would be picked up around eight and taken to one of the nicest restaurants in town. Belle was slightly nervous; she was worried about her dress not being classy enough and about table manners as well, remembering only too clearly Mr. Gold's glee at those of his ex-wife and her husband. A neighbor was walking her dog, an old golden retriever, and began to chat with her. They discussed her date—was it a date?—their work and the dog's health.

"Wow, Belle, is that it?" she pointed at a shiny black limousine that slowly turned around the corner.

"No, it can't be…. I'm sure it's in the wrong street…" she answered. Surely he wouldn't have?

"Well, sweetie, it seems to be stopping…" her grey-haired neighbor replied, with a wink and smiling eyes. "Enjoy your youth while you can dear!" she said in encouragement as Belle hesitantly entered the car.

The ride was very odd to say the least. Belle had never set foot in a limo before. It made her highly uncomfortable, although it was very nice. She made some pictures with her battered cell phone, otherwise no-one would believe her!


Gus was drinking his money away in a shady bar. Mr. Gold had generously offered a little job for him. He was to find his way into the warehouses where the drugs were supposedly stored. Preferably through some of his friends or acquaintances. If he could manage to secure himself a place as one of the ladies' employees, or rely on someone to let him and a few others inside the building, he would be richly rewarded. More than royally, Mr. Gold had said. He might even be able to retire on it, should he live carefully. Gus grinned. Like that was going to happen!

One of his drinking buddies approached him. "This isn't your usual spot?" he asked.

"Didn't you use to work for one of those warehouses…? The ones that are on the city's demolition list?" Gus wasn't very subtle about it…

"Yeah, yeah… I was fired. Too interested in the merchandise…" his friend laughed, displaying the gaps in his mouth where once teeth had resided. Gus laughed along. He knew that his friend would soon start bragging. All he had to do was listen and learn….

As the evening progressed, Gus knew who to approach for a job at the warehouse. Apparently the ladies weren't very hands-on about the everyday running of things as they were more interested in the public image of themselves. As sponsors of various causes they'd be plastered on promotional materials and generally had the best seats at events, however, the actual work was done by their right hand man, George, also known as The King. Ruthless and smart, greedy and dishonorable, yet extremely loyal to his two employers. Gus would have a word with him, tomorrow or the day after, but tonight… Tonight was for drinking.


Mr. Gold waited for Belle on the curb, outside of the restaurant. When she finally appeared, she took his breath away. He'd only ever seen her in her maid's uniform and the clothes she wore at the interview; nothing that could have prepared him for this. The silky black—or was it dark grey—tight dress suited her perfectly. A tiny bow, almost like it was tied, connected two halves on one shoulder, whereas the other was bare, apart from a tattoo. Mr. Gold peered at it in a stolen glance, but couldn't make out what it was. It was too delicate too make out the words underneath, but pretty visisble as a whole nevertheless.

"My dear Belle, how was the ride?" he asked as he offered her his hand to get out of the car.

"Amazing and very surreal.." she replied. She seemed a bit shy as she looked up at him and the place she had been taken to. "Like this.." Belle gestured at the restaurant. "I feel like Cinderella at the ball…."

"So you want to leave at midnight?" he quipped. "Or do I resemble Prince Charming?"

"At least you're not a frog," she blurted out.

"Mixed fairy tales, my dear…."

He took her arm as they entered the softly lit dining palace. Mr. Gold had reserved a place on the balcony overseeing the fountain in the garden.

"This is a lovely view. How did you arrange all this in one afternoon?" she asked, a little stunned.

"Let's just say, I'm well connected. Or you could also say that if this were sports, I own a season ticket. I eat here all the time so they're pretty familiar with my face…" As an afterthought he added: "and tips."

"So this is what I am competing against when I make your meals?" Belle wondered. She was pleased that she was here, yet startled that he—quite likely—would be comparing her food to that of some chef in a three-star-restaurant.

"Your meals are prepared with… dare I say it?...love whereas these meals are prepared with the best ingredients but may lack.. a more personal touch," he answered diplomatically.

Belle laughed. "Nice save, mister!"

"Belle, perhaps you could call me by my name tonight? We're here as… at least not as employer and employee." He was just a little too shy to call it a date, in case she wouldn't want to call it that. He had framed it as an celebratory—my ex will no longer bother me—dinner after all.

"You'll have to tell me then," she replied, looking into his eyes. They were very warm and sensual she suddenly noticed.

"Yes, about that… I don't really like it much myself, although the meaning is quite nice…"

"Surely it can't be that bad…" She was curious now.

"It's a bit of a classic name, I guess," he said, "Rupert."

"That's alright, isn't it? I thought it would be something awful like Bunny or something…" Belle started to laugh a little too loudly—blasted nerves— which caused a few heads to turn and whisper. She didn't pay any attention to it but Mr. Gold did. "So what does it mean anyway?" she asked.

"Bright fame, or shining."

"That's pretty cool. Just like you were my knight in shining armor with Gus. Gaston actually. That's funny, I guess, I do tend to date men with fancy names…" She started giggling pretty loud again and Mr. Gold, Rupert, became even more embarrassed.

"Belle!" he chided her, although her use of the word date gladdened his heart.

"Sorry, I'm sorry, I'm nervous. I've never been to a place like this before and all the rules and stuff…" she hiccupped, looking miserable and embarrassed as well.

Just when Mr. Gold thought it couldn't get any worse, a waiter approached them carrying some sort of cloth? "Excuse me, sir, madam…" he began. "I've been asked to provide a stole for the lady. We have a no tattoo policy here." He handed Belle the black shawl and walked away before they could protest.

Belle was dumbfounded and Rupert was angry and upset. This was not the perfect evening that he had planned or imagined. Belle seemed put off and they hadn't even ordered yet.

He made a rapid decision. "What do you say about us getting out of here?" he whispered as he bowed forward.

"Gladly," she replied as she stood up and dumped the scarf on the seat.

"Grab a burger somewhere?" Rupert suggested.

"Yes please!" Belle grinned as they walked out of the beautiful surroundings.

"You must let me have a closer look at that tattoo sometime…" he teased her.

Belle giggled again. "Be warned though; it is in fact hideous…."

They ducked into the limo and went in search of lesser food and surroundings, yet feeling far more comfortable.


AN: Thanks for the reviews!