Few days passed without one word exchanged between Regina and I, and I started to think she's avoiding me again. I kept looking at our messages, waiting for the reply that never arrived. My eyes flashed between her name on top and the last message I sent.
I can't believe I fell into her trap again. She's playing a dangerous game with me and I guardless.

I groaned from annoyance, and decided to leave my phone, and start to prepare to go out with Ruby and Elsa. I dropped my phone on my bed carelessly, and walked to the bathroom, washing my face, then applying some eyeliner and mascara. I was never one
of those kind of girls who spent hours with getting ready, so I was out in a minute. My eyes catched a small light on my bed, as I entered my dark room, and I grabbed my phone, checking if I got any messages.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Regina's name with bold letters. I wondered if I should open the message right away, or wait, but soon I got another, and I couldn't wait longer.

I need a ride Swan. -I read.

Can you pick me up at the hospital?- She asked, and I found myself smiling like a fool.

I think you said I'm not a taxi driver.- I texted back immediately, knowing this message will make her roll her eyes in annoyance. I love how flirting is so God damn easy with her.

Get your ass over here Swan. -She ordered me.

Call a cab Mills.- I responded, but I pulled my white tank top over my head, changing into black T-shirt, and skinny jeans knowing if she wouldn't want to see me, she'd just call a cab.

Five minutes later I found myself speeding towards the hospital in the darkness of the night. I parked in front of emergency exit, taking care not to block the way of ambulance cars.

She waited in front of the entrance, in her small black denim jacket, and a red dress that hugged her curves at the most perfect places. I chuckled as I opened my car's door, looking over the beautiful brunette.

"Next time just tell me we're going on a date." I winked, and stepped next to her. She chuckled but there was something about her smile that showed sadness. She tacked a lock of her hair behind her ear. She never does that, except if she's feeling a bit
nervous.

"My car is at the garage." She explained herself, and I smiled widely, knowing I have the power over the situacion. "Besides, you're too easy to make a fool of." She laughed, and walked down the pavement towards my car. Here, I lost the control already.

"You can forget my ride." I groan, and walk after her.

She stops immediately, turning to face me. She smiles seductively, and takes a step closer to me.

"What if I say Henry is staying at my sister's tonight, and I might have a glass of my famous apple cider for my favorite 'absolutely not taxi driver'?" She asks, and I can't hold back to soft chuckle.

"You won't get me drive you home anytime you need a ride." I walk around her, and open the front door for her.

"Only this time?" She smiles softly, and gives a kiss on my cheek as she gets into my car.

I walk around my car, and hop on the driver's seat.

"How good is that cider?" I groan, before I start the car.

"The best." She husks sexily, and leans in to kiss the corner of my lips. My lips curl into a smile, and try to lean in for a real kiss, but she pulls away, and smirks.

"Seriously?" I groan, and she laughs sweetly. She's smiling a lot but something is up, I can sense it, she's sad.

"Drive me home Swan." She orders in a dry tone that will drive me crazy one day.

"Where's home?" I sigh, and start the car.

"Forest Glen." She replies, smiling in front of herself, when my mouth hang open.

"You're kidding me." I state and laugh, but start my car and drive towards my destination.

She's beautiful, smart, successful, a good mother, and rich as well?

Half an hour later I parked my car in front of a house that reminded me of my first foster home. I spent the good part of my childhood there alongside 4 other foster kids I barely remember anymore. I often try to recall their names and faces, but it's
all blurred somehow. I looked up at the tall white house with porches at the front, while Regina searched for her keys.

She walked up the stairs and opened the front door. I stood nervously behind her, waiting for permission to go in. She smiled over her shoulder, sensing my tenseness, and walked in first, holding the door for me.

I looked around carefully, taking attention to every detail. The front door opened to a hall, which lead to a huge opened space, probably the dining area and the living room. The walls were mainly white and blank. No pictures, no decoration. I have no
idea how I imagined her house, but I guess I just thought it would me more vivid. More full of life. I mean, Regina is so full of passion, I thought she'd hang at least some pictures of her family. Henry's shoes layed next to the door all mixed which
made me smile, just imagining how Regina orders him to put them in order. Henry might got more characteristics from his father, then Regina cause I can't recall one time when she or her work wasn't all neat and perfect.

"Is it how you imagined?" She asked with a soft chuckle, while I hang my red leather jacket, and took my shoes off.

"Who said I've ever imagined your house?" I smirked, and I could see the smile forming on her face as well.

"Yeah right, you only imagined my bed." She groaned, and took off her shoes. I followed her lead to the living room and we settled on the couch, facing each other. Her red dress just glowed on the gray couch, and I smiled how comfortable she is with clothing
like this. She never looks less than fabolous.

She poured a glass of cider, and placed it in front of me on the coffee table. Then she poured one for herself as well, holding to her red lips immediately, while crossing her legs. I feel like she's teasing me with each and every move she takes.

"So, how do you like it?" She inquired, taking a long sip from her cider, leaving a bit of her red lipstick on the glass.

"It's amazing." I admit, after lifting the glass to my lips and tasting the sweet liquor.

"Told you." She chuckled, and her smile was priceless. Her huge, toothy grin that showed true happiness. But her eyes soon wondered away, and her smile faded.

"So, why are we here?" I asked, not to be rude, just from pure curiousness. What changed so quickly?

"I thought you wouldn't mind talking a bit in private." She shrugged innocently.

"Talk?" I chuckled. "Regina, you don't do talk." I say, and she smiles guiltyly.

"I know. I guess I don't." She laughs. "But I'd like to hear about you. Tell me about yourself." She asked softly, then took another long sip from her drink while I watched her carefully, trying to read her.

"You want to get to know me?" I asked back, uncertain about her behaviour.

"I should. If we keep doing... what we're doing." She says.

"What are we doing?" I asked back one more time, sitting an inch closer to her.

"You know exactly what are we doing." She groaned, and I could sense something is wrong this time. It wasn't her typical 'I'm annoyed with you' groan.

"Tell me about yourself?" She asked once more, and I chuckled softly.

"Anything for you." I sighed.

"So, where did you grow up? Have you got any siblings?" She asked, and layed her back against the armrest, lifting both of her legs into my lap comfortably.

"I grew up here, in Chicago, being tossed around between several different foster families. I have no siblings. I'm kind of a loner I guess." I said. "What about you? Where did you grow up?" I asked back.

"I got to move around a lot because of my parent's jobs. I was born in California, then we moved to Brooklyn when I was about Henry's age, that's where I spent most of my childhood. We spent a few years in Washington, one in London, and two in Paris.
Then we finally settled in a tiny town not too far from here. Then of course I spent a few years in Boston because of university."

"Harvard?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow almost in disbelief.

"My parents were quite strict about the future they imagined for me." She stated, with no emotions showing on her face.

"I presumed." I smiled.

"So you've never left Illinois?" She questioned.

"I've never left Chicago." I admit with a sad smile. She breathes in slowly, and I close my eyes for a second. How did I even think she'd like me? "Welcome to my tiny world." I say, and force a smile on my face.

"Welcome to mine." She answers softly, sadness completely taking over her face.

"Regina... Is everything okay? You are different. Calling me for a ride, taking me to your place, talking? And... to be honest I can sense you're sad about something." I ask, while she removes her legs from my lap, and tucks them under herself.

"It's fine if you would like to continue in my bedroom." She shrugs, with a sad chuckle.

"I don't. I mean, you know me." I chuckle softly, which makes her smile for a brief second. "But I can sense something is off and I'm here if you'd like to talk about it." I say softly.

"I just had a bad day." She shrugs. "Henry isn't home, and I just wanted... needed company." She added, avoiding eye contact.

"Well I'm glad you texted me." I smile, and reach for her hand, to comfort her at least with a bit with a friendly touch. "So... Would you like to talk about it?" I ask softly, and she closes her eyes, shaking her head. "It's okay. I understand. We all
have those days." I whisper and give a kiss on her cheek, before bringing her into a hug.

"I..." She breathed out slowly. I could feel the little puff of air on my skin as she buried her face into my neck. We stayed like that for a few second, then she pushed me away gently, and drank the rest of her cider all at once.

"Woah Regina just... slow down." I say, when she reached for the bottle to pour some more cider into her glass.

She poured her second glass anyway, and took another sip before she laid her back against the sofa, staring in front of herself.

"She was just five." She stated, and my eyes closed for a second. I know what's coming. "Her father was drunk. He got away with a few scratches, but I couldn't save her." She explained, and kept her eyes closed. "I fought for her life for four hours and
at the end I couldn't do a thing Emma..." She said, anger burning her eyes while she tried to fight her tears.

I know how she feels now. It's unfair. Heartbreaking. She's thinking what else could she do to save her? What if she was quicker? Did she really take attention to everything? Did she do everything correctly? I sat closer to her, so our shoulders could
touch, and I reached for her.

"You did your best." I state, bringing her hand to my lips for a quick kiss. She smiles, but her eyes are faded, and full of tears.

I could hear she's breathing in sharply.

"I hate how small I feel time to time." She says. "Like it doesn't matter how much I do, I won't ever be able to make a difference."

"You can't save everyone Gi.. Regina." I say softly, and turn to face her.

"He used to call me Gina." She explained, inhaling deeply, then looking into my eyes, as a tear left the corner of her eyes, and ran down her left cheek.

"I'm sorry. I won't call you that again." I say, closing my eyes, hoping I didn't ruin it again, and she won't kick me out, just after making some sort of progress in getting to know eachother better.

She reaches for her glass and dranks all of her cider in it one more time.

"Regina, I don't think getting drunk will help." I say, and grab the bottle to put it on the other side of the table so she couldn't reach it.

She breaths in, and out slowly, locking eyes with me. Her beautiful chocolate eyes are full of pain. I hate to see her so sad. But I could also see longing which was probably caused by her strong cider. Her eyes glanced on my lips several times. We weren't
that close but I could feel the tension, and I have no idea what are we waiting for. I smile when I realize she's waiting for me to make the first move. She cleared her throat and wiped off her tears.

I smile at her widely knowing she wanted me here for comfort. I looked down, and she must moved fast because before I knew it her lips were firmly pressed against mine, as she had both of her hands cupping my face. It was different this time. It wasn't
just attraction. It was full of emotions, she probably held back before. Maybe I finally broke down one of her walls. In a second she pushed me down on the couch, pressing her body to my front, pinning me down. I could still feel the wet tears on
her cheeks, and it broke my heart. I let her warm tongue slip into my mouth without even thinking, and I let out a soft moan as her warm tongue touched with mine.

I run my right hand through her thick, raven locks, while my left hand wonders down her side, to her hips, then back on her back. I could never get enough of her perfect body.

She stopped kissing me, and stood up, holding out her hand, to help me up.

"Are you sure?" I whispered, closing the gap between us, our lips brushing. "I don't want to..." I started, but she cuts me off with a needy kiss.

"I need this Emma." She whispers back, and rests her forehead against mine for a second, before she pulls me towards the stairs.