Chapter 4: Tale as Old as Time
StoryBrooke, Maine, Boston
Mr Gold twirled the delicate, china teacup between his fingers as he walked into the back of his small, treasured filled shop; sooner or later the residents of StoryBrooke would come in search of their belongings and will seek either revenge or answers to their unasked questions.
He placed the teacup on the soft, plush pillow that was upon his desk as the memories of the brunette, brown eyed beauty went through his mind, he sighed as he was a fool back then to believe that someone as innocent, sweet and kind as Belle could fall in love with something as dark, evil and heartless as himself.
Gold quickly gripped the edges of his desk, he wouldn't let the tears fall… he couldn't. A dark, cold snarl escaped from his throat as the dark and evil laughter of both Regina and King Maurice rang through his ears as the image of Belle throwing herself from the tower window replayed within his mind. He yelled in frustration, throwing the papers that scattered across his desk onto the floor and it that moment of pure agony, anger and complete frustration – Mr Gold started to attack the glass cabinet, smashing anything and everything in his path.
Before he could do further damage to the cabinet, as if it sent out a small, quiet signal for help to the outside world; the shop doorbell jiggled as someone came into the shop, he could hear the footsteps walking around the shop and it suddenly stopped; Gold rolled his eyes, expecting it to be Regina- the witch bitch Queen but Mayor of StoryBrooke.
Was she expecting to make another deal after the stunt she pulled with Moe French, he wasn't that stupid.
Taking a deep breath, Mr Gold walked out of his office; his eyes scanned the shop for any sign of Regina- when he seen no sign of her, he then turned curious as to who was in fact in his shop.
Walking closer to the counter, a small smile came upon his face as he seen a petty tall, skinny figure of an unknown long, dark brunette haired girl who's back was facing him – he then noticed that she was looking at the teapot set that was across from the shop's counter, Mr Gold stopped to lean on his cane.
"Can I help you there, dearie?"
…
Bella walks into the Pawn shop, smiling as she took in the sight of it; she walks in between the aisles until she came to the shop's counter, she was about to take a look at the books that were displayed but the teapot set that was sitting upon the cupboard across from the counter got her attention quickly. Bella then picked up one of the teacups, she couldn't help but get the feeling that they belonged to her; she then was brought into a slight daydream.
"You will serve me my meals and you will clean the dark castle." Mr Creepy's voice ordered, as Bella felt herself nod.
"I… I understand." Bella replied, she then noticed that she was dressed in a gown made of the finest silk, it felt like it was nothing but a second skin to her.
"You'll dust collection and launder my clothing." He adds on top of her chore list, as Bella nods while she is pouring him a cup of teacup, in the teacup she held. "You'll fetch me fresh straw when I'm spinning at the wheel."
"Got it." Bella replied, nodding as she picks up the teacup and heads towards him.
"Oh!" He says as if he remembered something else to add. "And you will skin the children I hunt for their pelts."
Bella instantly drops the teacup, gasping as she looks towards Mr Creepy as if she didn't expect to do that; he then gave his annoying but adorable laugh, which she looked at him in confusion.
"That one was a quip." He mutters, staring at her, smiling at her shocked face. "Not serious."
Bella then gives a small laugh before muttering "Right," then looks down at the ground, picking up the fragile now chipped teacup. "Oh… Oh my, I'm so sorry – but it's chipped, you… You hardly see it."
"Well, it's just a cup."
Bella then smiles at him while decides to bring the tray closer to him, she then starts to pour him a new cup of tea into another teacup.
"Can I help you there, dearie?"
Bella was brought out of her slight daydream as her body instantly froze at the sound of the man's voice – he sounded exactly like the man from her dreams – how can that even be possible?
Her grip then slackened on the teacup, as they both watched it fall to the ground, chipping it around the edge, Bella bent down to pick up the teacup.
"I'm so sorry," She spoke as she turned around to face the man. "It's… It's broken, if you have some super-glue, I'm shall I can fix it so no one would know the difference."
The man then picked up the chipped pieces but when his eyes landed onto Bella, he instantly dropped the teacup, shattering it completely; Bella quickly jumped away from the counter as she felt a little awkward about the man, who came out from behind the counter – reaching out to touch her as if to see if she was real or not.
"Belle?" He whispered as he pulled her into a tight but loving embrace, somehow Bella couldn't help but feel as if she belonged in this odd man's arms – she just met the guy and she already thinks she belongs to him?
"Um, no." Bella replied, as she removed herself from him putting at least an arm's length between them. "My name's not Belle its Bella, Bella Swan."
The weird man gave her a small, sweet yet sad smile – Bella's eyebrows knitted together in both curiosity and confusion. "This might sound a little weird," Bella adds, making the man this time arch an eyebrow. "But I can't help the feeling that I know you from somewhere."
"It gets like that," He replies smiling, as he holds out his hand for Bella to shake. "I'm Mr Gold."
Bella shook the man's hand, nodded at his reply but she couldn't help herself from that feeling that there was more behind then what he was telling her, her brown eyes scanned the shop and then they finally landed back onto the counter where the broken pieces of the teacup laid.
"Again," Bella sighs, wondering how much just that little teacup cost. "I'm very sorry about the teacup, I'll pay for it."
Mr Gold just waved her offer away, shrugging. "It's just a cup."
Bella froze again, looking into the dark eyes of Mr Gold; who was looking back at her with slight confusion or was that mockery?
"Do I honestly know you?" Bella demanded as she folding her arms across her chest with her body tensed.
"No, you don't." Gold replied, with a small sigh. "But you will… In due time"
Once again Bella's eyebrows knitted together in confusion or pure curiosity, who was this man? Why could she be so comfortable with him?
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You know," Mr Gold said as he leaned up against the counter, changing the subject abruptly. "You never did answer my question before."
"And you're avoiding mine," Bella taunted, not back down but when she knew she wasn't getting an answer from him anytime soon – she sighed and relaxed a little. "Are you quite sure you don't want me to pay for the broken teacup?"
"Yes, dearie," Mr Gold replied, as he patted her hand gently. "I'm sure."
"At least let do something in return," Bella protested "Anything."
"Anything?"
Bella nodded, then waited – she was sure she could see the wheels turn inside his mind – he then looked at her and smiled.
"Tell you what," Mr Gold replied, smiling as he leaned towards Bella. "You don't have to pay for the damaged teacup, I won't allow it – but you can make up for it by being the caretaker of my shop."
"Wait," Bella replied, looking confused. "You're… You're giving me a job?"
"Yes, if you'll have it."
"But why?" Bella muttered as her eyes widen with curiosity "I mean, how can you know that I'm trustworthy with your shop?"
"Let's just say, I have a way of knowing who to trust and who to stay away from."
Bella nodded, she stood there for a few minutes going through the pros and cons of taking Mr Gold's offer of becoming his shop's caretaker.
"You got yourself a deal, Mr Gold."
"Excellent," Mr Gold smiled as he lightly clapped his hands together. "You can start now."
Later that night, after Mr Gold showed her the ropes of the old cash register and every little detailed importance of his shop, Bella noticed that she had an extra bounce in her step.
Well, Charlie did want her to start over didn't he? And what better way to rewrite a new chapter in her life than getting a new job?
As soon as she reached the top of the stairs, Bella almost walked into the back of Charlie; who must've came back from his first day on the job, Emma was not too far in front – opening her apartment's door.
"You look chipper." Charlie said
"I do?"
"Yes," Emma added, ushering the Swan family into the apartment she shared with Mary Margaret. "Now, spill it."
Mary Margaret came out from the kitchen, handing Charlie a beer before sitting down at one of the armchairs opposite Bella, as she replied. "I got myself a job."
"That's great!" Charlie replied, hugging her. "Where is it at?"
"Mr Gold's Pawn shop," Bella replied, looking at Charlie. "I'm his caretaker."
The Swan family failed to notice the look that both Emma and Mary Margaret shared with each other; they were thinking the same thing.
What game was Mr Gold playing now?
