True Love's Gift

Chapter 7

Narrators Point of View

Arena followed Regina down the hallway to the guest room which was situated on the right, she couldn't help but notice the multiple picture frames of Regina & a young boy lining the walls. It made her curious – was he her nephew? Perhaps a son but since she had arrived she hadn't seen the young man or any indication a child lived in this cold, checker board patterned house. She shook the thoughts away because while very curious she had gathered, even in the few moments she knew her, that Regina Mills was a private guarded person & if indeed this boy were her son she probably wouldn't want the new stranger she had taken on as a boarder in her home asking about him & certainly not about why he currently wasn't there.

"Well here we are." Regina says turning on her black stilettos to face Arena as they arrive inside the room "This will be where you're staying for the duration of your time with me – you have your own bathroom through those doors to the right, everything you need is in there & if you need anything else just let me know. "She says matter of fact before looking the girl up & down "do you have any other clothes?"

"No I don't, I only have these because Ruby gave them to me." Arena replies with a shrug looking down at the tight, high hemmed shorts & tank top.

"That certainly explains the outfits distaste & promiscuous nature." Regina rolls her eyes with a sigh "well this just won't do, I can't have you living with me & traipsing around like some 10 cent hooker from the slums…tomorrow I'll take you to get some clothes…and a haircut, you look like an anorexic Cher impersonator."

Arena raises an eyebrow in confusion at the Cher reference, causing Regina to shake her head in a way that communicated she didn't feel like explaining the last sentence.

"Anyways, do you need anything else?" The mayor impatiently asked, tapping her foot slightly on the floor, obviously still not comfortable or totally thrilled with her new tenant.

"I don't think so, thank you again for letting me stay with you, I really appreciate it." Arena smiled sincerely, the gratitude obvious in her tone.

"You're welcome." Regina shortly replied turning to leave the room.

"Oh wait, sorry to bother you but, could you show me where you keep your towels? " Timidly Arena questioned "I'd like to take a shower, it's been a bit of a stressful day."

"That it has." Regina huffed "Come in here & I'll show you where everything is...and I expect everything to be put back into its correct place when you're finished."

Arena nodded, following the sassy brunette into the bathroom. Regina pointed out where all of the soaps, toothpastes, hair products & any other possible hygiene product one could desire were placed with the roomy bathroom. Finally she pointed to a lower drawer containing the towels, Arena thanked her & leaned down to open the drawer, as she did so an aged, golden heart shaped necklace with a crown around the top of the heart fell out of her shirt, hanging where the light caused it to shine a bit, catching Regina's eye. She couldn't help but feel a sudden curiosity & familiarity upon seeing the jewelry, without thinking she reach her hand out towards the girl's chest where the necklace hung.

"Please don't!" Arena suddenly screamed jumping back from Regina's hand, falling back onto the ground, grasping the towel she was now holding as though it were some sort of shield.

"Don't what?!" Regina inquired momentarily confused then the realization hit her, she chuckled slightly hurt as she crossed her arms "You thought I was going to rip out your heart, didn't you?"

"I …yes, I did." Arena admitted, still trembling a bit from fear, her breathing quicker than usual "I'm sorry I just saw you reaching towards my chest and…"

"Well perhaps you shouldn't be so judgmental; I was simply admiring your necklace." Regina snapped as she walked out of the room, she turned momentarily to Arena " but I'm glad you know your place little girl – but a little wretch who has currently found mercy in the eyes of an all-powerful Queen who at any moment could lift her hand of grace off of you & crush the life out of you. Don't forget it."

With a smirk that covered the pain she felt at another person, even after she took them into her home & was willing to care for their needs, seeing her as evil & soulless. She cursed Rumplestiltskin under her breath, it was obvious he had poisoned the girl against her before sending her to the mansion – God only knew what horrific tales he had spun to place her in the worst light possible. She hated that everyone judged her; they had no idea what she had been through, what she had endured – what she had lost. The worst part of it all was that no one even cared to find out; she shook her head as she went into her office & as she shut the door, the only grievous thought that looped through her mind was this: no one , not even her son she had poured her heart out to raise & love or a young woman who had never encountered one other individual other than she & the dark one, would ever see her as anything but a monster – as a wicked witch.