He felt so guilty when he found Regina drunk last night. How come he let her think for days he just wants to get under her pants was beyond him? He should have known. The woman guarded herself up to keep out people who had done that to her and those who want to do that to her. He should have talked to her sooner. Hell, he should have done that right after they back from the lake.
Not wanting to beat himself up further, he decided to make the work to assure her that he's not that person. He's not in it just for the sex though the sex was mind-blowing to say the least, he wants more. He also does not want to pressure her into being in a relationship with him. To know that she also feels something for him, to hear it coming from her, is enough. He can work with that.
For now, he needs to earn her trust, to let her know how serious he is with her and that he is not going to hurt her like she's been hurt in the past.
That got him curious. He knows she's been through something to be so closed off like that but he never pushed. He caught a glimpse of how dark it was from the times it would slip her lips, like that painting in her living room. She never talks about what precisely happens but he knows it bad.
It was so bad that she chose to isolate herself and settle for detached relationships and meaningless flings. He may not know the specifics but he decided that whoever hurt her that bad, he deserves to rot in hell. How come anyone would hurt her like that? Don't they know how special she is?
"You're daydreaming again", Mulan said.
The woman can be sneaky sometimes and he's distracted so he didn't hear her coming into his office.
"I am not",
"Sure. You look better today than yesterday. Whoever it is, as long as your happy, it's fine",
He'd known her since the company started. She's been with him from the time they're scouring the earth for clients up until the company took off.
"Thanks…also, I need you to cancel my lunch meeting today. I am going out",
Mulan arched a brow at him and he knows she's going to pressure him into giving details later on but he can deal with that later. He's excited at seeing Regina again and that's all that matters.
"Consider it done. There is another thing. Marian is here looking for you", the woman made a face. "Seriously though, what the hell is she doing here, Robin? I thought that bitch is ancient history?"
He groaned because that's one way to ruin a beautiful day for him. He really does not want to see her but also, he does not have it in him to kick her out twice.
"She is. Just send her up so we can be done with it",
After a few minutes, Marian walks in with that smile he knows better than to fall for.
"Nice office. You've done well, Robin",
He scoffed bitterly because this is the woman who left because she thinks he will never get anywhere in life.
"Glad you approve. Why are you here?"
"I see you're still mad. I came here to apologize. I really thought I was doing you a favor but it's clear that I was wrong. You like someone and you're serious about it so I am sorry for messing it up for you", she said.
He is not buying it at all but he decided to play along.
"Yes, I like Regina and you mess up but we're good now. Is that all?"
Marian clicked her tongue before moving closer to his desk. There is always more when it comes to her so he knows she wants something.
"Oh, good. Then, you wouldn't object to a lunch? I know this great place around the corner. My treat",
"No, thank you. I've got plans", he outright declined.
Her face fell before turning serious. "With Regina…"
"Yes",
"God, you really are serious with her. I never pegged you to go after her type. Word has it she's not nice. You see, my husband works in the same circle as her and described as the Evil Queen. Just want to make sure you really know who you're dealing with",
It's the second time he heard someone call Regina that name and it's starting to get to his nerves.
"You don't know her and frankly, it's none of your business, so if you're done with this farce, the door is wide open. I have lots of work to do",
"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you",
He didn't let Marian's visit to sour his mood. He's going to take Regina out and he wants to make the most out of it.
She had given him the address to her office and he walked into the building with butterflies fluttering in his gut. He feels like a teenager asking her to a date. He told the front desk that he's there for her and he was asked to wait at the lobby.
He must say, she's working for a very high-end firm and he had heard many great deals about it. He also saw a lot of male lawyers and he just knew that she works in a highly competitive environment. It made sense. Regina is tough. She has to be if she's in that place all day long.
"Robin?"
He turned and saw Mal standing there with a surprised look on her face. He smiled at her before greeting the woman. They've met at Cruella's birthday party and he likes her. Regina's friends are much similar to her. All smart and all so blunt. He appreciates their honesty and how much they care about Regina.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Oh…I'm taking Regina out for lunch. I am early, I know",
"Wow…look at that. Regina Mills has a lunch date. I never saw that coming",
He frowned. "She does not go out for lunch?"
"Oh, that woman does not know how to take a break from work. I have no idea how she runs on coffee all day long. I have to literally force her to eat a sandwich every now and then. Also…she's not one to accept lunch invitation and believe me, there's been plenty who tried. It makes you the first",
That's troubling. If he hadn't asked her out, she wouldn't be eating anything. Good thing, he also made her breakfast that morning because that's not healthy at all.
"Are you interrogating, Robin?"
Regina appeared from the hallway looking all so pristine and beautiful. The smile instantly appeared on his face without him knowing it.
"Don't be silly. I am talking to your lunch date", Mal teased.
"Mal, don't start. Shall we? I got meeting at one", Regina said.
Mal just beamed at them and with that, they walked out the building together.
Yes, he did go a bit overboard with the lunch. He made reservation in a nice restaurant and ordered something he normally does not eat for lunch. Regina made a comment that he does not need to do all that to impress her but he insisted that since it's their first lunch together, he wants to make it special.
"So, anything interesting with your day?"
She scoffed. "By interesting you mean infuriating? Yes. I just to deal with the most arrogant client ever I couldn't even stand to be in the same room with but I survived. You?"
"Same old. The new project I was telling you about is finally sealed. We start next week",
Regina smiled at the news and looked actually impressed.
"Well…I guess this place is appropriate after all. Congratulations, Locksley",
"Thank you but you know this lunch is not for that. This is for you", he could have sworn he saw her blushed.
He discovered that Regina actually likes pasta. The way she closes her eyes each time she takes a bite is so adorable that he made a mental note of making one for her sometime.
"I've been meaning to ask, are you free this weekend?"
"Why?"
"Well…I have this thing with my family and I hope that you would like to go there with me?"
He can see the way she tensed and the smile disappeared from her face. He just knew that he ruined the mood for them because he couldn't wait to ask her until later.
"What kind of thing?" she asked.
"It's my parents' anniversary",
Regina put down her fork and took a sip from her glass.
"…and you want me to meet your family?"
"I was hoping yes", she remained silent after that just staring at her plate. "Or not…it's not a problem, really. I know it's sudden and you probably have plans so, it's okay…really—"
"Alright", she then said.
"Alright? What do you mean alright?"
"When people say alright, it usually means they agree on the matter at hand", she said casually.
He blinked at that because yes, he does know what alright means but he just couldn't believe she agreed to it.
"I thought you're going to say no",
"Do you want me to say no?"
"No", the answer came so fast.
"Well, then…it's settled", she responded and resumed eating.
After that, he drove her back to her building and he is still in the clouds after she accepted his invitation. He's going to take Regina to meet his family. It's huge.
"So, I'll see you later at home?" she asked when they pulled over.
The way she said home made his heart flutter because she's talking about their individual houses but he couldn't help but feel she's talking about a single place of theirs…together.
"Yes. Have a good day at work and remember to breathe",
She laughed at that. "You're a funny man, Robin. You too", she then did the unexpected, she kissed him briefly before getting out of the car.
It left him dumbfounded because he is aware that she's not much of a relationship type of woman but that right there felt so domestic, so natural. It made him so happy for the rest of the day.
He couldn't wait to get out of his house as soon as he saw her car pulled over her driveway. He went to her before she could open the door and he helped her with her things to which she rolled her eyes over.
She talked about her meeting running late and how exhausted she is as he poured her a glass of water. He listened as she talks about her day and he realized how deeply he had fallen for the woman. He could listen to her all day.
"So…any advice on what to wear tomorrow?" she then asked.
Tomorrow…oh right, his parents' anniversary.
"I don't think you need my advice for that, Regina", because she knows how to present herself and he's not going to change that about her.
"Robin…I am not going to meet your parents wearing rags",
He scoffed as if she wears rags.
"It's a simple party, really. You can wear anything you like, love, and you'll still be the most beautiful person in the room",
The laughter he got from that is so worth it because she crossed the distance between them and threw her arms on his shoulders.
"You, Robin Locksley, are such a smooth talker. Do you want to stay here in the kitchen all night or you want to head up?"
Giving her a look, he then carried her in his arms and took her straight to her bedroom as she laughs along the way.
