Summary

Emma just graduated high school with a special diploma and got into this job training program for people with special needs. That's where she meets the chef of the Mills Inn Hotel. Regina never sees Emma as slow. She sees her as just a normal person. Yet, she will learn just a little about what being special needs really is all about. Yet, she still falls for Emma regardless.

AU SwanQueen happy ending.

Heart Guides The Mind

Chapter 1

Emma woke up Monday morning around 6 a.m. It was her first day at Project Looking Glass, a job training program for people with disabilities who graduated high school with a special diploma. Emma was ecstatic to start the day. She got up and went through her morning routine, dressing in her Project Looking Glass uniform; a blue polo shirt and black pants with black nonslip shoes. As Emma finished getting ready, she checked her phone to see if she had any message notifications and saw on the lock screen clock that she still had enough time to grab a bite. So she decided to eat breakfast before going to work.

After finishing breakfast, Emma grabbed her lunchbox and her phone and then headed off to catch the bus. As Emma waited for the bus to arrive, she looked at her phone to see the time. The time read 7:15 a.m. She needed to be at work by 8:15 a.m. Emma knew she'd get there on time, so she wasn't worried about being late. As the bus arrived, Emma boarded and paid the driver. The bus was full of strangers. It was her first time taking the city bus, so she was somewhat nervous. She reviewed the route a couple of times the night before, just to make sure she got the street names right and identify the bus stop where she should get off. Conveniently enough there was a stop right in front of the building where she was expected today.

As Emma looked around the seats on the bus, she noticed only one was available. A middle-aged woman was sitting on the seat next to the window. Emma thought she was so beautiful, and she couldn't imagine being next to someone as beautiful as her, yet she had to, knowing it was the only seat available. At least her ride would be a pleasant one with the unavoidable company of this stranger. Emma slowly walked up to the empty seat and sat down next to the woman. She had dark shoulder-length lustrous hair that matched the hue of her clothing. She was wearing a pair of black dress pants with tennis shoes. Emma noticed that they looked very similar to her own. This woman, who was absent-mindedly staring out the window, was also wearing a perfectly ironed white dress shirt. A big bag rested on her lap. Emma couldn't help but stare, although she tried desperately not to. Yet, it was almost like being under a spell. As if something just took control over her. She was completely enthralled and was staring at this woman as if she were a goddess. The woman must have felt Emma's eyes on her, because she turned around to look straight at her.

"What are you staring at?"

Emma was caught completely off guard. She shook her head, surprised by the shocking and unexpected question and answered back with a soft but gentle voice.

"I'm so sorry, I was not my intention to make you uncomfortable. You just caught my eye, that's all. You're very beautiful. My name is Emma. What's your name?"

The dark-haired woman just smiled at Emma, and for some reason, it made Emma feel more at ease.

"I'm Regina. I'm on my way to work. I had to take the bus today because my car is in the shop getting fixed after a minor car wreck a few days ago. Despite the accident being quite serious I am fine, but my car wasn't as lucky as I was and it will take a couple of weeks to get fixed."

Emma's face went from a smile to a concerned "oh" face. She didn't really know exactly what to say, but she knew she had to say something.

"Oh, I'm sorry that happened to you. I personally don't drive myself, which is why I'm here on the bus. Today is my first day at training for work. I'm excited. I can't wait."

"Oh, I see. What are you training for?"

Emma wasn't sure how to respond because she personally wasn't sure what she would be training for. In this program she's in, they train their students in different things at this hotel. One student can be in the kitchen, one can be in the laundry room, another can be assigned to housekeeping, and so forth. Emma never liked telling random strangers that she had a slow learning disability. It always made her feel awful to know that she wasn't like everyone else. She always tried to be like everyone else and hide the fact that she was slow. It seemed to work most of the time. Yet, Emma knew she had to answer the question one way or another.

"I am honestly not sure what I will be training for today yet. I am just starting, so I'm not sure where they want to put me yet. I am in this job training program."

"Oh, I see. Now I understand. Where will you be training? If I may ask."

"I am actually on my way to the Mills Inn Hotel. That is where my job training will be at. What about you? Where do you work at and what do you do?"

Regina's face went from curious to surprised, and Emma could see it all over her face.

"That is where I am headed now. I work there as their executive chef. My family owns the hotel. I am a really good cook, so my mother and father wanted me to be the main chef at our family business. You don't happen to be in that Project Looking Glass program, are you? I just got informed of that program yesterday. I think it's a great initiative."

Emma then became surprised herself. What a delightful coincidence. She was going to the exact same place as this woman sitting next to her. And all she could think about was how beautiful she looked. She tried to take her mind off of her beauty as she continued their conversation.

"Actually, yes, that is the exact program I am in. Maybe they'll put me in the kitchen, and I will work with you!" said Emma with a laugh, mentally crossing her fingers.

"Maybe they will! You could always request them to put you in the kitchen as well. Maybe they will."

Emma nodded her head in agreement and said she'd try and request to be assigned to the kitchen. As they continued their small talk a little more, Emma noticed Regina pulling the rope-like thing on the top of the bus. Emma wasn't sure what that thing was called, but that's just what she called it. She knew what it was for, and so that's when the bus came to a complete stop. Emma noticed they were at the bus stop right in front of the hotel.

"This is our stop, Emma!"

Emma was excited, knowing that she was finally at the hotel and she made it here right on time. It was 10 minutes before she had to meet up with the other students in the job training program and their job coaches.

"Yes, I guess this is it. It was very nice to meet you, and I hope they put me in the kitchen with you. I'd love to work with you!"

"Well, as I said, request they put you in the kitchen and see if they do. If they do, then I'll see you at work!"

"Will do!" said Emma with a big smile on her face as they both got off the bus.

Emma then walked into the hotel with Regina, and that's when they went their separate ways. Regina went straight to the kitchen, and Emma went the other way to find out where the rest of the job training students were. As Regina walked away, Emma couldn't stop staring until she was out of view. Emma didn't understand exactly why she felt this way about someone she just met, but she did. Emma already felt like she and Regina could be good friends. However, she had no idea if Regina felt the same way. Emma certainly hoped she did.

When Regina was out of view, Emma started walking around the lobby trying to find where she was supposed to go, she imagine they would meet at a conference room to receive their instructions and assigned duties. It didn't take her long to find the room where the other job training students and job coaches were. Emma walked into the room and sat down in an empty chair. She had a big smile on her face that couldn't go away. She felt happy, and she was glad she was here.

"Welcome to the first day of your job training program. My name is Kathryn, and this here next to me is Snow. Every day we will meet up in this very room, and we will teach you many interview skills and we'll show you how to look for and find a job", said Kathryn

"We will also help you to write a good resume after a few weeks of training. Rest assured that we'll help you all the way to build up your confidence, so you can go out and submit any application and go to interviews for the job that you want." said the job coach.

This job coach had long blonde hair and was very beautiful, though not as attractive as Regina. Not to Emma at least. Blonds were not her type. The other job coach was someone she had never met before. Yet, she seemed pretty nice and approachable.

As the small class meeting continued, Emma felt more and more eager to start her workday. When the class was about to end, after they all introduced themselves to one another, Kathryn began asking everyone where they'd like to start their training. She had a distribution already in mind, but she wanted to listen to what the students wanted, and sort things out in case a larger number of them picked the same training area.

She went one by one and asked individually where they wanted to start. As it got to Emma's turn, she quickly said the kitchen. No hesitation. Kathryn was pretty shocked that Emma was the only one who didn't hesitate to answer. When asked students usually needed help deciding where they would like to be assigned first. For some it was best to be sent by the coaches here and there around the different areas of the hotel.

"The kitchen? That was a swift response. Why would you like to be in the kitchen? What do you think you'll learn?" asked Kathryn.

"Well, I'll learn many things. I'll definitely improve my basic skills and cook better than what I already do at home. I would love to change my 'frat boy diet' and prepare more nutritious meals for myself" she chuckled. "I will also love the experience to be in the kitchen. It's like an alchemist's lab full of potential to create new flavors" she added. She needed to sound convincing, lest she was sent to a different hotel area for training.

Emma didn't want anyone to know that she had already met the head chef of the hotel at the city bus this morning. She figured that they wouldn't want to assign her to the kitchen right away if she told them. She wasn't sure if they would or wouldn't, but she wasn't taking the chance. Emma kept quiet and just waited for the answer from her job coach.

"Alright, Emma, I'll assign you to the kitchen. Do well!"

Emma then smiled, and she felt thrilled. As the class ended, everyone went to their assigned jobs. They walked as a group dropping each student off at their workplace one by one. That way, the students would know where to go on their own after today. Although Emma already knew where to go because she saw Regina go right into the kitchen door, and despite being eager to get there, she had no choice but to stay with the group and act casual.

The group finally made it to the kitchen to drop Emma off. She noticed Regina skillfully cutting up some fruit with an intimidating large size chef's knife. As the group came about in the kitchen, Regina looked up from her cutting board and a conspiratorial smile drew on her face.

"This is Emma. She requested to be in the kitchen, so this will be your trainee. Have a good day at work, Emma!" said Kathryn as she and the rest of the group started walking out of the kitchen, leaving Emma with the head chef.

"Well, I see your request worked! Now, what do you say we get you started with your training? You'll be working by my side every day, and you will do exactly as I say. Many of our kitchen utensils are very sharp and I don't want you to get hurt. I'll teach you how to use them properly. The same goes for the industrial blender and food processor. Do I make myself clear?"

Emma smiled widely, and she couldn't help but feel very happy.

"Crystal clear! I promise I'll be careful and I won't let you down!"