Chapter 45

"So, what do you do for a living Mrs. Mills?"

"It's Miss Mills, unlike my sister, I've never been married."

The two of them sit in a small café a few blocks from the hospital, both enjoying each other's company. After all, misery does love company. Zelena eats a éclair and sips down a bottle of water while "Jacob" has a black coffee.

"That's good to know," Arthur says.

"I'm a lawyer at one of the local firms."

She's rich too, Arthur thinks to himself.

"And do you enjoy it?"

"Very much so. I'm going to miss it when I have this baby."

Arthur smirks a little bit. "How many months are you?"

"Two, almost three."

"Does the father mind that I took you out for a snack?"

"He's hardly involved at all. It was a one-night stand."

"Well that's no good, a woman like you should be taken care of," he purrs.

"I will be, he's a real sucker for doing the right thing, one of those high moral kinds of guys. It'll be easy to get money from him."

"Do you want the father in your baby's life?"

"Hardly, he's just a means to an end at this point."

"So, does that make you available?" Arthur asks leaning in.

Zelena's face flushes red, gazing into this man's blue eyes. His blonde hair covers his forehead only slightly, hiding any wrinkles he might have. Sweat slowly beads on her forehead, but that could also be the hormones too. For some reason, she just finds him irresistible.

"Yes… I am available."

"Well then, I think I might want to take you out sometime… if you'd like."

The red-head liked how forward the man was; he actually seemed to have a little bit of spine to him, much better than Robin or the other jellyfish she's ever slept with. He was very mysterious to her and his attitude gave off an almost dangerous vibe. She was intrigued… almost, she did have to test him first.

"Perhaps… if you'd be willing to offer me flowers and chocolates…?"

Arthur swallows. That was not going to be cheap, especially if he was going to pay for the dinner. This woman looked well off in terms of money, she could buy her own damned flowers and chocolates! And yet… this woman was no push-over. He'd seen the type before, she'd manipulate her way to the top, or into bed, which is clearly what she did to get the father of her baby to knock her up. She was definitely not sweet like Gwen was, but she was definitely more exciting. He knew he had to keep this lady smiling. "That depends… are you asking for them?"

"A lady does like to be wooed…"

"You, my dear, are no lady," he smirks.

Zelena feels slightly offended, but the man had guts to say it out loud.

"Are you judging me?" she asks a bit harsher than before.

"Are judging me?" he repeats. He raises an eyebrow.

She shoots him an angry and snobbish look. "I've never felt so insulted."

"Really? Even when that teenager told you to stick your tongue in a wall socket."

Zelena flushes red with anger, she begins to gather her things, ready to leave. She'd never felt so offended before, most men would just fall at her feet to worship the ground she walked on, not talk back to her in a smug and distasteful way. She could sense that he was manipulating her, which was usually her move.

Arthur panics as he realizes that she's about to leave. He decides to turn this thing around, be on her side and stroke her inflated ego. "Because you are filled with sparks… the good kind."

The lawyer stops and looks at the man.

"I found the way you stood up to that family amazing. They had no right to treat a pregnant woman this way."

This gave the woman some comfort, was he really on her side. She swallows a bit.

"It was rather rude."

"Trust me, sweetheart, you gave them their just desserts."

"Emma should have really raised that child better."

Arthur swallows at the name. "I'm sure you would do much better with this one here." He gently reaches across the table and puts his hand on her still flat stomach. Zelena wants to pull away until the man she knows as "Jacob," traces her stomach slowly with his finger. He locks eyes with her, still moving it in a sort of seductive way. It sent shivers up her spine, but for some odd reason… she liked it. She sucks in a deep breath and takes a step closer.

"I hope this child has your panache and your quick wit. If it's a girl, she should have your fiery red hair. It's like winter fires… January embers… maybe" he purrs. He was hoping that this was working, she must be a sucker for poetry. "And your beautiful eyes, like an untouched blue lagoon. Imagine a beautiful little girl just like that… mirroring your lovely smile…"

Zelena feels lost. Her mind is telling her that this is a total line meant to pick her, and yet, she hangs on every word. Her cheeks begin to glow again and her heart races at a rapid pace. He sounds rather sincere in his words… he doesn't seem like the poetic type at all. She continues to be drawn in as he spouts more words that sound insightful.

Arthur decides to bring it home. He stands up, keeping his hand on her stomach, moving slowly closer to her and her eyes. He can feel her breath as he approaches, he could tell she was excited and possibly aroused. She looks at him with eyes of wonder, curiosity, and slight hunger. He gently grabs her other hand as he closes in.

Then pulls her in for a gentle kiss. It takes a lot of his restraint to not kiss her aggressively. He wasn't used to that, but when his lips touch hers, she sighs deeply. He then pulls back, waiting for the smile.

"Pardon me for being so forward milady," he whispers.

For the first time, she's at a loss for words. She should be slapping the man for kissing her but, the tenderness of his touch and the strength of his lips made her shudder. Her heart is thrumming against her chest and she feels light-headed, unable to think clearly. She swears she sees something off about him. The colouring in his eye shifts slightly and his smirk is a little too smug… She feels as if alarm bells should be going off, but they're all silent. She likes this man… a lot, he's much better than anyone she's met before.

"Maybe you do deserve to be treated as such," he says quietly.

Zelena lets out a small giggle, childish in nature but she felt like he was really trying to earn her respect. The flattery was just the icing on the cake.

"Would you mind if I took you out soon?" "Jacob," asks. He reaches up and wipes some custard from her face.

The red-head smiles, showing all her teeth. "I'd like that very much."

"What kind of flowers would you like?"

"Roses or perhaps poppies. I don't know why, but I've always loved them."

Expensive, but I can do it, he thought.

"And chocolates?"

"Cream-filled if you would be so kind…"

Arthur smiles at the woman. "Thy will be done," he says. "I'll see you on Friday at eightish?"

"Eightish," she agrees.

He then takes her gloved hand and kisses it gently. He puts out money for the food and walks the woman to her car. She gives him a playful kiss on the cheek before getting into her Porsche. Arthur waves as she drives away, still smiling.

He was smiling too, but for a completely different reason. He'd seen the whole exchange in the hall, he wanted so badly to swipe the baby from the blonde's lovesick boyfriend, but no doubt he could hold his own in a fight. Instead, he watched the red-head be insulted by a teenager and left alone. He knew she could relate to him and no doubt she'd want to get even with them…which could work to his advantage. Unfortunately, he'd have to woo her and do all the mushy and expensive things that come with dating, but he did it with Gwen and he could do it again. She was a hard one, not easily persuaded, much like him, but she was looking for someone who would treat her right and was no fool either. In the end, she fell for it hook, line and sinker.

She could be most helpful in getting his child back and revenge on the blonde.

A/N: I'm looking for a little help here. I do have a basic idea of what's going to happen, I'd like some suggestions on how to get there. How should Arthur manipulate Zelena? Should he meet Emma or strike with surprise? How long should I drag it out? Let me know what you'd like.