It was the day of the grand opening (35% off on all bestsellers). Ivy was responsible for every coffee cup, every cookie, every book in every department, every nook and cranny. Her sister came as support, her mother to assess the situation.

People were buzzing about, everything was going as planned. "No protests, no demonstrations. They love us. They are wondering how they lived without us all these years."

"It's a hit."

Her mother hummed in agreement, "The children's department looks deserted."

Ivy was afraid of that, "It's early. The school's not out yet. And there's that children's bookstore down the street."

"I thought I told you to take care of that."

"I can't just call a guy to wreck it, mother. Give it some time and the law of supply and demand will take its course."

"I certainly hope so. I wouldn't want to have to clean up your mess."

Ivy sank her nails into her palms, "Of course, mother."

"Hello, Henry. How are you?"

"Hi, grandma Belle. I'm good. Going to a party with Violet tonight, actually. You? How are grandpa and Gideon?"

"They are working on some project in the pawnshop. It's a surprise form me, but I'm not supposed to know about it."

Henry chuckled, "That's great. I can't wait to see the guy in two weeks. He's coming, right?"

"Of course. He's been talking about it constantly."

"August came to the store this morning. He's publishing a new book in January." this was the part of the conversation he feared. But it was the one he had to have, "He asked me if we're gonna be open then."

"That's a silly. Why would he ask that?"

Henry took a deep breath. "'cause some big bookstore opened a week ago and we're already losing money. But it's probably just a fluke."

"Oh."

"Grandma?"

"Yes, Henry?"

"What if it's not?" he hated himself and the Belfreys. This would break his grandma's heart, "You gave me a store and I'm gonna lose your legacy."

She laughed. That was the last thing he expected, "Is that what you're worried about? Don't. Whatever happens, it is meant to be. My life is in Storybrooke now. And I am happy with my family, that's all I need. Just as your life is in Seattle. All you have to do is find happiness and not worry about things."

It seemed like he was away from his family too long because his optimism and faith was in short supplies, "I guess."

"Don't doubt yourself, Henry. Or I will talk to your mothers." she teased.

"No more doubting, got it."

"Good. Now go get ready for the party and enjoy yourself. You're fine."

They said their goodbyes and he into the living room.

"You ok?" Violet asked.

He smiled and said, "I'm fine."

Despite showing up to every one she could, Ivy generally did not like parties. She was a good conversationalist, she had a pretty nice smile and she could pretend to be interested in every story if she put a little effort in it. This semi-formal party had too many suspenders and beanie-wearing intellectuals. And if it weren't beanies, it was buns. She loved fashion and new trends but this was just too much. And truthfully, it was getting old. Her mind was barely focusing on the rehearsed gestures and phrases and her eyes were searching the room. For what, she could not tell. Something different, something new. Just something not expected. Then she saw it. Something she most definitely did not expect. Henry Mills. What the hell was he doing there? Clearly out of place, he was looking around and Ivy had to escape his line of sight. She ducked and took a fast turn, hoping for the best.

"Scotch." she ordered at the bar, "Neat."

"A beer." she heard a familiar voice couple of seconds later.

The universe was surely not on her side. She tried to hide her face as inconspicuously and possible but to no avail.

"Oh, hello."

"Hi!" she feigned surprise, her voice carried an unnatural pitch.

"Hi. Remember me from the bookstore?"

"Of course I remember you. Yes." and unfortunately he remembered her as well.

"How's Lucy?"

"She's great." her drink was finally ready. It was like they were making it from scratch, "I better go. I've abandoned my date for too long."

"Ivy? It's Ivy, right?"

"And you are Henry." and with that she left.

"Henry Mills." he said to no one. Well, that sucked. When he saw her he was hoping to have another chat. Not that they had had some particularly exceptional chat in the store, but she seemed nice. At least there was Sabine. She was catering the party. He met her a few years ago. Sabine's beignets were the best in town.

"Hi again. How are things going?"

"You really are the nicest person."

"Um…thanks?" did people just decide to be strange this evening and forgot to tell him?

"I mean if I met a person who was ruining my business I wouldn't be all smiles."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you and Ivy Belfrey."

"Ivy Belfrey? Bel… Belfry as in-"

"As in she's taking over the neighborhood."

He took a huge swig of the beer and went to search for the girl in a black pencil skirt.

"Ivy Belfrey?"

"Yes?" she looked at him with disinterest. There was no surprise or anything.

"You are Ivy Belfrey?"

She was still nursing the glass of scotch, "Yes."

"I didn't… wow! I didn't know I was being Vito Corleone-ed."

Her eyes narrowed in confusion.

"It's from 'The Godfather'. When the godfather sends Tom Hagen for the movie producer, just before the horse's head…" she kept looking at him like he was on something. He shook his head, "Doesn't matter. You were spying on me."

"Excuse me?"

"When you came with your 'niece'."

"Why would I spy on you?"

"Because I'm your competition, of course."

She exhaled slowly, "Listen, the reason I came into your store is because I was spending the day with Lucy. I was buying her stuff. I am the type of person who buys her way into the heart of a child, you see. There was only one place to buy children's' books in Hyperion Heights, your store. Which is no longer the case."

"You-"

"Don't get me wrong. It's a cute, little bookstore. You make what? 350.000 dollars' worth of books in a year?"

"How did you know that?!"

She shrugged nonchalantly, "I'm in the book business."

"I am in the book business."

"Sure you are. And here I am - the big bad. Only instead of a poisoned apple I have a cappuccino maker and instead of a spindle I have cheap books. Me, a spy?" she laughed sardonically, "Sure, I stole the numbers of some inconsequential bookstore because I was afraid some classless sap might put me out of business."

"I…." he stared at her, watching that evil, victorious smirk. He wanted to fire back. He knew what he wanted to say, yet the words have failed him.

"What?" she challenged again and he kept staring at her like an idiot.

"Hello. Violet Morgan." his girlfriend somehow showed up.

"Ivy Belfrey." the change in her voice was astounding. She was all nice and sweet again.

"Ivy Belfrey? The proponent of the superstore? The destroyer of small-time business owners?"

Ivy accepted them as compliments, "The one and only."

"Tell me, how do you sleep at night?"

"There's this great over the counter drug." some guy showed up by Ivy's side, "Ultra-dorm."

Henry felt like a lamp or something. Just standing there, doing nothing. Violet and the guy, Michael, kept talking about something or other. Ivy looked just as irrelevant to the conversation and exasperated for being there as Henry was. Hating to have anything in common with that woman, he dragged Violet away from the couple as politely as he could muster.