Hi guys and gals, sorry for the late update! I wasn't well then had an assignment and a bunch of paper work since I'm moving to America in January. Someone said they wanted longer chapters so I hope this okay! Not a lot happening here it's really just to carry the story along but I have the next chapter all planned out, so I hope you enjoy!
Throughout the day Regina would find herself watching Emma. She didn't know why, maybe it was that she found the younger women cute. Cute. Since when did Regina Mills use the word cute? She closed her eyes and pinched her nose trying to clear her thoughts.
"Ms. Swan, call my sister and find out when exactly she is coming." She demanded not looking at her. She continued to focus on her work whilst listening to the conversation.
"Hello Ms. Mills? Hi, my name is Emma and I am Regina's assistant. I hope I am not bothering but I was just ringing on behalf of your sister to find out exactly when you are coming."
"Oh, she got another one?" Zelena replied in her soft British accent. "And how long have you been working love?" she asked causing Regina to roll her eyes.
"I… yes I'm new. This is my second week now" Emma replied politely as she doodled on her notepad lazily.
"My sister must like you" Zelena chuckled, you could hear the smirk in her voice.
Before Emma could reply Regina put it on open speaker using her own desk phone "Zelena. She is working. This is not a social call." Regina growled hanging up her own line.
Emma blushed softly and looked to Regina "Sorry" she cleared her throat to continue "So umm w-what dates are you coming so I can upload the calendar?"
Once again, the red head replied with a deep chuckle, "Here's what you can do. You can put my number into your phone and call me later when your alone"
Regina's blood boiled. She picked up the phone hanging up on Emma's line causing the blonde to nervously squirm "What. Day?" she snapped.
"Gina, will you relax? I'm coming Monday, and ill probable stay a week.
Regina practically had visible waves of anger radiating of her body. She was gripping the phone hard enough to turn her knuckles white. "How hard was that to say?" she said in a calm voice but if looks could kill she would be down an assistant. It really wasn't Emma's fault, but she needed someone to take it out on and she was there.
"Just relax, I was just being nice to your new friend" Zelena loved winding her sister up.
"She is coming Monday; did you get that Ms. Swan?" she growled hanging up the phone.
"G-got it" Emma answered quickly as she updated Regina's weekly calendar.
The older women sighed and rolled her eyes "Thank you for not giving into her" she said it looking away quickly, it was hard for her to apologise or give thanks.
"That's okay" Emma smiled sweetly.
Regina felt her heart rate speed up just a little she forced herself to focus before the end of the day came and she began packing up her things as Emma did the same.
"Good night Miss Mills." Emma said sweetly as she grabbed her bag and shut her computer down.
"Good night Ms. Swan" Regina smiled as she walked with Emma to the elevator, she checked her watch noticing they were a little late. "I bet your boyfriend is wondering where you are" she pressed the button to take them to the ground floor.
"No… it's just me the cat and the tortoise." Emma smiled folding her arms.
Regina raised an eyebrow "A tortoise?" she asked amused "Please tell me it's not one of those giant ones…" she asked with a chuckle. "How does one want a cat and a turtle?" she asked smiling softly as they exited the elevator and left the building heading to their parking spots.
"Maybe…" Emma bit her lip and smiled "I thought he was cute" she shrugged "I was never allowed a pet until I got my place" She pulled her bag further up her shoulder as they walked to their cars.
Regina looked at Emma's soft lips and felt her heart doing that thing again. "Cute? Those things could eat your cat." She told her raising an eyebrow as they approached their cars that were next to each other.
"No" Emma frowned with a pout "He eats fruit and veg. his favourite is fresh strawberries" they got to their cars and Emma found herself blushing and shifting awkwardly at how pathetic and banged up her rusty yellow bug looked next to Regina's expensive Mercedes.
Regina looked at the yellow Volts Wagon compared to her own car. It looked beat up and old, like Emma had been driving that thing around since she was in high school. She bit her lip hard holding back a sarcastic comment. She smirked and unlocked her car "I bet it does" she opened her car door and flashed a last smile at Emma "See you Monday Miss Swan"
"He" the blonde corrected "Goodbye Miss Mills" she got in her car and made sure Regina was in her own before heading home.
The brunette rolled her eyes when Emma corrected her on the gender. "it's a turtle" Regina mumbled to herself as she drove home.
When Regina returned to her apartment she let the keys fall on the table loudly as she saw Robin eating chips as he played video games on the Xbox.
"Hay baby" Regina felt her self-cringe when he called her that. She hated it. She hated being with him and honestly didn't even like him that much.
"Turn that off" she demanded almost yelling over the sounds of gun shots and warfare coming from the TV.
"Mhmm. Almost done" he mumbled as he continued to play the game.
Regina inhaled sharply and walked over to him taking the bag of chips. She hated when he ate on the couch. She rolled the bag and put them away in the kitchen before grabbing the remote and muting the TV. She had a headache and he certainly wasn't helping. "feet of the table" she groaned swatting his feet down before heading down the hall into her room, she hung her jacket up and left her phone on the bed side table as she undressed and started the bath running.
Robin played a little longer before he headed into the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge.
"How many of those have you actually had Robin?" she asked crossing her arms.
"Will you relax. It's only my third and it's a weekend." Robin rolled his eyes as he downed the bottle.
She took a deep breath trying not to snap "Robin just go home" she told him pointing at the door. She couldn't take him right now; her head was pounding, and she couldn't deal with him being a child.
"Alright alright fine. I'm going" he rolled his eyes and grabbed his phone and wallet before heading out.
Regina opened the door for him and slammed it behind him, the sound only making her head throb more. She locked the door behind him and grabbed her phone before pouring herself some wine and getting in the warm tub as she read a book on her phone. After a bit Regina grew bored of her book and decided to just rest her eyes contently as she sipped on her wine.
Meanwhile, Emma decided to change into an oversized hoodie and sweat pants as she dropped onto the couch and put on some cheap low budget movie she found scrolling through the channels. Once the movie was over she fed her cat and texted to Ruby to make plans for the weekend.
Regina spent her Saturday with Robins family and on the Sunday, she went shopping with her mother. She wasn't looking forward to that in the slightest but seeing a text from Emma made her smile. It read, 'Would you like me to come in early to get things ready for your sister?'
'Yes dear, that would be a big help thankful' she smiled softly as the two Mills women entered an expensive shoe store.
Cora noticed the smile on her daughter's face "Is that Robin?"
Before Regina could even reply her phone pinged again 'Okays'
Okays? She read it with a frown. Why would someone even say that she wondered, 'Okays? What is that supposed to mean Miss Swan?' I sent back with a raised eyebrow directed at Emma even though she couldn't see it. She looked back at her mother who was waiting for an answer "No, I would be annoyed if it were Robin." She told her not caring about the consequences. She didn't like Robin and her mother knew as much.
Emma had been sat at Granny's dinner waiting for Ruby when she was texting Regina 'I just mean okay…Sorry I'll be there early don't worry.'
Cora sighed as they searched the files. "You really should try harder dear, he isn't that bad."
Regina rolled her eyes at how ridiculous that statement was. "You wouldn't know mother. You would be ripping your hair out if you had to deal with childishness." She told her as she picked up a pair of maroon heels. She picked up her phone and was once again rolling her eyes but with a smile this time. 'No need to apologise Dear. Thank you'
"I just think it's about time you settle down Regina." Cora sighed frustrated as she picked up her own shoes to try on.
Regina let out her own groan of frustration, "At least I'm not as bad as Zelena. She throws herself at just about every women she meets. She was even flirting with my assistant mother" Regina added that last part with a growl.
"Ah yes, Zelena mentioned something about a new assistant" she raised her eyebrow and smirked at the growl in her oldest daughter's face.
The brunette pulled herself together under her mother's questioning gaze. "She's young, unattached and works harder than any of my other previous assistants. I don't want to have you fire her because of my fucking sister."
"I do wish one of you would settle down. I am not getting any younger you know?" Cora sighed softly as she paid for both pair of shoes.
"But what if we were to marry someone that had another to offer the company and family name? what if we were to marry to love?" she asked her mother, but the words felt weird in her mouth. She had never been in love and had no desire to be either.
Cora scrunched her nose up at this "That is not smart dear. You need someone who can take care of you and someone who understands what it is like to live in our class. Do you think me and your farther were in love when we got married? No. But we learnt to love each other in time and so will you."
Regina clenched her jaw at the mention of her late farther. He was a good man. But he was too soft. He let Cora walk all over him. Even to this day Regina was convinced that was the cause of his death. She worked him to hard and the stress of their life style and business got to him. "Mother. I do not need a man to take care of me. I am not some helpless child that needs to be saved. I am a woman, a strong one." She said in a confident voice as their chauffeur opened the door for her mother then her.
Cora climbed into the car frowning softly, "why is this now an issue Regina? You have never been bothered about love before. Look, Robin comes from a family of money, big money, it would be good for you and the company. To protect our name."
Regina groaned, she was getting irritated now, "Mother. I do not wish for my life to revolve around my job and the company. There are somethings I do just for me. not for a job, or a social status or to be looked after and taken care of." She spoke sternly keeping eye contact so that her mother knew just how serious she was.
"Alright alright." Her mother held her hands up in defeat. As the driver drove them back home.
The younger women's eyes widened in surprise as her mother appeared to back down. That was rare. "Really?"
"No. but we both know you won't listen to me any Regina." She shrugged pulling out her phone.
Regina let out a soft chuckle at that. "Well that is true" she smirked and bit her lip trying to control her happiness "So I don't have to marry Robin?"
"Well I wish you would, but I can't force you dear. We both know that." She didn't look up from her phone as she replied to a couple of messages and emails. She wanted Regina to marry Robin. A marriage between the Mills and Locksley families would be a very strong one in terms of power and money.
Leaning over, Regina placed a soft kiss on her mother's cheek, "mother, I love you. I'm not doing this out of spite." She considered her mother's eyes softly.
"I know dear." She squeezed her daughters leg softly. "So, this assistant works hard?"
Regina smiled softly and sincerely. Her mother rarely showed emotion, even to her own children so that was nice for Regina to see. "Yes. She works harder than anyone I have ever employed. She makes mistakes but that is to be expected considering she has never worked in an office before. She even works on her weekends." She spoke to her mother without realising the big smile that crossed her face every time her blonde assistant was mentioned.
"Mistakes cost money Regina you know that." Cora sighed shaking her head softly. She looked at her daughters smile and raised an eyebrow with a smirk "And you said she was unattached. She's single?"
Regina pulled her self together and sighed, "Why would I know that?" the way she snapped it told Cora everything. "All I know is she has a cat and a tortoise."
"A tortoise… did you employ a 12-year-old dear?" she scoffed amused.
The brunette bit her lip holding back a soft laugh "Sometimes I do wonder." She smiled knowing her mother wouldn't be happy with that. "But she is very professional when she needs to be."
Cora let out an over exaggerated sigh "Fine."
Regina placed another kiss on her mother's cheek as their car pulled up outside her mother's hotel "You can meet her at work mother."
"You and your sister are going to be the death of me Regina." She shook her head as she left the car.
"Good bye mother." Regina giggled as she watched her mother walk away. She let out a soft sigh as she realised that conversation went much better then she was expecting. The driver took her home and she groaned seeing Robins car parked out front. She went up to the pent house and as soon as she walked in he was kissing her hard. She growled and pushed him away. "This isn't working Robin" she continued to push him till he was out the door and closed it on his face.
"Wha- Regina!" before had a chance to respond he was left looking at a closed door.
Regina smirked to herself as she dusted of the invisible dirt. No more loud video games she thought to herself.
Monday morning came, and Regina woke with a stretch and smile on her face. That was new. She hoped out of bed basically dancing to the shower. Once she was done she quickly dressed and headed to work. She couldn't help but smile when she saw Emma's ugly bug parked next to her own space. It looked so out of place. She parked next to it and headed inside.
As promised, Emma had headed to work an hour early in time to prepare for her sisters visit and ready to great Regina.
Regina forced back the smile that lit up her face when she saw the blonde at the coffee station. "Good morning Miss Swan." She smirked and winked as she walked past in an unusually good mood.
Emma noticed the wink her boss shot her and raised an eyebrow. This was weird. She thought to herself. She smiled and followed Regina with two mugs of coffee. "How was your weekend?"
Regina took a coffee and sipped it as they walked towards the large glass office ignoring everyone else. "Eventful" she glanced at the blonde and smiled as she bit her lip. "I am free of the man child for one." She smirked.
"Oh? I'm assuming that's a good thing then." Emma chuckled a little as they entered the office.
"Yes, no more blaring video games." She chuckled but stopped short when she saw her older sister sitting on her desk. She sighed. Her good mood instantly gone again.
"Oh yeah… your sister is here" Emma bit her lip
"I can see that Miss Swan. Maybe next time you could tell me before I find out for myself." She growled and sat on her chair as she pushed Zelena's butt of her desk "This is a desk not a chair." She glared at the red head.
"Sorry." Emma mumbled quickly and went to her own, much smaller desk. She took a seat and began printing off the stuff they would need for the day.
"Well Hello to you to Regina." Zelena smirked as she rolled her eyes.
"Why are you here?" Regina growled back with her fist clenched. Her and Zelena had never been particularly close.
"Well, me and your beautiful assistant were just about to enjoy a coffee." She smiled.
"What? No. I made her a coffee yes but…umm" Emma looked up biting her lip and blushing.
The brunette clenched her jaw as she shot daggers to Emma "Oh I see. So, this was for her." she said in a tight voice as she stood. "Here is your coffee sis. Please be a dear and don't get my assistant fired. She is nothing like the girls you entertain in your bed. She growled as she pushed the mug to her chest but being careful not to spill it. She sat back at her desk and began typing faster than normal.
"Well I- "Emma quickly turned around to use the photocopier.
Zelena let out a deep chuckle and sipped the coffee that had Regina's red lipstick on it. "You're no fun Regina."
Regina groaned to herself, she didn't know why she was getting so… jealous? She just wanted to drag Zelena out the door by her red curls. She turned slightly shooting daggers at Emma "When you are done making love sick eyes at my sister, please do the job you are actually paid to do and send me those files." I snapped rudely, instantly regretting it as she considered Emma's emerald orbs. It was too late to take back her words so instead she looked away.
The blondes blush darkened, and her soft, childlike pout returned as she nodded and returned to her desk. She hated upsetting Regina.
"Oh, leave her alone." Zelena sighed, "I was teasing. She has been working since before I got here despite me trying to convince her otherwise."
Regina smirked softly at that. So, she's loyal too. She thought to herself. She rolled her eyes at herself "Of course you did." She snapped in annoyance. "Go see mother. I'm sure she wants to see you" she groaned.
"I spent last night with her. she told me to give you this." She pulled an invite from her pocket, it was for a charity event Cora was running, as Emma looked up she could tell it was important. The card was fancy and expensive. "Mother said she expects us both to join and bring a date. She said everyone who matters will be there." She rolled her eyes. Just as annoyed as Regina at being forced to attend.
It wasn't that the sisters weren't a fan of charity it was more the fact they would be in the company of their mother and her so called friends. Regina nodded as she took the invitation "who are you taking?" Regina didn't look up from her computer as she answered some emails.
"I don't know… I'll find someone though."
"Just take Belle. She really misses you Zelena." Regina said softly knowing it was still a touchy subject for her sister.
"And how would you know that?" Zelena raised an eyebrow.
"Because I am the only one she can talk to since someone left…again." She told her with a sigh "She really misses you Z" her tone was soft, as annoying as her sister was she still called. Belle was probably the only decent person Zelena had brought home.
"Well it's been too long."
"It is never too long." Regina reached over and laced her fingers with her sisters. "She just wants to talk." She pulled away again as that hard front returned.
"Alright alright. I'll think of it." She nodded and hoped of Regina's desk.
Regina gave her a simple nod in response and bit her lip. "Good. Now get out of my office. Me and Emma have work to do." She pointed to the door and raised her eyebrow.
"I'm going." She chuckled "See you later." She grabbed her jacket and looked at Emma with a dangerous smirk on her face "Bye blondie." She winked and walked out the room.
The blushing blonde looked up and waved "uhh... bye."
The brunette shot one last glare at her sister before looking at Emma, "Can you come here?"
Emma looked up and nodded as she stood in front of the large oak desk, she fiddled with her fingers nervously, Regina had noticed that was a habit of the younger women.
Regina couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her assistant squirm. "I am sorry for snapping at you like that."
Emma relaxed slightly and smiled. "That's okay. I…umm I'll get you a face coffee." She pointed down at the cup.
"no no it's okay." She shook her head a sipped the coffee to prove a point. "You can see her if you really want to. I shouldn't have acted that way. Its none of my business." Regina nodded. No matter much she didn't want Emma to be just another one of her sister's women it was none of her business, not really.
"oh no I… no" Emma giggled softly "she seems lovely but no thank you."
Nodding at her words, Regina tilted her head softly "Everything alright?" she asked noticing that Emma seemed much more nervous than normal.
"Yes, I'm okay." She nodded smiling sweetly "so umm is she always that forward?"
Regina chuckled softly, "I'm afraid so. Us Mills are not know to censor our words." She let her eyes travel down the perfect body stood in front of her desk.
"I noticed" the blonde chuckled biting her lip softly.
The older women chewed softly on her own lip before looking up at Emma's face. "Will you be my date for tonight's charity event?" she asked without thinking.
"W-oh" Emma looked at her surprised but in a bad way. "Sure." She nodded. God Swan… calm down its just a work thing. She groaned to herself. "is it…. I mean is it fancy?" she shifted uncomfortably. The most expensive item of clothing Emma Swan owned was the work suit she had worn to her interview and even that wasn't that expensive and probably cost less then just one of Regina's shoes.
Regina bounced her leg nervously, she pinched her leg trying to calm her heart, but it didn't work. "Well yes dear, maybe I can pick you up early and we will go get you something new to wear?" she suggested softly.
"That Ummm… it would be helpful, yes please." She nodded quickly "I don't have anything that is nice enough for something like that."
Regina couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips, she rolled her eyes. Emma was so cute when she was nervous. "You can just ride with me when work is over. Your car will be fine here."
"Alright, thank you Miss Mills."
"Call me Regina outside of work." She smiled softly as she started to type focusing on her work again.
"Only if you'll stop calling me Miss Swan." Emma smiled as she returned to her own desk.
The brunette smirked "I shall think about it Miss Swan." She purred and chuckled.
Emma rolled her eyes but smiled happily as she went about her work. She was already feeling a mixture of excited and nervous for the night ahead.
Later that day Regina's nerves had heightened. She couldn't understand why she was so nervous, it wasn't like it was a real date. She stood and began to pack her bag. "Are you ready? We need to leave early if we want to get you something to wear."
The younger women looked focused as she replied to an email, she nodded slowly before nodding faster "Okay, ready." She grabbed her stuff before turning of the computer.
Regina lead the way down the corridor and to the elevator "Would you like to borrow something from me or get your own?"
"oh well I… I don't really have the money to get something right now." Emma looked down and blushed suddenly feeling embarrassed.
Waving her comment away, Regina stepped into the elevator. "No need for your money." She shrugged.
"okay…" she followed her boss quickly to their cars. "I could probably just wear something I already have I don't want to be a bother."
Regina found herself chuckling at the blonde's words again. "Well I want to buy you something, think of it as a bonus." She told her with a smile "You work hard." She smirked softly and opened the blonde's door for her.
Emma chewed softly on her lip and nodded "Okay…" she smiled a thanks as they walked down to their cars.
The older women found herself funning her hands through her hair nervously "I never know why she insists on doing these things." She shook her head unlocking her car door.
"Your mother?" Emma purred softly as she settled onto the soft, luxury leather seats.
"She can be a bit controlling at times, but I love her, and she means well." She smiled softly at the blonde sat next to her and headed to the dress shop that she frequented.
"Is it just a dinner?"
Regina pursed her lips softly, "She didn't specify but it is my mother, so I suppose it'll be a social gathering and an auction." She informed her.
"I've never been to an auction." Emma said sweetly as she watched out the window as they drove into the more expensive parts of the town.
The car pulled up outside of a little shop that Regina normally got her dresses from and led the blonde inside where they were met by the owner.
"Regina, how are you?" the lady hugged Regina lightly and kissed her cheeks.
"Very Well Ms. Sherman." She smiled and brought Emma forward, "This is Emma, she needs to be fitted." She told her and as the older women began to measure Emma's waist.
"oh… okay." Emma lifted her arms and let Ms Sherman do her thing.
It was clear to Regina that Emma felt a little out of place in the store so once Ms Sherman had left she looked to Emma "If you feel left out through out tonight then tell me." she caressed her shoulder softly as she watched the blue eyes light up with a smile.
Ms Sherman returned with a few dress bags "I picked out a few blue ones. It will bring out your eyes. What do you think Emma?"
"Oh… well, that are you wearing?" she bit her lip and looked to Regina.
She couldn't help but chuckle softly "I'm wearing red dear, but Ms Sherman is right, it will bring out your beautiful blue eyes." She smiled without even realizing it.
Emma blushed from her chest up. Her smile was bright as she nervously avoided looking at her boss. "Thank you…" she brushed her hair from her face and nodded "Umm yes… then the blue please."
Regina chuckled softly as she watched the blonde blush spread to her cheeks. She bit her lip as she watched Emma shyly tuck her hair behind her ear. Before she knew it her own hand was reaching up to tuck the blonde's hair behind her other ear.
Ms Sherman eyed them suspiciously "how is that man of yours Regina?"
The brunette removed her hand from the soft locks already missing the feel. "no longer mine. He's far to childish for my taste." She looked back to Emma.
"It's about time, I never knew why you were with him anyway." She scoffed and looked to Emma "Come with me." Emma nodded and following quickly as they headed towards the changing rooms.
Regina's felt her breathe catch as Emma leant her cheek into her palm. She wished they could be together, it was wrong. It couldn't happen. She waited patiently wanting to see the blue dress, it cost around $300 dollars, on the most beautiful women she had ever seen.
Ms Sherman followed Emma in to the changing rooms and helped her zip into a royal blue, fitted cocktail dress with a plunge neckline whilst still staying classy, the diamante spaghetti straps exposing Emma's toned back. The back had three more diamante straps crossing over to form a diamond shape.
Regina felt like the breath had been knocked from her. The blonde before her was absolutely breath taking. She bit her lip as she began to stutter. She closed her eyes to regain herself before opening them again. "You look absolutely stunning" she breathed out as took Emma's hand to twirl her around.
"You think it's okay?" she bit her lip nervously as she looked down at the dress "You… you don't think it's too dressy?"
The brunette shook her head. God Emma was beautiful. She was lost in her eyes for a moment before she came to her senses. "N-no… god no this is perfect." She said softly.
"Okay." The blonde nodded as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was a perfect fit and hung in all the right places whilst remaining classy. "I'll take this one."
"Nope. My treat. Put it on my card." She smiled at Emma before she handed over her black card.
"Do you need shoes?" Ms Sherman looked to Emma as she took the card.
"No" replied fast before Regina could do it for her. "I have some at home that will go."
Regina raised an eyebrow, but it let it go. She entered her pin before looking back to Emma "Do you plan on keeping that on dear?"
"Oh! Ummm right" Emma shook her head and went back behind the curtain to change again. "So, umm do you mind if we go back to my place, so I can get my makeup and shoes?"
As they headed out to the car Regina nodded with a soft smile as she handed Emma the dress bag, the blonde placed the dress in the back of the car before putting her address into Regina's built in Sat Nav.
T hanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed! Please review and even though I have the next few chapters planned out I'm happy to take your ideas as usual. Thanks for being patient with me with waiting so long unfortunately uni must come first. The next chapter will be shorter though and it'll be up over the next few days. Here is Emma's dress.