Chapter 10
Dinner with the devil
The car ride is a long one. I try to remain casual – but you all know me. The little awkward shit that I am. There is a tune playing on the radio. It's the only thing that keeps this weird mood bearable. When we almost arrive at my apartment he asks: "I will see you tomorrow for work then?" He looks at me for a brief moment and then concentrated on the road again. "That is – if you are feeling well enough again."
Eagerly I enter the conversation. Anything to kill the silence – right?! "Sure. I'm feeling just fine. Again I'm sorry for causing you trouble." Here I am babbling again. This happens to me when I feel uncomfortable. I begin a word-vomit. Like words cannot stop coming out of my mouth. "I could work late tomorrow – as to catch up for the lost time."
He chuckled – clearly amused by my lack of social skills. "No, no need for that. You are just out of the hospital. People might start to think that I'm a beast." I went silent. They do that already…. Don't they? He must be aware of it. I mean – I always get the feeling he likes being feared.
"I'll be there at nine sharp." I give him a little smile and nod in return.
As I waved him off after he dropped me in front of my building, I head inside. Hoping to finally be by myself in my own place. As I just seated myself in my couch there is a knock on the door. "Dammit!" I mutter and get on my feet again. There is another knock on the door just before I open it. "Miss Margret?" I ask confused – not really understanding why she would bother me anyway.
"Hi – ah – Hazel. I have this basket of fruit for you. I wanted to give it to you today, but you already left when I tried to visit you." The woman – kind of like the same age as myself – shove the basket in to my hands. "Thank you…?" What in the name of god am I to do with these? Okay, I know what to do with fruit but what I meant is – what do I have to do with this niceness. "Would you like to come in?" I ask insecure.
"Oh, that's okay. I mean Emma has just become Deputy, so I'm baking a cake for her." Mary Margret beamed and said goodbye.
"Odd." I say as I close the door and put the basket near the kitchen. Since when do people start worrying about me? At this moment I do not care anymore. I just want to lay in bed peacefully!
weeks went by and everything went back to its normal rhythm. I wake up – walk to the pawn shop to do my job and then go home to eat and sleep again. I loved this routine. My job was never the same. One day I am helping stock everything – other days I'm cleaning or help Mr. Gold with paperwork.
I still avoid people in general. Like the dinner is still a no go zone. Nope – really avoid that place. I also feel like people start whispering around me and I just know it is about me. Like it is a scandal that I work for the crippled man. On one day I'm very much fed up with it that I moody go to my work again. Grumpily I get a microfiber cloth and start aggressively dusting the place. Not that it was needed. Ever since I work here – things are just clean. After a while I get to see reason in this – thus I start polishing the silver. This is a perfect job when you try to work the anger out of your system. As the bell of the shop rings I see tourists wander around the shop. We don't get them often. Tourists.
At the sound of the bell – the pawnbroker comes out of his office at the back and helps the people that wander in.
I – still polishing the silver like I'm possessed – do not notice him standing behind me after the costumers are gone.
"My dear, what black cat has crossed your path today that you are in such a bad mood?" I hear him chuckle lightly as I jump at the sound from behind me. Quickly I rebuild my composure and smile one of my brightest smiles. "It's nothing, sir. Really – I'm fine." Even I hear the lie in my voice. The trembling sound of insecure and faltering confidence. It's like a little snake making it's way from my stomach out of my throat. "Good to hear." is all he says before returning to his office.
'Good to hear' A little voice mocks inside my head. 'Well… Peaahhggr!' Even in my head I sound stupid. This makes my irritations of the day not less as at the end of the day I think I've polished every piece of silver I could put my hands on. "You did a great job today." Mr. Gold says as he turns the keys in the lock to close the store. "Thank you, sir." I say politely.
"Do you have plans for the evening, miss Black?" He asks wile leaning heavily on his cane. "Maybe we could have dinner somewhere in town. I need to discuss business with you." I am on edge the moment he is done talking. Am I getting fired again. The alarm must be on my face for he chuckles and grins. "It's not that bad. I promise. I hope you'll like what I have to offer." This does nothing to calm me down, but for the sake of my dignity, I iron my face into something that resembles pleasantness.
"I have no one waiting for me." This makes him get all serious again what makes him look significant older. When he is all smiles – and mostly grins – he looks so much younger. Not that I really care. No – why would I care how I feel about the age of my employee. Please, he's the most feared man of Storybrook. I should not let my mind wonder to that dark spot of my brain. Better close that one off with a few locks.
"So, Granny's?" He asks while I was zoned to a conversation with myself.
"Sorry?" I ask
"We meet at Granny's?" He ask again.
"I don't know. I don't think I'm ready to go in there ever again." My hands find their way to the hems of my sleeve again. Frowning – the memory of my last day at the diner crosses my mind.
Mr. Gold moves forward, his cane tapping the pavement. "Are you really caring that much how other people think of you?" His eyes find mine and I can see a glitter of mischief in them. "Make an old man happy and please join me for dinner this night at that horrible place."
How can I say no now? He has me cornered. His hand rest upon my shoulder. He clearly has some kind of power over me. This thought triggers something inside me. In a flash I see a swallow in a forest flying happily – flapping it's beautiful wings.
"Alright. At what time would you like to meet?" I ask shaking the daydream from my mind.
His answer is short and to the point. "Now?"
Well It is dinner time, I get that. But now? "I need to change and get some cash." He looks offended saying: "I invited you to dinner, Birdy. I think we covered the money part here." His eyes then scans my outfit. "I can drive you to your apartment so you can freshen up." It wasn't an offer though. I feel there is no room for negotiation. "Alright."
So here I am. In front of the mirror of my bathroom. It didn't felt right at the time to just let him wait in the car – so the ever sweet person that I am – invited him in. Now however – having the man waiting in my tattered couch… I feel my cheeks burn. I grab a nice deep green dress that I just bought and matched it with some black lace tights. My ginger hair is braided into a thick braid – like those bohemian styles seen in so many magazines these days. Slapping on some make-up and grabbing a black blazer I hurry off to the main room. There I see him looking at my photography portfolio. My sketchbooks lies open on my desk. I cough politely to make my presence known to him. He turns around and I see him grin. "You look splendid, my dear. I feel terribly underdressed next to you." I walk towards the kitchen to get my clutch – but mostly to hide the heath that rise up in my face. Damn me and my girly self.
"Let's go, shall we?" He says and opens the door for me.
Okay, so I can tell you the whole ride I am quiet. Not that I don't walk to talk – I would love some distraction. But the only thing going on in my mind at the moment is the diner. I feel so nervous. It's silly, really. I'm a grown up. I could do this kind of things. No hard feelings right.
I whish I could say that…
Mr. Gold holds the door open for me – like the gentleman he is. I step inside my old workspace, looking at the ground hoping to make no eye contact. The smell of fresh food and coffee hits my nose and a pang of nostalgia hits me. He stakes my arm around his as he guides me towards a table.
"You can look up now. No one is looking." I blush – seeing he has figured me out. "I'm sorry." I sighted while grabbing the menu. With one finger he pushes down the menu and says: "You don't have to apologize to me. I'm sorry they treated you that bad so you feel the need to hide." I see a slight flame of anger flash in his hazel eyes. "I promise you you'll never have to feel like that again. Just tell me who makes you feel like that and I will fix it for you." He looks serious and I don't dare to break the trance he has over me. Like magic, his stare is holding me. After what seems like forever, he breaks eye contact. "Now let us look at this menu."
Ruby took our choices. I can see she is squirming under the stare of my companion. Part of me is enjoying this, another part of me is horrified. I can see everyone staring at me. I just hear them think – see them whispering to each other.
"Miss black –" He begins as I cut him off. "You can call me Hazel." I say – my attention back to the man across me. "Hazel…" He begins again, pausing as if the use of my name was like a foreign word. "Do you like your job at the shop?" He asks. I smile and for the first time this evening everything is forgotten. I tell him how excited but frightened I was on my first day. After all that happened at the diner and with the dreams. The dreams is what gets his attention.
"Are you still having those?" He asks. I nod. They are there. But they are not draining me anymore. "Can you tell me more about them. What are they about? Do you dream the same one or are they different?" The excitement vibe of all those questions flows over to me – making me feel like a child telling stories again.
"I have different dreams. It's like every night I get a new episode of a soap show on the TV." I tell him excitedly while our food arrives. He is having a salad while I ordered a steak. "In the beginning I wear simple clothes. I clean and tend the bar at a tavern. And later I find myself in a castle." I tell a rough outline of my dreams and how I loved the feeling when there is magic involved. "When I wake up it is… It's like I still feel the magic on my fingertips." I huff and take a sip from my wine. "I'm horrible. But I love these pretty dresses the castle owner seems to present me with."
He chuckles and say: "Terribly horrible." The smile that is plastered on his face while he listened intently makes me feel like a thousand swallows are lifting me up. I need to get a grip on myself. How can I let my mind wonder off like that. I blame you guys for this!
The wine makes me more loose lipped than I normally am. Maybe it was his plan in the first place all along. Either way, I don't care. I like his company at the moment.
When desert arrives he asks me a simple question: "What if you got promoted to be my housekeeper." The spoon filled with chocolate cake stops mid-way my mouth. "Like a maid?" It's silence.
"Listen, Hazel. I am very happy with your work around the shop. I can see you love the job more than you did so at the diner. However, the shop is clean and there is no work for tomorrow. Instead of sending you home I have a better job. A job that can make your life so much easier."
I raise my brows. "What do you mean, easier?"
He locks my eyes onto his again. "I have noticed the way you come into my shop lately. You hate that people think of you as the little plaything of an old pawnbroker." He pauses, examining me and my expressions.
"And although you make my time a much more pleasant one. Business is business. So that's why I would like for you to expand your job and be my housekeeper. Three days at the shop. The others at my house." He explains while eating his lemon desert.
"Other days… like the rest of the week. Like four days?"
"Yes." Simple and to the point again.
"I don't know." I say honestly. "I don't want to be rude, but I need to think about it." I think he anticipated this answer for he responds: "I give you one day, little bird. Take the day off tomorrow and think about it. If you fail to be at my house before 6 in the afternoon, I will know enough. But…" Again he pauses, causing a dramatic display in front of me. "if you fail to show up – I will have to fire you." I look at him with a shocked expression. "Fire me!?" Too loud – dammit. I see people looking our way which makes Mr. Gold grin – seeing my discomfort. "Fire me? Why?" I repeat in hushed tones. "Am I not doing my work as I should?" He smiles. "That's not it. If you would decline my offer, it would never work out between us." I frown at this. "Professionally." He added smirking. I look away – hoping to hide de redness that must be visible by now in my face. "I will think about it." I say trying to get rid of this weird feeling in the air. "You do that now, dear." With that he raises his hand at Granny, asking for the check. He pays – stands – and limbs off.
Well no ride home then. Probably punishing me already for not accepting straight ahead. Shortly after he left I rise and head out as well. As I open the door someone pulls me back. As I turn to see who this is, the large eyes of Ruby bore into mine. "Hazel. I know we didn't go off on good terms… but please watch out of that man. He is dangerous. Don't let him get to you."
A sudden flash of bravery hit me and I shook my arm free. "I don't know what you are speaking off." And with that I left – planning on never returning here again.
The night was a long one. I am tossing and turning in my bed – feeling totally lost in my thoughts. There was really no excuse for not taking the job. I mean, I could use every last penny of it and what else was I to do? Surely I would have days off right. I could use those days for my hobbies and what not.
What if I didn't take the job. Things could change drastically. I would have to pay rent again. My salary would most likely be halved. That is - if anyone would like to hire me. I mean – I'll be sacked two times in a short period of time…
I would end up on the streets with nothing left. So do I really have a choice? No – I don't think so. Dammit!
In the morning I walk towards the shop. I know he would be open and why wait when I already know I have no choice. He had my back against the wall.
When the bell rings and I see my employee scribbling in his book – a swarm of wasps break loose in my stomach. I want to say hello – to greet the man in front of me – but no words escape my mouth.
"Good day, Hazel. To be honest – I had not expected you this early. Must say it is a nice surprise to see your face again." He closes the book and get his cane – which is resting against the nearest wall. The tapping of the cane on the wooden floor doesn't make my nerves any better.
"So have you thought about the offer I had made you last night?" In his features I can see that he is already enjoying this. He leans against the front of the counter which had a decorative register on it.
"Mr. Gold. –" I begin, taking a deep breath. "I am willing to accept your offer." The man stands up rounding on me.
Tap.. tap… tap… the cane's noise is merrily hard against the silence as he waits what I have to say.
"But we do have to discuss terms. I want to know exactly what I am getting myself into." As he passes me I see a sly smile form upon his face. The scent of his perfume fillsmy nose. I smell wood and something leathery. It suits him.
"Well, let's close the shop for the day and discuss these… terms then shall we?" He limps past me to turn the sign that says 'closed '. "Please, follow me." Mr. Gold says while he holds the door open for me. "We have a lot to discuss."
