Hi everyone! So with the current chapters I have, I might be able to update once a month. But when things pick up, I can do more frequent ones! Anyway, a lot of characters are going to be mentioned in this one, so I hope you guys get them all correct. Hint: Wonderland.
Oh and another thing, I cannot for the life of me right smut. I can't. I've tried and failed so sorry to anyone expecting that.
Side note: My other Rumbelle fic called "Sacrifice" is nominated for Angst: Death in this year's TEAs. Give it a read if you have time and if it is to your liking, please vote for it! :)
"That must have been some movie," said a voice that slowly brought Gold to wakefulness. His vision cleared and saw his son standing over him with a smug smile on his face. Gold groaned and this made the bundle of warmth in his arms stir.
"Couldn't have just woken us Bae?" asked Gold as Belle opened her eyes. He glanced at his watch. It was almost 9 in the morning. "Please tell me you cooked breakfast."
"Reason why I woke you papa," said Bae with a cheeky grin. "I have to go meet Grace for a school project. Morning Belle."
"Morning Bae," replied Belle rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"I'll let you two wake up," said Bae. "I'll get the ingredients ready Papa. But I'm hungry so hurry up."
Gold waved him to the kitchen impatiently as both he and Belle sat up on the couch they have turned into a bed. When Bae had called it a night, the two of them decided to watch a movie...well a marathon of the Harry Potter movies. After the third one, Gold felt himself drift off with Belle cuddling closer to him and that eventually resulted in them both on the couch and wrapped in each other's arms.
"Well," began Gold. "That's not exactly how I had imagine how my first night sleeping with you would be like."
Belle smiled and playfully hit him in the arm. "Well that what's you get for agreeing to a Harry Potter marathon. But if we're being honest, I had no intention of going home last night."
Gold felt himself blush. "Though I think your son would have been traumatised for life."
"I can hear you, you know!" Came the reply from the kitchen. Gold and Belle laughed as Gold stood and offered a hand to Belle.
"Come on before he eggs us from keeping him from breakfast," said Gold.
"Has he done that?" asked Belle with an amused smile.
"He poured cold water over him once well I slept in," said Gold. "It's his own fault. He knows how to cook but still wants me to. Slave driver."
"To be honest," began Belle as they reached the kitchen where Bae had already laid out eggs, some spices and defrosting some bacon. "Even if I knew how to cook, I would still prefer you do it."
"Told you papa," said Bae with a successful grin, finally finding someone who sides with him. "Why cook something ok when you can have someone cook it so much better just by waking him up."
"Haha," replied Gold sarcastically as he began to cook breakfast. "Whatever happened to 'A way to a man's heart is through his stomach.'"
"Well that's the same for women," said Belle with a smile. "And sometimes, role reversals are welcome."
Bae choked on his orange juice as Gold stiffened. "Good thing I have plans today." said Bae, shaking his head in amusement.
Belle laughed as Gold glared at her. "What? He's old enough."
"And would also love to not be a part of this conversation so save it after I've had my breakfast and made a beeline out the door," said Bae. "But I think it's more of you embarrassing him in front of me, Belle."
"How can it be that the most important people in my life are also the possible death of me?" complained Gold as he turned back to his cooking.
"Well get used to it," said Bae, sharing a conspiratorial smile with Belle.
"Yeah, Adam," continued Belle. "You're stuck with us."
"I knew I should have called mom," said Bae with a grin.
"Yeah sure have the three of you here, ordering me to cook breakfast," replied Gold. "I'll be dead by noon."
Zozo smashed the receiver back down hard. Gold and his writers were still digging and now they were digging somewhere that had a potential risk to his agendas. The sound of an almost damaged phone brought Mrs. Greene to her husband's study.
"What's wrong?"
"The Times are still digging and from what my source has reported," began Zozo,pacing his study. "They're looking into Glinda's disappearance."
"But that case has gone cold," assured Mrs. Greene. "They won't find anything."
"We both know Gold is not someone who stops fishing," said Zozo in annoyance.
"I told you it was a wrong decision to go after Dove," replied Mrs. Greene. "You basically put a target behind your back, Zozo."
"It worked didn't it?" argued Zozo. "They are now playing safe."
"But they are also eager to find something to pin on you," said Mrs. Greene finally sitting on one of the chairs in front of Zozo's desk. "You're fanning the flame, Zozo. They won't find anything and you should enjoy watching them try."
"Or I can scare them off," said Zozo, walking to the front of his desk to stand in front of his wife and lean back on the desk. "It's better knowing that they've backed off instead of thinking about the possibility that they could find something. Gold's smart, he will eventually find something to use against me and that might be my end."
"You give him far more credit than you should," replied Mrs. Greene. "He hasn't even figured out Peter Malcolm's little secret. I believe Adam Gold is nothing special but an annoying little prick."
"You haven't met him my dear," began Zozo. "That man can be an infuriating imp and he is smarter than he looks."
"Just like his grandfather then," offered Mrs. Greene. "What's your plan then?"
"Hit them where it hurts," said Zozo, crossing his arms in front of him. "None of them are untouchable, especially Gold. I'd do anything to wipe that smug smile off his face, thinking he has outsmarted me."
Mrs. Greene fell silent and Zozo turned to her. "You can't possibly tell me that you're concerned for him, my dear. That man is a snivelling little weasel who sticks his nose in other people's business all for the sake of public awareness and freedom of speech. He is an idiot."
"I am not concerned for his well-being, Zozo," began Mrs. Greene. "I have no concern over Adam Gold at all, especially with what happened in his past."
"Good," said Zozo as he fished out his phone and contacted Hodor. "Because this is one business I am going to enjoy."
"Hey."
Gold looked up to see Belle hovering by the door, small arms clutching her meeting agenda and and hand on a cup of tea.
"Hey," greeted Gold with a smile. "What brings you here?"
"I was wondering if I could go up to the inevitable with you?" asked Belle, still not entering his office. Gold raised an eyebrow, totally confused on what she was talking about. "The editorial and managerial meeting."
Gold turned to his desk clock and sighed in relief. Said meeting was half an hour from now and Gold thought he might have gotten himself lost in writing his editorial again.
"Sweetheart, you gave me a heart attack with that," said Gold, standing up and guiding Belle to sit down on his office couch. "I thought I was late."
"Sorry," began Belle putting her things down and covering her face with her hands. "I'm just so bloody nervous...I don't know why I even agreed to this."
"Mal knew you'd be passionate about it and she knew you'd do a great job," replied Gold, prying her hands from her face so he could look her in the eyes. "Belle, you've read and edited some of the first books we've published already and look how they were. Bestsellers the whole lot of them."
"But submissions are piling up as we speak and I don't think my team can handle all that," argued Belle and Gold wrapped his hands around hers.
"You're just used to a deadline as hectic as that of a daily newspaper," began Gold, sitting beside her on the couch. "Books have a different sort of deadline. Besides, Regina has said that they just want to publish at least 4 books a year, one a quarter. You have enough time to read through the submissions and plan."
"That's easy for you to say," said Belle, still not thoroughly convinced.
"Belle, I've seen you devour a book in minutes," said Gold with a smile. "if it's a book worth publishing, you'll know the minute you read the first paragraph."
Belle stayed silent and Gold pushed on. "Belle you're given the greatest pleasure of being the first person to read a story that you can or may decide not to share to the world. You know almost all stories in existence and I know we have the best person in the job."
"What about the editing?" asked Belle sheepishly.
"Well that's why you have us backing you up," said Gold, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Why the sudden dip in self-confidence love? You're usually the one who believes she can do extraordinary things."
"I just…" began Belle but shook her head as she stared at the floor. "Don't get me wrong. I love the opportunity...but aren't there more qualified people on the floor for the job? I was just a librarian."
"Nobody disses librarians in front of me Ms. French," cut off Gold immediately but Belle heard the teasing tone in his voice. "Librarians are some of the rarest people you'll meet."
"Oh and why is that?" asked Belle with a small smile.
"They have super powers," said Gold with dramatic effect and Belle had to bite down the urge to laugh.
"Powers?"
"They have the power to change your world just by introducing you to a book that has a story to tell," replied Gold his smile widening. "Librarians can take you on an adventure you never thought you'd go to. They will literally open your eyes to something spectacular that you'll hate yourself for missing out on it for all these years."
"Now you're just quoting my article," said Belle as she playfully nudged his side with her elbow. "But thank you, that was sweet."
"As my lady commands," replied Gold with a slight bow of his head. "You really shouldn't worry about these meetings. It's actually quite a lot of fun."
"Easy for you to say," began Belle, wrapping her arms around his waist. "They're not your boss."
"Well they're not yours anymore as well," pointed out Gold. "Basically the only person higher than you would be Regina because she owns the publishing company."
"What do you usually discuss then?" asked Belle and Gold gave her a satisfied smile. He had managed to calm her down with still some time to spare.
"Just the usual updates," said Gold. "Before it was just a quick one, but now that Regina has merged the editorial and managerial meetings so that everyone was in the loop, the meetings have doubled in minutes but it does save us the trouble of looking for each other."
"How so?" asked Belle.
"Well Albert and I usually have concerns with one another," explained Gold as he too got his papers ready for their meeting. "Legal matters on what writers can and can't do or what actions are still under freedom of speech and which ones are invasion of privacy...things like that."
"And things that can get us sued?" asked Belle with a small smile which Gold returned.
"That's Albert's priority most of the time," said Gold as he motioned for Belle to stand and they headed to the 12th floor. "I would have you know that there hasn't been a lawsuit that has actually been pushed through."
"Yes because who can resist your boyish charms," teased Belle and Gold found himself blushing.
"Before we all head our separate ways," said Regina as the meeting has reached it's one hour mark. "Election season is coming up and as you know we do a feature with each candidate that wants an important post. Best get ready, Adam and I will be assigning your respective candidates soon, not unless you already have someone in mind."
"Just don't give me Greene and I'll be fine," said Mal which got everyone's heads nodding in agreement.
"i'm pretty sure Adam wants Greene all to himself," said Jefferson. "And you want that minister obsessed with her dogs."
"You are not interviewing Ella De Vil, Mal," said Regina. "One, conflict of interest. Two, I'm not going to pay for you to go on a date with someone you've been eyeing for months."
Mal's face turned a slight shade of red while everyone else laughed. "I didn't say that I was going to interview her. And please do not even attempt to assign her to Regina, Adam."
"I'll take her," offered Milah and Mal glared daggers at her. "Oh come on, who would you suggest interview your crush then?"
"The only one I will trust are either Adam, Leopold, Friedrich and Sydney." replied Mal. "Sorry, everyone else will probably embarrass me to kingdom come. Or in Belle's case, she might just fall for someone else."
"I'll do it then," said Leopold. "I've met her before she became a minister. I think she'll warm up to me."
"Just not that much," whispered Mal under her breath which everyone heard and they all couldn't stop themselves from laughing.
"I think all of us are good with anyone except Greene," said Albert.
"We're leaving Greene to the News writers," said Regina. "You sure you're ok with anyone? Even Arthur Camarie?"
"Well he is a bonafide politician and was once a lawyer so I'm ok with sitting down with him for a few minutes," replied Albert.
"These interviews take about an hour and a half depends on the politician," began David. "Knowing Arthur, I'd wager he'd talk your ear off."
Albert made a face. "Fine, I did say anyone. Besides, free lunch. I'm alright with him."
"Don't give me Keith Nottingham," said Robin and before Regina could even muster a word Albert beat her to it.
"And don't give him to Regina not unless you guys want a lawsuit." said Albert quickly earning him a glare from Regina and the laughter of everyone else.
"If we're listing down people who Regina shouldn't interview add Greg Mendell to that list," voiced Blue. "Not unless we want another public harassment case. I think we'd lose money."
"We won the last one," said Regina. "It's not my fault the guy's a jerk and trying to make the moves on me like some drunken bastard."
"Yeah but you wasted a lot of money too," replied Friedrich Midas. "Maybe she can interview him, as long as she doesn't sue him for indecent behaviour. Or have a phone interview."
"Add Percy Cunningham to that list," said Jefferson. "Regina just might give the poor guy a heart attack."
"Jafar Nyx might just flirt with you the entire interview so he's out of the question," added Robin.
"I can fire all of you remember," pointed out Regina and then she turned and glared at Robin. "And Jafar did not hit on me."
"Yeah right," mumbled Robin as everyone laughed. "The guy was all over you like some love sick puppy."
"This meeting is getting out of hand," began Regina. "Adam just take note of everyone's preference. I'm sure by now we have enough writers per candidate."
"I'll take Ana Scarlet," offered Mal, as she turned to Belle. "Maybe you can tell Will to ask his wife to go easy on me."
"I can do one of the Grimm brothers," voiced out Friedrich. "I can't do both because they might just tag team me."
"You take Adam and I take Eddie," answered Sydney. "They usually want to do it at the same time, let's just separate our tables."
"Which brings me to ask," began Gold turning to Regina. "What do we do about Fergus Dunbroch? Would it be a conflict of interest since his daughter works for us?"
Merida Dunbroch was a writer for the art and books section but volunteered to be part of the publishing group under Belle.
"Just don't have any of the Features people do it," answered Blue. "I can take him."
"Actually Blue," began Gold. "We're also doing a feature for Peter Malcolm since it's his last year of service. I was hoping you'd take him and Milah could take Fergus."
"We are?" asked Regina, turning to Gold with a raised eyebrow.
"If you read my previous email Your Majesty," began Gold, giving her a sarcastic smile. "You would know." Regina rolled her eyes at him.
"That's fine," said Milah as Blue also nodded. "Though we should probably give Blue some guards. The man's a giant!"
"I could take Greene," offered Regina but she knew Adam wasn't going to give up the chance to interview the man. "But I know you won't give it up."
"I'll take Jafar and you take Arthur," offered Albert. "I'm sure that won't last an hour."
"Sure give me Arthur," said Regina. "Might as well try to make him talk specific policies instead of a general bright future answer he always gives us."
"I'll take Nottingham," added David. "And I won't punch him in the face for you Robin."
"I'll take Mendell so Robin won't punch him either," said Jefferson.
"That leaves me Percy Cunningham," said Robin as he glared at David and Jefferson. "Just for the record, I don't punch people because I like to."
"No you just do it to men who pounced on your girlfriend," said Milah earning her glares from both Regina and Robin.
"That leaves Hans Isles or Gary Weselton," said Sydney. "Not unless you want to give up Percy Cunningham, Robin."
"I'd prefer to take Weselton over Hans," said Belle turning to George Marco, the last of the board to not take anyone.
"I'm alright with Hans," answered Marco.
"And me with Greene," said Gold, his face expressionless. In all honesty, he'd rather take anyone but then Greene had already shown interest in talking to him. He was the best man for the job. "Alright, I'll email the lineup of questions and their contact details. We usually decide where and they decide the when since the company is the one paying."
"So don't even think about it," said Regina. "Friedrich will need all the receipts for proper documentations. So really don't think about it. And as much as possible have them during lunch not dinner so no drinks, Jefferson."
"Hey it's not like I'm the only one who did that last year," defended Jefferson. "David had his at night as well."
"Yeah but I didn't charge a drink or two to the Times," laughed David as they all headed out of the meeting room.
"No, you just went to an all buffet dinner," hissed Regina. "Do that again and that is deducted from your salary, Nolan."
Gold, Belle and David headed to the life while the rest went back to their respective offices. "You sure about Greene?"
"Not really," began Gold. "But he's very eager to talk to me. Maybe I can use that to my advantage."
"Is he really that dangerous?" asked Belle, her voice lined with worry.
"Well," began David as they entered the lift. "He's a manipulator with a lot of money and therefore has a lot of friends who would do anything, no questions asked."
"Like beat up a reporter," said Belle as she turned to Gold. "Promise me you'll be careful."
"He won't make a move while we're in public," said Gold as they had arrived on the floor of the News Section. "Besides, he asked for the interview."
The lift doors were closing but Belle blocked them. "Adam…"
Gold gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me Belle. It's Greene who should be worried about talking to me."
"Why doesn't that make me feel better?" said Belle, eyeing her boyfriend.
"Well he is right Belle," offered David. "Greene maybe a master manipulator but when Adam Rumford Gold is out for a story, nothing will be left uncovered."
