For those asking, Neal is in no way going to be violent, if anything he's probably scared of Emma's father. Which leads me to who should it be? There will be storybrooke down the line and it will all somehow be linked so it cannot be Gold or charming but I'll leave it up to you! Review or PM your suggestions :) thanks for all the responses so far xx
Chapter 2
Watching the woman across the table in silence, Emma briefly scans the place, pausing a moment at the group of men in the corner before looking back towards the brunette who decided to strike up the conversation while holding a hand out.
"Regina Mills.."
Smiling at the offer, Emma shakes the brunette's hand. "Emma..Cassidy" Gesturing her head towards bar, the blonde asks. "So..I take it you're part of their business?"
Placing her drink down, Regina clears her throat then crosses her arms graciously against the smooth wood of the table. "Actually no, I..I'm not from around here..I'm from a small town in Maine..but I needed some expert training. Finally get a proper qualification in the arts of business.."
"Oh..I see. Well, all I can say is, rather you than me.." Chuckling lightly, the blonde stops herself abruptly with a frown at how stupid she must be coming across.
"So what exactly are you doing here dear?" Quirking her eyebrow, the brunette stares intrigued.
"Just tagged along for the ride" the blonde waves her hand jokingly with a small grin.
Breaking out in a smile, Regina runs a hand through her hair then lifts her wine glass.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"It would appear that it is getting quite loud over there. Typical men for you..never know when to give up..especially the drink" Regina comments as she lifts her second glass of wine.
Peering across, Emma nods slowly. "Yes it would appear so..but to them it's just a normal night.." Catching Neal's eye, the blonde then turns away awkwardly at having her husband catch her in a conversation with someone else.
Following her line of view, the brunette looks over her shoulder towards the man before turning back to the withdrawn woman with a pursed lip at noticing the blondes sudden behaviour. Reaching across the table, Regina rests her hand upon Emma's arm lightly. "I see you have some unwanted attention..don't let him get to you dear..beautiful girl like you should be smiling not shying away"
Lifting her head, the blonde gulps as she feels the woman's fingers begin to caress along her arm. "I know but..."
"No buts..no man should make you feel worthless"
"No it's not that it's just.." Sighing, Emma slides her arm away and under the table. "That man..is my husband.."
Eyes widening, Regina also retracts her arm, quicker than the other woman as though she had been burnt. "Oh..." Watching the blonde for a moment, the brunette then frowns. "I don't understand..you don't seem happy about it..about your husband?"
Chuckling slightly, the blonde shakes her head before muttering down to her lap. "Why am I telling you this.." Taking a breath, Emma looks towards Regina silently, waiting for some sort of permission to continue.
Waving her hand with a small smile, the brunette responds. "If you can't spill your secrets to a stranger in a bar who can you spill them to?"
Matching the woman's smile, the blonde briefly checks the bar then shifts closer over the table, dropping her smile as she speaks. "I never wanted to marry him. He's my father's business partner...there is no love there at all. In other words, I'm trapped"
Appearing shocked by the woman's blunt confession, Regina grips the table tightly with a tint of anger. "So you were forced?"
"It's complicated.."
"How?"
Blind sided by the fact that the brunette wants to take the conversation further, Emma stutters. "Wh..what?"
"How is it complicated?" Regina extends her question before staring at the woman intrigued for her answer.
Biting her lip, the blonde tries to come up with one. "It just is..my father wanted it and well he's a very powerful man.."
Sniggering at the use of the term powerful, the brunette clears her throat quickly at an attempt to mask the sound as Emma frowns. Noticing the blondes sad expression, realising the seriousness of it all, Regina clasps her hands together. "I get it...I was for a while not in control of my life..but then I realised if i didn't change it, didn't make it happen..I would never be happy"
"And are you now? Happy?"
"Getting there..I've made a few mistakes here and there but right now all I wish for is a peaceful life. Find a place, go to work then hopefully come home to a family of my own..someday" shaking her head in disbelief over how ridiculous it sounds, the brunette begins to run a finger around the rim of her now empty glass.
Having listened, Emma rests her chin upon the palm of her hand. "What do you do for a living? You said you was here for business training..what exactly do you do in this small town of yours?"
"Oh..I'm the mayor.." Seeing the blondes eyes widen, Regina laughs. "Yes..that would have been my reaction too..a mayor who doesn't know what she is doing. Let's just say the role was handed to me on a plate.."
"Wow...and Neal thought he was a big shot.."
Raising an eyebrow, the brunette drops her hand from her glass. "Whose Neal?"
Gesturing towards the bar, Emma looks dead panned. "The husband"
Trying to keep a smile from appearing on her face at the woman's response, Regina nods. "Right..husband.." Looking towards the bar, the brunette sits up straight, holding her posture as she side glances the blonde. "Speaking of.."
"Hello.." Watching the brunette give a curious stare, Neal then looks down to his wife. "Emma, I'm sure you have wasted enough of Miss Mills' time..it's time to go home"
Opening her mouth to answer, the blonde pauses as she is cut off. "I-"
"How do you know my name?" Regina asks with somewhat of a glare.
"Just some of the guys I was talking to had spoken to you at the hotel..I asked them who you were as you seemed to be in such a deep conversation with my wife. Tell me what did you both talk about?" Neal smiles between the pair in a patronising manner.
Unimpressed, the brunette crosses her arms. "Not that it is anything to do with you but we were also discussing business"
Sniggering loudly, the man chuckles. "Oh please, like Emma here understands any of it"
Looking up to meet her husband's gaze, Emma tries to hide her embarrassment.
"I think you'd be surprised.." Regina states while offering the blonde a smile. "But I also believe that your husband here is right..it's getting late and I need to return to my hotel for the night" collecting her bag and checking for some money for a cab, the brunette rises from her seat then holds her hand out towards the blonde. "It was nice meeting you Emma"
Accepting the handshake, Emma bites her lip at feeling a piece of card between their palms then nods in gesture. "You too..Regina" following the brunette with her eyes, the blonde deflates a little as the woman disappears out of the exit. Turning to see her husband has gone off to say goodbye to his colleagues, Emma looks to the small card with a smile as she reads the woman's name and number out in her head. Despite their short conversation, the blonde knew she wanted to meet with her again.
