I wish chapter four didn't take this long, but figuring out where I wanted to take it was a hassle.

Reaching her office Regina was trying to wave everyone off, but they wouldn't listen.

"Just leave my office." Regina shouts pointing towards her door for everyone to exit. They all slowly disappear. Zelena stays behind closing the door and walking back to Regina, "I thought I said to just leave."

"Yes, but I know better than to leave you at this time." Zelena sits down in the black chair looking around at the room. "Wow sis, I forgot what your office looked like. Been a while."

"Where is Robin?" Regina ignores Zelena wondering if Robin is near the dispute happening on the first floor.

"Oh, he went to grab everyone coffee. Actually, he should be back by now." Zelena puts her finger to her chin with a thinking expression.

"I'll call him." Regina quickly picks her phone up to dial Robin's number.

"Huh, someone already has the new guys number?" Zelena said with a smirk on her face crossing her legs. Regina rolled her eyes and continued to hear the ringing. After the third ring Robin picks up.

"Hello Milady. Everything okay?"

"I want to make sure you are okay. Where are you?" Regina voiced with concern to make sure that Robin wasn't near the altercation that was happening.

"You mean Daniel. Yes. He left. I'm in the meeting room with the coffee's." He responds while a smile creeps upon her face. She wipes it off when she realizes Zelena was looking at her.

"We will be right down." Regina hangs up the phone and looks at Zelena who uncrossed her legs and leaning forward, "What?" Regina asks knowing very well why Zelena is smirking at her. But before she can answer Regina walks to the door and opens it gesturing for her to go out, "We can talk about this later. Sis." They go down the elevator in silence and Regina couldn't be more than happy about it for she doesn't want to talk about Robin.

Reaching the meeting room Robin springs up and heads towards Regina, "Are you okay?" Regina nods slowly meeting his eyes. "Oh, he only left if we gave you these." Robin turns around and hands her the flowers Daniel was holding and an envelope. She takes them and place it on the table. She doesn't feel comfortable opening something her ex gave her in front of her coworkers. She keeps her personal life apart from work. After the meeting Regina heads up to her office with the flowers. She see's her team on the couches near the window. They all turn to look at her, she looks at them confused while her eyebrows grow closer together.

"No team meeting this morning. Just your tasks." She quickly says and closes herself off in her office. Throwing away the flowers she stares at the letter. Nerves were on edge for what will be in the envelope. Anything can be written. But one thing is for sure, she will never get back with him if he tries. Finally, the urge to read what is inside takes over. Regina takes a deep breathe before opening her eyes to the letter.

Regina,

I never stopped caring for you. Never stopped loving you. I miss your scent, your face, and that wonderful bass voice. Please meet me for dinner on Wednesday. 6:00pm. Usual spot. Maybe you can wear that red dress I have always loved.

See you then

-Daniel

A tear ran down her cheek. She looks up trying to keep them in. Ruby comes into her office and sits on her desk facing her.

"What?" Regina asks beyond irritated that she is being bothered.

"I just want to make sure everything is okay. Also, Robin is here to work. Want him to work with us at the stores?"

"That's fine. I must go and check on Liam, I think we will take their offer." Regina gets up wiping off the other tear that fell. They nod at each other and move to depart. Regina likes to shut people out when things start to get disjointed in her life. Running to her mother, Cora Mills, for advice is a no, for her mother loved Daniel. "Money is power. Power is everything," is what Cora would say to her. Going about her day, Regina checks her phone for the time constantly, simply waiting for it to magically be Wednesday. She plans to go to the dinner for she wants to be rid of him for good. When it reaches lunch time she see's Robin texted her asking if she will join him for lunch. She ignores him. Regina likes to be alone when things turn south. It isn't fair for anyone, but she worked hard to maintain her composure and to keep everyone at a distance. Anger management classes paid off. So, she knows when she might explode to just be left alone. She avoids the office all day, getting work done at an out of town coffee shop called Selah Tea. It has a very hipster feel. It has been recently remodeled, and Regina loves the new faces she has never seen before.

Getting home was one of the best feelings of the long day. Digging into her trench coat for her keys the note Daniel gave her fell out. Quickly picking it up she gets into the house, closing the door behind her and throwing the note away in the trash. The mere thought of Daniel makes her more angry than nervous now. He used to hold so much over her head, blackmail her, making her feel powerless and worthless. Regina steps into the shower and lays on the bed with a towel covering her body while another wrapping her hair. She finds it hard to even get ready for the night. Maybe just sleeping naked tonight isn't a bad idea. Regina checks her phone again and there is a new text from Robin:

Milady, I hope you are okay. Missed seeing you today.

She sighs and lets her body morph with the bed. After a couple minutes of quietness throughout the house she decides to get up to get ready. Putting on grey silk pants and matching shirt she heads downstairs to decide if she wants to eat or not. Looking through papers on places that deliver she cannot seem to pick a spot. A knock at the door disrupted her thoughts. She lets out an annoyed grunt for she really wanted to try and avoid the outside world. She quickly gets up to get the person out of the way. Upon opening the door, Robin is standing there in his pajamas and take out in his hands. He smiles and before Regina can say a word he quickly utters out, "Chinese and some movies?"

She was slightly annoyed but couldn't help but smile at the simple gesture he did. For someone to care and reach out isn't something she is used to. Everyone leaves her alone during times of distress. Regina pulls him inside to close the door quickly. "We can eat on the couch." They head down and set up, Robin plugs in the movie, The Little Mermaid, and sits right next to Regina to give her the food he ordered. They get all settled. Regina puts her knees closer to her chest and lays a blanket over her legs. When they are all relaxed, the movie starts to play, they eat and chat in between bites. "Thank you."

Robin takes her hand and squeezes it. They gaze into each other's eyes and hold it there. His smile shows his dimples and her smile starts to grow. But before she can show her teeth, she pulls away and takes another bite of her noodles. Regina is scared for what the future has to hold. The past is coming to haunt her, and she doesn't want to drag Robin into the mess that is called her life. They clean up after eating and label the food with their names. He puts his into her fridge before leaving.

"Well, your majesty, it was a pleasure as always. If you ever need me, you know my number." She nods her head and closes the door behind him. Thoughts start to race through her mind and she can't help the confliction she has between what to do. Her feelings are growing for Robin. But he doesn't deserve to be part of her mess. Therefore, she closes everyone off to emotionally detach herself to have the ability to let go when she needed to. Looking at herself in the mirror drinking her wine, she takes a deep breathe and throws her glass breaking the mirror.


Wednesday came around. Regina asked Gold for a half day for she wasn't sure she can wait all day for 6:00pm to meet Daniel. Going into her home to get ready she hears a knock on the door. "Why do people always knock at the wrong time?" She yells as she goes down the stairs to answer the door. Opening the door with such aggression, Mary Margaret, David (Mary Margaret's husband), Graham, and Robin are all there huddled closely together waiting to speak. "What do you all want?" They all speak at once sounding like a high school gym during a prep rally. "One at a time if you may?"

Mary Margaret speaks first, "We wanted to make sure you were okay? And if you wanted us to sneak in to be undercover to watch."

"I don't think that will be necessary." She replies while trying to close the door, but Robin blocks the door.

"Regina, may I talk to you?"

"Fine." She looks at everyone to see what they have to say.

"Look, we just want to help." Graham quickly spits out before everyone wants to speak over each other again.

"We are here if you need us. You are like family to us." David interjects as well.

"I think I will be okay. Now please leave, I must get ready." They all turn to leave except Robin. He looks into her eyes reading in them that she is deeply terrified, even if he doesn't know what happened between her and Daniel, he can read that she is scared to go on this date.

"Milady, we are here to support you. Just say the word, and I shall be there." He steps closer to her just inches apart. She just looks down and nods. Slowly looking up Robin kisses her quickly, "Good luck." He says and heads down her porch to his car.

Regina goes into her closet, going deep into the back there were two boxes that she hasn't opened for more than a year, ever since Daniel has been out of her life. She digs through trying to find the red dress he talked about in the letter. It is a short red strapless dress with a deep V cut and a slit on the left leg. As she looks through all the dresses she passed a black one she loved very much. Lifting to look at it, she see's the cut on the left side where the dress hugs the waist. Pulling it close feeling the tears going down her cheek. Maybe she wanted Robin there after all. Getting ready was a hassle for she was conflicted, but she knew if she didn't go, things would escalate to things that don't need to happen.

Parking in front of the restaurant at 5:55. She takes a deep breath and gets out to head inside.

"I'm here on a reservation under Daniel."

"Right this way." She follows the host to the table. Daniel was already there with wine in the two cups that were placed there looking at his watch. He looks up to see Regina walking right up to him.

"Glad you made it. And with my favorite dress." He says as he leans to kiss her on each side of her cheek. "I already ordered for us. They said it won't take long." She hasn't spoken a word for she wasn't sure what to say. He always took the lead, making decisions for her and never really listening. "How is everything Regina?"

"Everything is well." She quickly responds taking a sip from her wine.

"Lets just cut to the chase. Are you and that guy serious?" A pause built up before he continued, "Well, I am here for I want you back. I have changed Regina." He goes to grab her hand, but she pulls it onto her lap. She lets out a huff and shakes her head slowly looking up at him.

"Daniel, you know that cannot happen." They hold each other's gaze for a while. She cannot read what his facial expression is saying. That is what worries her the most. She was able to tell when he was angry, upset, happy, aggravated, excited, but now his eyes are dark, and nothing is being told, not even the love she used to see when they were first together. The waiter comes with their food and they get right into eating. Regina doesn't eat too much for her stomach is turning her appetite leaving her. Daniel decides to continue the conversation.

"So, it will not happen because you are talking to that guy, aren't you?"

"I don't think that's any of your concern."

"Well, if we are getting back together, it has to be my concern. In case, you know, he doesn't back off." He quickly spurts out taking another bite of his food.

"Daniel, we aren't getting back toge- "

"Don't," he interrupts her before she can finish, "Don't say that."

"I only came here to tell you to leave me alone."

"You know what Regina. I can give you the world and more. You don't want that?" Daniel puts his fork down, putting his hands together, elbows on the table, staring her down.

"I don't. I just want to be happy."

"I can give you happiness Regina. What ever you want."

"Daniel. You can't." She finally worked up every nerve she must to tell him that they will never get back together. "I think it's best I go." She takes the napkin off her lap and places it on the table. Regina walks over to Daniel, "Goodbye Daniel." She whispers in his ear and kisses him on the cheek. He grabs onto her arm making her stop at her tracks. He slowly gets up to meet her face to face. Their faces inches away, noses touching and holding cold stares. Before Regina can realize what he was doing, everything smelled of wine. Daniel poured his glass of wine over her. She couldn't quite move for she wasn't sure what to do.

"Not here." Regina hears from across the room. She gets pulled away she wipes her eyes to see who this mystery person. It was Mary Margaret pulling her to safety away from preying eyes.

"I'll get rid of that guy if I must to get you to love me." Regina hears Daniel yelling behind her as she see's waiters and Graham hold him back from chasing her down.

"you came anyway? Is Robin in there?"

"We knew better with Daniels history with you." Mary responds, "and no, Robin went home after talking to you."

"Please, I just want to go home." Regina spurts out rapidly walking away to her car. The drive home wasn't filled with tears or emotion. She simply felt numb now. The house feels so much emptier or maybe it's just the emotionless body that is moving through as she travels to go take a shower. Laying in bed felt like everything to her. All she wanted was to be able to get rid of him once and for all, is it really this hard? But I guess he won't let her go. This isn't the life she thought she would have.

Regina didn't want Robin to be dragged into this. She lays in the bed motionless staring at the ceiling wondering what to do. The words Daniel shouted are racing through her mind. If something was to happen to Robin, she wouldn't be able to live with herself. This battle is between her and Daniel, why bring someone else into it? Her phone vibrates. She looks over to it, ignoring it to look back at the ceiling. It vibrates again. She finally looks at it and see's Robins name popped up.

This is exactly what she didn't want. Knowing people are going to get involved in this situation as they did before he left Gold's Enterprise. Feelings of fear, regret, and anger began to rise and course through her body. Thinking of her next move wisely, she sat up to put her head in her hands wondering, pondering, if ever talking to Daniel would be the right move. He got crazy once, yeah, sure, he said he has changed. But from his actions tonight made clear that he still isn't the person she fell in love with. Her phone vibrates again. All Regina wishes to do is throw the phone across the room. Robin's name is on the screen again, she finally opens the messages up.

Robin: Regina, how did it go?

Milady, I heard what happened, everything okay?

Okay, I shall leave you alone. You know where to find me.

Regina is now aggravated for the feelings for Robin are true, she doesn't want him to get hurt. Daniel is capable of many things. He isn't the same man she knew when they met while in high school. The love for him never died out, she will always have something for him, he was her first. But just because she has love for him, doesn't mean she is in love with him. She knew she wasn't going to be able to attend work for the rest of the week. Grabbing her phone, she texts Mary Margaret.

Hey Mary, I will not be in for the rest of the week. I will call Gold in the morning. I will also send an email out to the team for their tasks for the rest of the week. Have a great rest of the week.

She lays down on her right side staring out into the space that is darkened from the lack of light in the house. Letting sleep take over her she sleeps into the night.

Next chapter will be written in Robin's point of view while Regina is home debating what to do. Thank you for your support!