The morning dawned cold and dreary, seemingly an omen to how his life had turned out. Once upon a time, a very long time ago, he was happy. A man that found pleasure in the pleasure of other.
But he was no longer that man. He no longer cared what people thought of him. He was a man that thrived on the misery of others. People would come to him in their greatest moments of despair, begging and pleading for him to appease their trouble. But the type of help he offered always came with a price. A price that, while many would deem unfair, he saw as only just. Nothing in life was easy. And he would not allow his "kindness" to be taken as weakness. Never again.
And so it was that Mr. Gold found himself pacing on the front steps of him home on that drab morning. When Mo French had offered his only daughter as payment on a loan, Gold had thought that, surley, the man was out of him mind. How could a father sacrefice his child? But as the old, beat up van pulled up in front of his house at percicely 7:59am, Gold realized that desperation could easily betray the bonds of fatherly love.
"Well, dearie," Mr. Gold sneered ad Belle stepped out of her father's van, "welcome to your new home. I sure do hope you're worth all the trouble. Now understand dearie, that once you step inside you are not allowed to leave the castle until I deem you father's debt repaid. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mr. Gold. I understand," whispered Belle solemnly, eyes averted, as she stood humbly before him.
"Well, then do come in and I will have someone show to your room."
"Can't I at least tell my father goodbye?" Belle asked as she threw a glance to her father, who had yet to move from the protection of his vehicle.
Mr. Gold snickered in disgust. "He sold you. Why would you even want to speak to him? Now come along. I haven't got all day."
It was all Belle could do not to turn back. But she had given her word and she would honor it.
Walking through the door, Mr. Gold turned to his closest servant. "Take her up to the nursery. This girl is going to be Bae's new nanny. Oh and Ms. French, if I should happen to find that my son is not being properly cared for, you will truly feel the extent of my wrath. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir."
" Very well, then."
As Belle walked into the nusery she was imediatly overcome by the shrilling wails of the toddler. Cheeks flushed from crying and eyes that seemed to be far to wise to belong to such a small child, Bea seemed to be everything sweet and innocent.
"He's not much a friendly one, Miss." the servent warned her. Walking over to the child to comfort him, Belle was surprised when Bea willingly allowed her to fold him into her embrace.
"It's ok sweet boy. It's all going to be okay." Belle promised softly. And as Bea looked at her, seemingly trusting her despite the fact that they had just met, she felt that maybe, just maybe, this imprisonment could be endured.