Hey guys thank you for the reviews! I am glad you are enjoying it
I really enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope you like reading it. I tried writing in the present tense instead, and I think I like that better. I also decided to write from the perspective of Mr. Gold this time, just so you could see what's going on in his mind. :)
Mr. Gold couldn't wait to get back to Belle. Yesterday seems like years ago. His eyes were aching to see her slim figure resting in the chair, head resting on her delicate hand. He wonders what she'll wear today. Will she wear a black skirt or a blue one? Or maybe a completely different color? Red heels or black? Lipstick or not? Whatever she wears, I'll like it, he thinks.
Work at the shop seems to take much longer than normal. He thinks about closing early, just to see Belle, but he actually has a store to run and money to earn.
By 6 o'clock he can't take it anymore. He has to see Belle. Even if it's just for a brief moment. He flips the sign to 'closed' and heads out.
Except while Belle is on his mind he forgets that other people walk on the street too, and bumps into someone.
Regina Mills, mayor of Storybrooke.
"Mr. Gold. Leaving so soon?"
"Yes, it's been a long day, Madam Mayor." He tries to work his way around Regina. She blocks his path.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" She does not budge.
"You have no right to my business, Ms. Mills. Thank you, but I really should be on my way—"
"I have every right. I'm the mayor. Where are you going?" It's clear Regina won't let Mr. Gold go until he gives an answer.
"The library." Says Mr. Gold matter-of-factly, with no emotion whatsoever.
"See? Wasn't so hard." Regina smirks. "Don't get yourself into anything you don't want to be in, Mr. Gold. That would not be good." She walks in the opposite direction of him, her heels clicking away on the sidewalk.
Mr. Gold turns away from her and follows the sidewalk towards the library.
For some reason he starts to get nervous. It's not like they're on a date.
No. He is just…going to the library.
To meet Belle.
The woman he is very attracted to.
No big deal.
By now he can see the clock tower in front of him, which means the library is only down the road. So close, yet so far. He hobbles forward until he is directly across the street.
Never in his whole life has Mr. Gold been this nervous. Not with Milah. Not with Cora. Only Belle. He takes a deep breath and walks across the street.
The first thing he sees when he opens the door is Belle. She stands out in the darkness of the library with her bright yellow blouse. Her hair curls neatly onto her bare shoulders, framing her face nicely. But that's all he can see because she's sitting behind her desk.
She must have heard him walk in, because she looks up.
And smiles.
"Mr. Gold. I was beginning to think you weren't going to come." She stands up and walks to the front of the desk, resting her backside on the desk top. Now Gold can see her whole outfit.
She wears a formfitting plaid skirt, stopping mid-thigh. Although he wishes the skirt would rise higher, he is grateful her defined legs are exposed.
At the sight of her, Mr. Gold forgets for a moment that she had said something to him. Think of something witty, quick.
"I never break my promises, dearie." He chuckles at his clever response.
Belle bites her lip and tries to cover up a grin. Gold's not sure if she's trying to be seductive, but she definitely is.
"Good then, I'll remember that."
Nobody says anything for a brief moment.
"You came back for a reason, right?" Belle says.
"I, uh, yes."
"And what was that?"
Oh gods no please don't tell me she knows; please don't tell me she knows I like her.
"To, uh…read books. Ah yes. Read."
Belle looks at him for a second, purses her lips together, and then talks. "I think I have the perfect book for you." She disappears through a maze of shelves and Mr. Gold follows.
Mr. Gold is only able to follow Belle by her intermittent giggles and the click of her heels. He smiles to himself. How can this woman be so cute?
Once the sound of her heels stops, Mr. Gold slows down. Finally. He rounds the corner and gasps. Even though he owns the library, he had no idea there was a secret cove amidst the bookshelves. A secret, secluded inlet.
All four walls are covered in books, towering high above him, although he doesn't find them very intimidating. More…relaxing. No wonder Belle likes the library so much.
Belle is seated on a love seat behind a coffee table. She pats the seat next to her, and giggles.
Mr. Gold draws in a breath, and makes his way to the sofa.
Where he will be sitting right next to Belle.
Legs inches apart.
He sits down and rests his cane against the table. "Miss French how come I had no idea about this?"
Belle giggles, once again. God, can she get any more adorable? "I just found it yesterday. Nice, huh? I fell asleep here last night."
Aw, how cute. "It's…wonderful." Belle stands up and makes her way to a shelf. She runs her fingers over the spines of the books.
"Ah-ha!" She tugs a blue book out of its place, and sits down next to Mr. Gold.
Closer.
Belle starts going on about the book, Once Upon A Time, but Mr. Gold gets lost in her eyes. He can't even focus.
"So?"
Mr. Gold blinks. "What?"
Belle laughs and puts her hand on his shoulder. "I said, 'I have to go to lunch with Ruby. But I would love to continue this later. Want to come back tomorrow?"
Gold tries to keep his mouth in a straight line, but fails when he can't contain his happiness. He smiles a genuine smile. "I would love to."
Belle nods her head and stands up. Unfortunately, Mr. Gold does not have that much ease. He struggles a bit on his cane.
"Here" Belle holds out here hand and smiles a warm smile.
Mr. Gold can't refuse her hand, even if it means looking weak. He grunts as he stands up, looking older than he really is.
He lets go of Belle's hand. He hadn't realized how tightly he was gripping it.
"So, promise you'll come back? I mean, it gets a little lonely here and I really enjoyed the company today so—"
"Yes, I promise." The two grin at each other.
The two walk out together in silence, but it's a nice silence. Not awkward.
Belle turns towards Granny's and walks down the street. She quickly turns around and waves to Mr. Gold, giggling. "Seeya!"
Mr. Gold smiles at her and mumbles to himself. "Yes, see you tomorrow, Miss French."
He hobbles on down a different direction.
He is not nervous anymore.
He is more happy than ever.
How do you think their first 'date' went? Also, sadly, I won't be able to update much this week because I have finals and just school in general, but keep reading!