Chapter 5

"Now I meet every employee in this building," Cora Mills said as Emma and Killian stood in front of her. "I don't care if you are the cleaning staff, I need to see you. I need to know you. Unlike most businesses, we don't hire contractors for our maintenance. I know each and every one of my staff and I like to think that I can trust you."

"You most certainly can!" Emma said enthusiastically. They were lucky to discover that Mills Enterprises had an opening for a couple of sanitation engineers, no experience needed. She hadn't known what the position meant when she heard it, but she was sure she could handle anything. She would do anything if it meant seeing Regina again.

Cora dismissed the two back to their manager, a slightly flamboyant man named Sidney. They walked past several corner offices, made of glass and Emma struggled to read the names, trying to discern where Regina Mills would be.

"Your duties are relatively simple. Every evening, I want the glasses cleaned, and each office swept dusted and vacuumed," he said. "Although our office manager should check, please ensure that we are properly stocked with paper products. There are two bathrooms on this floor, they should be cleaned. Check several times a day. Although we try to hire decent individuals…people can be disgusting."

Emma nodded as they continued their tour. She had never cleaned a single thing in her life. As they entered a large supply closet, she had to frown as she saw items that normally her servants used, but she couldn't name them.

"You," the man said pointing to Emma, "You need to mop every hard surface on this floor. That means the bathrooms, reception area and breakroom. You do know how to use a mop right?"

"Of course!" Emma said with a grin. She took the handle of the mop, noticing that the end was large and had wheels on it. She moved the handle back and forth, noticing that the wheels of the square end moved with her. How that was supposed to clean the floor, she didn't know.

"Here," Sidney said. "Don't use the bucket, it seems to confuse you." He pulled the handle up, revealing a wet end with soapy rags on it. She had seen a servant use that before. That made more sense.

"Once you have finished mopping dear, take out the trash," he patted her on the shoulder then turned to address Killian with a sly smile on his face. "You, come with me. I have an easy job for you."

[SQ]

It was after 6pm and Emma had passed by the glass office about seven times, vacuuming the same section of carpet. She couldn't help it; the woman was even more gorgeous up close, especially when she frowned in concentration. Most of the staff had left, yet Regina was clicking away on a pad in front of a screen and then writing on some paper.

She had to find a way to talk to her.

"Hi." Emma said finally walking into the slightly open door.

"Hello," Regina said, her voice sending shivers down the blonde's spine.

"Hello."

"Um….Hi?" the brunette frowned.

"Sorry…Um…I'm Emma." The woman turned to her, obviously waiting. There was something she was going to say. She had thought about it. She had to say something; something witty would be best. "I've recently been placed in charge of all the garbage of Mill Enterprises. Do you have anything you would like disposed," she said with a grin.

"No. Not at this time Emma. But thank you."

"Oh…okay. Well…if you need something taken out please don't hesitate to call me," Emma said.

"I will do that."

"When you think of garbage, think of Emma!" No wait…that wasn't what she wanted to say. Crap. And by the way Regina was looking at her it wasn't the smartest thing to say. "Hmmm I better get back to…my…vacuuming. I hope to…um…speak with you again….professionally of course."

Emma backed out of the office slowly. That did not go as she planned. It was much easier to speak to a pretty woman when you're heir to a throne and are wearing gold. Women just fell at her feet. She didn't have to say or do anything to get their attention. One look and they were begging for her. How does one learn to woo a pretty woman when you can't tell her who you are?

"I need to go talk to Kil," she mumbled to herself, staring at the beautiful businesswoman through the glass.

[SQ]

"Robin!" Cora's voice could be heard as a tall built man in a suit made his way into the mostly empty suite. "It's good to see your handsome face. Regina is in her office, probably waiting for you."

"Thanks."

"How is everything over at Trion?" Cora asked as she walked the man down to her daughter's office. "I've been hearing good news about you guys going public."

"Great actually. We are working out a contract to acquire another station, which would probably help us reach a deal to become a publicly traded stock. Finger's crossed."

"Oh Robin that is great!" Cora couldn't help but smile. Regina had landed a perfect man in Robin Locksley. Not only was he handsome, but he was a partner over at Trion media, owner of Trion Network, a cable station that was doing well. They had acquired some excellent programming and were moving up in viewership. "Well don't let me keep you from your lady."

Cora knocked on the glass to Regina's office, a quick frown being replaced by a smile when she saw who was behind her mother.

"Hi!" she said putting down her pen for the first time in over an hour.

"Hey baby," Robin said sitting on the edge of her desk. "You ready for dinner."

"Sure. I can't wait to get out of here," Regina stood, allowing Robin to help her into her coat. "I have a question for you. When we went over the amount collected at the rally, we saw that someone had put a large amount of cash into one of the donation boxes. Thousands. You wouldn't happen to know who that was, now would you?" Regina grinned, leaning into the businessman.

"Well….you know me dear, anything for the children."

"I knew it was you," she murmured, throwing her arms around him. "It is that exact giving spirit that makes me love you." Regina hadn't been too sure about Robin. She had been with him for only a few months…when he practically chased her down after meeting her at a gallery opening. But it was things like this that made her keep giving him a chance. Little moments when he showed that he was more than the entitled son of a media magnet. Moments when he was open and charitable.

Being the daughter of a self-made man had given her a viewpoint on things that most in her station didn't. Her grandfather had worked hard in the metal industry after immigrating to America. He taught his son everything he knew about the business. From proper welding techniques, to how it was used and shipped across the country. Of course Robert Mills was low on the totem pole, but he taught Henry Mills what he saw while working. Henry took all he learned from his father and built Mills Enterprises from the ground up. After meeting and falling in love with her mother, daughter of Sicilian immigrants herself, they negotiated contracts all across the state and even out of state. They had two locations and could easily open up more. They were well on their way to becoming big enough to move into Manhattan. Though business was good and they were far from where her grandfather was, Regina never forgot that this company was built on the back of knowledge from an iron worker. A regular man. Money and power weren't what made a person. It was what was inside.

She wanted to marry someone with those same values.

Regina held onto his arm as they made their way through the quiet offices and toward the elevators. The new janitors, Emma and Killian, were out front pulling the trash from the bins.

"Hi!" she said, remembering how nervous Emma was when she came to meet her. "Nice to see you again."

Emma smiled as she saw Regina walk by. Despite the fact that she was on the arm of some stiff, she was still beautiful. The princess couldn't help but stare as the two entered the elevator.

"Emma!" Killian yelled for the fifth time, "Will you help me with this trash, your highness."

"Kil, I don't know what to do. I can't even talk to her. I'm used to women falling at my feet because I'm…well I'm Emma. How do you regular guys do it?"

"I'm going to act like I'm not insulted by you calling me regular," he said as he put a clean bag in the bin. "I personally just tell a woman that I'm friends with the King and Queen. I brag about my accomplishments and wine and dine her. It doesn't take much."

"Kil, I can't do that here. I'm trying to make her like me for me!"

"What are you two talking about," Sidney interrupted. "Shouldn't you be working?"

"We are working, but we are also discussing women, something I'm sure you don't care about." Killian laughed.

"While I may have other interests," he said primly, "I am not without knowledge."

"Okay then," Emma jumped at the chance. "Here in America, how does one go about getting the interest of a certain woman?"

"Well here, it seems the rich men get the lady," Sidney said, much to Emma's chagrin and Killian's nod. "Take Robin Locksley for instance. Regina wasn't giving anyone the time of day, then he just waltzes in here with his Media Empire and boom!"

"Well, he must work hard for his money."

"Work hard? The Prince of Trion. No. He signs papers for a living," Sidney sighed. "But he can give her anything she wants…and how does one compete with that?"

"Indeed," Emma said. "How does one?"