I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! I know I did, which is why I didn't upload this past week. And we've got snow! A ton. It's still questionable whether or not I'm thankful for that, but this holiday season I am incredibly thankful for all of my readers who have really helped to boost my confidence in my ever-growing love of writing. Thank you all!

But now it's back to the grind, so here's the new chapter!

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Belinda didn't know what to think as she approached the door to the pawn shop. Somehow, deep inside, she had a feeling that if she decided to turn that knob and walk inside her life would change somehow and she would never be the same. A daunting prospect, for sure. But what choice did she really have anyway? Being summoned by Mr. Gold was like being summoned by a king. No one refused him and no one ever questioned him. That was how it had been for as long as Belinda had known. So, taking a deep breath, she swallowed all of her fear and took the extra step needed. She walked inside.

The musty smell of old books and valuable articles wafted throughout the room. It was a smell that, to Belinda, was absolutely pleasant. She loved it, as if she were smelling history itself, years and years of history. She made a full circle, taking a moment to just take in the sight of precious item upon precious item. Perhaps, one day, she would actually be able to come into the shop and engross herself in their beauty. But then again, this was Mr. Gold's domain. So, she doubted that that would ever happen.

"Punctual, I see, Miss French." Speaking of the devil. She spun around as fast as she could to see the man with the crocodile grin. He was using his cane to limp towards her. That made her even more nervous. To have him so close. Normally, it was the glass counter or the diner's table that at least provided some distance. But now, without the distance, there was nothing that made her feel even the least bit safe.

"You told me 9:30 sharp," she explained, trying to keep her voice from shaking. He just nodded his head and then he stood there and simply watched her. Whether he was trying to make her uncomfortable or just reading her reactions to him, she couldn't tell, but she certainly was beginning to feel uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze. Finally, she cleared her throat. "You said you had a proposition for me?"

He grinned again. God, she hated that grin. "Of course." What was the point of engaging in pleasantries? They both knew that this was strictly business and that it was best to get it done with as quickly as possible. "If you'll follow me?" With one hand, he motioned for her to follow him as he lead her behind the curtain and into the back room. Belinda hadn't known what to expect but she noticed that all it was was somewhat of a storage area. There were even more antique items. A shelf full to overflowing with books. Music boxes and lamps and tiny little knick-knacks. It was all very overwhelming and it surprised Belinda to no end. Judging from the front of the shop, she had gleaned that Mr. Gold was a very neat and organized business-owner. But this back room seemed to defy all of that knowledge. As if reading her thoughts, he replied, "This will be your new job."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that at all. "Excuse me?"

"That's why I called you here, of course."

"I'm sorry, but, Mr. Gold, I already have a job." She was confused.

He waved a hand at her. "You wouldn't have ever lasted at the diner. So, I figured you could work here for me instead."

"Why?" She asked suspiciously.

He sighed. "Do you always ask so many questions, Miss French? It's simple really. I would never be able to clear through all of this on my own. You will create a record of everything within this room. Everything will be ordered. Then, this room will be organized, each and every item will be put in its place."

"You sound as if you're telling me, Mr. Gold. What if I refuse to take this job?"

"Well, you can't really." His cryptic response only irritated Belinda further.

"Why not?" She tried to keep her voice from sounding too short. But Mr. Gold raised his eyebrows, so she figured her tone hadn't been perfectly innocent. Frankly though, she didn't care.

"Because you made a deal with me, remember. And I told you that when I had thought of someway for you to pay it, I would call you. This is the way you will repay me. Unless you want me to, by some chance, remember the 250 dollars you were short for rent?"

Belinda couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of course, she had made the deal, and of course, she had been nervous about it. But she had, at the very least, hoped that maybe he would forget. She most certainly hadn't been expecting him to call her out on it already. She didn't really know what to say so she just shook her head. She understood the threat. If she refused to work under his employment, her and Rose would get kicked out of the apartment. There was no way she could allow that to happen. So, she just stood there and looked at him steelily. She was upset. Angry. Near borderline furious. No one ever wanted to work for Mr. Gold. He was a cold man. Frightening. Reptilian and reclusive. Not much was known about him. But no one in their right minds ever agreed to work for him unless he somehow managed to blackmail them into it. Which he was doing to Belinda French right now. "Why do you think I couldn't make it at the diner?"

Mr. Gold was momentarily caught off guard by that question. But he recovered himself quickly, all the while wondering why that was the question she had decided to ask. His response was simple. "You're too clumsy."

She arched a brow. "So you want me to be handling valuable antiques instead?"
He chuckled at her quip and responded, "I'll take the chance."

There were so many things Belinda wanted to call him, right then and there, but she didn't. Mr. Gold was a bastard. An absolute bastard. She didn't want to be here at all. She wished for all that was within her that she could just run out that door and leave, but she knew that she couldn't. Too much was at stake. So, having made up her mind, she looked him straight in the eye, never betraying any of the fear that was swirling within her. Her voice was cold, steely, and contained barely masked anger. "Fine. When do I start?"

Content in the fact that he had clearly succeeded in getting under her skin he gave his crocodile grin. "You start right now."

"I'll have to call Ruby."

"Done. A letter of your resignation was sent in today. I suppose she's already seen it."

She gritted her teeth. "How dare you?"

He shrugged. "I didn't want you wasting any unnecessary time on your first day."

"I could've just said no!"

He chuckled and that unnerved her all the more. "But I knew you wouldn't."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"You have too much to lose if you refused me. Your home, your safety, livelihood, child. You are desperate, Miss French."

"Then, it's true, what people say. You prey on the weak and desperate."

Mr. Gold nodded. "I'll readily agree." Having had enough of the argument, he turned away from her and began to address her while looking over his many items. "As you can see, there are many items in this room. There is a notebook over there on that table, and a pen. You will write down each item and a description. If they have a year of creation on them, then write that down. After you are done cataloging, then you will clean the entire room and will organize everything to its specific place."

"I understand." Her voice was steady but blank. She was resigned to her fate. Her life, quite literally, was in Mr. Gold's hand. Without looking at him, she walked over to the table and picked up the notepad and pencil. He seemed content as she turned her back to him and began to do her job.

He picked up his cane and walked out into the front of the shop, but Belinda didn't so much as acknowledge any of his movements. She barely knew him and she thought that already she must hate him.