The "Date"
Summary: Belle still doesn't know if it is date…. but she will find out tonight.
Notes: Thanks to temporalteatime and venivedivici for reading it over, this chapter gave me a little trouble.
"Hey Belle, Gold left a message saying that the venue for the dinner has been changed, it is now at eight and is a cocktail party," said Thomas as Belle walked in the door. She glanced at the garment bag in her hand, it was definitely not a cocktail style dress and she didn't have time to go home (where her closet was very lacking) or go shopping.
After checking in with Jefferson about the day's schedule, she rushed over to wardobe where Granny was fitting Mary Margaret.
"Granny, do you by any chance have anything related to a cocktail dress," she asked, searching through the racks.
"No, darling, we are a kids show you know," Granny told her good heartedly. "Why do you ask?"
"I have to go to this charity event hosted by the president of the network and I need to make a good impression."
Mary Margaret looked her up and down and said, "I have a dress in my dressing room that may work. It will probably need a few adjustments but if Granny has time, it could work."
Anything of Mary Margaret's would be too long on her, she was four inches taller than her. The pair walked down the hallway to the actress' dressing room.
The actress held the dark blue dress against Belle's figure. "Oh this will be lovely, the color brings out of your eyes."
"Are you sure you aren't going to need it tonight?" Belle asked, looking at the beautiful dress, it was a simple strapless a-line dress.
"Oh, no, I just keep it in here, in case my agent drags me to some premiere to photo in some magazine," she said rolling her eyes. "I know he means well, but I'm not a the big party type."
"Me either, but if it helps the show," said Belle accepting the dress with a smile. She had Granny poke and prod her with her pins, so she could make the dress work for her and went back to work.
The day went by too quickly (something that rarely ever happened on a production day). She still had no idea if this was a date or not and she didn't trust anyone she worked with not to gossip (especially Jefferson who seemed to always be in everyone's business, which was great for being a producer, but horrible as a friend). Belle went back to wardrobe, where she found the dress fit perfectly, Granny truly had a gift.
Ashley had offered to do her hair and makeup. After the experience of being pulled every which way, she promised never to complain when the actors were taking too long getting ready again.
Belle was just getting up from her chair when Mr. Gold walked in and stopped. He was staring at her.
"Hello," she said shyly. He was probably just shocked to see her dressed properly, plus Ashley was a wonder with a makeup brush.
Her words seem to wake him up.
"Hello Ms. French," he said. "I got something to go with your attire for tonight's evening."
He pulled out a large jewelry box from his jacket and opened it, it was a stunning "bib" diamond necklace.
"Oh, I can't," she said, looking the necklace, she didn't know much about jewelry but she knew it must be extremely expensive, since she doubted Gold ever bought fake anything.
"I rented it for the evening, so it would be a waste if you didn't," he told her. Damn him for being so convincing and damn the necklace for being so beautiful.
"Alright."
He motioned for her to turn around and she did. He was right behind her, she could feel his breathing in her ear and his hands on the back of her neck while he clasped the necklace.
"There," he said as she turned around to face him. "Are you ready to go?"
She just nodded, grabbing a shawl and followed him out, barely noticing Ashley and Granny watching the pair with raised eyebrows. She would hear all about it in the morning.
Outside of the building was a limo, the driver already had the door opened for them. She shimmed her way inside, mindful of her dress.
After Gold got into the car, she had to ask "Why did the party change from dinner to cocktail?"
"The president's favorite restaurant had a fire the night before, so he decided to have it at his daughter's flat."
"Oh," was all Belle could say and all she did until they pulled up to a lovely turn of the century building. Belle had past by the building a number of times and always wondered what kind of people lived in such a place, she guessed today she would finally find out.
Gold offered her his hand as she got out of the car and after she was standing extended her his arm. It took her a moment to understand what was going on but she took it. The doorman tipped his hat to Mr. Gold and they walked inside to a beautiful lobby. Belle barely had time to appreciate the elegant chandelier when the elevator doors opened and they rode up the highest floor.
Belle gripped Gold's arm tighter, she was getting nervous, she did not belong here, she belonged back at the studio, holed up in the writers' room, watching Whale and August argue about plot lines.
"You'll be fine," he whispered in her ear as he rang the doorbell. And while it didn't bring the desired effect of calming her, it did distract her and cause other feelings (feelings she should not have for her boss).
The door opened to a handsome blonde man with a smile that could sell a million tubes of toothpaste.
"Hello Cameron," he said, shaking his hand, he then turned to Belle.
"Frederick James, this is Belle French," Mr. Gold said. "She is the creator of Storytime in Storybrooke."
He shook her hand, smiling more. "My daughter adores that show and I know my wife would love to meet you."
"And where is Abigail?" Gold asked looking around the huge living room.
"In the kitchen," Frederick said with a sigh. "She hired those people herself, she should trust them, but you know chefs. Be sure to try the crab puffs, they are her speciality. I already had ten."
The doorbell rang once again and Frederick went to answer it, Gold maneuvered them over to a middle age man, who Belle recognized as the president.
"Hello Miles, this Belle French the creator of Storytime in Storybrooke," Gold said.
Belle had never met Miles King before, she would see him at the once a year company wide pep talk and occasionally at other corporate events.
"Hello, Miss French, it's always a pleasure to meet someone from the entertainment division. Gold has sung your and the shows praises at our meetings," he said good naturedly.
"Thank you, it's nice to meet you as well," she told him shaking his hand.
"Frederick was just telling us that young Katie loves the show," Gold said.
"Oh yes that makes sense, if she had her way she would dress like a princess fairy everyday," King said, smiling at the thought of his granddaughter.
"Bae would wear a suit of armor if I let him," Gold admitted. "We were just about to get some drinks, would you like anything?"
"No, you two enjoy yourselves," King told them waving them off.
They went to the bar where Gold ask for two glasses of champagne.
"Let's toast my dear," he said clinking his flute against hers.
"Why?"
"Everyone has their weakness and Miles is definitely his daughter and granddaughter, now that he knows she loves the show, you are guaranteed another season."
"Love is a weakness?" she asked shocked. "So does that mean Bae is yours?"
"Yes," he said instantly. "This is business, you need to use every trick you have to get what you want."
"I don't know if I can do that."
"You don't have to, you have me," he said looking into her eyes.
There was a moment, or maybe two, but Belle snapped out of it and put down her drink. "Where is the bathroom?" she asked looking around.
Gold pointed her to a hallway to the right and she left him by the bar, moments later he was greeted by some yuppies in Armani suits.
Belle exited the bathroom a few minutes later, getting lost in a sea of black designer dresses and suits. She nearly ran into a bookshelf, quickly turning around she bumped into an elegantly dressed older woman.
"I'm so sorry," she said earnestly.
"It's no problem," the woman said in a voice that was attempting to sound kind. "I'm Cora Mills."
"Belle French," she said shaking her hand.
"Did I see you come in with Cameron?" Cora asked with a mischievous smile.
"Yes, he is my boss, he thought I should meet some of the executives."
"Oh, good."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, if you were on a date with him, I would have to warn you about him," Cora said softly. "He and I have a history you could say…. What do you do you?"
"I'm the creator of Storytime in Storybrooke," Belle told her while processing her previous words.
"Then I think you know my daughter, Regina," Cora said smiling again.
Belle's mind raced, the reason Gold wanted Regina on the show wasn't because he was sleeping with her, he was sleeping with her mother.
"Yes, she is extremely talented," Belle said. "If you will excuse me, I'm expecting a phone call from the office."
This was definitely not a date. Gold probably just wanted the show to continue to get money for the company or at the very least so his lover's daughter could have a job.
She moved through the throngs of people and finally made it out in the quiet hallway. She was just about to press the elevator for the button down, when it opened to reveal two familiar faces.
"Belle!" Bae exclaimed. He ran out the lift and straight into her arms. He was wearing boyshorts and tee shirt, his hair slightly damp smelling of chlorine.
Ruby and young girl with blonde hair followed them.
"This is my friend Katie, we went swimming!" he said excitedly, the little girl waved. "Her grandpa is having a party at her parents house so she is hanging out with me and Ruby today."
"Oh Abigail and Freddie are your parents?" Belle said and the girl smiled and nodded.
"Do you write the fairy tales?" Katie asked shyly.
"Yes I do."
"And she is the best at it ever!" Bae said still clinging to her waist. "Papa, Belle is here!"
Belle turned around and saw Gold staring at them.
"I couldn't find you at the party," he said. "You forgot your shawl."
He handed her the piece of fabric.
"Thank you," she said. "I just felt a bit out of place in there and thought I mingled enough."
"Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming in there."
"Papa can Belle come over? I want her to see my room," said Bae happily still clinging to her.
"It's getting late, I need to get home, I have an early morning tomorrow, and I bet you do too," she told Bae, kissing the top of his curly his head.
"I'll take you home," Gold said.
"No, I'll get a taxi, it's okay," she said, taking off the necklace giving it back to him, going into the elevator and pressing the lobby button.