This chapter happens in Storybrooke and I need to give you some info: Ramona is Arina from fairy tale land and Sabina is Abigail. I really hope you like it,I tried to make it as realistic as I could.
The library was silent, well; the mornings were always silent in the library. I was putting some books back onto the shelf when the bell from the library's door rang. Ruby came in with two donuts and a huge cup of coffee, laying them on the reception desk.
"Ruby, darling, what are you doing here? Isn't it a bit early for you to be up?" I asked smiling and going downstairs to greet her.
"Hey, honey! Well it's also too late for you to be awake seeing as you haven't slept all night. Reading all those books and being all nerdy again.
"Yes, well I also dusted and cleaned this entire place. It's hard doing it alone but I manage quite nicely, right?" I asked taking a donut and biting into it, sipping some coffee along with it.
"Yep it's quite nice and not as stuffy as the last time I was here. It smells like lemons what did you use for dusting, it's amazing!" she said grabbing the other donut and eating it.
"It's a secret, can't tell. By the way, I am so excited! Today the new book shipment will arrive and I can't wait to catalogue and read them. They are really old books and also need some mending so I am going to put them in the special book area, which will be restricted unless you have a pass. The library is finally coming together at last." I said smiling and looking around. This library was my most prized possession and I loved it more than anything.
"So, Ramona, any luck with love this week? Come on, I know you had this date with Sheriff Graham." Ruby said wiggling her eyebrows.
"Yea, it didn't go to well, I think that we just don't fit, you know? He is not my type and I am not his." I said tying my black wavy hair in a low ponytail.
"I am sorry...I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Oh, look at the time, Granny will have my head if I don't get there in 10 minutes. Bye, honey!" she said kissing me on the cheek and running out the door.
After Ruby left, I took my coffee and went behind the desk, typing the new placement of the books on the table. After about 2 hours of organizing the computer, I received and e-mail from the shipping company saying that because it was shipped from another country, I would have to pay 500 dollars for the delivery. I froze, I didn't have that kind of money, I barely had money for the books while keeping some for the rent. What could I do? And then I knew what I had to do, beg Mr. Gold to loan me some money, or at least let me skip the rent this month and pay it later. This was not going to go smoothly but I had no other choice. I put on the "Closed" sign, threw my black jacket on and let for Mr. Gold's shop.
When I entered the shop, it was void of any costumer and Mr. Gold was behind the counter, organizing some files, lifting his head when the bell rang.
"Aaa, Miss. Dale, how can I help you today? I am sorry to say that I don't have any new books in my shop." Mr. Gold said smiling as he headed towards me.
"Even if you had, Mr. Gold, I would have no money to buy them. That is the reason I came to see you. I need you to loan me some money, or maybe let me skip the rent this month. Before you say anything, I made a stupid mistake, I didn't look that the books I ordered for the library are being shipped from Europe and the tax for the delivery is 500 dollars, money I do not have. Oh, Mr. Gold, I don't know what to do...Please help me, I'll do anything." I said in one breath, my desperation catching up with me.
"So it's either your books or my rent, then? I will pay for the books, in full, if you do something for me. Do we have a deal, Miss. Dale?"
"Oh, yes, yes we do have a deal and please, call me Ramona, Mr. Gold. What do I have to do?" I ask fidgeting under his scrutiny.
"Well, I just had to fire my maid because she was stealing from me and I was thinking you would do quite nicely. You will work Monday to Friday from 4pm, when you leave the library, to 9pm. It is only until I find a new proper maid. Does this suit you, Ramona?" He said coming even closer, the emphasis on my name making shivers roll down my spine and his closeness making me feel dizzy.
"Yes, of course, it works just fine. Thank you, Mr. Gold; you have been so kind to me." I said smiling and getting out of the shop, nearly jumping with joy, until I realized I forgot to ask him something. Running back to the shop, I opened the door and slipped my head inside, making Mr. Gold raise an eyebrow at my childishness.
"I forgot to ask, Mr. Gold, do you mind if I start today?" I asked blushing at my foolish behaviour.
"If you so desire, yes, you can." He said smiling and turning back to his work.
Having an easy day at the library, I decided to close one hour early and head home for a bit, to grab some clothes fit for cleaning and to tell my roommate, Sabina, where I was going.
"Sabina, you in, honey? I am going to Mr. Gold's house until 9. I made a deal with him, he will pay the books and the shipping fees and I have to work as his maid until he finds a replacement. He was so nice and kind that if this continues I will end up fancying him." I said throwing my purse on the coffee table and going into my room to grab the spare clothes.
"You are going to MR. GOLD's?! What the hell is wrong with you, honey? And so you know, I think you already fancy him, I mean, look at that top you are taking, it has such a deep cleavage. Do you want to give the man a heart attack?" Sabina said as she appeared in the door, leaning on its frame.
"Ha ha, laugh all you want but today, Mr. Gold was my prince in shining armour in a way and I have to repay him for his kindness, it's only fair, don't you think?" I replied stuffing clothes into a duffel bag.
"Yea, you have to repay him with your generous cleavage...right...maybe he will give you a cute French maid outfit. That would look cute on you." Sabina said jokingly, giving me a hug.
"I have to go now. Have fun all alone and if you cook dinner, please keep some for me, okay?" I said hugging her and heading for the door.
"Yea, yea, darling. True love will set you free and remember don't do anything I won't!" She yelled from the kitchen.
When I arrived at Mr. Gold's house, I was a bit taken aback. It wasn't huge but it was quite big and imposing. I knocked on the door and Mr. Gold himself opened, inviting me in with a gesture.
"I hope you found my house without any problem. The forest road can be quite tricky, you know." He said as he took my coat and put it on the hanger.
"Yes, the road was quite alright, it hadn't rained in a while so it's dry and not so slippery." I said, blushing yet again at his gentlemanly gesture.
"Come through here. I saw that you brought a change of clothes. You can change in here." He said ushering me into the service bathroom.
After I changed my clothes and got my cleaning supplies, I started to wonder where I should start. Soon, I chose that the best thing to do was to clean the kitchen first and work my way all over the first floor. It was such a big house that it seemed impossible to clean all the first floor in 5 hours but I hoped I could make it work; after all, I had a big debt to pay.
That was it, guys, see you tomorrow with chapter 5. Hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to review, please. Seriously, I will stop if I don't get at least one review. ]