I want to thank all my reviews: RaFire, juju0268, Iwahner, and Ryunn Kazan! You guys are great (: If you want to drop me a review, it would be much appreciated, especially if you like it or don't. Suggestions are always welcome! Trigger Warning: Violence

In the morning Annabelle went downtown to the pharmacy to pick up her father's medicine. Afterwards she was going to go to Granny's diner to see Ruby, her best friend. It was nice walking downtown again. It may be small, but everyone waves to her and says hello. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces.

She saw Archie at the pharmacy and smiled at him. He was a nice guy, but she was pretty sure that he used to sleep with Ruby. He offered to give her a ride to Granny's (most likely an excuse to see Ruby,) but Annabelle declined. He looked a little disappointed, but Annabelle was never that good at reading facial signs.

She arrived at Granny's diner at about ten at night. She had to give the pills to her father and make sure he fell asleep before she allowed herself to go out. Once there, she was greeted by Ruby, who looked ecstatic to see her, and even Granny (who rarely cracked a smile lately) grinned at her.

"Hey Annabelle, what's up?" Ruby asked, in a chipper voice.

"Oh nothing, I just got done taking care of my dad. You know, I had to give him his meds and make sure he was doing alright. What about you? You don't look very busy tonight," Annabelle stated.

"Nope, the diner hasn't been very busy lately, which sucks because the rent just went up," Ruby told her.

"What? Why?" Annabelle asked her with a shocked look.

"I don't know, and that's the problem. Didn't your father tell you? The reason your father's flower shop is going out of business is because Mr. Gold raised the rent. He's doing it to everyone, and no one knows why," Ruby stated.

"What a scumbag!" Annabelle said, with an annoyed look.

"Hey, let's not worry about that though. Let's sit down and have a cup of coffee, with a special ingredient, if you know what I mean!" Ruby giggled.

"Ruby! Your grandma will know. Besides, I don't drink anymore." Annabelle stated.

"Come on! Granny won't notice and you do too drink, you just don't want me to get in trouble"

Annabelle was caught lying, and she finally agreed to Ruby's plan. Ruby seemed so happy, and who was she to shoot her down. While Ruby went into the kitchen to make her "special" coffee Granny came over to Annabelle and sat down. Annabelle could tell that Granny was in pain; her arthritis must have been acting up.

"Annabelle, a few people in town saw Mr. Gold's car at your house last night, and I just want to warn you about him," Granny started saying.

"Awe Granny you don't have to worry about me! I'm fine, and trust me I'm trying to stay faaar away from him," Annabelle reassured her.

"Good, see to it that you do. That man is a beast, and everyone should stay away from him," Granny stated, while slowly getting up.

Granny went back to behind the register and sat down on a padded stool. Ruby returned with their drinks, and Annabelle was relieved to see that it wasn't in a tea cup. She didn't know why it would be, but today everything was reminding her of Mr. Gold.

She heard the familiar ding that let everyone in the diner know that Granny's diner had a customer, and she peered over to see who it was. To her dismay, it was none other than Mr. Gold.

"Speak of the devil," Annabelle mumbled.

He limped over to the booth next to hers and used his golden edged cane to balance himself. Even though he wielded a cane, he still looked incredibly powerful. Annabelle subconsciously licked her lips at his arrival, as they suddenly felt dry. Granny frowned and gave Ruby a look that told her to serve him. Ruby left Annabelle's side to go wait on him. Annabelle quietly listened to their (most likely boring) conversation.

"Welcome to Granny's diner, what can I getcha?" Ruby asked, with fake happiness.

'I'll take a coffee, with your special ingredient. What did you put in it for Annabelle? Ah, yes, I would like it with rum please."

Annabelle couldn't believe what she had just heard! Mr. Gold knew what Ruby did. How? Was he some sort of psychic? Ruby didn't look surprised and nodded at him. She promised to return to him with his coffee briefly.

Annabelle switched her position and turned around to talk to him. To her utter shock, he was turned around to meet her.

"How did you know that's what Ruby did?" Annabelle demanded to know.

"I know many things dearie, and I must say that I am no devil, like you previously insinuated. I'm much more than that."

"It's an expression," Annabelle remarked, flustered.

"So I've been told," he stated, smugly.

"Why are you here?" She inquired.

"Can't a man get a cup of coffee?"

"You are never in town! I've never seen you."

"You'd be surprised how much you haven't seen my dear Belle," he breathed.

He made her so nervous. She looked down at herself, trying to ignore the feeling that she was dressed a little too inappropriately. She wondered if she was actually trying to get his attention. That couldn't be, she would never want him. Could she? Her tank top was a little too low, and her cleavage was proudly showing. She noticed him looking down her shirt and she grimaced. Quickly, she pulled up her tank top and turned away from him.

Other customers started coming in, distracting Granny, and God only knows what happened to Ruby. For now, it was just her and Mr. Gold. Annabelle tried to ignore him, but then she felt his breath upon her neck.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Annabelle barked.

He simpered at her and he used his lips to kiss her neck. Her breathing quickened and she let her head go limp for a moment before she snapped back into reality.

"Get away from me you pig!" Annabelle exclaimed, only half meaning it.

His lips withdrew from her neck and he uttered these words, "You will succumb to me. Maybe not right now, but I know that you feel what I feel. You are mine Belle, and always will be."

"You are wrong!" She bellowed.

He shook his head at her ignorance and grabbed some money out of his pocket. He laid out the money on the table, and then left. Annabelle noticed that it was a fifty, much more than a mere cup of coffee would cost. She knew then that she would have to follow him.

She snuck out of the diner and glanced in every direction looking for him. She gave a confused look and then took off looking for him. She grew closer to an alley and her heart started to race. Something told her to turn around and don't look back, but lately she wasn't listening to her gut very well. Just as she was about to pass the alley, someone grabbed her from the behind and dragged her into it.

"You really shouldn't be out so late Annabelle. It's dangerous for girls like you."

"I think I can handle myself!" Annabelle roared, as she kicked behind her.

Her kicks landed on the man's shin and she turned around to see who it was, expecting it to be Mr. Gold.

"Gaston?" Annabelle said, with shock.

Gaston got up and pushed Annabelle down and got on top of her. Just as he was about to press his lips onto hers he grunted and flew off of her. She looked up and saw Mr. Gold. His eyes looked pitch black and his face looked malevolent.

"Do. Not. Touch. Belle!" Mr. Gold hollered.

Mr. Gold grabbed Gaston by his neck and held him down onto the cement. He used his cane to beat Gaston, bloodying him up to a pulp.

"Stop!" Annabelle cried out.

Mr. Gold stopped and turned around to her, leaving an unconscious Gaston.

"Are you alright Belle?" He asked, his eyes returning to the normal luscious brown.

He looked generally concerned for her and something in Annabelle shifted. It was like someone turned on a light. She stood on her tippy toes, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Mr. Gold resisted at first, but then he eased into the kiss. Their tongues wrestled and Mr. Gold still held his dominance, even as he kissed her. As they pulled apart he tugged on her bottom lip with his teeth, causing a sigh to come from Annabelle.

"That was unexpected," he laughed.

She liked his dark side, she liked that he was bad. It both intrigued her and turned her on. He licked her earlobe and pulled her closer to him.

"Would you like to see what will happen next dearie?"

Annabelle nodded and she felt a strange wetness seep from her. Mr. Gold started smirking, as if he knew exactly what had just happened to her.