A/N: Thanks for the reviews Prttykitty7728, juju0268, my story guest and tigger64. Also, thanks for all the support. I always love comments, suggestions or praise, so please review. I hope you enjoy the chapter and happy reading!

Chapter Rating: T


She realized that she slept in her clothes from the day before and she suddenly grew embarrassed. Thoughts raced through her head, like what if Mr. Gold finds it repulsive? What if he sees me and sends me home? At school her teachers always used to scold her for projecting over silly things, but Annabelle always wanted to please. It must of came from her father, because if he wasn't happy no one was and that could come with dangerous consequences. She could remember just recently the bruises he gave her when he was high and angry. She cowered that day and tried to pander to his every wish and need. With a sigh, she walked down from her glorious room and tried to find the kitchen. She wanted to shock Mr. Gold with breakfast and a freshly cleaned room, but she was surprised to find that he was already up with a white mug of coffee in his hand and two steaming plates of pancakes, one for him and one for her.

"Well your finally up dearie! I let you sleep in today and I made you breakfast, because it is your first day, but don't expect me to do it again," he stated.

Annabelle nodded her head and smiled at the lovely breakfast, the pancakes were a little burnt and the shape was uneven, but just the thought that he made them for her made her heart happy.

She sat down on a hard chair and picked up her fork and knife to daintily cut her pancakes. She gave him the biggest smile. The food wasn't very good, but she appreciated it.

"Thank you," she told him.

"No problem dear, I hope it tastes it's okay, because it tastes like shit to me. I can't cook worth a damn!" He replied.

She laughed loudly and snorted. She immediately covered her mouth and suddenly became self-conscious.

"Oh there's no need to be self-conscious you are exquisite in your beauty, even if you slept in the same clothes you wore yesterday," he said, not even looking at her.

She blushed at the compliment and tried to reply, but no words came out. She quickly downed her pancakes and looked at him with a determined expression.

"So, what do you want me to do first?" She asked him.

"The kitchen needs to be cleaned and there is a list on the refrigerator for more instructions."

"Are you going to be staying here?" She said, hoping he would say yes.

"No, I have work to do in town."

"I see," she responded, disappointed.

He sensed her sadness and spoke to her in a comforting manner, "I will be back tonight and the chores better be done!"

"Of course they will be," she said, with a smile.

"Good, now go to a shower and get changed, I'll be home later in the evening and I want you to look presentable."

She nodded and rushed off, leaving Mr. Gold shaking her head. She is so easy to make happy.

Annabelle raced up to her room and found an open bathroom right across from her room.

"How strange, I don't remember that being there last night," She thought to herself.

She shook off that feeling and walked in. She took off her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror. There was bruises all along her body from her father and some scars. She ran her fingers up and down the scars and shivered. So many bad memories... She ignored it and stepped into the shower. She turned on the water and almost melted. The shower pressure was wonderful and the water didn't get cold soon like her old shower, it was a constant warm temperature. She felt like she could stay in there forever. After about an hour she got out, dried off, covered herself with a towel and walked to her room. Just as she was about to enter her room Mr. Gold came up and saw her.

His eyes widened and seemed to whisper out, "Oh Belle, it's worse than I thought."

She was so startled she dropped her towel and ran into her room, screaming. She was panting and mortified that she was caught naked. The door was the only thing keeping her from Mr. Gold. She felt like the door wasn't thick enough.

He called to her through the door, "Belle I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you dearie."

"It-it's fine," she called back.

"I'll leave you alone now," he replied.

She made no noise after that and sat underneath her covers on her bed shaking. She had never been more embarrassed in her life.

Secretly Mr. Gold was feeling overjoyed and worried at the same time. He had never gotten to see Belle naked in the other world, but after he noticed the scars it made him sick to know that she was actually protecting that bastard she called her father. Her father had hurt her, and yet she still made the deal to come and work for him. She may be shy, but she is courageous, caring and determined. She is also beautiful, very, very, beautiful. He suddenly had the desire to pay back Annabelle's family by making him regret anything he had ever done terrible to his Belle.

Annabelle hid in her room until he was gone and when he finally left, she came out. She was dressed in a plain cotton blue dress cinched with a brown belt at her waist.

The whole day she cleaned and when it was five thirty she decided to make dinner. She had learned the house pretty well throughout the day. She explored everywhere except for the rooms she wasn't allowed to enter. In the kitchen she added dazzling ingredients and made her famous spaghetti and meatballs. It smelled amazing and she placed a lace table cloth over the dinner table and carefully placed the silverware and plates down. She was excited to see his face and wondered if he would be pleased.

It was about an hour later when he arrived home and he seemed exhausted, but his face lit up when he saw her. Earlier when he saw her fresh out of the shower he wanted to attack her with kisses and love, but most of all he wanted to protect her. She was delicate and smooth. He could feel blackness rising in him and his eyes narrowed. He wanted her, he wanted her NOW! Although, it would be way to soon he told himself, and he choked down his dark desire.

Annabelle had heated up the food when she heard him pull into the driveway and she smiled. He would finally get to taste her food. She immediately greeted him.

"Hello Mr. Gold, welcome back. I made spaghetti and meatballs, I hope you like it."

"I'm not very hungry Belle."

Her eyes went to the floor and she could feel a sinking feeling inside her stomach. Mr. Gold then rolled his eyes and walked to sit down at the table.

"But, I must try your cooking and decide if it is worth keeping you."

With widening eyes she sat down and ate her food in silence. Mr. Gold just nodded his head and smirked.

"Belle, this is very good! I knew you were worth keeping," he said, with a small wink.

That very compliment and wink made her feel like she was sky high and joyful.

"Thank you. I was hoping you'd like it."

"Well, It's much better than anything I could ever make!" He laughed.

They sat together and talked. It was a nice dinner and it was delightful for the both of them. They felt drawn to each other and the chemistry between them was off the charts. After they finished dinner, Mr. Gold bid farewell and walked to his room, leaving a confused Annabelle. He was trying to hide taking her right there on the table, she looked so elegant in the simplest of thing and ever since he saw her again the lust came back as well. All he wanted to do was at least kiss her, but then that would be too much, it would take away his power and he wanted to keep that forever. He wanted to keep his Belle forever too, but if her could have both, that would be the best thing in any world.

With the whole house cleaned Annabelle grew more curious, she wondered what was up in the two rooms he had forbidden her to look in. She wanted to know everything about him and more, he was her one new desire in life.