Goodnight, everyone! Thank you so much for the kind and excited reviews! I am absolutely loving it to see your reactions. And thank you for keeping up with me and my avarage writing skills, lol. I really am enjoying every bit of it!

Have a great reading and don't forget to review!

CHAPTER FOUR

The alarm set off. It was 6:45am. David simply lifted his hand to stop the loud noise. He wasn't sleeping actually. How could he after everything that happened last night? After he left the building, he went home walking, which was an insane idea considering how far he was from home. But he needed to clear his mind and walking was the best way to do it. Since then he hasn't stopped thinking about Regina and how he was head over heels in love with her, or Gold and how he was getting suspicious about him. He just knew there was something extremely wrong and he intended to find out.

David jumped out of the bed. Despise the lack of sleep, he wasn't tired at all. Probably the adrenaline running through his body and all the thoughts he couldn't get out of his head. He took a quick shower and got dressed for work. He grabbed some coffee on the way.

David saw one of the elevators going up and made a quick run to catch it in time. He was faced by two elegant young women, who he greeted politely. Probably from the fashion magazine on the 19th floor, he thought. He made his way to the back of the elevator and was left staring at their backs.

"You know, I went to that benefit party last night", the blonde woman said to the brunette.

"What- How?", the brunette asked.

David could see that they were trying to be discreet by almost whispering, but he could still listen to everything.

"Well, you know, I went with Leopold", the blonde said, looking at her nails.

"No, you didn't!", her friend made a shock face and gently smacked the blonde on the arm. "What about his wife?!"

"Honey, please, I don't give a damn about his weeny wife. He obviously wanted to display me!", she laughed. "Anyways, you know who I met there?", she asked with a shameless face, her friend shook her head. "Robert. Gold. You know, the big boss from the top floor?", she arched her eyebrows.

The brunette made a gesture for her to go on.

"Well, he isn't that charming in person as I thought he would be. But let me tell you, with that bank account, I'd marry that man in a heartbeat. It's probably what his wife thought", she laughed.

"Ugh, I bet she's a bitch", the brunette said with a poisonous voice, making David clench his jaw.

"Oh yeah! I mean, she arrived late, which is like, the most obvious way to draw attention, right. Then she disappeared for, like, half an hour", the blonde made a disgusted face. "Her husband had to go and find her, like what even?"

"Oh, my God, that is hilarious", her friend replied.

"Oh, my God!", the blonde said as if remembering the latest gossip, "I have to tell you something I heard from Annie", she said, lowering her voice. She then turned to see if David was listening to them, but he successfully pretended to be uninterested while reading his emails on his phone. "Annie spotted Gold's wife on the street a few months ago and guess what? She said she had the nastiest bruise on her face! Can you imagine?", the blonde was a mixture of shock and laughter, which made David's blood boil under his skin.

"Holy shit, are you serious?", the brunette asked with equal reaction.

Then the elevator door opened and the two women started to leave, but they continued to talk. "I'm telling you! Annie said she was wearing, like, huge sunglasses, but of course you could still see the black eye", she laughed again.

David almost followed them, but stopped at the door to keep on listening.

"I mean, how stupid you have to be to get beaten by your own husband?", was the last thing David heard before the doors closed.

David closed his eyes, sighed, clenched his fists and punched the elevator wall. He would have continued to punch it, but thankfully the elevator was already reaching his floor, otherwise security would have to scourt him out, and that wasn't going to be a pretty view.

David quickly made his way to the reception. "Hey Ruby", he said.

"Good morning, David!", she said turning her gaze up to look at him. "Why are you panting? Did you came running to the office?", she joked and laughed a little bit.

David chuckled. "I wish that was the case. Hey, is Gold here?"

"No, he's not, and he won't be coming today either. He's going to Boston for a few meetings, probably will come back tonight or early tomorrow. Why?"

"Nothing", David said and started to walk away, his head full of thoughts. He then turned back to the counter. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Sure! What's up?"

"What is Gold's address?"

Ruby then realized what he was thinking. "David…", she said with a ton a rebuke.

"Please, Ruby, please, you have to help me", he pleaded her.

"David, you don't know what you are doing", Ruby replied.

"But I do", he said with pain in his voice. "Please."

Ruby lead out a heavy sigh and looked down. She paused for a few seconds to think about what she was going to do.

"Fine", she finally said. Then she began writing something in a small piece of paper. "Here", she handed him the paper. "But you didn't get it from me. And please, don't do anything stupid."

David smiled. "Thank you", he mouthed, to which she simply nodded.

David got back in the elevator. He wasn't going to work today. Just as the door closed, the next elevator opened its door. It was Emma.

"Morning, Ruby, is David here yet?"

"You just missed him."

Emma frowned and gave Ruby a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

Ruby then stood up and supported herself on the counter. It was a sign that she was going to some whispering.

"He's going to Gold's", she said softly and gave Emma the same concerned look.

"He's going after Regina", Emma said in realization. Ruby nodded. "Shit."

xxxxx

Regina set across her mirror. It was early in the morning and she didn't actually slept the night before. She couldn't stop thinking about David, his kind eyes, his soft hands, his declaration. Of course she felt something about him. She smiled at the thought of them being together one day. But she wasn't stupid, she knew that was an impossible dream.

She then remembered when they got home last night. Gold yelled at her. "What the hell were you thinking?! Disappearing like that?!", strike one. "Leaving me like that?", strike two. "Flirting with one of my employees?", strike three. Nothing that she could have said was going to make him stop, so she didn't bothered. "Don't test me, Regina. Do that again and I'll fucking kill you".

She strongly closed her eyes at the recent memories.

But Regina was actually happy. Despite the ugly events from yesterday, which was something she was sadly used to, she had a beautiful moment with David. One which she'll always remember it fondly. Plus Gold was already on his way to Boston and she loved to be away from him, even if for just a day.

"Ok, let me see it", Granny suddenly entered her room with a first-aid kit. This became a common occurrence between them. Granny would always take care of Regina, not only her injuries, but they used to have long conversations, which helped the younger woman more than she could ever tell.

Regina turned away from the mirror and looked at Granny. "It's not that bad", she said, turning to look at herself once again, pushing her hair from her forehead and staring at the cut just below her hairline. Regina had already cleaned it up during the night, but she didn't mind Granny helping her. She was also left with a small bruise, which was now purple already, on her cheek. The pain on the ribs, however, was hurting a lot more. She just hoped he hadn't rebroke them.

Granny approached Regina and put a hand on her chin to make her look up. "Yep, you're right, maybe he is getting old after all", she said, which made Regina chuckle softly. After so many years of abuse, she started to find little things to laugh about. Otherwise she knew she would go crazy.

"I thought he knew better than to hurt your face", Granny stated, to which Regina simply shrugged.

It's true. Six years ago a former partner of the office spotted Regina with a black eye and a bruise on her arm (both which she awkwardly tried to hide) on the streets and threatened to report it. The guy was never seen again. The talk of the office is that he resigned and moved out of the country. But both Granny and Regina knew the truth. In a way, Regina was thankful. That was the event that made Gold reduce his beatings sessions.

Granny cleaned up her cut again and put on a small band aid. She then passed a balm around her cheek to help with the bruising. Regina then started to put on some makeup in an attempt to hide the purple. She took a deep breath, which made her remember the pain in her ribs, so she automatically led her right hand to her left side and closed her eyes in response to the pain.

Granny noticed her movements. "Hard to breath, huh?", to which Regina simply nodded.

Granny sat at the edge of Gold and Regina's bed, already perfectly tidy. She looked at Regina and stopped for a moment. "What happened, child? It has been a while."

"I know, Granny", Regina said. "But maybe, I don't know, maybe I deserved it this time."

"What kind of nonsense is that now?", Granny said with an angry voice.

Regina sighed. "I met someone last night. I mean, it was the second time I saw him", she said biting her lip excitedly.

Granny smiled softly. "Do tell me."

"His name is David", Regina said his name like it was the sweetest thing her lips have ever said. "He's kind, funny, sweet, not to mention very easy on the eyes", she laughed. "We only talked for a few minutes each time, but it's like I've known him my entire life. When he looked at me I felt butterflies all over my stomach as if I was a little girl with a crush", she chuckled. "Have you ever felt that, Granny?"

Granny was so enthralled with Regina's words and excitement that she almost didn't notice that she was asking her a question. It's just that it's been such a long time since she's seen her sweet girl smile like this. She sighed in remembrance. "Once. With my great late husband. He was a wonderful man", Granny said. "But let's not talk about me, I want to know everything about a man that can make you smile like this".

Regina smiled kindly at her and then looked away. "I haven't felt this since… Daniel", Regina paused for a moment, taking in her sadness. She closed her eyes to stop the tears. She swallowed and continued to talk about David, "In a perfect world, I'd be running off in a white horse with him, as if he was my knight in shining armour." Then her eyes turned sad again.

Granny noticed her change of reaction and turned worried. "What is it, my dear?"

"I'm not a fool, Granny. It's just a dream. A lovely, wonderful, perfect dream. You and I both know that real life, my real life, is much different than that", Regina sighed heavily.

Granny stood up and went to Regina, raised her chin again and wiped her tears carefully. "My sweet child, there's nothing in this world I want more than your happiness. And no one deserves it more than you. Maybe it's time you got after it."

"Granny", Regina started, "You've been here every single time I tried to escape this nightmare. And you know how that turned out for me", she said with a breaking voice.

Granny caressed her cheek. "Well, my senses are telling me that things are about to change, my sweetheart", and she fleshed Regina her most kind smile. "And I don't know this guy, but I already like him. Anyone who can make you smile like that has my love and full support."

Just then the doorbell rang. They both jumped slightly.

"Who can it be this early in the morning?", Regina asked frowning her brows.

"I'll go see, the maids are probably in the kitchen."

Just as Granny was about to leave, Regina stopped her by the hand. "Thank you for everything as always, Granny. I love you", she said while kissing the older woman hand.

"I love you too, my sweet girl", Granny winked and turned to leave as soon as Regina released her hand.

"Oh!", Regina said, "If it is for me-", she gestured her bruised face and shook her head.

"I know, I know, you're not available", Granny said in understanding. She knew Regina didn't like people seeing her like this. And she shouldn't be seen like this, anyway.

Regina smiled. "Thank you. I'll be at the garden taking care of my apples."

Granny nodded and left the room. She ran downstairs and reached the front door. She got a little bit tired from that little run. This house was getting too big for her, or she was just getting too old for it. She opened the door and was faced with a handsome young man.

"Good morning", Granny asked.

"Good morning", David replied, "I-uhm-I-I-Is this Robert Gold's residence?", he said looking around. Behind the old lady he could see an enormous marble staircase. Everyone is usually very impressed with the mansion when they first see it.

"Yes, it is."

"I'm looking for Regina Gold."

"Mrs. Gold is not available at the moment", Granny said and watched as the man's face fell down. "Is there something else I can do for you?"

"Do you know when or where I can find her?"

"I'm sorry, but Mrs. Gold's schedule is private", she said and observed him again. There was something about him. "Unless, of course, you tell me who you are and what exactly is it that you want with her."

"I'm David Nolan", he said and Granny widened her eyes in surprise. "I-I work with Mr. Gold."

"You're David", Granny asked trying to hide her excitement. Putting two and two together, she was a smart woman. Of course she knew this was Regina's David.

David nodded but didn't quite understood her reaction. She couldn't possibly know a thing about him, right?

"I'm Mrs. Lucas, the housekeeper", Granny said.

David realized who this woman was. "Ah, you're Ruby's grandmother", he smiled.

"Also that", Granny laughed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Nolan", she reached her hand out.

David shook her hand. "Likewise, Mrs. Lucas", he said. "So, I really need to speak to Regina, is there anything you can do to help me?", he pleaded.

Granny smiled. She knew what was going on. And damned her if she didn't do anything in her power to help Regina get her happy ending. "She doesn't want to be bothered at the moment", she begun and David was about to say something but she cut him, "But!", she continued, "I don't know, something tells me she's in the garden right now", Granny raised an eyebrow.

David's smiled widened. "Can I see her?"

"Yes, just be very quiet. And don't tell her I told you", she winked at the man and he chuckled. "Just around the house, she's probably on the back taking care of her apple tree."

David was about to leave when Granny stopped him.

"Oh, and David", she started, "Please, be kind."

She didn't need a response. David's look already told her everything she needed to know. This man was in love with Regina. And he was a kind man, she could tell. And Granny knew Regina's feelings were mutual. This is exactly what Granny spent years and years praying and hoping for.

Thoughts, please?