Hello there! hope you are enjoying, things are about to start getting good!
Belle got into her car after another long day of work, little had happened in the weeks since Mr. Gold had returned from Scotland. She couldn't understand why, but there seemed to be a strange tension that came about whenever they were in a room together, though she could have been making that up. They spoke little, only casual "how are you today Mrs. French" when they exited their offices that happened to be located across the hall from each other.
Belle reached the small apartment she inhabited. When she had first moved to LA finding a suitable home had been number one on her list. She didn't think she could handle living all on her own very well, so she lucked out when she found an ad seeking a young woman as a roommate. Mary (short for Marion, but she hated that name) was Belles roommate in their slightly older 2 bedroom apartment. Belle found that she got along with her very well, Mary was two year older than her and working on her master's degree. The only thing they didn't see quite eye to eye on was that, like Belle, Mary didn't have many friends in the city and loved to party on the weekends, meaning Belle was often dragged to any number of clubs after work on Friday nights. Which Belle didn't hate to begin with, but was now growing tired of.
Belle walked up the steps to the apartment, Mary's car was gone so she was hoping she had already gone out and had forgotten about Belle. Belle flopped down on her bed hoping for some peace and quiet on this night. As if it knew her thoughts her phone started to buzz. "Hello" Belle said, more angry then she intended. "Hello, Belle it's Mrs. Lucas". "oh hello" said Belle again, brightening her voice. "I have a favor to ask of you" replied Mrs. Lucas. "okay" said Belle, trying not to sound hesitant. "Well some of the firms in the area are meeting for an annual dinner, and our company is expected to have several representatives at this dinner, now normally Mr. Gold and I attend, but I have had a family emergency and won't be able to go, and I was wondering of you might be able to go in my place, I apologize for the short notice". As much as Belle wanted to spend the evening alone, she liked the idea of free dinner. "Sure, I'll go" she said. "perfect! Just meet Mr. Gold at La Scala at 9:00 and dress appropriately" said the older woman." "I'll be their".
Belle sifted through her closet, she found a tight maroon dress that she didn't wear often, but would be appropriate for the night. The entire drive there she second guessed her decision to come, she would have to spend the entire evening in the company of her very intimidating boss. Belle hopped out of the car and adjusted her dress. She began walking in when she noticed Mr. Gold casually leaning against one of the pillars that stood outside the restaurant. "Well hello Mrs. French, I wasn't expecting to see you here" he said, displaying legitimate confusion. "Mrs. Lucas had a family emergency, so I agreed to come in her place" Stated Belle. "How noble of you" he replied with a smirk, holding the door open for her.
They were guided by a hostess to a large table in the back, at which many very professional looking people were seated. Belle and her boss were stuck at the end of the table and after a brief introduction it was clear that they were in no position to contribute much to the larger conversation. Belle looked at Mr. Gold, she really ought to say something and break the silence. "So, Mr. Gold, what is Scotland like, I have always wanted to go". He looked up at her quizzically "First off you can call me Lachlan, there is no need to be quite so formal, and second of all its… cold" he ended the sentence without feeling. But Belle couldn't help but feel slightly encouraged by knowing his first name. Lost in thought, she didn't realize she had been staring at him, when he looked up at her their eyes met and she gave him an embarrassed smile before quickly looking away.
The rest if the dinner passed slowly and they talked very little. As she got up to go she smiled and he replied with "I'll see you tomorrow Mrs. French. Driving home that tense feeling that she had felt during that first meeting was very present in her stomach. If she couldn't get over this she was going to do some serious damage to her insides.