Hello again! I was quite excited to write this chapter AND it's a decent length. Enjoy!
Belle didn't know, she honestly didn't know. He was so fickle, maybe he liked her maybe he didn't. Maybe it was a fleeting attraction, maybe he want to move to the suburbs, buy a house with a red door and start a family with her. Probably not that last one, she thought to herself with a small laugh. Why was she even bothering with him anyway, she was grouchy, walked with a cane and was probably 25 years her senior. All valid reasons for mentally dropping the subject, but she couldn't. She found herself getting up every morning and dressing in things she thought he would like to see her in, judging all her work from his point of view. She got through the long work days by hoping she would get a glace of him across the hall. It was a so ridiculous, even to her.
She lunched that day with Emma and Ariel, the two secretaries'. The three of them had become good friends over that last few weeks, to the point that she had even abandoned Marion a few times in favor of them. She felt bad about it, but it was good to make her own friends. Though they had grown close, she hadn't confided her secret crush in them. They knew the man too intimately for it to go over well. She had considered telling Jefferson, but what was the point of that- only further judgment. She fiddled with her coffee cup "how old is too old" she inquired to the women "like, in a guy". Ariel chimed in first "well, I personally wouldn't want anyone to much older than me, it would be hard to build a life with someone who's at a different stage in life". Belle hadn't thought of that. Emma rolled her eyes at the redhead "She's not talking about settling down, when it comes to dating I think just about anything goes". Emma's answer comforted her marginally, but she was not a serial dater like Emma. She had often day dreamed about what his home may look like, spending the night there and then even spending her life there. But day dreams counted for little now.
Returning from lunch she found Jefferson waiting outside her office. She was glad it was common knowledge he was gay, or people might get the wrong idea about all the time they spend together. He Smiled and handed her a cream folder "I have a project for you". The project turned out to be a fairly simple task, but one of great importance; she was extremely flattered that Jefferson would trust her with something like this. It had to do with making sure building plans made it into the right hands in a timely manner. She managed the task by the end of the day and returned home, wanting to feel happy with Jefferson's trust of her but was only disappointed that she didn't see her elusive boss that day.
Belle dressed extra carefully the next morning, she hardly ever went a day without seeing her boss, so she was sure to see him today. She bounced into work eating a bagel and drinking her morning smoothie, but the second she stepped in, she could tell something was wrong. Only Emma was at the front desk and the rest of the floor was devoid of people. Before she could ask Emma where everyone was, Mrs. Lucas hurried out of an office and towards her "there's been a bit of a disaster, everyone is in Gold's office now" she said in a rush, dragging Belle by the arm into the office. For as large as the office was it was packed with people now, all crowded around Mr. Gold's desk. She couldn't see him through the wall of people, but his cold voice rang clean "It was supposed to be on her desk by last night. It was of the upmost importance, and she still doesn't have them. Delaying things a further 12 weeks." Belle had no idea what he was talking about, or why it was necessary for her to be there. "Who was put in charge of the account?" Gold inquired "Mr. Booth" Said Mrs. Lucas, worming her way through the people to the desk. "Alright" Mr. Gold said, calmer than Belle expected "Mr. Booth". At this August Booth, one the firms architects pushed his way to the desk "I finished the account in time, but handed it over to Jefferson for him to look over; he said he would make sure it got delivered." Mr. Gold nodded, still cold but calm. Jefferson found his way to the front; Belle had a small view of him around someone's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Gold, I saw to it that Mrs. Mills plans were delivered, I don't know what could have happened." Mr. Gold nodded stiffly, he seemed to be pondering his words "Thank you for our honesty Jefferson." He said finally.
That's when it hit Belle. The name on the folder Jefferson had given her. Regina Mills. She had sent the folder with a runner, she didn't think it was so important that it need be delivered by her, and why hadn't it been delivered? And more importantly why was Jefferson taking the fall for her? She couldn't let that happen. She forced her way to the desk, Jefferson gave her a look of don't do this but she ignored him and taking a deep breath, spoke "Mr. Gold, Jefferson have me the plans to deliver them, it's my fault. I sent them with a runner; I don't know why they didn't make it." She dared to look at him, he was looking down, but when he lifted his head, all ere of cold-calmness was gone. He stood up and leaned across his desk, inched away from her face. "You stupid girl" be began "Why on earth would you send something of such importance with a runner, It's idiocy beyond my imagining that you- a pitiably office sheep would accept such a task, your failing has cost this company more money than your own life is worth" The whole room fell in dead shock, so silent Belle was sure they could hear her heart plummet. No one had every spoken to her with such malice. No one had ever judged her so harshly. She turned; everyone moved automatically making a path for her. To her shame, tears began to flow before exiting the room. She grabbed her purse and made her way to the elevator before anyone could stop her, only seeing Emmas confused look as she lift the office, for quite possibly the last time.