Capitulo 6
In her small bedroom, Emma pondered her choice of attire for the evening. She picked something simple yet cozy: an oversized sweater. Boston's nights could be chilly, and she wanted to stay warm. Instead of her usual skinny jeans, she opted for a calf-length skirt, a subtle display of leg, careful not to give Greg any ideas. She was still dealing with the trauma from her past relationship with Neal, and she wasn't ready to jump into anything new.
As she examined herself in the mirror, her mother, Mary Margaret, entered the room and greeted her with a smile. "Oh, Emma, you look beautiful," she exclaimed.
Emma adjusted her wide-rimmed glasses and sighed. "Mom, don't lie to me. I know what I look like."
Mary Margaret's eyes softened, and she approached her daughter. She saw Emma's beauty beyond society's standards. She refused to impose unrealistic ideals on her daughter. "No, Emma, I'm serious," Mary Margaret insisted. "Just look at yourself in that mirror. You look beautiful."
Emma turned to face her reflection. She couldn't help but notice the old acne scars from her teenage years, her mousy blond hair pulled back in a tight braid, the braces, and the glasses that framed her eyes. She struggled to see what her mother saw, but her words provided some comfort.
She leaned down to kiss her little boy's cheek and then headed to the living room, where she would wait for Tamara and Greg. She knew her father would likely have some words for the two of them when they arrived. "They shouldn't be long," she reassured herself as she settled by the door, anticipation and a touch of anxiety swirling within her.
Across town, in Robin's cozy apartment, Regina found herself in his embrace, though her heart wasn't fully present. As they lay together, he whispered sweet words between kisses and caresses. "I love making love to you; it soothes my soul to know you're all mine," he confessed.
Regina gazed into his handsome face, admiring the love that radiated from his eyes. She couldn't help but smile. "You know what I liked the best?" she asked.
His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. "Hmm," he murmured, eager to hear her thoughts.
"That this marks the return of the Robin I fell in love with," Regina replied softly, her fingers tracing his cheek. "I missed you."
A playful smirk tugged at Robin's lips. "And this is the Robin that will walk down the aisle with you. I laid jealous Robin to rest this afternoon."
Regina raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Is he dead now?"
A mischievous glint danced in Robin's eyes as he nodded. "Yes."
Regina chuckled, her humor infectious. "Should we get flowers for his funeral?" With a playful move, she began to slide out of bed.
Robin's laughter filled the room, and he reached out to catch Regina's delicate hand. "Hey, where are you going?"
Regina sighed softly, her expression apologetic. "Home... It's just that we have this thing called work, and none of my things are here, Robin. I want to wake up early and put my best foot forward in the morning."
Protesting playfully, Robin tackled her, making her giggle as his kisses trailed along her jawline. "I'm not done with you yet," he declared, and they prepared for another round of shared passion, their love rekindled and stronger than ever.
An hour dragged by, and Emma was still waiting for Tamara and Craig. Her heart sank, and the anticipation of a good night out began to dwindle. Mary Margaret sensed her daughter's disappointment and joined her in the living room. "Stood up?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Emma tried to muster a smile, attempting to mask her disappointment. "I'm sure there's just some delay. They should be here soon."
Mary Margaret's heart ached for her daughter, knowing how much this night meant to her. She sighed and said, "Emma, why don't you call Tamara and find out what the hold-up is? Your father won't be pleased if they don't show up soon, and he might not let you go out again."
Emma frowned and nodded, glancing at her phone, which was filled with unanswered texts. She didn't want to break down in front of her mother, but she couldn't help feeling hurt by Tamara's apparent betrayal. "Yeah, I'll give her a call," she replied.
Mary Margaret offered a suggestion, trying to ease the tension. "Maybe something happened to her car?"
Emma managed a small smile. "Sure, that could be it." Just then, a car honked outside, and Emma's face lit up. "That must be her!" She rushed towards the window with renewed hope.
Mary Margaret sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness," she said before turning to face her crestfallen daughter.
But Emma's excitement was short-lived. She peeked out the window and deflated. "False alarm, it's just the neighbor," she sighed. "Don't worry about me, Mom. Go on to bed. I'll let you know when they get here."
Mary Margaret nodded and gave her daughter a reassuring smile. "Have fun, Emma, and don't worry about Henry. I'll drop him off at daycare before I head to work."
"Thanks, Mom. Goodnight," Emma said and kissed her mother's cheek before returning to her seat to continue waiting. She shot another text to Tamara.
Emma: You better not be in a ditch.
Tamara:...
As the clock neared eleven, Emma's desperation grew. She contemplated stepping outside, just to pretend she had gone somewhere. But the realization of being a young woman alone in the city held her back. She hesitated, nearly opening the door, before remembering her responsibilities as a mother. She couldn't risk her safety. She closed the door with a heavy sigh.
Suddenly, her father, David, appeared by the stairs. "Emma, they're not coming," he said, his tone gentler than it had been earlier, mindful of his daughter's feelings. He couldn't bear to see her hurt again, not after what she had been through with Henry's father.
Emma clung to her hopes. "They are... they're just... delayed," she insisted, not ready to relinquish her newfound freedom.
David's stern exterior returned as he spoke firmly, "You're not going anywhere this close to midnight. Go to bed."
"Daddy, please..." Emma started to protest.
"Go to bed, Emma," he commanded, his fatherly concern masking his disappointment.
Emma felt the weight of her actions as she stomped to her room, her anger and frustration bubbling like a rebellious teenager, not a young adult and mother. She closed the door mindful of her son, Henry, who lay in her bed, clutching a stuffed animal that carried her scent, a symbol of their unbreakable bond.
Henry was her miracle, the child she hadn't been trying to create, but she had embraced motherhood despite the cruel twists of fate. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder when she would find love, living under her father's watchful eye.
Her father didn't bother to knock as he entered her room, not even respecting her privacy as if she were still a child. Emma's anger toward him deepened, and she avoided making eye contact. However, she couldn't ignore his words.
"This was the reason I didn't want you to leave in the first place. Kids can be nasty individuals, and I didn't want you to get hurt. But you insisted... see what happened?" he said, his voice filled with regret.
Tears welled up in Emma's eyes, and she couldn't hold them back any longer. "What do you say we do a family outing on Friday night? We'll watch the latest Marvel movie with Henry. He loves those," David suggested, attempting to bridge the gap between them.
Emma nodded, not saying a word, simply wanting him to leave her alone. She couldn't help but feel frustrated that her father still saw her as a child. It was time for her to grow up, and she was determined to do so, even if it meant facing the challenges of motherhood alone. She looked at her sleeping son, her heart full of love and determination. "I love you, baby boy," she whispered. "And you're going to be a strong and independent man when I'm done with you. You'll have tons of friends, and girlfriends...or boyfriends, and you will lead a normal life." Emma held onto that dream for both her sake and Henry's.
Emma sat in bed beside Henry, determined not to allow herself to slip back into the depressive state she had experienced after Henry's birth. She knew she needed to focus on the positive aspects of her life. Thoughts of Regina crossed her mind, and a genuine smile graced her features. "Such lovely things have happened to me recently," she whispered to herself.
With a determined sigh, she spotted the journal her therapist had given her across the room. Archie had advised her to write down her thoughts and concentrate on the things she could be grateful for whenever she felt overwhelmed by hopelessness. She reached for it, flipping it open to a fresh page with a black cover.
Her pen touched the paper as she began to write:
Life is telling me once again that love is not for someone like me. That's the feeling I have to bury, the belief that no one will ever give me the opportunity to find or experience true love. It's as if I should extinguish those feelings when it comes to having a partner to share my life with. Maybe I should just focus on Henry, Mom and Dad, and Killian. Perhaps they are all I need. But why does my heart long for more?
She paused, contemplating her thoughts, and then continued:
I guess if I have to find an outlet for all these feelings, the only thing that can save me now is to work for her...And become deserving of the protection that Ms. Mills brings.
The young woman concluded, the words capturing her determination to overcome her doubts and insecurities, and perhaps, one day, find the love she secretly craved.
The next morning, Emma arrived at work early, feeling the weariness of going through security once again. Graham, the security guard, still didn't recognize her, even though she had been there for four days. She couldn't help but wonder how hard it could be to remember her, the so-called "ugliest" member of the female species walking through the same doors daily.
As she waited for the elevator, she observed the office dynamics, feeling like an outsider. She couldn't help but wonder if her appearance was the reason for her exclusion. Did looks really matter that much here? She sighed and entered the elevator, heading to Regina's office to start her workday. Emma decided to do something nice for her boss, just like her mother used to do as a barista, by preparing a mug of coffee. Her mother's coffee and hot cocoa had been incredible, and she had inherited that skill.
Emma smiled as she placed the mug of coffee on Regina's desk, allowing herself a moment to indulge in a fantasy where she cared for Regina like a loving girlfriend. However, her reverie was interrupted by the entrance of Jefferson and Regina.
"How did it go last night?" Jefferson smirked. "You look like it was a good night."
Regina smirked in response, her tone casual. "I'm getting married... that's how it went. I'm going to marry Robin."
Emma's heart plummeted when Regina spoke those words. She had always believed Regina would cancel the wedding, as it was clear she didn't love her fiancé. However, Regina's resolute tone caught her off guard.
"Wow," Jefferson said, intrigued. "You sound certain. What did he do? Threaten your presidency?"
Regina laughed and shook her head. "He held a mock trial in his apartment..." Then she noticed Emma standing there, stunned by the news. "Good morning, Emma."
Emma forced a smile, trying to hide her disappointment. "Good morning, Ms. Mills. Coffee, Ms. Mills?"
She gestured towards the mug, and Regina, in a genuinely good mood, took a sip of the dark roast coffee. "Thank you, Emma."
Emma bowed awkwardly and turned to go. Regina glanced at her plain Jane secretary in confusion but then resumed her conversation with Jefferson. "Sit, Jeffy, this is a long one."
"Okay," Jefferson said as Regina began to recount the details of the mock trial. "You mean like he was naked under that robe?"
Regina nodded, a laugh escaping her lips. "And you liked that?"
"I mean, Robin is well-cut," Regina replied. "Not bad to look at at all. I can appreciate that."
"But, Regina, a man's body is..." Jefferson shuddered at the mental image of a man in a robe with no clothes underneath.
"If it's to keep my family happy, Jeffy, I can deal with his wild romantic gestures," Regina explained. "I mean, he isn't hitting me." She hesitated. "He even apologized to me and told me that he was sorry he got so jealous and that he'd killed jealous Robin."
"But Regina, is that enough to make you want to marry him?" Jefferson questioned.
"I truly enjoyed his creativity," Regina said with a hint of longing.
Jefferson was skeptical. "Oh, please. No man can maintain the level of creativity that you experienced. I bet Lily gave him the idea."
Inside her office, Emma applauded Jefferson's efforts to change Regina's mind about the wedding, even if his advice was somewhat lackluster. She appreciated his concern and desperately wished she could have Regina reconsider.
Outside, Jefferson continued, "How long are you planning to stay married to him?" Emma moved closer to her door, wanting to hear more.
Regina seemed taken aback by the question. "What kind of question is that, Jeffy? I have no idea."
"This is what you have to think about," Jefferson persisted. "Let's shoot for a low number. Suppose you stay married to him for five years. That's 365 days times 5, which gives you..."
Emma did the calculations in her head and whispered, "1825 days."
"Do you think a man can keep you entertained in 1825 different ways?" Jefferson asked, making Emma nod in agreement.
Regina defended her stance, "But marriage isn't just about sex, Jeffy. It's about love and companionship."
"Okay," Jefferson said, conceding the point. "But you don't even like Robin's personality. The man you could marry would have to be an ideal man, and that man is a woman."
Regina questioned how she could figure that out. "With me? With 1825 different women every single night?" Jefferson proposed.
Emma was frustrated in her office, torn between wanting to see Regina's reaction and her boss's cluelessness. Was she seriously considering Jefferson's argument, or was she just humoring him?
Jefferson expressed his concern, saying, "I hope you know what you are doing, friend."
"I know just what I am doing, Jeffy," Regina responded confidently. "I'm going to marry Robin."
Emma mimed a stab through the heart as she listened to her boss's declaration. She couldn't help but feel that Regina was in for a world of torture if she went down this path. Maybe, somehow, she could help Jefferson convince her otherwise.
The phone rang, interrupting the ongoing conversation. Emma turned and swiftly picked it up. "High Concepts, this is Emma," she answered professionally.
The voice of Lily Paige, dripping with petulance, came from the other end. "I've been calling the office, and no one has been answering."
Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes. She replied, feigning ignorance, "I'm sorry, who am I speaking with?"
"It's Lilly," she grumbled impatiently.
"Ah, good morning, Lilly. Yes, we just arrived," Emma replied calmly.
Lily proceeded to reprimand Emma, saying, "Well, you should be getting to the office earlier, don't you think?" Emma wanted to laugh at the audacity of the remark. Lily continued, "Anyway, I'm going to be late, so let Regina know that I am going to the doctor, and answer my calls and leave the messages on my desk."
Emma couldn't believe the gall of the pretty girl on the other end of the line. She replaced the phone on the cradle with a sigh, muttering under her breath, "Sure, I'll take your messages."
Walking out to Regina's office, Emma informed her that Lily was going to be late because she was supposedly going to the doctor. Regina, without taking her eyes off her screen, commented with skepticism, "Oh, sure, she's sick now, huh?"
Emma's emotions churned at Regina's seemingly dismissive attitude. However, the next words from Regina caught her off guard, causing her heart to flutter. Regina asked, "How was your night after such a harrowing day you had yesterday?"
Emma was momentarily stunned. Regina was expressing concern for her well-being. The brunette quickly moved on, engrossed in her emails, seemingly unperturbed.
Unable to find her voice, Emma stood there, waiting for any further orders or instructions from Regina, her thoughts swirling with newfound emotions.
Later that afternoon, as Emma was engrossed in her work, her phone rang, and she saw that it was her mother calling. She picked up, and Mary Margaret's worried voice came through the line.
"I'm worried about Killian," her mother began. "He came by to borrow some of your economics books and asked about your plans with Tamara from last night."
Emma listened intently, concerned about what her mother was going to say next. Mary Margaret continued, "I told him she stood you up, and he left."
Emma gasped, realizing that Killian must have been furious. She remembered his protective streak and a sinking feeling settled in her chest. She hoped he hadn't gotten into another fight because of her.
The next phone call that came in shifted Emma's thoughts in a completely different direction. A woman's voice asked for Regina, and Emma couldn't help but wonder if it was yet another one of his girlfriends. She directed herself toward the call, adopting a professional tone. "Um... She's in a meeting right now. Can I take a message?"
The voice on the other end identified itself as Monica. Emma furrowed her brows but jotted down the message diligently. Monica's tone was familiar, which left Emma somewhat perplexed. "Tell her to check in with me or I will be at the office at 4 sharp," Monica instructed.
Emma tried to diffuse the situation. "Oh no, that's not necessary. I will make sure she calls. She won't be here at 4."
Regina called out to her just as she hung up the phone, and Emma's heart fluttered at the sound of Regina's "I need you" tone. She had grown accustomed to being needed by her boss surprisingly quickly.
Walking out to the main office, Emma acknowledged Regina. "Yes, Ms. Mills?"
Regina was on the phone with her father. "Yes, Daddy, don't worry. I will have everything ready," she reassured him before ending the call. Then, she looked at Emma and said, "Emma, get a hold of all the executives for a meeting, please."
"Yes, Ms. Mills," Emma replied but waited until Regina was finished with her conversation before addressing the matter of Monica.
Regina expressed her frustration. "God, this is never-ending."
Emma reassured her, "I will get the executives for you, Ma'am. But, um..."
Regina paused and gave her an inquisitive look. "What is it?"
"You just received a phone call from Monica. She said you should check in with her soon or she will be here at 4."
Regina sighed. "Damn it. I can't have her here."
"I told her you wouldn't be here this afternoon," Emma quickly added.
"Oh, good," Regina said in relief. "Thank you. I better call her later this afternoon, or she'll show up Carla-style. I don't have time for that. Remind her to call me back, will you?"
Emma smiled, pleased to have been of help. There was something about Regina's praise that had a profound effect on her.
Regina, in a rare moment of playfulness, asked, "Hey, Emma, how did you know I didn't want to talk to Monica?"
Emma cleared her throat, her professionalism resurfacing. "Her tone was... a bit on the familiar side. I figured you wouldn't want Mr. Locksley to know you had even talked to that girl. Though she wasn't as bad as Carla. But I figured I'd let you determine if you wanted to talk to her or not."
Regina nodded appreciatively. "Good instincts."
Emma went on to offer a solution. "Since Jefferson digitized your agenda, I attached it to your electronic calendar. I can manage it and lock it, so no one else can access the information. That way, you won't have trouble with Mr. Locksley anymore."
Regina considered the suggestion, wondering if she could trust this woman with her personal calendar in a digital realm she barely understood. "Is this searchable?"
"It is," Emma replied confidently. "So it will work for easy access for you or me if I continue to manage it. This way, that little black book can disappear."
"Excellent," Regina said, rising from her chair. She found herself feeling an odd surge of gratitude toward Emma that she couldn't quite explain. It was disconcerting because she had never been attracted to Emma in that way.
Later that afternoon, the meeting with the executives was about to begin. Regina stood at the head of the conference table and welcomed everyone inside. As Robin entered the room, he greeted Emma, causing her to stiffen. "Good afternoon, Emma. How are you?" he inquired politely.
Emma, maintaining her professionalism, replied, "Good morning, Mr. Locksley."
Robin then turned to Regina, his fiancée, and affectionately said, "Good morning, my love," before giving her a loving kiss. Ursula and Jefferson, who had already taken their seats, exchanged meaningful glances at the display of affection. Robin noticed and addressed it, "What? We're in love. We're getting married, you know?"
Before Regina could respond, Lily dramatically entered the room, giving Emma an up-and-down look before flipping her hair in her face. "What's going on here? Why wasn't I told of this meeting?" she demanded.
Regina, with a sarcastic tone, replied, "Oh, Lily, how fortunate are we that you have graced us with your presence." Then, she shifted to fake concern, asking, "I just thought you were at the doctor's. Are you feeling better?"
Lily, seemingly oblivious to Regina's sarcasm, replied, "Oh yes, I do. Thank you."
Regina couldn't hide her exasperation. "We're about to have a meeting," she informed her, sarcasm dripping from her words. "May I stay?" Lily asked.
"Of course!" Regina exclaimed. "You can answer the phones."
Emma, smirking at the scene, interjected, "I'll gather some legal pads. Excuse me," and left the conference room.
Mal, visibly irritated, stood up. "Hello! I just came to say that I am resigning."
Cruella, the Finance VP, snorted in response, clearly unimpressed by the drama. She couldn't fathom why they were always subjected to the whims of the creatives.
The older blonde continued her dramatics, upset that one of the employees' children had dyed her dog's fur blue. "I tell you when I saw my poor diva with her hair all blue, I nearly died."
Cruella couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic."
"I think you need to fire that woman immediately," Maleficent continued her tirade. "How could she bring that monster into this institution?"
Ursula frowned and added, "The secretarial pool has a bad habit of bringing their kids."
Robin looked at the two women complaining and said, "If they bring their children, it has to be for a reason." Regina admired her fiancé's compassion for the parents among their employees.
Emma, still standing by the door, couldn't help but overhear the ongoing discussion. She felt relieved that she hadn't yet brought Henry into the office, given the judgment being passed on to parents who did so.
Mal continued her argument, turning to Robin. "Robin, I thought you were my friend."
Robin defended his stance, stating, "We are, Mal, but I can't fire someone just because they didn't have another alternative to take care of their child."
Regina added her support. "I agree. It's not ideal that they bring their children here, but it's better than firing them and potentially affecting their families by taking away their income. I could say the same thing about you bringing your dog into the office."
Maleficent justified her pet's presence. "Hold it right there. It's proven that dogs serve as a stress release. I need Diva around for my mental health." Maleficent stated. "She should at the very least get a fitting punishment."
"She's not a child Mal." Regina scolded, "A warning should suffice."
The phone rang in her office, and Emma exited the room. Maleficent followed Emma with her eyes and made a gagging motion. "Christ, Ursula stop hiring gorgons to work here please," Lilly smirked
"Not too much on Emma, Regina might fire you," Robin murmured.
Mal not afraid of Regina one bit rolled her eyes. Mal, unfazed, rolled her eyes. "If I were in charge of the hires in this company, you wouldn't even see a beauty mark."
Jefferson playfully teased, "Right, they would all be fully waxed fuck boys because that's how you like them, eh, Mal?"
Maleficent chuckled. "Would you shave for me Pretty Jeffy?"
Regina intervened, "That's enough." She reminded them of the meeting's purpose. "This isn't why I called you here today."
She went on to assign tasks related to the investor meeting where her parents would officially hand over control of the company to her. The executives were tasked with preparing detailed reports from their respective departments. They exchanged resigned glances at the amount of work that needed to be done by the following day.
Emma, who had left the room during the discussion about children in the office, returned with legal pads. She didn't want to get caught up in any more snark.
"Emma!" Regina called out. Emma was startled, she had been trying to fade into the background. She'd heard what Mal had said. She was hurt, but she was used to it. What she did like is that she didn't hear Regina's voice agreeing to any of what that awful woman was saying.
"Yes, Ms. Mills?" she responded, standing next to Regina's chair.
"Please set up a binder with all of the reports you will receive from each department," Regina instructed.
"Yes, Ma'am," Emma replied.
Lily, unwilling to be ignored, chimed in, "What's my job, Regina?"
Regina looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You do your job. Get someone to cater our meal for the meeting tomorrow, and arrange pick-up. Things like that. It's outlined in the job description I gave you on your first day."
Lily's face fell; she had hoped for a more challenging task. "But Regina, I can..."
"Lily, you are the image, the first impression for High Concepts, right?" Regina pointed out, using Lily's vanity against her. "So we know you can do that job perfectly well."
With the meeting adjourned, Maleficent turned to Robin and Lily. "Let's do lunch, my treat. I need to get away from here and relax after what that rotten little monster did to my poor diva."
Robin smiled and reached for Regina's hand. "I can't. I have invited our president out; we're going to look at some wedding gowns. She says she needs my help to decide."
Regina had a sudden uneasiness in her stomach. She wasn't looking forward to this lunch with Robin. "Regina! Do not insult me!" Maleficent exclaimed. "I can't let you walk down the aisle with this gorgeous man wearing some dime-store wedding dress! I will design it myself."
Lily was equally enthusiastic about Maleficent's designs. "Oh my god, Regina! I saw the collection of Maleficent's designs she showed in Milan, and they were amazing!"
Robin smiled, pleased with Maleficent's offer, and turned back to Regina, who seemed relieved not to have to take this lunch with Robin if she didn't have to.
"That shall be my wedding gift to you, darlings!" Maleficent declared. "I will start on the designs right now if you want."
"That's lovely, thank you," Regina replied. "The wedding isn't until September, so we have time."
Robin, taking Regina's hand again, suggested, "Well, love, I guess there are other things to do on our lunch?"
Regina felt an unease in her stomach as Robin led her out of the conference room. What did Robin have in mind?
Emma walked past Ashley's desk and noticed the blonde pleading with Ursula to let her keep her job. Emma couldn't help but stop and watch as Ursula's slimy gaze moved over the young blonde's body. "I can forgive you this once," Ursula said, "if you'll go out with me tonight."
Emma was taken aback by Ursula's opportunistic behavior. She thought to herself, "That slimy opportunist." She then noticed Regina and Robin coming out of the conference room together and decided to speak up. "Hey, Ms. Mills, I thought you said you weren't going to fire Ashley."
Regina responded, "Yes, that's what we said."
Ursula quickly backtracked, trying to save herself from any repercussions. "No, no, no, no, no. That was all a misunderstanding on my part."
Ashley breathed a sigh of relief, and Emma smiled in support. "That was all I wanted to say," Emma stated before retreating to her office. She may not have been friends with Ashley, but she couldn't stand by and let Ursula take advantage of her like that. She gathered her things for lunch and headed out.
As she emerged from the elevator, she found the group of coworkers standing at Ruby's desk. The rest of them turned to stare, but Ashley broke away from the group to express her gratitude to Emma. "Oh, Emma, you saved me from that slimy witch. Thank you so much!"
Emma downplayed her role, saying, "You can thank Ms. Mills and Mr. Locksley; they came out just in time. Don't worry about it."
Belle chimed in, "Well, this is none of our business. Let's go; I'm so hungry."
Ashley turned to her friends, confused by their coldness, especially when Emma had proven to be trustworthy. Ruby, however, sided with Emma and stood by her side. "Are you guys coming?" the rest of the group asked.
"Nah, I'll stay," Ruby replied. "I need someone to answer the phones for me. I'll wait until August comes back. Ash, you can go with them if you want."
Ashley squeezed Emma's hand in gratitude before leaving with her friends. She turned back to Emma and said, "It was really cool what you did for Ash, Emma."
Emma modestly responded, "It's nothing. I've never had the experience of being cornered, but I've had my share of unfair treatment. I wanted to be a way out for her."
Ruby, extending a genuine olive branch, asked, "What are you doing for lunch, Emma?"
Emma considered the offer and asked, "What's good around here?"
Ruby recommended, "If you want cheap eats, there's a Mexican cantina-style restaurant down the street that is just to die for."
Emma's eyes lit up with interest. "That sounds amazing."
Ruby continued, "That's where the ugly crew eats."
Emma chuckled, "Are you kidding? Do we have a crew? Shouldn't I be the leader?"
"Oh Emma, I think you'll fit in great," Ruby stated and wrote down the address for Emma. "Maleficent dubbed the secretarial pool the ugly crew because we are just normal people with not much money and we just can't sit with her."
"What a ridiculous broad."
Ruby laughed heartily, enjoying Emma's sense of humor. "Ridiculous indeed."
Emma smiled, feeling a connection with Ruby. "Thanks for the recommendation. Maybe I'll see you there."
Ruby replied warmly, "Enjoy," as she settled in to wait for August to return. Emma was hopeful that she might be making a new friend in this workplace.
Emma decided to go to the cantina recommended by Ruby. As she entered, she spotted the "ugly crew," but they were in the midst of gossiping about her. Only Ashley and Granny Eugenia seemed to be defending her. Granny suggested inviting Emma over, but Belle was resolute in her belief that if Emma wanted to sit with them, she could have done so earlier. Emma realized that making friendships with this group might be challenging, and she was content with her budding connection with Ruby.
Leaving the cantina behind, Emma rushed back to work. Her cell phone rang, and she saw it was her mother calling. She seized the opportunity to ask her mother to pick up Henry from daycare. "I know, Mom, it's just that I have a ton of work to do, and I'm still trying to impress my boss with what I can do."
Mary Margaret's voice turned serious as she mentioned Killian. "Emma, do you remember what I told you about Killian? He got into a fight with Tamara's cronies, and he went to have her apologize to you."
Emma sighed, realizing she needed to have a serious conversation with her friend. "Oh god... Mom, let me get these things together, and then I'll deal with him when I have time. Give Henry a kiss for me."
"Alright, Emma. Love you!" Mary Margaret replied.
"Love you too," Emma said before ending the call and preparing herself to address the situation with Killian.