A/N: Thank you all for the love you have been given this story. Today was a busy Sunday for me, so I am barely able to upload this next chapter. I shall write more tonight to update tomorrow when I can. Stay tuned and don't forget to review. :) Happy reading!
*Please no one ask me if you may translate this story and/or use it for other fandoms.* Thank you.
"It's complicated? What the hell kind of answer is that?" Ruby asks as she finds herself in the locker room with Emma. Her hands tying her shoe laces.
"An honest answer." Said Emma, finishing up tying her hair in a neat ponytail.
Ruby snorts, "Em, sweetie, I hate to break it to you- but there was nothing honest about your date with Regina Mills."
"And who's fault is that?" Emma places her hands along her hips, her brow furrowed.
"Then what are you waiting for? Go up there, knock on her door and tell her the truth. The uniform will give it away, anyway." Ruby motions to Emma's uniform.
"What are you kidding? That moment was nothing but a fairy tale dream. My carriage turned back into a pumpkin- there is no happily ever after from this if she sees who I really am. Or what do you suggest I do? Make her bed with me in it? Get real! She thinks I'm a guest here. Not the maid."
Ruby nods, "You may be right about that. I mean, this is no ordinary Cinderella story here. Instead of a pumpkin, you got yourself a real pickle. And that princess of yours, she does like to get around if you've read the papers."
Emma sighs as her back hits her locker, shoulders deflating. "That's another thing," she shakes her head. "I mean, when we talked I realized for a minute just how charming she can be, but… There was something there."
Ruby remains silent as she takes in that sparkle in Emma's eye.
"Something… I don't even really know how to begin to describe to you, Ruby." Emma smiles. "She seemed so sincere and I… I blew it." She frowns and buries her face in her hands.
"Oh, hey- Em," Ruby crosses the bench in the middle of the locker room, between them, placing a hand along Emma's shoulder. "That's the life of a politician. They are good at lying."
"Except I don't think she was lying." Emma shakes her head, her lips stretch into a tiny smile. "But in the moment, Regina Mills was… So delightful. And when she would look at me, her eyes were just so deep and…" Her hands hover over her eyes. "Sexy."
"Gosh, Em," Ruby fans herself. "Do you need a moment alone?"
Emma lets out a small laugh, shaking her head. But the truth was, just with the mere memory of Regina, the spot in between her legs were turning a little damp all over again.
"Alright, you go on home," Ruby reaches for Emilia Clarke's clothes. "I will go put these back in the goddess' room."
"Emma?" Ingrid's unmistakable voice echoes within the locker rooms, followed by the sound of her heels.
"Oh, shit!" Emma hisses, taking the clothes from Ruby's hands and stuffing them into her locket. A shoe drops to which Ruby quickly bends down and tosses it inside before slamming the steel door shut.
Ingrid peeks her head around the corner just a second later, finding both maids a little too breathless. "What are you two doing?" She asks.
"Oh, uh-" Emma's eyes fall on her apron which she still holds in her hands. "I was just cleaning off something out of my apron. Ruby was just helping me." She hands the apron to Ruby.
"Oh, yeah, that's not coming out at all." Ruby scrapes her nail along the material, scraping off an imaginary stain for appearances sake.
Whether Ingrid believes them or not, she's keeping that piece of information to herself. "Well, when you're done, please see yourself to Mr. Gold's office. He would like a word with you." She says casually.
Emma's heart stops. "Yes, ma'am."
"And uh, take that apron to dry cleaning." Ingrid's eyes fall on the apron.
"Right away." Emma nods.
Ingrid gives a little smile before she walks away. Ruby and Emma let out a heavy breath of relief.
"Oh, shit. They know." Emma looks into Ruby's wide eyes as breathing for her becomes a little too difficult to task right now. "Let me go up there, you make sure those clothes get back to where they belong, okay? I'll see you tomorrow if I'm not squashed by then."
"You won't be, you won't be- go." Ruby nudges Emma.
As Emma walks away she performs the holy cross on herself, praying to God she doesn't lose her job.
"God damn it!" Killian tucks his cell angrily inside his breast pocket. "Where the hell is she? Can someone please find me Regina?"
Sidney's head turns to the direction of the front door opening, his eyes on Regina.
"Oh, finally! There you are! Where the hell have you been? I come out of the shower and I find your goddamn dog back in the room without you here?" Killian's eyes remain on Regina even when she walks right past him.
Regina had stormed across the room, reaching for a card from the coffee table and a pen. Her brows furrow in frustration as she scribbles along the card, feeling the pen's tip catch along the paper. "This pen's no good-" her eyes turn to Killian. "Killian, do you have a pen I could use, please?"
"Oh, sure, Regina-" he pulls out a pen out of his jacket pocket. "Here you are. A fresh new pen for you. Anything else I can do for you?" He asks with sarcasm in his voice.
"No, I'm good. Thank you." Her hand begins dancing along the page in quick motions. "Sidney," she calls out.
"Ma'am?" Sidney stands to attention.
"Regina, what the hell are you doing?" Killian's head tilts as he tries to read the note.
Before he can, Regina is standing to her feet, handing the note to Sidney. "This is very important to me- it's a matter of life and death, okay? Would you please take this note and deliver it up to the woman in the Park Suite. Park Suite. Her name is Emilia Clarke."
"Right away, ma'am." Sidney nods, walking away with the note in hand.
"Thank you, Sidney." Regina grins happily at the thought of seeing Emma again after extending her invitation to Monday night's benefit dinner.
"Alright, Regina," Killian snaps his fingers before Regina's face, capturing her attention and ripping it away from Pongo. "Focus, okay?"
"What, Killian? I'm here? What?" Regina continues to pet her dalmatian, unable to rid herself of that smile.
"Listen, let's recap here, okay? Belfrey killed down there at the luncheon while you were out walking your goddamn dog." He points to Pongo. Pongo's head turns to Regina as he whines. "You know the luncheon you promised you'd attend at one-thirty and you didn't!"
Regina tosses the same yellow ball across the room. "Fetch, Pongo. Go." Pongo hurries across the room, capturing the rolling ball between his teeth.
"Unbelievable." Killian rolls his eyes, his finger rubbing away at his temple. "We're going to lose this election. I'm- I'm going to be fucking fired. Fired!"
"Killian, Killian, will you relax?" Regina stands before Killian, her smile on point. "No one is going to fire you. You've been a great advisor. You're doing your job right."
"Killian snorts, "Yeah, well I might actually believe that if you just listened to me instead of chasing after the next skirt all around this fucking city!" His finger points to the direction of the door in one hard swift motion.
"Please, don't call her that. She's not a skirt," Regina peels off her leather jacket, allowing it to fall into her hands. "She has a name- Emilia, and it's all going to work out." She smirks.
"It's all going to work out-? What are you talking about, Regina?" Killian follows Regina into her bedroom. "Regina. Can you please explain? I'm at a loss here and on the verge of throwing myself out any window of this godforsaken hotel. Because I don't think you know the gravity of this situation, alright? If we lose this election, then I failed and I will have to kill myself."
Regina chuckles, walking out of her closet after having hung up her jacket, and marching straight out of her bedroom.
"Oh, this is funny to you," Killian follows close behind. "I'm glad my untimely death and failure is nothing but a joke to you. You're a real friend, Regina."
"Killian, you aren't going to fail." Regina reached for a container of Pongo's snacks. "Pongo, come." She holds out the snack before Pongo. "Sit." At her command, Pongo's behind touches the floor. "Good boy." Pongo snaps his mouth shut, chewing along the snack that had been tossed at him.
"Regina," Killian reaches for the container of snacks out of Regina's hand. "Would you care to explain to me what is going on?"
Regina snatches back the container, setting it along the table. "You wanted me to have a plus-one to the Met Monday night. Emilia Clarke will be my plus-one."
"And just who is Emilia Clarke?" Killian asks, following Regina into the kitchen where she retrieves a bottle of water from the fridge.
Regina hands the water to Killian and reaches for another bottle for herself. "Someone I met." She twists the cap off and takes a drink before moving back into the living room.
"What, the blonde?" Killian follows her. "Are you really sure this is a good idea?"
"What do you mean? You wanted me to have a date, right? Well, I want her to be my date." Regina walks over to Pongo's water bowl and pours some of her water for him to drink. "Come on, Pongo." Pongo happily strides over to his water bowl, taking big gulps.
"Yeah, well I was thinking something along the lines of your date being blind, possibly elderly, you know to sweeten your chances." Killian says sarcastically.
"Is that a joke about your own mother, Killian?" Regina smirks in a playful manner, welcoming herself to sit along the couch.
Killian forces out a chuckle, "Well, did you check her out? Her background- make sure she isn't a felon or married. Maybe she's hiding severed heads in a basement somewhere."
"Pongo," Regina snaps her fingers, smiling once Pongo jumps up to the couch and positions himself in a lying position along her side. His head rests along his lap, glorified by feeling her nails massage along his ears and the top of his head.
"Well," Killian reaches into the inside pocket of his suit jacket for his phone, dialing a number. "If you aren't going to find out everything you can about this woman- down to the last gram of secrets- I will." He presses his phone to his ear. "Will. It's Killian- listen, I need a favor. See if you can find out everything you can on Emilia Clarke. She is currently staying at the Hampton's Inn and Suites. Got it? Excellent, I'll wait for your call."
Emma waits outside of Gold's office, biting down at a hangnail. Her head turns to the door swinging open, followed by Ingrid.
"You can come in now, Ms. Swan." Ingrid smiles, stepping away from the door, allowing Emma to enter.
"Ah, Ms. Swan," Gold sat behind his desk. The expression on his face didn't look too happy. She was so fired. "Have a seat, please."
Against her frightened heart, Emma welcomed herself to a seat along one of the chairs that was placed in front of Gold's desk. She swallows down the lump that forms inside of her throat and prepares herself.
As soon as Ingrid stands behind Gold, he starts, "Ms. Swan, do you know why I've summoned you today?"
Here we go. "I think I do, yes, sir." Emma nods.
"And do you know what the foundation of a great hotel is?" Gold asks.
"Um… Location?" Emma replies.
"Loyalty and trust." Gold says sternly, his eyes almost glaring. "Would you say that those are qualities that you, yourself possess?"
Emma swallows down another lump as she blinks, "I do. Yes, sir." She shifts on her feet.
Gold and Ingrid share a knowing look, sharing what Emma could tell to be two tiny smiles.
"Ms. Fisher agrees." Gold turns to Emma, a surprising smile splitting his lips. "Which is why she has convinced me to highly consider you for the management position."
A sound gets caught in the back of Emma's throat, "W-what?" This wasn't what she was expecting at all.
Ingrid grins, "Mr. Gold and I had no idea that you would be interested in management, but once Ms. Lucas brought us your application this morning, we knew that you are just what we're looking for in a manager."
Ruby sent in my-? Emma breathes out a light scoff, her eyes blinking away tears that threaten to escape her, glossing her eyes over. She wanted to cry out of happiness but also a bit of anger, because what gave Ruby the right to-?
"By the way," Ingrid places Emma's application before her. "We couldn't help but notice that you forgot to write in your social security number. So, if you just fill that in you can be on your way." She smiles, holding out a black ink pen.
There was just one problem. Emma couldn't move. She was frozen.
"Ms. Swan?" Gold's voice startles her, becoming the antidote she needed to move a muscle. "We do hope that you haven't changed your mind about becoming a manager for a hotel you've worked so hard in?"
Emma blinks, shaking her head to discreetly wipe away a single tear before it shows. "No." She chuckles, "Of course not, sir." She reaches for the pen and quickly fills out the only blank left along the form.
Ingrid and Gold are beaming.
"Excellent!" Ingrid grins, taking back the application and pen.
"Now, normally, Ms. Swan," Gold sits back, his fingertips pressed together. "Normally, we would require you to train in the program and then train for a year as a butler, but-"
"Given the extraordinary circumstances due to overbooking and under-staffing-" Ingrid chimes in.
"Ms. Fisher and I have agreed to accelerate your application." Gold smiles.
"So, you will be moving directly into management after the six-week training. Assuming, of course, that you pass the practical exam and you provide each requirement for every station." Ingrid smiles.
Emma releases a shuttered breath, feeling a knot form along the pit of her stomach. "Thank you." She mutters.
"Well, then I guess there is nothing else left to say, except…" Gold stands, extending his hand to her, the same large smile spread across his lips. "Good luck, Ms. Swan."
Emma breathes out a chuckle, shaking Gold's hand firmly. "Thank you, sir." She feels free to smile a little.
Ingrid shakes Emma's hand, smiling from ear to ear. "Best of luck, Ms. Swan. We know we are looking at a grand example of what a manager should be."
"Thank you." Emma blinks, feeling tears sting at her eyes again. Her smile widens.
"Ruby!" Emma slammed the bathroom door, knowing exactly where to find Ruby. As happy as the news of management and having a real opportunity at something other than tidying rooms, she was also a little furious. "Ruby, I know you're in here!"
Ruby pokes her head from the crack of the door to a stall before she comes out, fanning away a cloud of smoke that is created by her cigarette. "Please tell me you aren't fired. Please tell me they didn't catch you."
"No, but I've caught you!" Emma points a finger along Ruby's chest.
"Me- what did I do?" Ruby's eyes grow wide.
"How about going behind my back? You filled out a management application for me?"
Ruby grins, "Ahhh! So, is that why Gold wanted to see you?" She claps her hands. "So, they are considering you!"
"That's not the point, Ruby!" Emma scoffs.
"No, that is the point, Em! Imagine my surprise, when I find out that you were too scared to even try out for the management position- so, really- who's kidding who here, huh?" Ruby follows Emma as she walks along the bathroom. "For years, you have been pitching ideas for better uniforms, better pay, better everything for this place, and now you actually have a chance at something huge for you- for Henry! You have a chance to put those ideas into motion. The way I see it, I did you a favor." She yanks on her shoulder, forcing Emma to face her.
"Well, whoever asked you to do that?" Emma snapped.
"Hey, I figured if they didn't consider you, you wouldn't know- no harm, no foul. But, Em," Ruby's hands clasp along Emma's shoulders, a grin spread from corner to corner of her lips. "They considered you! You- a maid- has a chance here, a big chance. Don't waste it."
Emma's eyes gloss over. She throws her arms around Ruby, feeling her best friend pull her into the tightest hug. Ruby's lips press along her hair in a kiss.
"You are such a pain in the ass." Emma murmurs.
Ruby grins, "No bigger than you, sister, but it's what keeps us together."
Emma chuckles, feeling the tension along her chest dissipate.
Ruby parts from their hug. "You. Emma Elizabeth Swan, are going to make one hell of a manager. I feel it in my bones. And I will be right behind you every step of the way, cheering you on."
"You're gonna be manager?! That is so cool, mom!" Henry grins, walking alongside his mother while Emma carried two bags filled with groceries, one in each arm.
Emma smiles, feeling her stomach twist up in knots.
"Can I come with you to work to see Regina?" Henry asks.
"Absolutely not. Regina is a very busy woman, Henry." Emma shakes her head.
"But, mom-!"
"No but's, Henry. No."
"But, mom she likes you! And I know you like her, too." Said Henry.
Emma's brow lifts, "Now, all of a sudden you're a love expert, kid?"
"I read a lot, mom. Trust me, Regina likes you-"
"Alright, you know what? Even if she did like me- it can't happen."
"But, why?" Henry asks eagerly.
"Because she doesn't like me- Emma. She likes Emilia Clarke, and that's not who I am." Emma shakes her head, hurrying her steps as she crosses the road. "Trust me, kid. I just did the one thing I always told you not to do, and that was lie. We lied to her, Henry, and you can't have any sort of relationship based on a lie."
Henry grabs onto his mother's coat, "But you didn't lie, mom. Not technically."
Emma's brow furrows, "You know what, kid? Now you're starting to sound like Nixon. Letting someone believe something that's true when it's not is just as much as a lie as a lie is. I let Regina think that I was staying in the suite, not cleaning it. I'm the maid, Henry."
Henry rolls his eyes, "News flash, mom, but I don't think Regina is after your money." He grins as his mother gawks at him.
Emma had to refrain from laughing, "Who in the world told you to say that?"
"Nobody. I'm ten." Henry said proudly.
Emma can't help but laugh this time, "Yeah, ten going on eighteen. Get my keys out of my pocket, please and get your butt in the house. Stop growing up so fast, kid, I swear, you're giving me a whiplash."