Chapter 6 - The struggle
Regina woke up, disappointment washing over her as she noticed that Emma was no longer in the room. There was a feeling of emptiness in the space where they had shared a night of passion. She lay there for a moment, collecting her thoughts, but time was not on her side.
With a sigh, she forced herself to get up and start getting ready. She had a flight to catch, and her mind needed to shift from the lingering memories of the previous night to the tasks ahead. Regina knew she couldn't dwell on what had happened with Emma; she had a life to get back to in Boston, and her responsibilities were waiting for her.
As she hurried to prepare for her flight, Regina's thoughts were a jumble of conflicting emotions. She couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see Emma again, and if this one-night encounter would be nothing more than a fleeting memory.
RRegina's disappointment was laced with a deep sense of familiarity. The feeling of being abandoned without a word triggered painful memories of a past relationship. Kathryn, her ex-partner, had left her in a similar manner, walking away to pursue a conventional relationship with a man, leaving Regina heartbroken.
As she continued to prepare for her flight, Regina couldn't help but draw parallels between the two situations. The sudden departure of Emma was reminiscent of the emotional turmoil she had experienced when Kathryn had made her choice. It was as if history was repeating itself, and Regina's heart ached with the memories of that painful breakup.
Regina realized that she was letting her past experiences cloud her judgment. Emma had not made any promises, and this was just a one night stand. There was no reason to compare it to her past relationship with Kathryn, where there had been commitments and broken promises.
Determined to move forward, Regina picked up her luggage and headed out of the room. She needed to shake off the lingering disappointment. Her first stop was the hotel lobby for a strong cup of coffee to clear her mind.
As she made her way through the lobby, Regina spotted Snow, but she wasn't in the mood for her cheery disposition. Regina quickly changed direction to avoid any unwanted conversation and focused on finding that much-needed cup of coffee.
Regina poured herself a cup of coffee and dialed her sister Zelena's number. As she waited for her to answer, she hoped to shake off the lingering disappointment of Emma's departure.
"Hello?" Zelena's voice came through the phone.
"Hey, Zelena," Regina replied as she sipped her coffee. "I just wanted to check on Henry and let you know I'm on my way to the airport."
Zelena's response was reassuring, "Oh, Henry's fine. He couldn't wait to see you when you're back."
Regina smiled at the thought of her son's excitement but didn't want to dwell on her own feelings. "That's good to hear. You're amazing with him, Zelena."
"Thanks, Regina. Now, did you win that cooking thing?" Zelena asked, her curiosity evident.
Regina hesitated, then replied cryptically, "Maybe."
Zelena chuckled on the other end of the line, recognizing her sister's evasiveness. "Alright, you're not going to tell me, are you?"
Regina seized the opportunity to shift the conversation away from her competition results. "Did Henry do anything fun while I was away that I can hear about?"
Zelena, always up for a good story, eagerly began recounting some of Henry's recent escapades.
As Zelena continued their conversation, she couldn't help but ask, "So, Regina, did you do anything exciting while you were in Los Angeles?"
Regina chuckled softly. "Not really, I barely left the studio. But I did meet lots of chefs and even Emma, the Million Dollar Critic."
Zelena's excitement was palpable through the phone. "Oh, you finally met that critic you've been crushing on for ages, huh?"
Regina couldn't help but smile, admitting, "Yes, I did. She's just as charismatic in person."
Zelena prodded her sister with curiosity, "And did anything else exciting happen?"
Regina hesitated for a moment, then decided to share, "Well, there was one thing. I had a one-night stand."
Zelena's reaction was swift, "Whoa, Regina, you animal! Tell me everything. What was she like?"
Regina began to describe Emma, the Million Dollar Critic, the woman she had spent the night with, down to the smallest details. She mentioned the sexy mole on her back, and Zelena couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like you had quite the adventure, sis. Did she leave an impression on you?"
Regina's voice held a hint of contemplation as she replied, "She did, Zelena. She really did."
Zelena, ever the inquisitive and supportive sister, continued to dig for details. "So, was it really just a one-night stand, or did you get her number?"
Regina sighed, her voice tinged with regret. "It was definitely just a one-night stand, Zelena. I woke up alone in the morning. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just not meant to find love."
Zelena's tone turned more reassuring as she responded, "Regina, you're incredibly talented. You're going to be huge in the culinary world. That blonde was a fool if she couldn't see that. You'll find love when the time is right."
Regina chose not to reveal that the mysterious blonde she had spent the night with was, in fact, the very person who could make all her culinary dreams come true. Instead, she let her sister's words of encouragement wash over her, finding solace in their conversation.
As Regina's plane landed at Boston's airport that evening, she couldn't help but notice a familiar face in the bustling crowd. It was Kathryn, her ex-partner, and her new husband, Fred. Their paths crossed, and there was an awkward silence as they exchanged glances.
Regina broke the ice, her tone cool and distant. "Kathryn."
Kathryn seemed equally taken aback but tried to maintain a polite tone. "Regina. What brings you to Logan Airport?"
Regina hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest. "I just did a show on the Food Channel."
Kathryn's eyes widened with surprise. "Oh, that's interesting. I'm actually heading out to LA for an audition with the Food Channel myself."
An uncomfortable pause hung in the air. Kathryn broke it by inquiring about Henry. "How's Henry doing?"
Regina's patience was wearing thin. "Why do you even care, Kathryn? You left us."
Kathryn shifted uncomfortably but managed to eke out a forced smile. "I just thought... you know, he's my son too."
Regina's response was laced with anger as she retorted, "No, Kathryn, he's my son."
Kathryn was taken aback by Regina's sharp tone. "Regina, I didn't mean it like that," she began, trying to explain.
Regina cut her off, her frustration evident. "You don't get to ask about him. You left, remember?"
Kathryn bit her lip, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. "Regina, that was a different time. I thought you had moved on."
Regina scoffed, "Moved on? Do you have any idea what it's been like raising a child who constantly wonders why his other mommy left him?!"
Kathryn hesitated, her face clouded by a mixture of regret and uncertainty. "I didn't realize it was that hard for him."
"Of course you didn't," Regina snapped, her anger unabated. "You were too busy building your perfect little family with Fred."
The silence that followed was heavy, filled with the unspoken emotions that had festered over the years. Regina finally broke it, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Well, good luck with your Food Channel thing, Kathryn. I'm sure it'll be just as exciting as your life with Fred."
Regina turned and walked away, leaving Kathryn with a heavy sense of unease and a reminder of the lingering resentment between them.
Regina's anger began to dissipate as she saw her son's smiling face waiting at baggage claim. She rushed toward him, her heart warmed by his presence. She hugged Henry tightly, telling him how much she had missed him. Then, she turned to her sister, Zelena, and gave her a grateful hug.
As they made their way home, Henry couldn't contain his excitement. He chattered incessantly, peppering his mom with questions about her trip to Los Angeles. Regina, in turn, listened to her son's stories, feeling grateful for the love and support she had waiting for her back home.
A few weeks later, the family gathered around the television to watch Regina's appearance on the cooking competition show. Regina had returned to her job at a local diner, and her coworkers and staff were thrilled to see her on TV. They had arranged a little viewing party, and the anticipation in the room was palpable.
As the show unfolded, Regina's family and friends were on the edge of their seats. When the moment came and the host announced Regina as the winner, the room erupted into cheers and applause. They were all so proud of her, not just for her culinary skills but for how confident and composed she looked on television. Regina had achieved a significant milestone in her culinary journey, and her loved ones were there to celebrate with her.
Regina's victory in the cooking competition had an unexpected and overwhelmingly positive effect on the diner where she worked. News of her win brought in a flood of new patrons who had previously been unaware of the little establishment. The sudden increase in customers was a bit overwhelming for the cozy diner, but it was a welcomed challenge. Regina and her colleagues were delighted to see their hard work paying off.
One evening, as Regina went to pick up Henry from her parent's house, her mother expressed her belief that Regina could achieve much more than being a line cook. This conversation planted a seed in Regina's mind. She couldn't help but think about the possibilities and other culinary adventures she could pursue. The future seemed full of potential and new opportunities, and Regina was ready to explore them.
