A/N: Thank you all for joining me for this new story I have decided to create for all who follow my writing! :) Just a quick note, I will be in between writing this and finishing up my other stories before August as I will be taking a two week vacation from updating/writing. This story holds a special dedication to it. The person reading this, knows who they are. 3 And I thank each and every one of you for being so patient until I finally had some time to write. Believe me, I've been desperate to do so lol given this new story. I was recently introduced to this series that I am still in the process of watching, and decided- why not? Happy reading and I hope you enjoy the first chapter! :) More will be updated late tonight.
Also as a small reminder: Please no one ask to translate this work of fiction so that it may be used elsewhere. My work is for SQ only. Please respect mine and others works. Thanks!
Chapter 1: The Beginning
It is said that the eyes are the window to one's soul. And that a beating heart can uncover so many hidden words that a pair of lips can't ever voice.
And it's true.
At least today, that's exactly what Regina would come to discover.
After a feather-light, yet firm knock pounds away Regina's own world, her bedroom door opens to her mother's head looking in through the ajar space. "Regina. Are you still not ready?" She asks with an impatience to her voice.
Regina looks away from her mother's eyes to study herself once over. Not ready? Her choice in this new floral spring dress with spaghetti straps didn't seem inappropriate for her planned out day. "I am ready." She replied.
The door sprung open as her mother allowed herself in a little further, her brow lifting. "Are you honestly going to embarrass your father and wear that to greet his dinner guests?"
Dinner! She almost forgot. She had to remember to set a reminder on her phone before forgetting again.
"It's a little early to be planning what to wear for father's dinner, wouldn't you agree, mother?" Regina's brow mirrored her mother's, like two identical objects.
"Absolutely not," her mother struts right through the door, welcoming herself into her daughter's bedroom. She springs open the double doors from her walk-in closet. "This dinner is especially important to your father, and you-" Her sharp brown eyes pierce sharply into Regina's own chocolate orbs, straight across the room. "My dear, will not ruin it with your nonsense. Not tonight." Her fingers eagerly searched for what she deemed to be the perfect dresses for tonight's event.
Regina purses her lips as her eyes drop to anywhere along her carpeted floor. Anywhere but directly in her mother's eyes.
Regina's passions and aspirations were always nonsense for her mother.
"Ah-" Her mother's ruby red lips split into a satisfied grin as she held out two dresses, one on each hand. A black one that she had only worn once in her life and a red one that she never wore on account that it brought her bad luck. "Either of these will be perfect for tonight," she said, placing the dresses with delicacy along the purple duvet of Regina's bed.
"I hate those choices." Regina mutters under her breath. Her lips thinned tightly.
"Well, it's not really about what you want, now is it, dear?" Her mother's fist glued itself to her thin hip. Although, Regina could recall her being thinner when she was a child. Now-a-days, her mother had gained a few pounds along her waistline. Of course, she wouldn't be caught dead saying that aloud. "This is about your father and this new partnership that will help save our family."
"Money isn't everything, mother."
The woman's brown eyes blink in awe. "But of course it is, Regina. Where on earth would you even pick that crazy notion up from? On second thought- you know what? I'd rather not know." Her pale hand waved in the air. "Without money, do you really think you would have a bed to sleep in? A roof over your head?" Her eyes flicker to the easel that stood in front of Regina. The pages of her 24x36 sketchpad lightly dance to the wind entering through her glass sliding door that leads to the backyard of the house. "Or your little… hobby, for that matter?"
Regina's eyes look up at her new portrait, picking up on a few spots where the person's face needed a little more shading.
"Now, please," her mother's hands joined one another in front of her. "Come down and join us for breakfast." Her eyes flicker over to one of the dresses along her daughter's bed. "Wear the red dress tonight." Leaving that as her last word, she exits, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Regina puffs out a sigh through her lips, hurrying toward the ajar door and shutting it with a little more force than she intended, clicking the lock. Brushing back her long strands of dark hair from having her hair up in a messy ponytail, Regina walked over to the bed, picked up the red dress her mother insisted on her wearing and shoved it- not hung- it deep within her closet.
She will wear the black one.
Eggs sizzled in a pan. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast filled the small kitchen with pale blue wallpaper. "Emma! Come down, will you? Breakfast is ready!" David shouted.
"If you think she'll wake up, you're kidding yourself," a slender brunette entered the kitchen, wearing a pair of tight jeans, boots and a red blouse. She reached for a coffee mug along one of the top cupboards of their apartment and poured herself some coffee. "Emma stayed up studying all night last night for that test. A train could crash into this kitchen and even that won't wake her." She takes a sip, her hips leaning along the white counter top.
"Ruby!" A stalky, gray haired woman with half moon spectacles settled on the bridge of her nose entered the kitchen. Her eyes glaring menacingly at her granddaughter. "How many times have I told you that you need to stop talking like that?"
David smiles, shaking his head as he continues to stir his eggs in silence.
"What?" Ruby's eyes grow wide. "I'm only stating a fact. Emma lives and breathes for her education." She turns to David, "You know, I keep telling her that she needs to center herself. Focus on more than just studying- occasionally."
"And just who do you think you are to tell Emma what she has to do?" The older woman crosses her arms over her chest.
Ruby scoffs, appalled at the question. "Only her best friend! That's who." She sets the mug down as she turns to David. "With your permission, Mr. S, I would like to get Emma a girlfriend."
"Ruby!" Her grandmother hisses, throwing another laser beam glare right at her granddaughter.
David grins a pearly white smile, "Ow! Damn it!" He hops once, shaking his hand and sucking on his thumb where a sizzling drip of cooking oil jumped right along the back of his skin.
Ruby's grandmother rolls her eyes before moving, "Give me that," she snatches the spatula from David's hand, pushing him away one handed. "Have I taught you nothing? Go wake up that girl. She needs to eat before going to school." She turns the knob along the stove to low as she continues stirring the eggs. "Ruby, hand me the bacon."
Ruby opens the fridge, already familiar with Emma and David's apartment, to reach for the bacon.
"No need," Emma enters the kitchen, wearing a pair of tight jeans, converse and one of her gray long sleeve shirts. Her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail because the summer was just too hot for words loose hair. "I'm here." She grins.
"Hey," Ruby's eyes dart toward Emma's jeans. "Are those my jeans?"
Emma's eyes flicker down to her jeans. "Sorry, Rubes, but mine were all dirty. I'll buy you a new pair." She reaches for an apple and brings it up to her lips. Her teeth barely make contact with the skin of the fruit before it's snatched away from her by Eugenia, quickly but thoroughly rinsed and handed back to her.
Ruby chuckles, "With what money? Mine or your dad's?"
The apple crunches satisfyingly between Emma's teeth. "Hey, I have some savings," she says through a mouthful of apple.
Eugenia's eyes glare at Emma, followed by David who has taken his place at the table. "David, haven't you taught her not to talk with her mouth full?"
David's eyes look up. A ball of breakfast stored along his right cheek. "She won't listen," he says through chewing his food, stabbing his fork desperately along his scrambled eggs and shoving them into his mouth.
Ruby and Emma chuckle as they both share a look, joining David at the table.
"Hm! I wonder why…" Eugenia muttered. The corner of her lip tilted slightly as she turned back to serving another plate of food.
This was Emma's family. Ruby and Eugenia were their neighbors, but they were also the family that Emma would never trade for anyone. And Eugenia Lucas was the mother Emma never knew.
"Morning, all!" Oh yeah. And Graham, who peeked his head through the kitchen entry, happily waving.
"Hey, Graham," they all greeted in unison.
"Here, Graham," Ruby pulled out the extra chair she purposely left beside her. Her eyes lit up every time he was in the room. "You can sit by me. Have breakfast with us."
"Yeah, sit down here, Graham." Said Emma, passing the bacon over to her father.
"Thanks," Graham smiled, taking the offered plate from Eugenia and joining everyone else at the table. "Oh, this all looks good. You can't beat your cooking, Mrs. Lucas." He beams.
"There's plenty more, Graham."
"What time is it?" Emma asks, automatically looking down at her wrist watch for the time. Five past eight. Shit! "I gotta go," she quickly wipes her lips, taking a giant gulp of her orange juice before standing up from the table. "I'm going to be late for my test."
"You'll be fine, you'll see," David assured her, shoving the last piece of his toast into his mouth.
Graham stood just as soon as Emma had, "I could drive you, if you want. I drive pretty fast." He offered with eagerness to his voice.
Emma smiles, "Thanks Graham, but I'll take the bus. I'd rather get there in one full piece." She chuckles.
Graham flings some egg across the table at Emma, far enough that some of it goes over her head as she tries to duck out of the way, but a bit lands on her hair.
"Hey!" Emma picks a piece of egg off of her hair.
Ruby watches Graham's eyes, the way they light up at the sight of their best friend and frowns.
"Can you two act your age?" Eugenia glares at both Graham and Emma. "You're not seventeen years old anymore."
"I gotta go," Emma leans in behind Eugenia, pressing her lips to her cheek, followed by David. "Bye." She hurries out of the kitchen and into the living room, reaching for her backpack on her way out the door.
"Bye. Good luck, kiddo!" David calls.
"Thanks!" Emma's voice carries.
"Knock 'em dead, Em!" Eugenia hollers, hearing the front door slam shut.
"Ow!" Graham rubs the back of his head after feeling a hard slap delivered by Ruby. "What was that for?" He asks, his eyes glaring in her direction.
"Both of you, knock it off." Eugenia warned.
A plate of freshly sliced fruit is placed in front of Cora. "Will there be anything else, ma'am?" One of the maids asks.
"We're fine." She says, taking a sip of her morning coffee. "Zelena," Cora's eyes move to her other daughter. "Will you see what's keeping your sister, please?"
"No need for that, mother, I'm here," Regina announces, entering the dining room. She smiles at her father, who stands from his chair. "Good morning, daddy." She places a kiss along the man's cheek.
"Good morning, my darling." Henry beams at his daughter's presence. He pulls out the empty chair next to his, waits for Regina to sit before gently pushing it in again.
Zelena rolls her eyes at the attention given to her sister. Regina always gathered the most attention.
"For heaven's sake, Henry, Regina can help herself to a seat." Said Cora, quite aggravating.
"I'm nothing if not a gentleman, Cora." Henry glares at his wife before taking his seat again. He gives Regina another smile.
"I don't ever recall you pulling a chair for me, father." Zelena pops a piece of kiwi into her mouth, chewing slowly and carefully averting her father's gaze.
"Perhaps if you would wake up early once in a while, then maybe I will." Henry retorted. He reached for the pitcher of orange juice, serving himself a glass. "I'm surprised you were even up early today."
"Today is an important day for you, dear," Cora says. "I wanted both our daughters to eat with us and for once- be a family." Her eyes flicker toward both her daughter's as she says the word: family.
"What time will your guests be arriving tonight, father?" Zelena asks. Intrigued by the visitors they will be having in their home tonight.
"Seven sharp," Henry announces, shifting in his seat. "And apparently, they hate feeling like they've wasted their time or waiting more than they have to."
"They?" Regina turns to her father. Her head tilts curiously.
"Yes, my darling," Henry smiles. "Mr. Locksley is bringing his son. He is the other head of their company."
"Is he single?" Zelena smirks.
"Zelena," Cora glares. "We don't ask those questions."
"I wouldn't get my hopes up, Zelena," Henry frowns. "Robin Locksley has a womanizing reputation and I will not allow it to stain this family. This is business and it will remain as such."
"Don't worry." Regina smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure all will go well tonight."
Zelena snorts, "And what's wrong with a little fun?"
"Zelena," Henry glares across the table.
"Honestly, father, this is the twenty-first century. One deserves a little fun every once in a while. Variety. Am I right, Regina?" She winks at her sister.
"That's enough, Zelena." Regina shakes her head, stabbing at her fruit with her fork.
"Oh, that's right, I forget… you're… too good for some variety."
"Zelena, that's enough!" Henry breathes sharply through his nose. His tense shoulders relax as soon as Regina's hand cups his large fists.
Zelena sips at her water smugly.
"Henry," Cora speaks up. "Remember what the doctor said about your heart."
"Then, why don't you start by reminding your daughter of that?" He glared at his wife.
Thankfully, before a fight could break out and ruin their morning, the doorbell echoed throughout the house.
"Who could that be?" Cora asked.
"Probably Kathryn." Regina announced after sipping on her orange juice. "I asked her to meet me here so that we could go to the mall together." She smiles pleadingly at her father.
"And under whose permission?" Cora's brow lifts.
Regina's matching eyes glare. "I'm twenty-three years old, mother. I don't need your permission."
"Yes, you do. Need I remind you, Regina, that no matter your age- as long as you live under my roof- you do as we say."
Regina could never forget that. Her mother reminded her of it every day. "Fine." She turns to her father, "It's alright if Kathryn and I go for some shopping, isn't it?"
Henry smiled, "Of course it is, my darling."
A grin splits over Regina's lips as she turns to face her mother, who's frown deepens.
"Henry, I really don't think that going against my word-"
"Oh," Henry waves a hand in the air. "Give it a rest, Cora. Let the girl go to the mall. She's young!"
"Knock, knock!" A long legged blonde, smiling from ear to ear enters the dining room, cheerfully. "Good morning, all! Sorry for interrupting your morning meal."
Zelena snorts, "Somehow, I doubt that," she mutters.
Regina's eyes glare at her sister as she wipes the corners of her mouth and stands from her seat at the table. "Shall we go?"
"I'm ready, if you are!" Kathryn grins.
"What are you buying so early in the morning, Kathryn?" Cora asked, wiping the corners of her mouth.
"Oh, uh…" Kathryn blinks. "Shoes! You know me. Can't get enough of them!" She grins. "I've discovered I have an obsession. Which, we must be going, right, Regina?" Her eyes quickly flicker to Regina, who nods. "Or the fifty percent deal will be taken off." She links her arm with Regina's.
"Fifty percent off, huh?" Zelena wipes her mouth delicately, standing from her chair. "In that case, I think I'd like to tag along with a price that good."
"Oh, uh…" Kathryn looks to Regina.
"Sorry, Zel," Regina tightens her arm along Kathryn's, practically pushing her out of the dining room. "But we're really running late! Maybe some other time!"
"Yeah- bye!" Kathryn shouts, being shoved out the door. She huffs out a sigh of relief as soon as they are out of earshot. "Don't ever make me do that for you again! I was sweating my panties off!"
"Oh. I thought you'd like that." Regina grins teasingly.
"Oh, stop it!" Kathryn slaps her arm playfully, fishing the keys of her convertible out of her purse. "You're lucky I like you enough to do this."
Regina chuckles, "As my best friend you're kind of obligated." She teases. "Now, let's hurry before they change their mind."
"Change their mind? They'd have to be crazy to do that."
A/N: What did ya'll think of the first chapter? Shall I continue? ;) Stay tuned for more chapters shortly! But I wouldn't mind a review or two until then lol. Thank you in advance.