6

                                    

                                          
I wake up with a smile on my face, moaning as my muscles stretch. I curl back up under the covers, closing my eyes to just relish this moment of tranquillity. Then my eyes fly open at the realization of my plans today. I'm supposed to go to lunch with Regina! I grab my phone seeing it's 2pm and I curse myself, "fuck" I mutter. 
I quickly dial in her number and bite my lip as it rings. I couldn't blame her for not answering, after all I was the one that even asked her to lunch and then I missed it. "Hello" she answers, "hi! I'm so sorry, Regina. I overslept" I wince apologetically. "How unfortunate" she sighs tiredly, "truly, I apologize. We could get dinner instead if you're up for it?" I suggest and close my eyes tightly as I wait for a response. 
"Do I really have a choice" she mutters, "of course you do. I understand if you don't wanna go anymore, I kinda ditched you" I joke half-heartedly. "I'll go but you best ensure this doesn't happen again in the future" she grumbles, "so we'll be going out again?" I tease and hear her groan. "Goodbye, Miss Pearson" she forces out, "adieu, Miss Mills" I reply before I hear the click of her hanging up. 
a few hours later...
I've just finished getting dressed and I check the time to see I'm right on schedule. I head out the door and exit into the alley, heading onto Main Street. I look both ways before crossing the street, letting the lights outside the restaurant lead my way. When I finally arrive, I wait outside for a bit until I see a car pull up. She steps out and I have to clench my jaw to keep it from dropping. 
She's ditched her usual pantsuit for a tight a-line dress with a small split on the side. Her heels are high as usual and she walks with such confidence. I come to my senses when she appears in front of me and I hold the door for her. She nods politely and we get seated rather quickly, perks of being mayor I suppose. As I sit across from her, I can't help but stare and admire her remarkable beauty. 
"What?" she asks kind of harshly, "nothing. You just look really beautiful" I reply calmly. If I didn't know any better I'd say her cheeks tinged pink but it could've been my imagination. "Thank you" she says and I just smile to myself, knowing she was caught off guard by my compliment. My gaze falls to the menu, carefully picking out what I'll eat and drink. 
The waitress comes over and takes our orders, shortly after bringing the drinks. "So, Madam mayor, how was your day?" I ask, "you mean after your rain check" she smirks deviously. "Sorry about that, again. I don't know how I slept so long—insomnia—what can I say?" I chuckle nervously, "it's fine. My day was... ok. Yours?" she counters before taking a sip of her wine. 
"Regular I guess" I shrug and she nods, taking another tentative sip of wine. The food comes in as a needed distraction and I finally have the courage to just bite the bullet. "So, Regina—if I can call you that—what do you like to do?" I ask and she furrows her eyebrows quizzically. "You know... like hobbies" I giggle, "I don't really have 'hobbies' my job takes up a lot of my time" she answers plainly. 
"But there must be something you enjoy" I press, "spending time with my son" she states. "Ah yes, Henry. He seems like a really nice boy, you raised him well" I say and she glances away for a moment. "What's that look?" I ask boldly and her gaze snaps back to me, her eyes narrowing. "What 'look'?" she questions, "any time I mention Henry... you get this look on your face" I explain. 
"Don't cross a line you can't come back from" she warns, "I just want to know you, that's all. No... ulterior motives" I promise. "You wouldn't understand anyway. I've seen you're... buddies with them" she says and I chuckle softly. "You underestimate my ability to compartmentalize. Two things can be true at the same time" I reply and she scoffs. 
"Don't do that. Tell me" I demand and her lip twitches, a sign her walls are crumbling. Considering she's on her second glass of wine, I'm not surprised at her more relaxed position. As she talks I take small bites of my food, wanting to be able to respond when necessary. For the majority of our time that remains, she vents to me about everything that's been going on. 
She tells of how Emma is Henry's birth mother but that she raised him. That Emma 'suddenly' appeared and wanted to be in his life. She was hesitant at first but ultimately the choice wasn't hers to make, she says. It's easy to tell that all she cares about is the boy's happiness and that Emma makes him happy. Though it's also obvious how much it pains her to let him go. 
"So I'm thinking of making my special apple turnovers... as a peace offering" she states but I can hear a sinister tone lurking just behind her feigned politeness. Regina isn't the type to just bow down to others when she wants something, she's a woman who takes what she wants. Therefore, this 'peace offering' doesn't seem the most sincere to me. 
"Oh really? You know, I actually love baking. Could I help or just watch? I know some people don't like others tampering in their kitchen" I giggle and by the look on her face, my suspicions are confirmed. I don't know what she plans to do to those treats but it's nothing good. "I barely know you and you think I'll just let you in my home?" she asks incredulously, "well it's not like you won't be there to keep an eye on me" I joke. 
"We'll see" she replies vaguely and that feels very much like a no but I just smile warmly, going along with it. Our dinner comes to an end quicker than I would've liked and it's time to go our separate ways. "So I'll see you tomorrow?" I more so state it than pose a question but it's not like she'll take demands from me anyway. "Maybe" she turns on her heels and begins to walk away. 
Before I can call her back, she turns her head and graces me with her side profile. "Good night, Althea" she mumbles and I smile softly as I echo her sentiment, feeling like it's great progress compared to before. I have a slight pep in my step as I enter the apartment and I hear low whispers which makes my ears perk up. I softly close the door behind me so as to not alarm anyone and I catch just the last bit of their conversation before they become aware of my presence. 
"Charming..."