The Frog Prince // Mr. Gold

004. MR. GOLD

The point of having hope is always there to keep an individual going. Never stop, and look past the what-ifs. Yet, as I sit on my stoop leading up to my apartment building, I can't stop thinking how hope is unlikely. I have such bad luck. No matter how I look at it, there is no real hope in my situation. Just an endless supply of terrible bad luck.

My hand shivers as I flip through the pages of the Daily Mirror, circling possible future jobs. Alas, these jobs are nothing compared to Granny's. Not enough to keep me going.

"There you are."

I look up from the black and white pages to see Gold standing in front of my building—with his walking stick underneath his hands. Of course, he is here to find and collect the money I owe him. A day after my phony layoff. Snapping the newspaper shut, I try my best to smile up at my landlord.

"If you're here for the rest of your money, I don't have it." I simply tell him.

Gold shakes his head, "I'm not here for that dear. I know all about what happened down at the diner." Gold pauses before walking up to the steps. To my surprise, he sits right next to me. Balancing his cane on his lap. His brown eyes scan the sidewalk and then the street. For a moment, he watches as other civilians of our town walk past. Ignoring their curious glances. "If you'd ask me, it's all a sham. I know you didn't do that."

"Oh?" I raise my brows.

"Our mayor isn't very tactful, now is she?"

I look away to study my leather boots. I've never held an opinion of Regina Mills. Not until this morning. She can be strict, but she's a good mayor who kept everyone safe. The economy in our town has always been decent. And we all have some type of job to keep food on our tables. But now, as I sit here thinking of what happened, a thought comes to mind. Regina Mills may very well be an evil woman underneath that perfect smile.

"She's a bully," I sigh. "But it doesn't matter."

"Well, when you start thinking that way - of course things start to not matter." Gold scoffs.

"Tell me, before you get to the part where money is our issue. Why are you here?"

Mr. Gold looked over at me as if my question didn't make sense. Did he know why he made his way to my apartment building to sit next to me? Did he injure his head this morning while getting out of the shower? I really could not get where his mind went as he placed those large eyes on me. They were an unnatural light brown. Like, a golden hue that could dig into your heart with every glance. It is odd to see them so up close. Usually, they were cold and distant, today, they are relaxed. Why?

"Well," Gold smirks at me. "If you must ask—I want to make a deal with you," Mr. Gold looked at me with a smile. It isn't a sly one, but a genuine one. As if his threat not that long ago didn't matter that much. My eyes only fall onto her expression, unsure what to think. "I am offering you a job at my shop. If you work with me, your debts can gradually disappear. I'll forget about the rent on your flat and I'll give you the holidays off."

My mouth opened in shock, unsure what to say. Mr. Gold must have hit his head for real. There is no way he is offering me such a great deal. Never has this man given anyone the time of day to make good deals—especially deals that could give your life some comfort. Gold wasn't the type to want anyone to feel comfortable. And as I look back at the Daily Mirror, many questions swirl inside of my head.

Why did he want to help me now? For years, he hated me—Gold threatened to kick me to the curb many of times. What's different now? What did I do to deserve something so generous? More importantly, what's the catch? What did Gold want from me in the end?