𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐈

Emma's headache awakened her up. That did not bode well. She snarled and rose from the mattress. The lack of crime in this small community made her pleased. She was able to start working at 8 or 9 am as a result of it. Naturally, Emma interpreted that to imply nine in the morning. Not an early riser, she preferred the night.

She glanced inside her empty fridge, desperately hoping that the headache would go away, then chose simply to pick up something on the route to the station. She drove to Granny's since Graham had mentioned to her of its homely atmosphere. She checked the time and cursed to herself for the reason it was almost nine. Guess it's a plan for tomorrow then. She hastily cleaned herself, drank her coffee, and dashed to the station.

"What are you doing here?" Graham appeared genuinely shocked to see her. The hell with it.

"Well, I work here, right? Remember? I'm Emma... " she stated, her expression perplexed.

"I'm aware, Em. But you were supposed to confer with the Mayor," he remarked anxiously.

"Crap! I totally forgot it." She yelled, hurrying out through the entrance, "I'm on my way now." She will therefore be a little delayed. Not a big deal.

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She headed straight for the assistant secretary as soon as she arrived at the city hall. "Hey, I'm here for a chat with the mayor. I'm Emma... Emma Swan."

She was startled by the secretary's stare. "Oh, you've been delayed." She murmured , "Like fifteen minutes overdue."

"I am aware, yeah. Is it feasible for me to enter right away?" Emma grinned acrimoniously.

"Please let me check... Miss Mills won't be delighted"

As though I would give a damn. Emma muttered something, but she offered the secretary a cordial grin instead. "Miss Mills is going to see you right away" , the secretary announced to Emma after hanging up the communication device. She persevered in acting as if this was the most significant issue in all of history when she added, "You may go," gesturing to the entrance.

Emma walked through the entryway and spotted a black-haired woman resting in front of an enormous oak desktop. The last pair of buttons on her blouse were unfastened. Such a tease. Unfortunately, she was unable to view the remainder of it. As the Mayor stretched her shapely legs, she gazed beneath the surface and spotted a pair of red stilettos that complemented the shade of her lipstick.

The woman was, indeed, something. Emma signaled her presence by clearing her throat. She walked over to the surface, uttering, "Hey."

She remarked in a husky accent that sent shivers down her spine, "Miss Swan... You are late."

"Umh, indeed, my apologies about that. I kinda forgot," Emma mumbled as she plopped down on the futon.

"Oh. That's utterly splendid." She responded, maintaining her gaze away from Emma, "I do hope that you are more effective at performing your duties than at recalling appointments." She nearly lost her composure from it.

Well, I'm here now. So... Why do you wish to meet me?

At that point, the Mayor ultimately turned to gaze at Emma while offering her a ferocious glance. If Emma had previously considered the woman to be something, she was now at a loss of words. Her soul was penetrated by the demoiselle's cocoa-brown irises. Without a doubt, she was dazzling.

"Miss Swan, I intend to possess knowledge of everyone in my town. Do not consider yourself the sole exception."

She rephrased, "Emma." Then she became aware of the platter of red apples on the surface of the table. She had neglected to have breakfast, as her stomach reminded her. Although she isn't particularly fond of fruits, she wasn't able to locate any pancakes elsewhere. "May I have one?" Before grabbing one and biting into it instantly, the blonde remarked, "They look amazing!"