Skyline of concrete dreams- SwanQueen

Chapter 6

When Emma comes home after her first day at Mills' she is a little tired, but it isn't remotely close to the level of exhaustion that follows a double-shift at the restaurant.

Thursday and Wednesday are pretty much the same: chart work, small talks with Mary Margaret and surprise visits from Kathryn, who drops by to make sure everything is okay.

Emma isn't a talker, a force of habit. Luckily for her, Mary Margaret is. It's so easy to keep quiet and let her do the talking. The brunette blabbers about her personal life, work gossip and random – and she means truly random – topics. It starts with a woman she saw the other day that looked like an old famous lady, then continues with why she prefers a heart shape on her coffee rather than a leaf, and ends with a story on how she accidentally switched the sugar with salt trying to bake a cake for her boyfriend. A boyfriend, whom Emma learned, works in the same building as them. David is in charge of the security of the tech labs located between the 22nd and 31st floors. Who knew they had tech labs?

"So how did you two meet? You're not even on the same floor."

"Technically, you're right. Okay, so doing the night patrol is part of their job, and they take turns doing that. Now, I work late all the time."

Upon Emma's perplexed face, Mary Margaret elaborates.

"The perks of working for Regina." she shrugs.

"Oh"

"Yes. Where was I? Oh! So, there is a lounge on our floor with a kitchen, a shower, a couch... Everything you need in case you stay in late. All the security guys have a device that allows them to keep track on everything from every spot in this building, so technically, they don't really need to be on a specific floor, but just to be present in the building."

"Yeah, that makes sense"

"Exactly" the brunette agrees "He was getting tired of sitting there all by himself, so he decided to move to the lounge. Eventually, we met on one of those nights when I was working late. The rest," she smiles, "is history."

"You should meet him" she clasps her hands excitedly and her face brightens "Let's do lunch!" she determines, before Emma even has a chance to reply.

***

"So, how do like it so far?"

"It's good"

David smiles warmly at her. He's, just like his girlfriend, a nice and compassionate human being. She could see why they were together. He is tall, blonde, with blue eyes and a charming smile. His big shoulders and charismatic posture make it easy for her to imagine him as a security man.

They're sitting in a quiet garden, one that Emma didn't even know existed. Right between Park and Madison on 46th, shielded by three walls, there is this space. Benches, tables, plants scattered all over, and a small fountain, all make it look like a safe haven in the concrete jungles of New York City.

Emma absorbs the calm atmosphere as she's eating her meat sandwich from the nearby deli.

"I guess you're not considered a true New Yorker until you actually know all of these hiding places."

She breaks the silence after minutes of silent eating.

"Don't beat yourself up over it," David says kindly "I know a lot of born and raised New Yorkers who don't have a clue about these little hiding spots."

Emma hums and takes another bite.

"So," he continues "how is it to work with Regina? Did she bite you already?" he jokes.