He's An Arrangement

Brunch

"You're late," Neal bluntly stated, eyes glued to the screen of his phone. I wonder what he's doing. Something for work? Just stalling? Am I so ugly that he doesn't even want to look at me? Most likely.

I nodded, pulling out the chair and straightening the dress. I slid into the seat, my knees bouncing off his, "I was wrapped up with something."

A glass of water was slid in front of me. I looked up, extending my arm to the table. Neal took the chance to grab my wrist, "Don't be late next time."

I closed my eyes, letting out a breath and thinking back to this morning. To last night. Just to Killian in general. It was so private. So beautiful. No. That's all it takes, and I'm back in reality.

"I'm sorry," my teeth clenched together and I pulled my hand away from him, spilling my glass over in the process, "shit," I muttered to myself.

It came down with a clatter. I jumped, pushing back in my chair. My body dropped to the floor, beginning to pick up the sharp edges.

"Dammit, Emma," Neal grunted, waving down a waiter through the glass door. He wore a disappointed, annoyed glare. I knew it well. Almost always received it from him.

I apologized to the waiter, and he said it was fine. Neal expressed his embarrassment, tipping the waiter and sending him away. At the moment, I want to shrink back in my chair. My face is red and I can hardly force myself to look up at him.

His jaw clenched, "Let's go," Neal stood from the table, leaving a fifty dollar bill on the table. I frowned, looking down, and shook my head, "No? Come on, we're going."

He grabbed onto my back, knowing just the way where other people couldn't recognize that he was hurting me. To others, it must look like he's a nice boyfriend rubbing his girlfriend's back. I know the truth. He knows the truth. We both know there's nothing I can do about it.

Neal's important. People adore him. He's the "friendly, successful businessman". They'll fall to his feet, no matter what.

He was yanking me up by my zipper. A yelp escaped my lips, but I was powerless to him. We were sitting in a private suite. Of course we were. I stopped fighting, "There's my Emma," he whispered into my ear, dropping a kiss just below it.

Still, he guided me out with a hand gripping at my back. It would leave a mark. Killian would see it tonight. Question me about it. Tell me It'd be okay, and that he'll take care of it. That he'll call the police. I'll tell him no.

That they wouldn't help.

"Mate, let Ms. Swan go," a sharp accent came from behind the two of us. I closed my eyes, letting the voice slip in. I wasn't used to hearing it outside of passion. In this strong, unarussed, casual voice. I stopped walking, feeling the power return in my veins. A grin came across my lips, it surprised me, quite honestly.

"Get the hell away from me, Mr. Jones," Neal's hand went limp on my back, dropping the dress in a crinkle. I whipped around, wanting to run to Killian, but stopped myself.

Killian had a guitar in his right hand. This must be where he's performing. It had black strings, and a brown body. I don't understand guitars. I just know he's good at it, and he's an amazing singer. That's all I care.

Neal came closer to Killian, "Guys, stop, please," I mumbled out, looking back, trying to find someone.

"Emma, go to the car," Neal growled, taking his hand and throwing it back at me.

I nodded, waving a hand at Killian and leaving, "Ms. Swan, I'll be notifying the police at this time."

"That's not necessary, Mr. Jones," my voice was sharp, commanding. I whirled around to look at him over Neal's shoulder. I pointed my forehead in the direction of the fifty dollar bill. Reminder: Neal has money. He's more important than you. Than me. Than us.

Neal laughed, "I'm out. Emma, find your own goddamn way out of here. Don't come back to the house," he grabbed my purse from the chair, throwing a slap at my arm and dashing from the room.

I sucked in a breath, wrapping my right arm over my left. My eyes found the tip of my heels, and I connected the two points with my vision, "Swan?" His voice came up, a hand under my chin. I leaned into the touch.

"I'm sorry, I should be going," I glanced around the table, moving from his hand and picking up the fifty that Neal left. A hand was on my shoulder. It made me jump, turning around quickly.

It was just Killian, "Where are you going to go, then?" His voice was sleek, and intimate.

My mind wandered for a second at the question. I don't have any family. I don't have anywhere I can go and feel safe, "I'll find somewhere," I muttered the words, wrapping my hands in front of my chest protectively.

He shook his head, setting the guitar down in a seat nearby. The area was blocked off for him to set up. For preparation. Neal got us in so it could be private.

Killian took the seat Neal once sat in, grabbing his glass and dumping the water all over the table, "What'd you do that for?" I grumbled, looking over the dampened table cloth.

He shrugged, wearing a mischievous grin, "You're my friend, Emma. You know that. We don't discuss what goes on in bed, but now that we're out, can we just be two friends having a chat?"

I brooded over it, before shaking my head, "I don't want to talk about it. Now, I'm going to leave. Good luck on your gig."

With that, I stood up, ready to head out. The fifty dollar bill was wrinkled in my hand, the only thing I had at the moment. Would I just head home? No, he'd be angry. I'm sure I can stall. Go to the park, walk around. Go to a museum, be the perfect women. Yes. That's what I'll do. Pose.

My mind made up, I wandered out of the restaurant, stopping at the hostess stand. I smirked, seeing a small mint jar. My hand scooped in, grabbing a handful of the treats. The employee on duty giggled. She was younger and had an odd red streak down the side of her chestnut hair.

"So, I saw you've got two guys, huh?" She piped up, eyebrows raised inquisitively, "Here I am, not even able to get one!"

I shook my head, "No, I'm not in two different relationships," my eyes caught her name tag. "Ruby" was written out in cursive, a red heart at the end of the name. She must be an intern, or something.

"Well, if you ever need to talk, I totally love doing that!" She took out a sticky note, "Here's my cell number."

I nodded, taking the paper from her, "Okay, thanks..." I couldn't help but smile. She's not that bad of company. Maybe I will give her a call.

"Hey, if it were me, I'd be going for the second dude. The one with the guitar!" Ruby squealed, peering over at Killian. He had already moved on, setting up a mic stand in the center of the stage.

I popped a mint into my mouth, "Hate to burst your bubble, but he's married."
The girl shook her head, "Well, it better be to you, 'cause you two totally have chemistry!"

My face took on a serious attire, "Listen, this is going to sound strange, but my boyfriend isn't letting me go home. We're in a fight, and...:"

"Yes, you can totally crash at my place! I just moved out and got this sweet apartment," her face was beaming, "We can do each other's nails! Talk about boys! Pillow fights! Anything you want!" It seems like I'm not the only one in need of a friend. 

What do you think? I'm not used to writing OUAT in a modern AU, but giving it a shot!! 

I'll be adding in characters such as Ruby (introduced here), Snow, Charming, Elsa, Liam, Belle, August and more!