Teaching Love

Chapter Nine

Disclaimer: The following content has mentions of an abusive relationship and rape. If these topics bother/trigger you please skip this chapter or proceed with caution lovelies

Three years ago, Regina Mills was a completely different person. She was a new face in town and was lucky to have gotten a job at one of the schools in town. The idea of starting her career and finally having the job of her dreams always made her smile. It was the reason she woke up early and brewed her coffee with a small grin.

This morning as she made her coffee she decided that she was going to get out and do something. For the past few weeks, she was stuck inside and busy unpacking dozens of boxes. She moved into Storybrooke on a whim and was happy to find a quaint little apartment.

Once she was finished with her morning routine and dressed in running shorts and a tank top she set out for a walk around town. She opened the door of her apartment building and kept her head up as she set out to explore her new town. Storybrooke was definitely an interesting place and Regina was interested in being friends with everyone in town.

She started her walk and for a moment she got lost in the white clouds above her, they were just so beautiful. Her attention was brought down to her legs when she felt a furry tail wag against her. Crouching down, she came face to face with the cutest little dalmatian puppy.

"Hello, what's your name handsome boy?" She asked the puppy as she reached for his dog tags. "Pongo?" The dog yapped happily at the recognition of his name which made Regina laugh.

"Pongo!" A man's voice exclaimed as he jogged up to Regina and the young pup. "I'm sorry he's still a bit too fast for me and I haven't gotten a leash yet."

"No, it's okay. He's absolutely lovely," she said as she scratched the dog behind his little ears.

Regina paused as she looked at the man in front of her. He was definitely taller than her and had a strong build, probably worked out in his spare time. He had mysterious brown eyes, scruffy brown hair, and a beard that gave him a rough and rugged kind of look. He was attractive and had Regina second-guessing what to say next.

"He's absolutely a pain to look after," he said with a laugh before extending a hand out to Regina. "Hi, my name is Graham."

She took his hand and he helped her up to her feet. "I'm Regina and I'm new in town. I'm just wandering around when your cute little puppy ran into me."

"Regina, that's such a beautiful name." There was something about how he said her name that made the woman weak to her knees and she was curious about finding out more about him. He was indeed an interesting man.

"Thank you," she responded as her cheeks blushed and she ran a nervous hand through her curly hair.

"It's no problem. Um, I know this might be weird to ask but...if you're not busy maybe you could join me and Pongo to the pet store. I could show you around Storybrooke after I get him a leash."

There was a flash of hesitation through Regina's mind that was brushed away with the charming smile the stranger flashed her. What could go wrong? She was just going to spend the afternoon with this nice man and get to know him. Being new in town she found herself desperate for friends and this could be a great start.

"Sure, I would love to. It beats walking around aimlessly for a few more hours," she told him with a shrug of her shoulders before she scooped up the little puppy in her arms. "I'll carry him so he doesn't run off again."

"Perfect. I'll lead the way to the only pet store in town," he said as he set a hand on her lower back and guided her through the streets of the town.