Gamble Until You Can't

21

The following week came, Emma and Regina are still on bumpy terms. After being interrupted in Regina's office, the pair have avoided each other as much as they could. Today found Emma doing her hair for another mansion party when her door knocked. She had half her hair curled and was currently sat in a robe, not long getting out the shower.

"Yes, come in" Emma said as she glanced over her shoulder quickly before she continued her hair. One of the butler's of the house opened the door but stayed in the doorway. Emma smiled over her shoulder at the man as she put her hair curlers down. "Hey, Clause"

"Good evening, ma'am. There is a visitor at the door for you, allow me to lead you there" Clause offered as he gave the blonde woman a kind smile.

"For me? No one visits me" Emma questioned with a confused look as she stood up.

"They didn't leave a name but they asked for you and said it's a friend" Clause replied as he gestured for the blonde to follow him.

Emma stood up, confused, as she walked towards the door. Clause lead the way to the front door and opened it, revealing a familiar man stood with his back to the door. As he turned around, the blonde woman's body froze in place.

"Steve" Emma questioned as her mouth dropped so much it nearly hit the floor.

"Oh, baby, I've missed you" he said with a sigh of relief as he stepped into the house with a smile. Steve pulled the shocked woman into his arms and held her close, squeezing her too tight for her body to handle. "Get rid of the butler or I break the spine" Steve whispered in an angry tone that only Emma could here.

"Then let go" Emma whispered back as she subtly tried to wiggle out.

Steve released his wife and smiled brightly, holding her cheeks in his hands. He looked at her with love in his eyes, a look Emma knew never to believe. She ruffled his hair and turned to Clause who was stood curiously.

"Is everything ok, madam" the butler asked as he was very confused where this man suddenly came from.

"Yes, Clause, thank you" Emma replied with a smile to hid the lie she was hiding very well.

"Then I shall leave you to it" Clause politely said with a charming smile, beginning to walk away.

"What do you want" Emma asked, spinning round to her husband as she stumbled away from him.

"I told you I'd find you. Now, get your shit and get in the car" Steve demanded as he gestured towards the door with an annoyed glare.

"No" Emma bravely said with a fearful look across her face.

"What"

"No"

"How dare you? I come all this way to get you and you don't even come with me" Steve asked with an obviously fake sad act.

"Why would I? There is a reason I left and I don't even understand why you are here. You don't love me and you never have, just let me go" Emma sighed as she tried to keep a decent distance between the pair.

"Oh, baby" Steve said in a patronising voice, stepping closer to his wife with a sweet smile. He grabbed her by the collar and dragged Emma's body closer to his, holding her up on her tiptoes. "Why would I ever let you be happy" Steve laughed in her face, burning his eyes through the blonde.

Emma froze in fear, turning her head away as she squeezed her eyes shut. Flashbacks from being hit by him played in her mind, causing her to shake and sweat in his grip.

"Can I help you" Regina asked in a kind voice as she walked down the stairs, looking curious at the scene before her eyes.

"No, it's nothing to do with you" Steve scoffed as he looked up at the woman like she was crazy to offer.

Regina recognised him from the picture instantly. She made her way down the rest of the stairs and towards the pair. Steve looked at her as if she was stupid for doing so. Regina gently placed her hand over the man's and locked eyes with him.

"I'm going to ask you, once, to let go and leave my home" Regina said with a kind smile to the horrid man.

"Your home" Steve asked with a laugh, immediately filled with disbelief a woman owned this place.

"Yes, my home. I'm the owner and boss here. Now, would you kindly leave my employee and home" Regina asked once again with a smile still as she knew this man underestimated her.

"No, I will kindly not. I have something to  discuss with my wife" Steve chuckle, soon turning his gave back to the scared blonde. Regina gripped the man's hand and dug her sharp nail into his skin. The man hissed and released his hand, causing Emma to move away quickly. "What the fuck"

"Get out of my house now" Regina warned, throwing her harshest glare towards the blonde man.

"It's her, isn't it? She's the reason you left me, to be with her" Steve asked with a laugh, looking at the brunette with judgement.

"I left because you're a twat" Emma snapped back, glaring at him with a scared hint in her eyes.

"Leave, now" Regina sternly warned as she gave the man her harsh, Mills, look she inherited from her father. Steve laughed in amusement as he left the mansion. Regina closed the door, quickly turning to see the blonde. "Are you ok"

"Yeah, thank you" Emma awkwardly replied, looking down as she felt ashamed of the situation.

"I told you" Regina started to say, cupping the blondes chin to raise her head up. On the way up, Emma caught sight of the tight, black dress that didn't leave much to the imagination. "Don't lie to me again"

"I'm going to go get ready. I'll meet you at the party" Emma softly said with a sweet smile, holding the hand that was on her face.

Regina watched curiously as the blonde disappeared but the stairs. Emma went back to her room, still feeling the fear of Steve knowing where she was. She was glad Regina stuck up for her, it was lucky she was there. Emma finished curling the other half of her hair and got dressed, wearing a black shirt and suit pants. Once finally ready, Emma went to her mirror and saw the fear imprinted in his eyes.

"Emma" a girl asked in a soft voice as she looked into the room, seeing her hurt. As Emma looked round, she noticed it was Isabella stood with a worried look. "Are you ok"

"Just a bit shaken up. A problem with my ex but Regina helped me" Emma replied with a slight smile as she turned to the woman in the doorway.

"She likes you, you know? Regina doesn't get involved in people's lives because she doesn't need the drama. If she helped you, she cares about you a lot. She may be pissed at you but show her why she shouldn't" Isabella softly said with a sweet smile as she walked closer to the blonde.

"You really think so"

"I know so, I've known her for years"

"Thank you. Shall we head downstairs" Emma replied with a smile at the fact this girl was trying to help her so much.

Isabella nodded as she gestured for Emma to lead the way. The two woman walked downstairs and headed towards the Party Room. As they walked in, loud music blared out and the sight of people dancing took over their vision. Isabella looked around the room before locking her eyes on her best friend, nudging Emma to look the same way.

"Go for it" the Spanish woman encourage, knowing exactly how both woman feel about each other.

Emma chuckled a little as she nodded at Isabella. The blonde began walking over, thinking about what she was going to say. Regina was stood there with a few of the gang members, all laughing and smiling. As Emma approached, she locked eyes with the brunette now smiling at her.

"Hey, are you ok" Regina asked as she watched the blonde walking right up to her.

Once Emma reached Regina, she grabbed her cheeks and pulled the brunette into her body, kissing her instantly. Regina was in shock but didn't hesitate to join the kiss. Everyone around them all smiled at each other, giving a look to show they knew this would happen. As the pair deepened their kiss, they grew stronger feelings by the second.