I stay around Mr. Gold's shop for a little while longer, looking at more treasures. "Do you know if anyone's hiring anybody for a job in this town?" I ask.
"No, not that I know of. The Mayor would know though, but then again... I might need some help," he replies.
"Really? I didn't see a sign in the shop window," I say.
"That's because nobody wants to work with me," Mr. Gold answers, not bothering to cover up that he's not well liked in this town, Ruby's words ringing true.
"May I ask why?" I lean my head over to the left, my gaze studying him.
"Because I'm different, and people don't like that, makes them uncomfortable," Gold says.
"I know what you mean," I say, walking along the counter, running my fingertips over the glass desk.
"Really?" he seems intrigued.
"Well, yeah, I mean, you do one wrong deed and you're scorned for life," I start saying, but stop myself short, afraid I'll blow my chances with getting a job and him going through with the date.
"A wrong deed, huh?" Gold leans against the wall behind the counter, crossing his arms.
"Let's just say I 'borrowed' something and forgot to give it back," I say. "But I've learned my lesson. I will never do something like that again."
"The world is filled with good and bad deeds, and it's only the bad ones that will make you the wiser since people take godness for granted," he says tilting his head as well, sizing me up. "Exactly," I say, returning to stand right opposite him.
"I tell you what, I'm willing to offer you a job, hours from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.," Mr. Gold announces.
"Really? Thank you! That means a lot to me," I smile at him.
"Are you able to start tomorrow?" Mr. Gold asks.
"Sure, that's no problem at all," I say.
"And that drink..." he starts saying. 
I hold my breath, afraid he'll take it back now that I'm gonna start working for him.
"Meet my at 'The Rabbit Hole' around eight thirty tonight?" he asks.
"Tonight? Yes, I can do that," I say, flashing him at smile.
"Great! I'll see you then," Mr. Gold says, standing up straight, leaning against his cane which has a carved, golden handle. "I better get back to work," he says. "It was very nice meeting you."
"Nice to meet you too," I say. "And thanks for the beautiful box."
"My pleasure," Gold nods once.
"See you tonight then," I say and back up towards the shop entrance.
"Tonight," he says, his husky voice filling the air with a promise of more to come.

---

A black, sexy dress in a window display catch my eyes as I walk back towards the diner. I go inside and try it on. It fits perfectly, and it's perfect for my date with Mr. Gold, so I buy it without thinking about what it costs. I also find a pair of black heels that matches the style of the dress. With the outfit already nailed, and a lot of time to kill before the date, I decide to get a slice of apple-pie and a cup of coffee, craving something sweet.

"So where did you go off to? I see you did some shopping," Ruby smiles.
"Yeah, I..." I'm not sure if I should tell her about Mr. Gold or not, but decide why not, since it's a small town, and she'll probably hear about it sooner or later, and I'd rather it came from me, since I have a feeling Ruby and I might be heading towards becoming friends.
"I got a date," I continue.
"Already?" Ruby gapes. "That was fast! Who did you work your magic on?"
I laugh at that. "I... It's, uhm, Mr. Gold."
"What? Really? Even though I told you he's no good?" Ruby frowns.
"I know you said that, but I don't understand why. I find him rather... Charming," I say and shrug my shoulders.
"Charming?" Ruby asks shocked. "That's the last word I'd use to describe him."
"I'm sorry, but please leave it to me to decide that for myself. He offered me a job, told me a story about one of his many antiques," I say fetching the carved box from my bag. "He even gave me this," I beam at her.
Ruby shakes her head. "I don't know what he's playing at, but you better keep your guard up, or he'll take advantage of you."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"He's got a way of playing people. That's why nobody likes him, yet we all seem to seek his help at some point."
"He told me he does trades," I say thoughtfully.
"Yeah, someone probably traded that box for something. And you got if for free?" Ruby narrows her eyes.
"I wanted to give him something for it, but all he wanted was to buy me a drink," I smile.
"Okay, I'll leave it for now, but I'm sure I'm right," Ruby says, heading for the kitchen.
"Maybe you are, and maybe you're not," I say, suddenly not in the mood for the rest of my pie. Gold might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm not taking anyone's word for it before I've had a taste myself.

---

The dress is on. The heels are on. My eyes are smudged and smoked. Hair on fleek and lips a dark purple. A pair of glitter earrings shines between my locks, and a simple chain around my neck, with a dangling chain, makes a trail down my cleavage. I look rather firce, ready to have a drink with the town villain.

I manage to find the bar, "The Rabbit Hole", and enter it, my eyes searching for Mr. Gold. He's not there yet, so I decide to order a drink and wait by the bar. Sipping to my Cosmopolitan, I hear the door opens. I turn on my stool, and stare straight at Mr. Gold. He's changed his clothes, though they are still black.
"Hi! Sorry to have kept you waiting," he says when he's at my side.
"No problem, I haven't waited that long," I smile at him.
"Should we get a table?" he asks.
"I thought we were just having a drink," I say, biting my lip.
"Yeah, let's start with that," Mr. Gold says. "But I fancy a table for a more intimate conversation," he smiles, his face slightly impish.
"Alright," I say, getting up.
He runs his eyes over me, slowly bringing his gaze up to meet my own awaiting gaze.
"Wow," he says, his head slightly nodding in approval. "You look amazing."
"Thank you," I say and flush a little.
"Shall we?" he asks, placing a hand at the small of my back, and my heart skips a beat.

Mr. Gold orders another Cosmopolitan for me and a whiskey for himself when we're seated at the table.
"What should we toast to?" he asks.
"What about wrong deeds and second chances?" I ask, regretting my suggestion at once, afraid to focus too much on the negative bits of my past.
"I'll drink to that," Mr. Gold agrees. "God, knows I could use one." He looks thoughtful for a moment, but snaps out of it, clinking his glass into mine.
"So, tell me more about yourself," Mr. God inquires.
I finish my drink, and get the bartender's attention to bring me another one. Then I dive into my past, present and future, spreading out my life like a buffet of events. Mr. Gold listens, nods, sips his whiskey and looks intensly at me, a small smile when suitable as my tale unfolds.
"You're a very captivating woman, Maeve Linden," Gold says.
I take a sip of my drink, starting to feel slightly inebriated. "Might be, but no one's captured me yet," I say, smirking some.
"Sounds like a challenge," Mr. Gold says, swirling the content of his glass before heaving it down in one final gulp. He places the glass down on the table, leaning in. "I like a good challenge."

His words and sexy accent sends chills running down my spine, making my toes curling in my pumps. I'm wetting my upper lip with the tip of my tongue, his dark eyes fixed on my face. 

"So what about you?" I ask interested.
"Me? Let's not get into that rabbit hole tonight. I can tell you..." he starts saying. "Over dinner? Tomorrow?" he asks, giving me a crooked smile.
I smile back at him. "I'd like that."

Gold orders another drink, and another Cosmo for me. "Have you met anyone in this town besides Ruby and Granny?" Gold asks.
"Just the Mayor", I reply.
"Just the Mayor? Don't let her catch you saying that." Mr. Gold chuckles.
I laugh. "She seems pretty frigid, but I guess that comes with the territory of running a town. She told me where I could find your shop. Uhm, I mean..." I stop talking. "Fuck," I think to myself. "You were looking for my shop?" Gold asks.
"Yeah, I, uhm..." I swallow hard. "I saw you last night when I was sitting at the diner. You were walking down the street." I circle my glass with my index finger. "I don't know, I just thought you looked... Stylish."
Mr. Gold raises his left eyebrow and grins, spreading his arms wide in a pretend-cocky gesture. "Stylish, huh?"
"Yeah, so I asked Ruby who you were, and she told me you were no good. I mean..." I shut my yap .
"I know what you mean. I know what they say about me," Gold cuts in. "And still you sought me out, agreeing to go out with me?" Mr. Gold wonders, his eyebrows slightly drawn.
"Yeah, I felt compelled to prove Ruby wrong, a believer in second chances and all, and because I'm the kinda girl who does the opposite of what I'm told. Twice. And take pictures," I giggle. "Twice, huh?" Gold asks, smirking.
"And take pictures," I say, staring at his chiseled face of sharp features and dark eyes holding worlds of experience.
"I fancy a villainous behaviour," he says, clinking his glass into mine.
"To villains," I say and drink up.

After a few more drinks, I feel very loosey goosey, and flirt shamelessly with Mr. Gold, and I find myself leaning in closer, shamelessly placing my hands on his thigh, and on top of his hand. We're sitting very close now, his hand stroking my back, slipping ever lower.
"You surely are a breath of fresh air in this town," Mr. Gold says placing a stray string of hair behind my ear, brushing his thumb featherlight over my lower lip. I stop his hand from leaving my face, cupping it with my hands. I turn my head and kiss his palm. His tumb's brushing rougher over my lip now, pulling it down some. I sigh, before nipping at the tip of his thumb. With eyes locked with longing, we find ourselves launching into a kiss. A hefty kiss stealing my breath away, making me whimper at his impact. He growls back, kissing me harder, craving my lips. I give in, giving him my lips like ripe fruit for the taking. It feels like we're leaving Storybrooke behind; the bar, the people, the light. Creeping blackness and fog surround us, blurring out the noise of the crowd and the dim lighted room. His hands are on my face, mine gripping at his neck, grappling onto a force of seductive mist and alluring lips, craving them as a spellbound victim of dark passion. I don't even know what I'm doing anymore, I'm overcome with such lust, I'm not in control any longer. I feel hands roaming over my body, and I just want to sit down astride him and feel him under me.

Suddenly someone, intentionally or not, bumps into our table, and the glasses rattle, sending us back to the bar, pulling us out of the desirable frenzy. Mr. Gold and I break apart, and we both give the person who disturbed us a scowling look.
"Sorry, guys," the man says. "Maybe it's time to get a room?" he chuckles and walks on. At that we grin and look at each other. And that's all we do for a while; looking at each other, panting hard. I wet my lips, asking what I think the both of us want an answer to; "Should we continue this somewhere less crowded?"
"I'd love nothing more, dearie, but it's getting late, and I think I better walk you back to Granny's B&B," Gold says.
"Ah, okay," I say confused over the sudden change of mood.

We get up and out, his hand still on the small of my back, which comforts me a bit. And when he kisses me before saying good night, I know he didn't want to take it further because he's a gentleman. A dangerously dark and alluring gentleman.
"See you tomorrow, then," he says, leaning on his cane.
"Tomorrow," I say, smiling, looking into his dark eyes, which almost look black in the inky, starless night. 

---

Mr. Gold walks back to his house, a smile on his lips for the first time in ages. Always the brooding villain, never pulling on the strings of happiness, now finds himself in a predicament where he dares to hope that he'll for once might have a taste of it.