Chapter 2

Regina took off the day of her Masquerade Ball. Mary Margaret arranged for her to have a day of pampering and she prepared to head off to the spa when her phone rang. Her heart sank when she saw her mother's name. For a moment, she considered ignoring the call but she knew her mother would just keep calling until she answered. Sighing, she picked up her phone and hit the green button to accept the call.

"Hello, Mother," she said, hoping she didn't sound as annoyed as she felt. "Is something wrong?"

"I was just calling to check in before your party," Mother replied. "How is everything going?"

Regina stepped up to the window and pushed the curtain away. She saw the party planners' van pull up and she smiled. "It's going well. Set up is underway and I'm off to get ready so I look my best tonight."

"You're just going to leave the crew there by themselves?" Mother asked, sounding scandalized that Regina would just trust hired help to do their jobs and not stand over them like some ancient slave driver.

"They are professionals who know what they are doing," Regina insisted, stepping away from the window. "Besides, Granny is here."

Mother made a strange noise and Regina knew she was rolling her eyes. Granny had never been afraid to stand up to Mother and to call her out, leading to some tension between the two. But Granny had been employed by the Mills family for a long time and no one was willing to dismiss her. So Mother and Granny just took to ignoring each other until after Regina's father died. Then Mother decided to downsize to a penthouse and left the mansion – as well as Granny – behind.

Regina and Granny both sighed in relief that day.

"Maybe you should've brought someone to the house to help you get ready," Mother said. "I know some great people. It's last minute but I can call…"

"It's fine, Mother," Regina said, cutting her off. "Everything is under control and I have my own appointments to keep. So I have to go or I'll be late."

"Fine. Have fun tonight," Mother said tersely. "And try not to embarrass yourself or our company."

Mother ended the call and Regina knew she had thrown that in there as retribution for cutting her off. Sighing, Regina placed her phone in her bag and put the conversation out of her mind. For the rest of the day and night, she would just focus on her party and having fun. She could worry about Mother tomorrow.

Regina headed downstairs and grabbed her car keys. "Granny, I'm heading out for my appointments. I should be back in a couple hours."

"Take your time," the housekeeper called back. "I've got everything covered. Besides, I trust this one."

Granny's words puzzled Regina but she decided it didn't matter. She thanked her housekeeper and opened the door, ready to head out when she collided with something decidedly solid and warm. Regina stumbled backwards as a hand reached out to steady her.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry!" A male voice with a British accent washed over. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she said, steadying herself. "I'm sorry. I should've been more careful."

"It's your house. I should've been more careful. Is there anything I can do?" he asked, sounding almost panicked.

She glanced up, taking in his wide blue eyes and frowning lips surrounded by brownish-blonde scruff. Then she went to his t-shirt and she realized he was one of Keith's employees. He probably feared he had just ruined everything for his employer and she shook her head. "Just keep setting up the party. Everything is fine," she assured him.

"Alright," he said. "We promise to give you the best party ever."

Regina nodded, feeling her phone buzz. She pulled it out and saw the reminder for her appointment, knowing she was running late. "I'm sure. Thank you," she told him, eager to get in her car and on the road.

She needed to get back on track or else her schedule would be ruined.

And that was the only thing that could really threaten her party. She couldn't let that happen.

Robin watched Regina Mills drive away, unsure if he should be relieved or annoyed.

On one hand, it seemed that he hadn't ruined his business relationship with her and he wasn't going to be fired as her party planner. But on the other, she barely looked at him and her thank you seemed pretty absentminded, almost by rote. It seemed Regina Mills was just like every other rich person he had met – beautiful and self-absorbed.

Bzzt. Bzzt. Bzzt.

He pulled his ringing phone from his pocket and grimaced when he saw his cousin's picture on the screen. Robin it the green accept button and put the phone to his ear. "Yes, Keith?"

"Where are you?" Keith asked.

"I'm at Regina Mills' house finishing setting up," Robin replied, frowning. "Why?"

Keith let out a huff. "I'm on my way to my appointment for my massage but I got a call that my suit is ready. You need to go pick it up."

"What? Why?" Robin asked, growing frustrated.

"Because I'm busy making sure I'm prepared to woo Regina Mills all night long," Keith said. "So if you want me to make a good impression and give you the business earlier, you'll do this."

Robin groaned, afraid that Keith was going to hold that over his head until he either got married or a year was up. "Fine," he sighed.

"Great," Keith said, his tone brightening. "I'll text you the information. Thanks, cuz!"

He ended the call and a few moments later, a message popped up from him. Robin sighed as he tucked his phone into his pocket and jogged over to where Will and John were setting up a tent. "Hey, I have to go run an errand for Keith. I'll be back later," he said.

Will frowned. "Why do you need to run an errand for him? Why can't he do it himself?"

"He has another appointment," Robin said. "So I'm going to have to go for him. He's going to the party tonight and it's important he impresses Regina Mills and her guests. It could lead to a lot more work for us."

John sighed. "So we need to keep Keith happy?"

Robin shook his head. "I need to keep him happy. He's my problem, not yours."

"Friends help with the burden," Will reminded him. "We're happy to help with yours."

"You are. By staying here and helping to make sure the party set up goes smoothly and everything is ready for tonight," Robin told him, clapping him on the back. "I'll try to come back to finish but I have a feeling this is just the first of many errands today."

John frowned. "Don't let him work you too hard. He's your partner, not your boss."

Robin nodded, shaking John's hand. "I'll keep that in mind. Don't worry."

"Alright," John said. "See you later than."

Jogging away from the site, Robin got into his car and drove back down the driveway. He hoped everything worked out and that Keith did impress Regina Mills that night. From just their brief interaction, he could tell they were birds of a feather and would likely be very happy together.

Then Robin could focus on his business without worrying about his cousin interfering. It would at last be his.

Robin parked outside Tink's Tailoring and headed into the building. He didn't realize there were so many different types of suits for men as he looked around the many mannequins positioned around the store. He approached one that looked like something from a Jane Austen novel and wondered who would wear it.

"That's not your style," a woman said. He turned from the mannequin to find a petite blonde standing by the register. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm here to pick up the suit for Keith Nott," he said, stepping closer to her.

She nodded, motioning for him to follow her. "I'm really proud of this one. You're going to look amazing in it."

"I'm not Keith," Robin said, feeling a bit awkward. "I'm his cousin. I'm just picking it up for him."

"Oh," she replied, turning back to study him. She then nodded. "Now I see it. You two have similar looks at first glance but when really looking at you, I can see you two are like night and day."

Robin rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess so."

"Well, I need to see it on someone to make sure everything is fine," she said. "You'll have to do. So come on and you can try it on."

"Keith's not going to like that," Robin replied, frowning. His cousin never liked preowned anything, including clothing. If something had the potential to have been tried on by someone else, he would reject it.

She smiled, leaning closer to him. "I won't tell him if you don't."

"What about the owner?" Robin asked, looking around the store. "Would they mind?"

"Not at all," the woman replied. She patted her chest. "I'm the owner. You can call me Tink, everyone does. Nice to meet you."

He held out his hand. "Robin Locksley. Pleased to meet you too."

"I like you better than your cousin," she said, shaking his hand. "You're far more polite."

"Oh no, what did my cousin do?" Robin asked grimacing as he thought of all the possibilities.

She shook her head. "It wasn't anything he did specifically. I just got the feeling he doesn't respect retail workers."

"That does sound like my cousin," Robin replied with a sigh. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize for him," she said, pushing back the curtain to a dressing room. "The only one responsible for his actions is himself. I get the feeling you may feel responsible for him but you're not."

Robin stood there feeling a bit dumbfounded. No one had ever laid it out for him so clearly before. He did feel responsible for his cousin – maybe because he had always been the more responsible of the two and his uncle had asked him to watch out for Keith.

Old habits were hard to break.

"Anyway, get on in and I'll go get the suit," she said. "Be right back."

She pulled the curtain to give him some privacy as Robin took off his shirt and jeans. He stood there in his undershirt and boxers, hoping his cousin wouldn't know that he tried on the suit he had ordered. Robin had to admit he wanted to selfishly try it on since he would never be able to afford such suits. He got his from the local department store and his uncle had a tailor who would then make any alterations for him. It worked but one day, he would love to have someone make him entire suit just for him.

"Here you go," Tink said, pushing the curtain back enough just to hand him the suit. "Let me know if you need any help."

"Thank you," he said, taking the suit from her and looking it over. "It seems pretty straightforward."

She closed the curtain completely again and he put on his suit, starting with the shirt. He pulled on the pants next and then the tie. Robin finished it with the jacket, adjusting it before debating whether to button it or not. Deciding to let Tink figure that out, he pushed back the curtain and stood in front of her. "Well?"

"Almost," she said, leaning forward to button the top button of his jacket. She then ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms before stepping back. "There. Perfect."

Robin frowned as he looked over the suit. "This does fit perfectly."

"Yes, it does," she agreed. "You look amazing."

"But will it fit my cousin?" Robin asked, slowly turning around to look at his reflection again. "I'm a bit broader in the shoulders than him."

From behind him, Tink said: "I think this suit will be perfect for the one it's meant for."

Her words seemed a bit too cryptic for him but he pushed it aside, taking a moment to admire himself in such a finely made suit. It was a blue color with a velvet collar that was navy – the same color as the buttons. The tie matched as did the little pocket square sticking up from the breast pocket over his heart. For a moment, Robin felt like the successful businessman he longed to be one day.

"You look very handsome," Tink said. "Like you just walked off the cover of a magazine."

"I feel like I'm on the cover of Forbes," he said, striking pose like he was a supermodel.

She was quiet as he admired himself some more. After he went through a few more poses, she said: "I've seen you at the cemetery a couple blocks over. Who do you visit, if you don't mind me asking?"

Robin grew quiet as he thought of the giant marble slab that bore two names in entwined hearts, a lasting memorial to a great love that he doubted he would ever experience. "My parents," he said softly. "They died when I was a child. So once a month I go to the pub down the street for some good English cooking and then I go to visit them."

"Oh," she replied, sounding contrite. "I'm sorry."

He swallowed as he leaned against one of the walls of the dressing room, slowly turning his head to look at her. "Thank you. I wish they were still here but my uncle gave me a good life. He's raised me and my cousin by himself."

"Is your cousin younger than you?" she asked him.

"No," he replied. "We're the same age. Why?"

She moved into his eyeline. "I get the feeling you take care of your cousin a lot. I thought maybe he was younger and you took on the responsibility to help your uncle."

"You're close," Robin said. "My uncle asked me to help my cousin because I was always the more responsible one between the two of us."

"And so you're responsible for him for the rest of your life? When do you get to stop?" she asked him, voicing the same questions that often plagued him at night.

He shrugged. "I guess when he marries. Which means I need to get this suit off and get it to him so he can woo Regina Mills."

"Regina Mills?" she asked. "He's wearing this to her Christmas Masquerade tonight?"

"Yes. We planned it," Robin said. "Well, I mostly planned it. Keith's just taking most of the credit, as usual."

Tink frowned. "Why do you let him?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. He usually just gets there faster and then it would make me seem like a jealous partner trying to steal the spotlight from him."

"I'm sure the clients eventually figure out it's not him," she said. "Or at least suspect."

"No. I figure it's just the cost of making our business successful. Keith schmoozes and I deliver, giving them the best parties ever," he said. "No harm, no foul, right?"

She shook her head. "If you ask me, you're getting harmed and fouled."

He tilted his head, intrigued by her statement. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're not the one in here for a custom-made suit so you can go to a fancy party you pretty much planned. You'll be slaving away behind the scenes," she pointed out to him.

"Maybe I like being behind the scenes," he said. It was something he told himself often but for the first time, he doubted himself.

Tink looked him over and he knew he hadn't fooled her. But instead of calling him out, she said: "You may like being behind the scenes for now but if you stay there, you may find out you're missing out on your entire life. Don't be afraid to take a chance."

"There's plenty of time for me to take chances," Robin said, pushing away from the wall. "Once Keith has gotten what he's wanted, then I can focus on me."

"And what does Keith want?" she asked him.

"Honestly? To be a trophy husband," Robin replied. "He wants to marry rich and not really have to work."

She chuckled before asking: "And what do you want?"

"To be a successful party planner," he replied. "To be a business owner who makes it on his own."

"Is that it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He paused, realizing he never really considered what else he wanted in life. But he wanted it all – a successful business, good friends, a loving spouse and to be a father to at least one child. Robin wanted them to have a good and comfortable life. Maybe they didn't always have the newest cars or toys but they still spend time together creating memories he would cherish forever.

There was only one word he could use to sum up what he wanted. "Happy," he said. "I want to be happy and loved."

"Well, let me give you a little advice," she replied. "You're never going to find your happiness if you continue to stay in the shadows. You deserve to shine so step into the light and let others see how amazing you are. Happiness and love will come to you very quickly after that."

"All things are ready, if our mind be so," he said.

Tink looked impressed. "That's very eloquent."

"It's Shakespeare," he replied, checking his watch as his stomach fell. "I really need to go. There's still a lot to do before tonight."

Tink nodded. "Then I'll get this suit into the garment bag. I hope your cousin enjoys how he looks in it."

"I'm sure he will," Robin lied, certain that Keith would find some reason to complain about it – especially if he wanted to get a refund. It was something he constantly did – he would make an expensive purchase, wear it once, find something wrong with it and then return it for a refund. It was a scam that continued to work for Keith. Robin didn't know if it was because of Uncle Richard or because the stores hadn't picked up on it yet.

As if reading his mind, Tink then said: "And tell your cousin that all sales are final."

He chuckled as he pulled the curtain to change out of the suit. Robin would love to see Keith try to fight Tink for a refund. Especially as he was pretty sure his cousin would lose.

Robin took off the suit and put his clothes back on. As he hung up the suit, sadness coursed through him. It had looked amazing on him and he wished he could've worn it to the party that night rather than Keith. Maybe he did deserve to enjoy all his hard work.

Soon, he told himself. For now, just focus on getting Keith out of your business and onto his own thing. Then you can focus on yourself.

He took a deep breath and stepped out of the changing room, ready to return to his real life and get through Regina Mills' Christmas Masquerade, hoping that the right connections were made that night for him to find happiness.

"Keith, I'm at the stylist, where are you?" Robin asked, annoyed that his cousin was running late for his appointment.

"I'm not coming," Keith said. "The masseuse at that third-rate spa you sent me to used something iffy and now I'm covered in hives from head to toe. I can't be seen like this."

Robin pulled the phone away from his face as he tried not scream in frustration. Of course, Keith would blame this on him. Placing the phone back to his ear, he said: "I sent you to the place you always go to. Are you allergic to anything?"

"I've never had this reaction before and they swore they didn't use anything new on me," Keith snapped. "This is a disaster."

"Can't you just cover it up with some makeup? Maybe wear some white gloves? This is fancy enough for you to get away with them," Robin said, frantically trying to find some way to placate his cousin before Keith made the night miserable for everyone.

Keith huffed. "And what happens if Regina Mills and I have a deep connection and want to get to know each other better? I can't put make up on my entire body!"

Robin bit back another groan. "I doubt you and Regina Mills are going to get that well acquainted with each other tonight. You'll be fine."

"I'm not going," Keith insisted. "And that's it."

Three beeps echoed loudly in Robin's ear, telling him his cousin had ended the call. Robin sighed and turned back to the impatient stylist. "I'm sorry. He's not coming," he told the man.

"Well, you already paid for our services," he said. "We're keeping the money so it's up to you. You can leave or you can get what was paid for."

Robin paused as his mind finally processed what was happening. Keith was having an allergic reaction and probably making a bigger deal about it than was warranted by refusing to leave the house. The stylist's offer put an idea in his head – what if he took Keith's place at the party? He already knew the suit fit him and the barber was right that he had paid for the treatment so he should enjoy it.

"Carpe diem, right?" he told the barber before following the man into the main part of the shop.

Within a link of an eye, Robin found himself in the barber's chair getting a trim. The man studied him. "Your cousin likes to over gel his hair. How do you like to wear yours?" he asked.

"I usually just run a brush through it," Robin replied. "That's about it."

"Oh, we can do much better than that," the stylist replied, running his fingers through Robin's hair. "I can give you a low maintenance look that's definitely a step up from just brushing it. Trust me?"

Robin shrugged. "Sure."

The stylist grinned. "Perfect. Just lean back, relax and let me work my magic."

"Alright," Robin said, closing his eyes as he leaned back. Keith always looked like he stepped off a magazine cover when he came to this stylist so Robin trusted that he would look just as good when all was said and done.

The stylist ran his fingers through Robin's hair and seemed to use a comb at certain points as well. Robin didn't know how much time passed before the man seemed to step away from him. "Perfect."

"Can I look?" Robin asked, starting to open his eyes. But he wasn't facing the mirror and he frowned.

"Not yet," the stylist said. "I want to do a grand reveal."

Robin agreed to that and the stylist then tilted him back again. "Beards are very chic right now so I'm just going to trim yours before my colleague will give you a facial. We'll end with a manicure and then you can leave or don that suit I saw you carry in. It's up to you."

"Alright then," Robin said, closing his eyes again. "I'm at your mercy."

"Good. I'll have you looking like a prince in no time," the stylist replied, putting a warm lather on parts of Robin's face.

After using a razor and scissors to trim Robin's beard, the stylist turned him over to the person who gave him the facial while the manicurist worked on his nails. Robin felt absolutely pampered and wondered if this was why Keith loved coming here. Maybe once he had more money to spend, Robin would come back more often as well for some pampering every now and then.

Soon he was being pushed into a changing room and someone handed him the suit he had gotten from Tink. Once again, he donned it and the pair of shoes he had also picked up for Keith, grateful that he and his cousin were the same size. It was making everything so much easier for him to step into Keith's place for the party.

"You ready for your grand reveal?" the stylist asked him through the door.

"I suppose so," Robin said, chuckling as he imagined music playing and confetti blasting around him as he left the dressing room. "Can I come out now?"

The stylist made a weird noise before saying: "Yes, now."

Robin opened the door and laughed as he heard music playing. He glanced at the grinning stylist. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"I am," the man replied. "Your cousin just snaps at us and is always so rude. Styling you has been a pleasure. I also feel like your fairy godmother sending you to the ball."

"I feel like I'm about to go to a ball," Robin agreed. "How do I look?"

The manicurist smiled, removing a curtain from over a mirror. "Take a look for yourself."

Robin finally saw himself and admired his reflection with awe. He already knew he looked good in the suit but when paired with the casually tousled look the stylist had done with his hair and his trimmed beard, he looked like a model on a magazine cover. "Maybe I am Cinderella after all," he said.

"You're the sexiest Cinderella I've ever seen," the manicurist said, eying him with a hungry look.

"Down, girl," the stylist said, looking over Robin with a grin. "I think this is our best look yet!"

Robin turned to face them. "Thank you. I appreciate all your work."

"I really like you," the manicurist said. "Can you come instead of your cousin, please?"

Laughing, Robin replied: "I'll see. But Keith will probably come here until he finds some place he deems better. No offense."

"None taken," the stylist replied. "I will happily find him a new place to go so we can get him out of our hair."

"We can plot later," the manicurist said, checking her phone. "It's time to get Cinderella to the ball!"

Robin thanked them again before heading back to his car. He climbed into the front seat and pulled out the stocking he had gotten for Keith. Everyone was supposed to fill it with little items that held special meaning for them. Robin quickly retrieved some items he had in his car and placed them into the stocking before checking for the invitation Keith had given him for safekeeping.

He started the drive back to Regina Mills' house when he got a call. Robin glanced at the console and grimaced when he saw Keith's name pop up. Answering the call, he said: "How are you feeling?"

"Itchy," Keith replied. "Where are you? Are you in the car?"

"Yes," Robin said. "I had a few more errands to run but I'm on my way to Regina Mills' masquerade now."

Keith was silent for a few seconds according to the call timer before he asked: "Who is handling everything there now?"

"Will and John," Robin told him, wondering when Keith started to give a damn about their business operations. "They are more than capable."

"But you'll be there, right?" Keith asked.

Robin glanced at the invitation again and took a breath, deciding it was best to be honest with his cousin. "Well, I was thinking of letting them take the lead and I would do something else at the party…"

"Like what?" Keith asked. His voice grew harder as he then asked: "Are you thinking of going in my place?"

Grimacing, Robin said: "Well, I just thought…"

"That you could just take my place? That you would get to marry Regina Mills and use her money to buy the business and shut me out?" Keith asked accusingly.

"I don't want to marry Regina Mills," Robin protested. "I just thought that I would enjoy one of the parties I planned for once."

Keith made some noise before saying: "You can't take my invitation. She gave it to me."

"I'm sure she meant to give it to the company," Robin said, trying to justify using the invitation – though he wasn't sure if it was to himself or to his cousin.

"You know damn well that she didn't mean to give it to the company," Keith snapped. "And even if she did, if I can't go, then you can't go either. That's how a partnership works."

Robin pressed his lips together, trying not to say anything rude. He took a deep breath before saying: "Business partnerships do not follow the same rules Uncle Richard had about parties we were invited to when we were younger. If one partner can't go to a party, it's expected for the other to go in their place."

"Well, that's not how our partnership works," Keith told him. "If I can't go as a guest, then you can't go as a guest. So you are only to work this party, understand? Or maybe I'll convince Dad to sell the business and let us do something else."

Robin knew that it was unlikely Uncle Richard would do that and that even if Keith tried, Robin would be able to argue against it. But he also knew the real threat behind his cousin's words – he could make Robin's life a living hell if he upset Keith. It certainly wouldn't be the first time and likely wouldn't be the last.

He must've been quiet for too long because when Keith spoke again, there was a hardness in his voice Robin only heard when his cousin was angry. "I mean it, Robin. If I find out you were at that party as a guest and not a caterer, you will regret it. Understand?"

Sighing, Robin said: "I understand."

"Good." Keith ended the call and Robin leaned back against his driver seat, worried that his Cinderella moment had been ended even before the stroke of midnight. He glanced at the invitation again and saw one important word.

Masquerade.

Everyone was going to be wearing masks. Keith would never know if he was at the party or not. It was perfect.

Robin was going to take his moment in the spotlight and enjoy it. To paraphrase Shakespeare, boldness would be his friend that night.

A/N: Here's the next part! Regina already has mistaken Keith for Robin and now Robin is taking his cousin's place at the party. Things might get a little more confusing now.

Thanks to everyone who has read and commented on Chapter 1! I hope you enjoyed Chapter 2!

I hope you all had a great holiday!

-Mac