Chapter 3
"Let me know if this is too tight," Granny said, lacing up Regina's dress for the masquerade.
"It's fine," Regina assured her, bracing herself against her dresser. She glanced over her shoulder at her housekeeper. "Thanks, Granny."
Granny stepped back, smiling. "You're very welcome, Regina. And you look beautiful, as always."
"Thank you," Regina said, turning from the mirror to face Granny. "Are you sure you don't want to come? You're always welcome. And I do have a dress on standby for you."
"I know, but this is a party for the young, not old women like me. You go and have fun. Don't worry about if it will make the society pages. Just enjoy yourself, Regina. You deserve it, no matter what your mother tells you," Granny told her, taking Regina's hands in her own and giving them a squeeze.
Regina took a deep breath, knowing Granny was right. She nodded. "I will. I promise. Though I'm less worried about the party itself and worried about…well…"
"Falling for another Mr. Wrong?" Granny asked, looking at Regina over the rims of her silver glasses. When Regina nodded, Granny hummed. "I figured as much."
"Why do I keep falling for the same type of man?" Regina asked, feeling like a fool who was doomed to never learn her lesson. "What is wrong with me?"
Granny frowned as she gently cupped Regina's cheek. "There is nothing wrong with you. All those men were greedy and didn't appreciate the gift they had been given. They are the only fools in all of this."
"I doubt that," Regina said, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "I'm pretty sure I'm a fool too."
"Nonsense," Granny replied, sitting down next to her and patting her hand. "You are a wonderful woman who loves with her heart and soul. And somehow your mother hasn't managed to kill that. Don't let those men do it."
Regina sniffed, trying not to cry. She couldn't risk her makeup running and she was careful as she dabbed her eyes. "It's just so frustrating. How am I ever going to find the person I am meant to spend the rest of my life with at this rate?"
"Alright, alright," Granny said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. "First, I want you take a deep breath."
Nodding, Regina did as Granny said. She then released that breath, feeling herself relax a bit. "Now what?" she asked.
"Now, you put on your mask and go enjoy your party," Granny said. "Don't worry about anything else except having fun. You don't have to find love tonight. Just take it slow and enjoy yourself while getting to know people. Your Mr. Right is likely being hidden by another Mr. Wrong. Be careful not to be distracted by the ones who are flashy and trying to get your attention or you might miss him."
"You always give the best advice," Regina told her beloved housekeeper, feeling more confident after their conversation. She then grinned. "Makes me wonder why I pay Dr. Hopper."
Granny chuckled. "He can help you in ways I can't, trust me."
Regina nodded, knowing she was continually unlearning toxic things her mother had taught her and working to live a healthier life. "True. I guess I need both of you to make it through this world."
"I think you're doing just fine," Granny assured her, giving her a one-armed hug. "But I'm always glad to be here to help you."
"Thanks, Granny," Regina said, resting her head on Granny's shoulder as she took another calming breath.
Granny then stood and pulled her up as well. "Now, you put on that mask and go down to that party and enjoy yourself. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am," Regina said, hugging her again. "Have a good night, Granny. I'll see you tomorrow."
Once Granny left her room, Regina reached over and picked up the dark blue mask with black feathers she had chosen to go with her gown. She placed it over her eyes and tied the black string behind her head. Admiring her appearance in the mirror, she beloved most people would not be able to recognize her with the mask on.
Good.
She picked up her stocking, which she had lovingly filled earlier that day, and left her room. As she walked down the stairs, Granny's words kept replaying over and over in her head. Mr. Right might be hidden by another Mr. Wrong. Don't get distracted or you might miss him.
Regina paused, recalling her warning about Keith and the fact she had mentioned there was someone else with him. She wondered if her statement was about Keith and his partner. Was Granny telling her that Keith would be just like the other Mr. Wrongs she had dated and cause her to miss seeing that his partner was her Mr. Right?
Was his partner the one that had been sending the emails all along?
Nonsense, she thought. Who would use someone else's name on their signature? The emails had to have come from Keith.
She squared her shoulders and finished going down the stairs, heading for a side door. Regina would enter with the rest of the guests so no one would be able to pick her out from the other partygoers. Tonight, she would blend in and just be another faceless person in the crowd. Hopefully, that would help her look past the Mr. Wrongs and find her Mr. Right, if he was at the party.
And for some reason, she believed he would be.
Robin parked his car and placed his blue mask on his face. Once it was securely tied, he picked up his stocking and grabbed the invitation. He took a deep breath before walking from the parking area to the check in for the party, leaving his phone in box number 23. One of his per diem employees took his invitation and stocking before motioning for him to follow the others down the path to the party tent. If she recognized Robin, she didn't let on.
He followed the others into the area by the tent, admiring how beautiful Regina Mills' yard looked all illuminated in Christmas lights. Robin grinned as he made a note to compliment Will and John for their handiwork. Maybe he would be able to give them a little bonus from the money Regina Mills would finish paying them for this party.
A server dressed in a white dress with a matching mask passed by him with a tray filled with flutes of champagne. She held it out to Robin. "Champagne?"
He took a flute as he thanked the server, deciding to use an American accent so his staff didn't easily recognize him. Robin had perfected one when he first came to live with his uncle because the other kids in school use to tease him over his accent – usually led by Keith. But when they hit high school, the girls suddenly thought his accent was sexy and the other boys tried to emulate him, allowing Robin to go back to his natural accent. Every so often, he had to pull it out for one reason or another and hiding his identity seemed like a good reason.
"I must know who Regina hired to plan her party," he heard a guest say. "This is amazing. I want this person to do my anniversary party in the spring."
Robin discreetly pumped his fist, pleased that people were enjoying his hard work. Maybe this party would be the boon to his business he had prayed for right before accepting Regina Mills' request.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?" Robin looked up to find a brunette woman dressed in pink standing on a balcony overlooking the party area. Everyone pushed forward, eager to hear what she had to say.
Once she was certain she had their attention, she continued: "On behalf of our hostess, Regina Mills, I want to welcome you to her masquerade. She invites you all to enjoy yourself with the delicious food, tasty drinks and amazing games planned for the next few hours. Before midnight, please make your way to the tree with the stockings hanging from it. You will pick a stocking that is not yours. If you find the person who belongs to your stocking before midnight, you will win a prize. Remember – you are not to take off your masks or use your names during the party. And please, absolutely no pictures.
"With that, let the party begin!" she declared, clapping her hands as the lights turned on even brighter. People around Robin gasped in awe before heading off to enjoy the party.
So far, so good.
A group of people headed toward the food but Robin joined the ones making their way to the games. He decided to skip most of them and went straight to the tree where all the stockings were hung, waiting to be picked. There was a new per diem worker there, someone chosen specifically because they could walk on stilts, allowing them to hang and pick the stockings from the highest branch. Unlike the other servers in white, she wore a gold suit with a matching mask. She greeted Robin as he approached and motioned to the tree. "Pick a stocking, just not your own," she said.
"Understood," he replied, looking over the different stockings. His eyes were drawn to a red one that looked handmade and he pointed to it. "That one."
"Good choice," she said, using a hook that looked like a candy cane to remove the stocking and hand it to him. "Good luck."
He thanked her before moving away from the tree. Robin located some finger foods and ate a few of those, careful not to get the stocking dirty. It was clear it was special to someone at the party and that they would want it back.
"Are the eggrolls good?"
Robin looked over to find a woman sliding up next to him. She wore a strapless gown that was white at her neckline and slowly turned into a deeper shade of blue until the end of her skirt was black. Crystals were placed in snowflake designs along her bodice while the black part of her skirt held ones placed to look like stars. The dress hugged her curves just right and Robin felt like she was some winter goddess come to earth to bless mere mortals like him with her presence.
She tilted her head, her warm brown eyes surrounded by her matching blue mask with black feathers. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," he said, feeling his cheeks heat up and glad his mask hid that he was no doubt blushing. "I'm sorry. Yes, the eggrolls are good."
"Good. I'm starving," she said, leaning forward and picking up a couple eggrolls to place on her plate. She then picked up a third and bit into it as she leaned back, letting out a little moan that went straight to Robin's core.
Fuck.
She glanced up at him and swallowed before giving him a sheepish smile. "God, I must look so unladylike inhaling this eggroll," she said.
"You look beautiful," he told her, feeling like a fool.
"Thank you," she said, looking down at her dress. She then frowned as she turned her attention to her plate. "I doubt I'll fit it if I keep wolfing down these."
He shook his head, his heart hurting at hearing her put herself down. "Nonsense. A few eggrolls aren't going to hurt anyone."
"Not according to my mother," she replied, sounding a bit bitter. "According to her, every bite goes straight to my hips and will make me as big as a house."
"That sounds like an irrational fear she is thrusting onto you," he said, feeling sorry for her mother that she was so focused on weight like that. "You don't have to accept that and can push back."
She sighed. "I know. It's just my mother is a very domineering woman. She's not easy to push back against."
"I understand," he said, thinking of how hard it was to push back against Keith. His cousin just had a way to steamrolling past all of Robin's boundaries and requests to do whatever he wanted as well. "It's even harder when they are family."
"You do sound like you understand," she said, looking him over. "Do you have an overbearing parent too?"
He paused, not sure how much he wanted to reveal to this woman. While they would likely never know each other's identities, she was someone who could get his name from Regina Mills for her own party. If he talked enough about his cousin, she could eventually put two and two together when they showed up to plan her party. So he figured it was probably safer to be as vague as possible.
"Not a parent," he replied. "A relative who is closer to me in age so we tend to do things together and it's usually whatever they want to do."
"And they don't take no for an answer?" she asked, though it sounded like she already knew the answer.
Robin shook his head. "Not often and not very well when forced to. I generally have to pay for it in some way later."
"Why do you still do things with them then?" she asked.
"Many reasons," he replied, still trying to be vague. "But mostly because I don't have much family so I feel like I need to hang onto what I do have, even if they don't treat me with much respect."
She nodded, finishing her last eggroll and picking up a napkin to wipe her mouth. "I get it. I guess I'm in the same boat."
Robin held out his half-drunk flute of champagne. "To family?"
"To family," she said, picking up her flute and clinking it against his. As she sipped her champagne, he noticed the blue velvet stocking draped over her left arm and his heart skipped a beat.
She had picked his stocking.
What were the odds?
"Is something wrong?" she asked, tilting her head. "You're staring."
Heat flooded his cheeks, feeling sheepish about being caught. "I'm sorry. It's just the stocking you have…it's mine."
"Oh!" Her brown eyes lit up as she smiled, holding up the stocking. She tilted her head before chuckling. "I can't believe I didn't see it before. This perfectly matches your suit."
"It does," he agreed, grateful that Keith had decided to ask Tink to make a stocking rather than use his own. It certainly made it easy to confirm that the stocking was his.
Robin held up the stocking he had picked. "So what are the odds this is yours?"
"Excellent," she replied, her smile brightening. Mirth in her eyes, she said: "I think we just won the game."
Laughing, he nodded. "I think we did."
"What do you think our prize is?" she asked, biting her lip as she looked up at him while hugging his stocking to her chest.
Robin realized he didn't know what it was – in one of their last email exchanges, Regina Mills had agreed to handle the prizes for the games. So he shrugged in response but as he looked into this woman's eyes, he knew one thing. "I think I may be looking at mine," he said.
Her eyes widened as her smile grew sheepish. She reached out and took his hand. "Want to go for a walk?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, letting her lead him away from the buffet. "Do you have any place in mind?"
She shrugged. "I figured we could walk and explore the yard a bit more. What do you say?"
"I say that sounds like a good idea," he replied, though his client then flashed into his mind. "But we should probably be careful. We don't want to upset Regina Mills by wandering around her property."
His companion tilted her head but continued smiling. "No, I suppose we don't. But I'm sure everything has been cordoned off. Regina Mills no doubt got one of the best party planners in the state and that seems like something he would've made sure to do."
Pride filled Robin and he nodded, knowing he had personally marked off the boundaries for the party. "I'm sure you're right."
"Well, let's go see if that's so," she said, leading him down a path. "I think I saw a beautiful fountain down here."
He nodded, recalling seeing one within the boundaries Regina Mills had set out. Robin had asked Will and John to put lights around it to match the rest of the décor and he no doubt they had delivered. "Lead the way, milady," he told his companion.
"Milady," she said, grinning. "I like that. Since we can't call each other by our names, maybe you should call me that."
"I shall," he replied. "And what will you call me?"
She studied him before shrugging. "I'm sure I'll think of something as we're talking."
"Sounds good to me," he replied, following her down the path and away from the noise of the party. Now, it was just them and the stars. And within a few paces, the fountain came into focus. Will and John had not only strung lights around the base but had managed to illuminate the waterspout as well.
Not even Hollywood could design a more romantic setting.
"Wow," Milady said, clearly awestruck as she took in the fountain. "It's even more beautiful than I thought."
He nodded, leading her over to a bench near it. "We can sit here and admire it while getting to know each other better."
"That sounds good," she said, tucking her skirt underneath her as she sat down. He sat next to her, taking her hand again as the water continued to flow in the fountain.
"So, do you know Regina Mills?" he asked her, wondering how she got invited to the party.
She tilted her head, grinning. "How do you know that I'm not Regina Mills?"
He paused, considering his answer. Robin's interactions with Regina had had been very limited. There had been the initial conversation on the phone with her where she had been to the point, knowing exactly what she wanted, but not rude. After that, most of his correspondence had been through email and she had been very accommodating and very enthusiastic about his plans. But she had barely acknowledged him when he had entered the kitchen, more focused on Keith, or when they had collided outside her house earlier that day. It made him wonder if he had been emailing with her or with an assistant.
"I can't be sure," he said, "but I would think that Regina Mills would want to be with her guests, even if they don't know who she is."
Milady hummed. "Probably. I'm not very comfortable there but different strokes for different folks, right?"
"I suppose so," he replied. "I'm not usually found in this scene myself."
She tilted her head. "So what brought you here tonight?"
"Fate," he replied honestly. "I've also decided to try to be bolder and braver about seizing my own happiness."
"I like that," she said, grinning. "I'm also trying to be bolder and braver about seizing my own happiness as well. Got any tips?"
He shook his head. "I'm still figuring it out. All I know is what Shakespeare wrote – 'We know what we are but know not what we may be.'"
Milady's lips parted for a moment before she smiled. "I like that. I'll have to write that down tomorrow and put it somewhere I can always see. And I've decided on what I will call you for the night."
"Oh?" Robin leaned closer, intrigued. "And what is that?"
"Shakespeare," she declared.
He laughed, honored by the name she chose for him. "I greatly admire the Bard, so I am happy to use his name for tonight."
"Then we are Milady and Shakespeare," she said, "two souls trying to figure who they may be by being brave and bold together."
"I like that," he replied, overwhelmed by the sudden desire to kiss her. He had always been cautious when it came to the relationships he had and had taken things slow. But Milady seemed different. It was almost as if he had found the other half of his soul.
Could someone fall in love so fast?
Robin wasn't sure but he believed he was going to find out before the night was over.
Was this what it felt like to have a true connection with someone? Had she finally found someone who was genuine and who she understood at a deeper level? Someone who didn't just see her for her money? Who saw the woman behind the tabloid covers?
Had all she ever need was to wear a mask so they didn't now who she was?
On second thought, that wasn't as comforting or inspiring as she hoped it would be. And it made her worry about what would happen when she took the mask off and he saw who she really was.
"Is something wrong, Milady?" Shakespeare asked, handing her another flute of champagne. "You look sad."
She sighed, sipping her champagne. "It's nothing."
He tilted his head, frowning. "It doesn't seem like nothing. But if you don't want to tell me, that's okay. I am still a stranger who just picked your stocking at a party. You owe me nothing."
"You are far more than a stranger who picked my stocking at a party," she assured him, not wanting him to think he could be so easily dismissed. "You are the first person I've had a genuine connection with in a long, long time. I just worry that it won't last."
"And why wouldn't it last?" he asked, stepping closer to her as he placed his hand on her back.
She looked away as she admitted: "Because it never does. My love life is a disaster."
"I highly doubt that," he replied. "Someone like you probably never lacks for companionship."
"Well, that is true," she told him, knowing that she never went too long without being in a relationship. "But in the end, they never really want me for me."
He frowned. "Then they are fools and the problem is them, not you."
"But I keep choosing them," she said, sighing. She motioned to another bench and he followed her as they sit down. "And with each failed relationship, it seems to reinforce to my mother that I'm still too immature to really run our company."
"That's not right or fair," Shakespeare said, echoing her own beliefs. "Your personal life should have no bearing on your professional life like that."
She sighed. "My mother doesn't see things like. She micromanages me and shoots down my ideas and projects because of that reason. And it's annoying. I work for my family company so there are many who already don't think I deserve my position. Mother won't let me prove otherwise and that's all I want to do."
"I get it," he said softly. "I work for my family too and I work twice as hard to prove that I am serious about it and not just there to collect a paycheck, like at least one relative I know of."
Regina smiled. "We sound like two peas in a pod."
"We do," Shakespeare agreed. He held up her stocking. "Thank goodness we found each other's stockings."
She chuckled, nodding. "Indeed."
He set the stocking down on the bench before standing, holding out his hand to her. "Can I have this dance?"
"You may," she said, setting his stocking down before taking his hand. He helped her up and they walked over to where a band performed and other guests were already dancing. As they joined the others, Shakespeare gently spun her around until he could place his hand on her hip and she could place hers on his shoulder.
They swayed in time to the music, some ballad about finding love at Christmas. It made Regina's heart skip a beat as she looked into Shakespeare's blue eyes, wondering if maybe the song would be true for them. Would they be able to sustain their connection once the masks came off at midnight and grow their relationship? Or would the spell be broken?
"Penny for your thoughts?" Shakespeare asked in a whisper.
Regina looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the kindness and adoration in his eyes. She took a deep breath before she admitted: "I don't want this moment to end."
"Neither do I," he replied. "So let's pretend that it won't."
"Alright," she said, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. She would just live in this moment and pray it never ended.
Shakespeare rested his cheek against her hair and she could feel his whiskers against her scalp. It felt reassuring, just like the woodsy cologne he wore. Regina breathed it in, wanting to commit that smell to memory. She never wanted to forget any part of this night, no matter how it ended.
"If music be the food of love, play on," he murmured, echoing her wish for the song to never end in a far more eloquent manner.
"Shakespeare again?" she asked.
He nodded. "Twelfth Night."
She hummed, making a note to look up that play later. "I think I need to study more Shakespeare."
"He does have a way with words," Shakespeare said. "Far better than I can ever hope to dream of achieving."
"I don't know," she said, looking up at him. "I think you do just as well on your own."
He gave her a sheepish smile. "Thank you for your kind words, milady. If I can be half as eloquent as the Bard himself, then I would count myself very lucky."
"I think we would all count ourselves lucky in that case," she said, resting her head on his shoulder again. "But I think I'm very lucky right now."
"You know what? Me too," he replied, once again resting his cheek against her hair. She let out a soft sigh, wishing she could stay in that moment forever but knowing she would have to wake from this wonderful dream sooner rather than later.
She just hoped she got to keep Shakespeare when it was done.
The music then changed from soft ballads to something with a faster tempo to allow more people a chance to dance. Regina reluctantly pulled away from Shakespeare, who gave her a soft smile as he took her hand. "You want to check out the dessert table?" he asked.
"I do," she replied, lacing her fingers with his as they approached the dessert table. She took a slice of cake while he took a slice of pie and they went to find a quiet corner to enjoy their treats together.
She took a bite and closed her eyes, enjoying the mix of chocolate cake and peppermint icing filling her mouth. Once she swallowed, she said: "This is the best cake I've ever had."
"I'll let the baker know," Shakespeare replied. "And compliment her on the pies as well."
Regina paused at his first statement, raising an eyebrow. "You know who the baker is? And have contact with her?"
Her mind began to race as she remembered Keith, her party planner. She had pushed him from the forefront of her mind after deciding to just see what happened at the party and letting things unfold naturally. Then she had met Shakespeare and hadn't thought about him. But had she just spent several hours with him and never known? Was Shakespeare her party planner? And if so, did this prove that his demeanor in the kitchen was more of a fluke born out of nerves rather than his true personality?
Was he really the man behind the emails after all?
"The name is on the napkins," Shakespeare said, holding one up. "I figured I could take one and look her up later."
"Oh," Regina said, glancing down to see the bakery name on it as well as the name of the owner. She nodded. "Right."
He tucked an unused napkin into his pocket before they finished their desserts. Shakespeare took their plates to toss as she took a deep breath to calm herself. Did the fact that her mind first went to Keith mean anything about how she felt about him? Or was it just a logical conclusion based on Shakespeare's comments?
And if it turned out she hadn't spent the night with Keith, did that mean they ultimately weren't meant to be?
You're overthinking again, Regina, she chided herself. Just relax and enjoy the moment. You can figure everything out later.
Shakespeare returned as Mary Margaret appeared on stage where the band had been. Taking the microphone, she announced: "It's almost midnight so this is your last call to find the person who picked your stocking and vice versa. Once midnight hits, we'll award the winners and unmask ourselves."
"Wow, time really does fly when you're having fun," Regina said, disappointed that it was almost time for the party to end. She picked up Shakespeare's stocking and looked up at him. "You ready to go see what kind of prize we get?"
Panic filled his eyes. "We have to unmask?"
"Yes," she replied, confused by his reaction. "At midnight when the party ends. Why?"
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Regina's heart pounded in her chest as his eyes focused on her lips. She craned her neck as he leaned down, their lips meeting. Her eyes fluttered close as she wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the kiss. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and deep down, she felt as if she had kissed him several lifetimes already. Regina had never been one to believe in soulmates but this kiss could change her mind.
Shakespeare broke the kiss, gently bopping her nose before whispering: "I'm sorry."
Confused, she opened her eyes as she felt a cool breeze pass her. Shakespeare was no longer standing in front of her and when she looked around, she didn't seem him anywhere near her. Her heart sank into her stomach as she wondered if he was apologizing because he was running out on her. If so, why?
Regina looked down at his stocking and clutched it to her chest. Maybe he would appear to claim the prize. She tried to cling onto that hope as went to find Mary Margaret to inform her that they had a winner. This couldn't be how her story with Shakespeare ending.
It just couldn't.
Coward.
The word repeated over and over in his mind as he hurried away from the party. His heart broke with each step and he resisted the urge to return to Milady, apologize and reveal his true identity to her while finding out who she was. But he couldn't risk anyone seeing him there at the party – especially Regina Mills. It would no doubt get back to Keith and his cousin would make his life a living hell while crushing his dreams underfoot.
Robin couldn't let that happen. Not after all the hard work he had done for his company. He had to play by Keith's rules a bit longer and then it would be his.
"You!"
He skidded to a stop as a petite woman stood on the path. She wore a light green dress with a full skirt made of a material that almost seemed translucent. A pair of glittery wings rested against her back and her blonde hair was curled. Even with the green mask covering the upper part of her face, Robin recognized Tink. She smiled as she approached him. "You came!"
"I did," he confirmed, breathlessly. "And now I'm leaving."
"Why? They're just about to do the unmasking," she said.
He nodded. "And that's why I have to leave."
"What about the woman I saw you dancing with?" she asked. "You two looked like you had a real connection. Don't you want to find out who she is?"
Robin hesitated, knowing he did want to know. But as he looked back at the party and saw one of their per diem staff members walk by, he knew he couldn't linger – no matter the reason. "I can't stay. I have everything to lose."
"Or maybe you have everything to gain," Tink argued. "Stay. Seize your future."
He shook his head. "I can't take the risk. Thanks again, Tink. I hope I see you around. Bye."
Robin took off running again, retrieving his phone and car keys before returning to his car. He popped his trunk and quickly changed from the suit into the outfit he wore when working at an event. After zipping up the garment bag, he closed his trunk and locked his car again. Robin raced toward the pool house that was serving as a base of operations for the party. He quickly ran in and blasted his face with some flour to make it look like he had been cooking. After messing up his hair for extra measure, he stood just as Will and John appeared, dressed in all white suits with the same white masks as the other servers.
"Wow, that was an amazing party," John said. He grinned when he saw Robin. "I think this is your best one yet."
"It was that good?" Robin asked, pretending he hadn't been enjoying the party for the past few hours.
Will nodded. "Yeah. I mean, all of Regina Mills' fancy friends seemed to actually have fun and not the fake fun they usually have."
"True," John said. "Want to go see what Regina Mills considers a grand prize?"
"Hell, yeah," Will replied. He turned to Robin. "You want to come?"
Robin shook his head, afraid Keith would decide to call and even saw him standing in the party, there could still be hell to pay. "You go ahead. I'll continue cleaning in here," he said.
"Alright," John said. "We'll be back soon to help you."
They left the tent as Robin stacked empty trays on top of each other in two separate piles – one to be cleaned and reused, the other to be discarded because they could not be salvaged. As he started to scrub some of the trays, his phone began to ring. Wiping his hand, he pulled it out and groaned. His feeling that Keith would call to check up on him was right after all.
"Hello," he said once his cousin appeared on screen. "The party was a success. They are handing out the prizes and getting ready to unmask themselves and I'm busy here cleaning up."
Keith didn't respond at first, studying Robin instead. Robin's heart pounded in his chest as he noticed that his cousin did have large red splotches on his face and neck, proving that he did have an allergic reaction and wasn't just blowing something out of proportion as usual. But it didn't make Robin feel guilty about going to the party in his place. He would never regret that though he hoped he wasn't about to be busted.
"You look like shit," Keith finally said. He then smirked and nodded. "Enjoy cleaning. Have a good night."
The screen went dark and Robin breathed out in relief. He had fooled his cousin and was in the clear. Tucking his phone into his pocket, he peered out of the tent flap as heard the emcee's voice echo around the courtyard. Robin saw her standing next to Milady and his heart skipped a beat when he saw her. She still looked so beautiful but also so sad.
"Attention, it seems we had a winning pair but the other half has disappeared," the emcee announced. "We're asking the gentleman who matches the stocking my friend is holding to please come forward and claim your prize."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as everyone waited for him to appear. For a moment, Robin was tempted to walk out and reveal himself. To stand next to Milady and claim their prize before learning who she was, hoping she would accept that he really was the party planner. But then Keith would really know what had happened so it was safer to stay in the tent and pretend he wasn't the one they were looking for.
The emcee sighed before rubbing Milady's back. "Well, whoever you are, I hope you're stuck in a bathroom somewhere because you're missing out on something special. And from what I can see, you're breaking my friend's heart."
Robin felt like shit. He closed the flap, unable to look at Milady anymore. Walking back to finish cleaning up, he tried to convince himself that he had made the right decision. Tried to remind himself that he had too much to lose.
But as her sad image played over and over in his mind, he didn't believe himself.
I will find you, Milady, he vowed silently. And I will make this up to you. I promise.
A/N: So Robin and Regina have met! The problem is they don't know they've met! What will happen next? Will "Shakespeare" and "Milady" find their way back to each other? Find out soon!
-Mac