Storybrooke…
A quiet place where only the rich and successful people reside. Not once in Robin's life did he ever imagine himself living in a place like Storybrooke but then again, life takes a different turn for him. His construction firm took off and as his success builds, so does his status. Soon, he found himself browsing for a peaceful place to live in and Storybrooke was all his peers recommended.
Moving in was not as difficult as he thought it would be. He settled in quite well. David Nolan and Killian Jones, his friends from college, also live in Storybrooke so it made the transition better.
He stood in the middle of the living room, taking in his new home. He can make it work. With a bit of decorating, it will feel like his apartment in the city only with more space.
The doorbell rang and he gathered himself to greet his first guest in his new home. As he opened the door, David and his wife Mary Margaret greeted him with smiles on their faces.
"Welcome to the neighborhood!"
"Wow…you didn't have to. It's not like we don't know each other", he said as he accepted the bottle of wine from them.
"Oh, nonsense. You're part of the community now and it's only proper to welcome our new neighbor!" Mary Margaret replied.
He welcomed them inside and Mary Margaret launched on giving him tips on interior design while spouting names of decorators she knew. David simply chuckled at his wife's antics as Robin did his best to keep up with the names coming out of Mary Margaret's mouth. She can be a bit excited on things but it's a good thing, Robin thought. It's nice to have familiar faces.
"So…you thought about what you want to do in your housewarming party?" the woman asked.
"Housewarming party?"
"Yeah…you know, when you moved in to a new house, you throw a big party and invite the neighborhood. Get to know them. Mingle. That sort of stuff",
Robin rolled his eyes around. "I know what a housewarming is, Mary Margaret. I just didn't think it's a requirement here",
"It's not but it's a good way to get to know everybody",
He is not the party type of person but he figures if he wants to blend in, he must make an effort. A housewarming party might do the trick.
"Let me think about that and I'll get back to you",
Later that night, he sought solace by the balcony of his new home. A glass of wine in one hand, he sat comfortably and observed the entire town. Yes, he never dreamed of living in a place like this but it's not as bad as he thought it would be. It's peaceful and he craves peace and quiet after living in the city for so long.
Across the street, he saw a black car pulled over. The house is much bigger than his and mostly made of glass. Post and beam, he mused. Whoever owns it definitely has a good taste and good cheque because he can only guess how expensive that house is.
As the car door opened, he found himself anticipating who will alight from it. He expected a rich businessman, a big shot in the corporate world, to come out but instead, a woman in a black dress alighted from the car. He first saw her raven hair before she turned around to get a bag of grocery from the trunk of her car. He was speechless to say the least. The woman is breathtaking. She moves with such ease and confidence that made him give all his attention to her.
Perhaps, she is a beautiful wife of a rich businessman. That's too judgmental of him but it's the first thing that comes to mind. There's no way a beautiful woman like her is not taken.
Then, as she is heading towards her front door, she stopped walking and turned around before looking up to him. Her brown eyes connected with his blue eyes and his heart almost stopped. Yes, breathtaking is the right word. He is just simply stunned to say anything so instead, he just waved his hand at her in a poor attempt of saying hello.
She smiled at him before waving back and then entered her house. Did he just imagine it or did she just really wave back at him?
He stayed there, watching her through the glass window of her house. The curtains are wide open and he watched as she stocked up her kitchen. He saw no one else present in the house and it made him wonder how come she does not have any hired help. Isn't that something rich people do? Though to be fair, David and Mary Margaret don't have that either and neither does Killian.
Then, the woman opened a bottle of wine and poured herself a glass before walking gracefully towards the stairs. He realized that she's heading into her bedroom and watching her do what she usually does in her bedroom is creepy so he retreated back in his own room and closed the balcony door.
The morning came fast and he was out ready for a run. He is still unfamiliar with Storybrooke and he intends to get a good look of it as he works out a sweat.
When he reached his front lawn, the woman across the street came out as well wearing a workout shorts and sleeveless top. He stopped on his tracks and just stared at her. Now, at a close distance, he can make out of her features. She is definitely the same age as he is, fit, and her eyes are carefully scanning her surroundings. She smiled at him when she finally saw him standing there like a fool.
"Good morning", she greeted.
"Uh…morning",
The woman jogged towards him with that smile on her face. Oh, how much he loves that smile. It suits her.
"You're new",
"Ah…yes, I am. Just moved yesterday",
"Well, welcome to Storybrooke. I'm Regina Mills", she introduced herself offering her hand.
"Robin Locksley, pleasure to meet you", he replied while taking her offered hand.
He felt it the moment their hands touched. He does not believe in love at first sight and sparks flying everywhere but he did feel a spark.
"How do you like Storybrooke so far, Robin?" she asked.
"Haven't gotten the chance yet but it's quiet. It's what I was looking for in the first place so that's a good thing",
Regina beamed. "Yes, it is. It can be too quiet sometimes but it's nice neighborhood. I hope you'll like it here",
"Have you lived here long?" he asked.
She started walking and he found himself following her.
"About five years. The house was the first thing I bought for myself. It's a big splurge but I could not resist. I assume you're from the city?" he nodded. "Well…I can understand why you're craving for some peace and quiet",
He noticed that several people are looking at the two of them as they walked. Regina does not pay attention to any of them but he can see that she somewhat became tensed.
"Anyway…if you need anything, I'm right across the street. Don't hesitate and just knock", she added.
"Actually, I was thinking of having a housewarming party. I was told it's a great way to get to know the community. Thing is, I know nothing on planning parties. It's not really my scene. If it's not trouble, I definitely need help with that",
She stopped walking and faced him. There is that look on her face he cannot decipher.
"You want my help?"
"Yes, if it's alright with you",
She stared at him for a few moment before nodding. "You got it. I'm free for the rest of the day. Come by at my house and we can talk it over", and then she started running.
His run took longer than expected. He was able to get a good sense of the town and saw places that are essential like the grocery store, bookstore, and shops for his basic needs. He also saw a couple of diners, restaurants, and bars. It's not as grandiose as the city but it's exactly what he needs.
Robin made a quick run to the bathroom when he got back. A quick shower and something comfortable to wear and he is off to Regina's house in no time. To say he's not excited is a lie. He is looking forward to talk more with her for some reason.
When she opened the door, she's already in a blue dress. Her hair is curled and there's that smile on her face.
"I brought refreshment", he said flashing her the bottle of wine.
"Thoughtful. Come on in",
Her house looks amazing. His eyes glanced from left to right, taking in the way she incorporated arts into her home. The lack of walls provided to a more spacious feel and he can spot a pool at the back of the house. He might ask her for more than just party planning.
"So…how big is your party going to be?"
They settled at the back near the pool. He noticed that she also has a bar which is fully stocked too.
"Not big…just enough to accommodate those who wanted to come, I guess. David and Mary Margaret mostly know everyone so they're the ones probably doing the invites and not me",
"You're friends with the Nolans?"
"Yes. David and I went to college together along with Killian Jones. You know them?" he asked her back.
There is something unreadable on her face but she didn't shy away from the question.
"I know of them. You see, I am not really the friendly type and most people here in Storybrooke don't really like me. So, I was surprised when you asked for my help planning the party. It's just rare",
He does not understand it. Five years living in Storybrooke and she does not have friends in the neighborhood? He also recalled the way people looked at them earlier.
"What do you mean? You seem nice. I am sure David and Mary Margaret will like you",
Regina smiled before handing him a glass of wine.
"They don't approve of my lifestyle, I suppose. Most people living here are married or seeing someone. They're not used to someone like me who lives her life a bit more…unconventional", he frowned at her answer because it is as vague as it can get. Regina suddenly laughed. "I don't do relationships. That's what I meant",
"Well, I don't see anything wrong with that. Relationships are not for everyone. I don't understand why the others have a problem with that",
He lives in the city long enough to meet different types of people. He knows a handful who is married to their work that they don't want to be involved with anyone else.
"I guess what they dislike is seeing different faces in my house every now and then…like we're still living in 1954 or something",
He quickly caught her drift and they locked eyes for a moment.
"Does that bother you, Robin?" she then asked.
"No, it does not", he answered without a doubt.
There is that pull he cannot shake especially when she is looking at him that way. It's like her brown orbs are digging into his soul and he's left paralyzed.
"Good. I hate to scare away the new kid on the block especially the one who is not scared enough to talk to me",
"I'm not so easily scared, Regina",
The smile on her face returned before she opened up a folder. It's a list of catering services near the area with their corresponding menus.
"Glad to hear that, Robin. Now, let's start planning that housewarming party", she said and they began something he's not quite sure yet what to call.