My easygoing mood immediately shatters once the shock of reality sinks in.

Tomorrow.

Sooner than I'd anticipated, and I suddenly feel unprepared. The panic seeping into me must be obvious because Zander eyes me knowingly, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze but he can't hide his own uneasiness.

Sighing, I look upward wondering why I can't be given more than a week's worth of peace and trudge towards my work desk.

Opening up several tabs, I give my fingers a dramatic crack and begin typing. Waving, Zander leaves my unit with purposeful strides, his own line of work having to be taken care of throughout the night in order to deal with tomorrow's stunt.

It's going to be a long, long, night and even the thought of staying up, emailing clients has me grunting with frustration and running shaky hands through my hair.

I'm busily inputting information for a female match(ee) when I look up to find Celia and Patrick fast asleep on the floor, in the same clothes they arrived in.

Checking the time, I'm alarmed by the four glaring back at me from the desktop screen and sigh heavily, setting a timer and quickening my pace.

My efforts pay off because I'm done by five-thirty in the morning but my under eyes feel as if their pulsing and swollen from the all nighter I've just pulled.

Finally shutting everything off, I practically crawl into my room and collapse onto the bed, welcoming sleep.

************
"Cat! Wake up!"

Groaning, I refuse to open my eyes because doing so would mean no turning back. Sleep would be totally lost if I gave into the voice calling for me.

Reaching for a pillow, I yank it over a ear and roll over to one side.

"Catherine Lewis! Wake up!"

"Go away, Mom," I hissed, still battling with the longing desire to keep my eyes shut.

"Cat!"

"Hmph," I groaned.

"Catherine!"

"Hmph."

"Oh Princess Kitty Cat! Wake up from your slumber."

"Hm."

"Ugh, I give up! Zander, you try."

And just like that, I'm flung into the air, the darkness surrounding my closed lids bouncing with the shake of my head. Unwillingly cracking my eyes open, it takes a few seconds to adjust to my surroundings, the ceiling abnormally close.

"You awake, Cat?"

"Yes," I croaked, holding onto Zander's shoulder. The idiot had once again, hoisted me off the beautiful, loveable ground where gravity rules and I'm now slung over his shoulder like an oversized tote bag.

"Good, because it's time to get dressed," Zander stated, marching to the adjoining bathroom.

"Okay," I replied limply, exhausted from the previous night's work. It's only until he steps across the threshold and into the bathroom itself that my senses finally come to me.

"Wait, why are you coming?" I asked doubtfully, craning my neck to view his face.

"To help you get dressed," Zander said factually, but the enormous Cheshire Cat's smile on his face is a clear indication of his ulterior motives.

Narrowing my crusty eyes into slits, I tap his shoulder nervously. "Zander Nolan, put me down this instant."

Begrudgingly complying, he does as he's told but my eyes instantly widen when he shuts the door.

Did I wake up in an alternate universe? What is happening?

"Zander, why are you staying?" I asked thinly, a sigh escaping me since I'm so tired and the worst version of myself in the mornings.

Nobody, and I mean nobody is going to convince me to suddenly develop the 'healthy' habit of starting my day with over generalized and falsified optimism where the world is a beautifully perfect place.

It's dark and cruel, and I'm one of those people who embrace storm clouds overhead in the AM. Nothing against sunshine and smiles but for the love of puppies and kittens, I've got a right to be a 'Sulky Susan.' It's a free country.

"To help you dress," he offered simply, crossing his arms in defiance.

Huffing, I massage my forehead with a hand. "If I need help I'll ask for it, and if you continue to stand there I will happily wax your arms for you until you scream like a pregnant woman going into labour."

"Coffee will be ready in five minutes," Zander muttered, quickly wrenching the door open and disappearing.

Snorting at his weakness against a little wax, I freshen up and change into loungewear, getting the morning toilet ritual out of the way and head for the kitchen, making a grabbing motion for some coffee.

Zander places a cup in my hands, and I eye it happily since he remembered to put an ample amount milk and sugar and I gulp it down greedily.

"Alright, since Cat is finally awake we can run over the plan for tonight," Celia began, clapping her hands.

Scrunching my brows with a quizzical look across my face, I interrupt Celia. "Wait, why do I need details?"

"Because if you don't then you won't know how to act."

My signature dying fish expression returns, my jaw dropping. "Act? Act why and how? Why am I acting? You and Patrick are the ones going!"

Eyeing me sheepishly, her and Patrick exchange a glance. Celia clears her throat before answering me, the web of of her fingers carefully and nervously touching.

"We didn't tell you? It's a masquerade dinner party. So you and Zander can attend in disguise."

"WHAT?" I screeched, all three of them wincing from the high pitched treble in my voice.

"Their place is huge Cat, so it's not going to be easy to find Randy's workroom. All of us need to be there," Celia finished hurriedly, alarmed by my glowering.

Being sensible for once, Zander taps my back lightly and motions for me to finish my coffee as if doing so would produce rainbows and unicorns around my snarky, oppressive mood.

I'm just so cranky but have nothing to say against Celia's reasoning yet this feels like an unplanned part of our plan.

Great, who am I kidding? Everything about this is an unplanned plan. Nothing has gone right from the start.

Finishing the elixir of life, I sigh heavily before nodding and they all release strained sighs, their shoulders immediately relaxing.

Hmmm, maybe morning Catherine is the menace I've always aspired to be along with my badass biker chick dreams.

"As long as I don't have to be Glacinda," I mumbled, darting an annoyed look in Zander's direction since Glacinda has a bald head fetish and knowing Zander, I wouldn't put it past him to bring it up at a party.

A party.....

Groaning, I visibly crumple to the floor and turn to Celia. "You know I haven't been to a party since we were sixteen."

"Yeah don't worry, I picked out your dress and everything. You just have to get changed and show up with your date," at this point, she gestures to Zander who nods.

"I got you guys matching masks, and me and Patrick have a set too so it'll be easy to spot one another incase it gets crowded."

Biting my lower lip, I think back to the last time I went to a party and grimace at the memory of teenagers making out in what they thought were dimly lit corners while girls and boys formed their own cliques, discussing each other - me, the odd one out who had zero interest in anything but to go home and flop in my favourite tiger print pyjamas.

Yeah....parties. Yuck.

Let's just hope the adult version doesn't make me want to be the first person to leave, making a desperate exit as if the building's set on fire.

"Okay," I grumbled flatly, rising from my spot on the floor.

"Perfect! Since Zander and Patrick said they've got work to do, we'll meet back in the lobby in a few hours and then head to Dana's."

Our meeting ends and the guys leave, allowing me to yawn without restraint and I stretch lazily ready to head back to bed when Celia hooks me by the arm.

"Where the hell do you think you're going, bestie?" A chill runs down my spine from her tone dripping with false sweetness.

I'm about to protest when she whisks me out of the apartment. We enter one of the complex's spas and I'm quickly stripped naked before given a white robe.

A gel used for facials is plastered on my face, my nails done simultaneously, and a relaxing aroma of lemongrass fills the air courtesy of several humidifiers in the room.

My body is thoroughly waxed and massaged but I don't even complain since I fall asleep during each portion of this beauty venture.

Once the spa beauticians have worked their magic, Celia grabs hold of me and drags me back to the apartment where she wordlessly lays out a strapless black satin dress that's cut short and matching heels - found amongst the many designer clothes gifted to me by Ms. Musa.

I give it a once over but trust her judgement and change into the dress in the bathroom. Stepping out, I'm amazed that she's ready, everything immaculately in place and I slip into photographer mode, taking photos of her in a silky cream dress.

Laughing, she quickly does my hair and makeup and hands me a silver mask with a black feather on one end; as a party mask it was designed to go around my eyes and ended at the tip of my nose, leaving the lower half of the face exposed. It screamed extravaganza yet a little part of me felt excitement from this very fact.

It took us all afternoon, but we're finally ready and I'm more groomed and pampered than I've ever been in my life.

Locking the door, we head for the lobby where Patrick and Zander stand waiting and I have to, have to, bite my lip and remind my legs to not fail me.

They didn't need to look this good.

Zander looked without a doubt, a Presidential son in formal wear and Patrick looked as high class as he was, the two of them in black tuxedos.

Glancing at Celia, I can picture the hearts forming in her eyes since her voice hitches underneath her breath and she quickly places a palm against chest, trying to recover.

Is that the sound of her heart pounding crazily or mine? I need to channel the nonchalance of Catherine the menace because all my limbs feel like they're turning into liquid.

I mirror her actions before clearing my throat, getting their attention.

They say nothing but stare, beginning from the top of our heads and make their way slowly to our feet.

"Um..." Patrick started but shakes his head instead.

Zander slaps his back, sending Patrick tripping closer to Celia and she has to help him straighten.

"Are you okay? You don't look so good," she said worriedly, handing him a red feathered mask while adjusting her Mrs. Wyatt wig.

"Fine," Patrick rasped, still avoiding her gaze. I can feel his anxiousness because I shyly step closer to Zander and take his arm.

Covering my hand that's on his arm with his, he reels me in closer. "Ready to go...we never picked names for ourselves," he said with a pang.

Still feeling flustered, I blink dumbly until Celia sighs and points at both of us with a stern finger. "Paul and Suzy Lewis."

"Excuse me?" I asked doubtfully, giving her a bewildered look. "We're using my last name?"

"Look, they're both easy names and using your own last name won't hurt since you can't forget it," she added, still holding on to the fumbling Patrick who loosens his bow tie to gasp for air.

Agreeing with her, we head for Zander's car and drive deeper into the city, pulling up to a high-rise building. According to the invitation, Dana and Randy lived on the thirty-fifth floor.

The elevator ride is a long one and some of the other people inside are clutching masks similar to ours, making me wonder just how many people would be in attendance.

Arriving at the correct floor, we flood out and enter the already opened door; apparently all the neighbours on Dana's floor were invited as well, meaning they could be as loud and open as they wanted.

Entering the grounds of our mission, I'm stunned by the elaborate party details, waiters carrying trays with glasses of champagne, the live music, and the people.

So many people.

And so many masks. There's a sea of different coloured masks and designs, each different from the other. Not a single person was unmasked, even the waiters and musicians wore them.

Gripping Zander's hand tightly, we squeeze past a mob of giggling women already tipsy from the endless amounts of champagne.

Working our way to a far corner, we manage to find Dana. Patrick makes the introduction but she's flying on the alcohol, unbothered and too caught up in her own world.

"It's nice to meet you!" Is the only coherent thing she manages to say and we just shrug - this works in our favour.

We're about to disperse when she makes the man next to her turn around, slinging an arm over him. "This is Toby. He's a singer! He came out with Shawty Is My Shawty. It was amazing! He deserved to be in the top 100 best singles. C'mon sing for us!"

"Shawty is my Shawty. Today, tomorrow, and yesterday!" Toby wailed off key.

"Profound lyricism," Zander whispered into my ear, and it takes a great amount of effort not to snort.

"Isn't he the best?" Dana exclaimed.

"I think every pop star and idol group would beg to differ," Celia seethed silently but not quiet enough since I pick up on it.

"Who are these people?" Toby asked grimly, annoyed by the deadpanned expressions on our faces.

"The Wyatts and...I didn't get your names..."

She most definitely did but I put on a fake smile. "Lewis. We're the Lewises."

Dana nods, her half drunken smile not fading. "Right. The Lewises. Mia! Come meet these people!" She suddenly hollered. Mia miraculously materializes despite the volume from people trying to talk over one another and the music.

"You called, Dana?" Mia asked sweetly, concerned for her intoxicated friend.

"Yeah come meet these couples. The Wyatts and Lewises!"

"Hi," Mia greeted civilly.

We all take turns replying until she turns to Patrick and Celia, curious since Dana spoke highly of them.

"So how long have you two been together?" She spluttered, the drink in her hands finally hitting her since the question is a personal one.

"I've been in love with this beautiful woman...with strands of hair for a really long time," Patrick fumbled.

"Wow. I've never related to him so much until now."

Chuckling, Zander's arm wrapped around my waist gently presses my side and I realize I've just said that out loud.

"Thanks...hun, I don't feel generalized at all," Celia managed to utter, concern for the usually suave Patrick filling her eyes.

Pulling away with every passing remark, Zander and I break apart from the group, Dana & company too flushed to noticed.

The halls of the suite were crammed with people everywhere except one room and I zero in on it. Gesturing for the others to follow, Celia points to the ground and I somehow get that she wants to be look out, Patrick still eyeing her as if an eclipse just left him blinded.

By the time I get to the end of the hall, I'm gasping for air and sweating. Finding a corner where I can go unnoticed, I wait for Zander whose gotten caught by a man insisting they're on the same soccer team.

Taking this as my chance, I glance around before unfastening my mask to air out the sweat on my brow. I'm about to redo the mask when a hand on my shoulder freezes me in place and I whirl around to a man who seems oddly familiar.

"Glacinda?" He asked excitedly.

Oh my gosh. It's Xeno!

Why, Dana? WHY? Why did you invite Xeno?

For a moment, I forget who I'm masquerading as but quickly regain composure. "I'm sorry? How do you know my sister?"

"Your sister? Wait, yeah I see it now. You look like her but aren't exactly like her," Xeno mused, his lighted eyes dimming underneath his mask.

Opening my mouth to respond, the sound of heavy footfalls cuts me off and Zander comes up next to me, huffing. "Phew. Sorry, that guy was convinced we played in the same league in high school. He's at least ten years older than me, so I don't know where he got that from."

"EARL?" Xeno yelled, the shock returning.

"What?" Zander countered, floored by someone mentioning a persona he's tried to forget.

Grabbing his arm, I add pressure on it forcing him to look at me. "He knows my sister, Glacinda."

Appearing to have got the message, Zander nods. "Oh. Oh so you know my brother Earl then?"

"Wait, what?" Xeno asked, looking between us and focusing on my hand resting against Zander's arm.

"Oh yeah. You're like Earl but without the stache and with hair!"

"I get that a lot," Zander snickered.

Sudden realization dawns on Xeno, his eyes still aimed at how close Zander and I were. "If Glacinda is your sister, and Earl is your brother...and you two are together...and they're together...that is messed up."

"An unexpected plot twist," Zander said grinning, making Earl step away and vanish into the crowd, choked and distressed.

Shaking my head, I watch his back while I place my mask back into place. "That got rid of him faster than I expected."

"Yeah well, if you haven't noticed everyone here is losing it. He probably thinks we're one of Dana's crazy friends."

"Maybe," I sniffed, my attention entirely on Randy's room.

Slinking in, we close the door soundlessly and head for his computer ready to complete the next phase of our plan.