Florence

Josh and Liza left hours ago so I was left alone for awhile. It gave me time to think of excuses or answers to why I lied but I came to the conclusion that I had no good excuses and there would be too many questions to answer.

Why did Eurus invite me of all people? Why did I say yes? Why did I lie about going? Why have I supposedly become 'less confident'? Too many questions too many things to think about.

My phone began to ring so I paused whatever I had been watching on Netflix and answered the call. I didn't even have time to ask who it was before the voice on the other end began talking.

"I had my assistants gather suitable clothes for tonight-"

"I'm sorry what? Who is this?" I asked. I lifted my phone to my face and read the number, then the one on my phone. Oh. How could I be so stupid? "Eurus Meade, of course," he laughed. "Anyway, I had your mother fitted and I just called to tell you your clothes are being delivered soon." I sat up immediately and found myself looking over at the front door as if he was standing right there. "Oh- thank you! You really didn't have to-" he cut me off before I could finish. "Of course I did! I've seen what you wear out of work- not that I've been watching you but consider it a favor." He rambled, then mumbled something incoherent. I didn't think what I wore was bad? Maybe not 'high-class, sophisticated and sleek' but it wasn't horrible!

"I hope you don't have anything against the color green? If you do then that'll be a problem." He spoke up again, nearly startling me. "No, not at all?" I answered. He made a relieved sigh. "Good. Your mother is on her way now. Shouldn't be too long!" He cheered. "I hope you're excited for tonight." If only he knew how much I was panicking.

"It's nearly seven so your clothes will be there in an hour. Any questions?" He quickly added. I was about to ask how he managed to get my number or maybe what time we were leaving the party but once again he cut me off. "Great, Goodbye!" He dismissed then the call ended. Eurus was a weird dude.

After that there was nothing much left to do except watch Netflix. I scrolled through my 'already watched' since I didn't feel like starting something new so I began to rewatch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. After about half a seasons worth of episodes the door swung open, startling me.

"Flo! I'm home!" Mom yelled. Her eyes landed on me and she looked exhausted. "That was a long shopping trip," I commented. She didn't seem to happy. "The Eurus guy sent his assistant to get my dress fitted, then we had to drive an hour away to go get the actual dress, then back to get shoes!" She groaned, kicking off her sneakers and dropping the many bags she was carrying on the kitchen island. "They're coming back to do my hair and I am considering just locking the front door and pretending I'm alseep!"

I snorted, throwing the remote aside and going over to peek inside the bags. "Expensive," I observed, picking up the price tag and dropping it instantly. "Very expensive!" She rolled her eyes while she grabbed a drink. "I know right? Never thought spending money would be exhausting!" She cried.

I laughed then looked at the clock. It would probably be best if I showered by them time the clothes arrived. "I'll go take a shower," I said. She nodded, taking sip of her water. "I'll go water the plants out front then I'll take one. Hopefully I don't ruin my new nails" she muttered then dragged herself outside. I laughed, then got ready for another shower. Hopefully I could think of something to tell Josh and Liza whilst I was in there.

**

Once I was done I took a quick look at the clock then made my way upstairs. There was still some time until I received my clothes so I decided to just wear something comfortable while I waited.

I heard the front door open and mom shout for me. "Yeah?" I called as I headed down the stairs. "I need to have a shower! Eurus is at the front door-" she shouted and I have her a bewildered look. "I didn't know he was coming! He just said my clothes were being delivered and not this early!" I whispered. My eyes were glued to the front door. Why would he have come early? "I have no clue either- just go greet him!" She ordered before escaping into the bathroom. I swallowed thickly, then turned to the door.

I cautiously walked up and rested my hand on the door knob. What was he doing an hour early? Surely he wouldn't have gotten the times mixed up. He certainly didn't strike me to be the type to get anything wrong.

Once again a debate formed in my head. If he wanted to be let in surely he would've knocked- not even! He would've just barged in! He would've announce himself already. Although he could just be being polite and waiting for me like a normal person. But why hadn't he come in with mom? She could've easily let him in but-

Without another thought I just swung the door open. He was leaning on the railing of the porch, two bags in one hand and another on his phone. There were also a set of guards either side of him. He seemed surprised to see me as if he hadn't just talked to me before. "You're early?" I commented. You didn't even say hi way to go Florence!

"Yeah, it got kinda boring back at the hotel so I decided to swing on by." He laughed. It dissolved into an awkward chuckle then silence. When did the crickets get so loud? "Would you like to come in?" I asked while scratching the back of my head. This was comedy gold, really. I could basically taste the awkwardness in the hot almost-night-time air. "Yes that would be the smart thing to do. These mosquitos are very annoying." He mumbled. I stepped back as he shoved his phone in his pocket and stepped inside.

He hesitated then rested his hand on the door frame. "Your canine isn't here, is it?" He asked wearily. "Honey? No he's out in the backyard." I answered. He sighed then reluctantly stepped inside. Is he afraid of dogs? That would explain why Honey was outside this morning.

In the much brighter indoor lights I could clearly see he was ready to go. His blonde hair was slicked back and he smelt like expensive men's cologne. He was wearing light grey chinos and a forest green blazer with a white collar shirt underneath. Not to mention a pale green tie. I was surprised I remembered all the fancy clothing since the last time I wore anything like it was to a family friend's wedding. He looked smart to say the least.

He looked at down at me and I felt my face heat up. I didn't want to come off as creepy, staring at him like this. "Uh, these are for you." He said before shoving the bags in my hand. "Your clothes for tonight. I can see that you've taken a shower- I mean-"

I subconsciously touched my wet hair and blushed. What happened to that kind of stuck up guy on the phone earlier? Did he have a horribly awkward twin?

"Yeah." I responded which didn't help the situation at all. "Uh mom's just having a shower. She'll be ready in a minute." I pointed out. He nodded then began rocking back and forth on his heels. "I'm going to get changed," I told him. He nodded again, stuffing his hands in his pockets. I wasn't too comfortable having him unsupervised down here but I would only be a minute at best.

I practically ran up the stairs and settled the bags on my bed. I rummaged through the bag and grabbed the clothes that were inside. I struggled to wrap my hands around this box shape but when I did I found out that it was a shoe box with gray dress shoes. There were some matching gray chinos, a pull-over sweater the same colour as Eurus' blazer and a white satin shirt. This felt like too much in my hands and it looked very expensive. Maybe this was some ploy to bury us in debt? The thought alone made my stomach churn.

I reluctantly got changed and found that I didn't look too bad. The sizes were almost exact- if not only a little bigger. I did my hair, found some deodorant then went down stairs. Eurus had alarmingly let strangers inside and they began laying equipment on the kitchen island. I realized they were heard to do mom's hair so I calmed down just the tiniest bit.

"You look better than I thought you would," Eurus commented. I frowned, then looked down at my clothes. "Not that I thought you would look bad- you know what never mind." He shut himself up and I couldn't help but laugh just the tiniest bit. He looked up and smiled brightly. "This won't take too long! Right after this we'll be on our way!"

I wiped my palms on my pants and reluctantly said yes. I hadn't thought of something to tell Josh as to why I lied so I just figured it would surely be a large party and I would just blend in with the crowd. Especially with these new clothes.

So I sat down on the couch since I wouldn't be in the way of the hairstylists as Eurus took a call. He walked to the back door then something clicked in his head and immediately went for the front. I had the odd feeling this tonight wasn't going to go as planned as I wanted it to be.

So, what are we thinking about Eurus? He likes to gift a lot of things but could this all be part of some ploy?

A slightly longer chapter to: a) make up for not updating in awhile and b) to thank you all for 700 followers! We just keep growing and growing, huh? Obviously this isn't the gift I have planned but at least it's something!

Hope you enjoyed!