“As a favor to Haze. Yeah, I had a feeling. You know, he’s going to really owe you after everything.”
He laughed and made a face. “Don’t worry, I fully plan to collect. Hey, how are you holding up? Things seemed a bit…tense yesterday when we left.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, well…you know how it is.” I couldn’t bring myself to say anything else about the matter. “So, where is it? Where is my surprise?”
Aiden smiled. “I left it inside on the pool table, per Haze’s request.” Of course he left it on the pool table. “And don’t worry, I left the key inside as well.”
Key? Haze’s key?
Aiden noticed the fear on my face. “I have a feeling your entire mood is going to change when you see it. Trust me.” He placed his helmet over his head and revved his bike. “Oh!” He lifted the face guard. “I almost forgot! While I was dropping everything off, I fed your cat. He’s a cutie! But boy, does he sure have an appetite!” I tried to not laugh at the idea of Kush begging Aiden for food as he lowered his face shield and revved theengine again. “Check the pool table!” he shouted before driving away. I waved him off and stood there, hesitant to go inside.
If Aiden said this surprise will make me feel better, then it must help…whatever it is.
With a deep breath, I unlocked the front door and walked into the apartment.
The entire place was dead silent. There was no sign of Haze anywhere, and it made me sad. I walked over to the pool table and spotted a black garment bag with a giant red bow. Next to it was a small white card. “Well this is not what I was expecting.” I unzipped the garment bag to find a deep emerald green formal evening gown. “Woah.” I admired the delicate material and accents, in awe of just how glamorous it truly was. “But…what is this for?” I looked back down at the card and picked it up, noticing Haze’s handwriting.
I hope you like it. Be ready by seven, little sis. And try not to spoil your appetite.
“Appetite?” I dropped the card and looked back at the formal evening gown. “What the fuck are you planning, Haze?”
*******PAGE BREAK*******
“Shit.” I stared back at my reflection, shocked by how I looked. The emerald gown Haze had left me fit like a glove as it clung to my body in all the right ways. A single tulle strap sat perfectly along my right shoulder, matching the green material and accents. The hem streamed down my back and pooled along the floor like a puddle of deep green, while the slit above my right thigh left my leg fully exposed. I took a deep breath, worried that my breasts might be pushed a bit too high, wondering what the hell this was even for. As I rotated my torso to examine the dress through the mirror, the handsewn accents and crystals sparkled in the evening light, matching the color of my eyes. “Damn,” I exhaled, admiring my silhouette from the back. “He’s got good taste, that’s for sure. No wonder he’s alwayspreferred me in green.” I spun around, watching all the tiny accents catch the light as I moved.
I hope he likes this on me as much as he did on the hanger.
I raised my arms, the matching lace gloves reaching my elbows as I perfected my hair. It was slicked back and hung straight past my shoulders, revealing tiny hints of the green tinsel woven throughout. My makeup was bold and glamorous, complementing the entire look without distracting from it. I didn’t wear any jewelry as I felt it would just take away from the dress, which was a statement itself.
Kush wobbled into the room and climbed onto the bed. I spun to look at him and motioned to my attire. “Well? What do you think?” He meowed and purred. “Really?” I looked back at the full-length mirror in the room and took one last look. “I just hope he likes it too.” Haze knocked at the front door, and I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. Kush perked up and rushed from the bed and out of the room. I followed him, my nerves trembling as we walked down the stairs and neared the front door. “Fuck, okay. Deep breath.” I inhaled and adjusted my dress one last time. “It’s unlocked!”
The smell of weed flooded my nostrils as the front door opened. I carefully listened to the sound of Haze’s footsteps as they neared the living room, anxiously waiting to spot him. “You know, you should keep the door locked. Anyone could—” He walked into the living room and froze. “Indi.”
Haze was dressed in an all-black suit, wearing a black turtleneck and leather gloves. His hair was slicked back and styled in a way I’d never seen before. He looked so classy and elegant, and I began to doubt my own dress, wondering if it was too much.
“Well?” I nervously asked. He just stood there, staring at me while Kush rubbed up against his leg. He didn’t say anything,just stared right at me. I picked at the lace gloves. “Fuck. Is it too much? It’s too much, isn’t it?”
Haze shook his head. “No.” His lips raised and formed his usual smirk. “Not at all. Indi, you look fucking perfect.” I instantly eased. “You ready?”
I shrugged, feeling more relaxed. “I mean, I guess. I still have no idea what we’re even doing.” I laughed nervously.
Haze offered his hand out to me. “There’s no reason to be nervous.” I stared down at his gloved palm, still a little uneasy. He noticed my hesitation. “What’s wrong, little sis? Don’t you trust me?” His brow raised, and I noticed a twinkle in his eyes.
“I do.” I took his hand. “Which scares me.”
He licked his lips and pulled me closer. “Relax, Indi. You have nothing to fear.” His eyes wandered over my body, and my heart began to race. “Let’s just hope no one’s dumb enough to lay their eyes on you tonight. I would hate to ruin our evening over some fucker looking at what’s mine.”
Haze led me from the apartment to a strange car outside. A driver, dressed in a formal chauffeur’s uniform, was waiting for us. “Mr. Osvaldo,” he addressed Haze so formally and in a way I never expected to hear. My brother nodded, and the old man opened the car door. Haze carefully helped me inside, ensuring the train of my dress was perfectly placed. He then closed the door and walked around to the other side, joining me in the back seat. The chauffeur took his place behind the wheel and looked back at Haze through the rearview mirror. “Are we ready, Mr. Osvaldo?”
My brother nodded, and within seconds, the chauffeur was pulling away from the apartment. Haze remained quiet. He smoked his vape while keeping his eyes on me, which only made my stomach turn. I wasn’t sure where exactly we stood, and this whole surprise had it twisting into knots.
We drove in silence for at least an hour before I finally broke the silence and spoke up. “I’m sorry, but what the fuck is happening?” Haze choked on the weed as he tried to not laugh. “What?”
He rolled the rear window down an inch or so while waving the smoke out of the car. “I was just wondering how long it would be before you said something.” I crossed my arms while he took another hit and blew the smoke outside. “Cheer up, little sis. Don’t you trust me?” He rolled the window back up. “I’m only doing what you wanted.”
“I don’t remember asking to play dress up, Mr. Osvaldo.” I made a face as I tried not to gag. “Fuck. Saying that reminds me of?—”
“Don’t say it.” Haze stared at me. “That man’s the last thing either of us needs to think about. And no, we’re not playing dress up. Though, having you try on outfits of my choice doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” He grinned. “No, I planned something extra special for tonight.”
