As Kore exited the white floral van at the Grand Terrence banquet hall, she couldn't shake the encounter she had with Aidoneus Doukas earlier this morning. She scrunched up her nose while thinking of that name. She went to the back of the van and opened the door to start unpacking the arrangements they had. Mrs. Roe was back at the shop finishing up the order the ball required.
She loaded up her cart with the vases filled with their light blue and white flower arrangements. She closed the door and turned around to head inside. 'I think I'll crash this ball and just wear my maroon dress' Kore thought to herself as a smile crept across her face. Wouldn't that be fun? To crash a rich man's charity? "I'll show him" she snickered to herself as she entered the back of the banquet hall.
Kore was taken aback at how huge this place was. A woman ran up frantically.
"You're late! Follow me, you can drop off the arrangements over here and Iris will take over from there, we can't have you mess up the placements' "the women scoffed at her while looking her up and down.
Kore rolled her eyes at her, "Yes madam" she nodded sarcastically and continued in the direction she pointed. The woman with red hair that went to her waist placed her hands on her hips.
"You better watch yourself; I have the ability to get you fired and have you never be employed again in this city!" she shouted after Kore walked off.
"Big whoop, it's not like I've been threatened like that before" she said under breath while entering another room. This room was just as big as the last. It appeared to be set up for everyone with a good space to dance in. 'I sure hope I don't have to dance; it's been a minute' she remembered that her last time she danced was in high school with a boy named Randy who only danced with her thinking he could take advantage of her lonely situation.
"Yoo-hoo! Over here!" a small petite woman wearing her hair up in a messy bun, sporting round glasses on her face while wearing a pantsuit, was waving her arm over dramatically. Kore walked towards her.
"Hi! I'm Kore, I'm here to deliver these flowers" she started to hand over the cart to the women.
"Hi, Kore! I'm Iris, it's a pleasure to meet you, oh my do you ever get any sunlight? Sorry!" Iris said while clamping onto the cart
"Unfortunately, no matter how much sun I get, I stay the same" Kore said while shrugging. Iris kept staring at Kore, not in a judgmental way as the previous women did but as she was struck in awe. Kore felt a little bit uncomfortable; she wasn't used to people looking at her like this.
"Is your hair natural too? It's so pinky-red it's amazing!" She said while giving her a warm smile. "Um, yes, it's been this way my whole life" she said awkwardly.
"Well, that's neat-o! I must take my leave. If you have more arrangements, just bring them back here! It was wonderful to meet you Kore" she hurried off.
Kore has never met someone so chipper before. In her past line of work as a waitress she'd get teased, coffee dropped on her, and barely any compliments. While working with Mrs. Roe, she'd be cleaning or setting up the arrangements while Mrs. Roe usually dealt with the customers.
Kore turned around. 'This day has been strange' she pondered as she ended up heading face first into someone standing behind her. Her face ended up hitting Aidoneus square in the chest.
"Ow, what the F-" she stopped when she noticed who it was. Aidoneus looked down at her and cocked an eyebrow.
"We must stop literally running into each other, panémorfos*" He smiled down at her. Peter was right next to him; he was a little shocked with how Aidoneus chose to speak to this girl. He'd usually just ignore anyone and continue on with his day.
"Of course, it's you" she rolled her eyes at him.
"Are you going to continue to touch my chest in public like this and not buy me dinner first?" he teased.
Kore noticed her hands still placed on the man's chest and shoved away from him while her cheeks turned red. Aidoneus kept looking, studying her. She started to notice how the air started to become uncomfortable.
"Well, maybe if you would watch where you're going you wouldn't be walking into women all the time" she scoffed while folding her arms. Peter started to notice a similarity in these two as he looked back and forth between the two. 'A female Aidoneus ' he thought and laughed.
"What are you laughing at you big Ol 'brick wall? It's funny your boss is harassing young women?" she said, wagging her finger towards Peter. He quickly shook his head, and held back his laughter. Aidoneus looked at Peter curiously, not understanding what he found so funny.
"Aidoneus !" a shrill unpleasant voice said. Everyone turned to notice the women that scolded Kore earlier. She walked up to his side and placed her hand on his chest, placing her head on his shoulder.
"Is the help bothering you?" she said in a slimy manner while looking Kore up and down.
"Minithe, I'm in no mood." He pushed her away roughly.
"Oh, come on, you're going to let one argument dictate our relationship?" She pouted. Kore could see how they complement each other, her snake-like attitude and him thinking he could do anything because of his status
"We are broken up because I caught you in Hippio's bed" he said angrily. The air turned cold, and Kore could sense a mood shift in Aidoneus . Hearing this Kore felt a tug on her heart.
"Peter please escort Mrs. Green away from me" he said while adjusting his plaid shirt.
"Aidon! No, it's all a misunderstanding..." she trailed off as Peter dragged her away from Aidoneus.
"Only agapiména kai fíloi may call me Aidon, you're neither." He walked by Kore and glanced down at her; his tone completely changed once it was just them.
* agapiména kai fíloi : Loved ones and friends*
"I look forward to seeing you tonight," he nodded at her and walked off. Kore felt like she misjudged this man but took her queue to exit to gather the rest of the arrangements.
Kore tapped her phone when she finally was able to get back in the van. "Ugh, he still made my phone wonky from making me drop it" she kept smacking her phone with one finger. She let out a sigh and leaned back with her hands on the wheel. 'I've never seen someone switch up so fast'. She leaned forward and started up the ignition. The car clock flashed at 4:30 pm. 'Just enough time to drop the van off and go shopping for a dress' she decided she wouldn't stress this man out anymore after what she saw.
As Kore pulled up next to the flower shop, she noticed Mrs. Roe out front waiting for her. She quickly ran up to the van and excitedly gestured to her to exit the car.
"What is it Mrs. Roe?" Kore questioned as she exited the car.
"Kore! I got good news! I know you don't want Mr. Doukas's charity, and I know you'll do something stupid to try and get back at him" she cocked an eyebrow already knowing Kore was going to wear a maroon dress. "I have a dress I've been saving for my daughter; you're both the same size. Except for" she looked at Kores chest.
"MRS. ROE!" Kore covered herself up. Mrs. Roe giggled and continued with her point "Anyways, it should still work, we'll throw a cardigan on you to cover any... over spill" Mrs. Roe chuckled. "Why don't you clock out and I'll meet you at your apartment, I know the address" she said while heading back into the flower shop. 'How did this happen?' Kore followed Mrs. Roe into the shop.
"I'm so beat" Kore huffed out while climbing the apartments stairs. She finally reached her apartment number 67. She saw apartment 66 open again peeking at her. She got shivers down her spine and quickly unlocked her apartment, swiftly entering. She closed her door and locked it. 'Sheesh, why does he always do this', she's been living here for 4 years and this tenant next to her always would open the door to look at her.
She only met Collin, the owner of apartment 66 once and her interaction wasn't great. She got the vibes that he wanted to collect her like you collect a doll, ever since he's been lurking and watching her every move.
Sam barked loudly and ran to greet her. She bent over and pulled him up for cuddles. "I missed you, bud, you're the only one who seems to get me" she pressed her cheek against Sams as he licked her face.
Sam was an odd dog, Kore found him as a puppy in the dumpster behind the diner she worked at 2 years ago. He was an all-black dog that looked like a cross between a min-pin and a boxer but with odd eye coloring. One light blue and one light orange. He warmed up to her quickly, but whenever she had visitors, he'd act like his mission was to defend her.
Kore glanced at her clock and noticed it was 5:00 pm. She put Sam down and went to grab a fresh set of underwear and her hair products.
"I hope I remember how to style this monster", she chuckled and pointed at her hair. Sam let a small bark out back at her; Kore felt like he understood her. She headed to the bathroom and pulled out her hair dryer, turned on the shower and let it warm up. She turned to close the door, and Sam was there.
"No Sam, I need to shower and not to worry about you digging through the trash" she gently closed the door and Sam let out a small whine.
Kore stepped out of the shower and dried her hair with a towel. She applied curl cream, heat protectant and started blow drying her hair. It'll take her at least an hour to complete her hair look, that'll leave her just a small amount of time to get the dress Mrs. Roe was coming in over and headed out. The ball started at 7:30 pm sharp and she had to walk all the way to the Grand Terrance wearing this outfit. It'd take her at least 40 minutes to get there on foot, not including anyone who would stop her due to how she was dressed.
Kore rolled her eyes to that thought, she already had to fight off judgmental looks and tonight she'll have to probably physically protect herself against anyone bold enough to approach her.
"Maybe I should just stuff the dress in my purse and change into it there," she thought out loud. There was a knock on the door and Sam ran to alert Kore with a bark.
"Shh," she shushed Sam "Not everyone is fond of dogs! I can't get kicked out because of you; we'd both be in the doghouse," she laughed at her poorly made joke. She quickly wrapped herself up in her robe and headed to the door.
Kore looked through her peep hole and saw Mrs. Roe standing there with a wedding-like dress wrapped up in that protective cellophane that dry-cleaners put on clothing. She opened the door.
"Welcome Mrs. Roe' Kore said while gesturing her to come in. "Thank you dear, you know you have a peeping tom next door, right?" Mrs. Roe gestured with a head tilt towards room 66. "Yes," she sighed and closed the door.
Sam ran up to the woman and started jumping and barking at her. "Chill out little one!" Mrs. Roe said while trying to keep the dress away from the dog's claws.
"Sam, come on, this is Mrs. Roe, she's my boss, show some respect." She stooped down and patted his head. He calmed down and sat there with a wide-open mouth, panting and wagging his tail. "Good boy," Kore said while scratching behind his ear.
"Here! Go try the dress on, I brought my travel sewing kit in case it needs small altars here and there," she grinned while handing the dress off to Kore. She took the dress from Mrs. Roe and looked at it up and down. It was a snatched fit that went into a mermaid style tail with intricate white flower lacing stitched from the hip up to the bust.
"Is this a wedding dress Mrs. Roe?" Kore asked with an eyebrow cocked at her grinning boss.
"No dear, it's an heirloom passed down from my family to women who need a man!" She over dramatically winked at her "I'm kidding! Believe it or not Kore, my family used to be wealthy and would always attend the Dokas's balls when possible. I took a step back and opened up my own shop because I didn't like the limelight" Mrs. Roe scrunched her nose while saying that. She remembered dressing up for these balls, but she wanted her daughter to have the freedom to do what she wishes, and now her daughter is out of state attending college to become a lawyer. Mrs. Roe beamed with pride at that thought.
"I was saving it for her wedding, but she's so focused on her studies she won't need that for a while, we'll be able to clean it and pack it back up for her when she needs it" she smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. Roe, I really appreciate it," Kore said while walking back to her bathroom. "Kore, how many times have I told you, you can call me Katrina, you've been working for me for over a year, and me standing here proves you can drop the formalities" Katrina went to sit on the couch.
"Duly noted Mrs.- I mean Katrina" Kore giggled. She finally made a friend. Sam hopped up next to Katrina Roe for pets.
Kore finished up her hair and applied light natural looking makeup. With her skin, any makeup looked over the top and she will not be mistaken for a "lady of the night" while walking down the street in her dress, she finished the look with a clear lip-gloss over her pink lips. She put her dress slip on and started wiggling into the dress Katrina brought her.
She managed to pull it all the way up to her bust and had to stuff her breasts into the top. "Tight fight my as-butt" she said winded. The dress fit snuggly everywhere and forcing her chest into the top part proved to cut off her breathing significantly, but not enough to not function.
"If I have to run from anything I'm dead!" She shouted out the bathroom to Katrina.
"Kore, I have some shoes for you as well" Katrina peeped around the corner to make sure it was ok for her to enter Kores room. Kore gestured to come in.
"Kore..." Katrina said with her head tilted to the side looking at her "You look absolutely beautiful!" She pulled her hands up to her chest, she felt so much pride. Kore struggled to zip up the back of the dress, it only zipped up to the very lower back but needed to be zipped up to the middle of her back. Katrina walked over and placed the shoes on the toilet lid and helped her finish zipping up. Kore took the shoes and sat on her bed to put them on, she struggled to bed over to do it due to the dress's constriction.
"You mind?" Katrina gestured towards Kore's feet. Kore nodded and Katrina bent over to help strap on Kore's shoes. Sam waited at the door, wagging his tail.
"Thanks, Mrs.- Katrina" Kore smiled. "Now I just have to walk to the ball and not get jumped by a mugger" she laughed.
"Oh goodness no!" Katrina jumped up. "I thought about that my sweet girl, I'll drop you off. I know your phone's not working quite right so just borrow that handsome man's phone and give me a call to get-chat when you're done" Katrina said poking Kore in the ribs with her elbow. Kore swayed and then turned red; she had a slight feeling Katrina was trying to set her up.
Katrina saw how the two interacted with each other in the shop, and that's why she decided to help Kore with the dress. Kore grew on her like she was another daughter, but when she saw Aidoneus face light up while interacting with Kore, she knew she had to nudge them closer. She's never seen Aidoneus like that. There was something in the air between them, whether it's a blossoming friendship or romantic love, Katrina didn't want Kore to lose out on either.
"Alright Sam, your bowl is filled, and you have fresh water. I'll be back in a couple of hours, please keep it down" She pressed her finger against his mouth to indicate shush. He licked it and wagged his tail. Kore laughed, stood up and headed out. She opened the door with Katrina behind her. As Katrina exited her apartment, Kore turned to lock the door. She heard a camera click.
"Excuse me!!?" She spun around to see apartment 66's door opened more with a camera hanging out of it. Collin quickly shut the door and locked it. Katrina started to storm over, but Kore grabbed her.
"It's not worth it" she shook her head and continued to lock her door. Katrina was fuming and let a slur of insults and cuss words out down the stairs. Kore had never heard her boss get too upset; she started to giggle at her.
"My, what a mouth you have, and you complained about mine!" She laughed out. "This is no laughing matter Kore! You're beautiful and desirable and that was not ok!"
"If anything comes from it, I'll just go to the police Katrina, I am not desirable" Kore said while looking down at her feet. Katrina stopped in her tracks causing Kore to bump into her. She placed her hands on Kore's shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Kore, that's a dangerous way of thinking. You are exceptional." Katrina pulled Kore into a hug.
Kore felt tears start to well up. She didn't receive this kind of treatment from anyone, not even her parents. She was constantly stuck in the foster system. Everyone thought she was a witch. She'd get angry and plants around her would act up, of course no one would want a freak. She made the decision at a young age to act like they painted her. She refused to hide herself to make others feel better, which inevitably brought on her solitary life.
Katrina released Kore and rubbed away a single tear on Kore's cheek. "You have one job tonight, and that's to have fun missy. I will fire you if you don't."
Katrina's small little Honda civic pulled up to the entrance of the Gran Terrance. Ushers looked oddly at the vehicle but inevitably walked up and opened Kore's door. Kore stepped out, turned around and bent over "Thank you Katrina, I'll make sure to call you when I'm ready to go home, I won't stay out too late, I know I have a shift in the morning."
"Pfft! Girl don't worry about it, if all goes well, we'd be paid handsomely for tonight's work and maybe you'll have a handsome man in your bed in the morning" Katrina winked at Kore. Kore turned bright red and slammed the door on Katrina. She could hear the woman laughing as she pulled off.