Corliss fingered the business card as she sat at the front desk. A few days had passed since she last saw Illumi Zoldyck. It wasn't like she missed him or anything. She wasn't attracted to him either, yet he's been on her mind more often than she liked. Maybe it was because of his kindness for letting her rest. Maybe it was because he was still a mystery to her.

"Ms. Steinbeck...?" Honjo called out, wondering what had her so spaced out.

"Huh? Oh, Honjo. Do they need me?" she asked worriedly.

"No, you were spaced out. I was worried..." he said. "What's that in your hand?"

"Oh, nothing..." she said, moving the card out of his sight.

"I wanna see." he whined, making his way behind the desk.

Corliss kept the card out of his reach as he tried getting it away from her. She accidentally dropped it and Honjo quickly snatched it up.

"You have Mr. Zoldyck's number and address? Are you going to see him?" he asked happily. "I want to see him again. He was nice."

"Honjo, hand it over." she warned.

Honjo gave the card back then had his rear end slapped. He teared up a bit as he made his way back. Corliss looked around, making sure the area was clear before calling the number on the card. It rang. And rang. And rang. Just when she thought he wouldn't answer, he picked up at the last second.

"Zoldyck Interiors. How may we be of service?" said Illumi.

"Um... uh... It's me, Corliss..." she stammered, feeling a bit nervous. Would he remember her just by name? "The uh, the woman who accidentally leaned against you on the train..."

"You didn't have to expand, I already knew it was you when you said your name." Illumi chuckled on the other end. "Since you called the company number, I'm assuming you never looked at the back."

She turned it around and saw another number.

"Is this your cell...?" she asked.

"Yep. Maybe I should've wrote it on the front huh?" he said, shooing his employee away. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice?"

"I just, uh, wanted to know... if you'd... like to hang out... sometime?" she said, squeaking towards the end. "God I'm an embarrassment..."

Illumi laughed then quickly cleared his throat. She was more interesting than he imagined.

"Hopefully we can find a time. I'm rather busy as of late. Repeat customers and new customers." said Illumi, checking over order receipts.

"Oh, then forget I said anything. I'm going to hang up, the kids are calling for me." she said quickly.

"Wait. How about tonight? I'm free then." he said, hoping she didn't hang up.

"Oh, I work tonight... I work most nights." she said, disappointment settling in. "Oh! Why don't you come pick me up and take me?"

"You're okay with that? Last time you were rather reluctant..." he mentioned, remembering her fearful eyes.

"I'm fine with it. I'll see you then?" she said happily.

"Yeah, definitely." he replied. "Have fun with the kids."

Corliss hung up then exhaled loudly. Somehow she didn't managed to fuck up like she's done in the past. She shook her head then opened up the book in front of her, memorizing the future visitors.

"Ms. Steinbeck has a crush!" a little girl said, causing the other children to giggle.

She looked at the retreating figures of the kids with a flushed face.

"Ms. Steinbeck does not have a crush!" she shouted, wondering who was teaching the kids such things.

She rested her cheek against his fist then sighed. You couldn't crush on someone you didn't feel attracted to. It was trying to walk without moving.

____

Corliss checked her phone as she waited by the doors for Illumi. Honjo held her hand and gained her attention.

"You aren't leaving?" he asked, knowing she usually left around this time.

"I am. An acquaintance is picking me up." she said. "Head on back with the others, otherwise it'll be hard for you to part from me for today."

"Will you visit us tomorrow?" Honjo asked, despite knowing she never came in on weekends.

"I'm sorry, Honjo. Ms. Steinbeck needs alone time too." she said, squatting down and holding his hands. "I promise I'll play with you lots on Monday, okay?"

They linked pinkies just as Illumi had pulled up to the building. Corliss sent Honjo back before going out to meet Illumi.

"That kid... he hangs around you a lot." said Illumi, remembering his visit.

Corliss got into the car and strapped herself in.

"He wants me to adopt him." she said, pulling up directions.

"A child knowing exactly what he wants and doesn't. Interesting. Will you adopt him?" Illumi asked, pulling off and following the GPS.

"I'm not financially stable for something like that. The higher ups at the orphanage only pay so much which is why I have this other job. But I can't even relax there with those predatory men who can't take no for an answer. I'm not having any luck finding a new job and it's all just so stressful." spilled Corliss, her pent up frustrations coming out. "Oh, my apologizes. I didn't mean to vent..."

"It's fine. Vent all you want, I'll listen." said Illumi, wanting to know more about this second job. "Tell me more about your second job."

"I'm security guard and I work the night shifts since I'm at the orphanage during the day. Not all of the men on my shift are disgusting predators, but they're not saintly either. I can't count how many times the sleazy bastards try groping me and my other female coworkers and the others don't do a damn thing." Corliss ranted, her anger being unleashed. "Weeks ago I was almost forced to get intimate with a repeat offender. I've reported these men countless times yet our superiors have only suspended them. I want them fired and jailed."

"I'm sorry to hear..." said Illumi, glancing at her. "I know you said you aren't financially stable, but you should really quit. If they haven't done anything about them before, are they really going to do something now?"

Corliss pursed her lips in response. Of course not. Her superiors were all male. She sighed heavily then asked him to pull over.

"Are you going to take the train?" he asked.

"No. I want you to take me home." she said, inputting her address. "I'm quitting."

"You're really going to quit? Even though you're not in a position where you can...?" asked Illumi in surprise.

"I can't stand it. At this rate they'll rape me. My life and sanity are more important than money. Please, take me home. Just anywhere but there." she said, closing her eyes.

Illumi looked at her full of concern. It was obvious she had been through a lot. He closed out of the app and placed her phone off to the side. He shifted gears then took off, wanting to take her somewhere fun.

____

Corliss yawned as she opened her eyes and stretched out. Illumi had just finished parking.

"You're awake. Perfect." he said, turning off the engine then getting out of the car.

She followed suit and heard familiar sounds in her ears. She looked around then let a smile creep onto her face.

"Now why would you bring me here?" she asked, actually amused by his choice.

"It's a great way to unwind and secretly laugh at others who are tone deaf." said Illumi, opening the door. "Ladies first."

"Don't think I'll be an easy lay if you act all gentleman like." she said with laughter.

"The thought never crossed my mind." said Illumi, laughing as well.

Corliss sat down and found the seats to be slightly bouncy. She spotted the index and started to go through it while waiting for Illumi to pay. The door opened and Illumi sat beside her.

"Drinks are on the way. Have you decided on a song?" he asked.

She nodded then input the numbers. After confirming, it was briefly silent before music started to play. Illumi sat back as he listened. Her singing wasn't all that bad. The song ended and they had given her a scoring of 90.

"Let's see, what next..." she muttered.

Illumi heard a knock and opened the door. The server placed down the glasses and a pitcher of alcohol. He thanked them then saw Corliss already pouring herself a glass.

"Oh! This song." she said loudly, pressing confirm.

She quickly downed her glass then handed him the other microphone. The music started to play. He knew this song. She looked him at, hoping he could match her pace. Illumi started to sing the male part and astounded Corliss with his vocals. She quietly listened, unaware that her part had come on. Illumi looked at her and stopped singing.

"Corliss, your part..." he said.

"Huh? Oh, crap." she said, picking up at the next line.

Illumi chuckled then waited to join in.

____

Corliss splayed herself out on the seats, completely drunk. Illumi chuckled, amused by her drunk babbling. He thought her to be a lightweight, but she seemed to hold out pretty well.

"Hey, Illumi." she said, flailing her arms.

"I'm listening." he said.

"Why am I only pretty with makeup on? How come I look disgusting without it?" she asked, forgetting he's never seen her bare face.

"I think you'd look pretty without makeup on." said Illumi.

"Ha! You just admitted to being attracted to my face, you sleaze." she said, sitting herself up. "I hate men like you."

"But you asked me..." Illumi said in defense.

"Excuses!" she shouted before bursting into tears. "Why can't I attract good attention..."

Illumi moved to sit beside her and handed her a tissue.

"Don't cry, you'll ruin the makeup you worked hard to put on." said Illumi, dabbing at her eyes with another tissue.

"You know, I'm actually pretty lonely. I'm always so busy, I never have time for friends. They all left me, except for two. They keep saying they won't leave me but I know they will." she said quietly. "And seeing those kids who lost their parents and relatives who didn't want them or parents who abandoned them... I can't help but feel so sad for them."

Illumi patted her back in comfort. He didn't know there was more eating away at her. She pulled away from him and input the numbers for a new song. She wiped her eyes and hoarsely started to sing. Pitiful was the only word that came to Illumi's mind. Corliss blinked slowly before dropping the mic and passing out.

____

Corliss groaned then felt immense pain in her head. She sat up holding her head and looked around. She was home. How she got there was beyond her. Illumi. That was the only explanation. She noticed something fall to the floor as she got up.

"'I hope I was able to make you happy, even if just for a night. - Illumi Zoldyck'. Heh, you sure did..." she said, smiling softly.