~Time skip: 1 week~

Illumi arrived at the orphanage in the morning, wondering if Corliss was avoiding him. He looked around and was soon greeted by an unfamiliar face.

"How may I help you?" he asked.

"Corliss Steinbeck... doesn't she work here during the day...?" he asked, knowing she worked weekdays.

"Oh, she asked me to cover for her today. Do you have something to give or tell her?" he asked, noticing a few of the children had come out. "Go back to the others. I'm having an adult conversation right now."

"Mr. Zoldyck!" they said happily.

"Hello little ones. How are you?" he asked, squatting down.

"We're great, but sad that Ms. Steinbeck isn't here..." one said with a sad look.

"I wonder if she's sick..." another said worriedly. "She hasn't been here for a few days now..."

Illumi looked at the man who ushered the kids away. He apologized for the kids then repeated his question.

"Corliss... did she tell you anything else?" he asked.

"No... She's a rather private person believe it or not." he said with a shake of his head. "I'm sorry that I can't help you..."

"No, it's enough. Thank you and sorry for disturbing you." said Illumi, turning on his heel to leave.

"I'll let her know you stopped by." he said.

Illumi sat in his car then dialed her number. No answer. He didn't know any of her friends nor her home address. He didn't know places where she frequented. He didn't know anything about her. He sighed heavily then looked out his window. His eyes widened. He jumped out of his car, practically falling over himself.

"Corliss!" he shouted, startling her. She started heading back the way she came. "Corliss, wait!"

Corliss slowed down and allowed him to catch up to her. She could continue to avoid him and he'd eventually give up. Probably. Did she really want that? Illumi stood in front of her and held her shoulders, looking her over.

"Is everything okay? I haven't heard from you and the kids are worried about you. I'm worried about you." he said, hoping she'd tell him the truth.

"I needed me time... self care, you know?" she lied. She was clearly avoiding him. "It's nothing serious."

"That's good. I honestly thought you hated me..." he said, a sad smile on his face. "Did you come here to see the kids?"

"No, I just forgot something..." she muttered, moving his hands off her shoulders. "I'll text you later."

"Wait, why don't I drive you home?" he suggested.

"Really, you don't have to. I'm sure you're busy." she said.

"I insist." he pressed.

"Well, I guess I'll accept then." she said, faking a smile.

____

Silence hung over them as they waited at a light. Illumi glanced her way, taking in her modest look. It was cute.

"Is something bothering you that you couldn't go to work?" he asked.

"Yeah, but it shouldn't be..." she replied, keeping her gaze out the window.

"If you need to vent, I'm here to listen." said Illumi.

"It's not that I don't want to talk about it, it's more of I can't." she said.

"Why? Is it taboo? Embarrassing?" he pried.

"It has to do with you." Corliss deadpanned.

"I see... Don't hold back. I won't understand if you don't speak." he said.

"Just take me home. I'll tell you when we get there." she responded.

Illumi quietly slipped his hand over hers, only for her to pull away.

He finally turned onto her block. He pulled over then put on his hazard lights. Corliss unbuckled her seat belt then looked at Illumi.

"So, what is it?" Illumi asked.

"I don't mind what we have between us, but it kind of hurt..." she said quietly.

"What did?" he pressed.

"When you said you saw me as a bro. It hurt... I don't want to be seen in a masculine light. How much more do I have to do to show everyone I want to be seen as a woman?" Corliss complained. "I've long since thrown away the person I was forced to be, and I don't want reminders!"

"Corliss-" he said, then winced as she slammed his car door shut.

He watched her walked into a building. He didn't quite understand what she said, but he did understand that she didn't like being called a bro. Would she have preferred sister? He quietly entered a memo into his phone, making sure he'd remember her address.

____

Illumi quietly sat at his desk, often losing his place and having to start over. He wanted to make it up to her somehow. The image of her anger filled face came to mind. She looked as if she were about to cry too. He hadn't tried contacting her, assuming she'd want space.

A number of things crossed his mind in how he could make it up to her, but which one was the correct choice? Did she prefer dead vegetation? Pick me up food? A late night drive? Movie marathon? He was once again reminded of how little he knew about her. He was brought out of his thoughts by a phone ringing. He frowned when he learned it was his desk phone.

Illumi passively said goodbye to his employee then checked the time. It was already night time in the blink of an eye. He picked up his phone and thought hard about what to send her. The last thing he wanted to do was anger her more.

____

Illumi parked his car then started to make his way back to her building. He gave her a call and she answered rather slow.

"I'm nearing the building." he said, remembering she told him to call.

He quietly listened as he heard footsteps and the sound of things bumping and falling. A few curses were thrown in before it all stopped completely.

"I'll buzz you in." she said then pressed the button. "Remember, second floor letter C."

With that, she hung up. Illumi took the stairs up and looked around for 2C. He felt nervous. It wasn't like he's never been alone with a woman before. He pressed on the buzzer and waited for Corliss to answer. The sound of locks rang in his ears and a familiar pair of blue eyes looked up at him from the cracked open door.

"Uh, come in..." she whispered, opening the door.

It had been an extremely long time since she willingly invited a man over to her place. It was mostly due to fear of ridicule. She had hidden anything and everything that would lead to a topic she didn't want to discuss.

"It's cozy." said Illumi, taking a seat on the loveseat.

"It's not much... I pulled up the movies there, so go ahead and pick some out. I'll grab some snacks." she said nervously.

Illumi watched her disappear into the kitchen before looking at the selection before him. Most he had already seen. He settled for a Disney movie. He picked a few others just in case she wanted to watch something different.

"Did you pick?" she asked, placing snacks on the small table.

"These. I picked this one first." he said, gesturing to The Fox And The Hound.

"We can watch that." she said, moving him over to select it.

She closed the laptop lid as it started to cast on the TV. Illumi joined her on the loveseat but kept his distance.

"So, you like sad movies?" she asked quietly.

"Sometimes a little sadness is good for the mind. What about you?" he asked.

"I don't really care. As long as I'm interested." she replied, quieting down as the movie was starting.

____

Illumi rubbed his eye as Corliss rubbed his arm in comfort. She was surprised to see him cry. Was it really such a powerful moment? She looked off to the side then froze. She left a picture frame up with her past self. She excused herself saying she needed to pee and quickly swiped the frame before quickly heading to her room.

She placed it face down on her dresser, disgusted. She couldn't believe how brightly that ugly person was smiling. What were they smiling about? Being told to act right and do things others her age would? Shaming her for not being interested in girls? It was then she started to feel pity. The her of then couldn't do much other than suck it up. She was startled out of her thoughts by Illumi knocking on her door.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just... grabbing a blanket." she lied, taking the blanket off her bed.

She didn't want anyone to remember her past self. She wanted its existence to be forgotten.