~Time skip: 3 weeks~

Corliss hummed happily as she sat at the reception desk. Lady luck was finally smiling down on her. A decent new job, the orphanage getting extra funds out of generosity, a few more children were adopted and her friend treating her to a home cooked meal after her shift. She'd have to be crazy not to be smiling bright. Though, she couldn't help but feel a bit sad, seeing people in despair or with rattled nerves.

A person came up to her, asking about a patient. She asked them a few questions, had them sign and sent them on their way. Not once did Illumi cross her mind. She covered her mouth as she yawned, tired from playing around with the kids earlier that day. Lucky for her the weekend started tomorrow, meaning she'd get a break and work earlier at the reception desk.

How would she spend her evening? Many thoughts crossed her mind until someone snapped her back to reality.

"You're the new receptionist?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah... Steinbeck." she replied.

From what he was wearing, he was either a doctor or nurse. Though, she never thought either side would bother coming to talk to her.

"I go by List." he said, smiling happily. "Do you want me to call you Steinbeck or is there another name you prefer?"

"Oh, uh... Corliss is my name. Only people close to me are allowed to call me Liss." she said.

"Looks like I have a ways to go huh?" he said, crossing his arms.

A small giggle escaped her lips. A part of her hoped List wouldn't turn out to be a guy she detested like back at her old job.

"I don't think it'll be hard for an attractive like you." she half joked, truly thinking he was attractive.

"Oh? Was that a compliment? Am I already making progress?" he asked, leaning against the desk.

They happily talked to one another, Corliss feeling as if she'd enjoy working here.

____

Corliss turned in her sleep then sat up. She couldn't sleep. She looked around for her phone and checked the time. It was a little past 4am. She unlocked her phone and debated whether or not to text him.

Corliss quietly thought back. She was yelled at more times than she could count simply because her parents didn't like what she did. Was she ever naked at one point? A thought occurred to her.

____

List exited the building and saw a bright eyed Corliss waiting for him by the doors. She quietly walked by his side, feeling a bit self conscious.

"So, tell me more about yourself." he said, taking initiative and moving closer to her.

"I uh, I... orphanage... Ahaha, one second." she said, turning around and forcing herself to calm down. Did he really have to be that attractive? "Okay, I'm good to go. I work at an orphanage during the day, only weekdays. It's rewarding to see the children be adopted."

"Ah, so that's why I only see you at night." he said, nodding in understanding. "My schedule is all over the place and sometimes like today, or yesterday, whichever, I end up doing overnights. It can be tiring."

"I'm sure the patients are grateful. Without you all, they wouldn't be here." she said, flashing him a smile.

"You're prettier when you smile." said List, giving her a wink.

Her cheeks burned. Would it be considered assault if she pounced on him at that moment? It was obvious List was a terrible flirt, but she still ended up weak in the knees. He clearly had experience.

"T- T- T- T- Tank chew, I mean thank you!" she stuttered, causing him to laugh. "Oh god..."

"You really can be adorable if you try." he said, giving her head a pat.

She covered her cheeks, well aware of how red they must be. She felt her hand being moved off her cheek and was now held in one of his.

"Hope you don't mind a little hand holding." said List, lifting their joined hands.

"D- Do you do this to every w- woman you find attractive?" she asked, her body trembling.

"Of course not. You truly are a unique gem in my eyes." List replied.

As many reasons as she had to not believe him, she had just as many to believe him. She was going to make this work. Corliss met List's gaze and decided then and there she'd make him hers.

____

An employee peeked into Illumi's office then looked back at the others waiting outside. They nodded and proceed to inform everyone to get in their places.

"Mr. Zoldyck!" the first one called out, entering the office. "There's something we want to discuss with you."

"What is it?" he asked, his gaze fixated on the book before him.

"Ah, it's best that we show you rather than try to describe it..." he said, hoping the plan wouldn't fail.

"Mr. Hirotsu, if it can't be explained, don't bother me with it. I'm busy." said Illumi before sucking his teeth and throwing down his pen.

"Sir...?" he called out worriedly.

"Get out." Illumi said, covering his face. "Leave me alone."

He slowly closed the door then gave the others a sad shake of his head. They collectively groaned in disappointment.

"Maybe when he's in a better mood." he said, having them put the cake away.

Illumi ran a hand through his hair then frowned. He was getting frustrated with the wrong people. He looked at his phone, full of notifications, none of them from the person he wanted to hear from. Was he really the one at fault? Did it matter who was at fault at this point? Of course not. He just wanted to talk to her again, talk like they used to.

He left his seat and left his room. His employees looked then quickly scrambled to get prepared again. He curiously watched and soon they started to sing, thanking him for being an amazing boss. Illumi blinked in confusion. Why were they celebrating?

"We got you this cake." they said, handing the small cake to him.

"What's all of this about...?" he asked suspiciously.

"We've been worried about you, sir. Lately you've been looking rather... stressed. So we decided to throw you a small party, hoping it'd make you feel better." another explained.

"Illumi Zoldyck doesn't get stressed." he said defiantly. "But I am grateful for this... I'll enjoy myself."

They took out their phones and snapped photos of their boss holding the cake. Illumi chuckled before letting his smile fade when they looked away.

____

1:56pm. That was the time he read on his watch. It was usually around this time on this weekday he left to see Corliss. Could he really just show up and try to make things right? Did she even want to make up? One of the workers looked at Illumi who seemed to be having an internal crisis.

"Hey, Mr. Zoldyck." she called out. Illumi met her gaze. "Mind coming over for a second?"

Illumi squatted beside him as he put in another tile. Did she need his input on placement?

"It's probably none of my business, but, me and the others can't help but notice your change in behavior. Having relationship problems?" she asked.

"You're right, it is none of your business." said Illumi, straightening out a tile.

"Then why don't you just so happen to start talking aloud and I just so happen to hear and respond?" she suggested, putting on another tile.

She was clever, he'd give her that. He sighed heavily then sat on his rump.

"I argued with a friend. We haven't spoken in weeks. I feel like we're going to drift apart and become strangers again." he said with his eyes closed.

"What was the argument about?" she asked.

"Money. I'd rather not get that into it. I want to make up, but I'm afraid that they may not want to." he said.

"Are we talking male or female?" she pressed.

"Female." said Illumi.

"Ah, women are enigmas, especially when it comes to touchy things and emotions. How have you made up in the past?" she asked.

"Movie marathon. It was quite enjoyable." Illumi said, remembering her laugh and smile. "Really enjoyable."

"Well, see if she's at least willing to talk to you. If you can't at least get on talking terms, you're doomed." she said, placing the last tile.

____

Corliss got settled at the reception desk then sighed in bliss. List. The blonde haired, blue eyed man with short wavy hair. She wasn't stupid as to believe there weren't other women in his life that wanted him they way she did. Hell, some of them could even be his friends with benefits. It was some of those glaring possibilities that kept her at bay.

There was no way for her to know if everything he told her was true or false. She looked down with a heavy sigh.

"What's with the sigh, Corliss?" a familiar voice asked.

"Oh, List. Hi." she said happily. "What are you doing down here?"

"I wanted to see you. I had a lot of fun this morning." he said with a smile. "You're really interesting, you know?"

"Eh? I have to disagree... I'm surprised you haven't gotten bored of me." Corliss replied with a smile. "I'm flattered though."

"I really mean it. I want to know you better. I'm interested in you." he said, beaming.

"What a funny joke." she said, laughing it off.

"But I'm serious." he said, his voice firm.

Corliss blinked rapidly, not sure if she heard right. She quietly asked him to repeat what he said.

"I'm interested in you, Corliss." he said, booping her nose.

She wordlessly touched her nose then immediately blushed. It was the first time she had ever been told someone was interested in her.