Lizzie And The Deadly Sins

12- Unwelcome

Lizzie POV

Finally finishing sorting the stack of mail Heather and I start making our afternoon deliveries.

Taking a cart each we head to the elevator me leaving first to deliver to sales while Heather continues on to legal.

Depositing the mail into the appropriate pigeon holes I hum a tune to myself, setting myself a rhythm to work to.

"Jonas brothers?" A voice questions from behind me.

I turn to face the smiling woman watching me work. There is something vaguely familiar about her and the unusual prickle of heat that crosses my skin under her eyes.

"Sorry, did I disturb you?" I ask, continuing with my task.

"Not at all, I was just admiring the view" she says with a wink.

"Are you by any chance related to Mr Mode?" I enquire, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"In a sense, what makes you ask?" She checks a wide smile revealing her perfect white teeth.

"I'm not sure, a similar aura I guess" I shrug, "I'm sorry I'm still learning who everyone is."

"I'm Dee, I co-head this department" she explains, offering a hand for me to shake.

I reluctantly accept her hand wishing she wasn't another department head. Her hand is soft and warm in mine and I suddenly wonder what they would feel like running across my body.

I can feel my face growing suddenly warm at this unwarranted thought.

"Dee? I thought it was going to be Ash gracing our presence today?" Miss Luze asks, the sharp tap of her heels echoing against the tiled floor, making me quickly drop Dee's hand. "I hope this isn't some plan to piss off Bel?" She asks, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes flicking over to me, while Dee scowls at her.

I quickly turn back to my work not wanting to get involved in their disagreement. I can hear as the two women continue hissing at each other behind me.

"Let me walk you down Jane," Miss Luze offers the moment my cart is empty.

"That's not necessary" I decline politely.

"I'm heading that way anyway" she says waving a hand, gesturing towards the elevators "we'll talk later" she says pointedly to Dee, before leading the way.

The elevator arrives quickly, and I push the mail cart inside pressing the button for the lobby.

"Just be careful around Ash," Miss Luze suddenly warns me.

"Ash?" I ask, confused.

"Mr Mode" she explains.

"Oh, I haven't seen him today," I tell her, confused by the sudden warning.

I leave the elevator once again noticing that she doesn't follow and swap my cart continuing my deliveries for the rest of the afternoon.

By the end of my shift my feet and calves have a dull ache making me wish I hadn't agreed to dinner. All I wanted was to take these shoes off.

Bidding my goodbyes to Heather I head out to the lobby planning to wait outside for Michael.

My heels click against the floor of the lift lobby echoing in the unusually empty area. Fiddling with the broken clasp of my bag I keep walking until I find myself bouncing off the back of someone standing in the entrance lobby.

Catching myself I look up only then noticing the small group who seem to be observing the welcome desk.

Edging my way around them I see Amber standing behind her desk, a look of pure disgust gracing her usually beautiful face. Steve and Gavin flanking her sides.

Moving further around the group I look for what has made her so angry, freezing in shock when I notice Michael.

In complete contrast to Amber, Michael seems totally at ease, making me more confused about what he did to make Amber angry enough to involve security.

My eyes move back to Amber, her eyes seem to be ablaze the way the light is bouncing off them. If I didn't know better I would think they were actually red.

I'm so lost in thought it doesn't occur to me to step forward, to let them know Michael is just picking me up for dinner.

"Back to work. All of you!" Mr Fir's voice rumbles from behind me. I look around to see him standing at the open elevator door with a furious looking Mr Gore beside him. The group scurries into the open elevator, muttering to each other.

"Get the fuck out." Mr Fir growl's, striding towards Michael. I finally snap out of it hurrying forward.

"Mr Fir, I'm sorry…" I quickly apologize, "this is just a friend meeting me for dinner." I explain, moving to stand beside Michael who beams down at me.

"Security sure is tight around here little one," he chuckles. "Let's head on out" he suggests, unphased by the overly tense atmosphere.

"She's not going anywhere with you!" Mr Gore snaps.

"Why ever not?" Michael asks, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"She's working." Mr Gore spits.

"Actually I finished sir," I explain, feeling a little self conscious.

"Come on little one, I hope you like Italian" he says, clasping my hand in his own and leading me out the door, and down the street.

"Umm, Michael. What happened back there? I've never seen the staff like that before, so hostile."

"Well, I didn't have an appointment," he shrugs, with an easy smile.

"Michael, I'm serious." I announce, coming to a stop. Michael stops turning to face me running his fingers through his thick dark hair, and letting out a sigh. 

"A very long time ago I lost someone who was… very special to me, and it was his fault." He explains, his voice dropping, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"I'm sorry," I say, taking his proffered hand and continuing our walk. I'm filled with curiosity from what he said, but I don't have the nerve to ask so instead I remain silent.