stripper killer [matty healy]

twenty - reunite

reunite:(verb) come together or cause to come together again after a period of separation or disunity.

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india

i arrive to work sweaty, exhausted and probably half a stone lighter than earlier this morning. my shoulder felt like it was about to come away from my body due to the fact my handbag had been sawing away at it the whole way here - so it was a massive relief to drop it too the floor as soon as i get into the coat room.

"you're late." i hear harry's husky voice from behind me, only it was different today - a little more deep. maybe he'd caught a cold. i hope he didn't pass it on to me.

"i'm sorry." i mumble, half because i couldn't be bothered talking and the other half because i hoped if he didn't hear me he would leave and not feel the need to continue the conversation.

even after i've taken my coat off, hung it up, put my apron on and tied my hair back he's still stood in the doorway. his hair was tied up in a messy bun. he looked good - plus he was smiling, which definitely helped.

"is everything okay?" his brings his hand up to my face and begins stroking my cheek with the ball of his thumb. it felt alittle uncomfortable considering we were in work, but he was the boss. so i guess it's okay. "where have you been?"

i sigh, relaxing my face into his hand. i wanted to lie about where i'd been and why i was late, especially because he seemed to be in a good mood, which wasn't exactly a regular occurrence right now considering his sister is gone - but, i knew he deserved the truth. "i was at the hospital ..."

his brows furrow and his thumb stops tracing my cheek. "god, why? are you okay?" his eyes scan my body - presumably looking for a reason for me to be there.

"no, no..." i reassure. "i'm fine... it's just..." i trail off - not wanting to mention him.

"just what?" his eyes harden on me as i try to avoid eye contact.

"matty was shot." i splutter, trying to hold myself together as i have the feeling that my stomach was falling out of my ass, he isn't going to like this.

his hand drops from my face down to his side and his face changes completely - his lips that were parted and relaxed are now pursed and his eyes were stern, very stern. "and that is why you are late for work?" his tone is mocking - sarcastic in a way. it made me nervous.

"well... i just swung by for a little while - not long..." i chew on my bottom lip and look at my feet, which felt like they were about to fall from underneath me.

he shakes his head and walks through to the counter in the shop. i follow. "harry, i had to check he was okay.." i say slowly.

"no!" he growls. "you know, i didn't have to give you this job! don't think because of what happened last night..."

oh no. please don't mention last night.

"i know. i know." i take a folded tissue from my pocket and blot my face. this is too awkward. "it won't happen again. i promise." i did my best to sound sincere - and i was. i would from now always make sure i was on time. although, i was slightly annoyed that me being late was the real problem... it was infact the reason why i was late. but i guess he had atleast some right to be displeased.

the chime of the door rings as a customer walks in. harry just glares at me before walking out - leaving me to manage the shop. i write myself a mental note not to be cross, he has just lost his sister after all.