The Reaper that loves me

Chapter 19 - Elise meets Max

*Her*

For the last three days, Elise had been helping Somnum. When he wasn't in his office, he was going between departments overseeing their work and Elise had to follow along with a clipboard to record things and to help as Somnum's secretary since Alora was currently still helping out in the filing department to fix Elise's mistakes. So today, Elise was supposed to be doing exam preparations but instead she had fallen asleep at her desk. She awoke once she felt a pencil being gently shoved in her ear. 

She sat up and found that she had drooled in her sleep, all over her textbooks. She glared at Melinda who just laughed and looked at her sideways as she whispered. "Tough night, huh?" 

"Yeah..." Elise whispered back. Melinda nudged her to try to get her to concentrate on her exam preparation but Elise couldnt think straight. She sighed and shut her books. I'm going to get some fresh air and clear my head. Melinda looked at her with concern but Elise just waved her off with a smile. 

She walked outside and enjoyed the sunshine on her face. She closed her eyes as she walked untill she bumped into someone spilling her textbooks over the concrete. Without looking up she mumbled an apology. "I'm so sorry...I wasn't watching where I was going." Another hand reached out. It had scars all over it which made Elise look up. Infront of her was a very handsome man. His blonde hair shone in the sunlight. In a honeyed tone he replied. "No. It's my fault. I was dazzled by your beauty." 

Elise faltered but then collected herself as she finished resettling her books in her arms. The handsome man held out his hand. "I'm Maximillian by the way, but my friends call me Max, do you need a hand getting up?" Elise stared at the offered hand before she stood up and dusted herself off, leaving Max hanging. He coughed as Elise had a proper look at him. As she looked him up and down she noticed he was wearing a black cloak. "...Just like Ayden..." She whispered to herself. 

Max chuckled. "Indeed. I'm also a reaper. I was curious to see the lady that had captured our Aydens attention..." Elise composed herself before she had to ask. "How....umm...how is he doing?" Max laughed. "Well....he's a bit.... preoccupied at the moment, but he's doing fine. Actually he's now in a hurry to complete his...quota.." Elise nodded along having no idea what he was talking about but he had piqued her curiosity. "What quota?" 

Max chuckled again and swung his scythe around showing off as he began to walk backwards. 

He nonchalantly replied. "Oh our soul quota of course. Each reaper has to pass on a number of souls into the next phase of reincarnation, be it heaven or hell for judgement before being put back into the life cycle." Elise's eyes went wide in wonder. "So there is such a thing as reincarnation? Wow..." but then Elise stopped. "What happens when you finish your quota?" Max chuckled again. "Then we get to go onto reincarnate..."

Elise looked down, as a sudden sadness washed over her. 

She shrugged it off and instead asked him a personal question as she began walking again, as she spotted a shady tree to sit under and started to head for it. "How did you become a reaper Max?" He raised an eyebrow at her question. "Oh...curious are we princess?" Elise huffed. "Don't call me that!" They got to the tree and sat in the shade leaning against the tree. Max lay down on his side facing Elise and placed his scythe next to him. He picked some grass as he replied to her question. 

"Each of us reapers each has to repent for our sins, so death chooses us as his reapers to pay a debt to humanity instead of going to hell, take Felix for example....Ayden is currently working for him....he's an animal reaper you see...Felix was charged with embezzlement and fraud, he became homeless when he died, so Death found it fitting to make him an animal reaper since he was living in the park during his last days...." After spoke he split a grass strand in half and flung it in the air. Max could see the question in her eyes so he answered it before she could even ask. 

"You know, you really are an open book...my sin.....well let's just say I've done every one of the seven...." Elise gulped as she began to realise just how dangerous Max could be. "As for our dear old Ayden....tch.... you'll have to ask him what his was....although he's so infatuated with you, he might not tell you." He then had a smug look on his face. Elise blushed hard. "Death punished him, you know...." Elise gasped and Max smirked. "He didn't tell you? Death punished him because of you." Elise looked down and began figeting with the corner of her books as she quietly asked. "Why was he punished for me?" 

Max clicked his tongue. "Tut tut tut....It is an unspoken rule that reapers aren't supposed to fraternise with humans, let alone one that works for the sleep association. Death doesn't exactly get along with his siblings, some of which are responsible for humans dreams and that family has alot of skeletons in their proverbial closet." Elise remained silent as she was trying to process what Max was saying then it dawned on her. "Won't you get into trouble too then?" Max put a finger to his lips. "I'm not being spied upon, so this little... indiscretion....will be overlooked. As for Ayden...as long as he has feelings for you, he won't be able to get out from underneath deaths scrutiny. He was also given an extra amount added towards his quota, tis why he is trying to shave souls off of his quota by bargaining for them." Elise looked long and hard at Max as he stood up and brushed himself off. "Well it's been fun princess, but I must be off. Felix has probably finished playing with your boyfriend now, so I have to meet with them. Ciao!" He waved as he flew off leaving Elise more confused and full of questions.