Chapter 20

"Alright," King spoke after a few seconds. "What's so important you're calling off the information exchange today?"

"I need a favor."

"Is this about what I found on the recordings?"

There's a silence. I assumed Meliodas responded with a shake of his head or nod.

A heavy sigh and then King spoke again, "I told you that we shouldn't go out anymore. Even sending us last time was too risky."

"I know, but it makes more sense for it to be you than me, doesn't it? Things have cooled since then. I'm sure you two could slip in unnoticed compared to us." Meliodas responded. I heard a creak, he must have sat down.

"You mean we could blend in better."

"You've always had a knack for this kind of thing."

"Not sure that's what I'd call it," King said lowly. There was silence, as if King was weighing his next words, "Fine. We'll do it. But… we should really have some back up this time, just in case."

"Already ahead of ya," Meliodas replied and I could practically hear his grin.

"Good. It'd be a real pain if we were caught tonight."

"I have faith in your acting skills."

"Yeah, cause that means a whole lot," King clipped sarcastically.

Meliodas laughed. "It should! This is a very important mission and I'm letting you take the lead."

"I'd rather you didn't."

"Stop worrying so much. It'll be fine!" I heard a thump and wondered if Meliodas just slapped King's back.

"You always say that," I could barely hear King grumble. He raised his voice. "So, assuming everyone is involved this time. What was the point of sending Princess out?"

"Wanted to run it by you first. Didn't need you holding back on your thoughts."

"I don't do that. And you know she's been listening the whole time, right?"

I stiffened.

"Course I do!" Meliodas chirped merrily.

"So sending her away was pointless?"

"Na, I like letting her think she's sneaky." He laughed and I stomped away. The last thing I heard was, "go get some more sleep. You're gunna need to be well rested for everything to work out tonight."

Despite the lack of meeting in the basement, the day was fairly normal after that. When Meliodas and King came to the main floor, ten minutes after me, King went right upstairs. I assumed he was going back to bed. The rest of us took care of the bar. It wasn't very busy, but I suppose that was to be expected given it was Friday afternoon. Ban had disappeared at one point for almost two hours. I had attempted to ask Meliodas more about what the rest of us would be doing tonight and where Ban had gone.

He'd just smiled at me lazily and said, "shoulda listened a little longer." After getting the same response at various points of the day, I had given up.

The dinner rush was just finishing as I walked up to the bar. I checked a clock, wondering just when King and Diane would be leaving and where exactly they were going.

"I hate these damn things," someone grumbled behind me. I turned around and was surprised to see King in a dark grey suit. He tugged anxiously at his navy tie, loosening it and straightening it and repeating the process. When he felt my gaze still on him his eyes flickered up. "What?"

"You're wearing a suit."

"Uh… yeah…?" He quirked a brow.

I flushed as I realized how stupid I must sound. "S-sorry, I just. I'm caught off guard is all." I had never seen King in anything besides his oversized shirts and jacket. Seeing him in something so well fitted was… weird. He no longer looked like the nerdy member of the sins. He looked older. Like a real businessman.

"Has Boss still not told you the plan for tonight?" King's brows knitted together.

His question got my mind back on right. "No," I scowled deeply. "Thinks it's funny, I'm pretty sure. Said I should have stayed outside the door longer." My eyes found the man behind the bar, distracted by a customer. "What is the plan?"

"Diane and I are going to a charity event."

My eyes widened at that. "Really?" Well, that explained the suit. "Why?" I leaned in closer so I could lower my voice. "Because of the recordings?"

He nodded. "Going to attempt speaking with… her," he answered vaguely and I immediately knew who he meant.

The mayor's wife.

"Who was she talking to anyways?" I asked realizing that I didn't actually know. In all the conversations I had overheard between him and Meliodas since last night, that information was never actually exchanged.

King finally stopped fiddling with his tie long enough to give me a curious stare. His eyes swept over the bar before sighing heavily. "Suppose we didn't actually get to discuss that this morning, huh?"

"No." I scowled immediately at the reminder. "Meliodas so kindly interrupted us before then."

He let out a soft huff of air at my comment. "That he did." The ginger agreed with a nod of his head, a small quirk to his lips. "Well, from what I gathered, the person Melascula was speaking to in the recordings is the one she was having an affair with."

"Oh?" I settled into a bar stool to let my tired feet rest. "What makes you say that?"

"She called him by a pet name. Love."

My lips pursed at the odd title.

"She never actually used his name. Just that damn pet name." King sighed heavily and slid into the seat next to me. He barely stopped himself from running a hand through his now styled hair. "I'm positive he's involved. Unfortunately, the recordings never really picked up the guy's voice."

A look of frustration crossed his features as he relayed the information.

"Tonight is about getting more info on him then?" I said the words slowly, testing out the weight of them. It had to be that. They had little else to go on from the sounds of it.

King simply nodded, not responding as he seemed to mull over something.

"So he's sending you two? Isn't that… risky?" I wonder why Meliodas wouldn't just have the two of us go again. The two of us had to be more adapt for subtle questioning than King and Diane.

"Less of a risk than you and him going, given your run in at their home," King pointed out, leaning against the bar. "I suppose Diane and I have built up a bit of a… rapport that may give us an in."

"How?" I had thought that Meliodas said they'd only been to a few parties. How did they get an in within such a small time frame?

"Diane mostly," he shrugged.

"Oh come on King! I'm just the eye candy at these things! You're the one people like talking to."

We both turned down towards the steps, Diane heading our way. Eye candy indeed. I don't know how Diane ever thought I gave her a run for her money in any dress. She was downright gorgeous. She wore a deep red trumpet dress with off the shoulder sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Just like the one I had worn, this one had a slit up to her mid thigh and sequins everywhere. Her hair up in an elegant bun. When she leaned in and planted a kiss on the stunned King, I saw she had a small train with ruffles.

"Don't listen to him Princess," Diane turned to me with a smile. "He doesn't give himself nearly enough credit. The reason we know anyone there is because of his little story."

"T-That's not true," King struggled. "They talked to us because of you. You aren't just a pretty face, Diane." He insisted with a determined scowl. "Your whole persona draws people in."

"Hmm," she hummed and then shrugged. "Maybe, but you're the one who kept them interested enough to have a whole conversation with. King's quite the storyteller." She told me with a secretive wink.

I blinked, looking back and forth between the two, trying to follow the conversation with the little amount of details they were giving. "Um… what kind of story?"

King flushed and Diane beamed eagerly. "Meet Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Technical mogul extraordinar! Well, King is anyways. I mean, Mr. Henry Jones. I'm his lovely wife, Dorothy."

My jaw dropped despite myself. "What?" How did these two manage to pull off being a married couple?

"Surprised?" Diane giggled, looping her arm through Kings. I nodded. "I don't blame you. I almost blew our cover when I heard King say it!"

"I said I was sorry," King grumbled, ears a bright red. "It was… necessary."

The burnette winked at me and I felt the sudden urge to join in on her teasing. "Really? Meliodas didn't have us married."

The sharply dressed man glared at me. "Yes. It was. Only way to keep some jackass' hands off her."

I blinked in surprise at the man's sharp words. Diane merely laughed.

"What he means is, that some guys were taking a little too much interest in me and him saying we were married was easier than maiming them," the brunette was all too happy to explain.

"But… you guys weren't together then, I thought?"

"We weren't," King mumbled, unable to look at either of us.

I had feelings for Diane long before we started dating, his words came back to me. "Oh." I said simply, feeling like I just put my foot in my mouth.

"King's a bit overprotective," Diane shook her head fondly. Obviously she didn't care about the sudden lack of conversation from us. She leaned forward to mock whisper, a hand hiding her lips from her boyfriend as she said, "And maybe a little bit of the jealous type."

"That's real funny coming from you Di," Ban snorted as he joined our group at the counter. Meliodas right behind him. Diane merely stuck her tongue out at him.

Right, I thought to myself. I almost forgot that envy is Diane's supposed sin.

"Looking good you two!" The blonde smiled brightly. "You'll fit in perfect."

"Thanks Boss!" The brunette beamed.

King groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm really not looking forward to this."

"I feel like I should be offended by that," Daine pouted slightly at his side. "Why are you so down? We're basically getting a free date night!"

"This isn't a date, Diane. We're working."

She huffed, "Doesn't mean we can't have fun." A slow smile started to spread across her lips as she pressed her body closer to his. "Remember what happened last time?"

The ginger's features lit up like he caught fire. "Y-yes, of course I do! But we-!" He paused lowering his voice from it's sudden shouting, "we will not need to do that again."

Meliodas and Ban began snickering and I looked around the member of the Sins, attempting to figure out just what they were talking about. No luck. But I did notice that the bar was already empty. Strange.

"Tonight will be a little different." The bar owner spoke up, as if he could read my thoughts. "The three of us," Meliodas gestured at himself, Ban and me, "will be working the crowd."

"Working?" I furrowed my brow at him.

He smirked at me. "Yep! As servers!"

He had to be kidding. But his smile didn't waver. I did my best not to shout profanities at the man. How on earth was I supposed to make a believable server at a charity event and, "what if someone recognizes us from last week?"

"You got two choices Princess," Ban spoke up, reaching underneath the bar and setting two small bins on the counter. "Boxed or wig."

"You're kidding, right?" My eyes flicker between his and Meliodas'. Someone touched my hair. I narrowed my eyes at Diane as she played with a strand. "What?" I snapped.

"I'd do a wig, Princess," the Sin of Envy recommended. "The box stuff says it washes out just fine but. Well, let's just say Ban's weird shade comes from using these one too many times." She leaned in closer to whisper. "It use to be white as snow!"

"It's just hair," Ban rolled his eyes grabbing a box. "It grows out and ya just cut the stuff ya don't like."

"Easy for you to say!" Diane shook her head. "It's different for girls! Especially when you have long hair and when it's a unique shade like this!" She held up the strand of my hair for emphasis. I tugged it away and she let go. "Do a wig." The brunette advised once again.

"It's up to you, Ban and I are just gunna color ours." Meliodas interrupted the debate as he grabbed a box and headed to the kitchen with Ban. "We've got about a half hour, so hurry and get changed."

I scowled as the door closed behind them. "If we're working, shouldn't we already be there?"

"Not necessarily," King answered as he walked around behind the bar, clearly looking for something. "With events like these, the staff tend to work in shifts. It's not unusual for some of the workers to show up halfway through an event." He hunched down and I could hear his hand patting against a shelf below the counter. "Besides, it's not like anyone there will pay too terribly much attention to whoever's handing out their booze. As long as they get it, they're content."

His experience almost made it sound like he'd done this kind of thing more than twice.

"Dammit," King cursed as he stood. He patted down his suit and began walking towards the kitchen. "Boss," he called as he pushed the door open. "Where'd you put those damn keys?"

"They're not under the counter?"

"No. I checked there."

There was silence and then, "Ban. Did you take the car out again?"

"Uh, maybe?"

Diane groaned next to me, drawing my attention away from the men in the kitchen. "That idiot." She rolled her eyes. She pulled her teeth between her lip for a second before smiling brightly. "Ah, I know just where to check!" Her heels clicked against the floor as she disappeared into the first room towards the basement.

"I need that car you, moron!" King yelled from the kitchen. "How in the hell can I show up at this event without a mode of transportation?!"

"Take the bus," Ban responded lazily.

"I'm going to kill you."

"Whoa, whoa!" Meliodas interrupted what sounded like the start of a fist fight. "Relax, King, you'll wrinkle your suit. I've got a spare set around here somewhere. We'll find them."

"Got 'em!" Diane's shouted loudly. She held up the keys with a victorious smile spread across her face.

"Diane!" King yelled as he came out of the kitchen with a wide smile. He lifted her up in a hug and spun her around once. "You're a lifesaver!"

A blush spread across her cheeks. "I know," she gave him a shy smile. "Careful when you put me down. These are new shoes."

"Oh, uh, s-sorry," King flushed, setting her gently back on the ground.

"Where'd ya find them?" Meliodas asked as he stepped up to my side.

My breath caught as I took in his appearance. His hair was matted against his head and pitch black. He looked so different. So… wrong. Seeing Meliodas with anything but his bright golden messy hair was going to take some getting use to. When he noticed my eyes on him, he quirked a brow at me.

"Underneath the phone!" The brunette answered, thankfully taking Meliodas' attention away from me. "That's where he's hidden them a couple of times when he's been drinking so I took a guess."

"There better not be any damage to the car, Ban," Meliodas gave his right hand man a wide grin.

Ban shifted anxiously, his hair also was black and matted against his head. "Course there won't be."

For some reason, he didn't sound as sure as he probably meant to.

"Well, we better get going," King said as he took Diane's hand and led them towards the back entrance through the kitchen. "See ya guys there."

"See ya!" Meliodas gave them a half wave.

"Don't forget to wash that stuff out!" Diane called over her shoulder as they disappeared. "Bye!"

Ban snorted, "kinda hard to forget about it."

"Wait," a thought struck me, "what are we going to wear? Aren't there specific uniforms for this kind of thing?"

"Sure is," Meliodas replied with a smile. "Your uniform should already be in your room. Right Ban?"

I shot the taller man a confused look as he nodded. "Is that where you disappeared to earlier?"

"You got it." He pointed a finger gun at me.

My eyes narrowed. "And just how did you procure these uniforms?"

"Found them on the street." He grinned crookedly. "How do you think I found them?"

"I am not wearing stolen merchandise!"

"You ain't got much of a choice if ya wanna work this gig with us," Ban countered smoothly.

I grit my teeth, ready to tell Ban just what I thought about his opinion and methods of… acquiring goods.

"Think of it this way," Meliodas interrupted our possible fist fight, "we aren't getting paid for working so the uniforms are the payment."

"Whatever," I spat as I grabbed a box containing a wig and stomped towards the steps.

When I arrived in my room, a bag was lying on top of my bed. I pulled the zipper down and tentatively touched the simple black vest and white button down. A pair of black pants rested neatly inside as well. I sigh heavily, stripping down and pulling everything on.

I was in for another long night.

Dom: *Turns a page of a rather hefty book in her hands, entitled "The Science of Funny: How To Fool Everyone Into Thinking You Have Humor & Other Unnecessary Shit."* Hmmm… interesting.

Luv: Hey Dom! *Luv steps out of lake house with drinks and takes up the empty lounge chair next to Dom.* Whatcha got there?

Dom: *Peers over to Luv before closing her book, a contemplative gleam in her eyes* Luv, I have a joke for you.

Luv: Uh… *tries to discreetly see what Dom was reading* … okay.

Dom: *Clears her throat* Why did the - *Peaks into her book for a moment then closes it again* Chicken cross the road?

Luv: *stares blankly at Dom, trying to figure out if she was serious* Uh…. to get to the other side? *glances around, waiting for something ridiculous to happen. Like someone jumping out of the bushes with a chicken to test out Dom's question...*

Dom: No! Wait…*peaks in her book again* Yes. That's… not even funny. What is so funny about a chicken crossing the road?

Luv: Um well… there's some other variations of that are funnier like… um… Why did the rooster cross the road?

Dom: Why? *Looks unconvinced that this joke will be funnier*

Luv: *begins to giggle with a giddy smile.* To cockadoodle dooo something! *busts out into full laughter*

Dom: *Slowly shakes head* See? I told you being funny wasn't in my contract. I'll just give the preview. Next Time on Don't Trust Me: Infiltrating a Charity event to get answers - what could possibly go wrong? Will the sins and Elizabeth get the clues they're looking for, or is this another dead end? One thing's for certain - Elizabeth is about to get a taste of what the sins are really about.

Luv: *wipes a stray tear from her eye* Ah, that was a good one. I should tell jokes every week!

Dom: As long as it isn't some form of farm animal crossing a road, I think we'll be fine.

Luv: Well… *tosses away her 'Cross the Road' joke book* Never mind then. See ya guys next time!