Just having a little fun

Mara was just finishing up a conversation with a guest when she saw Cara stroll into the hotel lobby. Dressed in ripped jeans and a leather jacket as usual, her younger sister was a stark contrast to the elegance of the hotel. Mara sighed inwardly as she silently asked herself. What was Cara up to now?

"Hey, sis!" Cara called out loud enough, ignoring the disapproving glances from the staff and guests alike.

Mara forced a smile. "What are you doing here, Cara? I thought you'd be out celebrating your latest victory of losing a job just like you always do."

Cara grinned and hooked her hand into her sister's arm. "You know me too well siz. I thought I should'd drop by and see if you wanted to grab a drink later."

Mara was about to respond when she noticed a man watching them from across the lobby. The man was Tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, he had an air of authority about him. He didn't look like the usual hotel guests.

"Who's that?" Cara asked, following Mara's gaze.

"I don't know," Mara replied, her smile fading. "But I have a feeling we're about to find out."

As if on cue, the man walked over to them, his eyes never leaving Mara's. "Mara Bennett?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding.

"Yes?" Mara replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I'm Detective Ethan Graves," he said, flashing his badge. "I need to ask you a few questions."

Cara's eyes narrowed. "About what?"

Ethan's gaze shifted to her, and for a moment, Mara thought she saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Just a routine inquiry," he said, turning back to Mara. "It won't take long."

Mara felt a chill run down her spine. There was nothing routine about this.

Mara led Ethan to a quiet corner of the lobby, away from prying eyes and ears after sending the manager a text. Cara trailed behind them, her expression unreadable. Mara couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why was a detective suddenly interested in her?

"Is this about one of the hotel guests?" asked once they were seated.

Ethan nodded. "A guest who stayed here recently was found dead under suspicious circumstances. I'm just following up on some leads."

Mara's heart skipped a beat she had heard about that earlier that morning when she was reporting in for her shift. She prided herself on her professionalism, but the idea that someone had died after staying at the hotel was still fresh and unsettling.

"I'll do my best to help," she said, forcing a smile, and immediately her phone buzzed she checked and she confirmed it to be a message from her Manager who confirmed to her that the detective had the permission from the board to investigate, she kept down her phone, gave him one of her polite smile before asking "What do you need to know?"

Ethan pulled out a small notepad. "Did you interact with a certain Mr Gregory Hanes during his stay here?"

Mara frowned, trying to recall the name even when her colleague had told her in the morning she didn't seem to remember him, she didn't even bother to check his file even when she was at the reception desk.

"I'm not sure. I interact with so many guests, it's hard to remember them all."

"He checked in four days ago, stayed for two nights. Businessman, late twenties, slightly tall. Ring any bells?"

Mara shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't remember him specifically. But I can check the records for you."

Ethan nodded, jotting something down. "And what about your colleagues? Did they mention him before as well?"

Mara stiffened. "No, they did not. Why?"

Ethan's eyes were sharp, probing. "Just covering all the bases."

Mara didn't like the way he was looking at her, as if he was trying to read her mind. She forced herself to stay calm, but inside, her thoughts were racing. Why was he asking her all this? What did he want to hear from her?

Cara leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "What's this really about, Detective? You don't strike me as the type to chase down routine inquiries." It was already one hour since he'd started his interrogation, Cara had been patient enough and hadn't bothered them but she was now tired because it was already time for her to spend with her sister, she had even booked their famous hotpot place therefore she decided to intervene.

Ethan's gaze flicked to Cara, and Mara could see the gears turning in his mind. He wasn't used to being challenged, especially not by someone like Cara who seemed like a chaotic and ignorant person. But Cara was fearless, and that made her dangerous.

"I'm just doing my job," Ethan said coolly. "But if you have something to add, I'm all ears."

Cara smirked. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Try me."

For a moment, Mara thought Cara was going to say something reckless, something that would make everything spiral out of control.

But then, Cara just leaned back in her chair, her expression bored. "Maybe some other time, Detective."

Ethan's jaw tightened, but he didn't press the issue he could see how the two sisters were alike and he knew the one who had just intervened his interrogation session was impatient, he couldn't blame her for that, for had really taken up their time. He turned back to Mara , his tone more professional. "If you remember anything, or if you find those records, give me a call." He handed her his card.

Mara took it, her fingers trembling slightly. "I will."

Ethan stood, giving them both a nod before walking away. Mara watched him leave.

As soon as Ethan was out of earshot, Mara turned to Cara, her voice low and urgent. "What the hell was that about?"

Cara shrugged, her smirk never fading. "Just having a little fun."

"Fun? This isn't a game, Cara! That man is a detective, and he's asking serious questions.