Ethan leaned heavily against the counter of the bustling hotpot place, his patience fraying with every passing second. His day had been a shade of black energy, courtesy of his own beloved cousin Devi.
Devi had nagged him ever since he picked her up from her school immediately after he was done investigating Mara Bennett. She had been quite a handful, from the relentless ice cream hunting in the bizarre streets to her insatiable need to explore every nook of those streets. Ethan was currently drained.
He was happy because he was about to sit down for a quiet meal, but it all seemed like an unattainable dream the moment he reached the hotpot place Devi had mentioned to him.
The owner of the hotpot place, a gruff man wearing a stern expression, was busy wiping down the counter with the kind of intensity that suggested he'd rather be anywhere else than entertaining the detective Ethan Graves, who wore a darkness on his face like he was not joking about a table. Ethan cleared his throat, hoping to catch his attention. "Any chance you've got a table for two? My cousin and I could use a break."
The owner didn't even look up. He'd already seen Ethan when he was about to open the glass door of his place; he'd also seen him on the television news, and he couldn't be mistaken. "Fully booked. Should've made a reservation."
Ethan felt a flash of irritation; it was like he was being slapped in the face. He was about to argue when the door swung open, and in walked Cara and Mara.
The owner sighed heavily before thanking the heavens for the right-timed arrival of Cara. He knew Cara's temper, and he also knew how chaotic she could be. Either way, there was no way he was going to interfere with the two, because all in all, one of them was a respected figure in society, and the other was an arrogant, crazy girl whom he'd known since her childhood.
She had even given him a name the first time she'd come to his place with her aunt, whom she fondly calls "Hot Papa."
Seizing the perfect opportunity, the owner called on Cara.
Hot Papa: (Grinning widely) Look what the cat dragged in! Cara, my troublemaker, you've got some nerve showing up here again! He didn't know she'd booked a reservation, probably because his assistant hadn't told him. Even so, he remembered hearing from Cathie that Cara had lost another job. He immediately knew she would be showing up. Hot Papa knew Cara too well with her reasons to visit his place. She either went to his place when she was sad, when she was happy, or during a special occasion, and he just understood the special occasion right now was for losing yet another job.
He started walking back into the kitchen. Cara, being carefree, followed him, leaving two pairs of eyes staring at her with amusement.
The sight of Mara in the hotpot place surprised Ethan. She was the woman he had just interrogated hours earlier; her presence threw him off balance. What were they doing here? And why now?
His inner questions were immediately answered when Cara shouted to the owner.
And this is how their usual banter had gone today:
Cara:(Flashing a mischievous smile) Oh, come on, Hot Papa, you know you miss me. This place gets way too boring without a little chaos!
Hot Papa: (Chuckling) Boring? The last time you were here, you almost set my stove on fire trying to "improve" the recipe! My insurance is still recovering.
Cara: (Giggling) Hey, those flames were adding a bit of message to the dining experience. You should be thanking me! (Looks around) Speaking of chaos, where's my Rage Rose Mama? Haven't seen her wielding her broom today. She's been chasing me with that since I knew her. Is she hiding from me?
Hot Papa: Sighs dramatically) She's outside, probably on the lookout for you. Every time she hears or spots you near her flower pots, she turns into a professional sprinter, broom in hand.
They both laughed at that. Cara had seen the old lady leaving, and she knew she wasn't coming back until the following day. She decided to play along with her Hot Papa.
Cara:(Pretending to be offended) Now that's just hurtful. I told her I was pruning her flowers for free. And, really, who else would keep her cardio game strong at her age?
Hot Papa: (Laughs) She says she's had enough "pruning" from you to last a lifetime. You've been picking on her roses more than the gardener!
Cara: (Leaning in, whispering conspiratorially) Those roses needed a second opinion. And I needed to add a bit of flair to my apartment. I'm doing everyone a favor!
Hot Papa:(Shaking his head, amused) You're lucky she loves you like a daughter—or she'd have planted you in that garden by now.
Cara: (With a cheeky grin) And miss out on all this? Nah, she knows I'm the spice this place needs. Besides, she secretly loves the thrill!
Hot Papa: (Waves a ladle playfully) Thrill, she says. Just don't drag any more of it into my kitchen, or I'll have to start charging you a chaos tax.
Cara: (Laughs) Fine, fine. I'll behave—for now. But only if you make my usual with extra spice. You know how I like it, Hot Papa!
Hotpot Papa: (Smirking) Extra spice, extra chaos. Coming right up!
Their banter captured their playful, father-daughter-like relationship, which is why the two earlier amused faces were still listening to their banter as they showed up again at the counter. Mara was used to Cara's actions, while the detective was left speechless after witnessing yet another side of Cara twice in a row in the same day. With Cara's knack for stirring things up and Hotpot Papa's amused yet exasperated fondness for her, they both looked at the two people standing at the counter with smiling faces.
Cara, ever observant, caught his eye and smirked. "Well, if it isn't the hardworking detective," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Ethan straightened, trying to regain his composure. "The feeling's mutual. I didn't know this was your kind of place."
Cara's eyes darted to the counter, where the helper of Hot Papa was busy with his chores. "Looking for a table, detective? I happen to have one reserved."
She'd seen the place already fully booked, and she knew he was still waiting for one there. She continued looking at him, challenging him.
Ethan's suspicions about her invitation flared. He'd come to realize nothing with Cara was ever straightforward. "Just you?"
"Maybe," Cara replied, a coy smile playing on her lips. "But I'm feeling generous tonight. How about you and your partner join us?" She looked at him, her mind calculating. She always booked a table of four wherever she felt like eating hotpot because sometimes her elder sister Maya would join them or even Cathie, her friend.
As if on cue, Devi burst into the hotpot place, her impatience evident. "Ethan! What's taking so long? I'm starving!"
Cara's grin widened as she saw Devi in her school uniform. "Perfect. So, detective, what do you say? My table, but for double the price."
Ethan sighed, knowing he was backed into a corner. He glanced at the full restaurant, then back at Devi. He could see the begging in her eyes; she was desperate for the hotpot. Who was now giving him her best puppy-dog eyes? Defeated, he nodded. "Fine. Double."
If it had been other times, Ethan wouldn't have bothered wasting his money. It was all thanks to his cousin that he was going to pay double for some hotpot.
Cara's grin was triumphant as she motioned to the worker who knew her too well, who finally stopped cleaning long enough to nod and lead them to the table. Ethan handed over the payment, the sting of being outmaneuvered by Cara still fresh.
As they sat down, the atmosphere at the table shifted. Cara's confidence was palpable with cheeriness, and Mara's quiet presence was unnerving. It was like the two sisters were opposites; if they didn't look the same, Ethan couldn't have ever believed they were sisters because of Cara.
Ethan knew there was more to this dinner than just a meal. He knew he'd gotten on Cara's nerves when he'd stopped her sister that evening and started questioning her. The air around the table of four was thick.
The server brought out the first sizzling pot, the rich aroma of spices filling the air. Ethan took a moment to breathe it in, hoping the food would help ease the tension. But the feeling that something was about to happen gnawed at him.
Devi, oblivious to the undercurrents at the table, happily grabbed her chopsticks. "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse! Or at least a whole cow. You guys are in for a treat!"
Ethan chuckled despite himself. Devi's enthusiasm was infectious, even if it was a little over the top. As he watched her dive into the food, he couldn't help but relax slightly. Maybe, just maybe, this dinner wouldn't be as bad as he feared.
Cara, however, wasn't done. She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, detective, what exactly do you do for fun when you're not chasing down criminals?"
Ethan smirked, sensing the playful challenge in her tone. "Oh, you know, the usual—dodging paperwork, trying to avoid getting swindled at hotpot places, and occasionally chasing down a criminal or two."
Cara laughed, a sound that was equal parts amused and knowing. "Sounds like a thrilling life. But surely, you must have some hobbies."
Mara, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. Her voice was soft but carried a certain weight. "Chaos," she said, her tone cryptic.
Ethan blinked, unsure if he had heard her correctly. "Excuse me?"
Mara's lips twitched into a small, enigmatic smile. "Chaos. It's what I do as a hobby."
She was right, apart from working as a receptionist at the grand continental hotel, most of her spare time, was used on cleaning up Cara's chaotic mess.
Ethan was about to ask for clarification when Cara cut in, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't mind her. She's just being dramatic." Cara knew Mara was jabbing at her.
Mara shot Cara a look, but it was hard to tell if it was one of annoyance or amusement. Ethan decided to change the subject. "Alright, so what about you, Cara? What do you do?"
Cara's grin returned, and this time it was even more mischievous. "Still hunting, detective. Got fired yesterday—fifth job in three months."
Ethan stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or feel concerned. "Fired? Again? What happened the last time?"