Things are about to get hot!

Cara leaned back in her chair, looking completely unbothered, like getting fired in a big city like Berlin wasn't a big deal. "Let's just say, some people can't handle a little bit of creative thinking."

Devi, who had been focused on her food, finally looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What do you mean by creative thinking?"

Cara shot her a wink. "Oh, you know. When life gives you lemons, make a margarita instead of lemonade. And then, maybe add a bit of salt to the wound." She was really having her fun by trying to act all smart; the ridiculous expressions of Devi and Ethan Graves opposite her were enough to tell that she had really caught their attention. Her hideous smile widen, she internally applauded herself for getting two other people on her list of those who always get hooked by her antics

Devi laughed, clearly enjoying Cara's antics. Ethan, on the other hand, was less amused. He had a feeling that whatever Cara had done to get fired was probably more trouble than it was worth.

And the man was right though, it was a fact Cara had terrorized a rich fella at her former workplace.

The server returned with more dishes, and soon the table was filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and dipping sauces. The sizzling sound of the hotpot and the aroma of the broth provided a comforting backdrop to the conversation.

Ethan decided to steer the conversation back to safer territory. "So, what brings you two here tonight? Just another casual dinner?"

Mara shrugged, her expression giving nothing away. "We come here often. It's… familiar."

He had noticed that, especially since cara arrived, but he couldn't refrain from asking though.

Cara, however, wasn't ready to let Ethan off the hook she leaned forward and placed her hand at the side of her mouth. "What about you, detective? Are you here for the food, or are you working undercover, trying to gather intel on a case?"

Ethan had thought she was going to whisper something to him, that's why he'd also leaned over to listen to her, only for Cara to speak loudly.

Devi, blasted out laughing, while Mara coughed awkwardly, she had anticipated something like that from her sister, she didn't know wether to laugh or cry, but went a head with the former, joining Devi in her fits of laughter.

Ethan hid his embarrassment and immediately composed himself into the gentleman that he was trying to uphold that evening.

He then gave her a dry look. "If I were working undercover, do you think I'd tell you?"

Cara chuckled, clearly enjoying their verbal sparring. "Fair point. But you know, you could always use a little help. I have a knack for finding things out." Especially finding problems for myself, she muttered to no one in particular but kept a cool gaze toward Ethan.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And what would you want in return?"

Cara's smile was sly. "Oh, nothing much. Just a favor here and there. Maybe help me get my next job—one that doesn't involve getting fired."

Ethan was about to respond when Devi interrupted, her voice filled with excitement. "Ethan! Look at this! They have a dessert menu!"

Ethan glanced at the menu Devi was holding up, trying to keep up with the whirlwind of conversation and activity around him. But before he could reply, Cara's phone buzzed on the table. She picked it up, her expression shifting from playful to serious in an instant.

Ethan's instincts kicked in. "Something wrong?"

Cara hesitated for a split second before shaking her head. "Nothing I can't handle."

But Ethan wasn't convinced. He watched as Cara quickly typed out a message, her fingers moving with a speed that suggested urgency. When she finally put the phone down, she looked up at Ethan, her playful demeanor back in place, but her eyes held a hint of something darker.

The tension in the air thickened, and Ethan knew Cara was only a carefree person. He glanced at Mara, who had been unusually quiet, but she gave nothing away. Maybe he was overthinking, probably due to the case, but he couldn't rule out the fact that Mara had received and registered the late Gregory Hanes the businessman into the Grand Continental Hotel while on duty.

As the server brought out the final dish, Cara leaned in closer to Ethan this time he didn't lean but he heard her, her low voice. "You might want to watch your back, detective. Things are about to heat up in more ways than one," Cara said, pointing to the food display on the table, but she wasn't really talking about the food.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat at the underlying warning in her words. Before he could respond, Cara stood up abruptly, throwing a few bills on the table. "Sorry, boys and girls, but I've got to run. Enjoy the rest of your meal."

Mara followed suit, and just like that, the two sisters were gone, leaving Ethan and Devi at the table with more questions about their lives than answers.

Ethan stared at the door they had just exited, his mind racing. What had just happened? What was Cara playing at? And more importantly, what had she meant by her parting words?

The silence settled over the table. Devi, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, took a big bite of her dessert. "You know, Ethan, I think that Cara lady is pretty cool. Don't you?"

Ethan didn't respond immediately. His mind was too busy piecing together the fragments of the night, trying to make sense of it all. One thing was clear: this wasn't just a simple dinner. Whatever heavens had caused him to meet them, knew exactly why and he wasn't going to get involved with them after tonight, he was done with the interrogation anyway, and Ethan had a feeling he was about to get pulled into the middle of their lives if he couldn't steer clear of his line.

As the hotpot simmered on the table, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was only the beginning. And whenever he had to meet with a joker like Cara, he knew it was going to be anything but simple.

Ethan's phone buzzed just as he was about to take a sip of his tea. He glanced at the screen, his breath catching in his throat. It was a message from an unknown number, but the text sent shivers down his spine.