**Arlo **
Suddenly, I remembered that I was supposed to meet Mr. Tony. I don’t know why that old businessman loves setting early appointments with me. With others, it’s in the afternoon or evening. I shook my head. He’s an unbelievably old man. I can’t imagine why he gave me a 9 a.m. appointment. My secretary has been nonstop in calling my phone.
I stood up from my seat in this small snacks and café area in the hotel. I didn’t even finish my coffee because I don’t have enough time. It’s already quarter to eight in the morning. I took large strides toward my room after paying for the coffee I drank.
I immediately went inside my room and grabbed my important things. I cursed under my breath when I noticed the white charger lying there. I forgot to return the charger to the woman I borrowed it from last night. I forgot to ask her name, too. I unplugged the charger and quickly went to the front desk reception. I noticed the receptionist seemed lost in thought. She looked exhausted, as if her mind was elsewhere. I stood still, watching her like a statue. She looked innocent. Her gentle face and eyes seemed to hide fear. She didn’t look like an ordinary young woman. Her behavior yesterday was peculiar—she was very modest. Her complexion seemed as if she were bathed in milk, with skin so smooth it was almost unreal. I’ve met plenty of beautiful women with fair skin, but her smooth skin was extraordinary.
I cleared my throat and approached her slowly. My thoughts were wandering about this woman. When I was in front of her, I placed both my hands on the top of the front desk.
“Hello!” I said, but she didn’t respond.
I smiled as I observed her. She was a little funny, her eyes wide as she looked at me. Her dark brown eyes stared straight at me. I winked at her, and her eyes widened even more.
“Hi, sir,” she said softly to me.
“I just want to know how much my bill is from last night?” I asked her.
“Wait a minute, sir, I’ll check. Sir, it’s one thousand five hundred dollars.” She said, and I took out my wallet and handed her the amount she mentioned.
Slowly, I handed her the money to pay for my one-night stay at the hotel. She smiled at me. I noticed she kept swallowing as if nervous. I saw her stealing glances at me.
“Hopefully, you had a wonderful night here at Emerald Shores Hotel?” she said.
“Yeah,” I replied. Honestly, I didn’t sleep well because of the noisy air conditioning. I just said I had a good sleep last night.
“Sorry, here’s your charger. I forgot to give it back.” I apologized to her. She simply nodded, looking lethargic, while stealing glances at me. I smiled at every reaction her eyes showed.
“It’s okay, sir. It’s our duty to provide everything you need here at the hotel,” she said in her innocent voice. I smiled at her.
“By the way, I’m Arlo,” I introduced myself formally to her. I extended my right hand for a handshake.
“I’m Lily,” she replied and shook my hand. I could feel her soft palm, and her hand was trembling slightly. I squeezed her smooth hand lightly. She quickly withdrew her hand from mine.
“Sh*t,” I cursed in my head and immediately apologized to her.
A woman suddenly called her name. I think she’s older than Lily. I suddenly became silent in front of her as I watched the woman approach Lily. I could clearly see the fear in Lily’s eyes when the woman held both her hands. The older woman whispered something to her.
“Sis,” I heard the woman softly call Lily.
