The Toxic Five

CHAPTER 1: THE RECEPTION Lisa had always believed that dreams were expensive. Not because they couldn't come true, but because people like her had to work twice as hard to reach them. At twenty-something, Lisa was a receptionist at the Villa Hotel—a beautiful, luxurious place that most young women in her neighborhood could only dream of working in. The hotel had everything: sparkling chandeliers, marble floors, expensive cars pulling up to the entrance, and guests who seemed to have the kind of lives Lisa could only imagine. But Lisa wanted more. She wanted to become a model. She wanted to stand in front of cameras, walk on runways, travel the world, and build a life that belonged entirely to her. Unfortunately, dreams didn't pay bills. So every morning, Lisa put on her neatly pressed uniform, tied her long curly brown hair into a tidy bun, applied her makeup carefully, and went to work. She had beautiful caramel skin, warm brown eyes, a pointed nose, full lips, and a natural elegance that made people notice her even when she wasn't trying to be noticed. And people noticed her. Unfortunately, not always for the right reasons. Lisa had grown up with her father, a man who had struggled with alcohol for most of his life. He blamed her for many of his problems, making Lisa feel as though she had somehow ruined the life he had once dreamed of. Her mother had died when Lisa was still a baby. So it had always been just Lisa and her father. Growing up wasn't easy. But Lisa learned something very early in life: She could not control how people treated her, but she could control how she responded. Men in her neighborhood often tried to get her attention. Some were disrespectful, and others assumed that because she was beautiful, they were entitled to her. Even at the hotel, some guests tried their luck. Lisa never encouraged them. She handled everything calmly, firmly, and professionally. "Sir, I'm here to help you with your reservation," she'd say whenever someone crossed the line. Eventually, people began to understand that Lisa was not someone they could easily intimidate. The same men who once bothered her started respecting her. Lisa had earned that respect without shouting or fighting. She had simply refused to let anyone decide her worth for her. It was a busy afternoon at the Villa Hotel when Mark walked through the glass entrance doors. He was tall, light-skinned, and undeniably handsome. His sharp blue eyes immediately caught the attention of a few people in the lobby, but Mark didn't seem to notice. He walked toward the reception desk with a small travel bag in one hand. Lisa was attending to another guest. "Here is your room key, sir," she said with a polite smile. "Your room is on the fourth floor. The elevator is just to your left." "Thank you," the guest replied. "You're welcome. Enjoy your stay." Lisa turned toward the next guest. "Good afternoon. How may I help you?" Mark stepped forward. "Hi. I have a reservation under Mark Anderson." Lisa looked down at her computer. "One moment, please." She typed his name into the system. Mark waited. But instead of looking around the lobby like a normal guest, he found himself staring at her. Her hair was pulled into a neat bun, revealing her face perfectly. Her makeup was simple and clean, and there was something about her smile that made her seem completely different from everyone else in the room. Lisa looked up. "Sir?" Mark didn't respond. She raised an eyebrow slightly. "Sir?" Still nothing. Lisa blinked. "Mr. Anderson?" Mark finally snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh—sorry." Lisa tried not to laugh. "Are you okay?" "Yes. I'm fine." "You've been staring at me for a while." Mark looked slightly embarrassed. "I apologize. I didn't realize." Lisa smiled politely. "It happens." She returned her attention to the computer. "Let me just confirm your reservation." Mark cleared his throat. "Sure." A few seconds later, Lisa picked up a key card. "Everything is confirmed. You'll be staying in room 407 for three nights." She handed him the key. "Thank you." "You're welcome. If you need anything during your stay, just call reception." Mark took the key card, but he didn't immediately leave. "What's your name?" Lisa looked at him. "My name?" "Yes." She gave him a professional smile. "Lisa." "Lisa," he repeated quietly. She nodded. "Enjoy your stay, Mr. Anderson." Mark smiled. "I will." He turned and walked toward the elevator. But just before the elevator doors closed, he looked back. Lisa was already helping another guest. She didn't notice him this time. Or at least, she pretended not to. When the elevator doors finally closed, Lisa shook her head with a small smile. "Another one," she whispered to herself. She had seen that look before. The look that said a man was interested in her before he even knew her name. Lisa wasn't impressed. To her, Mark was simply another hotel guest. Another handsome man who thought his charm would get him somewhere. She returned to work without giving him another thought. What Lisa didn't know was that Mark wasn't going to be just another guest. His arrival at Villa Hotel was the beginning of something that would completely change Lisa's life. And neither of them was prepared for what was coming.