Playing with Fire

The hotel hallway, all shiny and gleaming, stretched out as a staff member chirped, "Good Morning, Madame!" I slapped on a smile, gliding into the lobby like I owned the place. "Good morning, Ma'am Dana," the receptionist greeted, her eyes doing a little widening thing as I came closer. Before I could even open my mouth, I took off my sunglasses, real dramatic, letting them hang off my fingers. "Looking for Kira Alcaraz," I announced, the words just hanging there as I waited for her to answer. "She's in her office, Madame," she replied, a little bit of 'yes ma'am' in her voice. I put my sunglasses back on, real slow, hiding my eyes as I turned to go. The staff, knowing what's up, led me through the twisty hallways until we got to a door with a sign that was kinda extra. "CEO private room?" I raised an eyebrow, like, seriously? What was Kira thinking, getting all big-headed like that? The staff lady, not even blinking at my silent question, knocked on the door before walking inside. A second later, she came back, face all blank. "Madame, you can go in now," she said, waving me forward. As I walked into Kira's office, her eyes went wide, like a cartoon. "Dana Cathaleia?! OMG! Where the hell have you been!" she yelled, her voice bouncing off the walls. My eyebrows went even higher, and I took off my sunglasses, real slow, shoving them into my expensive bag. "Maybe you could like offer me a seat before you start yelling?" I asked, all sarcastic. "Oh, no need, just sit down! I shouldn't have to ASK," she snapped, plopping back into her huge swivel chair, huffing a little. I gave her a look before sinking onto the fancy sofa, right where I could see her well. "So, spill. Where have you been hiding? You've been gone for, like, a year! Even your sister Eerah doesn't know. You're driving us all nuts, Dana," she demanded, spinning around to face me, eyes all narrowed. "In hell," I said, real flat, watching her face. "Wait a minute! What happened to you? When did you start wearing makeup? You look...different, like you got all glowed-up or something?" she exclaimed, looking me up and down like I was an alien. "Hello? I've always been gorgeous! And so what if I'm wearing makeup? Is it, like, against the law for pretty girls to wear it?" I snapped back, looking at my phone like it was the most interesting thing in the world. "No, that's not it. I mean, what really happened? It's like you got possessed by Eerah's spirit or something," she said, all confused. I raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh, by the way, Eerah knows you're back, right? There's a party at your mansion later." My head snapped up, my 'don't care' look vanishing for a sec. "Wait, don't tell me she doesn't know you're back? You're unbelievable, Dana!" she yelled, throwing her hands up. "Well, I'm gonna surprise them," I said, a little smile sneaking out. I couldn't help it, I missed the chaos. Plus, I knew she was still mad that I missed her wedding. I haven't even met her husband, because I've been out of contact. "Well, Eerah might be so shocked she'll kick you out on the spot," she said, grinning a little. I glared at her. She had a point, but still...Eerah wouldn't really kick out her favorite sister, would she? "You're impossible, Dana. You just show up out of nowhere, like a mushroom," Kira muttered, shaking her head. Hours went by, mostly just talking and planning. I just got back from the salon, wanting to make a big entrance and maybe get Eerah to stop being mad. I put on the dress I had made, a tight red thing that screamed 'look at me'. Good thing it fit, because I didn't have time to get a new one. I smiled at myself in the mirror. The dress, plus a little makeup, made me look amazing. When it hit six, I left, ready for whatever. A black car pulled up, and I grinned when I saw who it was. He got out, wearing the suit I picked out for him. I smiled even more. Why did he have to be so hot? He walked up to me, eyes all fire, so I smiled even bigger. "Hi, Babe!" I chirped, loving how his jaw clenched. "I'm not finding this funny, Dana," he growled, voice all low. "Oh, lighten up. The air's cold, but you're burning up. Is that just what happens when you're this hot?" I purred, fixing his tie, letting my fingers brush his skin. "Don't touch me," he snapped, pushing my hand away, all dramatic. I laughed, loving it. "Hey! You should be thanking me! A Dana Cathaleia is touching you! Maybe some of my luck will rub off," I teased, batting my eyelashes. "Are we just gonna stand here talking?" he asked, all sarcastic, before turning and walking to the car. I laughed and followed, sliding into the seat. The drive was quiet, all tense. As soon as we got to the mansion, I jumped out, not even saying goodbye. I walked through the gates, ready for action. I could hear the noise from the kitchen, even from the garage. I stood in the doorway, striking a pose. "Am I late?" Everyone turned around, faces all shocked. "Dana?" they gasped. I smiled, walking in, looking right at Eerah. Her eyebrows were all scrunched up. Uh oh. She was not happy. "OMG, Dana! You're here!" Yana squealed, hugging me tight. I smiled back. "So, you finally decided to show up?" Klea draw, all sarcastic. "I thought you'd be back next year," Adeline chimed in, looking me up and down. I didn't say anything, knowing I couldn't win against them. Eerah just stared, not saying a word. Everyone else watched her, waiting. "Sis, let me explain," I said, all nervous. She sat back in her chair, real slow. Uh oh. This was bad. I picked the wrong time to come back. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the lost sister," Adeline said, looking at Eerah, grinning. My heart was pounding. I didn't know what to say. "Are you just gonna stand there? I'm waiting," Eerah said, voice sharp. I took a step closer, but she stood up. "Sis, I'm sorry. I was gonna tell you, I swear. I just had to, like, fix myself before seeing you," I stammered, words all jumbled. "And this is 'fixed'?" she asked, looking me up and down, all unimpressed. I took a deep breath, getting ready for the storm. I was about to start apologizing when someone yelled from the doorway. "Dana! What's with all the suitcases?! You want me to carry all this?!" Arky yelled, stumbling in, face red, suitcases all piled up in her arms. I cringed. Why did she have to bring them in now? Just leave them outside! "And you brought suitcases?" Eerah asked, the voice was all soft and scary. "I had a reason for leaving. I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye," I said, my attitude vanishing. "Can I do anything about it now? I'm not gonna kick you out, am I?" she said, all sarcastic, before looking at Arky. "And you, Arky, are you, like, dating my sister?" she asked, a little smile on her face. The tension broke, everyone laughing. "What? No way! I'm way too good for her, duh!" Arky said, making a face. I watched as she dropped my suitcases on the floor, clothes and stuff spilling out. My eyes narrowed, but before I could yell, she picked it all up and disappeared into the living room. A few minutes later, Arky left, saying she had something important to do. I breathed out and we started eating. I barely took a bite when Eerah stood up, looking at me. "Since you missed my wedding, I guess I should introduce you to my husband," she said, a weird look in her eyes, before grabbing my arm and pulling me up. She walked out, leaving me behind. A minute later, she came back, leading a man into the kitchen. I felt like I got hit with ice water. Standing next to Eerah was Damon Serrano. "Sis, this is my amazing husband, Damon Serrano," Eerah said, smiling and hooking her arm through his. I couldn't talk, couldn't move. Even Damon looked shocked, eyes wide. He didn't know I was Eerah's sister. "Honey, this is my younger sister, Dana," Eerah added. I still couldn't believe it. Damon was married to my sister. My head was spinning, all messed up. How did this happen? How could I not know? The questions were swirling around, like I was drowning.