SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT
1160 Words
Ashley panicked slightly. She didn’t actually know where the room was. Plastering on a tight smile, she turned to Sylvia. “Miss, would you be kind enough to show me the way? It’s been a while since I was here.”
“Of course,” Sylvia replied, clearly pleased. She had taken a liking to Ashley ever since spotting her stylish appearance and assumed superiority. “This way, ma’am.”
Sylvia led her down the corridor with elegant confidence. Once at the door to the presidential suite, she stepped aside.
“You can open the room now,” she said.
Ashley walked forward with her chin high, swiped the card…
Nothing.
No sound. No green light. No welcome tone.
Marie stood back, arms folded with Lily by her side, clearly amused. “So you’re the room owner, and you can’t even open the door?”
Ashley turned to respond, but Marie stepped forward smoothly. “Step aside.”
She swiped her card—but still, no response.
Ashley’s lips curled into a victorious smile, ready to pounce, when an automated voice echoed through the hallway.
“We are currently experiencing a system-wide technical issue. Access cards may temporarily malfunction. Please remain calm while our technicians resolve the problem.”
Ashley immediately seized the moment. “See? I told you something was wrong. Show-off.” She tossed her hair smugly.
Marie didn’t flinch. She knew she could unlock the door with her fingerprint, but she chose not to. Let’s see how far she’s willing to go to save face.
Just then, Catherine’s phone buzzed. She answered it quickly, listened, then turned to both women.
“The manager just called,” she announced. “Apparently, one of our VVIP cards was reported stolen. The true cardholder has already arrived to reclaim it. Please bear with us while we investigate.”
“Ha! Miss Beckman,” Ashley laughed. “No need to embarrass yourself further. Once the director gets here, your game will be over. Since I’m generous today, I’ll let you walk away quietly.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” Lily snapped, stepping forward. “If your card is genuine, you shouldn’t be so rattled. Quit blaming others just to save your pride.”
Marie said nothing, but her eyes sharpened.
Moments later, the manager arrived with several hotel security personnel. Among them, two men held a woman in a maid uniform.
“Miss Ashley,” the woman sobbed, “I’m sorry. Mr. Davereux already caught me. Please return the card. I took it from his room while cleaning. I didn’t think—”
“What?” Ashley gasped. “You’re setting me up! This card is mine!” She turned to Marie, trembling with fury. “Did you plan this? How far would you go to make me look bad?!”
Then she froze.
Grayson Davereux walked in, eyes as cold as steel.
“Grayson,” she said desperately, voice cracking. “I was just having fun. I didn’t mean anything by it. Why would you do this to me?”
Grayson didn’t respond. He simply walked past her.
“If she refuses to leave,” he told security without turning back, “drag her out.”
Ashley’s mouth fell open as the guards moved closer. “No! Grayson! I love you!”
But he was already gone, entering his suite—directly opposite Marie’s.
Their eyes met briefly before he disappeared behind his door.
The manager bowed deeply to Marie. “Miss Beckman, please accept our sincerest apologies. We’ll make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
The attendants followed suit, bowing and murmuring apologies.
“It’s alright,” Marie said lightly. “It’s not your fault.”
She turned to her door and placed her fingertip on the scanner.
“Hello, user. It’s been a while.” The door greeted her in a sleek voice as it opened.
The staff gasped. A biometric lock? They hadn’t even known such a feature existed in their hotel rooms.
She stepped inside, unaware that Grayson—through the crack of his slightly ajar door—was watching her with an amused smirk.
***
Meanwhile, at the Ashford estate...
Ashley was greeted by a sharp slap the moment she stepped inside.
“You disgrace!” Roland Ashford bellowed. “How could you humiliate the Ashford name like that?”
Ashley held her cheek, stunned. “Father—what are you talking about? Grayson is the man I want. What’s so wrong with borrowing his card? We’re going to be married someday!”
“Married?” Roland scoffed. “Grayson has never even looked at you! And you—you're nothing but a spoiled girl who wastes money and causes scandals. How are you supposed to inherit this family’s business with this kind of behavior?!”
“Father, please stop!” Victoria and their mother rushed in. Sarah held Ashley protectively. “She’s your daughter!”
Roland turned his back on them. “Pack your things, you're going abroad. I won’t risk another scandal.”
Ashley wept, but the anger in her heart festered.
She clenched her fists. Marie Beckman… You won’t get away with this. I’ll make you pay.
***
Weeks later…
Grayson’s mother was celebrating her 60th birthday. The event was grand, with invitations extended to Seravelle’s most powerful elites.
The venue was at the Davereux's mansion garden estate filled with white roses, shimmering chandeliers, and a live string quartet. Champagne flowed like rivers.
Cherry ran around with her friends, Alice and Carrie, as the trio resumed their usual task—rating the arriving guests. The grand hall buzzed with chatter and laughter, growing livelier with each new arrival bearing glittering gifts.
“Oh look, the beautiful miss is here again,” Carrie said, nudging the others while still munching on a snack.
Cherry’s eyes lit up the moment she spotted Marie. Without hesitation, she waved goodbye to her friends and hurried off.
“What’s up with her?” Alice asked, raising a brow.
Carrie only shrugged, continuing to chew nonchalantly.
Meanwhile, Marie was, exchanging polite greetings with her mother and setting her gifts down. Cherry appeared by her side and gently took her hand.
“Miss, I want to show you something,” she said eagerly.
Marie hesitated. She had warned herself to be cautious around this girl—she couldn’t afford to be blamed for another incident. Still, she offered a soft smile and allowed herself to be led away.
Cherry guided her outside, past the blooming garden, and toward a quiet bench. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Sit here. I’ll go get it,” she said, then darted off.
Time passed, and Cherry didn’t return. A knot of worry formed in Marie’s chest. Unease crept in, heavier by the minute. Eventually, unable to sit still any longer, she stood up.
Something wasn’t right.
She turned back toward the garden, determined to find Cherry.
- Writer
