While ya'll waiting for One Last Riddle to come out, I got a little preview to show, it's a chapter I've done a good chunk on so far and it's what you'll see
I will be deleting this closer to OLR's actual release and ofc finishing it

And before you grab your pitchforks, yes, it is another Eliza based chapter but what can I say? lmao, I like writing her character when I get ideas and it's literally the only chapter I got to share as of now (especially without spoiling anything plotwise), I also almost finished the flashback that goes before it and let's just say her mum isn't happy in it

So ye, enjoy the unfinished chapter :ayy: 

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-Present Day-

~~26th May 2042~~

-Eliza's POV-

"God damn it," I muttered when the locker slammed in my face, number of days since locker incident, 0.

"You alright?" Sally peeked from behind the corner, noticeable in the middle of getting dressed.

I immediately averted any eye contact and looked back at the now shut locker. I hate these things, how did Riddle High manage to have better functioning lockers than this place.

"Aside from crushing my nose I'm good," I tried to laugh it off, you'd think this fancy hotel which most of us employees can't afford to stay a weekend here would have better lockers, the love and care of its people shows in this room.

In an attempt to change the subject I asked Sally, "how are your boys?"

Sally scoffed and walked up to me whilst stuffing her blouse in her skirt, "little sh*ts, as usual," dryly joking at first, we both giggled, "but seriously, the two youngests are really doing my head in."

Last time Sally spoke of those two they were messing around with the ketchup and mustard in the school canteen if I remember correctly, you don't want to know what they did to those..

"How about Sean? How's he doing in college?"

"Pretty well," she nodded grabbing the usual badges from her locker, "good grades, great social life, he's even got a boyfriend now."

"That's great," I smiled, "bet you wished he was the one at home and not the pesky ones."

"You spoke truth, Mrs Pressley," she chuckled, "I would swap them over any day if I could."

Sally certainly isn't afraid to be brutally honest and I like that about her, it's unpredictable, "and your kids? How's Stella and Roy these days?"

"Ah," I finally got that neat hair bun of mine...neat, "nothing too much different, Stella's still near to failing her academic classes and smashing the physical ones, I notice her and Chris hanging out outside their karate lessons more, as for Roy, he's aceing languages."

"Aren't you worried about him showing off his power?"

Yes, I did tell my colleague friend about my husband and kids' genes, I have no reason to hide that fact from her, besides she promised she'd never tell a soul, I let out a little smirk, "I don't think he's old enough to 'show off', according to Dan at least."

"You're probably right, and he sounds too kind to show off."

"Ha..yeah."

Sally checked the time on her smartwatch, I glanced at the clock on the wall, 2:55pm, just 5 minutes before the shift began, "well, time to get to work, you ready to check in a bunch of snotty guests."

"Oh yeah definitely, my favourite kind of guests," I responded sarcastically.

"Great enthusiasm."

"Thanks, I just need to lock this face crusher." I stated as I locked the locker and then failed to get the key out, "...."

"You good?"

"Yup, don't let me stop you from working."

"Alright then, see you," Sally left the scene.

"Stupid lock," I muttered, what is wrong with this locker today? I tried to forcefully get to pull out, alas nothing.

Well I can't just leave the key there...once again I mustered as much strength as I had into getting the bloody key out of the lock.

Turns out, that was a terrible idea.

The key DID come out, but only half of it, wonderful. It's not like I needed to get home or anything.

Whatever, I'm sure the hotel can get it fixed by the time the shift is over, it's fine, it's fine.

Speaking of shifts, I best get to it, there's anyways those guests that check-in at the first minute.

The first 2-3 hours were uneventful, about 20 new guests arrived that I had to check-in and all of them were pretty normal, some with families, some business people, and the one-off woman that asked a dozen questions regarding the hotel and what's about in town.

But then, the last man I checked in 15 minutes ago, returned to the desk with an irritated look on his face, "um, excuse me?"

I took my eyes off the computer and looked at the man, Mr Hansen if I recall, "yes, sir?"

"What kind of room did I ask for?" He spoke as if he was pissed off, I imagine something's up with the room.

"...." I like to try remembering a guest's room as a game rather than having to be the boring type and look for the booking, not that this guy was hard to forget anyway, "a bedroom with one double bed and one single bed with plenty of space."

"No," he intervened, "I asked for a bedroom with TWO double beds, not a room with ONE double AND ONE single."

"Oh, there must've been a misunderstanding when you booked the room."

The man crossed his arms, "sort it out."

Hoo boy...

I double-checked his room booking just to be safe, at least my memory is on point, I checked to see if there were any free rooms with his requirements.

Ah, looks like there were all booked before he booked this room, "sorry, Mr Hansen, I think you booked the room you currently have on accident since all the two double bed bedrooms were all booked up, however, there is a room with a double bed and TWO single beds free today."

He scoffed, "unbelievable, you call yourselves a 5-star hotel? I paid a lot of good money for the room and you can't even get it as I requested."

This guy is starting to get on my nerves, but I gotta stay professional, "as I said sir, there's no room free that fills your exact request."

"Yeah right," he shook his head, "let me have a word with your manager."

Ding ding, the Karen bells in my head chine, "Listen, sir, I did state the room you booked on the system when you paid and obtained the keys 20 minutes ago, and there really isn't anything we can do about this, if there were a free room with the two double beds you wanted, I'd give it to you, I'm sorry, I'm sure the company you have in the room won't mind the minor changes."

"Who told you I was having company over?" He raised an eyebrow.

"......" I couldn't help but let out a scoff at the guy, "I wouldn't think you would be staying in a room with more than one bed on your own, especially when there were single rooms available..."

"W-Whatever, just get me my room."

Oh my god, "I can't, everybody that has booked those rooms are already checked in from today and a couple of days ago, there's nothing I can do about your two double beds."

"Then I want a refund."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry the hotel's policy doesn't give refunds after you've paid for the room."

"Ugh! You greedy people, you think you're going to get away with this? Well, I refuse to give in to your cover-up."

Cover-up? What is he talking about? it was his fault, "I make mistakes too, it happens, there's no shame in admitting you didn't read but you can't blame the system for your mistake."

"This woman I tell you," he muttered under his breath, though it was more of out-loud thought, "bit*h."

A fellow colleague of mine who's more experienced and just so happens to be sitting next to me, turned her attention over to all the commotion, "can I take this guy off your hands."

"Please do," I responded with huge relief in my tone.

What a nightmare of a guy, I've dealt with the odd Karen here and there, but this one takes the cake by a mile.

-timeskip brought to you by waspsssss-

This day has been near to hell.

After that Karen moment, more problems occurred.

There were dogs crossing paths and getting into a big fight, people showing up asking for rooms when they hadn't booked, I had to deny five people because of the full rooms and policy, and some of them were frustrated with me.

A colleague brought drinks from our favourite coffee place and mine spilt all over me because someone didn't secure the lid, I had to borrow someone else's spare blouse, I would've asked Sally if she wasn't the size of a toothpick in comparison.

And guess who showed up while I changed, Mr Davison, that pervert bellboy who somehow sneaks into the women's every now and again and has never been reported.

That is EXACTLY why I don't change here.

On top of all that we had the 'rush hour' at 6 pm where most of the guests show up and the queue got as long as 10 meters, a few times I mixed up with people's bookings.

But now it's nearing 11 pm and things are quiet, all that's left is 3 hours of checking in the latecomers and I can go home, this should be easy.

"—and if there's anything you need don't hesitate to ask." I smiled.

"Thanks," the lady; Mrs Wills, smiled back, but she didn't move away, instead she looked at me for a few moments.

"Is there something you needed to ask now?" I queried her, being slightly confused by the pause.

"Oh, no I'm fine, I was just wondering, did you ever work as a model at some point?"

I shook my head, "no."

"Are you sure?

"Last time I checked I never modelled in my life," I let out a small chuckle, "maybe you're confusing me with another redhead?"

"Maybe..." her speech seemed to wander in thought, "humour me, what's your first name?"

"Uh...Elizabeth?"

"And how old?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Just humour me, Elizabeth."

This is why I don't tell guests my name, they try to create conversation and act like we've been friends for years, the last guest that asked talked about her grandkids and went on a rant about how technology used to be so much simpler, "37."

"Ah, you're right, I was thinking of somebody else."

"No worries," I reassured her.

"Your face sort of resembles her, but she has more colour in her skin, is younger and more skinny than you of course..."

"......"

"Thanks for the observation," I sarcastically mumbled, the way she said 'of course' was like getting stung by a wasp. She's telling me what I try to forget about...

"I used to train models to look their best, some clients were hard work you have no idea."

"I bet, I'm sorry to rush you but I have guests to check-in."

"No, you don't," Mrs Wills denied, "I come to stay here every month and check-in around this time, it's always been like this, close to deserted."

There goes my way out of this uncomfortable conversation.

"Sorry," I apologised, "I'm just tired, it's been quite the day..."

"Ah...yes, I forget you receptionists work so late, explains the paleness."

I scoffed, "technically it's both reasons..."

"I'm sorry?"

"Nevvvvermind...."