A/N: Here's the next chapter; Erik's last name is Destler, just because I wasn't sure what else would fit. Well, thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far – y'all rock! One thing: I really don't want this to get too clichéd, so if it's getting a little "been there, read that," let me know! And, I will try very, very hard not to be a terrible author who doesn't update – so don't worry too much, zeeksmom:)

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"Christine!" Meg hissed as the man from the coffee shop neared them. "Christine, try not to look like someone just hit your puppy. He'll come to my side of the desk; try to look like you're busy on your computer and he won't say anything to you. I doubt he'd bring it up anyway."

Christine nodded silently and pulled up a new file on her screen. She tried to type a few things, but she couldn't help, however, watching him approach out of the corner of her eye. A hotel worker arrived just after he had walked into the hotel and took the man's luggage, but now the masked man was coming straight towards the desk. Christine made a conscious effort to stop watching his progress across the lobby and tried unsuccessfully to become concerned with the file she was supposed to be working on…

"Good morning," Meg said suddenly – the man had reached the desk. "Welcome to Copper Creek Hotel. Are you here to check in?"

The man gave one sharp nod of his head. "Yes. The room is listed under Erik Destler."

"Okay, Mr. Destler," Meg continued in the same bright tone, "you'll be staying in room 1218. The reservation says you'll be here for one month – is that still correct?"

"As I haven't made any mention of changing it, you can assume it is," he said coolly.

Meg's cheery smile faltered for one brief moment before she continued, "I just need to see some ID first, and then you should be all set. The bill can be paid when you check out."

Without a word, Mr. Destler handed Meg his driver's license, which she promptly looked at and returned.

"Thank you, and now, Christine, can you get Mr. Destler the file with the hotel information and his room keys?" Meg asked, causing Christine to start.

So far, she had been able to keep herself from turning in her chair to watch the conversation, but now Meg had found a way to bring her into the check-in process.

Ugh, I should have known Meg would drag me into this somehow. The file was closer to Christine, but Meg had said she would take care of this particular guest. "Sure," was all Christine said though, leaning to where the room keys were kept.

"Here you are, Mr. Destler," Christine announced a moment later, holding out the folder. She chanced a look at the man; he was watching her intensely, and Christine noticed his eyes had a strange yellow tint to them.

"Thank you, ah, Ms. Daaé," Mr. Destler said, reading her nametag. His mouth curved up into a hint of a smirk, and then he reached out to take the file from her. "I see you managed to make it to your job safely. No other collisions, then?"

Going to bring that up, was he? Christine thought. Well, in that case…

"No, Mr. Destler," she replied sweetly, daring to meet his eyes. "I made sure to check where I was going at all times. But thank you for asking – it's so nice of you."

Christine could have sworn the man was going to smile for a moment, but instead of doing that or saying anything else, he simply turned back to Meg and said, "I trust that will be all?"

"Yes, you're welcome to go to your room now," Meg said, a little surprised to having been brought back into the conversation. "The elevators are just down that hall. Feel free to call the front desk should you have any concerns, Mr. Destler."

"I'll be sure to do so," Mr. Destler said tonelessly, and with that he began to leave the front lobby.

Meg and Christine both watched in silence as he walked away. He had barely taken two steps from the desk, when the hotel manager appeared.

"Ah, Mr. Destler," Mr. Firmin said, "I see you've arrived as planned!"

Christine and Meg exchanged a brief glance at their boss's words. This was the high-profile guest who was expected to check in today?

"It would seem so," Mr. Destler replied smoothly.

Mr. Firmin looked a bit shocked the cool manner, but didn't let it deter him from trying to make a good impression on the man who was obviously paying quite a bit of money to stay here. "I do hope the service has been to your liking," he said, nodding towards where Meg and Christine were sitting.

"It's been so nice so far," Mr. Destler said, meeting Christine's eyes as he echoed what she had used to describe his words a moment earlier.

"Good, good." Mr. Firmin paused for a second before adding, "Well, I won't keep you from your room any longer, Mr. Destler. I just wanted to welcome you to Copper Creek, and if you need anything else, please let me or our front desk know."

Mr. Destler nodded and stepped passed the manager to finish making his way toward the elevator. Mr. Firmin left the lobby shortly after, presumably to head towards his office.

With his exit, Christine and Meg were finally free to discuss what had just happened.

"So, do you believe me now?" Christine asked indignantly. "Isn't that Destler guy a jerk?"

"Yeah, I was surprised he brought up the hit from this morning." Meg smiled wickedly and added, "He's a loaded jerk, though. A month at Copper Creek? That's more money than I'll ever have. And 1218 is one of the nicest suites, too! I wonder who he is…"

"Ugh, who cares about his money, or his job? He'll be here for a month; that means we'll be seeing a lot of him." Christine sighed; she really wasn't looking forward to being verbally abused each day.

"Maybe he's just really not a morning person," Meg said. "By afternoon, he could be extremely warm and pleasant."

"Yes," Christine agreed with a smile, "I'm sure at noon he'll march down to the lobby with a new vanilla latte for me."

Meg laughed. "You never know, Chris. It could happen."

"For some strange reason, I sincerely doubt that, Meg."

A/N2: Eek, sorry that chapter didn't move anything forward. Next chapter (which should be longer) will explain a little more about Christine – I just wanted to get Erik in the hotel:)