The hot Miami sun was beating down on the Lux Atlantic resort with such an intensity it was a wonder that the construction workers on the upper levels didn't die of heat. It was surprising that they were there at all, but the necessity of the repairs were so dire they were being paid big money.

Inside, tinsel and other various decorations hung from nearly every place imaginable, in gesture resembling holiday cheer. The lobby was incredibly crowded and Lisa Reisert stood behind the desk going through papers. The phone suddenly rang, startling her. She snatched it up and pressed it to her ear.

"Lux Atlantic Resort, this is Lisa."

"Hey, Leese!" her cousin, Tanya's, cheerful voice cried. "It's Tanya!"

Lisa relaxed considerably. Tanya was one of her best friends in the world, one of the few people she could trust. "Hey, Tanya, what's up?"

"Come to the movies with me!" Lisa almost laughed at the bluntness of the demand.

"Tanya, I have work to do, and I don't get off until ten, it'll be way too late," Lisa argued, sighing.

"Oh, come on, please?" Tanya whined. "It's the last showing of the movie I want to see!"

Suddenly Cynthia ran up, her heels clacking anxiously on the tiled floor. She looked nervous and thrust a fax at Lisa. Lisa shot her a mildly annoyed glance and held up a finger, signaling her to wait, but Cynthia continued to pace back and forth.

"Tanya, no, I'll be too tired," Lisa said absently, trying to ignore Cynthia.

"What?" Cynthia asked, confused, obviously not noticing the phone in Lisa's hands.

"Cynthia, I'm on the phone."

"What did you say, Leese?" Tanya asked.

"Tanya, just hold on," Lisa answered forcefully.

Tanya sighed. "Fine, fine."

Lisa held her hand over the receiver and looked at Cynthia. "What, Cynthia?"

Cynthia looked taken aback but speaks. "The Keefes are coming again."

Lisa was shocked. "What? When?"

"Three days."

Lisa made a disgruntled noise and tried not to commit to the slouching in her shoulders. "This is not good. I'm going on vacation tomorrow, but...I'll just stay, I guess."

Cynthia shook her head, her brown eyes wide. "No, you're going to take a vacation. You work too hard. I can handle the Keefes."

Lisa looked unsure. "Cynth, are you sure? I know you're still upset about what happened last time, and you need a vacation, too."

Cynthia looked almost hurt. "Leese, I'll be okay. I handled it. I can do this. And I don't have anyone to spend the holidays with. Your dad wants you to spend some time with him. You've been so distant lately it makes me wonder if this whole ordeal affected you more than you think." She paused after her little speech.

"Cynthia, I told you, I've moved on. I got over it. I'm not scared," Lisa sighed indignantly.

"If you're sure, but...I'm still going to take the Keefe job," she said firmly.

"Are you sure?"

Cynthia smirked. "You know, you're acting like your dad."

Lisa smiled a defeated grin. "Okay, then. You win."

Lisa returned to her phone call as Cynthia scuttled away. "Tanya, you still there?"

"I'm still here, Leese. So what do you say?" Tanya pressed.

"I told you, no," Lisa said, really starting to get annoyed.

"Pleeeeease?" Tanya begged. "Do it for your favorite cousin?" There was silence as Lisa thought.

On Tanya's side of the phone, she was walking around the house in some comfy old sweatpants. She walked into the living room and stopped to look out the huge picture window. A silver BMW was parked outside on the street. She paused, but then shrugged and walked away.

"Tanya, why can't you just take Adam?" Lisa questioned.

Tanya began whining again. "Lisa, he's in California with his mom! I told you that!"

Lisa sighed, finally submitting to this battle. "Fine. Meet me at the hotel at ten."

The clock on the wall read half past ten. The lobby was nearly deserted now, only a few stragglers lying on the couches reading magazines. Lisa wandered around the room, picking up fallen decorations and putting them back up. Cynthia was typing something at the counter as Lisa spoke.

"Cynth, who's working the night shift?"

"Uh...Chuck, I think," Cynthia replied absently, not looking up from the computer screen.

"I left instructions for the next week in my office. You'll be in charge while I'm gone," Lisa informed her.

"Kay."

Lisa checked her watch once more and sighed. She was beginning to feel apprehensive about Tanya's whereabouts. She yelled a goodbye to Cynthia and began walking out to her car. The staff parking lot was nearly deserted except for a few cars. Lisa began feeling more and more anxious as she clutched her purse tightly. Her eyes darted around nervously and when she heard footsteps behind her she froze.

"Lisa."