It was just before midnight when the taxi pulled up in front of the magnificent Kai Lani Resort. Taylor got out of the car, stretched, and took a deep breath of the warm, salty air. The tropical breeze carried the scent of frangipani flowers, and the gentle sound of the waves in the background created a soothing melody.

“We’re here,” she whispered to her ghostly friend, who had joyfully teleported out of the taxi.

Taylor grabbed her luggage and entered the grand lobby of the resort. The polished marble floor and the high, ornately carved ceilings immediately impressed her. In the center of the room, an elegant fountain quietly bubbled. At the reception desk stood a middle-aged man with perfectly coiffed hair and a stiff smile.

“Good evening, how can I assist you?” the man asked as Taylor approached. His name tag identified him as Alan.

“Good evening, I have a reservation under Taylor Lautner,” she replied politely.

Alan glanced quickly at the computer screen in front of him and raised an eyebrow. “Miss Lautner, are you sure you’re in the right hotel? The Kai Lani Resort is very exclusive.” He hadn’t even checked the reservation yet.

“Yes, I’m sure. Here’s my confirmation,” she said passive-aggressively, handing him her phone with the booking confirmation.

Colby didn’t like the guy at all. “Who does this slick-haired dude think he is? Asshole.”

Alan gave another critical look at the display before reluctantly nodding. “Very well, Miss Lautner. I will check your reservation.” His expression remained distant and unfriendly. “You have indeed booked a suite.”

“No kidding,” Colby grumbled.

Alan stared at the screen longer than necessary before grudgingly producing a key card. “Here is your key card, Miss Lautner,” he said, holding the card between his thumb and forefinger as if it were something disgusting.

Taylor took the card with a forced smile. “Thank you.”

“Your room is on the top floor,” Alan continued disinterestedly, without making proper eye contact. “And the elevators are over there. Have a pleasant stay. I assume you don't need a bellboy? None are active at this hour.”

“No. I don’t need one. Thanks.”

“She already has one,” Colby grinned, wishing Alan could hear him.

“Thanks,” Taylor repeated and abruptly turned to head toward the elevators.

“What a jerk,” Colby muttered as they moved away from the reception.

Taylor snorted. “He almost didn’t let us in. Like we’re not welcome here.”

They reached the elevator, and Taylor pressed the button for the top floor. The doors closed with a soft hum, and she felt the tension slowly begin to ease.

“Nothing can spoil our mood,” Colby said, placing his invisible hand on her shoulder.

Taylor smiled and leaned against the elevator wall. “Yeah, you’re right. Alan can shove his attitude somewhere else, I don’t care.” Of course, she did care. Who did he think he was?!

The elevator stopped at their floor, and they stepped into a wide corridor with lush carpets and ornate wall decorations. Taylor quickly found their suite and opened the door with the key card. The sight that greeted them took their breath away.

The suite was a dream of luxury and comfort. Upon entering, they were welcomed by a spacious, open living room decorated in warm, soothing colors. The furniture was modern and elegant, with large, comfortable sofas and armchairs inviting relaxation. A large flat-screen TV hung on the wall, flanked by tasteful art.

The glass front of the living room led to an expansive balcony, where a private hot tub sat. Taylor and Colby stepped out to admire the breathtaking view of the glittering sea stretching to the horizon. Even though it was dark, the sea could be seen reflecting the stars.

“This is incredible,” Taylor murmured.

“I didn’t think it would be this fantastic,” Colby added, leaning back with his hands behind his head.

Back inside, a door led to one of the two bedrooms. The master bedroom was a masterpiece of elegance, with a huge king-size bed adorned with luxurious linens and fluffy pillows. In front of the bed was another flat-screen TV, and the windows offered an impressive sea view.

The second bedroom was slightly smaller but no less comfortable. It also had a large bed, stylish furniture, and a TV. Colby immediately closed and locked the door to this bedroom with a flick of his hand. Taylor laughed at the sight and looked around the bathroom. A huge bathtub, an enormous rain shower, and a marble floor. She guessed the second bathroom was with the now locked bedroom.

“I’ve never seen such a luxurious bathroom, holy shit,” Colby murmured, joining his girl.

“It’s not a bathroom,” she laughed. “It’s a restroom.”

“What’s the difference?”

Taylor pointed to the room. “Everywhere.” She grinned and returned to the bedroom. “I could get used to this.” She fell onto the soft bed.

“Me too,” Colby agreed and threw himself on top of her, making both of them burst into laughter.

Another impressive aspect of the suite was the butler service. A discreet bell in the living room was there to summon a butler at any time to fulfill their wishes, whether for a midnight snack or special drinks.

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“Have you ever had this before?” Taylor asked, pointing to the butler bell.

“No, but I want to try it!” And before Taylor could stop him, he had already pressed it.

“Are you crazy?! It’s midnight!”

“So what? I’m on vacation, I want to be served even if it’s midnight,” he grinned.

“Except they won’t see you, they’ll see me. And they’ll be mad at me.”

A few minutes passed and they heard soft footsteps in the corridor. The door opened slowly, and a young woman entered the suite. She was dressed in a classic, formal butler uniform that seemed a bit too small for her. Her breasts looked like they were about to pop out and the back of her uniform seemed ready to tear, it was so tight. Additionally, her skin was covered with scars, evidence of countless small cuts and burns. Nevertheless, she exuded a calm and resolute presence.

“Good evening,” she said politely, her gaze fixed on Taylor. “My name is Lilo.” She pronounced her name in a peculiar way. “And I am at your service as your personal butler. How can I assist you?”

Lilo. Just like in Lilo & Stitch!

“Uh, yes,” Taylor began, somewhat embarrassed. “We would like some snacks and drinks, if that’s possible.” Damn, she had said we.

Lilo didn’t seem surprised at all and nodded understandingly. “Of course, Miss. I will arrange that for you right away.” With a smooth motion, she turned and left the suite.

Colby stared at Taylor with wide eyes. “Man, that was intense.”

Taylor nodded slowly. “Yeah, she… she has a lot of scars.”

“Not just her. Okay, her, but not her looks. We have a butler!”

“Butleress, I think. Or housekeeper. Suite attendant?” Wait a second, didn’t Lilo herself say butler?

Colby could barely contain his excitement. He started jumping around the suite in excitement. “A suite attendant! This is awesome! Taylor, this is awesome, right?!”

Taylor laughed softly at Colby’s enthusiasm. “Yes, it’s pretty cool,” she said, looking around at the elegantly furnished suite. The atmosphere was so peaceful and luxurious that it almost felt unreal.

“Can I please go to the ocean now? I know we said tomorrow, but I really want to. Please?” Colby asked, looking at Taylor pleadingly. “It’s so close, and I want to smell the ocean, even if it’s dark.”

Taylor raised an eyebrow. “Going into the ocean in the middle of the night? Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure!” Colby responded enthusiastically. “The night at the ocean is the best time. Come on, Taylor, please!”

“Alright, go ahead,” Taylor finally said with a smile. “But I’m staying here. Enjoy your time at the ocean. I’ll just devour some of the snacks that should be here soon. And what could happen to you? Drowning in the waves?”

Colby beamed at her and kissed her eagerly on the forehead. “Thanks, Taylor! You’re the best!” he called over his shoulder before running to the balcony and teleporting out of the suite.

Now Taylor was suddenly alone in the luxurious suite. She sighed and sat down on one of the comfortable sofas in the living room. Even though she had encouraged Colby to go, she felt a bit lonely without him. Her thoughts wandered to Lilo, the unusual butleress they had just met. Taylor wondered how she had gotten her scars and how she felt working as a butler at the Kai Lani Resort. She wouldn’t want to run after guests as if they were royalty. What was the motto in that SpongeBob episode again? We shall never deny a guest even the most ridiculous request!

Lilo's footsteps were noticeably quicker this time. She entered the suite with a whole serving cart, but everything was covered with cloches and cloths. She watched Taylor even more intently now.

"Here I am again," she said quickly, closing the door behind her and pushing the cart past Taylor, who had gotten up from the sofa.

"Thank you, Lilo. I'm sorry for asking for something in the middle of the night, but I was so hungry after the trip, I didn't think I could wait until morning."

Lilo's eyes wandered around the entire suite, as if she were looking for something. "That's no problem. I brought a bit of everything I could find at this hour. Did you want something specific?"

"Oh, no, no. This will be fine."

Lilo then turned toward Taylor. "And your companion? Did the young man have any special requests?"

"No, he's not picky about that kind of thing – no, I mean, I'm alone here," she quickly corrected herself. What young man? There was no way Lilo could have seen Colby earlier.

Lilo's gaze once again scanned the suite, landing on Taylor's suitcase. "You're alone. Now, yes. That makes things significantly easier."

Taylor felt a growing sense of dread. "What do you mean by that?"

The butleress massaged a large scar on her forearm. "You know, tourists. They're all the same. All assholes. Rich, white fuckers who think they own the world."

Taylor took a step back. Damn, now? When Colby wasn't here? "N-not all of them."

Lilo forced a smile, as if Taylor held a worldview she despised. "Oh yes, all of them. I've been planning this for a while. Four fucking months playing slave in the lower suites until they finally trusted me with the presidential suite. So I could be the slave to the assholes up here." Taylor's eyes widened in fear. "I told myself I'd go through with it for the next person to check in. Then I saw your name and hit a snag. I swore I'd never do it to women traveling alone. That's beneath me. But then I come in, in the middle of the night, because why would you be any different, and I see your tagalong. I really would have played slave for you, you know? I would have done it and waited for the next vacationers."

So she really could see Colby?

"W-what do you want?" Taylor stammered.

"But with your companion, you have enough means to protect yourself. I have no guilt." Lilo lifted one of the cloches, revealing not snacks but a large, rusty knife. She picked it up and twirled it skillfully between her fingers. "It's nothing personal. It never is." She grabbed Taylor's suitcase and pointed the knife at her. "If you don't make a fuss, you won't get hurt. Do you have your passport on you? Don't worry, you can keep that. I don't want to trap you in Hawaii, I'm happy with a few less tourists here." Taylor nodded, traumatized. "Good, then have a nice evening." And with that, Lilo quickly slipped out of the suite, Taylor's suitcase in hand.

Taylor didn't know how to react. She just stood there, shaking. Had she just been robbed? Colby. She needed Colby.

And as soon as she thought of him, he was right in front of her. Dripping wet from the ocean, but with a concerned look on his face.

"Okay, this sounds weird, but somehow I sensed you weren't okay, probably ghost powers, did something happen?" he asked, shaking his hair like a dog.

"L-Lilo," she began. "S-she stole my suitcase. She has a knife."

"Excuse me, what."

Taylor nodded. "S-she can see you."

Colby rolled his eyes. "Oh, for fuck's sake, another evil bitch who can see me?" He calmly placed his hands on Taylor's shoulders. "Don't worry. I'll get the suitcase."

"C-Colby, not that you... you know." She thought of the incident with Charlie, but he quickly shook his head.

"I'm just getting the suitcase. Promise."

Taylor nodded cautiously and watched as Colby set off in pursuit.

The resort's hallways were almost deserted at this late hour. Colby wandered aimlessly toward the exit, thinking Lilo would surely want to escape as quickly as possible.

After a few minutes of hurried running, he suddenly heard footsteps ahead. He slowed down and tried to be as quiet as possible. The footsteps grew louder, and as he rounded the next corner, he finally saw her: Lilo, hurrying down the hall with Taylor's suitcase.

Colby didn't hesitate. He quickened his pace and called out, "Hey! Stop!"

Lilo spun around, her face showing surprise when she saw Colby running toward her. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized who he was.

"Oh, shit," she muttered, pausing for a moment before she resumed running, tightening her grip on the suitcase.

He was only a few meters behind her when she suddenly turned right into one of the side corridors. He was in top shape; it would be ridiculous if he couldn't catch her.

He followed her without hesitation, and as he rounded the corner, an idea struck him. Of course. He didn't need to catch her. Though he certainly could, easily. With a snap of his fingers, the suitcase was in his hand.

"W-what the fuck?!" Lilo shouted in shock when she realized she no longer had the suitcase. She looked at her pursuer, who had stopped confidently. "Ah, fuck it!" she growled and kept running, escaping without the suitcase.