Who's that Girl?

The squealing of tires foretold the arrival of a pink Volkswagen Beetle as it sped around the corner. Without missing a beat, the tiny, cute car--the cutest according to its owner--peeled down the road leading to the Witzler Hotel, swerving around any obstacle. Slowing down in the nick of time, the little car turned into the parking garage entrance across the street from the hotel.

Vrooming as it took the incline to the second level, its driver deftly drifted around pedestrians and half-parked vehicles. Singing along to a radio song, the Beetle's owner slammed on the brakes right after turning onto the garage's third level. A quick survey confirmed the parking spot to be large enough, so the driver backed up a bit before claiming the empty portion of concrete.

Hopping out the door, the car's owner continued to hum the song as she reached into the backseat, pulling out several small boxes. Next, she walked to the popped-open trunk, where she studied the two larger boxes, figuring out the best way to carry everything. That led her to place the pile of small boxes onto one of the larger ones while she lifted the other sizable one out. Before the rest could be added on top, footsteps drew her attention.

"Hiya, Mrs. Hardwicke!"

"Eh? Oh, hello," an elderly woman greeted. A retired English teacher at Fairwater Junior High School, Mrs. Hardwicke's face frowned as she recognized her former student.

"It's me; it's Chastity!" the bubbly blonde reminded.

"Oh, yes, Miss Kupp," the ex-teacher said, motioning for the even older man with her to continue walking. Then with a sigh, she curtly said, "Good evening."

"Happy New Year!" Chastity cheerfully called after the departing duo.

After a short pause and long thought about Alzheimer's and dementia, Chastity fretted over her misunderstanding that Mrs. Hardwicke didn't recognize her. "Kitty whiskers."

The empathetic young woman scooped out the rest of the trunk's items with a heavy heart. Piled high in her arms, the boxes blocked Chastity's sightline, forcing her to peer around the sides. Yet, even with that encumbrance, she made good time to the garage's elevator.

"Hold the door, please!"

"No problem--Whoa! That's a tower of packages. Do you need help--Chastity!"

Stepping into the elevator cab, Chastity craned her head to view the voice's owner. Her eyes flashed open with excitement as her heart lifted again.

"Hiya, Lemon!" the bubbly blonde greeted cheerfully.

Although Chastity preferred to bake her own treats for celebrations at Diamond Corp, she occasionally couldn't find the time to meet all those birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, and funerals. So, under those circumstances, she frequented Dream Muffs bakery, where she loved to talk shop with its owners. The Lemon that she'd greeted was Lemon Leighton, one of the two co-owner cousins.

"What's with all the boxes?" Lemon asked after introducing her boyfriend and exchanging seasonal greetings.

"A few extra goodies to make this a super duper debut for the charity, but it's a secret. Holy smokes! You look perfectly pretty."

"Then I won't ask any more questions, and thank you," the baker chuckled as the ding notified the trio that they'd reached the ground level. "Do you want help carrying that?"

"Gee whiz, thanks, but you have your own luggage to carry," Chastity declined politely. She noticed the two rolling suitcases at Lemon and her boyfriend's side.

"It's not a big deal. I can pull both suit--dammit!" Lemon swore, causing the non-cursing blonde to blush. "Oops, sorry! I forgot that dam--darn bag in the car."

"I can grab it and meet you inside," Lemon's boyfriend offered.

"No, no, I should probably double-check the car to make sure I didn't forget anything else." Then, remembering the tower in Chastity's arms, Lemon asked again if she needed help.

"Goodness graciousness. You should go get your bag. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," the caring blonde stated, showing more concern over the forgotten bag than her own items.

With a promise to talk again later, the three separated, with the couple riding the elevator back up while Chastity left the parking structure. She walked the short distance to the crosswalk while checking around the box tower on both sides. That's how she noticed a broad-shouldered man scurrying toward her from the direction of the hotel.

A walking encyclopedia of people's faces, Chastity recognized him within seconds. Still, the friendly receptionist paused longer than usual before her ingrained politeness won over.

"Hello, Mr. Tenno. Leaping lizards, it's been a long time. How have you--"

The broad-shouldered man's head rocked back slightly at the sound of his name. As they approached each other, his eyes narrowed, studying Chastity's face. Suddenly, the man acted as if she wasn't there as they passed one another. Standing in the middle of the street, Chastity followed his movement toward the parking garage until he looked over his shoulder with a scowl.

BEEP BEEP

Startled by the car's honking, the curious blonde sprang forward toward the sidewalk. All the while, she pondered Mr. Tenno's attitude. Mom always said that if you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all. But Grandma always preferred to say naughty words about people she didn't like. I prefer Mom's way.

"Ma'am, do you need--Oh, hello, Chastity."

"Hi, Chastity! I can help you."

With a warm smile, she greeted the two parking valets by name and with a new year greeting. But to their disappointment, the buxom blonde turned down their offer. The same went for the bellhop who rushed outside upon hearing her name. Yet, even after getting turned down, the three men spoke wistfully about the friendly young woman as she entered the Witzler Hotel.

"Hey, watch it!" a man roared.

"Jiminy Cricket!" Chastity exclaimed, realizing that she'd slammed the boxes into a person's back. "My goodness, I'm super sorry."

"Sorry? How about watching where you're going!" the man continued to bellow.

"What is the--Mr. Scudamore, is everything alright?" the concierge inquired worriedly after rushing across the lobby to check on the important guest.

"No, everything is not alright. I was nearly knocked to the floor by this incompetent hotel employee," Mr. Scudamore complained, jabbing his finger in the direction of the box-covered woman.

"Employee? That can't be right, sir. All our employees use the service entrance for deliveries."

"Then I want her disciplined. No, make that terminated," the Huguet Laboratories executive demanded. "Or I will take my business elsewhere, along with my company's."

"I can assure you, Mr. Scudamore, that I'll--Miss Kupp?"

"Hi, Radko," Chastity said, her voice sounding almost as if she sheepishly waved. But, of course, she couldn't do that with her arms full. Her apologetic smile caused the concierge to sigh.

"So you do recognize your coworker? Ha! Trying to avoid responsibility. That's what your class of people always does," the uppity asshole declared.

"Mr. Scudamore, I can assure you that the Witzler Hotel does not employ Miss Kupp," Radko replied.

"But I am friends with the owner!" Chastity turned to face the two men, swinging her body to the side.

"Y-You're friends with Dalton Pierce?" Rupert Scudamore challenged in disbelief.

"Frapsolutely! I also work for him at Diamond Corp," the blonde proclaimed proudly.

"Ah, I should've known," Rupert sneered distastefully. "Diamond Corp hires the dregs of society, similar to its namesake owners."

"Dredges?" Chastity mispronounced.

"Dregs. It means the same as rabble, scum, or good-for-nothings, you nitwit. The Diamonds are the dregs of this city, hogging the rightful spotlight away from Huguet Laboratories."

Chastity's usually cheery demeanor soured as she digested Rupert Scudamore's rant. Sensing that this scene might turn into a full-blown event, Radko attempted to intervene but couldn't before the blonde responded.

"Plucking bullspit!" Chastity exclaimed. If her hands had been free, she'd have immediately covered her mouth for saying such horrible words. Instead, she couldn't stop what came out next. "The Diamonds are wonderrific people. Every single fabultastic person at Diamond Corp thinks so. Not like what I hear about the meanies at Huguet."

"Are you making up words? I swear, they just hire brainless bimbos at--"

"Walk away, Scudamore," a new voice warned. "Or this is going to get messy for you."

"I hardly doubt that...Ah, Ms. Good. Another of the Diamonds' eye candy."

Tamsin Good waved a calming hand in Chastity's direction. A brunette with shoulder-length hair, blue eyes, large breasts, and a toned ass, Tamsin came across as a short, girly girl. However, anyone taking her lightly would be in for a rude awakening as Graham Diamond's personal assistant proved to be a fierce, no-nonsense woman. Highly loyal and protective of her boss, Tamsin carried those feelings over to several other members of Diamond Corp., including Chastity.

"So says Cyril Olesky's hatchet man. And a piss poor one at that," Tamsin remarked. "Your personal reputation in Honey Hollow is already equal to that of your professional competence. I wouldn't recommend insulting the most lovable girl in town. That's unless you want to be escorted to the city limits by the torch and pitchfork crowd."

"This girl has that power? Seriously?" Rupert laughed boisterously, unaware of the growing crowd.

"Mr. Scudamore. If you can't behave properly in the lobby, I'm afraid that the Witzler will have to ask you to leave," Magda, the hotel manager, declared.

"You can't be...this is an outrage. Who the hell do you people think you are? I'm an irreplaceable executive at Huguet Laboratories. You know, the vital job creators in this town. How dare you threaten to kick me out of this...I have a reservation!"

"The being so, tonight's charity event is personal for Mr. Pierce. If your antics even so much as disrupt a moment of it, it won't turn out well for you," Magda stated.

"Imagine not being able to conduct Huguet business with visitors at the Witzler because you've been blackballed," Tamsin speculated with a smirk.

"You have no say in this!"

"Yet, Ms. Good is correct about a possible course of action," the hotel manager responded, attempting to toe the line.

"You would--for this air--who are you?" Scudamore challenged, facing Chastity again.

"This delightful young lady is Chastity Kupp," a jolly, rotund man announced. Placing his hands on the blonde's shoulders, he sought to de-escalate the situation. "I'd suggest taking a moment to regain your composure, Rupert. It's New Year's Eve. It's supposed to be a joyful, optimistic night."

"You're on her side? Of course you are. Changes need to be made around here," Scudamore commented before walking away while continuing to grumble to himself.

"I hope that man calms down before he starts celebrating tonight from the hotel's finest selection," Dwight "Dewey" Dunkley remarked to the onlookers, eliciting a round of chuckles before they dispersed. "Now, do you need a hand, Chastity?"

"Nopey don'ty, Mayor Dunkley. I can handle it myself," the blonde replied firmly before her face saddened. "My goodness, I feel bad for bumping into him. Although he turned mean, it was my fault."

"Don't worry about it," Tamsin said. "And thank you for your help, Mr. Mayor."

"Don't mention it. Not only is Chastity a splendid girl, but I also want to make sure that Cassandra's charity debut goes off without a hitch. That said, I need to excuse myself," Dunkley said before raising his voice. "Oh, Barnabas! Mind if I have a word for a moment?"

Tamsin waited for everyone's attention to leave Chastity before hissing.

"What the hell, Chas?"

"I know! I said two horrible words to that man."

"Wha--no, not that. I mean, where the hell have you been? Sorry! Where the heck have you been?" Tamsin corrected after her coworker pouted.

"Did my other boxes arrive?"

"Yes, they did. So did the dress that you forgot at home," Tamsin revealed.

"Sweet Christmas! I forgot my dress?"

"Yes, and your mother dropped it off almost an hour ago. What took you so long?"

"Well, I started chatting, and time flew by. Gosh, it's great that the store would deliver," Chastity commented with relief.

"I think they do that when you buy out all their stock," Tamsin remarked, grabbing several of the small boxes from Chastity's pile. Then, after a moment's pondering, she asked with a knowing sigh, "How much did you spend?"

Tamsin didn't like that Chastity shrugged rather than say how much. It had to be a lot. I'd better get Graham involved this time. She can't keep on spending so much.

"Um, where are we going?" the blonde inquired as the brunette led them across the lobby.

"Upstairs. I put your things in Graham's room. Fortunately, he hasn't arrived yet. So you better not make a mess."

"Okey dokey! Wait, I'm taking these up to Mr. Harvey's room. Those ones and these are for Whitney," Chastity revealed, gesturing to the packages on top of her pile and in Tamsin's hands. "Oh, hiya, Mr. Grummitt! Ooh! Hiya too, Mrs. Framwam!"

Two more of Chastity's former teachers paused to find the voice that greeted them. While the two-year retired literature instructor, Mrs. Framwam, didn't appear excited at seeing the ditzy blonde, Mr. Grummitt did. The ancient and still active history teacher raised his frail hand in a pleased greeting.

"Who's that?" Tamsin inquired, not knowing, as she grew up in Arbor Corners.

"My former teachers. I don't think Mrs. Framwam looked happy to see me. She always complained that I talked too much. But Mr. Grummitt liked that. Most people find history boring, but I love talking about famous people," Chastity recounted. "Oh, I also saw Mrs. Hardwicke, she taught English in eighth grade--and also said I talked too much--but I don't think she recognized me. She looked confused."

"I bet," Tamsin remarked, pushing the button for the elevator. "I'm going to guess that your grade school teachers liked you a lot."

"How did you know?! Oh, I loved grade school. There was Mrs. McSweeney, who taught kindergarten. And then in first grade, I had..."

Tamsin paid partial attention while the blonde rattled on. She liked Chastity immensely but also found her a bit annoying in a chatty way. The brunette also served as enforcer when a new hire in middle or upper management demanded that the ditzy blonde be fired. Seeking to keep Graham or Dalton out of the issue, it fell to Tamsin to deliver the news that if it came down to a receptionist or them, the receptionist would always win out.

DING

"Hiya, Newt!" Chastity greeted as the elevator door opened, revealing the teen and an older woman. Noticing the family resemblance, the blonde guessed her identity. "Happy New Year, Newt's mom!"

"Hey, Chastity," Newt awkwardly greeted, racing past the two women.

"Um, hello. Happy New Year," Samantha Denton replied in confusion. Hurrying after her son, she asked a question in disbelief. "You know that girl?"

"Oh, that's Newt. He's Sean's best friend. Boy best friend. He's also got a girl best friend named JoJo. Hmm, I wonder if that's a nickname for a real name. Have you met Sean?" Chastity inquired.

"Who?"

"Sean Tarver. His parents are both doctors in Honey Hollow. It sounds like Mr. Harvey knows Dr. Tarver's family from way back. Oh, I meant Bridget, that Dr. Tarver. Hey! I think she also knows Mr. Graham. Sean's the one who rescued Whitney. It was so scary seeing that."

"Wait, you were there?"

"By Cesar's ghost! Was I there? I was there!"

"Why were you up at the cabin?" Tamsin questioned, finding it odd. She knew that Graham had passed on attending the trip for some reason.

"Mr. Graham sent me with an important file. What was its name again? I was sooo happy to be trusted with such an important task. I figured that you were too busy to do it," Chastity responded.

"I had no idea that any file was needed that urgently. This was the day that Whitney fell through the ice?"

"Oh, no, this was the day before. Mr. Harvey appeared confused to see me, but then he insisted that I shouldn't turn around and drive back home. The weather was windy that night. But then he asked me to stay a second night. Everyone was upset about Whitney and Sean, so I needed to cheer them up."

"Graham said it was a close call. I can imagine it was frightening. Frida was blowing my phone up," Tamsin revealed.

"It was Friday the 13th, scary. Only, instead of hockey mask man pulling Whitney under the water, it was the ice."

DING

"Seventh-floor," Tamsin stated the obvious while considering her options. "How about I grab your things and bring them upstairs to the suite? Sound okay?"

"Okey dokey!"

"See you in five," Tamsin said as the doors closed after re-adding the small boxes to the pile.

Bubbling up with excitement at her planned task, Chastity practically burst out of the elevator door once it opened on the eighth floor. And knowing her luck, she promptly bumped into two people.

"Phooey! Not again," she moaned. "I'm super sorry. Oh, hiya, Mr. Noble!"

Randolph Noble, scion of Honey Hollow's earliest business empire and current owner of Noble Honey, took a step back in startlement. Recovering quickly, the shy man smiled warmly upon recognizing Diamond Corp's receptionist.

"Whoa, what's the rush, Miss Kupp?"

"I'm off to finish a project. Oh, hi, Mrs. Noble. I almost didn't see you," Chastity greeted Charm Noble. "I hope that you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year."

"Yes, we had a lovely holiday, and same to you," Randolph replied as his wife dragged him to the elevator.

Charm merely smiled without any warmth. A golddigger, she didn't want any buxom young women around her meal ticket.

"Or I should say: a Honey New Year," Chastity joked as the doors started to close, but not before she heard Mr. Noble's chuckle.

Growing more excited with each step, the bubbly blonde stopped in front of the Penthouse Suite and knocked. From the inside, she could hear loud voices. When no one answered, she assumed that the voices covered her knocking, so she banged louder.

Unable to see over the leaning tower of boxes, Chastity heard the door open. She also heard Whitney question loudly from inside the suite.

"I don't know. It's a girl with an armful of boxes," Ramsey called back from the doorway.

"What girl?" Whitney responded.

"It's Chastity!" Ramsey announced after the blonde turned so her face could be seen.