Yes, she was meeting a friend

Mariella drank steadily as she sat at the bar and looked at her phone.

"Can I get you another?" Sebastian asked with her glass nearly empty.

"Oh, no thank you Sebastian. Can I just get the check?" Mariella replied, smiling at him.

"Of course." He said, and turned back to get Mariella her check.

She put her drink on her room and handed it back to Sebastian.

"Enjoy your night Miss." Sebastian said.

"Thank you, Sebastian, you too." Mariella replied.

She slipped her phone back into her bag as she slipped down from the chair, waving at Sebastian as she walked out of the bar and headed across the atrium to the hotel entrance.

***

Tonight, Mariella was having drinks with Joe, the two of them had been friends for a long time, and even had a short-lived relationship one year ago, thankfully when that ended, they remained friends and whenever they could they would meet up. Joe had suggested a place which was only a short walk from Mariella's hotel, so after leaving the bar, she walked across the city and 5 minutes later she was arriving, pulling open the door she saw Joe standing just inside.

"Hey." Mariella said as she walked up to him.

"Oh, hi." Joe said as he turned around, and the two hugged. "Let's get a table." He suggested.

He was slightly taller than Mariella, Joe was around 5'9", black hair that was neither too short or too long, though it was long enough to just cover his green eyes and he wore it swept neatly to the right; he wore a smart suit, with a yellow shirt and a black tie that was still loosely tied around his neck.

"How are you?" Joe asked as they sat down, he reached out and his hand brushed hers.

"Busy, but good." Mariella replied. "How have you been?" She asked.

For the next few hours, they chatted; catching up and reminiscing about what had happened in the past, they ordered some drinks and then some food and then some more drinks, as they were getting ready to leave, Joe turned to Mariella.

"Come back to my place for one more drink?" Joe asked.

"I don't know about that." Mariella answered. "My hotel is closer." She added and smiled.

"Sure." Joe replied.

They left and headed back towards Mariella's hotel, the bar was almost empty but Sebastian was still behind it working and she smiled at him as she sat down; the drinking and the chatting continued, one drink turned into two.

"Another?" Joe asked.

"I think they are closed." Mariella replied as she watched Sebastian cleaning the bar down.

"Oh, well I'll get these then." Joe said.

Mariella smiled and waved at Sebastian as they turned and walked out of the bar

"Have a good night." Sebastian called out.

"Thanks, you too." Mariella replied.

They walked out and stood in the hotel lobby; it was deserted except for a few night staff.

"It was so good to see you." Mariella said as Joe looked around.

"Follow me." Joe said.

"Where too?" Mariella asked and looked around.

"Just follow me." Joe repeated.