'Wow,' thought Alex as he looked at Cassandra standing naked.
She had a wet towel in her hand, patting her hair, small droplets of water dripping down her milky white skin.
'What a sexy woman!' Alex exclaimed inwardly.
Cassandra, sensing someone coming, turned around. She looked at Alex for a moment and blushed heavily.
"A-A-Alex, what are you doing here?" screamed Cassandra in embarrassment.
"Ah! I came to tell you about some clues I've gathered, but it looks like you're busy. Don't worry, I can wait," Alex smirked, looking at her heavenly body. 'I must take it all in,' he thought.
"Oh!" Cassandra exclaimed, but she noticed Alex looking at her body and blushed even more. "A-anyway, get out. I will come after I change!" she said while asking him to leave.
Alex nodded and stepped out of the room. "I mustn't rush; I'll go in slowly. If I push for more, she'll feel repulsed," he muttered to himself.
After a while, Cassandra walked out of her room. She looked at Alex with a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"Ahem." Cassandra cleared her throat and asked, "So what did you want to tell me?"
'She's cute when she's embarrassed,' thought Alex.
Alex walked over to Cassandra and began explaining what he had found.
Cassandra's face paled when she learned that her daughter might have some involvement with a criminal gang.
"N-No, my daughter isn't like that!" Cassandra said anxiously.
"Don't worry, it's still just speculation," Alex reassured, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I need the contact information for Bella's piano tutor. She might know something that could help."
Cassandra nodded and searched her mobile phone for the contact information. "Here," she muttered as she showed him the contact.
Alex noted the contact and looked at Cassandra. "Are you free today?" he asked.
Cassandra, looking weary but resolute, nodded. "I'm not busy. Until I find my daughter, I won't go anywhere."
"Join me then," Alex suggested. "It might be good to have you there."
They went out to Cassandra's garage. *Whistle* Alex whistled as he looked at her car collection.
As they drove, Alex tried to make small talk to distract Cassandra, his tone subtly flirtatious.
"You know, this car is pretty impressive," Alex said, admiring the sleek interior. "Ever thought of trading it in for a detective's beat-up sedan? You'd fit right in with the whole noir detective vibe."
Cassandra managed a small smile. "I don't think I could pull off the trench coat and fedora look."
Alex laughed. "Oh, I don't know. You might surprise yourself. Besides, you already have the mysterious and captivating part down."
Cassandra chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're something else, Alex."
"Just trying to lighten the mood," he said, glancing at her. "I know this is tough, but we're going to find Bella. And maybe along the way, you'll discover you have a knack for detective work."
"Maybe," Cassandra said, her smile fading slightly as she looked out the window. "I just want my daughter back."
They reached the tutor's home and knocked on the door.
*Knock knock*
"...Coming!" a voice came from behind the door.
A few seconds later, a 30-year-old woman opened the door. She looked at Alex and then at Cassandra. "Miss Cassandra, what are you doing here?"
"Ms. Taylor, my name is Alex Woods, a detective. We are here to ask you some questions about Bella," Alex answered instead of Cassandra.
"...Sure, come in," Ms. Taylor said, gesturing for them to enter.
They walked inside the house, and Alex and Cassandra sat in front of Ms. Taylor.
'System, activate eyes of truth,' Alex muttered inwardly.
[Ding! Affirmative. Activating 'eyes of truth']
Alex's eyes shined for a moment and returned to normal.
"Ms. Taylor, you teach piano to Bella on Tuesdays and Thursdays, right?"
Ms. Taylor nodded in affirmation. 'True.'
"Do you teach her for four hours?"
Ms. Taylor shook her head in denial. "No, I teach her only for two hours." 'True.'
Alex continued asking her questions about Bella. 'She's genuine, I don't think she knows anything about her disappearance,' he thought as he finished his questions.
"Ms. Taylor, did you notice any odd behavior from Bella recently?"
"Not really, but there is one thing. She would always run to her room the moment our two-hour session was up," she answered.
"What do you mean, Ms. Taylor?"
"She would always run to her room the moment our two hours were up. She wouldn't wait a minute more," she said, confused.
"Did you not ask her about it?" Alex asked.
"I did, but she didn't answer me and just smiled. I didn't mind it much since she gave 100% when playing the piano."
"Thank you, Ms. Taylor. That's helpful," Alex said, noting the detail.
'Why would she run to her room as soon as the time was over?' Alex pondered.
They both left and drove back to the mansion.
'Piano classes start at 4 and end at 6. It's safe to assume that she's either been talking to someone or doing something at that time every day,' Alex thought.
'Should I search for the gang or...' Alex shook his head, stopping that thought. 'No, I shouldn't do it now. I don't have the power to face all of them alone.'
"Maybe I should visit the police station," Alex muttered to himself.
They reached the mansion and went inside. Alex stayed with Cassandra for a while.
"Well then, I will take my leave, Cassandra. I will return tomorrow," said Alex as he stood up to leave.
But much to his surprise, Cassandra hugged him from behind.
"Cassandra?"
"Let me stay like this for a while," Cassandra muttered, her voice trembling with various emotions.
Alex nodded. 'It must've been hard for her,' he thought.
After a while, he turned around and held her face with his hands. "Don't worry, we will find her, I promise."
Cassandra nodded meekly. "Thank you."
"Anytime," he replied.
Alex left the mansion and was walking down the street when a man dressed in black clothes started following him. The man followed Alex until he reached his home. He looked at Alex going in, stared at the door for a moment, and then left, his movements swift and precise.