fatherless

Ali and Luca arrived in front of the job board with renewed hope. As they scanned the notices pinned to the board, Ali pursed his lips and said thoughtfully:

"What kind of job can we do? Will they even accept us?"

Luca flicked his tail and replied, "Of course, they will. Maybe there's a shop looking for an assistant."

Ali carefully read through the job postings:

Newspaper Delivery Needed: Looking for someone to deliver newspapers early in the morning. No age requirement specified.

Market Helper Wanted: Seeking a person to help carry vegetables and fruits and assist at the stall.

Flyer Distributor Needed: A newly opened restaurant is looking for someone to distribute promotional flyers.

Earn Tips for Small Services: Shoeshining, singing on the street, or storytelling for small earnings.

Lost Pet Notice: A man has lost his cat and is offering a reward for its return.

As Ali read, he grew excited. "Luca, we can do one of these! But which one should we choose?"

Luca licked his paw thoughtfully. "Delivering newspapers might be too early. But the lost cat notice caught my attention. After all, I'm a cat myself, and finding it might be easier for us."

Ali narrowed his eyes in thought. "You're right, but if we don't find the cat, we'll come back empty-handed. Maybe we could help at the market or distribute flyers."

Luca swished his tail. "I think we should look for the lost cat first. If we don't find it, we can try something else."

Ali nodded. "Alright then, let's go!"

With that, Ali and Luca set off into the city streets in search of the missing cat. A new day meant new hope, and they didn't want to miss their chance.

However, as they walked, Ali suddenly stopped. "Luca, what if the clerk at Hormonos Hotel didn't tell us everything?" he whispered.

Luca's fur bristled slightly as he nodded. "I've been thinking about that too. He only told us that my family stayed there, but not much else."

Ali frowned. "There might be other records at the hotel. Maybe behind the clerk's desk or in old logbooks. We should go back and find out more."

Luca narrowed his eyes. "But we have to be careful. The hotel is big, and if they catch us snooping around, we could get in trouble. We need a plan."

Ali nodded thoughtfully. "Let's find the lost cat first. Then we'll go to the Hormonos Hotel and try to get more information from the clerk. If he refuses, we'll find a way to check the records ourselves."

Luca's tail flicked excitedly. "Alright! First, the cat. Then, the hotel records!"

With two different goals in mind, Ali and Luca continued their day.

They followed the details from the notice: the lost cat had white fur and blue eyes. The owner had last seen it near a flower shop.

Ali squinted as he looked around. "We should check the flower shop first. Maybe we'll find a clue there."

Luca nodded. "We should also check garbage bins and warm spots. Cats usually hide in those places."

As they entered the flower shop, a sweet lavender scent filled the air. The shelves were lined with colorful flowers, and hanging pots by the window added a peaceful atmosphere. Behind the counter, an elderly woman was arranging a large bouquet of roses. Ali hesitated slightly before politely speaking up:

"Hello, we're looking for a lost cat. We saw the notice and read that it was last seen here."

The woman adjusted her glasses and looked at Ali and Luca carefully. "A lost cat? Oh, yes, I think I saw one yesterday afternoon. It had white fur and beautiful blue eyes."

Ali's excitement grew. "Yes! The owner is searching for it. When and where did you last see it?"

The woman thoughtfully placed the roses down. "Hmm... I believe I saw it at sunset. It came here and wandered among the flower pots outside. It looked very hungry. I tried to give it some milk, but it wasn't interested."

Luca flicked his tail curiously. "What happened next? Did it stay here?"

The woman pointed toward the back door. "After a while, it seemed uneasy. It looked around a few times, as if waiting for someone. Then suddenly, it ran towards the back alleys. Since it was getting dark, I couldn't see where it went."

Ali nodded. "Do you think it was scared? Did something frighten it?"

The woman furrowed her brows slightly. "I'm not sure, but maybe. There are always noisy people around, so it could have been startled. Or perhaps it was looking for a safe place to hide. Cats sometimes seek shelter when they feel unsettled."

Luca paused for a moment, then asked curiously, "Is there anyone who came here often? Maybe someone who knew the cat?"

The woman shook her head slowly. "I don't know, but there's an old man who roams the streets from time to time. I saw him talking to the cat a few times. He sometimes stops by here, buys a small bouquet of daisies, and leaves quietly."

Ali focused. "Where do you think he might be now?"

The woman shrugged and smiled. "He usually spends time at the park. Sometimes he comes here in the late afternoon, but I can't say for sure."

As Ali and Luca thanked her and stepped out of the shop, the woman called after them. "If you find the cat, take good care of it! I hope it's safe somewhere."

Ali turned to Luca at the doorstep. "We should check the back alley first. If we don't find the cat, we'll search for the old man in the park."

Luca nodded in agreement. "Yes, he might know where the cat went."

With that, Ali and Luca ventured into the alleys, searching for the lost cat. But the mystery of the Hormonos Hotel and its hidden secrets still lingered in their minds.