||Chapter Two||
A good Challenge||
A R I A||
I climb within the walls of the large Mansion. My dark cloak covers my body making me one with the shadows, I climb upon each and every steep end of the walls, knowing that the person who awaits me from behind these walls was worth it.
I had once said that I was never raised in a poor environment. That is fairly true. I was raised in the world of riches. Taught the high classes of etiquette dining, ballet, gymnastics, I have learned to speak several languages. It was safe to say that I was the luckiest yet the unluckiest girl in the world.
Unlucky to be raised there, lucky to have the courage to run away.
Some of you might see me as ungrateful and unappreciative.
I am not.
For I am grateful for all I was given, only because it comes to my advantage as of now. Ballet? I use it to twirl my way through the red lasers from inside a jewelry shop. Gymnastics had given me the ability to use my flexibility in the art of fighting, as the languages I have learned had helped me in my thievery during my many travels.
Money does not guarantee happiness.
Okay, that is a lie, money can give anyone happiness if they had enough.
I am grateful to my education, but ungrateful to the lessons of which I have been taught.
The home where I was raised was never a good one, nor was it happy in any way. In fact, it was toxic. A horrible place for a child to ever live in.
They were rich with money and jewels.
Poor with love and compassion.
They poisoned the minds of their daughters to hunt the richest of men for money than to learn to earn for their own as they taught their sons to worry about the every dollar in their bank accounts rather than any ouncling of compassion.
To love for money and wealth, not for personality and loyalty. Love to the Diablos family of the riches had a completely different meaning.
"But what is love mama?" I had once asked my mother Lady Antoinette Diablos.
For she was my mother though it was not by blood.
I was adopted.
But I was never adopted from the goodness of their hearts. No, I was adopted because I had owned the blood of the Peirce family. From what I had learned from the media and the Newspapers my bloodline and true family were the richest of them all. A family from London or so I've heard, however, my blood parents were killed by a murderer.
I was a Londoner by blood but by heart, I would always be from New York.
However, the rest of my relatives did not want me. In retaliation to that, I was taken into foster care.
Once the Diablos family had found out of my existence they decided to take me in, and not for the goodness of their hearts but because of the perfection it would have made them seem to the people.
They knew that I was rich. They would not want to adopt a lowly child from some random sperm.
They brought a house to raise me in London thinking it would have done me good to be raised in the place where I belonged.
My 'mother' who was brushing my dark locks smiled as she then placed a diamond necklace which was far too heavy for a small and slender neck like mine.
"Love my precious is something you shall give to a man who can offer you this," She said, her hand tracing around the heavy jewel which lays on my neck.
"Money and jewels and the most exquisite of dresses"
However, I was rather lucky. Since I was bound to this family by fate and not by blood they didn't really see me as a priority, so I was raised in the hands of the maids, and they have taught me the true ways of love, and have given me books and lessons on what was right and what was wrong behind my family's back.
Meredith, the maid who raised me most, the woman who I saw as my mother was the one who truly taught me the true definition of love and taught me what to see in a man.
I enter the open window with ease.
I chuckled.
She knew I was coming.
I look at the dark corners of the room where she sat, waiting for me next to the fireplace as she rucked back and forth on her rocking chair reading a book. Her ginger red hair is tied up in the messiest bun.
Feeling my presence here eyes dart in my direction. She sent me a warm smile instantly knowing who I was. I usually came during this time of night.
I walked over to her before she could stand.
"No, No do sit down don't stand-"
Ignoring my pleas she stood up and wrapped her arms around me in her motherly hold.
Meredith.
Maybe not by blood but by heart, she was my mother.
"Oh I was worried sick, I thought something would have happened to you silly girl!" She half scolded comforted me.
I chuckled under her embrace.
However, my amusement and joy were cut short once I notice the scars on her arms. She caught my gaze and tried hiding her hands underneath her rags only for me to grab her hands in mine, my eyes glaring.
"What the hell did they do this time?" I asked slightly raising my voice. Meredith let out an urgent shh.
"They will hear you little rascal lower your voice-" She says.
"I don't care to tell me what happened" I hissed.
"I found a wounded cub on the premises, I brought it inside the house, Fifi wasn't happy and attacked him, once he attacked back I was punished for bringing a 'foul beast' inside our home," She said, not masking her clear distaste once uttering the word 'foul beast'.
Fifi was the Diablos' house cat.
Unlike its species, she was a certified bitch. She was the spawn of a demon I am sure of it.
I frowned.
"Where is it? The cub I mean?" I ask.
"They killed it"
They call an innocent animal a beast when they are the truest monsters of them all.
Blind fools.
Having enough I spoke again.
"I don't care anymore, you are coming with me, I have a whole penthouse, you can live with me you can live with West! I can offer you a painless life where you would need no labor"
Like always my words fall on deaf ears.
For the life of me, I did not know why she did not want to leave this awful place.
"I will be fine, I survived this place for two decades, they can't get rid of me this easily" She teased and I sighed.
She sat me down and we talked for hours, but one conversation, in particular, had managed to catch my interest.
"Really?..." I ask.
Meredith nods her head.
"Lady Catrina your cousin is dead, apparently a woman of a lowly family killed her and married off to the man of whom she was supposed to marry" She explained.
A tiny moment of shock escapes me.
I was never really close to the woman but strangely, I knew her.
We met at the constant balls and gala's we were invited to go to. She was always older than me as a child as she was beautiful, even once I had grown she had not aged a day.
I always wondered how old she was.
I used to envy her beauty and grace, I envied her long blonde tresses, her alluring smoky emerald green eyes.
All men wanted her.
I guess... all men except for the man she had truly wanted.
How tragic.
"Do you happen to have a picture of the girl?" I asked and she nods once. She gets up and rummages through one of her drawers before she walked back over to me handing me a newspaper.
"It was all over the news I'm surprised you didn't see it" She retorts.
I read the headlines.
Talia Esmé De Mara marries the King of France.
I will not lie the girl was quite the sight. Absolutely stunning. Her chestnut radiant hair reached no lower than her hips as she stood with such grace, a golden crown sitting on her head as her brown orbs glare back to me in defiance. As if daring me to challenge her.
It was quite strange.
However, I felt this weird connection. Call it what you will. It felt like I knew her.
I shook it off.
I sighed handing my mother the newspaper and stood up.
"Leaving so soon?" She tells me in a dejected tone and I send her a sad smile giving her her answer.
"You know I have to, I have another store to...decorate" I tell her.
My mother knew of my thieving ways. Sure she didn't... approve of it, but she preferred it over living with a disloyal husband.
I chuckled at her look of concerned disapproval.
"I'll be careful" I assure her.
I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her bidding her goodbye.
However just before I leave I make sure to hide a twenty-dollar bill behind the pillow of her bed. Something I constantly do.
She always thought that she had spare change when really I gave her the money.
I loved my mother dearly.
Maybe not now... but soon... I will have her leave this place.
O N E D A Y L A T E R||
"So where to today?" I asked as I practically threw myself onto the couch popping a skittle into my mouth.
West sighed tiredly before he took a sip of his coffee that I have made for him as he brushed his dark curly bangs out of his hazel eyes.
"Do you want easy or do you want a challenge tonight?" He asks me as he typed furiously onto his self-made laptop. Normal laptops of which you normally brought from the store was traceable and everything was recorded.
So, this genius created his own computer as though it was no big deal.
Although I would rather swallow stones than to ever admit it to him and boost his already inflated ego, I would not be where I am as of now if it weren't for him.
Never once had I regretted all I have done for him.
The corner of my lips lifts into a daunting smirk.
"Now, now Westie who would I be if I did not like a good challenge?" I said with a raised brow as I threw a skittle into the air expecting it to land inside my mouth.
I frowned once it lands on my forehead instead.
"You were almost caught yesterday Aria you're gambling with your life here, this isn't about your pride, this is about your safety," He tells me removing the Cartier glasses I have stolen for him as his hazel eyes are locked with my own from across the room.
I sighed standing up and walking over to his desk and ruffled his messy locks as I spoke.
"You worry too much you big birds nest," I tell him. I kissed the side of his cheek in a sisterly manner.
"I'll be fine, now give me my next challenge," I said peering over him to see his laptop.
Knowing that I would not change my mind he sighed in defeat before speaking.
"Samuel Medici, known for his multi-billionaire companies and owner of at least half of the hotels in New York City-"
My mind went blank as the same sparks from last night crackled within my skin one hearing the name.
'Staring is rude, little one...'
I shook my head at my thoughts.
I was admiring a faceless man. I had no idea how he looked like. For all, I know he could be a senile old man with a walking stick. Though deep down I knew he was anything as such. It then occurred to me what... that waiter...
"A drink from Mr. Medici"
Could he be?...
I shook my head. Of course not! Who knows I might have misheard the name due to the loud music in that bar.
I only listened to West once he had given me the address of where the ball would be located and where the vaults were, I did not even bother to see how my victim looked like this time.
My mind was too messy with the strangest of thoughts as of now.
L A T E R T H A T N I G H T...||
I waltz my way down the marble stairs into the gala, I have managed to turn a good amount of heads around.
I don't blame them.
I differed from them all. My leg coming out of the slit of my crimson red silk gown, The red fabric trailing behind me brushing against the stairs as I walk, I chose to wear a simple diamond necklace and earrings. Nothing special, my hair opened in classy retro curls, and finally my signature luscious red lips finished my physique.
The lustful men from the men, the envious glares from the women, I basked in it all. A tiny grin morphs against my lips.
So much for not drawing any attention to myself.
"The host will arrive in about two hours, that gives you enough time to slip inside the vaults. I will guide you, just listen to everything I tell you" West tells me.
I take out my phone and place it next to my ear pretending as though I was on a phone call to side-track the people here from thinking that I had an earpiece.
"Aww, buddy now when had I ever gone against your word Westie?" I teased, my voice practically drenched in sarcasm.
His silence of anger only added to my amusement. I giggled causing many heads of lustful men to turn in my direction from the sound, finding my laugh enchanting.
I paid them no mind as I walked past them.
"Next time I will be sure to plant a taser on your earpiece to make you behave" He grumbled.
"Orrr you can make me that god awful pasta you made last time. I'm sure that would be much more effective" I said with a suggestive tone.
"Get. To. The. Vaults. Now!" He said, and I imagined him grinding his teeth together in annoyance.
I chuckled but obeyed.
The clock was ticking and every second counts.
I walked following the grunts and grumbles of directions my grumpy guide had given me. However just before I could leave I stopped once feeling that same feeling I had felt at that bar.
N A R R A T I V E||
All of a sudden the whole ballroom went silent. All that was heard were the footsteps of a man.
The once carefree and joyful air had morphed into something much darker. Something much more sinister. The authority of the room had moved towards the sound of those very footsteps. No one had dared to speak. Everyone grew stiff, even Aria herself, but strangely she wasn't only scared, but she was excited.
For the Ladra was always one to admire danger. She welcomed it.
She felt the goosebumps ignite against her skin, for she was too afraid to see the man who had emerged from the stairs, though drunk in her own pride and denial she blamed it on her determination on getting the job done.
The man finally showed to view. He descended down the stairs ignoring all the stares. People eyed his tall frame, he had the power to tear the world in half with his bare hands. The way his suit shamelessly showed off his masculine shape proved it to all.
All couldn't help but stare at the man of whom descended down the stairs, looking all too superior even in this rich crowd.
He stood before the crowd. His golden irises eyed everyone until his eyes locked only seconds longer on Aria who was walking increasingly away from the crowd.
Samuel Medici, the man who had hosted this gala eyed the strange woman who had seemed to be the only one who was walking away as of now.
For the entire duration of the day and night, his thoughts revolved around the young girl he had seen at the bar who had dared to stare directly at the darkness in curiosity. Her steel blue eyes he itched to take a closer look of, the soft brown curls that reached no lower than to her shoulders of which his fingers ached to feel, and the lips that were painted in an inviting shade of red he had wished to taste.
All she needed to do was outstretch her hand to him that night and he would have pulled her into the dark with him.
Sol, the inner beast of this Medici Prince growled in pleasure at the thought of her.
He shook his head thinking that a coincidence like this could not be real and looked away from the retreating Queen of Thievery.
The Prince of Pride let out a smile as he spoke welcoming his guests with his manipulative charm. Aria was officially out of the room and out of hearing range, and just like that the crowd reawakened.
A R I A||
I didn't even dare to lift my head up to see who he was.
It was then I found myself in a place that was way far from the crowd. I could not hear their voices.
I frowned.
How far had I walked?
It was then I turned, my reflection in the mirror capturing my attention.
I stared at the woman who stood behind the mirror. Her steel eyes of a diamonds stone, both the brightest and yet the darkest shade of blues stared right back at mine. Her dark locks curled to perfection, reaching to just over her ample breasts bringing out her pale skin.
The woman who stood behind the mirror was delicate like porcelain. Not because she is easily breakable but because she already is broken, which makes her all the more dangerous. She is not pitiful to herself for being broken but is thankful.
Thankful for her glass to break because she could use them as shards and blades.
She would peirce the skin who had dared to wrong her.
This woman feared nothing as this woman was brave.
I was proud of her. I admired her just as much as I loathed her.
She carries a heavy burden along with her wherever she had walked.
I closed my eyes tightly taking a deep breath, once I opened them I watched as her armor had cracked, and a flash of emotion passed through her eyes. I may have loved the life I live in now, however, I always dreamed of a home. A mother, a father, and a home. This life was never intentionally wanted, but maybe I did not deserve a simple happy life.
It seemed to be that fate had chosen me with this job. Hatred was my constant ally.
Grief is the price we pay for love.
This is why I kept my list of loved ones small. Just West and Meredith. I did not hold anyone else dear to my heart, and besides. There was no room for much love for a person who thrived through pride and I...
I was a slave to my own pride.
It was then my hand leaned to the mirror. My finger gently tracing it. There was something off about it. I pushed it slightly.
Nothing happened.
My eyes narrowed.
Maybe I was going crazy. Turning around to leave my heel accidentally stepped on a certain area of the white marble floors. My brows furrowed once I heard a sound. I turned to see the opening of the mirror. I stared in awe as each mirror, each reflection, folded perfectly backward like a puzzle and I watched as my reflection disembodied to more reflections of me from different angles. Once it was fully open I stared at the entrance.
It was dark.
I walked in and once I did I never regretted it.
For now at least.
Never have I seen so many jewels all my life... and this was coming from the thief herself.
God so many jewels were kept in glass and golden vaults. It was a beautiful sight. Diamond rings, Golden chokers, Silver earnings, Diamonds in all shapes and sizes, rubies and emeralds some Garnets here and there.
This was truly an Oasis for a thief.
As I walked as my nails lightly traced each vault I then felt something.
A calling.
An Aura.
I turned to see another mirror. I stared at it and took a step closer, so unaware of the dark diluting of my irises. Completely blind to the aching desire within the steels of my eyes as I continued to walk forwards subdued to whatever was calling me.
The mirrors automatically opened.
Curious, I walked inside again but this time the room was smaller, it seemed to be a private vault, the floors were made of diamonds. So many diamonds. Bloody hell this 'Samuel' was no joke.
He was rich.
Richer than anyone I've ever seen.
Just how powerful was he?...
If they knew I was here would they kill me? I chuckled rolling my eyes at my stupidity. Of course, they would and besides, why be afraid of death when you could be one with the soil?
To have the blessing to forget misery, forget trauma, to simply let memories fade away. To forgive time and to just... rest?
It seemed like a beautiful penalty. Death was truly a gift. But one never really realizes that until their time has overdue.
I never wanted to die, hell I want to live. But when the time comes, and when I know that I'm ready.
When I know it's time for my own doom I won't fight back. I'll join my mother and my father, and watch those who tricked us into darkness burn below us.
My mind stopped at their philosophy of thoughts as I was struck back to reality. I chuckled, they were so immensely rich but they couldn't find good security?
How pathetic.
All mens arrogance will become their downfall.
It was then I saw it. The trail of diamonds stopped as I watched where I was. It was a magnificent sight. A mixture of sapphires and diamonds. They trailed until they met with a glass window. Behind it held the most beautiful thing I've ever seen all my life...
A ring. But it wasn't just any ring, it was remarkable.
It was made of both diamonds and sapphire stones. The contrasting mix of sapphires and diamonds on the bottom gave it a powerful hue and a big blue diamond sat on the top in glimmering with bravado.
Without thinking I took out my knife that hid under the slit of my dress. I traced a perfect circle around the glass I had come to realize that this glass was unbreakable.
I needed a code to open it.
Which was not really a big issue. I have mastered in that skill.
Once I had successfully found the code of the vaults I was going to crack it open only to be interrupted by West's screaming.
"GET OUT!" He snarled.
I jump and yelped instinctively out of fear.
"West, what the hell?!" I snapped.
"You idiot! You walked into an area where the connection cut out! I-I don't know what happened they came in early! They're coming! He's coming! Samuel is coming!" He shouts making me go temporarily deaf.
Well damn-