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~~~Aria~~~
As I sat on the couch in the crowded airport, I couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. The cacophony of flight announcements and murmurs of travelers created a sense of chaos, but I was focused on my mission. My eyes scanned the area, searching for the perfect target.
My red, fitted gown made me feel confident and alluring, the tearing on the side exposing a hint of my leg. I touched up my bold, red lipstick and stood up, my heels clicking on the floor. I had no destination in mind, no flight to catch. My only goal was to find my next mark.
As I walked through the halls, I bumped into an average-looking guy with an expensive appearance. "Oh sorry, I'm so sorry," I apologized, but he just looked at me with disgust. I smiled to myself, knowing I had already lifted his wallet.
I opened the wallet, expecting a jackpot, but found only $20 and an ID card belonging to Brandon Bridgerton. A wave of disappointment washed over me, but I quickly shrugged it off. I slipped the $20 into a woman's bag, exchanging it for a gold bracelet.
As I continued to collect valuables from unsuspecting travelers, I felt a thrill of excitement. Today was my lucky day. I made my way to the nearby pawn shop, putting on my best "filthy rich young lady" act to avoid suspicion.
After selling the items for a reasonable amount, I left the shop feeling satisfied. But my satisfaction was short-lived, as my eyes caught a familiar figure entering the airport - Victoria, my ex-husband's mistress.
A surge of anger and resentment coursed through me, memories of the pain she had caused me flooding my mind. I trailed behind her, my heart racing with anticipation. I had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
As I followed Victoria to the bathroom, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. This was it - my chance to confront her, to make her pay for what she had done. I watched as she tried to wash off the coffee stain from her expensive gown, a sense of satisfaction building inside me.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the famous husband thief," I spat at her, my voice dripping with venom. Victoria flinched, her eyes widening in fear.
"Aria, please leave me alone," she begged, but I was unforgiving. I took a step closer, my eyes blazing with anger. "I'm not in the mood for your charade right now, I have a flight to catch very soon."
"Oh really? But you were in the mood to fuck my husband, well, ex-husband, in our matrimonial bed, huh?" I yelled, my voice echoing off the bathroom walls.
Victoria's voice trembled as she tried to defend herself. "It's not my fault that Axel didn't love you anymore, he said that himself, I didn't force him to do anything."
I cut her off, my words slicing through the air like a knife. "Spare me the lies, Victoria," I hissed, my eyes blazing with fury. "You think you're innocent? You think you didn't manipulate him, didn't seduce him with your cheap tricks?"
My voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Oh really, or was it because you thought his dick was so good that you wanted to taste it so bad, huh?" I sneered, my words dripping with malice, designed to cut deep.
Victoria's face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. I felt a sense of satisfaction, of vindication. This was what she deserved.
I took out a piece of gum and stuck it to her hair, watching as she stood there, defenseless. A smile curled on my lips as I turned to leave, feeling a sense of closure, of justice.
As I walked away, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I had confronted my demons, and I had come out on top. I knew that this was just the beginning, that there would be more battles to fight, but for now, I was at peace.
As I walked away, I turned back to face Victoria, a sly smile spreading across my face. "Oh darling, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the pain you caused me," I said, my voice dripping with malice. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you next time."
With that, I turned on my heel and sauntered out of the airport, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me. I popped another piece of gum into my mouth and began to chew, blowing bubbles with every step.
As I hailed a cab, I couldn't help but think about my humble abode - a small apartment that was barely breathable, but it was home for now. I settled into the backseat, watching the city lights blur together as we sped through the streets.
Tears streamed down my face as memories of Axel flooded my mind. We were once inseparable, our love a flame that burned bright. But now, the thought of him ignited a different kind of fire - one of anger, hurt, and betrayal.
I wept for the girl I used to be, the one who believed in love and happily ever after. I mourned the loss of my innocence, the shattered remains of my heart. The person I'd become - a pickpocket, a thief - was unrecognizable.
"How did it come to this?" I whispered, my voice cracking with despair. "How did I, Aria Mchenry, become this...this monster?" The words echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the girl I'd lost, and the woman I'd become.
As I sat amidst the shadows of my troubled past, I couldn't help but wonder...would I ever find love again? Would I ever be able to trust someone with my fragile heart?
The thought of opening myself up to vulnerability, to potential heartache, was daunting. Yet, a spark within me refused to be extinguished. A spark that held onto hope, onto the possibility of redemption, of finding someone who would love me for who I truly was.
But who would love a pickpocket, a thief, a woman with a shattered past? I pushed the thoughts aside, unsure of the answers, but holding onto the glimmer of hope that someday, somehow, I'd find my way again.
When I arrived at my apartment, I flopped onto my bed, counting the day's profits with a sense of glee. The wad of cash in my hand was a decent haul, and I couldn't help but smile as I thought about my next mark - the Arcade.
Tomorrow was going to be a big day.