Sitting still was never something I was good at. Hence I decided to go venture out.

Luckily I was able to sneak out of the house through the window. Seeing all the kids playing with each other inside an alley way, I smiled. These kids were happy, auntie Sylvia was gossiping none stop. I wish this could last forever. Alas, this can only continue if I proceed to steal from the wealthy.

Stopping my thoughts, I went to the streets. It was already 2 o'clock now. Foot traffic was highest at this time. Sometimes there are some 'well doing people' who wander around with a lot of money.

Ah, there's one now. Hhmmm. Neat, tidy and good looking clothes. Clean face with a clear look of disgust and disdain. Oh, is that a pouch full of money I see.

He's walking my way, perfect.

I collided with him for only a moment before he started to curse me.

"Bitch, watch where you're going."

My my how arrogant. I decided to completely ignore him. What a loud ape.

At least this heavy pouch I just stole from him should last a week or so. He didn't even realize that his pouch was missing. What an imbecile.

If I were to go back to the orphanage now. Auntie Lessy might still be there. Therefore I decided to go to a local cafe nearby.

On the other side of the street, a scrawny old man was staring at a young girl with silver hair in interest.

"Hmm, interesting."

Relaxation is an extremely important thing. I sipped my cup of coffee and felt the warmth in my mouth. Followed by a nice cold slice of chocolate cake. I should do this more often.

"Um, excuse me miss. Can I sit here? Everywhere else is full."

Hmm. Who is this guy? He looks like some sort of nobleman.

"Go ahead. There's no one sitting there anyways."

"Thank you."

His dark blue robe seems to be made out of high quality fabric and his dark blonde hair was glossy. I wonder how much money he's bringing.

"Excuse me waiter. I would like to order a cup of caramel latte. Cold please."

"Certainly sir. Please wait for a moment."

Hmm. That face of his, it somehow feels familiar. Though I can't remember why.

"You're not from around here are you?"

"Yes you're right. How'd you know?"

"Intuition."

"Alright, then."

This situation suddenly got awkward. If only one of us can break this silence.

"Um, can I ask you something?"

Thank you for breaking the silence. It's really unbearable.

"What is it?"

"Do you know anything about a thief who stole a gold necklace?"

Shit. Is he an investigator? No, I have to act calm. If he really is an investigator I need to be calm and not spill the beans.

"Not really. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I thought you would know, because you were a local here."

"You're not wrong about that."

What an interesting fellow. I wonder if he has important information.

"Do you perchance have some information about this thief?"

"Not much, though I heard that the culprit was said to have died around 10 years ago, but he reappeared last month."

"Oh, really now?"

"I think he was just injured and could only return recently."

Auntie only recently told me that my father was a thief and died while doing a job, and I've been using my dad's old cloak while stealing. So he thinks me and my dad are the same person.

"Do you know anything else about this thief?" I probed. If he had more information I need it.

"Only some rumors. Apparently the underworld calls this thief Black Rat."

"And why is that?" To think I could learn more about my father like this. If only auntie wasn't so privy about him.

"They say he can break into anything. Any form of security, and any type of vault, like a rat. And because he always wears black."

"Does your job by any chance invlolve crime." A quick change of subject should be fine. It would be suspicious if I only asked about my father.

"Not in a bad way. I'm more of an investigator. You seem really interested by this thief though. Are you also an investigator perhaps?"

Was I too pushy?

"Ah, no, its just really interesting. That's all."

"Excuse me sir. Your coffee."

"Oh, thank you."

Good a distraction.

"Where were we."

"Can't say I remember."

Relax. Just take another bite of your cake.

"What about a change of subject."

"Sounds nice."

"I believe I haven't gotten your name yet. I'm Alec."

"I'm Angelica, but everyone calls me Angie."

"That's a nice name." 

"Thank you."

"By the way, is that your natural hair colour."

"Yes, I got it from my mother." Why does it fells like he's hitting on me.

"Is your mother an albino?"

My mother? I've only seen her in a few fotographs. There wasn't much to go by. I can only go by what auntie said. What's an albino anyways.

"I think so."

"Why do you say it like that?"

"She died giving birth to me."

"Oh, sorry."

"It's alright. How about you tell me something about you."

"Sorry, but I don't want to talk too much about myself."

"Why is that?"

"That's a secret."

"Well that's just unfair."

"I suppose so."

It looks like I can't get more information from this guy. I should finish up and leave.

"Say, you're actually really beautiful after all."

Huh.

"Huh."

Dammit, I didn't expect that.

"Did I say something weird."

"No, it's just that, I've never been called that by a boy before."

It's true though. I rarely go out and hang out with people my age, and I've hardly interacted with other boys outside the orphanage.

"I thought someone as beautiful as you would have been crowded by boys."

Damn this insolent guy. He's so innocent and childish, and what's with those sparkly green emerald eyes. He looks like an abandoned puppy.

Am I beautiful though? Wait, no focus. Take this opportunity to leave.

"I'm sorry, I need to leave now."

"Ah, I'm sorry if I said something bad."

I kept on walking without turning red. Dammit, I'm too flustered, calm down, calm down.

"Ah, guess I'll be paying for her meal."

Back at the orphanage, I believed auntie Lessy should have already left. So I went in without precaution.

Seeing auntie Sylvia sitting on the couch alone I relaxed.

"Oh, you're finally back. Did you get some money?"

"Of course."

I tossed the pouch onto auntie Sylvias' lap and took a seat.

"Auntie."

"Huh, what is it?"

"Do I look pretty?"

"Puuuffffff. Fuhahahahah."

"Hey don't laugh."

"To think the cold hearted Angie would be concerned about her looks."

"Humph."

"Did a boy say you're beautiful? Come on tell me, tell me."

"Shut up!"

I slouched back and took a deep breath. Ah, I left him there without paying for my food. I wonder if we'll met again.

"Holy shit!"

"Hey, the kids are still here."

"This is a lot of money. Let's see. Hmmm."

Auntie Sylvia was to immersed in money. To the point she seemed addicted. Though I can't really blame her.

"Hahaha. There's 2 months worth of cash here. You stole something like this from someone? Hahaha."

Hearing such an exclamation I almost puked.

"Are you serious? That bastard was carrying that much money? What an idiot!"

"Hey, remember, the kids are still here."

"Hahahaha."

"Hahahaha."

"For the love of God! If only such dumb assess would wander around with more money!"

"Hahaha. We would be set for life then."

"Wah. Sister Angie is smiling."

"Yes yes. It is a sight to behold."

"Auntie, if you can tell better jokes like this. Then I can smile more."

"You know that ain't happening."

"Oh God, my stomach."

"I should prepare dinner now. Put this in the safe would you."

"Yeah yeah."

I hushed the kids away and traverse down into the basement. The darkness soon engulfed me and i searched for the light switch. Finally, I got it.

*click*

The dim light flashed and covered the surface of most boxes in here. Most of the boxes here were filled with my dad's old stuff.

We should really clean this place. It's a catastrophe. Some of these boxes might even have some valuables auntie Sylvia can sell or recycle.

The boxes here were all starting to have some mold. I think there's also some furniture here covered up by all the boxes.

The only piece of furniture you can see now was a wooden cabinet with an ashtray on top.

There was nothing inside the cabinet. That's what we want people to think. There's actually a separate compartment you can access by pulling out the fake bottom. And there it is. A black safe with a few layers of dust on it.

The lock on it was a combination password. The dial was a bit rusty and the numbers were fading but it still works. I've used this safe so many times until I've developed muscle memory.

Inside the safe was a handful of silver coins and the necklace I just stole yesterday. I poured out all the coins inside the safe and kept the pouch. This thing can still be sold or broken down for materials.

Job done. The money's in the safe and completely hidden. There won't be any bugs or rats going in that safe because it was layered with some thick steel that took a long time to corrode. And auntie also cleans it from time to time.

The smell of the broth reached my nostrils and i got hungry.

"Auntie you done yet?"

"Just a little longer. Prepare the table now would you."

"Yeah yeah auntie."

Before I could even finish preparing the table a sudden knock on the door came.

"Excuse me is anyone in here?"

"Yeah yeah wait up, I'm coming."

"Who's that on the door?"

"Some salesman probably."

I opened the door and saw the man on the other side.

"Who are......."

The man in front of me had a blue cloack on with a golden pin attached on his chest.

It had the flag of the country on it. Shit. Only nobles are allowed to wear that pin.

This guy is a noble! Why is he here? What does he want? These thoughts passed through my mind as I just stood there silent and still in shock.