In all of my 3 1/2 years working at Brilliante, a very prestigious jewelry store in the wealthiest parts of California, I never thought we would be robbed.
I mean, the thought crossed my mind before- it's a jewelry store for heavens sake
But when there's security everywhere, cops right down the street and security cameras...you tend to get a little sure that nothing will happen.
At least that's what I thought.
It was early on a Tuesday. We weren't busy, there were only two customers in at the time.
One customer was a woman who looked to be in her mid forties and a man who was probably mid to late twenties.
The man was extremely handsome. He had these piercing green eyes that were so beautiful.
The woman had been looking around for some time before settling upon a tennis bracelet.
The man was eying the watches still.
The woman purchased the bracelet and walked happily out the store. At the time, my coworkers were across the street at a cafe, so I was the only one in the store.
They always did this, Tuesday's were never busy. I always offered the stay behind and work the register.
Not that I was ever invited to their little coffee dates, sucked being the only black employee in a place so "uppity".
I would like to think that my coworkers never talked down on my long, neatly done braids or my deep brown skin.
Again, I would love to think that- but I overheard their many conversations about me.
According to them, they wouldn't be surprised if one day I upped and stole all the money from the register.
I never said anything though- I knew one complaint would get me fired. So I kept my mouth shut, dreaming of the career I always wanted; to work on Broadway.
And luckily enough, I had bagged an audition for an upcoming play. I was more than sure that I was gonna get the part.
And aside from that, I saved enough money between this job and money my family would send me every month.
I could finally leave this place after almost 4 long years of blatant disrespect.
It was my last day here, and then this happens;
"Excuse me ma'am" The man called out to me. He walked over from the watches and stood behind the counter.
"Yes?" I asked, trying not to get mesmerized by his eyes
I guess he saw that I was admiring his looks because he leaned into me- his face inches from mine.
"You're very beautiful" He complimented
I was smiling like an idiot, lord knows I would forget all my morals if this man just offered the bend me over this-
"Ma'am?" He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I cleared my throat and quickly apologized. That was embarrassing.
"Yes sir?" I asked
"I said, you're very beautiful. You look like a woman who wouldn't give me any problems, so why don't you be a doll and empty the cash register" He said with an oddly sweet demeanor.
I'm so ashamed to say I just kept smiling, not fully comprehending what he said. It took 4.2 seconds for the words to playback in my head and me understand I was getting robbed.
I did a quick pan over the store and seen security was no where to be found. To think of it, the guard had been gone for over 45 minutes.
I just stared at him, secretly trying to reach down and press the emergency button.
"Don't even try it, babe." He held up a gun, "If you value your life- you'll just empty the register"
First of all, where did he pull a gun out from because I swear he ain't just have one. Second of all, it would be me to get robbed ON MY LAST DAY.
"Okay, okay sir just put the gun down" I said shakily. He lowered the gun and sat a brown paper bag on the counter.
I swear he ain't just have that.
I began to look at the security cameras, I guess he saw me looking and looked in that direction.
"They won't see my face, babe. Im turned away from the camera." He informed
Yeah, like you weren't facing the camera a second ago when you were looking around the store.
I emptied the register and put the money in. He thanked me (yes, the robber thanked me) then turned to head out the door. I guess he saw my coworkers through the semi- tinted windows and quickly hid behind the counter (where I was).
"Say a word, and I'll kill you" He threatened. My co workers walked into the store and looked at me strangely.
I guess I looked shook, so they asked me what was wrong.
I told them nothing and they all nodded, looking at one another and snickering.
"So, Belle, shop is slow today and the boss said we could leave early" One my coworkers said to me
I nodded and watched them rush to the back of the store to get their things and rush back out the front door.
So they didn't see the large man crouched down near my legs?
Owen, one of my coworkers, walked back in the store. I cheesed, hoping he had seen the man.
"Oh, Belle would you be a doll and close up?" He asked
"Again? But I closed up yesterday"
"Yeah but, we all made plans to see this movie. But hey, Ill flip the sign over for you!" He said, flipping the open sign to where it now displayed "closed".
I rolled my eyes as he rushed back out the door. Good thing today was my last day.
"Okay, they're gone and you have your money. You can leave now"
I had a green scarf tied around my wrist, he snatched it and covered his face with it.
He was so cute, but not that bright. Sir the cameras caught your face several times.
And I guess he realized that, because he looked at the security cameras and started cursing.
Not to mention, I had seen his face.
I hope he doesn't realize that part.
"Open the register" He demanded
I did as told, he looked into seeing all the money was gone. I guess he was making sure I gave him all of it.
He then locked the front door and shot out all the security cameras.
I was down on the floor now, tears leaving my eyes.
In the matter of minutes, police was outside.
Then it dawned on me, I was a hostage.
"We're gonna be here for a while" He told me.
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Sorry for mistakes ❤️
