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𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: velvet ring - big thief
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As the days crawled by following her clandestine rendezvous with Tommy Shelby. At the Watery Lane residence, Marianna James found herself immersed in the solemn task of overseeing the arrival of her shipped paintings from London. Each canvas was a tribute to her artistic prowess, carefully selected to grace the walls of the Shelby's upcoming dinner party—a vitrine of her flair and an aide-mémoire of her snarled antiquity with the inscrutable gang leader.
Watching the men load the paintings onto a waiting vehicle, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at her insides.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the loading process, Louis entered the room with a glass of water in hand, his eyes scanning the display of landscapes with a flattering smile. For him, each stroke of the brush was a familiar sight, a testament to the countless hours he had spent by Marianna's side throughout her arty ride.
"Well, well, well," Louis remarked, his tone filled with admiration as he approached her. "Looks like your masterpieces have arrived just in time for the big event."
The strawberry blonde accepted the glass of water with a grateful nod, her gaze lingering in front of her.
"Indeed, they have," Mar replied, her voice tinged with a hint of apprehension. "Let's hope they make the impact we're aiming for, Louis."
"With your talent, my dear, I have no doubt they will leave quite an impression. The guests won't know what hit them." He chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement as they roamed over the paintings. "You've truly outdone yourself, Mar. These pieces are magnificent."
The gypsy woman offered him a grateful smile, her gaze lingering on the paintings before her. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you."
"You've come a long way since our days in London. I always knew you were destined for greatness." He nodded, his expression thoughtful.
Marianna's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of uncertainty clouding her features. "Sometimes, I'm not so sure."
The toff reached out to gently touch her arm, his voice soft. "Don't doubt yourself, Mar. You have a gift, and the world deserves to see it."
With a nod of gratitude, Marianna took a sip of water, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. But beneath the surface, a storm raged within her, doubts and fears threatening to overwhelm her fragile confidence. Despite his reassurances, she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that lingered in the air.
