After Hours [BxB]

The blind con

Theron Callias stood before the full-length mirror in his modest apartment, making the final adjustments to his appearance. The platinum blond hair framed his light features perfectly, and a few freckles dotted his nose and cheeks, giving him an innocent, almost boyish charm. At 5'7" with a slim build, he looked vulnerable—exactly the image he needed to project for tonight's con.

He reached for his white cane, the essential prop for his role. Tonight's mark was a wealthy older man, Giovanni Bianchi, known for his insatiable appetite and deep pockets. Theron had met him at a high-end bar a week ago, effortlessly slipping into character and planting the seeds of their soon-to-be illicit rendezvous. The anticipation of the con thrummed through his veins, a mix of adrenaline and the thrill of the game.

As he left his apartment, the city lights twinkled like distant stars, guiding him to his destination. The upscale hotel loomed ahead, a fortress of opulence and excess. Theron slipped inside, his white cane tapping rhythmically against the polished marble floors. He moved with practiced precision, his steps confident yet cautious, playing his part to perfection.

Up in the penthouse suite, the mark awaited, a glass of whiskey in hand and a predatory gleam in his eye. Theron played his part seamlessly, his charm a weapon that disarmed and ensnared. He let his fingers brush over the expensive furnishings, feigning unfamiliarity with his surroundings.

"Mr. Bianchi?" Theron's voice was soft, and hesitant, as he stepped into the room.

"Come in, come in, let me help you," the older man offered, his voice oozing false concern as he guided Theron to the couch.

Theron smiled, his eyes never quite meeting the man's. "Thank you. It's so kind of you to help a poor blind man."

“Nonsense!” the old fool erupted in laughter.

“Thank you for meeting me, sir” Theron said, his voice trembling slightly. “I don't usually ask for help but.......ever since I met you, I knew you were different” Theron hid his emotions well, the nasty smirk that wanted to creep its way to his face, he was a pro. He felt that Giovanni had placed his hand on his own, lightly tracing his old fingers along his.

“What troubles you princes?" Theron gagged internally at the nickname but he had to continue his tremendous acting skills. Theron let out a shaky breath, playing his role to perfection.

“It's just.........life has been so hard since......the incident. Losing my sight, my job, my home I-I feel so lost.” Giovanni's expression softened, a mixture of pity and lust flickering in his eyes. “You don't have to worry anymore. I'll take care of everything.”

Theron allowed a tear to slip down his cheek, the final touch to his carefully constructed performance. “Thank you, Mr. Bianchi. You have no idea what this means to me.”

The evening unfolded as planned, every word and gesture calculated to lower defenses and open wallets. Theron knew when to appear vulnerable when to smile shyly, and when to let a touch linger just a bit too long. The mark, lost in his desires, never suspected a thing.

What a fool.

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Theron Callias leaned back in his chair, a sly smile creeping across his face as he envisioned the downfall of Giovanni Bianchi. His mind raced with devious schemes, each more cunning than the last. "Giovanni thinks he's untouchable, the kingpin of Naples. But every kingpin has a weakness," Theron mused, twirling a pen between his fingers.

"He trusts too easily, and believes loyalty can be bought with threats and intimidation. What a fool. I'll play the part of a loyal ally, gain his trust, and then, when he least expects it, I'll pull the rug out from under him and suck him dry, figuratively and literally."

Theron's eyes glinted with malice as he plotted his next move. "Giovanni's empire is vast, but it's built on fear. I'll sow discord among his men, whisper lies and half-truths until they doubt his every word. Paranoia will eat him alive, and his grip on power will weaken.” Tears ran down Theron's eyes as his voice cracked “I'm just a poor blind boy who lost everything” he tested his acting skills as he watched his face through his mirror.

He chuckled darkly, imagining Giovanni's face when the betrayal hit. "He'll never see it coming. By the time he realizes, it will be too late. His allies will have deserted him, his fortune will be mine, and I'll be the one pulling the strings in Naples."

Theron's smile widened, his thoughts growing darker. "I'll leave him with nothing, just a broken man in a crumbling empire. And the best part? He'll know it was me. He'll know that Theron Callias outsmarted him, outplayed him, and destroyed him."

With a satisfied sigh, Theron leaned forward, ready to set his plan into motion. "Let the game begin," he whispered to himself, his heart pounding with anticipation and the thrill of impending victory.

...............................................................................................

In the game of life, Theron Callias has always been dealt a losing hand. Abandoned in an orphanage, he grew up poor and emotionally scarred. But now, he's determined to escape the rat race and amass wealth by any means necessary.

Theron’s unique advantage? He feigns blindness, ensnaring the wealthy who believe they can exploit him. His wicked intention is clear: to manipulate, deceive, and drain them dry, leaving a trail of ruin in his wake.

But when he draws the attention of the two most dangerous men in the shadowy depths of the city, will he maintain his ruse and continue his path of deceit, or will he be forced to flee before his dark secrets are unveiled?