Stole his heart

Kabanata 5: The Jade.

Years had passed since Xinyue's fateful decision to surrender herself to Mr. Blackwood's organization. In that time, she, Shaina, and Mira had evolved into a formidable trio—each a master of their respective disciplines. Now, under the cover of night, they moved with the fluidity and precision of a well-oiled machine, their skills honed to perfection.

As a professional thief they came up with this code names. Phoenix as Xinyue, viper as Shaina and raven as Mira.

A lavish gala held in an opulent mansion on the outskirts of Manila. The grand hall is adorned with exquisite decorations, and an array of influential guests mingles in their finest attire. The highlight of the evening is a prestigious auction showcasing rare artifacts, including a legendary jade pendant belonging to a powerful man known for his influence and connections.

Xinyue was dressed in a refined, elegant gown that conceals her true identity. Her poise and grace are evident, but she is completely alert, aware of the heavy security inside and outside.

A man on the other side was starring intently on her. Captivated by her unique beauty that stands among the crowds. Pero naudlot ito nang bigla na lamang namatay ang ilaw.

 A lot of men in black sorrounded the place. They activated the emergency light, at panandaliang hinold ang mga artifacts sa mas safe na lugar. Nang masigurong walang nawala sa mga to ay naging panatag ang loob nila. The man earlier  proceed to make an explaination and speech to calm the people around.

"This is it," Xinyue said, her voice a mere whisper over their communication devices. "Let's sneak in."

Palihim nitong nilagyan ng tracking device ang jade kaya hindi na nila problema kung saan ito inilagay. The jade was just beside this building.

Shaina, ever the vigilant guardian of the group, checked her weaponry and nodded. "I'll cover the extraction route. Keep it clean, and we'll be out before anyone knows we're here."

Mira adjusted her earpiece and tapped into the building's security feed from her portable console. "The guards are on a 20-minute rotation. I'll handle the cameras and alarms. You two focus on the safe."

With a final nod, Xinyue and Shaina made their way to the edge of the rooftop. Shaina deployed a grappling hook, which anchored securely to the opposite building. Xinyue followed her down with effortless grace, their descent a synchronized ballet of movement.

They landed silently on a lower rooftop and approached an access door. Xinyue worked quickly, her fingers dancing over the lock-picking tools with practiced ease. The door clicked open, and they slipped inside, moving through the dimly lit maintenance corridors. 

Si Mira nmn ay nakaantabay sa security camera ng buong building. When she saw them inside she guided them to more easiest path. "You're clear. The cameras are looped, and the guards are all on the main door. You have approximately ten minutes."

Xinyue and Shaina reached the floor where the office safe was located. Shaina positioned herself near the elevator, her gaze alert for any sign of trouble, while Xinyue approached the office door. She disabled the electronic lock with a small device, and the door slid open with a soft hiss.

Inside the office, the safe was embedded in the wall, its sleek design betraying no hint of its intricate locking mechanisms. Xinyue pulled out her toolkit, her eyes focused as she began to work on the safe's combination.

"Do you think this job will be as smooth as the last?" Shaina asked quietly, her voice betraying a hint of eagerness.

"Every job is a new challenge," Xinyue replied, her concentration unwavering. "We've been preparing for this."

As she worked, the soft beep of the safe's lock finally signaled that it had opened. Xinyue swung the heavy door open and reached inside, retrieving a coveted jade pendant. Its green hue sparkles under the small dimmed lights.

"Got it," Xinyue said, closing the safe and packing the briefcase. "We're heading back."

"How about the other artifacts? It still value a huge some of money, Phoenix." Shaina glance at all of the display.

Xinyue look at her with a serious look, "I'm a thief but I also have a professional ethics." Her rule was  never to touch things that aren't on the list.

Shaina was taken aback by her words, at isang matamis na ngiti ang namutawi sa kaniyang labi.

'Xinyue , you definitely has a good heart.' 

As the trio ascended the rooftop once more, they began their retreat. Shaina carefully removed the grappling hook while Xinyue and Mira packed up their gear. They made their way back to the adjacent building and climbed down to the street below.

The night air was crisp as they emerged from a hidden alleyway, the briefcase safely stashed away in Mira's hands. The city's noise swirled around them.

"Well done, team," Xinyue said, a note of satisfaction in her voice. "Another job completed."

Shaina grinned, her eyes gleaming with pride. "We make a pretty good team."

Mira's expression was one of quiet contentment. "And we've still got a lot more to prove. But for now, let's get out of here before anyone notices."