"...millionaires will be coming from all over the world to Berlin for the annual Winter Ball to meet for investing in building the highest tower there. Security will be enforced everywhere so the chance of another heist taking place will be very low. Chances are we'll catch the person behind it all. Stay tune-" I turn the TV off because of the lack of attention I was paying it.
I walked towards the vanity in my room, getting ready to meet Lindsey today. After a year of dating now, Nick had decided to take me on his visit to meet the lady herself who had raised him to be the man he is today. To say I was nervous was an understatement.
I take one last glance at my appearance in the mirror. I had let down my naturally straight brown hair down. My usual dull brown eyes stood out now because of the black eyeliner rimming my eyes. My make up overall suits with the black hood and jeans I had on. The only thing that was eye-catching between the layers of black I had on was red hue staining my lips.
Just then the ringing of my phone caught my attention. Already knowing who it's Nick, I answered the call with a smile playing on my lips. "Hello?"
"I'm in the parking lot, Collins."
~~~
Lindsey lived in a small town a little outside of New York. Devastated by St. Drew burning down and her husband sharing the same fate, she built another orphanage in their memory. Standing outside that same orphanage now, I looked at the children running around outside, imagining Nick being one of them once. His gleam green eyes shining with mischief as he chased a younger Jullian. Both of their hair tousled from running. Nick's hand on my lower back break me out of my trance.
I look up at him as he gives me a reassuring smile, slowly leading me to the entrance of the orphanage. "Don't worry. She's going to love you."
As he pushes the doors open, kids start to bombard Nick immediately recognizing him. It was amusing looking at the various arms risen and cries demanding to be carried by Nick. He ended up carrying a little girl with curly blonde hair and honey brown eyes. All the other kids let out a small whine and while the girl let out a small shriek of triumph. This made Nick let out a small chuckle.
"What's going on here?"
Everybody goes silent in the room and turns to look at the redhead frail, old woman standing in the middle of the hallway. She has her hands on her hips as if showing she's mad but her cerulean eyes shone with playfulness and a ghost of a smile was on her lips.
This must be Lindsey.
I looked over at Nick, who had a huge smile growing on his face while he put the little girl on the ground. He then approached Lindsey and hugged her. The embrace seemed so intimate that I looked away to see a girl, perhaps in her 20's, lead the children in another room. She looks up at me and I give her a grateful smile to which she nods in response.
My gaze travels to Nick who motions me forward to come closer. "Ashley, this is Lindsey. Lindsey, this is Ashley, my girlfriend." Nick states beaming.
I'm about to open my mouth to reply but shut my mouth abruptly when I'm pulled into a hug by Lindsey. Just as I wrap my arms around her small frame, she pulls away and studies me. I squirm uncomfortably like a child who had just stolen the last cookie from the jar. She unconsciously nods in approval to herself once she's done analyzing me and gives me a warm smile. "Nick told me a lot about you."
I blush in response and look over to Nick cocking an eyebrow at him. Nick has a faint blush on his cheeks too and smiles sheepishly at me. I look back at Lindsey before I respond. "I hope it's good things."
Lindsey lets out a laugh and motions us to follow her to the living room. "You have nothing to worry about. You have him wrapped around your pinky. I'd say he's clearly in love with you."
Love
Nick clears his throat and sits on one of the couches, with me and Lindsey copying his actions. "How are you doing? Jullian told me your leg is giving you trouble these days. Is it really that bad?"
Lindsey waves her hand as if dismissing the thought. "Enough about me, what's going on with you Mr. Con Man? I heard about the latest heist on the news and I know you have a hand in it."
Nick has a guilty look on his face. "I did but I was extra careful and I safely transferred all the money to Jullian's safe. We didn't get caught anyway so it doesn't matter."
Lindsey gives him a look full of sadness, "Nick it's not right. Yo-"
This seems to spark anger in Nick because he raises his voice a little bit, "They didn't think what's right or wrong when they burnt down the orphanage. They didn't think what's right or wrong when they killed innocent people in that fire. All they thought about was money, not what's right or wrong. Money. Let's see what happens when that money is taken away"
Lindsey opens her mouth to reason again with him but Nick cuts her off. "Lindsey I'm doing all of this for you and the future of the children in this orphanage," He begins in a soft voice, "It's like payback."
Lindsey nods slowly as if she's trying to convince herself nothing bad will happen. "But you might get hurt. What will be the point of all this if something bad happens? You'll lose everything. I say quit all of this Nick. You have done enough already."
Nick immediately answers as if trying to please Lindsey with his answer, "Yes. After leading a heist in the upcoming Winter Ball in Berlin, I will stop. It'll be my last one and I'll be careful like all the other times. It'll be impossible if I get caught."
Lindsey looks unsure at first but eventually nods in agreement. "Promise?"
Nick answers without hesitation.
"Promise."
***
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