《The Lotus and The Angel》


 Prologue: An End

    Running in the shadows of the night, Al sweated buckets as he ran through the roofs on the block being chased by 2 pursuers in black. In front of him was a small gap 3 meters wide. If he can''t cross it he would be as good as dead.


    With one mighty leap, Al landed on another roof. The buildings and streets began to blur as they raced down them, swerving frantically to avoid their pursuers.


    "Get back here you mongrel." Hollered the pursuers.


    With the initial adrenaline rush starting to wear off, Al could feel the fatigue seep through his bones, but he clenched his teeth and kept on running.


    The two pursuers behind him was getting ever so closer, unable to shake them off, Al exerted all of his remaining strenght and tried to run faster. Finally, Al ran out of breath and stood on the edge of a roof, unable to move any further.


    Seeing Al not moving anymore the two pursuers pointed their guns at him.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Give us the jewel back, and I won''t kill you." One of the pursuers shouted as heavy breaths came from his mouth.


    Al stood still and thought about his daughter. He wanted to see her again and decided to surrender.


    Failing a heist was better than losing his life.


    He then gently put down the jewel on the ledge of the roof and raised his hand.


    Immediately the other pursuer shot Al in the heart. Al''s body felt powerless and he fell on to the street below.


    "An...." His final thoughts were about his daughter who he will never see again. As life fled from his body, he came closer to the street.


    *Crack*


    His neck bent in an awful way and his body was crushed. He couldn''t have been more dead.


    "What a wonderful chap."


    "I got the jewel John."


    "Good job Jim, now we can go back."


    "Are you sure he''s dead."


    "His neck is bent, he fell from this height, and I''m pretty sure you shot him in the heart. I''m sure he''s dead."


    "Ok then. Let''s head back. And don''t leave a single thing out on the report."


    "Don''t worry i won''t."


    The two pursuers then ran away to where they came from and disappeared into the darkness.


    When dawn rose the nasty corpse that was occuping street below dissapeared without a trace. Though a faint smell of blood lingered on the air as rodents scrambled looking for food in the trash. Unbeknowest to the citizens passing by a murder had happened last night.

 Chapter 1: Daily life.

<div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>

 Chapter 2: Pickpocketing

    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Black Rat."


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>

 Chapter 3: Deal

    I''ve never seen Angie act so surprised. I wonder who''s at the door. Could it be the boy she met earlier? I really want to meet him.


    I turned off the stove and walked to the door.


    "Angie, who is it?"


    I saw a tall blonde man with a slender body and my eyes immediately landed on the golden pin he was wearing. What the fuck is a noble doing here?


    "Um, excuse me, but may I come in?"


    "Ah... of course sir."


    I shoved Angie out of the way and made room for the noble. I need to get the kids away from him. If they were to offend him, we''re as good as dead.


    "Jeeves you should come in too."


    "As you wish young master."


    A handsome old man walked behind the noble. The loose black robe he was wearing and his grey hair made him look more attractive. What am I thinking, focus.


    "Shall I serve tea to you good sir?"


    "Ah, no need I''m only staying for awhile."


    "As you wish sir."


    I hustled over to Angie and broke her out of her trance.


    "Angie get the kids upstairs now."


    "Ok auntie."


    I gathered my courage and tried to converse with the noble.


    "Um, would you like to sit down good sir."


    "Alright then."


    After he took a seat I didn''t dare to sit in front of him. If he was offended by my actions, then I''ll only have myself to blame.


    "Why don''t you sit down too. I want to have nice long chat with you."


    "A..as you wish sir."


    "Now, I have a proposition to give you."


    "What may it be sir."


    "Young master. Shouldn''t you start with introducing yourself?"


    "Ah right, where are my manners? My name is Aurellius Giuliani. Head of the Giuliani household. And you are?"


    "Mem.. my name is Sylvia sir. I don''t have a last name."


    "Well then. Ms. Sylvia I would like to discuss some business with you." After a slight pause he continued. "But first, I need you to bring back that silver haired girl from before."


    "As you wish."


    I slowly walked with a steady pace and reached the second floor. Angie was standing by with a perplexed look on her face.


    "Come here Angie. Come with me. The rest of you stay here."


    What could he possibly want with Angie. I can''t think of any good reasons. There should be a lot more beautiful women than Angie. The Giuliani household should have enough money to buy a thousand high class whores if they want to. So why Angie? I''ve already reached the first floor and I still couldn''t get a good answer.


    "Well now that all the needed people are here. Jeeves please get that case I prepared."


    "As you wish, young master."


    The handsome old butler immediately left and only the three of us are left in this room.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Both of you can sit down. I don''t mind."


    Me and Angie slowly sat down amd he continued. "Now to get to the point. I want you to steal something for me."


    Shit. Did Angie''s secret got revealed? Is he trying to blackmail us to do his dirty work.


    "Um, I don''t understand what you mean by that sir. I''m just a caretaker for these kids and Angie is all but 15. How can we steal something for you?"


    "Well, I thought you would say something like that, so I''ve prepared something."


    As soon as he finished, Jeeves the butler came back carrying a lumpy brown bag.


    "Young master. The bag you requested for." What impeccable timing.


    "Thank you Jeeves." After Jeeves laid the brown bag on the table, he continued. "I''m offering you 500 gold coins for stealing from 2 other nobles of my choosing. If your results are satisfactory then you will steal another Item of my choosing."


    "I''m sorry sir. Your offer is tempting, but we can''t steal."


    During his entire visit he never stopped smiling, and I think he smilled even more just now.


    "Since you are declining my offer. Then I''ll sweaten the deal a little. If and only if you succesfully steal all 3 items then I''ll reward you with 1.000 gold coins, and I''ll also destroy all evidence that proves your crimes."


    As though he doesn''t believe in him, Angie questioned the noble with an extremely cold tone. "What evidence?"


    The noble only replied with a slight chuckle and took out a photograph. "You''re very skilled in this, I must admit."


    The photograph contained a picture of Angie swiping a leather pouch from a well dressed man. Her face was clearly shown and the pouch in the picture was the same as the one she showed me earlier.


    Seeing the photograph Angie clicked her tongue. Shit we''re dead. I can''''t stop Angie now, it''s already too late.


    "Young lady."


    "It''s alright Jeeves." Such an odd noble. His smile didn''t fade a single bit. Even in front of someone as rude as Angie.


    "You''re a really interesting girl. Turning from a silent and shy girl to a harsh and cold woman. Not to mention your rudeness to a noble of my stature."


    "Why not. If we decline your offer, we''re dead. If we accept and you cross the deal, we''re dead. Either way we die right?"


    "Yes, but I am a man of my word. I swear on the pride of my family, as a noble of the empire and as a man. I will fulfill and honor this deal of ours."


    "Well that''s reassuring."


    Slouching back, Angie took a deep breath and relaxed.


    "So, since it''s like this, I guess all formalities should be forgotten." It was my turn to talk. I can''t bare to keep silent anymore.


    "Please, I don''t mind."


    "Young master, is this wise?"


    "Jeeves your such a worrywart. Don''t worry, it''ll be fine."


    "Young master, this is exactly why many other nobles look down on you. Your attitude is unbeffiting of a noble."


    "Give me the lecture later, OK Jeeves. Business first."


    I was baffled by the sight. Most nobles were prideful and overbearing, but the one infront of me was extremely laid back. One would question if he really is a noble or not.


    "Now, where were we?"


    "We accept your offer. What do you want us to steal anyways?"


    "I''ll contact the both of you on a later date. I need to leave now, but I''ll be back in a month. In the mean time, you are free to do what ever you want."


    "So you''re just gonna leave us waiting?"


    "Yes, and I''ll even pay 200 gold coins upfront."


    He laid the brown bag on the table and headed towards the door. "I really must leave now. My Alibi won''t be perfect if I don''t head back right now, so goodbye."


    After shutting the door behind him, the butler followed.


    "I''m sorry. Young master can be extremely unreasonable sometimes."


    "Don''t worry. I know the feeling."


    Seeing the butler leave, I took a glance at Angie to make sure everything was ok.


    "Auntie."


    "What?"


    "I''m hungry. Go serve dinner." Damn this girl.


    "Miss Sylvia."


    I saw the kids standing on the stairs, starring at me with beady puppy dog eyes.


    "It''s alright kids. You all can come down now."


    Seeing them flood to the kitchen made me remember something. I haven''t served dinner. I hurried over and gave everyone an equal serving.


    "Ah, right, Angie, meet me later after dinner ok."


    "Sure."


    All we can do now is just wait for that Giuliani noble to come back.


    The sun has set and stars filled the skies. The bustling streets grew quiet as the moon rose higher. Carriages passed by with their galloping horses. And one man was walking the streets alone. His dark blue robe waved as gusts of wind flew by and his smooth dark blonde hair got messy.


    A brown-haired man stood on the pathway near a beautiful ebony carriage embroided with many exquisite carvings. As soon he saw the dark blonde man he walked towards him.


    "Ballentine, you''re back. Where have you been my son?"


    "I was sightseeing. There''s great food here, and exotic sceneries."


    With a hint of curiosity in his eyes he looked at his son.


    "My son who only cares about criminals and the art of thievery, sightseeing. Alright. Who''s the woman?"


    "What woman?" Seeing his son''s face becoming slightly red, he smiled.


    "Ballentine, I''m your father. I know you well. So, I can tell with certainty that there is a woman involved."


    "You may be my fathef. Bit you''re still a geezer."


    "At least tell me about her."


    "In the carriage. I want to go home."


    Seeing Ballentine surrendering. He followed him into the carriage. Before he could enter, a squire came running towards him and kneeled.


    "Lord Baelish. Our preparations are complete. We can leave whenever you desire my lord."


    "Good. Gather all the men. We shall depart immediately."


    "Yes my lord." After bowing humbly, the squire ran towards his peers telling them the order. The discipline his soldiers showed gave Baelish a joyous sensation.


    "Father, are you not coming in?"


    "Tell me about that woman you met first."


    "In the carriage."


    Baelish slightly chukled at his son and entered the carriage. He looked fowards to the entertainment his son would give him.