Chapter 3

     A week had passed and here I was, carrying my valuables which were my laptop and phone. Not as if I don't need clothes for anything, but with the money I would make from selling this ring, I was certain to relocate to Uk and do absolutely well. I will keep a low-key profile till I know about my environment before probably getting myself a car.

       Don't worry about college, I can decide to work on that or drop out. Checking the prices of that ring, I saw everything above 400 thousand dollars. That's a freaking huge amount of money! And even if I get 300 thousand dollars I will be fine. Very fine and I can be able to go back to Italy and buy my late parents’ house back. I will renovate it, make it bigger the way I want, and pay back those people I scammed.

     That means no more stealing for me even if I literally stole yesterday. That means more hope, I can go back to Italy and when I get disturbed, I can settle them off or even raise a case against them because I have the money.

      Walking down to a dealer shop, I thought of what to tell him. A flat lie would do, right?

      People say that man buys anything as long as it's valuable. Even if you obviously stole it. I know he would not mind cheating me to buy it and that wasn't my problem. My problem was getting a good cover-up story to tell.

       I don't look rich, I don't look like I can even afford a 3000 dollars ring much more than 300 thousand. The last time I came here was to sell a 500 dollars bracelet and that was really had to tell him how I got it from my ex and want to sell it to stop thinking of him. Fvcking love story.

     "You can do this, Amara," I said to myself "You can really do this".

       Standing opposite the store, I found a man performing a magic trick. Trying hard not to lose anything, I held my laptop and my phone pressed to my chest while I have the ring in my mouth. I know how all these and I can't stand the chance of losing what I worked so hard to steal just because I want to watch a man steal for people in the name of performing magic tricks.

       The only thing stopping me from exposing the man is that he caught me stealing the wristwatch of a woman very close to me. Well, it looks fresh and I bet she just got it and was all that mattered which isn't my business. Next time, she will know better than watch worthless magic shows in broad daylight. 

      She would also know when someone stands next to her and pretended to almost fall only to grab their wrist and smile at them like they are in love and leave the second.

      She gat beautiful eyes though, and a sweet smile. Her breath smelled like garlic bread and that isn't anything a girl should eat by this time. I hope she has a boyfriend that can understand what it takes to love garlic bread.

       Getting to the dealer's shop, I saw a man. He looked so....familiar and yet odd. His white expensive car didn't fit him well same, unlike his white suit. 

       "Damn! I wish I can steal his car" I groaned with a stupid smile on my face.

       If I can get close to him, maybe I can see something to take from him but from afar, he looked dry. No wristwatch, no earrings, no rings, no bracelet, just a tattoo at the back of his palms and something like a half-naked woman half snake tattoo running from his neck to the small left side of his face.

       How odd to see the tattoo of tiny boobies on a grown man's face.

      "Nothing interesting to see" I muttered as I watch him pass me.

       Waiting for him to get into his car and drove off, I quickly wiggled my fingers through my hair, squeezed my chin to give me some blush, and grinned stupidly.

       Pushing the door open, a bell rang annoyingly as it announced my grand entrance.

       "What do you have now?" The dealer asked immediately after he saw me.

        No way!

      Did he recognize me? I know people sell stolen things to him but why does he make it hard for me just because I stole a fake silver ring from him the first day I came here?

       "Sorry," he said as he stood up, "I thought you were someone else".

      Walking out to his counter, he flashed me a toothy grin before bringing out his palm. 

  "So pretty, what do you have?" He asked me.

      Should I be worried? He had these fresh bruises on his face, neck, and a fresh cut on his bloody lips. I just don't like that I had this paranoid feeling like something was coming to get me. I don't know why I was so scared like what I was doing was wrong or I was in danger.

     Nah! Was there any time I am not in danger?

      I was supposed to be in class, studying for my second-semester exam which would commence in five weeks. Well, here I am, scared to even show the buyer what I stole for the first time.

       Shoving the sudden fear off my head, I brought out the ring. Not in front of my mouth though, I removed it when I stole the wristwatch from the garlic bread girl.

      Placing the ring and the watch on the table, I grinned up at the man.

  "Remember to price well," I said.

      The scared look on the man's face terrified me. Worst, he just took the watch and slowly moved the ring back toward me. Without saying a word, he brought out his wallet and counted 250$. Slapped it on the table with his eyes roaming around, he lean closer and whispered.

      "I will try to act nice," he said.

      Walking inside, he stayed a bit long before appearing out back. 

  "You don't mean to give me just 250$," I said feeling a bit greedy.

      I should have noticed but I didn't. I just stood still, staring at the 250$ in my palm them the man's face. I don't know how it happened or how I did it. I just know I quickly picked up the ring and put it in my mouth immediately the door burst open. Reflex, I guess? 

     'Just the hot man with the booby tattoo face' I tried to assure myself.

      Flashing him a nervous toothy grin as he walked toward me didn't help. Soon, I felt his warm breath on my head, breathing like a dragon ready to vomit fire. He looked at the dealer for a while and back at me.

     "I give you what you want, please take her and leave" the dealer begged.

     Shit!

      What in the low-budget horror movie is happening to me?