You Have Been Swindled, Mr. Blackwood

"Marcel Doherty?" one guard asked, scrutinizing the identity card Vanessa presented. Ts & Cs collections were the biggest jewelry store in the whole of Brooklyn, NY, exclusively for VVIP billionaires. Getting in was strictly by a black card and the guards at the entrance ensured that rule was strictly adhered to. Vanessa smiled sweetly. "Yes, that's me." making sure to look convincing enough. Today, she was Marcel Doherty, daughter of the renowned billionaire tech engineer, and not Vanessa Scar, the skilled thief that she truly was – or "con artist," as she preferred to be called. She believes her thieving to be an art, and she… was the artist. "Heir to the Doherty Group of Companies?" the other guard inquired, his gaze darting between the card and Vanessa's face. She nodded nicely. The guards didn't believe her. They had their doubts. Marcel Doherty was more of a spoilt brat and would have already been making a scene after being told to wait for more than a second. But the face matched what they were seeing in the card. Vanessa had meticulously replicated Marcel's appearance, from her long, curly black hair, doll-like eyes to her olive-hued skin and full, shaped lips, not forgetting her slender figure and accentuated curves to her furrowed brows and pursed smile, blurring the lines between reality and deception. The guards' hesitation waned but they had no evidence to speak. Vanessa was Marcel. Marcel was Vanessa. The guards' gazes flickered between the card and Vanessa, searching for a crack in her facade. But Vanessa remained unfazed. This was not the first time she had been in such a situation. She held their gaze fiercely, chin raised, regarding them with an air of superiority, as if they were beneath her. One guard sighed, sensing that probing further might spark issues with the influential Doherty family. Yet, a nagging feeling persisted – Vanessa was an imposter. "Black card, please?" he asked politely. Vanessa retrieved the card from her Birkin bag and handed it over. It was identical to Ts & Cs' authentic cards, but only Vanessa and the man who made it for her knew the truth. After a brief examination, the guards forced smiles and greeted her with a synchronized bow. "Welcome to Ts & Cs Collections." As they opened the door, Vanessa took her belongings from them, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. With a subtle nod, they stepped aside, granting Vanessa – or rather, Marcel – entry into the elite world of Ts & Cs Collections. "Got ya, fools," she whispered, savoring her victory. As Vanessa stepped into Ts & Cs, luxury enveloped her. The modern exterior gave way to an opulent oasis, where soft lighting danced across glittering gemstones. Diamonds, rubies, and emeralds sparkled in elegant displays, nestled among rich wood tones and creamy whites. The ambiance was refined, yet warmly intimate – the perfect place for billionaires seeking the world's most exquisite jewelry. After a small tour of the place, Vanessa arrived at the main store, her heart racing with anticipation. As she browsed, an attendant approached. "Do you need any assistance?" she asked. Vanessa's gaze remained fixed on the collection, gleaming with want. "No, thank you." she replied. The attendant lingered, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. Vanessa sensed her doubts, likely sparked from the way she stared at the jewelry with an intense focus. "I'd like to be left alone. I still haven't decided. I'll let you know when I do." Vanessa said, turning to meet the attendant's gaze, a warm smile on her lips. With a bow, the attendant departed, leaving Vanessa to ponder her next move. She made a mental note not to stare too much like a thief, else she might arouse further suspicion. Vanessa's attention was not just on any jewelry collection, but the legendary Diamond Series. Twelve exquisite pieces crafted with the finest diamonds, originally made by Ts & Cs, and valued at $120 million. Stealing them all was impossible – she'd be caught instantly. The first and last pieces were also off-limits; too obvious. But her sights were set on the Crowded Night Jewelry, fifth in the series. Vanessa had studied each piece meticulously two weeks prior, so she didn't need the attendant's explanation. Now, her mind raced with strategies to steal it without detection. How to steal and leave were always the biggest part in every of her escapades. But fate intervened, sending Ethan Blackwood, CEO of Blackwood Enterprises, into the store. He walked in with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone, engrossed in a call. Target acquired. Vanessa's eyes sparkled with opportunity. She knew she'd leave with the jewelry today. She casually drifted away from the Diamond Series, pretending to browse other pieces while eavesdropping on Ethan's conversation. Her mind racing with strategies to infiltrate him. Vanessa would have likely known who Ethan Blackwood was if she had taken her time to go through the Top Fifty Billion magazine's edition, rather than settling for only the top three. Ethan exuded confidence, dressed in a tailored black suit, his raven-black hair perfectly styled. Chiseled features complemented his masculine physique, and his piercing black eyes scanned the jewelry with confusion. The soft click of his Italian-made shoes echoed as he moved from piece to piece, his domineering aura commanding attention. A defeated sigh escaped his lips. "Man, I don't know what to get her. There are so many pieces here, and I have no idea how this works." His voice was a low rumble but had a soothing bit to it. Just then, Ethan's gaze locked onto the Diamond Series, specifically the Crowded Night Jewelry. "Oh, I think I found the right one for her," he said into the phone, excitement creeping into his voice. Vanessa's eyes widened as she saw the object of his desire, but she maintained her composure, her smile unwavering. Ethan snapped his fingers, summoning the attendant. "I'll take this one, please." He pointed at the Crowded Night Jewelry. As the attendant stepped forward to package his request, Ethan wandered off to browse other pieces. Vanessa seized the moment. She adjusted her stunning burgundy knee-length dress, swept a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her slender neck, and glided over to Ethan, her black stiletto heels clicking with every step she took. "Hi," Vanessa said sweetly, capturing his attention. Ethan turned to face her, his expression curious. That's when Vanessa noticed Ethan's handsome features. Standing before her, he towered at 6'1". As she gazed up, his scent wafted to her nostrils, distracting her from her plan. The aroma was potent and commanding - dark spices and lavender. Her heart skipped a beat as she breathed in his scent. The warmth of it enveloped her. Vanessa felt an inexplicable pull, wanting to inhale deeper, but she quickly shook off the sensation. She continued, her voice laced with apology. "The necklace you asked them to package, I already picked that one. I'm so sorry." She laughed softly. “I'll call you back.” Ethan ended his phone call. "Excuse me, but what are you talking about?" His tone was half-cold, half-perplexed. Despite his confusion, Ethan couldn't help but notice Vanessa's stunning beauty. Her refined features, tall stature, around 5'10" without heels, and that striking dress, which hugged her curves perfectly, all commanded attention. But Ethan wasn't like most men; he wasn't swayed by physical beauty alone. Yet, there was something else captivating about Vanessa. Something that caught his attention. It was her eyes, locked onto his, and he felt drawn in. The way she stared at him, as if seeing beyond the surface, intrigued Ethan. He felt himself getting lost in those depths. Ethan wondered what secrets those eyes concealed. Vanessa's smile remained. "I already picked that necklace before you got her. I'm so sorry, but it's mine. You know, I don't know why she didn't tell you. These store attendants can be so inattentive." She said, dramatically rolling her eyes and ending her words with another small laugh. "Yeah, but she's packing it for me," Ethan said, his tone firm. "Oh, but it's mine," Vanessa replied sweetly, her voice tinged with mock pity. Ethan's face fell, but he knew he couldn't contest. He let out a defeated sigh and conceded. "Okay, you can have it." "Thank you," Vanessa said, her laughter soft and playful. The store attendant approached, sensing tension. "Any problem?" she asked softly. Vanessa laughed lightly. "No, no." she said, her eyes sparkling. Ethan nodded, despite his reluctance. "No, it's fine. She can have the item that I picked." “Oh, you heard him!” Vanessa said cheerfully and moved closer, her lips brushing against Ethan's cheek in a gentle kiss. "You're too kind." Ethan inhaled deeply, entranced by Vanessa's scent – a mix of jasmine and citrus. It was unlike anything he'd ever smelled before, yet eerily familiar. Where had he smelled it before? He struggled to resist the urge to pull her back and take another whiff, not wanting to come across as creepy. But the feeling lingered: he'd encountered this scent before. The familiarity gnawed at him, but the memory stayed just out of reach. It was ridiculous, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he knew her, that they'd crossed paths before. The attendant smiled, bowed, and departed. "Thank you so much," Vanessa said, her bright smile radiant. "It's fine," Ethan replied, returning to his browsing. Vanessa sauntered over to the counter, collected her package, and exchanged pleasantries with the attendant. As she walked away, a victorious laugh escaped her lips. Her gaze lingered on Ethan before she disappeared from view. Ethan, with brows furrowed in confusion, searched through the pieces until he found something worthwhile. He approached the attendant. "Okay, I think I've found something else over there," he said, pointing. "The second piece on the second shelf." The attendant retrieved the item, packaged it, and presented Ethan with the bill. "Alright, sir, here's your total," she said. Ethan's eyes scanned the paper, his expression changing from calm to shock. He was taken aback by what he saw. "Wait, it says here that you charged me for two pieces." he muttered. The attendant nodded. "Yes, the one for the other lady." Ethan's confusion deepened. "What other lady?" The attendant gestured toward the entrance. "The lady you were just kissing, sir." Ethan's demeanor shifted from calm to indignation. He felt accused. "What are you talking about? She kissed me." His voice rose. The attendant's eyes darted, hesitation and anxiety written across her face. She knew she had made a big mess. "She said you'd pay for her items too," she stammered. "And... I thought... you were together." Ethan's anger surged. "And you believed her?" he demanded. The attendant defended, "You were just with her. Besides, you said she could have the item that you picked." Ethan's face reddened with rage. "I didn't mean it that way. Why would you... what's going on? Is this how you operate here?" he demanded. The attendant remained silent, her eyes downcast. Ethan's gaze narrowed. "You've just been played," he dropped the bill, his voice icy. "Do you have CCTV footage?" he asked, his tone firm. The attendant nodded, still silent. Ethan seethed, his mind racing with vengeance. He vowed to track down the woman who had duped him of $20 million. But, Vanessa was long gone. Settled into a taxi, sun shades perched on her nose, the fresh breeze whipping through her hair. A triumphant laugh escaped her lips as she gazed at the package. "You've just been swindled, Mr. Blackwood," she whispered, savoring the victory as the taxi sped away.