~few years ago~
The beautiful paintings hung on the walls of a rather inordinately styled exhibition. A pair of brown eyes stuck on the curves and strokes of the painting. The glass of champagne in her hands remained untouched by her mouth as she tilted her head in appreciation of the artists' communication through the artwork.
The women was dressed in a sliver silk fabric and her raven hung loosely on her elusive shoulders. Her stature stood tall , given the advantages of the black heels. A few faded bruises on her arms , expertly covered with expensive powder and creams. Everything about her posture- the slight arch in her neck ,stable eyes , defined arms , a strong and slender limb posed through the slit in the silks - her nimble fingers curled around the champagne glass-radiated silent power and dominance.
" 'understanding chaos' the name's a bit cliché don't you think?" a voice behind her said, Victoria turned her gaze around an looked around to find a gentlemen dressed in a rather ravishing white suit.
She tugged a small smile on her lips and replied shifting her eyes back to the painting "Life needs a little bit cliché sometimes , Mr..? "
The man chuckled and took a step forward , "Thomas Hudson. Pleasure to meet you" he said .
And that's how the her future unknowingly crumbled. Little did she know....he was going to wreak her resolve and leave her on the edge of desperation.
A striking contradiction to her current state.
"likewise , Mr. Hudson" then she glanced at her watch and suavely placed the glass on one of the passing by waiter's tray.
Later that night the when the Exhibition had closed down and it was late , suddenly the guard guarding the exhibition got knocked down by a nonentity dressed for criminality , tight black cloths , a set of tools on the hip and gloves , paired with a mask that covered the face.
Silent footsteps strode in the exhibition and wondered around , there was no need to hide in blind spots as she had previously hacked the cameras. Her eyes land on her golden egg and she smiles.
The painting worth millions was gently lifted and due to it rather medium size was zipped in a bag pack.
"Alternatively, if you are commuting a crime , you might want to change you perfume"
The masked bunch of raven black hair jumped and turned around and the brown eyes widened at the sight, soon enough the alarm set off.
"Follow me" said Thomas walking up to the bandit as a gun swiftly made its way to his head. His facial expression didn't change as he continued, "You have five minutes to escape so for the sake of the painting , follow me"
With a confirmation nod- Thomas let her through a unidentified pathway. Soon enough the duo stood in the parking lot of the gallery ,Thomas pressed a button on his phone and a white Mercedes pulled up in front of them
The door opened upwards and the pair made its way into the car. Looking back they could see the police cars turn up at the gallery , the red and blue anything but blurred lights as they sped away from the scene.
Thomas stopped a car in an abandoned valley, "I think its time you remove the mask. "
The ravager took off the mask as the raven black hair cascaded down, "How did you -"
"before you say anything , your welcome and can I know your name? considering I just saved you from being caught"
"first of all you didn't save me , I let you. "
"hmm...Name ?"
"Read it in the papers tomorrow" she said getting out of the car but Thomas caught her wrist before she could step out.
"I prefer the face to face introduction"
"Victoria Madeline Smith"
-with that she proceeded to climb out of the car but the grip on her wrist remained the same.
She smiles , "Mr. Hudson...you have beautiful hands"
Thomas chuckles , confused "thank you....?"
"If you wish to keep them , for the coming years of your pathetic life , I suggest , you take them off of me. If not-they'd make fabulous souvenirs for my study table.." she looks down and strokes his palm "Perhaps an ashtray? .
"Ms. Smith , i believe you'd look much more radiant on top of it"
She chuckles "What do you want?"
"A date , with you"
She nodded , "There is a bar down the block , slide fifty eight. See you there tomorrow at seven , Mr. Hudson"
"Can't wait , Ms. Smith"
That night insomnia got the best of her , so instead she looked him up , and was not quite happy with the contents displayed on the computer. He was apparently a government official many people would die to be at his position he was immersed in the world of riches and fame . He worked for the queen perhaps less wasn't expected .
A rich man , with a Knick for courting criminals.
It didn't occur to her why he was interested in her, a typical criminal hacker. She personally preferred to hack from home but this assignment provided her with her whole year's bills.
He was handsome , she couldn't deny it , but making a move and asking her on a date made her question his intelligence.
She rarely went out , so the girl staring back her in the mirror was overdressed , even in a plain tee shirt and leather jacket. Deciding to give herself the benefit of her height she slipped on her heels and left her apartment
At six fifty five she was standing in front of the restaurant which had a funky mold to its exterior.
She made her way inside and looked around , clatter of the waiter's shoes and the laughs of couples rang through the place. "Miss smith?" She turned around hearing her name in an instant. The crease of her eyebrow relaxed as she saw the familiar face of Thomas.
Soon enough they were sitting on their table scheduled from the crowded area. He pulled her a chair and smiled she sat down and so did he in a few moments.
"so what would have?"
She smiles and placed a napkin on her lap , "your head on a platter sounds delicious"
He smiled , " I see you have looked me up" He placed a napkin on his legs and leaned in "If anyone who got this close to you they would have a SWAT team waiting on standby to take you down. Take that as a compliment. "
" I don't trust you"
"You don't need to , I know you will soon"
She leaned back and clenched her jaw , choosing weather or not to believe the man before her. She narrowed her eyes "Tell me something about yourself"
And then the night began , their conversation being the second interesting thing Victoria found after years of unethical hacking. Laughs of the duo rang throughout the restaurant . Maybe there was a spark maybe there was a sentiment that she had never felt before. He listened unlike others , he didn't take her for granted . Considering this was the first time she was asked out by someone , she found herself doing well .
As the hands of the clock turned so did her heart's strings , they made their way out of the restaurant after its closing time.
"Walk with me Victoria"
She hesitated for a moment , but nodded nonetheless "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead"
"You know I am a wanted criminal right? why are you so fascinated with me?"
"That is the reason I am taking interest in you. You see I love to play with fire , its in my blood , can't help it"
"You mean to say you are taking interest in me because I am a criminal? Weird kink"
He chuckles
"Precisely, you see I was given orders to take you out , I didn't comply because I want to know you. Now that I know you a little , I don't plan on giving you up to the British intelligence." He pauses as they spot a ice cream stand , she narrowed her eyes at the nearby stall "ice cream?"
They walked over to the small ice cream stand and ordered , "Chocolate, please"
"Vanilla"
They gave their share of money and were back on their track.
"you can't either way. I'm too intelligent to get caught " Victoria asked taking a bite of her ice cream . Thomas did the same.
"the only thing I'm trying to catch is your attention , Victoria"
They walked silently for some time as the moon shone in the darkness of the night , shops were closing down and the crowd began to disappear. The Street lights on the side walk were the only other source of light , nights in London didn't usually seem so beautiful to Victoria.
Or maybe she didn't bother noticing .
It was almost romantic.
"Well Mr. Hudson it was a pleasure , I must go home now" She turned and said as her ice cream melted slowly.
"Likewise " He said as he took a step ahead "Will I ever get to see you anytime soon?"
"It's in the hands of destiny Mr. Hudson" She said taking another bite of her ice cream. He then leaned a little more and smiled. His hand slowly made its way to her face and he extended his index finger up to her lips wiping the chocolate ice cream on her lower lip to taste her.
Sliding his finger around the jut of her jaw he pulled her close as their lips pressed against each other. At first she didn't know how to respond but then she copied his actions and caressed his cheek with her free hand. His lips were soft , almost too careful not to break her.
Usually she's the one doing the breaking.
They pulled away after a while and he smiled as Victoria exhaled the breath she held till now. That's when she felt something at stir in her. And no. It wasn't the gun in her thigh holster.
But something much....sweeter and devilish.
"Well, can destiny give me her number?" He asked her smugly, she took a step back and smiled .
"You work for the British government , find it yourself " She then turned her gaze to the streets where a taxi was on its way , waving her hand she hailed the cab.
"Till next time Ms Smith"
She opened the door of her cab and replied "Till next time Mr. husdon." and then she drove off.
Just like that days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months and as destiny had planned out , they met again and again and again until they started dating. The only 'dates' she had lasted only until sunrise , and a hangover followed. Drunken one night stands didn't account for the spark she felt with him.
Her heart started to change and so did her concept of the world, she never counted herself to be normal . People like her had no hope for 'normal' , they cant have a boyfriend , or make car payments for the rest of their lives or experience the so called happily ever after.
Thomas showed her a way through the labyrinths in her life , he showed her the world through new eyes and pulled her out of the darkness she had descended in.
One morning when she woke up on her bed for the first time a smile made its way to her face. She looked at the other side of the bed and smiled as she felt the smell of coffee linger in the air .
Wrapping her bed sheet around her naked form she strode down the stairs , only to find him with his back turned on her ,making coffee. She cleared her throat and he turned around startled but smiled later on going back to the coffee. He was only wearing sweatpants.
She walked towards him as he turned again and handed her the coffee mug. She smiled kindly , "well , am i going to get coffee after every night together?"
"depends of what we do , honey" He said smirking
She smiled taking a sip of her coffee as he placed a kiss on her temple. He moved towards the couch and sat down , switching on the television screen.
'It has been duly reported that yesterday afternoon , the gang popularly known as the Walter brothers has stolen three million from the HSBC bank of London . Their system was very efficiently hacked and it was impossible for the Scotland Yard officers to catch as they slipped through the daylight ,on the good side the no hostages were taken . The bad news is that this has happened three times in LIoyds banking group and The Royal banks of Edinburgh , Scotland . Questions are being raised by people , how will the public feel safe when the most popular banks of London are threatened? For more information stay tuned in , this is Riley , reporting from BBC news.'
Simultaneously his gaze turned to her , she looked down at her feet and bit her lip. The coffee mug in her hands felt as if it could slip out any minute like her fear of loosing him . She held it with one of her hand and wiped the sweat forming under her palm on the bed sheet.
"Honey we have talked about this-"
"I know we did , but....but they were persistent on continuing"
"were they? or were you? because as far as I know , they offered you a much bigger paycheck than your current employer. Tell me , why can't i provide for you? Why are you so hell bent to becoming a criminal mastermind?!"
She looked at him in horror and placed the cup on the counter top. Taking careful strides towards him she looked up at him. "It's the only thing I am good at , Thomas."
"No Victoria . You just can't get enough of it. You love the thrill that comes from with in. Its like a drug , and you have gone from a user to an addict. I give you this one choice , Either I go out of that door and never return and you continue doing this or you promise me that you will never ever hack anything and I'll stay"
The T.V playing in the back ground was long forgotten , she leaned in and placed her palm on his cheek and caressed it . "Its you , it'll always be you , please never think otherwise" She smiled
He leaned in placed a chaste kiss on her lips and whispered "I love you"
"I love you too" She whispered back and laid her head on his chest.