Stella was restless one hour after that. She had finished with the safe and she couldn't sleep. Maybe she should have had a drink with Charlie. After all, nothing would happen if she didn't let it. Charlie, she knew, would still be awake at this hour, preparing for the morrow. She put on her simple black dress together with pumps. She had taken casual clothes except for this one. She thought it might be useful for the mission. She was decided. She would accept his invitation for a drink, they would go downstairs and have a drink and then go back to their rooms. Nothing would happen, just a nice conversation among friends. She went to his room, which was on the end of corridor, number 4214. She knocked on the door and she didn't have to wait long before somebody opened it. Charlie was standing in front of her, in only black boxer shorts. Stella had an unprovoked look at his chest. He was well built, the naked skin showed the chocolate tablets Charlie so superbly hided under his clothes. His arms didn't mask the imperious biceps, often hidden behind a jacket or shirt Her cheeks got flushed again and she smiled. His look was confused and he stared at her, impossible to move. Finally, she decided to spoke.
" Hello again Charlie. I…I decided to accept your offer."
He blinked in confusion. " Offer?"
" Yes, to have a drink," she said slowly, to make sure he understood.
He woke up from his absence and shacked his head. " Oh yeah the drink. Just give me one minute. Come in if you like." He went to the bathroom, leaving the door wide open. She stepped in and looked around in the room. His room was similar to her, only that the walls have a mild blue tone. The room was clean and nothing was on the floor or the table. It seemed like no one lived there but Charlie kept his things in the bedroom as she could see from the main room. Charlie wasn't joking when he spoke about one minute. He was back in no time, dressed in jeans and a black shirt. His aftershave came to her nose and she breathed in the nice smell.
" Shall we go then?" Charlie urged. They left the room and went downstairs to the hotel bar. The bar was a large room with the bar in the middle and elegant sofas around. Stella sat down on one sofa and Charlie went to order their drinks. He chose red wine because he felt that this was needed. Stella was too unique and special to order some snobbish cocktail. He went back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Stella was laid back in the sofa, with her eyes fixed on the room. She didn't remark him when he sat down.
" Hello! What are you looking at?" He waved his hand in front of her face.
She sat up and chuckled nervously. " Oh nothing. I was just looking at people. It is my favourite occupation when I am at a new place."
" Why do you do that? Is that to avoid looking at your partner?" He smiled playfully.
" No, it is just to learn the place you are at. I believe that you can't be at a place without knowing the people living at that place, you know. It is how the people dress, behave and talk that you understand the value of a place."
" I know the feeling. When you are going to steal a lot of money, you need to know the people and how they are watching the money. It isn't just about stealing the money, that is the easy part but about the way you do it."
She observed him more attentively now. She had grown with the idea that stealing was bad and you got in prison for it. Her father was the proof that what he did was a crime. But Charlie seemed so dedicated, like it was a philosophy of life. Stealing meant to have something the other had. She couldn't understand why Charlie was stealing so much when he seemed to have everything already.
" Why do you steal Charlie? Are you jealous that others have what you don't have or just like the danger in it?" Stella found it impossible to think that Charlie was a bad man. After all, their missions didn't include any weapons. They just took the money and left.
He reflected a few seconds before he answered. " Your father always said that there are two kind of thieves in this world. The ones who steal to enrich their lives and the ones who steal to defines their lives."
" And which one are you?" she asked as she drank the last drop in her wine. Charlie poured more wine in her glass and smiled at her mischievously.
" I don't know actually. I'm still trying to find out if I have missed something in life. When I was young, I would take everything. Chocolate bars, movies, telephones. When I grew up, I realised that I didn't need objects. I wanted money. I believed that money could buy everything. And it did. I would buy power, elegance, and love even. But it soon came to nothing. Then I met your father on a boat to Rome and he made stealing sound so different. I sold everything, villa, car, boat and explored my idea of stealing. So I would say the first."
Stella felt that her head became fuzzy and she wanted to leave. To hear about her father again made her sentimental.
" Charlie, I need to get back to my room now. I can't stand it anymore. She stood up but her legs couldn't keep her upright and she pressed her hand against the wall for support. Charlie was soon at her side and helped walk.
" Of course we can do that. We'll be soon back to your room." They took the lift and were soon in front of her room. She released herself from his arms and tried to open the door. She was surprised when it was locked. She didn't remember that she had locked it. Charlie took the keys and opened the door for her.
" Do you want help?" he asked as he followed her in.
" No, I'm okay." But legs couldn't resist her weight and she would have fallen if it were not for Charlie.
" You're not okay. Let's put you into bed." She mumbled an "okay" and let herself be helped by Charlie. He put her to bed, taking of her shoes.
" Thank you Charlie. I had such a wonderful evening." A tired smile crossed her lips and she looked at him.
Charlie smiled back to her. " I had too Stella. Goodnight."
" Goodnight," mumbled she before she fell asleep. Charlie watched her sleeping face and resisted the desire to kiss her closed eyes. It was not time for that. Not yet.
Next day was a busy day and Stella put on the uniform that Rob had got for her. She went to the garage and took one service truck. She stopped at the directed place and looked out for any suspect people. At the same time, Charlie came and took the passenger seat. They drove to Steve's place and Charlie and Stella took their place in the van with the others. Charlie called the guard and announced the free technician with a glance at Stella. Charlie ended the conversation and Rob spoke up.
" This is all the paperwork you need. Just give it to him to sign and date it," explained he as he gave her the material.
" Let's check out the camera," demanded Charlie. Lyle handed over the pin and he watched the American flag containing the camera.
" Stella, you'll be going patriotic today." He gave it back to Lyle who tried clumsily to put t on Stella's shirt. " Make sure you walk slowly or the image'll streak," Charlie instructed. Unfortunately, Lyle pierced Stella's breast and she repressed a scream of pain.
" I'm sorry," said Lyle in excuse, a bit ashamed.
"It's okay," said Stella.
" Sorry. Couldn't pin the corsage on my prom date either."
" You had a prom date?" Rob asked in disbelief.
" It was his cousin," joked Left Ear.
" There's cable in the kitchen, living room, bedroom and the cable modem the office," explained Charlie as he skilfully pinned the camera on her shirt. " You need to locate the safe in the office."
" Okay," said she, a bit stressed and panicked.
" I think you're very brave, going in there. I know it won't be easy," intervened Rob helpfully. Rob started to like the woman and he could understand why Charlie liked her too.
"I second that," said Left Ear.
Stella looked at the worried faces around her and smiled. " It's going to be fine."
Charlie laughed and she asked why.
" You know what fine stands for. Freaked out, insecure…
" Neurotic and emotional," completed Stella. She remembered her father's famous words . She felt glad that for the first time, she wasn't sad about her father. She knew she was about to revenge his death. Charlie had finished with the camera and smiled at her.
" You'll be great."
" Yeah." Stella agreed with little conviction. It felt that she was left to lions and Charlie felt the same thing. He couldn't imagine what could happen to Stella if Steve found out. Steve was armed and they weren't but Charlie knew that he would defend Stella with his bare arms if it were necessary.