So I've tried another writing style in this one, spaces and stuff yeayea. Alsooooooooooo sorry for the delay, I've had some University stuff to do so that's why it took some time. Here ya go my little hyenas, hope you'll like it! Please leave reviews, it really makes my day ;) haha but most importantly tyi it motivates me to keep writing !
Inspired by this song watch?v=gDaZJ-iTfcI god i love it so much.
Twenty days.
Lydia took a puff of her cigarette.
Twenty days since she saw him.
Glass of wine, she was lying in the steamy hot bubbly water of the large clawfoot bathtub. It's been more than two weeks since she came back to her father's mansion. Everything was back to normal; at least she liked to think it was. She remembered the last time they've been apart for some time. Another puff of white smoke mixed itself to the steam of the bath. What about Erin? She didn't see her again afterwards, it's like she didn't even exist. A sigh cupped in the glass she brought to her mouth, taking a sip of the blood-coloured mixture. Her feline friend walked next to her, agile walk, making sure he wouldn't slip in the dreaded water. She thought of Garrett... Actually everything made her think of him, it's like she was obsessed. Lydia laughed it off, mixture of a scoff and a snort, drinking the rest of her glass. Maybe that's how it was meant to be; maybe they didn't belong with each other. What was she even expecting? He was a thief and she was some kind of rich girl that came out of nowhere; it was crazy to say the least. One of her lean legs got out of the bath, followed by the rest of her silhouette. She stretched her bare, wet body; numb from the warmness. A hand found a towel, lacing it around her body after she drained the water from the tub. As she walked to her room, Lydia rolled her wet hair in a bun. The mansion was always so quiet; it almost made her feel like she was alone. Her father always worked locked up in his office while Rose, who moved temporally after Lydia, cleaned and made food for the two Carvers, most of the time.
She dressed up quickly; slipping in a short, but fancy black dress. Lydia looked at herself in the mirror, passing a hand on her face, detailing her features. She looked more pale than usual; like something was eating her from the inside. That's when the slow creaking sound of the door startles her. Rose came in with a platter, garnished with her breakfast, as Lydia greeted her with a simple smile. The old maid sat on the bed, deposing the platter next to her, waiting for the lady to finish her care routine; they had that ritual of eating breakfast together. Lydia combed her long black hair, turned to face the elder that just came in. Rose was a short woman and also kind of chubby. Her face was used by household; her hands were crippled by the arthritis. Lydia felt guilt for the woman for a second, but then again, she had been a huge part of the family for so long. The light reflected on the long strands of wet hair that felled around her shoulder; making a bluish tint come out. Lydia weakly sat next to the platter, rubbing her hands playfully; trying to gesture her appetite. Honestly she didn't even want to eat; she didn't remember the last time she felt hunger. Rose was analysing her every moves as Lydia reached to a slice of bread; nibbling around the crust.
"Is everything okay, darling?" That's it, Rose looked concerned now.
"Why yes, thanks for asking." Lydia peered at the maid for less than a second, returning her attention to the platter almost instantly.
Was she really okay? She didn't even know anymore; she didn't know how she felt. Emptiness. She felt empty behind the eyes.
The maid's eyes remained glued to the young woman in front of her. It troubled her to see her wilt in some kind of way; but the worst about it, she couldn't do anything about it. Did the kidnapping affect her that much? Rose had so many questions but couldn't seem to spit them out, trying to figure out the Carver puzzle that couldn't even bring itself to take a bite of bread. Tension pressed on them. One ached to ask every question she needed; the other one feared conversation. How could Lydia explain that she met Garrett? Of course she could, but then again how could she explain that he was a thief. That he was a criminal. How could she tell Charles Carver without getting Garrett hanged? She swallowed everything that was rumbling in her mind along the crumbs she collected from the bread. It needed to stop; she needed to forget. The door was pushed, making the two women snap from the sad atmosphere that wrapped them. A tall man appeared; leaning against the frame.
"Ladies." He greeted, genuine smile on his face.
Lydia could almost taste the emotions her father was radiating. He was worrying. Charles cleared his throat loudly, making Rose almost jump up from the mattress and get out of the room, slightly bowing at his impressive structure. He caressed his arm, reassuring her as she disappeared in the hallway.
God did Lydia wanted to run away right now.
"Honey..." He mumbled as Lydia stayed focussed, looking at her fidgeting fingers placed her legs.
He got closer, taking the place of the maid on the bed. She could feel his gaze. Lydia already knew why he came to see her; she already knew what he was about to say.
"We should do a party tonight," He passed a nervous hand on the collar of his sweater, as if he knew she wouldn't like the idea "You've been in your room since you've got here, you could use some social interactions don't you think?"
Social interactions. She almost scoffed at the words; she almost laughed actually. She couldn't even bring herself to bear with herself these days; how would other people help her? But then again, maybe that's what she needed. Twenty days since she saw another face that wasn't her father, Rose or even Felix if it counted.
"What do you think?" He had pushed the platter away, bringing his body closer to hers, lacing a comforting hand on her back, rubbing it gently.
What did she think? Was that really a useful question? Everything in her body was denying the proposition. A lump appeared in her throat as she felt the words coming, disgusting herself.
"Sure, father." She politely stated, looking at him; smiling gently.
He looked around, analysing the territory he was about to make his; dropping on the ground silently when he knew it was clear. His silhouette glued itself to the shadows that contoured the high wall; making his way around the establishment. All he needed was a breach; a tiny one and he would be able to get inside. Crouched in a corner, Garrett looked at a patrolling pair pass next to him. His pupils were the only thing that moved, scrutinising the windows, detailing each one of them. He swooped behind a sleeping guard, making his way deeper. Garrett felt like a ghost when he made infiltrations like this; actually he'd been one all his life. The thief saw an opportunity; someone forgot to lock a window. His strong muscles lifted him up some crated, then on some conduit pipes that hugged the building; leading him straight to his entrance. His hooked slipped underneath the wooden sill, sliding it up slowly, muffling every sound. His feline body swooped in the small breach he created; he was in.
"Now for the plan," he thought, "here's one: find the safe and improvise."
He began his scavenging by leaning on the door near him, peeking through the lock; everything seemed clear. His agile hands worked on the picking, opening the door after, silently pushing it out of his way. Garrett looked both sides; making sure he didn't hear anything around him in the corridor. He slowly walked, plastering the walls, sticking to the shadows. Guards were patrolling, torches in hand, feeling shivers down their spine as Garrett swooped in the shadows above them. High grounds were what made him so successful. He swiftly made his way on the support studs, listening to the guards; making sure they weren't saying anything that could make him find what he came here for. Nothing; but he didn't really care, heists were always a thrill for him; he liked the challenge of stealing treasure that meant something. The Master Thief then made his way to the bottom floor, eerie feeling coming out of the basement. He crept up behind a guard, entering the room after him; before he closed the door. He knew it was here; he just knew. Instincts were always something he trusted.
Something caught his ears. Mechanisms.
Garrett heard cameras swooping air around; motion detectors.
"Cameras... You're only motivating me more lady." He gazed at the electronics carefully; between two crates nearby.
Patience was the trick with those. He had encountered them once in a bank; but then again, every heists are different, you always need to be on your guards. The thief waited until the cameras were facing in opposite directions from the door they guarded. He quickly swooped to it; pick locking it at the speed of light, entering the silent room, closing the door behind him carefully. He turned around, facing the big safe on the wall in front of him. He lightly stepped forward, narrowing his eyes to distinguish every detail.
"No traps..." He was sceptic. Maybe she ran bankrupt after the cameras.
A weird statue was leaning on the wall. Garrett shivered at his sight. She looked like a crippled old woman, hands holding a headless black cat. It almost looked real; he almost felt the need to touch it only to be sure it wouldn't move. The thief shook his head; returning his attention to the safe. As he worked on the combination; that he got not long ago from a guard's pocket, he felt like if the statue was observing him. He felt disgusted; he couldn't wait to be finished here.
"Statues are definitely on my black list." He cringed at the realistic gaze that it gave him.
The locked was popped; the safe was open. There it was.
"The Green Serenity." He whispered, taking the piece of jewelry resting on a red cushion.
He turned the necklace in his gloved hands twice, detailing it. The big green diamonds reflected the small rays of lights from the room, making him examine it even more. It reminded him of someone... Garrett snapped from the moment, hearing a small mechanical sound bumping again his left ear. His face slowly turned to the statue next to him and got closer, looking into the empty gaze of the woman. He distinguished nothing; doubling of caution as he closed the safe, pocketing the piece. He turned on his heels and headed for the door; opened it and swept outside when the cameras weren't looking, once again. Crouched, he made his way to the staircase, avoiding guards that were now patrolling in the basement. Steps by steps, he felt every of his muscles tense as he heard running footsteps from the floor he was reaching. He peeked from the large wooden railing, facing an empty corridor. That's when he saw a window. He slowly walked, looking around him, almost looking paranoiac while doing it.
"He's here!"
God damn it; as he stiffened at the sound, crisping his body making sure of being ready to sprint out of there. Garrett sprinted in the corridor, hearing their heavy armed footsteps behind him. He rushed and pulled the window upwards, opening it and leaping outside. His landing wasn't really smooth; it was a little bit higher than he expected it. He turned on himself, looking for exits. Guards ran out the front door; he knew he didn't have much time.
Lydia sighed. She heard the sounds around her, without listening to them. The woman next to her was rambling about how her father was someone important in the society of The City, and how Lydia should be grateful for having such a wonderful person in her life. The only thing she did was nod in respond, smiling while taking a sip from her glass of wine. How many did she have anyway? She lost count. Even wine didn't bring her comfort. She felt her body get limp on the big Victorian sofa.
"If you'll excuse me." She got up, head spinning, trying to get footing on the armrest, under the worrying eyes of the woman next to her.
Lydia got the bathroom, closing the door behind her, leaning on it. Her body got to the sink, making clear water come out of the tap. She damped a rag and applied it on her porcelain face, trying to awaken herself. Her eyes looked at her reflection; god was she pale. Lydia turned her face; her cheekbones looked more prominent then before. She looked so skinny. A knocking distracted her as she heard her father asking if she was alright. Lydia approved, only stating that this party needed to be over with.
People were leaving the mansion as Lydia remained in the bathroom, waiting to hear nothing but the silence before coming out of her isolation. She opened the door as her father waved the last guest goodbye. Lydia went straight for the staircase, ignoring the questions of her father along her way. She walked absently through the corridor; what was happening to her actually? Her head spun until she reached the golden handle of her bedroom.
That's when she got in, getting out of her high heels. She went into the bathroom, changing herself in a satin white dress, only wishing she could sleep right on the cold ceramic under her. She had no energy. Lydia was practically dragging the corpse that composed her body out of the bathroom at that moment.
That's when she saw him.
A strong figure was leaning against her canopy bed. Her breath stopped; almost rubbing her eyes at the view. Did he really come back? She didn't really know how to feel about this situation; he didn't know to react. Here they were again. She got closer; he straightens. Garrett looked at her; she looked different, she looked absent. Their eyes locked for a couple of seconds before she turned and sat on the bed. He swiftly turned his body towards her, hissing silently. Lydia caught that, noticing his hand covered something on his side. Her eyes narrowed; she saw blood.
"You're injured?" It was more of a statement than a question.
He turned away. Lydia rolled her eyes; was he really going to give her the cold shoulder after showing up here? He felt soft hands touch his leather suit; his breath stopped. She worked on the lacing of the top piece, untangling it. He looked above his shoulder, noticing that she was paying attention to nothing but her work. The top piece of the leather suit was gone, followed by the gloves. She cocked her head as he sat on the bed, revealing his entire face to her. His scars had something that made her want to know everything about them. She looked at the horizontal slash he bared on his side, trailing along his toned muscles. Lydia went on the other side on the injured side, raising his arm slowly to see it clearer. He hissed at the contact.
"It looks pretty deep, what happened to you?"
"It's nothing."
She shrugged his remark. Sure it was nothing; everyone could be slashed open by a sword for nothing. He looked at her while she got up and gathered the supplies she needed. She worked meticulously, disinfecting the wound and bandaging him. As she cut the piece of sterilised clothing; Lydia felt him looking at her. The woman looked up, and here they were again; inches from each other. She felt him get closer; as silently as he could. Her hand took his, cupping her face as she closed her eyes. Garrett felt the goose bumps that covered her neck, making him looked at her closed face; detailing her mouth. Lydia couldn't stand it any longer; she was about to tell him.
She didn't even need to say a word.
Garrett leaned in and captured her lips, dropping a soft kiss. Passion. He backed away a couple inches, breathing lightly quickened. He was waiting for her approval. Lydia pulled slowly closer; making sure she wouldn't hurt him, locking their lips together once again. The kiss was slow, tender. His hand trailed to the back of her head, running his agile fingers in her soft hair, pulling her face closer to his, assuring the proximity between them. Lydia didn't function anymore; she was caught in the moment. How long did she waited for this to happen? How long did she wait to feel something? Her hand reached at his toned body; making him shiver at the contact. Garrett didn't quite understand the feelings that were building up inside of him; the only thing he knew was that he couldn't let her slip away. Not anymore.