The sun was already shining as Sophie awoke. She squinted in the brightness of it, and cursed herself for not having closed the curtains before she went to bed last night. She stood up and stretched before walking over to the window to close them, but found herself staring out of the window instead. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. She could see that the water in the harbor was smooth as glass and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Birds flew above her, people walked below her, probably enjoying the brisk fall weather. For Sophie, however, there was nothing enjoyable about this day. She yanked the curtains shut, and crawled back into the bed, pulling the covers up over her head. She felt one tear slide down her cheek, followed by another. She tried to hold them back. But there was nothing she could do to stop it. She began to sob, almost uncontrollably. This happened every year on the anniversary of his death. He had been gone for four years now, and she missed him quite often. This year was different though, as she wasn't even in London to visit his grave. She'd decided finally that she had enough and was making a change. "A change," she couldn't help thinking to herself, "that if I had just made six years ago, might have kept him alive."

Six Years Earlier

"Her Grace, Duchess Charlotte of Hanover" the man announced in a deep and booming voice.

Sophie took a moment to stand at the top of the stairs and survey the scene before her. "Breathe," she told herself as she grasped the railing to the long staircase and slowly began her descent. She made sure that her back was straight, her head was up, and she was as graceful as she could possibly be. This was her moment, and although she was sure that all eyes were on her, there was only one set of eyes that she really cared about. She glanced down to the bottom of the stairs and saw him there, waiting for her. She held his gaze as she completed her walk down the stairs and gracefully took the arm that was offered. She smiled at him, as she allowed him to lead her away from the stairs. "So lovely to see you again, Lord Raben," she said to the man, as he stopped finally.

"I am pleased that you were able to make it. I've been very excited to show you a few new pieces that we've just recently purchased."

"Oh that sounds wonderful! I would very much love to see them. Perhaps a few would be good for our collection." Sophie smiled sweetly at him. This was the perfect opportunity to check out the security system, should it come to that. She knew that if she played her role correctly, it never would.

Sophie had been working this particular con for a few weeks now. Baron Frederik Raben of Denmark had one of the foremost collections of Danish art work, and Sophie was here for one piece in particular, Ganymede Waters Zeus as an Eagle,by Bertel Thorvaldsen. She had a buyer willing to pay very handsomely for it, and her so called 'Auntie' the Countess of Kensington, had set the meeting up for her.

She followed him down a long ornate hallway, and stopped in front of a large wooden door. He held his thumb up to the scanner and she heard the door click. He opened it and held it open for her to walk through. Sophie gasped as she entered the room and the lights flashed on. It was a large room with paintings covering every inch of the walls. There were sculptures set on pedestals all around the room. To a grifter like Sophie, it was like a child walking into a sweets shop. She didn't know where to look first, and had to force herself to keep her composure.

"Oh so many beautiful pieces," she said to him, as her eyes wandered around the walls of the room. She had spotted the sculpture she was after soon after walking into the room, but didn't want to seem too eager. "You have quite a collection here, Lord Raben. It is so kind of you to consider loaning a piece to our little museum. Our Northern European Exhibition will be so much more complete with representation of Danish artistry."

"Your words are kind, but unnecessary. Danish artists are always overlooked, and I am happy to share their talent with the world. Besides, how can I deny the request of such a beautiful woman?" He moved closer to her.

Sophie took a step toward the sculpture beside her, and spoke to change the subject. "Oh, this is breathtaking. What is this called?"

"Ganymede Waters Zeus as an Eagle. It was created by Bertel Thorvaldsen. An eighteenth century artist."

"Such an excellent example of neoclassical sculpting. It is breathtaking."

"If you would like this one, it is yours. You couldn't make a better choice. Thorvaldsen was one of Denmark's greats. I can have the papers signed and the piece ready to ship before the end of the week."

Sophie smiled at him, not trying to seem too eager. "I think it would fit perfectly into our collection, that is, if you can part with it for a little while."

"For you, my dear, I would do so much more."

The Baron was certainly persistent, and Sophie knew that she needed to make an exit quickly. "I think that we should be getting back to the party. Don't you agree? Your other guests, and your wife, will be wondering where you are." She exited the room with him following behind her, and they re-joined the party. She spent the next few hours chatting with the other guests before she felt that she could make her exit. Thanking the Baron and his wife, she made arrangements to meet at the end of the week to take possession of the piece. Everything was going according to plan.

With a spring in her step, Sophie returned to her hotel room, ready to celebrate with a hot bath. As she approached the door, she was surprised to discover that it was unlocked. Opening it slightly, she peeked in and saw a tall figure standing in the darkness. She quietly opened the door further, allowing her enough room to slide into the room, and tiptoed quietly behind the man. Before she could react, he turned, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her close to him. Their lips met and she wrapped her arms around his neck briefly, before pushing him away, laughing playfully. "Michael! How did you know where to find me?" she asked the man.

"Your Aunt was kind enough to let me know where you'd be. I told you, Charlotte," he said her name with a wink, "I would follow you anywhere." He reached for her again and pulled her back into his arms.

She wasn't really her aunt, but Sophie knew very well that he knew that too. He also knew her real name wasn't Charlotte or Sophie, but he used her aliases with her playfully. Michael was the one person that knew who she really was, and what she did, and he loved her anyway.

They met in a park in London. She had just left a meeting with a mark, and he was there on his lunch break. He literally ran into her, although she found out later that he did it on purpose to meet her. She tried to blow him off, but he was persistent, and eventually he broke through her tough exterior and despite herself, Sophie found herself letting him in. Maybe she was lonely, maybe she was tired of the grift, or maybe she was just amazed how nothing she told him about her past or her current activities ever seemed to faze him. He accepted her for who she was, and that took her by surprise. Soon, she found herself in a real relationship with him. The first time he said that he loved her, she said it back, but she wasn't completely sure if she meant it. Was she with him for the comfort of it, or because she really did love him?

"What are you doing here?" She asked him as they sat down on the couch together. "You know that I can't really be seen with you."

"I don't intend to let you leave this hotel room, so no worries there." He grinned as he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Besides, I missed you."

"Room service, then?" she suggested, as she removed her shoes.

"Room service, I think. Yes." He grabbed her and leaned back on the couch, taking her with him. "Maybe in a little while." He smiled at her, before kissing her passionately.

The next morning, Sophie awoke to find him already awake and dressed. He had ordered breakfast, and set it out on the table for them. She dressed herself quickly and joined him, gratefully taking the plate of toast that he offered her. They had never gotten around to ordering room service last night, and she was starving.

"How did you sleep, darling?" he asked her, as he poured her a cup of tea. "Well, I hope?"

"Yes, quite well, thank you" she smiled at him through bites of toast.

"Do you have plans for the day?" She knew he was asking her if Duchess Charlotte had plans, but she just responded simply with no. He was pleased. "Very good. I have some things that I would like to talk to you about after breakfast.

She looked at him curiously, and her mind raced to figure out what he could want to discuss. She finished breakfast, and he led her to the couch.

"Darling," he began almost as soon as they sat down. "I'm glad this….job of yours is going well, but I worry about you so much when you are off doing what you do. We've had such a wonderful time together this past year, and you know that I love you dearly."

She looked at him with surprise. Whatever she had expected, it wasn't this. She shifted in her seat, but remained quiet.

He continued. "You mean so much to me, and I hate the idea that something could happen to you. This past year has meant the world to me." He stood up nervously and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. "I am a fairly wealthy man and I have a good job. You could stop this if…." He paused and fell to one knee, opening the box to reveal a diamond ring. "Would you consider doing me the honor of becoming my bride?"

Sophie sat there looking from him to the diamond in stunned silence. Her mind was working quickly, but nothing was coming out of her mouth. Married? Michael wanted to marry her? This score was going to be big for her. Probably the biggest that she'd ever had. Could she give it up and become his wife? She cared for him. She really did, but he loved her. He really loved her and she wasn't sure if she felt that strongly about him. Was that fair? She looked at him there, on his knees, looking at her so hopefully. Could she be happy being his wife? Before she realized what she was saying, she grabbed his free hand, smiled and said, "Yes! Yes, I will marry you Michael." He slid the ring on her finger and they threw themselves into each other's arms. He lifted her face to his. "My darling, you've made me the happiest man in all of Denmark, the entirely of Europe!" he grinned as he kissed her.

She lost herself in the moment. His lips were so soft, yet hard against hers, and when he kissed her, it was easy to forget everything in her head. He stood himself up, pulling her up with him, and walked her backward toward the bed, never taking his lips off of hers. Gently, he lowered her to the bed.

This man, Michael. He accepted her for who she was. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, knowing who and what she was. Maybe it was time to stop the grift and settle down.

Six Years Forward

While she lay in the bed remembering him, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and sat up, wiping away the tears from her eyes. She took a deep breath.

"Hello Auntie," she said as she answered the phone.

"My dear, don't try to hide it, I can always tell when you've been crying."

"No Auntie, it's just that you know how this day affects me."

"Oh I do know, but crying won't bring him back. We all make choices dear. You made the choice to call off the engagement and keep on grifting, and he made the choice to never get over you. Neither of you are responsible for the other's decisions. You need to let it go."

"I know you are right." She sighed.

"Now tell me," she continued. "How are you enjoying Boston? I don't understand why you had to go all the way to America. Surely you could find acting jobs here in London."

They chatted a little more before they said their goodbyes and she hung up the phone. Sophie sighed and stood up. Her thoughts wandered back to Michael again. Briefly, someone loved her. The real her. Not a persona that she put on for the grift, but actually her. She wasn't sure if that would ever happen again, but she smiled to herself as she thought of that one moment when they were going to be married, and a kiss that she would never forget.