13 days before the job

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"Okay! Everyone! We got our eyes on the prize!" Minji excitedly turns the laptop towards everyone seated around the dining table.

On the laptop, a pixelated image of The
Samar is displayed. The wedding ring of the Sheikh's ancestor. Worth four million dirham. Or about a million US dollars.

"Oh my God it's beautiful," Elara looks closely at it.

Monique examines it closely, "The cut on those diamonds is one of the most unique things I've witnessed. And the rubies too. The band looks like platinum, but I think there's a little zirconium action to hold some of the pieces in blaze. Oh this whole thing must have been made in its own furnace, to get the zirconium like that they would have to slow heat it for days-"

"Yeah no one can understand a thing, can we continue?" Pandora yawns.

"Yeah I never understand why people spend that much on jewellery," Jian leans back in his seat.

I point my chopstick at him, "Investment."

Blaise looks up from her phone, "Yes but it's not the most reliable one. This is purely for show business, no wonder it's being used for a museum auction."

Jian holds his hand up and Blaise obliges with a high five. When did these two become homies?

"Yes but it's a lot less risky than the stock market and crypto," Kai decides to join in.

"Stock market and cryptocurrency do have more promising outcomes," Yuxian counters, pointing his own chopsticks at Kai.

"Yeah, just like gambling," Kai snorts.

Yuxian just looks down and continues to eat his ramen.

Minji clears her throat, "As I was saying, this will be kept in a vault till the presenting ceremony. And Blaise and Jian advise us to not go to the vault. High risk, high security, not worth it. Even when it is brought out, it will have it's own security team of three guards. It has to be intercepted in between. It's almost untouchable when in the vault and when on the display."

"So you're saying we lift it when it's being taken from the vault to the display?" Kai asks.

"The hotel's corridors from the vault to the Hall are a narrow continuous set, where will we run after we even take it?" Elara counters.

"With a hotel so huge, and all the illegal shit stored in its storage, there are bound to be secret rooms. I'm talking trapdoors, hidden rooms, all that," Monique says, "I'm gonna need multiple scanners planted in these corridors, there's a lot more under the surface."

"Yes we'll get them placed today," Alby says, finishing her plate.

"What about leaving the place?" Yuri questions.

I clear my throat, "If Kai can somehow get out of there, then we can either escape through international waters or even just escape to Oman. Otherwise, if we can't find a way out immediately, we will have to find a way to hide the piece inside the hotel itself."

"The background checks on the guests might just expose us if we continue to stay," Blaise warns.

"It's a risk either way," Dharuna sighs, "But the second way feels safer. The hotel is big, the best place for a deadly game of hide and seek."

"True, true," Monique agrees. Dharuna has a proud smile on her face.

"Okay! Then what's our agenda for today?" Yuri asks, collecting the bowls of those who have finished their lunch.

I point towards Alby, Kai and Cassie, "You three, go with Minji to the hotel," I turn to Yuri, "You, scout escape routes to Oman today, along with Rey. You and me, we're checking out the waters tomorrow."

I then address Blaise, "You have your work cut out for you, right? Try to get more information from the owners mic, and get rested a little before starting on the security system firewall again. You have more days, don't be too hasty to raise suspicion. It should be as slow and undetected as a sniper crawling in the grass to shoot it's target."

"Don't worry, we got this," Jian assures me, and a part of me completely relies upon the sincerity in his voice.

"Monique, you made a case for the Quachamama statue, we're gonna need one for the ring this time, just as a backup," I instruct Monique.

"But we don't have the exact dimensions of the ring," Monique argues, "And the materials!"

"We don't get to see the object in close view till the very end, you will have to speculate," I try to reason with her.

She nods reluctantly.

I turn to Pandora, "You will have to help Monique with this case. Your skills are very much needed for deception as such."

Pandora just gives me a curt nod and frowns a little at Monique.

"Aria, keep an eye on Blaise and the twins so that they don't murder each other. Elara, you're manning the computers today, connect all of together, switch the signals. I'm assuming Monqiue taught you well?"

Elara nods, "Don't worry about it."

"Anyways, Dharuna and I are going to get everything that we might need from the underground today. So make a list guys, and don't you dare give me a grocery list Yuri," I say.

"Aw man!" Yuri complains.

****

Dharuna is a warm cuddly bear, a strong protective fortress and a storage unit all at once.

She is carrying eight bags of heavy equipment, and still skipping around like those bags are filled with feathers.

I'm carrying the bags of cloth for Ariadne and yet I'm not walking as freely as her.

"So let me get this straight. Blaise and Yuxian seem to be great friends, Blaise and Jian used to be best friends before Jian completely cut ties with her, but why did he cut ties with her?"

Dharuna sighs, "We've been over this, he joined a rival gang which hated the gang Blaise was in. He said that they wanted him to stop all contact or she might infiltrate into their systems."

"So why do the brother's fight over her?" I question.

"They are so weird, I don't even know. Elara and Alby have this weird theory that Jian has a huge crush on Blaise and is jealous of Yuxian, but Yuxian doesn't have feelings for Blaise. But then they act so close so I don't even know what to say. I've never seen Blaise display affection for anyone, so I don't really know her style," Dharuna lifts the bag a little better.

"So Blaise hates him because of the previous rivalry?"

Dhara shakes her head, "Apparently he sabotaged this job she was doing, so that he could get his own gang in. Jokes on him, the place was busted down by the police. Ever since, Blaise has been vary of him, thinking he'll sabotage her again."

I had tried asking Elara but she had a million conspiracy theories, so I decided to make Dhara explain. Clearly she is good at it.

We place the items in the SUV we've rented and I sit down on the curb beside the car to catch my breath.

"Come on Alicia, we still have to get the solder, lithium batteries, quartz and aluminum wires for Monique. I'm sure a hardware store might suffice. Then we have to get Pandora's supplies, then Elara's and then we're done."

I check the list, "Who the fuck wrote cocaine, for Alicia?!"

Dharuna peers into the list, "Looks like Yuri's handwriting."

Of course.

Dharuna laughs, "You both have had this running joke for three years now, doesn't she get tired?"

I roll my eyes, "This is Yuri we're talking about."

She grabs our lemonades from the cup holders and sits down next to me, handing me my cup.

"So, you never told me how things went with Hot Security Man."

I sigh exasperatedly, "You too, Dhara?"

She laughs again, "I'm just messing with you. But I was really rooting for the two of you. The way he looked at you... It's the same way my papa used to look at my mum."

She has a sad smile on her face while saying that. I wrap an arm around her shoulders.

"Their death anniversary is coming soon, right? Tell me and I'll cancel every errand I arranged for you and dump them all on Yuri," I try to comfort her.

She just looks down, "I thought it might get easier to talk about, after all these years."

I put my hand on the side of her head and rest it on my shoulder, "You don't have to be so strong all the time baby. Sometimes just take our hand, and I assure you I'll guide you well."

I feel my tshirt get moist as a tear rolls down from her face to her shoulder.

"You want to talk about it?" I urge.

She lifts her head and wipes her face, "Maybe another time. We have errands to run," She says while tying her frizzy hair back into a ponytail.

Still hiding behind those walls. Still hurting. Maybe it will change one day.

I smile, "Okay! Come on let's get Pandora's stuff first. Did you find a place?"

****

As soon as Dharuna and I get home, Cassandra runs up to us and snatches one of the cups of lemonade for herself.

"God these people are such work," She fans herself with her left hand before taking a sip.

"I'll give them their drinks," I offer, before facing Dharuna, "You take the parts up to Monique, ask her if she needs any help, 'kay?"

Dharuna smiles and nods, then takes the bags with the equipment and heads to Mon's room where she has set up her little workstation.

"Cassie, go take a nap," I order.

I take the box of drinks and head to our little coffee table - hacking set up where Yuxian is sitting in a corner, watching Blaise and Jian arguing

"YOU GOT THE CODE WRONG!" Jian says loudly.

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO USED THE WRONG LANGUAGE ASSHOLE," Blaise counters.

"Can we just calm down-" Yuxian tries.

"SHUT UP!" They shout at him in unison.

"WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU USE THE BOA SOFTWARE ON AN ARACHNID SYSTEM YOU ILLITERATE TRASH!" Blaise shouts again.

"IT'S NOT THE ARACHNID SYSTEM! IT'S A CUSTOM SYSTEM MADE BY THE COMPANY!" Jian shouts back.

"EVEN THEN WHY WOULD YOU USE SOMETHING AS UNRELIABLE AS BOA!"

"BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A MONTH TO CRACK IT!"

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU TRY THE SNARE CODE?"

Jian's eyes lose a little of their rage, "B-because YOU KEPT NAGGING ME ABOUT THE TIME!"

"UGH YOU'RE INSUFFERABLE!" Blaise raises her voice more than I've ever heard.

"YOU'RE WORSE!" Jian leans down so that he is face to face with Blaise, but is still towering over her.

She just frowns and bumps her forehead against his loudly, before snatching a cup of lemonade and storming off.

"Freak," Jian mutters, rubbing his forehead which is a bright shade of red. How hard did she hit him?

"Oh my I'm never getting through that system, am I?" I whisper.

"I'll sort it out," Yuxian sits down at the PC Blaise had been using.

Jian grabs his hand, "Brother... Go talk to her. Apologize on my behalf. I'll work this out."

Yuxian looks at him with uncertainty, "Why don't you... "

He shakes his head, "When you hate someone, you are biased against every word they utter. She hates me but likes you, she'll understand you better."

Yuxian gives his brother a small nod then looks up at me, "Alicia, will you-?"

"I'm here for him, go find her," I tell him confidently.

I sit down on a beanbag next to a dejected looking Jian.

He shakes his head, "You really did make a mistake contacting me, huh?"

I tilt my head slightly, "You think so?"

"How are we supposed to work together if she hates me? I know you hired me on Blue's recommendation, but you should have done a background check."

I smile slightly, "You really think the famous Alicia Ryder is that naive?"

He finally looks up at me, "What do you mean?"

"The damage you three have done to the firewall would take months for another team to do. Actually, even if you took Yuxian out of the equation, you two alone have done outstanding work together. So no, I think you make a great team," I shake the ice cubes around in my empty lemonade cup.

"We messed up, though-"

"You both found out useful information about the system by a hit and trial method, that is what I see," I assure him.

"Alicia but-"

"But what? You both are exceptional in your field of expertise and you both need to recognise that in yourself and each other and treat the other with respect."

"But what do I about the hatred?"

"Just take a moment and view your situation from a third party. You might realise that... Maybe it's not actually hate."

"What do you mean?" He looks so so confused, the arrogant smirk is replaced by a hopeful half-smile.

"Trust me when I say I've seen and felt hatred. People who hate each other would only work together for two reasons. One, to sabotage the other person. Or two, to keep the enemies closer. You two, work amazingly, and you don't even see it. When Blaise hates someone, she doesn't even acknowledge their existence. I don't think that's the case here," I spit out the facts.

"What are you trying to say?" He gives me yet another confused look.

"You're way in your head brother. Take some well deserved rest and start fresh tomorrow," I ruffle his hair affectionately.

I escort him back to his room then go to check on Blaise and Yuxian. I find them sitting in Blaise's room.

Blaise is swinging her legs on the bed and Yuxian is just staring at the ground, "Are you sure about that?" He asks her.

"I don't know," Blaise says, while swinging herself back and forth as well now.

"It's just a little hard to believe," Yuxian sighs a little.

"It's hard for me to accept," Blaise answers immediately.

Yuxian leans forward and wraps his arms around her.

SHE LETS HIM HUG HER THEY ARE IN LOVE OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK I'VE NEVER HUGGED BLAISE NOT FUCKING FAIR.

"I wish you the best," he says, and his head turns towards the door, and I immediately pull my head back.

What were they talking about?!

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Okay so I might have gotten inspired and written three chapters but I'll release them slowly because I can ✌