Greed-1

"The snatching"

“You’ve been serving them for years and yet! they pay you nothing.” Said Keith Jones’s wife who was very fond of money.

“Is there anything you don’t have Martina? I always got you whatever you wanted. I arranged things by working all day and night.”   

“I’m not complaining----”

“Mom, Olivia woke up and she won't stop crying. Please carry her." Interrupted Victoria who was Keith and Martina's 10-year-old baby girl.

  

She handed her 2-year-old baby sister into her mother's hands.

"I told you not to roam around her because that would wake her up. I have household chorus to do! Who will carry her for the next 2 hours?"

“I will look after her. Go to your room and complete your homework Victoria.” Answered Keith.

Victoria nodded her head and walked towards her room.

Keith walked towards Martina and tied a shining plain gold chain around her neck.

“Is my wife happy now?”

“OH MY GOD” Martina exclaimed as she saw herself wearing the stunning gold chain.

“I love you so much Keith and I’m sorry... I'm just a little stressed out, I hope you can understand. I love you and where is Olivia? Let me carry my beautiful daughter.”

Keith smiled and folded his arms while he stood against the wall and enjoyed the happiness of his wife. He knew she loved presents and it always changed her moods in seconds.

Martina held the chain that shined on her neck with a beautiful smile on her face. She danced to her room and sang her favorite songs.

***************

“How are you doing today?” Asked Keith to his boss who was the owner of “Diamond jewelers”.

“Nothing would happen to me anytime soon. Worry about yourself.  How’re you Mr. Keith Jonas.” Inquired Mr. Paul.

Mr. Paul was an 89-year-old gentleman who was an extremely kind person with a bitter tongue. His work made him gruff in nature. It was obvious that he had to be strict because trusting everyone when you have a business of gold and diamonds was really dumb.

He owned a little gold shop from the savings of his entire life. He had a wife and a son.  He sent his son John to another city for his higher studies.

Mr. Paul could barely see because of his vision loss but this didn’t stop him from working hard for the sake of his family. He believed in the fact that hard work is the key to success which Keith Jonas didn't really agree to but obviously always had to pretend to.

Mr. Paul was a person who was hard to please and he never trusted anyone easily. But Keith somehow managed to gain his trust within the time period of 5 years. 

Yes. 5 damn years.

Keith was one of the most trustworthy person of Mr. Paul after his son. But deep down he felt something strange about Keith. Something odd.

“I calculated the revenue for this month but I saw a difference of 500$ in the total amount.” 

“But... I’m the one who calculates the revenue for each month... why did you bother Mr. Paul” Keith hesitated and turned his face towards the showcase and pretended to arrange the jewelry. 

“I AM THE OWNER OF THIS PLACE! 

I CAN CALCULATE THE REVENUE AMOUNT WHENEVR I WANT! I CAN KICK YOU OUT ANYTIME ASWELL.”

Keith didn’t turn around which made Mr. Paul curious. He moved towards him and kept his hand on his shoulder.

“Listen Keith. If I get to know that you’ve done something then you better know what will happen with you!”

“Of--- Of course. I cannot even think of betraying you” Keith smiled and looked at Mr. Paul.

Mr. Paul walked towards the counter and kept on calculating the revenue all day long. The unbalanced amounts made him curious that something was fishy.

Keith kept on waiting for Mr. Paul to leave the shop but he kept a strict eye on him.

After a long day of being afraid and quiet Keith finally walked his way home. As he walked out the shop, he kicked the garbage box that was placed near the pavement.

The behavior of Mr. Paul worried him. He gained his trust in 5 years which he definitely couldn't let go so easily.

Keith saw an old woman walking down the street and she seemed weak to him. He made sure no one was around and the old woman was alone.

He reached his hand down to his pocket and held his knife which was covered

He walked slowly and waited for the old woman to come closer to him. 

As the woman came closer, he took out his knife and pointed it towards her wrinkled face.

“Give me your valet old woman! Hurry up!"

The old woman shivered and held her paper bag close to her chest.

“Can’t you hear me? "Keith exploded.

“Please let me go. I have very less money and I’m a needy person. I have purchased my bread for tomorrow morning. Please have piety on me!” The old woman cried with teary eyes.

“This is the last time I'm warning you to hurry up” Keith moved the knife closer to her face.

The old woman took out her valet but kept it in her hand. 

“Please” The old woman begged.

The tension between them increased and Keith pushed the old lady down the road and snatched her valet. He ran away as fast as he could and didn’t turn around.

This is what he normally did to calm himself. He was not a psychopath but acted like one sometimes.

Snatching and stealing was a stress reliever for him. He used to cover the expenses of his day this way when he didn’t get the chance to steal money from the shop.  

  

He ran far away and stopped at a store near his house. He purchased snacks and drinks for his kids and his wife.

His family was his only priority and he did whatever he could to make them smile.

“Martina, Victoria, Olivia. Look what I’ve got for you guys”

Victoria came running to her father.