Chapter 1

QUIVA’S POV

My red curls dangled on my back as I scurried out of the store with a package bag in my hand.

“That’s the Lady, don't let her get away with that bag.” I heard the shopkeeper yell from the shop which made me halt on my track.

“Wait, did she see me!” I half yelled as I saw some men in uniforms trotting out of the store with their heavy boots hitting hard against the tiled floor.

“Shit!” I clenched tight at the package and hastily hide my slender figure behind a parked car in the front yard of the building next to the store. I had no time to survey the building and I was greatly appreciative that no one was in the yard.

Upon getting outside, I peeked from my hidden spot and saw the men looking everywhere but not at my side and I sighed with relief. I stood on my toes and tried to find a route of escape. After I had found a walkway that leads to outside I moved my gaze back to the compound, looking for the men but they were nowhere to be found.

“Guess who got tired and returned to the store?” I snickered and kissed the package in victory.

Suddenly I heard a rustling sound behind me which made my heart hammer against my chest. I turned around only for my sight to welcome the security men in front of me with mockery smiles plastered on their faces.

“Guess who we found here?” one of the men spoke up with a weird smirk dancing at the corner of his lips. The rest stood two steps away from him with their hands on their balls.

I took a step backwards and I gasped in shock when I realised I was still standing behind the car. There was no way I could take any more steps without colliding with the car and I would probably break an ankle.

I scratched my head when I didn't know what else to do. I needed to get out of here but there seemed to be no way I could escape these men.

The one that I assumed to be the head guard stretched out his palm to me. “Hand the package over and I'll let you go back in peace. Or should I do it my way?” The hard glare on his face made me rethink. I moved my gaze to the package and bit my lip in sorrow.

I tried so hard before I was able to sneak the package out of the store, there's no way I would give it back freely.

‘Do something Quiva’, I groaned inwardly and held tightly onto the package.

“Ahh,” I smirked when a thought flashed through my head. “Fire!” I screamed at the top of my voice, pointing at the building behind them.

The men darted their gaze to the building to check if the building was truly on fire. Without wasting another second, I jumped over the car and fell to the ground with a loud thud.

The sounds must have grabbed the men's attention because they moved their attention back to me the moment I hit the ground.

“Shit, she fooled us,” they yelled in unison and I hastily stood up from the ground.

“Get her!”

That was all I needed to hear before I took to my heels. The men chased after me down the dirty streets of the downtown province. I did not know why those stupid men keep chasing after me over a package that I was sure the items didn't cost that much.

After I’d been making them run at intervals, I ran past a group of old women who were trying to cross the road. The package hit one of the old hags but I didn't bother to apologise. I looked back to check if my chasers are still pursuing me. Fortunately for me, eventually l lost sight of them and spotted my one-room apartment in view.

I ran up to my apartment and dropped the package on the floor, putting my hands on my knees to catch my breath.

“Thank you, Lord, my Saviour.” I panted heavily, my eyes not leaving the package for a second.

I stood up straight and sneaked my hand to my pant pocket and sharply fetch out the key to my apartment. After looking left to right, I picked up the package and hurriedly opened the door. On getting in, I dropped the package on the bed and ripped it open. I brought out an expensive long-black dress I had stolen minutes ago.

“Oh, my pretty baby!” I marvelled at the beauty of the dress. I flipped the dress from back to front, checking if I should just sell the dress and forget about the event.

“Ahh, no,” I screamed angrily and dropped the dress back on the bed. “A lot of distinguished people will be present at the event, I'd make a lot of fortune by attending the event than from selling this dress.” I groaned and picked up the package to check for the shoes.

“What?” I gasped in shock when there seemed to be no shoes in the package. “What, am I going to wear this without a shoe?” I hissed angrily, slapping my forehead in annoyance. Just when I thought I lost, I caught sight of Mom's heels resting carelessly on the shabby sideboard.

I walked up to a side of my room and grabbed a pair of shiny black heels from the top of the sideboard. I moved the shoes to my face and blew out the layer of dust that has built up on it. I surveyed the shoes, and after I had convinced myself that the shoes matched the dress, I went back to the bed and placed the shoe beside the dress on the bed.

I sank into the bed and moved my gaze around the room that I used to share with my mom years ago before her demise.

There are clothes strewn all over the floor. There’s food splattered all over the microwave. There are crumbs all over the counter and there are cobwebs in the corners but that was the least of my worries at the moment. I dipped my hand into the hole that the rats infested in my tattered bed and brought out my mobile phone.

I tapped on the screen, and the device came to life and the time displayed on the screen caught my attention at once. The time reads ‘12:20’ and the event will start at 2:00 on the dot.

“Shit!” I exclaimed and got off the bed as realisation dawned on me, “I better get to the event before anyone else.” I dropped the phone back onto the bed and did the zipper of my dress before dashing into the conjoined bathroom to have a quick wash.

• • •

Standing before the full-length mirror in my room, dressing for an event I wasn't invited to. I grabbed the hair lotion and applied a large quantity of oily lotion to my hair. I let out a throaty chuckle, not at my natural red curls, but at the thought of sneaking money and lots of riches from the distinguished guests at the event.

“Fuck!” I grinned, already picturing my life after the event. If everything should go according to plan, I may not end up rich as I had already pictured but at least my life would be a lot better than it was now.

When I was done with my hair, I looked at the broken mirror hanging on the wall, and I twirled and laughed. Stopping and feeling a bit nostalgic, I grabbed my necklace which has a locket and opening it, I smiled at my dead mother's picture engraved within.

I caressed her smiling face and a smile found its way to my cheeks. “You did it again, Mom. You looked out for me and made sure I escaped safely. Thank you so much I love you.” I brought the necklace to my face and smacked my lips on the locket before putting it on. If anything, my mom had been my guardian angel even in her grave she still looked out for me.

Looking at myself in the mirror once more, I sighed, reminisce and recounted my life. My name is Quiva Jones. An addictive pickpocket as those who knew me would say, I steal from both the rich and locals to make ends meet with it. After my mom died, stealing was the only thing I took onto as my livelihood, and the fact that I had no family aside from my late mother made me live a carefree life.

Once again, days ago, I learnt that there would be an event at the Anglican Church today, and I bet my life on the event. I had dreamed of living a more notable life if I should be able to come back with a lot of riches. I intended to attend the charity event as a high-profile lady—hence stealing an expensive dress so I could blend in—and that way I could steal even more expensive properties.

Shaking my head and dismissing the thoughts that were swirling within, I looked at my reflection for the last time in the mirror and I smiled at the high-profile lady I was seeing in the mirror. I did a sign and then headed out of my room.

‘God that blesses the church would rain his blessings upon me too’, has been my thoughts since I heard about the charity event and I was feeling rather optimistic about today’s proceedings.

As I exited my apartment, I covered my face with my shiny black purse as I didn't want anyone in my neighbourhood and locals around to see me and wonder why I was wearing such an expensive dress because they knew I can’t afford it. Still covering my face, I soon got to the carnival grounds which was not too far from my place, and I increased my pace, hurrying to mix with the crowd so I won't get caught by anyone's gaze that might have been peering at me since I left my apartment.

I was still hurrying my pace when I didn't see someone coming from the opposite direction, and I bumped into the person—who also seemed to be in a hurry. I made to turn around and flee the person’s presence before I caused a scene I never planned for.

I had merely taken a few steps when I heard the person angrily mumbling out some words and I could swear I heard my voice from where I was standing three seconds ago.