Chapter 3

QUIVA’S POV -

I kept eyeing the gold watch on the supposed Mrs. Crawford's wrist as I quietly trailed behind her. She kept making gesture as she speak and I can't help the blush that creeped up my face, I almost cried at the thought of the gold watch that's going to be mine soon.

“You’ll have to explain to me what made you did that once we get to the mansion.” the old hag kept nagging as we made our way out of the hall.

I was still eyeing the thousands of dollars that the old hag wrapped on her wrist in the name of watch, that I didn't know when she had stopped walking.

“You give a reply when I'm talking to you, where the hell is your manner, Julianne?” the old hag snapped at me, interrupting my fantasy.

“Okay, I'll do as you said, Mrs. Crawford.” I groaned angrily, why can't she just leave the fuck me alone? “Can't she just take a clue that I'm not in the mood to exchange words with her” I mumbled to myself.

“Really?” I was too angry that I didn't notice the fury in her eyes. “Mrs. Crawford? What happened to mother?” She fired at me and I snapped my head at her in shock.

“Mother? Is she the supposed Julianne’s mother?” I mentally gasped inwardly and put on a plastic smile instead. “Sorry, mother” I grinned.

‘I've called you want you want to hear, bitch!’ I groaned inwardly.

The old hag rolled her eyes before turning her gaze away from me, “good” she mumbled but of course, everyone heard her.

The old hag kept nagging of which I didn't pay attention to whatever she was flaring about. I was too busy thinking of how to sneak the gold off her wrist that I paid less attention to her nagging.

I was forced to walk with them to the God knows where and I didn't oblige, of course, the old hag has a lot of accessories on, and I would be mad if I say no to her. Minutes ago while we were still inside the hall, I was already thinking of how to steal the old hag expensive bangles and purse and now that she asked me to follow them, she’d just made my plans so easy for me.

While we walked around to nowhere in particular, and as the old hag talked, I moved closer to her and bumped my shoulder against hers, she staggered backward and I was quick to help her back to her feet. The old hag glared hard at me before continue her walk.

I smirked to myself as I succeeded in sneaking Mrs Crawford's gold watch and bangles. I discreetly opened my purse and dropped everything inside. I thought it would be hard to sneak her purse until the old hag stopped walking and turned to me.

“I can't be going around carrying these by myself, right?” she motioned at the purse and phone she held and I wondered what she was insinuating. But before I could process what was happening, she ended up dumping them on me, asking me to carry them along. She walked away to greet some dignitaries and I couldn't help the smirk that creeped up my face.

“Thank you!” I mentally kissed the purse and the lady behind me watched me with a stern look on her face.

At first, I was confused when the old hag dumped all her belongings on me, and I couldn't help but to shook my head.

“She literally gave her belonging to a thief to watch over. She's really stupid.” I chuckled and everyone that walked passed kept staring at me, wondering what was so funny that I kept chuckling to myself.

“Oh well…” I exclaimed and started to look around the surrounding, thinking of way of escape, but before I could think of anything I saw the old hag came back from greeting the dignitaries.

So many questions swirled in my head, even though I did not understand what was happening, my subconscious kept telling me to play along, and at first, I didn't want to but then the voice in my head convinced me that this might just be another jackpot that I had scored, and that I should follow the women and see what she was on and off about.

I hesitated but I later gave in to my inner mind.

After walking about and greeting dignitaries the old hag stopped in front of a group of men, obviously business partner, and I wonder what we were doing there.

“Oh, Mrs. Crawford,” one of the men stopped talking upon noticing our presence. “I want to thank you again for raising the highest fund for this event.” he further said with a charming smile on his face.

Mrs. Crawford smile dryly and shot me a glare. “Ahh, well, my daughter-in-law did most of the fund.” She smiled darkly and I watched as every eyes turned to me.

“Um,” I gulped nervously, not knowing what exactly to say in this situation.

Mrs. Crawford quickly held my hand and flashed me a smile that didn't last a second. “Sorry for not introducing her earlier, she got here late.” she smiled and I wondered how her cheeks wasn't hurting her yet, she has been faking a smile since we got here and I was beginning to be afraid on her behalf.

“This is Julianne… Julianne Crawford, my daughter-in-law.” she smiled, gently pushed me forward so I could stand before the men.

‘Julianne Crawford, daughter-in-law, Julianne is not the old hag's daughter but her son's wife’, I almost burst out laughing if not because I was in a middle of distinguish people and I had to put on my best attitude.

“I am Qui… Julianne Crawford,” I bit my lips as I was about to blow my identity.

“Nice to finally meet you, Madame.” the man smiled, offering a handshake and I took his stretched out palm for a handshake.

“I heard Cullen couldn't make it to the event?” one man at the back said, almost in a question and I wonder who the Cullen was.

“Oh,” Mrs. Crawford mentally slapped her forehead, she retrieved her purse from me, took out a letter before dumping the purse back on me. “He sent a letter. He would have send it through his wife, here,” she pointed at me and I almost choked on my saliva. “I decided to bring it to you, by myself.” she smiled before handing the white envelope to the man who asked about Cullen.

I wonder who the men was and why the old hag has to act out of character but that was the least of my problem. I literally zoomed out throughout her chat with the men and sighed heavily when the men bid their goodbye and walked away from our sight.

Another set of dignitaries walked by and Mrs. Crawford wouldn't seized to introduce me to almost all of them and I was forced to say ‘hi’, ‘hello’, to all of them.

I couldn't be more happy when the old hag had stopped stopping people.

“I think we're done here, let's head back to the mansion.” she announced without directing it to anyone and if she still believed that I was her supposed daughter-in-law, then I see no reason why I shouldn't follow them to the mansion.

Getting to the parking lot, the guards that I believed that belonged to Mrs. Crawford directed us to the waiting cars, parked at the parking lot. The old hag got into the backseat of the silver Lexus LFA with the help of a guard and I didn't know I was still staring at the beautiful car until someone cleared her throat behind me. I blinked rapidly before looking at the lady in suit that was gesturing for me to get into the Cadillac XTS that was beside me.

I couldn't believe I’d be riding in a car like this, I got into the backseat after the lady had opened the door for me, the lady got to the passenger seat follow by the guard that got into the driver seat and began to drive out of the compound.

On the way to the Crawford mansion, I took out the stolen phone and decided to check through it, but there was nothing in there aside from the bank app. The owner must be a boring person because there was nothing useful on the phone, not even pictures of the owner or contact of the owner's relation was found on the phone.

“Excuse me,” I called out to the lady and she hastily turned her head at me.

“Yes, madam?” she said, almost in a question.

I scratched my head not knowing how to present the question and the lady kept staring at me blankly. “Who do you think I am?” I asked, I swear I found the question a bit weird and I almost burst out laughing judging by the confused look on the lady. “If you think…”

“You’re a calm person who never talked back at any of the Crawfords, you're a calm soul who never questioned any of the Crawfords how badly they're treating you, you're a lovely person who still care for your husband despite how horrible he treated you.” the lady uttered in a go without blinking her eyes. “Why are you suddenly curious to know who you are?” the lady threw back a question and I released a breath I never knew I had been holding since.

“Nothing,” I replied, “I just want to know the impression people have on me.” I shrugged and cringe at how bad my lie came out.

“Wait, do you think I resemble Juli… I mean, didn't you think anything is wrong with my appearance?” I asked instead, I wouldn't want the lady to think I was fake. I can't lose this golden opportunity for anything.

The lady sighed before opening her mouth to say whatever she thought was wrong with my appearance. “Nothing is wrong with your appearance aside from the change of hair colour. I mean, you have never dye your hair before.” she explained and I nodded my head in relief.

The lady didn't say anything else, she adjusted back into her seat and I took my eyes out of the window.

“I am going to act like Julianne Crawford, I am going to loot from the Crawford. They have so much and wouldn't notice if anything goes missing. I am now a multi-billionaire’s daughter-in-law and I'm going to act as one. I am no longer Quiva Jones a pickpocket, but Julianne Crawford.” Chuckling at my thought, I rested my head on the backrest and closed my eyes, inhaling the cool breeze.

“I can't wait to meet the husband”