And of course, once we entered and greeted a few people — like we'd actually settled in — it was time.
The Heist Begins!
Chapter 5: The Heist Begins
And there he is.
White suit.
Red skin.
Hair slicked back.
One polished horn glowing like someone waxed it with demon pride.
His walk? Nothing like any monster I've ever met — more like the world adjusts itself around him. No wonder Sha'ira survived him this long. They say he's blessed by both brain and brute strength. Great combo. Terrible for my lifespan.
"Miss Tigerilliy! Pleasure to have you here," he says, shaking Sha'ira's hand with eyes full of hell-warm chaos. Sha'ira smiles back with the exact expression of someone who'd gladly use his horn as a kebab stick.
"Thank Mother Forest your son-in-law didn't lose your daughter, fufu," she says.
Both of them were killing each other a hundred different ways inside their heads. Lord save me.
"And you are…? Miss Tigerilliy's… boyfriend?" he asks, confused and not confused at all. Lucky for me this rotten tomato doesn't recognize me as the guy who sent his son-in-law to jail and the guy who had a juicy night with his tomato-fresh daughter.
"Riven Duskville!" I say with my most innocent smile. "I'm her boyfriend. Nice to meet you finally — the suit suits you great! Ever thought about a full red suit? And dyeing your hair red? All red!!"
Sha'ira elbows me.
Everyone goes silent.
Then Gionda bursts into laughter. The hall erupts with him.
"What a comedian! Hah! I like this guy! Where were you before? Wish I met you instead of my son-in-law!" He slams my back like a boulder dropping on a twig. Perfect. My chance.
Day of Planning
Everyone was sitting together. Even Sha'ira's mother's blessed assets had their own gravitational influence in the room.
"The key to his collection room is in his right pocket. It's latched to his belt by a chain," I said with a seriousness I wish I had when choosing college courses.
1. Step — greet him.
2. Step — spill my drink on his suit. Like a pro.
3. Step — while he washes his hands, I steal the keys.
Back to Present
And as planned, I spill my tomato juice on him.
"Aghh! This ruined my well-tailored suit!! You—!" Gionda barks.
I sacrifice my charisma straight into negative numbers.
"I'm sorry sir! Please forgive me — I didn't know — I didn't mean to ruin your handmade Wellsmith's finest tailored suit…"
I push my innocent puppy-eyed tone to absolute perfection.
He sighs, and I guide him toward the restroom.
Everything was perfect.
Step 3 was right there.
Just walk in, distract him, snatch the key — huhiuhahahaha.
But.
Before we reach the restroom, his head servant — loyal to his rear — steps in and takes over.
My only chance. Gone.
I return to the main hall, sweating like a sinner in church. Sha'ira was supposed to grab me by the collar for messing up — but she's nowhere.
Where did she go? How can I mess up here?
I keep searching, drifting closer to the collection room… and as I turn the last corner—
Gionda's daughter, Gorgia, collapses onto me.
Half knocked out.
Barely conscious.
Guards rush in immediately, surrounding me.
Sirens blare through the mansion.
I'm on the big screen — not on a news channel — but the giant screen broadcasting to the whole hall who dared to mess with Gionda's daughter.
…What the hell is even going on?!