The Larcenist Queen

Chapter 1: New Target

Chapter 1
New Target

"Happy birthday, London," sabi ko bago ako humalik sa pisngi ng aking pinsan. He was grinning wide when I came. Sa regalo agad siya nakatingin.

"My new baby!" he beamed saka kinuha sa akin ang bass guitar na binili ko pa sa ibang bansa. Alam ko kasing mahilig talaga siya sa mga musical instruments saka nagsisimula nang tumugtog ang binuo niyang banda.

"Thank you, Ate Ada. Buti hindi FHM regalo mo. Puro ganoon natanggap ko mula sa mga kaibigan ko eh!" He flashed his usual playful grin.

"Well, I bet you like those better. Mahalay ka pa naman!" I told him. Ngumisi lamang siya at hindi na pinagtanggol ang sarili. See? I'm right.

Hinanap ng mata ko si Mommy. She's probably fuming mad dahil tapos na ang party nang dumating ako. Kanina lang ako dumating sa Pinas. I stayed in England for two more days after stealing the crown. Nagpahinga muna ako bago dumiretso rito. I used the company's private plane since the security in the public airports heightened because of the Imperial Crown's disappearance.

I saw my Mom gritting her teeth while watching something on TV. Probably the news about the crown again. Ilang araw na kasi itong binabalita. Walang makuhang sapat na impormasyon sa pangyayari.

The only thing they have is the three bullets from the FBI's chest and the message I left them. And also, iyong Yeomen Warder na pinatulog ko para makapagdisguise ako gamit ang mukha niya. It was no use talking to him though dahil hindi klaro sa kanya ang nangyari.

But I'm sure they knew that the thief's the same one who stole the Mona Lisa painting in Paris.

Sa bawat pinagnanakawan ko kasi ay talagang nagiiwan ako ng thank you letter for them to know na isa lang ang dapat na katakutan nilang magnanakaw. And that's me.

Though they don't know my name at least, they know the same person did the crimes.

Mayaman naman kami pero it's fun to put some thrill in my life once in a while. Libangan ko nang magnakaw simula pa noong bata ako. From stealing erasers, pencils, coloring materials, etcetera to stealing gems, jewelry and other extravagant things.

My Dad's sitting beside my Mom habang nakikipaglaro ng chess sa kapatid kong si Vlad.

"Adaleah!" I cringed when I heard Tita Breanna's loud voice.

"Buti nakarating ka!" she said as she pulled me for a hug. I heaved a sigh, thankful that she has no plan singing do you wanna build a snowman. Madalas kasi kapag may tinatawag siyang pangalan, awtomatiko na ang pagkanta niya no'n. I find it really annoying for a forty-one-year-old woman.

I plastered my best smile when she pulled away. "Been very busy lately. Sorry, I'm late."

Nang makitang nakatingin sa akin ang aking ina ay nagpaalam ako kay Tita para makausap ito. Tumango ito at dinaluhan ang anak nitong kambal na sina Brooklyn at France. Yeah, she named her three sons after her favorite places.

Mom was throwing a hard look at me. What is she mad about? My crimes aren't as worse as hers.

"Yeah. Very busy stealing the queen's crown huh?" my mother asked coldly when I approached her. I almost rolled my eyes. Here we go again.

"I know you're good at stealing, Ada! But the crown? Are you nuts? Pinalagpas ko ang Mona Lisa pero itong korona? Adaleah naman!" pangaral ni Mommy ngunit pabulong lang dahil kakaunti lang sa pamilya namin ang nakakaalam sa ginagawa ko. Only my parents, my sibling, and Tita Caeleah knows about my crimes.

Ngunit hindi sang-ayon si Tita Caeleah sa aking ginagawa. Lagi niya akong pinagsasabihang mali itong ginagawa ko. That's why we don't get along really well. She said I might get caught and rot in jail. But who cares? I love what I'm doing. I'm well aware of the possible consequences of my actions.