Old Friend - The Thief

The city of Aidon.

A young man enjoying a dance performance was among the crowd of Aidon City residents. A dance performance is usually held, during the crowded Aidon market.

Jack is the man's name. He was only twenty-two years old. But with his tall stature and more mature look on his face, many thought that Jack was twenty-five or more.

**(I was able to present the character of Jack in the early chapter, maybe someone forgot to check it in Chap.5)

Several young girls in colorful long skirts are seen dancing very lively to the rhythm of the music at that time. Some of the audience gave loud applause when there was a dancer who performed acrobatics by jumping beautifully.

But it's different with Jack because he's taking advantage of the situation. He could tell the difference between Aidon City natives and tourists. He can also see the possibility of people who have thick wallets and are not very sensitive to their surroundings.

Jack leaned close to an old man with thin white curls. Strangely, the man had a very thick mustache and beard. It was even more surprising when a beautiful young woman was clinging tightly to the man's arm.

It occurred to Jack that the young woman was not worthy to become his wife. Although it's more appropriate to say as his daughter, "Ah… Jack, what are you thinking. Hurry up… you don't have much time," thought Jack.

Unbeknownst to the old man. Jack's hand had easily slipped into his bag. And he managed to get a brown leather wallet. A satisfied grin appeared on his quite handsome face.

Slowly but surely, Jack stepped back, while the man still didn't realize what had happened, as well as the young woman who still tightly hooked her hand on the old man's arm.

"Good catch looks like tomorrow I can take a few days off," Jack exclaimed happily, holding the wallet and giving the wallet a kiss like a lover he longed for it.

Just as he was turning his body, something stood in his way and made Jack very surprised. Jack's eyes widened quickly,

"Helena..? Is it really you? Tell me I'm dreaming."

Helena grinned widely, and she was more interested in the purse that Jack was holding tightly.

"Hi… Jack! It's been a long time since we've seen each other?" said Helena. But for Jack, it was sarcasm for him, so Jack had to step to the right to walk past Helena.

But Helena continued to follow in Jack's footsteps. She managed to block his path and still gave him a sparkling look.

Helena appeared with a super thick jacket, even though the weather was so hot that day. She hid her long blonde hair behind her red knitted hat.

Harika did allow Helena to stop by, even if it was only for a moment, and on conditions that Helena had to obey.

"Come on, Helena. Why did you come to a place like this? Your life is already more comfortable living in the Palace. So, don't disturb and interfere with my business." It was Jack who narrowed his eyes because Helena was still looking at the wallet in her hand.

"What's that?" Helena asked and pretending not to know.

"This? This? Umm, my wallet." Jack was lying, and Helena knew about it.

"It can't be your wallet because that old man …" Helena pointed at the man who was still enjoying the dance performance with his woman.

"… soon he'll be looking for her wallet."

"Then, if it's not my wallet. What are you going to do, Helena? You just came and already made me..."

"Making you immediately return the wallet to its owner. Come on, Jack! Why haven't you changed at all? I was here to meet you. Even if only for

say hello and ask how you're doing." Helena cut him off immediately, making the man narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"It's easy for you to talk, but not with me. I do this to survive, and..." Jack was cut off from his words when Helena took off her gold-plated watch.

"What are you doing, Helena?"

"Here..! You may sell this and use this for your needs. Harika said this is an expensive watch. It must be valuable, and you can get a lot of money. So quickly return the wallet. I don't want my friend to continue to be a thief," Helena said seriously.

Jack looked alternately between the clock and the thick wallet in his hand. His brain is working to make a quick decision. What should he take, watch or keep taking the wallet belonging to the man?

"Come on, Jack! Before that guy knows. I'm not lying to you. You can get this watch voluntarily." Helena is still holding out her hand, with the gold watch that she's been wearing all this time.

"Damn… I'm stupid. Alright, Helena, I'll follow your will," said Jack, who had already made a decision.

Jack walked back to the old man who was still watching the dance performance, and Jack gently patted his shoulder.

"Sir, you seem to have dropped your wallet," Jack said politely. He had thrust the brown wallet and right in the face of the owner.

"What? My wallet?" The man looked very surprised.

The woman beside him also wondered why his partner became nervous and immediately checked the contents of his bag.

"Ah, yes! You are right young man. That is my wallet." The man confirmed and took the wallet in Jack's hand.

Immediately, the owner of the wallet re-checked all the contents of his wallet. Valuable cards and lots of money in his possession.

"Wow… everything is still in its place. And it's rare for me to find an honest person like you. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't the one who found her," the man said in praise.

"I'm just trying to help you, sir. And I'm grateful, nothing's missing from your thick wallet," replied Jack with the small talk.

The man seemed to feel indebted to Jack. He took his money in a sizeable amount. "This is for you, and please don't refuse. I could have asked you to eat and drink together, but unfortunately, my wife and I are on our honeymoon."

"Ohh..! So it's his wife, right?" thought Jack, who had already guessed from the start.

"Mmm… Alright, sir. Thanks for the gift, and happy honeymoon." Jack bowed slightly to salute, and the man did the same in return.

After returning the stolen wallet to its owner, Jack returned to Helena, who was still watching from a distance.

"Where is your promise? Quickly and give the watch!" asked Jack with one hand that was already outstretched towards Helena.

"Use it well, Jack. And stop being a thief. You could be trading or owning a small business." It was Helena who started to advise while she gave her watch to Jack.

"Yeah… Yeah, maybe I can think about it again. You know it's not like Aidon City doesn't have a future, compared to other developed cities." Jack, who had a sour face on, held back annoyance at his fate.

"You should tell your new husband, so he cares more about the small towns in Aarez country. Don't just take care of the war, Hah? never mind, after all, it's none of your business, Helena." Jack had his watch in his pocket.

"Don't say things like that, Jack. The city of Aidon can be a tourist town that can attract tourists." Helena tried to defend herself.

"Heh...? A tourist town? What do you mean, an old town full of unique and outdated items? Or rather, this city is just a garbage dump? Come on, Helena. Not even everyone here has electricity. Who wants to live here, except for a poor person like me," Jack quipped with one eyebrow raised.

"It's so hard to make you understand, Jack." Helena crossed her arms and only put on a tightly bent face.

"Hey, Helena! I just realized that you're in disguise, aren't you?" Jack noticed that Helena didn't look like a royal consort.

"Sshh…. Keep your voice down. I was playing around for a bit, just so you know… living in the palace is very boring. I came here to buy Mr. Brian's bread, but unfortunately, he's not open today, huh?" Helena asked in a whisper, making Jack have to bring his face closer to Helena.

"Brian, the madman? He's been away for a few days. I heard he got an order from the other town. Maybe you can come back the day after tomorrow," Jack suggested.

"Ah… what a shame. The day after tomorrow? Cih… it seems impossible for me to come back the day after tomorrow," Helena said sadly.

"Empress Heleena, you here?" Harika had just appeared, and her face was full of bright red.

Maybe because the sun was very bright because Harika's breath sounded out of breath when she found Helena.

"Harika, why are you here? You said you wouldn't get off and would wait for me in the car?" asked Helena in surprise.

"Empress Helena?" An annoyed Harika said Helena's name in a low voice, while Jack watched Harika look like he was fascinated.

"You promised that it would only take a moment to buy bread, but… why are you here? Made me wait a long time, it seems that soon I will have a heart attack because of your attitude that always makes my heart beat wildly." Harika sneered, as she patted her chest lightly.

"I'm sorry Harika. I met an old friend, so I just chatted for a while. Oh yeah… introduce my friend Jack. And Jack, introduce this Harika. She's my servant but I treat her like my own sister." Helena begins to introduce Jack to Harika.

Unexpectedly, when Jack grabbed Harika's hand and gave Harika a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman like you, Miss Harika." Compliment Jack with his seductive gaze.

"Huh? What's the matter with you, Jack. Why are you going crazy like this, did you hit your head with something? Or do I have to hit your head with something so you can come back to your senses?" asked Helena and looked strangely at her friend's attitude.

While Harika was taken aback until she pulled her hand quickly.

"Uhmm… Empress? is your friend possessed by a curious spirit?" asked the frightened Harika.