004

Waking up everyday was a blessing not given much notice by people as they go about marking their calendars and discussing about the following days to come with no thought to a possibility of death.

Honestly, it was a magnanimous blessing—one that should be given attention by people since such a privilege wasn't given to many.

The seconds ticked by as Georgina sat on her comfy green love chair, reading a stolen book and highlighting unfamiliar words with a bright yellow highlighter that had been snatched from a nearby bookstore.

If truth be told, she could say almost all the possessions she owned were not hers, all stolen and snitched in a blink of an eye.

But the apartment? Paid by Veronica. Her heart was too big for her it sometimes ached Georgina.

She got so used to the routine that anything could be taken anywhere anytime. Shiny objects caught her attention the most since they glinted in the sunlight and beckoned her inner kleptomaniac. She took what she can and avoided the law at all costs, making sure to live a simple life to the best of her ability.

That was all she can do.

Jail didn't seem like any fun. It was too cramped and filled with smelly men who didn't shower for the life of them.

Living a low profile seemed a much enticing direction than a locked jail cell. She'd escape right after anyway so what was the point?

Three sudden knocks from her apartment door jolted her out of her readings, Georgina turning back to glare at the door and hoping the person on the other side would get the hint she didn't want to be disturbed.

Her gaze stayed on the door for a few seconds more before returning to her book, smile appearing on her face as she got to a good part.

Her doorbell rang for three consecutive times, Georgina throwing a hissy fit as she stomped to the door and flung it open.

The irritation dissipated once she saw the person standing on her doorstep. No less than the fiancé of her best friend Veronica and her cousin Connor Diaz.

His eyes darted both ways to ensure no one was eavesdropping before grabbing hold of both of Georgina's shoulders, making her splutter at the sudden movement and her own hands flying atop her cousin's, who marched inside the messy apartment with a determined expression.

"Dunderhead, you didn't even—"

"Shut up for a second," he cut harshly before shutting the door and facing Georgina's annoyed expression.

The second she was free Georgina slapped his arm, Connor yelping in pain and rubbing the spot gingerly, glaring at the offender, who glared back just as hard.

"Nica sent you, didn't she?" she said with no greeting. "How'd you even find out where I live? I specifically made sure to stay in a place where no one knows where I am."

"Then you should've lived in a jungle instead of a plain apartment," Connor replied sarcastically, earning another slap on the same spot. "Stop that, woman! I'm not a punching bag!"

Georgina grumbled and walked away barefoot from her cousin, going deeper into the apartment toward the kitchen to begrudgingly offer hospitality to an unexpected and unwanted guest.

She and Connor had a somewhat love-hate relationship. They both had high pride and were too ashamed to admit any fault. They bickered when they saw each other, teasing and taunting their most frequent form of communication. Their mothers were sisters, thus their blood connection.

Georgina was surprised when she saw her best friend and cousin chatting in a coffee shop one day, Veronica telling her they had met a couple months back when he saved her from a speeding car.

She honestly never expected the duo to fall for each other but she was happy their lives were headed somewhere, unlike hers.

Connor was a handsome man with light brown hair styled in a short blowout with tapered sides and wayfarer spectacles, unlike her who had messy mouse-brown hair and semi-rimless glasses. He had a nice build, generally kind to others but witty and a little arrogant to those close to him.

Georgina also found out through Veronica's stories that he was a fierce and protective lover, something that surprised her as he was never one to show such strong feelings.

"No but seriously, how do you know where I live?" Georgina questioned as she sat back on her love chair after setting down a tray of snacks.

Connor plopped himself on a guest chair, bending down afterward to scoop up the cat on his lap, stroking his fur and thinking.

"Nica gave me your address, duh. She's the only one who knows where you live anyway." He looked around before turning on her. "Clearly this isn't the way to live, given how messy your apartment looks."

Her eyebrows furrowed in displeasure, and he thankfully didn't push the subject.

"Why are you here? You're supposed to be preparing for your wedding!" she exclaimed with hands thrown in the air, worried about the preparations.

Connor gave her a funny look then, big hands still stroking the purring cat.

"Chill. It's like, three or four months away." His face morphed into something serious then. "But why'd you suddenly cut ties with Nica? Don't tell me you're scared police might find out you're related."

"That's the only reason," she answered promptly.

He frowned, apparently unconvinced.

"She's worried about you too, you know. You're like sisters. Then you suddenly decided it was best to leave her hanging?"

Georgina bit her lip, contemplating for an answer before speaking once more.

"I know it's a rash decision, but I don't want her getting in trouble with the authorities once they find out we talk," Georgina explained, rubbing at her arms anxiously.

A dark expression passed the man's face, obviously disbelieving of anything Georgina says.

She watched him apprehensively, eyes looking for any sign of a change in his behavior.

"Or maybe it's because you don't want to give up this kind of life."

Georgina stilled, and that's when Connor knew he got her.

"Nica told me a few tidbits of your conversation," he started, setting Oscar down to take a biscuit from the tray. "She was telling you to stop this kinda life, since there's been another news report you raided a convenience store then you surprised her on the phone by telling her to stop talking with each other." He clicked his tongue. "Dude, what the hell?"

"I couldn't face her then, okay," she said with a hint of anger in her tone. "I wasn't prepared to do that conversation when I love what I do."

He gaped at her then, upper body leaning forward on the plush seat at her answer.

"Stealing? Snitching from everybody? Running away from the cops?" Connor rephrased as his voice rose. "You call that living? Nica wants you to live a normal life, have a normal job and do normal shit. This?" He gestured around the apartment. "This isn't a proper way to live, George. You've got much more potential than snatching things from people's pockets. You can do more than raid stores. And you enjoy this?"

She scowled at him, not liking where the conversation was going.

She knew the lovers meant well. She knew they—especially Veronica—worried for her constantly whenever she decided to steal something big. But if she gave up this life, what was her direction and purpose? This was her own definition of being alive and living. What else was there?

Again, her mind jumped to an irrational decision and she curtly turned away from him.

"If you've got nothing else to say then you may leave now."

Connor got the hint that the conversation was done, and so stood without a word, expensive shoes clicking on the floor with each step.

"You know this isn't good for you. Think about it."

"I said get out, you absolute piece of—"

The resounding slap of door against wood rang on her ears, cutting off her outburst.

She blinked, trying to get used to being alone again.

She sighed out tiredly, body slumping on the love seat and day looking dreary and melancholic than before.

She just didn't know her purpose in life. And hell, she had no intention of finding that silver lining, if there ever was for her.

Her idiot cousin should know better than to persuade her otherwise.