Her Con Artist

CHAP-9

Run monica! Before they catch you, run!

I can't, my legs. They have no energy left. Hot tears streaming done my face as i tried to run in agony.

Why can't they leave me the hell alone?....

My breath- I can't breathe. My chest why isn't it moving!? Am i going to die?

HELP! I CAN'T BREATHE.

Feeling my throat constrict and making it difficult for me to breathe, i woke up abruptly. Heart beating rapidly against my chest. Sweat dripping down my chin, as i focused on my breathing but i couldn't. I was having a panic attack.

My vision was blurry and i couldn't see anything properly. I let out a cry of help and heard footsteps nearing me amongst all the chaos.

"Monica! Listen to me! You are alright. Here look. I am here. Breathe!" I felt hands on my back and holding me close to them.

Trembling i held their hands and laid my head on their chest and tried breathing in.

"Follow my breathing. It's okay. Everything is fine. I am here, Monica. I am here." They cooed me like baby as they rock me back and forth.

I followed their breathing and felt my breathing coming back to normal. I felt more aware of my surrounding, a hand on my back to keep me close and the other caressing my head to soothe me.

Lub dub. Lub dub.

I listened to their heart beat with my eyes closed and focused on something else. We stayed like for quite a long time when i was back to normal. My breathing was fine and normal.

"Are you okay?" I heard his soft voice reaching my ear.

My heart picked up it's pace after realizing it was Eric who helped me. I loosened my arms and moved back to find his blue eyes looking at me with so much care and curiosity. I just looked at his eyes, they were a sea of emotions. The vulnerability, the softness were tugging me towards their depths.

"Monica?"

Blinking, i found him looking at me with a frown on his face.

"I am fine." I said, my voice hoarse due to dryness.

He stood up and walked towards the table and filled up the glass with water. Coming back, he passed it to me to which i drank it quickly.

"Take it slow." He said,

"Thank you." I said, softly putting the glass down unable to meet his eyes.

"What happened?" He asked, leaning his head forward to make eye contact with me.

"I had a bad dream that's all." I said and stood up.

I wasn't going to tell him about my past.

"Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it, Eric. I must go now." I said, looking at his feet.

"But Mon- " i left the room without listening to him.

I needed space and a moment for myself. Whenever i had dreams about my past, my mood get sullen and if anyone tries to talk to me i either become a b***h or cry. And i don't want him to see me cry again.

I couldn't thank him enough for his help. Only Dalton has seen me like this and now him. Though when i was going through all this, I didn't aspect it to be Eric. I don't know why but i can't explain the feeling. When i found out it was him, i felt relaxed mentally. May be i trust him that's why. I was becoming close to him without realizing it.

Shaking my head, i entered my room and then realized that i had slept in his room last night. I stood at the door step of my door with mouth open in surprise.

Ahh. Whatever. It wasn't like he objected.

He was not in the room meaning he slept somewhere else. I sighed with a smile on my face thinking, so considerate of him.

I went to bathroom to take a long relaxing shower. Opening the faucet, water filled up the bathtub, while i choose a soft song to listen, which helps me relax. Getting in the bath tub and laid with my eyes closed. After i was done bathing and relaxing, i walked out of the bathroom with pruney fingers. Following the usual routine, opening the window and take deep breaths of fresh air and then going down to eat break fast. Russell, Lexi and Josh were the cooks here, they made food for everyone here. The kitchen was full of cheerful voices today, i passed smile in return to them. I felt certain pairs of eyes looking at me and i knew it belonged to Eric, the man who constantly has occupied my thoughts all day. I sat down next to Ella and ate my food silently. They all went silent as i joined them and looked at each other. I frowned in confusion at their behavior.

"We were discussing some stuff." Ella started talking, she had an anxious look on her face.

I just looked at her, waiting for her to complete her sentence.

"We are leaving this place today. Pack your things by 12." Russell said, nonchalantly

I sat there in surprise, i was not expecting that. I looked back at Eric, who was looking down at his plate, moving food here with his fork.

"Look I don't want to get involved in this mess of yours." I said, forehead creased in concentration. I bang my fisted hand on the table in anger.

"You are involved now. If you wish to leave,then be my guest. Then don't ask for help later." Eric said boldly, while grinding his teeth.

I was grinding my teeth in anger.

"Monica, they have reached here and they will surely find us all in a span of few days. It's dangerous for all of us to stay here. It's for your safety too." Ella said, throwing me soft look.

But i didn't ask for it!.

You didn't Monica, but you should have thought about it before throwing yourself at the lion's den. I have put myself in this dangerous situation, I can't blame them.

I thought to myself.

"You are right." I said and drank my now cold coffee in one go.

They kept quiet and looked at me, waiting for my out burst. But i was sensible to know, they were right and i need to follow their instructions to live. Standing up, i walked towards the sink and washed my cup.

"I will pack my stuff." I said and walked out of the kitchen.

My situation resembled like quicksand. The more i try to get out of it, the more i go deeper.

Picking the clothes and shoes which Ella and Lexi bought for me, I put them in a bag. Putting my hair brushes and creams into bag, i went to restroom to collect my toothbrush. I didn't had much stuff so i was done within fifteen minutes. I laid on my bed with hair sprawled and legs apart.

I just laid there and looked at the ceiling, mind racing with stuff going around, as a soft song plaid at the back.

I heard a knock on my room, quickly sitting up and straightened my shirt and my hair, i called them in.

It was Lexi and Ella. I smiled at them as they entered with caution. Afraid i might burst at them, i get it every time i had my outburst.

"Come come. Sit" after all they were trying to protect me along with them.

I need to be calm and handle the situation.

"Are you okay?" Lexi asked, sitting at the foot end of bed. Her eyes focused on mine.

"I am fine." I said with a softer tone.

They relaxed a bit and passed me small smiles.

"So what's up?" I asked them, looking at Ella. Who was silent as soon as she came in. She sat beside me, biting her lip and avoided eye contact with me.

"We just came to know how you were doing." Lexi said, pushing her hair away,

I nodded my head and cast a glance at Ella. It looked like she wanted to say something but she couldn't.

"What is it Ella, speak up." I said, nudged her with my elbow.

"I-uh. I just feel guilty for all this, you have to go through all this because of us." She said, fidgeting her hands.

"You don't need to feel guilty. Yes you did something bad, but it was me who came after you guys and got stuck in this situation and putting you all in danger as well." I said, putting my hand over her knee.

She sighed and nodded her head. Because they knew i was right.

"Where are we going anyway?" I asked them,

No matter what they did and are doing. After living with them, i was sure of one thing. They were not bad people, they had a reason to do this. And i need to find that reason. I was curious, what pulled them all towards this path instead of going to college and get a job and live a peaceful live.

"It's a small city near by- Orkgend Vlelland." Ella said with a weird face. Making us chuckle at her.

"What? Don't you find it a weird name" she asked with pure innocence.

Which made it more funny.

Lexi and i were bending over backwards with laughter. Ella blushed in embarrassment and chuckled along with us.

I liked both of them, they took care of me like big sisters. Though Ella and were of same age and Lexi was two years elder than us. But i felt a connection with them.

A wise man once said, Some people are meant to cross each other paths. Either to learn from other and move on or stay together.

I guess our situation was like this.

"Can i ask you guys a question, which i have been meaning to ask for quite a time now." I said once our laughter died down.

They nodded their heads and had curious look on their faces.

"What's the reason behind you coming this way?" I dropped the bomb finally.

They blinked and looked away from me. Sullen looks suddenly appeared on their faces.

"I guess, you deserve to know why i chose this path." Ella started after a while.

No doubt, i knew Ella considered me a good friend of hers and wont deny it.

"My dad died when i was ten and Keith was five. Our mom did her best to provide us everything. She let go of her precious life to put bread on the table. She would work day and night to make us live comfortably." She stammered at the end, clearing her throat, she continued,

"She worked at a company which was growing day by day. So my mom was happy to hit the jackpot until one day she was framed of embezzlement faking vendor payments of about three billion money."

Faking Vendor Payments- is when an employee steals company funds, but tries to hide them as payments to vendors and they change accounting system entries to hide their tracks.

"She was fired, then investigated by police and then money was found her account which she also had no idea of. Despite her cries and begging that she didn't do anything like that, no body listened to her. The court charged her with a third-degree felony of a seven-year sentence. Keith and i were devastated and young, we didn't know what to do. We had few relative's which lived far away but when we approached them, they cut off from the family. Saying we brought shame to their name and don't want to keep connection with us anymore. We were totally left alone. The company men came after a few days and took all the money which our mom saved for years. We cried and begged to them, not to take them, but they didn't listen to us. Our neighbors were really nice and knew us for a long time and they took us in as they had no kids of their own. They considered us as their own. I was sixteen at that time, so i worked part time jobs here and there to earn money. I felt like a burden living in our neighbors house but they were so humble and kind to let us live there for a few years. We used to visit our mom once in a month and.." she stopped suddenly as tears started falling down her eyes.

I sprung up and hugged her close to me. My heart was bleeding for her, she has gone through so much. Caressing her back to soothe her, i felt guilty for asking.

"I am sorry, I didn't knew. If i had known i wouldn't have asked you." I said softly as she hiccuped in my arms.

"You didn't knew." Lexi said with a soft smile to me.

"You are so brave, Ella." I said, pushing her away from my embrace to see her face. Her eyes was a bit puffy now and nose a bit red.

"Aww you look like a cat." I joked, tried to lighten up the mood by pushing her lips up in a smile.

Thankfully, she found it funny and laughed. I passed her a tissue, thanking me, she wiped her face. We sat in silence waiting for her to gather herself.

"So, our mom took this really bad and went into depression. We tried our best to bail her out but it was difficult for us to do so alone. She couldn't stand being apart from us that one day she had a heart attack and was admitted to hospital. We made it on time and were able to see her for once, before she passed away. Later, our neighbor lady died a few days later and uncle was left alone. He was really old and was unable to take care of us alone. He gave us his saved up money and kept some for him. He admitted himself to old house and he died previous year. We used the money to study and buy a small apartment. Keith was old enough to join me at a shop as a part timer." She said, and sighed at the end.

"You have been through so much and still standing strong. You are so brave and strong Ella." I said, patting her hand in comfort, to which she sadly smiled.

"But why do you go after companies and take their money?" I asked the main question, looking at both of them.

Lexi and Ella looked at each other and then back at me.

"We can't tell you this. You need to ask Eric about it." Ella said, with pursed lips.

Umm, i knew it. They won't tell me this by themselves. Guess i have no option left, i will have to ask him then.

"Oh alright. What about you Lexi?" I asked, turning my head towards her, who was now comfortably sitting on the bed, cross-legged.

"My story is similar to hers. My dad used to work at the same company and his job was to manage Financial accounting." she stopped and gave me do-you-know look.

Financial accounting is the process of recording, summarizing and reporting a company's business transactions through financial statements like- the income statement, the balance sheet, the cash flow statement and the statement of retained earnings.

"I work in a company remember. I know everything. Go on." I said to which she face palmed herself as she forgot my occupation.

"His job was going well until one day, he was framed for embezzlement of transferring company's money to his own secret bank account for his personal use."

This is called Business Identity Theft, where an employee secures a line of credit in company's name, use the money for personal purchases. Putting fake reports into the according system that they used that money to pay wages to employees but instead they take the money.

As finance accounting manager has access to accounting records and legitimate accounts which they use to cover their tracks. This often happen in companies with faithless and disloyal employees.

"My dad brought in a lawyer in the court, to turn down their accusations. The company found false accounting reports and found his secret account, to which my dad denied having any of it. Later he was accused of helping Ella's mother in her crime. My mom used to be lawyer, she took the case herself. But the lawyers representing company, they made allegations of discreditable conduct. What ever my mom tried it back fired and with their false statements they win the case. My mom was sure that the they had bought the judge as he failed to listen to my mom's statements. She had no power in front of them. The company put all the blame on my dad and Ella's mother and put a tag of "Forming alliance" for them." She said, looking down at her hands. She stopped and sighed.

"Thats how i met Ella. When i used to visit my dad in jail, i met Ella there and came to know about her mother. Her mother and my dad were good friend's but we never got time to met each other families as they both were busy with their jobs. We kept in touch after that." She said, passing a soft smile towards Ella, to which she hold her hand.

"You dad must have been released now?" I said, guessing the years of punishment.

"No. He died. He was heart patient already and just couldn't deal with all the accusations. He got died in the jail." She said, pursing her lips, looking away.

Oh my. My bad.

"It must have been very difficult for you and your mom. You are a strong women, Lexi. I am sure your father must be proud of you." I said, trying to cheer her up.

I never expected their past to be this painful otherwise i wouldn't have asked them.

It's been three months i have known them all, despite their cheerful and happy faces they hide their painful past. They were just like me. I felt a deep connection to them after hearing their stories. After what they did to me, i really wasn't going to contact them. But now after going through things together, my heart has soften towards them and i think i trust them.

We talked randomly to cheer up the mood for a while, then they left the room to pack their things. I was thankful for one thing, they didn't ask me about my past. May be they didn't get the hint that day at my home, when i told them that my father kicked me out. Or may be they chose to respect my privacy. Which ever was the case, i was relieved.

I went downstairs, feeling bored. I found Josh and Owen in the living room, watching tv. I walked in and took an empty seat beside Owen, who looked bored.

"Bored?" I asked, looking between them.

"Yeah. Waiting for all of them to get ready so we were just killing time here." He said, running a hand through his hair, making them messy.

I just nodded my head totally vibing with them.

"Have you done your packing?" Josh asked frowning

"Yes done and dusted." I said and he was surprised by that. He gave me an impressive look that made me chuckle.

Not all women take long time. The rest just dance some time while listening to songs that's why they are late.

After a while, everyone huddled down with their bags. I stood up to go and get my bag, which i didn't bring down with me. The others started to put the bags and other stuff into the car, while i climbed up the stairs to my room. But stopped mid way when my eyes found Eric's. He was making his way with towards me, holding two bags, which included mine too. I looked back at him as he stood in front of me.

"Come on, let's go." He said and walked past me. Holding his and my bags.

There goes the butterflies.

I liked his act of kindness and made sure to thank him later, i followed him out. It was Eric, Ella, Keith and me once again in my car. Owen closed all the doors as i watched him from the front seat. Eric was talking to Russell about something, Keith was busy on his laptop and Ella had ear phones plugged into her ears. I rolled up the window when Eric turned on the Ac and we were set to go.

Soon i was lost in my own world. Sitting cross-legged on the seat with ear phones in my as songs were blasting through them, i thought about my life. Never in a million years, i imagines to come across with Con artists and gangsters. Heck, it still seemed like a bizarre situation. We all were lost in our thoughts that nobody initiated the talk. I was comfortable with the silence and enjoyed my own world.

We made quick stop at a gas station and ate food at it's Food Mart, as we all were hungry. I was bored so while ordering, i noticed Eric and i had some things in common. Like how he liked his coffee with minimum amount of cream which was my usual as well. I liked loaded fries and he liked ring fries, fries was common thing between us. Owen also liked loaded fries and we became fries buddies, the name which he suggested. To which we both laughed at our stupidity.

We began our journey once again and reached the new small town at evening. The house was single story and had small lawn at front. Getting out, i stretched my body and heard crepitations. Ella and Owen heard it too and started following suit and their own popping sounds came. I smiled at them and shake my head at them. I went around the car to find Eric taking bags out of trunk.

"Let me help you." I said, pushing his hand away from the strap of bag he was holding and grabbed it myself. I wanted to help him, he drove for about four hours, he must have been tired.

Taking it out, i put it aside the other bags. He said nothing and let me helped me though only one bag was left, which he let me pick as he closed the trunk. Everyone picked their own bags and entered the house, living room was smaller than the previous house we were staying in. We all left our bags in the living room and started a tour of the house. There were five rooms in total which was a problem. We all looked at each other, all had one thought in mind.

Who will share the rooms with whom.

I made my way down and entered the kitchen and found another door. Opening it, i found it led to back of the house where there was a larger lawn than the front. The thing which caught my eye instantly was the large tree at the corner of the lawn and a swing hung to it's thick branch. Smiling in glee, i almost ran to it like a kid. I love swings, they make me feel free of all worries. Taking a seat on it, pushing my feet back, i moved back and then pushing myself forward the swing fastened. Doing the same thing over, i reached the height I loved, which was high enough for me to jump from it on the ground. Then i noticed another thing, there was a hole in the ground and it was surrounded by rock pillars. It was fire pit made by the house owner. It was pretty fancy thing. I really liked these two things in this house.

I heard them coming near, so slowed my pace and gently rocked myself back and forth on the swing.

"Oh hey! There's a swing!" Ella said, as she saw me seating on it.

They all looked this way and found me seating on it. Russell nodded his head in acknowledge, Owen and Ella came towards me with big smiles. They were kids at heart just like me. Lexi gave me a thumbs up, Josh just looked around. Eric. I saw a complete person in front of me, he was smiling genuinely at me. I blinked in surprise to which he smirked and looked away.

I heard my heart beating hard against my rib cage.

Shaking him out of my head, i was pulled of the swing by Owen. He took a seat and started taking swing. Smiling at his childishness, i made my way into the house. I found Russell in the kitchen and i was about to pass by when he called out.

"Want one?" Russell asked, passing a drink my way.

I just stared at him in surprise and looked back to see if he offered it to someone else or it was really me. But i found no one behind me, looking back at him, he rolled his eyes and pushed the can towards me. The can slides on the shelf and reached me.

"Thank you." I said, taking a seat at the kitchen counter, i opened the drink.

"What's with the sudden change of heart?" I asked, unable to stop myself from asking him.

"It's not like i hated you." He said in a duh tone as he took a sip too.

"Agreed." I said, shrugging my shoulders.

I looked at him as i drummed my fingers on the shelf, waiting for him to speak. He caught my look and gave me a dead pant look.

" I just disliked you because of your actions. Otherwise, you are involved in this mess as much as we all are, I can't blame you for outburst back that day." He said, nonchalantly

"What do you mean by my actions?" I asked, with a raised eye brow.

"You are reckless that's what i think." He says, raising his eyebrow in return, challenging me to prove him wrong.

But i couldn't prove him wrong because he was right. I took reckless decisions that's why i am here today.

I nodded my head at him to which he smirked and left the kitchen. Leaving me alone with my drink and my new thoughts.

~~~~~~