The Baby Contract

Chapter 1: The Break In

NEWYORK CITY,MANHATTAN

SPRING SEASON

BELLA’s POV 

“You said you had a plan you wanted to share?” He asked me.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves coursing through my veins. 

Ryan, my boyfriend and partner in crime stood before me and watched me eagerly as  I mustered the courage to reveal my audacious plan.

"So,I've been researching Aaron Davis for months now," I began, my voice steady and determined."His collection is worth millions, and I believe we have an opportunity to change our lives forever.The plan here is very simple babe, to rob his home and steal some of his valuable artworks to sell.”

Ryan looked at me like I had grown horns on my head.

"Bella, are you out of your mind? This is a dangerous game we're talking about. We could get caught, or worse. We're not cut out for something like this."

Grabbing his hands, I looked into his eyes, hoping he would understand. "I know it sounds risky, but I swear that I've planned every detail meticulously,so you don’t gotta worry about anything.”

He pulled his hands away from my grip.

“We are used to stealing art works from regular homes not crazy rich billionaires! Have you gone nuts?”

“Calm down.” I rolled my eyes.”We won't be targeting his heavily guarded mansion so don’t freak out yet. I discovered one of his apartments that is less secure and he is barely there so we could pull it off. I am certain.”

He hesitated, his gaze searching mine for any sign of doubt. "But baby, we're not professionals. We don't have the skills or experience for this. What if things go wrong? I can't bear the thought of something happening to us."

“Are you serious? We are not professionals?” I slightly frowned at him. “You know how much we’ve made since we started art theft?”

“Yeah but professionals at petty theft! This is too fucking huge and we haven’t done this before. The Davis family? Seriously?”

“There is always a first time for everything. You would never know until you try.Relax and stop being a pussy.” I told him bluntly.

“I am not a pussy!” He snapped back.

“Then fucking act like one.”

“You are not thinking straight right now. Out of all the houses in the world you’re choosing to go with the one belonging to Aaron Davis? Why can’t we just rob houses here in the neighborhood as usual?”

”Because I need a huge amount of money this time around and I can’t settle for anything less at this point. Look, I did my findings and I know that just one painting in that house is worth thousands of dollars. If we get our hands on it,we would be freaking rich.”

“Oh really?” He raised his brows skeptically.”Worth how much exactly?”

“Five hundred thousand US dollars, Ryan.” I looked at him straight in the eyes. “There are others worth more than that. Imagine if we get our hands on two or three. Our lives could change. Don’t you want that?”

“I really don’t know..” he murmured.

Squeezing his hands reassuringly, I leaned in closer and continued,"We'll take every precaution so we don’t get caught.We would be extra careful and I know we can do this together.Do you trust me?”

“You got a plan on  how to get to the location and how we can get in?”

“Don’t worry about all of that. I have it under control. Now,do you trust me?”

He ignored me again,folding his arms while his deep brown eyes  stared at me. “You know,I am wondering where you got this courage from. I literally introduced you into this business and now it seems you are ten steps ahead of me already.”

I chuckled.”Desperate situations calls for desperate measures. This is the only way I know how to get some quick money. And you gotta help me cause you gonna benefit it from it too. You know we always split it into two. So I’d ask again, do you trust your girlfriend?”

Reluctantly, he  nodded,exhaling deeply. "Do I even have a choice? But promise me that if things go south, we'll abort the mission immediately. Our safety is paramount. I don’t wanna get locked up in jail. I still have a lot of things I haven’t done with my life yet.”

“Roger that.Please don’t fuck things up?” I looked at him eagerly.

“Shut up.You try not to fuck things up.” He answered back immediately and I felt a small smile tugging at the end of my lips. 

Yes!

Our plan was set in motion and I just couldn’t wait.

It was risky but all the more exciting. 

Together, we dressed in all-black attire, our masks hiding our features and gloves ensuring no fingerprints would be left behind.

As we stepped out into the cold night, a hushed silence enveloped us. The darkness seemed to amplify the beating of my heart as we made our way towards Aaron Davis's apartment building. The silence was clear,broken only by the distant sound of passing cars. 

Reaching our destination, we approached the entrance with caution. I secured my mask, feeling the cool fabric against my skin, while Ryan followed suit. My gloved hands trembled slightly.

“This is it” I said under my breath.

Two security guards stood watch at the entrance, unaware of the imminent breach. I gestured for Ryan to make a move  as I approached them from behind, my movements swift and calculated. With precise strikes, I rendered one of them unconscious while Ryan tackled the other one to the ground in seconds,knocking him out. 

Signaling for Ryan to join me, we ascended to the upper floor, where the targeted apartment awaited us. I located the access point in the ceiling, a hidden entrance that would grant us passage. Climbing up with practiced ease, I secured a rope and handed it over to Ryan, who held it firmly and lowered me down.

He watched from above as I descended into the apartment, his eyes, a mixture of worry  and concern.

“You be careful,” he whispered.

 With utmost care, I surveyed the room, my eyes scanning for the prized artworks we sought. As I found a breathtaking painting hanging on the wall, I reached out to grab it. 

But then suddenly I heard a noise and my heart skipped a beat. 

What! 

No one was supposed to be home! 

This wasn’t part of the plan.

I heard a deep voice resonating in the room and knew instantly that I was fucked. 

“Who’s there?” The voice called out. 

“Ryan! Pull me up!” I told him desperately but was met with his loosened grip. 

The bastard!

Was he running away?

Oh God. 

Alone and hanging downwards in mid-air, my heart pounded in my chest. 

There was the silhouetted figure of someone standing in the room and a sudden flicker of lights flooding the room. 

I was screwed!