Prompt #420 Flail ~ naughty_bangles ~ Flail~ Original

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Title: Flail
Prompt #420 FLAIL
Rating: PG13
Author: naughty_bangles



"Are you insane?", I shouted at my microphone, not caring how loud it would end up in Alejandro's earpiece. It didn't seem to bother him much, though, because he replied with a chuckle.

"That necklace is worth a fortune, isn't it? So why not?" I hated the casual tone he used when he was about to throw a well-thought plan to hell and go for total impro.

"Because it's dangerous, you moron! Just take pictures, and come back. We'll find another way to get the necklace. It's been in that vault for hundreds of years, it's not going anywhere."

I could hear his pout through my headset. "You don't know that. Anyone could find an access while we plot, and get the necklace from right under our nose."

"Oh my God, Alejandro, what are the odds?"

"We need the money, Ana, so let me handle this, and don't worry. I'll be back in no time."

And he hung up on me. I hated it when he did that. Not for the first time since the beginning of our association, six months ago, I wondered why I kept putting up with this kind of crap instead of going back solo. I was doing a good job, back before I met Alejandro, and I didn't have to worry about anybody, or freak out about a sudden change of plan that didn't sit well with my overly controlling personality. But I had to admit the jobs we had done together were so much better than those within my reach. I would probably miss it.

I tried to dial his earpiece twice, and, getting no response, I got up and began pacing. I mostly enjoy being the brain, the one who did the research and planning part of the job, while Alejandro usually handled the retrieving part. But being the one left behind to worry until he decided to give me an update on his situation was killing me. I hated it even more than his devil-may-care way of handling more-complicated-than-expected jobs.

After an hour of waiting, I was back in my chair, tipping a fingernail against the side of my keyboard. He was at fourty minutes top from my current location. He should be back, now. It could never have taken him more than twenty minutes to get to the necklace. The manoeuvre was tricky – I guessed, since he never sent me any picture, despite me having asked for them -, but it was more a matter of being quick enough than having the possibility to spend hours on it. I had an explanation for his lateness, but I didn't want to think about it. It wasn't a happy thought.

After an hour and a half, the floor was covered with books and printed pages, as I was franctically searching for something, anything that could give me a clue of what was happening in that damned vault at the moment. It was probably useless, since I had already re-read those documents more than what was reasonable, but I had to occupy myself, and moving half-read things around seemed a good idea.

After two hours, I was looking for my phone though the papers, ready to leave and get Alejandro's ass back here all by myself when the door opened. The man I was gearing up to rescue walked into the room like he wasn't an hour and a half late. I threw the pile of paper I had in hand at his face.

"What happened?", he asked, looking around at the books and stuffs opened everywhere.

"Where were you?", I screamed, unable to keep my arms from flailing in the air. My frustration had to go somewhere.

"Oh, I got dinner." He raised his hand, which was grabbing a plastic bag with a Chinese logo printed on it. "They were having a heavy day, and messed the order up a little. That's why it tooks so long."

I opened my mouth out of surprise and anger. That was the lamest excuse I had ever heard. It took me a few seconds to recover.

"Why didn't you call me? I was worried sick!"

"I lost my earpiece", Alejandro said, walking to the desk to put the bag on it. "And I left my phone here. I told you not to worry, Ana. It wasn't as dangerous as it sounded."

And with those words, he took the necklace out of the hidden pocket of his jacket. It was exactly like the gravure we had found, but with the actual shine of gems and gold. With a little cleaning, it would be in perfect condition, and we already had a buyer for it. I feel anger leave me at the perspective of being paid.

"We need to stop doing this, Al, or I might not survive your next stunt."

I sounded more annoyed than angry, now, and he flashed me one of those handsome smiles that made women swoon, but mostly made me roll my eyes.

"I hope you have Cantonese rice in this. I'm starving", I said after effectively rolling my eyes, an I reached for the bag.