Adriaan- Netherlands

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More crime au, this time for nyotalia. Based on the song 'Opportunities' by the pet shop boys.

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She was dangerously beautiful.

Daniél could only watch from the other end of the casino as Annaliese, deep in conversation with a friend, sat at the bar and sipped her drink. Her long, dark hair was tied back with glittering pins and her violet eyes glanced around the room coldly. Everything about her was perfect, from her deep red lips to her neat eyebrows, and her lilac dress framed her figure beautifully.

And her smile was like the silver fittings on a coffin.

Her piercing eyes scanned the room, and he ducked behind his menu, blushing and hoping she didn't see him. She probably didn't. After all, Daniél was sat at a tiny table in the corner, hiding in shadows and trying not to be noticed. Despite being rather tall with long hair and a flower clip, he was generally not a noticeable person as it was.

She was the only reason he still came to this shitty casino. He could always ask his business acquaintances to meet him in a classier and more pleasant place- by the side of a canal or in an abattoir, for instance- but he only ever saw Annaliese here, thus kept coming up with excuses to visit.

She was truly dangerous too. He'd seen her dealing with all sorts of dangerous people, protected by her two bodyguards. Buying and selling everything from jewellery to drugs to weapons. She seemed rich, and fiercely intelligent.

And Daniél wanted in.

He saw Annaliese leave with her bodyguards and quickly got up, throwing a few notes down on the table and grabbing his coat. He weaved past people drinking and gambling, ignoring them all.

Once outside, he broke into a run, waving a hand as he tried to catch up with her.

"Hey, Miss Edelstein!"

She turned around to glare at him as her bodyguards tackled him to the floor. They twisted his arms behind his back and pulled him onto his knees, Annaliese standing over him with an expression of boredom.

"Miss Edelstein," he tried again, still smiling, "I'd like to talk to you!"

"Well then," Annaliese raised an eyebrow, "why should I care about what you have to say?"

"Because I have a little business proposition."

"Not interested," Annaliese turned around.

"Oh come on! I have contacts!"

"Don't care."

"I'm smart," he continued, "and strong! We could be amazing together. Just think about it. I could hand you the world and we could rule it together."

Annaliese paused. "Okay, Arthur, Adriaan, you've had your fun. Now let the kid go." Her bodyguards nodded and released Daniél. He remained on his knees though, beaming up at Annaliese.

"You're a sweet boy," she began, "but you really don't know what you're getting into."

"I do! Honest I do!"

"You don't," Annaliese sighed.

"Come on! I do dealings too! I've got a bit of money to offer as well. I've been in fights and can hold my own. And you seem to like surrounding yourself with muscle. This could be the start of something amazing."

Annaliese shook her head. "Do yourself a favour and stay away." She turned around and began walking down the street, her guards flanking her as she went.

But Daniél wasn't going to give up that easily.

He scrambled to his feet and bounded after her. Arthur pulled out a knife and he wavered, making sure to stand back as he tried to talk to Annaliese.

"Come on," he repeated, "I'll buy you a drink and we can talk about it more."

"You don't look like you could afford a bus fare, let alone a few drinks," Annaliese commented.

"I do have some money, I swear! I know all about this kind of scene. And I'm not as dumb and innocent as I look either. Come on, you're so pretty and smart; we would make excellent partners in crime."

Annaliese thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Alright. One drink. You have that time to prove to me you aren't a little boy playing a grown-up's game."

Daniél could've cheered.

"Yes! Thank you! I won't disappoint you, I promise!"