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— 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 —
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"This is perfect— thank you." Cecilia ran her hands over the dark red fabric. She placed it back in the box and took a deep breath. "Send the bill to my father, he'll sort it." She nodded. The lady at the desk smiled with appreciation and watched Cecilia walk out with one of her men, the dress neatly wrapped box. "Will you be attending the races this weekend?" She asked him.

"I believe the majority of us will be by your father's side. An extra set of hands."

"Good." She hummed. "You're good men for the most part." She sighed.

"Your father waits for you at the hotel." He said as they began driving. She stared out the window. Rain was beginning to fall lightly from the dark clouds that hung above them. She loved the rain. She loved the winter and the dark weather.

Spring was creeping up on them as the days passed and winter was slowly fading away.

Cecilia had a brief idea of the plan set for Derby day. She hadn't been told everything but it was enough. She wouldn't take part, she was just a set of eyes. A pretty distraction if needed.

Cecilia knew her worth, though. She was not going to be used as some whore on behalf of some bastard's business. No way.

The hotel Rafael and Cecilia planned to stay at was not too far from Small Heath. A half hour drive if that.

And, by no surprise, it was Thomas himself who suggested that very hotel.

He wanted to be able to have watchful eyes on the two before the big day. The last thing the blinders needed was to have something go wrong... again. Tommy was sure to be more careful about who he shared his plans with after what happened two years prior.

He was not going to be betrayed again. Not by somebody he trusted.

That is why only the people close to him knew the ins and outs of his plan. All his men would find out on the day whilst travelling to the races.

—

Cecilia, despite her father's argument to stay at the hotel, was wandering Small Heath. But not for any reason, of course. She wanted to bump into a certain someone. She told herself she was just curious and that it was only right to see her business partner after so long. 

With the evening hours approaching, she chose to go to the Garrison. And if he was not there, it was a perfect time to have a few drinks.

When opening the door, Cecilia was greeted with the noise of many cheery people who were stood around drinking. She weaved between the crowd and sat at the bar. "Evening, love." The barman said, "what can I get for you?"

"Gin, please." She flashed him a smile and looked over her shoulder cautiously.

The barman turned away to pour some of their finest gin into a glass. When he slid it to her, a voice spoke. "On the house." It was a familiar voice. A some sort of relief washed over her. "Thank you, Harry. Cecilia, would you join me?"

She looked up to see Tommy towering over her. She raised her brows and hummed. "I'm not sure," she pulled his pocket watch from his suit, "hm, I suppose I can make time for you." She grinned teasingly and got down from the bar stool, taking her drink and following him inside the snug.