T1W6 JOURNAL

Cupidity had got the better of me.

The New Year's party was saturated with frenzy and excitement.

"How about an Absinthe for you Sir?" asked the bartender.

"Okay.." I agreed although unsure of what that was exactly.

It had been a long night but I had enjoyed myself.

My eyelids were already feeling heavy and I wanted to doze off. Then, an old man in his sixties came up to me and asked me if I was selling the ring on my left hand's index finger.

It was a present from one my friends and I was sure it was one of those really ordinary diamond rings you would find easily. I pondered on his motive as I sipped my Absinthe but I came up with nothing.

"Why would you want my ring? I mean it is so common!" I asked doubtfully.

"I have no ulterior motive. Well, I find it beautiful so I wanted to get it for wife." He replied without batting an eyelid.

Well it seemed that he wasn't lying and it was purely for altruistic reasons so why not. I thought while paying cursory attention to him and his hidden motive.

And out of complete temerity, I greedily agreed to his irresistible deal of 3000 dollars.

We settled that we would deal tomorrow noon outside the deserted supermarket just a couple of blocks away. Well, I didn't exactly agree it was more of him choosing the location and asking me to meet there.

Well, the next day came faster than I thought and there I was waiting for the unnamed man to appear.

True enough he arrived, slightly tardy, with an envelope in his arms.

"You sure about this?" I asked him.

Who in the right mind would buy this mediocre diamond ring for 3000 dollars? He must be up to something. But I assured myself that this was nothing like a scam. However, this was the complete antithesis of me. I was the safe, cautious and wary type not this greedy looking-out-for-free gains person.

"Very." He answered firmly.

I hesitated in removing the diamond ring. As he rushed him, I slowly took it off my index finger.

Then came the hit. I couldn't remember exactly what happen. But I was hit on the back and I fell unconscious.

I was robbed of not only my ring but also other valuables like my wallet. I also received a stay at the hospital to recover from my wounds.

Well, I should have seen it coming. There really is no free lunch in this world.