Chiara did a few jobs here and there in the city of Angels, but didn't put much stock into settling down just yet, and look for something permanent. She had traveled all across these vast lands of the Americas over the past several months, but just never really got that homey feeling calling out to her.  The sun and warmer weather out here sure was tempting her to put roots down though.  The cash flow seemed to be in abundance as well as all the sparkling jewels on passersby and window displays, too.

Doing various jobs to keep her pockets full was a top priority for Chiara right now.  Restarting over in life was difficult in the past few years, but she kept onwards.  Her perseverance through the tough times paid off beautifully because now she was without food or a place to sleep at night.  A smirk floated across her face briefly as she thought about the small collection of jewels she had hidden away, reminding her of how she got into the life of crime in the first place so many years ago, shortly after her parents had died.

The fatal car crash left her an orphan at the age of 14, and bounced around between her aunts til she was old enough to take leave.  Both of her aunts seemed to act as if Chiara was trash, and gave off the attitude she was tolerated instead of wanted.  Her aunts had always disapproved of the choice their brother chose for a wife, and Chiara was a spitting image of her mother, constantly reminding them of the woman who they claimed on a daily basis that "ruined her father's life".  The aunts doted on their children with pride and love, but when it came to Chiara they held contempt and malice in their eyes.

She often wondered why they bothered taking her into their homes to begin with, but they spouted off they had a duty to her father and all that rubbish.  It wasn't as if they were destitute and struggling either, they just felt slighted and put out that they had to help someone that reminded them of a person they detested.  Chiara made the best of it through the years though, and held onto the last glimmer of hope she could find in knowing that once she turned 18, she was outta that hellhole of a family.  She would be on her own in the world, but that was better than watching her cousins reap the fruits while she herself was tossed scarce scraps, be it clothes, food or affection.

Chiara knew life would be a struggle once she broke free of the hellhole, and to get what she wanted outta life she was gonna have to get a job and work hard, or just find a way to take what she wanted.  One day while the oldest aunt was off shopping, Chiara began packing her belongings, and as a little payback for the wonderful hospitality by her aunts, she had graciously relieved them both of the burden of owning a few priceless jewels, namely bracelets, necklaces, a watch and a few rings. 

Chiara draped a diamond and sapphire bracelet over one of her wrists, twisting her hand slowly to allow the gems to sparkle under the lights.  She smiled as she placed the jewelry into a small bag then tucked it away in her duffel bag.  With one last look up to the house from the street, she began her life anew, not knowing what the future would hold, but knowing she controlled her own fate from here on out.