This all happened when I was assisting Detective Marcus Maguire; he was 50 years old. He had been working as a cop and then a private detective for almost 25 years, so he was very confident in himself and his work. When I first started, he wouldn't even let me tell him my ideas. All I could do was prepare his food, pick up coffee, and basically be his assistant. I was so disappointed with where my career was going. I would stay at the office after he left and go through the files. I decided to quit my job and find a job where I could actually work as a detective, but all my job interviews went really badly.

Right now, looking back, I'm glad they did, because something that would change my whole life happened when I was about to quit. Marcus had just taken on a high-profile job; I wasn't  allowed to go near the files. The job required him to find the person who hacked their bank information. The owner of the firm himself came to talk to Marcus. He was so angry.

''I need you to find this person immediately. She is probably just a teenager so it shouldn't be that hard. She is known as Orphic on social media.''

After he left I checked Orphic's social media account. Her face was hidden, a puzzle that captivated the masses. During the time Marcus investigated her, she hacked three more firms. I don't know how right it is for a dedective to admire a thief but I was one of Orphic's fans as well. Her exploits were legendary—she hacked corporations, stole fortunes, and led her followers on wild chases to find the stolen money.

Each Orphic announcement ignited a frenzy. She would never take a penny of the money she steals. Instead she would share locations where she hid that money. The public rushed to the money drop locations, considering the amount of money is usually tens of thousands. Each of her location post caused chaos and spectacle. Orphic's audacious heists went viral, making her an internet sensation. With every notification, her followers vied to reach the loot first, all the while debating whether Orphic was a criminal or a modern-day Robin Hood.

Two people almost died during a fight, they both arrived to the location at the same time. They both reached the bag and then started fighting over who gets it. While they were fighting someone else took the bag and left. They started creating fan accounts, started groups.

Marcus was determined to unmask Orphic's identity. He delved into the virtual labyrinth that Orphic had woven. He was one of the calmest people I have ever seen but trying to solve this case made him have so angry that I saw him punching his desk. Even after the firm decided to take the case from his with an email that said how incompatible he was, he stayed determined to solve the case.

As Orphic's heists escalated, the financial losses became more catastrophic. One day, Orphic announced her final, grandest heist: the hack of one of the largest tech companies in the country. Panic swept through the corporate world, each company was scared that it could be them. They were hiring extra staff for cyber security.

I started investigating Orphic as well and although she had millions of followerds I decided to send her a private message. I sent it when I was too drunk, I wasn't even sure I sent it or not but when I woke up I couldn't believe my eyes.

''Heyy, I'm a dedective but I'm sending this message as an admirer. I don't even know if I really am a dedective tbh. I worked my ass off to be one but I'm working with this misogynistic jerk who doesn't even respect my opinions and uses me as an assistant. So, yeah. You go girl!'' -Harper

''Do you want to meet me?'' -Orphic

''Um....YEAH!!!!'' -Harper

''Send me a location.'' -Orphic

I was shocked, I checked if I talked with the fake account or the real one. I actually spoke with Orphic and I sent her my location. It was Saturday and I had a lunch plan with my best friend but I lied about feeling a bit under the weather. I couldn't leave the house in case Orphic actually shows up at my place. It was a very unlikely possibility but I had to see it through.

I got a notification saying Orphic has started the heist and she will share the location for money bag in two hours. I took a shower, ate some food, trying to get through the hangover. I was going to wear pjs but I thought Orphic could show up anytime so I wore jeans and a shirt. That was my attempt on looking good. I was too excited and anxious for any updates from Orphic, I started deepcleaning my apartment. Then I got a notification, I clicked so fast.

The location for the money bag was in front of my apartment, I couldn't believe my eyes. I left my front door open and run downstairs, I was living on the second floor. I saw the money bag and laughed. I grabbed it fast and run back to my apartment. Thank god my door was still open, I forgot to take my keys with me when I run. I took the bag on my kitchen desk. I was panicking, I opened it and saw all the money. Then I got another notification; ''The money bag is already gone. Enjoy your 1 million dollars, admirer.'' And there was a Picture of me taking the money but my face was blurred.

I was laughing nonstop, I couldn't believe my eyes. I took all the money, turned on music and started making it rain. I laid on the floor that was coved with dollars, that's when I got another text from Orphic.

''I assume you'll resign from your current job'' –Orphic.

''I'll on Monday! Thank you so much!!!!'' –Harper

''Do you still want to meet?'' –Orphic

''SURE!'' –Harper

''I'll come Monday evening to celebrate your resignation.'' –Orphic

I took some money from the ground and went to the fancy sushi place that always wanted to go but I didn't want to pay my monthly wage in one night. I was so happy that I could cry but I didn't want to be the person who cried in a sushi restaurant. I went back home, the tech company Orphic hacked ''Combuilds'' has dropped on the stock market. The owner Alex was on TV, his sister Natalie was standing behind him. He told that they will find whoever Orphic is and assured people that their system is now bulletproof but considering their main gains were from cyber security and yet they got hacked into. They were likely to go bankcrupt.

On Monday, I told Marcus that I resign. He asked my if I found another job and when I told him that ''I am actually openning my own office.'', he thought I was joking. I actually probably won't going to do that but I wanted to say that to his face. I told him that I have been working freelance after work and a very high profile client payed me enough to open an office.

I left the office chuckling in the elevator. I bought some wine and appetizers before heading home. I wasn't sure if Orphic was actually going to show up or if she would like to come in and have some food but I wanted to be a good host. I set the table and started anxiously waiting. The door knocked.

It was Natalie Brown, I remember her because of watchin her on the news. Orphic stole their money.

''I know you got our money but for the sake of our company's honour, I need it back. We can get you a good deal.'' She said. I was too stunned to speak, then she laughed.

''I'm just kidding, admirer.'' She walked in. I wasn't so sure about what has been happening. She said ''May I?'' and opened the wine bottle and poured two glasses. Handed me a glass, I didn't know that to say. She sat on the chair and started explaining the whole thing.

''You know I get thousands of messages every day but I don't reply but for some reason I wanted to check them. I only opened yours and I wanted to write back. Your story reminded me of mine. I mean we're probably totally different but in a sence we are familiar. I studied Computer Science, I got my Master's degree. I already had a company where I would work so I just wanted to study as much as I can to be the best in business. My father however told me that my brother would take his place as the CEO of the company. My brother who didn't go to college. He said my brother has been working side by side with him and enough experience to take over. I was in his shadow for two years but he started completely ignoring me. That's when I wanted to take action. I don't work alone though, I have four staff members but they all signed an NDA.''  She finished her glass and poured another.

''Why I decided to hide my true self, I don't know. Well, I didn't want to go to jail, that's probably why. Also after each heist I'd return the money to where I stole. I lost all the money in my trust fund because of that. And now our firm is going bankcrupt but seeing my brother's face and my father's disappointment in him is worth it. It felt so good, it felt good to be seen.''

"What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done. So, it doesn't matter if you returned the money or not. You made people believe that you are a mastermind, modern day Robin Hood.''

What I said made her smile and she asked, ''What will you do with the money I gave you?''

''I want to enjoy unemployment for a while. Then I might start my own dedective office, thanks to you.''

''I will also start my own firm. Imagine if I name the firm ''Orphic'' ''

I laughed, and although we had just met, our chats flowed effortlessly. That Monday evening, we became friends, and that friendship evolved into romance. Nobody ever found out that Natalie was Orphic. Our lives had been transformed by a series of choices and actions that defied conventional expectations. And in that shared understanding, our bond grew stronger, built on the foundation of our shared secret and the power of perception. In a world where the line between reality and illusion blurred, we had learned firsthand the art of shaping perception and creating our own narrative. Together, we reveled in the thrill of having navigated a path of mystery and intrigue, leaving an indelible mark on our lives and the world around us.