This Martini Smells Blood

Chapter 10 • Stranger

November 16, 2020, 6 AM

Wuxie woke up having a mild headache. He slept late yesterday and woke up early. It is more accurate to say he didn't sleep at all.

How can he?

(yesterday)

Yanjing barged into the room. Kylin was lying down and with the loud sound he got up immediately. Yanjing rushed towards Kylin.

"Are you okay? What did he do to you?" asked Yanjing checking on his body by turning him, left and right.

"It's nothing," Kylin said. Yanjing wasn't satisfied with the answer. He glared at Kylin.

"Mr Boss don't overreact. My gun isn't-" Wuxie who came inside to explain was immediately cut off.

"Overreact? Then what can I do? What should I do when I see a stranger in my house sneaking in holding a gun?" Yanjing raised his voice. He was fuming in anger.

"Stranger? But I am not."

"Wuxie you even made Xiao Hua go so that you can ask to stay here. Did you plan this?"

"No. That's because-"

"Wuxie."

It was Kylin. He sounded calm. Wuxie looked at Kylin hoping he will talk sense to Yanjing.

"Give us a minute," Kylin said. Wuxie didn't get what Kylin meant. But when Kylin came forward and stood by the door, He realized.

Without talking further, Wuxie exited the room and the door behind him closed.

Wuxie felt his heart go heavy. He was sad and mad. But one thing he couldn't understand. Why Yanjing got so scared? Is there any story I am not aware of? Wuxie thought. But the very next second he chuckled bitterly. What do I even know about them? It's only been four days. Yanjing is correct. I am a stranger.

Wuxie sat on the couch, his head hanging low and hands supporting on his thighs. His mind was busy and most of it was blaming him. Why do I even get ahead of myself? They let us use the room. But see what am I doing? Xiao Hua gonna kill me if he knew about it.

Wuxie spent half an hour sitting there, expecting Yanjing. His eyes reached towards the door every second. Why they are taking this much time? Don't tell me Yanjing is sleeping there. Is he that afraid of me?

Wuxie couldn't help but wonder. He stood up all perplexed. What now? Wuxie started feeling restless. He walked to and fro. Then suddenly the door opened. Yanjing came out closing the door. Wuxie hoped to get a glimpse of Kylin, but couldn't. Yanjing walked to his room ignoring Wuxie.

"Wait. I... I am sorry." Wuxie followed Yanjing and stood before him.

"No. I'm sorry. As you said I was overreacting." Yanjing said avoiding Wuxie's pleading eyes.

"No. Don't be like this. I'm a curious person. I couldn't take that thought out of my head. That's why I went to check."

"You should have asked me." Yanjing retorted turning his head to face Wuxie.

"Yes. I should have. Now can you forgive me? I'm feeling terrible. You guys let us here. It's such a big favour. And this could be the most ungrateful thing I could ever do. I am extremely sorry." Wuxie begged sorry holding on to Yanjing's hand.

"No need for exaggeration. And it is his house. You don't need my forgiveness." Yanjing pulled back his hands from Wuxie's grip.

"That's not true. I have considered you as a friend. And I broke your trust, which is the basis of any friendship. I am even hurt deeply because you said I'm just a stranger." Wuxie showed his puppy eyes hoping it will work on Yanjing.

"Wuxie. I also thought like that. That you are a friend. But now I know why this all happened. It's because we have never developed trust with each other. So, let's start from scratch. Being a stranger to a tenant and then to friends." Yanjing said coldly and walked away leaving Wuxie in a daze.

It's this serious?

"He is even older than me. Then why fear a gun? That too the one without bullets."

~~~

Wuxie sat up and looked around. From the living room, Kylin's room was visible easily. The door of Kylin's room was slightly open. Wuxie took his phone from the tea table and checked the time. It showed 6:07 AM.

"So, he left for jogging or not?"

Wuxie stood up and walked crossing the sofa. He leaned over holding the wall behind the sofa to see Yanjing's room. It was closed.

"It's closed. So, he-"

"What are you doing?"

The unexpected voice from behind startled Wuxie. He turned to see Kylin in his tracksuit. He had his backpack in his hand.

"Hi" This was the only thing Wuxie could utter whenever he sees Kylin. Wuxie smiled awkwardly. He didn't want to answer the question Kylin had asked him. He thought it's better to change the topic.

"I'm sorry for yesterday."

"Forget it."

"No, I don't want to."

"What?"

What? What the hell, Wuxie? Why you don't wanna forget it.

Wuxie mentally facepalmed him.

"I... I mean. I'm not ashamed to admit my mistakes. I was wrong. Towards Hei ye too. I said something inappropriate.

He is mad at me. I understand. I should have known my limits. We are all matured and shouldn't have acted impulsively. So I genuinely apologize."

Kylin was surprised a bit. He may have not considered Wuxie to be this lenient.

"Hei ye... he is the one looking after me. The only one. He cares for me. And he is protective of everyone he cares for. He didn't mean to offend you. Hope you forgive him too."

"Huh? Why are you asking forgiveness? I'm the one at wrong and I-

No. If we go like this, we keep saying sorry to each other. You have to go right. It's already late."

Wuxie put the full stop or it would have been a very long talk. Wuxie thought of grabbing this opportunity to talk something else with Kylin. But Kylin nodded and walked away.

Huh? He is going like that?

But what he meant by Hei ye is the only one. So, they are more related than a landlord-tenant. And an employer-employee too.

But I have to be patient. It's not the right time to dig into this. Or else it will offend them more.

Wuxie... Wuxie... You should give your time and attention to the case. Don't you want to go back? Your dear uncle is waiting for you.

Wuxie grabbed his phone from the table and dialled a number.

"Pangzi... We have to go to the crime scene, right? Then pick me up before you got to quarters. I'll wait in front of the bar."

Throwing his phone to the couch he went to the bathroom.

•••••

I'm extremely sorry. I got so lazy to complete this chapter.... I'll complete it. Don't consider it as an update.

😖