THE BLOODY CROWN

The New Friend

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Present
Stranger's POV -
I opened my eyes as sunlight hit my face annoyingly. I got up scrunching my face, resting my back on the headboard and realised where I was. As I was about to call out someone, the bedroom door got opened, revealing a pretty girl walking in with a tray in her hand. She looked at me confused as she placed the tray beside me, and we started talking.
"Finally, you're up!"
"Why the hell did you help me?"
"Oh! Shut up; you were the one who broke into my kitchen. So I think it is better if you answer me rather than me answering you!"
"Fine! What do you want to know? Oh my God! "Don't tell me you saved me because you couldn't resist my handsome face and charming body?" His eyes went wide enough for her to notice he was teasing her.
She slapped his arm, not realising his injury until he hissed in pain and retorted his arm in reflex.
"Oh shit! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.
"Of course not! You almost killed me!" He dramatically yelled as he patted his arm gently.
Realising his acting, she just ignored it and came back to the topic, which he diverted very cleverly.
"So! Who are you? What do you do? Why are you here? What the hell happened to your hand? Don't even try to lie, or I'll call the cops. I want the truth!"
"We're investigating, aren't we?
So, my name is Lee Jeno, and I'm a mafia member. Last night I got captured by an Indian gang, and my teammate and leader came to rescue me, but I got shot here thanks to you who helped me. As they both continued fighting, I had to come here to take the bullet off, which is killing me inside. As soon as I took it out, you saw me, and here we are." Jeno talked without pause. I don't think he took a breath in between.
"Wtf? You are a mafia? Ma...mafia?" She stumbled back as she got scared.
"I told you I'm not going to hurt you! Remember?"
Jeno leaned a little forward in panic as he spoke. As an answer, she stopped and approached Jeno in tiny steps as she pushed the tray with her index finger, which touched his rested arm. He saw the tray, gulped down the soup in one go, and took the medicine without complaining, even though she could see how much he hated to take medicines.
After he was done,she approached him carefully and took the tray in one go as she stumbled back, leaving about 5 feet of distance between them.
"Hey, I told you I'm not going to hurt you! "Thank you so much for helping me and for not calling the cops."
Hearing this eased her a little as she dragged a chair which was near hear dressing table in her room to the bed and sat in front of him, leaving the tray on the nightstand, and started talking.
"What about your team and leader?" You can call them so they can pick you up! You can use my phone!"
"It's not that simple! I have a phone, though! My teammate left it with me so they can call me back when everything is under control and safe!"
"Smart!" She exclaimed as she looked at his arm!
"Is it still hurting?"
"A little honestly! but it's fine! I've been through worse!" He said as he tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders as a sign for her not to worry much.
They smiled, and the room went to complete silence after a moment, which felt awkward to both of them. To overcome this, Jeno sighed and rested his back comfortably as he filled the silence. "So?? You know a lot about me; I know nothing about you! Let's start with your name, and what do you do?" He asked curiously.
She bit her lower lip as she was thinking about whether to trust him or not. She looked at him with a small grin as he checked his arm, waiting for answers. Giving in, she started talking. "Well, my name is Ailana Mughal, and I'm a princess of the Mughal dynasty. I am from Agra. I left my country to live here as a normal girl for a month with my brother. He's Korean, and he studies here, so that's why I came here to stay with him before I go back!" She said it without stuttering.
Jeno's eyes got wide when he heard her being a princess as he spoke. "Oh wow! You are a princess like legit king's daughter types?
"What is that supposed to mean, Lee?" "Is there any other type of princess?" She looked at him questioningly, as she didn't know what he was saying. Jeno started laughing as a result of her innocence, which made him adore her. She got annoyed, not knowing why he was laughing so hard for nothing, and glared at him as if she wanted to kill him. He got the hint and stopped laughing right away, spurting apologies as he kind of got scared. "Ok, ok, I'll stop! It's just that you're too adorable!" He said as he gave her his eye smile. She ignored it and finally stood up, taking the tray back. As she was about to open the door, Jeno's phone started ringing! She looked back curiously. He picked up the call.
"Hi Jaemin! Are you safe? Is Haechan okay?
"Thank God! No! I can come back; don't worry, I'm safe! I'm at my friend's house," he answered the call as he smiled at her while he was saying the last part.
She smiled at him as he hung up and tried to get up. She approached him quickly and helped him up as he mumbled a thank you.
"Thank you ailana! It was nice meeting you! Thank you for everything! We can be friends if you are okay with it!" He said this as he looked for his blazer and fixed himself, waiting for her to talk.
She thought for a minute and answered him. "It was nice meeting you too, Jeno. I don't think anyone like you could be involved in such a dangerous thing, and yes, of course, we are friends until you don't try to kill me with your other mafia friends." She stared as he started laughing for the last part.
"I promise I won't! don't worry! Thank you for being a kind friend, then! See you later," he said as he slid the phone in his pocket and looked at her as he inquired about his hair. She gave him a thumbs up as an answer, and he nodded satisfied as he approached the door to leave. As they reached the main door, Jeno opened the door and looked at her one last time before he waved her goodbye. She smiled at that childish wave and reciprocated with the same.

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Jeno entered the quarters without any issue. As soon as he entered, a petite body just engulfed him in the tightest hug, with another younger person joining in. Jeno winced as he spoke. "Renjun...Chenle.... My hand.....You're crushing me.
"Fuck, I'm so sorry; we were just worried about you," Chenle spoke as they both released him from their custom cage. "Ohh, you're back! I thought you'd never leave that house!" Jaemin spoke as he leaned against the doorframe, admiring the other three. He pushed himself off the door and hurried to hug his best friend. He hugged him, and Jeno smiled as they released the hug.
Even though Jaemin was worried, he smiled back and started talking.
"So... I see everyone is safe and sound. Now is the time for some revenge. Ibrahim is dead, but he's not the main head. The main head is in India, and we are going there to kill that son of a bitch, as he is the reason why me and my best friend got hurt. He will pay for both bullets," he said as Jeno found out that Jaemin was also shot in the ribs.
"Of course he will! Bitch was the reason my handsome face got fucking punched!" Jeno answered as he frowned to show his annoyance, which left everyone else laughing.
"Where are Haechan and Mark Hyung, by the way?" I have to return Haechan's phone and Mark Hyung's watch and thank them!"
"They went out to talk," Renjun answered.
"After yesterday, Mark Hyung got mad at Haechan about something, and they are talking to clear everything up," Chenle added. "Give me the watch and phone." I'm going to their apartment anyway; I'll give them ,you go and rest," Renjun said as he checked Jeno's arm with worry. Jeno nodded, took out the phone, and realised he had misplaced the watch. Jaemin spoke, shocked and terrified, facing his best friend. "Are you fucking kidding me right now, Lee Jeno?That watch was a present from Haechan to Mark Hyung for his safety. Mark lent it to you yesterday because he was worried about you! Haechan is going to kill you!" Chenle spoke as he saw Jeno worried: "Chill out, Jeno you might have forgotten it in that friend's house of yours!" To that, Jaemin added, "Let's go and get it back before Hyuck comes back and becomes the reason for your funeral!" He said this as they both started hurriedly to Ailana's apartment.

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As they entered the front porch,the house was locked. Jeno spoke, "Why the fuck is this locked?" I legit left this apartment like 5 hours ago?" As he frowned at the tolet board on the door. "Do you have any idea where she could go?"
"Nope!! I'm going to die, I think! Jaemin, my bestie, can't we just go and get a nice black suit for me in which I will look more handsome for my funeral? Consider this my last wish," Jeno blurted as he fake sobbed dramatically.
"Shut the hell up, would you? Let's talk to Hyuck; I'm sure he will understand! I can't loose you for a fucking watch, mister!"
"What if Haechan doesn't understand?"
"Then I will make sure..." Jaemin paused and looked at him with a grin.
Jeno's eyes lit up as he heard his friend in anticipation of optimism.
"To make your last wish true." Jaemin laughed, looking at Jeno, as he frowned as soon as he heard his friend.
They both left the place bickering like an old couple.

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