The Innocent and The King

Chapter Five - A Glimpse Beyond The Veil

Reva was perched on the couch, absently scrolling through her phone. She was trying to distract herself, but the events of the past few days made it nearly impossible to focus on anything mundane. Every creak of the penthouse, every shadow that passed by the windows, made her flinch. The world outside felt dangerous and unknown, and the fact that she was now at the center of a conflict she didn’t fully understand didn’t help.

She looked up when the door opened. Jungkook entered the room, his dark eyes immediately scanning her face. He had been out for hours, attending to what he called “business.” The tension in his shoulders and the faint crease between his brows spoke volumes—something was weighing on him.

“You didn’t eat,” he observed, nodding toward the untouched tray of food on the table.

Reva shifted uncomfortably. “I wasn’t hungry.”

Jungkook walked over, his movements fluid and purposeful. He knelt in front of her, his gaze softening as he took her hand in his. “You need to take care of yourself, Reva. I can’t protect you if you’re not strong enough to endure this.”

His words were firm, but his tone was gentle, almost pleading. It was moments like this that confused her the most. How could someone so ruthless, a man who commanded fear with just a glance, be so tender with her?

“I’ll try,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jungkook didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied her face, as if trying to read her thoughts. After a long moment, he stood and walked to the kitchen. She watched in confusion as he began reheating the meal that had gone cold.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said, standing up.

Jungkook shot her a look over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised. “Sit down.”

There was no malice in his voice, but the authority in it was unmistakable. Reva sighed and obeyed, sitting back down as he finished warming the food and brought the plate to her. He set it on the table and sat beside her, watching expectantly.

“Eat,” he said simply.

Reva hesitated, but the intensity in his gaze left no room for argument. She picked up the fork and took a bite, her stomach growling in response. She hadn’t realized just how hungry she was until now.

Jungkook seemed satisfied, leaning back slightly as he watched her eat. His presence was both comforting and overwhelming. She could feel his eyes on her, studying her every move.

“Why do you care so much?” she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Jungkook tilted his head, considering her question. “Because you matter,” he said simply.

Reva frowned. “But why? You barely know me. I’m just… an ordinary woman.”

“There’s nothing ordinary about you,” he replied, his voice low. “You’re kind, Reva. In a world like mine, kindness is rare. It’s... precious.”

His words made her heart ache. She had always believed in the power of kindness, but she had never imagined it would make her stand out to someone like Jungkook.

“Your world is terrifying,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I don’t know how you live like this.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “It’s all I’ve ever known,” he said. “But I don’t want it to touch you. You don’t belong in the darkness, Reva. You’re too pure for that.”

Reva’s chest tightened at his words. She wanted to believe him, but the reality was that she was in his world now, whether she liked it or not. And the darkness he spoke of was closing in around her.

---

Later that evening, Jungkook led Reva to the penthouse’s private balcony. The view was breathtaking—the city lights stretching out as far as the eye could see, the hum of life below muted but present.

“This is the only part of this world that feels peaceful,” Jungkook said, leaning against the railing.

Reva joined him, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. She looked at him, his sharp features illuminated by the city’s glow. For a moment, he didn’t look like the feared mafia king. He looked… human.

“Do you ever think about leaving it all behind?” she asked softly.

Jungkook’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “I used to. But I can’t. This world is in my blood. There’s no escape.”

His words sent a pang of sadness through her. She wanted to argue, to tell him that there was always a choice, but she didn’t. She had seen enough to know that his world was far more complicated than hers.

“Then what do you want?” she asked. “If you can’t leave, what are you fighting for?”

Jungkook’s gaze shifted to her, his eyes dark and intense. “You.”

The single word hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Reva’s breath hitched, her cheeks warming under his gaze.

“Jungkook…” she began, but he cut her off.

“I know it’s selfish,” he said, his voice quieter now. “But I’ve never wanted anything the way I want you. You make me feel things I didn’t think I was capable of.”

Reva’s heart raced, her mind struggling to process his words. She had always been cautious when it came to love, her soft, innocent nature often leaving her vulnerable. But with Jungkook, it was different. He was dangerous, yes, but there was something about him that drew her in—a raw intensity that she couldn’t ignore.

“I don’t know if I can handle your world,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook stepped closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek. “You don’t have to,” he said. “I’ll handle it for you. All you have to do is stay with me.”

Reva’s eyes searched his, looking for any sign of insincerity, but all she saw was a man who was willing to sacrifice everything for her.

“I’m scared,” she confessed, tears welling in her eyes.

Jungkook’s thumb brushed away a tear that escaped. “I’ll protect you,” he promised. “No matter what it takes.”

---

That night, as Reva lay in bed, her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Jungkook’s words echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held.

She didn’t know if she could trust him completely, but one thing was certain: Jungkook wasn’t just a man of power and danger. Beneath the surface, he was someone who cared deeply, someone who would go to the ends of the earth for the people he loved.

And that thought, despite everything, gave her a sliver of hope.