Bad Blood || K. Jongin

03| Fate

∘∘☥∘∘☥∘∘☥∘∘
(Lyra)

"Yes.. Yes halmoni I just got to my room." I chuckle through the speaker, realizing how similar she resembles my mother.

"Good, good." She sighs. "Do not leave your room until the morning alright dear? I'm not too found of the hotel you picked."

I stop, scanning my surroundings. "Why is that?"

But I don't receive the much wanted answer. My phone decides to power off.

"Dammit!" I curse, rushing away from the window. I open my purse and untangle my charger from the dozens of stray cords stuffed inside my purse.

I plug my phone in and sigh. Hopefully she won't think anything happened. I never would have expected for Jiwoo to be so cautious, judging on Mark's description.

Maybe something happened recently that made her feel this way?

I shook my head, knowing I haven't experienced anything worth noting since my arrival yesterday afternoon.

I'll just text her in a few minutes.

I crack open a can of cider that grandma had bought me earlier, but I stop- realizing there was no ice to go with it. A groan leaves my lips shortly after, and I set the can back on the table. I'll have to go against grandma's wishes and sneak over to grab some.

I turn the tv on without another thought, changing into my pajamas. I feel much more comfortable in the loose clothing, even if it's more revealing.

My phone turns back on and buzzes with a text.

Halmoni❤️: is everything alright dear?

Lyra: Yes, my phone just died. I wont leave my room like you asked. Goodnight!

I feel bad for lying to her, but she has no reason to worry. The ice machine is just down at the end of the hallway. I slip on a pair of flip flops, and grab the sleek plastic bucket that was sitting on the bathroom counter. According to a note attached to the side, it's purpose is to be filled with ice.

I exit my room and make my way down the silent hallway. There seems to be nobody else on this floor with me. I hear no talking or TV noise, not even the patter of someone walking. The whole floor is dead silent.

Is it because I'm on the top floor reserved for 'special' guests? I have no idea. The only thing I know is that the penthouse suites are the next floor up.

Turning a corner, I spot the ice machine next to the elevator lobby. Walking towards it I open the lid and let the machine pour blocks of ice into it. Why is grandma so worked up about this? There's literally no one here but me. I sigh, all noise blocked out by the incredibly loud ice maker.

Satisfied with the amount of ice, I click the machine off and turn around to walk back towards my room. I spin around the corner without thinking, and run right into an unsuspecting boy, sending his phone flying across the hallway.

I gasp, a bit more than startled since I thought I was absolutely alone.

I'm met with an expression caught between anger and surprise. The boy the expression belongs to, curses under his breath once we both realize what happened.

"Oh my gosh!" I say, reaching down with my free hand to pick up his phone. Thank God there aren't any cracks, who knows how he might have reacted. "Mianhe" I apologize, bowing quickly and handing him back his phone.

"Its okay.." The boy says in Korean while his eyes graze my body. He holds his stare a bit longer than he probably intended as he touches my hand to take his cell phone back. I find myself blushing at his simple actions. This, being my first interaction with someone my age since I arrived.

Just as I'm about to walk past him, he grabs my wrist firmly and pulls me back to face him. "Are you staying on this floor?" He asks roughly, his whole demeanor changing in less than a second.

"Y-yes." I say awkwardly, my eyes flickering down to his tight grip. He's so intimidating, towering over me with his tattoos and cold dark gaze.

But before I can notice any more of his flawless features, his face twists in a worried manner and he releases the strong hold he has on my wrist. "You shouldn't be on this floor." He warns, his voice faltering before switching into English. "Especially a girl like you."

I'm taken aback. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means this whole floor is off limits and you weren't supposed to have the option to rent it out." He was starting to panic now, his eyes darting back and fourth from my face to the long stretch of hallway. "You need to get back to your room immediately and rent one on a different floor tomorrow morning."

"I don't understand-"

"It doesn't matter, you have to leave now or they will-"

Before he can finish, A tall, muscular man turns the corner and appears behind the boy, bearing the same tattoo that's engraved on his right arm. "Who's this Kai?" A sly grin spreads across his unshaven face as he slaps him on the shoulder out of congratulation. "Found a pretty one for us to mess with, eh?"

The boy now confirmed as Kai stops mid sentence, body tensing from the older man's attitude. The bigger male made the boy look so much smaller and weak. "No." He manages to say sternly. "She's too young." He catches my fearful gaze, his eyes seem sad, with a look of regret.

"Why, she looks around your age. Quite cute, im sure she can give you something nice if you ask." His choice of words make me feel violated.

"No Daewon." He closes his eyes. And I notice his hands curling into fists.

"Suit yourself." The man shrugs. "If you wont take her, I will." Then before I can react, he smacks me across the face.

I crumble to the ground, watching the bucket of ice spill onto the carpet. A small cry escapes my lips as I look up in fear, confusion and anger. What just happened? But I'm too afraid to speak, due to my lack of vision from the blow. "W-why?" I manage to gasp, looking straight at him. He has no expression on his face. Just pity in his eyes.

"Knock her out." Number two orders.

It really didn't seem like Kai had a choice, but the last thing I remember was the feeling of his foot cracking against the back of my head.

And everything goes black.