International Stardom (BTS Spanking story)

The Devil Loves Company {Jungkook} pt. 4/4

// Third POV //

Max Schneider didn't remember his laptop when he got to the studio so he had to go back home and get it.

While he was driving, he was ecstatic when Suga's name flashed his hands off device.

"SUGA! My brother, how are you?"

Max's smile dropped after noticing that Suga's tone was filled with unease.

"Oh no!" Max immediately felt bad for the BTS members. Ever since he and the Korean rapper became close, he's tried to be a safe place for the foreign group when they traveled. Max offered to let the team stay with him and his wife but BTS respectfully declined. Max recently had a daughter and the group didn't want to impose. 

Max agreed to go to check on Suga's members, making a U-turn and go in the direction of the hotel.

"Hi, Max." Namjoon politely shook the older man's hand.

The New Yorker frowned when he saw the look on RM's face. He begged the Korean man to explain what happened.

None of the members have slept since the incident took place. Six days ago, after the shooting of Life goes On, the group made their way to California to sing Dynamite for Disney's Christmas Countdown. 

After they left the airport, Ellen called the manager and asked to speak with Namjoon. 

RM may not live in America but he's far from stupid, he's followed Ellen's scandal since it happened and the accusations against the woman were disgusting. When RM refused, the manager made up an excuse that Ellen saw right through. 

This time she demanded.

Jin told the manager to give him the phone.

"Let me talk to her." Jin snapped, holding his hand out.

"Hyung, don't." Namjoon held the manager's phone far from Jin's reach.

"No, I won't let her speak to you like that."

"What are you going to say?"

"I'm going to tell her to leave you alone."

"Hyung, no. That's not what we stand for." RM understood Jin's attitude but denied. "We have to be respectful."

"I'll talk to her." Taehyung soon joined. 

"NO!" RM said sternly. "Enough, I'll handle this."

When Namjoon picked the phone back up, he declined the offer again. Ellen wanted BTS to be on her show, hoping that the popular group would increase her ratings. BTS wasn't one to sell themselves out. 

BTS have worked for people like Ellen before. People like her don't deserve to have their platform. Not only would going on the show set a bad example for their fans, BTS would go against their moral values which wasn't an option.

Namjoon, although strongly disliking the woman, respectfully wished her a Merry Christmas and hung up the phone. 

Max saw the glares from the six other BTS members and cringed:

"What? You think that I told her?!"

"You were the only one who knew we were in LA!" Namjoon argued, wanting Max to just admit it.

Max was insulted. He had high respects for BTS not only that but he was close friends with Suga, he was the godfather to his kid for Christ's Sakes! He would never disrespect their privacy like that.

"Man, I promise you. It wasn't me. I swear on my mother, RM. I would never ever do something like that, c'mon! You all know me."

Max knew that the group was just exhausted, going on nearly two days without sleep then having their place robbed. They were just stressed, Namjoon had to admit it was unlikely anyway. Max and the group were friends. It doesn't make sense.

"How did she know where we were staying?!" RM blasted, his voice filled with fury. 

"She must have hired somebody to watch you." Max suggested.

"But why would she do something so petty?" Hoseok asked in the best English he could gather.

Max turned to the group. "It's something she does. You're not the only artist she has done this to. She's done it to Post Malone, Drake, Doja Cat. She's desperate. She needs the views so she's improvising."

Namjoon huffed. "Doesn't America have a law against robbing people?!"

"Of course." Max said softly, fully understanding the Korean's anger. "That's why we're calling the police."

"We already did. LAPD doesn't like us."

"Yes, but my father in law is a police officer. Just one call to New York and we can get your stuff back."

Namjoon beamed, happily translating Max's words to his members who shared his same expression.

"But the problem is, we don't have any proof."

The group sobered. "Ugh!"

"Don't worry!" Max assured. "All we need to do is get her on the phone and admit it. I know how to record phone calls. I have an app. RM, let's give her a call."

"Right now?" Namjoon questioned. "It's Christmas Eve."

"This woman steals your stuff and you're concerned that you're going to bother her?" Max laughed. He takes out his phone, entering the app and pressing the record option before handing the phone to his friend. 

Jimin smiled. "Hyung, c'mon! Do it!"

RM took a breath before dialing Ellen's phone number.

"Hello?" A grave voice sounded.

"Hi, Ellen." RM tried to hide his disgust.

"RM." Ellen repeated his name twice. "RM, how are you?"

"How am I?" Namjoon wanted to strangle her over the phone. "Where's our stuff?"

"Excuse me?"

"Where's our stuff? I know that you took it."

"Took what? I think that you are having trouble hearing me."

"My hearing is better than ever. I know that you took our luggage, our passports, our equipment. Just admit it."

There was a pause before Namjoon heard a soft chuckle.

"Where's your proof?"

"Do you admit it?"

"RM-"

"You hired someone to stalk us didn't you? You were angry that we wouldn't go on your show so you robbed us. Is this some kind of a sick joke to you? What kind of person are you?"

"Listen, kid. If you want your stuff back, it's simple. Just come do a segment for my show, that's it. Your group is able to do easy stuff, that's what your whole career is based off of."

"You're sick."

"The balls are in your park, RM. Come to my show or you won't be able to go back to Korea."

Namjoon opened his mouth, starting to curse her out before noticing that the woman hung up.

Max smiled at the man, "We got her."

--------

Ellen was arrested a week later and charged with felony theft and stalking. Because she was rich, she was able to pay the bail but her career was never going to come back. 

ARMY will always remember her as the woman who robbed from BTS in order to gain her worthless career back.

BTS got their stuff back thanks to Max. There wasn't anything that they could do to ever pay back the amazing help that Max gave. Without him, their stuff would still be in the hands of a criminal and LAPD would likely not even try to get the Koreans stuff back.

The experience left them with one lesson: Trust everyone who was friends with Suga.