Red Shoes and the 3 Realms

Chapter 8:// Stay

Recap:

"Fine! I can't fight. You know why, because I'm a ballerina for god's sake!"

"that explains the shoes. Tell me something, when I brought you home, I tried to take your shoes off, but they won't budge. Why?" And without giving it a second thought I freely spoke.

"That's because they are magic!"

***

He was left dumbfounded with my answer.

"I'm joking!! I can't believe you fell for that!" it felt nice to laugh like that. Even though it hadn't been long since me and Jin shared a good laugh but seeing how hectic my first day in this realm had been, it felt like forever.

"haha, milady. Very funny." Jungkook exclaimed with a roll of his eyes.

"say, why do you call me milady? Isn't it a bit formal?" I had to ask him because this whole 'milady' thing was making me a bit awkward, to be honest.

"That's because a certain tantrum-throwing-ballerina refuses to share her name with me" he rose a single eyebrow and indirectly directing his eyes at me. Right...I forgot about that, I formed my lips into a thin line and diverted my eyes to something other than him.

"let's change the topic, why did you save me? Aren't you a thief? So why bother?" at first I earned a scoff from him but then he looked back at me.

"because you needed help, that's why!" he shrugged.

"but why bring me to your place? You could've just left me somewhere and I would've taken care of myself."

"because like I said, you needed help, and someone had to be that knight in shining armor."

"excuse me, I'm not someone damsel in distress who needs rescuing. I can survive on my own." I shot back in an offended tone.

"you sure about that because your situation back there contradicts your current statement." I couldn't deny that. I have never more grateful to be saved as I was earlier.

"alright then, I'll take my leave. Thank you for saving me earlier." I said and lowered into a curtsy.

"stay! It's dark and it's not safe for girls to be out there at this time." He spoke as I was getting off his bed and was in the middle of rearranging the wrinkles in my dress.

"You say it as if staying a night with a pro thief is any better" I made no effort to look at him but something inside me told me that he felt offended.

"well at least I saved you, that's a start." He shot back. But if I'm being honest with myself, I kind of wanted to stay. It felt safer inside than it did outside. But I can't trust him.

"How do I know that you won't try to harm me?"

"you don't. You just have to put your trust in me." He said sincerely and I can feel that he was being honest.

"I don't trust you, Jeon. AT ALL. But I have no other option, so I'll stay." I ended with a Humph and he smiled.

I walked to the bed where I woke up and observed my surroundings. It was a cozy shaft. The bed wasn't expense but at least there was one. Across from it was a tiny kitchen with a sink, a rack with drying dishes, a mini fridge below the shelf and at the end of it was a double-flame stove. On the right, was a door which seemed to be the only entrance and exit. Although, calling it a door would be being too respectful to it. It was small and round which resembled an opening to a bear's cave. And finally, the one thing that caught my heart was the window parallel to the door. It was a breathtaking window. Mesmerized, I walked towards it. The window had a tiny balcony which connected to two other balconies with about a foot space between each other. The whole city, the market and the night sky made the place even more peaceful and beautiful than it already was. I was lost deep in my thoughts until a voice broke me out of my trance.

"soooo...where from France are you?"

"Paris. Why do you steal?"

"simple. Because I need money and a means to survive."

"nothing more?"

"nothing less." He said, still looking outside.

"what do you steal?"

"why are you interested in knowing about me?" this time he turned around to face me. A sly smirk was plastered on his face.

"will you answer the damn question already!"

"fine." The smirk disappeared but its alternative annoyed me even more, a satisfied grin.

"I steal things which have lost their value amongst the high profiles."

"like grass or sand?"

"No! I mean in jewels. It's like as if I can sense that they are no longer valued and they are just there for show, I steal it, sell it and live on that money. At least that way, the object feels like it has importance."

"it sounds like you have some sort of superpower or something"

"hmmm...you could call it that. The power to steal the unseen." My head shot up and quickly twisted towards him. The note I found had a similar statement on it too. But finding the first clue can't be this easy now can it? I need to talk to Jin about it as soon as possible but when? I can't even call him myself...so exhausting!

"is it ok if I take a nap for while? I'm just really tired with the occurrences of today's events." I asked him.

"sounds great! I also have some errands I need to tend to, so sleep peacefully. I'll wake you upon my return, ok." And with that, he left the shaft. My eyes tried to search for his silhouette, but I sought no victory from my actions. Upon giving up, I too made my way to the bed and stared at the shabby ceiling. A wave of homesickness took over me and I could do nothing but call out to Jin, so I have somebody I can share my pain with, but he wasn't there too. Tired, I fell into deep slumber without even realizing it.

Few hours later

"wakey wakey princess. Time for you to play with us too." I heard a deep voice close to my ear. The strong smell of alcohol and smoke filled my nostrils which caused me to open my eyes.

"there we go, little puttana. You refuse to play with us, but you're here in that little street rat's sheets, sleeping peacefully?" I had no clue who he was talking about, but I did know that it's that same bastard from the market.

"LET. HER. GO." Jungkook barged in and stomped his way towards me. Soon, I was out of the bed standing behind and him being in-between my and chipped tooth.

"why? I found her, so she's mine!"

"she doesn't belong to anyone" Jungkook stated

"oh really?" he began to walk towards us which resulted in us walking backwards, edging close to the window. The early morning wind went by, sending shiver down my whole body. Suddenly, the door opened again, this time a man who named chipped tooth walked towards him to whisper something to him. While they were having their chit-chat, Jungkook whispered something under his breath.

"do you trust me, milady?

"what?"

"I said, do you trust me?" after hearing the question again, I thought about the note. It told me to trust the one who steals the unseen and evaluating our do-or-die situation, I'm willing to take the risk. Hesitantly, I spoke again.

"yes"

"Then jump!"

***

I'm everyone! Well not really back because my final exams are not necessarily over. I got 4 done and 1 more left, Physics (EWWWWW !!!). But we got through 4 finals and we're almost at the finish line...just need to make through till Monday and I am all yours!!!! :)

 I wanted to upload this chapter today to show my gratitude to all my readers who were patient with me during my hard time. Just know that I appreatiate each and everyone of you and these words are coming straight from the depths of my heart.

I hope you enjoy chapter 8 and don't forget to let me know your thoughts and views, predictions and such in the comments. I absolutely, truly enjoy reading them!! They are what I look forward to the most after every chapter update!!

-Annabelle