Chapter 10: The Mysterious Bloody Arm"

IYAH

“OH MY GOD! JD IT’S BLEEDING! WHAT HAPPENED?!” I panicked upon seeing the blood. I dunno what to do! “JD what happened?!” I asked while I help him walk inside.

“This is nothing Iyah. Don’t worry.” He told me still clutching his bloody arm.

“Nothing? JD, it’s bleeding! How can you say it’s nothing?!” I desperately said. My eyes caught sight of Miko and called him. “Miko! Hurry up and bring me the medicine kit! Now!” He looked at me then to JD. His eye widened upon seeing his arm and obeyed.

“Iyah… I’m okay.” JD said again while I dragged him to the employee’s lounge and sat him on the couch.

“You’re okay? My goodness, JD! How did you drive with that? What if you had an accident? What happened to your arm? Please tell me…” I scolded him teary-eyed. I can’t help feeling scared.

JD looked at me tenderly and smiled. “When I was going home, I encountered police chasing robbers. An exchange of shots happened and a stray bullet hit me. I only noticed it when I was driving.”

“Oh my God…” I uttered, unable to say anything else.

“Luckily, the bullet just grazed my arm.” He continued.

After a minute, I found my voice. “Why didn’t you go straight to the hospital? This should be treated immediately!”

“The bullet just–“ he started but I glared at him.

“Where is Miko?!”

“Noona, I’m here. I’m sorry I took longer to get it.” Miko entered holding the medicine kit.

“Give me the kit Miko.” JD said and he obeyed. Then I motioned Miko out. “Thank you for your concern Iyah. I can handle it myself.” JD said while struggling to take off his shirt.

“Let me help you.” I said standing up and approaching him. I helped him take off his shirt and gasped.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

JD

I heard Iyah gasped when I took off my shirt. I don’t blame her. My body is full of tattoos and scars littered here and there. At first, I get tattoos to cover up some of my ugly scars. But soon it became a hobby.

“Ahm… JD…” Iyah said not looking on my body. “Let’s wash your wound first. You may get an infection.” She continued and dragged me on the restroom. I just let her do what she wants. Inside, Iyah open the faucet and pull my arm under it. She continued washing my wound using soap and water. I slightly winced in pain. I didn’t expect to be shot a while ago. I ran in the middle of gunshots and fire back like I always do. I didn’t notice it until I found an evidence. And I didn’t tell Topgun and Hawkeye about it. But Iyah was quick to notice it. I sighed and just watched her wash my wound. Her face is so close to mine that I can see her features closely. I found it hard not to stare at her. She’s so beautiful. Suddenly, she looked at me. Our eyes met briefly before someone cleared his throat. We both looked at the door and saw Calli and Yosef looking at us.

“Miko told me what happened. Why didn’t you tell us about it?” Yosef said.

“This is nothing.” I said.

“Nothing? You should’ve told me.” He firmly said. I was about to answer when Iyah interrupted.

“Don’t scold him Yosef. Let me first tend his wound.” Then she dragged me again back to the couch.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IYAH

I dunno why Yosef is so angry at JD because he is shot. I felt that they are talking about something else, not about what JD told me. Are they hiding something? I thought as I sit him on the couch. I get the medicine kit and started tending his wound. I try to avoid looking at his body. I noticed the tattoos and some scars that littered his body. It made him look more manly.

“Iyah, why are you so good on doing that?” Calli suddenly blurted out. I thought for a while before answering.

“I saw Ayla-noona tending on Renzo-oppa’s wounds before.” I noticed Yosef and JD sharply looked at me.

“Are the wounds gun wounds too?” JD asked.

“I dunno. I didn’t ask because they didn’t know that I saw them.” I honestly answered, covering the wound with a gauze. “It’s done. You should rest for now. Maybe you’ve done enough desserts for the day. Don’t force yourself to work.”

“I can’t do that Iyah. This is my work so I need to finish it. And the customers keep on coming. The desserts I made may not be enough. I have to make some more.” JD answered while trying to put his shirt back on. Yosef helped him.

“But–” I started but Yosef interrupted me.

“He’s right Iyah. He have to come back to work.” He said.

“Okay. But on one condition.” I said.

“What condition?” JD asked.

“You’ll rest for a while then later, I will help you. You can’t say no. I’m your supervisor today so you have to listen to what I say.” I said smiling in victory.

JD then smile. “Okay Ma’am. I will let you help. You’re the boss.”

“Good.” I answered.

“Iyah, Calli, can you leave me and JD alone? We need to talk.” Yosef said.

“About what?” I curiously asked.

“Boys’ talk.” He answered.

“But–“

“Come on Iyah, let them talk. I think it’s serious. It’s none of our business too.” Calli whispered to me. I looked at JD. He just nodded and smiled at me.

“Okay, fine.” I sighed defeated. Calli and I left.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

YOSEF

The girls left then I went to the door to lock it. The employee’s lounge is soundproofed so no one will be able to hear what we’re going to talk about.

“So JD, I will ask again. Why didn’t you tell us you got shot?” I asked trying to calm myself. I’m the one responsible during the mission.

“It’s nothing. Just a scratch.” He lazily said. I sighed. Talked about ego. Tsk. “What did you tell Iyah? I’m impressed she’s the one who noticed it.”

“I told her I got myself involved on a police and robbers chase. She believed me.” JD answered.

“You’re lucky Iyah believed it.” I muttered. I remembered Iyah’s worried look while tending to his wound. Is it just me or there is a genuine concern on her eyes? I also noticed JD’s stare at her. Is it something?

“Yosef-hyung? JD-hyung?” Miko called outside. I opened the door.

“What?” I asked him.

“I just want to know if JD-hyung is okay.” He said and poked his head inside.

“I’m okay Miko. Thanks for asking.” JD said and smiled at him.

“Next time hyung, tell us if you got shot. I’m really worried about you.” Miko said with creased forehead. “Okay?” JD just nodded at him.

“Back to work Miko. Let’s go.” I said and pulled him out. I looked back at JD and said, “Rest for a while. Like what Iyah said, don’t force yourself.” Then I turned around and dragged Miko back on the dining area.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

JD

I was left inside the employee’s lounge thinking about what happened. I wonder if Iyah know something about Dark Knight… She saw Ayla-noona tending on Renzo-hyungs’ wounds. What if she knew something? She will know that I lied to her too. I sighed. Will she get mad at me? I didn’t expect Iyah to notice it but she got a sharp eye. My watch beeped and I saw that hyung messaged me.

BD: Good job. ECLIPSE called me. -SE7EN

I immediately replied. I let a few minutes passed before I went back to the pastry kitchen. I saw Miko helping Iyah sort out the desserts. I looked at Iyah.

“Are you ready to help me?” I asked her. She just nodded. Sean then pulled Miko aside.

“Do your job now, Miko.” He said giving him a tray and pushing him out. Miko looked at me before leaving.

“Don’t force yourself much, hyung. We need you.” I know he’s talking to me as Black Dragon. I smiled and nodded at him before he left.

Sean approached me and whispered, “I’m glad it’s nothing serious JD. You never change. You always hide it when you got hurt.” I looked at him and whispered back.

“Well, you know me Sean. That’s me.” I chuckled.

“What are you two whispering about?” we both whirled around to look at Iyah.

“Just telling him not to force himself.” Sean answered.

“Come on Iyah. We have a lot of desserts to do.” I motioned her beside me and Sean go back to the kitchen.

“Are you sure you’re okay JD? You still have to DJ later on Stargazer.” I looked at her and found her brown eyes worriedly looking at me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

RENZO

After I messaged Black Dragon, Topgun messaged me.

7: BD is injured but he’s okay. -TG

I shook my head. JD never tells me if he get injured. I messaged him back.

TG: Thanks. -7

JD is probably back to work now. I will message him later. Ayla came with dishes on both hands. I stand up and help her.

“Lunch is ready, jagiya. Let’s eat.” She said. Then she noticed me frowning. “Is everything okay?” she tried to cover the panic on her voice but I can still detect it.

“JD got shot.” I answered.

“What?! Is he okay? Is he on the hospital? Do we need to go back now?” Ayla said panicking.

“No, no. It’s probably just a graze. Yosef said he’s okay. So please calm down”

“Renzo, my goodness! I will die young with you guys.” Ayla said with her hand on her chest.

“Don’t worry too much Ayla. That’s JD. You know how he works.” I said still calming her down.

“Exactly. That’s JD. We both know he’s not afraid to die. That boy! He should think about Freya and Mythi before doing something.” Ayla said still worried.

“I know. But he’s also doing this for them right? Let’s just trust him.” I said hugging her. She hugged me tightly and calmed down.

“If you say so. Does Iyah knows about it?” she looked up at me and asked.

“That, I don’t know. Maybe? Yes? No?” I answered. She pouted and continued.

“I don’t want Iyah to know about your work or get involve on your work. She’s too fragile.”

“I know, jagiya. But it’s not what we want that will always happen. We may never know if Iyah will know about this or not. It’s not on our hands.” She hugged me tightly and nodded. I sighed.

But why do my guts tell me something’s gonna happen? I just hope it’s not that serious.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AIKON

Miko and Yosef-hyung came back and I worriedly approached them.

“Is he okay?” I asked.

“He’s okay Aikon. Nothing serious. He can go back to work after a bit.” Yosef-hyung answered me. I felt relieved. JD may be new to our crew but he seems like a good person.

“Thanks God.” I uttered.

Miko get back to serving the customers while Yosef-hyung walked away fiddling with his watch. He’ll probably report it to Se7en. I thought and get back to brewing another coffee.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

JD

“I’m really okay Iyah. Don’t worry too much.” I said looking directly into her brown eyes. Why is she so beautiful?

“Fine. What can I do?” she asked determined.

“You can decorate the cupcakes and small cakes. The icing is there. I will start baking another batch.” I instructed her pointing at the colorful icings Sean prepared while I’m gone.

“Are you sure you will assign me on the decorating part? I don’t know if I can do it right.” She nervously said.

“Yes. I know you can do it Iyah. Or do you want to try baking?” I asked teasingly.

“Oh. Yeah. I will just decorate.” She said smiling shyly. Then we worked silently side by side until we finished the desserts enough for the day.

Iyah stretched her arm and said, “We’re finally done!” She looked at me and smiled. I smiled back.

“Yeah we are done. Thank you for your help Iyah. I can manage it here. You can rest now.”

“Okay. I’ll go back to Calli now. She’s waiting for me. Again, don’t force yourself. Your wound might bleed.” She said and I nodded. Then she left.

“JD-hyung, another order of cheesecake and blueberry muffin.” Miko said on the counter. “And a coffee latte and blue lemonade too, Aikon-hyung” he said to Aikon.

“Okay.” Me and Aikon said together. We both chuckled.

“Don’t force yourself JD. I can help you if you want.” Aikon then said to me.

“Thank you Aikon. Don’t worry, I’m okay. But yes I will ask for help if I need it.” I assured him. “Now, let’s get back to work. The customers keep on coming.”

“Yes. Let’s go.” Aikon answered. We both get back to work while Miko just stares at us.

“Why?” I asked him.

“You both are cute hyungs!” he said cutely.

“Just get back to work Miko. Here’s the coffee latte and blue lemonade.” Aikon said shoving the drinks to him. “Now go and serve it.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Killjoys.” Miko muttered as he left.

“Don’t forget to come back for the cheesecake and the blueberry muffin!” I shouted at him. He just waved his hand. I shook my head chuckling. “He really is still a kid.”

“You bet.” Aikon answered and we both laughed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IYAH

I get back to Calli after putting icing on cupcakes and small cakes. Luckily, Ayla-noona and me tried baking before. So I have an idea on what to do. I don’t wanna disappoint JD. It looks like I did well. I smiled. Now where is Calli? I asked myself and look for her. I spot her sitting on the alfresco dining and looking at her phone. I went out and go to her.

“Calli. Are you okay here? Are you bored?” I asked as soon as I approached her. She stopped typing and looked up at me.

“I’m okay Iyah. I’m not bored. I’m just surfing the net. Have you seen the mentions of Stargazer last night? I didn’t know that it got on the trending list.” She said.

“Really?! What’s the tag?” I excitedly asked her. She gave me her phone.

DJ JD set Stargazer on fire! Best music!

#StargazerOnFire

#DJJD

Best house music! DJ JD rocks!

#StargazerOnFire

#DJJD

Wanna experience the best music? Visit Stargazer now! Hurry!

#StargazerOnFire

#DJJD

Will definitely go back tomorrow night! The best of the best!

#StargazerOnFire

#DJJD

The music is lit! Plus, DJ JD is hot! Will surely come here every night!

#StargazerOnFire

#DJJD

I gave back her phone to Calli. I don’t like what I last read.

“It looks like we will be busy later. But JD is injured. I hope he’ll be okay.” I said.

“Speaking of that. Why is he injured? Is he okay?” Calli asked.

“Got in between a police and robbers chase. Unluckily got shot. He said he’s okay. It’s just a graze.”

“But still, he should have a substitute later. So he can take a break. But who can help him? Hmm…” Calli said while thinking.

“I also don’t know. I think Yosef will worry about that later.” I chuckled.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Calli said and go back looking on her phone. I sighed and shook my head.

“Get off your phone now. Let’s talk and order some food.” I said and signaled Kheemo to us.

“Yes, Iyah-noona?” Kheemo asked.

“Can you get me an iced tea and a slice of chocolate cake? How about you Calli?” I said.

“Just a mango shake. I’m on a diet.” She said.

“Okay noonas. Coming right up!” Kheemo saluted and left.

“Really? You’re on a diet?” I teasingly asked her. “You ate a chocolate cake this morning.”

“That’s why I don’t want to eat it again. Stop teasing me Iyah.” Calli pouted on me. “Let’s just talk about school. Have you finished our project that is due on Monday?” she asked.

“Alright, alright. Now about that project…” I started.