Adrian was in a good mood today. He had another mission today which meant no school today. He was recently working on a very big plan to take down another corrupt police officer today. Just like many he had taken down before. Adrian was excited to be with his group. His pack of lions. He has a full plan laid out and he had personally appointed every person the exact place for his or her role, keeping in mind their strengths and weaknesses.
Adrian did not have to worry about Jennifer because he would be gone even before Jennifer woke up. Unlike all nightmares, Adrian had a habit of striking early morning. Being a mafia boss and a student at the same time wasn't easy. It meant dual responsibility and Adrian never shirked from his responsibilities. He was always scored commendable marks, good enough that he could apply for a government job if he ever left his current one. Though, that was nearly impossible. He would die before leaving his pack.
Adrian wrote a note for Jennifer, saying that he had gone to visit a friend in the next city and he would be coming back home only after tomorrow evening. He asked Jennifer to help him out by asking for a leave for him. Morning, when Jennifer woke up, she got ready and waited for Adrian to come down so they could go to school together.
When it got really late and Jennifer was sure they would miss the bus if she didn't act now, she climbed the stairs and opened the door to Adrian's room. All she found was the note, just as Adrian intended. "This boy…" Jennifer sighed as she collected his books and stuffed them into her bag. She went one step ahead and took it upon herself to complete his work for today.
She ran all the way to the bus stop and reached the school, just in time to enter the first class. When Jennifer entered the school alone, many students turned to peer at her. They were so used to seeing Adrian and Jennifer together, that now she coming alone was awkward. Jennifer settled on her usual seat and the lecture began.
She paid double attention to complete her notes and then copy them down for Adrian as well. When the class ended, Jennifer stood up and started collecting her books, which included Adrian's books as well. "So, now what are you? Adrian's maid?" This was Debbie. Jennifer was so sure even without looking at her. This bubbly, cheery voice laced with venom belonged only to Debbie.
"I have no interest in talking to you. You may leave." Jennifer wanted this to end quick. "Oh sweetheart, that is my choice to make. You are bound to answer." Debbie has presumed that Jennifer would answer to her. Why? That was out of Jennifer's understanding. "Why would I answer to you?" Jennifer made a disgusted face. "Because I asked you to." Debbie grabbed Jennifer's wrist and twisted it behind her back.
"Now, it's a warning. Don't come too close to Adrian. He. Is. Mine." Debbie whispered in her ear. Jennifer kept trying to wriggle out of her grasp and when she finally did she spoke with hazardous amount of menace in her voice, "Adrian is not yours. He is no one's property. And I will stay with him. Always and forever." Jennifer was shocked at her own reaction.
She didn't have this much vengeance in her when Darius told her his story. Only the thought of Adrian going away, caused enough pain to bring this beastly side of hers. Why? Reasons are still unknown. Debbie grabbed her wrist again, in one clean sweep of her hand and then squeezed it tightly until it hurt Jennifer. "Then you shall see the consequences. Just know, that I will get Adrian, with or without you interfering. I just don't want you to be collateral damage."
Debbie released her wrist and walked out of the class. Jennifer massaged her arms and made her way to her next class. School was more or less normal. She noticed Debbie and her minions giving her glares when she crossed their path. Sometimes pass snide comments but if that was all they were going to do, they had to do a lot more to keep Jennifer away from Adrian. Jennifer knew how to stand up to bullies and she wasn't afraid of doing it. Not when, Adrian and her friendship was at stake.
When Jennifer headed back home, her head was throbbing with all the double work she did for Adrian. She laid in her bed, rubbed her eyes and let her arms go here and there, focusing on nothing. She just wanted Adrian to be back. She had grown so habitual to him that now it was feeling almost empty and lonely that he was gone. Suddenly, she got a video call from Adrian. Jennifer picked up the call. The sight left her shocked to her bones. Adrian was sitting on the ground and a guy was lying with his head in lap, blood flowing out from a few very deep cuts visible on his head.
"What do we do when a person is losing too much blood and we don't have access to hospital?" Adrian screamed from the other side. "Place a clean cloth on his head and elevate his head to slow down bleeding. Apply steady direct pressure for a full 15 minutes." Jennifer replied immediately. "We don't have a clean cloth." Another voice spoke. "Get the cleanest one possible." Adrian ordered.
Suddenly the call ended. Jennifer was too shocked to speak for several minutes. Blood didn't make her dizzy. It didn't worry her but the thought that Adrian might be in trouble did. Where was Adrian? Who was that guy? The other voice sounded like a girl. Who? Jennifer dialed the number again but Adrian didn't pick up the call. All she could do now was to wait until he came back home.
On the other hand, Adrian's plan went just as expected until they discovered that the police officer wasn't alone. They had a team. The mission was a success but in that mission, Adrian's one member whose name was Joseph suffered a few injuries. When they were finally able to take him to hospital after struggling for about an hour, Adrian dropped down at the gate of the room Joseph was admitted in. Adrian was mentally cursing himself for being so careless and getting his member injured.
The other members of the pack were trying to calm him down. They knew how much affect this had on Adrian. He hated it when his members got injured. But James had something else on his mind. Being the closest to Adrian, he noticed that Adrian's mind was not fully engaged in the mission like earlier. He was distracted but James couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for that.
He became perfectly sure when Adrian called Jennifer. He hadn't called her to ask for first aid. That was his excuse to himself. Adrian had treated far worse injuries by himself. Adrian had called Jennifer to check up on her. Even when he, himself was on the battlefield, where each and every step mattered, his mind was busy with Jennifer.