IN THE CAGE

100. CHOICES

...FAWN...

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"Why are you doing this?"

"Why? Did what?"

Today, after I came out of Mr. Evan's study, Jem followed me. He whistled happily after me. I hated him so much, but I could do nothing but let him ridicule me with his whistling voice that was so bothersome to the ears.

If only he wasn't a friend of my boss that was actually a bit surprising, I don't think he was friends with Mr. Evan. What is a parasitic Jem that prides itself on anyone he thinks he can use?

"Fawn, how are you? Don't you want to thank me? I've helped you escape the Hunter residence, you know." Jem avoided my question and instead made this topic of conversation about me.

"I managed to get out of there because I decided to go from there. You-you didn't help a little."

"Heeh, but I made your determination stronger, you know. Did you forget the parcel I gave you?"

A parcel? Oh, what do you mean my mom's pictures?

"Aaah, you're really disgusting. Do you think I don't know what you're trying to do with that picture, Jem? You think I don't know your head?"

Jem sent me a picture of my mother who was sick not just to make me angry with Ace. Behind that, he also sent an implied threat to me as well. That, even though Ace did nothing to my mother, she-Jem-can do something. She was a threat, and the fact that my mother was not under anyone's protection, vulnerable, was the reason why I had to leave as well.

I, to be honest, hate the head of this man.

"You better stop bothering me, Jem. Whatever it is, I have nothing to do with you anymore and the problems you want to create."

"Where might I do that, you're the weakness of an Ace Hunter, Fawn. I can imagine her angry expression that she sees me with you now. Standing very close and being able to hurt you."

"Your confidence is pretty high." Does he think I can't do the same to him? Twisting the neck of a Jemaine Emery to me is as easy as opening the lid of a soda bottle.

"Of course, I won't do anything. You don't have to be afraid."

"Ace must have hit you so hard that you hallucinated I'd be afraid of you." I rolled my eyes. "If there's one thing I feel about your existence, Jem, it's disgust."

"You sure? How about I tell Evan about your relationship with Ace?"

"Fuck!" I subconsciously moved and grabbed the bastard. My hand gripped the collar of his clean white shirt, pulled it and threw it at the tall pillar that stretched two meters from each other.

"You seem to want to die a lot, don't you?"

"Hehehehe, you're scared."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"No, but you're afraid of Ace's situation. You know he'll be on the unfortunate side if Evan finds out about your relationship. Evan might use you."

"Stop talking nonsense."

"If you really care about Ace, Fawn. You better get out of here. You're just putting Ace in danger."

"You don't know anything." I pushed Jem once more and passed from him. Damn it, talking to that guy completely drained my emotions. She-like Miss Margot, knows what to say to piss me off. I wouldn't be surprised if they get married in the future!

"You know what I'm saying is the truth." That fucker won't stop talking. He followed me back. I wonder if a broken nose would make him stop making a sound?

"Unless you don't have the same feelings for him, don't care about him. But you didn't say anything to Evan either, so it was interesting. Do you hate him or do you like him? Whether you want to make her suffer or want to protect her, your actions are very unclear."

"I told you to shut up."

"I was curious, you know. You're so dazed in your choices."

"Get..."

I turned around and pointed my index finger in front of her joking eyeballs. He smiled happily at my reaction, that bastard!

"You like it" he drew his own conclusions. "So you like it."

"Didn't you hear my warning just now?"

"I can see your feelings clearly. You're so funny. So, is it your loyalty that ties you here?"

"..." - ".I'm gonna hit this motherfucker, I'm serious.

"Loyalty, huh? I thought Ace was joking when he told me you had high loyalty to the Indira family. But now that I see you, I understand. Does this mean you're willing to see Ace hurt if it means you can protect the Indira family?"

"I'm not..."

Damn, damn, damn.

"You have to make a choice, Fawn. Time keeps turning around." Jem pulled a step back from my face. He this time put on a smile that somehow looked sincere in my eyes. He's definitely not serious, is he?

"Let me give you a little secret, because you have comforted me so far. The invitation that you will send to Ace is a meeting invitation to determine the continuation of our relationship with the leaders, lady Mikoto will be the witness."

As I recall, meetings only happen when something urgent happens. When Mr. Anggara was crowned as the new successor in the Spades, they met and made a new peace treaty about not interfering in each other's affairs. When Miss Indira married Mr. Evan too, one month earlier, they also had a meeting.

"Actually, this time we got together to discuss about Jeremy being the new successor at Hearts. But Evan.., he's got his own agenda, you know."

"Yes?"

"Evan will break the peace contract with the Hunter family." Which means, war between groups can occur at any time. I'm gonna get caught up in a two-family feud.

"Make your choice, Fawn."

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Making a choice, huh?

I stared at the invitation in my hand with concern. I don't know what I can do now. What I should choose. If I can, I don't want to side with anyone. I just wanted to work peacefully without getting involved in a showdown that wasn't my part from the start.

Oh, should I run away?

I thought back to Joseph's offer the other day. Even though I don't have dreams for my future, I don't want to die in vain either, you know. I mean, why am I questioning my choices now?

I thought I was ready to die while devoting myself to this job.

Damn, what's changed from me now? Where did my former strength go? My soul warrior? My loyalty?

"Haaaah," I sighed. I need to stop thinking about my situation. There is something in front of my eyes that is more important. Yes, this invitation. I need to take this invitation to the main residence of the Hunter family.

A damned place that was once a nightmare in my life.

"We've arrived." Axel-the man who was Aidan's subordinate-takes me to the front of the Hunter family gate. The last time I passed through the gate, I came out with tears. An invisible needle stabbed me in the heart when I remembered the place.

"Can we just get here?" I mean, does he expect me to walk from here?

"In case, it's good you go in by yourself."

"Are you afraid to die with me?"

I can't believe this. Hey, doesn't he know that after this fence, there's still a hundred yards of road I need to take before I reach Ace's front porch?

"Eager," Axel clenched his hand as a form of support, but I looked at him with hatred.

"I hope your tires are leaking on the road." I seriously.

"Are you a kid?" Axel laughed. This fucker.

I pointed my middle finger at him before getting out of the car. I slammed the door hard before breezing towards the post where the Hunter family bodyguards were standing guard.

"Good afternoon" I said, trying to resist the frustration and acting professional.

"Sore, can I help you?" A bodyguard in a black shirt and black pants stepped forward, splitting his two men who stood up to greet me. From his appearance, he was the one who had a higher position in this post.

"I am the bodyguard of the Caspian family." The name made his third look shrivel unhappily. It was as if I was an unpleasant smell passing through their noses.

"I came with an invitation to Mr. Arcelio. Important."

"Hn, wait a minute." The man in black shirt retreated for a moment, took his radio and contacted the man standing guard up there.

Oh, did I ever tell you that the Hunter family's residence is on a hill? Yes, they have a house on the hill with a beautiful view of the city stretching hundreds of kilometers from the balcony. One of the reasons I loved being on the balcony of Ace's room back then was because I was happy to see the city lights in the distance. It was like seeing stars scattered in the tapestry of the earth.

Not long after, the man came back. He faced me with his eyebrows raised next to his. I'm curious. Did the guy up there refuse me to come in?

"How's it?" my many. At least I wish I wasn't allowed in. It was better than meeting Ace. I still don't know if I'm ready to see her again, especially in this place. I was afraid I would lose to him.

"Someone will come to pick you up."

"Yes?"

Shit, it seems like there will be no solution to escape from this place.

I took another breath. My eyes looked up at the CCTV that was in the corner of the post. I believe someone from there has seen me. Recognize me. Felix maybe? How's that old jackass doing?

Tiiinnn.

The horn greeted my silence. It doesn't take long, like, if you drive a car with a famous brand attached to its license plate. A bodyguard descended from the black windowed car. A bodyguard who made my smile I couldn't hold back.

"Himg..." I felt happiness burst into my chest when I saw that man's face.

Damn, I really miss this place, don't I?

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