IN THE CAGE

101. INVITATION

...FAWN...

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As I thought, my arrival here was anticipated by the residents of this house. Not just as a 'caspian family bodyguard', but as a Fawnia. I'm. People who once lived in this house and created a commotion here and there. I looked up at Ace's balcony, remembering the place when I threw his clothes out of the window, pillows, blankets and all his tools.

I don't know what got into me at the time. I must have been very angry and must have been-very stupid, it's a good thing Ace didn't decide to kill me that day. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to reminisce about those gloomy times with a smile.

Ah, goddamn. I smile, right?

"For a long time no see you, Fawn." Felix greeted me at the front door. The old man stood up with his polite gesture, but his eyes-he still showed displeasure. This man was really bad at hiding his mood. Oh, or did he deliberately show me off that he didn't like me?

Whatever.

I've gotten quite used to his existence and antiques.

"Mr Ace is waiting for you in his study room" Felix said. "Should I take you there or can you go alone?"

"I'd be so happy if you drove me, Felix." I spread my smile irritatingly.

"Curtain." Felix rolled his eyes. "You're a little skinny, Fawn. Did the Caspians not feed you?"

As Felix spoke, I followed him from behind. My eyes occasionally stare into the room. To a place I haven't seen in a long time. A place that holds a lot of memory.

"Last time I remember, what I ate was none of your business, Felix."

"Just comment a little. I don't care."

"Huh, then you better keep your mouth shut."

I passed Felix and headed for the closed wooden door. Carcel was standing at the door. Ace's bodyguard's smile was faintly glistened before fading flat. "Welcome, Miss Fawn."

Oh, decor. I don't remember Carcel being this formal to me. Not before.

"Boss Ace is waiting for you inside." Carcel said for a moment before knocking on the door twice. "Sir Ace, Miss Fawn has come."

"Let him in." Ace's voice greeted my ear. Triggered my heart to beat fast. Damn it, but this isn't the first time I've dealt with Ace. I met him in Leviathan at the time, I mean, well, it's been a week. But, why? Why is my heart not used to it? Why are my fingers still freezing and shaking every time I'm going to face him?

Has my trauma not gone?

Am I still afraid of Ace?

When Carcel opened the door for me, I gulped and bit my tongue. I stifled my nervousness by trying to appear ordinary. Steadying my steps and determination, I entered the room again, familiar to my eyes.

The clock on the wall of the room was clanging quite loudly in the silence. It collided with the heart that was now pounding on my ribs.

Ace Hunter stands between the sofa and the table. Hands holding a glass of champagne. Like the perfect sculpture of the creator, he stood there, bathed in the orange light of the twilight sun and the shadow of the window curtain. Her smile was thin, greeting me with the courtesy and hospitality that if I found her such expression 6 months ago, I would think that the man was being possessed by a ghost.

Damn, how could the famous Ace Hunter be as cold as an ice cube, showing an expression as warm as the morning sun?

I under her gaze-melt stunned.

Ace has won, shit, he's won.

His good looks are cheating.

"Welcome home." His voice greeted my ears like a low whisper, my knees weak.

"This is the third time I've had that reception." I said, I'm approaching the couch. Intend to sit down because if I stand for longer, I'm afraid I'll melt to the floor like ice cream in the summer.

"How was your trip here?" Ace invited me to sit down before he himself sat on a single sofa that was a different color than the other sofas. He sits on his couch like a king, I want to bow at his feet. No, kidding.

Why is my imagination running everywhere?

"Not fun, I guess." I chimed in after sitting on the sofa. "This place is pretty awful for me."

"Aah," Ace seems to have guessed my answer. He nodded slowly with a faint disappointment. "So, what brings you here?"

"Mr Evan," I said, handing an invitation to the table. "He asked me to drop off this invitation."

"Did they run out of staff until they had to tell you to do this unimportant job?"

"Well, I was wondering about the same thing."

"Have you eaten?"

"Do you want to make me food?"

Ace smiled again. "As long as you don't run away."

"I can stay until dinner. But that's it." If I've gone this far, it's good that I stay here for a few hours. I haven't been here in a long time and I miss this place.

"I'm glad to hear it."

"So..." I rubbed my knees. Damn, why am I still nervous?

"W-how are you?" I tried to make small talk and for God's sake, it was so stale. I could see Ace holding the ruckus loose from his lips. Does he consider me a joke now?

I'm not good at melting the mood, not when Ace is my opponent. My racing heart made my brain empty. I was just thinking of a way to not explode in front of him, blushing and shouting like crazy.

"I'm good, Fawnia." Ace spoke while crossing his legs. He seemed to enjoy this conversation, no, he enjoyed torturing me.

"Uh, I'm sorry I couldn't see you."

"Oh, about that. Did something happen? I'm worried about you."

Ace's eyes met mine. Intimidating me with his dark net charm that is like a galaxy vortex. His eyes implied calmness, caring and mixed with a hint of warmth. I who was under her gaze felt the shade of her twinkle her eyes made my lips tremble, it was hard to make a sound.

"Yes?"

"I..., uh, look.., I think it's good if we don't see each other first, do we?" Why is talking my hardest challenge now?

"I still don't understand? What happened that night to you..., jealousy maybe?"

"I? I-i?" Does Ace think I'm jealous? To him and Miss Indira? I'm from everyone?

Hahaahaha.

Haha.

Haha.

Ha.

Sure was!

Who wouldn't be mad if the guy she likes kissed someone else? And okay, I do like Ace. It's not my fault, blame Ace for being born such a handsome noble. He turned his sin into a charm, and I will not be a hypocrite, I am one of the victims of his charm.

Me, someone who should have hated her for life, was instead standing here with flushed cheeks? Yeah, I've definitely been conquered by this fucking guy!

But I won't confess! No, I still have prestige and pride.

"I'm not jealous at all" I said. "You can kiss anyone. After all, you and I have nothing to do."

"You sure?" Ace grinned. Damn, he's so handsome and that's outrageous!

"Y-yes. I don't have any problems at all." I crossed my arms around my chest, defending myself from being swept away under his hot, fire-like gaze.

"So bad, I wish you'd be jealous of me." Ace propped up one of his hands on the shoulder of the sofa, acting very relaxed there.

"Stop imagining the no-no."

"Yaaa, okay."

"Uh, forget about me, don't you want to check the invitation?" I'm trying to change the topic. I don't want to be teased by this fucking guy. Because if I'm tempted, I might never go home again. Yeah, he's very scary. He is like a devil who tempts us to be caught up in sin.

"This.." Ace's expression turned bored as he stared at the invitation I had placed on the table. "I knew what it was before you drove him."

"Oh?"

"Jeremy told me early."

"Jeremy? Ah, sister Jem." I nodded lightly. "So, Ace..., what are you gonna do?"

"Give him congratulations?"

"You know that's not what I meant."

I let out a breath. There's no way Ace doesn't know about Evan's decision, right?

"You seem to know something that's beyond your proposition, Fawnia." Ace rebuked me with his raised eyebrows next to him. God fucking.

"Well, I got a little leak."

"Evan wasn't a good-natured man to his wife's bodyguard, Anggara was too timid to talk, so..., did you meet Jem?"

Look at that clever brain.

"He came and met Mr. Evan," there's no point in lying, I guess.

"Did he do something to you?"

"Eh? Noth-no." If there is something, it is the opposite. I've pushed Jem harshly against the wall, been brash and denounced him with threats.

"Did he say something?"

"Huh.., yeah, a few things." I knew about Mr. Evan from her, so we did talk.

"You shouldn't have talked to him." Ace showed displeasure in his voice.

"As for the additional information, Jem's coming after me and talking to me."

"Fawnia, though,"

"mm?"

"Whatever Jem told you, I hope you don't think about it at all." Ace's intonation turned more serious.

"Should I..., ignore it?"

Can I not make my choice at all?

"Yes. Whatever happens between the four of us, will only happen between us. You.., you don't have to think." Ace smiled faintly. "Oh, after all, thinking isn't your specialty."

"Stop calling me a moron."

"You're sensitive enough."

"You're annoying."

Ace laughed, and it made me feel relieved. I'm really glad I saw it.

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