IN THE CAGE

103. MAX

...NORMAL pov...

...----------------...

"I thought you were dead" Axel said as Fawn returned to the Caspian family's main residence. Fawn-still put on her clothes yesterday, her hair a bit messy and a transparent tired look.

Fawn did not respond to Axel. Fawn simply passed from before the man and headed for his room. Fawn was very irritated this morning. Not to Axel, but to himself. Oh, himself, how could he be off guard to Ace? How could he have thought, a light offer like 'Do you want to see Butter before you go home?' just gonna end up as a Butter look?

"Ace son of a bitch," Fawn chided Ace in a voice that only herself could hear. He closed the door and immediately looked for a mirror. Fawn checked her appearance this morning which was honest, very messy, then checked her body in more detail.

"Damn, Ace..." Fawn rubbed the red mark on her neck. The trail that Ace left there when they were supposed to just 'see Butter'.

With traces stuck to his body now, there was only one solution he could choose. Yeah, turtle neck again.

Really troublesome.

Drrrtt.., drrrtt!

A call appeared on Fawn's phone. Immediately, he checked the contact on his screen, calling out to him.

Vitas.

A contact who rarely contacted him, now greeted him. Vita is one of the few people whose existence is very important in Fawn's life. He was a patissier who opened a cake shop on the lips of the city. Fawn when not going to work, usually stop by the Vita cafe. It's just that, ever since Vita was made a threat by Ace, Fawn felt she had exposed Vita to danger. Fawn was afraid to contact the girl again.

Until finally today arrived, Vita contacted him first.

"Hello, Vita." Fawn greeted with a carefree voice.

"Hello, Fawn. How are you?"

"I'm good," Fawn was kind of lying. His back feels like it's breaking now so tired. "What about you? Are you all right? I haven't been to your place in a long time, have I?"

"At least you're self-conscious" Vita scoffed. "Anyway, I'm good. I called you because I was a little worried about you. You haven't stopped by here in a long time, and your job isn't a job that guarantees safety...,"

Among everyone who knew Fawn, Vita was the only person who disliked Fawn working as a bodyguard. In Vita's eyes, not only was the job dangerous, Fawn's life was not worth the wages Anggara gave. Vita felt that, even if Fawn felt indebted, giving her life to a wealthy family was not the solution. Fawn did not care about Vita's opinion, of course.

"Should I come to your place later?" Fawn asked.

"That's not a question anymore, you should."

"Ehehehehe, take it easy then. I've also had a lot of free time lately."

"Mmm, call me if you want to come. I'll prepare your favorite cake."

"Awww, okay. So..., is there another reason you called me?"

"Actually there is no. Hahaahaha. I really just wanted to check on your situation. You need to take a break from your work and come here, okay. You need rest and lots of delicious food."

"You don't have to worry about me" Fawn said. In fact, rather than having to eat a lot, Fawn felt she needed to take a break from food.

"Errrr, okay. Alright."

"See you."

"Bye, see you." 

After ending the call with Vita, Fawn put down her phone. He's getting ready to take a shower. Fawn doesn't know what he needs to do today, but, let's look at the situation outside first.

...----------------...

Joseph was leaning against the second-floor balcony railing when Fawn came and greeted him. The man who was his junior was standing while holding a cup of coffee. Joseph's eyes rotated toward Fawn for a moment before looking back at the forest.

"I heard you just got back this morning." Joseph said first.

"That's how."

"I was initially worried about the bad situation that might happen to you. Considering where you went and where it wasn't the safest place in the world, but.., after I saw your condition again, I regretted worrying about you."

"What's wrong with my condition?" Fawn stared at her appearance from top to bottom and back to top. He thought there was nothing wrong with him today.

"E-uh? This...? I have a fever."

"Fever love?"

"There's nothing like it, damn it." I'm gonna punch Joseph and throw him off the second floor.

"You don't have to cover anything. That's your freedom, Fawn. Also, are you sure you want to lie with those red cheeks?"

"It's.., I told you I had a fever, right?"

"Yayayaya, whatever." Joseph took a sip of his coffee while thinking that Fawn turned out to be quite clumsy in romance, it was funny. Though he thought Fawn was a superior figure to him in any case.

"So, do I know who that lucky guy is?" Joseph spoke again.

"You won't want to know him" Fawn said. Considering Ace was the one who had once injured Joseph's arm, Fawn thought the two would not be in a good situation if they knew each other. Plus Ace is a rather possessive figure, Fawn feels the man will not like when he is close to any man, including Joseph.

"Heeeh, so the secret, yeah..." Joseph mangosteen. He doesn't really pursue the topic of Fawn's secret lover anymore. Joseph preferred to offer his coffee to Fawn. Fawn nodded in return.

"How are we doing today?" ask Fawn instead.

"Nothing, as you can see. We're just gonna..." Not yet had Joseph finished his words, a car that entered the front yard of the Caspian family caught the attention of the two of them.

That car...

"Isn't that Mr. Maximillian's car?"

Maximillian Caspian is the father of Evan Caspian. A famous man was highly respected before this. A man who led the Clubs to their glory nearly drove Diamond. Max is a man who is not only charismatic, also a man who is famous for being very generous. She has many foundations that help underprivileged children, help protect nature, wildlife and all sorts. Oh, the man is also famous for often contributing to donations here and there.

Fawn was quite amazed at Max, to be honest, and concerned. Imagine how sad the man would be if he knew his son was merely committing a heinous act? Killing Ace's parents was an unforgivable mistake, Not for Ace and Margot who were now eyeing their heads.

"It looks like something big is about to happen" Joseph said suddenly.

"I guess." Fawn took a deep breath, before exhaling it long.

"I've been looking for news about Miss Indira" continued Jem again. "From my investigation, Mr. Evan didn't just lock Miss Indira in her room."

"You're serious?"

"Yes. I stole the hear from the waiter who delivered the food there. I don't know exactly what's going on, but.., I'll try to infiltrate there later."

"Joseph, what if you get caught?"

"Not going to."

"You sure?"

Joseph nodded faintly. "I'm pretty confident this time."

"Tell me you need my help, okay?"

While Fawn and Joseph were conversing on the second-floor balcony, Max Caspian entered his house with wide and definite steps. The goal is only one, towards his son's workspace.

Max was escorted by two six bodyguards and when he reached Evan's front of the study, three of his six bodyguards stopped at the door, while three more followed him in.

Evan who had been waiting for Tarin's arrival spontaneously stood up.

He went around his desk and went straight to Tarin with open arms.they shared a hug there, Tarin rubbed Evan's head with tenderness while Evan buried his face on his father's shoulder.

"It's good to see you, Van. How are you after everything that happened?" Tarin released his embrace on Evan slowly and gave the boy a subtle swipe in the arm. "I'm sorry you just came."

"It's okay, dad." Evan showed a bright smile that hid the frustration. "I'm just. I'm sorry I let you down."

"Nobody disappoints you, Evan. You've been working amazing."

"Whatever happens from now on, everything will be the responsibility of the father." Max rubbed Evan's cheek using his thumb. Soothing his beloved and only child with the indulgence he and his wife often give, the affection he will always bestow on Evan.

...----------------...