IN THE CAGE

118. A QUESTION

...FAWN...

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

Today, before I went to the hospital to visit my mother, a number of bodyguards who were subordinates of master Max looked busy. I passed by them rather curiously, but I didn't ask anything. I only saw one of them even wearing a bulletproof vest.

They numbered at least five to six people. With their towering height and excessive body muscles, I can assume that they are part of the mercenary lord Max.

"Fawn," someone reprimanded me. I looked up and was surprised to see Mr. Max saying hello. I immediately bowed deeply to him. Giving respect though in fact, this is just an activity based on formality.

"Good morning, Mr. Max." I greeted him after raising my head. I still remember the night I played chess with this guy. Although he won every game, he was like an addiction and did not want to stop. If it wasn't for Mr. Evan replacing me that night, I could have played chess until morning.

"You're going somewhere?"

"I'm going to visit my mother."

"Oh, right. So you're one of Indira's famous bodyguards who got that special treatment."

"I'm not..." Damn it, did Aidan waltz in and out and defame me with his jealousy?

"I heard it from Evan. You're pretty..., special, aren't you?" mr. Max smiled. The smile that was in my eyes, was just another mysterious expression. "Thank you for taking care of Indira all this time."

"It's my job."

Mr. Max nodded at my response which might have sounded unfriendly and tended to be monotonous. He looked at me for a moment before taking a step back. As if to let me go without a word.

"I'm sorry." I said, and retreating from the presence of the faithful master Max smiled.

I don't know what Mr. Max is thinking, but seeing him with a smile makes me feel uncomfortable. Of the four heads I've met, five with Mr. Callum, then this is the first time I've seen a chief who shows hospitality to his subordinates. Jem who is famous as white as the light of an angel is still apathetic towards his bodyguard. If it wasn't for me being close to Ace, maybe Jem would have never seen me at all.

How quaint.

Deciding to forget the strange phenomenon named Maximillian Caspian, I refocused on my original goal. That is, meeting Mom.

My mother-by the way-haven't shown any significant development. He is still on a breathing apparatus.

Lately, due to my schedule being practically empty, I spent more time in the hospital. At least, in one week, I could visit my mother four times. I helped the nurse clean it up, I also told her, sometimes too. Without noise. If my frustrations peak, I will cry beside her. Wish my sobbing could wake him up.

But that's of course, just a miracle that happened in the drama.

My mother today is still in a condition that makes my heart ache.

"Good morning, Mom." I greeted my mother while changing the flowers in the vase by the window. The rose I bought the other day has withered. I replaced her with a bunch of baby breaths I found at the hospital's front flower shop. The nurse was just doing a check on my mother's condition when I came. They give me a glimpse of the same information I've heard every time I come here. That, my mother's condition is still static.

While I was sitting on a folding bench facing my mother's bed, a tremor emerged from my pocket. It's been a long time since I've received a call from outside. When Carcel asked me not to contact him, I thought I would lose contact with Ace until things subsided. At least, that's what I thought until I saw Vera's name on my phone screen.

"Hello, Ver?"

"Fawn...., how are you?"

I haven't heard Vera's voice in a long time. I can hardly imagine, the girl who often accompanied me when locked in the Ace Hunter house was in a relationship with Anggara boss. We were like..., sharing the same fate? No, perhaps more precisely, sharing. Haha. Feelings are a curse, right?

"I'm good, Vera. What was? You don't usually call me."

"I bosaaan. I mean, I'm on vacation today and I have a lot of free time. So, what if I meet you like that? It's been a long time since we last talked."

"Well, is Ace okay with that?" I don't think Ace wants me to contact his people. Aside from the fact that our interaction could create suspicion, Ace also did not want me to be involved in danger because every single one of Ace's men was in a hunted and hunting mode.

"I guess..."

"You taste?" What does Vera mean?

"Fawn, to be honest, I'm very stressed right now.I know that Mr. Ace doesn't want me to take rash actions and approach you but.., I think you're the one who can understand me the most right now."

"Huh?" Did something happen to Vera?

"It's about Anggara."

"..."

"You..., you know we have a relationship, right? So.., you must know that we're not doing well."

"Is there a serious problem?"

I was worried for a moment. Vera is a girl who is quick in making decisions. She was kind and charming, she always heard my complaints first. Rejecting him while he was down was a heartless act. Maybe I..., maybe it's not a problem to meet?

"Well, if you want," I saw the round wall clock on the door of my mother's room. "Can we meet at lunch?"

"Seriously, you want to, seriously?" Vera's voice sounded very enthusiastic.

"Yes, Vera." I responded with a smile. Even though Vera couldn't see my smile, thinking she was happy across the phone made me happy for her.

"Then I'll see you."

"Umm, I'll see you."

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

See you, it was my promise to Vera three hours ago. Now, when the clock has shown at 12 noon, I go out to a cafe where Vera and I will meet.

Because today I'm not doing my job as a bodyguard, I'm not wearing my suit. I just..., appear mediocre. I hope Vera can find me because I just realized, some of the cafe visitors were wearing clothes with the same color as my shirt. Whiter.

I made the order first because I was so hungry.

A bowl of asparagus crab soup, spicy scallops, and a plate of honey garlic shrimp.

Not that I was greedy, but the three menus I just chose were my standard portions. Usually, I eat more. Also, it feels like I haven't eaten seafood in a long time. I want to eat anything - as long as it's cheap and doesn't drain my wallet until it goes bankrupt. Consider it a cheat day. Hehehe.

Not long after I made the order, while playing mobile phone and rumored with Vera who apparently, stuck in traffic. The food I ordered finally arrived. Sprawled over my desk with an opium-making scent.

I started eating and forgot my chat with Vera. It's my principle, to eat, I have to focus on my food. I love food, my God. I think dying because of food won't matter as long as it's delicious. Ughhhh!

"Someone forgets me," in the middle of my meal, Vera whom I was waiting for came. He sat across from me with a smile growing wry.

"You are old." I said.

Vera sneered, but did not maintain that expression for long. He scoops the shrimp on my plate and tucks one.

"It's delicious. You're making me hungry."

"Eat it."

"I've bought kebabs on the street."

"Yes on?"

"I'm keeping my weight, Fawn."

"You can spar with Haru or Carcel and the kebabs you eat will evaporate from your body."

"Well my metabolism is that fast." Vera smiled faintly.

I felt, right then, that Vera's mood was pretty bad. The smile on his face did not last long. I, who was eating across the table, watched her rather attentively. I haven't even heard Vera's complaints, but I've had my pity. Whatever it is that's weighing on Vera, I don't think it's a light situation. Vera was a strong girl, she was not the grim-faced type of girl. Although she rarely smiles as well, Vera is more of a strict and calm type of girl.

A few minutes finally passed and I was done with my meal.

Opposite me, Vera who was waiting for me to finish eating only ordered a strawberry milkshake. He sipped the drink with his eyes glaring blankly onto the table.

"So Vera..." I started the conversation with a voice implying worry. I don't know if Vera's ready to talk or not.

"Fawn," Vera raised her face from the table, eyes staring straight at me. "Don't you ever think..., you know, just a little bit?"

Without anticipating that the question would come out of Vera's mouth, Vera of everyone, I was immediately dumbfounded.

Where did that question come from?

I bit my lower lip.

"What about you?" my many.

Is Vera going to do what I think?

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