IN THE CAGE

12. STRESSES

...ACE pov's...

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Uncle Jack stood up when I appeared in front of Margot's apartment room. He grabbed me and rubbed my back. A dozen bodyguards stood inside the room, looking at me with nervousness.

"Thank God you've come" said Uncle Jack. "Margot is waiting for you."

"Is he okay?"

"He wasn't hurt, but still in shock."

Hearing Uncle Jack's words, I rubbed my face hard. I know, being in the highest position exposes me to the dangers that lurk everywhere. Not only me, the people who are precious to me will also bear the same risks.

I know the risks of my job, but every time I hear Margot is threatened, I want to let go of all that is in my grasp right now. I don't want him in danger, for God's sake!

If only I could be free from the chains that hold me now.

"Margoth?" I entered Margot's room and found her sitting on the bed. Her usual long mane fell beautifully on the shoulders, rolled in disheveled fashion. A pair of black beads were hollow. He was immersed in his own thoughts until I decided to pull him back to reality.

"Margoth?" call me once more, this time while touching her soft arm. "Are you okay?"

Margot blinked a few times, relaxing her facial muscles before looking at me in the face. "You're coming."

Margot smiled and grabbed me.

"I'm glad you're okay." I hugged Margot tightly. Drown her in my chest while I shower her hair with a light kiss. "I'm sorry, it's all because of me."

If it wasn't for me, this situation wouldn't have happened. I failed to protect her.

"Don't blame yourself, this situation happened because there was a savage who wanted to destroy us." Margot let go of her decapitation and took some distance.

He looked at me with calmness. His pair of firm and sharp eyes reminded me that here, among us, he was an older figure than me. She was not a sister and not a weak girl who expected sympathy.

I'm weak in front of Margot. My heart ached when I saw it become so strong. He should be happy, he should be laughing. He who now looks at me with sharpness and horror is not the Margot I want.

"I've been waiting for you since," Margot didn't let me love her, she reached out to a paper from the drawer and threw it at me. "I found this in my father's hunting cabin."

Before you talk about what you found in Dad's hunting cabin, you should explain why you went to Dad's cabin, right? Margot, Margot. Why are you doing the investigation alone?

"What's this?" I swallowed my frustration and opened the brown envelope he gave me.

A stack of pictures of me and a picture of Margot in the past filled that envelope. From the point of view of the shoot, the photos were taken from a great distance and without our knowledge at all. I'm 20 years old in that picture and Margot just finished her college.

"I think someone sent this to Dad."

"Huh?"

Margot put her hand on my hand, a face full of earnestness. "I think they're threatening dad to use our safety."

"Wait," hentiku.

I don't want to be careless in making assumptions. At the very least, we need an accurate explanation of why these photos were there and why we just found them now? A week after our parents died, Uncle Jack ordered everyone to investigate.

"Where exactly did you find these pictures of Margot?"

"You remember where Dad used to hide his drink?" Margot brought up a chest of chocolates located under her work cabinet. The crate contained my father's expensive drink collection, I remember hunting alone there after my father's death and finding nothing but alcohol in the crate.

"There's a gap.." said Margot back. "Below, I found a secret room containing these photos as well..."

"Also?"

"This photo is in an envelope with the Spades emblem."

"The spades?" My mind immediately ran to the Indira and Anggara families.

I don't know if I should be happy or worried about the photo. To be honest, I still can't feel relief. I don't know why the Spades sent us the surveillance photos? Why would they list their family symbols with his moron? Is this a warning like Margot said, or a trap? Too many things came to my mind.

"I'll think about this later. Thank you." Thank you." I closed the envelope in my hand. "Now, can you explain why you visited Dad's cabin?"

"I was missing you so I stopped by."

I looked at Margot and stroked my forehead hard. I feel like my shoulders are getting heavier. Margot and her endless sadness made me even more frustrated. I don't know how to heal his wounded heart other than by punching a hole in the head of the perpetrator who wiped out my parents. I want him to be happy again!

I swallowed my frustration again, sighed and forced myself to appear strong in front of Margot.

"Then, what's going on downstairs?" I mean, it was the attack that happened to Margot just now. I heard that the car was blown up. Fortunately, Margot hasn't reached the car at all. Only one bodyguard was injured because he reached the car first.

"Uncle Jack is investigating the situation." Margot let out a long breath. "The situation is getting more complicated now. Since Spades and Clubs have been working together, people who have been afraid of us have been showing their fangs again. Only God knows which of those bastards is trying to get rid of me."

"This can't be allowed anymore, Mar. I've decided, from tomorrow you should come back to live with me." My words made Margot instantly widen her eyes. Although I was younger than him, I knew that Margot's heart was more fragile.

Since the death of our parents, Margot has been unwilling to stay home because it worsens her mental health. Psychologists working for our family advised Margot to calm herself down in a distant place. Here in this apartment.

At first I tolerated the situation because I thought everything was for Margot's sake, but not anymore. I can't leave him alone. Especially when there are many enemies trying to get rid of us.

"Ace, you know I can't..." Margot was gonna protest me. His voice was full of objections.

"I don't accept rejection, Mar. I'll have Felix prepare for your move." I stood up and tidied up my coat. "I'll wait for you at home tomorrow morning."

After saying this, I went out and took Carcel to the Margot car bombing site. I need to check the situation myself.

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The time had already shown eleven o'clock past when I returned home. Crowds were everywhere as a result of the preparations for Margot's return. I who didn't sleep all night got dizzy hearing their noise. Without needing to do any checking, I glanced at Carcel who was still appearing resolute even though he was not sleeping at all.

"You can rest today" I said, giving Carcel a day off was the right choice considering he was the head bodyguard who looked after me. I don't want him out of everyone - losing his energy and focus.

"All right, Boss." Carcel nodded and stopped following me.

I then went on and found Ozan carrying some clothes that were of Margot color.

"Welcome, Boss." Ozan politely shouts.

I nodded and glanced towards the middle room which was only crowded by people passing by. "Where's Margot?"

"Miss Margot has come and gone again for shopping."

"Oh." I wondered what kind of thing Margot needed to buy, considering that all the clothes and accessories she wore had no color other than black.

"Then, who's taking care of my body?" I asked again after I caught the figure of Felix busy changing the door curtain.

"The deer? Oh.yes. Ahahaha. I assigned Haru to accompany Miss Fawn."

Haru's? I tried to remember the face of that man named Haru. Haru, Haru? From that name, I recall the memory of the innocent man who registered as a worker here because he did not have enough money to continue his education to a higher level. He was a bit like the innocent Fawn. It's just that, when it comes to work, Haru is better at separating his emotions and professionalism. He is loyal, but not emotional. It was very different from Fawn whose emotions were like fireworks.

After exchanging words with Ozan, I walked back to my room which, by the way, was slightly open. I went inside and listened to Fawn's light laughter inside there. The girl laughed? Amazingly, what kind of thing comforted him to the point that he who used to frown was laughing?

"Ehehehehe. Thank ye. I really like it."

I instantly interrupted the conversation that happened between him and Haru. "Is that what you like?"

The bright expression painted on Fawn's face faded dark instantly. The thin face I used to see took over again. I don't know what Fawn and Haru are talking about, but seeing her having fun without me makes me a little upset. This girl, did she forget who the owner was? I just left for a day and he teased my bodyguard. Haru of everyone? Does he like children younger than him?

"You're mine, Fawn. I hope you remember that!" I gave her a sharp warning before going to the bathroom. The tired me was getting annoyed at her interaction and Haru. How could he expose his body to just any man?

Totally nauseating.

I'll make sure he gets his punishment later!

...---...