IN THE CAGE

140. WINES

...NORMAL pov...

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Fawn looked down. His gaze fell withered to his fingers that were clinging under the table. Ace's words back then - despite providing warmth in his heart, also gave a wound. Fawn could not lift her head, unable to look at Ace who already loved her so much.

He was afraid.., if he stared at the man's pair of dark irises, he would lose his determination in completing his mission.

"Fawnia?" Ace called Fawn in his friendly baritone voice. "Are you okay?"

"I'm good..." Fawn chimed in with trembling lips. "I'm sorry, Ace."

"You're not wrong at all, Fawn." Ace's smile expands. "You're just doing what you have to do."

"You don't understand, you..."

You shouldn't have come!

Fawn bit her lower lip so strongly that she felt blood splashing inside her mouth. The feelings of guilt and anxiety that surround him make it more difficult to talk.

What's he supposed to do? Fawn wondered until she finally heard the sound of the clinking of a glass from the table. Fawn widens eyes. He looked at the wine glass in Ace's hand with obvious fear.

"Ja-don't.." Fawn shouts in nervousness.

"Oh, so it's here?" Ace looked at Fawn through the glass. The wine in the glass was like immersing a part of Fawn's face in its dark liquid.

"Honestly, being able to meet you today was a very pleasant thing for me. Even though I knew this was a trap Evan set up to kill me, I wasn't afraid at all, Fawnia."

"You...," What did Ace think? Fawn finds it difficult to focus on Ace's remarks, especially when the poisoned wine is in Ace's hands like a dangerous weapon.

"Fawnia, I told you about my feelings, remember. That I love you. Even though I confess my feelings, even though my feelings have changed for you, I still cannot erase my past mistakes

Maybe that's why you can't open your heart to me. Because I ruined our first meeting by making your life hell

I'm guilty, and therefore, if I drink this to save your mother..."

"A-Ace, what are you saying?" Fawn stood up and kicked down the table. "You..., you're not serious, are you?"

"I heard what happened to your mother. Therefore, I don't want you to be taken advantage of by Evan anymore. Like I said before, this fight is between me and him. But I can't keep my word and you're dragged into this conflict..."

"..."

"Fawnia, you have to kill me too, right?"

"I'm..." Ace's right. It has a mission it needs to fulfill. The mission is to get rid of Ace so he can protect his mother. But nevertheless...

The thought of losing Ace from the face of the earth frightens Fawn. He was afraid of losing a man who put his life above all else. He does not want to lose the man who already loves him, chooses him and although the beginning of their relationship is full of mistakes, Fawn does not want to lose Ace now.

"Don't forget your mission, Fawn."

Ace looked at the wine glass. To the faint reflection of his eyes there that glittered wittyly. "I hope, with this I am able to make amends to you in the past."

Huh uh?

No. gabe. No. gabe. No. gabe. No. gabe.

Fawn's eyes widened in astonishment as Ace gulped down the wine. Draining the contents without doubt or fear. Without even thinking about it, Fawn climbed the table. Trying to reach for the wine glass that Ace had gulped down. However, his actions were in vain.

In an attempt to reach the air, Ace had put the empty glass back on the table.

"It doesn't feel bad" Ace said with a smile.

Although Ace's smile was beautifully flashed, Fawn who was looking at him slowly shed tears.

"Don't feel guilty, I want to do this for you." Ace leaned his body forward. Wiping the tears flowing down Fawnia's cheeks.

Uhk!

"ACE..."

Fawn was hysterical. He approached Ace and held the man tightly to his chest. He shook Ace repeatedly, trying to wake the man who was now bleeding from his mouth and chin.

At the same time, the dining room door opened. Carcel emerged from there along with five other bodyguards. They snatch Ace from Fawn and rush Ace to the ambulance. Fawn on the other hand, sat on the floor with a loud pat. He could not remember how long he had been there, weeping over his mistakes, condemning his actions...

When he felt his crying subside, he found Anggara trying to pull him up. Anggara, a man who has become the main cause of problems in his life.

If only he had heard Ace from the start he wouldn't have...

"Fawn, good job." The compliment was so unnecessary. However, like spilling salt on his wound, Anggara praised him. Reminds him back to the fact that he just made Ace dowry poison with glee.

"I hate you, Anggara. For God's sake, I hate you." Fawn pulls herself away from Anggara. With a staggered step, Fawn retraced out of the VIP room.

Fawn was about to catch up with Ace, find out the news and accompany him, but a feeling of guilt filled his chest reminded him of the mistake he had made.

If Ace dies...,

If Ace were to die, Fawn believed he would never be able to forgive himself.

"What should I do?" Fawn sat curled up in the street, head immersed in an elbow crease.

"Ace, please, hang on. I haven't told you how I feel. At least, listen to me first. Why did you decide everything yourself?"

Do you think making up for your mistakes in the past with death will make me happy? I don't want this at all. Please, Lord.., please save Ace. Don't take him away.

Don't leave me!

Tiiinnn!!!

The sound of the car horn reprimanded Fawn who was still sitting curled up on the lip of the road. Fawn ignores the car and mistook him for a stranger, but upon hearing the approaching footsteps, Fawn realizes that the man is coming for her.

Fawn looked up.

"Fawnia Alder,"

"..."

"Well, I'll take you to your mother." Of all the people, Fawn did not think she would find Jack Hunter greeting her.

"Do you know where my mom is?" Fawn stood up and followed Jack's steps.

"Ace asked me to find it for you...,"

"You found him? When?"

"A few hours ago. We've interrogated Caspian's bodyguard and discovered your mother's whereabouts from him. You know the man, Aidan..."

"Ah.." Did they catch Aidan?

"You may not know this, but we started a raid on Caspian tonight. Therefore, I first need to secure you and your mother..."

"E-uh? What about Ace?"

Jack was silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant to give an explanation.

"What about Ace?" Fawn asked once more, more urgently.

"Let's hope he'll be okay."

"..."

"For now, you don't have to worry about anything other than your mother."

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