IN THE CAGE

142. CRITICALLY

Thanks to being locked up for a week in the Caspian residence with feelings of anxiety and fear, I later always woke up in a state of ice water. My consciousness came like a stun, and before I realized my situation, I was already standing with a fast hunting breath.

My eyes widen alertly. Gazing left and right were sharp like ferocious beasts watching the surrounding-threatened.

Only when I realized my mother was lying on the bed in the soft voice of the machine that was accompanying the two of us, did I sit back. My breath wafts long full of relief.

It was the fifth day I woke up in shock. I thought today would be different, but it's not. I still woke up with cold sweat soaking my face and palms. Maybe I'm not as tough as I used to be.

"Good morning, Mother." I greet my mother who is still asleep in bed.

Still the same as yesterday, Mother was still immersed in her long sleep. He did not show any development and his body was also getting thinner. Looking at my mother's current situation, I wonder what she would think if she knew that she had been taken prisoner? Will you hate me for failing to protect her?

What would you think if you knew about the man you thought was like your own son, Anggara put him in danger?

Ughhhh!

Thinking about Anggara, I believe those bastards are partying right now. Given their mission goes as they wish. Ace-under the roof of the same hospital as Mother-is now in critical condition. It was all because of my mistake. Because of my pride that prioritizes loyalty over my heart, I put my loved ones in danger.

I don't know what to do to atone for my sins to Ace. Even though he knew I was the weapon Evan would use to harm him, he came anyway. Ace kept seeing me, and he even saved mom.

If only I could turn back the clock, the day Ace asked me not to leave him...

Geck! Geck! Geck!

A knock sounded from outside.

With a shaky step, I headed towards the door and looked at who had come to visit. Just then, just as I opened the door, a woman with a familiar face greeted me. A bouquet of sunflowers was in her arms, and in my heart I guessed that bouquet of flowers would definitely be handed over to me.

"Good morning, Fawn. Did I visit too early?"

That's Vera.

"No, not at all. Come inside." I widened the door and let Vera in. Unlike the Vera I met that night, the battered and dirty Vera, Vera who was in front of me now looked neater and healthier. Surely, he still had a trace of faint bruises on his body and face, but it was not painful to look at.

"I heard Ace saved you that night, I was so happy to hear that."

"Boss Ace made a lot of sacrifices to save me, I think I feel better not to be saved just because of that sacrifice."

"What do you mean?"

Vera looks grim. I don't know what he's thinking.

"As David infiltrates the Caspian residence, the mission goes with a bit of chaos. We lost two colleagues in the shootout and Ace's boss too. All this, if I don't open my mouth and sell your name, this situation won't happen at all."

Ah, so that's what Vera meant.

Just like me, Vera must have felt guilty for betraying Ace by opening up his boss' weakness. However, is it natural for us to continue to be immersed in regret when a completely wrong figure is still roaming freely out there?

"Vera, it's not your fault at all..." I approached Vera and gave a light pat on her shoulder. "You can't blame yourself. You've been trying so hard to hang in there. If there's anyone to blame here, then it's Evan."

"Despite that, Fawn...., I also put you in danger, didn't I? I shouldn't have sold your name. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry I couldn't protect you."

I don't know what to say to Vera as a self-soothing for her guilt. I myself also take a separate portion of what has happened. I am equally guilty in this situation. Because I was arrogant with the loyalty I didn't want to leave, thinking I was able to protect myself when I finally got Ace hit by my choice.

"Fawn's..." Vera handed me a bouquet of sunflowers that she brought to me. At that time, despite having spilled his confession to me, Vera still showed a fondness. I felt guilty for not being able to do anything. I wanted to comfort her, but with my mood just as grim, I would only make things worse.

"Thank you for the flowers." 

"Yes?"

"That night..., when I said we were caught in the crossfire.., Joseph...., you know him, right?"

Without needing to continue, I somehow understood Vera's direction. So, I lost Joseph, huh? What was he thinking about getting himself involved in the shootout? I thought he wanted to live long and run away?

Why is fate so cruel to us?

"Fawn, are you okay?"

"Mm..ah, yes." I nodded resignedly. There is nothing I can do but accept the truth. My friend, my colleague and my junior. With her not on Miss Indira's side, I guess...., wait, why am I thinking about Miss Indira? He could burn in hell if he wanted to! All this trouble thanks to her husband. They are the bastards who have created trouble for everyone.

I hope Joseph can rest in peace now.

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

"You should eat more, Fawn. You look so skinny now." Vera gave the message as she stepped towards the door. I drove her away without protesting anything. Although actually I feel my weight loss is more due to stress than lack of eating.

"Don't worry about Ace's boss either. You know that guy, right? He was the strongest monster in the Hunter family. Hehe."

"Well.., I hope you're right."

I hope Ace will be okay. I wish I could meet him and confess my feelings for him. I hope he gets up soon and meets me, I have too much hope.

"Rest, Fawn."

"M."

"Then I go first. See you soon."

After giving me a light peck on my left and right cheek, Vera left me in my mother's room. Silence filled the room. I looked at the clock and realized that it was almost 12 in the afternoon. I plan on buying bread at the hospital cafeteria for a bit.

I haven't found my appetite, to be honest. However, thinking that now that everyone I love is at their worst, I think I should at least take care of my health when they return. Therefore, even though gathering interest in stuffing the bean bun into my mouth was a bit heavy, I still had to swallow each piece.

I need to stay healthy so that I can cheerfully greet Ace. 

After buying bread and orange juice in the cafeteria, I decided to return to my mother's room on the 3rd floor. I got out of the elevator and sauntered down the hospital corridor. Every now and then, I clashed my way with patients and nurses passing by. While at odds with them, I thought back to Ace.

It would have been amazing if I suddenly had a falling out with Ace in this corridor...,

But that's an unreasonable expectation. Ace is still in critical condition. Vera told me about Ace's news this morning. That, the main residence of the Hunter family is in chaos due to the absence of Ace.

It's depressing.

What do I do to fix everything? I want Ace to quickly wake up and meet me!

As the thought of Ace filled my head, the sound of running feet rang out in the corridor. I looked over and realized that the source of the fanfare was coming from behind me. It was a group of nurses and a doctor who ran over with a serious expression. I pulled over to the wall and watched the direction they were going.

Someone seems to be in a kri---- state

Wait, that's Mom's room...?

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