IN THE CAGE

146. PERSONALISED

...NORMAL pov...

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It was Saturday, the day when Lilian Alder was buried. Although the funeral was held at noon, because now it is mid-autumn, the wind that blows becomes quite strong. The sky became cloudy, like falling. The leaves fall off on the ground, fall withered and follow the direction of the passing wind.

That same day, after paying his last respects to Lilian's tomb, Fawn passed with Ace.

Perhaps because Fawn had been crying all day yesterday, Fawn controlled her expression well today. He did not cry out sadly any more, he just stared at Lilian's departure in utter willingness. During the funeral as well, Ace did not release his hand from Fawn. He gave support to the girl without a word, strengthening her without a sound. That, even if Lilian was not around, Ace would always be there.

He'll always be next to Fawn.

"Welcome back, Ace's boss." at home, after Ace returned from the funeral with Fawn-Felix greeted them politely. He stared at Ace for a while before turning to Fawn who was still a grim expression.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Fawn."

Fawn was quite foreign to the impersonation of the lady in her name, probably because she had not interacted with the people in this house for a long time. Fawn gave a small nod to Felix in response.

"I've prepared lunch, boss."

"All right, we'll be there in a minute."

After receiving a response from Ace, Felix passed away. He returns to the kitchen while Ace persuades Fawn to have lunch with him. Initially, Fawn rejected the idea. Other than because he still had no appetite, Fawn also did not want to do anything right now. Fawn only wanted to sleep if Ace had not given her that pleading gaze. Fawn would not obey.

"Alright," Fawn finally said. He followed Ace and had lunch with the man in the kitchen.

"Where's Miss Margot?" it was a question that came out of Fawn's mouth when she started eating food on her plate. Today, in the middle of the cemetery-Margot retreated and disappeared. Fawn thinks the woman is back, but seeing David and Vera's absence at the mansion, it means Margot hasn't come home at all.

"He might calm himself down somewhere" Ace said. While eating his meal, Ace occasionally gave his slices of meat to Fawn's plate. Ace felt that Fawn needed the food more now. Considering he's so thin and lethargic.

"Sobbed? Is something going on?" Fawn's a little worried.

"It's Margot's first time to the funeral after our parents' death. I thought coming there brought an unpleasant memory in his brain, so well, forget it."

"I don't know at all" Fawn murmured. He felt a little guilty. Honestly, while carrying out his mother's funeral, Fawn did not expect many people to come. He even saw Jem there. Then Margot, the woman he recognized as a very selfish figure, also attended. Lilian was not a figure they knew.

"It's only natural that you don't know. Margot is also not the type of woman who will tell her weaknesses to others."

Fawn breathed a heavy sigh. "But.., still. I feel like I've forced myself to come there."

"Margot came because he knew this moment was very important to you. He respects you and cares about you. He didn't do it because he had to. Anyway, do you think there's anyone in the world who can force Margot to do something?"

Well, it does have a point.

"I also saw Jem there," Fawn said.

"Well, if it concerns Jem, you don't have to question anything. It might just be his habit to always try to perform well in front of others. You and I are now the ones who control Hearts, it's only natural that he shows concern for his superiors."

Just then, Ace's words made Fawn frown in confusion. Something about you and me, as if he was involved in Ace's leadership, made Fawn feel astonished. Although he loves Ace, Fawn does not feel that what Ace has is his too. His name doesn't need to be juxtaposed there. Jem also did not need to care much for him.

"Why? Is there something that's bothering you?"

Fawn wanted to speak her head, but held back as she stared at Ace's cheerful sparkling face. Forget about the matter of Jem, Fawn was not interested in discussing anything now. Being able to eat lunch with Ace beside him was already more like a blessing to Fawn.

"I feel the same way. Eat a lot and cheer up. I'd be so happy to see you smile again as you can."

"I think I'll only be able to smile back when all the problems related to Evan are resolved..." Fawn muttered softly to herself.

He can't find peace when he realizes that someone out there is still breathing and is a threat to his Ace. He could not let Evan Caspian and Anggara Rashid go free after barely harming Ace. Fawn wanted to do something.

Something only he can do.

Fawn smiled faintly as one slice of meat returned Ace thrust to her lips. He opened his mouth and ate Ace's mouthfuls with joy.

"Tonight." Fawn said after swallowing the food in her mouth.

"Yes?" Ace looked up with a pair of his dark irises sparkling quietly. He looked at Fawn-waiting for the follow-up to the girl's speech that paused halfway through.

Fawn wanted to say what he was going to do. That, he wanted to exterminate Anggara that night as well. But, noticing Ace still waiting for his words with a soothing smile, Fawn hesitated to acknowledge his intentions. Fawn felt right then and there, Ace would reject what he wanted. Although Ace previously said he did not mind Fawn's decision, Fawn felt Ace was able to change his mind and prevent him from doing what he had to do.

Fawn doesn't want that. He did not want Ace to worry about him and canceled all his determination to do what he had to do.

"Fawnia?"

Fawn ended up shaking her head. "It's nothing."

Ace looked at the old Fawn, considering what Fawn was thinking. Should he corner the girl talk, or should he let her go for a while? Ace thought about his decision for some time, but decided to keep quiet until finally the lunch was over.

It was only when night came, when the wind was blowing quite strongly from the open balcony window, that Ace realized what Fawn's silence meant last day. The girl disappeared.

"Carcel," call Ace to his bodyguard waiting outside.

"Yes, Boss."

"What Rio's still following Fawn."

"Still, Boss."

"Tell him, don't interrupt whatever Fawn's doing." Carcel sat on the bed and crossed his legs. "Let her have fun and vent her grief now."

"But, Boss. What if he faces danger in the process?"

"Fawn has no weaknesses now, other than I might. In another sense, he was invincible now." Ace spoke those words without any anxiety at all. Putting aside the fact that he did have a high appraisal of Fawn, Ace also felt that revenge was the thing Fawn needed right now.

Fawn needed to let go of the grudge attached to her chest, no matter what reason she used to rationalize her decision.

"Is it alright to let Fawn get rid of Rashid's family, Boss?"

"It's nice. With Anggara's demise, Fawn will have no ties to anyone in the world."

...He will only be mine, only know me and will only hang on to me....

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