IN THE CAGE

29. SPECIAL MISSION

...ANGGARA...

...-----...

Open ones eyes. Surprised and holding his breath. I wasn't used to waking up in a place that wasn't my room, so when I saw the ceiling of that delicate cream-colored room, I became quite shocked. My house is colorless like this and obviously, does not have a minimalist design and high windows that the scenery outside is a city in the north full of skyscrapers.

"Where am I?" I looked around the room and realized this was a hotel room. Who brought me here? I tried to remember but what appeared in my head was a black fog, sickening music, the sharp and fragrant meaning of aromatherapy oil.

With the same clothes as last night, a dark blue shirt and black pants, I sauntered towards the sofa where my suit and cell phone were. I was about to call home but a paper note on top of my HP screen made me remember a little bit what happened before I threw up in the bathroom. I met Margaret Hunter and this message was clear to her.

Thank you I am kind, please don't throw up in front of me again. You're disgusting!

Margaret Hunter, your enemy.

Always dramatic. I crumpled the paper before throwing it on the floor. If what helped me last night was Margaret, then it's likely that the people who helped me in the bathroom were Margaret's people as well.

Disgusting, how can I as the head of the Hunter family show them that imperfect side? I can be made into a laughing stock by the Hunter family, damn it.

Swallowing disappointment in myself again, I called home. To Julian who might be worried about me all night. I waited for the call to connect and on the first ring, Julian's panicked 'Hello' voice almost made the phone slip out of my hand.

"Can you not scream in my ear early in the morning?" I complained of irritation.

"I'm sorry, Boss. I haven't heard from you since last night. We're all over the house very worried."

"I'm at the hotel..." I looked for a moment at the view outside and knew exactly where I was at the hotel. I'm in Hearts, pick me up now."

"Good, boss."

Fuck, Evan Caspian. He even started his plan without my consent at all. I'm not ready, you bastard! I can't do this. Argha!

I feel like my head is getting sicker with all the madness that's going on.

"Come with Margaret Hunter.Make her believe in you, sympathize only with you and take advantage of that closeness to find out what they're doing. You are my last hope, Angga. Think of Indira and the safety of your family as well."

Evan's orders came back roaring in my head, triggering my blood to boil.

Why does this situation have to happen to me? Goddamnit! That bastard!

My head was about to explode, but I couldn't linger pensive in a dilemma. While I was standing in front of the window of this hotel room, the world kept turning. I can't go with a weak heart. I have to do what I have to do. All for the sake of maintaining our family's good name. No, rather all this for Indira's sake. I have to do my best to keep her safe.

...----...

Time showed at eleven in the afternoon when I entered the Rashid family residence. Ever since the leadership of my father fell into my hands, my father and mother have been lacking in terms of interfering in my affairs. They are still watching and giving criticism here and there, but the rough hands of the father have been less involved in playing. Usually, that guy if he doesn't like something I do will punch a hard punch in my face. But now, even when he saw me just coming home after disappearing all night, he didn't get on the black hole.

Maybe because dad was the leader before, he understands very hard the life I have to live now.

I was touched by the illusions and assumptions I made myself.

"Good day, dad." I greeted the father who was sitting on the living room couch, enjoying a cup of coffee and a thick reading book.

"Indira came and looked for you" said the father. "He seemed to have a lot of free time until almost every day here."

"He's just not used to Caspian's house yet."

"Then teach him how to get used to the new environment, Angga." Dad gave me a stern and threatening look. "He's part of the Caspian family now, lest he embarrass our family's good name just because he's 'unaccustomed'. Do you understand?"

"What about dad? Did you say anything to Indira?"

"I held myself back from saying anything. Your sister was - no matter how - just listening to you." No, it was an exaggerated assessment. I could speak until my mouth froze, and Indira would stick to her decision.

"If I had talked, too," continued the father, "It won't end well for both of us."

"Huh, yeah. Indira's lucky I realized that."

My father-Callum Rashid is a man who is not capable of communicating from heart to heart. Every time he tried to make his point, violence often occurred. Not that she doesn't love us, I think it's probably just the way she's educated makes it difficult to establish good relationships with her children.

Ever since we were kids, I've always protected Indira from fathers and mothers who shed their hopes on us. I didn't want Indira's freedom to be lost, so I accepted everything I could share with Indira.

Dad and mom really wanted us kids to be able to bring the dream of the previous family leader into reality. Being the leader of the entire leader, being the family that dominated the other three families. It was a wish that had been passed down like a curse.

When that hope fell on me because my father failed to realize the hope that my grandfather gave me, I lived my life like hell. I live with the ambition to be the best, but ambition is just ambition. A fire that is not exposed to oxygen quickly or overtime will die. My ambition that was not coupled with my capable ability made my ambition die. Right now, all I want to do is survive one more day.

Of course now, thanks to Evan, that man gave me one more reason to survive in this dark world.

"Dad heard from Evan, you're doing a special job with him. If overcoming Evan's duties makes it difficult for you to handle our family business, you can ask Dad for help in the meantime. Just make sure you focus on what Evan's assigned, he's our family's hope now. Considering you've created a failure..."

"Dad...."

"I'm just saying this to help you, no need to get hurt and embarrassed. You can't do anything without the Caspian family's help. Right now, though embarrassing, do what Evan wants. Save our family."

"Even if that means I have to be his dog?" I clenched my hands, holding back the growl and desire to shake my father. To wake him up from the madness he kept saying.

"If it makes you useful, do it."

Motherfucker!

"Female, you just got home?" From inside the house, while lightly swaying, Indira came. His face was sumringah. "I was waiting for you!"

"Eh..." The harsh expression that my emotions gave me couldn't just fade away. Indira noticed my gloomy expression and threw a dislike look at father on the sofa. "What are you talking about?"

I grabbed Indira into my arm and pulled her a bit forcibly to follow me. "It's nothing. Let's talk, you're waiting for me to say something, aren't you?"

"Tsk! Alright!" Indira followed me inevitably. We walked side by side to my room on the third floor, in the corner of the tower-like building. Indira followed me while trying to read the atmosphere between us. He seemed to want to talk, but was reluctant to anger me.

Seeing his hesitation, I guess this will be the topic about Fawn again.

"What do you want to say?" ask me to take the initiative.

"Oh, Angga.., about Fawn..."

"Fawn again." My voice was mocking. "I'm getting jealous of your bodyguard. You think about it every day."

"Haah, it's only natural that we're close like brothers. I've taken it like my own sister."

"But he's your bodyguard, Indi. How long will you ignore that fact?"

"I'm not ignoring that fact, but I wouldn't consider her existence worthless just because of her work."

"Then, what else do you want to ask? If you think I-"

"No..." Indira. He suddenly moved forward and blocked my path. "I-ummm, I thought I'd hand over everything about Fawn to you. If he does what you say, then I won't demand you to look for him again."

"Huh?" That's dubious.

"I..., as long as Fawn is safe, I'll let go of our separation." But, wasn't it last night that Indira was the same person who almost lost his elegance from yelling at me about the main rules of bodyguards and the contents of their contracts. That I can't be as good at stealing his bodyguard?

"What happened to you?" manya suspect.

"There's nothing." Indira raised her shoulders and showed off a faint grin. "I just moved on. Oh, yeah...." Indira pulled over from before me and walked back. "I'm planning on playing in the mall this week for refreshing, do you want to come?"

"Am I a kid?" No, is Indira the children the question I should be asking. My dad should be worried about her.

"I'm not going alone, Evan and Eleanor will also join. Evan thinks it's a good idea."

"I'll think about it." I said.

For now, all I need to think about is how to get close to Margaret Hunter. Because, right now my mission is just that. My way of keeping Indira comfortable is by dirtying my hands for her.

'Did Fawn curse me before her death, why was my life getting so dark?'

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