IN THE CAGE

32. HANDCUFFS

...FAWN...

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

If my fellow bodyguards at the Rashid family residence see my current appearance, I bet a hundred million that they will all laugh out loud. Joseph would probably have blown up big with widened eyes of disbelief. I myself would like to look up at my appearance in the mirror, if only Miss Margot was not behind me. Monitor me with the seriousness of a fashion stylist.

I didn't want to offend the woman after her hard efforts to make my makeup this not beautiful to be what it is now - still not beautiful but luxurious.

A shirt with an expensive brand was attached to my body fitfully. Vera said Miss Margot bought the shirt for me a few days ago but had not given it to her because she was still angry with Ace. I don't really care about the history of the clothes I'm wearing because I'm still not comfortable moving.

Imagine, how can I step if every time I open a step, my left leg will be exposed to almost reach the groin because of the wide slices that are sideways in the design of the shirt?

I feel this dress is dedicated to women with high confidence. Someone who is not me. I was embarrassed when my feet were exposed, traces of injuries from falling as a child and traces of injuries from sparing were imprinted there like a blemish.

"Wow, you're so pretty." Vera who accompanied Miss Margot while eating an apple commented. But I can't believe it. "If it was me who was wearing it, I would have looked like John Cena was wearing a dress." added Vera again.

"You've only been here a month or so but your muscles have melted, I'm amazed." Miss Margot spoke, she massaged my arms, looking for my withered biceps. "Felix must have fed you very well."

"I'll assume this is body shaming," my tudding then looked back at the mirror. Why did I become like this? I really don't understand the flow of my life anymore. Just waiting for the day before I lose my sanity.

"Ace, are you ready?" From the mirror, I saw a figure called Miss Margot just stepping out of the bathroom. Using a loose tank top in black and matching coloured jeans with his shirt, Ace Hunter stared at us with his usual flat face. It was as if his casual appearance did not dry the esophagus of the woman who was staring at him alone.

Damn it, why was Ace born with such absurd good looks?

"I should ask like that, right? When are you guys gonna stand here?" Ace commented on our delay in preparing. His eyes then turned towards me. He stopped walking for a while and pensively stiffened.

As expected, my appearance must have been like a joke in his eyes. Damn, damn, damn! It's shameful! Someone dig a grave for me, please! I want to die of shame.

"You seem to be ready." Ace said as he approached. I stood stiff and tried to avoid his gaze. I don't want him laughing at me. "You don't look like a bodyguard in this kind of appearance."

"I hope it's a compliment" I said, trembling, though I knew it was a veiled insult.

"She's pretty, right?" miss Margot seems to want to humiliate me more than I've felt.

"Not bad" said Ace in my ear. Uh, her breathing made me hold in horror. What the fuck?

"I like what I see."

"You just need to praise her pretty without rambling," spray Miss Margot a little sewot. Maybe he felt offended because all his efforts only got a 'not bad' assessment'.

Haha. I'm sorry, miss Margot. There is nothing wrong with your fashion sense, what is wrong is your choice of model. Namely me.

Without bothering to respond to Miss Margot's fuss, Ace saunters to her closet and opens the safe. A gun and a handcuff he took out of there. Guns tucked behind the leather jacket he was about to wear and handcuffs-uh? What's he gonna do with that thing?

"For the sake of safety and comfort together..." Ace sauntered over to me again. The sharp scent of sandalwood from her parfume was out reaching my nose, making me frown a little uncomfortable. Ace pulled my wrist and.takk!

The cold iron from the handcuffs was locked in my hands like a bracelet.

"E-uh?" I'm appalled.

Ace did not answer my confusion and instead handcuffed his other hand. "You will always stick to me today" said Ace, his eyes sparkling with comfort after he looked at my face.

This fucking guy.

Fuck, motherfucker, motherfucker!

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

Hope about trying to find a way to escape in this exit opportunity collapsed instantly. I ended up handcuffed to the fucking Ace - no intention of having fun. I ended up walking behind Miss Margot and Jem in the big mall. Accompanying the two people shopping, sorting through the items while Ace chose to wander around without looking at anything.

Seeing the outside world is quite fun, actually. But my feelings are very uncomfortable. I glanced left and right, hoping to find a familiar face that might be able to convey information about me to Lord Anggara. It'll end well if they know I'm safe. I believe Mr. Anggara will try to save me if he finds out I'm still alive.

Also.., I thought, if it was for the sake of peace between families, Ace would not be rash in hindering Lord Anggara from saving me. Right, I just need to find one familiar face! The key to my safety today is just that!

"You're so excited, what does your peanut brain think?" ace's index finger suddenly pierced my temple. I turned to him and realized that I was going too fast and dragged him a step behind.

"Ah, sorry." I slow down my pace, I don't want him to be suspicious. "I'm just crazy."

"What's cool here?" Ace glanced left and right, trying to understand what I meant. But he won't know, he can't know. The thing that makes me happy is that I try to find people I know, not to see expensive items on the glass display.

"Ah-I like clothes." I said bragging. "I'm tired of wearing training clothes every day, looking at the clothes here, I feel..happy?"

"You know what you're looking at right now is men's clothes, right?" Ace looked at me with astonished eyes. Damn, why is he so thorough?

"Ah-I prefer men's clothes." Fool, I was definitely born a fool. "Dress like this isn't my style at all."

I'm going to kill myself. Why is it that, among all things, lying is my weakness?

"I just found out you're a tomboy" said Ace, then generalized our steps. "Do you want me to buy you an armani suit?"

"H-huh?"

Ace's hand that I didn't notice suddenly jerked at my handcuffed hand with him. He pulled me close to his side until I could smell his perfume again.

"I don't know who you're trying to trick, but I'm warning you not to do anything stupid."

The Ace-Kend greeting was spoken in a low and light tone, sounding like an invisible giggle on my neck. My breath felt heavy when inevitably, I had to obey that sharp eye again.

"Ah, this is so boring. How about we go to the game center." Ace spoke rather big until Jem and Miss Margot turned to him.

"Now?" miss Margot objected. "I'm not satisfied going around."

"You'll never be satisfied in doing anything, Mar. Let's stop here." Ace glanced at Jem. "Our goal is to play, right?"

"Oh, right." Jem nodded awkwardly.

"Then, come on.." Now, it's Ace's turn to lead the way. I tied up with him just past Jem and Miss Margot with tired faces mixed with annoyance.

"I remember you like bowling, let's do that" Ace said. I who heard his words instantly widened my eyes.

Oh, he remember what I like?

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