IN THE CAGE

43. RELATIONSHIP

...INDIRA...

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"Jem invites Eleanor to go to a fundraiser held by lady Mikoto, have you heard the news?"

At night, in Evan's study room where the window to his balcony was open, I said to Evan who was now staring at his laptop carefully. Evan's interest in folding electronics makes me a little envious, if only he paid a little attention to me as much as he paid attention to his work, it would be fun.

"Hmm, that's weird. Are you sure it's not the other way around? Jem's not like the kind of guy who'll take an interest in your eccentric cousin."

"Don't insult Ellie, she just uniquely knows."

"I'm not insulting, I'm just saying what I saw." Evan glanced at me briefly before returning to focus on work.

Of course, what Evan said was indeed close to the truth. Jemaine Emery has always shown hospitality and courtesy in every effort Eleanor approach. But, even though Jem looks polite, he doesn't look like a man who would give his heart to my cousin.

That jam-in my eyes looks like a man with invisible walls that border him from the outside world. Maybe because he was about the same age as Anggara, I saw Jem as a very mature man. Our age is only 3 years.

"There's nothing wrong with positive thinking." I said, supporting the idea of Jem and Eleanor who might just develop into romance. Well, nothing is impossible in this world.

"Pff." Evan rested his typing and laughed faintly. "You're too plain."

"What's wrong with expecting good things to happen? A person's heart can change, you know. Yesterday Jem closed his eyes to Ellie's love, but who knows if today, tomorrow, or a few hours from now Jem showed interest in Ellie. Don't you think it's romantic?"

"Such situations only occur in romance novels created by delusional authors."

"HEY!!!" I shouted objections. "Romance novels are pieces of the story that occur in the real world. You may deny it, but one thing is for sure - the human heart can change."

Evan listened to my words with a nod that seemed dismissive. Although he disagreed with my words, the curly with the Roman god-like look should not mock me.

"Say, Evan... If you disagree with me, say your ideal love?" I challenged Evan and moved from the sofa to the opposite bench from his desk. Our distance was quite close and I could see the surface of Evan's delicate facial skin and had a faint trace of wound near his forehead.

"The ideal love only occurs in the relationship of parents and children. Love of the opposite sex - or whatever your preferences are, it only happens because of the influence of hormones. When the euphoria subsides, your feelings will fade away completely."

"It's very grim." I backed off and leaned on the bench. My eyes highlighted Evan with a new discomfort. "Is that how you look at our marriage? Are you gonna leave me when the euphoria's gone?"

"What kind of euphoria?" Evan raised his eyebrows like scorn. However, the moment he realized the meaning of his words, his face instantly turned grim.

"Oh, my question must be wrong, huh? Right, we get married just because of an arranged marriage, right? Euphoria has absolutely nothing between us other than a cooperative relationship."

"Indira, I believe you won't want to discuss that topic. We've become best friends-"

I immediately shook my hands, covering the pain that was now creeping in my heart with a light laugh.

"No, no. You don't have to worry about anything. I understand my position. I, too, didn't expect anything. This relationship is very good for me. I just need to sit back while you handle everything. Haha. It's like princess."

"I'm glad you think the same as me," Evan's smile came back thin. It was supposed to be stunning, but I felt a sharp stab in the heart.

"No problem..." I tapped my fingertips on Evan's desk. As disappointment began to surround me, I tried to cover up my behavior with false laughter. This should no longer hurt. Ace even said the same thing that our relationship is just business, but...

I still want love.

"Haaaaa~" I heaved a heavy sigh. "So, Evan..., are we going to be together on Saturday?"

"Ke?"

"To lady Mikoto's show?" I changed the topic.

"Well..." Evan looked me back in the eye. Her rather long curly hair, swaying under the blowing of the night breeze that entered through the window.

"I'm not taking you out that day."

"Huh?" But this was a big event, did he intend to go alone?

"But.., that place must have tight security."

"I don't believe in the safest place for you other than here. I'm sorry." Evan. His serious facial expression showed no gap for resistance at all. I swallowed bitterly when again, I became a prisoner in this house.

"Then..., what about you? You need a friend to go to." It would be a shame if a head at Clubs showed up without a partner. Especially when he already has a wife, someone can make skewed assumptions about our relationship.

"Don't worry about it, I've invited my friends to go together."

"Friends?"

"Name Norah. I believe you saw it yesterday afternoon."

What did that mean girl yesterday? The girl he let into his safe zone?

"I did, see it." Wait, did Aidan report my activities to Evan?

So I'm really under the monitor right now?

"Norah just got back from xxx a few days ago so she visited me. You don't have to show her formality, she doesn't like that kind of stuff."

Wow, you even know what she doesn't like and remind me not to do what she doesn't like? Is this the same Evan who just debated me about love as a mere hormonal reaction?

"Is it okay to take her to a big event?" Evan is a newlywed. Going with a woman other than his wife will feel foreign. No, am I overthinking?

"You may not know, but Norah is a great artist, Indi. He is very accomplished in the public eye and has a brilliant career. Bringing her to this event is not something that would embarrass me. No, instead this will make people highlight us in a different lens."

I wonder what kind of lens people wear to see you.

"Well if you think it's like that." I smiled again, and it was exhausting. I don't like the decisions Evan makes without me. But I can't do anything, not when I think about Anggara's position that might be threatened if me and Evan get into a fight.

"Ace will appear there later, it's a pity that I can't come." I messed up non-serious words. My heart's a little messed up, I just want to think about something else.

"You're so close to Ace, even after your wedding. Don't you feel the need to keep a little distance from her?"

"Yes?" I was a bit surprised when Evan uttered his words in a displeased tone. What happened to his change of heart? We talked well just now!

"You are my wife, Indira. Watch who your friends are hanging out with. You might think there's nothing between you guys, but a little closeness will spark unnecessary rumors."

"Why are you angry? Me and Ace are just friends now..."

"Meet him at the cafe and enjoy afternoon tea. If it wasn't me who bought the expensive news about you from a reporter, you'd probably be on the front page of a gossip magazine by now."

Why did I just know this information? Wait..., what the fuck?

"What do you mean buy information?"

"A reporter from a broadcasting company wants to make you the headline of his career, but thanks to my efforts, all your information does not appear in the media."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I stood up violently. The bench behind me was pushed back.

"Because I've handled it" Evan said calmly. "I'm preventing our good name from getting smeared, Indira."

"Woow..." I was so amazed. His wife goes out and meets another man, but instead of being jealous?

Justjust wonderful. It's just so incredible.

"You really are a very reliable husband, Evan. You work better than my bodyguard!"

Motherfucker! How much is this man going to hurt me?

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