IN THE CAGE

7. MEET FRIENDS

...ACE pov's...

Jemaine Emery waved to me who had just arrived in the large hall. A party was taking place in the hotel's ballroom. A celebration of the 30th anniversary of the King Hearts Hotel. Jemaine Emery is the main heir to this hotel and was a close friend of mine in the academy first. Jem-nickname Jemaine-approached me with a bright smile.

In addition to the main heir of the King Hearts hotel. He is also a leader of the largest company in the east. Hearts are the symbol of their company. Like the symbol, Jem is arguably the best leader among the four big rival families. I am indeed the highest leader among all the families, but in the method of leadership, Jem's kindness makes people obedient and disinclined with glee.

Unlike me who manipulates people with power, Jem uses love and compassion to keep his connections safe. He's the person I can trust the most, to be honest.

"You're late" said Jem. He hugged me and swerved spoiled like a panda. His attitude like this sometimes makes me forget that he is two years old from me.

"I'm only ten minutes late."

"Tell it late. Oh, yeah.., where's Margot?" Jem glanced at my right left and only saw Carcel standing two steps behind.

"Margot doesn't come."

"It's a pity that he wanted to meet her." Grandma Jem is very close to Margot. The woman was like Margot's own grandmother. Surprisingly, Grandma Jem was not that close to me and treated me like a co-worker.

"Damn it!" Jem suddenly swore. His eyes widened horror towards the entrance of the hall.

"Why?" askaku and follow Jem's point of view. A woman in a bright red dress entered the room. The woman was, if not mistaken, a cousin of the Rashid family, Eleanor Finnigan. His mother married an ordinary employee and made him lose his big name.

Rumors circulated, since Eleanor's mother divorced her father, Eleanor returned to her main family - the Rashid family. Eleanor is now a frequent conversation among people due to her love for the outspoken Jem.

I don't know if it's pure love or Jem's position right now.

"Your love's coming, huh." I mocked Jem and pushed him towards the door.

"You son of a bitch," Jem looked at me with a double vexation. My impulse made her clearly exposed on Eleanor's face. The girl's eyes immediately lit up brightly. He lost his elegance and ran over to Jem.

I don't want to get involved in anything choosing to leave Jem alone there. I entered a crowded room by businessmen whose faces were quite familiar. They greeted me with a hint of fear in their eyes. The warmth of the hall grew cold as my steps opened.

The cold atmosphere was quite comforting to me. I love it when fear fills a room. I love it when I scare people. That way, people who have dared to eliminate my parents will know and feel the same fear. They will realize not to look for trouble in the Hunter family.

"Aces..." Someone in the crowd approached me. Indira Rashid or can I say as Indira Caspian?

In a black dress that clutched tightly to her slender body, Indira greeted me with a cheerful face. He's a little guy I tolerate his naivety. Although she comes from the Rashid family, Indira is purely a good girl. He's the only one from Rashid's extended family who wants to be friends with me. The kindness of his Jem-like heart that makes me able to use it. I became a little understanding of the conditions in Spades thanks to Indira.

A precious pawn.

"Hi, Indira." I greeted her in the normal voice I used to show her. "Only?"

Her tumbens the newlywed walked alone in the middle of the unaccompanied hall.

"Evan was talking business with Angga, so I left them. Bored."

Hearing the word bored, I remembered someone..., what is he doing now to kill his boredom? I'm curious.

"Not surprisingly, they are very serious people." I responded to Indira with a smile. "Do you want to talk in a quiet place?"

"Come, I'm also ashamed to be a subject of attention." Indira giggles. "It looks like being around you is very draining of energy huh."

"That's the blessing and curse of a handsome man." I made a joke.

As Indira and I agreed, we sauntered leisurely towards the open balcony window. The soft blowing night wind greeted us who were standing opposite. I looked at Indira before turning to a man in a black suit behind her. Usually, that position is filled by Fawn.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to attend your wedding that day." I brought up the topic for the sake of politeness. Anyway, Indira has invited me.

"I'm disappointed to know. I thought you'd hate me."

I chuckle. "Where might I hate you for trivial matters."

"So, what did you do to not be able to come to my wedding? Is there any more important business?"

"Well, you know..." I glanced at the wine glass in my hand and again grinned. If only Indira knew what I was doing that day. "A woman stopped my steps."

"Pe-woman?" Indira. "Don't tell me.., girlfriend?"

"No way." I denied laughing. "You can say it as..., pet?"

"Ei, how many times have I told you, it's not good to treat humans like they're animals? You won't get a soul mate if you continue like this."

"I'm not getting married" I lamented as I stared at the party crowd. To be honest, there are many attractive and beautiful women. But, seeing them made me feel nothing but boredom. I don't know what love is, but maybe I'll never feel it.

"Omong empty. Someday you'll find someone who can change your heart."

"Oohs? I wonder who that person is."

"How are you doing after marriage, Indira?" I turned the topic towards Indira. I don't like to be the object of conversation. So, rather than thinking about who and when I would get married, I would rather leave that topic up there.

"I'm good." Indira had a slight dilemma in her voice.

"Really good?"

"Whatchu mean? Of course it's real."

I dipped my wine until it ran out. "If it looks better when I buy you doughnuts at Henry's."

"Yes, the problem is..." Indira bit her fidgety lips. "I'm not used to the atmosphere after marriage. I don't know what to do, it's all so new..."

"Are you confused about ****?"

"Idiot!" Indira kicked the end of my shoe. "That's not what I mean."

I laughed at his reaction. Indira's face flushed to her ears. Maybe my guess is on target.

Isn't she having sex with Evan? Well, it wouldn't be surprising considering he and Evan were previously just close friends to be betrothed. It would be strange to suddenly do an**** just because now their status is changing.

I understand Indira's situation but I will never find myself stuck in the same situation. I can do **** with anyone I want as long as I'm having a taste. Fawn is an example. Wait, why does that girl appear in my head all the time? Don't tell me he's cursing me at home?

"Your life seems to change a lot, doesn't it?" I dismissed my thoughts about Fawn and looked at Indira. "Are you still living in the main house or moving in with Evan's family?"

"I moved last week."

"You also changed your bodyguards" I said again. Tipping down the man who was now standing behind Indira.

"Oh, Joseph replaced Fawn."

"Fawn ya, oh, where is he? Tumbensnya you're not with him." I pretended to be astonished.

"Suppositions outsource Fawn to another division." Indira was a bit disappointed when she said that. "Maybe it's because Fawn is so talented, so Angga feels Fawn's potential is wasted if it continues with me."

"Oh, is he that talented? He looks like a regular bodyguard."

"Fawn is very talented in martial arts. He's also great at a lot of things. You know he cooks for me a lot, he has a good voice, anyway, he can't be quiet and always does something."

"Oh, I don't know that." I said before continuing to talk to myself. "I don't remember reading that on his resume."

"What?"

"It's nothing" I said.

In Margot's report, Fawn is a girl who is talented in martial arts, has mediocre academic achievements, is famous for her good personality and is included in the list of respected bodyguards in Rashid's main family. His evaluation was no less and no more different than Carcel's. The only difference is she's a woman with sickening loyalty.

"Thinking about Fawn, I miss her. I hope he has a good day at his new job. I hope he's safe." Indira threw her gaze out the window. Towards the star-studded night sky.

I don't know about a good day, but Fawn will be safe. He'll be safe with me.

"Aces..." Two fuckers I don't like are finally closing in. Evan and Anggara, the two leaders of the largest companies in the south, have shaken hands to bring me down. It's hard to look at them and treat them like partners when I know the rottenness behind that friendly mask.

I straightened my posture and shook both hands.

We spoke briefly on a superficial, meaningless topic, until I finally decided to leave. Anggara stopped me and wondered if I was going home. I looked at him and smiled.

"I have important business that I can't leave behind" I said.

"But you've only been here an hour."

"My appearance is enough, Jem must understand."

"What important business can you not leave behind?" Evan humbly embraced me as worthy of his old friend. If it wasn't Emery's special night, I might have broken Evan's finger here.

"I left my pet at home." I glanced at Anggara at a glance. "I need to see him before he dies of boredom."

"Ow, I didn't know you had a pet." Jem pulled it from behind.

I turned towards Jem and realized that Eleanor was still pampered in his arms.

"Surprising, right?" I responded to Jem and grinned boredly.

Who would have thought meeting Fawn would be more comforting to me than meeting this bunch of assholes?

...----...