Chapter 13: Chapter 13

The man swirled the contents of his glass. The clear liquid with a hint of orange was his faithful companion. His workspace was still messy, scattered with various papers filled with writing and numbers. The computer screen was still on, indicating that he couldn't afford to give up just yet.

He took a deep drag from the slender, flat object, and the room instantly filled with sweet-smelling smoke. He chose to close his eyes briefly, savoring the sweet aroma that filled his senses, along with the taste offered by the slender object.

He slowly sipped the liquid he had been eyeing earlier, ignoring the bitterness that greeted his taste buds. Once again, he indulged in the electric device, one of the things he enjoyed during his busy moments. Engaging in a flirtatious dance with his favorite vape smoke.

"Sebastian."

The man sighed in annoyance. The interruption came again. He glanced at the Tag Heuer on his left; it was already eleven o'clock at night. He didn't want to look because the sound of footsteps was getting closer to him. The beautiful woman was not wrong. But...

"Why are you still working?" Clara walked gracefully, approaching the man sitting on the edge of the table. More like perching on it.

"What are you doing here?"

Clara smiled sweetly, offering the drink she had postponed earlier. But whenever she remembered what had been delayed, her anger resurfaced.

She continued her steps toward the disheveled yet somehow alluring man. How to put it accurately, to describe a messy Sebastian? His hair was not perfectly arranged as usual, his shirt buttons were not fully fastened—revealing the chest with some hair, and not to mention his piercing gaze that still sparkled like embers that Clara wanted to extinguish.

"Keeping you company, perhaps?" The woman, who had taken the time to freshen up so that the man would look at her longer, was now getting closer. The scent of her perfume mingled with the sweet smoke from earlier. Her slender fingers were daring enough to touch Sebastian.

"Stop it. I don't want to get caught by Fathia again." Sebastian held back her lithe fingers, and his disapproval was evident. Indeed, tonight, he didn't want any distractions.

Clara grumbled inaudibly. Her heart rumbled again, especially when she realized that the only name Sebastian could easily utter was Fathia's. "The girl is probably already asleep."

Sebastian quickly let go. "Fathia won't sleep until I go to her room, Clara. You know that."

"She's not your child, Sebastian. She doesn't need stories from you!"

Clara was right. She spoke the truth of what happened between them. There was nothing wrong or inaccurate. However, for some reason, Sebastian was ignited with anger. For only a split second, he stared at Clara with a sharp gaze; afterward, he walked away, leaving Clara standing there, frustrated with his behavior.

Although what the beautiful woman said was true, Sebastian still couldn't deny one fact. How lonely the girl, who might be huddled under her blanket, must feel. Having only him as her support.

Sebastian's thoughts were dragged back to that event, a memory that was still neatly wrapped in his mind but often disturbed him without hesitation.

"I wants to be alone." Fathia was rearranging her parents' graves. She was squatting, still wanting to release her longing.

"I'll accompany you, then."

She turned her head, and indeed, Sebastian was there too, standing beside her. "You can go home. I want to be alone."

"I won't let you be alone."

For a split second, Sebastian's eyes widened. He looked straight at her, someone who had just said something so confusing.

"I'm already alone, Sebastian. It's okay." Fathia gave a small smile as she ended her words. "Sorry, Sebastian. I really want to be alone."

Sebastian shook his head gently, even though he was sure Fathia wouldn't see his movement. Her eyes were focused on her mother's grave again. Her small hand was used to touch the name of her mother engraved on the tombstone. Then, her gaze shifted to another grave, where her sister lay beside her mother.

"I misses her," she whispered. Her tears fell again without permission.

"I'm here, Fathia. You don't have to be sad." Whether what Sebastian said was a truth or an unattainable promise, he himself needed someone to hold on to.

The loss of Felice, when his heart was fully dedicated to a girl who would never greet him again, truly shook him to his core. The beautiful image was forcefully taken away from him since the news reached his ears. And now? Encountering a little girl, the person Felice often talked about, the one her fiancé loved so deeply.

"But... but... it feels suffocating, Sebastian." The heart-wrenching sobs were heard again by Sebastian. "Why didn't I just go with them? Who am I with now?" Fathia's shoulders trembled violently.

True. Fathia is completely right. With whom is she living now? Felice talked a lot about her extended family. Sebastian eventually learned why Fathia was so protected in their luxurious home.

"I'm here, Fathia. Just relax."

Her bright brown eyes were different from Felice's, which were slightly darker. Their essence was also different. Sebastian found a fiery spirit in Felice's gaze, while in the white-skinned girl's eyes, serenity and tenderness intertwined.

"Is that true?" Fathia asked.

Sebastian nodded without hesitation, reaching out for them to hold hands. No, he needed support not to collapse at any moment. Losing the woman he loved tragically and the person he looked up to in life, Alvin Dinandirja, was a severe blow.

"Let's go home," he said as, for the first time in two years of knowing Fathia, their hands touched. Well, not exactly the first time; initially, they shook hands to introduce themselves during a family dinner filled with warmth and love. Now, he tightly held Fathia's hand.

Just like his recent promise to Felice; to take care of Fathia.

***

Fathia was taken aback and almost fell to the floor when she woke up with an urgent need to go to the bathroom. But she found Sebastian sleeping on her bed. Well, at the edge of it, but it had been a long time since Sebastian slept with her, especially after Fathia finished high school.

The rigid man slept soundly. Fathia swore to herself to remember to lock the bedroom door. She forgot, ah... it wasn't just about forgetting. She was angry. As soon as she arrived at the apartment, all she could do was slam her bedroom door harshly. She didn't care if it got damaged or if Sebastian heard her loud outburst.

On the way home, Fathia didn't say a word. She tightly pursed her lips, unwilling to argue or refute Sebastian's words. Besides the sudden sadness that overwhelmed her, she felt Sebastian and Clara were right. She was a burden to Sebastian Sachdev.

Who was she? Just a little girl who inherited a lot of wealth. Fortunately, Sebastian didn't discard her. He took care of her properly, although he often left her alone. He watched her closely from afar. However, Sebastian's words before she got out of his Jaguar ignited the girl's anger.

"Don't ever act on your own, Fathia. Obey me, or I'll leave you in the middle of this chaos."

Fathia's movement to pull the car door handle stopped. "What do you mean?"

"Azure Group is in crisis. I shouldn't be bothered with this, but you," Sebastian pointed accusingly, making Fathia's hair stand on end. It was as if Sebastian was passing an extraordinary judgment on her. "You live your life recklessly, and I don't want to deal with Claire anymore."

Fathia blinked twice. "I didn't ask you to do this. I should've been buried with everything Papa left behind, including myself."

Sebastian stared at Fathia in disbelief.

"I remember you said I was just a burden. Yes... I am a burden."

Without looking back, Fathia immediately walked through the parking lot. Tears fell uncontrollably. If only she wasn't in the middle of exams, she might have chosen to join her father in the sedan he drove. She would have died right there, not thinking of anything except being happy with her family.

Whole.

Ah, Fathia didn't want to think about it. There was no point in dwelling on it. Sebastian would always corner her, no matter how much she thanked him. Or, on the contrary... was it equivalent to the hurtful words Sebastian had been uttering recently?

When she finished using the bathroom, Fathia froze. It wasn't because she didn't dare to approach her bed. She found Sebastian already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed and looking at her without hesitation.

"Sit."

"Why? Are you going to scold me again?" The girl covered her nervousness by adjusting her hair and her pajamas. Although her heart was still filled with irritation, the gloomy aura that filled her room was suffocating.

"No."

Fathia felt there was a small hole for her to breathe as freely as possible. Sebastian's hand was still patting her side, indicating a request for her to comply. Calculating her moves, Fathia followed the request of the man she didn't know how to consider. If he were just her guardian, Fathia felt Sebastian had crossed the line.

"I'm sorry," Sebastian said after they stayed silent. Even after Fathia sat tensely beside him. Sebastian could feel it.

"What you said was true," Fathia said as she had before. "I’m indeed a burden."

"Fathia." Sebastian felt almost desperate when he heard Fathia's words just now. His intention wasn't like that, but for some reason, he kept saying the opposite. He was worried about the girl who left him alone at the restaurant. Moreover, she intentionally turned off her phone, despite the constant danger she faced.

He couldn't count how many times Sebastian had warded off threats directed at this girl. Sebastian just wanted to make sure Fathia was safe. She could live her life freely as befitting her age. Moving around without worries. However, it wasn't easy.

"Fathia, please! My head is pounding."

"Don't hug me then! Hug Clara instead!"

Sebastian chose to stay silent and gently placed his chin on the top of Fathia's head. "Sleep, Princess."

Fathia froze for a moment. That address. A little nickname from Sebastian. One she hadn't heard for a long time. It stirred something inside her, causing turmoil to arise again.

"What are you afraid of?" Fathia wanted to look up just to make sure if the strange man had fallen asleep or not. But all she saw was a jaw covered with soft hairs. She wanted to touch it like she used to without hesitation. But now? She was afraid.

"Many things."

"One of them?"

"You."

"Me? You're afraid of me?" Fathia murmured softly. "Isn't it the other way around? Shouldn't those be the harsh words—"

"Sleep." Sebastian lowered his gaze and found Fathia lifting her face. Sebastian remembered the beautiful girl who used to look so fragile; now, she looked different. Her beauty shone brightly, blinding anyone who looked at her. The difference was that Felice, with her aristocratic and stern features, also showed her social status, while Fathia displayed grace and tenderness.

Even though their ages are quite far apart. When Sebastian knew Fathia, she was only thirteen years old. Being in a relationship with a Felice is really fun for Sebastian. Even though it's rare to meet the girl now in his arms, Sebastian believes that when he grows up, Fathia Bernessa Claire will become a star who can bewitch anyone who sees her.

Without hesitation, Sebastian stroked Fathia's marble-white cheek. Be very careful when the surface of his hand touches Fathia's skin. Leaving the dim light to course through his body mercilessly. Not to mention the girl's gaze which seemed to add to the feeling that she should apply such a high limit.

"Princess."