Chapter 15: Chapter 15

"Do you want to go back now?" Jess asked while hugging Fathia. The lecture session had ended ten minutes ago, but Fathia didn't want to leave yet. She chose to stay in the classroom while waiting for all the other students to leave. Laziness overwhelmed her greatly, especially after remembering Clara's presence earlier.

"Yeah. When else can I hang out, other than the weekend?"

Jess chuckled. "Your uncle is extraordinary indeed. How about eating first? Asya said she made a new menu. I have to taste it before it's included in the main menu."

Fathia was actually puzzled by Jess's orientation towards the future. She loved culinary arts. Cooking was her expertise, but she ended up in business classes like this. Her reason was one: building a business required more than just mastering one field, but also strategizing. Apart from business classes, nothing else described how a business ran better.

"If it's not delicious, I won't pay."

Jess laughed even harder. "When will you pay?"

Fathia grinned. "How much? I have $1000. Is it not enough?"

"Your allowance has no serial number, Fathia."

As their steps reached the parking lot, Fathia was surprised by Sebastian's arrival. More precisely, the car Sebastian often used. Completely without any notice.

"Fathia, let's go," Jess urged when she noticed Fathia hesitating and not continuing her steps. Jess's gaze followed Fathia's sight. A shining luxury car stood out in the campus parking lot. "Fathia," Jess called again.

"You go ahead, Jess. I'm getting picked up."

"By whom? Your uncle?" Jess had to make sure about this, but finding Fathia's confident nod, Jess gave up even though she still wanted to ask more questions. "Alright then. Let me know when you arrive."

Again, her friend only nodded. Jess didn't shift her gaze elsewhere, following Fathia's steps as she walked confidently towards the eye-catching luxury car parked on campus. Someone in a neat suit opened the door for her.

Then... the car sped away.

Leaving Jess praying in her heart, hoping Fathia would be okay. Visually, Fathia looked fine, but Jess was sure and convinced. Even Roy, who often reassured her about Fathia, was only regarded in passing. To her, Fathia hid a lot of problems, but... the girl was as stubborn as a rock. Only a few pieces of information were given, including the Nine-Tailed Fox and her uncle, Sebastian Sachdev.

Somehow, more care arose when Clara first met Fathia, two years ago. The beautiful girl with lustrous black hair wasn't disturbed at all by the numerous glances directed at her. But she seemed to be paying attention to someone in trouble. Helping them. Without much talk, she pulled the person away from the crowd. Providing assistance, her hand on the victim's injured arm.

That girl was Jesslyn. Since that moment, Jess had sworn in her heart that Fathia was her friend. Jess admitted personally that she wasn't good at socializing. Meeting Fathia, who was not talkative, made her grateful.

"What did you buy earlier?" Sebastian asked spontaneously. Since Fathia got into the car, he hadn't said a word.

"A bag." Fathia only glanced at Sebastian for a moment before returning to her normal expression.

"Is it for immediate use?"

Fathia shook her head. "Not even taken out of the bag yet. How can I wear it?" A hint of a question started to form in Fathia because this was unusual for the stoic man sitting next to her. "Who came to pick you up? Your uncle?"

Sebastian himself didn't know why he directed his car to Fathia's campus. "This morning, we didn't have breakfast together."

"Clara was there. I didn't want to disturb."

"You're not a bother."

"But a burden. Right?" Fathia turned to Sebastian quickly, surprising him with her statement. "I don't want to be a burden to you for too long. Don't worry, I'll graduate soon. I apologize for being a hassle."

Sebastian blinked twice. He thought. Processed it thoroughly. His brain quickly tried to form a suitable response, but unfortunately, all of them vanished into thin air. The beautiful girl with doll-like eyes could say something that disturbed Sebastian. Indeed, how much time had passed between them? When they reached their destination, Sebastian still didn't say anything.

Fathia just sighed inwardly. It was true. She was indeed a burden. For the past five years, she had programmed her mind to eliminate the word 'burden' from her entire nervous system. She wasn't a burden. Destiny had trapped her with Sebastian. Fathia knew that no amount of thank yous would ever be enough.

The only thing she held on to until now were the sweet memories she shared with Sebastian, memories that could never be recreated. Eliminating that word from her vocabulary allowed her to endure until now. Although several times, for whatever reason, Sebastian always said the same thing. But afterward, he treated her so gently. Fathia was only a 20-year-old girl, still in need of love and affection.

Losing her parents and elder sibling, who should have been her support, made her reluctantly accept Sebastian's words. Ah... not really forgiving, but rather burning the words that had slipped out, even though she knew they couldn't be taken back. Like a long knife slashing her skin, causing wounds and leaving pain.

"Sir, we've arrived," said the driver.

Sebastian cleared his throat briefly. "Come on, let's get down. We'll eat."

There was nothing Fathia could do but follow the man still dressed in his expensive suit.

***

Fathia thought that after having dinner, she could rest peacefully and peacefully as usual. She was mistaken. Clara was still wandering around Sebastian's apartment. As if she owned and ruled the place.

"When did you arrive?" Sebastian asked casually. He immediately took off his coat, which was still clinging to him, but Clara immediately took it and assumed possession. Seeing that made Fathia suddenly feel nauseous.

"I'll go to my room, Uncle. Good night." She had to be polite to her guardian. Without waiting for Sebastian's response, Fathia quickly moved away from the two people who she felt were about to quench their desires somewhere. Perhaps in the living room. Seeing Clara's restless behavior, it could be predicted that it would happen later.

She quickly locked her bedroom door. Instead of taking a shower right away, she chose to greet her tidy bed. Inhaling the faint scent of the fragrance that spread softly in her nostrils. Ah, it must be Summer who replaced it. Summer had been working here for four years. But Fathia rarely saw her except during college holidays.

"How can I get rid of Clara?" Fathia muttered, turning around. Her eyes caught a beautiful frame that had always been her faithful companion. A family photo of herself in complete formation.

She immediately rose and reached for the frame. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed while looking intently at their expressions. They all looked happy and carefree.

"Felice, Clara is so annoying. I used to be a fan, so now I'm a true hater because of her behavior. And Uncle Sebastian too. Why does he allow that astral being to stick to him like that? Felice is much more beautiful. Much more elegant and, I think, sexier too."

She gently caressed the photo. "Last night, Sebastian slept with me again. But I swear... I swear I didn't do anything with Uncle Sebastian. He just hugged me like before. Sometimes I'm confused, why has he turned so mean now? But when we looked at each other, he seemed so sad when he looked at me." Fathia's eyes were already teary. "Is he missing Aunt Felice, but can't say it? Just like me, who misses all of you."

Her sweaty cheek, untouched by water at all, was the first to be touched by tears.

"Why did you leave us, huh?"

Fathia's shoulders began to shake.

"Sometimes... sometimes Sebastian is mean to me. As if everything that hinders him is because I'm here. Every time I ask what I did wrong, Sebastian just stays silent. Then he leaves. I really feel like I'm the one at fault, you know?"

Fathia's crying increased.

"When are you going to take me with you? Don't take too long, okay? Take me, Dad, Mom, and Felice. Please."