Chapter 16: Chapter 16

"Uncle," Fathia called just to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Maybe because she had cried all night, her vision was suddenly blurry. Or maybe she was hallucinating.

No. No. Was it possible that she was still dreaming? A beautiful dream that had happened a few years ago? But...

"Are you awake now?"

Fathia blinked slowly. Sebastian's voice was too real to deny. Firm, dominant, undeniable, and cold. Not to mention his face becoming stiffer as he aged. Fathia wondered, were all adult men like that?

"Uncle, aren't you working?"

Sebastian merely raised a small corner of his lips. "The meeting is at eleven. I still have time to make you breakfast."

"Uncle... is your brain still scrambled?"

Sebastian's movements, which were cutting onions to make his meat stir-fry more fragrant and delicious, halted. "What did you say? Did you say my brain is scrambled?"

"Uh... what Fathia meant... is, um... ah..." Truly, normally, they used to banter and laugh together. But now? Just saying that, Fathia was rewarded with one cold and merciless stare. Sometimes she really wanted to ask, what had she done wrong? Why did Sebastian change so drastically towards her?

But she refrained from doing so. Fathia knew who she was now.

"Instead of being nervous and speaking like that, why don't you go take a shower?" Sebastian wanted to laugh but held back, especially when he saw how pale Fathia's face turned after her previous words. It had been so long since Sebastian counted how much time he spent with the cheerful and gentle girl.

Ah... work matters and pressure had severely disturbed Sebastian until now. Many times, this was what made his anger uncontrollable. Words that shouldn't have been uttered had already been heard by Fathia. He wanted to take them back, but it would be useless.

"Why are you still silent? Don't you want to have breakfast with me?"

The girl who was still wearing her pajamas quickly returned to her room. Choosing to obey Sebastian's request. There was a small smile adorning her small lips, especially when she briefly looked around and saw that Clara was nowhere to be found. And hopefully, Clara wouldn't be around for this rare and delicious breakfast session.

She hurriedly changed clothes, brushed her teeth, and tidied up. She didn't care if two hours later Sebastian turned cold again. She only hoped that he would smile at her like he used to. Making Fathia always believe that Sebastian was the right support. Just like when she entrusted her hand to the thirty-five-year-old man.

And it seemed like the universe was being kind to her. Sebastian had finished his plate and looked at Fathia with a small smile that made the girl momentarily stunned. When was the last time she saw Sebastian like this, huh? She tried hard to remember.

"Fathia, come on quickly. It'll get cold. I've noticed that you rarely have a proper breakfast lately."

Fathia's eyes immediately lit up. "Really?"

Sebastian answered with a confident nod. What Sebastian didn't prepare himself for was Fathia jumping out of her seat quickly. Approaching him and immediately giving him a tight hug. Along with words that sounded like music to Sebastian's ears, suddenly warming him up.

"Thank you, Uncle. I promise I'll make the most delicious coffee for you later."

It took a few seconds for her not to move excessively, especially to return the girl's hug. "Yes. I'll wait."

And during this breakfast session, Fathia spoke a lot. About anything. Sebastian only responded when necessary. It's not that he didn't want to, he was just used to not saying much but knowing for sure every change in this bright brown-haired girl. Especially her emotional state.

Since her arrival a few days ago, Sebastian felt that Fathia was limiting herself. Ah, it was Sebastian himself who did that. His words were indeed too much. Working in two very different fields made his brain stiff. He shouldn't have treated Fathia so cruelly. That's why this breakfast was made. Starting the day with Fathia's radiant smile was the return Sebastian could give.

Maybe... Sebastian really needed to fix his attitude towards the girl. Suddenly he missed the time when they were together strolling through the luxurious garden of the girl's house, a few years ago.

***

"Fathia."

She turned, finding Jess who seemed to be running a bit towards her. What's up?

"Are you going to the seminar tomorrow?"

Ah, the seminar. Fathia seemed to think for a moment. "I don't think I'll go."

Jesslyn's forehead suddenly furrowed. "Why? Weren't you waiting for it? You said the speakers were good, right?"

"Yes. But I have a prior commitment, Jess."

Jess couldn't understand Fathia's words. Since when did her friend have other commitments besides things related to campus and the library?

"Uncle Sebastian is in Manhattan this month. I can't go anywhere, actually."

Ah, it's because of Sebastian. No wonder. Jess understood in the end. As far as Jess knew, Sebastian was Fathia's guardian since both her parents had passed away five years ago. Only that. The super busy man whom Jess herself rarely met would sometimes set aside time to stay in New York City.

Meanwhile...

Dealing with a business that Jess herself didn't know what it was about. Fathia didn't tell much about it either. One thing Jess was sure of, Sebastian took great care of Fathia. There were even several bodyguards who purposely picked them up and accompanied them whenever the girl wanted to spend time in the mall.

Awkward. Obviously. But Jess couldn't say much because Fathia herself ignored them. Almost like a robot when Fathia faced them. Seeing Fathia smile was a rare event. That's why Jess didn't want to leave because she felt that Fathia needed her. She needed a friend who could walk beside her without saying much. Just supporting and providing a shoulder when she was troubled, for whatever reason.

"So, I'm going alone?" Jess asked to confirm. Her hand was back on her friend's shoulder. Clara, Fathia gave a sharp glance and quickly forced the girl with red hair to let go. Jess laughed. "The coldness is back."

Fathia grumbled. "I'm hungry. Let's eat."

Jess laughed even more. "Fathia and eating. Two inseparable things, huh?"

The black-haired girl grinned. Jess was right. Fathia loved to eat, especially pasta. Covered with cheese and a taste of savory and slightly sour tomato sauce. That combination was what Fathia always loved in her life.

"Where to eat?"

"Asya will make pasta for me."

Jess felt like slapping Fathia hard. Damn. She thought she would be out of her café area. Turns out...

"You pay!"

Fathia burst into laughter. "Easy. I have Uncle Sebastian. I have plenty of money."

"Source of funding on the move, huh, Fathia."

Fathia's response was just a grin. In terms of pocket money, Fathia never lacked. She had many cards with a considerable limit, but Fathia knew that all of it was the result of Sebastian's hard work in managing her father's business.

Which would be handed over to her soon. She would manage it well and wisely, as it should be. But sometimes, she needed cash to support the things she was preparing. Although unsure, she had to nurture many desires full of determination to make them come true.

Soon. Yes, Fathia reassured herself constantly when her heart wavered.

"Do you want extra cheese as usual?"

Fathia blinked slowly. The thoughts she had just been contemplating vanished. She immediately changed her demeanor, surprised by a small smile. "Yes. If possible, three extras."

Jess scoffed. "Aren't you sick of too much cheese?"

"No. I like cheese, by the way."

Jess shook her head. "Yes, I know. You and cheese."

When they arrived at the café, Asya had already prepared what Jess had asked for. His assistant in the kitchen was exceptionally deft. It was no wonder Jess entrusted this café, which had only been open for a year, to Asya. Besides being skilled, Asya could always be a sounding board, especially for menu and new promotion matters.

"Wow. Asya is really the best!" Fathia couldn't stop marveling at her pasta dish. And the Iced Cappuccino that always accompanied it was already on the table. "I'm getting hungrier."

Seeing that, Jess laughed again. "Eat then. You look so hungry."

"Of course. I was stressed from staying in the library for so long. There's so much I have to read and summarize."

"You're too hard on yourself, Fathia."

If only Jess knew that she had to be pushed like this. Personally, Fathia wanted to be free and live her days according to her age. Free to socialize with anyone without the need to worry about being followed.

But what could she do?

Sebastian's orders were a must. Although part of her accepted it, especially when she successfully made the curve of Sebastian's lips form a perfect smile, she was very satisfied. She didn't understand since when she had become obsessed with making Sebastian smile constantly. There were many things she sacrificed just for Sebastian's smile.

Don't ask why, because Fathia herself had no answer.

They enjoyed the dishes until Fathia's phone interrupted them. Fathia quickly took it out of her bag, in case it was an important message.

Uncle Sebastian: Attend the seminar later. Don't skip it. I'm the speaker.

Fathia successfully choked on her food.