Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Fathia woke up with a wide smile that she couldn't hide at all. When she glanced at her hands, they were not as red as before. The hot water from last night didn't leave much of a mark. Perhaps there was some, but Fathia had been too hysterical, causing Sebastian to panic as well.

Speaking of Sebastian, Fathia had an idea that suddenly came to her. Don't worry, it wouldn't harm her. Last night, she was strictly forbidden from approaching the kitchen, except for the refrigerator and, of course, the food storage rack. Who else would forbid her besides Sebastian?

If it was just making strawberry jam sandwiches, Fathia could do that. At least there was something she could do to prepare breakfast for Sebastian. But... plans are just plans.

At the dining table, Clara was already there, deftly preparing breakfast for Sebastian. Although the man, dressed neatly, didn't utter a word, he didn't refuse what Clara prepared. It was quite different from Fathia, who couldn't do anything. Just making a simple dish would require her to go to the cafeteria because she couldn't handle the kitchen or wait for Summer to cook for her.

"Hey, Fathia is awake. Let's have breakfast together," Clara said with a cunning grin. She deliberately used a soft, gentle tone to ensure Sebastian wouldn't always be antagonistic towards her, even though she didn't like Clara at all.

"Oh, no, Aunt Clara. Enjoy your breakfast together." A sudden wave of sadness washed over Fathia because she couldn't do anything. Sebastian had been in a relationship with Clara for the past two years. Whenever he was in New York, Clara was always around, acting as if Sebastian belonged to her, no matter how distant he appeared. Maybe he was also followed by the vixen woman.

Fathia decided to go back into her room and sat at the edge of the bed. She sighed softly and started to think about her morning activities that suddenly became chaotic. Ah, no. Her routine hadn't changed; shower, breakfast, getting ready for classes, waiting for the break between classes by comfortably sitting in the library, and coming home on time. Except... Jess invited her to go around the mall. Even that required permission from Sebastian two days prior.

Or she could sit in her favorite corner in Jess's cafe. Eating her favorite cheese pasta.

Full, right?

Taking a deep breath, Fathia finally stepped into the bathroom. A short soak might help distract her from the gloomy thoughts. But just as she was about to start, her bedroom door was knocked on, causing her forehead to furrow.

"Fathia."

The girl closed her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. Sebastian's voice, and she was sure he would bombard her with questions, especially about breakfast. Fathia had no intention of sharing a table with the Fox with nine tails. She would never agree to that, especially when she remembered how relentlessly Clara pursued Sebastian.

The shameless and disgusting woman. But what could Fathia do? Who was she to refuse? Just the younger sister of Sebastian's former fiancée, intentionally left in the care of this cold man.

"Yes?" Fathia tried to greet him with a smile. "What's up, Uncle?"

"Can you call me by the proper title?"

Fathia just chuckled softly. "I'm used to it now."

He retorted with a sarcastic sneer, "Aren't you hungry? How's your hand?" Sebastian tried hard not to use his high-pitched tone. Usually, he always spoke gently and responded with affectionate replies to this girl.

Somehow, both of them had initiated the change, and the old habits slowly faded away. Replaced by coldness, stiffness, and an increasing distance between them.

Fathia blinked slowly. "Ah, my hand? It's fine now." She quickly hid the hand that received the man's towering treatment the day before.

Sebastian pressed Fathia's action by stepping forward firmly. The girl looked surprised and instinctively stepped back. "Sebastian, I want to take a shower."

"Your hand."

"It's okay. It's already better."

Sebastian wasn't easily convinced. "I want to see."

Fathia defiantly met his sharp gaze. Regardless of whether she would be scolded later, as long as it meant she could be free from Clara's affairs, Fathia would do it. She would cover it with plenty of unnecessary excuses if she had to.

"Look." Sebastian said again with pressure.

An annoyed sigh escaped Fathia's lips. She reluctantly extended her hand that had turned red the day before. Her eyes followed Sebastian's movements as he examined it without pause.

"Be more careful next time."

"Hmm." Fathia rolled her eyes slowly.

"Let's have breakfast now," Sebastian said.

A readiness emerged from Fathia's lips, especially when Sebastian half-forced her to leave the room. When Fathia was at the dining table, her eyes immediately looked around, searching for Clara, who was apparently not there.

"Where's Aunt Clara?" Fathia slightly backed away as Sebastian pulled out a chair for her. She glanced at him briefly and was about to ask, but she held back. She chose to sit with a strange feeling because Clara wasn't there.

Earlier... it wasn't a dream, right?

"She left," Sebastian replied. He wasn't really interested in facing this question, but the girl in front of him wouldn't stay quiet if he didn't answer her curiosity. "I asked her to."

Fathia still didn't understand. "Why?"

Sebastian's eyes met Fathia's, which were fixed on him. Her eyes resembled Felice's, but Fathia's were brighter than her sister's. The same eyes that Sebastian used to admire, now found their way back to his heart. A heart that had to be torn away from her, leaving a hole that wasn't easy to fill.

Maybe... the owner of those bright eyes felt the same way. Sebastian was sure of that, even though Fathia didn't talk much about her family.

The eyes that almost got him lost, luckily, he realized it in time.

"I don't want any disturbances," Sebastian stated firmly.

***

"You keep smiling! So happy," Jess said to Sebastian. Since Fathia appeared at her cafe, the smile on her thin lips coated with peach lipstick never seemed to disappear.

"Of course," Fathia replied with a mischievous grin. What had crossed her mind about having breakfast with Sebastian, she made it happen.

There was no rejection at all. On the contrary, Sebastian looked enthusiastic and eager. They ate together, occasionally highlighting things that seemed necessary. It had been a long time since Fathia had sat together like this. She remembered that Sebastian used to rush to work. It was as if twenty-four hours were never enough to handle all his tasks.

Even when he returned from the office, Fathia often marked Sebastian's arrival close to eleven at night. That was when Sebastian was still managing things in New York. Exactly three years after the memorial of Alvin Mehram Claire's death, Sebastian didn't become more relaxed. Instead, he became busier and started to change.

He began pressuring Fathia from all directions, making her confused and feeling like a burden to him.

And on this different morning, Fathia really hoped that there was something she could do to make Sebastian happy. A simple thank you was never enough for her. Sebastian Sachdev meant everything to her. He was willing to sacrifice a lot of time to take care of his father's legacy properly and provide comfort to Fathia. She was grateful because she knew that her remaining family, both from her mother's and father's side, would never hesitate to kick her out if the inheritance money ran out.

Sebastian also protected her wholeheartedly.

Honestly, if Fathia could ask for anything, she wanted the closeness they once had three years ago to return. At least, she wanted Sebastian to tell her about the many burdens he faced at work. Whether she could help or not, at least there was something Fathia could do.

Jess shook her head at this time. She was partly grateful to see Fathia smile. It wasn't always a sulky or expressionless face like usual. With light steps, they entered the campus parking lot and headed to their respective classrooms.

"Fathia," Jess called, holding her friend's shoulder. The girl, who hadn't paid much attention to her surroundings, finally looked at her best friend.

"What's up?" The question was accompanied by Fathia's gaze directed to a specific point. Jess also locked her eyes on that spot, where a beautiful woman stood beside a bright red car.

"Isn't that... Clara?"