Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Fathia didn't say a word. She just followed along with big steps because the moment Jess followed Vino, Sebastian Sachdev's big hand immediately pulled her away. It was rough and pressuring, but Fathia refused to complain. She kept all her feelings inside, letting them pile up without knowing when they would be vomited out.

Never before has she experienced a man who, in Fathia's eyes, is actually handsome, acting so roughly towards her. Maybe... it's just words, but what about actions? This is the first time Fathia has felt it. It's sad to experience such treatment from someone she used to be close to. Someone she has never forgotten how Sebastian treated her until now.

If she could turn back time and ask what happened and why Sebastian changed, she would definitely do it. Unfortunately, that courage never appeared. She could only nod and obey everything Sebastian said.

Even when Sebastian slightly pushed her when he told her to get into his luxurious car, there was no small talk. Sebastian's aura was actually very intimidating, and Fathia resigned herself to being scolded later. Throughout the journey, Fathia often heard curses coming from Sebastian's mouth. He clenched his jaw tightly, and his eyes were focused on the road as he occasionally pressed the horn forcefully.

The loud noise made Fathia's heart race. What changed Sebastian to be like this? That was the only thing on her mind. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Sebastian occasionally glanced at the girl who chose to stare straight ahead at the road. He was angry and annoyed by her. Fathia was really making him mad.

The girl noticed and didn't want to make the atmosphere even more tense, so she chose to close her eyes. Thankfully, she fell asleep. But... her growling stomach demanded more attention than her closed eyes.

"Have you not eaten?" Sebastian asked, still not willing to lower his tone. His anger and annoyance were still piling up because of this girl. Just because his phone was pointing to her exact location didn't mean he could relax, knowing that the person under his supervision could go astray so easily.

Originally, Sebastian was going to have a meeting to discuss the latest developments and the policies to be taken regarding the recent loss of a tender that Vino had just informed him about. His mind was filled with new ideas this morning. Having breakfast with Fathia and hearing her random chatter was enough to make Sebastian happy.

However, after the morning meeting, Vino delivered this surprising news.

"Sorry, Sir. If only it wasn't an important meeting, I would have informed you from the beginning."

Sebastian cursed and hurriedly followed the child's whereabouts with quick steps, ignoring the fact that there was still another important meeting. For Sebastian, Fathia was more important than just a number he would fight for.

"Isn't anyone keeping an eye on Fathia around here?" Sebastian asked.

Vino suddenly fell silent.

"Vino?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. They slipped through as well."

"EVERYONE'S USELESS!"

Some staff members who were near the corridor where Sebastian walked looked at him with fear. The substitute owner of the company was known not only to be firm, cold, and rigid but also had an aura that couldn't be penetrated by friendly words. Sebastian's smiles could be counted on one hand during his control of Azure Group.

"Call Tony. He has to take responsibility. How could Fathia, as tiny as a mouse, escape from surveillance?"

Vino didn't dare to speak. Interrupting his boss was the same as seeking death. He quickly pressed the B2 button to call Sebastian's car.

"What time is the meeting?" Sebastian asked in a hurry.

"Three o'clock, Sir."

Sebastian glanced at his Tag Heuer watch quickly. His calculations told him that he still had time to retrieve Fathia from wherever she was, then return to the office and attend the meeting. This time, he fought that nothing should be missed. He would bring Fathia to the office and have her attend the meeting. He hoped that his concentration wouldn't be disrupted as his anger had been boiling since Vino informed him about the girl.

He could have asked Tony to pick her up, but this time Sebastian felt that he needed to scold Fathia. The girl couldn't just make Sebastian so chaotic like this.

"Answer me, Fathia!" Sebastian shouted.

Beside him, the girl blinked in confusion. Sebastian had never used a high tone when he was angry. What mistake had she made today to push the usually stoic man to lose his patience completely?

"Not yet," Fathia chose not to lie, although she spoke very softly. She even hoped that Sebastian wouldn't hear her answer.

"What have you been doing all this time?!" he demanded.

Unbeknownst to her, tears were already falling from Fathia's eyes. In the past, she always received gentle treatment from her father. No one dared to speak with a loud voice or even shout at her. At the beginning of her time with Sebastian, he treated her gently and lovingly. He always asked about her likes and dislikes, his words were polite and comforting. It was as if he took the place of her father and older brother who had passed away.

Now? As time passed living with Sebastian, Fathia started getting used to being ignored. She also got used to being sidelined, but Sebastian never relied on shouting as his main tactic.

This was the first time, and it made Fathia sad.

"Vino, order lunch right away. For Fathia. Lots of extra cheese. Pasta if possible," Sebastian quickly removed the hands-free he had put on to call his assistant. He knew the girl next to him was crying.

In his heart, he didn't want to shout, but Sebastian was genuinely worried. If her presence was discovered, wouldn't it complicate matters even further?

Later... he would make sure to apologize to Fathia. For now, he let her quietly sob. He could sense where her sadness was coming from. He tightly gripped the steering wheel, holding back the turmoil and emotions now directed at himself.

He shouldn't have spoken so harshly earlier.

***

"Uncle... aren't you eating?" Fathia asked softly. She was now sitting in Sebastian's office, a place she had only visited once before. It still held memories of her father's workspace. Even now, nothing had been changed by Sebastian. Fathia had visited this room once before for a dinner date with Felice.

Her sister's desk used to be at the end of another corridor. Earlier, she caught a glimpse of the place where Felice used to be busy with his laptop. Now, someone else occupied that desk. Fathia suddenly remembered and missed her brother even more.

"Here, have a bite."

Fathia choked. She quickly grabbed the glass of lemon tea, drinking it as if she had been stranded in the desert without water for two days. She wiped her lips roughly, and the back of her hand got wet from the drink.

"Quickly."

"Sebastian! Be serious!"

Sebastian looked up. He had been rereading the materials that Vino had prepared. The meeting would start in half an hour. Vino had instructed several divisions to emphasize the benefits that would be offered because this collaboration was no longer a trivial matter.

"What? Hurry up, Fathia." Sebastian looked back at his report. Occasionally, he picked up the pen lying on the table, made some notes, and started making calculations. "I'm hungry and haven't eaten yet. Do you know who's to blame?"

Sebastian glanced at Fathia briefly, who was still sipping her cup. "You," he added, and his gaze returned to scanning each sheet before being completely ready.

Feeling hesitant, Fathia finally moved closer, carefully bringing her lunchbox. After making sure everything was safe – it would be terrifying if she accidentally spilled her food on the documents Sebastian was examining – she gently rolled the spaghetti and said, "Open your mouth, Sebastian."

Sebastian didn't protest much; besides being hungry, he didn't have much time to spare for eating. If he had decided to stay in the office and check the papers earlier, his lunchtime wouldn't have been disrupted. As the stoic man had stated before, Fathia was the main reason for all this. And she had more responsibilities for the day.

"That's enough." Sebastian glanced briefly at the watch on his right wrist. "Vin," he called out. The assistant, who had been sitting on another chair, hurriedly approached.

"Yes, Sir."

"Revise the parts I marked." Sebastian handed over the corrected sheet. Without waiting, Vino quickly grabbed it and left the room, carrying out his boss's command promptly.

"I have a meeting in five minutes. You stay here. Don't even try to leave the room. Understand?"

Fathia chose to smirk. "Drink first, Sebastian." She immediately handed him a glass of mineral water. Without much resistance, Sebastian did as Fathia said.

"Did you hear what I was talking about earlier?"

The girl chose to nod as her answer while tidying up the remains of their very late lunch. She prayed that her gastric acid wouldn't suddenly act up due to the delay in eating today.

"Where is your credit card?"

Fathia blinked softly, still digesting what Sebastian had said earlier.

"Where?"

"But..."

"No 'buts.' This is punishment because you didn't follow what I wanted."

"Sebastian!" Fathia complained. Reducing the already short distance between them, she reached out and grasped Sebastian's hand without permission and without self-awareness. To her, that gold-colored card was a hidden treasure to accumulate wealth. "I promise I won't shop excessively anymore."

Sebastian stood firm in his decision. He extended the hand that had been freed from Fathia's grasp. "Where is it?" Once again, Sebastian said, this time with a firmer tone.

"Come on, Sebastian, I promise. This time, I really mean it." Fathia slightly tiptoed to make Sebastian look at her. Usually, when she used her signature move – blinking softly with her eyes deliberately widened – she could win him over.

"No." Sebastian only glanced briefly. He knew exactly what persuasive technique Fathia was using. Usually, he would give in, but this time, he refused to lose. "Where is the card?"

An annoyed sigh escaped the lips of the black-haired girl. Her lips pouted involuntarily and couldn't be controlled. Her grip on Sebastian's hand loosened. Her eyes wandered back and forth, hoping that his words would be retracted in the blink of an eye. But it seemed that this infuriating man was not the type to do so.

One gold-colored card was taken out of her pink wallet with the logo of one of Fathia's favorite brands. It landed smoothly in Sebastian's large palm. Once he confirmed that he had the card, without further ado, Sebastian snapped it in half. The small crack went unnoticed by the girl.

"Starting tomorrow, no more credit cards. I could have blocked them today, but I still care about the embarrassment you'll have later," Sebastian said.

Fathia swallowed slowly, realizing the meaning behind Sebastian's words.

A knocking sound on the glass door of Sebastian's room was heard, indicating that Vino had completed his task. And indeed, Sebastian's assistant appeared at the door. "Sir, everything is ready."

"I have a meeting now." Regardless, there was one debt that Sebastian owed to the girl who was still lowering her face – an apology. For that reason, he dared to briefly pat her head, a gesture he hadn't done in a long time.

This clearly left Fathia stunned. Only her eyes could follow Sebastian's steps as he walked out of the room. It wasn't until the sound of the glass door closing that Fathia realized the touch truly came from Sebastian.

"He gets angry, but why does he act sweet? When is Sebastian not annoying?" She muttered to herself.

When she saw the broken credit card that had been her support for some time, she grimaced sadly.

"What else can I use to save money now?"

Hastily, she checked her account balance on mobile banking. A soft sigh escaped uncontrollably. "I spent it all yesterday to buy the ring. That was my savings." Fathia slumped weakly on the sofa, massaging her temples in distress.

"How can I get money again without getting caught?"