Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Sebastian finished cooking. He only needed to add a few slices of tomatoes as toppings. He brought another plate for the girl who now couldn't look at him anymore. "Fathia, you were taught to look at people when they speak and ask you something, right?"

"Yes, Uncle Sebastian."

"Fathia!"

"Yes, Sebastian." Fathia raised her gaze. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Well... well... Fathia needs money for spending. The card has always been Fathia's pocket money support."

Sebastian shook his head gently. "What happened to your debit card?"

"It's still there," Fathia mumbled.

"And the balance?"

Fathia remained silent.

"The balance, Fathia," Sebastian pressed the question with a limit. If he didn't get an answer immediately, especially if Fathia seemed to be avoiding it, Sebastian couldn't control his emotions for long. But sometimes Sebastian forgot that this girl often acted as she pleased. Just like now.

Instead, Fathia ran towards him, sat on his lap, and hugged him. She chose to bury herself in Sebastian's chest and repeatedly apologized. Sebastian wanted to let go, but then he felt the small girl's shoulders shaking with sobs.

"Forgive me, Sebastian. I've run out of pocket money."

Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment. The hand he usually used to gently stroke Fathia's long hair hesitated in the air. He was restraining his rising anger. Her sobbing intensified, causing Sebastian to eventually sigh heavily. He wiped his own face a bit roughly and said, "Okay. I forgive you. Next time, please... please be more frugal."

Fathia immediately released the hug she had placed on Sebastian. She looked up, her tear-streaked face not ashamed to show her emotions. Her eyes were slightly blurry as she looked at the man she considered a part of her family. Who else did she have now? Only Sebastian.

"Yes, Sebastian. I promise."

"Now, let's eat."

The sound of Clara's slender fingers snapping her out of her reverie with a start.

"Are you daydreaming, Sebastian?"

It took a split second for Sebastian to realize that what Clara just said was true. He was daydreaming. About what? Perhaps it was because of Fathia's strange behavior last night. Oh, not just strange. It was as if the distance that had grown between them was starting to close again, just like at the beginning of the year when they both spent their days together.

Days without Felice, for Sebastian. And both his parents, for Fathia.

Until Group Azure really needed Sebastian's attention. It made him put up many defenses, creating a greater distance. But last night, they laughed together like they used to.

"No," Sebastian quickly replied. He hurriedly walked towards the kitchen, preparing to greet the breakfast promised by the black-haired girl. He could still hear the displeased snort Clara made, but Sebastian didn't care. Her steps mimicked his own, so he assumed Clara merely disliked Fathia.

From the very beginning, there had been a noticeable aura of hostility. But Sebastian didn't bother. For him, protecting Fathia was a must. Being with Clara was forced. He needed a distraction in his mind, so he wouldn't constantly think about Fathia. Whatever the nature of his thoughts.

Because, really, Ronald's warning was loud and clear the moment he saw Fathia sitting on his lap.

"Morning, Uncle. Hi, Aunt Clara," Fathia greeted warmly as if she were the ruler of the kitchen. Although she was just busy with the bread and the spoon to spread jam on it. "Would Aunt like to have breakfast too? Should I toast the bread or not?"

Clara felt that if she behaved snidely towards this cheeky girl, Sebastian would be antagonistic towards her all day long. For some reason, he cared for her so much, even though he often scolded Fathia in front of Clara.

"Sure. How can I help?"

The girl shook her head quickly. "Aunt, just sit with Uncle. I made a special breakfast this morning." Fathia smiled and glanced at Sebastian, who was busy with his coffee machine.

With a fake smile, Clara followed suit and gracefully sat down, pretending to be nice to Fathia even though yesterday she had warned the little brat, but it seemed her threats had no effect. Should she take a slightly harsher action? Considering that Fathia was really disrupting her relationship with Sebastian. Often, when Clara was with Sebastian, Fathia would interfere. Even though their presence was far, Sebastian always reached out to her. He came home quickly. No longer focused on Clara. It was just a small example of the many disturbances Clara faced because of Fathia.

Clara observed Fathia closely, every movement, every action. Although Fathia should be considered her little sister or treated like one. But for some reason, Clara couldn't see Fathia that way. Fathia was her competitor, grabbing all of Sebastian's attention.

"You're in a good mood, Fathia?" Sebastian asked as he put down his coffee cup. "Don't be too overjoyed, or my kitchen will be ruined."

Fathia turned and looked at Sebastian in disbelief. "Oh my, Uncle. Isn't there a better way to say that?"

Clara could clearly see the thin smile Sebastian displayed, but his eyes softened because of Fathia's remark? Fathia was quite remarkable this time. If she caught Sebastian's attention now, Clara would lose completely. Fathia was in high spirits this morning. She gave in to make her goal come true.

"Oh, by the way, Aunt Clara, do you know what?" Fathia approached them with a plate of various flavored sandwich layers. A remarkable progress since she didn't wreak havoc in Sebastian's kitchen this time.

Fathia felt she had to announce this. To see Clara's face, turn beet red because she lost was her goal.

"Know what?" Clara was quite curious. She glanced at Sebastian, who just shrugged. He took one sandwich layer and ate it without hesitation. He even gave a small compliment to Fathia, just because of a sandwich? Clara really didn't expect this.

"Uncle Sebastian will be a speaker at my campus seminar this afternoon, you know." Fathia sat down with sparkling eyes, genuine excitement filling her morning. Even though yesterday, she was annoyed and angry with the man who was still enjoying her coffee and sandwiches.

"Really?" Clara didn't expect this. "Is that true, Sebastian?"

"Yes."

"I'm so excited today."

Clara responded with a smile. "Can I join, please?"

Fathia choked on her milk while Sebastian looked at Clara in confusion. Fathia had given this information to upset Clara. So why did Clara turn the tables and attack her?

"Why do you want to join, Clara?" Sebastian asked, puzzled.

"To accompany you, duh. Don't forget, Sebastian, we're a couple in public."

Suddenly, a cloud passed over Fathia so quickly. "Ehm... I have to leave now. I have a morning class."

She was never prepared to hear Sebastian's answer. Although it could be guaranteed that Sebastian would refuse, a certain Clara changed. And foolishly... truly, this morning Fathia seemed like a complete fool. All the happy things in her heart turned into sadness because Sebastian came to her campus, accompanied by this beautiful woman.

Ah... pathetic!