Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"Hey, Fathia. What's up? Why are you zoning out so early in the morning? It's totally pointless." Jess plopped down next to Fathia immediately. This morning marked Clara's visit, the umpteenth one, with Fathia's gloomy expression.

Once again, Fathia's absent-minded stirring of her breakfast was presented perfectly before Jess's eyes.

"I'm myself confused about why it's like this."

Jess chuckled. "Is your uncle still mad about yesterday?"

Fathia's shoulders drooped further. "It's more than that. He read our chat."

Jess managed to choke on the air she took in through her mouth. "Wow... Uncle Sebastian sure is something, but I wouldn't want to deal with a cold guy like him. Eww ... it’s scary."

Her conversation partner had already suspected as much. Fathia stared lazily again, without any interest, as her mood was really sour.

"Hey, if I'm not mistaken, isn't your uncle speaking at a seminar today? Get pumped up."

Fathia only grimaced. It was true, today was the day she had been waiting for, it turned out. Even though Sebastian hadn't been friendly with her for a long time, for the past few days, Fathia had reason to smile. Seeing the man who was accustomed to wearing expensive blazers speaking in front of the public like a successful businessman reminded her of her father.

Sometimes, young Fathia would accompany Alvin Mehram when he was a speaker. She didn't understand the essence of her father's words. There was only one thing that was always etched in her mind: never stop fighting if it's worth fighting for. Back then, Fathia was thirteen years old. She earnestly asked what her father's words meant.

However, all she received was a loving pat. "Someday, Fathia will understand. Use your heart when you're fighting. Because your heart knows best where it's headed." That's all Alvin said, but Fathia had held onto it tightly until now.

Talking about her father brought tears to Fathia's eyes. She closed them, reliving that sweet memory so it wouldn't fade. Ah, maybe when the weekend arrived, visiting their graves would be the most effective remedy to alleviate her longing.

"But your uncle was so fierce, huh? Are you sure nothing happened last night?"

Fathia suddenly opened her eyes. She looked at Jess with a questioning gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Yeah, I saw your uncle seemed really angry. You're okay, right? He didn't scold you badly?"

Fathia just shrugged. "Yeah, something like that."

"Is that how you want to ask me for a favor?" Jess scoffed playfully. She couldn't imagine herself getting dragged into an even bigger problem. "I don't want to risk my café getting destroyed by your uncle," she joked further.

Since Jess had actually seen Sebastian in person yesterday, she finally realized that her friend was under a lot of pressure. Even without words, Jess was sure that Fathia needed someone to lean on. She gently patted Fathia's back, just to let the beautiful girl know that she wasn't alone. She was there. "Just be patient for now. Maybe Uncle Sebastian's anger will subside soon."

"Thanks, Jess."

At least, Fathia didn't choose the wrong place to take a breather for a moment. Since she left her apartment door, Clara's words echoed in her mind. Maybe if she hadn't been in the middle of them, Fathia was convinced that both Sebastian and Clara would have been married since a year ago.

Often, the beautiful woman would bring up the topic of marriage. Whether Sebastian was there or not when they were at the apartment. But there was never a definite response from Sebastian, which made Fathia wonder if it was because of her and the will letter?

Was it due to other responsibilities that Sebastian carried?

Was it because of her that hindered Sebastian from finding happiness?

Fathia was convinced that Sebastian would marry her sister. But as time went on and no one could deny that Felice had left them forever. Perhaps with Clara around, Sebastian could find happiness. That's what Fathia thought.

Continuing the man's dream of starting a family.

Fathia let out a long sigh of frustration. Who was Fathia? Nobody to Sebastian. Even if Sebastian was structurally working for her, he was already paid for his services. Even all the luxuries Fathia enjoyed were the result of her father's company. So, why did she feel like a nuisance?

And why couldn't Fathia speak up?

True. She just needed to wait. Wait for the right moment for everything to be back in her grasp. Even though she didn't really want that. Her choice of studies was meant to prepare herself. For whom? Sebastian. Did that man ever ask her what she liked? Only once, and Fathia felt like he had probably forgotten.

Fathia liked Lily. Having a garden with lots of decorative flowers was her desire. A flower shop with her skill in making bouquets was her hope. Amidst her busy business studies, she also learned about setting up and cultivating flowers.

However, she didn't dare to protest and interrupt Sebastian's plans for her future. As she grew older, Fathia felt that she didn't have the skills required for the family business that supported her now.

Every time reports were read and Fathia saw the sheets of paper in front of her, her mind froze. She felt confused because she didn't understand their contents at all. Slowly, she started to learn, and well... she had the conviction that she had to learn, which helped Fathia understand how the company was run.

In the end, Fathia wasn't blind to financial reports. There were a few negative points that Sebastian needed to address, but Fathia herself was also at fault. She personally benefited from many advantages, which Sebastian saw as Fathia's wastefulness. But... the girl had her own plans.

"The heart knows best where it will anchor."

Once again, her father's voice echoed. It reaffirmed her belief that what she wanted to pursue was indeed her choice. The Azure Group? She would think about that later. Or... should she just hand it over to Sebastian? So that he could manage it continuously while Fathia pursued her own life?

Later. She would soon think of a solution. Her main focus now was to gather funds for her goal. And that was no small amount. Fathia was sure of it. Jess started this café with hundreds of millions in capital. Maybe it was the same for her flower shop.

If Sebastian knew her desires, who knew what he would feel? Maybe he wouldn't be angry, but more disappointed after all these years of faithfully managing the Azure Group, the person who should be in control wanted to let go.

"Come on, let's go to campus," Jess invited, causing Fathia to blink slowly. She took a sip of her drink in front of her. Getting ready. Ah, preparing herself, because she would have to face Sebastian sitting proudly with Clara.

"Well, that's right. It's already crowded," Jess complained as they entered the building where the seminar was being held. "Should we go in directly or what?"

Initially, Fathia planned to sit in the front row. She also wanted to capture the moment of Sebastian speaking in her mind. Perhaps it would be like her father in the past; impressive and authoritative, although Fathia was a hundred percent certain that Sebastian was even more impressive than her father.

His handsome face, sharp gaze, although Fathia often noticed a warm look from him (before), his firm demeanor, his voice that held no doubts. Not to mention his tall stature. Wrapped in his favorite Armani suit, he always managed to make others stare at him in admiration.

But Clara's image played in her mind. It made her hesitate to approach him with joy and haste.

"You go ahead, Jess. I want to meet Jimmy first."