Chapter 30: Chapter 30

TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT

With a single motion wrapped in emotion, and his eyes burning with anger, Sebastian cleared all the items on his desk. He didn't care if his arms got hit by a few hard objects. The bruises he got couldn't replace the turmoil he was currently experiencing. The sound of objects falling echoed, not to mention the shards of glass, which would be deafening to anyone who heard it, including Vino.

A shiver of horror clearly enveloped Vino now. He froze in place at the threshold of the door. The report he had just brought was tightly held, as if his grip was only on that red folder. All the achievements and promotions that should have made the room's owner happy couldn't lessen the turmoil that existed. On the contrary, it added to the anger that already consumed the boss.

"What's going on?" Sebastian growled as he noticed Vino hesitating to approach.

"Sir," Vino attempted to maintain the tone of his voice. Don't let it tremble or sound nervous. "The marketing team's report before the meeting in two hours."

Sebastian nodded briefly, allowing Vino to enter and step towards his desk. "Any other news?"

Vino raised his gaze. He knew where Sebastian's line of questioning was headed. Slowly, he shook his head.

"Look for it, Vino. Search. Don't let yourself be uninformed. I don't want to hear excuses!" he said with an intimidating tone. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. His gestures were ready to crush anyone who dared to defy him. His hand clenched tightly. And not to mention the sound of his breath, like a raging bull ready to charge.

His jaw tightened. The sound of grinding teeth that clashed together to hold back frustration and dominating anger was clearly audible. And the sound of the table being struck hard by him became a solemn rhythm in this chaotic room.

Vino remembered; this was the third time Sebastian couldn't control himself.

"Alright, sir."

Vino's departure this time was met with Sebastian immediately taking a seat in his oversized chair. He leaned back against the chair's backrest. He roughly massaged his temples. His breath still wasn't stable. The report his assistant had brought in was only glanced at without asking for a single detail. And the room was cluttered with scattered items.

He was sure that someone would come soon to clean up the mess he had caused. It had been two weeks since that incident occurred. Sebastian had received treatment for the torn wound on his leg and being hit by falling wooden beams. That's what caused him to briefly lose consciousness after standing and forcing himself to search for Fathia.

Meanwhile, Clara was fortunate enough to escape with only a few scratches. The memory made Sebastian close his eyes. It swirled automatically without him wanting to control it because, truly, the event in which Sebastian didn't anticipate at all would greet him in public.

The people who were after Fathia.

His mind was dragged back to the day the explosion happened. It was strongly suspected that it had been prepared in advance because it was so precise. Lastly, Clara. Sebastian shouted the girl's name before piece by piece of the rooftop collapsed. Not to forget one fact; the explosion he still remembered was quite deafening.

That wasn't all, as the sound of an explosion was heard again right beside him. What Sebastian remembered was his reflexive action of crouching and embracing Clara who was near him. The sound of shattering glass combined with the terror that was created. And not to mention the vibrations that Sebastian felt beneath his feet, causing his footing to waver.

A throbbing pain centered on his temples. Sebastian didn't care where that wound came from. The impact of the earlier explosion had made him lose control. His world felt like it was spinning in place. A haze of smoke enveloped his vision. He only felt Clara's grip beside him.

As soon as he felt safe, he immediately rose, ignoring everything including his own safety. What he cared about was Fathia.

The girl is definitely not doing well. Especially the last time she saw that figure entering the auditorium, quite far from her reach. Choosing to sit in the back rather than with her friend whom Sebastian remembers, her name is Jess. Annoyance and frustration begin to take over him. If only Fathia was nearby, he wouldn't be this anxious. Especially... if she had... ah, no. Sebastian can't be pessimistic.

He doesn't care how much he is burdened by whatever is on his back. The pain that arises doesn't concern him.

"Sebastian," someone whispers that he just remembered, he's with Clara.

"Are you okay? Can you get up?" He asks softly, just to make sure he's not mistaken in looking at the woman next to him. The woman looks up, slightly smiling with a grimace. She shakes her head softly in response to Sebastian's earlier question. Fortunately, there are no injuries other than a few scratches after Sebastian scans.

"What's going on here?"

Sebastian shakes his head. "You better wait here. I'll find Fathia."

Before Sebastian can get up, his body sways again. Dizziness comes without permission. He closes his eyes for a moment, trying to normalize himself.

"Sebastian!"

Clara's shout is the last thing he hears, but her lips whisper one name; Fathia.

Sebastian massages his temples firmly. He closes his eyes for a moment while taking in as much air as he can. The image of that moment successfully makes him unable to concentrate at all. He only slept for a few hours, the rest... he thought about Fathia's fate.

Every possible way has been tried to find Fathia. All the referral hospitals that handle students who are victims have been visited one by one. Checking their conditions directly, in case they mis recorded the name.

No, Sebastian didn't get directly involved. Not that he didn't want to, but Ronald's advice was spot on. Sebastian's presence wasn't something to be publicized lightly. Ronald found Sebastian already in the hospital. With fairly strict guarding from Vino at that time.

Even when he regained consciousness, he forcibly removed everything clinging to his body. His goal was to find Fathia. Fortunately, Ronald didn't come too late. Holding Sebastian in a wounded state was also confusing because Fathia still hadn't been found, which was enough to make Ronald Nasution emotional.

Luckily, the presence of the doctor who treated the stubborn man could at least make Sebastian lie back in his bed.

"I've asked people to help search," Ronald said, not for the first time. Sebastian responded with a disapproving grunt. But when he found out that Fathia wasn't among the victims of the explosion, Ronald began to falter.

"They've been targeting Fathia from the beginning. Getting rid of you is secondary, Sebastian."

Sebastian nodded in agreement. "But I still have to find Fathia, Uncle."

Ronald nodded slightly. "I've mobilized my people to search. I can't just sit still, Sebastian, if you want to know," he added emphatically.

Sebastian never doubted Ronald's loyalty to Alvin Mehram. Just like him. Everything he did was not only to fulfill his promise, but also to prove that Alvin didn't make a mistake in choosing him as support. Both for the Azure Group, especially for Fathia. But the reality...

"All the victims have been checked, Mr. Ronald?" Sebastian had often asked this type of question to Vino's subordinates during his treatment. Three days had passed and unfortunately, Sebastian's condition still left him lying in the hospital bed. It felt pointless to lash out. He was just hoping for a sliver of good news to visit him.

"They have, but..."

Sebastian's brow furrowed. Hoping Ronald would continue. The old man's eyes looked tired. He shared Sebastian's frustration regarding Fathia's whereabouts.

"I can't confirm whether that news is true or not, Sebastian. It's still under investigation, but it's highly likely that it's Fathia."

Throughout his time in the hospital, Sebastian never stopped begging for a miracle from God. For that girl to be under His protection. And hoping that he would meet her again soon.

"Fathia," he whispers softly, full of anxiety. "Where are you?"

***

ELSEWHERE, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT.

The haze of smoke, the strong scent of nicotine, the dim lights, and the creak of the large chair's wheels, now burdened by his weight, created a dreadful symphony. A furious rage akin to a hungry wolf that hadn't caught prey in the past few days.

"You're all idiots!!!" He ignored the pain in his clenched fists. The glass-covered table cracked in a pitiful way. The slowly spreading pain and discomfort, he ignored, because truly, just thinking about the real failure in front of him was enough to make his blood boil.

"Just a little kid, and you still can't find her?" he asked of all of them standing on both sides, forming a neat line, but with tense and genuinely fearful expressions etched on their faces.

"That kid is on the brink of death. How could she possibly escape? You guys... for God's sake! ALL OF YOU ARE MORONS!!!"

"Sir, please control your emotions." One of them moved closer, approaching him. As he tried to pull the hand that had been cut by glass shards earlier, fortunately, he wasn't rejected. Swiftly, he tended to the wound and wrapped it with a bandage.

"Completely lost her trail?" the man spoke with a voice full of intimidation and pressure, making the atmosphere in the room even more tense.

"No, Sir. One of the victims is receiving intensive treatment at Siloam, but we couldn't get any information. The police are guarding everything tightly."

The man grunted in displeasure. "They're money-driven maniacs, Alan. You know that for sure."

Alan, the one tending to the wounded man, smiled faintly. "That's exactly why we got the information that the one being treated there is indeed Alvin's child."

A ruthless grin appeared, the haze of smoke once again wafted from his cigarette. Unconsciously, some of the people in the lineup sighed in relief. Their lives wouldn't be forfeited tonight. Cold and unforgiving, the man sitting in the chair of power was. Serving him was a compulsion over the life choices they had. To him, the deaths of people around him were just like flies that dropped from insect poison.

"Don't let him out of your sight. I need him alive, so."

Alan nodded quietly. "Sebastian is holding a meeting today, Sir. If you're absent, I'm afraid he might grow suspicious of you."

He scoffed. "Has his report been revised? Has it been sent to his email?"

Alan nodded again.

"Let's go to the office then." Once again, the creak of the wheels colliding with the floor was heard. Leaning on the edge of the table, he rose. His feet began to move slowly, a slight limp that no longer caused pain. Passing by all those lined up on his right and left with arrogance. His gaze fixed only on the large door he would reach soon.

Alan led the way, gently pushing the door and then instructing his driver through his phone to prepare the boss's car. Before the door could fully close, the man lightly patted Alan's shoulder.

"Get rid of Piyan. I don't need someone who can't get the job done."

A small sigh escaped Alan's lips, but he quickly composed himself. "Understood, Sir."