Chapter 32: Chapter 32

As far as Fathia could see, there was only the TV in front of her playing the same shows over and over again. She could change the channel if she wanted, but she was reluctant to take control over anything. Local channels were not available to her. She had hoped to learn something from the news. Maybe the incident at her campus had gone viral. At the very least, she wanted to know what really happened.

Since she woke up under the doctor's care, her condition had been improving. But Fathia felt blind. She had no idea about any news out there. How long had she been here? She had no clue whatsoever. Blind. Truly blind. Her only companions were the ticking of the clock on the wall. It was so quiet. She had asked about her belongings and bag, but the nurse shook her head indicating that she didn't know anything.

No phone, communication cut off, and on top of that, all the people she knew had been occupying her mind lately. Especially Jess' whereabouts. True, she was more worried about Jess than anything else. There was a nagging concern about Sebastian, but Fathia believed her guardian was fine. If Sebastian was involved or in trouble, Clara would have caused a commotion by now.

However, Fathia couldn't say her conviction was one hundred percent that Sebastian was perfectly okay. Her head would ache suddenly if she thought too much. It was like a thousand tiny thorns stabbing at her brain mercilessly. When that happened, all Fathia could do was lie down and hope for news that Clara might bring. And don't forget one fact, her head and face were still covered in bandages that she didn't know when would be removed.

The doctor said she had to wait for the right time. So all she could do was wait. And for the annoying days of getting to know Clara, her presence in the hospital room was somewhat comforting for Fathia. Even though the nights she spent lately were filled with the images of Jess and Sebastian.

"Hopefully both of them aren't experiencing what I'm going through. Oh God, I miss them," she sighed softly.

Every time she asked for answers about what happened to her, Clara would just smile with meaning. Cunning, of course. When did that beautiful woman ever do something good for her? Fathia hoped for a lot, yet all Clara said was, "You don't need to worry about Sebastian. He's safe with me, if that's what you want to know."

"The Fox mowen is just so infuriating. What does she want? Ugh! That darn Fox!"

Before her lips could finish uttering curses, the figure that had been bothering her appeared at the doorway. Smirking cunningly. Her red-painted lips formed a figure that exuded both sexiness and elegance intertwined. Unfortunately, in Fathia's eyes, she was nothing more than the most deceitful woman who was now imprisoning her.

Whatever her intentions were, Fathia had to start preparing herself.

"Good afternoon, Fathia."

The girl chose to purse her lips. Her eyes returned to the TV displaying a series about the NYPD. It was the only channel she had taken a liking to. At least, all the actors in it were entertaining, and she didn't get tired of following the series.

"Not going to greet me, Fathia?"

Fathia turned her head to find Clara sitting next to her. "Good afternoon, Aunt." She rolled her eyes. The silent room was filled with Clara's teasing chuckles. Clara brushed her ash brown hair aside.

"I asked for payment to save you back then."

They locked eyes. Fathia might be helpless lying on her bed, but that didn't mean she couldn't voice her objections. Including... what actually happened. She had asked numerous times, but Clara only answered with a mysterious grin. Infuriating indeed.

"Where's my bag, Aunt?"

Fathia's eyebrows furrowed. "Bag?"

"Who knows, maybe I brought your bag when I saved you."

Clara burst into laughter, and it sounded terrifying to Fathia. "Oh my god, you should be grateful that I found you alive, Fathia. And you're asking about your bag?" She shook her head in amazement. "You really don't know how lucky you are, Fathia."

"Goodness, Aunt. I've thanked you already, you know." She tried to sit up slightly, ignoring the pain in her legs and arms that served as support. "My bag has my debit card and phone. I can transfer whatever payment you want. Besides, why did Seba—"

Fathia's eyes widened in disbelief as Clara's grip on her cheek tightened. The pain from the pressure on her cheek was evident, indicating Clara was dead serious. Clara's eyes glistened with anger. Her gaze was full of resentment and dislike.

"Never mention Sebastian's name here."

Clara seemed like a predator ready to pounce on its prey. Her nails were ready to dig as deep as they could into Fathia's pretty face. Huh? Pretty? Clara was curious if anyone still thought this girl was pretty. Clara tilted Fathia's face in her grip, staring into her eyes without hesitation. Fathia also stared back without flinching.

"My payment is clear, Fathia," Clara whispered with emphasis. "Stay away from Sebastian, no matter the reason."

"He's my guardian, Aunt. How could I stay away from Sebastian?" Fathia struggled to say. She was amazed herself that her voice could still be heard clearly, even in her condition.

A disdainful click from Clara and the roll of her eyes were clear to Fathia. "Just a guardian, right? You have no relationship other than that. While I? I'm Sebastian's fiancée."

Silence settled between them.

"And in case you forgot, I was the one who saved you. Not Sebastian."

They continued to lock eyes.

"Oh... do I need to mention? Sebastian was by my side the whole time during that incident. And you? You were almost dead, Fathia. Dead."

Fathia stayed quiet, processing. A faint smirk appeared on her lips, seemingly underestimating Clara who was still glaring at her with intense emotion.

"Why did you let me live then, Aunt? If... if I'm alive, won't I continue to compete with you to get Sebastian? Where... I'm a hundred percent sure that Sebastian would choose me."

Clara shot her a fierce glare in response to her words. She tightened her grip, trying to make Fathia let out a groan, but apparently forcing Fathia to wince was impossible.

"You little brat!"

Fathia's face was jolted to the side as the grip was released. Clara, by her side, didn't play around when it came to showing her anger. Her smoldering emotions were evident through the gray-tinted soft lens covering her eyes. But she remembered that her mission wouldn't succeed if anger took control of her.

Clara closed her eyes momentarily. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air. Her head revisited pleasant memories and one thing in particular: the payment for her actions. After she calmed down sufficiently, Clara put her mask back on. She smiled falsely, met with a flat stare from the girl who was still lying there helpless.

The woman chose to rise, straightening the end of her dress that she found wrinkled. She normalized her facial expression that had been tense with anger earlier. Talking to this girl indeed escalated her emotions mercilessly.

"One day, you'll be thankful for my kindness, Fathia."

"Aunt," Fathia half-frustratedly exclaimed, "how many times do I have to say thank you for this kindness?"

Clara merely cast a brief glance at her.

"I won't disturb you if that's what you want, Aunt."

"It's not just that, Fathia!" Clara snapped with a tone that was not to be taken lightly. Fathia shuddered in horror hearing that voice echo.

"Do you realize how dangerous it is for you to be near Sebastian? Sebastian is also in danger! If they're after you, I don't care. But Sebastian? I love him, Fathia. Love. Do you understand, love?"

Fathia blinked slowly. She had always thought that this beautiful woman only needed status and wanted more attention from her guardian. It wasn't something like this that she wanted to hear and know for sure. Because now, in front of her, a Clara Jasson was covering her face. Her shoulders shook softly.

Truly, it had never crossed Fathia's mind to hear Clara's feelings for Sebastian Sachdev. Everything was spinning in her head. Felice's smile that Sebastian always enjoyed, the way he treated her when they were in the backyard, with Fathia in between. The way Sebastian had acted since Felice's death, even with both of their parents. Clara's presence bridging the gap between Fathia and Sebastian.

Targeted... protection... the sound of gunshots... the fleeting events that took place that night when Sebastian saved her.

"Do... does Aunt know who's targeting us this time?"

The hand Clara used to cover her face slowly lowered. Her face's expression became more distinct, and her eyes, unable to be concealed, were caught clearly by Fathia. The girl wasn't naive enough to be easily fooled.

Clara knew who was threatening both of them this time.

"Who, Aunt?" Fathia pressed.

***