Chapter 45: Chapter 45

It took Fathia three days and two nights to think, strengthen her thoughts, and start figuring out what she would do if she went back to New York City. The issue of where she would stay was still uncertain. Maybe Jess's idea of renting a small room just for sleep was right. But she had to consider living there too. She couldn't just suddenly show up in front of Sebastian's apartment, right?

So, where would she start?

The image that always accompanied her through the night when she slept, she takes it again. She gently wipes everything inside the frame. Sitting and leaning on the edge of her bed, she stares at the picture for a long time. "I wonder if this is the best path? Should I come back?" While Fathia understands there won't be an answer she can hear, at least she can voice the obstacle she feels.

Not to mention, Jess's pressure seems to be getting more unpredictable. Including her plans, which, according to Fathia, are a bit crazy. Jess even suggested just showing up at Sebastian's office. Fathia doesn't want to take that risk. It's too obvious and could mess up plans she doesn't even know the layout of. Fathia relies on the fact that after she sends off those bouquet orders, she'll decide to return or not. There's still time, right?

She lets out a soft sigh, hugging them all as if they're melting into her embrace. Unconsciously, tears start to fall. Maybe it's due to the longing she's always suppressed, or the sudden rush of emotions. It takes quite a while for her to calm her tears and the overwhelming feelings. As she moves to turn off the light and replace it with a dimmer one, the picture falls. Making Fathia let out a startled scream.

Fortunately, the frame's glass doesn't shatter. Only the back latch opens, but she's quite surprised by what's behind the photo. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she quickly straightens the slightly disheveled picture. She notices a fold there and opens it slowly since it looks fragile. And to her surprise, she finds an old picture, but she knows exactly who's in it.

Mommy and her uncle, Alef Walker.

Hugging each other and looking quite intimate. Below the photo, there's a slightly faded gold ink inscription.

Forever loving you, Ros.

What does all of this mean? She looks back and forth, but there's nothing else she can find except for this old photo. Before she can grab her phone to tell Jess, once again her head starts throbbing strongly. It seems like she's been thinking too much. Fathia doesn't know if this is one of the effects after the incident she experienced.

She sits for a moment, trying to calm the headache. She doesn't want to close her eyes again out of fear she might faint again. Luckily, nothing happened in the morning. She doesn't want to go through that again. The darkness that took over her triggered a fear within Fathia. There was no light at all. Not even a dream or memory in that darkness. Fathia wouldn't mind if she joined her parents at that moment. Really.

After calming down a bit, she decides to sleep while leaning on something. She doesn't need to lie down, afraid that the same darkness will come back to her. She places the old photo right on the nightstand under her phone. Tomorrow, she'll show it to Jess. So, they can start planning her return to New York City, if her heart becomes certain. For now, Fathia chooses to set it aside temporarily.

Meanwhile, elsewhere at the same time, Sebastian is once again sitting on the edge of Fathia's bed. He's tracing the cold sheets neatly laid on her large bed. It's been several months now, and he still can't believe that Fathia is gone. The loss of Clara has truly left a wide, gaping hole that he doesn't know how to fill.

The tragic departure of Felice did drown him in sadness. But Felice left him with a promise to take care of her innocent and delightful little sister. It makes Sebastian not feel as lonely. In fact, it's like two people filling each other's voids and feeling sad due to the separation.

And Clara? She was left alone by Fathia. Even though the girl was right in front of him, someone he could embrace within his protection. Oh God. Truly, he regrets it.

He lies down, staring at the ceiling of Fathia's room, the scent of lilies that always lingers here, making it impossible for him to forget the image of the girl. When it gets like this, all Sebastian can do is close his eyes and try to sleep, even though it's difficult.

It takes quite a while until Sebastian finally falls asleep, perhaps a combination of exhaustion and the pile of work that has stolen his sleep time, causing him to quickly drift into the realm of dreams. Until his phone, stored in his pants pocket, rings loudly. Sebastian startles, feeling dizzy from the surprise.

He looks at the screen and sees Vino's name. "What's up?"

"Sir, sorry to disturb you. I've sent an email to your personal email."

His brow furrows. "That's unusual. Anything secret?"

"You can check the contents, Sir. I apologize once again."

"Alright. Thanks, Vin."

Without waiting, he heads to his office. Opening emails on his laptop is better than his phone, even though his phone supports it. As he goes through each report Vino sent, his irritation grows toward a name that from the start, he'd viewed with suspicion.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, it's already close to midnight. He sighs softly, actually a bit concerned about contacting someone. Ronald. However, in order to clear the path that has piled up so extensively, Sebastian swipes his phone's screen. He searches for a contact he's been frequently dialing lately.

Fortunately, it doesn't take long for the call to be answered.

"Is there something urgent, Sebastian?"

Sebastian chuckles. "Yeah, Uncle. Sorry to disturb your night."

There, Sebastian hears a sigh and a small chuckle. "Getting disruptions is my job, Sebastian."

"Our suspicions all this time were right, and I've only managed to get the evidence now. I feel like I'm stuck in place, Uncle. You know, my movements during my time at Group Azure. Limited."

"Where did you get the info?"

"From Vino. Just now."

"Any other evidence?"

"After he gave it to me, I asked him to erase it. I'm afraid Vino might face consequences."

There's a brief pause before Ronald's voice comes back. "We'll discuss this when we're off work, Sebastian. Let's not visit each other and risk exposure."

Sebastian nods in agreement. "Sure thing, Uncle."

"Is Alef's wrongdoing only related to Group Azure's profits?"

"As far as I've learned, yes."

"Does it have nothing to do with the accident six years ago? The bombing at Fathia's campus?" Ronald asks impatiently.

"I can't confirm that yet, Uncle. What Vino got was just related to Alef's projects and Group Azure's finances. It's leading to one point, Uncle. To the upper management of Saylendra."

"I've told you, right, Sebastian? There must be a connection to Group Azure's eternal rival. I've been warning Alvin for a long time, but your boss doesn't believe me, Sebastian."

Sebastian can imagine how frustrated and angry Ronald must be on the other end. To some extent, Sebastian finally realizes that Ronald isn't just following orders from his boss. "I know about Alvin's struggle in founding Group Azure before it became this big, Sebastian. And I can't reveal deaths other than accepting the facts that exist. Doesn't that make me suffocate?"

"Alright, Uncle. After work, I'll head to the office, Uncle."

"Use the little time you have left to truly investigate. I believe that because Alef was chosen to replace you, the surveillance around him started to loosen. I don't know why, but I've always been convinced that Alef is the mastermind behind everything that happened to Claire."

Whether he likes it or not, Sebastian agrees with Ronald on this matter.

"Unfortunately, we're hindered by the lack of evidence."

"Yeah, Uncle. In that case, see you tomorrow afternoon. Once again, I apologize for disturbing you this late at night."

After making sure the phone call was truly disconnected, Sebastian leaned back into the large chair behind him. He massaged his temples roughly. Throughout his time working at Alvin's company, he had been searching for a lot of evidence regarding the various connections within the Claire family. Since he first stepped into the spacious room, where he used to come just to deliver reports, many suspicious eyes turned toward him.

Sebastian realized why he accepted that. He tried hard to suppress it with a lot of evidence, including ongoing projects they often discussed outside the office with Alvin and Felice. Although Felice often argued against many policies Alvin advocated, she still provided a lot of insight.

Felice and her intelligence. Sebastian believed that if Group Azure were in Felice's hands, its level of success would surpass what he holds now.

He opened the drawer of his desk. Inside, there was a vape that was always neatly stored there. He hadn't sat there late into the night for a long time. Since Fathia's departure, his nights were spent in her room. He slowly dropped some liquid into the empty vape tank. Once he felt it was sufficient and ready for use, he started to inhale slowly through the mouthpiece. Savoring every slow movement he made. As he closed his eyes, he began to calculate what he would do after all the evidence was gathered.

Sweet smoke filled the space he occupied. His sleepiness vanished since the call from Vino earlier. "What does Alef want, anyway?" he sighed softly. "Five million dollars in the span of two years vanished. Crazy!" Sebastian muttered in frustration.

"If Alef is engaging in money laundering like this, what about Group Azure?" Sebastian began to consider what would happen if he exposed Alef's facade now. For some reason, he read Vino's latest report again. Observing. The report showed numerous projects under the name of Group Azure, but not a single profit reached the intended accounts. All payment receipts went under a single name, which belonged to Alef Walker.

As far as Sebastian remembers, Alef is Alvin's brother-in-law. He married the eldest sister of Claire, Larasati. When Group Azure started to grow, the other three siblings of Alvin were invited to join in building Group Azure. Alvin often talked about the involvement of these three siblings. One was his full sibling, while the other two were in-laws if you looked closely, but Alvin didn't care about that status. What he cared about was that if they worked under the same umbrella, even his biological sister's family would prosper.

Alef Walker, Akmal Claire, and Iklima Claire. They have all been active in significant roles in Group Azure up until now. Akmal and Iklima began to notice Sebastian since his second year leading Group Azure. His hard work and the many decisions he made somewhat influenced Group Azure's profits. Interestingly, Akmal was the one who frequently voiced his objections. And Alef? Ever since the reading of the will, he appeared calm and unconcerned about temporarily handing Group Azure over to Sebastian, before it ultimately fell into the hands of Alvin's biological daughter, Fathia.

That's why Sebastian was quite surprised that all the money laundering activities were targeted at Alef. He didn't expect Alef to act so calmly and peacefully.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened his body. He slowly opened the second drawer of his desk. Inside, there was a portrait that he sometimes looked at without getting tired. He didn't know when he started doing that, but what's certain is that there's a unique sense of happiness when he recalls it.

A picture of him with Fathia. Against the backdrop of a Bali beach, a gift for her graduation since she wasn't allowed to join the farewell tour. She was angry. Didn't speak to him for almost a week, but when she was handed the tickets and accommodation there, her sweet smile returned.

"Why do you forbid it? It's not fun at all, Sebastian," the girl complains, a complaint that Sebastian has heard countless times. Like a broken record, but Sebastian endures. After all, hearing Fathia plead is actually enjoyable. If it were with Felice, Sebastian's prohibition would be firm. Felice's strong attitude could leave Sebastian flustered. It's different with Fathia, who always listens to him.

"I'm afraid someone might harm you."

The girl pouts in annoyance. She deliberately stomps her foot on the sand, which slips between her toes.

"But now we're in Bali, right? I already redeemed the tour," she argues.

"Still, it's different, Sebastian," Fathia half-frustratedly exclaims. "I don't have my friends here. It's not fun."

Now it's Sebastian's turn to chuckle. "Yet, I took time out of my busy schedule of meetings and work to accompany you. It's not appreciated at all." Pretending to sulk, Sebastian walks a bit faster, leaving the girl behind. The corner of his eye catches Fathia's disbelieving gaze. Teasing her turns out to be quite entertaining.

"Huh? Not like that." With a single movement, she reaches for the large fingers of the guy who looks relaxed in his t-shirt and shorts. "I'm happy to be with you, Sebastian. Really happy." Leaning intentionally on his muscular arm, matching his steps that, it turns out, make her a bit breathless. "Sebastian, slow down."

"What's slow down? Am I being rough?"

"This," Fathia pulls his finger to make Sebastian look at her a bit. "Your steps are too big. I'm tired of keeping up."

Sebastian chuckles. "How about this?" He turns around, effortlessly lifting Fathia in one swift move. The girl lets out a surprised shriek, especially when Sebastian playfully carries her into the water. Together. They get wet and burst into joyful laughter.

Sebastian couldn't forget that memory as easily as flipping his hand. "I still can't believe you left me here all alone, Fathia."