Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Jess was about to protest, but as soon as Fathia explained that their return wouldn't be a short one, the girl who now had her hair dyed a faded green agreed. It wasn't easy to leave what they had built here, even though it wasn't much. With Asya handling the kitchen part in the café, Jess took care of delivering orders and handling payments. They were assisted by another person, Dian, who was there to help Jess and Asya whenever needed.

And then there's Fathia, who had been quite overwhelmed lately due to numerous flower balloon orders. For nearly three weeks, they've been dealing with preparations to leave the people who now worked under them. They were basically the bosses, even though they never liked to use that word, especially not in each other's hearing.

"I'm done," Fathia said, jumping in before Jess could start speaking. After these tiring three weeks, Fathia was finally free from the grip of orders, which she actually appreciated. But because of the current circumstances, her determination to go back home was even stronger, making her a bit breathless as she fulfilled the existing orders.

She repeatedly asked Melly about how the flower shop would fare in New York City if they stayed there for a while. Melly confidently assured her that Fathia needn't worry. She could manage small arrangements and send flower balloons since she had been observing and had successfully made them herself. The only challenge was the special touch of handwritten cards that was Fathia's signature in the florist shop she managed.

Melly couldn't write as beautifully as Fathia's handwriting.

"If there's an order and you can't manage the handwritten note as usual, just be honest about it. If they decline, it wasn't meant to be," Fathia advised finally.

Melly nodded in resignation, even though she actually wanted to object. But what the shoulder-length-haired girl suggested was true. Quality had to be the top priority. They couldn't risk disappointing customers by lowering their standards.

"Me too," Jess chimed in, breaking Fathia's reverie. She smiled contently. "I've prepared all the raw materials in stock for the next month. I've also given Asya the contact details for the supplier. I believe Asya can handle it. Even though she's new and a bit stiff with the customers, I think she'll adapt quickly."

Fathia simply nodded.

"So... we're leaving tomorrow?" Jess asked to confirm. Once again, Fathia answered with a nod, causing Jess to furrow her brow in puzzlement. "Why? You seem like you don't have any enthusiasm."

Fathia just shrugged in response. "I don't know if my return is the right move or if it will lead to more drama."

"Well, there's definitely going to be some drama, Fathia. That's why I need to ask about your emotional readiness. Can you handle it or not?"

"I'm coming back for Group Azure, not for Sebastian," Fathia stated, disbelieving, causing a rhythmic eye-roll from Jess that made Fathia roll her eyes in response. Jess was mocking her so mercilessly. "Don't tell me you're missing Uncle Sebastian."

"I never said that in front of you, Jess," Fathia calmly responded, but Jess kept on teasing.

"Soon, Fathia. Soon. Just wait and see."

Jess let Fathia stop looking at her and focused on how Fathia's gaze was straight ahead, as if there was an inner battle of doubt going on in her mind. Jess could sense that strongly.

"If you're uncertain, you don't have to come back either," Jess whispered. She actually regretted encouraging Fathia to be brave. But deep down, she didn't want her friend to be stuck in despair for too long. A part of her heart was left in New York City. It wasn't just about her relationship with Sebastian, but it was also about the meaning of family.

Even though Jess only had a glimpse of the fact that both of Fathia's parents had passed away, there was a part of Fathia that was still alive to this day. Memories that kept Fathia smiling. Jess couldn't bear the thought of that smile fading away day by day. Sometimes, in the midst of their lively conversations with Asya, Felice's name would slip in. Or the advice of Fathia's father that she seemed to slightly forget. Then... she remembered that they were all gone now.

Her decision to leave wasn't the right one. Especially when Jess began connecting the dots of the many conspiracies surrounding Fathia. Jess knew and realized that the danger was similar to challenging a suicide bomb.

Immediately, Jess's words reached a puzzled frown from Fathia. Her gaze met Jess's, seeking further explanation. However, Jess chose to focus on her juice instead of speaking. Dealing with it, Fathia sighed softly. "I'm not hesitant, Jess. In fact, the more time passes, the more curious I become, especially since I've started following Clara the Fox on social media. At least now I know her movements back then. Because she held the key to my existence."

Jess now exchanged glances with Fathia. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know the motive and the actual plans that Clara has. All I know is that she wanted me away from Uncle Sebastian. But every time I asked Clara how she could find me, how she managed to avoid and manipulate documents about me... It's been giving me a sudden headache."

"You're right. That's the big question mark for me too. But I haven't voiced it yet because, well... I needed to see how you were doing first."

Fathia was growing more confused by the direction of Jess's words. "What do you mean?"

"I'm traumatized, Fathia. That's true. I'm scared that you might experience the same thing. Especially considering your physical condition now. Don't deny this important fact. Before, you could say you were perfect. Just like me. Created by God perfectly. And now? Because of that incident, don't carry the burden for too long. I can barely hold a tray with two bowls without trembling. Even though you know me, right? Agile. Skillful. Free to move." Jess showed her arm that had shifted. There was a bump there, even though it had healed functionally, it still took a while for it to return to normal.

Fathia understood what Jess was saying now.

"I know you don't like taking over Group Azure. I finally understand why you didn't enjoy being in the backyard. Taking care of the flowers. As if those flowers were your new companions."

Fathia chose to remain silent.

"Your passion isn't really behind a desk with a load of work, is it?"

Exactly what Jess said. Making Fathia nod softly.

"Talking about trauma, it's not just me, Fathia. Like I told you before, there are others who've suffered loss, like Paulina's family, right? I'm still in touch with friends from college. We exchange news. And, well... Paulina's family is still grieving over what happened until now. Even though the terrorists were reported to be caught. But hearing your story, I'm sure this is more than just terrorists."

Slowly, Fathia agreed with this. "And... who was buried under my name, Jess? We need to find out that too."

Jess snapped her fingers with a satisfied gleam. "That's it, Fathia. That's what we need to uncover. I agree you're going, but it doesn't mean I'm wholeheartedly supporting you here. Nope." She waggled her index finger playfully and then continued talking. "But let's settle our past in New York City first. Then we can choose to live peacefully. You in the flower shop, me in the café."

One thing Fathia realized here was that, somehow, since she moved to Beverly Hills, her thoughts weren't as simple as they used to be. There were many things she had to consider thoroughly, and they needed deeper thought. Including this conversation. Until now, the two of them rarely, if ever, or rather, Fathia had been actively avoiding putting together the broken pieces within herself. Through this conversation laden with meanings and riddles.

However, when she accidentally overheard someone mentioning the accident from last year and someone being targeted by certain parties, it all began. It seemed like God was helping her not to avoid this reality any longer. The fact that there were many gaping holes in her life.

"Don't be afraid, Fathia. Don't hesitate. I'm here with you," Jess touched Fathia's arm, offering a sign of sympathy by slightly squeezing it. This made Fathia finally decide with complete conviction.

"Alright, we're leaving tomorrow."

A smile bloomed on Jess's face. At least, there was a lot of hope as they returned there. All the veils intentionally concealed could be unraveled one by one.

"But before that, I need to make sure of one thing," Fathia interjected hastily. Her movements to grab her phone from her bag placed on the table didn't escape the other girl's notice.

Fathia paid little attention to Jess and focused on her phone. She softly pressed the screen, dialing the number she hadn't forgotten to this day; her home phone number.

And indeed, the voice on the other end was the decider of the step she would take once she arrived in New York City tomorrow.

Naomi's voice.

***

Fathia gently opened the window of the inn she had rented for the past week. She couldn't immediately head to the house where memories of her family were ever-present. Feeling the fresh breeze of the morning, they had already arrived in New York City. Jess was still asleep, even though the journey last night had been smooth without any issues.

However, Fathia herself felt like someone who had just finished a marathon. Exhausted. The accumulation of energy had been overextended due to leaving their routines; it was truly draining. She decided that today was the day for her first visit after a long absence to her grand home.

In the past, Fathia used to plead just to see Naomi, Dennis, and Jack. Their loyal staff. However, Sebastian strictly prohibited it. He said that as long as she wasn't with him, she wasn't allowed to deviate from the path that had been set; she could only go to school with a chauffeur, even extra lessons were supervised by a bodyguard, and even during her college days.

Sebastian had turned Fathia into a bird in a gilded cage.

"What time are we going to your house?" Jess croaked, making Fathia turn and chuckle.

"Go take a shower first. You slept like a log."

Jess pouted, pulling her blanket back. Her action earned an amused shake of the head from Fathia. As she made sure that Naomi was still there when she got home, she didn't say a word. Flashes of her happy childhood in that house played in her mind. She was often left alone with Naomi at home, but the love that Fathia felt was never lacking.

There was also Dennis, who was always her companion in school activities.

"I'm back, Mom, Dad," she says while gazing out of the window again. Below her, the bustling traffic of New York City greets her sight. Dust starts to rise in the gust of wind that's no longer as refreshing. The sun is getting hot too. It makes Fathia furrow her brow; how long has she been lost in thought here without realizing how time has passed?

"Is this decision... better than when I was in Beverly Hills?"