Chapter 48: Chapter 48

They hop out of the rideshare, which dropped them off at the big house that Fathia always remembers in her mind. She's frozen for a moment. Sixteen years of memories living there since birth whirl around without her control. Fathia's eyes suddenly get warm. Maybe in a blink, tears have already moistened her cheeks.

The sound of her shouts while playing in the water with Kak Felice, or listening to Mommy tell stories about how she planted and tended to the garden, even though Dennis and Jack helped more. Also, all the faint advice Fathia recalls from her father. Everything is still vivid in Fathia's memory.

"You can do it," Jess softly pats Fathia's shoulder, creating a slight startle that makes Fathia sigh heavily.

"I'm scared," Fathia mutters. Jess's puzzled look doesn't prompt Fathia to continue talking. What is she afraid of? Earlier, she bravely came down from the rented inn to order the rideshare. Behind her, Jess walks while fighting off drowsiness.

Once again, she takes a deep breath, filling her lungs with air. Who knows, there might be a surprise that Fathia isn't ready to face.

"Come on, Fathia. I've got your back." Waiting for Fathia to speak and act right now wears thin on Jess's patience. She understands that Fathia has a lot of doubts. But are they here already? They can't just return without bringing something back, right?

Slowly, Fathia nods. Her fingertips tremble a bit, which she ignores, and then she presses the doorbell located near the gate. Before the bell is even pressed, someone approaches. Jack.

"Hey, can I help you?" Jack looks at them suspiciously. These two girls have just been standing in front of the gate for a while now. He's naturally suspicious about what they want. No visits have been made to this house in a long time. Judging by their clothes, they're dressed plainly.

Especially the girl in the jacket with a hood. Wearing a mask and round, seemingly thick glasses. Jack is quite puzzled – doesn't her getup make her feel hot? On a scorching day like this?

Fathia is silent for a moment, smiles a little, "Want to meet Mrs. Naomi. Is she in?"

Hearing the name of one of the residents of the house, Jack furrows his brow even more. Many thoughts swirl in his head, including whether these two are distant relatives of Naomi? As far as Jack remembers, Naomi has been living alone here for a while. Both her older and younger siblings don't live in New York City.

Likewise, he who lives alone in New York City. Ah, Jack's luckier. He has one child, even though they're married and have their own life elsewhere, they visit occasionally. His wife passed away a long time ago due to illness. But Naomi? From her marriage until her husband left a long time ago, she wasn't blessed with a single child.

Truly living alone in New York City.

"Mrs. Naomi?" Jack asks to confirm. Who knows, these girls might have lost their way because the houses around here are both empty and massive.

"Yeah, is Mrs. Naomi here? I'm her niece from Metropolis," Fathia lies while glancing slightly at Jess, hoping her friend would help smooth things out.

"Metropolis? Mrs. Naomi doesn't have any relatives from Metropolis," says Jack, his suspicion growing even more towards the two of them. Especially seeing their movements that increasingly point to them being dishonest. "Maybe you two have the wrong address."

Behind her mask, Fathia maintains her smile. Even though her conversation partner can't see it, she's sure her smile is clear. "No, sir. We're not at the wrong address."

Jack lets out a frustrated sigh. His patience has worn thin. "Don't make me kick you two out roughly, alright?"

"Why would you have to kick us out?" Jess asks loudly. This time, being polite seems difficult, but when Fathia holds her back, Jess looks furious. Annoyance and anger envelop Jess. Her eyes sharply lock onto the man who might be one of the security guards of the house.

"Mr. Jack," Fathia calls softly. "Please, could you get Naomi?" This time, Fathia speaks up again, but there's a firmness in her voice and her gaze no longer hesitates while looking at Jack. She also lowers her glasses and mask. Fathia prepares herself for Jack's shocked and wide-eyed look.

Perhaps terrified by Fathia's expression.

This instantly makes the middle-aged man gape. His eyes blink repeatedly while closely observing the girl in front of him.

It's not without reason he's scrutinizing more than what his eyes can see.

Her voice. Her way of speaking. And even though there's a scar that makes him furrow his brow for a moment after looking at her, a flicker of a memory about the young lady, erased entirely until now, resurfaces. Except... at this moment. That thought shines like a bright light in Jack's mind. He finds himself saying very quietly, "Miss?"

"Yes. It's me, Fathia, Mr. Jack."

A gasp of surprise escapes Jack, uncontrollable. "It can't be," he says while shaking his head. He can't believe what he's seeing now. "It can't be. Miss Fathia... Miss Fathia..."

"What's all the commotion, Jack?" A middle-aged woman hurries over, bewilderedly looking at Jack because he seems to be staring at two girls as if they were ghosts, one of whom is approaching.

"Naomi," Fathia calls.

Naomi, the middle-aged woman, freezes. The voice she recognizes so well, that's always close to her heart, the tone and way of addressing her that she knows by heart, is in front of her. Standing there. Looking at her without hesitation, accompanied by a smile full of meaning that seems to understand why Naomi is frozen like this.

"It can't be," Naomi whispers softly. As if her awareness has just returned after flying with her fantasies.

"This is Fathia, Naomi."

Slowly, Naomi approaches. Tears well up in her eyes as she gives a disbelieving look. When the palm of her hand gently touches Fathia's left cheek, tears that had been held back since earlier finally roll down her cheeks. In a burst of emotion, she brings the girl into her embrace. There's no doubt whatsoever. "Oh my God, Miss Fathia!!!"

***

"What does Miss want to eat? Does Miss want a warm bath? Miss's room is always tidy," Naomi says with a sparkle of joy. Before Fathia's lips can reply to her words, Jack arrives with his report.

"Does Miss not want to see the backyard? All the flowers are growing nicely. I take good care of them, Miss."

"I'll cut some fruit for you, okay? Miss looks really skinny."

"Miss, Mr. Jack will change the flowers in your room right away, alright? Starting tonight, Miss will be staying here, right?"

Amidst all their attention and the mix of feelings today, Fathia just chuckles. The corners of her eyes have been watery for who knows how long. Maybe since Fathia and Naomi shared tears? Or when the embrace, in which Jack, with a voice trembling withheld-back tears, joined on the front porch, dissolved.

"I... I... I truly can't believe you weren't buried. Every day, I prayed to God, hoping that what I saw was all just a trick," Naomi sobs briefly after unraveling from the tight hug a moment ago. She gazes intently at Fathia. In her tear-shadowed eyes, she has no doubt at all that this girl, a girl whose face and appearance have changed a lot, is her Young Miss.

"Not just Aunt, you know. Me too," Jess says calmly. This suddenly makes Naomi and Jack turn their heads. They give puzzled looks, as they've never met a girl who seems to be around the same age as Fathia.

"Naomi, Jack, let me introduce. This is Jess, Fathia's friend," Fathia intervenes to clear up their confusion.

Naomi stands and immediately hugs Jess tightly. This makes the girl widen her eyes in surprise and struggle to breathe since the hug is starting to hinder her. It's a really tight embrace. "Thank you, Miss Jess. Thank you. You've saved my Young Miss. Thank you, Miss. Oh God. I must be very grateful and do good deeds as a way of expressing my gratitude. Oh God."

With a weak squirm, Jess is eventually released from Naomi's tight grip. She winces, but it doesn't lessen the joy on the older woman's face. Fathia and Jess hold hands right away. Their happiness is immeasurable this afternoon. There will surely be many stories and tales they'll learn soon, but more than anything else that has happened, Jess is truly thankful, and she's certain that Fathia is still alive.

Ignoring the many attentions and offers from Naomi and Jack, Fathia prefers the simple question she's been holding back for a while. Maybe since the first time Clara stepped into Sebastian's luxurious apartment. "How are you guys?"

In sync, Naomi and Jack exchange a glance. And simultaneously, they give small smiles. "We're all good, Miss. Mr. Sebastian never forgets to pay us. He provides money for managing this house and asks us not to go anywhere until it's clear whose hands this house will transfer to."

"What do you mean?" Fathia starts to straighten her back. Beside her, Jess does the same. Jack chooses to stay quiet, allowing Naomi to speak.

"Since Miss was reported as deceased, all of Mr. Alvin's assets have been managed by Mr. Alef."

Fathia nodded slowly.

"And later, when Mr. Sebastian is no longer in charge of Mr. Big's office, this house will be auctioned off. That's what I heard, Miss."

"What?!" This isn't Fathia's voice, it's Jess's. "Seriously, Fathia, you're lucky to be back. If not? A house this big up for auction? That's just insane!" Jess grumbled in frustration.

"That's right, Miss Jess. I'm on the same page as you. Can you believe it? They want to auction off this house just because the owner isn't around anymore. If they were giving it to a charity foundation, maybe we wouldn't mind. But they want to use the money for their own personal inheritance."

"Huh?" Jess expressed her disagreement again. Another frustrated sigh escaped her lips. Fathia shook her head, surprised by Jess's Clara's behavior. "Ugh! Not like that, Na. Mr. Jack said they're making it look like it's for inheritance distribution, you know? With whom, again, Mr. Jack?"

"Mr. Alef."

Jess snapped her fingers. "There you go. Do you know him?"

Fathia nodded, not denying that she indeed knew who Alef Walker was in the extended Claire family. Though they only met occasionally, Fathia could sense the often-disapproving and belittling gazes directed at her. Young Fathia wasn't very familiar with her uncle Alef Walker. It seemed like he didn't like her, at least that's what her young mind thought.

What she understood and grasped was sitting close to her family. It's not that she didn't want to get to know many people; Alvin was possessive of her. She was only allowed to be known by her immediate family. That's it.

"He's my uncle on my dad's side."

Jess nodded. "He's probably greedy."

Fathia didn't know how to respond. "As far as I know, he's not. He has his own business. I just don't know, you know, since my dad's gone."

"Um... Miss," Naomi whispered. "I forgot to mention that..."

"Why?" Fathia asked curiously. Naomi seemed hesitant to speak, but the small nod from Jack made Fathia even more impatient. "What's up?"

"Since your funeral, Mr. Alef's eldest child has been staying here. They said it's to take care of the house."

Fathia's eyes widened. "What?"