Chapter 59: Chapter 59

"So, how's it going?" Jess asked, curious. Ever since she let Fathia sit by the window, she knew her friend needed more privacy. Not wanting to disturb too much, Jess chose to enjoy her warm tea and snacks. She had an intention to properly thank Kenzo, but she abandoned that plan upon seeing that Fathia didn't seem to be doing well.

Her friend had been seen crying several times, then smiling again. Not to mention her facial expressions, as if completely engrossed in whatever she was reading. Jess really didn't want to disturb her for a moment.

"I think I need the 2000 archives," Fathia said without looking at Jess. She preferred to gaze out the window, which was now bright with garden lights. Apparently, reading her mother's writing took quite a bit of time. She let out a soft sigh. "Or... what is it? The company establishment deed? The one with the changes in the board of directors? What's it called?"

"Yeah, the establishment deed, Fathia."

"I need the shareholding amount for Uncle Alef."

Jess furrowed her brow. "How's that? How's that?"

Once again, Fathia's sigh escaped softly. There was a frustrated growl in there. "Group Azure almost went bankrupt once, and Uncle Alef provided assistance back then. Does his involvement count as being among the founders or not? If it does, how much share does he have? I'm afraid the more shares Uncle Alef holds, the more power he might gain."

Jess nodded. "So, besides searching for the approval with the year that has the annotations, you also need the latest company establishment deed. Right?"

Uncertain, Fathia nodded.

"Is there a story about your aunt there?"

Fathia looked at Jess with confusion. "Who?"

"Gee! Kenzo's mother."

"Not much story about Aunt Laras, really."

"It's kind of difficult to uncover Clara's motive then."

Fathia agreed with what Jess had just said. "I'm also unsure how to find out about that fake death certificate."

"Just pray for a miracle before it's all too late, Fathia."

"Hopefully," Fathia whispered. The tangle that Claire had woven indeed left Fathia with a sudden dizziness, but every word her mother had written, especially the part about encouraging her father, had empowered Fathia. She wouldn't let Group Azure fall into the wrong hands. Even though she didn't want to manage it, it didn't mean she didn't care, right?

All of this... what she was beginning to enjoy again, came from Group Azure. Her mother was right. This house held her memories. She wouldn't let go easily, especially not to the point of auctioning it off. No. No.

"So, we gather everyone, Jess," Fathia concluded softly. Jess, who was savoring the last of her tea in the cup, refrained from doing so. She chose to place the cup down again. Looking at Fathia, this time, there was no doubt before her.

"What do you mean by gather everyone?"

"I'm sure Sebastian knows I'm back. He just needs to talk to me, Jess. I'm really sure of that. Sebastian is in a position at Group Azure, and so is Uncle Ronald. Even though Mommy never mentioned it, her last writing implies that there are things that are being hidden, and Uncle Ronald knows."

"What's the actual relationship between Uncle Ronald and your family?" Jess was quite curious, actually.

"He's the family's most trusted lawyer according to Dad. I've met him a few times and had dinner with his family. I know his son too. But, yeah... like that. Not really close."

"Do you know his office?"

Fathia nodded.

"Are you willing to take the risk?"

"After this week, if we can find the documents we're looking for, we'll plan the next steps."

For this, even though Jess knew it wouldn't be easy, she smiled widely instead. This made Fathia furrow her brow in confusion. And her curiosity was answered when Jess finally spoke.

"That's right! That's the real Fathia Bernessa Claire! People might judge you as weak, but you're not. You're strong. You're resilient. You can face it all."

Her smile blossomed too. "Thanks, Jess, for supporting me." It's true. What Jess just said was true. Others might perceive her as weak, but she's not that kind of woman. As her mother hoped, she's a resilient Claire.

"Always, Fathia."

Embracing each other was what they did now. Only the sound of a knock on her bedroom door caused that embrace to break. They glanced at each other, Fathia stealing a moment to look at the clock on her room wall; it was eight in the evening.

"Who is it?" Jess asked then, taking slow steps toward the door.

"Naomi, Miss Jess."

Unconsciously, both of them let out a sigh of relief. They were still considering the possibility of Kenzo suddenly knocking on the door or even eavesdropping. It could mess up everything Fathia had planned. Even though only a few people knew that they occupied this room, anticipation was the best they could do now.

The sound of a click and Jess extending her head to survey behind Naomi were reflexive actions she took. And as they exchanged glances, there was an understanding smile that Naomi conjured on the corner of her lips. "No one followed me, Miss."

Jess grinned. "It's not that, Aunt. There's Kenzo. We don't know whose side he's on."

Naomi nodded obediently. She pushed the food trolley she had intentionally prepared for the young miss and her friend. Chicken soup was what Naomi prepared since Jess had complained about her stomach not feeling well earlier. Meanwhile, the extra cheesy pasta for her young miss's dinner was something that was sure to be liked, considering how closely Fathia and cheese were linked.

"What's tonight's dinner menu, Naomi? You don't have to go through the trouble of bringing it to the room." Fathia approached Naomi as she began to serve the dishes on the table near the couch Jess usually used to watch TV shows.

"Extra cheesy pasta."

And true to Naomi's words, a bright spark was found on Fathia's face. While behind her, Jess made a displeased sound with a mocking pout.

"Fathia and cheese. Oh my God. When will you get tired of it, Fathia?"

Laughter escaped Fathia. "For me, cheese is something."

"I'm not in the mood for stories about your love affair with your uncle, okay. I'm hungry."

Hearing Jess's words, Naomi furrowed her brow. "Whose love stories? Uncle who?"

"Aunt Naomi doesn't know? Fathia and Sebastian?"

Fathia immediately tried to cover Jess's mouth, who was already bursting into laughter. This made Fathia chase her even more energetically, while Jess continued to evade Fathia's pursuit.

"Uh... why are we playing chase? Let's eat first, Miss. It might get cold," Naomi intervened, shaking her head, though she couldn't hide the warmth that suddenly filled her. It had been a long time since she had seen her young miss this cheerful. Indeed, Jess's presence seemed to bring a new vibrancy to the young miss. At least she didn't always feel like she was alone. There were still many who cared for her, including herself, of course.

"Jess, you're annoying." Fathia crossed her arms. Her lips pouted. She sat, looking at Jess with a disapproving gaze.

"Ugh... sulking like that is not attractive, you know!" Jess teased and then burst into laughter again. "Alright, fine. Let's eat first. Tomorrow we'll need a lot of energy."

Fathia agreed with that. She began to eat calmly, although she could still hear Jess's teasing giggles. No matter how she tried to silence her, Jess would always find a way to slip in a mocking comment.

"But Miss Jess is right. This story of Mr. Sebastian and Miss Fathia really makes us all feel like they're the most perfect couple."

"Naomi!" Fathia exclaimed in disbelief. Her eyes shot a horrified look at Naomi, who was now giving her a mischievous wink.

"Come on, Aunt. Aunt doesn't know? Fathia and Sebastian?"

Naomi nodded enthusiastically. "Who doesn't know? Ever since Miss Fathia put on that uniform, it's like Mr. Sebastian had been waiting for her."

"Ugh... not like that!" Fathia retorted. "No way."

"Come on, Aunt Naomi, spill it. I've been curious since when? Uncle Sebastian, man, he's really stern. When I saw him glaring, I felt as small as a mouse trapped between big ruins."

Fathia pouted upon hearing Jess's words, which Naomi seconded.

"It's true, Miss. Mr. Sebastian is strict, firm, but he's only gentle with Miss Fathia."

Enough already. The two of them were in sync in teasing about the past, the very moments that Fathia still held onto even now. Her blushing face couldn't hide the shy smile Fathia had. Her imagination worked, reminding her how close they used to be.

However, when Fathia's gaze accidentally passed by the large mirror on the vanity table, the smile and the blush vanished.

There, her face was in plain view. With a somewhat disturbing scar on the left side. Not to mention, near her eyebrow on the same side; it looked quite frightening to keep staring at. Her face... had changed. No longer the Fathia that Sebastian knew. The one whose eyes as dark as coal used to be filled with admiration and... a voice calling out her brother's name.

She didn't know if the risk she was about to take would involve presenting herself in front of Sebastian. Could she... handle it?

***

Kenzo scoffed in annoyance. The report he received from the marketing team under his supervision had actually encountered no issues at all. However, for the past two hours of studying it, he hadn't found any concentration. The image of the girl he helped yesterday evening was the main cause. Despite trying hard to dismiss her, he found himself repeatedly ruffling his hair.

Damn it! He cursed, not knowing how many times already. The turmoil that created chaos in his state of mind wasn't over yet, when a knock on his office door was heard. Causing his brow to furrow. "Who is it?"

"Sebastian."

He definitely felt strange about a visit from the head of the company he worked at. Ah... he should've known that the report whose sheets were now scattered should've been on the desk of the person whose footsteps were approaching him.

"Sorry, Sebastian, the door's not open."

Sebastian grinned. "I still have hands."

Kenzo chuckled. "Sorry, I'm still checking the report."

Sebastian chose to pull the chair next to Kenzo's work desk. He sat down, making himself comfortable. He didn't care that his sitting posture might mess up his suit. He didn't have any meetings scheduled for today.

"Do you enjoy working here?"

Being asked like that elicited a soft sigh that Kenzo didn't hide. "You know best what I want."

Sebastian nodded slowly. "I actually need your opinion."

"Opinion?" Kenzo repeated in confusion. "What opinion?"

"If," Sebastian slid his chair slightly with a single motion. The wheels rubbing against the floor made a creaking sound that was quite noticeable, but he ignored it. "If in your eyes, someone is cheating, what would you do?"

Kenzo immediately became wary. "Cheating has many meanings."

"Embezzlement." Sebastian spoke casually but his gaze was as sharp as an eagle ready to strike anyone he looked at. The air supply in Kenzo's room felt thinner due to the intimidation Sebastian was exuding.

"Cut," Kenzo replied bluntly. Their gazes met. Kenzo wasn't afraid of Sebastian, no. But the respect he held for the man who was eight years his senior was enough to make him feel quite cautious around him.

"Even if it means... your family?"

Kenzo's fingers clenched tightly. His knuckles turned white. His eyes were no longer just sharp, they were challenging Sebastian's gaze. The tension in his jaw was evident.

"Or... are you starting to change your vision?"

"No!" The answer Kenzo gave hadn't changed since the first time he had a serious conversation with Sebastian Sachdev.

"Good." Sebastian slowly stood up. "I'll wait for your report then, Kenzo." He walked away with confident steps, his gaze confidently sweeping around Kenzo's workspace which seemed pretty ordinary. Except for a wall decoration that read: Your mind is the ultimate killer.

"Don't touch Mami."

That statement made Sebastian pause. He turned with a dramatic gesture; a thin grin appeared with a slight nod.

"Your mother is safe, Kenzo. Just... do what I want."