Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Jess rolled her eyes as Fathia nonchalantly mentioned that she would reveal her true identity after they found the files they were looking for in the archive room. "I thought you'd be the one all pumped up about meeting Sebastian tomorrow and confessing your true self."

"Why do you sound more excited?" Fathia retorted.

The girl sighed, moving a little away from where she was sitting earlier. "Well, I'm motivated. I want to know about those heartless people who've separated some folks from their happiness."

"Including you?" Fathia interrupted spontaneously. Jess turned to look at Fathia, appearing bewildered. Her eyes blinked slowly, a sad smile emerging on her lips.

"You're right. Including me, with the happiness I once had."

Fathia sat up straight. "Roy?"

Jess maintained her gaze and expression. "Yeah." Then she looked up at the ceiling of the room she was in. She sighed softly, closing her eyes. "Roy left me even though... even though, you know, I loved him so much. It's like he sees me as completely worthless now."

There was a palpable sense of melancholy in Jess's words. This prompted Fathia to rise, walk towards her, and when she was close enough, she enveloped Jess in a hug. Comforting her. Fortunately, Jess didn't push her away. Instead, she shed tears that she might have been holding back for a while.

For the first time, Fathia saw Jess at her weakest point. Usually, whenever she asked about Jess's relationship with Roy, she would evade the topic. She would come up with various excuses, but now, Jess was being honest. This was also what solidified Fathia's determination even more. Her fist clenched tightly, while her other hand was used to pat Jess's back.

"Let's reveal everything together, Jess. So that I can also find peace for our other friends, just like you once said."

Jess untangled herself from the hug, nodding slightly as she wiped the corners of her still wet eyes. "Yeah, you're right."

"But it seems... Roy was really terrible to leave you because of your hand condition. Is there something else you're hiding?"

Jess's eyes, which had been intently fixed on Fathia, wanted to look away but found no escape. She could only sigh once again. "It's not just that, actually. Roy cheated on me right after I got back from the hospital."

Fathia decided to probe further as it seemed Jess still wanted to continue talking.

"And the one he cheated with said that I'm a disabled girl, unlike her."

A soft chuckle involuntarily escaped Fathia’s lip. "Good thing I don't have a boyfriend like Roy. Someone who judges based on appearances. Well... I've never dated anyone anyway."

Whether she liked it or not, Jess burst into laughter. Laughing with a friend was one of the most effective ways to be happy. Then, they both opted to change into fresh clothes. Fathia went ahead to use the bathroom and get ready for dinner.

At least, she had a plan for the next week. They were on the evening shift for Thursday and Friday. Maybe on Saturday, she'd decide to visit Ronald? Or Sebastian first? But it seemed like she needed Ronald more than Sebastian. After all, the letter of intent was the first thing her father had handed her. Maybe they had met before. Or discussed things she didn't know about.

After that, she'd see Sebastian. Maybe that would be better. Yeah, right. Just like that. Throughout her shower, that was all Fathia could think about. When she stepped out, Jess was already there, pouting with some teasing remark about Fathia taking forever in the bathroom. Naomi was also setting up dinner for them.

According to Naomi, Kenzo had come back and hadn't left his room since. Naomi's dinner offer was declined, as usual. Fathia just shrugged because she thought Kenzo was just following Sebastian's orders. Besides, as long as Kenzo didn't bother her, she was fine. Or... should she approach Kenzo to find out about the closeness between Aunt Laras and her mother? Also, Aunt Laras's relationship with Clara the Fox?

Ah... that could be an option she'd discuss with Jess later.

***

On Thursday, when she arrived for her afternoon shift at around two in the afternoon, Fathia didn't expect Vino to intercept her and immediately pull her along. She hadn't even put down her bag. She had just clocked in at the automated machine when Vino came at her like a tornado.

She wanted to protest, but she couldn't. All she could do was try to keep up with Vino's large strides. She was out of breath because not only was she in a rush, but she also hadn't taken off her mask yet, making it a bit hard to breathe. She still didn't want others to stare at her more than necessary.

Once they reached Sebastian's office, Vino knocked once and immediately walked in. "Sir, Anne has arrived."

Fathia had experienced being cornered by Sebastian's sharp gaze before. Everything around him froze and didn't move a bit. Her breath felt even tighter, especially when the click of the door Vino closed sounded like a sign that she couldn't escape.

"Why are you here in the afternoon?" Sebastian asked softly. He set aside the papers he had been working on. And indeed, since morning and knowing that Anne had the afternoon shift today, his concentration had been shattered. He called Biyan and asked for all of Anne's schedules for the past month, including preventing Anne and Elin from having afternoon shifts. Without much protest, Biyan complied with Sebastian's request.

Though there was a puzzled frown, Biyan chose the safest route: to immediately do what Sebastian wanted.

Fathia let out a soft sigh, trembling slightly as she retrieved the notes from her pocket. She hurriedly wrote something down as she walked closer. When she felt it was enough, she handed her writing to Sebastian, who still refused to shift his gaze from her.

[My schedule is for the afternoon, Sir.]

Tossing the small note a bit, Sebastian looked back at the girl in front of him mercilessly. "Just so you know, Anne, I haven't had my coffee since morning. Do you know what the consequences are?"

In front of Sebastian, Fathia quickly shook her head.

"My concentration is ruined. My meetings are disrupted. And it's all your fault."

Fathia blinked slowly. Her heart protested vehemently. Where was her fault? She had gotten her schedule and arrived on time. Sure, Jess had persuaded her to get this afternoon shift, but she still felt she hadn't done anything wrong. So, what was it? Why was this man so angry?

"Make me some coffee," Sebastian ordered then, which Fathia immediately responded to with a soft nod.

From the corner of her eye, she was almost one hundred percent sure that those pitch-black eyes were only focused on her, not wandering anywhere else, especially when she was brewing the coffee. If that gaze had lasers that could drill holes, her back would have holes for sure, and it would even penetrate to the coffee machine.

Even when she lifted the coffee cup for Sebastian, he still hadn't shifted his gaze. Slowly, Fathia served him. She stepped back a bit from Sebastian's desk and started thinking about what she would do next. The workspace was still neat. She had organized all the files she left yesterday. The cabinet in the room had also been cleaned by her. So, what was next?

"Don't you have trouble breathing with the mask on all the time?"

A jolt ran through Fathia's body. She was afraid that...

"I'm just curious why you always cover part of your face. Is there something you're hiding?"

Fathia nervously swallows. She chooses to shake her head slowly because she feels cornered like this.

"If you're not hiding anything, why are you still wearing a mask? Is there a virus in this room?"

Fathia freezes. Instead of grabbing the notes on Sebastian's desk, she's overwhelmed by the intimidation he's radiating. Usually, when Sebastian used this tone, Fathia never hesitated to approach him. To plead. But with Clara here? Just speaking up takes a lot of courage.

"Answer."

Once again, Fathia shakes her head slightly, calculating, and then grabs her notes. Even with whatever remaining courage she has, she's holding her ground. Since Sebastian is just watching her actions in silence, Fathia starts writing as quickly as she can. Occasionally, she lifts her eyes, hoping Sebastian will get back to his work. If he's busy, she could ask for permission to leave.

[Sorry, I'm allergic to dust.]

That's all Fathia can think of. She closes her eyes briefly before finally extending the note to Sebastian, who quickly snatches it. His sharp eagle-like eyes narrow suspiciously. "Is that so?"

Fathia doesn't move a muscle in response.

"You just stay there. I'll give you some work."

There's a brief sigh of relief after Sebastian hands back the note. She quickly pockets it and sits in the corner he just pointed to—the couch she's been occupying lately. She counts the passing time as Sebastian remains rooted in his chair. It's as though he's submerged in the pile of documents on his desk.

Vino enters occasionally, handing over files for Sebastian to sign. Meanwhile, Fathia? She just sits there like a dummy. Waiting for a task that she doesn't know what or when she'll do. She knows this room like the back of her hand. Including the scent of the room freshener that Sebastian hasn't changed since her last visit. Plus, the room's temperature, which is making her more and more sleepy.

Especially after last night, she slept around midnight. Even though she could have slept in, her early morning routine isn't easily shaken off. Helping Jack take care of the garden beside her big house is what she opted for after breakfast. Leaving Jess still sleeping in her room, waking up around ten.

She closes her eyes for a moment, leans back, and watches Sebastian, who's still engrossed in the report Vino brought earlier. She takes off her metaphorical bird of prey glasses and rubs her eyes gently. She can't fight off this sleepiness any longer until... she succumbs. In a heavy blink that forces her to fall asleep.

When Sebastian finishes with the files Vino handed him, he was about to ask Anne for a second cup of coffee she made. Ah... Anne or Fathia? Should Sebastian wait or push her? Since last night when Ronald came in with an uncontrollable grin, Sebastian knew that his hunch was a hundred percent correct.

"Where's Fathia now? How's her supervision? Is she safe? Healthy? How's she doing?"

The string of questions Ronald fires away brings great joy to Sebastian's heart. They discuss at length, uncovering several new facts that Ronald had missed. The death certificate in Fathia Bernessa Claire's name is fake. The body that was buried is one of the victims of the explosion that day. However, the victim's family was paid off with millions to conceal the document. Clever move.

Ronald repeatedly curses himself and Sebastian for pushing themselves not to let this go on forever.

"But do you know who ordered this? It could be charged with multiple offenses, Uncle."

"You're right. Uncle will take care of this problem, but... Uncle was very surprised to find out the mastermind behind all of this, Sebastian."

Sebastian's brow furrows.

"Clara. Your fiancée is behind all of this."

Recalling Ronald's words at that time, Sebastian's anger flares up again. How could this be? Oh my God! Clara is behind all of this? Hiding Fathia? What's her intention? His fists clench tightly, his knuckles turn white suddenly. His jaw tightens, and he grits his teeth harder.

He will settle the score with Clara on his own terms. He has to. And this time, he won't let go of her so easily without a clear, very clear understanding about Fathia. Right. Not now, because he doesn't want to disturb the time he has now; with Fathia, of course. When Clara is busy with a photoshoot in Singapore.

Damn it. How could he be so easily fooled like this? Sebastian truly didn't expect Clara to be a part of making this even more complicated. If he didn't glance over at Fathia, who's now leaning back with her eyes closed, the protective glass on his desk might have shattered again due to his actions.

The anger that was dominant earlier dissipates as he takes steps closer to the girl he's been thinking about all this time. His Fathia. Who's now right by his side. And he won't waste the opportunity to be next to her.

Squatting right in front of her, Sebastian gazes gently at Fathia. He really wants to brush aside and tidy up the strands of hair that are dangling. Just to make sure that her hair isn't interrupting her sleep. Everything is still the same. Nothing has changed except for her beautiful hair, cut short. And also... why does she always cover her face with a mask? Is there something Fathia is truly hiding?

But what?

Before the question can be answered, Fathia's eyes flutter open. Sebastian, on the other hand, doesn't move an inch. Instead, he chooses to stare at her intently.

Clearly, this greatly startles Fathia. "Sebasti—" Nerves in Fathia's brain are immediately hit with thousands of volts of energy. This makes her quickly clamp her mouth shut, her wide eyes filled with shock and fear. Hoping fervently that the man who's now smiling so faintly doesn't realize she made a sound earlier.

"Make me some coffee, An," Sebastian says as he rises from his position. "I'm tired."