Chapter 65: Chapter 65

Sebastian never gets tired of gazing at the girl who's now sound asleep beside him. His daydreams have been granted by fate, where the beautiful image that has been teasing his thoughts for so long has finally come true. Her soft snoring serves as a soothing backdrop that Sebastian doesn't mind listening to. Her breaths are steady, and her peaceful slumber is so deep that it prevents him from acting on his urge to touch her, even just a little.

Propped on his elbow, Sebastian has been enjoying Fathia's sleeping face in her room for maybe twenty to thirty minutes. The scent of lilies that Fathia loves remains, and Sebastian has kept it untouched in this softly pink-toned room. Nothing has changed, and his heart keeps telling him that this girl is still alive. And it's true. His heart is absolutely right.

His mind drifts back to the many conversations they had earlier.

"Do you... want to hug me?"

Fathia's movement through Sebastian's hair comes to a halt. This makes him feel like he's lost something that created a million joys in his heart. As he notices how visibly nervous Fathia is underneath him, a small chuckle escapes his lips. With a gentle shift, he places his head against the curve of Fathia's neck, causing her to tense up.

"Just hug me like this."

Sebastian knows that Fathia is still frozen from his action. Without waiting for a response, he slips his hands beneath her arms and wraps them around her back. Holding her close and intimate. He can feel Fathia's heartbeat against his ear. It's racing.

"And don't stop massaging my head."

Sebastian waits for a while until Fathia's fingertips return to where they left off. Softly caressing. Creating a soothing relaxation that lulls Sebastian to the point of closing his eyes. He can faintly sense Fathia's body's sweet fragrance. It's like a personal aromatherapy, easing away all the chaos. At least, the biggest chaos is gone.

Now, only the remaining part remains.

"But it's not a hug like this that I want."

There's a hint of protest, but Sebastian doesn't care. "Then what kind do you want, hmm?" Sebastian can feel the delicate skin on the curve of Fathia's neck. He can also sense the suppressed irritation from Fathia due to his action of lightly grazing his jaw there.

"Sebastian!" Fathia yells, pushing Sebastian's head slightly, but he seems determined not to be disturbed. In fact, he buries himself further atop her. "You're heavy," Fathia complains, searching for an excuse. Despite that, truthfully, Fathia feels like she has no strength left.

They've been close, but never this close before. Sebastian has stolen her first kiss, but it wasn't the kind of kiss she's feeling now. Fathia knows that after that first kiss, Sebastian always muttered Felice's name. Truly, Fathia doesn't hold any expectations about Sebastian's feelings toward her. Just being near him is enough for her. It's fine if Sebastian still sees her as Felice even now.

However, since Sebastian pulled her close in the office earlier until this moment, with him above her, Fathia seems to have a different hope. Especially his words from earlier seem to imply something. She wants to ask, but she pushes it all back down. Choosing to relish in the embrace Sebastian is giving her is the right thing to do now.

"Hold on, Fathia. I miss you," Sebastian whispers. His words send a relentless shiver down Fathia's spine. Her fingers on Sebastian's head tighten a bit, as if seeking another anchor because those words feel like a dream to her.

"You... miss me?" Easing out of the tight embrace, Sebastian lifts his face. "Wrong?" He raises an eyebrow.

This makes Fathia blink slowly and then shake her head. "You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?"

"Why did you end the hug then?"

For a moment, Sebastian is silent. "Just that?" And he gets an answer from Fathia with a nod. Then a shake. Then she blinks a few times and nods again, leaving Sebastian wanting to laugh at her antics, but he restrains himself. "Which one is it? You just wanted me to hug you?"

Sebastian's question is met with a firm nod. "Here." He lightly pats his thigh. "Sit here."

"Seriously? Why like that?" Fathia looks at him in disbelief.

"Well, you usually sit on my lap shamelessly, don't you? Forgot?"

"Yes," Fathia is at a loss for words. Her face is already getting warm. "Well, not like this."

"What's the difference?"

If she could, Fathia would swap her face for another to avoid feeling embarrassed as she meets Sebastian's gaze. She covers her face with her palm, silently cursing herself for recalling how truly embarrassing her past actions were. Fathia was never prepared for being forcibly lifted by him to sit on his lap. She screamed in surprise, especially when they were face to face at such a close distance.

Her face is as red as a tomato, she's sure of it.

"You... lost weight, huh?"

This earns a playful scoff from Fathia. "You're annoying."

"I'm serious."

Fathia's pout deepens.

"Don't be like that. If I kiss you again, and you run out of breath, you'll understand."

"Ugh! Why are you getting more annoying?"

"Better to be an annoying person to you than someone who just scolds you, right?"

"It's the same thing!"

Finally, Sebastian chuckles. "I'm being annoying because I said I missed you and it wasn't reciprocated."

That causes Fathia to gaze at Sebastian intently. She processes his words, which she finds quite ridiculous. How can he say she doesn't miss him? She responded to his every touch, even though Fathia is certain that it's still far from being 'able.' Or... letting Sebastian hug her half-pinned down?

That's just ridiculous!

"Yeah, right?" Sebastian asks to make sure. "You really didn't miss me."

"Not like that, Sebastian," Fathia exclaims in frustration. "You always say you miss me, but there's always Felice's name involved. That's why I have to make sure, you miss me or Felice. Because now...," Fathia's words catch in her throat. It's as if a heavy stone is lodged there, reminding her of something.

Her face.

"Because now?" Sebastian doesn't let Fathia avert her gaze. He holds her chin to keep her looking at him. "Why?" he presses, waiting for Fathia to talk, but she remains silent, not a word coming out.

"I... my face."

"Why your face?"

"Do you... find it repulsive?"

"Why would I find it repulsive?"

"Aren't you scared?"

Sebastian shakes his head. "You're not a ghost, are you? But even if you were, I wouldn't mind."

"Sebastian! I'm being serious!"

"I'm just as serious." Sebastian tidies up a strand of Fathia's hair that's quite bothersome. He tucks it behind her ear. "Since you brought up the topic of faces, you owe me a lot of explanations about everything. Everything related to you."

Fathia shakes her head softly, disregarding Sebastian's previous words. She needs to make sure of one thing. "My face doesn't resemble Felice anymore, right? So... who do you miss now?"

Even though they're still looking at each other, Sebastian knows Fathia has slightly pulled back her body. Maybe deliberately creating some distance so they're not too close. This prompts Sebastian to pull Fathia back, pressing her even closer. And what Sebastian does prompts a surprised squeak from Fathia, met with a small chuckle from him. "You. It's you I miss, Fathia."

Her bright brown eyes blink slowly. Even though they might not be as doll-like as before, their depth is still the same. The warmth within the light of her eyes hasn't faded, at least not in that fleeting moment that Sebastian feels now.

"Maybe you think I'm just a liar, but you should know," Sebastian pulls Fathia's arm to wrap around his neck. "I haven't missed your sister all that much lately. Maybe... well, once or twice because we did have our own story. You need to know that."

Fathia doesn't know what to do now. Her body tenses suddenly as her waist is held by both of Sebastian's hands.

"I don't care if your face has changed." Then one of Sebastian's hands touches Fathia's left cheek again. "What I care about... is you right here in front of me." He reaches for the side of her head and slowly pulls her closer. He places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Actually, I'm happy that you don't look like Felice anymore."

"You're glad I'm like this?" Fathia asks angrily, not expecting those words to slip so smoothly from Sebastian's lips.

"You've got it wrong if that's what you think," Sebastian says with a slight grin.

"So, what then? You said it yourself. I could still hear, you know!"

"Did you know? I was tormented when I first found out that Felice had a sister who looked so much like her. But... over time, it turns out that you two are completely different."

Fathia pouts. This clearly makes Sebastian chuckle even more.

"What I miss is named Fathia Bernessa Claire."

The girl remains unmoving.

"What I cherish now has the same name. I call her Princess."

Even though she's still not willing to look at him, Sebastian knows there's a faint smile forming on Fathia's lips.

"And this feeling of mine, it's not a joke. It took time for me to convince my heart that, in fact... Felice has been replaced."

Unable to resist, Sebastian lifts Fathia's chin again. He savors how the blush on her cheeks becomes more vivid, making his smile widen.

"And it's still with the same person." Then Sebastian cups both sides of her head and pulls her even closer. Once again, he places a heartfelt kiss on her forehead.

"Princess."

"You... you're not lying, are you?" Fathia asks a moment after Sebastian breaks the kiss. She stares intensely at the man before her. Immersing herself in the blackness of Sebastian's eyes that don't divert anywhere else but back to her. Searching for deception there, but it turns out Fathia doesn't find any. What's present is an immense sincerity.

"Do I look like I'm playing around?"

Softly, Fathia shakes her head. "How about Aunt Clara?"

"Why Clara?"

Finally, Fathia makes a face. "So, I guess I didn't know that you guys were in the midst of preparing for a grand party? It's been all over those gossip accounts on social media. That this year is going to be Clara Jasson's year, marrying her handsome and wealthy fiancé. Not to mention becoming the new idol," Fathia huffs, suddenly irritated. That feeling holds so much power in her heart. She can't conceal it at all.

Sebastian gives a small smile. "Looks like Fathia's grown up, huh?"

"Yeah, well. I'm twenty-three already!" Fathia interjects without thinking.

"Can feel jealousy too."

Fathia pouts again. She's been jealous of Clara for a while, but she never wanted to voice it.

"But I like it." Once again, Sebastian lifts Fathia's chin. "I can settle things with Clara soon because it seems... she's behind your existence? Am I right?"

Suddenly, Fathia feels like she's been doused with extremely cold water. It freezes her and makes her rigid in an instant.

"I've had plenty of time to hear the real story, Fathia."

"But—"

"No 'buts.'"

Fathia's body shivers suddenly. The intimidating aura from Sebastian truly causes her courage to shrink in an instant.

"Soon, Fathia. I can't wait anymore if you want to know."