Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Fathia chose to enjoy their journey. Since the breakfast that was initially filled with cheerfulness, Sebastian suddenly became silent. Fathia wasn't afraid to ask. She was worried that his answer might just take away her sudden burst of happiness. No, she wasn't ready to let that slip away just like that. Besides, she used his silence to think about what she would do when she stepped into Mahesa's residence.

Throughout her life, Fathia had never visited her uncle's house. Now, she knew the secrets of the past regarding her uncle's relationship with her mother. If Fathia could draw a conclusion, it was only after Jess opened up many assumptions in front of her, that her aunt... was in a forced marriage. Especially considering the stories her mother wrote about Alef still trying to reach out to her.

All sorts of questions had taken over Fathia's mind, especially as she examined the documents that pointed to one conclusion. Unexpectedly, Fathia found out that there was another secret hidden within them. She thought it would be better to meet Clara first, then gently push her to reveal the truth about the fake funeral. Though Fathia might face difficulties due to their strained relationship, not to mention her promise to Clara.

Ah, the promise issue suddenly gave Fathia a shortness of breath that felt suffocating. She couldn't ignore it if both Laras and Clara were actually working together. They worked meticulously, leaving no trace of suspicion. Even Ronald, according to Sebastian, could be deceived so easily. Maybe it was due to the large sum of money Laras had poured to cover up this incident. It made sense considering who Laras was. But why?

Fathia remembered Naomi's statement that both Laras and Clara had visited her house. She didn't know what they were looking for.

"Sebastian," Fathia called out to confirm something.

Sebastian, focused on driving, glanced briefly. He wanted to talk a lot, just like they had done not long ago. No satisfied words could describe how much Sebastian missed the warmth of their conversations in the last few hours. And now? Why was Sebastian so quiet? Ah... he couldn't deny that Clara's message had unsettled him. His hands gripped the steering wheel even tighter. Especially after finding out what Clara had done to Fathia.

And all this time? They were together? Clara was also there, witnessing the fake funeral. Not to mention, she accompanied Sebastian through his busy work as a way to cope with his pain. Sebastian felt that Clara was like a friend, someone he could maybe trust a little, even though the woman sometimes demanded that he learn to like her.

Oh God! Clara Jasson was truly the Fox she suspected! How disrespectful! Unknowingly, Sebastian punched the steering wheel. His thoughts about Clara had pushed him to his limit.

"Sebastian?" Fathia asked in panic. She hadn't said anything, but why did Sebastian seem angry? Was something wrong?

Fathia's voice shattered his emotions. He had forgotten that there was a girl right next to him. Clara, indeed! He would have a special reckoning with her. "Yeah?" Sebastian tried to control his emotions, turning back to Fathia who was looking at him with a mix of fear and confusion. "I'm sorry." Sebastian's sigh indicated that he still hadn't completely managed to bring down the level of anger that enveloped him.

"Why apologize?"

Sebastian chose to refocus, even though there was a small smile on his lips. "I got emotional." He chose honesty.

When he crossed all the boundaries that had always kept him from getting closer, he had made up his mind. His efforts to push away feelings that were growing day by day always returned to zero. Or even negative. He always remembered Fathia. He remembered every little thing about her. Even Clara's charm, before he found out about her deceit, couldn't shake Sebastian's heart. He didn't know when those feelings had grown and developed, perhaps because they were destined to be together. However, Ronald's words were deeply ingrained in him.

But when Sebastian placed himself over Fathia, he didn't care about the potential negative perceptions of him, especially from Ronald. He only wanted Fathia. Just Fathia.

"Because of me?"

His reverie was broken by Fathia's recent question. Of course, Sebastian turned to her and shook his head firmly. "Why you?"

"Well... who knows, right? I remember getting scolded a lot."

This made Sebastian laugh. Shaking his head slowly while turning the steering wheel to the right, he guided the vehicle at a regular speed because the traffic ahead was quite dense. Shifting to the right lane because they would soon enter a luxurious residential complex in Metropolis. "Did you call me for something?"

"Never mind. I was afraid you'd get mad again."

Still shaking his head, and feeling the steady pace of the vehicle, Sebastian used his other hand to ruffle Fathia's neatly combed hair. This clearly made the girl widen her eyes in shock. She quickly pushed his hand away while protesting. She said, "My hair is already neat! I don't want it messed up, Sebastian!"

"I'm not mad at you, Fathia. So... what did you want to ask?"

Actually, Fathia was somewhat hesitant and more confused due to Sebastian's recent behavior. She didn't understand what he was thinking.

"Fathia?"

"But promise you won't get mad," she said softly. Her gaze occasionally flicked towards Sebastian. Their fingers interlocked briefly, just to reassure herself.

"Depends on the type of question."

Fathia's shoulders slumped. What she was about to ask was related to personal matters. "Never mind, then."

"You want me to push you, huh?"

"Not like that," Fathia retorted, somewhat puzzled.

"Then?"

"It's personal. I'm afraid this question will bother you."

Fathia's words made Sebastian furrow his brow. "What do you want to ask?" If it's something personal, like feelings? About Fathia? Why couldn't the girl understand that Sebastian was half out of his mind without her? Meeting her again, making sure she was still alive, healthy, breathing normally, and looking fine. Not to mention, they quenched their longing with many talks like last night. Couldn't that make Fathia realize her feelings?

Ah... Sebastian was being dumb! Didn't women with all their weird assumptions need a clear explanation? Saying "I love you" and having a clear bond between them? Sebastian had thought about it after sorting out all the issues with Clara. Nothing could stop him from canceling all his plans with Clara. After everything that woman, the Fox, had done. That's right. What Fathia said about her being a Fox was accurate. Clara was an incredibly cunning Fox. And damn it, Sebastian was deceived. Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

If he hit the steering wheel again, he might not just damage the steering wheel. He might even damage the car itself, as his emotions surged again mercilessly. He was so frustrated thinking about Clara swirling in his mind.

"When did you meet Clara?"

Sebastian slammed on the brakes instantly. The steering wheel he had been keeping balanced was immediately turned to the left side of the road. Quickly followed by the honking of the car behind them. Luckily, there was no subsequent incident, whether it was a motorbike rider getting grazed by Sebastian's car or a rear bumper being hit without warning. And Fathia's forehead was about to hit the dashboard.

"Sebastian!" Fathia exclaimed, truly shocked by what Sebastian had just done. How could he...

"Sorry. Sorry. You're asking a question like that? Seriously?"

Fathia was bewildered.

"Are you serious with your question, Fathia?" Sebastian seemed to be indifferent to what was happening around him. He needed to make sure of one thing. "Why suddenly ask such an irrelevant question?"

"Irrelevant?" Fathia was now confused. "For me, it's actually important."

Slowly, Sebastian started driving again. This time, properly and focused. He had endangered Fathia just now. Suddenly a sense of regret crept in, although his curiosity was growing. "I'm sorry about earlier." Regret deepened as Fathia was seen sighing a few times. Perhaps she felt like she had narrowly escaped a bump on her forehead just now.

However, what Fathia had asked was truly strange. What did it have to do with Sebastian's introduction to Clara back then?

"Sebastian," Fathia demanded, ignoring Sebastian's apology. She needed an answer because her curiosity was growing. Sebastian rarely lost focus like he did just now. And Clara, wow. Fathia really didn't expect it. Was this question very personal? To tell the truth.

"Do you still remember when I introduced you to Clara?"

A frustrated sigh slipped perfectly from Fathia's lips. Sebastian noticed this, chuckling softly. "When your expression is like that, I assume you remember." He glanced briefly and noticed Fathia's face scrunching up a bit more, but not yet. Sebastian wasn't ready to wrap up his further words. "Roughly, about four or five months before that day, I got to know Clara Jasson. The beautiful model who was on the rise. Until now, right?" It was his own fault for asking about Clara, which made Sebastian hold back his emotions forcefully, causing a slight break in his concentration.

"Yeah. Beautiful, famous, great body, not to mention appealing to most guys," Fathia grumbled, now choosing to lean against the seat and looking straight ahead. This question should have been straightforward. The answer she needed was just the timing. Why did it have to deviate all over the place?

"What's the typical preference for most guys like? Can you be more specific?" Sebastian asked without hiding the amusement in his tone. It turned out that annoying Fathia was quite entertaining.

"I was just asking for the right time. Not for an answer like this." Fathia still didn't want to turn. Although from the corner of her eye, she could see clearly that Sebastian seemed to be teasing her.

"You can figure that out on your own. Maybe around the year... early 2017? Around that time," he said.

Fathia started counting. If it was two years after the death of their parents, did that mean Laras and Clara already knew each other? Then...

"Why, Fathia?" A few minutes passed before Sebastian decided to ask. The look in her eyes and the expression on her face made him even more curious.

"Aunt Laras... knew Clara before you did, Sebastian." The words were like a soft whisper, yet Fathia believed in them.

***

Fathia got out of the car and was greeted by a two or three-story house, she wasn't quite sure. From the outside, the house stood quite tall. With its high golden gate, they were confronted by a few fierce-looking guards. They were allowed in after a full minute of arguing with the house's guards. Even then, Fathia wasn't allowed to get out of her seat. Actually, she felt anxious when Sebastian faced them all. Though she was sure Sebastian could protect himself, it was still a dread for Fathia. It was natural since neither of them had ever entered this grand house before. The house was no less magnificent than Fathia's parents' home. Many large pillars surrounded the big house. It had a classic yet glamorous style, plus the choice of paint and several statues and large vases added a strong sense of arrogance. The sense of luxury and elegance was quite evident as Fathia began to follow one of the servants who approached them.

"Madam is by the pool, Miss, Sir," the servant informed them. Fathia walked slowly, reciting many prayers to give her extra strength to face her father's sister. Fathia didn't know if they had a good relationship. Judging by the piercing look she had given her before, it seemed far-fetched for Fathia to believe that.

A cold breeze greeted Fathia, making her shiver slightly in fear. Several antique displays on various sides and a large glass cabinet filled with neatly arranged items caught her eye. Not to mention the furniture choices and room design that convinced Fathia that Larasati had a good sense of interior decoration.

"Go through here," the servant said again, shortly after they exited the glass door, with a pool on either side that produced a calming ripple. But no. Fathia was growing more fearful. Besides not knowing Laras's exact intentions, she was suddenly right in front of her. What she didn't realize, until a startled yelp when Sebastian's large fingers intertwined with hers, was that she had looked up. A reassuring smile from Sebastian followed. And a small nod was an indication that Fathia wasn't alone.

That's right. Fathia wasn't alone. She really had to be able to reveal everything.

Including... was her uncle involved in the accident that claimed Fathia's parents? Because if he was, Fathia wouldn't hesitate to make him pay. A fire was kindling within Fathia. As facts piled up one after another, revealing people who were suspected of knowing and covering up all the events happening in her life now.

Their steps slowed down as the view unfolded in front of them. A swimming pool surrounded by lush plants that were starting to bloom with flowers. Added to that were two large gazebos for relaxation, Fathia presumed. Her eyes were also fixed on a table with four chairs. One of the seats was occupied by someone whose face Fathia had somewhat forgotten.

Larasati Acsia Claire. Alvin's blood sister, her father's sister.

Wearing a bright yellow dress, her hair neatly tied up, and with her elegance, she was enjoying the dish in front of her. She gracefully looked up when one of the servants informed her of the guests' arrival. The cup she had been sipping from was placed down with a slow movement. And as their eyes met, a subtly different smile was exchanged, received by Fathia from the woman.

"Come in, Fathia."