Chapter 69: Chapter 69

"Mrs. Laras," called one of the servants around her. It interrupted her while she was enjoying her favorite salad, making her turn with a displeased look.

"Sorry for disturbing. There's someone named Sebastian Sachdev who wants to meet you."

"I don't want to meet him."

The servant nodded obediently, stepped back slowly to give some distance for the lady to continue her meal. Glancing briefly around at the peaceful surroundings, Laras resumed her meal. The sound of the pool's water behind her provided a soothing backdrop to the morning nearing noon. In three hours, she had an appointment with Clara. The girl was back from a photoshoot, and Laras was sure she needed some retail therapy, spending quite a bit at her favorite stores.

Her activities revolved around the house and shopping. Enjoying all the luxury with a sense of confinement, yet she managed to wear a fake smile as much as possible. There was only one person who kept her spirits alive to this day: Kenzo, her son.

"Sorry, ma'am," the servant, Clara, didn't hide her fear. "Mr. Sebastian, is with someone named Fathia Claire."

Her chewing of the vegetable salad stopped. Even the spoon she used to reluctantly stir her salad bowl paused. Her eyes closed momentarily. "It seems the time has come," she murmured softly. No one could hear her except herself and her God. "Tell them to come in. Welcome them properly."

The relieved exhale of the servant was evident. To her, disturbing the lady was like inviting death. That middle-aged woman who still appeared beautiful and vibrant could turn furious. No, it was enough for her to receive all the curses that often flowed smoothly within this grand house. Not to mention the occasional return of the Young Master. If he was around, the anger the house's owner often vented could be held back. Even the Great Lady would smile then. A very sweet smile, actually.

Once again, Laras ignored everyone around her. Resuming what had been delayed earlier and thinking about what she would discuss later. Laras didn't expect Fathia to come to her this quickly. Ah... that child. In the momentary darkness she embraced while savoring the sweetness of her favorite purple lettuce, Laras never forgot how similar Fathia's face was to Rossie's.

Her memory was dragged back to her last meeting with Rossie. She had never expected that the threats she often heard from her husband, Alef Walker, would be spoken without the slightest trace of guilt. Laras shed her tears silently as she stood beside her sister's grave. Because she knew Alef was observing her keenly. As if there was an invisible blade's edge that touched her back with great delight. Ready to pierce through her to quickly join her beloved sister and her sister's dear wife.

"You know, Laras, Fathia looks so much like me," she said excitedly.

"Really? Isn't it Felice?"

Laughter filled the air from Rossie. Initially, Laras really held resentment and anger towards the woman who seemed to be shaking her head in disagreement with what she said. "Wrong. Felice is so Alvin. Well... lucky me for having Fathia. She's totally me, that's for sure."

"Yeah, but why?" Laras was genuinely curious about this part.

In Laras's eyes, Rossie was the source of storms in her marriage. The most beautiful ex of her unloving husband until now. At first, she had perfectly directed her anger at Rossie, but seeing how sincerely the woman in front of her cared for her sister, made Laras think. Repeatedly asking from a tone of cynicism to suggesting emphasis, Laras always got the same answer, "I loved her back then, Ras. But now I have a family. Who loves me. The love from your sister is great, LaRas. I can't waste it, can I?"

"Then what am I, Ros? Alef doesn't love me at all!" Laras once yelled when she felt so desperate about her marriage. Rossie, without a confidante. What she thought was a thorn, actually never ignored her. All the words that Laras felt hurt the tender-hearted woman were only met with a smile.

She said, "I understand why you're so angry at me."

Responding to Laras's emotions, Rossie approached. She gently rubbed her shoulder. "I don't know if I should say be patient or how you should behave. Maybe it's because of Alvin's perseverance that I finally melted."

"What else could I have done, Ros?" Laras exclaimed. "I've done everything you told me about Alef."

"The way I did?"

Without hesitation, Laras nodded.

"Ras, it's not that I don't appreciate your efforts. No, not at all. But you need to remember, you're Laras, not Rossie. Be like Laras. You're a great woman. Alvin could succeed like that because Claire's blood runs in him. Just like you, Ras. You can do it."

Laras blinked slowly. She gazed in disbelief at her conversation partner who was now smiling warmly. Encouraging her. "Why are you so good to me, Ros?"

That smile grew warmer and was sprinkled with a lot of joy. Not to mention her narrowed eyes due to the lines at the corners of her mouth that deepened.

"I want to have a complete family, Ras. You as the older sister. Put the past behind. Walk in peace with Iklima too. Don't you want that? It's just the three of you, right? Besides family, where's the safest place to seek refuge?"

Laras nodded. "You're right."

"I'll always support you, Ras. I can't erase the past that's ingrained in me, Ras. I can only make peace with it. After all, you know for sure that my love has changed."

Slowly, Laras nodded.

"I'm sure, Felice and Fathia are proud to have an aunt like you." Rossie touched her hand to Laras's palm, causing the woman to briefly look down, observing what Rossie was doing.

"You didn't continue your sentence, Ros."

"About what?"

"Fathia. Why did you say Fathia is so you? What's going on?"

The laughter sounded again. It was crisp and bursting with happiness. "Take a look at this," Rossie pointed to the two young girls near the pool. They sat together on a long couch, near the corridor with tall glass sliding doors providing access to the swimming pool. It instantly caught Laras's attention, making her turn her gaze to what Rossie was showing.

One of them, quiet. Seated gracefully, not wanting to run around like her other sibling. In front of her, Laras could see that the little girl was focused on a book, as well as dried leaves and flowers. She didn't know what she was up to. While the other one couldn't stay still at all. Occasionally, she'd call the little girl to run around with her scooter.

"Felice is like Alvin, you know. I remember when they were little. Alvin used to fall a lot but never learned his lesson."

"That's what I meant, Ras." The joy in her eyes was so evident that without realizing it, the corners of Laras's lips were pulled upward.

"Meanwhile, Fathia prefers indoor activities. She seldom talks, only responds to us briefly, but when she does, it makes us all smile."

Laras joined in the laughter.

"My life is for my child, Ras. Even if Alef is out of reach, at least there's Kenzo. You should be proud of him, Ras. The second source of happiness is children and they can become the most important thing in life."

Laras remained silent for a while after Rossie's words. "You're right again, Ros."

Rossie smiled slightly.

"I never thought that someone I despised would speak so intimately to me now."

Laras took as many breaths as she could. That memory couldn't be erased from her mind. Not to mention their friendly conversation after a long time of not seeing each other. Though brief, Laras felt Rossie could be her support in facing days with Alef.

From a distance, Laras observed Rossie's two children growing up. Although she never met them in person, Laras knew quite a bit from Rossie's stories about her nieces.

"Ma'am, they're here."

The eyes she closed slowly opened. Rossie's smile faded as the younger version of Rossie replaced her figure. But...

"Come in, Fathia." Laras chose to use those words instead of immediately addressing what was bothering her.

The girl accompanied by a man, whom Laras knew, approached. There was hesitation in her eyes, but as their eyes locked, Fathia pulled away from the man. Slowly, her feet carried her closer to Laras.

"Aunt, do you know Fathia?"

Out of all the possible questions, it was this odd one that came out? Laras couldn't help but laugh. "Have a seat."

The girl didn't object. Laras noticed the corner of her eye glancing briefly at the man standing not far from them.

"You too, Sebastian." Laras invited the man whom Alvin trusted to manage the Azure Group to sit.

Before her, the girl sat calmly. Her eyes truly reminded Laras of Rossie's figure. It was true what had been said, that Fathia was a reflection of her in her prime. Her calmness was commendable. No fear, even though if Laras were to experience what Fathia went through, she might have chosen not to deal with it anymore.

Fear.

"What brings you here, my niece?"

There was a slow blink that Fathia did, as the tone of the voice didn't seem threatening. In fact, there were many things that didn't need words to convey.

"This letter." Although Fathia wasn't sure whether she should mention this first or not. The hospital logo where the investigation results from Ronald and Sebastian about Fathia's fake death were found.

"And then?"

"Aunt, don't you want to see it?"

Laras shook her head slightly. She lifted her cup of green tea slowly. She sipped it with emotion, as if the liquid was deliberately placed in front of her to soothe the emerging emotions. The flashes of disturbing memories that had been bothering her lately were truly tearing at another side of her.

"For what?"

Both Fathia and Sebastian exchanged glances.

"So... did Aunt Laras do it intentionally?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a tray with drinks served for Fathia and Sebastian. The waiter immediately busied himself with lifting the salad plate that would no longer be eaten by the Lady. He replaced it with a new elegantly carved small teapot filled with Lady's favorite green tea.

After Laras made sure there were no more interruptions, her gaze sharpened towards Sebastian. "What do you think?"

"I'm not an easily sociable person, Mrs. Laras. You should know that."

"And I'm not a person who easily forgets my brother’s wishes in his will."

Sebastian furrowed his brow.

"You're Fathia's guardian, aren't you? Is that right?"

Sebastian chose to stay silent, attentively listening to what this woman was going to say.

"Why aren't you acting like the guardian you're supposed to be? Protecting Fathia from all threats?"