Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Jess flopped down onto Fathia's bed, sighing with exhaustion since Fathia had opened Sebastian's apartment door. She teased Jess for being overly dramatic, thinking that Jess was going overboard. Her friend had been brought over directly by Vino. When Vino brought Jess, Sebastian's assistant had mentioned that Sebastian was busy briefly. Fathia had initially invited Vino to have dinner here but he politely declined.

"I still have a lot of work, Miss. I'm sorry. I'll try next time. Opportunities like this are rare, but I hope you'll invite me again."

Fathia chuckled. "Don't be so hesitant, Vino. When I cook again, I'll definitely invite you. But don't turn it down, okay? It hurts to be rejected."

The man just chuckled in response to Fathia. Meanwhile, Jess pouted. "You act like you've been rejected before," she said as she walked inside. Leaving Fathia at the doorway with Vino, who softly shook his head in response to Jess's words.

"Excuse me then, Miss."

Fathia nodded slightly, letting the man disappear into the elevator that was heading to the lobby, while she returned to her room. She found Jess sprawled out, partially covering her face with the back of her hand.

"Why so tired?" teased Fathia, resuming her activities of drying her hair.

"You have no idea what it's like to be me, Fathia!" Jess exclaimed hysterically. "Kenzo... oh my God! If only you had already come out with your true self, I swear... I swear, I'd throw my shoe at his head! That guy is so damn annoying!!!"

Fathia burst into laughter. Before she could ask what had made Jess so emotional, a string of words echoed in Fathia's room.

"Try being me, Fathia. Just try." Jess adjusted her position now, sitting at the edge of Fathia's bed, her eyes ablaze with frustration.

"What did he do to cause this? Oh... my bad. What did you do wrong with him?"

"Why are you like this? You're not very loyal to your friend, huh?" Jess retorted, surprised that her friend could be so teasing. "Your cousin turned my life into a World War II era. Colonized. Total colonizer! Make coffee, make breakfast, mess up lunch multiple times. Damn it!"

Fathia couldn't stop her laughter, but it was interrupted by Jess's passionate words. "And what I hate the most is that he always brings up my almost-drowning incident. Like, seriously? Did I want that? Even though I warmed up, right? He says, 'this is how you properly say thank you.' When haven't I thanked him in the right way? Oh God! I really want to just squeeze his face to wipe off that arrogance!"

Enough. Jess's behavior this afternoon was giving Fathia a stomach ache. Clearly, this was making Jess mad. The annoyed expression on her face was apparent through her pouting and grumbling. She moved closer to Fathia, who was still busy with her hairdryer.

"You said you were going to make dinner. Where is it? You're still fussing with your makeup. And you're surprisingly neat," Jess muttered, but a smirk appeared as she realized her own words. "Oh my God! I forgot we were supposed to welcome dear Uncle Sebastian."

Fathia just shook her head slightly. "Dinner has been taken care of by Summer. I've got it all under control. Just need to do a taste test and decide on the menu. Still not trusted to handle the kitchen freely." Then she went back to her interrupted activity, with Jess sitting beside her.

"Summer?"

"The assistant in this apartment. But not staying over, doesn't want to. Heads home in the evening," Jess nodded in understanding. "So... you've been living here just the two of you, Fathia?"

"Yeah. It's been just the two of us. There's Summer too, you know. She takes care of the apartment during the day. I'm at school, and Sebastian's at work," Fathia added, making sure her appearance was neat this time. When her hand touched the scar on her left jaw, she let out a long sigh. The corner of her eye caught Jess, who was now exchanging glances with her in the mirror.

The dressing table in this room was quite large. Sebastian had once asked if the room here should be made as similar as possible to his room in the main house. Fathia declined but requested a spacious dressing table, which she also used as a study table. Still touching her scar, Fathia spoke softly, more directed at herself. "What do you think if I have surgery, Jess?"

"How's your own condition? Do you still get frequent headaches?"

Fathia paused in her hair-styling movements. "Headaches?" She looked at Jess, who was staring with concern. "Um... I can't remember the last time I had a headache."

Jess shook her head in surprise. "Don't take it lightly, Fathia. It's part of your medical history."

"But seriously, Jess, I don't feel dizzy anymore." Fathia herself started to think about the last time she had a headache that plagued her during her time in Beverly Hills. Here, her mind was working overtime. She was thinking about all the possibilities she was currently facing. However... the dizziness wasn't bothering her anymore. "Why is that?"

Jess just hugged Fathia. "It's your home. No matter what, this is your home. Your family. Even in your big home, you felt so accepted, right?"

Slowly, Fathia nodded.

"All the complications that happen, no matter how heavy your problems are, they will find a way when you come back, Fathia. No matter how heavy."

Fathia agreed with Jess.

"Don't give up because of something. Even someone who isn't you cares so much about everything. Aunt Naomi, Mr. Jack, Mr. Dennis, your parents, your siblings. Everyone."

Once again, Fathia nodded.

"And you owe me a lot of explanations about what you guys are doing here."

"Here? I'm not doing anything," Fathia blinked innocently. The hug unraveled, with Jess giving her a mischievous grin.

As if not believing what Fathia had just said, Jess asked, "Really?"

Fathia nodded confidently.

"I don't believe it. It's just the two of you here with Sebastian."

"But, seriously, Jess, I haven't done anything. Why are you accusing me of doing something weird?"

Jess raised and lowered her eyebrows. Her mischievous grin remained. "Really? Not missing it at all?"

"Jess," Fathia called out, suppressing her annoyance. "I miss him, but that doesn't mean I've been up to anything strange like you're thinking."

"Not admitting it is fine too, Fathia. We're adults. Just relax."

Talking to Jess was exasperating. Instead of engaging further, Fathia opted to leave. Waiting for Sebastian to return in the living room was better than listening to Jess's banter. Where would anything like that happen between the two of them? But... what did Jess mean by this? Could it be as weird as Jess's relationship with Roy back then?

Oh no... no. Fathia wasn't like that. If it was just a kiss... oh God! Fathia was reminded of a recent incident; Friday afternoon. Yes. When she remembered it, oh... recalling that made Fathia feel so embarrassed. So embarrassed.

Where Sebastian no longer wanted to hear Fathia calling him by her usual nickname. But no. Fathia didn't want to let that familiarity fade, especially when they were close to a few people. Except... when they were alone. Yes. Only when they were alone.

Before Sebastian could even fully realize her request, he was already carrying Fathia to the bedroom. Like a koala, she nestled herself into his strong grip. Hiding her face in the nook of Sebastian's neck.

"Seriously, you need to eat more, Fathia," Sebastian said, whispering, which oddly irritated Fathia. "Don't pout like that. You're so thin."

"Yeah! So, I won't be as sexy as Aunt Clara, right? Why is it that guys always see women based on their bodies? Why not something else?"

Sebastian chuckled. "How should I answer that? I've got two versions."

"No need. I know your way of thinking, Sebastian." Fathia loosened her embrace slightly. Her body swayed a bit due to Sebastian's steps, but her gaze remained fixed on him. She didn't look away.

"What's that?"

Sebastian quickly opened Fathia's bedroom door and pushed it rather forcefully. It didn't make a loud sound since he always had doorstoppers in each room of his apartment. Then he gently lowered the girl onto her bed.

"I don't know!"

Sebastian laughed. He tidied his hair, which had been slightly messed up when he carried her, not to mention her annoyed pout and her eyes that were no longer willing to look at Sebastian. Oh, and don't forget one thing: when his arm, which had been draped perfectly, now pushed Sebastian away.

"Don't want to answer, Fathia?"

Fathia chose the wrong response. As she shook her head, Sebastian stopped her with a long kiss. He gently nudged Fathia's body into a more comfortable position. It made Fathia move naturally, giving him more access so he could be more at ease above her. A faint grin appeared at the corner of Sebastian's lips as he saw the girl surrendering herself. The hand that had initially pushed Sebastian away was now gripping the collar of his shirt for support.

His way of responding to Sebastian's every move was far from skillful. It was stiff. Nervous. Full of doubt. But Sebastian was losing control. Despite the fact that they had been sharing heated moments lately, it seemed like Fathia was still a bit awkward. Sebastian completely understood that, and his heart was delighted. It meant that he was the only one who had touched this breathless girl.

"Aren't you curious about my answer?" Sebastian ended his session of exploring Fathia's thin lips, letting the girl catch her breath as much as she could. The color on her face was so evident. Not to mention the hint of sadness in her eyes.

Once again, Fathia's response was just a shake of her head, making Sebastian furrow his brows. Leaning on his elbows, he didn't want to move away from Fathia just yet. He was enjoying how she was trying so hard to compose herself – it was a genuine pleasure for him.

"Why?"

Fathia summoned the courage to touch Sebastian's face. This made him close his eyes. She felt the softness of her palm against his jaw. It was probably a bit rough because Sebastian had let the fine hair around his face grow.

"I'm scared the answer might hurt me."

At first, her hand was going to retreat, but Sebastian promptly held it in place. This time, he positioned himself with his knees so he wouldn't fall completely onto Fathia. "Why are you scared?"

The girl fell silent. Her gaze was fixed on their intertwined hands.

"According to my old mind, you've managed to snatch away everything within me. You've pulled me into a whirlpool where you're the center, Fathia."

"Why is that?"

Sebastian chuckled. "Try asking yourself why it's like that."

"How should I know the answer, Sebastian?" Fathia half-frustratedly exclaimed. Instead of answering, Sebastian chose to land another kiss on her lips. "Sebastian! Why is it a hobby of yours to kiss me?"

"I held back from touching you for too long."