Chapter 8: Chapter 8

September 2017.

Now eighteen years old, and a few months, Fathia didn't want to keep count. For her, her teenage years were starting to lead into adulthood. Many things changed in her, and she was quite surprised by the changes, including her height. Somehow, she felt taller. Or was it just her feeling?

She was used to being watched from afar. Sebastian had a lot of business to attend to in the factory area, he said. Checking on the ongoing projects there. Fathia didn't mind trying to understand, but whenever she started asking about Sebastian and his work, he would pull away.

Ah, perhaps he was getting further away from her. His messages were now short and infrequent. She received phone calls only occasionally, and she could count them on one hand in a week. Usually, Sebastian used to call her almost every day, especially at night, just to keep her company until she fell asleep. But now...

She no longer felt any of that. Fathia felt that Sebastian was distancing himself from her. Leaving her in the luxurious apartment, even though she was still being monitored. Just imagine, if she deviated a little from the agreed curfew, someone named Antony would approach her. Reminding her to go home.

Once, at the beginning of her acquaintance with her college friends, Fathia sat with them in a cafe. She tried to get closer because she felt it was part of socializing with new friends. She never expected that the curfew would apply. Even though it was only eight o'clock in the evening, Antony came over.

He said it so awkwardly that it embarrassed Fathia. When she arrived at the apartment, she scolded Sebastian for the first time. And what did he do? He just laughed, reminding her of their agreement. It was so irritating, wasn't it?

And since then, Fathia chose to withdraw from socializing.

"Miss, your lunch is ready. Do you want to eat now?"

Fathia's loyal companion was only Bi Summer. There was no one else here. Oh, there was also the private driver that Sebastian hired specifically to take her wherever she wanted to go. As long as... with Sebastian's permission.

"Right now, Summer. I'm hungry. Watching dramas since morning made me hungry," Fathia said with a small chuckle, which was met with Bi Summer's smile.

"All right, Miss." Then, the middle-aged woman served the freshly cooked meal on the dining table. She indulged the charming and polite girl who never misbehaved. The girl who spoke gently and looked even more beautiful day by day. It was evident that this was the reason why her master provided strong control and tight protection around Fathia.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Sebastian said that he'll have dinner together tonight. Did you know?"

Fathia, who had started scooping her food, looked up and nodded quickly. Full of joy because, Sebastian, finally came home after a month, supposedly in New York. The short message this morning about Sebastian's return had created excitement in Fathia's heart.

"Can I help with dinner?"

Summer nodded happily. "Of course, Miss. Mr. Sebastian will be pleased if his sister welcomes him."

The smile vanished instantly, but Fathia quickly carved it again. Oh... Bi Summer was right. She was just Sebastian Sachdev’s little sister. The one who was being guarded because of the will that she would never forget until now. Even the voice of Ronald Nasution still echoed in her mind every time she was reminded that she needed to excel academically.

"You are the heir of the Azure Group. Don't disgrace yourself and study properly. Someday, I will hand over what should rightfully be in your hands and let you manage it."

Those were Sebastian's words every time Fathia deviated even a little from the rules. Starting from curfews, socializing, academic performance, activities outside of campus, and even her clothes. Sebastian imposed all these rules on her. At first, Fathia was okay with them, but as time went by, Sebastian kept pushing her.

Unsurprisingly, she protested here and there. She remembered that her father was strict, but he would never impose such ridiculous rules. For instance, when her sister graduated from high school, she was allowed to attend the farewell ceremony in Bali. If she wanted to go, she could go with Sebastian.

"Sebastian, you're so annoying!!!" she couldn't accept it at that time, but Sebastian just shrugged. He handed her a bunch of papers to prepare for her college enrollment.

"It's better for you to focus on your studies," he said before leaving again for days. Imprisoning Fathia once again in his luxurious cage, without caring how many complaints the girl had made.

"Miss, don't daydream while eating," Summer scolded, looking surprised as Fathia still hadn't finished her meal. What was the girl thinking about? But what? With all the luxury she had? Summer thought there were many who would want to be in Fathia's position. Everything was available and nothing was lacking.

Ah, Bi Summer is right. Why should she daydream? She quickly finished her lunch. "What do you want to cook later, Bi? Do we need to go grocery shopping?"

Summer shook her head. "Everything is already available, Miss."

Fathia nodded. "Okay. Just call me when you need me, okay? I want to help with the cooking for Sebastian." Although she rarely stepped into the kitchen. Her activities there were only limited to grabbing fruits, making cold drinks, and eating. That's it. Summer took care of everything else.

However, Fathia also wanted to be taught how to do things in the kitchen. But her request was always rejected by Summer, who said she was afraid that Sebastian would get angry for letting Fathia be in the kitchen, for some reason.

The rest of the day passed quickly, probably because Fathia couldn't wait to meet Sebastian. She hoped that even a little bit of the closeness they once had could be rekindled. Perhaps they could chat casually about movies like they used to do at Fathia's mansion on weekends. Or swim together on Sunday afternoons. Or... whatever they used to do.

Fathia missed those times.

"Is everything ready?" Fathia asked again, making sure that dinner today would be flawless. Oh... Fathia also made mango pudding just in case Sebastian liked it. Bi Summer helped her, of course.

"Yes, Miss." Summer chuckled softly. She could see that the girl was really impatient to meet her brother. Maybe because she was all alone? Relying solely on her brother? Summer only knew up to that point.

Fathia didn't share much about herself with others. Sebastian and Ronald had warned her to be cautious about giving out information about herself. She still vividly remembered that terrifying night. She felt so lucky to still be alive now. She didn't know what would have happened if she had been caught, or if Sebastian hadn't managed to get her out of her own house.

She heard the sound of the apartment door being unlocked, and Fathia immediately greeted Sebastian with a wide smile. She had put on a thin layer of makeup and had learned to apply peach-colored lipstick. She also wore a bit more perfume than usual. She checked and rechecked the knot of the bandana she wore to keep her hair from getting messy.

She was wearing a sleeveless dress.

Summer said, "You look so pretty, Miss. Like a doll, what was it? Barbie?"

Fathia laughed at the compliment. If Summer could see how perfect her brother looked, she would have directed that compliment to him first; Felice.

"Sebastian." Fathia's smile remained on her lips. She no longer greeted Sebastian by jumping around recklessly. She felt shyer and more hesitant now, afraid that Sebastian would complain about her weight again.

"Ah, Fathia."

The corner of Fathia's lips slowly lost their smile. Her eyes immediately shifted to a beautiful figure, not less beautiful than Felice if Fathia may say so, standing next to Sebastian. Sebastian's hand was tightly wrapped around her waist.

Fathia's mind went back to all the rumors and trending newcomers, especially top models. Where their names skyrocketed quickly due to endorsements from many makeup products that Fathia loved. One of them... was the person in front of her.

"Let me introduce you, this is my fiancée. Clara."

Indeed. Her name was Clara Jasson.