Chapter 82: Chapter 82

"Hey, Vin, how are all the files? Are they ready?" Sebastian asks without lifting his gaze. His eyes remain fixed on the files that have been consuming his concentration since morning. Sales are up under Kenzo, and the impact of the marketing team's work has been quite significant.

Sebastian is quite surprised by the many new moves Kenzo has made regarding the marketing team. As long as it's for the good of Group Azure and falls within Sebastian's logical reasoning, he's fully supportive. And the results, as he's currently reviewing, have shown significant improvement and have been well received in the monthly reports.

"Everything's ready, Sir."

This time, the man raises his gaze. "Including for the big meeting in three days?"

Without hesitation, Vino nods. "Everything's set, Sir."

A clear sense of satisfaction emerges as a smile on the corner of Sebastian's lips. He envisions Alef Walker's face during the upcoming big meeting, surprised by all the facts he will unveil. There's also the police taking action and... luring Alan into action right then and there. According to Sebastian's reckoning, Alan is involved in the series of events that occurred within the Fathia family.

It's truly repugnant. Sebastian never imagined encountering a greedy and selfish person like Alef. Willing to resort to any means to seek revenge and ruthlessly destroy anything he dislikes. Sebastian himself harbors resentment toward this middle-aged man. How he and Felice were separated due to the accident that occurred.

"I hope this time everything can be resolved, Sir."

Sebastian nods in response to Vino. He motions for his assistant to take a seat in front of him, even though there's a hint of hesitation on Vino's face. "Thank you," he says just before he takes his own seat. Vino rarely engages in conversations with Sebastian in this room. Unless they're discussing something, even then Sebastian keeps his words as brief as possible.

"You're doing a great job, Vin. I appreciate your hard work."

Vino scratches his neck, though it's not itchy. He feels awkward. "You're welcome, Sir. I just feel that justice should stand and be upheld as fairly as possible."

Sebastian agrees with Vino's statement. "And don't forget, arrange things with Biyan about Jess and Fathia leaving. I don't want any undue suspicion falling on them." He's referring to Kenzo, as those two girls had been living in Alvin's house before.

As if knowing the order Sebastian gave, Vino nods quickly. "Sure, Sir. I've already arranged it and coordinated with Naomi too. So that there won't be too much suspicion."

Once again, the man nods in understanding. "In your opinion... do you think we'll succeed this time? It's the first time we're exposing all of Alef Walker's crimes in public."

"My calculation is that we'll win decisively. I'm just concerned about Alan, though, Sir." Vino dares to meet his boss's eyes, where now those black eyes are looking at him with a hint of doubt.

"Let's not become complacent again, Vin. Let's not."

Vino nods confidently. "I'll make sure of it, especially when it comes to Miss Fathia."

"You're right. Especially for Fathia."

As Vino exits the room, Sebastian's mind is filled with thoughts of Fathia. This time, the warning to protect Fathia must be flawless. And he will ensure that it happens. The image of the cheerful girl flashes in his mind once again. The way she gazes and smiles, a smile that never fades, is something Sebastian keeps in his heart. And he'll make sure that all the joy Fathia possesses continues until the end. When the time limit has arrived.

Amidst the lively image of Fathia, the words of Ronald and Clara also echo in his mind. Oh, not to forget another figure that's also been on his mind; Larasati Claire. They weren't wrong in their statements. Especially Clara. Strangely, Sebastian finds himself dwelling on her words. He... the man who failed. Although he wanted to crush Clara with a single grasp, it's himself who seems to be affected. It's unfortunate. This influence has suddenly given Sebastian a different perspective.

The ringing of the phone on the nightstand disrupts his reverie.

Fathia: Sebastian, I'm making buttered fried chicken today. Don't be late coming home, okay?

A smile forms on Sebastian's face. His eyes fixate on the words that have just appeared on the screen. Multiple times. For the past three days, his days have been getting more enjoyable. How couldn't they? Since the day Sebastian decided that the two girls would no longer work there as office girls—Sebastian can't fathom Fathia's undercover work in that area—her presence in his heart has grown stronger.

There's something that makes Sebastian quickly wrap up his work. Upon arriving at the apartment, he's greeted by Fathia's bright smile. And when he granted permission for her to spend more time in the kitchen—after hearing from Jess herself that Fathia has become skilled in the kitchen—Sebastian found that Fathia's cooking is appetizing and delicious. The time that was once empty between them has been well used by Fathia.

Even the coffee Fathia brews has ignited his imagination. Add that to her cooking? There's nothing Sebastian wants more than to savor it immediately. Although he needs to restrain himself, he'll eventually let Fathia go to the edge when the time comes.

He's too ashamed of what he did that led to Fathia's horrifying experience. That thought keeps echoing in his mind. No matter how many ways he tries to push it aside, Sebastian can't escape it.

He lets out a soft sigh and responds to Fathia's message.

Sebastian: Okay. I'll be home soon. Can't wait for your dish.

***

Jess rolls her eyes. She's been suspiciously eyeing Fathia for a while now. Especially when that smile on Fathia's face just won't fade. "So, what did Uncle Sebastian reply? I'm so curious."

"What?" Fathia deflects, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue. "Just said he'll be home soon."

Does Jess believe her? Not at all.

"The Young Miss falls in love differently, huh?" Jess teases mercilessly.

"Jess," Fathia protests. "As if you've never been in love!" Her pouting lips only make her conversational opponent burst into laughter.

"I have. But not as intensely as you, Na. The Uncle Sebastian effect is quite powerful, Fathia. No wonder Clara, the Fox, went crazy because she didn't get Uncle Sebastian's attention."

Fathia wishes she could dissolve into the laughter Jess is causing, but she can't. Her brightness fades instead. Her mind is filled with Clara's image, her eyes burning with hatred. And the warning not to appear in front of Sebastian without mercy. These two things are now dominating her thoughts.

"What's wrong with you?" Jess catches a different look in Fathia's eyes, which seem to have dimmed. Her enthusiasm from earlier has disappeared, even though Jess has stopped teasing.

"I can't help but think about Clara, Jess," she sighs, grabbing one of the sofa pillows to hug. She places her phone on the living room table softly. "I... feel like I'm a woman who steals other people's happiness. They're about to get married soon, right?"

Jess clicks her tongue in annoyance. "Hey... it's Clara who's doing the stealing. You and your Uncle are meant to be together. Why worry about her? Your Uncle didn't choose her, right? He chose you. I'm totally sure."

Fathia lifts her eyes to look at Jess, who's fervently speaking. "Besides, she's cunning, Fathia. And... she works under your aunt's orders, right?"

The short-haired girl nods.

"And did she follow her last command?" Jess completes her statement before Fathia can respond. "No. She actually used the opportunity when she was supposed to be looking after you well, but she distanced you from everything. Okay, maybe spreading news of your 'death' wasn't necessary, but at the very least, your life shouldn't have been like it was in Bandung. She's deceitful, Fathia. Deceitful. Just like the nickname we gave her, the Fox. That damn Fox!"

Fathia chuckles. "But... what she said is true, Jess," Fathia says softly. "Having me around puts the people close to me in danger." Fathia raises her hand, not wanting any pause before she finishes speaking. "Including you, Jess. Don't deny it."

Jess had intended to speak, but her words get swallowed. Silence fills the space as they both linger there.

"And... what do you want to do now?" Jess asks cautiously. Beside her, Fathia sinks deeper, hugging the pillow with its fringed corners.

"I just really hope everything goes back. That everything Uncle Alef did gets repaid appropriately. And for the other friends too, even though, well... I don't really know them, but through you, I know some of their stories. Right?"

"Yeah, I know that, Fathia. But what about your own heart?"

"Heart? What about my heart?"

Jess groans in frustration. Sometimes talking with Fathia requires a bit of clear explanation because, for some reason, Fathia sometimes takes a while to think. Or is she pretending to be innocent? Ugh!

"Cut the innocent act!"

Fathia? She laughs. "Oh, not pretending to be innocent. I mean, I'm asking why you're asking about my heart. My heart is here, Jess. It's not going anywhere."

"You said it yourself, that you feel like you're a thief," Jess mutters in frustration. "So, what's next? What are you going to do now?"

For this kind of question, she doesn't even know how to answer. She's still unsure about her stance. On the other hand, she truly feels happy for the past few days with Sebastian being close to her again. His warmth has returned, even more than she remembers. The desire to have him is so strong. But...

"I don't know," she whispers softly.

"You're in love with Uncle Sebastian, right?" Jess asks with an exasperated tone.

"Technically, he's not really my uncle, Jess. I call him that out of annoyance when he brought Clara that time. On my birthday, where I had prepared many surprises, but... I ended up being the one surprised."

Jess bursts into laughter. "No way. Since when do you like Sebastian? Like, seriously? It's so weird for me to just call him Sebastian."

Fathia just smirks at Jess's response, finding it amusing.

"Since when?"

The girl shrugs. "I don't know, really. Maybe...," Fathia seems to think for a moment, delving into her memories of when her feelings for Sebastian shifted. "Maybe when he stole my first kiss."

Jess? She erupts into laughter that even makes the corners of her eyes damp. "Wow... that's pretty deep."

"Enough already. I share the story, but you keep teasing."

"But you're seriously so innocent. You can't even articulate everything Sebastian did to you. That's how intense it is, huh, Fathia?"

Fathia's brow furrows. "Intense?"

"Yeah. Intense in love to the point where you forget that he's taken your virginity." Jess teases, raising and lowering her eyebrows playfully. Her eyes dance mischievously, irritating Fathia even more.

"Hey! I haven't lost my virginity!"

"Oh, come on. You're still lying about that, Na."

Fathia closes her eyes for a moment. "I'm serious, Jess. We did sleep together, that's technically true. But if he had... you know? Making love?" The girl looks at Jess with careful consideration. She takes a slow breath before continuing. "Sebastian didn't go that far with me."

"Really?" Jess is flabbergasted, finding it hard to believe what Fathia just said. She thought... oh my God! Jess had seen Sebastian leave Fathia's room more than once. Or the other way around. There are three bedrooms in this apartment, with the third one now occupied by Jess.

Fathia nods confidently. "There are ways to satisfy without going that far, right?"

Jess laughs. "Damn. I thought you were so innocent. Turns out you're not."

"I learned from the expert."

"Yeah, right! Your Uncle Sebastian must be a pro."

Fathia just shakes her head.

"But, Fathia, it's impressive that Sebastian can hold himself back like that. Roy would never do that if he only used his hands or mouth."

"Jesslyn!!! Can you use more refined language?"

Jess laughs. "But it's true, right? If not using those two, what else? Since you're still... you know."

"Your language is so vulgar."

"But you realize what you're doing, right? I mean, Sebastian didn't press himself against you? Maybe he was just too eager, too... you know, passionate?" This time, Jess stifles her laughter briefly. Her eyes fix on Fathia seriously, causing her friend to sit up straight.

"I'm well aware, you know. And I don't feel pressured. Everything just feels natural. And... I feel like Sebastian really treats me like a queen. So gentle."

Jess smirks. "Well then, if it's like that, why do you hesitate to keep being with Sebastian? It's obvious that Clara, that Fox, is the one stealing your happiness like this. She has her own agenda from this incident, for her personal gain. What else can you call it but cunning? It's mentally messed up, if you ask me."

Fathia was tempted to throw the pillow on her lap at Jess, if her friend hadn't been laughing so much. But Jess's recent comment made Fathia abandon that idea completely. "You think it's like that?" Fathia asks softly, her gaze wandering far ahead. It's as if she's being reminded again of the threatening tone Clara used, a perfect retort that Fathia had to pay for her kindness. Which turned out to be... all orchestrated under the command of Larasati, her aunt.

"Of course! She took advantage of the perfect moment to separate you two." Jess shifts her sitting position, pulling Fathia into a hug without warning, causing her friend to yelp in surprise. Fathia gives her a sharp side glance, while Jess just grins innocently. "I'm an outsider here, I've only met Sebastian a few times, but I'm very sure that he can't look away from you, Fathia. Well... even though I think his age is way above yours, with a face like that? Wow... if it were me, I'd just surrender and let things happen however they want."

"You're crazy, seriously."

"You don't know how much people talk about Sebastian at the office. It's a shame he's so cold and distant. Just try smiling more, um...," Jess snaps her fingers. "All the female staff at Group Azure would probably start a fanbase where Sebastian becomes the new idol. I swear!"

Unwillingly, Fathia bursts into laughter. "You're just making things up."

"And he's only warm with you, Fathia." Clara, Jess wipes away her smile and adopts a mischievous expression. Her tone turns serious. "His gaze towards you is different when you're unsure of your thoughts. Even I, an outsider, can feel it."

Fathia doesn't know how to respond. Part of her is impressed by Jess's observations about her.

"You're not the one chasing, Fathia. You're not."

Right at that moment, the apartment's doorbell rings. They exchange glances.

"I'll get it," Jess says, stopping Fathia from getting up.