Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Fathia had experienced loss before. Left without a word of farewell or goodbye. At the very least, she wished someone had warned her about the lurking dangers. Some advice that she would endlessly replay in her mind, so she could endure the challenges of the life she now led. She couldn't deny that these feelings had resurfaced over the past few days.

She was afraid of being abandoned again, by whoever it might be. The matter of leaving, especially through death, was a fate that had been written by a higher power. Fathia couldn't avoid it, evade it, or even ask her God to delay what is death.

Almost every night, she prayed for the heaviness in her heart to diminish, just a bit. For some reason, she felt as if she might experience death again. Fathia couldn't bear the thought of going through that again. The life she was living now was enough for her.

Fathia turned as she felt a gentle pat on her shoulder. Jess was beside her, offering a small reassuring smile. "It's okay, Fathia. Aunt Laras will be strong."

She nodded in response. "You're right." She placed her hand on top of Jess's hand that was on her shoulder. They held hands, supporting each other. "Aunt Laras will be strong."

They both nodded in agreement.

"I'll go check on Kenzo first," Fathia said, leaving Jess in one of the available seats in the corridor. She walked a few steps away to where the man was still focused on the ICU room in front of him.

She walked slowly, contemplating what she would say to start a conversation with Kenzo Clara. Trying to approach the disheveled figure not far from where she stood. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair was a mess, his expression was full of sadness, and his eyes were filled with tears. Regardless of what others might say, what this man needed was the woman lying with multiple tubes, to wake up.

Turning back to him.

"Mr. Kenzo," Fathia softly called out. She was still uncertain about how to address the man who was actually her paternal cousin. Their introduction had been awkward, as Kenzo only knew Fathia as Naomi's niece.

His attention shifted immediately. For the first time, Kenzo looked at Fathia with a different gaze. "Aunt Laras will wake up. I'm sure."

He nodded weakly, wiping away the tears that had fallen, even though it felt futile. His heart was too heavy, and crying was the only way to slightly alleviate the pressure he felt.

Kenzo diverted his gaze again, focusing back on the ICU room where his mother was being treated. "So... you're really my cousin, huh?"

This time, Fathia nodded. Slowly.

"I was really mad at you before because you..." Kenzo's voice trailed off. The image from earlier was too vivid for him to simply forget. For a moment, he chose to close his eyes, trying to calm the anger within him. Especially the anger directed towards his cousin, whose truth he had just discovered. His hand clenched reflexively, wanting to release a string of curses, but he quickly realized that... "But what you've been through is more than just horrifying."

Once again, they locked eyes.

"Even though I don't like Dad, I still have to apologize for his actions," Kenzo says, looking intently at Fathia. He delves deep into his memory of Alvin Mehram Claire, who is none other than his Uncle. But those memories are few and far between in his mind. There's been too much that Alef demanded from him. Even now, the leash around his neck still feels tight.

"Do you know?" Fathia asks, quite curious. She's met with shrugged shoulders and once again Kenzo's gaze returns to the room where his mother is.

"Even though I was forbidden to enter, the moment I saw Mom come to the office, I knew something urgent was happening. And, well..." Kenzo closes his eyes again. "I was foolish to be late getting into the room."

Fathia shakes her head. "I should have known that Aunt Laras would protect Uncle Alef."

Kenzo sneers. "I hate that," he says quietly. "Why does Mom keep protecting that old coot?"

Through the corners of her eyes, Fathia clearly sees a disappointed look in a son's eyes. The sadness that envelops him is greater than what Fathia sensed earlier. It doesn't take many words for Fathia to understand that a deeply wounded heart lies beneath this long-standing issue from the past.

"Stupid! Useless!" Kenzo exclaims, clenching his thick hair in frustration. His stifled anger is evident, causing his face to turn red. His jaw is clenched tightly in restraint.

Summoning courage, Fathia touches his cousin's shoulder. She's unsure how to approach Kenzo, who is once again directing his frustration at her. Barely three hours have passed since the incident that forced Fathia to find her bravery again. She watched horror unfold before her eyes.

Alan pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Alef without hesitation. His gaze seemed to have been waiting for this day to arrive. Flashes of Alan's phone conversation with someone named Max, someone Fathia doesn't even know the appearance of, flood her mind. Alan solidified his words. He executed it with his own hands, his boss whom he'd accompanied for several years.

It wasn't anyone else. Just as Fathia's subconscious mind had considered multiple possibilities. Fathia suspected that Max might do it somewhere, but who is Fathia? Just a young girl who doesn't know what to do except seek special protection for her uncle.

As she had expressed to both Ronald and Sebastian. She missed it. They all missed the one possibility where this event could truly occur, right here in the meeting room.

And never did the girl expect how quickly Laras would release her embrace, giving her a slight push to move away. Seconds later, the sound of two gunshots immediately filled the meeting room. Laras collapsed with impeccable timing, using herself as a shield for her husband. Even when Fathia struggled to be released just to approach Laras, Sebastian held her back.

Sebastian had his reasons for doing so because Alan still had a weapon in hand. Sebastian didn't want to take unnecessary risks, and Fathia never expected that this incident would occur here, in the grand meeting room of Group Azure.

Before the tension could even settle, the sound of gunfire rang out again. This time, Alan fell. The door to the ICU room swung open, revealing a man in a green uniform. "Laras's family?"

Kenzo, without needing to be prompted, steps forward along with Fathia.

"How's my mom, Doc?" The question is asked with a tone of concern that Kenzo doesn't try to hide. His gaze is hopeful, as if he's wishing for a miracle to come quickly because he's genuinely frightened seeing his mother lying there, bloodied.

"Mrs. Laras is still critical. She's being treated by the doctors to remove the bullet because it hit a vital organ. And we urgently need a blood donor," the doctor replies.

Kenzo turns pale, while Fathia blinks in confusion.

"What's Aunt's blood type?" Jess asks.

"We need A- blood donors. The hospital's supply is depleted, and we've contacted the Blood Bank, but it's still being arranged. O- blood donors are also needed. We need these blood types urgently because the bleeding your mother is experiencing is quite severe."

"I'll do it, Doc."

In unison, both Fathia and Kenzo turn to see a girl approaching them.

"It happens that my blood type is A-," Jess says firmly. "Please do the test."

"Alright, Miss. Please follow me."

****

"You... don't want to eat?" Fathia asks softly. They're still in the corridor, the end of which leads to the room where Larasati is fighting for her life. "Aunt Laras will get through this, Kenzo. Fathia believes it."

And then there's a soft chuckle amidst the sadness that has enveloped Kenzo. What was that? "Aunt"?

"I guess we should properly introduce ourselves, Fathia. Your name is... Fathia, right?"

Fathia responds with a warm smile and a nod.

"Call me Kenzo. No need for the 'Mr.' anymore. And don't be so formal. How old are you now, Fathia?" Kenzo wipes away the stiffness that has permeated their communication. He also gently ruffles Fathia's hair, as if asserting his newfound bond with this cousin he's just discovered. "Turns out I have a younger sister."

Fathia chuckles. "No need for 'big brother'? I'm two-three years old now."

Kenzo nods in understanding. "Whatever you like. I'm more than happy to oblige."

They exchange smiles, and for the first time, Kenzo pulls Fathia into a hug while apologizing again. The situation had been so dire earlier, and Sebastian had briefly explained who Fathia was and what her connection was to everything that had transpired. This included her father being the mastermind behind the events that led to the deaths of Fathia's parents.

"You're not to blame. You don't need to apologize repeatedly. Uncle should be the one saying that."

Kenzo agrees, but then he adds, "If only the old coot had any remorse in his heart."

Ah... true. Remorse. Even when Laras acted so swiftly to push Alef and protect him, the middle-aged man had frozen in place. His gaze held an incredulous look at what had just happened. Fathia still couldn't believe what had occurred, even as she approached Laras's body lying on the floor. Her uncle hadn't moved at all.

Whatever his heart is made of, Fathia is determined to ensure that Alef Walker spends a long time behind bars. Regardless of how she accomplishes it, considering the events that unfolded, there are many ways the authorities can hold him accountable.

"Let's just focus on Aunt Laras, Kenzo."

"You're right," Kenzo releases his hug. "We better pray for Mom."

From a distance, Sebastian doesn't want to approach. He lets the two individuals who are apparently relatives get closer to each other. But honestly, there's another strange feeling he's suppressing because he's seeing Fathia being embraced by another guy.

"Sebastian," Clara calls out, having accompanied her to the hospital to drop off Laras. There's a strong surge of emotions hitting her since earlier, and now she can't hold back any longer. Even though she knows Sebastian doesn't acknowledge her presence at all.

And that's exactly the case. The guy doesn't even flinch from his spot. He's staring directly at Fathia, who's in the waiting area near the ICU.

"Sebastian, I want to talk." Clara speaks up again, hoping that this time he'll turn towards her.

"Talk? What else do you want to talk about?"

Clara nervously swallows. "Our marriage."

A bitter laugh escapes Sebastian's lips. He can't believe they have to discuss this here, in the hospital?

"I don't know who you're involved with right now. You should know and be aware of where we are. Besides, what kind of marriage are you talking about? You should have planned it, right? Just carry it out. Is there a problem?"

Suddenly, Clara's heart races. Sebastian Sachdev? Talking like this? She must not be hearing it wrong, right? Especially since his gaze is now fixed solely on her. Even though it's sharp and icy, enough to send a shiver down one's spine, it's not something anyone would dare challenge.

"What do you mean? You're saying this marriage isn't off, right?" Clara needs to confirm this.

"What do you think?"