Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Kenzo held his mother's hand very carefully. Afraid that his movement might disturb his mother, who was still asleep. Truly, Kenzo could finally breathe a sigh of relief. His mother managed to get through the critical phase after two bullets hit her body. One wasn't too dangerous, just grazed her right shoulder. But the other one hit her abdomen.

The doctor said that his mother's critical period had passed. It was just a matter of waiting for her to wake up from anesthesia after a series of surgeries that had made Kenzo wish he could take his mother's place.

He lowered his head slightly to kiss the back of the hand of the woman who genuinely loved him. Tears welled up in his eyes again. He didn't care if he was labeled as a crybaby.

"Thank you, Mom, for being strong for Kenzo," he whispered softly. "I promise I'll take you out of here. It's enough, Mom. Enough."

Only silence accompanied Kenzo now. He stared at his mother's face with hope, wishing her eyes would open soon. Her pale lips would curve into a smile towards him, as usual. Then his ears would hear her gentle and caring voice again, reminding him to eat, not to work too hard, or simply keeping her company in the garden with a cup of her special tea blend.

Truly, he missed his mother a lot.

Lost in his thoughts, Fathia stood beside him without him noticing. She lightly touched his shoulder, making him look up and get a little startled.

"What's up?" Kenzo asks immediately.

"Oh, sorry if I startled you. You haven't eaten, you know. Have some food. Don't end up getting sick. I'll take care of Aunt Laras. Sebastian and some of his trusted people are in the front. Just relax." Fathia didn't understand why she spoke like that, but due to recent events, she didn't want to loosen her guard over her family. Where Larasati and Kenzo were her family now.

"Okay, sure." Kenzo seemed a bit lost for a moment before he nodded slowly. "You're right, I shouldn't get sick." He chose to get up. He didn't feel worried at all because he was confident Fathia wouldn't mess around. It was evident from how hysterical she was when her mother was taken to the hospital.

Once again, he looked at Fathia, who was now sitting beside his mother. Slowly, the girl's hand caressed her mother's temple gently. He could see that she was trying to hide her sadness. Not to mention, when she placed a kiss on her mother's forehead. Kenzo's heart warmed at how others treated his mother this time.

A genuine smile formed at the corner of his lips. Calmly, he left his mother's ward just to fulfill a basic duty – eating. As he reached the door, he did notice a few people guarding there. Kenzo was confident these were the people Fathia had mentioned earlier. Before he took many steps away from the door, his eyes caught sight of someone – Jesslyn.

She was sitting, engrossed in her phone. Slightly grimacing, her serious expression softened as her other hand rubbed her arm a few times. For some reason, Kenzo's feet led him to her. He didn't seem to realize that he was standing right in front of Jess. And when he looked up, Jess appeared completely indifferent. This made Kenzo frown. Was he invisible or something?

"Anyway, when it comes to the store's progress, I always approve whatever you do. I believe in you, Asya."

Kenzo chose to sit next to the girl because there was something he had decided to talk about now. A thank you.

"Maybe a month from now I'll be back. As for Anne, I don't know if she'll come back. This is her home, Asya."

He didn't avert his gaze from Jess. Although there was a hint of melancholy on his face. Anne, he said? Anne was... Fathia? Ah... there were many things he didn't quite understand here. Silence was probably the best thing he could do.

"Okay. Just be okay there. I'll send regards to Melly and tell her that you're asking about Anne."

And that's where Jess cut off the conversation. Kenzo never expected Jess to suddenly turn and look at him. Her gaze changed. Sharp and cynical, as if Kenzo was a nuisance she had to ruthlessly eliminate.

"What do you want?" she asks curtly. "Who told you to sit here?"

"Am I forbidden from sitting here and there?" Kenzo emphasized the words 'can and cannot' because he felt Jess was being a bit too much.

"Fine," Jess closed her eyes for a moment. "So what do you want then?"

"To say thank you," Kenzo said plainly. That was indeed what he wanted to say specially and personally to the girl he considered a bit strange. Although she looked a bit different from the first time Clara introduced him to Jesslyn Rasopati.

Wearing a loose white t-shirt tucked into calf-length wide-legged jeans, not to mention the eye-catching turquoise sneakers that matched the color of her watch strap and the small bag she carried.

Honestly, Jess's appearance was quite appealing if Kenzo could be honest. Especially with her green hair again. The last time Kenzo met her at the office, her hair was still black. He didn't know when it had changed so quickly back to green.

"Oh, no prob. I've got plenty of blood in stock. Your mom needs it more." Jess was getting ready to leave. Sebastian had prepared a car for her to go back to the apartment.

"You're not doing this willingly?" For some reason, Jess's words made his anger suddenly rise. "If you're not doing it willingly, just tell me how much I need to pay? I'll pay."

Jess turned, blinking in surprise. "Payment?"

"Yeah. Payment. Just name the price. Let me know your bank account number. I'll pay for everything."

"Are you crazy?"

Kenzo shook his head firmly. "I'm responding to your earlier words."

Jess clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Understand the language then, Sir. I do have a lot of blood. And it's true, right, Aunt Laras needs it more? Where did I say anything about asking for payment?"

"Like you're not doing it willingly," Kenzo retorted fiercely. His eyes locked onto her with intensity. He had intended to express his gratitude properly. Not to end up arguing like this.

"Forget it. Talking to you just makes me more irritated." Jess immediately grabbed her bag from beside her. She walked away from Kenzo without looking back, until she yelled in surprise as her hand was grabbed and held tightly by Kenzo. "What the hell, Sir?"

"Quiet down. No yelling allowed here. Too noisy." Kenzo paid no mind to the annoyed huffs and disapproving glares from Jess, instead he continued to drag her by the arm, which was a bit difficult as Jess struggled. "Can you be quiet? Aren't you ashamed of disturbing the nurses?"

Kenzo won. Jess fell silent immediately. She eventually followed Kenzo's steps, which now seemed very forced. Just wait for her revenge later, that's what Jess promised after she completely left the hospital area. She would retaliate against Kenzo, who irritated Clara so much.

Meanwhile, in Laras's room, Fathia continued to sit, staring at the face of the woman who was her father's sister. Throughout her memories of Laras, Fathia didn't really know her well. Aside from feeling a certain distance created by the woman, Fathia also remembered the way Laras and Alef looked at her.

However, all of that vanished when everything was revealed. It turned out that Laras cared for her, even if it was unspoken. It was proven by the protection she provided, although Laras said she was bound by a promise to Fathia's mother. If Fathia could speculate, Laras might not have kept her promise. Especially after Laras's recent actions, which endangered herself. Regardless of the outcome of what Laras did, the person she wanted to save was the one she loved.

Alef Walker.

Was that how love worked? Where one of them was blinded by overwhelming emotions? Emotions that should have been experienced happily? Fathia still didn't know the answer.

Lost in her own thoughts, Fathia didn't realize that the door to the room had already been opened. When she turned, she was taken aback. She rose from her seat, adopting a cautious stance, and quickly reached for the emergency button nearby.

"Don't, Fathia," the figure spoke. His face looked tired and the lines of age were more prominent. "Uncle is asking you not to press it."

Fathia remained still. Her eyes locked onto her interlocutor. "Leave." Although the middle-aged man was flanked by uniformed men, and he looked weak and worn, his face reflecting much sadness, Fathia still couldn't bring herself to believe him.

In Fathia's eyes, he was nothing more than the most heartless and heartless person.

On this day, due to what had happened, Fathia was once again shocked by Alef's actions. The man who killed both her parents, who refused to admit his guilt despite being presented with ample evidence, was now kneeling. Sobs echoed through the room, making Fathia instinctively cover her mouth.

"Uncle is wrong, Fathia. Uncle is wrong," he said between sobs that were beginning to wet his cheeks.

Since she witnessed how the woman who, in his eyes, was a worthless status and a meaningless relationship, moved to save him. Regardless of whether her life could be at risk, even leaving behind her son and himself. Her actions were meant to save his life.

The life of a sinner who was at the end of his journey, that was him. He felt unworthy of calling himself human.

His body stiffened as he gazed at his wife, who was staggering due to Alan's actions. Ah... his personal assistant was truly despicable! How could he have let his guard down like this? Alan... the person who knew his ins and outs the most. Who was always by his side without fail. Who was contacted first before any other family members. Who was the primary executor of his orders?

And... Alan had betrayed him.

Stabbing without hesitation right in front of him. Showing in earnest who he really was. Where his allegiance lay. Certainly not behind him anymore. He's the true enemy. Not hesitating to wield weapons against him.

Even though his body was now in the autopsy room of a hospital, being examined, Alan requested a special investigation into who orchestrated his actions. This meant revealing his true identity. Admitting fully that all the dirty deeds his hands had committed were his own initiatives. Done deliberately. With careful planning. And without remorse.

In his grip, the life of the person he loved most in the world hung by a thread. Along with her happiness and the evidence of their love.

There was only one thing driving all his behavior.

Jealousy.

Where Rossie could enjoy her life, while he... God! In his mind and thoughts, happiness never graced his grand mansion. Inside of which, his marital ship with Laras should have been steered well. And foolishly... he realized too late that his wife continued to endure his mistreatment. Even... now she lay there after saving him.

"Excuse me?"

Everyone in the room turned to a figure who entered, his face flushed. Fathia was certain that anger had taken over the man uncontrollably. Even Alef, who looked up at the source of the voice. His eyes met the son he should have been proud of. There was no doubt that Kenzo was truly his son. His heart, however, always resisted, because truly, he didn't want to have a long-lasting tie with Laras.

However, that descendant would keep producing evidence, no matter how strong the denial and whatever means. Kenzo was really his son. He was just angry, indeed, just angry with Laras, whom he accidentally caught with someone at the café. Somehow, remembering that incident made his blood boil and shut down his small conscience. He doubted Laras's pregnancy.

He stood up, stumbling towards his son. This time, he sincerely prayed to God for many opportunities to apologize for all the selfishness he had shown his son.

"Kenzo." He extended his hand to touch the face of his son, the son he would now be proud of. No matter how hard his efforts would be, he believed that his son would forgive him. Kenzo Dennisdik was raised with love by Laras. Laras had a gentle heart. Surely Kenzo would be the same.

Alef was very sure of that.

"GET OUT!!!"

Alef's eyes widened in surprise. A cold air swept through the room. There was a pain he felt when Kenzo roughly brushed off his hand. And a small slap echoed from the lips of the girl behind Kenzo.

"I won't accept a visit from you, Mr. Alef Walker!"

Pain. Like a thousand arrows piercing Alef's heart, but... he realized that it might be one of the consequences he had to bear. Slowly, he smiled.

"Kenzo is mad at Papa, Papa knows."

"And you're not my dad."

Alef closed his eyes, feeling the ache in his heart as Kenzo spoke like this. He had never heard any objections whenever he instructed his son to obey him. For him, what he said was a must for Kenzo to follow. If not, he had no qualms about pressuring Laras. And now...

Pressuring Laras. And now...

Where Laras lay helpless and almost... oh God! He never imagined that he would lose Laras right in front of his eyes.

"I said, get out!" Kenzo hissed without hesitation. He didn't care if his father, who he had always looked up to, stood in front of him. Although there was never any expression or much attention from this middle-aged man, his mother... yes, his mother always told him and ingrained in his mind that his father actually loved him. In a way Kenzo didn't understand, except that his father's selfishness was always impressed upon him in life through his father.

Since the passing seconds, the man didn't heed Kenzo's request. Once Clara shouted, "GET OUT!"

"Can't you, like, not be so aggressive? Dressing all fancy but behaving like a jungle person." Jess pulled Kenzo, who was about to curse at Jess, but he stopped when he heard the next words from the girl. "You see, Aunt Laras still hasn't woken up. Don't disturb her. If you want to argue, go ahead and do it outside. Fathia and I will take care of Aunt."