Chapter 96: Chapter 96

Fathia didn't not believe in what Sebastian was saying. No. It's just that the woman's heart needed more proof than just words and sincerity from the guy. That's what she's doing now. Leaning half against the edge of the bed with a pillow propped against her back, Fathia activates her cellphone. She gently moves Sebastian's hand, which had been holding her tightly in an embrace that was hard to break free from.

Nothing happens between them. To continue what Sebastian had mentioned earlier, he chose to make Fathia a replacement for the pillow. Fathia, pretending to be half-asleep, chooses to enjoy the rhythm of Sebastian's even snoring and the rise and fall of his breath, second by second. As she gets the chance to slightly loosen his hold, Fathia puts her plan into action.

She checks all of Clara the Fox's social media accounts, just as she's done recently. And...

"Oh my God!"

Fathia immediately covers her mouth quickly. Afraid her voice will disturb Sebastian's deep sleep. A sudden smile lights up her face. It doesn't matter how many messages come in, especially from Jess and Laras. Oh... one more. Kenzo. She forgot she had to meet him regarding her flower shop's permits.

Fathia slowly decides to get out of her bed. She gazes at the sleeping man once again. She gives him a quick peck on the forehead before finally leaving the room. She quickly tidies up the slightly late lunch leftovers. She doesn't want any disturbances for Sebastian. She even closes the door very gently.

"Has Kenzo arrived, Jack?" Fathia asks Jack, who is currently tidying up the living room. Jack turns around, finding Fathia approaching.

"Mr. Kenzo messaged that he's on his way, should be here in about thirty minutes."

Fathia nods in understanding. "Could you ask Yessy to prepare some coffee, please? I'll be in the side garden."

Here, the air is cooler, making Fathia always prefer being outdoors. Although sometimes, her toes and fingers get numb from the sudden cold air, the expanse of the garden and the green surroundings make Fathia feel comfortable.

Until the footsteps of someone approaching make Fathia turn her head.

Kenzo.

Also... Jesslyn?

"What are you guys doing?"

"Why do you ask? Are you crazy, Fathia?! Do you want to give me a heart attack, huh?" It's not Kenzo speaking, but Jess. Her face is bright red. Her lips are muttering with annoyed complaints directed at Fathia.

"I didn't have intentions like that, really." Fathia's response only seems to make Jess angrier. Her friend sits down, slightly stomping her foot and maintaining a pout, refusing to fade from her lips.

"Next time, if you want to live in seclusion, talk to me! Don't make me scared!"

Fathia actually chuckles. "Alright. I'm wrong. Sorry, beautiful Jesslyn. Kind-hearted Jesslyn. The one who worries about me. The one who makes me wonder why you're getting along with Kenzo now."

"What? Am I getting along? Please. If it wasn't for this kid whining to join, I wouldn't have let him into my car."

"Hey! Don't be so presumptuous when you speak! Okay, I'm hitching a ride, but that doesn't mean I can't drive my own car. You were the one who said it's more convenient to use one car. So, who wants to ride with me? You or me?"

"Still a bother, whether you drive separately or not. My ears feel like they're going to break from hearing your complaints."

"Hey... Mr. Annoying! I didn't ask you to listen to every word I said. Why, seriously..."

Jess stands up abruptly. "Seriously, being in the same room with this guy is making me suddenly grow gray hairs! Where's your room, Fathia? I need some rest."

Quickly, Fathia also gets up. She stops Jess in her tracks, quickly replaced with a frown on her forehead. "Sebastian is sleeping in there."

"Oh my god! No wonder he didn't want to come back. He was probably kidnapped by Sebastian!"

"It's not like that!" Fathia suddenly stammers. "It's not like that, Jess."

Jess doesn't want to let go of the laughter that now fills the space beside this villa. Where, finally, Jess's annoyance with Fathia and Kenzo disappears just like that. Replaced by lots of joking about Fathia and Sebastian.

For some reason, watching this makes Kenzo unconsciously smile.

***

On the other side, in a small room where many pairs of eyes were directed at two people who weren't ready to talk, the palpable awkwardness was evident.

"Are you... alright?" the man finally asks. Asked like that, it's enough to warm the woman's heart. Her smile slowly blooms.

"I'm fine, Alef. The recovery is going well, the doctor's also keeping an eye on it."

The man nods slightly, his eyes lowering to gaze at the interlocked fingers on his lap, gripped by nerves. Since the first visit of the woman, he actually didn't want to meet. His embarrassment runs deep, but the woman's lawyer advised, "Use your time wisely, Mr. Alef. Don't let yourself regret it."

So here he sits, facing his woman. The woman who should have received worthy things from him, but... only hardships have come her way during their time together. Throughout his imprisonment, during which the duration hasn't been decided, he's sure it won't be a too short period.

"I... I truly apologize." He doesn't care, even if his embarrassment is soaring, he'll still utter apologies as a form of his deepest regret. He's told everything and cooperated with the police. Some individuals involved are starting to be apprehended and are sitting in the witness stand like him. They exchange glares of resentment because Alef spoke out, but he doesn't care. He only wants justice for his wife. Now, Maximillian Robert's name is behind bars. It's just waiting for the day when his fate is sealed. Just like Alef is waiting.

Resigned. That's what he's doing now.

Laras, the woman, nods gently. "Alef," she calls just so she can face her husband. Regardless of everything, her husband is a man she still loves. She can't forget how much her love for Alef was profound. Laras had wanted her husband to face punishment. It was the consequence he had to bear for all his actions. However, on the other hand, she was determined to stand by Alef while he spent his days in prison. Although in different places, Laras is confident their hearts will remain connected. Even if she holds on to her previous feelings, where Alef barely acknowledged her, she remains steadfast.

Alef lifts his gaze slowly. In front of him is his wife, looking beautiful in a yellow-gold coat matched with black trousers, her hair always neatly done up.

"Don't forget to eat, okay? Sometimes I'll cook and bring it here. On visiting days."

Alef pauses.

"You've never tried my cooking, have you?" There's a palpable sadness in Laras's voice. It makes Alef feel a tightness in his chest, as if he's being thrown into many missed opportunities to savor the sweetness of Laras's gestures towards him. Opportunities he squandered.

"Yeah, I will. I'll definitely eat."

For whatever it's worth, even though it feels incredibly embarrassing to cry here, Laras is still Laras. Tear by tear, they fall, dampening the table where they both now hold hands.

"This time, give me a chance to repay the love you've given me, Ras. Will you... wait for me to come back?"

Laras, who never wanted to replace Alef with anyone, any man, nods with certainty. No matter if her face is swollen from tears, she feels the tightness in her heart gradually lessen bit by bit. Especially when Alef's fingers, trembling slightly, and the gaze she's been waiting for all this time, say, "Wait for me to come home and don't cry anymore."

Once again, Laras nods.

"Thank you for loving me so deeply, Ras. Thank you." Then those fingers descend, cradling both sides of the woman's head, bringing her closer so that a kiss directed at her forehead lands perfectly. Long and intimate.

"Tell Kenzo I regret things. Maybe... he'd be willing to visit his father later."

Laras's smile forms perfectly. "Yes. Kenzo is currently in Beverly Hills helping Fathia with the flower shop."

Suddenly, Alef's heart freezes. A flower shops. So reminiscent of Rossie.

"Fathia is Rossie's daughter, right, Alef?"

Laras's voice further ties his tongue. His mind can't process the right words to respond to his wife's statement. How he regrets day by day he spent here, about Fathia, whom he targeted to eliminate. Laras's words from that meeting room were true. Fathia... is a duplicate of Rossie. So alike. While Felice also inherited her mother's beauty, everyone who knew Rossie would agree, Fathia is the young version of Rossie.

"I hope you don't hate her. She's alone. Even though I know you don't love me because of Rossie, I'm okay. I don't mind. I don't—"

"Stop, Ras. Don't speak anymore."

This suddenly makes Laras furrow her brow.

"There's no more Rossie. I was wrong, and I deeply regret what I did to her family. I also want to apologize directly to Fathia. If possible... maybe during your next visit, Fathia could come along. But I hope it's not forced. I know that child must have her own trauma meeting me. I'm the one who killed her parents."

Laras doesn't want to correct Alef's words.

"I'll take responsibility for all the mistakes I've made. But I'm begging you, Ras," he tightens his grip on her hand, ignoring his wife's puzzled look at him. "I'm begging you, please be patient for us to come back together."

"I don't intend to leave you, Alef."

Out of all the regrets that have plagued Alef's mind since he was first placed in prison, the regret of knowing how deep his wife's love for him was the most powerful in his heart. He will redeem everything, even with limitations. He can be visited regularly by his wife, and he will use those times to pour out his love.

He doesn't want there to be the word "too late" in fixing things, because Laras deserves the best from him. Yes, he will ensure that happens.

"Thank you again, Ras, for the opportunity you've given me."

That smile doesn't fade at all. And there's no intention in Laras's heart to brush it aside. Because it's clear she can feel her feelings gradually being reciprocated. Just as she hoped on every night before sleep. The day will come when Alef loves her with his whole heart. Looking at her with the warmth she's been longing for. And... forgetting Rossie.

And God is being kind to her. No matter how difficult the situation, His help, His love, His blessings, always arrive right on time.