TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT
With a single motion wrapped in emotion, and his eyes burning with anger, Sebastian cleared all the items on his desk. He didn't care if his arms got hit by a few hard objects. The bruises he got couldn't replace the turmoil he was currently experiencing. The sound of objects falling echoed, not to mention the shards of glass, which would be deafening to anyone who heard it, including Vino.
A shiver of horror clearly enveloped Vino now. He froze in place at the threshold of the door. The report he had just brought was tightly held, as if his grip was only on that red folder. All the achievements and promotions that should have made the room's owner happy couldn't lessen the turmoil that existed. On the contrary, it added to the anger that already consumed the boss.
"What's going on?" Sebastian growled as he noticed Vino hesitating to approach.
"Sir," Vino attempted to maintain the tone of his voice. Don't let it tremble or sou
Luckily, the presence of the doctor who treated the stubborn man could at least make Sebastian lie back in his bed."I've asked people to help search," Ronald said, not for the first time. Sebastian responded with a disapproving grunt. But when he found out that Fathia wasn't among the victims of the explosion, Ronald began to falter."They've been targeting Fathia from the beginning. Getting rid of you is secondary, Sebastian."Sebastian nodded in agreement. "But I still have to find Fathia, Uncle."Ronald nodded slightly. "I've mobilized my people to search. I can't just sit still, Sebastian, if you want to know," he added emphatically.Sebastian never doubted Ronald's loyalty to Alvin Mehram. Just like him. Everything he did was not only to fulfill his promise, but also to prove that Alvin didn't make a mistake in choosing him as support. Both for the Azure Group, especially for Fathia. But the reality..."All the victims have been checke
"How is it, Mr. Ronald? Is the news true?" Sebastian demanded impatiently as soon as Ronald entered his room. He immediately set aside the task that had occupied his attention. Vino could wait."Unfortunately... it's true."Sebastian roughly covered his face with his hands. His frustrated sigh couldn't be held back any longer. "Oh God! What should I do, Mr. Ronald?"Ronald was equally frustrated as Sebastian. The news that one of the critically injured victims under intensive care was indeed Fathia. His trusted people had confirmed it clearly and accurately."We need to go there now." Sebastian began to prepare, but Ronald stopped him."Remember, you have a meeting with the shareholders today. I'll go to the hospital. I'll keep you informed of any further developments."Sebastian wanted to protest, but he couldn't."Make sure none of them know and make sure they're convinced that we really know Fathia's whereabouts."Sebastian
Sebastian stared at the room where Fathia was supposedly being treated with a mournful gaze. After the meeting, he left all his tasks behind. In fact, one could argue that he hadn't entirely been present during the meeting. His mind was focused on Fathia's condition.And now, he could only watch her from behind the half-frosted glass window. Numerous devices were attached to her. The monitor beside her served as an indicator of the life that still lingered within the body of the girl who had been haunting Sebastian recently.A heap of guilt and neglect was only fitting for him to feel now.If only...Argh!The man in his Armani suit ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. The accumulation of all the burdens he had been carrying lately burst out mercilessly. He fell to his knees, his shoulders trembling slightly. He regretted why he, who was supposed to protect Fathia, ended up being distant from her during that event.It should have
As far as Fathia could see, there was only the TV in front of her playing the same shows over and over again. She could change the channel if she wanted, but she was reluctant to take control over anything. Local channels were not available to her. She had hoped to learn something from the news. Maybe the incident at her campus had gone viral. At the very least, she wanted to know what really happened.Since she woke up under the doctor's care, her condition had been improving. But Fathia felt blind. She had no idea about any news out there. How long had she been here? She had no clue whatsoever. Blind. Truly blind. Her only companions were the ticking of the clock on the wall. It was so quiet. She had asked about her belongings and bag, but the nurse shook her head indicating that she didn't know anything.No phone, communication cut off, and on top of that, all the people she knew had been occupying her mind lately. Especially Jess' whereabouts. True, she was more wo
One year later,Jess waited anxiously. She repeatedly glanced at the G-shock on her right wrist. Occasionally, she looked around, hoping that the person who would pick her up would arrive, unaware that they might already be here. But it seemed unlikely. The person was supposed to use a distinctive car, and she would definitely notice their arrival soon. Her foot tapped gently, trying to calm her nerves. The corner of her lips was slightly sore from biting them too often.Deciding to temporarily close her shop for the day, Jess asked Asya to take a break, even though she was suspicious. Jess was skilled at deflecting suspicions. She told Asya, "Going on a date with Roy," she said before leaving. But no, she couldn't possibly go on a date with Roy like this. Especially after... oh, Jess considered herself lucky to still be breathing. She often uttered thousands of gratitude for surviving the explosion that happened back then.She never forgot how horrifying that i
The girl stared at her intensely. Then she let out a soft sigh and cleared her throat briefly. This made Clara, who was sitting while playing with her phone, furrow her brows."Okay, I agree to stay away from you guys."Clara didn't just believe it immediately. Fathia was smart at feigning innocence. Her most formidable competitor for Sebastian's attention. Everything she possessed made Clara unable to underestimate her easily."I won't be in your lives anymore.""What's the guarantee?"The girl smiled slightly, making Clara truly realize that she wasn't dealing with an ordinary twenty-year-old."I know that saving me isn't your only intention, right? Even if you don't admit to knowing the people who intended harm to us, I know that you have some knowledge about me."Clara fell silent, choosing to wait for the continuation of Fathia's words."Even though it's hard to accept, I understand that what you've said is true. Sebastian
2021The woman was always clad in a beautiful dress that hugged her body perfectly. A pale green dress with a high slit that reached her thigh, not to mention the low-cut neckline. Her face was flawlessly born without any imperfections. Her gaze was sharp and mysterious. Many were drawn to look at her more closely, but the woman only desired one person.The target of her steps now was Sebastian Sachdev.Standing while holding a glass adorned with lemon slices at the edge, he occasionally laughed softly, his eyes fixed intensely on his conversational partner. His body language was unwavering, speaking confidently to both foes and friends alike. Clara had also noticed that he firmly shook hands with the people who approached him.This didn't escape the woman's gaze. A thin smirk played on her lips, a source of her own pride. Tonight, they were attending the launch party for a new product by the Group Azure group. And their relationship was solidifying, no l
Sebastian looks at the woman beside him, uncertain. His chest rises and falls in rhythm with her regular breathing, making her growl even more. Her body is naked, nothing on but a thick blanket to keep out the cold from the air conditioning.Whereas last night they made passionate love. There is no doubt that Sebastian is also undistracted, except that he is savoring the food in front of him with all his senses. Just when he decides to try, Clara submissively gives him hers.He is not a holy man. Clara had enjoyed a few evenings with Felice, but her heart was with the girl who loved the color red. And Clara? She had just taken the step of accepting his existence."Don't think about anything, Sebastian," Clara said as Sebastian laid his innocent body on the bed. She stared into those sooty black eyes, her chest rising and falling with the desire that enveloped her."You... sure?"Clara chuckled. "Before? You really thought I was playing around, didn
What Jess fears the most when delivering orders is not just the payment. As for that, Jess doesn't worry too much because she's confident they will pay. What Jess worries about is suddenly receiving a message with a complaining tone from the customer. Even if the complaint is constructive, it still makes her feel small."Can you sit still, Jess?" Fathia had warned her friend not to be so tense. They had been in the apartment since the afternoon. The cake order had arrived safely and on time for the host's party there."I'm nervous!"Fathia shook her head in amazement. "You're usually the most confident one. Just now?""Ugh! This is different, Fathia. I'm not an expert at making cakes yet. I'm afraid it won't taste good. And it's not overly sweet."Seeing Jess's nervousness, Laras, who had been observing the two of them, approached. She took a seat right next to the girl whose hair always stood out with its cotton candy color but whose beauty contin
"This can't be allowed," Sebastian said angrily, his eyes flashing with rage. It sent a shiver down Jess's spine. They were in the middle of a discussion, especially after Vino had sent evidence of Sammy's crimes the day before. It included the name of the Mercury Company, which turned out to be true, just as Jess suspected.She was surprised herself, that it could be so well-orchestrated without many people knowing."I never thought Uncle Akmal would be like this," Fathia whispered, her eyes scanning each page of the reports."We need evidence to prove if Uncle Akmal is really involved," Jess replied.Fathia looked up from the rows of numbers she was examining."Because," Jess immediately handed over a report she was holding, "here it says that Uncle Akmal approved the amount the residents requested."Fathia immediately shifted her focus to the page Jess pointed to."And here, Mr. Sebastian. You can check," Jess handed another report
"It seems like we can't stay at my place, Fathia," Fathia, while gently pinching Gwen's chubby cheeks, looked up at Jess with a puzzled expression. "Why?""You're crazy, seriously. The house has been left for years, only peeked at occasionally to keep it maintained and not falling apart. There must be a lot of dust. Poor Gwen," Jess replied, her affection for Gwen was always genuine. Fathia could feel how sincere it was. "In that case, we'll just rent a hotel if it gets too late. It's not good for Gwen to stay in the car for too long. She won't be able to move freely."Jess agreed with that plan. In Fathia's luxurious black SUV, they decided to head to Ranch Village right away. They would return to Beverly Hills after a few days. Mirah and Laras joined them. Laras said, "Auntie wants to accompany both of you. And Gwen too."Both Jess and Fathia never wanted to refuse her. In fact, they were delighted when Laras joined them. At least, it meant she wouldn't be thi
Pulling out a regular notebook that she always carried around, it contained her activity planner and life goals. Jess liked planning like this, determining what should take precedence and what could be gradually worked on.She opened a new page, grabbed a blue pen, and started jotting down some notes. "High Priority," she wrote, thickening the letters and underlining them, adding a few small doodles around her words. She shifted slightly to the right to start with what she needed to prioritize.The cafe? It was stable; she didn't need any specific planning except for maintenance regarding quality and service to make it even better. However, she noted the order from Bu Loissa's friend who had already entered the place. Luckily for her, they were going back to Beverly Hills tomorrow. Fathia, Gwen, and Mirah were all going with her. The apartment Jess lived in was adjacent to Fathia's property. Her friend had gifted Jess a unit in the same neighborhood, even though Jess h
"This is the project in Ranch Village." Fathia handed over a rather thick file to Jess, who looked at her in surprise. "I know you need this, right?" she added with a grin on her lips, which made Jess laugh. Then the girl immediately examined each file that Fathia had handed over. Since Sebastian didn't come home today, Jess could freely discuss with Fathia, although occasionally she was interrupted by Gwen's presence. Ironically, she was the one who spent the most time playing with the adorable child."When I was found at Ranch Village the other day, they said it was for a supermarket construction. But, the price they offered is really low, Fathia.""Who offered it? Azure Group?""So here's the thing," Jess straightened her back. "There, residents often borrow money from loan sharks, like in one place. Mr. Imam said the name of the cooperative is Mercury PT. They use house certificates as collateral.""Mercury Company?" Fathia repeated with a furrowed br
As Jess talked to Kenzo about her burdens, half of that weight diminished. And when Laras hugged her tightly, Jess didn't expect the middle-aged woman she respected to say anything, and that reduced her burden even more. Even when Jess expressed her fear of Laras blaming her for Asmara, Laras pouted."Mami's not that heartless, Jess.""Sorry, Mi," she said, lowering her head. Fathia had gone back inside. Gwen was crying, asking for milk. She intentionally left them and gave them some time."This conversation should have happened a year ago, shouldn't it, Jess?"Jess frowned. "What do you mean?"Laras handed her a cup of her homemade jasmine tea. "Drink this first to relax a bit. Tea helps us calm our tense nerves, Jess.""Mami's right. When I was in Beverly Hills, I enjoyed my own jasmine tea. So when I went to Green Lake yesterday, I stuffed Kenzo with tea because he had too much coffee.""Oh, really?" Laras furrowed her brow in conf
"Your extra cheesy pasta always wins, Jess," Fathia says as she continues to eat her pasta without a trace of worry. Her body is naturally lean except when she's pregnant, and even then, it requires a lot of food to show.Jess just nods but feels pleased that what she's served is still her friend's favorite. After returning from the airport, Jess took a rest because her body was incredibly tired. She didn't even realize how long she had been asleep. When she opens her eyes again, morning has arrived. A series of messages flood in as Jess grabs her phone from the nightstand.Honestly, the past week has been exhausting for her, despite the enjoyment she shared with Kenzo. As she checks through the messages, most of which are from Kenzo, Jess can't help but chuckle.Jess. R: Sorry, I fell asleep last night. So tired, Ken. I still have a day off, right? Only back to work tomorrow?Just as Jess peels back the covers, getting ready to change, wash her face, and
Stopping by New York City, Jess didn't stay for long, just a few hours because Kenzo had to catch his flight. And for this time, using Dennish as a driver was the wisest choice. Kenzo was quite tired from driving from Beverly Hills to New York City and had to get to the airport right away. He didn't carry too much luggage, just a small suitcase, but he still needed to check if he had left anything behind.Meanwhile, Fathia advised Jess to go back to her place."Me and Mr. Dennish will manage it. How can I get back to Beverly Hills right away?" Jess smirked, but then she smiled. "Wait for me, okay? We'll gossip."Fathia, who was carrying Gwen, just shook her head in amazement at her friend's behavior. But really, Jess's eyes seemed more alive than they had been for the past few months. She felt like she was meeting the Jess she knew when they first met. Not the Jess who had been keeping to herself. Fathia knew Jess was close by, but not as close as she used to be
"Sebastian's been on a big expansion, you know, setting up a supermarket and all that. He's been working on that project for about a year now. Originally, it was in Uncle Alif's department, but it got stuck during his trial. It was handed over to Uncle Akmal for the continuation, and it's been running smoothly again," Fathia explains from the other end.Jess sits in one of the chairs on the balcony. She deliberately placed two chairs and a table to enjoy the evening. Just like now. Her gaze wanders far ahead, enjoying the chilly night atmosphere in Beverly Hills. She's sure Fathia might not know the exact location earmarked for development, which includes her parents' house and their graves.Talking to Fathia about this was the right decision, and she also feels like she needs to find out if Roy is deeply involved."Why are you suddenly asking about the Azure Group?"The pink-haired girl doesn't want to hide what's happening to her. "I'm going to New York