"Just a bit more, Max, and Boss's goal will be achieved. Just keep an eye around the Boss. Alvin's kid is dead. Sebastian isn't a hindrance. Be patient. After this, we'll get rid of the Boss. I know you've been waiting too long. Just like how we got rid of Alvin and his wife. Too bad... Felice joined in."
Fathia's heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly. Her breath caught in her throat as those words were terrifying to hear. So... so... Sebastian's suspicion since long ago, that his parents were murdered, was actually true. Ah... it's not that Fathia didn't want to know the truth about what happened five years ago. She was just scared that it might be true. Especially after the ominous night with several banging sounds.
She wanted to open the restroom door, but her trembling hand was completely out of control. She struggled to keep herself standing upright. To not collapse onto the restroom floor below. Not to mention her eyes had welled up. Don't even ask about
Jess chokes, causing a disgusted frown on Fathia's face, who still can't fully believe what happened to her. Smoothly and without hesitation, Anne recounts the sequence of events. She tells Jess, who is enjoying her afternoon snack on the upper floor. Jess's café consists of two floors. They usually spend time there. Jess's café concept has quickly raised the name of Amorè.Besides being cozy and suitable for lively chats with friends, Fathia also agrees with the reviews. The trendy food and drinks displayed on the menu bring new customers who keep coming back."Just give me the real news, okay?"Fathia rolls her eyes. "You think I'm lying?"Jess stares at Fathia with a hard-to-decipher expression. "Eat first, come on. Maybe after this, you'll be sane again. And talk normally.""Ugh!"Although slightly annoyed that Jess doesn't believe what she's saying, the spread in front of her is indeed tempting. When is Fathia not t
Sitting next to the deliberately opened window, feeling the chilly night breeze, and enjoying the deepening darkness of the late night. Not caring that her fingertips were starting to go numb from the cold air brushing against them."Almost there, Max. Just a little more and Boss's goal will be achieved. You keep watch around the Boss. Alvin's child is dead. It doesn't mean Sebastian is an obstacle. Be patient. After this, we'll get rid of the Boss. I know you've been waiting for too long. Just like how we got rid of Alvin and his wife. Pity... Felice is involved too."Those words echoed, chipping away at Fathia's sanity. A succession of questions pounded her mind. She couldn't share her thoughts with Jess since her friend chose the safe path. Fathia was reminded of their intense conversation, where tears greeted them first. The first time they met. Jess even pinched her own arm hard to make sure that the person in front of her was truly Fathia."Oh my God... I.
For the past three days, Anne has been quieter than usual in Melly's eyes. Melly knows Anne is not much of a talker but still willing to ask about Ica. Lately, the young woman who owns the store where she works seems to have lost her voice. She spends more time in the backyard, enjoying her favorite part – various pots of lilies.And the peak of it all is because Melly is starting to get annoyed with Anne's behavior in her eyes. How could Anne manage to print the wrong message on the balloon glasses they'll be sending today?"Anne," Melly calls out softly. She can't bring herself to startle the girl. Sitting in front of her laptop screen, seemingly checking orders, but Melly is sure her mind isn't there. No response makes Melly speak again. "Hey, An.""Ah, Melly. What's up?" Fathia is quite surprised to see Melly approaching her, even a small touch on her shoulder."What's wrong with you? I've been noticing you all this time, and you seem lost."
"But sorry, I didn't mean to touch on your situation. Really."Fathia chuckles. "No worries, Melly. I know you mean well."There's a glimmer of hope upon hearing Melly's overly enthusiastic spirit. Even though she doesn't know what Fathia is dealing with, at least hearing her spirited voice lifts her mood slowly. She uses that to get back to finishing the orders. As for the issue of deciding to dig into the things that are bothering her about her life, she'll think about it again.Luckily, the orders are done an hour before all the couriers arrive. Fathia herself has already placed a special order for the orders she'll work on two weeks from now. At least she needs to prepare different materials, especially the availability of fresh flowers, which she always relies on as her flower shop's slogan.Towards the evening, Fathia is a bit surprised by Jess's visit. Normally her friend would just give a call or a short message. While she doesn't mind, seeing Jes
It took Fathia three days and two nights to think, strengthen her thoughts, and start figuring out what she would do if she went back to New York City. The issue of where she would stay was still uncertain. Maybe Jess's idea of renting a small room just for sleep was right. But she had to consider living there too. She couldn't just suddenly show up in front of Sebastian's apartment, right?So, where would she start?The image that always accompanied her through the night when she slept, she takes it again. She gently wipes everything inside the frame. Sitting and leaning on the edge of her bed, she stares at the picture for a long time. "I wonder if this is the best path? Should I come back?" While Fathia understands there won't be an answer she can hear, at least she can voice the obstacle she feels.Not to mention, Jess's pressure seems to be getting more unpredictable. Including her plans, which, according to Fathia, are a bit crazy. Jess even suggested just
Sebastian can imagine how frustrated and angry Ronald must be on the other end. To some extent, Sebastian finally realizes that Ronald isn't just following orders from his boss. "I know about Alvin's struggle in founding Group Azure before it became this big, Sebastian. And I can't reveal deaths other than accepting the facts that exist. Doesn't that make me suffocate?""Alright, Uncle. After work, I'll head to the office, Uncle.""Use the little time you have left to truly investigate. I believe that because Alef was chosen to replace you, the surveillance around him started to loosen. I don't know why, but I've always been convinced that Alef is the mastermind behind everything that happened to Claire."Whether he likes it or not, Sebastian agrees with Ronald on this matter."Unfortunately, we're hindered by the lack of evidence.""Yeah, Uncle. In that case, see you tomorrow afternoon. Once again, I apologize for disturbing you this late at night
Waking up in the morning with a pounding headache, something Fathia hasn't felt in a while except a few days ago. When the darkness greets her and she opens her eyes, the pain she feels is just as intense. Fathia sighs softly, massaging the side of her head trying to alleviate it a bit, but it's still the same.If she takes another painkiller for her headache, she might become even more dependent. Fathia walks a little unsteadily, occasionally squinting, heading to the kitchen to make some warm tea. Fortunately, she doesn't need to turn on the stove. There's a hot water dispenser that's enough to make a cup of tea. Opening the food storage drawer, she hopes there's still a chocolate sandwich there.A cup of tea, two packs of sandwich, becomes Fathia's breakfast that she thinks should be enough to alleviate the headache. Hopefully. She sits half-leaning on a large pillow, trying to enjoy her breakfast. Slowly, not because she's savoring it, but because the headache does
Once again, she scrutinizes the aged picture that's now in her hand. A large house with grand pillars, seemingly in a white background. Next to where they stand with happy smiles, there's a row of flowers that have also faded in color. The handwritten, neatly slanted printing on it also includes a year. The year in question is probably the year the photo was taken. But what's the significance of 1982?Once again, Fathia's brain has to work extra to remember the date and year her parents got married. Is the year written in the photo the same as the year of her parents' marriage? If so... did her mother indeed cheat? But... why?The throbbing in Fathia's head intensifies, hitting her even harder. Even closing her eyes to push it away doesn't work anymore. Lying down is the only option she has now. She hopes that amidst the pain she's experiencing, there's a clue in her memory. She also prays to her God that the pain will vanish soon.****"You make me worri