[4] b

Fathia entered her home feeling wary. Three days had passed since the incident, and she was allowed to return home. She wanted to make sure with her own eyes that the three people who always accompanied her at home were all safe, except for Johan. According to Sebastian, he was hurt pretty badly in the arm.

He protected Naomi and managed to make her run away, but he was eventually captured and held captive in a warehouse. Johan fought back, leading to his arm being injured by a long sharp object, leaving a scar. He was still receiving treatment at the hospital, and Fathia was extremely grateful that his condition was stable. Sebastian allowed Fathia to visit his house and then visit Johan in his hospital room later.

When Naomi and Dennis saw Fathia, they embraced her while crying. They were afraid that something terrible would happen to their young miss. Naomi hugged and stared at Fathia repeatedly, as if in disbelief. Dennis also thanked Sebastian repeatedly for saving Fathia.

"I can't imagine it, Miss Fathia, Mr. Sebastian. I really thank you," he said again, earning a bewildered shake of the head from Sebastian.

"How many times has Mr. Dennis said that? Instead of constantly apologizing, how about making me some coffee? Can you do that, Mr. Dennis?"

Dennis gaped. "Are you serious, sir?"

"Why not? I like coffee." Sebastian now embraced Dennis, walking towards the kitchen, leaving Fathia still half-embraced by Naomi.

"But are you okay, dear?" Naomi looked back at Fathia, making sure that the beautiful girl in front of her was truly alright. The smile Fathia gave her somehow brought some relief.

"I’m really okay. Sebastian took good care of me."

"Thank God, it seems like Mr. Sebastian was sent by God to protect you, Miss Fathia. I was really scared, Miss. Terrified. Every day, I cried, worrying about you. If something happened to you, I would be so guilty towards Madam."

Fathia immersed herself in a hug with the person who had been a loyal worker in the house for a long time. Her mother's confidante. Also, the one who often accompanied Fathia when everyone else was busy with various activities outside.

"Aunt Naomi," Fathia unraveled the hug. The feeling of suffocation she felt earlier started to surface again, causing tears to well up in her eyes. Sebastian had given strict instructions that could not be refused.

His pleas.

His requests.

For this moment, Fathia had shed tears just so Sebastian would grant her wish.

To stay at her parents' house. To live with the people who worked there. To keep building memories of the three people who had left her alone. With Sebastian watching over. It was up to her if she would be surrounded by several guards, as an option Ronald had suggested.

"No," Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't want to do this, but what if, in the future, Fathia was targeted by unknown people again? Her life was at risk. No, Sebastian couldn't take such a big risk.

Ronald had already deployed some people to investigate. And he had emphasized with great concern to protect Fathia carefully. He couldn't let this happen again until the motive of the culprit was revealed.

"Stay here with me. You'll be safe, and I won't worry excessively."

"But," Fathia tugged at Sebastian's arm again, leaning part of her weight on the reluctant man's body. "I feel strange here. I'm used to having Aunt Naomi around. And there's Mr. Dennis, who can accompany me wherever I go. Or..."

Fathia stopped Sebastian's steps as he started to lead her to her room. She looked up at him, and the height difference was evident. If she stood next to Sebastian, she only reached his shoulder. Considering that Fathia was one of the taller girls in her school, she wondered if Sebastian had enjoyed eating bamboo to grow so tall. But why was she even thinking about this? She had to persuade him no matter what.

"I'm willing to have bodyguards, really. At school, during my lessons, or anywhere else, as long as I come back home."

Sebastian let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temple. "Fathia, listen." He grasped Fathia's shoulders and locked eyes with her, making her swallow nervously for the umpteenth time. "I won't take the risk of anything happening to you again. Not for long. Until Mr. Ronald catches the culprit."

Tears welled up in Fathia's eyes again. "Sebastian," she pleaded.

"No, Fathia. I won't give in to this one. Just prepare your belongings. I've also instructed Naomi to take care of your things."

Fathia gave in. All she could do was cry. It didn't matter that Sebastian was there, or that she felt embarrassed.

"Miss? Are you daydreaming?" Naomi asked, confused by the young miss. She had been silent all this time, but tears were streaming down her face. "What's wrong? Don't make Auntie sad."

Quickly, Fathia wiped away her tears. "I'm sad that I have to leave, Auntie," she said.

Naomi fully understood Fathia's sadness this time. Perhaps for this teenage girl, this large house was now empty. But the memories inside it kept her alive. And now, she had to be separated from the thing that made her stand strong. But what could be said? Sebastian's reasons were valid. Fathia's safety was the top priority.

For some reason, it felt like an atomic bomb had been dropped on all of them. They suddenly lost their great employer. Suddenly, evil people came to target their young miss. What had this family done wrong? Naomi couldn't understand it at all. As far as she knew, the Alvin family were generous and humble. Living under the same roof with them, Naomi was not blind to all the kindness their employers had shown.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Auntie," Fathia sobbed.

Naomi smiled understandingly. "It's okay, Miss. It's okay. The three of us were instructed by Mr. Sebastian to take care of this house as it should be. Only the owner won't sleep here, but the Young Miss will always remain in our hearts. We'll wait until everything is settled. We believe that Mr. Sebastian can protect you now."

Fathia's tears continued to flow.

"Remember the Master's instructions? Study diligently and one day help the Master at the office? Auntie often heard that advice, Miss. If it were Miss Felice, she would have been very enthusiastic in fulfilling the Master's request."

The girl nodded slowly. What the middle-aged woman said was true.

"Now, you are the only one. You are the Master's hope now. Auntie can only give you that message."

A lump formed in Naomi's throat. She was afraid that if she said what was really on her mind, Fathia would become even sadder, but...

"And you must keep on living. Until what belongs to you handle in Azure Group. It's now with Mr. Sebastian. Auntie Naomi, Mr. Dennis, and Mr. Johan believe that Mr. Sebastian can be trusted. He will repay everything that hurt the Young Miss. We are here. Faithfully waiting."

Fathia quickly wiped away her tears that were flowing more heavily now. "Auntie Naomi promises, yes. Don't go anywhere. Wait for Fathia to come back."

Naomi nodded, unable to stop her own tears either. And the moment came when Fathia had to truly leave this house. She sat in the luxurious sedan that belonged to Sebastian, feeling uneasy. She said her goodbyes, still shedding many tears.

This house had been her childhood home, where she had grown up. She was now forced to leave it for safety reasons. Perhaps because she was tired from crying, Fathia fell asleep, making Sebastian shake his head slightly after making sure his sedan was properly parked in the basement. Unable to wake her up, Sebastian chose to carry her to her room.

Occasionally, Sebastian adjusted her position so that the girl, still asleep, wouldn't be disturbed. Her long, curly eyelashes and neatly thick eyebrows adorned her perfect, innocent face. Her small dimple on her chin added to how perfectly God had created Fathia Bernessa Claire. Sebastian's eyes unintentionally focused on one point.

Fathia's lips.

Oh God! That shouldn't have crossed his mind. His mistake at that moment was utterly foolish. How could he lose control just because of Fathia's gentle gaze and the touch of this teenage girl?

Sebastian felt like the stupidest person in the world. Fathia was his little sister. That's what he should have firmly believed and held onto until now. A sister he had to protect and take care of. Not someone he should act recklessly with. But why had he become careless? Savoring the sweetness that Fathia possessed without restraint? Not just once, but many times until she was breathless and swollen.

"Open the door to Fathia's room, Aunt," Sebastian ordered as he entered the luxurious three-bedroom apartment they would now be living in. This was one of Sebastian's personal properties that he had planned to sell since its value had increased. But considering Fathia's need for extra security, Sebastian abandoned that plan and decided to use it now.

Gently, Fathia was laid on the bed where she would stay for some time to come. She was still asleep, seemingly soundly. Even when Sebastian replaced his hand with a soft pillow, Fathia didn't stir at all. She just let out a small moan, and her small lips moved as if murmuring something.

"Why do you resemble Felice so much?" Sebastian asked as he caressed Fathia's slightly flushed cheek. "To the point that I can't resist it." And when his fingers paused on Fathia's slightly open lips, he gave a very gentle stroke.

His fingertips delivered a sensation that was disturbing him now. Gentle. Sweet-smelling. Sebastian felt like blaming the devil within him because once again, he crossed the boundaries he should have held.

He brought his lips back to meet Fathia's lips, which had been tempting him since they were in the elevator. He kissed her softly, not wanting to devour her lips since Fathia was still fast asleep. And when he decided to break the connection between their lips, Fathia opened her eyes, making Sebastian quite surprised and quickly moved away.

However...

"You kissed me again?" The girl didn't just feel her lips meeting Sebastian's. It's just that, this time, she wondered if Sebastian kissed her because he missed her sister. "You misses Felice again?" Fathia sat on the edge of the bed while Sebastian was still half-standing in front of her, leaning on his hands.

She stared at Sebastian without interruption, waiting for an answer.

"That's enough, go back to sleep. I'm going back to the office."

Then Sebastian just left like that. Leaving Fathia looking dazed. She wasn't a foolish teenager who didn't know how a kiss worked between opposite genders. Sometimes, she heard how excited her classmates were when gossiping about their first kiss with their boyfriends.

As for Fathia?

Her first kiss was stolen just because she resembled her sister. And now, for the second time. It was truly pitiful for her.

"Sebastian is annoying! Doesn't he know that I was half scared to death by his actions earlier?"