"Well, I'm right, aren't I? Jess says to consider getting scolded by you as if I'm being loved by Uncle for it. As long as my allowance is not— " Fathia stops herself without hesitation. She curses inwardly that her words could be misconstrued by Sebastian.
"Why is the allowance so important, Fathia?" Sebastian asks, suspicious.
Fathia quickly shakes her head. "Nothing. There's nothing, Sebastian."
Did Sebastian give up? No. He caught the continuation of her words quite clearly. Fathia's sudden shift in attitude made an intriguing idea pop into his head. He had parked the car in a slot close to Ronald's office, one he was sure Fathia didn't notice. When he pulled the handbrake, he leaned towards the girl.
Fathia widens her eyes. It's the immediate reaction to Sebastian's sudden move.
"What's Sebastian up to?" she whispers softly, growing uneasy in her seat. Sebastian wasn't ready to let Fathia go just yet.
"What did you say earlier? I
Fathia pressed her lips together again, choosing to listen to the conversation dominated by Sebastian and his family's lawyer. She's gotten to know Ronald's face quite well, especially when he read the will, and she noticed his furrowed brows and frustrated sighs during their discussions.Savoring a cup of warm hot chocolate, Fathia looked around the room, which was tastefully decorated in a modern style. She admired Ronald's sense of interior design."Fathia," Ronald finally called out. His old eyes carried a warm smile as they met hers. "Come here, dear."The first time Sebastian pushed open the door to the room where Ronald Nasution was waiting for them, Fathia knew the old man was genuinely surprised by her presence. A warm embrace followed by several affirming pats confirmed that Ronald was satisfied with her except for... her face. But Ronald seemed to hold back from asking, perhaps because Sebastian told him not to pry too much."You've been listen
Sebastian glanced briefly and found Fathia deep in her slumber. Her breathing was steady. Luckily, Sebastian had adjusted the seat for her to make her comfortable during their journey back this time.Fathia asked to go home to her large house, but Sebastian didn't allow it. He remembered that Kenzo was there, even though the man knew Kenzo would stand behind him. Sebastian still didn't know if Kenzo had found out what his father did. But it's highly likely that Kenzo knew. Considering how much Kenzo cared for and loved his mother.Sebastian sighed softly. He hadn't turned off the car engine. He could easily carry Fathia to her room, but Fathia's words had left an impression on him. Since they bid farewell to Ronald, not a single word had come out of Fathia's lips. She chose silence. As if enjoying the journey, even though Sebastian was sure the girl's mind was occupied."You're wrong if you think I don't feel the same way, Fathia," Sebastian said. Even though he
A small smile appeared at the corner of Sebastian's lips. He stepped closer to Fathia, who didn't move an inch from her position. It was as if she was waiting for him to approach. She tilted her head slightly when Sebastian was right in front of her. Their eyes locked, sinking into each other's depths."Yes.""How much do I mean?"Sebastian fell silent for a moment. "I can't assign a value, because that's for you to determine." He stepped closer. "You can feel everything about me now." He brought both of Fathia's palms to touch his face.She closed her eyes, and when her palms made contact with his face, trembling slightly, she felt the tenderness she had longed for in Sebastian."Now you're allowed to doubt me, the way you thought I still loved your sister. I'm okay with that. But at the very least, don't stop me from giving you a lot of love now, for your life. Until you realize that I really do love you."Fathia was speechless. Her body f
Waking up in the morning with an unpleasant feeling, she greeted again the beautiful woman with slightly messy hair. Sitting on the edge of the bed, her head spun around what had just been dropped into her life. Indeed, she was covering up and would continue to try to cover up. Not thinking about how many risks were involved unless... that annoying kid came back.Once again, Clara grabbed her hair in frustration. Since returning to the apartment yesterday, her mind had been a mess. Biting her nails as a form of release. Sometimes, screaming out of frustration, her peace-filled day and her almost achieved goal just vanished.She needed to calculate.Right.She nodded to confirm her thoughts. She swiftly threw off the blanket and headed to the bathroom. She hoped that the cold water pouring down would wash away the anger that hadn't left her yet. Clara couldn't lose. Her goal was just a step away. Whether that kid returned or gained power, it didn't matter.
Clara remained silent."I've finally realized that you're not someone I can trust anymore. Don't blame me if in two days, all your assets are seized because your contract is terminated and you have to pay a large penalty."For the first time since feeling pressured to talk with Laras, Clara lifted her gaze. She looked at the middle-aged woman with an incredulous expression. "Aunt would really do that?"Laras shrugged."I could threaten Aunt back if the mastermind behind all this is Larasati Claire. And Aunt," Clara started to chuckle joyfully as the thought struck her. Right. She could use that as a counter threat. She wasn't dumb. Laras had cornered her wrongly. She could shout for joy now. That would be nice. "Aunt can't escape the law."The meticulously crafted forgery devised by Laras and executed... by her.Instantly, it made her widen her eyes. She stared in disbelief at what had just crossed her mind. Everything she had done, in her n
The sound of heels clashing with the floor echoed. With each step, they got closer and left a trail of a soft perfume scent that could captivate. Just like herself, looking flawless in a knee-length dress. It snugly wrapped her graceful figure, but she covered it with a knee-length long coat. She still cherishes the gaze directed at her, giving her a sense of self-worth in her line of work that isn't cheap. It's not just about flaunting her body or the clothes she wears; it's not that.She's visited here several times before, sparking numerous gossip accounts that freely speculate about their intimate relationship. The words out there ache her heart, but she keeps on smiling. She neither confirms nor denies the assumptions, yet she can't ignore that they're growing closer day by day. Added to that, the beautiful wedding day that she envisions is about to become a reality.She doesn't care if Sebastian's wrath will be aimed squarely at her. She's braced herself to accep
Clara's hand clenched tightly. Her grip on the handle of her bag tightened. "Just call him, Vino. I'm still patient when it comes to dealing with you.""Oh, that's necessary, Ma'am. You have to be patient when dealing with me because that's what you need right now." Then, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor as Vino moved. He stood up, grinning in a way that made Clara furious without mercy. She really wished she could smack Vino's head for his behavior. Especially..."Because in the future, it seems like you're going to keep being in touch with me.""In your dreams!!!"Vino didn't laugh. The grin disappeared; his playful expression gone. It was replaced immediately by a look that Clara found hard to decipher. Especially when the man approached Clara without hesitation. The space between them narrowed so much that Clara could feel Vino's breath against her face without permission.Was Clara scared? Worried? Not at all. She didn't even sh
Jess flopped down onto Fathia's bed, sighing with exhaustion since Fathia had opened Sebastian's apartment door. She teased Jess for being overly dramatic, thinking that Jess was going overboard. Her friend had been brought over directly by Vino. When Vino brought Jess, Sebastian's assistant had mentioned that Sebastian was busy briefly. Fathia had initially invited Vino to have dinner here but he politely declined."I still have a lot of work, Miss. I'm sorry. I'll try next time. Opportunities like this are rare, but I hope you'll invite me again."Fathia chuckled. "Don't be so hesitant, Vino. When I cook again, I'll definitely invite you. But don't turn it down, okay? It hurts to be rejected."The man just chuckled in response to Fathia. Meanwhile, Jess pouted. "You act like you've been rejected before," she said as she walked inside. Leaving Fathia at the doorway with Vino, who softly shook his head in response to Jess's words."Excuse me then, Miss."