Fathia lifted her gaze from the edge of the cup she had just sipped. She gently placed the cup down, causing some of the contents to spill from the cup Clara had shouted into. Slowly, she rubbed Jess's arm to calm her down. Fathia knew that her friend was seething with anger over the behavior of the nine-tailed fox woman in front of them.
"Have I not said thank you?" Eyes that were usually warm and comforting when looking at someone were now piercingly challenging. There was no wavering at all. "Ah, I forgot that your 'rescue' was carried out under orders."
Clara growled in frustration. Her hand clenched tightly. Her eyes gleamed with anger. "You!"
"That's the truth, right? If Aunt suddenly loses her memory, I can repeat Aunt Laras's words. My life is Aunt Clara's lifeline. If I can't be saved, Aunt Clara would suffer even worse consequences."
She savored how Clara's face turned darker as anger consumed her. Although she didn't want to speak like that jus
"Sebastian," Fathia knew that something was bothering the guy who's now standing, looking at the New York City skyline from the balcony. She slowly closed the sliding door, which was mostly made of glass. The wind was blowing harder, messing up her hair and the cardigan she had on to protect herself from the chilly air. Not to mention the noisy sounds of vehicles down there, like the constant soundtrack of the city's nights.The city that never sleeps, as they call it.The guy turned, smiling as he extended his hand, which was quickly met with a handshake. He tightened his grip, not wanting the girl who was now walking towards him to pull away again. Although... doubts were growing stronger in his mind."Not sleepy yet?"Fathia shook her head gently."Try not to stay up too late, Fathia. It's not good for your health."The girl chuckled. "You should take your own advice, Sebastian." Now Fathia stood beside him, looking closely at Sebastian,
Sebastian chose to embrace Fathia, causing her to stand on her tiptoes to match his height."Have you given up already?" Fathia asked, with a sadness she couldn't hide. Just a few days ago, she felt like her old Sebastian had returned. With his increasing playfulness, and the countless restrictions he'd imposed on her. So, where did this sense of failure come from?Fathia let Sebastian hold her tightly for a while. It made her breath uneven, but she liked the way he held her. As if in his embrace, Fathia would be safe. In this closeness with minimal distance, Sebastian was always there for Fathia."Not giving up," Sebastian finally released the embrace slowly. Although he was reluctant to do so, as being close to Fathia was like an addiction. It triggered a cascade of reactions in his blood. He never found satisfaction when they were close. Sebastian closed his eyes briefly, his hands still resting on Fathia's shoulders. He didn't want to look at the girl he kne
Three hours before Fathia headed to the Energy Building."You nervous, Fat?" Jess asks, idly playing with her fingers on the dining table. Their breakfast had finished a few hours ago. It was made cheerfully by Fathia, despite the teasing from Jess. However, Fathia received an affectionate peck from Sebastian without shame.Almost every chance Jess gets, when Sebastian isn't around, she teases Fathia relentlessly. It's her own form of entertainment, especially when the redness on Fathia's cheeks is so apparent. It brings Jess immense satisfaction to mock her, especially since Fathia never gets angry, even if she pouts all day long.But all the playful words Jess wants to throw at her are held back as she sees her friend fall silent after breakfast. Watching Sebastian, who also gazes worriedly at Fathia as he leaves, Jess understands this deeply. And to be honest, Jess is scared herself.Really.She never thought the day would come when everything w
"Shut up!!!" he snapped uncontrollably. Making Alan take a small step back. He didn't argue much, knowing his boss's anger was spiraling out of control. He merely reminded him that the meeting that would take place in three hours was a necessity.Instead of sitting back and leaning, Alef chose to rise. He grabbed his walking stick promptly and strode arrogantly. His movements were mimicked by Alan and several other aides. Meanwhile, the rest of them let out relieved breaths and quickly enlisted someone to tidy up the mess their boss had caused."Soon Group Azure will be mine, Alan," he said softly, but the tone was genuinely chilling. It made the hairs on the people around him suddenly stand on end. Not to mention the dark aura that never faded from him, always instilling a unique fear when facing him."Yes, Sir," Alan struggled to keep up with Alef's pace, as he wasn't particularly fast. "Soon Group Azure will be yours. Completely."Alef nodded slowly. "
Everyone gathered in the room where a large oval table stood in the middle. At the near end, next to a whiteboard and other computer devices, sat a man who calmly looked at each member of the Group Azure's board of directors. This included Alef Walker, who sat between two other men on the right side. Iklima and Akmal also took positions not far from the man on the left side.Everyone appeared serious, paying close attention to the report sheets that were the core of today's meeting. Each division had reported their respective parts except for the man. He held the final decision to reach a new agreement, including the changes that would be made and implemented for Group Azure within a specific time frame."I assume everyone has understood the report I provided?" Sebastian's voice broke through the murmurs that had been going on for a few minutes, during which each of them had reached the end of their presentation."What does this mean, Mr. Sebastian?" Hendri, one
Alef felt like he wanted to unleash all his anger on Sebastian. His facade was now exposed. And for some reason, he felt that this Clara Sebastian wasn't just an ordinary man who could be easily pushed around."Even though the pinnacle was almost within Mr. Alef's grasp, I never imagined that Group Azure would fall into Mr. Alef's hands."In unison, they all nodded in agreement."It's possible... Group Azure could be on the brink of bankruptcy in less than two years." Then, Sebastian directed his gaze at Alef, who was also looking back at him now. Intense. Like a predator poised to pounce, ready to grab hold mercilessly. Until his life force was squeezed out under those claws.He cast a unique aura in the room, full of voices of doubt about the decisions that Sebastian would make now. There were also scattered remarks questioning how this case would eventually be resolved, including its connection to the police."Mr. Alef himself said that he loves
"Never make baseless accusations, Sebastian!!!" Alef warns loudly. He gathers what's left of his voice to bare his fangs. To prove that he's not affected by everything Sebastian is saying, he speaks without hesitation. "Where's the proof, huh?! Where is it!!?" His grip on the cane he uses to support himself tightens, growing stronger.His breath races unpredictably. His face is tensed, flushed with a shade of red due to his anger that he can't hold back any longer. "Alan, get my lawyer on the line. I won't stand for being humiliated like this, especially these groundless allegations this guy is spewing!" With a swift movement, he lifts the cane and points it at Sebastian, who stands a considerable distance away.Behind him, Alan chooses to stay silent. Observing and waiting for the right moment. Watching the drama unfold. He never imagined that the explosion would fail. Calculating all the possible outcomes from the chaos happening here.Including... execution f
Fathia had experienced loss before. Left without a word of farewell or goodbye. At the very least, she wished someone had warned her about the lurking dangers. Some advice that she would endlessly replay in her mind, so she could endure the challenges of the life she now led. She couldn't deny that these feelings had resurfaced over the past few days.She was afraid of being abandoned again, by whoever it might be. The matter of leaving, especially through death, was a fate that had been written by a higher power. Fathia couldn't avoid it, evade it, or even ask her God to delay what is death.Almost every night, she prayed for the heaviness in her heart to diminish, just a bit. For some reason, she felt as if she might experience death again. Fathia couldn't bear the thought of going through that again. The life she was living now was enough for her.Fathia turned as she felt a gentle pat on her shoulder. Jess was beside her, offering a small reassuring smile. "