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. "
"You... don't want to eat?" Fathia asks softly. They're still in the corridor, the end of which leads to the room where Larasati is fighting for her life. "Aunt Laras will get through this, Kenzo. Fathia believes it."And then there's a soft chuckle amidst the sadness that has enveloped Kenzo. What was that? "Aunt"?"I guess we should properly introduce ourselves, Fathia. Your name is... Fathia, right?"Fathia responds with a warm smile and a nod."Call me Kenzo. No need for the 'Mr.' anymore. And don't be so formal. How old are you now, Fathia?" Kenzo wipes away the stiffness that has permeated their communication. He also gently ruffles Fathia's hair, as if asserting his newfound bond with this cousin he's just discovered. "Turns out I have a younger sister."Fathia chuckles. "No need for 'big brother'? I'm two-three years old now."Kenzo nods in understanding. "Whatever you like. I'm more than happy to oblige."They exchange smiles
Kenzo held his mother's hand very carefully. Afraid that his movement might disturb his mother, who was still asleep. Truly, Kenzo could finally breathe a sigh of relief. His mother managed to get through the critical phase after two bullets hit her body. One wasn't too dangerous, just grazed her right shoulder. But the other one hit her abdomen.The doctor said that his mother's critical period had passed. It was just a matter of waiting for her to wake up from anesthesia after a series of surgeries that had made Kenzo wish he could take his mother's place.He lowered his head slightly to kiss the back of the hand of the woman who genuinely loved him. Tears welled up in his eyes again. He didn't care if he was labeled as a crybaby."Thank you, Mom, for being strong for Kenzo," he whispered softly. "I promise I'll take you out of here. It's enough, Mom. Enough."Only silence accompanied Kenzo now. He stared at his mother's face with hope, wishing her eyes
Was that how love worked? Where one of them was blinded by overwhelming emotions? Emotions that should have been experienced happily? Fathia still didn't know the answer.Lost in her own thoughts, Fathia didn't realize that the door to the room had already been opened. When she turned, she was taken aback. She rose from her seat, adopting a cautious stance, and quickly reached for the emergency button nearby."Don't, Fathia," the figure spoke. His face looked tired and the lines of age were more prominent. "Uncle is asking you not to press it."Fathia remained still. Her eyes locked onto her interlocutor. "Leave." Although the middle-aged man was flanked by uniformed men, and he looked weak and worn, his face reflecting much sadness, Fathia still couldn't bring herself to believe him.In Fathia's eyes, he was nothing more than the most heartless and heartless person.On this day, due to what had happened, Fathia was once again shocked by Alef's act
Trembling, Alef holds Laras' hand that he can reach now. After a bit of drama that he thinks he deserves, including Kenzo's rejection, he's allowed to sit near this woman labeled as his wife. Although there hasn't been any significant change in Laras, Alef is already so grateful for the chance to be close to her.Even though he has very little time. Thirty minutes. He'll use it wholeheartedly if these thirty minutes of his time are the best he can value. Truly."You... still want to sleep, Ras?" He wants to ask so many things that now only linger at the back of his throat. Everything seems to vanish, and he can only look at Laras with a mournful gaze. "Forgive me, Ras. Forgive me." For the first time, Alef sheds tears. His regrets keep wrestling and piling up on the woman who never complains, no matter what he does to her.All the memories of his time with Laras at home spin uncontrollably in his mind. The beginning of how they eventually got married. Insults an
Two weeks had passed since the tragedy at the big Group Azure meeting. Fathia greeted the sun with a lot of gratitude when she woke up in the morning. Her burdens had lightened; her smile had brightened with each passing day. Even though she spent most of her time at home, she chose to return there because her sense of security had been restored.Kenzo agreed wholeheartedly, and he was the one who helped Fathia break free from Sebastian without much resistance or coercion. But still, Sebastian was Sebastian. Almost every night, Fathia received his individual visits. She could never turn him away because honestly, her heart longed for his messages even just for a day.Also, regarding Aunt Laras' condition, she was now in the process of recovery. Fathia wanted Laras to be in her home with Kenzo and to welcome visits from Iklima and Akmal, the youngest siblings of her father. The visions and hopes she sent to God every time she closed her eyes, anticipating sweet dreams a
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