[4] a

May 2015.

Sebastian winced as the projectile was removed from his arm. He was truly lucky. He managed to safely bring Fathia to his apartment. After contacting Ronald, Fathia was asked to inform Nika, Sebastian's acquaintance who worked as a doctor. Sebastian didn't want to take the risk of going to the hospital, so he chose Nika to examine him.

"But Sebastian, are you okay?" Fathia asked, full of concern, after hearing Nika sigh with relief.

Nika turned with a small smile. "Don't worry, dear. Your brother is fine. He's strong."

Sebastian scoffed. "Just get it done. I have a lot to take care of."

"Oh, come on, Sebastian! Work right away? After this? You owe us a lot of explanations, you know."

With his free hand, Sebastian made a gentle gesture. "Enough, focus on your part. The rest is my business."

Nika rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Sebastian and his habits!" But she still attended to what needed to be done. Although he lost quite a bit of blood, Sebastian was fortunate that the wound did not hit any vital muscles that could paralyze his hand. When she asked why, Sebastian chose to remain silent as was his habit of guarding his privacy.

"All done," Nika said, wiping off her sweat. "Don't strain your right hand too much. Rest for a few days, and you'll be back in top shape, Sebastian."

"Damn you."

Both of them chuckled, while Fathia, who didn't understand their conversation, simply stared at their interaction. She was immensely relieved that Nika confirmed Sebastian was fine. Throughout the journey, it was indeed the scariest experience she had ever encountered in her sixteen years of life.

Nika didn't stay long. Accompanied by Fathia, who was still wearing dirty pajamas and looked disheveled, Nika bid her farewell.

"Thank you so much, Nika."

Fathia received a pat on the head from Nika in response.

"You look so much like Felice."

Suddenly, Fathia's eyes widened. "You knows Felice?"

Instead of an answer, Fathia received a genuine smile from Nika, tinged with sadness. "I must go now. Take care of Sebastian. Usually, when he's sick, he's quite needy."

Fathia was taken aback. What did she mean?

Shortly after Nika had left the apartment, Ronald arrived. As soon as he saw Fathia, the middle-aged man hugged her tightly. "Thank God, you're okay, dear."

"What's going on, Uncle?" Fathia asked softly, moments after the embrace was released. The old man carefully examined Fathia, who still looked disheveled. It didn't matter to him as long as Fathia was safe and on time.

He never expected to receive news like this. It meant Ronald strongly suspected that Alvin's accident was not purely an accident. But who was behind it?

"Later, I'll tell you, dear. For now, it's better if you change your clothes." He immediately led Fathia to the living room, where Sebastian was putting on a shirt. Struggling a bit, Fathia hurried to help him.

"Slowly, Felice," Fathia said carefully as she observed Sebastian's muscular arm, wrapped in a bandage. Her eyes blinked a few times, remembering Clara, when she saw Sebastian's exposed body. At her school, were there any boys as cool as Sebastian? Fathia thought there weren't any. But why was she even thinking about this? Her goal was to help, and that's what she quickly did – buttoning up each button on the shirt. When their eyes met, the creases on Sebastian's forehead deepened.

"Oh my! I forgot to tell you to change clothes. You must be freezing, oh Lord! I've been neglecting you. Change your clothes quickly. Shall I make you some hot chocolate? Do you want that, Fathia?"

The girl nodded happily, following Sebastian's instructions and letting Ronald talk about this and that. Fathia chose to step back, as she didn't understand what they were discussing. After finishing her shower, she suddenly remembered Naomi, Johan, and Dennis. How were they doing now? Fathia shuddered with fear as the sounds of gunshots echoed vividly in her memory. What if they were all shot? Killed? Oh God! Fathia was truly frightened now. Her worries were equally great, pushing her to quickly open the large wardrobe nearby.

For a moment, she hesitated. In her sight, all of Felice's clothes hung perfectly. Ah, Fathia's smile bloomed. Perhaps during Felice's visits with Sebastian, she left some of her clothes there. She picked out a white dress that seemed to fit from among the many collections inside. Fathia was lucky it wasn't too big.

She was about to find out how and why people came to their house in such a terrifying way. But before she could open the door, Sebastian was already pushing it open.

Seeing Fathia in the dress he had picked for Felice shocked him immensely. In his mind, before him stood Felice – beautiful and tempting all at once. Not to mention her still damp long hair. Full of dominance, Sebastian stepped forward, causing Fathia to take a step back in confusion.

Until Fathia's back hit the edge of the bed, making her slightly off-balance. In one swift move, Sebastian's arms embraced her without permission. Hugging her tightly. Trying to inhale the scent he longed for; Rose.

"Sebastian," Fathia whispered softly. Her voice was muffled in this tight and possessive hug. "I can hardly breathe."

"Just a moment, Felice. Just a moment." Sebastian tightened the embrace. "I missed you."

Throughout the years of knowing Sebastian, which could still be counted on one hand, this was the first time Fathia heard his voice filled with desperation. Longing was evident in the tone that escaped the lips of the man who was still embracing her. Fathia felt the same. Longing for her brother.

How innocent she was when she returned the hug to Sebastian just as tightly, causing a domino effect that was very high in consequence. Surprisingly, Sebastian unraveled the hug without diverting his gaze from Fathia. Slowly but surely, he moved closer until his breath mingled with hers mercilessly.

Understandably, Fathia became flustered, trying to free herself, but it was too late. Their lips met. Fathia's eyes widened in surprise as she looked directly at Sebastian, who closed his eyes as if savoring every touch he made. Moreover, Sebastian's body started pushing Fathia to fall on the bed behind her.

Not to mention that Sebastian deepened the kiss even further. He held Fathia's hands above her head, as the girl was still confused by the actions of the man who was now pinning her down. A mixture of fear, worry, confusion, and dread struggled within her, but she couldn't voice it. Just when Fathia thought Sebastian had let her go, in reality, he only gave her a brief moment to catch her breath.

With the strength she had left and the courage she had gathered, Fathia bit Sebastian's lip quite hard. Causing him to cry out and release Fathia, who was now gasping for air. Realizing what he had done and also the fact that Felice was no longer in front of him, Sebastian felt a surge of fear and panic. He fell to his knees, covering his face in frustration. What had he just done? Madness! He must be insane and have hit his head hard! How could he do this to Fathia, whom he was supposed to protect?

Meanwhile, Fathia was starting to get up from her fall. Although she still couldn't believe what Sebastian had just done, seeing the man looking so distressed made her approach him.

"Sebastian."

Her gentle touch and soft voice, though trembling, made Sebastian look up. Fathia was in front of him.

"What's wrong, Sebastian?"

Indeed, seeing Fathia wearing the clothes that Sebastian had gifted to Felice created a different stir of emotions. The overwhelming longing and his helplessness towards Felice's absence made Sebastian act spontaneously.

"I'm sorry," he whispered softly. Then Fathia's small and gentle hand touched his face lightly. Their eyes still locked onto each other. Sebastian felt that something was wrong, but what? Felice's figure was so real in front of him, only slightly different. Ah, her eye color. Right. Sebastian should have realized that the person he was gazing at was Fathia. Felice's beloved little sister. Not his fiancée.

The girl he should protect with all his heart.

But receiving Fathia's touch, still trembling, made Sebastian close his eyes.

"No need to apologize. I knows that we both miss Felice. If... if you misunderstood, I understand and forgive you. Nika said the same earlier. I'm fine, Sebastian."

Immediately, Sebastian opened his eyes. He could still feel the touch on his cheek, not just from one of Fathia's hands, but both.

"Thank you for being there for me earlier. Thank you for protecting me. And than—"

This time, Sebastian no longer approached Fathia with thoughts of Felice in his mind. He focused on what was now separated from him. And this time, Sebastian acted out his wildest fantasy. Fathia responded, albeit very rigidly, to all his advances.