Chapter 6 [5] FATHIA'S BIRTHDAY

Fathia's birthday.

February 2015

Usually, when she wakes up in the morning, on February 14 every year, Fathia always wakes up with a smile. Greet everyone in the house. Even to the gardener, Fathia approached to say good morning. There is a special prayer that she prays as she gets older, including today.

She is sixteen years old.

Even sad that accompanies it until now. Eight months later, since her parents and sister died, the wounds of the loss are still wide open. Her activities are back, but nothing is normal for her to live with. Happy when she welcomes day after day is gone. Often, sadness comes, and if she suddenly thought of her mother, Fathia would surely cry bitterly in the corner of the main room. Hugging her family portrait tightly.

Just like today. Woke up in the morning with sadness. She made her way to her parents' primary bedroom. Everything is still the same. Nothing has changed. She remembered that she would sneak in if she were frightened in her sleep. No matter how mature a child is, she will still be a child for her parents.

However, before she stepped into her parents' main bedroom, Narti's voice stopped her.

"Mr Tian is in the living room," said Narti later. Unknowingly, Fathia smiled. From the day the will was read, only Tian was always there for her. Visiting her at dinner, asking this and that about the school, together watching a movie in her theatre room, or if the weekend comes, they go swimming together.

It's nice to have a figure who accompanies her when she's still sad. They often reinforce each other because Tian constantly mutters about Felice's preferences once in a while.

"Yes, Felice likes red roses. She said sexy. Even though, in my opinion, the colour is beautiful, it can hurt people," complained Fathia one day as they walked through the back garden.

Tian only responded with a chuckle. "But it's true what Felice said. Red is... sexy."

Due to Fathia's lack of understanding, she just continued her steps until she arrived at one of her favourite collections, Lily.

"Well, this is Fathia's favourite," she chirped. What Tian could have guessed was that this teenage girl liked soft things. The typical woman does not vary in her life. Lovers of home activities with all the warmth. Unlike Felice, who enjoys outdoor activities. Exploring herself with her head held high. Brave. Never give up. And one thing that Tian always remembers is beautiful and sexy. The perfect blend of portraying a Felice Leah Clairine.

"Miss, what's wrong? Why do you keep smiling like that?" The blush on the young lady's face made Narti feel very grateful. Everyone was here very grateful to Tian. The man who rarely spoke could at least make her young lady happy. "Mr Tian is waiting."

"Oh, right." Fathia hastily jogged, but before she turned around, Narti gave her a confused look. "I'm not that messy, am I?"

Narti's smile was created. "Not. You always beautiful."

Fathia chuckled and resumed running. "Tian," she shouted happily after confirming that the man was there. He stands with his back to her in a stiff, formal suit, but Fathia likes it.

When Tian turned his head, he was never ready if it turned out that Fathia could do whatever she wanted. The girl jumped at him. Luckily, Tian didn't fall and hit the carpet on which he was stepping. "Fathia," he growled, stifled.

"Sorry, Tian." Fathia slightly lowered her head because her position was higher than Tian's net. "I thought, You forgot today."

Tian shook his head slowly. "It's impossible that in the past week, I've been chatted and reminded that today I have to go home."

Fathia's laughter infiltrated her deepest heart of Tian unconsciously. She engraved in her heart how the laughter was able to warm her heart. Creates courage in the man to touch the girl, fixing the long strands of hair. Inserting it in her earlobe then, he whispered, "Happy birthday, Princess Fathia. Wish you all the best."

"Thank you."

what gift do you want?" Tian slightly fixed the position of carrying Fathia. So that the girl is comfortable, but apparently, Fathia doesn't care. He chose to tighten his legs just like a koala.

"I don't need anything. I want to go to the grave with you, Tian. It was more than enough." Full of doubt, Fathia touched the temple of the man close to her. Feeling no rejection, Fathia walked gently there. "To celebrate Felice's birthday too. Tian knows, right, if we have the same birthday?

In closing, Tian nodded. How could he forget today? "With my pleasure, Princess."

Then Tian began to lower Fathia's body, but the girl refused. Making Tian throw a questioning look. "What is it?"

Tian was not ready when Fathia's tiny lips, always red like pink, kissed him with lightning speed.

"Thank you for being an older brother who loves Fathia."

***

(now)

"Eat, Fathia! Good grief! Being stared at like that will never end." Elma was furious. Fathia's arrival in the morning was regular. It's just that the breakfast she made was just wasted. As if her homemade egg sandwich was unattractive.

Even though she wholeheartedly made it for Fathia. Elma knows that the girl in front of her must not have eaten anything.

"Yes." Fathia chose to smile. Once again trying to enjoy a free meal from the kind Elma.

"What's wrong with you?" Elma had to ask carefully about Fathia's life. Knowing Fathia so far does not mean that the girl is open to telling how her life is. In contrast to Elma, who did not hesitate to tell everything. Including the hot night with the lover.

"The Fox is in the apartment," Fathia answered slowly. So quietly that she wished Elma hadn't heard. But it turns out that Elma Rasopati heard everything she said clearly. Only one woman gets a terrible nickname from Fathia's lips; Mika Nadine. Photos of famous models and celebrities throughout Indonesia. Beautiful and classy, but she was nicknamed Fox by Fathia.

"Stay overnight?"

Fathia shrugged. "I was asleep last night. I don't know when that woman will come again."

"Come again?"

The alabaster-skinned girl chose to enjoy her meal rather than answer Elma's question. This made Elma take a deep breath. You know that Fathia doesn't want to talk anymore.

"Elma," Fathia called after finishing her breakfast with difficulty. "Thanks for the breakfast."

Elma smiled happily. Seeing Fathia, who now looks brighter, made her warm-up. "If there is anything, you tell Fathia. I'm your friend, right?"

Right. Besides Tian, Fathia has Elma. Should be able to lighten the burden on her heart and mind, but she doesn't know why Fathia chose to remain silent.

"Thanks , Elma. Just like this I'm more than enough."

Elma knows and is sure that Fathia hides a lot behind her smiling face.

"Is there Roy up there?" asked Fathia.

Fathia's sudden question made Elma's face turn red. Fathia smiled knowingly when she knew her best friend was embarrassed by the question just now. "I'll go to campus first then."

"Our class is at one in the afternoon, Fathia."

"I know. I want to study in the library instead of here it will damage my hearing."

Elma pouted.

While on the thirty-fourth floor of the Energy Building, Tian flipped through Vino's report. His mind focused and began calculating the things that should be running, including the new rules and taxes set by the government related to mining exploitation.

"Miss Fathia has been on campus since a few hours ago, sir," Vino reported without lowering his eyes from the tablet he always carried. "Toni stands guard around campus."

Tian just raised his gaze briefly and gave the nod in response. Then back to the report that was still faithful in his hand.

"And the meeting is less than thirty minutes away, sir."

Once again, Tian nodded. "Prepare everything, Vin."

"Okay, sir."

The door to his room closed, making Vino Pratama's figure disappear from his eyes. His assistant was so quick and thorough. Makes Tian always like the way Vino works.

A pop-up on his cell phone created a slow-motion in his eyes.

Sailendra's business experienced a sharp spike. Beating its business rivals by a landslide.

Tian didn't want to be careless this time. It was quite the mess last week because he casually threw the phone. The news about Sailendra always made the roar in his chest rise to the highest level.

He won't let them stay at the top all the time. Oh shit! If he hadn't been divided in his focus, perhaps Claire's name would have been confirmed in the big tender four months ago. Strongly supports the stability of the profit balance to be obtained. Should he let go of one of them?

How long is he going to sit here? Busy for a business that doesn't belong to him? He should have enjoyed his routine at a large table with various types of knives as accompaniments, different flours, and various kinds of meat and vegetables.

He plays with fire on the stove and sits on the grill to taste the food he likes. Since the first, his activities in the kitchen have been one of the many forms of release from the embarrassment that plagues him now.

Not to mention pressure from other shareholders who don't belong to the Clairine family. Who has always questioned why he should lead? Is it because of a cancelled son-in-law Tian? Also, the many discordant notes about Fathia, who was in his protection, circulating were getting stronger. Shaking himself, breaking his concentration, stirring his emotions lately.

He never asked for this to happen in his life. Never.

Takes care of someone who is not a sister and has a relationship with him except for that little girl, the dear sister of his fiancé. Leading the Group were in it, countless sycophants and wolves ready to slaughter him whenever he was off guard.

He never wanted this.

Before he could finish his thoughts, a pop-up message containing a notification from the bank appeared on the screen.

Happy. You have successfully made a transaction using a Visa card with the number 4554************9001 in the amount of Rp. 8,051,000, -

Tian growled in annoyance after that. "Fathia," he hissed angrily.