Chapter 7 [6] THE ACCIDENT

The accident

May 2015

In her room, Fathia sat surrounded by textbooks. In two days, she will face the test. Fathia is very nervous but always remembers Tian's message that she can pass the school exam. Tian always gave her encouraging messages even though they were far apart. Tian said he had business in Bandung.

She only asked God for one thing so that God would always protect Tian. For some reason, she trusts Tian's hand more than her uncle or aunt, who is part of the family. Tian himself ended up limiting Fathia's association without telling her the reason. Fathia is used to obeying everything her father wants. Fulfil all the wishes of her mother. Imitate the good behaviour of her brother. So observing Tian now is not a strange thing, according to him. SHe did not have many arguments to refute what Tian wanted.

From inside her room, she felt suddenly too quiet. Fathia is a little suspicious and thinks something is wrong in her house. Not to mention that there was quite a heavy thunderstorm outside. The rumbling sound of thunder made her flinch in surprise. The lightning seemed to add to the terrifying atmosphere.

"Narti," called Fathia as soon as she dared to open the door to her room. Usually, the middle-aged woman immediately approached her. It didn't matter where the butler in her house was.

"Narti," Fathia called quite loudly. She was sure her voice must be heard throughout the house because only Narti, Joko, and Didi worked there. The three are always loyal to guard and supervise Fathia in this big house.

Narti did not answer Fathia's call at all. Full of determination and courage that was only a little, Fathia came out of her room. "Argh!" Fathia immediately lowered her head when the sound of thunder startled her.

"Mr Didi!" called Fathia. There was no response from the owner of that name. "Mr Joko!"

Strangely, all of them did not answer the call. The atmosphere in this house is also getting darker. Then the sound of doors slamming and glass shards were loud. Made her straighten up and tremble. Who's that?

She was scared. Fathia thinks something must have happened at her house. But what? She just wanted to meet Narti or Joko or Didi. But where are they all? Terrible images became more and more in Fathia's mind, making the girl shrink suddenly to go down the stairs to check the origin of the sound.

However, Fathia's body froze again. Dark shadows began to appear from the balcony of her house. Fathia knew there was a glass door on her balcony. Was that loud noise coming from there? The broken glass door earlier? She cancelled her intention to go down the stairs because the black shadow was getting more apparent to her. Also, the sound of heavy footsteps is getting closer.

Run! That's all Fathia is thinking now. As far as possible, anywhere as long as you can save yourself. The feeling was that there was danger lurking for some reason. Also, if possible, she must immediately find the three workers in this house. Fathia half-ran. It didn't matter if his steps jumped two or three steps; occasionally, she could hold on to the fence.

"THAT! Shee's there!"

Several people were seen chasing Fathia, who was now at the end of the stairs. She cried in fear. Forced me to keep running even though her legs were too heavy to move. His body was also shaking violently. "Narti! Mr Joko!" She didn't care if the people could follow her from the sound. "HELP!!!"

The footsteps drew closer and closer behind her. She heard the voices that answered each other to catch Fathia. Her breath hitched. Her eyes moved quickly to search around for three people who were always nearby. The shaking all over her body was utterly helpless. She was lucky he still had the strength to keep running.

Lightning flashed again. The roar was deafening, which made Fathia scream in fear. Unfortunately, suddenly all the lights in this house went out completely. Only a flash of lightning remained, which added to the tense atmosphere.

Fathia feels she can no longer run to avoid the people chasing her. But if she gave up now, she was in danger. So she kept running, had to run because if she gave up, she didn't know what fate would come for her. Her heart was already very frantic, imagining all the bad things that happened. She quickly got rid of the lousy thought even though it was challenging.

Several times she tripped over a pot in her garden. Fathia was no longer thinking about the pain from the shards and scratches that hurt her leg. She kept running to avoid the people behind her.

Until

"HELP!!!"

She struggled very strong. She hit aimlessly, no matter which part her lunge and kick hit. She used the last of her strength to defend herself. But in one jolt, Fathia's chin was pulled closer to the figure that caught her.

"It's me. Can you calm down?"

There was nothing she liked more than meeting Tian's healthy black eyes. "Tian! Oh, Lord!" She immediately hugged the man in front of him tightly.

"My car is there," Tian pointed at the back garden. "Thank God, I'm not late."

Fatima nodded. Her tears had been falling since earlier in Tian's arms. They hid in the tall hedge grass before reaching the rest of the house's garden. Lightning still struck, and his voice boomed loudly. It was also still raining heavily.

"I is scared," her squeak trembled.

Tian looked at the girl's face. Fear was evident in her light brown eyes. Tian tried to calm Fathia. "Can you still walk? We have to move fast before they find us."

Fatima nodded quickly. What Tian said is true. Fathia wasn't ready yet, but Tian moved fast. The man pulled Fathia tightly. Run without paying attention to the surroundings. Tian's goal was the car, and he immediately went as far as possible. Fathia ignored the pain that was starting to run its course. The hope is in Tian's black car. A car that could take him away from any of the people who might be chasing them now.

"They're there!"

Fathia turned around. In a flash, the masked men moved quickly like lions hunting their prey. Tian's grip tightened on Fathia. Until she managed to reach Tian's car door, she quickly opened it and got inside, but a sound made her panic.

Gunshots were aimed at her.

"Fathia! Fast!"

No doubt, the order is like a magnet. Interestingly immediately sit down and wear a seat belt. Even from inside the car, the sound of gunshots was heard again. In one stroke of the gas, the car was going so fast. Fathia was very lucky to avoid whatever they were after. Are they thieves?

What Fathia never expected, the shot hit Tian's arm. When Fathia realized that there was blood soaking the man's shirt, she screamed in horror. "Tian!"

"Stop it. Do not panic. The important thing is that we get away from the first." Tian turned around but winced in pain. The hot bullet that hit him made him lose control a bit. But the image of Alvin asking him to take care of Fathia and Felice flashed before his eyes. It gave him more strength.

"Call Uncle Ronald immediately. My phoncell in my coat pocket. Grab it fast!"

Trembling, Fathia obeyed Tian's orders.

"The password is Felice's birthday."

Don't ask how the tip of her hand vibrates when she touches Tian's phone. Not because it was the first time she had felt something she thought was someone else's privacy. No. Fear overpowered her mind. sHe was afraid Tian would lose a lot of blood. Then the man left her alone in this world.

"Tian, the password is wrong," groaned Fathia, full of frustration. She had tried twice. The third time she was able to lock the phone without using it.

"Oh, I forgot. Your birthday is behind."

***

(NOW)

"You're coming home soon?" Elma asked while embracing Fathia. The lecture session ended ten minutes ago, but Fathia didn't want to move from her seat. sHe prefers to be in class while waiting for all the other students to leave. Laziness overcame her, let alone remembering Mika's figure earlier.

"Yes. When can I go out of the house other than weekends ?"

Elma laughed. "Your uncle is too overprotective. Should we have lunch first? Asya says she made a new menu. I have to taste it before it gets thrown into the main menu."

Fathia was surprised by Elma's orientation regarding the future. sHe loves culinary. Cooking is her forte but instead gets lost in business class like this. The reason is one; Building a business is not just mastering one field. But strategize. Apart from a business class, nothing accurately describes how the company runs.

"If it's not good, I'm lazy to pay."

Elma sank deeper into laughter. "When do you pay?"

Fathia smirked. "How much? I have 8 million. Not enough?"

"Your allowance is always unlimited, Fathia."

When they reached the parking lot, Fathia was surprised by Tian's arrival. The man did not announce her sudden arrival.

"Fathia, come on," said Elma as soon as she found Fathia, who was silent without continuing her steps again. Elma's eyes followed Fathia's gaze. On a shiny luxury sedan that dazzles at a glance. "Fathia," Elma called again.

"Go home first, Elma. I was invited."

"Is that true? By whom? Your Uncle?" Elma had to ensure this but got Fathia's answer, who nodded confidently. Finally, Elma gave up even though she still wanted to ask a question. "Okay. Let me know when you arrive, Fathia."

Fatima nodded. Elma did not turn her eyes anywhere other than following Fathia, who walked without hesitation towards a luxury car parked prominently in the campus parking lot. Someone in a neat suit immediately opened the door for Fathia as soon as the girl arrived at the side of the car.

Then the car sped away.

Leaving Elma, who prayed in her heart, I hope Fathia is fine. Elma did see Fathia in good health. But Elma is sure Fathia has a lot of problems, but that girl is as hard as a rock. Fathia only shared a little information about her life to sharing. Including the Nine-Tailed Fox, Mika Nadine, and her uncle, Sebastian Sachdev Rendra.

Since she first met Fathia, Elma has been concerned about the black-haired girl. Elma also still remembered their introduction two years ago. Last year. The beautiful girl was not disturbed by the many other people's gazes directed at her. She seems to help someone who is in trouble. Fathia said nothing and pulled the injured girl away from the crowd. Give help quickly to the injured victim's arm.

She is Elma.

Since then, it has been sworn in my heart that Fathia is her best friend. Elma personally admits that she is not very good at socializing. Meeting Fathia, who is talkative, makes her grateful.

While in the car, Tian glanced at the girl sitting next to him several times. "What was that shopping?" Tian asked impatiently. When Fathia got into the car, the man didn't say a word to her.

"Bag." Fathia only glanced at Tian for a moment before returning to normalize her expression again.

"Used?"

Fathia shook her head. "The order hasn't arrived yet. So it can't be used yet." Fathia is a little suspicious because it's not usually what she buys that gets questioned. Also, why did Tian have to bother picking her up? Isn't this man busy? "Uncle, what's wrong? Not as usual."

Tian did not know why he asked for directions to his car to the Fathia campus. "This morning, we didn't have breakfast together."

"There is Aunt Mika. I doesn't want to be bothered."

"You are not a nuisance."

"But a burden. Yes, right?" Fathia turned quickly to Tian, who looked surprised by her words. "Fathia doesn't want to be a burden to Uncle for too long. Don't worry. Fathia will pass soon. Sorry for taking so long."

Tian blinked twice. He then thought about Fathia's words. His brain quickly processes to string up the words to reply, which unfortunately just disappeared. This beautiful girl quickly said things that now bothered Tian. Even Tian still hasn't forgotten that the two of them were very close earlier.

Tian and Fathia didn't talk at all until they reached their destination.

Fathia feels disappointed. It was true. She was indeed a burden. For the past five years, Fathia has always struggled to get rid of the meaning of 'burden' that she often hears from Tian's words. sHe is not a burden. A fate that made her trapped with Tian. Fathia knows and realizes that a lot of gratitude is not necessarily able to repay everything that Tian has done for her.

Currently, it is her sweet memories with Tian that she always holds tightly. Although it is impossible to repeat, the memories can give a little enthusiasm and ignore Tian's words. Fathia is also confused. Why is it that the man doesn't take long every time Tian hurts her feelings? Tian treats her gently and warmly? Like an older sister to Fathia. Fathia is just a twenty-year-old girl who still needs and thirsts for love.

Losing her mother, father, and an older sister, who should be her support, and a place to share her affection, made her couldn't help but forgive Tian's words. Ah, not forgiving, but ignoring what Tian said. Words that have already been spoken cannot be taken back. Just like a long knife cut through the skin, causing a wound also leaves pain.

"Sir, it's here."

Tian cleared his throat briefly. "Come on, come down. We eat."

Fathia did not argue much. She followed Tian's movements, who was still neat with his expensive suit.

***

Fathia thought that she could rest calmly and peacefully as usual when she came home from dinner. sHe misunderstood. Mika is still around Tian's apartment. It was as if the fox woman was the owner and ruler of this apartment belonging to Sebastian Sachdev. It sucks.

"When are you coming here?" Tian asked casually. He immediately removed the coat still attached, which Mika immediately took over. Fathia is sick of suddenly seeing this.

"Fathia entered the room, Uncle. Good night." sHe still has to be polite to her guardian. Without waiting for Tian's answer, Fathia darted away from the two people who she felt would soon be channelling her passion somewhere. In the living room, maybe. Or in the kitchen? Or on the balcony? Good grief! What kind of thinking is this? But seeing Mika's behaviour like a hot worm, it was sure that this would happen.

Fathia quickly locked the door to her room. sHe chose to lie on the bed instead of taking a shower or cleaning herself. Inhaling the soft scent of air freshener in her nostrils. Ah, Inah, who changed the spray and the fragrance in this room. Inah has been working here for the past four years. It's just that Fathia rarely meets except during college holidays.

"Must get rid of Mika how, huh?" Fathia muttered as she turned her body over. Her eyes saw the beautiful frame that had always been her loyal sleeping companion. Family photo in entire formation. Immediately she grabbed the edge earlier. Sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed while watching the expressions of all who looked happy and carefree.

"Felice, Mika is really annoying. I used to be a fan of Mika Nadine but knowing her annoying behavior, I'm no longer her fan. Tian too. Why don't you mind getting the fox-like woman attached? Felice is much prettier. Much more elegant and I think sexier than Mika."

She traced the photo gently. "Last night, Tian slept with me again. But I swear... I swear, Felice, I didn't do anything with Tian. He just hugged me like before. Sometimes I'm confused, why is now Tian being evil? But when we looked at each other, I felt that Tian was very sad." Fathia's eyes were already filled with tears. "Is it because he misses you so much but he doesn't say it, huh? Just like I miss you all."

Fathia's tears fell. Back crying over her tragic fate. Abandoned by parents and only sister alone is not an easy thing. No matter how hard she tried, she still felt a deep sadness.

"Why did you have the heart to leave me alone?" Fathia's shoulders started to shake.

"Sometimes... Tian is mean to me. It's as if everything that hinders him from working, doing activities, is because of me here. Every time I asked where I was wrong, Tian was silent. Then Tian arbitrarily left. I'm feeling more and more guilty, right? I don't know where it went wrong though." Fathia's cries grew louder.

"When, anyway, did you guys pick me up? Don't leave me here alone for too long. I miss you, Pa, Mom, Felice."