DREAM OF THE SHADOW

CHAPTER 73

Shua saw someone had been waiting for her not far from where she was standing. The guests were enjoying their lunch at a venue close to the beach.

"Darling, come with me yuk. There's something I have to do." Shua whispers to Yuna who is chatting with her father's cousin who accidentally came from Japan.

"For a moment, Om." Yuna followed Shua who pulled her hand.

"What the hell is it?" yuna asked curiously.

"It's Tyo. He's an entertainment journalist in Bali. Mario's Friend. I want to clarify my relationship with Vanya and you." The man named Tyo was smiling while slightly bowing politely.

"Make what? No need, honey, it's all done." Yuna did not understand why she should discuss the matter again now.

"No. I'll straighten things out until no one accuses you anymore. And I want to do it on our wedding day with a photo of your wedding dress" Shua said. Ken asks her not to tell Yuna that she asked Shua to do that. But Shua also did it without being forced, even he should have done this a long time ago. Yuna nodded in agreement, she instead felt very happy. It was actually a speck of disturbance in his heart. There is a fear of his own when he meets people he does not know. And once he thought, what if he was holding Jovan and it turns out that someone said, "You're not ashamed ya snatch husband and son Vanya??!"

Joshua tells Tyo everything about his relationship with sister Vanya, about his relationship with Yuna whom he has known since High School and their love story. Shua also tells the story of Vanya's pregnancy with an actor who makes use of the unconscious Vanya that she did not name, until Vanya's departure when she gave birth.

"And we decided to adopt Jovan, Vanya's son. The day after we're going to Singapore to pick him up." Yuna smiled happily imagining she would soon become a mother.

"Well, that's a beautiful story for you. I am very sorry for the passing of Mba Vanya. He is a very talented and cheerful artist. I will pack this news truthfully, nothing I have lessened or increased. Thank you Mr. Joshua and Ms. Yuna for the exclusive news for our tabloid. And once again, congratulations on your marriage. May you be happy forever." Tyo greeted Shua and Yuna and left the meeting room.

"Kok you didn't tell me you wanted to do this first?" ask Yuna.

"I'm afraid you're rejecting it. Now that I'm relieved, my burden is like being lifted in half."

"Half what? Do you still have a burden?" yuna asked curiously.

"The burden of fear cannot satisfy you tonight hahaha." said Shua laughing at Yuna's strange expression.

"Oh My God! I'm already ah I'm going out. People will think that doesn't-does see us both don't exist." Yuna turned out but Shua hugged her from behind.

"But a little darling." Shua hugged her and kissed Yuna's open neck. Suddenly the door opened and Yuna cried out in shock to keep her body away from her husband.

"Ooop...Sorry, I thought the toilet." Dylan was truly unlucky to witness their intimate scene back then.

"Dylan?" yuna was shocked.

'Toilet you say? It's great that your surprised acting!' shua sneered in his heart.

"Darling, this is my friend Dylan. What I told you." Yuna intended to introduce them. The two men shake hands.

"I've known him Yuna, he's Mario's cousin. And it's weird that you don't know where the toilets are at this hotel."

"I rarely come here. Anyway, congratulations to you both."

"Thank you Dylan. Have you eaten?" yuna asked with a sweet smile at the man.

"Yet. Wanna accompany me? I mean with your husband too haha..."

"Of course, dear ones we're out." take Yuna without seeing Shua's sullen face at that moment. Shua pulled Yuna's slender waist as if to show that she was the rightful owner of the woman beside her.

'Basic children.' Dylan shook his head looking at Shua who was walking in front of him. He could accept they were married. Accepting does not mean being happy for their happiness. Secretly Dylan was still expecting Yuna, perhaps until he could find a replacement that could make her turn away.

"Sorry, sorry... I'll tell you later. Dylan I'm sorry, I'm going there for a second. You're the same Cathy used to be." Dylan nodded in disappointment with Yuna's departure.

"Hi Mr Dylan, alone?" greet Cathy. Finally, he was able to enjoy Dylan's good looks up close. Just a white shirt with two buttons open on it combined with ivory white pants and gray sneakers makes it much younger than usual. The party does require guests to wear white casual clothes.

"Yes now, but I was with my cousin Mario. Oh you know him, don't you? He was Joshua's escort." said Dylan, looking around for where the boy was.

"Oh he's Mr. Dylan's cousin. Have you eaten sir?" ask Cathy again.

"Yet. Want to accompany me?" dylan asked after noticing the woman in front of him turned out to be quite sweet as well. Cathy wore a white sleeveless baby doll with a flower crown that signified she was the bridesmaid.

"Can." Cathy felt her heart thump as she walked next to Dylan. For a long time he had not felt such a feeling since the school days. Did he....Ah no way. It was only because Dylan was too handsome.

*****

The wedding party that took place was simple and over. Shua and Yuna decide not to overdo something extravagant to honor Vanya's departure. However, Nissa still grieved and often cried over Vanya.

"Are you deliberately lingering there?" Shua observed Yuna who was already sitting twenty minutes in front of the dressing table.

"I'm removing the makeup on my face. You're not showering? Take a shower before me." replied Yuna. He had intentionally slowed his movements. Honestly he was nervous about their first night even though it wasn't actually their "first. But they've only done it once and it's been a long time. And they decided they would never do it again to honor the sacredness of their future marriage.

"No. I'll wait for you." Shua stood up from her lying position. He stands behind Yuna and helps her remove some hairpins that turn out to be quite a lot in her hair. After he felt everything was sorted out, Shua kissed Yuna on the neck. He looked at Yuna who closed her eyes in the mirror.

"Follow me." whispered Shua as she led Yuna into the bathroom. Apparently, Shua had prepared warm water in the bathtub sprinkled with red rose petals that he requested from the hotel.

"God, honey, when did you get all this ready?" ask Yuna.

"Little surprise for you. You ready?" ask Shua. Yuna nodded in shame. Instantly, Shua took off the rope of the dress wrapped around Yuna's body and let it sag on the floor. He invites Yuna into the bathtub after she also takes off all her clothes.

"I'm ashamed" Yuna said softly.

"I'm also a darling. But here we are now. You and I have no limits anymore. Take it easy, I'll just wash your body so you don't strain or stress. Just relax." Shua took a sponge bath and began rubbing slowly on her neck, shoulders, and back.

Soaking in the hot water and feeling her body rubbed slowly actually made Yuna become more relaxed. Until finally he felt Shua's big hand move to his front body. Yuna sighed softly as she also felt her husband's lip play on her neck and ended up on her lips.

Everything feels great when there is no more fear or worry. They melted into one, there was not the slightest distance between them.

"I love you, baby." Shua said as she had already let go of her sign of satisfaction.

"I love you too." Yuna doesn't know how else to look at it now. It must have been a mess after they moved out of the bathtub and ended up on their wedding bed.

"And I haven't even washed my hair. How are you gonna take care of Jovan if you can't bathe me properly?" Yuna took her bathrobe. Shua laughed very loudly hearing it.

"Alright, I'll bathe you properly this time." Shua was just about to stand up when Yuna turned her body around.

"No! Nah! This time I'll take a shower myself, not for long.. Only fifteen minutes. You just wait, honey." Yuna rolled her eyes as she walked into the bathroom.

Shua still felt her heart thump even though she and Yuna had finished the game ten minutes ago. Shua took her phone and saw countless congratulatory messages from her acquaintances on social media. Ting.ting... He heard the incoming message on Yuna's phone. The phone is unlocked. There were two messages coming in from Dylan. Shua could read his last message that appeared on the front screen, it read "This is a gift from me to you, hope you like it." Shua was eager to open all the incoming messages from Dylan back then. Is it possible without asking Yuna's permission? Ah never mind, Yuna can't be angry. Shua never wanted to check the contents of Yuna's phone, but the message really made her curious.

*****