Forced Mate

This Is Enough

Marissa's gaze circulates seeing Alex's apartment which is actually quite luxurious for some, but not with her. His forehead shriveled a few times, feeling that there were some flaws there.

"Can't Alex buy a house or at least a penthouse for you" said Marissa, who was sitting on the couch. "It doesn't mean anything, but Mami can help."

Ayu just smiled a little. Although Alex does not have abundant wealth like Marissa, but she believes her husband can buy a house like his in-laws. However, what is the big house for if the occupants feel lonely.

For some reason, there was a tightness in Ayu's chest hearing Marissa's words. She knew that her mother-in-law was well-meaning. However, he seemed to be able to feel the feelings of Alex who was just overflowing with the need for goods, not with affection.

Not that Marissa doesn't love Alex. Ayu knows that like other mothers, Marissa also loves her children. It's just a different and inappropriate way.

"Excuse me." Ms. Ina put down two chamomile teas as Marissa wished. "Neng, Mr. Alex asked to call."

Ayu nodded slowly. "Bu Ina, just take a break, yeah. There's a Mami who's hanging out here."

"Well, why did Bu Ina come out?" ask Marissa who has placed the tea glass on the table.

"He lives downstairs."

Marissa shook her head. "If you live in a bigger house, your ART can stay together so it can stand by, at any time."

"Bu Ina just help me until I'm born, Mi. Alex doesn't like ART. Most rent services aja," reply Ayu began to explain that Alex also does not like his privacy disturbed. In addition, he also continues to answer questions from Marissa.

"Alex can cook?" Marissa pats. He did not expect his eldest son to be good at cooking. As he remembered, when Alex was a spoiled child who could not do anything.

"He was once an assistant chef at a Chinese restaurant in college" Ayu said.

Marissa mute. He never felt Alex was short of money so had to work while in college. All his college and life expenses while in America were borne by him and Alex's father. Besides, he never gave the little money to his son. He always made sure that the money he sent was more.

"Alex doesn't do drugs, does he?" ask Marissa for not knowing what else makes Alex need more money.

Ayu did not answer directly. She doesn't actually know the answer to Marissa's question. However, as far as Alex is crazy to live healthy, it is impossible for him to take drugs.

"No, Mi," she denied and shifted the topic. "When Alex comes home, I'll have her cook for Mommy. The cuisine is not less the same as the chef," Ayu praised. He intends to hold Marissa at least until Alex gets home. She wants the mother and child to have the relationship that they should.

Marissa hanya tersenyum tipis. Dia jadi ingat sejak Alex kecil, dia tidak sekali pun memasak untuknya. Saat usia Alex sebulan, karir bermusiknya menanjak, sehingga mau tidak mau dia harus meninggalkan bayinya pada pengasuh.

It was quite heavy at first, she sometimes cried missing her baby. But the longer they get used to it. Besides, little Alex is not so fussy either. The boy seemed to understand. When he came home, Alex ran to kiss him on the cheek, then left as he asked.

"Alex treats you well, doesn't he?" ask Marissa.

"Yes, I don't think I can ask for more. He's kind, mature, loving, almost perfect if only he wasn't nosy" Ayu said with a smile on her face. Sometimes, she feels very lucky to get a husband like Alex. If only he loved her, maybe their marriage was the only perfect marriage in the world.

Marissa's hand held Ayu's fingers. The woman looked deeply at her daughter-in-law. "Mommy wants to know what Alex is like." There's water in the water. "Since the custody was taken away from his Daddy, I don't know Alex anymore."

Ayu begins to tell her what she knows about Alex. She did not know the man's life before they got married. As far as he knows, Alex's husband is alert and full of responsibility. Besides being good at cooking, she is also good at shopping. Behind his glamorous clothes and accessories, the man had a simple life.

"His life sounds really good" Marissa said.

Ayu nodded. He smiled faintly, trying to suppress his sadness. She once saw Alex crying, as the man recounted the heartache of his parents' divorce. He once saw the fragile side of the man he knew strongly when he told him about the quiet and lonely times he went through. Somehow, if she says that thanks to Marissa, Alex is willing to get caught up in a marriage she doesn't want - out of hatred for divorce.

"I'm glad Alex got married. He has a wife who takes care of him" Marissa said.

Ayu who was brewing tea, immediately coughed.

"Gosh, are you okay?"

Ayu grabbed the tissue on the table and wiped her mouth. He also shook his head in response to Marissa. Her face flushed instantly because of the expression of her mother-in-law, not her taking care of Alex. Instead, he was the one being taken care of by the man. If Marissa knew, roughly how she would react.

"At that time, his Daddy cheated," said Marissa who made Ayu immediately raised her eyes. "It's not wrong, I'm too busy. We rarely meet. Sometimes in a few months just once, it's just to meet Alex."

Ayu fell silent and chose to be the only listener. She had never been in the position she was now, hearing her mother-in-law pour out her heart.

"Our relationship has been broken little by little, Alex is the only reason we stay together. But, knowing that the man I once loved is second to none, it still hurts. We decided to divorce, for the common good. We don't want Alex to grow up in a family that doesn't have any love" Marissa said with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I know according to Alex, it's selfish. But, we really think that's the only way to keep Alex."

Ayu stroked Marissa's arm. Tears also began to flow down her cheeks.

***

Alex called Bu Ina because Ayu didn't pick up the phone. From Bu Ina, she knew that her mother was visiting her apartment. It was the first time the woman who gave birth to him had visited. Since being sent to Melbourne to be cared for by her grandmother, Marissa has never visited her. If you want to meet, Alex must wait until school holidays and come to Jakarta.

Every time she wished for the day off to come, until she could look at her mother again - feeling the warm embrace she longed for. However, often all he gets is disappointed. His mother rarely took the time to play with him. There were already cute toddlers and babies that filled his world.

How could Alex forget, all the holidays full of disappointment that he had. When she wanted the love of her mother, the woman was more fun with her other children. That is why, every time he visits, he always asks to be delivered to Tamara's house. At least, there, he had a playmate and groaned. Yes, there is Tamara who is willing to hold her tears.

Alex actually intends to go home late in the afternoon, but is stopped because of the arrival of Marissa. Even though at her wedding party they had hugged each other, there was still a bit of awkwardness inside her. If Ayu had not sent a message asking her to go home, she would still be sitting in her chair.

Alex's eyes were on the door of his unit. For five minutes he stared at the void. There was worry in his heart. However, he had promised to cook for Ayu through the message earlier.

Closing his eyes, Alex opened the door. When he opens his eyes, all he gets is emptiness. He turned his eyes to the kitchen and the dining table. There's no one there. He heard a faint laugh. Then get closer to the source of the laughter - in the room of the future baby.

"Alex is a beautiful baby boy. Everyone who sees, must think of a daughter." The voice belonged to Marissa. Although, rarely heard, but Alex very memorized the voice of his mother.

Ayu's laughter sounded. "I was wondering, how fussy Alex was when the baby."

"Mommy doesn't really know, her nanny never complains. It seems, he's a henchman" said Marissa and continued, "if Reihan wasn't so fussy. Well, the new Reina is super fussy."

Alex's hand that was already intending to press the doorknob straight away. He was silent, there was a sense of tightness in his chest. She was raised by a nanny, not by her mother.

Alex was just standing at the door. He did not want to enter, but had no power to retreat and move away. The door opened and Alex was still there blankly.

"You've come home already." Marissa who opened the door gave a beautiful smile welcoming Alex. However, the frost has taken hold of Alex's heart.

Alex's gaze turned to Ayu who was trying to stand up. The big pregnant woman is in trouble.

"Mission, Mi" said Alex asking his mother for a way. Sort of he grabbed Ayu's arm and one more hand held her back.

"Thank you" said Ayu whose forehead was immediately frowned upon by Alex. Alex's broken heart needs medicine, and Ayu is the cure.

***

The smell of the steak grilled by Alex began to waft. Although there is exhaust, the aroma can still be avoided by the senses of Ayu and Marissa. Marissa immediately agreed and praised Alex's cooking skills.

"You don't eat, Lex?" marissa asked after seeing Alex serve only two servings of steak, for her and for Ayu.

"I ate earlier, Mi," replied Alex.

Ayu looked at her husband's sad face. He knew that Alex was lying. For months, the man had never eaten outside. Even if he had dinner because he attended a meeting with a client, he would also still eat to accompany Ayu.

"Well, that's delicious" praised Marissa who had swallowed a piece of meat. "Mommy doesn't know you're a cook."

Alex grinned. "I'm sure, you don't know me at all."

Ayu who heard Alex's sarcasm immediately glared sharply at Alex. He chuckled to ease the clumsiness at the dining table. "Yes, Mami also does not know that you were aspiring to be a chef." Ayu turned her eyes to Marissa who was speechless. "Come on Mi, eat again. He wanted to study with Gordon Ramsey, but he was rejected." He tried to sound friendly.

"Oh yeah?" Marissa pretended to be stupid. He came to start a good relationship with Alex. "Gordon must be afraid of losing. Your cooking is delicious."

Ayu nodded and expressed her agreement enthusiastically. He also added that Alex's cooking is second to none in the world. They continued to praise, even though the one being praised did not react at all.

"Oh yeah, you'll soon have children. Mami is home in Rubel Valley, you can stay there. Think of it as a wedding gift from Mami," advises Marissa.

Alex's jaw is hardened. Whether until when his mother always made money and goods as a form of affection. He looked at Ayu and asked, "are you happy here, honey?"

Ayu nodded awkwardly. He did not know how to escape the frozen atmosphere.

"I am happy and Ayu is also happy to live here. That's the point. Large house or small apartment open size happy family. What is a big house for if there is only a quiet. I've learned a lot from you that money can't buy us happiness," explains Alex who can't hide a disappointed look on his face. He did not care about Ayu's leg who had kicked her leg. He just wanted to say something he could never say. She wants Marissa to know that she doesn't need material things, but affection.

***