Paying Karma Love

72 Forgiveness of the Past (Part 2)

"Well, honey, you're fresh now. Let's get dressed" Audrey said after she finished bathing Shane.

"Mrs, may I come in?" bi Mila's voice knocked on Audrey's door.

"Yes, Bi, just go in."

"Mrs, outside there's Mr. Alexander looking for you."

What's the matter Papa Alexander came here early in the morning?

thought Audrey was surprised by the sudden arrival of her father-in-law.

"Bi, please make Papa a drink first. I'll be right out."

"Okay, Madam."

Audrey holds Shane and invites the baby to talk.

"Honey, let's meet Opa Alex. Shane's never seen Opa khan?"

"Aiii..eeehh, '" said Shane in response to her mother's words.

Audrey walked quickly to the living room. He didn't want his father-in-law to wait too long.

"Papa, how are you? Why don't you go inside?" audrey asked to say hello to Mr. Alexander.

"Papa good news, Audrey. Papa's just waiting here because Papa can't stop by too long. After this Papa there's an important meeting at the office."

Mr. Alexander turned his gaze to Shane who was in Audrey's sling. Hesitatingly, Mr. Alexander approached his grandson.

"So this is Shane, Opa's grandson? You look a lot like your father, Reiner, when you were a baby. Sorry, Audrey, Papa can visit you now. For a year, Papa had to go back and forth abroad to take care of the company while accompanying Reiner on medication."

"Yes, Pa, Audrey understands. Does Papa want to hold Shane?"

"Papa hasn't held a baby in a long time. Papa was worried that Shane would feel uneasy," replied Mr. Alexander doubtfully.

"It's okay, Pa. Try Audrey to help. Shane would've loved to be carried by his op."

Audrey hands Shane carefully into the hands of Mr. Alexander. Mr. Alexander's face seemed happy when he was finally able to hold his first grandson.

"The grandson of Opa. You'll be the pride of Opa, Shane. You are the successor of the Bratawijaya family" said Mr. Alexander looking at his grandson with pride.

"Audrey, come visit home often with Shane. Papa wants to see Shane and play with him."

"Yes, Pa."

Mr. Alexander handed Shane back to Audrey, before saying the intention of his arrival.

"Papa actually came here to talk about Mama Valeria."

"What's wrong with Mama, Pa?"

"Papa already knew of the quarrel between Valeria and Reiner. Papa is concerned because since childhood Reiner never angry with his mother. Reiner hasn't been able to forgive Papa, but he loves his mother."

"I'm sorry Audrey, Pa. Reiner and Mama Valeria's quarrel was because of Audrey" Audrey said.

"No, it's not your fault. Papa knows that Reiner's mother's actions have gone too far. He shouldn't have tried to separate you. Moreover, you already have a child. Valeria just needs some time to understand this. Maybe he still harbors the heartache of what Papa did in the past. And now you're the target of his anger, because you happened to be Dave's girlfriend."

"Sorry, Pa. Audrey doesn't think Audrey's past will open old wounds in Mama's heart."

"Forget it, Audrey. What matters to Papa is Reiner's happiness. Papa wants to make up for all Papa's mistakes to Reiner. Papa saw Reiner change a lot after marrying you," said Mr. Alexander full of regret.

"Papa wants to ask you a favor, then persuade Reiner to come to our house with you. Valeria is sick. Since yesterday he has not eaten. He lay in bed and refused to be seen by a doctor. Papa was worried that his condition would worsen. Only Reiner could persuade her to eat."

Audrey was shocked to hear Mr. Alexander's words. He did not expect that his mother-in-law was thinking so much about her quarrel with Reiner, until the hunger strike.

"Surely Pa. Audrey and Reiner were planning to go home later tonight to visit Papa and Mama."

Audrey was concerned to see the expression on Mr. Alexander's face. At his current age, Mr. Alexander should indeed rest more and spend his time with family.

"Pa, Audrey will try to persuade Reiner to help Papa in the company."

"Papa would be very grateful if you managed to do it, Audrey. Or if Reiner isn't ready, Papa will ask you to help Papa. Papa heard you used to work long enough as a supervisor at Oragon Group. You must have experience being a leader. It won't take long for Papa to teach you later, until you can become CEO."

"Thank you, Pa. But, Audrey now wants to focus on taking care of Shane first. Audrey promised to try to persuade Reiner."

"May Rein listen to you. Audrey, Papa said goodbye. See you at home."

Mr. Alexander kissed his grandson's cheek.

"Shane, Opa wait for tonight. Opa wants to work first."

"Be careful, Pa," said Audrey, leading her father-in-law to the doorstep.

...****************...

Audrey sent Reiner a message to get home early. Throughout the afternoon, Audrey was worried about her condition. Valeria. He felt guilty for being the cause of a quarrel between a mother and her child.

Reiner entered his room in a hurry.

"Darling, what's wrong with Mama?" ask Reiner to find out.

"Mama hasn't eaten since yesterday, Rein. Mama just lay there, not out of her room. Papa Alex came here and told me we should see Mama. Papa's afraid Mama's condition will worsen if it continues like this."

Reiner's eyes glared as if he was thinking of something.

"Why did Mama torture herself? I hope Mama doesn't use this to force us both to separate."

"Honey, don't think bad about Mama Valeria. I'm sure Mama suffered just as much as you. Maybe Mama was too sad because she had a fight with her only son. It's time you made up with Mama, Rein. We better get Shane, too. I'm sure Mama will be entertained if she sees her granddaughter."

Reiner stroked Audrey's hair with his fingers.

"Darling, you're so nice. You can always calm my heart" said Reiner, feeling lucky with Audrey's presence.

"Rein, I'm sorry to see Papa Alex, too. Papa looks tired. At his age, Papa should rest and not work hard. Aren't you thinking of helping to replace Papa in his company?"

"Audrey, I'm not interested in being CEO at Bratawijaya Group. I'm more comfortable developing my own company."

"Are you not trying to share your time, honey. In your company there's a very competent Nicko. Maybe you can set your schedule when to go to Zeus and when to Bratawijaya Group."

Reiner thought for a moment before responding to Audrey's suggestion.

"Hmmm, it could be. But it's very troublesome. I probably won't have much time to be with you, honey. I have to think about it carefully before making a decision."

"I don't mind. As long as you give Saturday and Sunday special time for me and Shane. Baby, Papa offered me something."

"Offer what?" ask Reiner.

"If you still refuse, Papa asked me to help him in Bratawijaya Group. Maybe he'll appoint me as CEO" Audrey teased.

Bad thoughts instantly filled Reiner's head. He thought back to Tristan who was about to snatch Audrey out of his hands. If Audrey were to become the CEO of Bratawijaya Group, there would definitely be more men who would glance at her. Maybe even one of the CEOs or young business people who became his father's business colleagues, will try to seduce and captivate Audrey.

"No, I won't let you be CEO. I'll accept Papa's offer, "reiner replied spontaneously.

"I'm glad you finally agreed, honey. Now take a shower, we need to see Mama."

"Yes, but you have to promise me not to accept Papa's offer."

Audrey smiled at Reiner's reaction that looked jealous.

"Yes, Honey. I'd rather be at home waiting for you and playing with Shane" Audrey assured Reiner.