Substitute Mother
Chapters 93. Bargaining
“I passed Renatta earlier”
Jeffrey, who had just finished his last mouthful, coughed at Tyona's words. He then grabbed a glass of water and pressed the contents before he choked worse.
“Then?”
“I asked him not to see you at the Hospital. He complied and in the end went home”
Jeffrey breathed a sigh of relief, at least Tyona understood enough that keeping a good name in the scope of work was important to Jeffrey. “Thanks, babe”
Tyona was silent for a moment, flipping her spoon and fork when she was done eating. “I forgive you, but that doesn't mean I'm forgetting this betrayal, Jeff. Your mistake was fatal, you know? I'm giving you time, at least until your baby is born”
“That's five months away, Anna”
“Ya, five months away. I think it's a long time for you to think. Remembering when cheating even you do not take long to think what the consequences are
Jeffrey bit his lip. “If your consideration chooses we split up because we do not want Renatta's baby to grow up without a father, what if.....we take care of the baby?”
Tyona gasped at Jeffrey's new solution.
“Think, Anna. Isn't this the most profitable solution? Renatta can go back to living his life without the hassle of caring for children. While the baby will still grow without losing the affection of both parents. And most importantly.we have a baby in this house, Anna”.
The wife nodded many times. “This is ridiculous, Jeff. How do you think Renatta felt when you, we took his son? You don't understand, his wish is to build a happy family with you. Not burdened by the presence of his son. She's a mother, Jeff”
“And again, do you think Mama will accept the presence of a child who is not from my womb, hm? We talked about adoption, which Mama strongly opposed. But if Mama finds out that it's your baby, you think Mama's response will be happy?”
Tyona nodded again. Rejecting Jeffrey's proposal. “I'm not that bad, Jeff”
Tyona left the conversation to wash their tableware. Let Jeffrey sit there staring at Tyona's back. Truly, he was still unwilling if he had to separate from Tyona. Jeffrey loves Tyona, who is still the owner of the highest throne in his heart. But his rash attitude, sometimes makes Tyona doubt whether Jeffrey's feelings are pure love, or just he used as ‘alat’ to keep Jeffrey's good name.
**
“L-louis”
The blue-eyed man stopped his activity smearing jam on the bread. Wondering if it was Hannah calling him with such a melodious-sounding call. The pair of blue marbles looked at the interlocutor of the owner of the jet eyes beside him.
“What?”
“Can I... go for a walk?”
Louis continued to rub the jam. “Not”
Hannah's shoulders dropped, her lips curled in disappointment. “Tree. We'll get married soon, and then you'll take me out of the country to settle there. Allow me to enjoy my alone time remaining five days”
“No, dear. Who can guarantee that you don't run away from me?”
Hannah shook her head quickly. “I won't run away. You can keep my promise”
The other person chuckled cynically. “I businessperson. A businessman cannot keep a promise. No guarantee favorable”
“You can ask Johnny to accompany me”
“I said I want a favorable guarantee, Hannah”
Hannah fell silent. She's not a stupid girl who doesn't know what Louis says. ‘Jaminan’ is meant must not be far from indecent things. But he doesn't have time. He had not visited Mark for two days. If this day just passed, then it was the same as wasting precious time.
“I... “ Hannah saves her cutlery. Trying to confirm that what he will take is the right thing, or at least he is forced to do.
“I'll.. dance for you”.
Louis chuckled loudly. Her laughter filled the dining room, thankfully Mother and Helga were out. “Isn't that too ordinary? I want something else”
Hannah gurgled. Should he. give up?
“Then you.. “ Hannah closed her eyes tightly. “You can.. have me all you want”
“A very attractive offer”
“But with one condition”
One eyebrow Louis raised, realizing that Hannah would definitely ask for something else. “What is it?”
“I want you to give me freedom for five days. I don't want to be restrained. I want to go outside home”
“Not something difficult. But you certainly understand curfew”
Hannah nodded. “I'll be home before ninepm”
Louis' smile was still expanding there. “Deal”
**
How happy Hannah was when she could travel freely without stealing time. But one side he had to think of another way to keep Louis from touching him, even though it felt impossible considering how much the man wanted to touch him.
“Judith, do you think I should really hand it over to Louis?”
The morning lamp was quite quiet. Hannah was unable to get in because doctors and some medical attendants were doing morning visits. Be he waited with Judith who also dropped Jeanno after driving Aera to school. Jose and Maria had breakfast.
“Of course not, baby. Don't give up that easy”
“Then how? If I deny it, he will be angry. What if he locked me up till the day H we got married?”
Judith's view. Remembering something she thought would prevent Hannah from losing her friendship.
“You've got your period?”
Hannah shaking. “I'm two weeks late due to stress”
“I remember there are drugs that can speed up menstruation. I used to wear it when a man I didn't like asked me to accompany him for the night. Since I can't resist, so I used the medicine to speed up my period”
Hannah's eyes blinked, drawn to Judith's words. “Really? you still have it?”
“No. But I remember the name of the drug, and it was sold freely in pharmacy”
The sparkle in Hannah's eyes dimmed. “But what if it doesn't undo its intention to touch me?”
“Darling, making love in menstruation is risky and disgusting in my opinion. If Louis is a smart man I'm sure he'll delay his passion. But yes, maybe he will use other ways besides making love”
Again, never having sex doesn't mean Hannah doesn't understand Judith's intentions. Having a five-year night job was enough to make him hear stories from many colleagues about how to satisfy men. Things Hannah never thought would happen to her in a few hours.
“Have not thought about it, now just focus on Mark's condition. Okay?” Hannah nodded. “You yourself.. how?”
“I? why are you asking about me?”
Hannah smiles. “You look closer to Mr. Jeanno. Are you guys officially dating?”
His opponent smiled while shaking his head. “Of course not, baby. Our agreement is clearly written to be prohibited from falling in love with each other”
“But I'm guessing, you must have broken it”
Judith exhaled her breath. Realizing she can't lie to Hannah. “I.. no tau”
“Your agreement is staying soon, right?” Judith nodded. “More or less two months”
“What's the problem, your agreement is not an ordinary agreement. Now you fall on the fire you played yourself”
“But I don't regret it, Hannah” Judith returned Hannah's sad gaze. “I don't regret having fallen in love with her”
**
