Substitute Mother
Chapters 13. Still Counting
Exactly two weeks Jeanno Alexander did not go to college. Jeanno's absence affected Nayara's abuse. Letter cans still get, but not as much as before. A cynical look was still cast on him, which Nayara began to accept as she was used to. Sharin, that girl sometimes shows up sometimes not. From the news that Nayara heard she had just signed with a famous modeling agency, which is why her lecture schedule was disturbed due to the shooting schedule and all*****bizarre modeling world. Good thing, that way Nayara can finish her last semester quietly.
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But still, not meeting face to face with the lover makes his heart troubled. Jeanno still gives him news through short messages, only one or two messages per day. No video calls, or at least calls. But it's okay, at least he knows that his man is fine.
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Mark Sebastian meets him every three days. Take Nayara to lunch or dinner, or drive her home.
“Jeanno told me to take care of you while he couldn't”
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That was Mark's answer when Nayara asked why the man had been seeing him so often lately.
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“Kak Mark”
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“Ya?” Mark stopped chewing his passe. Looking at his sister's lover who instead of eating, it was cool to play spaghetti with his fork. “I miss him”
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“I know. He missed you too. But circumstances haven't gotten him here to see you”
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Nayara exhaled a faint breath. Frustrated by circumstances. “Today I have always held fast that it's okay we just send messages, as long as he's okay. But I want to make sure again, at least by hearing his voice”
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Mark put the fork down. Turns his hand into a chin support. “Uncle's condition is still not improving. While job demands are getting booming every day”
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Nayara. His gaze was blurred by a pool of tears that were ready to shed at any time. The longing that he was craving made his chest tight. He really misses his man. The presence of Jeanno who was never absent in his days seems to have made Nayara, an independent girl who depends on the existence of Jeanno Alexander.
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Returning to his promise to stay by Jeanno's side no matter what, Nayara confirmed his heart to try to understand Jeanno's position and not demand it. He then lifted his face, rubbing a puddle of tears before shed before smiling at Mark.
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Mark shook. “No, Na. I understand why you're like that. Jeanno herself is also upset that she hasn't seen you in the last two weeks. So.. Let's just say it's a test for your relationship, okay?”
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Nayara nodded, responding to Mark. “Thanks kak”
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“How about your mother?”
Hannah took a sip of her warm chocolate for a moment before answering Judith's question. “I've called, Mark has also tried calling with his number. But mother's answer is only ‘ whatever, it's your choice. I don't want to know anymore’ then the connection is severed sided”
“It looks like aunty is really disappointed ya have trusted Louis before”
“But shouldn't he support me? You know, honey. I'm ashamed that my mother hasn't been able to meet Mark's parents. While you know for yourself how good they are to me. But on the other hand my mother, actually has a high self-esteem until reluctant to meet people who will be his besannya”
“How about Mark, did he say something?”
“Mark says he will wait until mom is ready”
“But it doesn't interfere with your marriage, does it?”
Hannah shaking. “Thank God, no. Haikal called me a few days ago, saying that if mom might not be able to come to the show, then Haikal would be the only one of my family to come to”
Judith stretched out a hand rubbing Hannah's fingers, bracing. “Your body must have passed. Seeing how the figure of Mark's brother, I'm sure gradually aunt will be destroyed”
His interlocutor smiled before rising from his chair. “I go to the toilet first, after that we go to the boutique ya”
Judith nodded, choosing to focus on her phone after Hannah sauntered into the bathroom. Later that night the four of them with Jeanno and Mark did have a dinner. You could say the celebration of the bride and groom's bachelorette before picking up H day.
“Mrs Alexander?”
Judith almost choked on her drink when she found Arman standing and smiling kindly at her. Since when has this man been near his desk?
“A-ar—eh sir Mahendera?” Judith cleared her throat when she realized her voice was shaking. “Since when are you here?”
“Pretty long. I was sitting on the second floor, when I wanted to pay it turned out to see you here. So I decided to say hello”
Judith just nodded stiffly, realizing her desk and the cashier table were indeed a short distance away. The woman turned her gaze away, hoping that Arman would read the gesture as a refusal to interact with her. When her eyes fell on Hannah's bag lying in her front seat, her body stiffened. What if Arman saw her with Hannah? What if Hannah comes back before Arman leaves?
“Mistress, I know my presence still brings discomfort to you. But again, allow me to apologize profusely for the events in the past”
Judith looked up, realizing that Arman, instead of paying for the order at the cashier's desk, was sitting in Hannah's chair. “Y-ya?”
“Do you forgive me?”
Let alone focus on Arman's words, even to breathe properly it feels like Judith has forgotten how. His heart beat rapidly as he looked at the door to the toilet nervously. Luckily Arman turned his back on the toilet, so at least if Hannah came back, Arman didn't see the girl.
“Dan.. can you persuade mister Alex to forgive me too? And not bring up this incident especially in front of my father?”
Niggling. Even when it was all his fault, Arman was still selfish. Judith smiled cynically, she was just about to open her mouth, chiming in on Arman's request who she thought was selfless, but Hannah stepped out with her eyes down because she was tidying up her clothes.
Judith cut the edge of her clothes. Brain-winding how he tells Hannah not to approach their table while Arman is still in front of her. Because, if Judith slammed into Hannah, Arman would have turned her head. If the man finds her interacting with Hannah, he's gone. Finish disguising.
“Can... you do it, mistress?”
After saying so, Hannah who was three steps towards her seat, frowned in surprise at the sight of her seat already occupied by someone else with a restless Judith.
“Sorry, Mr. ARMAN MAHENDERA, but regarding what my husband will do, I cannot control it. As to whether he will forgive you or not, that is not my authority either. But I appreciate your apology”
Judith deliberately said Arman's full name as clearly as possible as a signal to Hannah not to appear now. Luckily, Hannah understood and went back to the bathroom. Making Judith breathe a sigh of relief and her nervousness gradually disappeared.
Arman looked disappointed, but he politely got up and smiled before retreating. Judith, did not want to waste time immediately grabbed her bag and Hannah's bag to be proposed to the bathroom.
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