Substitute Mother

Chaptre 145. Bad Dreams

Judith woke up from her sleep. Realizing that the return of Jeanno's shadow as Victoire's owner turns out to be a mere dream. The woman woke up, opened her eyes to make sure that she was in the guest room of Mark's parents' house, not the new Victoire's. Not necessarily satisfied, Judith also touched his body, making sure the clothes he was wearing were sleeping pajamas that he remembered last night, not the typical skimpy clothes of a dancer.

It took him a few minutes to convince him that his return to Victoire was just a dream. The nightmare he promised would never come true. Judith did need money, but if it required her to be the erotic dancer she used to be, her little heart balked. If indeed the worst possibility is to stay behind bars, then let him choose that as his destiny. Rather, it should be the meal of the hungry Adam.

Not wanting to be too long in the mud, he decided to take a warm bath. Then help Maria make breakfast.

Once again, Judith was grateful that what happened to her last night was just a sleeping flower.

**

Time goes by so fast, when day after day has entered the week. Passing the second week, then arrive in time for the fourth week.

Not much happened. Judith is still looking for work even though the wages offered are not much. Mark was still trying to persuade Judith to borrow the money, Jeanno's problem knew it or not, it was a later affair. Most importantly, the debt is done.

Judith refused, however. He did not know, and did not dare to imagine the terrible impact of what would happen to him if Jeanno knew there was interference Mark in his problems. It was enough that he had broken their brotherly relationship, no need to drag Mark any further. Let this be Judith's own responsibility.

“Hey”

Judith looked up, a simple greeting that broke her daydream on a sunny afternoon. “Kak Mark? Tumben has returned home”

Replying with a wry smile, Mark nodded. “I was asked to go home early by Mom to drive her and Hannah to go shopping. Because I knew it would be too long so Mom told me to go home and come back to pick them up after a call”

Judith ber-oh-ria. It's been two weeks since Mark joined his own father's company. And two days ago Aera was picked up by her father. Judith heard Jeanno took 3 days off. That was why perhaps the man wanted to spend time with his only daughter. If only this mess hadn't happened.

Judith shook her head, forcing the beautiful shadow to spend time with Aera and Jeanno to get out of her mind. Expectations that were too high to break his heart were left nothing.

“You okay? Already eaten?” Mark sat down after pulling a chair in front of Judith. The woman looked pale and thin. Far from the Judith he met the first time.

“Yes, I'm fine”

“I'm sorry on behalf of my cousin. I felt like I failed to look after him, letting him behave exactly like his vain and stubborn father. I'm really, really sorry, Judith”

His lips were sluggish, trying to smile happily even though the eyes could not lie. “Why should you apologize? It's not your fault, brother. It's not Jeanno's fault either. I understand the reason behind his attitude like this”

Mark's mouth was just about to refute, but it seemed tired of Judith's answer that would continue to defend Jeanno, as had been.

“You.... love her very much, yes?”

The smile is now perfectly wrapped, without the need to be painstakingly covered. “View once huh?”

Mark nodded.

“He's the first guy to make me like this, brother. He was the first man to make me give up my heart completely. Although in the end the heart that I put it he threw away. A little self-did not know but. I hope he will take back my heart that is not shaped this”

“Jeanno has hurt you, Judith. You deserve a better man than him”

“…. I will never be able to replace him”

Speaking to Nayara, Mark had long wanted to ask Judith something. It's just that he did not have time to remember how much his father would burden the work that mounts so he did not have much free time, even just to have a light conversation with Judith.

“Judith.. May I ask you something? Maybe it's a little personal, I just want to make sure. It's okay if you don't want to answer me”

Judith chuckled before nodding lightly. “I don't think I have any more secrets”

“Begini... You, do you have siblings?”.

No need to waste a lot of time to get the answers asked. Judith shook her head. “No. Since childhood I lived alone in my parents' house which was like hell”

“Didn't your parents ever discuss another child other than..you?”

Judith turned her gaze upwards, trying to reach her memory. “I know not, Brother. Their quarrels were so many and I did not quite catch the words spoken with a shout. So every time they started yelling at each other, I chose to cover my ears tightly-rapat”

Mark quits his questions when the twilight clouds begin to darken. He could not force Judith to extract her past memories of a sister she might have.

Yes, Nayara. There is no definitive proof, but Mark's instincts say that they are twin sisters. The man still could not get any information about the child of the Maharani other than Judith. If it was true that Nayara and Judith were twins, it would help her to soften Jeanno's heart.

I hope that.

**

“Good dreams huh, baby? sleep well so that tomorrow you can wake up early for a walk with papa”

One kiss landed on Aera's forehead. The little girl returned the same kiss on Jeanno's cheek. Waving her tiny hands as soon as the father got up and closed the door.

Not immediately asleep, Aera grabbed a picture frame of Nayara who was holding a red baby, herself at the time.

“Mama Nayara..

“Mama what are you doing? Mama, Aera misses Mama Nayara and Mama Judith. Aera has two mamas, but why is Aera lonely? Aera wants to be like Aera's friends. Aera loves papa, but Aera also wants mama. If Mama Nana can't be with Aera, can Aera ask God for Judith's mother near Aera? Can mama help Aera to convey that request to God?”

“Mama, Aera sleep first huh? Have a good dream for two beautiful mama Aera. Aera is very sorry with Mama Nana and Mama Judith”

So innocent is the simple request of a little girl who misses the figure of a father. Not much Aera knew, that Jeanno was still behind the door when her prayer was offered. The father heard every word from his daughter's lips. Jeanno had learned of her daughter's intelligence, which was able to distinguish two women, one such as Nayara and Judith, from Aunt Maria. Jeanno did not mind that, although she did not clearly know that her mother Nana was dead.

Dismissing all ego and hard-heartedness, Jeanno finally accepted Aera's prayer.

**