Substitute Mother

Chapters 153. Page 01's

Alana Bake House has officially opened. A smile of happiness never receded from the sweet face of Judith, or Aleta. Yes, at a lengthy consideration, Judith began to accept back her true identity including her birth name, although she would still retain her current name. Judith learned much that the spaciousness of the heart was able to lighten the burden of her heart and mind. He learned to be sincere, to learn to forgive and not to blame fate.

Alana. When he heard the story as well as the many evidences that Mark showed, Judith could not resist the urge. That he was born not alone in this world, that there was a twin brother who turned out to be so close, but also far from him. His feelings are mixed between happiness, sadness, guilt and regret. So sorry why he did not find out more about his life that was like a rollercoster. Had he not been selfish to run away at a young age, if he had more time to talk to Bik Jum, his mother's housekeeper first, if he had more time, maybe he had a chance to meet with Alana or Nayara.

Judith visited Nayara's tomb before she left the city. Compose and apologize profusely for not realizing Nayara's presence while the deceased was still alive. Initially, Judith wanted to completely cut off communication with the people who made an impression on her, including Aera. But remembering Nayara and how unfortunately the little one to her, Judith chose to keep in touch with Aera. With one note, he only calls when Aera is at Mark's house, and through Maria or Hannah's cell phone, not the other.

Atone for her regrets, Judith chose the name Alana to juxtapose as the name of her cake shop. He wanted Alana to be his reason for continuing to live. He had to make Alana proud up there, seeing her brother escape from the night world. Seeing it began to organize life from the beginning, although by crawling slowly.

“Excuse”

A voice along with the ringing of the bells from the open door, suddenly seized Judith's attention to look towards the source of the sound. A tall man with a friendly smile stood there.

“Oh, good morning, welcome to Alana Bake House. Can I help you?”

The man stepped in. “To be honest since yesterday I was waiting for this store to open. My mom loves pastry. Are you the owner?”

Judith nodded in spirit. “Yes, I am the owner. Sorry if you wait a long time, I work alone so maybe there are still many shortcomings in many things. But I promise to help you as much as I can”

The man shook his head, with a hand gesture waving. “No need to be too formal. I think we'll also meet up a lot

“Oh, really?”

Greeted by a nod, the man pointed to the coffee shop right across from Judith's shop. “I manage that Coffe Shop. I'm Owen. You?”

The man stretched out his hand, left hanging for a while. Realizing that the interlocutor had no intention of greeting his hand, Owen pulled back, moving it to the nape to melt the awkwardness.

“I... J—“ Judith berdehem. “You can call me Aleta”

Owen smiled again, realizing how sweet the woman who owned the cake shop was. It seemed like he had a new spirit to come to work every morning.

“Okay, Aleta. Greetings, hopefully we can be good friends”

After Owen died, Judith returned to her routine. Coincidentally there are some visitors, in a short time, the woman was already immersed in the busy serving buyers. From Owen's side…

“You disappeared then came back with a stupid grin on your face. What's the matter, boss?”

Instead of being offended by ‘boh’ by one of his employees, Owen actually chuckled, making the employee and his thickest friend shudder. “Don't you get stuck”

“Bukan” Owen shakes. “Looks like I just found my mom's dream daughter-in-law candidate”

The friend thought Owen was having a conversation with an angel due to his mother's insistence to immediately end his bachelor's time. “OK, it looks like you're imagining. But remember the land yes, boss. I don't want you crazy”

“I'm not kidding, Ian. You have to see her, she's beautiful and sweet. I have a good feeling for this one. Pray for me, yes!”

Ignoring Owen's words, Ian so the name of the young man, chose to return to work. To be honest this was the first time Owen had acted like that. Not unsold, the fact is that many women are waiting in line to be hosted by Owen who looks quite handsome. But Owen prefers to focus on his burgeoning Coffe Shop.

Ian had no idea who the girl Owen meant, but whoever it was, he wished his best friend the last straw.

**

“Yes, the store is open and quite crowded. Most of the cakes that are on display are already sold. I'm so happy, Hannah. It feels very satisfied. I had to think why not from the first time I tried like this. Although it feels very tired because I work alone, but seeing the buyers come and go, it feels tired I lost. Anyway I'm happy!”

“It is precisely because you are pregnant that it is not good to travel far. Both now and later, you have to take care of your health and baby, Hannah”

“But it's been almost four months, baby. Don't you miss me?”

Judith laughed. “We video call every day. You didn't really lose me, baby”

“What Aera is there?”

Hannah shaking. “His father came home quickly so he picked up Aera straight away from school. Mark says he wants to improve the quality of his time with Aera who has recently deteriorated. Yes wrong who works keep”

Judith held back a little amused hearing Hannah who until now still kept upset at Jeanno to the point of not being able to say her name. Judith once advised him to learn to forgive Jeanno, but ended up Hannah getting angry and accusing him of defending the man. Judith chose to be silent and not to bring up Jeanno's cause, especially in front of Hannah.

What for anyway? The purpose of moving here is to forget about Jeanno, right?

“Aera healthy right?”

His interlocutor grabbed the milk that the housekeeper had just delivered, drinking it slowly. “Yes, Aera healthy. He was focusing on studying for the grade-level examination which was only a few months away. You have to encourage him, Judith. He will definitely be more spirit”

“Sure. Tell me Aera is there”

“Eh already yes, I have a buyer. Bye, sweetheart. I'll call you back”

The video call connection was cut off unilaterally before Hannah could reply. Judith again greeted the visitors kindly, who turned out to be none other than Owen.

“Not closed, right?”

Judith smiled as she shook her head. The new clock shows at half-eight in the evening. The plan is to close the shop in about an hour. “Not yet. Can I help you?”

“Eum.. I plan to buy to take home. Like I said this morning that my mom really likes pastry. Are you.. any recommendations?”

Judith stepped out from behind the cashier's desk, enthusiastically, she picked up some pastry boxes that went into the ‘best-menu’ list according to her.

“Your mother prefers salty or sweet? If salted, I recommend the beef cornet. It tastes delicious especially when eaten with sauce. But if it's sweet, I choose one that contains red beans. Sweetness is fitting and not boring. But if your mom doesn't really like nuts, I make common flavors like chocolate, cheese, and fruit jam. Just tell me, I'll make it special as Bibi” wishes

It seemed that Owen did not really listen to Judith's explanation at length about his pastry. He was sure the mother would eat any flavor as long as the pastry he brought fit on his tongue. Compared to the enthusiastic chatter of Aleta marketing her merchandise, Owen was more focused on the mimic and gesture Aleta who thought it was funny and sweet.

“Owen? I'm sorry, I seem to be overdoing the promotion. Sorry if it makes you uncomfortable”

Hurriedly shook his head, Owen refuted. “Not at all. You did your best today. The proof is that some of the cakes are sold, right? There are even some who eat it at my Coffe Shop. They also praised your good taste. So I guess you made it today”

Judith had not heard of any stranger praising her beyond her appearance or body. He looked straight at the man he had only known one day. There was a warm and friendly aura, almost reminding him of Mark. It's just that Owen seems much easier ‘didekati’. A little guilty because this morning he did not return Owen's hand.

“Thanks for your words just now, Owen. It means a lot to me”

Owen did not believe in first sight love. But this time, it seemed like the universe wanted to give him karma. Because it was only the first time, he felt falling for the charm of a girl he had only known for a day.

**