Substitute Mother

Chapters 158. Gravities

Jeanno returned to the hospital room after lunch, finding Aera asleep and Judith leaning on the sofa half-asleep. The man hurriedly refuted Judith's head to avoid her being bumped.

“Oh, sorry, mr” Judith came to her senses when a hand wrapped around her forehead. He awkwardly got up, when Jeanno's other hand grabbed his fingers to prevent him from leaving.

“Eat first. You haven't had lunch, have you? This... I brought from cantin”

The tantalizing aroma of the food that Jeanno brought inevitably stirred up Judith's appetite. He had not been able to find food because the little one who refused to be left.

“Thanks, sorry to trouble mr”

Jeanno nodded, with a heavy heart releasing the intertwined link. Let Judith sit next to him. “Tonight.you rest first. Your body must be tired from falling asleep in a sitting position all night. Let me take care of Aera”

“No need, sir. I'm not tired. Besides tonight I promised to read her a fairy tale

Judith. “Master alone went home and rested, the bags of your eyes have blackened. If master doesn't mind, maybe I'll stay. until Aera recovers total”.

The word ‘tinggal’ that never made Jeanno happy other than what Judith said just now. Until Aera fully recovered, it did not mean Jeanno wanted her baby to remain sick, but at least she still saved a day and two to see the sweet woman.

Tyona says she must begin to recognize her feelings. If you love, you have to fight. If you don't love, let go. Jeanno tidied it in heart, began to strengthen heart to ‘know’ what felt.

But before that, the word sorry has not been thrown.

“Judith.”

The mouth in his mouth stopped. “Ya?” his response. Jeanno looked away, staring at the hospital tiles which somehow looked much more attractive. Apologies that have been at the tip of the tongue, become heavy and difficult to escape.

“What's up, sir?”

Judith waited, every second of her to wait for what was happening. Never once did he see Jeanno lose a word. Jeanno who always looks firm and perfect, this time avoiding his gaze and his feelings alone or the man looks?

“Master is fine?”

Just as his mouth was about to say, a call came in from Judith's phone. A quick look at the name ‘Owen’ on the flat object screen. Judith resigned, picking up the phone on the balcony. Jeanno didn't really hear what was being said, but she could see Judith's light smile there. It was much different when the woman was with him.

Who is Owen anyway? Is that man from Judith's new life? Why did he call Judith? What's the connection between Judith and Owen-Owen?

Judith returned from her chat with Owen about ten minutes later, seeing no apparitions of Jeanno on the couch. The man disappeared somewhere. Judith shrugged her shoulders, deciding to take a shower for a moment before returning to look after Aera.

**

Judith closed the fairy tale book she finished reading. Frowning as Aera still looked at him questioningly.

“Why, darling?”

Still speechless, Aera simply shook her head.

“Aera want mom to read another fairy tale?” Again, just the head bobble that Judith got.

“Aera want what, baby? tell mama.”

“Aera wants to sleep with mama here” her tiny hand patted the bedside. Since this morning when he opened his eyes and found Judith in front of his eyes, Aera became reluctant to fall asleep. He was afraid when he woke up Judith had disappeared.

Judith agreed, lucky VVIP nursery that provides a fairly large mattress even for pediatric patients. He brought his body to lie beside Aera, who was immediately wrapped in his arms. Securing the position, ensuring that the body is real for him to touch, not just a mere dream as a result of holding back the longing for the figure of the mother.

Judith lowered her gaze, met with beads of eyes that radiated fear as well as hope. He brought his fingers rubbing Aera's pretty face. Guilt certainly exists, must be a part of Aera's grief. It's sad when the boy, who hasn't even turned 10, has to fall victim in a bizarre adult drama that admits to loving him. But if Judith stays, then she'll see Jeanno. And that means there will be pain in the future who do not know when it ends.

Judith loves Aera, really. There is no lie about that affection. But he also has to take decisive steps in ‘save’ himself.

Stay away from Jeanno.

“Mama? Why shut up?”

“Mama tomorrow stay here. So Aera is now sleeping, huh?” Jeanno emerged from behind the bathroom door, just finished cleaning herself. He walked up to the bed, reached out to raise the blanket, which was originally just a calf Judith.

“True, right, Judith?”

Judith nodded stiffly. Indeed his intention remained here until Aera recovered completely. “Iya, tomorrow mama is still here”

“Yeay.”

Cheering in excitement, the little girl further buried her face dredged in Judith's neck. Until not long after his breathing changed regularly, indicating Aera began to fall asleep. Leaving two adults awake.

Judith looked away, her face was hot, realizing that Jeanno's gaze had never escaped her. That uncomfortable silence was eventually broken by the clanking of notifications from Judith's phone. His hand was stretched out towards the nightstand, a little difficult to reach the phone up there. Luckily Jeanno sensibly helped out. Though at a glance see who the sender of the message.

Owen.

Still keeping his eye contact with Judith, Jeanno saw how the woman had typed in a reply from Owen's message that somehow contained what. After that Judith was cool herself, as if forgetting the existence of Jeanno who was still standing in front of the bed. The man exhaled a faint breath, deciding to go to the balcony.

Is it just his feelings or does he feel Aera's nursery becomes stuffy and hot?

**

Princess Jeanno Alexander is sick.

Arman put down his phone after reading information from an acquaintance who worked at Jeanno's company. Information that actually has nothing to do with Jeanno or Judith. No, Arman has no thoughts of ‘revenge’ through a little boy, he's not that bad.

He was just curious about one thing. The thoughts that had appeared since two nights were interfering with his focus. He recalled, Judith used to have a scar on her earlobe. One sign he realized in the silence how to bring down Jeanno Alexander who always proud of his father.

Perhaps Arman will make a short visit, disguised to visit the sick little one, as well as meet with the mistress Alexander. Making sure that the woman was really his wife, and not Judith who had been missing for almost a year.

One grin appeared there, never did he feel this excited ‘tuk’ sick people.

**

That afternoon Judith was standing guard alone because Jeanno came to the office briefly to attend an important meeting. Luckily Aera did not mind and was willing to be left behind. Just a minute, I promise. Two to three hours. Judith agreed, anyway keeping Aera is not difficult for him.

The door was knocked, asking who was coming. But Judith put aside prejudice, this is a hospital, there will be no robbers, right?

Judith confirmed Aera who fell asleep after taking the medicine. He then stepped towards the door. Regretting his instincts that didn't work out as usual.

“Good day, mistress Alexander”

Too late to avoid. Because Arman Mahendera was already standing there. With hands carrying flowers and fruit, not to forget the mysterious smile, which Judith said more like a grin.