Substitute Mother
Chapters 169. Never Goodbye
Owen's car stopped in front of Judith's modest apartment building. Two souls who somehow felt lighter after sharing the heavy story. True what Owen said, thanking yourself is able to make his steps become lighter. During this time Judith more often complained, pitying herself for all the misfortune that befell.
“Thanks, Owen. I really enjoyed our date today”
Owen chuckles. “You've thanked me how many times today? That's enough, Aleta. I'm the one who should say things like that, because you're open. That means you trust me to know your life story”
“Yes. Eum.. regarding my question earlier, you haven't answered”
For a moment Owen's face looked confused. “Which question?”
“After knowing my story, do you still choose to stay? I opened myself up not just because I believed in you, but because I wanted you to know what kind of woman you were chasing. If you want to back off, it's a good time, Owen”
The young man smiled, his face looked sincere with a beautiful smile. “Your story doesn't change my feelings, Aleta. I'm actually more amazed at you. As dark as your past is, you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be loved. You have the same rights as other humans. Besides now you managed to prove that you were able to stand alone without income from your old job”
Just like in the park, Owen again grabbed Judith's hand. “Aleta, I didn't expect anything from our date today.. The fact that you invited me, I'm so grateful for that. Your bonus's starting to open. I may not be the perfect guy. I'm not the man you're looking for. My name is not in your heart. I can't make heaven beautiful, but I can make sure I'm always by your side. Accompany you when you're hurt, come laugh when you like. I can be a good listener when you need to make your day miserable. I want to be the person you're looking for when you want to share your uneg-uneg. Let me get that important role, Aleta”
“I'm not forcing you to return my feelings. But.. can we try together?”
Owen was in front of him, knocking on the door of Judith's tightly shut heart countless times without stopping even getting tired of standing up and her hands flushed red. Owen accepted it with open arms, listening to his dark story without judgment. Owen taught her gratitude and the importance of self-respect.
Things that never, Judith repeated, no one else ever did to her.
It would be a lie if Judith said she didn't feel anything. His defense began to weaken. That night, he decides to open the door of his heart a little, letting Owen in to carve his own name.
Judith threw away all of them to think, before returning Owen's gaze. “Yes, I want, Owen”
The silent night closed with two souls embracing each other. Owen who was almost screaming due to being too excited, and Judith who covered her merry face.
Without the two of them knowing, there is another soul in the faraway country that is struggling in a daze.
The first time in his life, Jeanno Alexander had to pick up defeat.
**
Time passes quickly. Entering the third month since Judith formalized her relationship with Owen. No day goes by without Owen's attention raining down on him endlessly. The man really spoiled her, treated her sweetly and carefully like an expensive porcelain. Judith could not lie, that she was beginning to like her lover. Although not yet convinced that there will be a sense of love that arises, Owen always said to bring their relationship with ease. Without having to rush. He wanted Judith to get used to her presence. It doesn't matter if it takes a long time.
While in the land of people, Jeanno returned to his routine. This time he worked many times. Much harder, even Yvone and Thomas often rebuked Jeanno for not pushing her too hard, rather than ending up in the hospital. But the man seemed unconcerned, according to him work was the best option to divert his broken heart.
Yeah, a broken heart.
Micah quit her job a month ago, after Jeanno assured her that she no longer needed to report Judith's daily activities. After all, Judith already has someone who takes good care of her. Michelle also reported that Judith had hired another employee. An 18-year-old woman named Alya is quite diligent. Making Jeanno have to breathe a sigh of relief because Judith is unlikely to be exhausted from having to lose Micah as an employee.
His biggest heartbreak was when Nayara died. Jeanno never thought she would feel the same again, with another woman. It took tremendous self-defense for Jeanno not to use his ‘power’ to ruin Judith's relationship with Owen. Not when he heard from Mark's people that Judith looked happy.
Oh, Jeanno also no longer hires anyone else to keep Judith from afar. 15 months pass without any significant threat, making Jeanno think to really let Judith go through her own day, without Jeanno's interference in it.
“Jeanno, have you read the agenda that papa sent?”
The father's dominant voice brought Jeanno back to reality. The man cleared his throat, trying to refocus so as not to be criticized by Thomas. “Already, Pa”
“Papa can not go to Jakarta, because there are obstacles in the Osaka office. So Papa asked you to go”
“Good. Papa can count on me”
**
Jeanno's return is greeted by Mark to pick up his cousin directly to the airport. The two handsome men hugged each other, giving up longing after months of not seeing each other in person.
“How's Hazel?”
Mark melengos's. “Not home, not with you. Everyone in advance asked Hazel”
“Of course. Hazel's a lot more adorable than you are, Mark. Oh yeah, I brought a lot of souvenirs for my beloved niece. There are several selected by Aera direct”
His opponent sighed. “It's a shame that Aera is testing. If not, he would have come home. School holidays you should bring her here. Promise?”
“Yes, I promise. My mother also wants to go home to Jakarta later on Aera” school holidays
Mark the mangosteen, eager to show gifts from Jeanno to his son. “We go home or where?”
“Ke apartment only, Mark. I'm not comfortable if I have to live in a house that big by myself”
It seems that the lie that was spoken sounded ridiculous in Mark's ear. So that guy looked at her ignorantly. “Not comfortable being alone, or uncomfortable because of his memories?”
“Ck, diam”
Mark laughed so hard that his eyes narrowed. He already knows that his cousin is still in a state of turmoil due to Judith who already has a lover. But he prefers not to discuss it, before Jeanno himself who carries the name Judith in the topic of their chat.
“Mark, stop by the house first. There are some items I need” Mark nodded. He brought his luxury sedan through the streets.
**
The sturdy building was still the same as the last one left behind. Jeanno still hires employees to care for and clean his house so that it does not look like a neglected building. He stepped in after Mark's car went to go to the gas station.
Nothing has changed, only Nayara's beloved flower vase is out of place. Jeanno smiled knot, the house was still the same appearance and layout. But the weather was cold, there was no warmth under the guise of family there. Because in reality, the mansion was only shrouded in family warmth when Judith was there.
“Ck, focus, Jeanno”
Not wanting to waste time, Jeanno stepped into the room. Grabbing some items he needs, making sure there is nothing left so he does not bother to come back again. When he finished, the man came out. Just to meet Judith's room door.
Jeanno knew he had to stop. But his heart denied his senses, his legs stepping in. Greet every piece of furniture neatly arranged and covered in white cloth. Jeanno's eyes probed, wanting to make sure that there were no more Judith's possessions left.
His hands stretched out, opening one by one drawers and cabinets. Don't get me wrong, he just doesn't want a single piece of Judith's belongings left behind, which will only make it harder for his situation to learn to let go.
Every drawer and closet is empty. Stay one place, namely the bottom drawer on the nightstand next to the bed. There's no valuables. There was only a sheet of envelope that started to lay in dust. Curious, Jeanno grabbed it. The net is rounded when you see the name of the hospital on the envelope.
Has Judith been sick all this time?
With all sorts of prejudice, Jeanno opened the envelope. Read sentence by sentence there. His heart beat faster and faster to realize that the envelope was indeed for Ananta Judith. He was getting faster when he read the other sentence below.
Positively pregnant.
