Substitute Mother
Chapters 171. The Fight Back
The store on that day was quite crowded because of the celebration of teacher's day that made the cake invaded by schools who want to reward their teachers a little appreciation in the form of sweet snacks. The lack of pause makes neither Judith nor Alya have time to rest. Until half-six in the afternoon, when the cake was completely finished, Judith decided to close early so that she would have time to rest for tomorrow.
“Kakak know? there was an SD child who came to buy a cake to his teacher's mother. But he only brought two thousand dollars. Because of pity so I just give her the cake she wants. It'll be cut from my salary, Kak”
Judith who was writing their earnings recap that day, chuckled at Alya's confession. “Yes, I saw you interacting with him too. It's okay, Alya. You'll still get your salary without a cut”
“Do not do so, Brother. I'm sincere, bought that cake for that boy earlier”
Without lifting his face from the agenda book, Judith chimed again. “I'm also sincere. After all, such an incident is not every day”
Alya who had no other choice, chose not to argue. “Alright, thank you Brother Judith. Oia, I'll take out the trash first, Kak”
Judith just nodded her head as she watched from the tail of her eyes Alya's shadow came out with a black plastic bag. He was so focused on calculations today, that he did not give much attention when the door of his shop was open. Judith knew the figure was not Alya because her employees threw garbage through the back door.
“Sorry, our store has closed”
Presumably reluctant if the focus is divided and resulting in chaotic calculations, Judith not so dizzy will silence someone. He thought he would turn away when he heard the store was closed. In fact, he actually walked closer to the chair that was occupied by Judith until the woman could see the shiny black pantofel.
“Sorry, sir but the store is already tu—“
Just as Judith lifted her face, she met a look at the man she had not seen for a long time. So shocked that the questioner fell to the floor. The sound of ‘pluk’ unable to break Judith's shock. Jeanno commented on the smile, a pair of sickle eyes that had always been Judith's favorite, now kneeling to pick up her pen before rolling further. Then hand it over, still in the same position. Just like a man kneeling down about to propose to his lover.
“How are you, Judith?”
**
Silence is always an unpleasant air when there is more than one soul in one space. After convincing Jeanno that his presence was not a dream, Judith politely invited him to sit down and rushed to the kitchen to make a warm drink. Judith returned with a hot chocolate that still had smoke billowing. Looks tantalizing.
“Sorry, my shop does not provide kopi”
Jeanno smiled. “Not what”
Presumably awkward due to an unexpected meeting, the two were still reluctant to start a conversation. The busy Judith turned her eyes away, while Jeanno who sipped her hot chocolate with eyes kept looking at Judith.
“How.. how are you?”
A question that Judith should not have to answer, considering Jeanno was still secretly investigating. But what pleasantry questions are worth asking under these conditions?
“Ba—baik. Sir himself.. how?”
Judith learns of Jeanno and Aera's departure to Japan, and spends one night crying. His eyes were swollen and his head was dizzy when he woke up the next day.
“Good. Aera is also good”
Hearing Aera's name, her chest warmed up. Judith really misses her little daughter. He wanted to ask more questions about Aera, but was undone the next second. Judith realizes her position, that Jeanno has put a boundary between herself and Aera the last time they met first.
“I'm on a business trip here. I heard from Mark you opened a cake shop here. Sorry if I ruined your escape. I can go if you're not comfortable”
Judith shook her head quickly, for some reason reluctant if Jeanno had to retreat so quickly. “No. I mean. it's okay. Sir can come here as you please sir”
By the way, Jeanno did not lie when he said he was on a business trip. Because either fate was siding with him or it was just a coincidence, the project Thomas entrusted to him in Indonesia was located in the city center Judith lived in.
“You're not mad at Mark, are you? For having told me your location?”
Judith cleared her throat, just like before, she shook her head. “No, tuan”
It was difficult to control himself when he had to sit with Jeanno Alexander. More than a year passed after their last meeting, Jeanno looked more charismatic. Her jet black hair was left long until it passed the collar. The hairline that occasionally touched his eyes made Jeanno have to restore it back with the original movement. His posture was much more proportional than the last time, oh. regarding his face, there was no question. The perfect sculpture like a god never ceases to make Judith amazed.
‘God must be happy when creating Jeanno Alexander’ so that always comes to mind when dealing with his former boss.
“The chocolate is delicious. Thanks, Judith”
Judith nodded, her eyes following the hand of Jeanno who had just put down her half-brown cup. There he found an awkwardness that made his eyes wide.
It's only natural that Judith is a little hysterical. Who would not shudder to see the entirety of the man's fingers red and scuffed? As if Jeanno had hit a hard object repeatedly—although it happened like that.
“I practiced boxing the last few weeks. I guess I was too excited to do it”
“This sure hurts. It's been treated, right?”
Jeanno nodded. “Seadanya”
Judith sneered. It was sober but not treated perfectly. Evidently with a gaping wound in some of his knuckles. If it is treated, the blisters will dry out. The woman stood up, taking the medicine box from the drawer under the counter.
“I have a powerful ointment to treat blisters. Makes his wound dry faster” he said. Jeanno chuckled, especially realizing that the ointment Judith took out was the same brand as the ointment she had applied when Judith was injured by Sharin's slap first.
“It must hurt if it's exposed to water. Sick to write. Pain for doing activity”
Judith, who had grabbed Jeanno's hand, painstakingly applied the ointment to every part of the wound. Occasionally brought a ringing reaction from Jeanno due to stinging pain. Judith said that her injured hand was hindering her from writing. It hurts so much.
The door opened, featuring Owen carrying a paperbag bearing the name of a famous Japanese restaurant. The sound of bells when the door opened, bringing the attention of Judith and Jeanno to both turn to the source of the sound.
“Owen?”
‘So this is Owen? Ck, not how handsome compared to myself’ sneer Jeanno after sweeping his eyes from head to toe.
“Hey, I'm going to deliver dinner. I saw a crowded store, right? so you must have never eaten. Eat it, I bought two for Alya”
Spontaneously, Judith pulled her body from Jeanno's finger-treating activities. He brought bento from Owen to the back table. Making Jeanno sneer faintly as the stranger interrupted his time with Judith.
“Oh, I forgot to introduce you guys” yet
“Eum, Owen.. Tu-ehm, Jeanno Alexander. Father of Aera Alexander”
Jeanno then stood up, glancing at Owen's outstretched hand to invite him to shake hands. “I Owen, lover of Aleta”
Jeanno was particularly distasteful of how Owen brought up his relationship status with Judith when they became acquainted, as well as how Judith allowed Owen to call her by a birth name she originally hated.
The sturdy man cleared his throat at a glance, the look on his face now turned cold and looked flat without interest. “Sorry, I can't return your greetings because my hands are hurting. Nice to meet you, Owen”
Then Jeanno turned his face towards Judith. “I said first”
It didn't take Judith's answer for Jeanno to get out of Alana's cake shop. The man got into his car without looking inside again.
“Well, you never told me Aera's dad was like that?”
Judith chuckles. “Like that, how?”
“Ya.. like that? very handsome, rich, and intimidating. You don't see how he doesn't return my welcome?”
Judith stepped forward, could not bear not to pinch the cheek ‘lover’ gaunty. “You heard it yourself, his hands are hurting so it's natural that he doesn't return your greetings. Don't be so prejudiced, Owen”
“Aw! Aw! Yes, but take off my cheek. It hurts so much it feels”
“No want\~”
The jokes of the lovers were still clearly seen by Jeanno from the glass of his car. Making his body temperature many times hotter and his chest rumble will be dislike. He hates to see Judith laugh when she is with Owen. She hated how Judith did not argue when Owen introduced himself as her lover. He hates losing to Judith.
Bugs!
A hard blow to the steering wheel, leaving a red spot on the round object as the master raised his fist.
Jeanno could have lost, but he would have risen and reclaimed what should have been his.
**
