Substitute Mother
Chapters 179. Undecided
One day went by so long. Judith had never felt this heavy when guarding the store. Since last night, Owen has not stopped bombarding his cell phone with text messages and calls. Which he doesn't ignore. Luckily today Owen's coffeshop is so crowded, that it is not possible for the man to steal time to visit Judith's pastry shop.
“Sister is fighting huh?”
Judith breathed. Continuing his flurry of wiping the display glass for the fifth time today. “That's. Looks yes?”
“Sangat” Alya nodded. “If your mood is not good, you go home first.I will keep this store wholeheartedly”
Judith then chuckled, this young girl who became his employee had indeed been considered like her own sister. “Thanks, Alya. I'll think of”
The quiet atmosphere of the store made Alya reach for the remote to turn on the television. Along with the event that featured the successful profile of the businessman, which happened to be Jeanno Alexander became one of the stars.
“Wah, that's Mr Alexander, right?”
Just like Alya, Judithpun nailed her gaze straight towards the glass screen. Seeing how the beautiful figure of the god-like was so dazzling in formal clothing. He answered the question clearly and with charisma.
“For the 17 years I have lived, it seems like Mr. Alexander is the most handsome man I have ever seen. What do you think of Brother Judith?”
Just nodding modestly, because in fact Judith's attention is still focused on Jeanno. And the man said the other day, that he was going home on Wednesday. Judith must make a decision as soon as possible. Should he return to Jeanno and Aera, or step into a new time with Owen and his warm mother?
Not wanting to linger in making strange decisions, Judith chose to lift her legs. Let Alya who is still amazed by the charisma of Jeanno Alexander.
**
“I think I'll be back tomorrow”
Mark raised his face. “Why? Don't you still have meetings on Wednesday?”
“The longer I'm here, the more unfocused my mind” Jeanno ruined her rough face. Loosening a tight tie, as if able to refresh his mind.
“Because Judith?”
The man asked, chose silence for so many seconds. “Since last met up to this second, he hasn't contacted me”
“You're afraid of not being selected?”
At first Jeanno refused to answer, until in the end he nodded faintly. “I'm afraid if I have to lose again. I know this sounds selfish, but I can't let it go. Not being able to have it for myself drives me crazy, Mark”
“But if Judith doesn't want to, are you going to force?”
The man turned his head, looking at the cousin with a glaring look. Oh, Mark understands that look. “Jeanno, don't tell me your brain is planning something”
Jeanno chuckles. “No, Mark. I stopped to manipulate him. I want him to choose me because absolute of himself”
Mark no longer responded. To be honest he still can't believe if this cousin does not have a plan ‘licik’ to invite Judith back to his side.
**
Judith did not answer until she had locked the door, then turned to face Owen. “I need time”
“Aleta, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry if my behavior yesterday upset you”
The woman exhaled softly, while looking at her ‘lover’ flat. “You pushed me to a relationship stage too soon, Owen. Right from the start you told me to walk slowly”
“I thought you'd be happy if I took this relationship to a more serious stage”
Owen grabbed Judith by the hand, clutching her tightly. “I understand the hurt you had before you met me. You may still be traumatized, you may think of me as just like a jerk from your past. I thought that with me expressing my intention to marry you, it could make you think that I wasn't messing around. In the end, though, my thinking was wrong. Again, I'm sorry”
Sincerity implied in the gesture and tone of Owen's speech inevitably make the ego Judith shed. His net came down, looking at his hand. “Stop apologizing, Owen”
“Not until you forgive me and don't shy away from me”
Judith took a breath. Returns the direction of view to the other person. “Good, I forgive you” then smile. The smile that was answered was wider by the man.
“Mother inquires about your favorite food. Would you like dinner at home?”
Without weighing, Judith nodded. Because basically, once again, he misses the warmth of a mother. Ask Owen who he will not be able to refuse.
**
A rotating clock hand, bringing the day to change until it arrives on Wednesday. The day Jeanno returned to Japan, as well as determining whether Judith would come or not.
The handsome master couldn't hide his uneasiness from last night. Can't sleep well, can't focus on his work. The phone was crowded, but not a single notification came from someone who was expected. Jeanno called Judith, bombarding her with the question of why Judith still did not see her nose. But on the other hand he refused to be labeled as a forger. He didn't want to urge Judith to vote for him. He wanted the girl to come back to him of her own accord.
“If Judith doesn't come. What are you gonna do?”
Jeanno looked at Mark. Not like the words of Mark that imply defeat that increasingly visible in plain sight. “Jaga talkamu”
If others would shrivel Jeanno's response, Mark chuckled instead. “I'm just talking possibilities. We both know the way you fuck you treat Judith. Maybe he loves you, but between love and hurt, which is bigger?”
“I've known you my whole life. You find it hard to accept defeat. That's why I asked such a question. If you lose, what will you do?”
“You lost your blessing when you were with Nayara first, sorry I brought it up again. But you won her heart, even married and had children. Nayara has no trauma from your treatment, unlike Judith”
“He may still have love for you, and Aera. But if you are together, the obstacles faced are also many. What if the public finds out that he's not Nayara? That the real Nayara is dead and she is just a former erotic dancer that can be bought? It's not just Judith that's broken. But also you, your company, the image and the hard work that you've built all this time. You'll be deemed to be cheating the public, faking identities, and more”
“Then your parents. Listen, Jeanno. Nayara alone who is an outstanding student is not accepted by them, what makes you think they will accept Judith with her background?”
Jeanno. Everything Mark says makes sense. He loves Judith, Judith may still have love left for him. But for the two to unite, what will happen in the future will not be young. There will be many sacrificed.
The man let out a rough breath while resting his hair. Is it time he learned to let go of the woman he loves, again?
**
