Substitute Mother
Chapters 182. Meant To Be
News of Jeanno immediately became a hot issue among the public. One by one the facts about the mysterious life of Thomas' single man are revealed. Starting from his love story with the late Nayara, to elope which made him not recognized by his own family. Rumors circulated that Jeanno had one child, although it was not implied that a daughter or son. The secrecy of Aera's identity is clear due to the interference of Thomas and Jose Sebastian to protect the innocent child from public touch.
While Judith, her face is not clearly plastered in the media. Her name is censored as AJ (Anantha Judith). But nowhere Judith's past as a night worker and a copy of the labor agreement as a surrogate mother escaped, making Jeanno's name increasingly a common public scorn. About how hypocrisy and cunning are hidden in a handsome and charismatic face.
Jeanno had returned to Indonesia three hours ago, and without wasting time he immediately planned a press conference with Mark and his team to provide clarification.
“So you want to confess?”
Jeanno looked at Mark. “There's no other choice, is there? I started it all. I should have anticipated something like this would happen”
“About the information.. Our stock value dropped quite far” Mark thrust a tablet towards his cousin which contains a fairly significant decline chart since the Jeanno issue sticking out. “If you hold a press conference, you should be ready that chart will go down again in the future”
The young master closed his eyes for a moment. “I've lost everything. Now it's time for me to receive my karmaku”
“You've suffered a lot, Jean. Stop talking as if your punishment is endless”
Jeanno commented a soft smile. “Judith.. is he okay? I failed to look after her again, Mark. She must have hated me so much”
Mark breathed a rough breath. “Both my phone or Hannah's phone are both not covered. I've told my men to watch her, so far she looks fine. The store is still open as usual”
“Jeanno, I'm sorry I couldn't help you much about keeping Judith”
Jeanno saw the regret in his cousin's face. Then he held out his hand, patting her on the shoulder lightly. “You have done a lot in my life, Mark. Don't you apologize for one mistake I should have prevented”
“To be honest. I don't care what happens to me after this. I don't care if the whole world hates me, just not my daughter and Judith. I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to my two women that's”
Silent. Mark decided to stay because he felt Jeanno needed someone to listen to his complaints. The last time Mark saw this messy Jeanno was when Nayara had just died. He never thought there would be another day when he saw the same sight.
**
“How, darling? which one do you think is good?”
Some of the wedding organizer brochures that Owen described half an hour ago did not seem to attract Judith's attention. His fiancee was indeed sitting in front of him, quietly listening to him talk, but his focus went nowhere. Already yesterday Owen realized Judith was more reserved and dreamy. According to Alyapun his superiors often make mistakes at work. What is clear is that there is a cause behind her lover behaving in this way.
“Aleta?”
The girl's shoulders were slightly jolted when Owen touched her fingers gently. “Yes? what's up?”
“You. Is something bothering you?”
Judith pulled her fingers when Owen took the initiative to hold. “I'm fine. Just tired, maybe less sleep”
“Didn't you end our phone last night to go to bed early?”
“Will you share with me, baby?”
Judith cut off her eye contact with Owen. Honestly feel guilty for thinking about another man while being with his future husband. But how else, Judith really lost focus because of what happened to Jeanno. Last night he did not sleep, thinking about the man, and also Aera. Pray that everything will end well.
“Aleta?”
Judith nodded slowly. “Sorry, Owen. This time I'm not ready to tell you”
“What are our wedding preparations bothering you?”
“Not so..” Judith rubbed her face slowly, puzzled over how to string words together. Owen insisted on speeding up their marriage less than six months from now. Although Judith actually objected, because she did not want to rush.
“Then?”
Just wanted to answer, his phone blinked. Showing Hannah's name as caller ID. The name he had been calling since yesterday. Afraid that her prejudices will become real, Judith insists on answering Hannah's call this time.
Without waiting for Owen's answer, Judith stepped away in front of the restaurant. Sliding the green button accompanied by a loud thump. “H-hello?”
“Yes God, Judith! You finally picked up my phone. Where the hell have you been? I'm so worried about you. Mark's call isn't you gubris either. Is it because you already have a fiancee and you're thinking of cutting off communication with me?”
“Hannah, wait. Don't get angry just yet. I can explain”
Hannah grunting. “If I don't have Hazel, I will definitely catch up with you there. I'm afraid something happened to you”
“Sorry to make you anxious. I'm just. I'm afraid if you or brother Mark bring bad news about.you know who” is.
“Yes, I know” Hannah saved her phone. “Judith, Jeanno is being destroyed now. Public empathy is really 0. He's planning on admitting everything to the press, for his schedule I don't know. But I think as soon as possible”
*
“Really?”
“If he admits all the rumors the media has said, then that could be the end for Jeanno. Mark said Jeanno looks messy. But she's not worried about herself at all”
*
“……..”
“She's just worried about Aera, and. You, Judith”.
“……..”
“He doesn't want you to get hurt. That's why he tried so hard to use his connections so that your face and identity would not be revealed. He can do that to protect himself, but he chose to protect you, dear”
Hannah's repeated statements made Judith no longer able to hold her puddles to not shed wet the cheeks. His legs felt limp, unable to support his body standing up.
Jeanno protects her, even at critical times like this? He prefers to ‘mati’ himself rather than having Judith die together.
There was a crackle from across the street, like someone came and asked Hannah to talk. I don't know what his friend was talking about, Judith wasn't very listening. He was still a little shaken by the fact about Jeanno just now.
“Judith, this is Mark”
That heavy voice greeted his sense of hearing. Suddenly his body stiffened again, especially Mark's speech intonation that sounded serious. “Ya?”
“Jeanno will hold a press conference tomorrow afternoon. I will not force you to come. But if you please, your presence will mean a lot to Jeanno”
“At least he knows that he is not alone”*
**
