Substitute Mother

Chapters 183. D-Day

“You sure about this, Jean? If not, we still have a little time. You can send our lawyers to talk to the public”

Jeanno's lips flicked with a faint smile. The cousin had asked the same question in the two hours before the press conference began. It is also clear how anxious Mark is, as if Jeanno is waiting for the execution. Expecting Alexander to abandon his intentions, Jeanno's answer remained the same.

“It's too late, Mark. My image is ruined. If I retreat, they'll think I'm a coward and it'll make things worse. I better end it now”

Jeanno looked at the watch, it was still less than an hour of the press conference starting. But he could see the boisterous and the clamoring of the media who could not wait to hear the explanation from Jeanno's own lips.

“Again..”.

The handsome man turned his head, looking at his cousin after goal. “…. I'm tired of running, Mark”

**

Jeanno recalled how nervous she was about her wedding blessing. All the memorization of sacred promises that he should have made, just piled up in the mind forming a random sentence. Jeanno recalled how she had never felt the overwhelming nervousness of her life, which came on her wedding day. There, beside him at that time, there was Nayara who was secretly holding her hand. Hook up their fingers without a single spoken word. Don't ask, the small touch effect was able to erode Jeanno's nervousness. Make the blessing process go smoothly.

Jeanno recalls how the same nervousness came back as she waited for a doctor's verdict in the Nayara crisis. Different from the previous turmoil when Nayara was with him and able to deny his anxiety, now he stands alone. He felt half of his body freeze and his heart beat faster than usual. Hoping for Nayara's hand to reach him, providing invisible support that can lift the weight of his shoulders. In fact, the hand never got to it again.

Now, as the nervousness re-emerged, Jeanno wished for a helping hand from someone who could calm him down. If he used to expect that figure to be Nayara, then it is different from now. He hoped Judith would come. The selfish side in him is hoping Judith knows what happened to him, and is willing to follow here. Not grandiosely expecting the girl to come back to him, at least seeing Judith coming, presumably able to ease her nervousness, as Nayara had told her first.

The man did not want to expect much, but what he thought was not in line with what he wanted. It was proved several times that Jeanno looked at the door.

Five minutes before the event, the open door never revealed the figure he was waiting for. He smiled wryly, realizing that he might not be valuable enough to make Judith leave her routine for a moment. Maybe he was no longer special in Judith's eyes. Perhaps what Jeanno did was already unforgivable.

Maybe this is the karma he deserves.

“Jeanno..”

Simply looking at the door, Jeanno's attention leads to Mark who always faithfully accompanies him.

“Now is the time”

**

Judith hops in frustration. The route error taken by the taxi driver he was riding, which apparently coincided with the graduation convoy of upper middle students made the road conditions stalled. Worse yet there are no police officers who took to the streets to order, making the traffic move chaotic. Each serobot ends in a traffic jam that makes it unable to go anywhere.

In such a precarious state, his phone died. Stupid he who forgot to bring a charger due to his sudden departure. At first Judith had no intention of catching up with Jeanno. Last night he thought about staying in his small but comfortable apartment. Thinking of no longer getting into Jeanno Alexander's lap. That Jeanno is just his dark past. That night he tried to fall asleep, only to wake up in a state of flood of sweat due to nightmares. In his dream Jeanno and Aera were running towards him, ready to hug Judith with a happy look on her face. Just a step away from reaching him, the ground Jeanno and Aera stepped on collapsed, making them both fall down. Lost forever.

At least Jeanno knows he's not alone.

Unceasingly knocking his legs agitated, it was certain that the press conference would soon begin and the taxi he was riding in had no sign of moving. Putting his mind aside, he paid the driver and opened the exit door. Half ran past another vehicle that was stuck in traffic. He doesn't know the area, but all Judith thinks about is getting away from the traffic jam. Hoping to find a base for any motorcycle or vehicle capable of carrying it to Jeanno.

He didn't want to be late this time.

**

The media colleagues who were originally silent are now interconnected when the door is opened and display the figure they are waiting for, walking towards the podium. Jeanno's arrival was greeted by a camera flash scrambling to stab the eye. But it seems that it does not seem to bother Jeanno at all. The man still looked dignified as usual. Like not making the mistake the public is accusing.

A man in a neat suit who stood beside the podium, served as a moderator who raised his hand after Jeanno was already in place. Hinted for media colleagues to be quiet, as the event will begin soon.

Jeanno closed her eyes for a few seconds. I'm telling myself that this isn't the end of everything. At least after confession, the burden has been partially lifted. No more falsehoods to cover. He named Aera as his greatest source of power. He called Nayara half of his soul which he now honors as a beautiful memory.

Finally, he called Judith. Again, hoping that figure is here. It's okay to be late, at least it's there.

“Create me, Judith”

**

Thanks, God!

Judith did not cease to be grateful when she ran through the narrow alleys of the stranger, in the end met with the base ojek who happily drove her to the destination. Just ignore the musty-smelling helmet and the reckless driving style of your ojek brother. Still Judith is very grateful for the ojek brother who was able to bring him to the destination within ten minutes.

After paying with a tip, Judith ran into the ballroom. Luckily, he meets Nora, Jeanno's secretary who seems to have just arrived. Both of them stepped side by side towards the 23rd floor, hoping that everything would end well.

“Mark!”

“Jeez Judith! You're coming!” Mark, who was monitoring Jeanno from the screen, turned his head when his name was called. React mixed when the caller is the person he is most waiting for.

“Sorry I came late. How's the show?” Judith took off Mark's embrace. Hopefully there will be good words from the words of her best friend's husband. Although the answer he wanted was not the same as the expression on Mark's face.

“New events begin. But let's hope everything ends well.”.

**