Substitute Mother
Chapters 185. Reunions
Jeanno looked surprised when he saw who was waiting. As soon as he opened the door, Mark greeted him with a brotherly hug. Which Jeanno did not respond to because of his surprise to see another figure who was looking at him sad. Mark patted her on the back several times while saying the insults why his cousin's sister did not tell him about early retirement. The same has not been responded to by Jeanno.
Realizing that the man's attention wasn't for him, Mark took off a hug. Jeanno who still stood rigidly looking at Judith, as if his mind was struggling about whether Judith was real or just a hallucination.
“She's here. He's coming for you, Jean”
Mark patted Jeanno on the shoulder once more before hinting Nora and a few people to get out. To make room for two human children.
After the door was closed, there was no movement from Jeanno or Judith. Both are still frozen. Jeanno was still playing a role in his mind, and Judith was hesitant to approach. Afraid if the response he got wasn't so good.
“Master..”
“Is...lord okay?”
That voice, as if inviting Jeanno to stop daydreaming and walk over. Approaching as well as proving whether the figure of Judith is real or pseudo. Across, Judith extended her hand. Waiting for Jeanno to welcome him. He smiled, but in his smile was tucked away flowing tears.
“Master has done his best. Sir has been and will be a good father to Aera. Don't think about the words of journalists. they don't know tuan”.
Jeanno's view turned to an outstretched hand, waiting for a welcome. Shakingly he raised his own, a little hesitant for fear that he would face great disappointment if Judith standing in front of him was just an illusion.
When the tip of his fingers touched the tip of Judith's fingers, immediately the strength of his legs loosened. Make Jeanno fall to his knees in front of his woman. “You.... real? You're really here?”
Hearing the vibrations in the man's voice, Judith's reflexes knelt down, carrying Jeanno's head to him. The man's shoulders seemed to shake. Judith knew who Jeanno was crying in her arms, whether it was crying for whom. But a little bit of that made him relieved, because at least the man no longer needed to pretend to be strong in front of the public. Judith was relieved Jeanno let go of her emotions.
“Yes, I'm here. I'm here for you. Cry as much as you can, Jeanno. I'm here..”
**
“He is fine. After arriving master I immediately told him to sleep because he did not want to eat”
“Do you need me?”
Judith turned to the bed, where Jeanno was sleeping peacefully there. “For now, not yet, sis. You can focus on your business now. Sir let me take care of him”
Mark took a breath, since the news of sudden early retirement, the state of the company has indeed become increasingly chaotic. Make it standby to hold a board meeting about the change of office. That certainly prevented him from going to see Jeanno. Luckily for Judith, at least she has someone she trusts to look after Jeanno while she's not around.
“Good. If my business is done, I'll be there as soon as I can. If you need anything, don't call. Understand?”
*
“Understanding, Kak”
After hanging up the phone, Judith stepped closer to the bed. Fixing Jeanno's slightly tilted head, as well as raising the blanket. Although he still looked charismatic and handsome as usual, he could see black eye bags wrapped faintly. The man was also a bit of a tyrant from the last Judith met.
“You must have had a rough day lately. Sorry to have to do it yourself. I'm sorry.”
Judith lowered her head, giving Jeanno a brief kiss, before stepping out to give Jeanno some rest.
**
“Sorry Owen, I had a sudden affair so forgot to tell you”
“You left last night, right? It's late afternoon, baby. And you just got a call? Is your business that important?”
Judith turned down the stove, letting her ginseng soup ripen as long as she sat in the dining chair to talk to her fiance by phone.
“Sorry. I forgot to bring the charger, so when I got here my phone died. Things are messed up, Owen. I'm not thinking about mobile” at all
“You looked fine yesterday, then today I found your shop closed and your apartment empty. With a phone you can't call, you don't know how freaked out I'm here? I want to find out, but I don't even know anyone your family or relatives”
*
“We discuss tomorrow, yes?”
Owen snorted violently. “No. I want us to finish this time also”
“I'm tired Owen. Real tired. I promise I'll tell you everything when I get home later”
“Aleta, listen. We're engaged and we're getting married in a few months. Until now I didn't even know anyone from your life. You said you didn't have any more family, but the truth is you went out in the middle of the night on a sudden affair. ‘Urusan’ that you say is about who, Aleta? How important are the people seen in this affair until you look unusually panicked?”
*
Judith bit her lower lip. His ears feel hot, he wants to scream or turn off the phone unilaterally. But coming back, it won't solve the problem. It will make things even more chaotic when he comes home later.
“Owen, you believe me, right?”
“I believe, but..”
“If you believe me, then wait for me. I'll be home as soon as the business is done here. When that day comes, I promise to tell you everything
Owen was silent for a few seconds before finally succumbing. A little unbearable to hear the voice of Judith that began to waver. Looks like her fiance didn't lie when he said he was tired instead of playing. “Alright, I'll collect your promise”
“Thanks, Owen. I really appreciate it.”
“Yes, see you again. I love you”
“I also love you”
**
“I also love you”
His footsteps stopped. The new confidence that had returned instantly collapsed when the sentence sounded and slapped him back into reality. The fact that Judith came here only as a friend, not as someone who was destined for her.
Jeanno was grateful that she came down from her room without a slipper, because her footsteps were not heard by Judith who was sitting behind her. With the same steps, he decided to return to the room. Didn't want to bother Judith who was talking to her fiance.
Heart's in pain. After his wishful thinking was lifted last afternoon, it was now easily thrown into the deepest abyss. Jeanno realized that he still did not have enough heart to give up Judith completely. Hearing the woman say she loved another man, it was much more painful than public insults and ridicule.
Opening the door of his room, Jeanno laid his body as before. Awake if Judith comes in she'll pretend she's still asleep. Like I've never heard anything from Judith's mouth.
Sure enough, not long after the door opened. At the same time Jeanno closed his eyes. A soft sweep was heard on his mane. “Master, let's have dinner”
Still not budging, Jeanno continued his acting sleep. He is still not ready if he has to meet Judith after hearing her confession to another man.
“Any tired huh? until bed this late” fine fingers it traced Jeanno's face. Swiping his forehead which reflexively made Jeanno's brows furrow.
“How many days have you not slept enough, hm? Master looks skinny. And it hurt me. After this, live quietly. Master taught me to pursue my happiness, now I want you to do the same. Teach happy tuan”
Judith lowered her head, giving a kiss on Jeanno's forehead. The kiss he landed several times until the frown on the firm eyebrow disappeared. Judith thought about returning to the kitchen, letting Jeanno settle in.
At least that was the beginning, before a hand grabbed his fingers. Pointing his steps away. He turned his head, the Netra who met the young master's possession full of pleasure.
“Mr..”.
“How can I pursue my happiness, while my happiness is with you?”
**
