Substitute Mother
Chapters 186. Feels Like Home's
“How can I pursue my happiness, while my happiness is with you?”
Judith broke eye contact. He could not guarantee he would keep thinking clearly if too long drowned in the jet of the young master. He knew a time like this would definitely come when the two met. Judith had anticipated, had also strengthened her heart. Thus, he slowly released Jeanno's hand on his wrist.
“Happy comes from many sources, sir. Not just from me. I can't give you that thing, I'm sorry.”
“I came here purely, as a form of support between friends. To be at least, you do not feel alone against the public who have moved sides. If you misinterpret my attention, then please spare that thought. I'm no longer the same as Judith whom you know”
Lies. Because after all the biggest thing that pushed Judith over hundreds of kilometers was love. Love so great, still left there. It's never really gone anywhere. Even Owen who incidentally her future husband is not allowed to occupy the space of his heart, a small item.
Jeanno nodded faintly. Realizing his actions that could be called presumptuous. “I'm sorry if you're uncomfortable with my treatment or words just”
“Yes, it's okay” the woman smiled, still as sweet as ever. “Come to eat. I made you your favorite soup mister”
Both step together. Jeanno thought, if he was still a hard person, it was certain that now he would lock Judith up to stay with him forever, he will not allow the woman to return to her ‘normal’ life with a foreign man who is recognized as a prospective husband.
But now, Jeanno could only look at Judith's back. He was really afraid that Judith would choose to leave because she was not comfortable with what she said just now. He was afraid of hurting the woman again with the tip of a fingernail. Judith in his eyes now was like porcelain, which he had to treat carefully.
“Eat a lot. Sir looks skinny and pale”
Jeanno just quietly received a dish that has been filled with tempting side dishes. Eating activities that look ordinary but have long been Jeanno longed for. He is at peace with both parents, but the warmth at the dinner table Jeanno feels last is when Judith lives with him and Aera.
“Master?”
“Ah, yes. Sorry”
No one's talking. The atmosphere of the dining room is only filled with background sound in the form of the clang of the dinnerware that comes into contact with the plate. Judith brought Jeanno's cutlery to wash. Leaving his master sitting stupefied looking at the slender posture he used to hug first. Once again, the old Jeanno would directly hug her from behind. But now, Jeanno realized that he shouldn't cross the line in terms of touch. Judith will be the wife of someone else.
Because of that thought, Jeanno decided to return to her room.
**
Arman snarled loudly after pounding the table. As a result, the people in front of him were shocked. Regarding the cause that made their boss furious beyond measure, was the fact that Jeanno, who was on the brink, still had Judith by his side. Even a two-night stay at the penthouse that Arman believes is only inhabited by Jeanno.
His hand grabbed a single photo showing Judith entering the apartment unit with what seemed to be groceries. No need to guess which floor the woman was on, it was clearly displayed, right?
Arman cleared his throat, sending two of his men out of the room while his mind was still raging. He hated, really hated Jeanno Alexander. The man with all the perfection who still had Judith when he was on the verge of destruction. Arman envied. Compared to Jeanno, he lost far more. He spent the day in his cell and rehab in silence. The only one who regularly visits is the family lawyer. Which his father sent because he refused to meet face to face with Arman. He said it was good the case was still taken care of by the family lawyer.
So let alone a woman beside him. Winona is now happy with her new husband. Who are reportedly pregnant with their child. Arman snorted, the world is so good for humans like Jeanno. The man got what he dreamed of.
Put a picture of Judith, to switch to the safe located behind her desk. He inserted a combination of pins, then smiled to see what was hidden there. The thing he kept in his bag when he attended the press conference yesterday. The thing that he intended to use if he did not get satisfactory recognition from Jeanno.
A firearm.
Arman raised the gun. Looking at him passionately, his soul exploded impatiently wanting to use it. Few people know, Arman once won a shooting tournament a few years ago. Which returned he sharpened his skills after coming out of rehabilitation. If his obsession used to be Judith, then it has now officially changed.
“Jeanno Alexander. I'll make you meet your Nayar.”.
**
Judith was shocked when she found Jeanno staring at the door of her room. I don't know how long Jeanno's been in his place now. Does the master need anything? If so, shouldn't he be knocking on the door?
“There are you need?”
Instead of answering, Jeanno looked slightly at Judith's room. Where there is still a bag of clothes whose zipper is still open but looks full. After spending two days and two nights, Judith decided to go home tomorrow morning. Which of course Jeanno could not prevent.
“I..”
“Judith, before you go home.”.
“Can I... hug you in sleep?”
Judith opened her eyes in surprise. Of course, the two days spent together in one roof, there was no touch between the two. Verbal and non-verbal interactions are very thin. Bak did not know each other, as if there was a wall that limited the two. The luxurious penthouse was getting colder due to the awkwardness in it.
“I promise I won't touch you more. I know my limits. I just... I just want to hug you for the last time”
It is undeniable that the shaky and soft tone of Jeanno's lips was able to touch Judith's stance. Then without thinking anything, the girl nodded slowly.
**
Being in one bed with another man who is not his future husband, coiled comfortably sharing warm hugs behind the covers. Judith should have been able to feel guilty, but otherwise. He just feels comfortable. Much more comfortable than all the moments he spent with Owen. If his brain thought clearly, Judith would have woken up and decided to leave that night. But his heart refused. He feels he is at ‘home’.
“This regret is like not wanting to go, Judith”
Judith's head looked up, finding Jeanno looking straight at the roof. “What regrets?”
“Recent that I hurt you and took away our baby's life. I thought I made it up to you. Even when the public hated me and I backed out of the company I built from scratch. I thought it could ease up, but in fact.not”.
Jeanno closed her eyes. Close his embrace on Judith's body to look tiny posture was ‘sunk’ behind it.
“I'm sorry. Really apologizing for all my stupidity”
Judith was still looking up, stunned to see the tear from her closed eyes. His heart also hurt, the incident between him and Jeanno had passed long enough. It was a heartbreaking tragedy, but he forgave Jeanno.
“I've forgiven sir. So, I hope it can lift the regret that smothered the chest”
In fact, if sorted backward, if only Jeanno was more calm just a little. Then he will have a happy ending. Unite with Judith with their child who is still growing in the woman's womb. Aera would be a great big sister.
And yes, what to say. Regrets always come later, right?
