Substitute Mother
Chapters 56. Untolds
Jeanno was still unable to digest what Judith said because the woman immediately said goodbye in a hurry and went inside. Without giving him a pause to ask his point. Using it to let go of longing? Does that have anything to do with the hug?
Jeanno rubbed his face rough. After turning off the cigarettes that had not been burned out, the man decided to enter the villa. Maybe staying in his room will be able to make him sleep.
In a different place but at the same time, Mark is confused half to death because of Hannah's attitude that avoids her gaze when she picks up her lover in Victoire until they fall asleep. Hannah also lay on her back, not curled up spoiled in her arms as usual. What is? Did he make a mistake? But as Mark recalled, they were fine last night, exchanging messages and talking on the phone like a normal day.
“Hannah.”
His girlfriend did not respond. Mark who originally wanted to demand an explanation, then undo his intentions. Maybe Hannah was just exhausted, and having her talk this late would definitely disrupt her rest. The man shifted his sleeping position until his chest stuck to Hannah's back, his hand he looped into the lover's stomach.
“Goodnight, dear”
Pronounced in a soft tone, Mark closed his eyes after giving a good-night kiss to the top of Hannah's head. Without knowing that Hannah is still awake, she is busy condemning her for disappointing Mark. Busy blaming herself for letting another man fondle. The tears of regret could not be prevented from flowing out. Restraining the stuffing so as not to wake her man up.
‘I'm sorry, Mark. I'm sorry’
**
Hannah breathed a sad sigh. After taking a shower and looking in the mirror, he saw how the damn mark was clearly printed on his skin. If Mark saw the man it would definitely be angry, or rather disappointed. It was fortunate that Louis left the mark on his collarbone, which he could easily cover. Different story if in the neck, what would he say to Mark later?
“Honey? You okay?”
Mark knocked on the bathroom door. Hannah was shocked, and realized she was spending more time taking a bath. “Y-yes, I'll be out” soon
Even if she is in a part of the body that is easily covered, Hannah still has to be on guard. He grabbed the foundation, covered the stupid kissmark so it was faint.
“Sorry, I'm preoccupied so it takes a long time in the bathroom”
Mark chuckled, rubbing his female arm gently. “It's okay. I'm just worried, afraid if you fall asleep or even faint”
Hannah laughed. “I have lunch ready? what do you want?”
“Darling, did you forget it was Sunday?”
Hannah patted her forehead. “Really? I totally forgot. Working at night made me unaware of the day” changes
Mark smiled, pulling Hannah into his arms. Inhaled the aroma of soap that is still left on the skin of her lover. So intoxicating and piercing his olfactory nerves. At that impulse, Mark further drowned his face in the recesses of Hannah's neck. Makes Hannah a little uncomfortable inching, not because of Mark's embrace, more to fear if the bathrobe accidentally shifted and showed a sign from Louis.
Mark, who noticed Hannah's gesture of rejection, raised his face. Found an uncomfortable look from the face. “Honey, you okay?”
Hannah nodded at a glance. “Yes. I'm doing fine. I.. I change clothes first, you wait at the dinner table, okay? we had breakfast with”
The woman stepped into her closet to pick up her clothes, and returned to the bathroom with long strides and unfocused eyes. Leaving Mark in unanswered question marks since last night.
Is her boyfriend uncomfortable with her treatment? All he did was hug her. The ordinary things they do all the time. Has Mark crossed Hannah's comfort line?
The man breathed. If so, he will apologize to his girlfriend later.
*
Jeanno awakens to find Judith and Aera's voice greeting her hearing. The two were cooking in the kitchen, accompanied by Aera's chatter asking this question, and how Judith patiently answered the little question.
“Good morning, papa!”
“Good morning dear”
“Aera what are you doing?”
“Aera is accompanying mom making breakfast”
“Oh yes? does Aera know what to cook?”
The little guy nodded. “Eggs and fried rice. The eggs were ripe, then Aera formed them like a star with this mold. Funny right, papa?”
Jeanno saw the results of his daughter's ‘karya’ lined up on a plate, next to the star and moon prints that if seen like cake prints. “Wah, smart once papa” child
“Aera if you are old want to be good at cooking like mama. Aera can not ya?”
Before Jeanno answered, Judith had already responded. “Of course you can, baby. Now Aera is good at helping mama in the kitchen”
“But mama is already good, Aera does not help your mama's cooking remains tasty”
Judith smiled as she brushed Aera's tiny nose. “If there is no Aera mama must be overwhelmed”
Aera smiles, feeling proud if the mother turns out to appreciate his help. “Then Aera promises to help mama cook”
“Iya darling. But after Aera did PR. Understand?”
The little guy nodded obediently. Then he turned to look at Jeanno who had noticed the two. “Papa just sit down, let Aera and mama prepare the food”
Jeanno chuckled, his head he nodded. “Alright young miss”
The man obeyed his daughter's orders. He took a place in one of the dining chairs, played his phone to check work emails. It was only a few minutes, as it turned out that the sight of Judith and Aera cooking was much more interesting. He kept the communication tool back to pay attention to two different women of that generation.
**
“Sayang.”
Hannah raised her face. “Ya?”
“You okay?”
The girl stopped feeding the rice, nodding slowly. “Yes. I'm doing fine. Why ask like that, Mark?”
Mark shook. “You look weird since you got home from Victoire. I don't want to confuse your sleeping position behind me but. You avoid my gaze, you also back off when I hold you earlier. Did my treatment cross your comfort line?”
Hannah's heart was racing. This was the first time Mark had spoken to her in such a low tone, making a serious impression that the cold surrounded the dining table that was usually warmed by their laughter.
“No, Mark. You don't make me any less comfortable. It's just. I'm a little unwell”
Mark's forehead shriveled, eager to feel as if he pressed Hannah further. Because without the girl knowing, Mark actually wondered why he had to wear a turtle neck top in the morning. But Mark undoes his intention of asking further, as Hannah once said and he promises to wait for her to share the story, by itself.
It's just a matter of time, right? But the thing is, when does Mark have to wait?
‘Hannah...How many secrets have you hidden from me?’
**
