“I beg you, please don’t do this, Ma.”
“Don’t? It’s easy for you to say that. You’re still young, with a long future ahead of you. But Mama? Mama is old, ailing, and has been waiting for six years without any answers. You always keep delaying things just for the sake of a name and fame. What’s wrong with Mama wanting that?” Meri looked at Alexander.
She was truly heartbroken for being played for these past six years, especially when Alexander and Cesilia had already promised and kept dragging it out. If only Alexander had a sibling, then Meri wouldn’t have made an issue out of all this.
And those promises, one after another, had all disappeared, vanished into thin air.
“Okay, tell me what I should do so that Mama won’t be angry. So that Mama won’t be like this.”
Meri shook her head. “There’s nothing you should do because Mama realizes that Cesilia means more to you than Mama does.”
“Don’t say that, Ma. Mama and Cesilia both mean a lot to me,” Alexander argued.
“But that’s the reality, isn’t it?” Meri challenged.
Alexander massaged his temples, leaning against the wardrobe after closing its door. “So, Mama really wants a grandchild from Cassandra?”
“Absolutely. If Mama wasn’t serious, I wouldn’t be here, supporting your marriage to Cassandra.”
“Alright, but please give me some time.”
“Until when? Two months, three months, four months, or a year! Mama can’t wait that long. Alexander, as you know, bringing new life into the world is not easy. It can’t happen instantly, as if it’s bread dough!”
Alexander winced. “Yes, I know, Ma. But…”
“Well, if you’re still uncertain and indecisive, then it’s better for Mama to go home. It’s up to you what you want to do with your life, whether you want to divorce Cassandra, wait for Cesilia for another two years, four years… or even a lifetime. It won’t make any difference anymore because, from this moment on, you’re no longer Mama’s child!”
“Yes, Ma. Yes, I will start everything with Cassandra, to satisfy you, Mama!”
“Not yet, not until Mama can hold her grandchild.”
“Alright,” Alexander sighed. He simply gave in. “Now, tell me how to start all this with Cassandra. I can’t just suddenly demand my rights from her.”
“Figure it out yourself. You already have a wife, right? Haven’t you done it before? Do it the same way with Cassandra.”
“I can’t do that, Ma. We have to be on the same page, we have to…”
“Here’s an idea.” Meri clapped her hands.
Alexander resigned himself and waited. He was already desperate in dealing with his mother, but he couldn’t refuse the wishes of the woman who had given birth to him. Besides, Cesilia had already given him the green light to remarry and have a child with Cassandra.
“Mama will arrange for both of you to go on a vacation or honeymoon. How about that?” Meri raised her eyebrows.
“When, Ma?”
“Tomorrow. And Bali will be the destination.”
“But…”
Meri stroked his arm. “Remember, there’s no objection when you’re Mama’s child.”
Alexander sighed several times, groaning as if burdened by numerous problems. Yet, he was just sitting at the airport, waiting for his turn to board the plane.
He sat in his place, guarding two large suitcases. He had no idea what was inside them, but his mother had mentioned something about clothing and equipment.
He didn’t know what kind of equipment it was. They could only open the suitcases when they arrived at the hotel.
“Take good care of Cassandra, don’t treat her like you did at home. Mama doesn’t want her daughter-in-law to get hurt or injured. Do you understand?” Meri warned, giving both a warning and a threat to not mistreat Cassandra.
Alexander shrugged lazily. Damn, he really felt uneasy about the attention his mother was giving to Cassandra. After all, he was the biological child of Meri.
However, it was Cassandra who received so much attention ever since she entered his life and Cesilia’s.
Cassandra, who had been silent all this time, simply rubbed her neck. She knew what was happening, and Meri’s current attention was truly disturbing. It was evident in how the man glanced at her with sharp eyes, showing his dislike.
But Cassandra had no choice at the moment. She would live her life as written in the agreement between her and Cesilia.
Moreover, Cassandra had received news from her mother that her father underwent surgery today. The debt of gratitude she felt was growing larger.
It was highly unlikely for her to escape from all responsibilities, especially since Cesilia and Meri had fulfilled their responsibilities and promises to their family.
The journey to Bali began, and Cassandra and Alexander entered the plane, calmly enjoying the view from the sky. Cassandra, who had never been on a plane before, was taken aback when the turbulence occurred during takeoff.
Her body trembled, her lips turned pale with sudden fear that the plane might crash or explode up there. Alexander noticed it all, but he was too proud to comfort his wife. Nevertheless, he remained vigilant in case something bad happened to Cassandra, like fainting, for example.
And when the plane stabilized, Cassandra also calmed down. Her gaze turned towards the window, enjoying the sea of clouds adorning the sky. In her heart, she wondered about the distance between her and the ground.
She also glanced at the other passengers who were enjoying their meals and snacks. Cassandra interlaced her fingers, trying to drive away the fear and nervousness that had mixed together.
If she could be honest, Cassandra would prefer to travel by bus rather than on a plane like this. But when Meri mentioned that it would take several days to travel from her hometown to Bali, flying didn’t seem like a bad idea.
She had no idea how long the flight would take, but she could feel the plane shaking. Then, an announcement from the flight attendant on duty informed the passengers to prepare for landing as the plane had safely arrived.
Finally, she could set her feet back on the ground, and perhaps after this, Cassandra would ask Alexander to travel by bus. It didn’t matter to Alexander whether they flew, took a boat, or anything else. What mattered to Cassandra was that she didn’t want to fly anymore. She would find public transportation, like a bus or a shuttle.
Once they exited the airport, Alexander was not surprised to find a middle-aged man waiting to pick them up. He was certain that this was all arranged by his mother’s workers. The impromptu vacation plans were meticulously organized by Meri, complete with a driver and a hotel.
Who knows what else his mother had prepared for the success of his first night with Cassandra.
Cassandra and Alexander were taken to a hotel by the beach, a perfect place for newlyweds like them.
But it wasn’t suitable for them, who hadn’t established a harmonious relationship as husband and wife based on their agreement.