“How is Alexander, Frans?” Meri greeted Frans, who had just come down the stairs.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Mom. Everything is fine. Alexander just caught a cold from soaking in the water for too long.”
Meri nodded. “Thank goodness.”
“Mama is not thinking negatively about Alexander anymore. He’s doing well. Oh, by the way, Ma, it seems we need to talk for a moment. Do you have time?”
Without much hesitation, Frans thought he would act as an intermediary to convey Alexander’s feelings to his mother.
“Of course, for Mamang’s child, anything. You and Alexander are the same in Mama’s eyes. Let’s talk in the living room. It’s not comfortable to talk here, as there are several household assistants passing by, and you wouldn’t want them to overhear our conversation.”
“Sure.” Frans put his arm around Meri’s shoulder and led the middle-aged woman to the living room. There, Frans would talk to Meri. Eye to eye, discussing according to Alexander’s account earlier. He hoped that after listening to Frans’ explanation, Meri would understand and provide some leeway for Alexander.
With that, Alexander didn’t need to worry anymore, and Frans hoped that one of them would compromise after hearing his explanation.
“Let me tell you, Ma. Hearing Alexander’s story about his marriage, I feel Mama may have been a little mistaken and should reconsider the situation for Alexander’s sake. It’s tough on him if he keeps thinking about this.”
Without beating around the bush, Frans went straight to the point.
“What do you mean?” Meri caught up. Suddenly, Frans asked her to rethink all the decisions she had made thoroughly, and there must be a reason behind it all.
“Yes, what I mean is that Mama should give Alexander some time so that he can be truly ready to have a child with Casandra. Because here, it’s not Alexander who will suffer, but Casandra. I believe Mama understands what I’m trying to say without going into more detail. As a mother, Mama should understand better than I or Alexander.”
“Indeed.” Meri took a deep breath. “What you’re suggesting had already crossed Mama’s mind before asking Alexander to remarry.”
“So?” Frans couldn’t wait.
“Mama already understands that Casandra will be the one suffering here. Mama knows that when a woman is hired to give birth to a child, she will lose her future and her own child at the same time. But the problem is not just that. The problem is that Mama wants Casandra to be a permanent part of our family, not Cesilia anymore.”
Frans’ mouth dropped open, not expecting such a firm and unexpected response from Meri.
“So, the contract marriage they had was just a camouflage, as Mama believes that within these two years, Casandra can make Alexander fall in love with her and gradually forget Cesilia.”
“Why do you think so? Didn’t Alexander love Cesilia very much, and…”
“Indeed, Alexander loved Cesilia deeply, but not with the woman she has become.” Meri borrowed strength from her eyes, discussing Cesilia’s issues that made her heart ache. She had been disappointed by her daughter-in-law many times, but she had forgiven her repeatedly, except this time, Meri was unwilling to forgive her.
“Can you imagine, they’ve been married for six years, but Cesilia never paid attention to Alexander as her husband. She casually accepts new contracts, while Alexander truly yearns for the presence of their child. I don’t think being pregnant for nine months would ruin Cesilia’s body so badly. There are many treatments and beauty care that can make a woman look youthful again, but what does Cesilia do? She continues to toy with Alexander until now.
And do you know what? Just because she received a contract from a famous brand in this country, she didn’t even spare time to visit her husband briefly. The proof is that Alexander went to the agency to meet her, coming off like a beggar. My son didn’t accomplish much there. Can you say that Cesilia is a good wife, or can you say that she still loves Alexander?
Think carefully, is there any loving wife who would let her husband hope for six years with false promises? None, except Cesilia. Can you imagine how long two years really are? 730 days, 17, 520 hours, and can you fathom how many seconds should be spent waiting for that?”
Frans remained silent. He couldn’t blame Alexander, nor could he blame Cesilia. He also couldn’t blame Meri for wanting to see her son live happily with a woman who truly fulfills her role as a wife.
Having a career is allowed, and working is not prohibited. As long as there are limits and understanding of the role of a wife. Besides, Alexander never demanded Cesilia to stay at home and take care of household chores. All household tasks were handled by several people, and Cesilia only attended to Alexander’s personal matters. Nothing more.
Alexander merely wished to have a child. Waiting for one or two years is already common, but it’s been six years. Even Cesilia herself promised that during their sixth-anniversary celebration, she would start a pregnancy program. But what happened? She regressed two years, and it’s possible she will say the same thing again after two more years. So, what’s the point of waiting for so long? And even then, there’s no guarantee that Cesilia will decide to have a child when God grants her the blessing.
Can you imagine what will happen if not? Automatically, Alexander will have a child in about five to six more years. What will Alexander’s age be then? At what age will he have a child? When he becomes old, his child will just reach adolescence. When he’s gone, his child won’t understand how harsh the world can be.
Mama also won’t be able to see her grandchildren grow up. As you know, this old woman is not healthy like the others. She has been frequently in and out of the hospital, so it’s not wrong for Alexander to follow Mama’s wish, with the hope of no divorce between Alexander and Casandra, of course.”
Frans nodded, now understanding what prompted Meri to insist on pairing Alexander with Casandra. Moreover, seeing how Casandra behaved toward Alexander, she appeared kind and obedient.
She also showed politeness and friendliness in her speech. In just one meeting, Frans could already evaluate Casandra’s character. Not like Cesilia when Alexander first introduced her as his girlfriend several years ago.
“I think there’s no point in defending Alexander or Cesilia anymore, because what Mama says is the truth.” Frans straightened his back, holding Meri’s hand to assure her that he was on her side. “So, tell me what I should do to make Mama’s plan work smoothly. Of course, Alexander cannot immediately fall in love with Casandra, given Cesilia’s significant influence in his life.”
“Do you really want to help Mama?” Meri was genuinely happy to hear Frans’ support.
“Of course, I believe that Mama’s wishes are all for the best of Alexander. As a mother, Mama wouldn’t want to lead her own flesh and blood towards destruction.”
“Of course.” Meri was very enthusiastic.
“So, what do you think, Frans? What should we do to make Alexander truly start a new life with Casandra? Mama won’t demand that Alexander divorce Cesilia, but I believe that if Casandra is a good girl, she can gradually make Alexander forget Cesilia. It’s not good to make our own child divorce his wife, but what can we do? All of this happened because of Cesilia’s actions, and Mama believes that out there, Cesilia might not be able to maintain her love for Alexander. She lives freely without any supervision.”
Again, Frans nodded, agreeing with what Meri said.
So far, Alexander had never suspected anything Cesilia did outside, while his wife was busy working with many other young directors or photographers. Sometimes collaborating with famous actors, both single and married, Cesilia could possibly be playing with fire behind Alexander’s back.
However, he never knew. Either because Alexander was too trusting or Cesilia was skilled at manipulating the situation. Nevertheless, Frans hoped that Cesilia had never strayed from her role as a wife.
“How about we first see Alexander’s condition? If it improves a little, then I will arrange a way for them to go somewhere. I’m sure that with that, Alexander will have the desire to do it with Casandra.”
“Really?”
“Of course, Mama. Like he doesn’t know how our son is.” A cunning grin formed on Frans’ lips.
“Oh, thank goodness. Mama should have asked for your help from the beginning, using your approach. You truly are Mama’s son, even though you weren’t born from Mama’s womb. But you always support what Mama says. I’m very fortunate to have known you, Frans.”
“And I feel the same way. Thank you for being a substitute mother for me. As you know, there’s no one else who cares for me. It’s been difficult for God to give me trials, but with your and Alexander’s presence, I can go through everything well.”
“I hope that someday you will find a replacement for Vivian, so you can also find happiness like Alexander. In any case, all the good prayers are for you, my dear,” Meri said sincerely, giving her prayers for Frans.
Frans smiled, pulling Meri’s hand tightly. “Thank you, Ma. I hope God grants Mama’s prayers.” He was truly at peace whenever he spoke with this middle-aged woman because for a long time, Frans only had a father after losing his mother and wife a few years ago. If it weren’t for Meri, Frans might not be standing here, strong and fine.
He was really stressed after losing two women he loved in a short span of time.