Mathelina
Chapter 18's

Monika kissed the hand of the Goddess who had also just entered the living room. She returned from her divorce trial and bought some things at the mall. Both of his hands were full of bags.

"Matthew came home, Ma?" tanyanya.

Goddesses frowning. "No."

The same answer was said by Bi Jumi, when Monika asked him while shaking her head.

"What's the matter, Monik?" ask Goddess.

The reason, Monika saw Matthew's car drove from the opposite direction, when his car was going to go home. At first glance, he saw someone in the car with him, but did not see clearly who the figure was.

"Ah, no, Ma," she replied, smiling forcefully. "Yes, already. I'm going upstairs first, okay?"

While walking upstairs, each up the stairs one by one, Monika's brain rested on what she saw earlier. What else did his sister do? Could it be that was with her Elina? But right, Elina went along with her friend. Did he ask Matthew?

-;-;-;-

Matthew seemed to notice the mouth movements of Elina who was chewing fried rice with pleasure. He did not eat, not because this food was sold in a simple stall, but seeing Elina eat this gluttony made him full. Maybe he would give her fried rice to Elina.

Erick said that if Elina's body weight is very small, it can affect the baby. So, Elina must add a portion of intake that is more than usual. So, Matthew asked him to eat, let's all have dinner at a restaurant. But, why would they even get lost in this simple fried rice stall?

Elina asked for it. Elina the peeper. Maybe the desire of the baby, thought Matthew who read it on the internet some time ago.

Matthew pushed his plate towards Elina. "spent it."

Elina was stunned looking at him. "Why don't you eat, sir? You don't like it?"

Mister? Matthew closed his eyes, holding back his sense of regret. Elina, this man is the father of the baby you're carrying. So, there was no need to be formal with her.

"Elina, can you just call me by my name? Here we are just the two of us. At home, you can call me that, okay?"

Elina was silent for a moment, digesting Matthew's words before she nodded in understanding.

"Elina, the doctor said that your body weight is less, so you have to eat a lot" Matthew said again.

"Yes" Elina answered.

Erick also said that Elina should not be too tired, stressed, let alone lifting heavy items. So, he decided: "You should also stop working."

"Stopped?" Elina's forehead frowned. "But Sir, I—"

"Matthew," the man said.

"Yes, Matthew .. but I've only worked there for a month. It might stop suddenly. I also have to support my mother and sister."

"alright. I'll send you money every month" Matthew said quickly.

Elina clenched her mouth. Very rude, according to him. It is free to argue with a hot heart. It seemed, negotiating with a bit softened was better.

"Okay, look at it. Next week I work for a month. After that, I stopped. How's it?"

Matthew does not seem to agree. He thought long enough. "But why wait that long?"

Elina placed her spoon on the plate, staring at Matthew defiantly. "Then give Ms. Monika a good reason, if I suddenly stop working."

"Hmm ... Just tell me you're not at home?"

Elina shakes. "Lack of logic. Your family treated me well. Suddenly stopping work will make them suspicious. So, my advice earlier was the most appropriate."

Matthew tilted his head. This girl suddenly so much talk like this? Even though his tone was still flat and calm. He thought, there might be some point to this girl's advice. Then Matthew glanced at Elina who was also glancing at him while feeding a spoonful of fried rice into his mouth.

"Well," said Matthew, "but you have to take care of yourself, don't over-fors your body at work. And Justin, you gotta watch out for him, he's gonna kick your belly."

Elina smiled. This cold man is too much. Justin is a well-educated boy, who might do the indecision. But this baby is so lucky, his father cares so much about him. His heart is now broken.

Married without love to this man? Maybe it's not bad.

-;-;-;-

It's been almost 10 years, imagine! This villa still looks the same, well maintained. Matthew was amazed as he stepped back on the cobblestone path towards the mansion surrounded by vast gardens.

In this house there was a maid and a gardener, who were a married couple. They have served for a long time, until their children helped guard this villa.

Aunt Sari left the kitchen only to welcome their arrival. And Mr. Tatang put down any grass scissors, to bring the things they brought.

"How are you, Madam?" said Bi Sari.

"Well," replied the Goddess as she walked in.

Matthew asks Elina to hand Justin over to his cradle. He said, "I want to hold my niece." But that's not the only reason. He did not want Elina tired of carrying Justin's body that was getting heavier. After all, that reason was to ward off Monika's suspicions.

Bi Sari had already prepared rooms for each of her employers. "And I have also prepared a crib for Young Master Justin in Miss Monika's room."

Monika smiled, satisfied with the alertness of Bi Sari. "Yes, Matthew, please give Justin to Elina. And you're Elina, put Justin to bed in that room." Monika pointed to a room upstairs, to the right of the end of the house.

Elina nodded, then stretched out her hand towards Matthew to give Justin into her cradle. But Matthew shook his head, instead walking upstairs without saying anything. Elina followed all of them.

Matthew stops, and finally hands Justin into the hands of Elina. "This. Now put him there."

Elina gawked, it turned out that they had arrived in front of Monika's room. Matthew opened the door and invited Elina to come inside.

Elina cursed, the man had outwitted her. Why would he do this? Didn't she realize, Monika had been watching them since Matthew had taken Justin to the room and Elina was chasing behind?

Put Justin in a crib of old brown teak wood. Patted lightly Justin's chest until his anxiety disappeared, and returned to sleep. Then, he looked.

The man was watching a scene outside his newly opened window. The cold wind was blowing slowly. Elina could feel the fresh air she was breathing.

"It turns out this crib is still there" said Matthew while rubbing the edge of the crib with his fingertips. "It's mine once, now it's worn by Justin. Will it be passed on to the child?"

Elina lowered her gaze to her still flat stomach.

Matthew turned around, stepped back onto the balcony and leaned against the fence. Here, he could see the side gardens, mountains, and vast tea gardens belonging to his family.

In this villa, his intact family spent half his long vacation. And here's what kept him separated from his mother for 10 years.

Elina did not budge there, standing watching the man's burly back, without saying anything. Maybe Matthew is enjoying the scenery, or memories that have been recorded in this place. He let it dissolve, focusing on Justin even though his mind flew elsewhere.

Then, Matthew said suddenly, "The air here is very good for you. So if you want, I'll keep you company."

"That's right" said Monika, who appeared without them noticing.

Matthew turned around, while Elina turned her head, both eyes widened in shock.

"Hey, why?" exclaim Monika, chuckle. "Your faces are pale, like they're hiding something?"

"This brother. Really like to appear suddenly—kayak ghost only," Matthew grumbled.

Instead of being offended, Monika laughed as she walked in and approached the crib. "Then, I'm the most beautiful ghost dong?"

Matthew ignored Monika, walking out of the room without saying anything. But Monika was not satisfied to tease her sister. He called Matthew again, before reaching the exit.

"Say she wants to take Elina for a walk. "Go! While waiting for the afternoon. You're not tired, are you, Matthew?"

Honestly, no. But Elina, maybe pretty tired. Traveling a bit far, crossing a crowded and congested road, his back must have been sore.

"Yes, I'm tired." Now his gaze turned to Elina. "So, let's take a walk tomorrow."

Monika noticed the faces of the two men alternated. "Oh, yeah. Elina, you go get some rest. Your room has been prepared by Bi Sari."

Elina smiled blandly then nodded. It's done, right? So, Matthew came out of this room, followed by Elina after.

-;-;-;-

During Junior High, Elina traveled to the top with her teachers and friends. To a hot spring tour, stay at the villa, and visit the strawberry garden. Very delightful.

It's more beautiful here. Elina had peeked out from the back porch yesterday afternoon, there was a tea garden and there was a large artificial garden, where there was a fountain pool, then a small lake surrounded by water plants. Elina was tempted to go there. Maybe after Justin sleeps, he'll explore it for a while.

Around the afternoon. Monika allows Elina to take a walk because Justin has slept. Gleefully, Elina rushed around in the small forest that had a path cast, so as not to make her stray.

Elina looked up, her tree shady, her leaves protecting her from the sunlight. He stepped lightly while looking around, until without feeling the artificial lake was at the end of this road.

With a slow step and a look of amazement, he entered the lake, walking on a pedestal that was to his right-hand side overgrown with lotuses and other aquatic plants. This Titian did not reach the end of the lake. And now, he stopped at the end of the titian.

"Great," he murmured in amazement, looking around the lake.

The water is green but clean. The fish sometimes jumped up and down, making Elina flinch. He closed his eyes, closed his eyes. How could this family make a place this beautiful? But unfortunately, they came here only once in a while.

He was stunned, opening his eyes as someone covered his body with a rather long black coat. Elina turned her head, dumbfounded to find the figure of Matthew behind her. He also wears a thick coat of the same color that is light brown.

Matthew inched before him, wearing his oversized coat worn by Elina. He smiled bitterly because Elina looked funny. "Basic short."

Shorty? Grunts Elina in heart, offended.

"It's cold in here, you should wear a jacket when you get out" Matthew said, folding the coat collar inside.

Elina was silent, staring at Matthew. This guy caught up to her carrying another coat for her? Why does her heart feel warm again by every concern? What are you doing to me, Matthew?

"How did you know I was here?" elina asked, after a long time of astonishment.

"From Monika's sister," replied Matthew.

"Then you came here?"

"Yes." Yeah."

Both are silent. The atmosphere became quiet, there was only the understated bird's scream.

"Come, I'll show you another place."

Matthew let out a soft back of Elina, walking side by side back into the forest. He smiled, touching her even if it was just like this, was enough for him. If you can embrace it too, stroke their child who still lives in Elina's stomach.[]