THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Chapter 8

Alex’s POV

I was fed up with Uriel so decided to go to a mall to relax and cool my head. But I can’t erase my irritation with Nana Lorena. This time, I am really upset with her and that Uriel chose to defend his head servant instead of me. The two appear to be close. He treats that elderly woman more special than me when I am his wife. So annoying!

“Why can’t they just be a couple? After all, they seem so close to each other,” I said smugly as I sipped the pineapple juice I bought from a juice stall. This pineapple juice will help me not have high blood pressure because of those two people.

“Alexa! What are you doing here? Are you shopping alone? Where is Uriel?” a woman who was about to pass by stopped when she saw me. Despite her advanced age, her youthful beauty is still noticeable.

“I-I’m just chilling here,” I politely replied, although I didn’t know her. She mentioned my twin’s name, so they must have known each other. The problem is, I don’t know what to call her, I have no idea who she is. If I call her incorrectly, she will definitely doubt my identity.

“Why didn’t Uriel accompany you? Where is my son? What is he doing?” she asked, one after the other.

I let out a sigh of relief when I heard what she said. So she turns out to be the mother of my grumpy husband, er, Alexa’s wife. I forgot I was just pretending to be his wife. It appears that I am fulfilling my role as his wife and taking the place of my twin seriously.

“Uriel is busy, so he didn’t come with me today, Mom. And I’m only chilling for a while,” I replied, smiling.

“That man really. He’s been so busy that he’s neglecting you,” she remarked, shaking her head before grabbing one of my hands and pulling me along. “Let’s go and do shopping together. Do you know that I wished for a daughter so I have company when doing this kind of thing, but we weren’t blessed. I only gave birth to a son. So let me fulfill my dreams for once and for all.”

I have no choice but to follow Uriel’s mother. I let her buy me things like clothes, shoes, jewelry, and too many other things to mention. I’m not going to bring these things his mother bought me when I leave his house because I know they’re for Alexa. And I can see Uriel’s mother beaming as we go shopping as if I am her own child. At the very least, I’m relieved to know that there is someone who is sincere and will not bully my twin when she returns.

“That’s enough, Mom. We’ve done too much shopping. You might have spent all of your money on buying things for me,” I jokingly said to her. I simply joked about my simple objection to her spending money on me for fear of offending her. Rich people are frequently this way. Being offended when their money is turned down.

“Let it be, Alexa. If my money runs out, we’ll just ask your husband for it,” she replied with a relaxed smile. I just shook my head and said nothing else. “Let’s have a snack first, Alexa. I’m getting hungry from walking.”

Uriel’s mother took me to a social coffee shop that also sells delicious pastries. When I saw how delicious the bread and cakes were, I forgot about my shame. But I didn’t let her see that I was dying to try them, and I restrain myself and let Uriel’s mother decide for me. The steaming social coffee and delectable bread she ordered arrived at our table in a matter of minutes. I was secretly embarrassed because I had no idea what this coffee was called, which had milk on top shaped into a design. Only now have I seen this type of coffee, and only now I can drink it. I only drink cheap coffee sticks without creamer at our house because it’s too expensive. And the coffee shop I used to work didn't have this kind of coffee. But the names of these foods don’t matter to me. When it comes to my stomach, everything just blends.

I eagerly sipped the social coffee. It was so good that I closed my eyes and savored it. When I opened my eyes and saw Uriel’s mother staring at me, I couldn’t help but blush. But the expression on her face isn’t bad. She is smiling at me as if she is pleased with my reaction.

“It is very delicious. So I can’t wait to taste it,” I said as an excuse so I wouldn’t be too embarrassed.

“I like it. We should really savor the delicious foods or drinks that we taste,” she agreed, still wearing her smile. The embarrassment I felt lessened when she imitated what I did. She also closed her eyes while sipping coffee. “It’s delicious. Their latte is really the best, that’s why I always have coffee here, and of course because of their delicious pastries too,” she added.

“You’re right, Mom. Their coffee and pastries here are really delicious,” I said with a smile, agreeing with her. It was as if the embarrassment and shame I was feeling had vanished. Uriel’s mother is pleasant and easy to get along with. I wished my mother-in-law would be like her when I finally got married in the future to my real husband. “By the way, Mom, why didn’t you have a daughter?” I thought about asking. She clearly desires a daughter, but why is Uriel their only child?

“I have a heart condition, Alexa. It’s a blessing that I was able to give birth to Uriel. Back then, both of our lives were in danger, so when my son and I survived, the doctor advised me not to have another child or else, I might not handle it and die,” she told me with a sad face. “I’m thankful that I’m still alive, and I’m also thankful that I was able to witness my son get married.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I made you remember—”

“It’s okay, Alexa,” she said. “Even though I don’t have a daughter, I’m happy with my son because he loves me so much, and I’m even happier because you came into our lives. Do you know that the first time I saw you, I immediately wanted you to become my daughter-in-law? That’s why I was so happy when I found out that you two were going to get married. Even though I couldn’t attend your wedding because I was hospitalized at that time, I’m still very happy that my son married you and not his head servant’s daughter.”

Now I understand why Uriel chose to marry Alexa despite his dislike for her. It turns out that my twin is exactly what his mother desires for him. And because Uriel loved his mother so much, he married Alexa, even though it was said that their marriage is only a contract marriage. I felt guilty because of what she said. How will she react when she finds out that I’m not really her daughter-in-law? I was suddenly stunned when I remembered the last thing she said, which seemed to have just sunk into my brain. Daughter of Uriel’s head servant? It means that Uriel has a relationship with the daughter of Nana Lorena. That explains why that old woman is grumpy at me, her daughter is Uriel’s ex-girlfriend. But where is she? Why didn’t the two stay together?

“Is Nana Lorena’s daughter Uriel’s ex-girlfriend? Where is she now?” I couldn’t stop asking out of curiosity.

“Yes. My son’s ex-girlfriend is Sandy, Lorena’s daughter. But she’s gone now. She’s dead. I’m not saying that I was happy when that girl died. All I wanted was for them not to stay together. I honestly don’t like that mother and daughter. But I never argued with my son because I know how much he loved that woman,” Uriel’s mother continued to tell me.

“What happened that Nana Lorena’s daughter died?” I asked again. Perhaps, because of the death of his girlfriend, Uriel became grumpy.

“The car Uriel was driving collided with a big truck. They were both hospitalized, but unfortunately, Sandy lost her life. Her face was unrecognizable because of the accident. Since then, my son’s behavior has changed. He blames himself for the death of that girl,” she said, shaking her head as she told me about the accident that caused her son’s behavior to change.

“He probably loves Sandy so much that he’s unable to accept the death of his girlfriend,” I commented after hearing everything. I didn’t understand why I felt a fine pinch in my chest, but I quickly brushed it off and didn’t pay any more attention.

“You’re right, Alexa. He loves that girl very much. She’s the same age as him, and she was just a child when Lorena brought her into our house. Uriel took her and her mother to his house when he had his own house. Then they became closer to each other. If Sandy hadn’t died, they would definitely be married now.”

That’s right. He and Sandy would be married now. Alexa wouldn’t kidnap me either, so I wouldn’t know I have a twin.

“I think it’s better if we talk about the happy things that happened in our lives rather than the sad ones, because it ruins the mood,” I joked to Uriel’s mother as her cheerful aura faded.

“You’re right,” she agreed with a smile, her happy aura returning instantly. We only discussed things that were enjoyable. And she couldn’t stop laughing at the ridiculous things I told her. We had forgotten about time because of our happy conversation.

“Oh, it’s late, Alexa. My son is definitely looking for you now. My husband might be worried about me too,” she said when she noticed the time on her watch. “I’ll have my driver drop you off before I go home so I can visit my son, who is very busy.”

“Alright, Mom,” I answered with a smile. It would be better if Uriel’s mother took me so that I would not immediately be greeted with anger by her unruly son. Worried about me? Maybe he’ll be much happier if I don’t come back. I am against her saying that his son is now looking for me. Maybe he will look for his old servant even more as she was the one to disappear. Of course, it's because she is the mother of the woman he loves, so he will really take care of her and consider that old woman no different from his mom, especially since he blames himself for Sandy’s death. Suddenly, I thought about the appearance and behavior of Uriel’s ex-girlfriend, whom he loved so much. I wonder what kind of woman Sandy is.

When we exited the mall, we were met by Uriel’s mother’s driver, who was waiting near the mall’s main entrance. Uriel’s house is not far from the mall I visited, so we arrived in less than 30 minutes. I hadn’t even opened the car door when I noticed Uriel standing outside his house near the gate as if he was expecting someone. When he saw me getting out of his mother’s car, his face darkened and he rushed over to me. When he saw his mother getting out of the car after me, his dark expression quickly disappear.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Sweetheart,” Uriel said with a smile. But I know that smile is fake. He probably wants to eat me alive right now.

Since I had my back turned to Uriel’s mother, she couldn’t see my expression. I didn’t return his greeting with a plastic smile, instead, I smirked at him. I suddenly remembered that he sided with his maid even though he didn’t know what really happened.

I thought he was going to go past me to meet his mother, but I was shocked when he stopped in front of me and, without a word, he held my neck and then kissed me hard on the lips. His kiss only lasted about two seconds, but it was enough to make me stunned and lose myself for a moment.