Forced to Be Stepmom
Little Progress Vio

Since Andra is now at Leo's house, Radit returns to pick up Lathan the afternoon after returning home from work. He parked his car not far from Lathan's school gate. Radit waited in the car while studying the documents to be checked.

As soon as the son walked out of the school gate, Radit put down his documents and got out of the car to approach Lathan.

"Battle!" lathan shouted while running as she looked at Radit .

"Crawler Papi! Shouldn't you still not scream? Doesn't your throat hurt".

Lathan simply shook her head while smiling cheerfully at Radit.

"How was today? Is everything okay?".

Radit asked gently as Lathan was already in front of him.

"I did everything well. It's just .. somehow the teachers are acting strange to me today" said Lathan who complained of being spoiled with pursed lips.

Radit scrunched his forehead hearing the story from his son. At the same time the teachers who were about to leave the school also looked at Radit with strange looks. Of course, that makes Radit even more confused.

"Why are they acting so weird? Did something happen before? Or maybe someone told you something?".

Radit is increasingly curious about what happened at the Lathan school.

"I was tortured by my mother".

"What?! How could there be such an obscure rumor?! Are they crazy!".

Radit shouted in annoyance at what Lathan said.

"I also don't know where the rumor came from, but what I do know is that the beginning of the rumor was after I got home from the hospital. They think this accident I've been in is because of a mother". Lathan told Radit in a slightly upset manner.

"Huh! It doesn't make sense! Never mind. Let's go home. Mommy must have been waiting for us".

Radit spoke again in a calm manner as he talked about Andra.

"Yes, Pih. Let's gohome!". Lathan smiled cheerfully as Radit invited her home.

Radit nodded and helped Lathan into the car. Just as he was about to get into the car, Radit cursory glares at some of the mother teachers who kept staring at him from the gates of Lathan school.

"But, what should we do now? Is Papi going to let the rumors about mami just like that?".

Lathan who kept thinking about Andra again discussed the issue of false rumors to Radit.

Radit who was driving looked focused and occasionally turned to Lathan who was beside him.

"Ehm .. for now we let it go. But don't let your mom know about this. Do you know that mom is pregnant? That wouldn't be good for mom's health".

Radit told Lathan in a calm manner. He could not. take careless steps just because of a rumor alone because it was still unproven.

"Yes, Pih. I understand". Lathan nodded in agreement with what Radit had said.

"Smart child" Radit said as he gently rubbed Lathan's head with a sweet smile on his lips.

They continued their journey to Leo's house quietly.

...****************...

At Leo's house.

Andra is spending time with Vio. He kept talking and made Vio to keep paying attention to him.

"Mama, do you know that now many models are starting to play movies? Now there is a new movie and one of the artists is a famous model".

Andra always talks about something related to the model, because Vio will only react with something related to Lea.

"Models? The film? Did ya? Are they talented?".

"Of course, Mah. She is a famous and talented model. His career in the world of cinema is also not to be doubted. What do you want to see the movie like?".

Vio nodded in agreement and looked enthusiastic when Andra invited him to see the film.

"Then we can watch in the multimedia room. I've got the movie. Go, Mah!".

Andra immediately moved from her seat and walked side by side with Vio to the multimedia room.

From behind, Leo, who was watching television, smiled to see his current wife begin to smile again.

"Mama sit here. I'll play the movie. Wait a minute, Mah".

Andra helps Vio sit down and prepares to play the movie they are about to watch.

"Now we can watch. Uh wait. Do you want me to bring you a snack for us to watch?".

Andra stood up again before she started watching the movie.

"Can I have some apple juice?" asked Vio hesitatingly.

"of course. I'm going to have my aunt make some apple juice for Mama" Andra said as she walked out to ask the maid for juice.

Vio waited quietly in the multimedia room. Not long after, Andra returned with a tray in his hand containing 2 glasses of juice and also 2 other types of snacks in a jar.

"Well now we can start watching" cried Andra while playing the film he had prepared.

Andra plays a romantic film about the journey of a model who must pass the twists and turns in the course of her career. There is a comedy served.

Andra noticed Vio who looked quite enjoying it. She smiles, gets angry and complains, but when the film ends with the happiness of the model and her lover, Vio cries bitterly.

"Hu .. uuu …".

Andra continued to give tissue to her mother-in-law.

"Mama, why is Mama crying? Do they live happily after many obstacles to achieve their goals?" asked Andra who looked curious and confused while occasionally turning to a television screen that was quite large in size.

"That ... I remember my daughter .. hiks ...hiks .. why can they be happy when my daughter is not? hiks .. hiks .." Vio answered with a sobbing while wiping his tears and snot with a tissue.

Andra smiled at Vio's reply. That means Vio is starting to understand that Lea is gone.

"Mama, this is just a movie. They are set in a scenario that is designed by humans to pass obstacles first before finally being happy at the end of the story. As for Leah, we cannot arrange her to be happy in this world, but God has arranged the happiness of Leah and her husband in Heaven. So Mama should also help Lea to make her happy. It is by praying for Leah. And Mama also had to live happily so that Leah's cake would be happy to see Mama from up there Heaven".

Andra spoke with a calm demeanor and a gentle smile. He also gently wiped the tears flowing from both of Vio's cheeks.

"Is Lea happy?" ask Vio curiously.

"Of course Lea is happy. She could be with her husband and Leah did not feel any more pain. So Lea must be happy in Heaven"

Andra explained with great confidence that Vio also believed in what he said.

"So there's nothing bad about Leah anymore? No one's trying to harm him anymore?".

Vio kept asking to reassure himself of his concern over Lea all along.

"No, Mama. No one can hurt or be evil to Leah. The Lord has kept Leah beside Him".

Vio nodded his head as Andra explained Lea's state to him.

From the doorway, Leo smiled as he watched the conversation between his wife and daughter-in-law. Even he was unaware of the arrival of Radit and also Lathan who had stood behind him.

"When did Papa like to peek? I didn't know Papa had such a habit"