A/N Hello again, this is another story from another tv show. This story means so much for me because it reminds me of a mother's love for her child. A mother will do anything for the good and safety of her child. Again, i don't own anything and the idea belongs to Sinemart. Hope you guys like it. Enjoy!
Iduna traced her one month old daughter's face with the tip of her finger. Her eyes seemed unable to see anything else around her because something in her arms was the most precious thing she had ever had. She ignored the jolt of the vehicle she was in, when it passed the rocky road. She ignored the fact that soon she would be separated from her daughter. The fact that she would never be able to hold her daughter ever again.
Her tears slowly dripped without her noticing. The corner of her lips twitched into a smile, betraying her heart which tightened with emotion. Her laugh broke when her index finger stuck on the mouth of the baby, who reflexively tasted off expecting to be breastfed. However, her joy didn't last long. Sobs replaced her laugh and for this time, Iduna couldn't stop crying. Then, she hugged her daughter and closed her eyes tightly.
"We are here, Ma'am." The voice of the driver made her open her eyes and looked around her. She could clearly see a sign that read MOTHER'S LOVE, THE ORPHANAGE, not far away from where the driver parked the vehicle. Iduna cleaned her cheeks from the tears and got ready to get out.
"Here. Thank you. Keep the change." Iduna said, held out some money for the driver.
After Iduna was in front of the gate of an old building that was still very well preserved, Iduna was still trying to convince herself that what she was doing, was the right thing to do. Iduna once again looked at her daughter, slowly landed a warm kiss on her baby's forehead.
"You are going to be a very beautiful girl, Darling." Iduna said softly. She then smiled and in an instant felt confident that she did the right thing. Slowly she opened the gate and stepped inside.
Iduna steps became more stable when she entered the courtyard of the building. She pushed through the main entrance and saw a woman with glasses behind the information desk. The woman that she knew would take care of her daughter with all of her heart. With all kindness and love. With something she gladly gave, but couldn't.
"Good afternoon." Iduna greeted. Making the woman behind the desk looked up, her eyes widened slightly when she saw Iduna. She immediately stood up and walked around the desk to face Iduna.
"Iduna?" Gerda asked incredulously.
"Gerda." Said Iduna under her breath. Her throat tightened trying to hold back the sobs that wanted to escape for the umpteenth time that day. Her eyes glistened with tears as Gerda pulled her into a hug.
"How have you been? Where were you?" Gerda's eyes then landed on the baby in Iduna's arms once she pulled away from the hug. "And who's this?"
Without answering Gerda's question, Iduna handed the baby over. "This is my daughter. Will you take care of her for me? I'll come by every month to give you money and everything she needs. Not much, but I'll try my best." Iduna looked up to meet Gerda's eyes. Desperate look met confused look.
Gerda sighed softly. "Let's sit down first, Iduna. Tell me what this is all about. I haven't seen you in years, and now, you have a daughter and you want me to take care of her? What happened?"
"I can't stay for too long, Gerda. Please?" Iduna pleaded, her tears once again rolled down her cheeks. And because Gerda was still looking at her with questioning eyes, she continued. "I want you to take care of her because she can't be with me. She can't live with me. She will have a better life with you. She will have a better future with you—"
"But why?" Gerda cut Iduna off. "You are her mother. Why can't she be with you?"
Iduna tried to hold back tears and composed herself. "Because I'm embarrassed. When she grows up, I don't want her to know that her mother is…" Iduna looked away. Already embarrassed with what she was trying to say. "I don't want her to know that her mother is a prostitute."
Gerda gasped. "What?" Gerda hardly met Iduna's gaze. Gerda tried to look for a sign that she was joking. Could this be a prank? Gerda had known Iduna since she was in high school. She often volunteered to help with various activities at the orphanage. Even though she was a quiet and didn't talk much, Gerda knew that she had a kind heart. The fact that she said she was a prostitute, shock was an understatement.
"You heard me, Gerda. I don't want her to know that her mother is a prostitute. She will have a better life here. A better future. Without me. Please? I promise I will come by every month." Iduna then looked at her daughter. "And if someday she asks who her parents are, please just tell her that her parents are dead." Said Iduna, her voice trembling, her eyes pleading.
Gerda then looked at the baby in her arms. A cute little baby with platinum blonde hair, a pointed nose, chubby pinkish cheeks, and pale skin. The baby began to squirm and whimper, knowing that she was no longer in her mother's arms. Gerda's motherly instinct was touched and started rocking the baby up and down, trying to calm her down.
"Hush now, little baby. You are safe here. Calm down, honey. What is her name?" Asked Gerda looked up from the baby.
Iduna sighed, stared at the floor. "Name is a prayer. And I'm too despicable to pray. Someone like me doesn't have the privilege to give such a beautiful baby girl a name."
"Name is indeed a prayer. And would be more precious if given by her mother. No matter what her mother's job is." Gerda smiled softly. Pushed back every question that remained in her head. Decided that there was no need to ask anymore. What Iduna did by giving her baby to her, she knew she had already thought about it. There was no other choice.
"Elsa. Her name is Elsa." Iduna replied, her voice so small. Even Gerda almost missed it.
"Elsa? Elsa who?"
"Elsa. Just Elsa."
Gerda nodded, a little surprised when suddenly Iduna approached and landed a very gentle and warm kiss on Elsa's forehead. She smiled sadly, she caressed the baby's cheek and without a word, she turned around and left her daughter with her.
25 Years Later
"Miss Elsa, can I give you a hug, please?" A five year old girl with curly blonde hair asked, her hands reached out trying to get Elsa's attention. This action made other children try to get close to Elsa too.
"Me too, Miss Elsa! Me too!" The other kids shouted. Made Elsa giggle and knelt down before the children without hesitation.
"Come here, guys. Group hugs!" Elsa spread her arms, and in a second, Elsa was attacked by children who wanted to hug her. She laughed whole heartily and looked at Gerda who was standing on the terrace of the building where they were now.
"Kids! Enough already. We don't want to hurt Miss Elsa, do we?" Said Gerda, patted the head of one of the children who were still enthusiastically hugging Elsa. Slowly, the children started to back away and finally Elsa could breathe a sigh of relief. Elsa smiled, rose to her feet while tidying her skirt.
"Why does it always have to be like this, Gerda? Not that I don't like it, but I didn't realize that they love me that much." Said Elsa, looked at the children one by one. One of them was still tugging Elsa's skirt.
"Because they do really love you, Elsa. Besides, they know that you are the biggest donor to this orphanage." Gerda explained. Elsa shrugged at this, like it was nothing.
"This orphanage once was my home and I will still think of it as my own home. I'll do everything I can to help." Elsa held the child who was tugging her skirt closer, a smile plastered on her face.
"I just hope that God will repay all your kindness, Elsa."
Elsa sighed softly. "Thank you, Gerda." Once again Elsa stared at the faces in front of her before returned her gaze to Gerda. "I have to go back to the office now. I'll come back another time." Elsa pulled Gerda into a hug, inhaling her scent of cinnamon and palm sugar. Oh how Elsa missed Gerda's cinnamon cupcakes.
"Be careful and take care, alright?" Gerda grabbed Elsa's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I will." With that, Elsa bided everyone goodbye and slowly turned around, headed to her waiting car. Her driver Kai, already opened the backseat door for her.
But, suddenly Elsa felt like someone was watching her. She could feel it, she looked around trying to find someone who was watching her, until she saw a window, the curtain swayed slightly. Elsa stared at it for a while, but no one was there. Elsa decided that it was just her feelings and wasted no time getting into the car.
Iduna felt very proud when she saw her daughter had grown into a beautiful, independent and successful young woman. Never once did it cross her mind to be ungrateful. What she did years ago made her no longer able to love Elsa directly, but at least, her decision made Elsa live a better life than hers.
She observed Elsa who was interacting with the children from the window of a room in the building, Elsa was dressed into a fancy suit and her hair was up in a bun. She felt a little disappointment when she saw the signs that Elsa would soon leave the orphanage from her regular visit. She saw Elsa hugging each other with Gerda, her heart sank at the thought that she should be able to hug her too. How does it feel to be hugged by your daughter?
Something inside her seemed to be pushing her out of the room, running towards her daughter, holding her tight and never letting go again. However, a small voice in her head reminded her again. Who are you anyway? Wish a hug from her when you threw her away years ago? Are you out of your mind?
The train of thoughts in her head made her barely notice that Elsa was turning her gaze at her. One second she didn't move away, Elsa might be able to see her. She stepped away from the window and stood leaning against the wall next to the window. Her hands folded in front of her chest, feeling her heart was about to escape from her throat. After a while, she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the sound of a car starting and slowly left the building.
"I'm really sure that you want to meet her, Iduna." Gerda's words made Iduna snapped her head and brought her back to her feet. "You want to meet Elsa and tell her the truth that you are her mother. And I have no doubt that Elsa will accept you no matter what." Gerda walked closer to Iduna. Gerda had repeatedly discussed this with Iduna that telling Elsa the truth would be good for the both of them. Sure it would take some time to reach an understanding, but it would be worth it.
"I don't want to her to know that her mother is a prostitute, Gerda. I've already told you about this multiple time. Can you see? She is a successful, smart, and a very beautiful young woman. I don't deserve to be her mother." Iduna said, her eyes wandered anywhere but Gerda's, especially at the last words.
"Whatever your job is, you've paid for her life."
"I only paid for her life until she was twelve." Iduna cut Gerda off. "If only the Winters Family hadn't adopted her, I wouldn't be able to afford her college. She won't be who she is now."
"But it was you who gave birth to her, Iduna." Gerda said still trying to convince.
The fact that Gerda said, made Iduna run out words. She didn't know how to answer. She knew Gerda had a point, but she also didn't think it was the best that could be done. Her job is a disgrace which she think would destroy Elsa's life.
"I'm sorry, I have to go. Thank you for everything you have given and done to my daughter." Iduna then rushed to leave, but when Iduna was about to reach the door, Gerda held her back.
"Iduna." Gerda held out something. "This is Elsa's business card. If you ever change your mind." Gerda smile encouraging. She insisted on giving Iduna the card even though doubts clearly showed on Iduna's face. Gerda then shoved the card into Idunna's palm. Having no other choice, Iduna accepted it and read it briefly.
"Thank you." Iduna said, and then left.
"What?! He got away again?" Elsa massaged the bridge of her nose. News from Jack pissed her off. She was still in her car on the way back home after a tiring day later that night, and what she heard right now, made her angry even more. "Haven't we helped Bunny? And, the evidence that we have given to the court, should be enough to drag him to prison."
"I don't understand, Els. I really don't understand. All the evidence incriminated him. The female worker agency is bullshit!"
"That's not all, Jack. I'm pretty sure that that female worker will be turned into a prostitute."
"I know. And that's been going on, like what? Decades! From there alone, he has managed to collect millions. Not to mention from his other business. Drugs! Firearms smuggling! Illegal logging! Human trafficking!"
Elsa could hear loud thuds, no doubt coming from Jack's fist striking the table surface. "The craziest one, Jack, and what I hate the most is the case of female worker agency. Had he never thought that the women he made a prostitute have a conscience?" Elsa let out a long, heavy breath. "I will drag him to prison by myself. Okay, Jack? Bye."
"Bye, Els. See you tomorrow."
Elsa threw her cellphone next to her, rubbed her tired face and took another deep breath. Months of works she hoped would drag her nemesis to prison returned to no avail. Throughout her career as a lawyer, there had only one criminal whom she had not been able to bring to prison until now. She knew very well what crimes he had committed, but because he was so cunning and clever, he could always escape the trap of the law. Her determination grew even stronger to drag Manny Frost to the prison with her own hands.
"There you are!"
A loud voice made Iduna stopped dead in her track. The key she was holding almost fell but her quick reflexes prevented that from happening, she turned around hoping for the worst. From the screeching voice that stung her ears, she knew who the owner of the voice was. Madam Ursula was not someone she expected to meet now, but actually she knew that sooner or later Madam Ursula would meet her.
Iduna dared to lift her face and her heart sank to see the evil face of Madam Ursula. Both eyebrows raised dramatically making her look wicked, both hands on her hips. Around the apartment complex that she rented, there were actually many other options, but the fact that Madam Ursula's flat was the cheapest, she had no other choice.
"Good evening, Madam. What can I do for you?" Iduna asked, trying not to sound scared.
Ursula snorted, and then her ruthless laugh filled the hallway. "Very funny, you whore! What can I do for you? Is that the best you can ask?" Once again, she laughed. But in an instant, her facial expression drastically changed. Her wicked face returned and she stretched out one hand, palm facing up. "Where is my money? You said last week that you would pay it as soon as possible." She then flicked her fingers. "Come on, where's my money?"
Iduna fidgeted the key in her hands. "I'm sorry. I can't give you money I promised. I don't have it right now." And seeing Ursula's nostrils rise and fall rapidly, she knew that the woman in front of her had a very thin patience. "But, I promise to give you the money tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. I'll give you the money." She tried to sound sure.
Ursula observed Iduna, her eyes squinted dangerously, then moved her hand that was stretched out and pointed at Iduna right on her chest. "Tomorrow, you bitch! Tomorrow. You're three months late paying rent. I know that as a whore, not many men still want to use you like when you were young. You're old, wrinkled. They prefer young, smooth and sexy." Ursula took a step forward, her breath gushed into Iduna's face. "If tomorrow you still don't give me the money, only God knows what you will end up with. Do you understand?!"
Iduna stared at Ursula with eyes already filled with tears threatening to come out. She was so grateful that Elsa didn't see her like this, and it warmed her heart. Just the thought of her daughter had kept her up to this point. If she could turn back time, she probably wouldn't have chosen the path of becoming a prostitute. Back then, she was very young, very naive. All she could think of was how she could fill her stomach. And stupidly, she chose an instant exit that trapped her and couldn't get out again easily. But, if she at that time had chosen another path, she wouldn't have had Elsa and she wouldn't have wanted that, she was still grateful for what she had been through, and her greatest blessing, Elsa. Just thinking about Elsa, Iduna was determined to last one more day.
"Tomorrow." Said Iduna, hold back her tears.
Ursula stared at Iduna for a few seconds, then with a flash of lightning flicked her finger hard on Iduna's forehead. She staggered backwards until her back hit the door of her flat. The key she had been holding fell to the floor.
"I'll be here tomorrow night at the same time." And with that, Ursula turned around and left.
Iduna picked up the key of her flat and no longer had the urge to go inside. Suddenly she remembered Elsa's business card that Gerda gave her this afternoon. Her meeting with Ursula made her want to see Elsa. She wanted to see her daughter to be able to give peace in her heart and mind. She wiped the tears with the back of her hand and hurried away from there.
Iduna read carefully the card in her hand, then looked up to see a two-story building in front of her. At the gate there was a sign that read 'Winters Resident', exactly as written on the card. She swallowed hard, what was in front of her wasn't just a house, it was more like a mansion, a white and dark gray mansion. Curiosity made her slowly reach for the gate and try to peek inside. She stood on tiptoes and tried to see what was it like behind the gate.
Her heart almost fell out when the gate she was holding suddenly moved. Someone in a security uniform tried to open the gate wide. She took a few steps back, and this time, she could clearly see the appearance of the mansion in front of her without the gate being a barrier.
HONK!!
Iduna jumped because of the sudden sound of a car horn. She turned and saw a black luxury sedan trying to get into the driveway. And that's when she realized she was standing right in the middle. She then took a few steps back, watching the car slowly enter the driveway. She could catch a glimpse of someone sitting in the backseat, and for a moment felt like they were staring at each other.
Meanwhile, Elsa was using her cellphone when she heard Kai press the car horn, a sign that she had arrived at her house. She looked up after putting the cellphone in her bag, and briefly Elsa saw someone standing in front of her house. She didn't observe any longer because Kai had brought her car to the front porch. As soon as the car stopped, the security immediately opened the car door and waited for her. She quickly took her bag and got out of the car.
"Good evening, Miss Elsa." The security greeted.
"Good evening, Marshall." Elsa replied, giving a slight smile. Even though her face was dull with tiredness, she always tried to be nice to anyone. She was about to enter the house when she remembered something. "Oh, Marshall. I saw a woman in front of the gate. If she's my guest, please send her in, okay? I'll meet her in my study after I clean up."
"I'm sorry, Miss Elsa. I'm not sure that she is your guest. If she's here to see you, she should ring the bell and ask for your time like a normal guest. Sorry, it's not that I'm being rude or anything, but I saw her a few moments before you came, from the CCTV screen." Marshall explained, as a security guard he was responsible for the safety of everyone in the house. Especially Elsa. And because of that, he was used to thinking about the worst.
"Just ask first. If she doesn't want to see me, you can send her away. Politely." Elsa instructed. And after marshall nodded, she took the time to look at the woman she had seen for a second before finally entering the house.
Marshall walked closer to the gate and saw Iduna still standing there. Longing's eyes were clear in her eyes, but he was not trained to recognize such a gaze. He then stood right in front of her, deliberately covering her viewing area from the front door.
"May I help you, Ma'am?"