CHAPTER 113: BABY

It wasn’t that Lola was sneaking away because she had to separate herself from the father and twins, but rather, she knew she had to do something. Tomorrow was the twins’ first day of school, and as a... guardian, she thought she needed to prepare their uniform.

The principal told her the twins could just come to school even without it, but Lola was a little excited.

"These free sizes are really horrible," she mumbled, altering the uniforms in the bedroom. "They will look so cute in this."

With that thought in mind, Lola continued to fix the uniforms that were far too big for the twins. It wasn’t that the twins were small; these sizes were just sewn so badly that they made the twins look even smaller.

"I can already imagine them," she giggled.

For hours, Lola spent her time fixing the sizes of Chacha and Second’s uniforms. Thanks to her late mother, Lola learned these things. She used this skill often, especially in her first life, when she didn’t have much spare money to buy herself new clothes. Hence, she had to be resourceful.

"Done!" Holding Second’s school blouse up, the corners of her mouth stretched from ear to ear. When her eyes veered to the girl’s uniform on the bed, another excited giggle escaped her.

Thinking the twins should try it on first to see if the size was good, she checked the time. It was still fifteen minutes before their bedtime. Knowing the twins’ strict rule about their bedtime, as if they were AIs, Lola scooped up the newly altered uniforms.

Carrying them in her arms, she hurriedly ran out of her bedroom. She expected them to be in the family room with their dad, but they weren’t there.

"Se—" Lola bit her tongue as soon as she saw Atlas standing, his back facing her. Her steps halted, taking a careful step back so as not to bother him.

She already knew where to find the twins if they weren’t here, so she didn’t want to disturb the guy. But just as she tiptoed away, her entire body froze upon hearing Atlas’s quiet voice.

"It’s okay, Baby."

Ba... baby?

Lola’s brows rose as she slowly looked back at him. She blinked and blinked, hearing his quiet voice in the silence.

"...okay," he said, just in time to feel a pair of eyes on him.

Slowly, Atlas looked back and caught Lola several paces away. The second their eyes met, she flinched a bit.

"No, it’s alright," he said.

He lingered on the call for a moment, and after a beat, he ended the call without any farewell. His brows furrowed at the look on her face, and then at the clothes she was hugging.

"Uh, heh." Lola cleared her throat and forced a smile. "I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I thought the twins were here."

She then perked up. "I’ll check on them in their room and see if they can try on their uniforms!"

Without waiting for anything, she ran—fled for her life. Meanwhile, Atlas was left staring at where she had originally stood before she ran like she had some installed turbo on her heel.

He tilted his head. "Is she alright?"

****

"Tada~!" Chacha stood in front of Lola, wearing her uniform over her pajamas. "Mommy, I like this better!"

"It fits me like my skin!" Second tugged his school blouse, beaming. "Mommy, do I look good in this?"

Lola, seated on the edge of the bed, snapped back to her senses. She smiled as she looked at the twins, her cheeks blushing.

"Goodness, you two are so cute," she chuckled, pinching their cheeks. "Isn’t it too tight? Should I make it a bit looser?"

The twins shook their heads.

"I like this better!" Chacha came to her. "Thank you, Mama!"

The little girl stood on her toes and tugged Lola’s arm down. She placed a kiss on her cheek while Second quickly placed a peck on the other cheek.

Pleased, Lola’s eyes softened. "You’ll wear them tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay~!"

The twins happily flaunted their uniforms before she took them off and put them to sleep. Seeing them happy and that their uniforms fit them perfectly made Lola thrilled. However, she couldn’t deny she was a little distracted even after putting them to bed.

Seated on the edge of the bed, she stared at the twins with a slight smile plastered on her face.

"Damn it," she whispered, glancing at the twins just to make sure they were already sleeping. As always, they were sleeping so peacefully.

Another heavy breath slipped past her nostrils as she recalled overhearing Atlas and how he called someone, "baby."

Was it that woman? she wondered. So, they’re really in a relationship?

Looking up, she carefully recalled the woman’s face, body, and demeanor. She pressed her lips into a thin line, shaking her head to get rid of the thought.

Why should I bother? Atlas is a man in his prime, so it’s only natural for him to be in a relationship... with a stunning, smart, and seemingly very successful woman. Someone who can match his level of success.

She snapped her eyes at the twins, caressing their cheeks with the back of her fingers.

"I shouldn’t bother," she told herself. "Being their babysitter is fine with me."

Her smile stretched a little. "Goodnight, sweethearts."

With that, Lola pushed herself up and quietly walked toward the door. Before she reached for the knob, she looked back and smiled. Lola switched off the lights before she walked out, still carrying the uniforms draped over her arm.

But as she closed the door behind her, her steps were halted when she caught a figure leaning against the wall a few paces from the door. Slowly, she turned her head to where Atlas was leaning.

"Oh," she cleared her throat. "Sorry. Did I take long inside?"

Atlas looked up at her. "It’s alright."

"Heh..." Lola clutched the uniforms before she smacked her lips. "I altered their uniforms and let them try them on. They’re sleeping now, so... so yeah."

She bit her tongue, trying to maintain a smile. "Good night."

With that, she lowered her gaze and took a step toward him. He was, after all, standing in her path.

Damn it...

She mentally hissed, almost heaving a sigh of relief as she almost walked past him. But then, he spoke, causing her steps to stop.

"Are you angry?"