CHAPTER 35: LOLA’S GOOD-FOR-NOTHING LOSER OF A HUSBAND

Having the twins on the casting crew was a bit complicated. Why? Because even though they were just there to watch, it felt like every actor’s fate was in the palm of their hands. Even Director Sarian would ask for their opinions on the actors, and their answers?

"Maybe if she pinches herself, tears will come out faster," or "Big Brother is not bad... as long as he enters a poetry competition."

There were more—more brutally honest comments. And somehow, everyone was happy with their commentary. Well, it was much better since everyone on this panel was a brutal critic.

Five minutes before Lola’s meeting with the twins’ father, she excused herself. She insisted they continue the audition without her, but everyone simply decided to take a short break as well. And just like that, Lola and the twins headed to the hotel restaurant where their father was waiting.

As they walked, she gazed down at them. Holding their hands, a bitter smile touched her face.

"Did you have fun watching the audition?" She asked, and they happily nodded.

"Mommy, it was fun!" Chacha cheered. "It feels like watching bloopers!"

"We also watch with our Father Sir when he scolds people!" Second added. "But I want to see someone trip!"

Lola’s face twitched a bit before she sighed heavily. Slowing down as they reached the lobby—the only way to the restaurant—Lola squatted down. She held their hands, almost hugging their little hands. For a second, she studied their adorable faces that had brightened her days.

Three days.

That was all she had with them, but in those three days, she felt like she’d adored them longer. Unable to speak for a while, she raised her hands and cupped their cheeks. A lump formed in her throat as she tried to calm the emotions swelling in her heart.

"Twins." Her smile faltered, but she hid it well. "Your dad will be picking you up, alright?"

"Mhm!" the twins nodded with a smile.

Lola’s expression softened, her heart already yearning. Her thumb brushed their soft cheeks as she stared at them, etching their faces into her mind. She knew the possibility of not seeing them again was high, even though deep in her heart, she wanted to keep in touch. Even so, they were not her kids, and no matter how attached she felt, it wouldn’t change the truth that they weren’t hers.

"I’ll miss you," she whispered, forcing a smile. "Be good kids, alright?"

The twins nodded again, still smiling. Hence, Lola wore the biggest smile she could muster. After another moment, she mustered the courage to get up and walk toward the reception.

"Hello, I’m missing a phone..." she inquired, describing her phone model and its case.

"Which of these, Miss?"

"This one," Lola picked up her phone and nodded at the receptionist, checking for any messages from the twins’ father. There were none. The last message from him only stated his location: the restaurant.

"I guess there isn’t a change of plans," she said with a sigh. The brief sadness in her eyes quickly disappeared as she turned to the twins.

"Let’s go?"

"Yes, Mommy~!" they cheered in unison, skipping as they held Lola’s hands.

The trip to the restaurant was quick; it didn’t even take them a minute. Lola looked around for anyone, only to realize she didn’t actually know what the twins’ father looked like.

"Kids, can you see your dad?" she asked by the entrance, watching them look around.

"Nope~" they shook their heads as if they were one in body and mind.

Lola nodded in understanding, thinking their father was a bit late. Well, she didn’t mind. If anything, a part of her wished that their father was once again "busy" and let her look after them for a while.

"Mommy." Suddenly, Chacha took a step and hugged her. On the other side, Second also hugged her leg, both of them looking up at her. "Mama."

"Oh —" Lola almost choked and bawled her eyes out at their warm and sweet gesture.

Little did they know, as the three of them idled by the restaurant entrance, Derek and his company were walking out from a different direction.

"Derek."

Derek stopped as Justin suddenly slapped his chest with the back of his hand. Looking up at his cousin, he saw Justin pucker his mouth in a certain direction.

"What?" Derek shifted his gaze to where Justin had pointed. The second his eyes landed on the subject, his face twitched. Even though he could only see Lola’s side profile, he recognized that horrendous getup. But then, his brows knitted as he caught the two children holding her hand.

"Derek, is that..." Justin trailed off, studying Lola’s figure and how lovingly she was smiling at the twins. "...are those her kids?"

Derek clenched his teeth as his hands tightened into fists, only because he was reminded of how Lola had betrayed him.

"That woman..." he snorted, glaring at the children. "Did she have two kids in these two years?"

"Wow!" Justin was in awe. "With that face, who had the stomach to knock her up?"

Sitting across from Lola on a date with that getup was already hard to imagine. But she had kids—two at that! Who was in their right mind would sleep with her with that face twice?

"Probably a good-for-nothing loser," Derek sneered. "Only a loser will think she’s worth—"

"Father Sir!!"

Just as Derek was about to say more, the children with Lola called someone. Their little arms stretched, waving with big smiles on their faces. Curious, Derek and Justin turned their heads to where the twins were waving. Their faces contorted the moment they saw that glint over the blinding green fish mask approaching Lola and the twins.

"That’s her... husband?" Justin blurted out, his mouth agape.

Derek, on the other hand, snorted as he ran his tongue across his inner cheek. "That woman..." he hissed.

She betrayed me for someone who isn’t even a manager, but a server? What an insult!

Little did they know, Melissa, who also took a walk since the wait would be forever, also saw Lola, the twins, and the children’s father.

"That’s her lover?" Melissa scoffed in disbelief. She glanced in Derek’s direction and then at Lola before the corners of her mouth hooked into a smirk. She crossed her arms, her eyes glinting.

"Did she think being Taz made her all high and mighty?" She smirked. "Lola, you’re going to regret humiliating me."