CHAPTER 36: A FAMILY OF FOUR

"Father Sir!!"

Lola froze as the twins jumped away from her, waving their short arms. They were beaming so excitedly, a clear sign to Lola that no matter how terrible their father’s image was in her mind, he was still their parent.

Then, she turned around.

For some reason, she felt a slight breeze blow past her frizzy wig as time seemed to slow. Her big eyelashes, which could obstruct her vision, allowed her to see a pair of legs walking in her direction with an elegant gait. And somehow, the fake pimple on her cheekbone chose this moment to pop, not when she was being bullied or trying to repel Melissa’s "demonic summoning."

Slowly, she fluttered her thick, long, unnatural eyelashes, and quickly snapped out of whatever daze she had found herself in.

"Eh?" she blurted out, her nose scrunching up as she eyed the bright green fish head.

The twins’ father had a nice build and outline beneath that white inner dress shirt clinging to his body. But then... a fish head. A fish head! And it was green!

Lola gasped, her mouth dropping open. She had a reason to cover her face with makeup, but what was his story?

"Ugh... kids?" she blurted out quietly. "A little backstory here?"

"Father Sir~!" Chacha was the first to run to her father, stopping him a few paces from Lola. Her cheeks blushed, eyes glittering as she looked up at him. She hugged his leg, then... she wrapped her legs around him.

"Hehe," she giggled. "Da—Father Sir~!"

Clutch!

Suddenly, another added weight clung to their father’s other leg. Shifting his gaze, he saw through the net of the mask.

"Father Sir~" Second hummed happily, beaming. "Chacha and Second missed you so much~!"

"Mhm! We miss you so much~" Chacha added.

Their father darted his eyes at the bubbly children clinging to his legs like koalas. He snapped his eyes to the woman standing a few steps before them, then tilted his head to the side.

"..."

Lola blinked as she watched the twins’ father tilt his head, only to hear him suddenly ask, "Why?"

"Huh?" she blinked again, confused. "Why, what?"

Yet, even when the man didn’t clarify what the question was for, she felt like he was asking about her getup. Her mind translated it as: [Why that look?]

She scoffed, bobbing her head up and down. When her eyes settled on that ridiculous fish mask, she blurted out, "Why, too?"

"Wow, aren’t they sweet?"

Much to her surprise, a comment suddenly reached her ear. Turning her head, she saw two ladies with their arms hooked together, looking at the "happy" family outside the restaurant.

"They probably attended a horror event," another muttered.

"Those kids are so cute. I wonder if they were trying to do the Addams Family?"

"But the father in there doesn’t wear a fish mask."

"Hihihi. So cute."

Lola’s face twitched, now reminded of her own makeup and overall look. Then, at the twins she had "dolled up," and then their father. With that, she realized they did look like a family who had mixed up their Halloween and date nights.

She never had the urge to clear things up, having learned long before that it was futile. However, this was an exception.

Just as she opened her mouth, she caught sight of Derek and Justin standing at the far end. She bit her tongue as a diabolical idea popped into her head.

"Hehe." She chuckled and took a step closer.

The twins’ father was about to step back, only to realize he was trapped, with the twins literally clinging to his legs like koalas.

"Hehe," they giggled, their teeth fully displayed.

Their father: "..."

"It’s so nice to finally meet you," Lola leaned closer, just enough to look like they knew each other, while smiling at the masked man. "How about we eat together, hmm?"

"Father Sir, I’m hungry too~" Chacha hummed while Second nodded. "Hungry~!"

The man still didn’t say anything, staring at the mischief peeking from behind his children’s eyes. He wasn’t even bothered by the horrible paintings on their faces because, in a way, it suited them. Then, he lifted his head to their babysitter for a while.

"Okay."

"Yey~!" the twins cheered.

Our first family dinner—let’s go!

Lola maintained her pretentious smile, giggling as she peeked in Derek’s direction. She didn’t need to bother with Derek because the man held no value in her life. However, it was fun to tease him, knowing how fragile his ego was. After all, even if Derek and Lola called off their engagement and he was crazy about Melissa, he still wanted Lola to dedicate her life to him.

Letting him witness and misunderstand this whole fiasco was a sight to behold.

With that, the family of four walked into the restaurant, confusing the staff whether to serve them food or... run.

Derek seethed in anger as he watched Lola get so chummy with that man wearing such a humiliating fish mask!

"Wait," Justin, unaware of Derek’s feelings, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If that is Lola’s partner... and he works here, did he go to that meeting room to sabotage us?"

"Huh?"

Justin turned to Derek and shrugged. "I mean, I’m sure he’s aware of Lola’s family and your previous engagement. Who knows? Jealousy, or... Lola just asked him to sabotage the meeting because she’s always jealous of Melissa and couldn’t get over you."

Derek thought about it for a second and frowned deeply. Was it really a coincidence? Or did Lola just not want him to succeed because she still couldn’t get over him?

"I don’t think Lola would go so far..."

"She was able to trick that weirdo into being with her," Justin commented. "I don’t know what tricks she used, but surely, it seemed he was submissive to her."

Derek’s frown deepened, but before he could jump to a conclusion, Melissa’s lovely voice was suddenly heard.

"Derek~!"

His brows rose, and the anger on his face quickly faded. When he turned, there he saw the graceful Melissa. His eyes softened with affection the moment she stood before them.

"After that abomination, this sight surely is like a cleanse," Justin muttered.

"Melissa!" Derek reached out to her. "What are you doing here?"

Melissa pouted. "Derek, I told you today’s the audition."

"Oh—right!" His eyes gleamed. "How did it go?"

The moment that question escaped his mouth, the smile on her face faded. In that very second, Derek and Justin knew that something was wrong.