CHAPTER 208: WHAT MELISSA DIDN’T KNOW

Lola and Slater stayed quiet, watching the children finish their homework in the living area. Her brows rose as she turned to the person seated next to her.

"Is your brother going to be fine?" she asked, watching Slater stare at her before his mouth curved into a grin.

"Why? Worried about your hubby?" he teased, only to see her expression drop. "Hehe. Don’t worry. Your hubby is pretty reliable. He’ll be back before you even know it."

Lola didn’t dwell on his teasing and let out a deep exhale. Seeing her reaction, Slater’s teasing smile softened into a more comforting one.

"Sis, don’t worry."

"I’m not worried at all," she said plainly, looking back at him. "If anything, I’m relieved."

"Why? Feeling a bit shy?" He scooted closer, as if the scolding from the twins hadn’t happened. "You were a bit shy, weren’t you?"

"..." Lola stared at him, pondering. "Yeah. I don’t know how to face your brother when he just... steals my lips."

"Hihihi~!" he giggled, slapping her shoulders with quick, playful taps.

A chuckle escaped her. Earlier, she had been avoiding him for fear of teasing, but now she realized she couldn’t really talk about this with anyone. Not Silo—he didn’t know anything. Not Amala—she wasn’t the type to discuss this. And Haji? Not even on the list.

"Sis, how did it feel? Good? Sweet? How? I mean, where exactly? I’m going to preserve the memory and make sure you’ll never forget where it happened."

"Tsss." Lola clicked her tongue, biting her lip. "Well... I guess it was last night."

He gasped, slapping a hand over his mouth. "Does that mean last night you two..."

"Don’t even mention it," Lola sighed. "No, Slater. It’s not like that."

"Huh?" he frowned, lowering his hand. "What? Why? Sis, I know you’re a closeted pervert, but you let him go last night?"

This time, she glared at him, making him flinch. "I’m not a pervert, and it’s not like that."

"What happened then?" he asked. "Knowing him, I don’t think he just... stops. My brother’s always unstoppable. I don’t think he’s that kind of gentleman."

Lola studied him and pursed her lips. Thinking back to last night, she had to admit Atlas wasn’t exactly a gentleman. He had grabbed her jaw, pressed her face close, and pinned her arm to the wall. They would have started making out right then and there if not for... her brain failing her.

"I... I think I passed out."

"Huh?"

Sadness flickered across her eyes as she looked at him. "I was too shocked... I fainted."

"..." Slater blinked. And blinked again. And again. He leaned closer, whispering, "Are you a pervert?"

Damn it. He wouldn’t understand.

"My heart was racing," she mumbled. "You wouldn’t understand that."

She was right. Slater was struggling to grasp her reaction. But then again, she reminded him of someone—sort of.

"Anyway, it’s a good thing he’s not here tonight," she said, nodding and smacking her lips. "It’s safer to have him away for now. That way, I have time to process things."

"Sis, can’t you just... not process things?"

"Why?"

Because you might suddenly change your mind? That was what he wanted to say, but he kept it to himself.

Slater smiled. "Just my advice from all the couples I’ve seen so far. Don’t think. Just go with the flow."

"I don’t think that’s the only reason, but never mind that. My brain is already too tired for today," she hummed, pausing as her bag vibrated again.

Raising her brows, she checked the message. It was from Jasmine Young. Opening it, she saw the string of messages between them.

[From: Jasmine]

That would be great! Then, I’ll see you tomorrow?]

Before Lola could reply, she paused, noticing Slater peeking at her phone.

"Seriously?" she deadpanned. "It’s a message for me, Slater. Not from your brother."

He grinned. "I want to see it."

"Goodness."

"Are you going to meet them tomorrow?" His eyes twinkled. "Sis, it’s about time to strike, you know? You’ve been making them wait in dread. I’m sure they’re already—"

"Shh," she hushed, glancing at the twins to make sure they weren’t watching. "There are kids here, Slater. I don’t want them thinking their mother is scheming."

He snickered. "You just called yourself their mother."

"..." Lola let it go and focused back on her phone. "Well, I guess I should meet them."

"Sis, I still think it’s excessive to hand her that bag," he commented, throwing himself back against the couch. He hugged a cushion and thought of everything Lola had sent Melissa Young. "Is it really going to work that way?"

"Melissa Young is a sucker for bags," Lola explained, giving him a knowing look. "As for the rest... she might seem interested, but she mostly focuses on the price tag, not the quality."

"So by sending her a legitimate bag, she’ll naturally think everything is legit," he said with a smile.

Because Melissa didn’t know that her secret admirer was actually someone she despised—the same person she was trying to bring down. And except for the bag Lola sent, everything else was knock-offs.

No way Lola would spend that much money on her. Though the bag was expensive, it was cheap enough to amuse her.

"Thanks," Lola smiled at Slater. "You really helped me a lot."

"I just gave you the idea. But sis, if you’re asking me to send my hard-earned money to her? No way!" he said firmly. "Never. I only splurge on three things: myself, my siblings’ children, and you."

"I’m not going to bother you with that," she said, tapping her finger against her arm. Then she smiled brightly. "You’ll get your turn soon, Slater."

At the same time, the twins finally cheered.

"Done~!" they exclaimed, looking up at the adults on the couch. The moment they did, the twins happily grinned. "Mommy, look!"

Lola smiled and quickly joined them to check their work. Slater rubbed his chin, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

I just had another idea!