CHAPTER 37: GOODBYE, CHACHA, SECOND.

Lola’s plan was simple: drop off the kids, bid them farewell, and leave. She hadn’t planned on dining with them and their father. But for a second, she felt a surge of pettiness after seeing Derek, and here she was.

I guess it’s not really a bad thing, she mused.

Her eyes swept over to the twins, who smiled as they checked the menu. Then, her gaze moved to their father. Lola narrowed her eyes slightly at him. She had never met someone who would walk around with such a strange disguise—except for herself.

And here I thought I was getting weirder as I aged, but I guess... I’m not that weird? I put art into this getup, and him... not much.

"Forever." Suddenly, he spoke, almost making her flinch. "That’s how long the two of you take to choose what you’re having for dinner."

"Heh~" The twins grinned at him before pointing at the menu. "Father Sir, I want this!"

"I want this one!" Second chimed in, his little forefinger pressing on the menu.

"Okay." The man nodded and raised a hand to get the server’s attention.

Seeing this, Lola’s brows crinkled. She had been quietly observing the man—just in case she needed to call child services on him. After all, this man had let a stranger take care of his children and allowed them to wander around the airport.

Maybe he’s not that bad, she thought, shifting her gaze to the twins. Otherwise, the twins would show signs of fear or some sort of trauma.

Yet, the twins were very comfortable. Looking back, they also clung to their father’s legs like accessories as he walked into the restaurant. They only let him go when they found a table.

I probably just misunderstood something.

A shallow smile played on her face, and she mentally shook her head.

What am I thinking? Looking for any fault in him just because I felt attached to his kids?

"Ready for your order?" the server asked with a forced smile, eyeing the strange family around the table. Even some other guests glanced at this table, because truly, the parents’ costumes seemed more deliberate than the kids’ outfits.

"I’d like to have this one," the fish-father started, lifting his finger and pointing at the twins. "Then, those two wanted that."

"This one!" Second chimed in, still pressing on his preferred meal.

Chacha tapped hers. "Mine, this!"

"Ahh," the server stretched his neck and checked what the twins were pointing at, only to hear their father say something.

"Get them anything but the ones they’re pointing at."

The server: "???"

Lola: "???"

The twins, on the other hand, pouted at their father. But the man was unfazed as he cast Lola a side-eye.

"And you?" he asked. "What are you having?"

"Huh?" She blinked, a bit confused, mainly because the fish mask was turned to the server. She couldn’t see that he was side-eyeing her.

After a moment, she cleared her throat and smiled. "I’m alright. I’m full. Thank you."

"Get her something sweet, healthy, but light." As if not hearing her answer, the man closed the menu and handed it to the server. "That’s all."

"Something sweet, healthy, but light," the server repeated as he took the menu, smiling at them. "Alright!"

With that, the server left while clutching the menu, which didn’t serve its real purpose; his mind filled with many questions.

Why did that man ask his kids to choose what they wanted, only to get them anything but the one they wanted?

That question also lingered in Lola’s head as she watched the server leave, before peeking at the man seated across from her.

"Mister, I am really full," she said politely. "But thank you. I actually have work and need to go back."

"Okay."

For a second, Lola’s mind went blank. "Okay?" she repeated. "Okay... what?"

"Go back to work after a meal." His tone was flat, leaving no room for argument, as if anything she would say after this wouldn’t get another reply.

"Father Sir, we don’t want anything else but this..." Second tapped his order, pouting.

Chacha’s eyes also shimmered, almost like she was about to cry. "I also want this one..."

"No."

"Father Sir..." They frowned, their shoulders lowering like their ears, like puppies.

Seeing this, Lola’s heart clenched. She turned to their father, her hands slowly clasping together like in prayer.

"Why—"

"Don’t beg for them," he uttered before she could even start. "They won’t eat it."

"We will!" the twins chorused. "We promise!"

"How?"

"We open our mouths, shove the spoon in, chew the food, and then swallow!"

"You’re leaving one last step."

Lola tilted her head as she thought about what he said, mumbling, "Eat, chew, and swallow... what’s next after swallowing?"

Digest it and take a dump?

Much to her surprise, the twins grinned and cheered, "Hospital!"

"Hospital?" Lola blurted out in confusion. "Why—"

Her brows knitted, peering at the dishes the twins wanted to originally order. Was there an ingredient in there that they were allergic to? Lola, of all people, should know better. She was allergic to something as well.

"No," the man’s voice grew colder.

"Aww, man..." they sighed heavily, cupping their small faces. Their father, however, was unfazed.

Lola sighed, but was secretly grateful she hadn’t served them anything they were allergic to. She hadn’t asked before, and that was her fault. If she had been a little less unlucky, things could’ve been bad.

She smacked her lips as this just made things clear for her. She might’ve been attached to them, but she didn’t have the same consciousness as a parent. Even if they called her their mother, that wasn’t enough to be one or claim to be one.

Bzt!

Her thoughts halted as her phone buzzed on the table. Reaching for it, she saw that Ida was calling.

Just in time, she thought.

Lola forced a smile and snapped her eyes at them. "I’m really sorry, but I have to go now. Thank you for the meal. I really appreciate it." She then turned to the twins, reaching for them as she stroked their hair.

"Be good, alright?" she hummed. "And don’t wander around anymore."

"Okay~" The twins smiled sweetly before they added, "Good luck with your work, Mommy."

Lola’s smile froze, discreetly sliding her eyes to their father.

"Hehe..." she chuckled awkwardly, thinking it hadn’t felt as awkward being called "mommy" until now, with their father around. Thankfully, he didn’t react much, or his reaction was hidden behind that fish mask.

Her thoughts stopped when a soft peck landed on her cheek. She flinched as she turned her head to Second, who had planted a soft kiss on her cheek. Chacha also leaned forward, kissing her on the other cheek.

"Oh," Lola bit her lip, holding back the tears that were tempting to spill from her eyes. Without a word, she pulled the kids into her embrace. "I’ll miss you guys."

"Me too, Mommy~!" They giggled, patting her back with their little hands.

Her embrace tightened around them briefly before she finally let them go. Her gaze softened as she stared at them quietly.

"Goodbye, Chacha, Second," she whispered, brushing their cheeks with her thumb.

She then turned to their father and lowered her head. "Thank you."