CHAPTER 73: IS THIS... IS THIS HOW HAVING A BIG SISTER IS LIKE?

If Second, Chacha, Atlas, and Slater were emotional responses, Lola would say the twins were traumas. The moment they barged into her life, they invited quite a few more to the party: Atlas as Anxiety, and Slater as Panic Attack.

At this point, she was just scared of what or who would be next.

"I like this room."

Leaning against the doorjamb with her arms crossed, she watched Slater tour a room. He had already checked a few because he was "very particular."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "This is your brother’s room."

Slater frowned, facing her squarely. "So?"

"So, this room is not available—like I said ten seconds ago." She stressed each word through gritted teeth, watching him narrow his eyes. "There are plenty of rooms in here, Slater. Choose one that isn’t occupied, okay?"

With that, she pushed off the jamb and was about to turn and leave him alone.

"Where are you going?"

She cocked her head back and gave him a defeated look. "Work."

Just like that, she resumed her steps and left him behind. Atlas and the twins had already left for the day, leaving her with Slater as if it were something she should get used to.

To be honest, Lola was starting to let things go. Had she known who the twins’ father was and the uncle they were talking about, she wouldn’t have offered "help." This guy didn’t need any help, especially in the entertainment industry. If anything, she might as well just ask him for some.

****

Not dwelling on how her morning played out, Lola put on her usual attire. Once she finished, she didn’t bother letting Slater know she was leaving. Although, she did stop by the living area and looked toward his room.

"Atlas said he’s tired because he had been working nonstop since landing in Novera," she murmured, shrugging as she resumed her steps. "He probably fell asleep."

Without thinking much, Lola got into her usual car—not the Beetle—in a leisurely manner. But as she sat in the driver’s seat, she reached out to fix the rearview mirror and was startled when she saw someone seated in the back.

"Ahh!" Lola looked back on instinct, only to hear another scream from Slater.

"Ahh!" His scream warranted another startled scream from her. "Ahh!"

For a few seconds, both of them screamed at each other, startling each other to a ridiculous degree. She screamed because she hadn’t expected him in her car, and he screamed at the horror before him.

"Ahhh—who—hijacking in broad daylight?!" he gasped dramatically.

"What?!"

Slater leaned back and narrowed his eyes, recognizing the voice. "You—Lola?"

Lola’s mouth opened and closed in disbelief. She was rendered even more speechless when he said, "Oh, it’s you! Haha! I thought I got into a granny’s car instead of yours."

Her face contorted as she watched him laugh and then stop laughing as if on a timer. "What are you doing in my car?"

"I need to go shopping," he smiled. "And I don’t have my car... yet. My manager made a mistake and didn’t book a slot, so I can’t bring my baby here!"

"I see...?" she blinked, her fake long lashes fluttering. "And?"

"What do you mean, ’and’?" Slater frowned. "I’m going with you."

Lola scoffed, running her tongue along her inner cheek. "I’m sorry, but I can’t take you shopping. I have other things to do."

"It’s okay. Do those first. I’m not in a hurry."

"You do understand that I’m asking you to get out, right?"

"Yep, and nope!" he grinned mischievously before crawling into the front passenger seat. For a tall guy like him, Lola had to squeeze back to make room for his long body and limbs.

He made it to the front seat, though.

"I’ll stay here," he beamed, sitting in the passenger seat securely. "Until you marry First Brother, I’ll stay here."

For a second, the two of them just stared at each other. In the next heartbeat, Lola swiftly reached for the buckle to unstrap him. But Slater moved just as quickly, pressing the buckle together to keep it locked.

"Na, ah ah," he chuckled, shaking his head at her. "Young Master Slater is staying."

Lola scoffed and retracted her hand, her eyes glued on the smug look on that angelic face smiling so devilishly at her.

Are the Bennets this intrusive? Why? Because they were raised getting everything they wanted?

First, Atlas, and now, his youngest brother. Thinking of the other siblings that man had, Lola looked away and shook her head.

"Suit yourself," she grumbled as she revved up her car. "Just letting you know, I have things to do today. Only when I have the time, then I’ll reconsider taking you shopping."

She cast him a warning glare, only to wince at the touched look on his face. Slater slowly covered his mouth, his naturally twinkling eyes wiggling.

"Is this... is this how having a big sister is like?"

"For crying out loud..." she grumbled and peeled her eyes from him, reaching for the gear as she revved up the car.

With that, the tires screeched against the smooth surface of the parking lot as they drifted. Unlike usual, Lola drove fast—very fast. Not because she was angry with him, but because she felt like she was slowly losing control over her life, and this was an act of retaliation.

Sadly, even as she drove quite recklessly and sped, Slater was unfazed. If anything, he looked at her curiously, then at the sedan they were in.

"This car..." he hummed, his eyes settling on her side profile. "It’s fast."

"Scared?"

He grinned. "Not at all!"

She cast him a sidelong glance, shaking her head mildly before refocusing on the road.

I swear... Silo will not believe me, nor would anyone believe me if I say who is riding shotgun with me now.

As she drove on the highway, she caught a gigantic billboard with a photo of the same guy who was with her right now.

My god, she thought. Just what is happening with my life right now?

Meanwhile, Slater hummed, listening to the car’s engine. "The sound... it’s different."

"Modified it," she muttered, not giving him any attention.

"You did? Yourself?"

"Mhm."

He slowly turned his head to the driver’s seat, covering his mouth. His eyes glittered, and Lola’s face twitched as she caught his intense gaze from the corner of her eye.

I like her.