CHAPTER 84: MOMMY LIKES SHIRTLESS GUYS.

"Are we going to see you on television, Uncle?"

"Are you going to do the ’yata yata’again?"

Cedrick darted his eyes at the two little kids, who were looking at him with expectation and twinkling eyes.

"Uh," he scratched the back of his head, glancing at Lola in the driver’s seat for a little help, but she was focused on driving.

A shallow breath escaped him as he gazed down at the kids. "I don’t know yet... maybe if I get lucky this time."

"Uncle, you’re already lucky that our mommy found you," Chacha blinked innocently.

Lola, from the driver’s seat, smiled at the comment, while Cedrick’s brows raised in surprise. After a second, he nodded and smiled.

"I guess that’s true," he said, shifting his eyes to the rearview mirror to catch Lola’s.

Seeing his smile, Second narrowed his eyes, and a frown crossed his face. Meanwhile, Chacha and her brother exchanged a look and nodded to each other. Slowly, they turned their eyes back to Cedrick, who, in their minds, had just confirmed his interest in their mother.

"Cedrick," Lola’s voice finally broke the silence. "We already have a bit of luck. And now, all we have to do is not waste it."

Cedrick nodded eagerly. "I’ll do my best."

****

Moments later, their car arrived at another studio, which Lola had booked just for Cedrick’s video audition. As soon as they arrived, Silo came running to them.

"Lo—" Silo bit his tongue the second he saw the twins follow Lola into the studio.

"Hi, Uncle Silly~" they greeted, waving at him with a smile.

"Hello, Chacha, Second," he scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly at the twins. "How’s life?"

"Good! We are here to help Mommy!" Second chimed, making Silo glance at Lola and then at the guy standing with them. Silo rocked his head, while Cedrick knitted his brows slightly at the look Silo was giving him.

Lola, unbothered by the tension, introduced them. "I haven’t introduced the two of you, but this is Silo. He’s a friend, and also my assistant."

"Hello, I’m Cedrick." Out of courtesy, Cedrick offered his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Silo smiled back, took his hand, and leaned in a bit. "Hey, if those kids are helping, do your best, alright?"

"Huh?"

"They’re going to ruin you," Silo said, a mix of warning and encouragement in his voice.

"Uh..." Cedrick forced a smile, nodding in confusion.

Both of them slowly shifted their eyes to Lola, who was still with the twins and talking to someone in the studio.

"Sounds good," Lola nodded and cocked her head back. "Cedrick, come with her. She’ll fix you."

"Yes, ma’am!"

Having said that, Cedrick offered the other woman a smile before following her under Lola’s instructions. As he walked, Silo scooted over to Lola’s side.

"Lola," he whispered, making her arch a brow at him. He glanced at the twins on her other side, gulping. "What do you mean they’d be helping him?"

Lola shrugged. "Literally."

"But...." He lowered his voice even further just to make sure the twins couldn’t hear. "...are you sure?"

"The twins have experience in casting, so they might point out some good things," she shrugged, gazing down at the twins with a smile. "Right, kids?"

"Yes~ We’ll help Mommy~" they mused sweetly, earning a chuckle from Lola. "We’ll do our best!"

Silo, on the other hand, couldn’t help but wince. The last time these twins helped, it ruined his confidence.

But that’s different, right?

His brows rose as Lola spoke, which he barely caught before heading to the studio with the twins.

****

The video audition for the role could have been taken at home, as what truly mattered was the delivery of the character, the voice, and the little details of his demeanor. However, Lola had booked this entire studio, hired a team for Cedrick, and even professional people to take the recording.

All for a reason no one had yet understood.

The three (Lola, Second, and Chacha) sat quietly in a row of folded chairs behind the monitor, waiting for Cedrick to internalize. The twins read the script to kill time while Lola instructed the people about the lighting.

"Mommy, why do you like him?" Second asked out of pure curiosity.

Lola didn’t answer right away. She gave a signal to the staff, then gazed down at him. "Because Cedrick is a talented artist. Don’t you think?"

"Mommy, is he going to be our new dad?" Chacha inquired, going straight to the point.

Silo, who was standing behind them, almost choked on the bottle of water he was drinking. As for Lola, a pained expression crossed her face. She instinctively looked around, just in case Cedrick was there to hear it. All she saw were some crew members chuckling as they heard the very innocent question.

"No, no." Lola shook her head, placing a gentle pat on Chacha’s head. "It’s not like that."

Second and Chacha blinked, nodding.

"Mommy, I’ll just go to the restroom." Chacha mused, already climbing down from the foldable chair.

"I’m coming with her too!" Second jumped off his seat. He beamed at Lola before the two of them held each other’s hands. "Wait for us, Mommy~"

Lola watched them go, her brows knitting together before she shrugged. Her attention shifted to Silo as he spoke.

"Lola," he called, leaning behind her. "Those two, I think they’re planning something."

"Silo, just because you’re scared of them doesn’t mean you have to be so wary," she rolled her eyes. "They’re just kids, and what else can they plan right now?"

The twins always tagged along with their father, and it was a relief when Atlas asked her to look after them for a change, especially since Slater had been bothering her.

Now that I think about it, Silo has no idea who’s living in my house, she thought, looking at Silo with mixed emotions. Should I tell him, or just let fate handle it?

In the end, she dismissed the thought of letting Silo know what to expect. She couldn’t be the only one shocked by how her life was spiraling.

****

In the bathroom, Chacha and Second peeked out. When they were sure no one was there, Chacha pulled a phone from her skirt and spoke on the already-running call with their father.

"Father Sir, we now know Mommy’s preference," Chacha whispered, holding the phone close to her mouth.

Second, standing in front of her, lowered his head to speak on the phone. "Father Sir, I think Mommy likes shirtless guys."