Chapter 285: Want Them
[TAZ Construction]
Lola stretched her arms and legs, her back arching. Once she finished, a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
"I feel like I did so much today," she said, pounding the bottom of her fist against her shoulder. "What a productive day!"
She paused as some thoughts crossed her mind. However, she didn’t dwell on them; she had a priority order to follow. Going public was the easiest step, but Lola and Amala had to make sure the company system was working well. After all, not everyone in the company was an old employee—the majority were new.
Knock knock.
Lola paused as the door opened, revealing Amala.
"Oh, right on time! I was just about to come to you!" Lola said, getting up to clear her desk. "About the bidding we’re going to participate in—I got some intel about our competitor’s budget. We’ll double ours—we can."
Amala paused near the desk. "I know." She smacked her lips. "Lola, about what I told you earlier... I would like to apologize."
"Apologize?" Lola paused and looked at her. "Why are you apologizing? What you said was true. You don’t have to apologize for that."
"I’m saying you did a lot and sacrificed a lot to get away from Vito. It was insensitive of me to say it as if all the credit should go to him."
"Amala, you’re just looking out for me. I know your intention isn’t like that at all." A reassuring smile appeared on Lola’s face as she nodded at Amala. "Don’t worry. And don’t let Vito get in your head. That guy is just stirring up trouble for himself. It’s better if we stay away before he loses his mind completely."
Amala pursed her lips, but relief gleamed in her eyes. "Should I drive you home?"
"There’s no need." Lola picked up her bag and smiled at her. "My boyfriend’s going to pick me up. We’re having a date since we couldn’t have dinner last night."
"I see."
"Anyway, you should go home or have some drinks. I’m going now!"
With that, she marched toward the door, leaving Amala behind. Atlas had already told her he was outside, so she was in a hurry to meet him. But just as Lola reached for the doorknob, Amala spoke.
"Lola, about your lover..." she trailed off. "Is he aware of Vito? Or what kind of trouble could he put us in?"
Amala paused as Lola looked back at her. "I’m worried since Vito likes you."
"Vito doesn’t like me," Lola laughed. "He loves himself, his money, everything else except me. The only thing he likes about me is the control he thinks he has over me, which he lost a long time ago."
A silent huff escaped her as she adjusted to face Amala. "And don’t worry about my relationship. Atlas is a reliable man. He’s not going to let Vito walk all over him. He’s not like me, you know?"
"I’m just worried, but if you say he’ll be fine, then I trust you," Amala nodded. "I just know how persistent Vito can be, and he might do something to him just because—"
"He’s with me," Lola finished, smiling. "I know, Amala. But then again, would I even be in a relationship with someone who can’t look after himself? Atlas is going to be fine."
Amala nodded, reassured by Lola’s words.
"Anyway, stop worrying about other things. Whatever Vito told you, he’s been warned." Lola winked. "Besides, I’m the best he’s got. Unless he gets a better one, there’s no need to worry. Good night, Amala."
With that, Lola left, leaving Amala in her office. The latter let out a shallow sigh, shaking her head.
"I’ve really become a worrywart for sure," Amala laughed to herself. "Well, that’s my job, after all."
But deep down, she was glad that Lola was fine despite being ambushed last night. That eased Amala a lot.
* * *
When Lola reached the parking space, she paused when she heard two adorable voices echoing.
"Mommy~!"
Lola perked up, seeing two children running toward her. Her heart jumped—almost a ticklish sensation filled her chest.
"Oh, my babies!" she called, running to the twins and kneeling for a hug.
The twins jumped into her embrace, hugging her as tightly as they could. It had only been a day since she last saw them, but Lola felt like it had been a decade.
"I missed you so much!" Lola said, tightening her embrace.
Chacha and Second paused and exchanged glances. Lola’s hug was very tight, but not suffocating. Still, it was a different kind of hug.
"Mommy, we missed you too!" Second said, patting her back. "We went to a lot of stores!"
"Auntie Penny took us to a lot of candy shops!" Chacha added. "But we still missed Mommy a lot!"
"I know, I know," Lola said, squeezing their cheeks and rubbing their little backs with her palms.
Atlas, who was with the children, watched silently. Lola was hugging them, and the twins looked up at their father with curiosity. The corners of his mouth hooked into a subtle smile. She had said she wouldn’t think about the DNA results, but she seemed genuinely happy.
And it was true. Lola might’ve said a lot of things last night, but the moment she heard the twins again, there was no need for any tests.
"Gosh..." Lola finally released them, holding their little hands. Her lips quivered as she looked at the twins and then up at Atlas, her eyes welling with tears.
"They are so cute," she whimpered, pulling the twins protectively into her arms. "I want them. I’ll just keep them in here."
The twins blinked, darting their eyes between their daddy and mommy.
"What are they talking about?" Chacha asked loudly enough for their parents to hear, but neither reacted.
Second blinked and shrugged. "I don’t know!" he said, snuggling into Lola’s arm. "But I like it when Mommy hugs me."
"She’s saying she will be your mother," Atlas translated. The children paused, then slowly moved their big, round eyes to him.
Slowly, the twins turned to Lola, pure shock written across their faces. Lola smiled, holding herself back from crying. Screw the DNA test, screw being biologically involved—she just wanted these babies to be loved and safe.
After a second, their faces brightened as they cheered, "Yey! Mommy! We have a mommy! And a daddy!"
The twins jumped and hugged Lola, giggling in happiness. A subtle smile appeared on Atlas’s face, his eyes softening as he watched the trio. But as he looked at them, Slater’s voice suddenly echoed in his head, saying;
Wedding, when?