Chapter 219: The life of a public figure.
[Earlier, in the Penthouse]
"Sis—" Slater stopped at the entrance of the kitchen, his mouth dropping as his eyes landed on the two figures by the counter.
There, Lola leaned against the counter with her rear resting on the edge, her hands on the surface. In front of her, Atlas was slightly bent over, one hand near hers, the other wrapped around her waist.
"Is this what you guys do every morning?" he blurted, covering his mouth as his eyes reddened like he’d just caught a lover cheating. Lola and Atlas turned toward him.
"Is that why you two always take so long before coming out of here?" he continued, scoffing mid-sentence. "You two... how could you?!"
With that, Slater dramatically turned and ran away. Meanwhile, Lola opened and closed her mouth in disbelief.
"It’s not... it’s not like that," she tried to explain, but there was no way he could’ve heard her. She clenched her teeth. "What is wrong with him?"
"He doesn’t survive without a meltdown once a week," Atlas said, pulling her to stand fully. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, then checked her ankle. "It’s fine, I guess," she muttered, massaging it in a circular motion. After a moment, she smacked her lips and faced him.
"Better now!"
"Good," he nodded, then lowered his head and tilted it. But before he could do what he came for, Lola leaned back and covered her lips with her hands.
His brows knitted as he drew back again. "What?"
"What do you mean, ’what?’" she returned. "Atlas, you can’t just steal a kiss whenever you like."
"I’m not stealing anything."
"Not asking permission is stealing."
"Then... can I?" he asked, already leaning in, but she drew her head back even further. He frowned and sighed heavily.
For the past few days, there hadn’t been a moment when Lola was alone with him. She had been making sure they wouldn’t be left alone, claiming she needed to get her head on the right track.
But now that he had finally cornered her, she wouldn’t let him?
"No," Lola said, raising both forefingers and crossing them over her lips. "Not now."
"When?"
"Atlas, we’re already living together, which normally takes others months or years before they decide on that. Others wouldn’t even dare until they’re married!" she reasoned. "I’m saying we should take it slow."
"How slow?"
"Not too slow, but not too fast either!" She pouted slightly. "I want... a normal courtship, or at least a normal relationship. And I think... this isn’t normal. We’re not even officially together."
Atlas leaned back, crossing his arms, as if deep in thought. Seeing his reaction, Lola pursed her lips and raised her brows.
"Why are you looking at me like you’re dissecting me in your brain?" she asked, unable to take it anymore. It felt worse than being under a microscope.
"Because I am," he said flatly. "I gave you time... but every time, you pull back hard."
"Huh?"
"Tell me your last destination for the day," he continued. "I’ll send someone to pick you up."
"Why?"
"I received the documents regarding the funds this morning," he said. "They arrived faster than I expected. I’ll hand them to you later."
"Oh." Lola nodded. "Okay...?"
Atlas let out a frustrated sigh and turned on his heel. After a few steps, he halted and looked back at her. He raised a finger, his mouth parting, then closing again. In the end, he offered a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
"What the hell was that?" she blurted, but he had already resumed walking away. "Atlas! Hey!"
He didn’t stop until he was out of sight. She scoffed, staring at the entrance.
"I’m scared to meet him later," she muttered, thinking about what he was planning. "But then again... he already has the results of those funds?"
Atlas wouldn’t tell her if he hadn’t found anything interesting. Conflict flickered in her eyes, but she decided not to dwell on it. Shaking her head, Lola quickly tossed the dishes into the dishwasher before rushing out to bid the twins goodbye.
After kissing them and earning a narrowed look from their father, they left. Without wasting a second, Lola ran back to her room to do her makeup. Today was Cedrick’s reading with the other cast members, and she needed to be there as his manager and backer.
Besides...
Lola paused as she checked her phone, scrolling through countless tags on Cedrick’s account. Most of the comments were criticisms; some were extreme, wishing harm on him and dragging his family into it.
"It’s a good thing he’s not checking," she muttered. "The life of a public figure."
She knew all too well, having experienced it in her previous life—back then, she’d been a laughingstock thanks to a clip taken out of context.
"Well." Lola smiled, picking up her phone and holding it in both hands. Using Cedrick’s account, she nonchalantly pressed the attached file and clicked post without hesitation.
"I guess that’s good for now!" she intoned, putting her phone down as if what she’d done wouldn’t make the internet explode. She continued with her makeup, finishing with bright red blush concentrated on her cheekbones.
*
*
*
Choosing her disguise outfit was no problem. She just had to throw everything on. As she walked from the walk-in closet to the living area, she checked her phone again.
The video she uploaded had quickly gained traction, though people were still criticizing him. Not surprising.
In the living area, she spotted Slater idling on the couch.
"Slater, aren’t you going to the reading with the cast?" she asked.
He casually looked up, frowning. He was still frustrated that Lola was keeping her relationship progress with Atlas from him.
"Sis, isn’t it a bit too early for me to leave?" he frowned. "Besides, I’m sulking because you’re not keeping me updated."
"It’s not like that, okay?" she clicked her tongue. "I’d tell you if there was something, but it’s not what you think. I just tripped, and your brother helped me. Otherwise, you’d probably be talking to me in the hospital right now."
"Really?"
"Yep." She nodded, flashing him a quick smile. Seeing it, Slater narrowed his eyes.
She jumped to his side.
"Hey, can I ask for your help?" she fluttered her eyelashes, maintaining that smile. "You said we’re family, right?"
"Sis, if it’s about the new batch of clothes, I’m not giving them away."
"A new batch?" She scrunched her nose as he bit his tongue. "I’m talking about... something else."
"Then, if not the clothes, what?"
Her mouth stretched from ear to ear, brows wiggling, while he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"This better be fun, sis," he said. "It better be."