Chapter 119: Pumpkin

Words : 1014 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 119: Pumpkin Days had passed without incident, and before Lola could even realize it, she was feeling more comfortable in her own home. More than that, she was getting used not just to the twins’ presence, but also to Atlas—and surprisingly, she was getting along with Slater better than she expected. Overall, it was amazing how quickly she had adapted to all of this. Although she had to thank them a little for the effort they were making, so they could all co-exist even when they didn’t have to. "Bye-bye, see you later, okay?" Lola stood by the entryway, sending off the twins and their dad. Today, Atlas would be dropping them off and picking them up as well—because Lola didn’t have the time. She had plenty of things to do, and it was very important. "See you later, Mommy~!" "Later, Mommy~!" The twins jumped a bit, tugging her arm at the same time. Used to the gesture, Lola bent over, resting her hands on her knees and offering her cheeks. As usual, they planted kisses on each of her cheeks before giving them sweet, short pecks on their cheeks. "Be good and listen to your teachers, okay?" she hummed, earning a cheerful "yes" from them. "I’ll see you later." Standing outside the door, Slater waved. "Kids, let’s go," he urged, then gazed at Lola. "Sis, good luck today. Also, it’ll be delivered today." She chuckled and nodded at him as he winked at her mischievously. "Take care," she said, watching the twins jump toward Slater. She chuckled, only pausing when Atlas stood in front of her. "Hmm?" Her brows rose as she looked at him. "What is it?" Atlas squinted, idling in front of her. The two of them stared at each other, with Lola looking back at him in a more relaxed manner. His eyes drifted to her lips before he breathed out faintly. "Nothing." "Uh, take care?" she waved, watching him walk off. "See you guys later!" She peeked her head out the door before smiling and closing it. Her smile remained even after she was alone. "Goodness, Lola," she mumbled. "Is this even right?" The thought crossed her mind, but she didn’t dwell on it. She rarely sent them off alone—most days, they all went together. But now, she was used to this new routine. What mattered was that she felt at home again. And, to be honest? Having housemates wasn’t all that bad. **** [Young Residence] As usual, Lola was welcomed into the house by no one—not even the head maid. That wasn’t surprising; after all, Lola was here to reclaim something. But just as she stepped out of her old Beetle, she paused. "Lola!" Derek’s voice rang out. "Hey!" Great. She smacked her lips and spun enthusiastically like a princess. "Yes, Derek?" she said, fluttering her fan-like eyelashes. Derek, a few steps away, stepped back as soon as she faced him. His outstretched arm drew back instinctively. He scrunched up his face, looking straight at the highly concentrated blush on one spot on her cheeks. The last time he had seen Lola, her lipstick was black—like she had eaten squid—and it smeared on her teeth. Now, her style had changed. Her eyeshadow was lighter, a bright orange instead of black. Her blush was red, concentrated on her cheekbones. Her lipstick was red too, but only in the middle of her lips, giving her the look of a doll. A cursed doll! He didn’t even want to look at that orange polka-dot dress. Was she trying to be a pumpkin? "Hey, Derek," Lola said, flipping her telephone-wire-like curly hair. "I went to the salon yesterday and did a makeover. What do you think?" She took a step forward, and Derek stepped back immediately. "Hey." He raised a hand to stop her. "Lola, why are you coming so close? Stay where you are!" "Huh? Why?" she blinked, her eyelashes fluttering. Derek scrunched his nose. "Are those... beads on your lashes?" "Oh, you noticed?!" "Anyone would, even from a mile away," he deadpanned, stepping back again. Just looking at her, he had to admit she looked better before than now! How could she disappoint him so many times without fail? She giggled, tucking her curly hair only for it to bounce back. "Derek, you’re already engaged to Melissa. I don’t want her to misunderstand that you still have feelings for me, just because I dolled up a bit. I don’t want to hurt her that way." "Lola, you—you—" He winced, completely forgetting why he had even ambushed her in the first place. He glared at her, unable to stand that face of hers. "Whatever! Just go in and stop making everyone wait!" As he spat this out, she watched him go as if he’d stepped on a turd. Lola chuckled, crossing her arms. "Without my makeup, he keeps harassing me. But with this pretty look, he can’t even stand it," she shook her head. "Atlas even said it’s pretty." She shrugged, smirking devilishly. "Derek~!" she shouted, jogging slowly. "Wait for me~! For old time’s sake~!" Derek paused, shivering at her sweet voice. Looking back, he saw her jogging slowly as if in slow motion. "Damn it!" he cringed, hastening his steps inside the residence to find refuge. "Begone, you demon!" But her sweet voice continued to echo behind him. "Derek~!" As Lola jogged in deliberate slow motion, a car pulled over from the other side. Caullen and Travis stepped out. Both men watched Derek, who was almost running into the front door, while Lola jogged slowly like she was on a beach. "Derek~! Wait for me~!" Caullen scrunched his nose, studying Lola’s orange polka-dot dress paired with neon-colored stockings, and that big ribbon on top of her curly hair. "Is that... Is that a pumpkin?" Caullen muttered. "I’ve seen people with horrible taste, but Lola... she’s unmatched. Wow. I never thought I’d wish to see her all-black goth look again." Travis, on the other hand, chuckled, watching Lola happily tease Derek. "Don’t say that to her face. She’ll feel disheartened."

Chapter 119: Pumpkin

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