Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

144 Karaoke

After classes, Lolita approached Jeslyn while leaving the building.

“Rose, what’s wrong? You’ve been moody lately.”

“Nothing, I’m fine.”

“I- I don’t think so.” Rubenstein disagreed while shifting his glasses.

“Even the nerd knows,” Lolita smirked.

Reuben, who was about to say something, stayed quiet. He has gotten used to her bullying him so he no longer protests. For the few months they’ve been together, the three of them have grown to understand each other to the extent they’d say they were friends rather than classmates.

XES F

“I think you need some fresh air and a place to let out some emotions. You’re gonna explode if you continue keeping it in.” Lolita suggested.

“I–I think that’s a good idea. After all, it’s Friday.” Reuben chimed in with a nod.

“Do you know any good places?” Jeslyn asked.

“How about a club?” Lolita beamed. Seeing how the other two were looking at her like she killed someone, she made another suggestion. “A bar?… No?… A massage parlor?… beauty parlor… no?…”

“St–stop talking. A karaoke would do.” Reuben intervened.

“Mn, we go with Reuben’s idea.” Jeslyn concurred.

“Of course, he’s four–eyed, so he’s supposed to be more intelligent.” Lolita flattened her lips in displeasure. Reuben seems to always outsmart her in everything. Whenever she gives an idea, Reuben would jeopardize it. Just now, it was clearly her who brought up the idea but now, Reuben seems to have been the hero who saved the day. For some reason, she had never liked this Reuben guy. He gives her a weird feeling but it doesn’t mean they aren’t friends.

Jeslyn saw Lolita sulking and hit her on the back of her head. “Are you a baby?”

“I’m 22, that guy is 28, and you are 26, so yes, I’m a baby.”

“Hmm… putting it that way, it makes me feel like Reuben and I are too old for this music field where children seem to be dominating,” Jeslyn said flatly.

“You look 18. If you don’t tell your age, no one would know. But certainly not Reuben. Hey, older brother, why didn’t you just stay at home? How would you sell your beauty while looking so advanced? The music industry is owned by children and then grow old in it, not oldies becoming musicians instead of doing something worthwhile. Do you even know if you’ll become famous before you retire?” It might sound like she was joking, however, Lolita knew she meant it. She doesn’t like this guy and wants him to leave.

need wealth and fame. I’m–I’m into this field

This guy is a good actor. “Acting suits you better.”

said meekly; “I’ll

12:43

1/4

Jeslyn intervened. “Lolita, be nice.” She chastised. She knew that Lolita didn’t like Ruben much and she

wrong

though Ruben was

about it?

anything wrong.” Lolita defended with

sighed and continued forward, leaving Lolita to glare at Ruben who

three got in wearing their uniforms. Wine

choice.

trousers, a cream shirt, and a wine suit with

girls had their hair made into ponytails while Ruben was keeping long hair that was just below

time at the entrance as the security men

entered the private

down and doing funny things that even

remote and changed the song to a sad song, shocking

in her album called

the

award and this particular song that Jeslyn was listening to was so depressing that it won an award for the most depressing song of all

it means they are hitting their rock button.

1

I see you

her eyes

pretend, I saw nothing

And laughed…

you tell me it’s

everything was so real

you tell me it’s a joke

I saw you too…

me, I swear

12:43

2/4

so, I swear

how to live

breaks me,