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.

don’t need wealth and fame. I’m–I’m into this field

him. This guy is a good actor. “Acting suits you better.” She rolled her

said meekly; “I’ll consider it in the

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“Lolita, be nice.” She chastised. She knew that Lolita didn’t like Ruben much and she wasn’t going to force the friendship but

wrong

to keep bullying the poor guy. Even though Ruben was 29, he looked 26, so what’s bad

about it?

I haven’t done anything wrong.” Lolita defended with a

wrong” Jeslyn sighed and continued forward, leaving Lolita to glare at Ruben who was doing

three got in wearing their uniforms. Wine knee–length straight skirt, cream–colored sleeved

choice.

shirt, and a wine suit with black shoes.

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

time at the entrance as the security men allowed them

to look at beauty. They entered the private room and

with Lolita jumping up and down and doing funny things that even made Ruben loosen up

of a sudden, she took the remote and changed the song to

in her album

the

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

that once a person starts to listen or sing the song, it means they

1

I see you

in her eyes and

pretend, I

And laughed…

me it’s

was so real

me

you too… together

broke me, I swear

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so,

don’t know, how to live

me,