Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom novel Chapter 144

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. 

“I–I don’t need wealth and fame. I’m–I’m into this field because of someone.” 

Lolita felt irritated seeing how he was behaving like she was bullying him. This guy is a good actor. “Acting suits you better.” She rolled her eyes. 

He nodded and said meekly; “I’ll consider it in the future.” 

12:43 

1/4 

Just when Lolita was about to say something again, Jeslyn intervened. “Lolita, be nice.” She chastised. She knew that Lolita didn’t like Ruben much and she wasn’t going to force the friendship but it was 

wrong 

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

about it? 

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

“You never see what you do wrong” Jeslyn sighed and continued forward, leaving Lolita to glare at Ruben who was doing his own thing; ignoring her. 

At the karaoke that was also in the estate, the three got in wearing their uniforms. Wine knee–length straight skirt, cream–colored sleeved shirt, and a wine–colored jacket. Paired with heels of their 

choice. 

Ruben was wearing wine trousers, a cream shirt, and a wine suit with black shoes. 

The two girls had their hair made into ponytails while Ruben was keeping long hair that was just below his ear lobe. 

They didn’t waste time at the entrance as the security men allowed them in after confirming their identities. 

The place was simply beautiful but Jeslyn wasn’t in the mood to look at beauty. They entered the private room and in no time, they were on stage singing to the music. 

Even though the place looked lively with Lolita jumping up and down and doing funny things that even made Ruben loosen up and laugh his guts out, Jeslyn wasn’t finding it funny. 

All of a sudden, she took the remote and changed the song to a sad song, shocking her friends into looking at her with worry. 

It was one of Celestine’s heartbreak songs in her album called ‘moody‘. The album won the album of 

the 

year 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 time. 

There’s a myth that once a person starts to listen or sing the song, it means they are hitting their rock button. It’s no wonder the friends were worried. 

1 

I see you 

Looking in her eyes and smiled 

I pretend, I saw nothing 

And laughed… 

How do you tell me it’s a prank 

When everything was so real 

How do you tell me it’s a joke 

When I saw you too… together 

You broke me, I swear 

12:43 

2/4 

It’s hurts so, I swear 

I don’t know, how to live 

It breaks me, I swear… 

Don’t tell me to move on 

When I can’t understand it 

Don’t tell me to let go 

When it feels like I’m choking 

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