"Because everyone just wants their own wedding, and they can’t!"
Lola’s face twisted slightly upon hearing Slater’s explanation for why he was urging her to marry Atlas. The reason, in her opinion, was quite... childish.
According to him, all of his siblings were married except for him. However, they’d all only had civil weddings—except one—out of respect for their oldest brother, as they wanted him to get married first.
Initially, no one had a problem with this, but then the children came into Atlas’s life, and everything became impossible. The family had found it challenging enough to pressure him to find a partner, but with his having children, they’d lost all hope.
I know he gets along well with his siblings, but seriously?
Lola couldn’t help but wonder what kind of relationship Atlas had with his family. They sounded like a very relaxed family... or perhaps a little too chaotic.
"You know..." A deep exhale came with her words as she cast Slater a side-eye. "Let’s assume what you’re saying is true, but you can’t just ask anybody to marry him."
"Why not?"
"Because marriage isn’t something you approach recklessly," she hummed, her eyes back on the road. "You can’t just ask anyone to get married just because. That’s not how marriage works."
Slater blinked, reminded of something. "You don’t make sense to me. My sister and brother-in-law got married, and they both didn’t even know they were married."
"What?"
"Then, my Second Brother scammed my fake sister-in-law into marrying him," Slater shrugged. "But they’re doing well. Well, my second brother and fake sister-in-law have been divorcing for the past four years, but that’s what made their marriage strong. They’re fine."
Lola’s thoughts filled with question marks, confused by everything he said. Wasn’t divorce the result of a failed marriage? This guy wasn’t making any sense at all.
"Sis, even in past eras, people got married without knowing their partner," he lectured. "Who said things can’t be done backward? Get married now, get to know them later, fall in love—or just have babies first, get married, then fall in love!"
Screech!
The moment he finished his remarks, their car screeched as she suddenly pulled over to the side of the road. Lola shot him a look of disbelief.
Forget about just meeting this guy today, and the fact that this guy shouldn’t be in this car. But seriously? The more he opened his mouth, the more the image of him in her mind shattered.
"No," she firmly pressed. "No, thanks."
Slater pouted.
"I’m not marrying, and actually, I don’t even know why I’m talking about this with a complete stranger!" she scoffed, shaking her head. She was even more dismayed with herself. "Goodness."
He pressed his mouth into a thin line as he watched her settle back in her seat. But before she could resume driving, Slater leaned closer to her and whispered,
"Sis, I’m just telling you this now for your own good," he said, concern lacing his voice. "As I said, I’m the only one who isn’t married except First Brother. So, me asking you this isn’t for me, but for you. Don’t wait until those who actually need him to get married come here to see you."
"Is that a threat?"
"No, it’s a prediction." He nodded mildly, shaking his fist in a weak cheer. "You don’t want any of them bothering you. Them bothering you isn’t the same as you bothering them—trust me."
Lola held Slater’s sincere, if eccentric, gaze. A deep exhale slipped past her lips. She didn’t say anything and instead faced the steering wheel.
"What? You don’t believe me?!"
"I do," she returned indifferently, "I just don’t think your other siblings would have the time."
Having said that, she started driving again, carefully tucking that thought away. Assuming what Slater said was real, Lola still didn’t believe they would fly abroad just to tell her to marry their brother.
They weren’t that desperate, right?
Besides, Lola had a general knowledge of the Bennet family. Slater could have been making them sound more childish. That wasn’t how the public perceived them, and considering their success as individuals, it was just too hard to imagine.
Moreover, I already told Atlas about it. So, I don’t think he will push the idea.
With that thought in mind, she didn’t think about it anymore. Even when Slater was buzzing beside her, she ignored him, too.
****
Hours Later...
"Ugh... my back hurts, or was it my bottom? My entire body feels so stiff..." Slater complained as he sat on the couch in the living area of Lola’s home. "First Brother, do you have any idea what it’s like to spend a day with her? She does everything all at once—she’s crazy!"
Seated in the other armchair was Atlas, reading something while his brother complained on the sofa.
"I feel like I traveled the entire Novera—huhuhu! What kind of problem did I get myself into?" Slater continued his lament. "From what I remember, this star right here should do nothing but shine the brightest in the sky. Not melt in a seat because somehow, your future wife has a problem with my face."
This time, Atlas cast his brother a side-eye, but still said nothing. Slater and Lola had just gotten home, and it was quite late. While Lola tucked the children into bed, Atlas was there to listen to his brother’s complaints.
"Slater," Atlas said, putting a stop to his brother’s lament.
Slater looked up at him, blinking almost innocently. He waited for his big brother to say something until he finally heard it.
"Didn’t you like chocolates?"
Hearing that, Slater’s eyes gleamed so brightly it was almost blinding. "Are you going to buy me some?"
"No, but I need you," Atlas said, making his brother furrow his brows. "I’ll let you know about it next time."
"First Brother, what are you planning?" Slater narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Just so you know, you promised me chocolates, and that’s why I’m here."
Atlas briefly smirked and didn’t say anything, looking away from him. But no matter how brief that smirk was, Slater caught it.
"First Brother, what is that smile?! Are you trying to poison me?! After my efforts to sell something that isn’t needed?!"