Chapter 252: Pink Theory
Meanwhile...
"That’s new."
Lola’s brows shot up as she sipped her juice through a straw, shifting her eyes to Amala on the armchair. Haji and Silo had left for a quick errand, with Haji dragging Silo, who hadn’t wanted to go.
"New?" Lola tilted her head. "What new?"
"Those clothes." Amala blew on the tea she’d made and glanced at her over the rim. "Didn’t you dislike light colors? Pink, especially."
Lola instinctively looked down at her attire: a pink blouse and light-colored elephant pants. Quite feminine, and very different from her usual all-black wardrobe. Even when she wore heels or dresses, it was never in this color palette.
"You hated pink," Amala pointed out, setting the tea down. "Don’t tell me you just forgot to do your laundry?"
Lola’s mouth formed an O-shape before she smiled. "I don’t think I hate pink anymore. It’s nice."
"You like him that much, huh?"
"Hmm?"
"I heard about the pink theory some time ago." Amala shrugged. "They say if a woman’s in the right relationship, with the right man, she suddenly starts liking pink or other light, sweet colors."
"It’s just a theory, Amala. People like what they like." Lola chuckled, not taking it too seriously. Still, her eyes softened as she looked at her outfit. "Whether it’s true or not... I’m in love, Amala. I feel like I’m gonna go crazy — I miss him already, and I just want to kiss him all day."
"Is this even normal?" She smacked her lips and looked back at her friend. "I’m so happy I feel like I could squeal the whole day. It actually feels like a dream. I mean, what are the odds that my childhood crush—my first love—would fall in love with me years later, right?"
"Life has its own strange way of pulling people together," Amala quipped. "So long as he’s a good man, I fully support you."
"Thank you, Amala."
A moment of silence settled before Amala broke it again.
"Are you using protection?" She didn’t beat around the bush. "You’re already at the right age to get married and have at least three children, but still—just in case."
"Are you screwing with me, Amala?" Lola deadpanned. "How can you even ask me that?"
"Because I can." Amala chuckled.
"That’s not a good joke," Lola frowned, crossing her arms under her chest. "You know I can’t get pregnant anymore. Even if we went at it all day, I’d still expect my period next month."
"Who knows?"
"Amala, I know what you’re doing."
"I’m not trying to be insensitive," Amala sighed faintly. "All I’m asking is... does he know?"
"Goodness. Aren’t you happy for me?"
"I’m more than happy for you. I hope you’ll be happy for the rest of your life. But I’d hate to see you crying your heart out later because there were things left unsaid in the beginning," Amala explained gently. "Even if things change in a relationship, isn’t it better to tell him what your father did to you?"
Lola didn’t answer. She only stared.
"If he truly loves you, he won’t mind even if you can’t have children together," Amala continued. "That way, no matter what happens, you’ll know it wasn’t because you hid something from him."
She raised her brows and nodded. "If he’s as good a man as you say, then he deserves to know at least that much. Don’t you agree?"
"..." Lola’s eyes fell. She said nothing, then whispered, "But what if... that’s his deal breaker?"
Atlas already had children, but who knew? Maybe he wanted more. And in all this time, he’d never once mentioned protection. If anything, it seemed like he didn’t care—or maybe he was intentional about it. Either way, Lola wasn’t sure.
"Amala, what should I do?" She shifted in her seat, leaning closer. "What if he breaks up with me if I tell him?"
"So you’d rather keep it from him because you don’t want to get hurt? Isn’t that selfish?" Amala tilted her head. "You should learn from my mistakes. Many of my past lovers wanted children, and many were hurt when I told them the truth—that I couldn’t bear them any."
Lola’s worried look faltered for a second. That beard is already a giveaway you can’t, she thought fleetingly.
"Lola, I don’t care if you’re just dating or if you get married today," Amala said firmly. "As long as you’re happy, I’ll be happy. But I know you—you wouldn’t want to hurt someone who finally made you strip yourself bare, no matter the reason."
"I’m sorry for spoiling your fun," she added with a shallow sigh. "But I know you don’t want to hurt him later if this isn’t talked about now."
"Do we really have to talk about it now?"
Amala nodded. "If not now, then when? There’ll never be a ’right time.’ And if you put it off, it’ll just be the beginning of you hiding more from him. That path only ends in doom."
"I see..." Lola clasped her hands in her lap, gulping as she absorbed Amala’s words.
Conflict flickered in her eyes before she nodded. "I’ll sit down with him later."
"Good." Amala smiled. "For now, focus on that. What I wanted to talk to you about can wait. We’ve got time."
"Thank you, Amala." Lola pursed her lips, forcing a smile. "Wish me luck."
*
*
*
Hours later, Amala stood by the glass wall, gazing at the view outside. Arms crossed, she didn’t turn when she heard quiet footsteps entering the office.
"Did you tell her?" Haji’s voice asked as he flopped onto the couch.
"No," Amala replied without looking. "It can wait."
Haji arched a brow. "Wait? You think matters with Vito can wait?"
"Vito can die for all I care. That little girl is finally opening up to someone. She deserves a break."
"If she really deserves a break, then you shouldn’t have told her to bring up her circumstances to whoever she’s seeing." Haji shrugged. Amala glanced at him. "I was outside when you two were talking. Didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Just caught wind of it."
"You’re not surprised," Amala’s soothing, feminine voice replied. "I didn’t know you knew about it."
"I don’t," Haji shrugged again. "Not until now, not like it’s a big deal. Anyway, why push her to bring it up when it isn’t that important?"
"Who told you it isn’t important?"
"Well... I mean, you said she deserves a break. If she brings that up now, that’s a contradiction."
Amala smiled faintly. "Her lover’s gonna be fine with it."
"How do you know?"
"Because Lola wouldn’t even consider him if she thought this was something she couldn’t talk about with him," Amala said softly, turning her back to the glass again. "She hasn’t realized it yet, but I’m certain—whoever managed to get through that fortress of a heart of hers is no ordinary man."
They all knew Lola might appear simple, but nothing had ever touched her heart.
"It would take an extraordinary person to seize that heart," she whispered, loud enough for Haji to hear.
"She doesn’t even have a heart. How could someone seize something that doesn’t exist?" Haji quipped. "Anyway, I still think you should’ve told her Vito’s going to visit. I don’t feel good about this, Amala. Vito rarely goes out of his way to meet her. If he wanted to, he’d have just ordered someone to drag her back—willingly or not."
Amala stayed quiet, hands clasped behind her back, one finger tapping against the other.
"Then be prepared," she finally said, glancing over her shoulder. "Kill him... if you must. Otherwise, once he gets his hands on her, he’ll drag her straight back to hell. Unless you change your mind and fulfill your mission."
This time, Amala turned and faced his direction. "The mission Vito gave you before he sent you to go with her? Do you think I don’t know that?"