Chapter 172: Mommy Is With Us.
"But then again, how would she know about class when you three—no, you four, including that fish-headed father of yours—are just leeching off our family’s fortune?"
The sneer and mockery in Derek’s eyes were crystal clear. Even a one-year-old would understand the contempt in them.
The twins stood motionless as they gazed up at the mean adult.
"Old Uncle, which one is your question in there?" Second asked, blinking innocently. "Was it the pants or how much of your family’s fortune?"
Chacha then cocked her head to the side. "Old Uncle, we don’t do fortune tellings, but I can call my auntie for you. She does good palm reading."
"The hell are you two talking about?" Derek scoffed. "I’m saying I know your mother. I know your mother all too well, and I even know how she could afford this place. Had she not told you that you were able to live in such a place because of me?"
"Ohh..." the twins’ mouths formed an o-shape, with Second nodding and saying, "Old Uncle, so that’s why we’re here. Because of Old Uncle, this building is able to afford to live in Mommy."
"Ohh..." they uttered again, nodding.
Derek’s face twitched. "No, that’s not what I said."
"Does that mean we’re inside Mommy?" Chacha asked as she rubbed her round chin. "Uncle, is it really possible we’re here because we’re inside mommy, and that now that we’re inside our mommy, we’re also babies who are inside their mommies? Are you going to be our baby brother? Or big brother?"
"What?"
"But doesn’t that make all of us monsters?" Second added. "Old Uncle, you’re confusing me."
"Me too, I don’t want to be a monster, and I don’t want to be confused." Chacha touched her head. "So confusing...!"
The twins looked at Derek with judgment in their eyes. Meanwhile, his face contorted.
Are her kids dumb as well!?
"What are you saying—I’m the one getting confused with your nonsense!" he roared, making the twins flinch. He grumbled and glared at them. "Never mind that. Why am I even arguing with kids? Where’s your mother?"
"Old Uncle, this building lives in our mommy," Second frowned, then Chacha added dejectedly. "Just look around you, Old Uncle. Mommy is with us."
"Are you messing with me!?" he gasped in disbelief.
His rising voice earned the attention of the very few people in the lobby. Earlier, they had seen the trio talking because Chacha bumped into the man. But now, it seemed they were being scolded.
With the receptionist catching this, she quickly reached for the telephone to report the situation to the manager first.
Meanwhile, Chacha flinched as her eyes began to tear up. Fear quickly gleamed in her eyes, staring at Derek’s furious gaze. Second turned to his sister and frowned. When Second looked back at Derek, his face darkened.
"Chacha, stay behind me," Second muttered as he pulled his sister behind him protectively. He then faced Derek. His adorable face twitched with utter bitterness, huffing.
"Old Uncle, if Chacha cries, you will regret it!" he huffed. "Our mommy and Father Sir will get really, really angry! You should apologize to her now."
Derek snorted. "You think your mom and dad can actually do anything? Listen, kids. If you two don’t apologize and call your mother right now, you’d be homeless by tonight."
"Second..." Chacha tugged her brother’s arm, hiding behind him. "He’s scaring me."
"Don’t be scared, Chacha." Second looked back at her and gave her a nod. "I will protect you."
After saying that, Second pulled her hand from him and then walked closer to Derek. Looking up at him again, Second huffed.
"What? Are you going to fight me and—ack!" Derek gasped as a sharp pain struck his shin, making his entire body stiffen. He hunched over, grabbing his leg.
Second, who had just kicked Derek in the shin, quickly turned to his sister. "Chacha, let’s go!"
And just like that, the mischievous children ran away while Derek seethed and soothed his throbbing shin. He glared at the little devils, who were escaping hand in hand.
"Those little shits..." he hissed, holding his shin as he hunched over. He ground his teeth but was unable to run after them as his leg throbbed painfully. "That hurt like hell... damn it!"
This didn’t feel like he had just hit his toe accidentally, but he felt like he had just sprained his shin. That kick was stronger than he thought, for sure. Derek quietly writhed in pain before he noticed that many of the people in the lobby were looking in his direction.
"Hah..." he laughed awkwardly, feeling a slight shame with this attention.
Clenching his teeth, he forced his way to the reception even if he had to limp. He told himself the pain would subside, and his dignity was more important to preserve. Soon, he reached the reception and rested his arms on it.
That felt like forever, he thought, snapping his eyes at the receptionist.
The receptionist was on the phone, offering Derek a short smile while listening to the other end of the line.
"Alright," the receptionist nodded and put down the phone. She then went to the desk with a smile. "Yes, sir?"
"I’m visiting a resident here named Lola Young," he said with a flat tone. "I forgot her unit number and floor number."
He then pulled out his wallet and placed his calling card. "If you’re going to confirm, here’s my card. Just let her know it."
Condominiums like this one were mostly strict. Derek knew that because he used to live in one until he settled in his large villa. So, by showing the receptionist who he was, he was sure it would make things smoother.
The receptionist glanced at the card but maintained a smile. She didn’t take it, but rather motioned her hand in a direction.
"Miss Young is staying on the top floor," she said. "I can assist you to the place..."
Derek sneered, picking up his card with a smug look. "No need for that," he scoffed as he started walking away.
With that, the receptionist stared at his limping figure with pursed lips. Once Derek was out of her sight, she went back to the phone and dialed the office.
"Manager, I let Mister Lancaster in, just as ordered. He’s now headed to the top floor."