Fools & Secrets ✔️

Cuatro

The Baby Daddy

Chapter 4

Sighs

Jihyo let out an exasperated sigh again. Lisa glanced over at her friend for what felt like the hundredth time. Jihyo's shoulders were hunched, and a deep frown marred her face as she sprawled out on the couch, making it look like her personal throne despite being in her cousin's friend's café. Lisa scanned the room and was relieved to see that only a few students were scattered around, a small comfort in an otherwise frustrating situation.

Lisa tapped Jihyo's shoulder, gesturing for her to move to a quieter corner and sit up properly. Jihyo groaned in response, grabbing Lisa's arm and pulling her along with her as she sighed again, clearly overwhelmed.

"Lili, how can you be so brilliant in civil procedure and still flunk your exam? Are you really that clueless?" Jihyo said, cupping Lisa's face in her hands and gazing at her with a mix of pity and frustration.

Lisa's eyebrows shot up in surprise and offense as she swatted Jihyo's hands away from her face. "Hey! I just saved you from Maestra Santiago's wrath! She was practically ready to toss you out of her class or fail you outright!"

Jihyo waved a dismissive hand. "The case didn't make any sense."

"It was straightforward," Lisa insisted, "You just needed to figure out the jurisdiction, then handle the pleadings, the service process, the discovery—" Before Lisa could continue, Jihyo slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with exasperation.

"Por favor, Lisa, have some mercy. My brain feels like it's about to explode. I'm fed up."

Lisa raised both hands in surrender, and Jihyo finally let go. With a huff, Jihyo reached for the menu to place their order. Lisa shook her head in amusement, just about to follow suit when an arm suddenly wrapped around her neck, pulling her back. She shrieked in surprise.

"What the hell?! Nicha!!!" Lisa yelped, slapping at the arm around her. She coughed as her friend settled beside her, still clinging tightly.

"Yes, please, strangle her. She's giving me a headache," Jihyo groaned.

"Yah, Jihyo! Is this how you thank your savior?!" Lisa protested, glaring at her friend.

"You deserve it for ignoring your best friend!" Minnie shot back, her mischievous grin evident.

"I'm making a mental note not to invite you three here during working hours." Niki said, arriving with an air of mock disapproval. She pulled off her apron and set a tray down on the table, presenting four iced lattes, each tailored to her friends' tastes.

"Oh, you love us, Niki," Jihyo said with a smirk, reaching for her drink.

Niki rolled her eyes as she sat down, draping her apron over the chair beside her. "Not when you're disturbing my customers. They're practically staring you down."

"Cous! Save me!" Lisa pleaded dramatically, reaching out to Niki, but she was met with a nonchalant shrug. Her two friends laughed at Lisa's futile attempt.

Seeing her best friend pout, Minnicha finally let go of Lisa, but not before planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Sorry, bestie. I missed you. The EMS has been crazy busy these past weeks—so many incidents, I haven't had a chance to catch my breath!" She took her own drink from the tray.

"The café's been the usual. The only challenge is that I'm considering updating the menu since we've been attracting a lot of students lately. How about you? I'm not asking about Jihyo, though; she already looks like she's had enough."