Chapter 11
1468 Words
My heart is still racing fast and hard because of everything happening tonight. I also can’t believe that Jagger told his brother about us. What does that mean? And then there’s Sir Janus earlier—his behavior was different, and he said things that sent shivers down my spine.
Now, I’m in the living room with the two of them, Sir Jordan and Sir Jozer, who let their two younger brothers continue their argument in my room. I wanted to stop them, but Sir Jozer had already pulled me out. He’s staring at me—that same intense stare his brothers also give me. Even Sir Janus does it.
Why are they torturing me like this? I’m already soaking wet! And I’m only wearing a robe with just a towel covering my bare body. I lowered my head and pressed my thighs together to suppress the heat pooling between them. Of all the people my mother could have worked for, why did it have to be them? Fate must really be playing with me.
The noise from my room finally stopped, and the two of them came out with bruises on their faces. I still don’t understand what they were fighting about. I stood up and told them I would get the medicine kit from the kitchen. I quickly walked away, hearing Sir Jordan’s angry voice speaking in a different language. They only fell silent when I reappeared. I sat between Sir Janus and Jagger, treating Janus’s bruised cheek first. I felt self-conscious under his intense gaze.
“Janus, you’re scaring her,” Jagger said, chuckling.
“No, I’m not. Why don’t you just accept that she likes me?” I blinked in surprise at his words and pressed the medicine against his bruise too hard, making him flinch.
“Sorry, Sir,” I said. “And I like all of you because you’ve been kind to my mother. But please don’t play with me—it’s not funny anymore. If you keep teasing me, I won’t cook delicious meals for you.”
The four of them fell silent, and I turned to Jagger when he suddenly laughed. “What’s so funny?” I asked irritably.
“Don’t act so cute, or I’ll kiss you,” he teased. I pushed him slightly, making him wince. I looked at him with concern and asked where it hurt.
“Wow, I wished I could get treated with care from you,” Sir Jozer chimed in, making me glance at him. “Treat me too if I ever get hurt, Poppy. I’ll need your TLC as well!”
“Come here, and I’ll punch you,” Janus grumbled, but Jordan smacked him on the head, making him glare at his brother.
“Enough with your teasing, you two. Stop acting like kids,” Jordan scolded them before turning to me. “Come on, Poppy. Stay in the guest room for now. Your room is probably a mess. Better yet just stay there permanently.”
“No need, Sir. I’ll just clean up my room,” I said.
Jagger took my hand and placed a kiss on it. “You can stay in my room, babe,” he murmured huskily, winking at me. I quickly pulled my hand away and pinched his cheek—on the side without a bruise. “Babe!”
“Are you still drunk, Sir Jagger? And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Just because your brothers know about our past doesn’t mean we’re together again.”
He froze, his expression turning somber. A pang of guilt hit me, but I ignored it.
“That’s harsh, Poppy. Jagger already explained himself to you,” Jozer said. “You should give him a chance—you should give us a chance. It’s not just Jagger who likes you.”
I blinked, staring at the four of them, all looking serious.
“Stop joking around. The four of you? Liking me? That’s impossible,” I scoffed. “Listen, I’ll just forget all of this happened. My job is more important, and I don’t want my mother to disown me.
I turned to Jagger, unable to resist, and treated the cut on his lip. Once I finished, I planned to go back to my room—even if it was messy. If I stayed any longer surrounded by these insanely handsome men, I’d go crazy and lose all rational thought.
“Is that why you won’t take Jagger back? Because of your family? Because he’s rich and you’re just a farm girl?” Jordan asked.
I applied medicine to Jagger’s wound and sighed. “My mother told me I’m not the right woman for any of you,” I admitted. “So, let’s stop this now. I don’t want to disappoint her, especially since my father is still recovering.” I gently patted Jagger’s cheek and kissed his forehead. “You’re just drunk, Jagger. Let’s all get some rest,” I urged and stood up.
But Jordan suddenly blocked my path, his expression tightly controlled.
“You don’t believe anything we’ve been saying or showing you, do you?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“Fine. I won’t be Mr. Nice Guy anymore.”
I tensed as he smirked.
“You want to keep working here? Then choose—be with one of us or none at all. If you reject us all or don’t pick one of us, I’ll fire you,” he declared.
I froze. What? Was I hearing this right? Was he threatening me? I thought he was the most rational one among them since he was the eldest, yet he’s threatening my job! That’s so unfair! I barely even know them! Okay, maybe not Jagger—I gave in too quickly with him. But this situation is completely different!
“You’re making me choose Sir Jordan?”
He nodded and stepped closer. I gasped when he took a few strands of my damp hair, inhaled their scent, and twirled them around his fingers.
The other three surrounded me as well. Their intoxicating scents overwhelmed my senses, making me unconsciously salivate—I just hoped they couldn’t see it. I clenched my fists, gripping my robe tightly, forcing myself to resist whatever temptation they were setting up.
“Choose us. Choose one of us, or you’ll go back to the province jobless, Poppy. Pick,” he demanded. “We just need a chance. If all four of us are too much for you, then pick just one. Spend one week with each of us—Jagger will go last,” he added, glancing at his brother.
Jagger cursed under his breath, and I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.
“We all like you and want to be with you. But if you don’t want all of us, at least pick one. We don’t want you with any other man, darling. We want you with us. I know you just want your mother to be happy, and we love Mrs. Calla too, but we really like you. I’m being a jerk right now, but you’ve left me no choice. You’re so fixated on your mother’s words. We won’t let it end like that—we’ll prove to you that you belong with us. I’m sorry, but if you don’t choose, I’ll have no choice but to fire you,” he said firmly.
I remained silent, still trying to process everything.
“We’ll give you until tomorrow, babe, to decide. We’ll be waiting,” Jagger whispered, kissing my cheek before heading upstairs. Janus and Jozer did the same, saying goodnight before following him.
“Let me take you to your new room,” Jordan said.
I nodded and grabbed some clothes first. He waited at the door before leading me upstairs. He opened a room next to his and gestured for me to enter.
I was in awe of how beautiful it was—a huge bed and luxurious furnishings. He turned on the air conditioning and made sure I was comfortable.
“I hope this is okay,” he said.
“It’s okay, sir,” I replied.
He smiled slightly and gently caressed my cheek, looking at me with anticipation.
“Stop calling us ‘Sir.’ Just use our names, okay?”
I nodded again.
“I can’t wait for your answer tomorrow, darling. Goodnight, Poppy,” he murmured before kissing my cheek and leaving.
I locked the door, changed into my sleepwear, and dried my hair before flopping onto the bed.
I stared at the ceiling. Was this real? The Mavkos Quadruplets liked me?!
I squealed, rolling around in excitement—but then scowled at Jordan’s ultimatum.
Mama, it looks like I’m in for a battle!
- Writer
