Chapter 6
1868 Words
I couldn't believe that standing before me was Jagger, the man who had visited our town, become my boyfriend, and then left me heartbroken. Even more shocking was the fact that he was now one of my employers. There were four of them—four brothers, just as my mother had told me—but I never imagined I would see the man I despised again. And worst of all, I would now be his housemaid, living under the same roof. Was fate playing a cruel joke on me? Out of all the places my mother could have worked, why here? Everyone turned to look at me when Jagger called my name, including my mother, whose face was filled with curiosity.
"Dear, do you know Sir Jagger?" she asked. Jagger looked like he was about to answer, but I spoke first.
"Yes, Ma. He's the visitor I told you about. The one who hired me to be his tourist guide in town. My brother even mentioned him to you. I had no idea you'd end up working for him." I greeted Jagger with a cheerful voice, but inside, I was boiling with anger. I wanted to leave right then and there, to tell my mother that I'd take care of Dad back in the province instead, but I didn't want to be selfish. After all, he wasn’t the only employer—I had three others, all just as handsome as he was. How was I supposed to deal with this? I'd just have to avoid him. I wasn’t about to be fooled by him again.
"Goodmorning... My name is Poppy. Thank you for accepting me as your maid," I said, forcing a smile.
"She's my daughter," my mother added. "She may not have gone to college, but she knows how to handle housework. She’s also a great cook—she learned that from me."
"Poppy, these are your employers from now on. This is Sir Jordan, Sir Janus, Sir Jagger, and the youngest, Sir Jozer," she introduced them.
"Calla, I may be the youngest, but only because I was born last. We're all the same age," Sir Jozer joked. "Hello, Poppy. Welcome to our humble home."
I smiled and thanked him. They all seemed nice. But how was I supposed to handle living with four incredibly handsome men? I already felt weak in the knees around Jagger—what more with his three equally attractive brothers? Ma, I hope I can keep my promise not to flirt! I may seem reserved, but deep down, I have a hidden playful side. Was this really a good idea?
The eldest, Jordan, who was also the tallest, spoke up.
"Don't be scared of us. We're good people," he assured me. "Just feel at home here. I'm sure you'll be happy with us, just like your mother."
I turned to my mother, who blushed and laughed.
"Enough teasing me. Just eat already, I know you are all hungry," she said, urging them to start.
As they sat down, they all looked at me when she mentioned my cooking.
"I'm sure it's delicious," Jagger commented, making me freeze.
I used to cook for him back in our town. He would finish every meal I made. I even remembered sitting on his lap, feeding him by hand. My face burned with embarrassment, and I quickly turned away to fetch the coffee my mother and I had prepared using the incredible machine she called an espresso machine. It was obvious that I was from the countryside—I barely knew how to use anything here in the city.
Once they were seated, I served them their coffee. Jagger thanked me, his fingers briefly touching mine, and I pulled away as if burned. I saw the sadness in his eyes, but my pain and anger were stronger. I also noticed that Sir Janus was unusually quiet, glaring at Jagger. Curious, I approached him with a cup of coffee.
"Sir Janus, do you not like my cooking? I can prepare something else for you," I offered.
He looked at me and suddenly smiled.
"It's fine, Poppy. I'll eat now," he assured me.
Sir Jordan then insisted that my mother and I join them for the meal, and when we refused, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. So we sat down, and to my horror, I ended up next to Jagger. I struggled to stay calm as I felt his eyes constantly on me. I finally relaxed when the meal was over, and they left to prepare for work.
"You!" my mother said, giving me a playful pinch. "I saw the sparkle in your eyes while looking at them!"
"Ma, that hurts!" I protested. "You never told me they were so handsome! Good thing you still love Dad and didn’t fall for any of them."
I squealed and laughed, dodging her attempt to smack me.
"I'm old! What nonsense are you talking about? They're like my own children!" she scolded, making me apologize and say I was only joking.
"Just remember, you’re only a housemaid here—nothing more. Your job is to take care of the house and serve your employers. That’s it. We’re just people from the countryside, Poppy. We’re not like them."
I sighed. She was right. Why hadn’t I thought of that when I was with Jagger? He was wealthy, and I was just a simple girl from the province. We had no future together. He didn’t even come back for me!
"I understand, Ma. You don’t have to remind me. I was just admiring them—it’s not like I have a chance against the women who actually belong in their world."
"Good. Now finish washing the dishes. Once they leave, we’ll clean their rooms. There’s a vacuum cleaner—I’ll teach you how to use it."
"Okay, Ma… But are you really leaving tomorrow?"
She faced me and nodded.
"Yes, dear. I can’t stay long. Your father and siblings need me back home." She held my hand and squeezed it. "Thank you for taking my place here. It’s not easy working in this house, but I managed. And our employers are kind. If you don’t know something, just ask them. But for now, I’ll teach you everything I do here."
"Alright, Ma," I agreed. She patted my hand, and we continued our chores.
Jagger’s POV
I felt dizzy, and I wanted to scream the moment I entered my room. I couldn't believe that Poppy was here! Poppy, the woman who had been haunting my thoughts ever since I met her in the town where I spent a week on vacation. I never expected that she was the daughter of our housekeeper, Calla. I never even thought that I would meet her family there because she was from that place. And that was where I met Poppy—my goddess, my woman—the one I left behind and never returned to!
I clutched my head, wanting to hurt myself for what I had done to her. But I didn’t mean for it to happen! I really intended to go back for her, but something came up that prevented me from returning to the province for months!
“What the hell?!” I exclaimed in irritation when my bedroom door was suddenly flung open with great force. I saw one of my brothers, Janus, storming in with an enraged expression, and before I knew it, he grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. I only stared at him.
“You bastard! You already met the woman meant for us, and you didn’t even tell us!?” he shouted angrily before shoving me roughly. I remained silent as my two other brothers entered the room.
“Speak up, Jagger! So that’s why you’ve been acting differently!”
“Is she really the reason, Jagger? When you went on vacation to Calla's province, did you actually meet Poppy there?” Jordan asked. I looked at the three of them and slowly nodded. Janus was about to charge at me again, but the other two held him back.
“What did you do? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I was going to tell you once I brought her here. But she couldn’t leave yet because of her family. What was I supposed to do? Tell you guys and have you rush over there to meet her? That would have scared Poppy,” I explained.
“Still, you should have told us. We wouldn’t have acted impulsively if you had talked to us,” Jozer said. “But guys! She’s here! Poppy is living with us under the same roof, which means it’ll be easier to convince her.” He sounded excited, and I rolled my eyes.
“She’s gorgeous, looks so innocent, very exotic, and I like it!”
“Shut up, you sound like a creep! But she is even more stunning than I imagined. But remember, she’s not from here, so we need to take things slow,” Jordan reminded them, visibly pleased.
“That is—unless our dear brother here did something stupid!” Janus said, still annoyed. “Well, Jagger? Did you enjoy her? What exactly happened? You better confess, or I swear, I’ll break your face.”
“Wait, Janus. Are you implying that something already happened between them?” Jozer asked, and the three of them glared at me. I scratched my head, unsure of what to say. If I didn’t tell the truth, they’d find out eventually anyway.
“F*ck! This is so troublesome!” I muttered under my breath. “Well, uh… We became a couple, so we kind of did it,” I admitted quietly.
They froze for a moment before suddenly lunging at me. Janus locked his massive arm around my neck while the other two repeatedly hit me with pillows. I could barely understand what they were shouting, but I knew they were just jealous!
“What the hell! Will you guys stop it!” I protested, but they didn’t let up. I eventually just accepted the beating. They only stopped when we heard a knock on the door. Janus let me go, and Jozer walked over to open it.
We all froze when we saw Poppy’s curious expression.
“Are you all okay, Sir? I heard some noise and banging sounds,” she asked in her soft voice.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to resist the urge to approach her, embrace her, kiss her, take her to my bed, and feel the warmth of her body once again. Janus narrowed his eyes at me, and I wanted to punch him in the face.
“We’re fine, Poppy. We were just having a small disagreement. By the way, do you have a boyfriend?” my brother suddenly asked, making us all freeze.
Poppy’s face turned red, and she replied that she didn’t have one. She glanced at me briefly before excusing herself and leaving.
“Tell us everything, or you’ll never get close to her again,” Jordan threatened.
I nodded. I didn’t have much choice anyway, and I needed their help to explain myself and earn Poppy’s forgiveness.
- Writer
