Not long after, they finished their meal. Daniela hurried them into their room. She didn't want to see Killian, not after what happened minutes ago.

Right now, she just wanted to disappear back into her room and scream into her pillow.

The four of them sat beside each other in their study room. Daniela silently pulled out their homeworks from their schoolbags.

Matteo smiled and wrote on his tab. He held it up, clear enough for Daniela to see.

MUMMY, EVER SINCE YOU CAME DOWN FROM DADDY'S ROOM, YOUR FACE HAS BEEN FLUSHED RED— Matteo.

Daniela nearly dropped the books in her hand. She coughed awkwardly. “It's nothing. My nose got irritated while in the elevator…so I sneezed a lot.”

Matteo nodded and decided not to push any further. He knew that wasn't the reason, but he didn't want to make her feel more embarrassed than she already was.

Daniela opened their books and placed it in front of them. They began filling in the answers. She was surprised, none of them asked for her help. The only thing they asked was for their pencils to be sharpened.

It didn't take 30 minutes for them to finish all their assignments. After they were done, Daniela led them back to their room.

“So what do you do after assignments?” She asked.

Leo ran to the bedside table and pulled out a beautifully designed activity board. He handed it to her. The activity board contained all their schedules.

Daniela had to admit, these kids were more organized than her. She hardly sticks to set schedules and most times, just push it to the next day.

Daniela quickly read through the activity board. “So after assignment, you drink a glass of milk, 30 minutes learning a skill, then some free time, 40 minutes reading ahead your curriculum, listen to bedtime stories before daddy puts you to bed.”

They nodded in unison.

Daniela put down the activity board. “Ok. I'll go get your glass of milk. Wait here.”

She hurried out and took the elevator down. When she got to the first floor, she went into the kitchen.

She paused midway when she spotted Killian sitting by the counter. He wore a black body fitted polo shirt and grey sweatpants. His shirt did no good in outlining his muscles.

Her heartbeat suddenly doubled. But then, she saw Mrs. Callahan was also inside the kitchen. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Daniela kept her face up then walked into the kitchen.

Mrs. Callahan smiled when she saw her enter. “How's it going so far?” She asked.

A smile formed on Daniela's lips. “They are beautiful angels.”

“They sure are.” Mrs. Callahan chuckled, knowing that when Daniela leaves, they'll turn to naughty devils.

“I came to get their milk.” Daniela added, looking everywhere but the counter.

“It's over there, in the microwave.”

Mrs. Callahan handed her a tray. Daniela opened the microwave and brought out the glasses of milk. She arranged them on the tray then carried it out as quick as she could.

When she reached their room, they sat organized in their chairs. Daniela handed each of them a glass. They gulped it down without any complain.

From 5 to 6:50pm, they spent time covering the remaining activities on the board.

After reading them a bedtime story, Daniela checked her watch and exhaled. First day survived.

She gathered her bag and turned to the boys, who were neatly tucked in bed with their bright eyes staring at her.

“Alright, you four,” she said gently. “It’s time for me to head home.”

Four identical little faces turned up at once, Matteo frowning, Alessio’s eyes already welling, Rocco scowling, Leo blinking silently like he was plotting something.

YOU'RE LEAVING?— Matteo.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Daniela smiled. “But I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

That was all the cue they needed.

In perfect coordination—like soldiers storming a castle—they scrambled up and latched onto her legs.

NOOOO!— Alessio.

YOU CAN'T LEAVE!— Matteo.

STAY HERE!— Rocco.

Leo said nothing, but his eyes glistened as he buried his face in her skirt.

Daniela froze, caught in a knot of tiny limbs. “Boys…boys! I promise I’ll be back. Let me go—” she laughed nervously, trying not to stumble.

The door creaked. Heavy footsteps approached.

“What the hell is going on now?”

Their father’s voice. Deep. Irritated.

He stood in the doorway, shirt hugging his firm chest, 6 packs in full display, hair still damp from his shower. His eyes darkened when he saw Daniela trapped under four small bodies.

“They won’t let me leave,” Daniela explained quickly, cheeks warm.

“They never do this,” he muttered under his breath. He stepped forward, prying Rocco off her leg first, who immediately thrashed like a wildcat.

“Enough!” Killian snapped.

But as soon as he peeled one child off, another clung tighter. Matteo wrapped himself around her waist. Alessio climbed her hip. Leo stayed glued, silent but stubborn.

Daniela laughed breathlessly, flushed with embarrassment. “I swear I didn’t ask them to—”

“Apparently you’ve bewitched my sons in less than a day.” His tone was dry, but his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary.

Finally, with a mix of authority and brute strength, he untangled the quadruplets and set them aside. All four glared at him like he was the villain of the story.

“Go to bed,” he ordered.

NO— Matteo shot back, puffing his chest. NOT UNLESS MUMMY KISSES US GOODNIGHT.

Daniela’s face flamed. “Matteo…”

Four tabs rose in chorus:

KISS!— Matteo.

KISS!— Alessio.

KISS!— Rocco.

KISS!— Leo.

Killian pinched the bridge of his nose. “God help me.”

Daniela knelt, quickly kissing each small forehead. The boys beamed, triumphant.

When she stood, her eyes met his. For one heartbeat too long, neither looked away.

“See you tomorrow, angels.” she whispered then turned to Killian. “Goodnight sir.”

He only grunted, but his gaze followed her all the way to the door.

Behind him, four identical smirks lit up in the shadows.

Mission successful.

After she left, Killian turned to the four boys who had their hands crossed above their chest.

“Go to bed.” He ordered.

They ignored him.

His jaw twitched. “So you act like angels only when she's around?”

_

Daniela glanced around as she stepped out of the elevator. She walked to the door and saw Julian waiting beside a black Mercedes 4-by-4.

“I'll drop you off, Mrs. Daniela.” He said then pulled open the back door.

Daniela thanked him and got in. She was amazed by the beauty of the car interior. Every where she looked screamed BILLIONAIRE! The car drove out into the road.

Midway into the road, Julian turned down the music. “Mrs. Daniela, there's an employment contract that needs your signature. After the contract is signed, your resume bonus will be sent to you. Please do fill in your bank info.”

Julian passed a small stack of paper to her. Daniela took it and read through it. She'd be working for three months, of which she'd be paid $100,000 each month. She had to clean her eyes multiple times when she saw her payment was 6 figures.

Daniela took out her pen and filled in the blank spaces. After that, she passed the documents back to Julian.

“Thanks for choosing to work with us. You'll be given a personal driver who'll come pick you every day. Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything.” Julian said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

Daniela nodded with a smile. Her phone beeps with a message.

Lara: Come to Loran Bar. We're having a small gathering with some friends.

Daniela looked up. They are almost at her apartment. “Excuse me, Mr. Julian.”

“No need to add Mr. Just call me Julian.”

“Ok. Could you please drop me off at Loran Bar?”

“Sure.” He replied then changed direction.

When they got to the bar, she alighted down and waved him goodbye before going in.

“Daniela!” A voice called out.

When she looked ahead, she saw Lara.

“Omg Daniela. Did you just come here in a 4-by-4?” Lara asked in surprise.

Daniela smiled as she was pulled into a hug. “I got the job.”

“That's great. Come let's celebrate.” Lara led her to a small group where some old friends from college were.

They had a small group talk before Lara pulled her aside. “So, how did it go? Was his child nice to you? Did they treat you well?” Lara instantly flooded her with questions.

“I'm alright Lara. I enjoyed taking care of his kids. Just that, I kinda messed up.”

Lara covered her mouth and made a dramatic oh-my-gosh sound. “What did you do.”

Daniela's face flushed red as she recalled the incident. “After the kids returned from school, they were having lunch, their dad was not on the table. So they told me to please call their dad. When I got up to his room, at first I didn't find anyone in the room. I was about leaving when I spotted a broken picture frame on the floor. I decided to take a look. I went into his room and picked up the picture, and just like that, the whole lights went out. When it finally came on, I was about leaving when the bathroom door opened…and he stepped out…wearing only a towel…around his waist.” Daniela covered her face in embarrassment.

Lara nearly choked on her water. “You mean to say, you are Killian Grafton were alone in his room, and the only thing he had on was a towel?”

Daniela nodded, her face burning hot. “I don't even have the courage to look him in the face.”

Lara burst out laughing. She patted Daniela's shoulder. “Don't worry, I'm sure he'd have forgotten about it by tomorrow.”

Daniela nodded then threw a piece of grape into her mouth.

“Hey ladies!” A male voice suddenly called out behind them.

When Daniela turned, she froze. Danim, her long distant boyfriend. Not boyfriend per say, but their relationship was very close, and he had moved overseas with his parents. But now he had returned.