Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 7: Chapter 7

DEMI

I had expected my life to change after taking on the last name of the Rollins family but what I underestimated was how quickly that will happen.

"What? What do you mean I can't work?"

I watch my new mother-in-law sip her coffee and gingerly replace the chinaware on the tray next to her chair. "Keep it down, Demi. It's too early and you're going to give me a headache." She subtly rubs her temples with her eyes pressed shut. I breathe through my teeth to rein in the temper brewing behind my eyes.

"Mrs. Rollins please..." I implore her, grabbing a seat next to her. "I am not cut out to be a house wife. I'll go crazy. I want to work. I love working."

"You're part of the Rollins family now, Demi. Everything you do henceforth can have a ripple effect on our image and the daughter-in-law of this family taking up a job will reflect poorly on us."

I can't believe she is saying this. How did she forget to mention this part when coaxing me to wed one of her sons? This is utterly ridiculous. I didn't sign up to be a prop in the Rollins mansion. Mrs. Rollins flicks a sympathetic glance at my anxious face and the first hints of amusement creeps into hers.

She chuckles loudly. "Are you really that devastated about doing absolutely nothing and having everything you could ever need at the snap of your fingers? Demi, I have a husband and four sons who make at least twenty million dollars weekly. Even if I decide to shop every day for the next five years, I won't go broke. You don't need to make money to earn your place here. That's my point."

"I don't want to work because I want to rival anyone's earnings. I could never do that even if I tried. I just love working Mrs. Rollins, because it fulfills me. I hate being idle. I wasn't raised that way." My face crumple with desperation.

"Tell me about your parents, Demi. I never asked."

The question catches me off guard. Mrs. Rollins is sitting uprightly now and staring intently at me. "Uh...they um...they died. Few years back."

"So sorry for your loss, dear." She takes a cautious sip from her steaming mug. "How, if you don't mind me asking."

I shift restlessly in my seat. This is clearly still a sore topic for me even after five years. "Occupational hazard." I blurt out. My fingers are suddenly clammy with sweat. "I am sorry. I just don't like reliving the pain by discussing the details." I lurch to my feet, uncomfortable with the palpable silence in the living room.

"I'm sorry Demi. I didn't mean to upset you."

unclench my fingers. The room feels hot all of

"Are you okay?"

gnawing at my fingertips

broken out in a

My forehead is coated with sweat. Ignoring it, I drop into my seat again. "I know it sounds ironic coming from a peasant like me but Mrs. Rollins, I am not comfortable living like my life is an endless vacation trip. Could you help me find a job that's befitting of my new status? Anything is fine as long as I have a place to go to every day and make meaningful contributions to, just like your quads." The quads. I pray she takes the bait. I want to work with one of the quads. I have to. Anyone will

I might not have as much time as I thought so I have to expedite my plans now. That

got married. It won't look good if you two swing back into work immediately. It's all over social media that your

famous? I wonder quietly as Mrs. Rollins rants about the need to dispel the rumors of my acceptance and marriage being another ploy by the Rollins family to smooth out the feathers ruffled by

and on the whims of the public opinion?" My lips

insist." I sink into my seat and blow raspberries with my lips. "I guess It's my fate to putter around the house in my flip flops and watch the clock ticking

purrs. I muffle an apology. For a woman in her fifties, Mrs. Rollins looks very good for her age. Her

Asher, Ashley, Ashal and Ashton. Every birth has a unique story to it. What was it like having the quads and nursing four babies? Must have been a madhouse" The smile on Mrs. Rollins' face deepens and her eyes light up as I continue, "How were you able to distinguish them? Did you have them wear name tags? Who

a tear from her eyes. She takes her precious time overwhelmed by the sudden flux of emotions. I feel uneasy watching

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Rollins..."

Then she proceeds to tell me how chaotic life

not tell them apart?" I ask after her story draws to an teary end. "You've known them all

cuss around me. He is the sweetest gentleman and very kind. Ashal..." Her

their authentic selves. I am not just here to fulfil my end of the bargain with their mother; I am here for a few other selfish reasons. I want to ensure that when my plans

promise to you, mother." I shoot her a toothy smile. "If I can't go back to my old job, then maybe I can learn a new one

watching him work. Mother buys my puppy dog look and in exactly forty-five minutes, we pull up in a sleek orange Maybach in front of Ashley's

suits. The interior of the shop has a roomy, closet feel despite the rows of color-coded clothing

the world. Ashley, clad in a dark blazer and pants is engrossed with tapering his latest silk dress to the

body, they aren't riddled with lust as usual. Rather, I note admirably that they're contemplative and full of appraisal. Watching him, I realize fashion is more than a business for

please?" The model obliges and spins. A small smile works its way onto Ashely's

any other presence here other than that of his model." I zero in on his face cloaked with rapt attention on the model while he works. I never imagined Ashley 'the flirt' could look upon a woman's body like she was merely a mannequin.

His eyes light up at the sight of his mom. His