Eighteen years later...SheilaI am sitting on the edge of my bed, nervously twisting my braids. I need to talk to my brothers, but I am nervous. Sure, I am close with my brothers, and I love them to death but still...They terrify me.Fuck it, I'll go talk to them. It's now or never.I find them in the living room chattering about business."Guys," I begin hesitantly, looking up at my brothers who towered around me. "I've been thinking about something... I'd like to go on a date with Jack from school."The quadruplets exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. "Date?" Jonas says."Jack? You mean that guy who's always hanging out by the skate park?" Oliver chimes in, his eyebrows raised skeptically."Come on, Sheila," Henrik adds, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know better than to get involved with someone like him."Someone like him? Give me a break. Did they forget what they do for a living?I look at each of my brothers in turn, taking a deep breath. "I know you guys
Sheila "It's not true. Those are just stupid rumors. Lies spread by..." I stammer. "By who?" Jack asks. "I don't know! But it's ridiculous if you actually believe I am part of a Mafia family," I say and let out a nervous giggle. Oh god, this is so embarrassing. I wish I had let my dad send me to a boarding school far away or had me homeschooled. But I was the one who begged him to let me stay. I can tell Jack doesn't believe me and I feel my heart sink in disappointment. I had hoped that he would believe me and give me a chance to prove myself, but instead, he just stares at me with a look of disbelief. I take a deep breath, trying desperately to think of something that might convince him otherwise. "Look," I say, mustering all the courage I have left. "Maybe you don't know this about me, but my parents were actually really wealthy before the mafia rumors started." "I'm not saying I believe it," Jack says, studying my expression. "I just...I'd rather not take the risk. I rememb
Sheila That evening, my brothers noticed my cheerful demeanor. "What's got you so smiley?" asks Jonas. His piercing gaze making me nervous. "Nothing. Just in a good mood." I focus on my dinner, hoping he will drop it. But Oliver isn't easily fooled. "Come on, we know you better than that. Spill." I hesitate, then decide to tell them, "I met someone in art class today." Jonas straightens, his eyes narrowing. "Who? What's his name?" "Relax," I say. "His name is Ethan. We just talked about art, that's all." "Art, huh?" Aleks crosses his arms. "I don't like the sound of this guy." Henrik shakes his head. "Me neither. He sounds like a punk." I sigh, stabbing at my food. I love my brothers, but their overprotectiveness is suffocating. "You don't even know him. Ethan seems really nice." "They all seem nice at first," Aleks says darkly. "Until their true colors show." Oliver nods. "We're just looking out for you, Sheila. Be careful with this Ethan character." I want to argue, bu
OliverSheila is charging towards me. Her face is flushed red. She must be pissed at me and I know exactly why."How could you!?" she snarls at me."What do you mean? How could I what?" I feign ignorance which seems to piss her off even more."HOW COULD YOU RUIN MY DATE?" she roars.Jeez...so angry. I swear she has anger issues like Dad. "Don't scream at me, Sheila. I am older than you.""I don't give a hoot how old you are," she growls."What's all this commotion here?" Our father, Victor walks in and asks."Sheila is screaming at me because I scared her little date at the museum," I say gruffly.Dad scowls. "Date? What date?"Sheila's face turns pale. I can tell she is caught off guard as she didn't want to tell our father about her dating boys already. Hmm...I feel bad for her now. "She is trying to get a date for the Prom, Dad, that's all," I say in her defense."Okay...so what's the issue here?" Dad asks. "Ethan is new and he hasn't heard all the dumb rumors about me and my fam
Sheila I changed my clothes at least three times in less than an hour. I am nervous. No, not just nervous. I am absolutely terrified of the dinner tonight. When Oliver told me he was planning on inviting Ethan over for dinner, my heart plunged to my throat. I tried to say no because I knew what my brothers were up to. They just want to invite Ethan so they can scare him in the comfort of their own home. But for some reason, I couldn't say no. Maybe because seeing Ethan in my house is much more tempting. I make a mental note to myself: I must protect Ethan from the quadruplets' wrath. And so I am standing in front of my wardrobe, looking for the perfect outfit. Nothing screams "I'm not interested" more than a casual T-shirt and jeans, but I don't want to seem too eager either. I try on a white summer dress with delicate lace details that fall perfectly around my curves. But then again, it's too girly and Ethan might think I'm trying too hard. So I put on a pair of slim-fitting j
Sheila"Out! Get out of my house, NOW!" Dad roars, pointing at Ethan."Dad! What the hell!?" I stand up too. What is he doing and why? "Why are you saying this to Ethan?"Ethan looks as confused as me. "Sir?""I need you to leave. And make sure you and my daughter never see each other again," Dad says."I don't understand," Ethan says."Me neither," I say as I stare at my dad, completely embarrassed and horrified."Yeah, Dad. What's going on?" Henrik remarks."Hold on, everyone. Let's take a moment to understand what's happening here," Mom says, her voice steady and composed. "Victor, why are you suddenly asking Ethan to leave and demanding that they never see each other again?"Dad takes a deep breath, his anger subsiding slightly as he tries to explain himself. "It's for their own good. I can't have Damien Sky's son date my daughter."Mom looks at him curiously. "Damien Sky? Victor, why is that name significant? Why are you freaking out about him?""Damien and I go way back. And not
HenrikDang, family dramas, am I right?After causing that big scene at dinner, Dad got us all together for a private meeting."I need you all to keep an eye on your sister," he says in a hushed tone. "Don't we do that anyway?" Jonas rolls his eyes."I am serious!" Dad growls at him. "Pay extra attention to her. Make sure she doesn't see Ethan again.""You do realize they go to the same school, right? And they plan on going to the Prom together," I remind him."I will pull her out of school if I have to," Dad says gruffly.All four of us shake our heads disapprovingly. "That's a terrible idea," Oliver says. "She is about to graduate soon. You can't pull her out of school now. She will never forgive you.""Yup. Oli is right. Let her graduate at least," Aleks agrees.Dad's expression softens. He takes a deep breath, his voice reflecting a mixture of concern and resignation. "Fine. But you all need to promise me that you'll keep a close eye on her. And if anything feels off or suspicious
HenrikI lean back in my chair as the waitress approaches us."Here's your whiskey on the rock. Let me know if you need anything else," she says with a smile.I smile back. "You know what, there is something else I need.""What's that?" she asks."I was wondering if you would spend some time with me tonight," I say.Her smile falters a bit. "What do you mean?""I mean, why don't we go to one of those private rooms and...talk? Maybe you could give me a lap dance?" I say and wink at her.Her cheeks flush. "I am not one of the dancers. I am just a server."I shrug. "What if I pay extra?"She sucks in a breath and her eyes narrow. "Are you serious? That's highly inappropriate." She takes a step back, clearly offended.But I'm not one to be deterred so easily. I lean in closer and give her a smirk. "Come on, it will be fun. I promise you won't regret it."She shakes her head and takes a step back. "I am not interested in being paid to dance for you."I shrug again. "That's too bad. But may