Chapter 5: Saturday Plans

The soft morning light filtered through my cottage windows as I awoke on Saturday, my mind already crystallizing a plan for navigating this new and unwelcome situation. Carl and Jean had made their sentiments crystal clear last night—they didn't want me here. Truthfully, Jean's disdain for me had been painfully evident long before I ever set foot in California.

Rather than allow their cold hostility to dictate my choices or drive me away, I decided to carve out my own path of independence. I would visit town, purchase everything necessary for my small cottage, and stock the refrigerator with enough provisions to last. This strategy would eliminate any need to venture into the main house except to access my car in the garage—minimizing unwanted encounters with people who clearly wished I would disappear.

I slipped into a comfortable pair of shorts and a light tank top, collected my shoes and purse, then headed purposefully toward the garage. The main house stood eerily quiet as I navigated through the back entrance and kitchen. No voices or footsteps disturbed the morning silence, for which I felt immensely grateful. The last thing I needed was someone questioning my movements or intentions.

My sleek black car awaited me in the garage like a faithful companion, its polished surface gleaming under the overhead lights. As I settled into the driver's seat, my fingers traced the supple leather interior with appreciation. Despite our complicated relationship, my father had selected this vehicle with surprising thoughtfulness. We might not share the closest bond, but his efforts to bridge the distance between us meant something significant—a realization that brought an unexpected smile to my lips.

The car's display illuminated as I turned the key, and I felt a wave of relief seeing the GPS system ready to guide me. After programming my destinations and saving the routes for future reference, I eased out of the garage and down the winding driveway. Almost immediately, my phone began to ring, the screen displaying an unfamiliar number. With a resigned sigh, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Where the fuck are you going?" Carl's voice thundered through the speaker, sharp with unmistakable anger. His commanding tone struck me as both amusing and infuriating.

"Why the hell do you care, and how did you get my number?" I countered, refusing to be intimidated.

"Don't change the subject, Lina. Where are you going? You’re not allowed to leave without telling someone... your father is worried."

"That's interesting, considering I sent him a text this morning about my plans to visit the store," I lied smoothly, curious to see how he would respond to being caught in his deception.

The line fell silent. I hadn't actually messaged my father, but Carl's hesitation confirmed my suspicions about his manipulation.

"That's besides the point," he finally muttered, his voice losing some of its earlier conviction.

"Nice try lying, but I'll return when I'm finished. Don't call again." I ended the call without waiting for his response, irritation pulsing through me. I never imagined these four men would become such an immediate source of tension in my life, especially when I had no interest in engaging with them at all. Perhaps it was some territorial male instinct at play—whatever it was, I found it exhausting.

The town appeared more charming than it had yesterday, bathed in golden morning light. I felt a spark of anticipation about beginning my work at FaunaSphere Dynamics on Monday. Immersing myself in research would provide the perfect distraction from the unwelcome drama unfolding at my new residence.

The grocery store bustled with weekend shoppers—not surprising given its proximity to the research campus. As I stepped out of my car, a familiar voice called my name. Jessica approached from the bus stop, her face brightening with a genuine smile.

"Hey Jessica!"

"Oh my God, is that your car?" she exclaimed, running her fingers reverently across the glossy black hood.

"Yes, my father gave it to me yesterday. The commute to campus is about forty minutes, so it's quite necessary. Are you shopping too?" I asked, noting the capacious rucksack slung across her shoulders.

"Lina, you're literally living every girl's secret fantasy. Are you kidding me right now?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

My brows knitted together as I tried to decipher her meaning. Surely she couldn't be suggesting what I thought. Despite their undeniable attractiveness and my occasional wandering thoughts, any relationship with these men seemed utterly inappropriate.

"I doubt that. Besides, they clearly dislike me," I reminded her, prompting a dramatic sigh.

"Well, I think you should give them a chance. Or perhaps just have some fun. That's what being young is about—experiencing new things. Maybe two or four things simultaneously..." she suggested with a conspiratorial whisper.

"Jessica!" I gasped, scandalized by her boldness.

"What? I'm merely pointing out possibilities..." We dissolved into laughter as we rounded the corner, only to collide with what felt like an immovable wall. Looking up, I found myself staring into Barry and Devin's faces—Barry wearing his customary expression of disapproval while Devin's features softened with an easy smile.

"Devin... Barry..." I stammered, momentarily disoriented by their unexpected presence. "What brings you here?"

"Shopping," Devin replied, his grin widening as Barry rolled his eyes in apparent annoyance.

"Who are these horsemen?" Jessica whispered, leaning closer to me with unmistakable excitement.

"Barry and Devin. The other half of the four..."

"Four!" Jessica exclaimed loudly, causing Devin to chuckle. "Holy shit... You mean like one, two, three, four... Four brothers under one roof?"

Barry groaned, fixing me with a penetrating stare. "Why does it matter how many of us there are?"

"Oh, well because there are these things called a four—" I clamped my hand over Jessica's mouth, mortified by what she was about to suggest. Despite my efforts to silence her, when I glanced back at the brothers, their expressions revealed they had understood the implication perfectly.

"We should be going... have a wonderful day!" I pushed my shopping cart forward with unprecedented speed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as Jessica's muffled laughter followed me down the aisle. Though thoroughly mortified, I couldn't deny a certain intrigue about the scenario she had so brazenly suggested.

After completing our shopping and bidding Jessica farewell, I returned home and transferred my purchases into a collapsible wagon for the short trek to my cottage. As I approached my temporary sanctuary, an unmistakable sensation of being watched washed over me.

Turning quickly, I spotted Carl advancing purposefully along the path behind me. I hastened my pace, desperate to reach the safety of my door before he could intercept me.

His hand shot out to prevent the door's closure, and he forced his way inside, his intense blue eyes darkened with anger. "I know you heard me approaching."

"Yes, I did. Now get out," I retorted sharply, standing my ground despite our significant height difference.

He blocked the doorway, voice raw. "Try vanishing again—"

"Your parenting license expired." I slashed the air with my phone. "Trespassing’s a felony. Move."

In a rage, he let out a furious growl, which chased me back a step. Hackles rising, I caught it—that liquid glimmer of gold igniting in his pupils as he closed the distance, feral as a blade unsheathed.

"Watch your damn mouth, considering who charges here!" Carl roared towards me, sending me a shivering body. My mind paused, seemingly stuck in his words as he turned around and left.

Staring at his hot figure, I lost in a soft illusion, charming as him, I must admit this point.

Considering my soon starting life here, I recognized the importance of maintaining some semblance of peace in this household. While I refused to display weakness or submission, I also understood the folly of creating unnecessary conflict that might complicate my situation further.

Later, settled on my small sofa with a steaming cup of coffee, I checked my phone to find Jessica had texted inquiring about further developments with "the four." Her earlier suggestion about exploring possibilities with them lingered persistently in my thoughts. Each possessed unique qualities and undeniable appeal that sparked my curiosity. If I were to consider any sort of connection, Ara and Devin seemed significantly more approachable than their counterparts.

My phone chimed again. The message wasn't from Jessica, but from the same number that had called earlier:

'Embrace everything here, little puss.'