Istri Cantik Pilihan Mamaku

Killian Grafton could survive an ambush. He could sit across from a rival mob boss and negotiate with a gun pressed to his temple.

But getting his 4-year-old quadruplet sons out of bed?

Impossible. 

“Matteo, Alessio, Rocco, Leo.” Killian’s voice was low but sharp as he banged on the blue door in the hallway. Every other door in the Grafton fortress was black. This one? These little tyrants had insisted on blue.

He knocked again. No answer.

He pushed the door open, the dim light from the dressing table lamp casting a warm glow over the boys curled up like burritos in their blanket. Killian strode over and tapped their legs. “School. Now.”

They all groaned, rolled over, and yanked the blanket over their head.

Killian exhaled sharply. His meeting starts at 8:00 a.m, the clock read 7:20, and if they all pulled their usual stunt, he’d be late again, something no billionaire could afford.

“Don’t make me homeschool you,” Killian warned, yanking the blanket away.

That got the boys sitting up, glaring at him with sleepy defiance.

Twenty minutes later, Matteo, Alessio, Rocco and Leo were washed, dressed, and sulking at the kitchen counter while Killian sliced vegetables.

“Omelette or noodles?” Killian asked, not looking up.

Silence.

He turned and nearly cursed. Rocco was holding a knife.

“Rocco.” Killian crossed the kitchen in three strides, pried the blade from his small hands, and shoved it far out of reach.

He decided to make both meals, since they can be picky, especially when it came to breakfast and he was running out of time. 

By the time the food hit the table, Matteo, Alessio, Rocco and Leo were already scribbling something on their writing tabs. They held it up, and it all read different things:

I WANT BREAD TOAST AND BACON!—Matteo.

I WANT PANCAKES!— Alessio.

I WANT MILK AND COOKIES!— Rocco.

I WANT ICE CREAM!— Leo.

“Eat what’s in front of you,” Killian ordered.

They all shoved their plates away.

Killian’s jaw twitched. “I said—”

Before he could complete his sentence, four plates crashed on the floor, their content scattering across the marble floor. The four of them jumped down from their chair and dashed out of the dining room.

Killian pinched the bridge of his nose. Not this again. He stood up and walked to the fridge. Picking out some beacon and bread, he tossed the bread into the toaster then placed the beacon in a frypan. 

He turned some milk into a glass cup then placed it in the microwave to heat up. He carried the bucket of ice cream out of the fridge and scooped some spoons into a bowl. After returning it back to the fridge, he turned on the stove and poured some pancake mix into a pan. 

He fished out a box of cookies from the cabinet and turned some of it into a plate.

These boys are getting on his nerves. Always when he's late to meetings they decides to throw a tantrum. 

They could have been homeschooled long ago, but the doctor insisted they be placed around their peers, as it could help them learn to speak. He hated himself. All these wouldn't have happened if he had not left them with their mother. 

She was a psychopath. For two whole years, she abused them from the age of two. They were traumatized to the extent they couldn't speak when the time came. It was after their divorce he found out about them. They had scars, belt marks, cigarette burns all over their body.

He had her locked up in a mental asylum. According to the doctor, the time they should have spent learning how to say words, they were living in fear and confusion. The person who was supposed to care for them was the one hurting them.

They had a mild developmental delay that affected the language center of their brain. It’s not that they were mentally incapable, but the pathways for speech were weak or underdeveloped.

Placing them around other kids could help them develop, that was the only reason they weren't being homeschooled. But if this little game of theirs continued, they'll be homeschooled no matter what.

A phone call came through. Killian walked over to the dining table and answered it. 

“Boss, the meeting’s starting.” Antonio's voice came through. 

“Handle it without me,” Killian replied, his voice filled with exhaustion. 

“And also, the meeting tonight. You promised you won't miss it.” 

“I know. It's marked on my calendar. Reserve four seats for the Quad, I'm bringing them along.” 

Antonio paused. “Although, children aren't allowed, but I'll let them know you're bringing them.” 

Killian sighed and ended the call. He threw his phone on the table and turned back to the stove, only to find the whole place covered in smoke.

“Shit.” He cursed under his breath as he rushed to the stove and quickly turned it off. The bacon was completely black. Looking over his shoulder, the toaster smoked like it was on fire. The supposedly white pancake now had the same color as the pan, the ice cream had already melted.

That's it. He's so done with this children. 

Killian snatched his phone, dialed, and growled when the call picked up.

“Boss, do you need anything?”

“Get me a nanny.”

Matteo, Alessio, Rocco and Leo came running into the kitchen with their writing tabs held up. 

Killian read the words with a twisted expression. 

WE WANT A MUMMY, NOT A NANNY!— They all read. 

His jaw twitched. “Get me a nanny, a wife, anyone that can handle this children.”

“Ok boss. I'll start my search now.” 

Killian ended the call then looked at the four of them. “Come here, now.” He ordered, but they all turned on their heels and ran away. 

___

Daniela refreshed her phone for the fifth time. No new messages. No missed calls. She glanced at the pile of flyers she had handed out all week and crushed one in her hand. Not a single parent had reached out after the rejection she had just received.  

Across the room, Lara flicked her hair in the mirror. “You know why, right?”

Daniela turned. “Why what?”

“Why you’re still jobless.” 

Daniela raised a brow. “What do you think is the reason?” 

Lara walked over and spun her laptop around, showing Daniela’s resume. “This picture. You look like you’re applying to be a nun, not a nanny. Replace it with that bikini shot from the beach, and boom, job offers in the next 2 hours.”

Daniela groaned. “I’m looking for work, not a date.”

“Suit yourself. Just don’t come crying when you can’t pay rent.” Lara winked.

Daniela’s smile faded. “It’s not just rent. My brother’s landlord gave me a few days’ grace. I don’t even know how I’ll cover their fees. I’m running out of time, Lara.”

For once, her friend’s teasing softened. Lara touched her shoulder. “Then come with me tonight.”

“Tonight?” Daniela frowned.

“A socialist mask gathering. Everyone who matters will be there. Businessmen, fashion designers, probably half the city’s parents. If you want a nanny job, that’s where you’ll find it.” 

Daniela hesitated. “But we weren’t invited…”

Lara’s lips curved. “I borrowed a pair of invitations from a couple who are on a business trip. And rumor has it Kamil G will be attending.”

Daniela’s eyes widened. “Kamil G? The Kamil G?!”

“The very one.”

Daniela shot to her feet, her eyes beaming. “Why didn’t you say that earlier? What are we wearing?”

“Relax, I’ve got us covered. Go shower, I’ll pack for you.”

Daniela ran for the bathroom, excitement buzzing through her veins.

Lara watched the door click shut, then turned back to her laptop. Her fingers flew over the keys, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she typed somethings on Daniela's resume.

“Perfect.” She whispered after she was done then shutdown the laptop. 

__

The four little boys stood in a circle in their room. They were all dressed in small suits. While waiting for their daddy to arrive, they planned a secret operation.

The eldest, Matteo, scribbled something on his writing tab then showed it to the rest. 

TONIGHT, WE ARE FINDING A MUMMY FOR OURSELVES.— Matteo.

WE HAVE TO FIND ONE BEFORE DADDY EMPLOYS A NANNY— Alessio.

WHOSOEVER FINDS A MUMMY FIRST, SHOULD CONTACT THE REST OF US— Rocco.

AFTER WE FIND MUMMY, WE'LL MAKE DADDY FALL IN LOVE WITH HER, THAT WAY WE CAN BE WITH HER FOREVER— Leo.

They all nodded in agreement then turned on their smart watch. They tapped a button and the watches connected to each other.

EVERYONE, DISCONNECT DADDY FROM YOUR WATCH, SO HE WON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE— Alessio.

They all disconnected Killian from their watch. Now he won't know where they are or what they are up to.

OPERATION FIND MUMMY AND MAKE DADDY FALL IN LOVE WITH HER HAS BEGUN— Matteo. 

They placed their small hands on each other then raised it up. 

Just then, a butler walked in and gave a slight bow. “Your dad is here. Please proceed to the last floor where the car is waiting.” 

The four of them walked out then took the elevator down with a sly smile plastered across their faces.