Chapter 5 Women always blush.

Daniela stood by the dining table and watched the maids arrange the table. After they were done, they left. She smiled when she saw four of them walk out of the elevator with their dad behind them. 

They ran towards her and she helped them into their seats. After placing their plates in front of them, Daniela sat beside them. 

The dining table looked far too long for such little boys, but the quadruplets sat neatly, feet dangling off their chairs. The staff had already set the food, steaming and fragrant, but their father was nowhere in sight.

Matteo picked up his tab. He wrote on it while glancing at his brothers. 

MUMMY. COULD YOU PLEASE GO CALL DADDY? HE…FORGETS— Matteo.

He had an innocent look that didn't quite match the glint in his eyes.

Alessio, clutching his stuffed rabbit against his chest, nodded quickly. 

HE LIKES EATING WITH US. ALWAYS. PLEASE— Alessio.

His big, watery eyes were impossible to resist.

Daniela hesitated. “I…I’m sure someone else can—”

NO— Rocco cut her off by thumping his little fist against the table. YOU GO. DADDY WILL LISTEN TO YOU.

His smirk was almost too confident for a four-year-old.

Leo just sat there, silent, chin propped on his palm. He gave her the smallest smile, the kind that said we-know-exactly-what-we’re-doing.

“But I'm not allowed on the third floor, except I'm called…” 

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT. YOU'RE ONLY GOING UP TO CALL HIM. HIS ROOM IS THE SECOND DOOR BY THE RIGHT— Matteo.

Daniela exhaled, pushing back her chair. “Alright, fine. I’ll get him.”

The moment she disappeared into the elevator, Matteo leaned across the table.

SHE'S GOING! ROCCO, GO NOW! 

Rocco snickered, stuffing a piece of bread roll into his mouth. He jumped down from the chair and disappeared into the hallway.

Alessio looked nervous. WHAT IF SHE GETS MAD?

SHE WON'T. SHE'LL BLUSH. WOMEN ALWAYS BLUSH— Matteo.

Leo didn’t say a word. He only raised his juice glass in a silent toast.

__

Daniela pinched her dress as her finger hovered above the third floor button. She took a deep breath then pressed the button. 

The elevator door closed and slowly ascended up. When it got to the third floor, it stopped and the door slid open.

Daniela walked out. She was greeted by opulent elegance. A water fountain sat in the middle of the floor. A huge transparent glass wall was at the far end, giving a clear view of the bustling city ahead. A single crystal chandelier hung above the fountain, giving the water a shining effect.

The interior was almost the same as the rest floors. Black, grey and white but outlined with gold. It gave a luxurious feeling. 

Daniela walked pass the fountain. She spotted the second door by the left. It was closed. The whole floor was quite. 

When she got to the door, she knocked once. No answer.

The door creaked open under her hand, revealing the cavernous room. It was empty. No one was inside, but the beauty made her poke her head in and look around. 

She knew she was trespassing, she has to leave before something happens.

She turned to leave, but something caught her eye. A photograph on the floor, its glass frame cracked.

Curiosity kicked in. From the angle she stood, she could see two figures on the picture. Should she go? Should she leave? Although she didn't know why she wasn't allowed to ask them about their mum, but she felt curious to find out. 

This picture might give her a clue. She'll just take a quick look then leave. Daniela pushed the door then slid in through the small hole. 

She glanced around, after confirming no one was there, she tiptoed to the dressing table.

Bending down, she picked it up. A wedding picture. The man in black suit was Killian, younger, sharper, harder. And the woman, her face was torn away, ripped jaggedly from the photo.

A chill pricked Daniela’s skin. She knew she shouldn’t be here. She started to set the frame back down, when the lights flickered, then cut out completely.

Her breath caught. The sudden darkness swallowed the room. The curtains were closed, blocking out the light from outside. Daniela panicked. Oh no! 

Her curiosity just put her in trouble. She stretched out her hand to try and find the nearest wall, but luckily for her, the lights came back on after some seconds. She exhaled in relief.

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

Steam poured out in thick waves. He stepped into the doorway, tall, broad, only a towel slung low around his waist. Water dripped from his hair, sliding from his sturdy chest, down to that place were the towel covered. His gaze found her instantly, sharp as a blade.

Daniela froze, clutching the broken frame like a guilty thief.

“What are you doing in my room?” His deep voice cut through the silence, low and commanding.

Daniela's cheeks flamed, her pulse hammering. Downstairs, four little boys stifled their laughter, waiting for the trap to spring.

Daniela’s mouth went dry. “I—I was just—” She held up the broken frame like a shield. “I came to… to call you for lunch, and I found this on the floor. I didn’t mean to—”

His eyes flicked to the frame in her hand, then back to her. His jaw tightened, unreadable.

“You shouldn’t be in here,” he said flatly, taking a slow step closer. The towel shifted slightly at his hips, and Daniela’s pulse shot to her throat.

“I—I know,” she stammered, backing toward the door and dropping the frame. “It won’t happen again.”

He didn’t reply. Just watched her, eyes dark, until she slipped out into the hallway.

By the time she reached the dining room, her face was still red, her hands clammy. The quadruplets looked up at her in perfect unison, wide-eyed angels.

HOW WAS DADDY?— Matteo asked, looking far too innocent.

Daniela narrowed her eyes. Four little mouths twitched, fighting back grins. She pulled out her chair slowly, sinking into it with a sigh.

“He’ll be down in a minute,” she muttered.

Matteo leaned into his brothers. 

TOLD YOU SHE'LL BLUSH— Matteo.

He didn't let Daniela see what he wrote on his tab. They did a secret high five under the table, which didn't go unheard by Daniela.

Daniela froze halfway. She glanced at them sharply, but all four boys were suddenly absorbed in their food, looking like little saints.