DEMI
I don't know what the hell I am doing but I can't stand these accusations and threats anymore. I had wanted to take the blame and end this farce quietly but it seems the Rollins Empire are more ruthless than everyone thinks. They won't let us off easily and aunt will ultimately blame me for everything.
The brothers all stiffen at my utterance. Good, the culprit deserves it for standing here with a straight face and letting me take all the heat for our stupid action last night.
"How so?" The serious looking detective wannabe one leers at me. He's too stuck up. I doubt he has a romantic side. The one I had been with definitely knew how to make a woman laugh and feel. That leaves the other three brothers behind their quiet mother.
"I woke up from a terrible hangover to find the marriage certificate. I couldn't have dreamt it all up. The church exists. As time passes, snippets of last night filter into my memory."
"What the fuck are you saying?" The brash one with thug vibes cuts me off. I rule him out too. He hasn't relaxed his facial muscles ever since he set eyes on me. It's almost like plebeians are a trigger for him. That leaves the flirty one and the quiet one. Neither can be innocent especially given the intimate kiss I now remember sharing with one of them. I recall losing myself in his blue eyes, burying my fingers in his curly hair, and the bite. He definitely bit down possessively on my lips.
"The signature. Why don't we compare it with all yours. Whoever it matches is the man who married me." They all scoff. "That signature is very unique. It can't be pulled off by just any random guy." I am panicking but I hope nobody senses it. When I look up, Mrs. Rollins is smiling warmly at me. For the first time, I take an easy breath. "I still want an annulment but before that, I want to prove to you, Mr. Rollins, that I am not a liar. I have never wanted to be wedded to one of your sons irrespective of your wealth. I admire your family but I don't want your life. I am content with my aunt and our quiet neighborhood. Fame isn't everyone's wish."
"I hate to break it to you but this signature can be replicated by all four of us. It's a popular one we use when signing autographs for people. Pictures of it are splattered over the internet. Some people even print it on their shirts. I am saying anyone could have copied it." The I-have-to-impress-my-daddy brother retorts. "You clearly don't know who your groom is because frankly, you're looking for him at the wrong house."
"That's enough. I've had enough of this." Mr. Rollins says. He orders Duncan to throw us out. Aunt and Kira have surprisingly backed down from the fight as the mission has failed. "Don't you even think of talking to the media or making anymore posts about this issue. I will deal mercilessly with you if you try it."
"Calm down, dear." Mrs. Rollins intervenes for the first time. She waves Duncan away and escorts us to our car where we get our phones back.
"Mrs. Rollins, I am not lying. One of your sons knows I'm not." I plead with her to believe me.
"My sons will never lie to me."
"I am sorry but this time, you're wrong. I wasn't sure this morning because I was hung over but as time passes, it's all coming back to me. I apologize for the media mess and I assure you I don't want any of the attention. The leaking of the certificate was wrong on our end but we couldn't get an audience with your family otherwise so I can get an annulment." My aunt grunts behind me.
"If it's money you want, I'll have someone handle that." Mrs. Rollins tells my aunt. "And you, Demi, do you swear to me that you aren't one of those desperate girls hounding my sons to get their last name? Are you certain one of my boys did wed you and knows you aren't fibbing?"
"I swear it, Mrs. Rollins. He…" My cheeks turn red and I look at my shoes. "He kissed me." I can feel aunt's bulging eyes. "I was in pain from the heartbreak and vulnerable. I must have accidentally mixed up the male and female bathrooms upstairs in the club. He asked the bouncers not to hurt me and took me into the VVIP section. He was alone."
"Alone?"
"Yes. No ladies but lots of alcohol." It was all coming back to me now. "He listened to me. He didn't touch me except to brush my hair off my face or wipe my tears. He was kind to me. I must have kissed his cheek and that was what prompted him to kiss my lips. I'm sorry Mrs. Rollins. I don't remember how we got to the church. I'll tell you everything once it comes back to me."
Mrs. Rollins watched me intently. "Do you still want an annulment?"
Her question fazes me. "What?"
"If you want an annulment, I'll arrange for it to be done."
"And if she doesn't?" My aunt asks, edging closer.
Mrs. Rollins smiles. "If she doesn't, I just might know which of my sons married her last night."
***
The ride back is surprisingly silent. Aunt keeps watching me through the rearview mirror. Mrs. Rollins said some shocking things to us back at their mansion. Apparently, she can't always tell her sons apart especially when they are all dressed alike. However, she knows each one's temperament, their likely response to a given situation, the way they talk. Her sons also know she knows so whenever they want to switch on her, each one plays a different brother and their mum is back to not knowing them. The family is used to their pranks. Only their father can get them to admit to being themselves but that rarely happens.
Mrs. Rollins is sick of being the only woman in the family. She is not a fan of the few women her sons have brought home. They're not exactly ideal. She admits she has taken a liking to me because I represent everything she wishes for in a daughter-in-law; reserved, intelligent, prudent, mannered and most importantly, I am not afraid to stand up to her sons.
So, she proposes that I hold off on getting the marriage annulled. Whether I choose to annul it or not, it will still make headlines and I can never go back to my life before paparazzi.
"Will you take her deal?" Aunt asks me. Mrs. Rollins generously wired twenty million dollars to my aunt and promised to continue to look out for our family if aunt is kinder towards me. She had seen through my aunt's façade and knew just what kind of life I lived under her.
"To choose any of her sons as my groom and stick with him for a year in hopes of straightening the attitude of the quads?" I repeat Mrs. Rollins proposition. "I don't want to, aunt. You got the money you wanted, twice over. I just want this to all blow over so I can forget this nightmare."
"You're really going to blow off being the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins Empire?" Kira scoffs. "Wow, Life really isn't fair."
"Did you see them?"
"I did and they're sexy, Greek gods."
"Did you hear them?" I paraphrase to Kira. "They're so mean, proud and entitled."
"They have every right to be. They have the looks, name and status to be entitled." Kira fires back.
"I hate to break it to you but not every woman wants to be married to the Rollins brothers."
"And who would you prefer? Two-timing Iman?" she laughs and aunt shoots her a warning glance.
I can't believe Kira would go there. Actually, I can. It's Kira after all. "Aunt, can you please drop me off at the book store? I am expecting an early customer and I have to set up."
My aunt drops me without a fuss and only tells me to sleep on the proposal. Thankfully, neither Mr. Rahl nor Liam is in sight. I unlock the store and head inside. I quickly begin to set up. I have already lost hours of daylight. The bell chimes, noting the entry of a guest.
"Sorry, we aren't open yet…" I freeze as Iman stares back at me. "Iman, what are you doing here?" I hate that my voice is shaky. I still love him after everything he put me through. Iman rushes to me and falls to my feet.
"Baby, I have been looking all over for you. I am deeply sorry, my love. I was hurting from all the neglect."
"I was working and you said it was fine when I told you I wanted to wait till marriage." I croak out, tears rushing down my face. Iman pulls me in for a hug. "How could you still think that your betrayal is my fault?"
"I am sorry, love. I am so sorry."
"You called me a boring girlfriend." I murmur.
"I didn't mean that. I am sorry. You are not boring and those women meant nothing. I couldn't stop thinking about you." His grip tightens around my waist. "I swear on my life, I will never make you cry again. I promise baby." I don't want to believe him but before I know it, he smashes his lips to mine and kisses me deeply.
I want to pull away from this forceful kiss but memories of my kiss with one of the Ash brothers fill my mind. It had started gently and gradually grew intense. I recall the taste of his lips and instantly I can't stand Iman's. The sound of a camera clicking filters into the shop. I push Iman away and find that we have been photographed by someone, Iman's friend, Gary. I stare into Iman's face. I should have known he would do anything for five seconds of fame. Tears fill my eyes. The Rollins family won't spare me now.
Someone wrenches the phone from Gary's hand and smashes it to the ground. He stomps the heels of his boots on it severally like a mad man. Gary flees instantly. With both hands in the pockets of his black leather jacket, he turns to face us through the glass.
I stare helplessly into the eyes of one of the Rollins Brothers. Which one is he for goodness' sake?
"Virgins don't kiss like that." He blurts.