ENTANGLED WITH THE SEVEN POPULAR GUYS

Celine sat at her small kitchen table, her head resting on her hands. The chipped wood beneath her elbows reminded her of how far she was from the life she dreamed of. Ever since she lost her job at the diner months ago, things had been depressing. Every job interview ended the same way,with polite rejection. Her savings were reducing, and the bills on the counter were piling up.

She sighed, pushing her thoughts aside, when her phone buzzed loudly against the table. Startled, she picked it up. The caller ID displayed a number she didn't recognize. Her heart skipped a beat as she hesitated to answer, but curiosity won.

"Hello?" she said cautiously.

"Is this Celine?" A calm, professional female voice greeted her.

"Yes, this is Celine."

"I'm the house manager of the West Avenue mansion. We're looking for a new maid, and your name came highly recommended," she explained.

Celine blinked, her mind racing. The West Avenue mansion? Everyone in the city knew about it. Seven of the richest, most popular bachelors lived there. The thought of working in such a place felt surreal.

"Are you still interested in the position?" the woman prompted after a moment of silence.

"Yes, absolutely!" Celine blurted out, her voice filled with sudden excitement. She fumbled for a pen and paper to jot down the address as he continued.

"Excellent. Please arrive tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. sharp," she said before hanging up.

Celine stared at the phone in her hand, her heart pounding. Could this be the break she had been waiting for?

The next morning, she stood outside the towering gates of the mansion. It was even more impressive in person than in pictures,massive stone walls, meticulously trimmed hedges, and an air of quiet luxury that screamed exclusivity. She adjusted her second-hand blazer, feeling small and out of place.

The gates opened with a soft hum, and Celine walked up the stone driveway, her nerves growing with each step.

Inside, the mansion was breathtaking. Polished marble floors gleamed under grand chandeliers, and the walls were lined with expensive art pieces. Celine tried not to gape as the house manager, Ms. Perry, approached her with a welcoming smile.

"Celine, welcome. Let's go over a few things before we start," Ms. Perry said, leading her into a cozy but elegant sitting room.

Ms. Perry handed her a list of rules. Celine scanned the page quickly. The expectations were clear: maintain cleanliness, respect the residents' privacy, and always be available when called upon. She nodded as Ms. Perry explained each rule, doing her best to appear confident despite the butterflies in her stomach.

"Do you have any questions?" Ms. Perry asked after Celine signed the agreement.

"No, everything seems clear," Celine replied, her voice steady.

"Good. Let me show you around," Ms. Perry said.

The tour was overwhelming. Every corner of the mansion was immaculate and opulent, from the sprawling kitchen to the countless guest rooms. Ms. Perry introduced Celine to a few other staff members, who all seemed friendly enough, but something about the place felt... strange.

As they walked down one of the long, quiet hallways, Celine couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She glanced over her shoulder more than once, but the halls were empty. She brushed the thought aside, chalking it up to her nerves. She put off her worries and continued.

Later that day, Celine began her first task: cleaning one of the guest rooms. She worked carefully, determined to make a good impression.

While dusting the corners of the room, she noticed something odd..a small black lens embedded in the wall. Her breath hitched as she realized it was a hidden camera.

Why would they need cameras in guest rooms? she wondered, her unease growing. But she quickly pushed the thought aside. This job was her chance to turn her life around, and she couldn't afford to mess it up.

A knock at the door startled her. She opened it to find a tall, strikingly handsome man leaning casually against the frame.

"Hi, I'm Jack," he said, flashing a charming smile.

"H-hi, I'm Celine," she stammered, taken aback by his presence.

"Welcome to the mansion," Jack said warmly. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Celine nodded, barely managing to thank him before he walked away. Her heart raced as she closed the door. Was he always that friendly?

The next day, as she cleaned another room, there was another knock. This time, it was Liam. His kind eyes and easygoing demeanor immediately put her at ease.

"Just checking in to see how you're settling in," he said with a friendly smile.

"I'm doing fine, thank you," Celine replied, her voice steadier this time.

"Good. Let me know if you ever need help," Liam said before leaving.

The days passed quickly as Celine threw herself into her work. Despite the grandeur of the mansion, it often felt cold and unwelcoming. She continued to feel eyes on her, though she never caught anyone watching.

One afternoon, Ms. Perry called her to the lounge. "Celine, the gentlemen would like to meet you formally," she said.

Celine's stomach flipped, but she nodded. She followed Ms. Perry to the lounge, her footsteps echoing in the vast halls. The heavy double doors loomed ahead, and her nerves tightened as Ms. Perry pushed them open.

Inside, the room was grand and tastefully decorated, but all Celine could focus on were the seven men seated around it. The atmosphere shifted as their attention turned to her.

"Celine, welcome," said Gabriel, the one who seemed to be the leader. His tone was calm but authoritative, his presence commanding yet approachable.

"Nice to meet you," Celine managed, her voice soft.

Gabriel gestured to the others, introducing them one by one. Jack and Liam greeted her warmly, while Ethan gave her a playful wink. Leo's intense gaze made her uneasy, and Chris's laid-back attitude contrasted sharply with Daniel's reserved nod.

"We're glad to have you here," Gabriel said. "Follow the rules, and you'll do just fine."

Celine nodded, her resolve strengthening. She needed this job, and she wasn't going to let her nerves ruin it.

As the men began to leave, one stayed behind. He sat in the corner, his face illuminated by the glow of a laptop screen. He hadn't looked up once during the introductions.

Celine hesitated, unsure whether to acknowledge him. She turned to leave when a deep, commanding voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Stay behind."