Manor of men

Oonagh drew back in fear. Up to seven young men were standing before her and Mrs Beckett didn't say any of this part to her. How was this even possible? Oonagh had grown up hearing about the Brannigan Manor from many lips yet no one knew it was a house filled with men?

" I'm sorry Oonagh, I forgot to say this part and Caelin, no one's going to touch her, not even you."

The young man, Caelin, stared at me for some time before heading towards the door while the others started dismissing themselves.

" Be back before dinner boys," Mrs Beckett announced before walking into a room, leaving Oonagh all by herself.

" Red hair? Isn't that color weird and ugly?"

" I don't think so, she looks like a joke in the hair." Another one said and the men chuckled.

Oonagh was yet to sit, standing there like a lost stray dog while watching the young men busy around. The next time Mrs Beckett walked out of the door she'd gotten into before, she was wearing a black nightdress.

" Holy moly! Lugh, take Oonagh to her room." She exclaimed on seeing Oonagh standing where she had left. Mrs Beckett actually knew it was her mistake for not telling the boys to take Oonagh to her room and the Butler who was supposed to do the job was busy outside.

" Mrs Beckett, there's no extra room for one on the first floor." A good-looking man said while positioning his glasses on the bridge of his nose. He looks calm and composed than the others.

Oonagh swallowed and looked back to Mrs Beckett who was standing there, bemused. " Oh… well, get me Caomham, he should show some love now…" she was yet to finish when a loud sound came from the staircase followed by a thud.

Two bodies rolled down the staircase into the floor and disappeared before Oonagh could grasp their appearance.

" You nerd!" One of them yelled and lunged at someone who was standing in the dark shadow behind the staircase.

Mrs Beckett slapped her hands on her forehead in frustration while shaking her head. Taming angry boys was never easy and Oonagh was the only girl; another stubborn one.

" Easy there Sullivan, don't get your narcissistic face battered," Lugh said from where he was standing beside Oonagh and smirked. Before Oonagh could contemplate, a tight punch on Lugh's jaw sent him flying feet away from her.

" What's happening!" Mrs Beckett screamed and all the fights immediately subsided. " One more move and you're going to scrub the floor…"

She was yet to complete another statement when someone kicked another. " Ailill, get the brush and bucket now. There should be no speck on the floor," Mrs Beckett's voice echoed in the living room followed by a long silence.

" Three of you, get down from there or I'll throw you out of the window!" She screamed again and while Oonagh dipped two fingers into her ears to protect them from blowing up.

" You all are grounded except Caelin. Oonagh, come with me." She said and the quiet Oonagh who was shocked from all the happenings in the Manor everyone was trying to get into followed her. It was trouble here and Oonagh kept wondering why Mrs Beckett brought her here, was it to babysit the boys? That makes sense.

Walking beside Mrs Beckett, the lady apologized. " I'm sorry Oonagh but that's how the boys are; sometimes they are together and next thing, they're fighting. Now let's get you to your room," she hissed angrily, " I mean the one you can stay for tonight." Where's that damned Butler?

They walked past the first floor while going up the staircase to the second floor. Oonagh was thrilled by the beautiful arts and paintings on this floor. The golden chandeliers, white walls and marble floor gave the place an ancient aesthetic.

" There are twelve young men in this Manor. The females are in the Manor behind this one so we would arrange yours tomorrow. Twelve makes and thirteen females that includes you. We bring different types of species relating to the future here and breed them into strong men and women. You'll know why sooner or later, for now let get you settled for the night."

Oonagh nodded while feeling goose flesh all over her skin. The floor seemed empty unlike the first floor which was filled with noise and fights.

" Caomham? We need to talk." Mrs Beckett called out to the only person staying on this floor.

" Where are your glasses Mrs Beckett because I'm here," a voice deep and masculine came from outside the balcony.

Oonagh's eyes almost fell off when she saw the man on the balcony and he wasn't alone. Beside him was a young lady who seemed older than Oonagh. Her dress was pushed up which was trying to bring down after seeing Mrs Beckett wasn't alone.

" Ava? What're you doing here and Caomham, I've said this for the hundredth time … stop doing your nonsense in this Manor," Mrs Beckett flared.

" So what if I don't stop? Here's my place and you've no right telling me off. As for Ava, you know we're together from the beginning." He then turned to look at Mrs Beckett before squinting his eyes on seeing a scrawny looking girl beside her.

Oonagh immediately hid behind Mrs Beckett. Those sea blue eyes were like sharp daggers and Oonagh had never seen anything like it before, so blue and dangerous, she thought.

" That's your concern. There's no room on the first floor, how about she stays with you tonight?" Mrs Beckett said, referring to Oonagh who was already shaking her head.

Ava who has been quiet suddenly spranged up, " there are rooms in the girls Manor, mine is empty."

" I'm not done speaking," Mrs Beckett wasn't smiling now upon being interrupted.

Ava glared at Oonagh who was standing in the open now Mrs Beckett was explaining and walking up and down.

'How could Mrs Beckett think of making this girl stay with Caomham?' Ava thought, the wind scattering her dark brown hair.

" No extra rooms here also, the ground floor couch isn't that bad to pass the night. Ava come," he said and led her inside.

" I could use the couch," Oonagh said before Mrs Beckett could protest. Here wasn't her home and sleeping on the couch was more of a dream than the cold floor she sleeps at the village.

" Okay dear, come."

Ava and Caomham were sitting on the couch when Oonagh and Mrs Beckett walked passed.

Ava grimaced at the thought of the ugly girl sharing a room with Caomham.

He watched her until she was out of the door. Caomham wasn't the welcoming type and seeing someone so freaking ugly as Oonagh made him more angry at Mrs Beckett.

*

" He didn't agree, right?" Caelin asked Mrs Beckett and she nodded before his eyes fell on Oonagh who was now standing near the staircase. Her vibrant red hair contrasts the dark night and lights from the chandeliers.

" Hello, I'm Caelin," he introduced himself.

Oonagh didn't need his introduction to know his name because he was the one who walked out of the door minutes ago. She remembered how he defended her by telling the others not to touch her.

" Oonagh." She replied curtly.

He gave her a tight smile before going away to find Mrs Beckett who was outside looking for the butler.

Oonagh went to sit on the couch while waiting for dinner to be served as she watched the servants serving meals on the dining table.

Caelin soon returned and sat beside her. At first, he was hesitant to speak, especially when the others had their ears on the ground, listening and pretending they were doing something else.

" You can have my bed tonight, I'll manage the couch," he finally said and Oonagh looked at him wide eyed.

" No no no, I'm okay with the couch. It's better than the bed," Oonagh didn't accept his offer. She didn't want to be a bone on anyone's throat.

" You haven't seen the bed, how do you know it's better?" Caelin asked, amusement dancing in his eyes while staring at the girl beside him.

" Caelin, let her be. Why do you want her to take your room? Lame," Lugh commented and the others chuckled.

The room suddenly turned silent and their eyes fixated on a particular direction. Oonagh also looked towards there and saw the blue-eyed man called Caomham leaning against the wall with lazy eyes.

His eyes scanned everyone in the room before it landed on Oonagh who was sitting beside Caelin.

" You can have the room now," he uttered nonchalantly before looking elsewhere.

" I won't be needing it, someone's already offered to let me have his bed." Oonagh replied and looked away. She wouldn't be so stupid to sleep in his room where he slept with the girl named Ava. Oonagh didn't want to think about all the deeds he had done on that bed of his.

Caelin's smile bloomed and he cleared his throat, " come Oonagh, let me show you to my room."

Oonagh nodded and stood up to follow him. She didn't know why she suddenly changed her mind when she had rejected Caelin's offer. Was she that scared of Caomham? Is he dangerous? Who is he and why does he live on the second floor alone? He had the right to dismiss Mrs Beckett too.