Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 21: Chapter 21

ASHAL

"What did you tell her?" I ask mom impatiently.

"What do you think?" I hear her sigh tiredly over the phone. "I can't believe what you and your brothers have been up to. You all brought this on yourselves and while I am trying to fix it, you're only making things worse and harder. How could you all keep switching places on her?"

I remain silent because my brothers and I have no defense to that. We had literally promised mom to behave and treat Demi with respect. I like to think we did until Asher supplied logical reasons why Demi can't be trusted. However, I don't share any of this with mom. My heart skips as I realize how close Demi is to finding out the truth. Why is she so desperate to know? What does it all mean to her?

"She can't find out mom. She can't. I am not prepared to relive that night."

"Then talk to your brothers. You all should stop provoking her to seek these answers. If Ashley can pretend to be a half-decent fake husband and not flaunt Nicola in Demi's face, maybe she could learn to be satisfied with him. If Asher and Ashton stop spooking her so much, she'll be more comfortable in this house. It's just a matter of a few months." She lets out a frustrated breath. "I don't want to get your father involved but if you all don't behave, I might have to. Talk to them."

The line cuts. I run a hand through my hair and grit my teeth. Asher and Ashton are hopeless. They won't back down from being their intimidating selves. Ashley has held on longer than he usually does. He won't keep the ladies at bay any longer. I just have to find a way to distract Demi myself. I could be the friend she needs and feed her with whatever information I can to dissuade her future attempts at uncovering the truth.

The truth isn't so simple. That night took a toll on me and on my family. It was one of the craziest decisions a quad ever made and that's something considering we've made quite a few. I hit my brothers up and drop an urgent message on our private chat. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I walk into my penthouse.

Olivia and I have had some wild nights with me playing Asher. It's the craziest sex I have ever had in my life, and the best obviously. I never knew Olivia was a freak. In hindsight, it makes sense that she was attracted to Asher at first, who is just the same underneath his corporate mask. Playing Asher has also allowed me to explore the limits of my sexual prowess. Olivia is a difficult woman to keep up with but thankfully, I haven't given her a reason to suspect a thing.

Today, I am visiting as the aloof Ashal who is timid around her. I hate to play myself but Olivia would be highly suspicious if I don't show up once in two weeks or if Asher suddenly spends too much time with her.

The minute I stroll into the house, the new maid, Sia, rushes forward to relieve me of my coat. Sia is a wise decision on my part. She is around Olivia's age and can keep her company now that Eliana won't be in the picture anymore.

The day Demi had been brought here, I had drugged Olivia and locked her in her room. I couldn't have both wives running into each other. Olivia would have turned things into a bloodbath and Demi would have become privy to a secret that could destroy our family reputation for good. I couldn't have one more fuck up on my conscience.

Olivia frowns slightly when I walk into her room. She sits by her window, sipping wine from a glass while she flips through a magazine. Her dress is blue (Asher's favorite color again) and rides up her thigh as she rises. It gives me sterling satisfaction to see her wearing the necklace I got for her as Asher.

"You look lovely." I mutter.

She shuffles to the vanity mirror and begins to brush her hair. Her eyes slash up at me in the mirror as I tentatively edge close to her, wringing my hands the way Ashal would.

"I'm deeply sorry for hurting you, Olivia. I'm taking a lot of therapy now. I'm getting better." I don't remember the last time I went for my therapy session. I just remember I paid off the therapist to tell anyone who comes asking that I attend religiously. Olivia continues to brush her hair.

"You look very lovely. Let's go have lunch." Her hand freezes on her hair, her fingers curly tightly around the stem of the brush. She slams it on the table and turns to give me a searing look.

"Did you forget that Eliana and I always have dinner dates today?" I ignore the scorching look and shrug my shoulders. Olivia grabs her phone and repeatedly tries to dial her friend's line. "Why can't I get through to her?" She huffs, a fresh tint of annoyance seeping into her already angry face.

dawn on her and unfailingly, it does in less than five seconds. She leaps to her feet and whirls to me. "What did you do? You know she's the only one that keeps me sane in here. Our dinners dates are the only highlight of my monotonous week. Ashal, why can't I reach

you tell Eliana anything outside the script we

"What?"

your situation in this house, my family or me, Olivia? Did you confide in her about

could I take such a risk?" More lies. My head suddenly throbs and I run a hand over it. I don't want to lose my temper right now.

My voice is a

"Of course not."

information. My sources tell me she tried to set you up on a date with one Mr. Fantasy, citing that you were in an abusive

as good as mine." We stand facing each other. Then gulping, she deigns to ask. "What did you

distance to trail a finger along Olivia's cheekbone. She stares wide-eyed at me

to pretend to be a happy couple."

call my family and chat with them..." She gasps when my hand closes around her wrist, stopping her from walking out on me. A few nights with Asher and she's already

cries, struggling to

will have dinner together, in here, every Thursday. I expect you to dress like you're off to a five-star restaurant and behave yourself.

enough to make her perceive me as a desirable human being. She'll never love me as Ashal and I am slowly beginning to make peace with that fact. I don't know what will happen when my luck runs

she tries to call or text Asher, I'll be the one getting it instead. Her password is no hurdle given how obsessed she

***

I am so pissed at how reckless Ashely is back to being. I have no idea what transpired between him and Demi but

Ashley sips his brandy as Nicola and mother fuss over the dining table setting. Demi hasn't come down

mom still loves her." I glance at mom who

being. Asher and Ashton come strolling down the

chill? What's with

gaily responds. I guess Demi doesn't want to give Ashley the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable with our unexpected guest. When I look at Ashley's face, he couldn't care less. My heart flops. This is the worst time for THAT Ashley

just then and a hush falls on the room. To Demi's surprise, Nicola streams across the room and embraces father. Cheerfully, he compliments her outfit and thanks her for joining us for dinner. Father always had a soft spot for Nicola due to

for known and unknown reasons. Firstly, father and Nicola endlessly discuss her father's reelection, her thriving modeling career and they even casually bring up her breakup with Ashley. Ashley, though focused on his food, doesn't complain when Nicola keeps leaning on him or wiping invisible food stains off his lips.

Ashton's piercing gaze. Asher is glued to his iPad as usual but lifts his head to join father's conversation with Nicola. I don't know what the hell is going on with my brothers tonight. When Demi looks at me, I give her

father in his study and they both leave. My brothers start heading for

"Hey."

Her smile is forced but I say nothing about

and father was just trying to make her feel comfortable

I know my place. You don't have to feel bad." Now, her smile is more genuine. "Thank you, Ashal, for looking out for me." She hugs me suddenly. My hands go limp by her side as I wasn't expecting a hug. "Thank you for being a friend. I need one right now." She pulls away and buries her

plans for tonight? I'm not sleepy yet. Maybe we could play a game or two." She stares up the stairs where Ashton stands giving us a weird look. "Is that where you all are headed, the game room? Can

"Well, yeah but maybe some other time. We already made plans for a boys'