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.

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,

looks helplessly at me. "Did you tell Eliana anything outside the

"What?"

this house, my family or me, Olivia? Did you confide in her about your predicament here?" Her lashes flutter

not." She lies, moving away from me. "How could I? I s-signed an NDA. How could I take such a risk?" More lies. My head suddenly throbs

me, would you Olivia?" My voice is a low threat. She visibly

"Of course not."

know how Eliana got her hand on some 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 relationship. I wonder where she could have gotten that

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

rumors or there will be consequences." I close the distance to trail a finger along Olivia's cheekbone. She stares wide-eyed at me but doesn't move even though my touch disgusts

be a happy couple."

and chat with them..." She gasps when my hand closes around her wrist, stopping her from walking out on

hurting me." She cries,

together, in here, every Thursday.

her perceive me as a desirable human being. She'll never love me as Ashal and I am slowly beginning

I pick it up to change Asher's contact name to mine and vice versa. That way when she tries to call or text Asher, I'll be the one getting it instead. Her password is no hurdle given how obsessed she is with Asher. With

***

I have no idea what transpired between him and

his brandy as Nicola and mother fuss over the dining table

She insisted. She has missed mom and our home. It's just dinner. Look, mom still loves her." I glance at mom who is trying to make Nicola feel welcome like any matriarch would do. Her eyes tell a different story as it keeps watching the elevator and the stairs in case

clench my fist in anger at how flippant he is being. Asher

What's with the ASHER

past us and joins mother and Nicola. Nicola mutters a greeting which Demi 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 to materialize. I

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 his relationship with her father, a senator in Danvarr. He had hoped Ashley

tonight, it's heavily awkward 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

his iPad as usual but lifts his head to join father's conversation with Nicola. I don't know what the hell is

and they both leave. My brothers start heading for the game room for our emergency meeting. I hustle after Demi who is on her way to her

"Hey."

forced but I say nothing

if that was awkward. Nicola just showed up and father was just trying to make her feel comfortable given her history with our family and his relationship

"Thank you, Ashal, for looking out for me." She hugs me suddenly. My hands go limp by her side as I wasn't expecting

or two." She stares up the stairs

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