Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Chapter 27

ASHAL

My phone blares in the silence of the room. Groping, I accidentally knock it off the top of the side drawer. Olivia stirs in her sleep next to me. I grumble out of bed and pick up the ringing phone.

"Yes?"

"Where are you? I've been waiting here for over an hour."

"Shit." It all comes back to me now as I grab my pants off the floor and shrug into them. Ashton. The race track. It had been my idea. How could I have forgotten? With the phone still glued to my ear, I apologize profusely to my brother while I hop from bathroom to closet.

Done with dressing and the call, I shuffle back into my bedroom to grab a few things and notice it isn't Olivia on my bed. The new maid twitches the blanket around her naked chest and smiles lazily at me. What the fuck?

"Where's Olivia?"

Her face crumples at the first name out of my mouth after I clearly just slept with my wife's maid. Lily cowers frightfully at the fire sizzling in my eyes. How the hell did this happen? "She's...she's..." Lily points towards the door.

"Get the hell out of my bed and tidy this place up." I order her before rushing out and making a beeline for Olivia's room. However, something catches my attention on the way. There are dried droplets of blood in a long trail leading to Olivia's room. My legs freeze up. Did I hit her again? I don't recall getting into my penthouse last night or what must have transpired with Olivia. How did I end up in bed with Lily?

Gradually, I crack open Olivia's door. It's as I feared. She's laying on her bed with a swollen, red face. There are shallow cuts on her face and arms. The dried blood spill from her lips gives me chills. Her breathing is shallow as she sleeps. When I go closer to examine her, her eyelids flutter open, weakly. Her eyes are filled with dread but she doesn't try to move away from me. It's probably because she can't. Her eyes are pained and seeing her in the condition I put her makes me realize what a monster I must be.

"Olivia, I am so sorry."

A single tear slides down Olivia's face as she shuts her eyes.

"I'm sorry babe. I'll call a doctor right away."

"I'll take care of her."

I whip my head to find Lily by the door with cleaning supplies. It appears she has just finished mopping the hallway. She steps cautiously into the room.

"I'll treat her wounds and nurse her back to health. I'm good with a first aid kit. If you call a doctor, questions will be raised."

My hand trembles around my phone. "Did you see me do it? Were you here?"

Lily 's eyes dips to the floor. She nods.

"Why didn't you help her?"

Her face flushes with embarrassment. "You wouldn't let me sir. You grabbed me..." She trails off, hoping I get her drift. I turn away disgusted with myself. I can't believe I bloodied my wife and went on to sleep with her maid.

"Take good care of her, you hear me. If she doesn't get better, let me know instantly so I can call a doctor." Lily nods firmly. I take one look at Olivia and battle an urge to sit by her side while she gets cleaned up but I know she doesn't want me around right now. I put her in this condition. My apologies can't mean much. Ashamed of myself, I turn around and storm out of the room.

On my way to see Ashton, a thought occurs to me. I am not really thrilled about it but I am too worried about Olivia to be selfish right now. I don't like the idea of leaving her in that condition in the hands of a mere maid. I whip out my phone and call Asher. The few seconds it takes him to take the call, I recall my secret impersonations of my brother and how Asher's presence might douse everything I have managed to build with Olivia while pretending to be him.

"Yes, Ash?"

My mind goes blank. I clear my throat. "Oh shit, Asher, I'm so sorry. I mean to call Ashton. We are racing today. I must have dialed you accidentally."

Asher grunts. "Way to break a brother's heart." He chuckles. "Alright, you two have fun." The call ends. I stare back at Olivia's bedroom door and try to justify my selfishness. She'll be fine, right? She has not fatal injuries.

keep frequenting this place to check on Olvia. I can't have either. I still need more time with Olivia, to have great moments with her and build memories she wouldn't want to give up even after she learns she has been having them with me all this time and not her beloved Asher. This is how I can ensure there's hope for

of the house. While I start my car and pull out of the driveway, I make out Lily's silhouette by the window in Olivia's room. She stands by the curtain watching

***

He gets out and shakes hands with his opponent. Then he instantly seeks me with his eyes. I wave at him from

this, I usually don't cross the finish line a minute after Ashton does. Ashton and I usually go neck and neck when I am inspired enough. Today, I am clearly distracted

"You good?"

bottle of water to him and sip on mine. Ashton

"How is she?"

"What?"

"How's Olivia? Are you two still not talking yet? I know you're always so pensive whenever you two are in a bad place so, how

and Ashal dynamic; I am trying

"Did something else happen?"

arch of Ashton's brow, I force a thin smile. "What I mean is that we're fine. It just gets really frustrating trying and failing to win her over. I am at my wits end." Ashton lays a hand on my shoulder

will be

"I hope you're right."

flashes. He slips the phone back into his jacket,

"You two beefing already?"

eyes. "We're not a couple. Forget what the blogs

he really wants your union?" Something uncertain flits through Ashton's eyes but he doesn't give me a response. I excuse myself to go make a quick call. Lily answers the landline and I immediately enquire about Olivia's health. Olivia is said to be sleeping after her wounds

brother instead. He and Olivia used to be very good friends. She needs

"Yes sir." Lily answers.

refusing to call Asher to her aid. However, I have always called Asher whenever I accidentally hurt her in the past. She'll find it odd if he doesn't turn up. I know she's looking forward to his visit and that is why she

find Ashton scowling at a text

"That one seems relentless."

into his jacket. "I don't know

really cozy at the

icy glare

in over her head." He shakes his. "I mean she's smart and fun to be around but the last thing I need right now is more media attention in my private affairs.

"And Demi?

at me with

you know. What have you got going

me? I don't know. Am I attracted to her? She's a

Ashton. You're not like the rest of us perverts. You'll keep your hands off a meal at the table until you know it's yours. You never touched any

my

We both chuckle.

I'm done working from home. I'll

"Are you sure?"

I have to go into work, then I can spend my nights with Olivia as Asher. Though I

by the house in the evening to change into a decent corporate outfit. Father is most definitely still at work with Asher. Mother passively mentioned seeing some friends later today

a blazer. For an elegant spin, I round off with a pair of dark brown suede Chelsea boots. I've seen Asher pull this look often when he wasn't feeling like a

frustrated sigh. When

frustration when it wouldn't budge. Before I can think better of it, I find myself moving fast towards her. My arms go around her and clasp tightly. Overwhelmed, she leans into my embrace for

wide with terror. I can't blame her for not trusting any other

the brother you hoped

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