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.

Olivia, to have

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 me

***

a race against one of his friends. He gets out and shakes hands with his opponent. Then he instantly seeks me with his eyes. I wave at him from

I usually go neck and neck when I am inspired enough. Today, I am clearly distracted by Olivia's condition that I can't get my head in the game. Ashton had to seek a worthy competitor

"You good?"

him and sip on mine.

"How is she?"

"What?"

you two still not talking yet? I know you're always so

Ashal dynamic; I am trying to love her but my condition won't let her

"Did something else happen?"

reply too fast. At the 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

two will be

"I hope you're right."

When he checks it, Mila's name flashes. He slips the phone back

"You two beefing already?"

his eyes. "We're not a couple.

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 have been treated.

He and Olivia used to be very good friends. She needs a friend now and she would appreciate his visit. Make sure

"Yes sir." Lily answers.

is keeping to my threat and refusing to call Asher to her aid. However, I have always called Asher whenever I accidentally hurt her in

Ashton scowling at a text

"That one seems relentless."

don't know

two looked really cozy

me an icy glare that

way in over her head." He shakes his. "I mean she's smart and fun to be around but the last thing I need right

"And Demi?

stares at me with

too, you know. What have you got going on

like a decent human. Is she attracted to me? I don't know. Am I attracted to her?

you know it's yours. You never touched any brother's property without permission. Too bad the only

mean my violent

We both chuckle.

I'm done working from home. I'll be resuming the office

"Are you sure?"

if you can't already tell." I need a distraction. If I have to go into work, then I can spend my nights

some friends later today so

and a blazer. For an elegant spin, I round off with a pair of dark brown suede Chelsea boots. I've seen Asher

my way out, I can hear beeping sounds followed by a frustrated sigh. When I get closer to

teary. She keys in her door code again and bangs on her door in 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

wide with terror. I

the brother you

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