Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Chapter 29

DEMI

"Did you find anything?" I ask frantically into the phone.

"Yes." Liam replies. A sigh of relief escapes my lips. I worked too damn hard to load a spy app on Ashton's phone and I am glad it paid off.

"Well, what's in there?" Now my heart skips a beat, not because I am expecting to hear priceless information and secrets about his family but because I am afraid of learning he might be into Mila or some other woman or even secretly married.

"It's strange really."

"How so?"

"This line has very few numbers on it and they seem to belong to complete strangers. Women between eighteen through thirty-five."

My heart plummets. Why the hell am I surprised? It should have been obvious that a dashing man like Ashton would crave the attention he is used to getting from the female folk. However, I expected this kind of thing to be done by Ashley who is unapologetic about his flirtatious lifestyle. Ashton never struck me as the type to fuck his way through a horde of women.

"They all call him Mr. Fantasy."

Ew. I think. Of course they do. I can imagine all the fantasies he helps them fulfil. I am too disgusted and disappointed to hear more at this point but then Liam mentions something surprising.

"Mila's number is here too. It appears this is how they met. She continues to text him with this number till date but what I find odd is the fact that she refers to him as Will instead of Ashton."

Now, that's interesting. "Will? Why would she do that? She knows exactly who he is."

"She isn't the only one. I perused through earlier texts and I realized Ashton has been firm in demanding that the women hang out with him as Will not Mr. Fantasy."

"Why?"

"I have no idea. His texts are very terse. Mila might know more about this secret identity of his."

I don't know how to feel about Ashton having a secret identity. Just then, I have a flashback of the night I accidentally locked lips with him instead of Ashley back in Ashley's room. Ashley had passively mentioned his brother was off to a date that night. When Ashton returned, I had noticed he was in a bad mood. Could that have been one of his dates as Will? He also wore very plain clothes and his hair did look off.

"Demi, are you there?" Liam asks.

"Yeah, sorry."

"Does any of these facts ring a bell? Have you noticed anything strange about Ashton?"

I exhale. "No, not really. I was always too busy keeping my distance from him as someone clearly warned."

Liam sighs. "I think Ashton has another phone, his main phone with all the important contacts in it. This seems like a phone he got just to entertain these women or his fantasy as a guy called Will. Your work isn't done Demi. Get to him and spy his main phone. Try the other brothers too."

"I will."

After the call, I get dressed and go downstairs. Unlike my in-laws hoped, the heat from Liam's post hasn't shown any signs of cooling down after four days. Asher is close to pulling his hair out as his PR team are also getting bashed for their half-baked press releases spouting lies to redeem the image of the family and company.

Father has been very vocal about his displeasure with the situation and my connection to it. I have had very little of mother's attention but much of her support. I managed to talk to her two days back about the same idea I ran by Ashton and Ashley but she is yet to bring it up with father. I don't blame her. He's like a ticking bomb when his company's image and stock prices are on the line. It takes very little to set him off and right now, nothing will work faster than the mention of my name.

Mother has been distracted lately. Ashal is in the worst state I have ever seen him. He has been weepy ever since he returned home four nights ago. He has remained confined in his room and wouldn't allow visitors, not even his mother. Ashton was the only one he let in for the first two nights and more recently, mother.

I have no idea what could have put him in such a state. He looked cheerful when he was about to leave for an urgent matter the last time we spoke. Though I feel bad for him seeing as he had been eager to comfort me during my own distressful time, I am not allowed to go close to his room without ruffling some feathers. Hence, I choose to stay in my lane and hope he gets better.

"No!" Father yells from his study. I wonder what he isn't agreeing to. Asher has been in there with him for a while. I suspect it has something to do with me being excessively attacked by the blogs. The dust hasn't settled and father is finally feeling pressured.

"Demi?"

"Yes mother?"

meek as ever. Duncan, the senior bodyguard whispers something in mother's ears as I approach her.

"Mother, is something wrong?"

family." She gently touches my cheeks. "I hope

just how much you all care for me, mother. I just feel guilty being the target of gossip and attracting negative media attention to this

change soon

spare a glance towards father's study where muffled voices filter through the partly

but

He looks flustered at the sight of me.

fuck this

Ashal? Can I see

dear. He still

feel so bad that I can't comfort him. He has been really friendly and nice to me. Could you pass my message to him? Tell him I miss him and I hope he feels

Mother smiles and nods.

catches my attention first. It sounds like the quads are having a big fight in Ashton's room. The door is

and tell dad not to sponsor the startup brand founded

already thinking about it. I didn't have to sell him on anything. He had resolved to hire her due to your incompetence in tackling the issue. His words, not mine. You know what that means, right? He has lost some faith in

"You're lying!"

displeasure at the failure of the teams you have been working with to nip this media disaster in the bud. If I hadn't stepped in and preempted his decision to hire Demi, you would have looked even

out of me as he informed

did

closely with you and father benefit

to the floor. A flower vase maybe before

her so much, why didn't you just hire her in your own company? Why foist her on mine? I already have a lot on my plate with

Ashton asks.

I guess I'll find out when I resume work next week. Asher doesn't bother to answer Ashton's question. He cusses some more before

I am barely recovered from the discovery of his secret identity as Mr. Fantasy/Will and now, he's playing Asher? How many sides are there

Ashley hasn't left Ashal's side and now Ashton and Asher aren't on talking terms. The entire atmosphere

for dinner. We are hoping to perk up the mood in the house with a cheerful meal.

shake mine. While I shake her, I try to ignore how tall and beautiful she is and how she effortlessly pulls off the fuchsia off-shoulder sweater and leather pants she has on. In her six-inch heels, I hate that I have to look up at her face to meet

offers her a seat. One of the domestic staff appears with a tray of champagne. I have never seen father so hospitable. Asher has a lopsided grin on his face when I turn to him. Could that be Ashton? I

are you doing here? Did we have something planned?" The

You reached out to my personal assistant via email inviting me over. I was just as surprised

with Asher who winks at him.

you want, Mila."

"Thank you, Mr. Rollins."

awkwardness in the room is only felt between

is being, and I instantly realize what the fuss is about. She is definitely a sweetheart and all in a class of her own. Maybe Liam didn't lie or exaggerate when he compared me to Mila and

really appreciate that." I tell her, smiling warmly. After that, I excuse myself as well. It takes a lot to not look back to see Ashton's face one more time and confirm if he is truly not thrilled by

suggest before the elevator doors can shut properly in front of me. My fingers clench

***

weirdest, shocked expressions on their faces when I tell them the good news. I don't know what to make of it. While Kira is

"R-Rollins HQ???"

"Yes."

Ashton and Mila could probably be saying or doing in his room. Anna is still at work and I didn't want to bother her. I think I need a bunch of new friends to fill during times like this. Liam is on his way so while I wait, I figured I'd tell

Intern? Get ready for more drama." Then her eyes narrow. "This

mom, my eyes flip to aunt's. She's almost white

Rollins HQ before

shakes her head. "I don't

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255