Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 38: Chapter 38

DEMI

I am certain it was Ashton. No matter how many times I think about it, it can’t be anyone else and this time, it’s not just about his style.

Ashal has resumed work at his office and I doubt he would have any reason to ignore me. We’re really good friends now. Ashley has been extra sweet towards me since the double date. It’s mostly because he feels bad about the way he ended the night with me, even though I don’t recall much after he left me in the cold night air to go be with Nicola.

Asher is well, Asher. He hasn’t stopped threatening to kick me out of the mansion and the HQ ever since his blackmail plans blew up in his face with the intervention of Ashton. We work together so I am used to his cold glares and silent treatment. Then there’s Ashton.

Ever since the date night, his attitude towards me has been weird. Why did he ignore me like that? What have I done? Does this have something to do with me kissing Ashley during the date? It can’t be. Ashton must know it was all for the photos.

Besides, he also kissed Mila multiple times too so what is this attitude? Why was he even in the HQ this morning and what upset him so much that he left with a conspicuous frown on his face? The thoughts keep distracting me as I try to focus on work.

Asher leaves work an hour after his brother. When his secretary, Nessa, tries to know where he’s off to and when he’ll be back, I hear him mention something about going to see Ashal. Why all of a sudden? I wonder. What could be up with these brothers? It has to be a pressing matter for THE Asher Rollins to leave work before closing time to go see his brother whom he’ll definitely be seeing at home.

I give into my curiosity and text Ashton. Nothing. He doesn’t even bother to reply. I don’t know what’s going on with him but I need to fix things between us. He’s a very important piece in my plan.

If I had known that Ashton could serve as a barricade to Asher’s threats, I wouldn’t have flinched when the latter threatened me. Now, I know I can rely on Ashton to fend off every dart thrown my way by Asher. To do that however, I have to figure out why my guardian angel isn’t replying my texts or why I can’t seem to get through to him on phone.

Someone raps on my door.

"Mrs. Demi Rollins?"

"Yes?" I look up to find a courier by my door. Half of his face is covered by the huge flower bouquet he schleps in his hand. He deposits the bouquet ceremoniously on my desk and shows me where to sign. After he leaves, I hunt for the card and realize the gift is from Ashley.

My phone starts ringing immediately. I grab it hoping it’s Ashton calling me.

"Hey."

I work a big smile into my face to hide my disappointment. "Hey, I just got the flowers. They’re beautiful. Thank you."

"I’m glad you like them. I’m really sorry about date night. I was drunk half the time and didn’t mean to hurt or disrespect you."

"I told you, it’s fine."

"Ok. Got any plans for lunch? There’s a new place that just opened up and I was wondering if you’d be open to try it out with me. They’ve got amazing reviews."

My breath hitches as I fear ruining his mood with my response. I already have something planned with Anna and Liam. I don’t know if Ashley is going to be cool with me canceling on him. The threat about revising our marriage contract still looms and the last thing I want to do is give him cause to revisit that conversation.

"Are you there?"

"Erm, I’m so sorry. Anna already promised to have lunch with me to celebrate my new job. I didn’t know you wanted to do lunch."

"Oh, that’s ok. I’ll call ahead next time."

"Tomorrow. How about tomorrow?" I quickly ask. I bet he has a small smile on his face as he agrees.

After the call, I try to swing back to work and clear my plate so Asher wouldn’t have anything to complain about when he returns.

I plan to use my lunch break to run over a few things with Liam. He is mad that I have been keeping a few things from him, like the fact that Asher had blackmailed me. He also claims to have juicy updates regarding the listening device in the game room. There’s a lot for us to share with each other.

Just as I tidy my desk and proceed to head out for lunch, Brett Rollins appears by my door.

"Sir. F-father." I stutter. I rarely run into him here and the few times I do, I realize that I will rather put up with Asher than run into Brett. He has a cold aura around him that makes me shiver in my heels even when I haven’t done anything to upset him. Something about the bland expression on his face tells me I will never be good enough in my father-in-law’s eyes.

"Off to lunch?"

"Um, yes sir. I’m done with most of my work today. I am off to grab a quick lunch with a friend."

His lips curl distastefully as he takes in my flowers. "And your husband? Do you ever make time to fit him in your plans?"

I don’t understand why Mr. Rollins is suddenly invested in my relationship with Ashley. He knows exactly what kind of marriage contract we have going. Why is he making a fuss about who I eat lunch with?

and I already made lunch

more to the look he continues

journalists something negative to write about my family." He stalks away like he just dished out a compliment and not an insult. I don’t bother to let the insult simmer as I rush out to meet with

***

me Asher was blackmailing you?" Liam asks with

blackmail. I thought I could handle Asher and talk him out of

ASHER. You can’t talk him

that now. Thankfully, Ashton met me

object when I asked for a few minutes of my friend’s time. Even though he obliged because

the device. Turns out there’s a

I gasp. "Ashal

and I stick each end in our ears and listen as Ashton scolds Asher. I can’t believe my ears. Not only

I repeat the

"You know her?"

think she knows me." I immediately start flipping through my phone. "A few weeks back, I got a strange text from someone with the initials, O.D claiming that I am not the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins family. The message literally told me,

wouldn’t you tell me about something

think much of it. I thought it was a random person trying to prank me because I married into their dream family

cheery-pick which information you pass along to me. You get creepy messages like

saw that text from O.D. I never deleted it

Someone must have

done that?" Liam asks. "The

one of them did, then they know Olivia tried to contact me. I wonder what kind of state she’s in. They could have her locked

a basement even though she’s clearly hidden away from the public eye. She has access to a phone to send texts. I’ll do a deep dive into women named Olivia who have had dealings with the quads

The quads took me there once and threatened me to back out of my deal with their mother. If Ashal has a wife, that must be where she stays. I’ll see if I can finagle the address and pay

there anything else you’re keeping from me?

threatening to expose my secret to the Rollins family. I don’t think I can keep ignoring it." I show Anna and

phone back to me. "If they had solid proof, they would have demanded money for their silence or gone ahead to show their evidence to Brett Rollins or the quads. I say ignore

"Asher."

staring at Anna’s wide eyes.

"That’s Asher’s car."

follow her gaze and true enough, Asher’s G-Wagon pulls up in front of

to wonder how she is able to recognize his car from afar when Liam grabs his lunch and switches to an empty table with his back turned to us. He keeps his head low to avoid getting recognized. While Anna pats

He returns it with a sly one as he heads towards her. When I turn my head to face him, the

it isn’t my

right? Besides, my best friend works here so it shouldn’t come as

suit. "Hunger. What

"Your order, sir."

you, Anna." Asher smirks at me before leaving. I am so confused

long has been

restaurant, Demi. Everyone who can pay is welcome to patronize us. Don’t

saunters away. How can she be so professional and cool with a man who almost ruined her life? Most importantly, why does

***

the quads confirm that he hasn’t been taking his calls all day. My

now. Did they have a fight?

"I’m sure

be back

up at mother. "He’s fine. He’s probably having

calls and let us know? Why do

he

at the table turns as

calls, young man?

up

palms and goes on to apologize to everyone, claiming Mila had insisted he keep his phone on silent so they can enjoy some personal time. My insides churn uncomfortably hearing

excuses himself and heads for his room to freshen up. While his eyes track the room, he never let it settle on me, not even once. Is he avoiding me now? Since when have he and Mila become so chummy with each other? I try not to overthink it. What right do I have to be

he has a secret wife. Could he truly be abusing Olivia for her to attribute being a daughter-in-law of the Rollins family to living in hell? Does