Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 40: Chapter 40

ASHER

Rage shimmers in my brother’s eyes as he gnashes his teeth. I think I just snapped the control he’s been latching onto after his conversation with father.

"Say what now?"

He charges towards me, his eyes like flaming torches. By his side, his fingers are already tight fists ready to deliver fatal blows. Despite the urge to back away from him, I ignore common sense and maintain my ground.

"I saw her go into your room last night and she never came out, not even after Ashley went in to see you. I am assuming he didn’t find her in there because she probably didn’t want to be seen."

"Watch your mouth, Ash."

But I continue nonetheless. "I know why you hid her. Ashley would have imagined the worst. Anyone who saw her come out of your room this morning would have assumed the worst."

"Like you?"

I chuckle softly and stand up straight. "No, not like me. I happen to know you, Ashton. I know how principled you are. You don’t have a habit of touching what isn’t yours even if you won’t get caught. Now, I definitely don’t trust Demi for shit but I trust my brother to not intentionally hurt another brother just to satisfy himself. That’s how I know nothing happened between you two last night. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about anyone else misconstruing the situation either."

Ashton’s deadly stare softens. "You tampered with the cameras."

I shrug lazily. "I refuse to speak without my lawyers present." Ashton’s smile evokes one on my face. I ruffle his hair and squeeze his cheek.

"I love you, man. I love ALL the three weirdos that arrived this earth with me even though I think planet earth would have been fine with just me. I know we all live by different principles and have our unique ways of handling things but that doesn’t make me the devil simply because my methods jar with yours. If I was truly out to ruin the lives of my brothers, I would have taken the little scene this morning to father and Ashley in no particular order, knowing how damaging that will be to you. I chose to trust you."

I grab his cheek with a hand. "I wish you’ll extend me the same courtesy whenever you hear something distasteful about me or see me doing same. Wait to uncover my motive for the act before you judge me because believe it or not, the most consistent truth behind my actions is to protect my family."

Ashton pulls me in for a tight hug.

"You broke me with the things you said in the game room, Ash. I’m so hurt I’m actually admitting that to you."

"I’m so sorry, Asher. I’m sorry."

I pull back and grab his face in my hand.

"The story is far from what you think but I’ll leave it up to Ashal to clear that misunderstanding. The short version is that I haven’t been having any affair with my brother’s wife, nor was I responsible for her pregnancy. Hit Ashal up for the long version."

Asher presses his fingers to his eyes. "Damn, I feel so bad right now."

"Good. You should." I shove him away. "Off you go." With a smile, he unlocks his door. "Oh, by the way Ashton, running the HQ after father retires remains the pinnacle of my career. You dare set your sights on my birthright and I’ll show you how good the devil can look in an Armani suit."

Ashton laughs as he enters his room. I don’t mind looking desperate before my brother. I really had to clear that misconception fast. Though I am certain we will still run into difficult situations where he questions my loyalty again, I can only hope that he recalls this conversation before judging me.

Am I capable of seeing Olivia behind Ashal’s back? Very. Did I refuse to take advantage of her affection for me because I was afraid of getting caught by Ashal? Hell no! Did I entertain the idea of going over for a quickie? Fuck Yeah. I am no saint and when it comes to the little guy between my legs, I rarely let my head do the thinking. However, I don’t do anything if it’s not for the underlying reason of protecting the ones I love or advancing our collective interest.

If I happen to be cool with asking father how high whenever he asks me to jump, I am doing all that shit for my brothers. One day, they’ll understand and that day, they’ll forgive me. I only hope I get to hear them admit I am good in my own way before they have to do it standing over my gravestone.

Ashal believes it now. That day when Olivia had stumbled outside amidst our conversation, I surmised the entire situation unfolding in front of me.

"Asher?"

Olivia looked partially relieved and partially distressed at the same time. Mother came out not long after and I wondered if she knew what Ashal had been up to.

Olivia tried to come to us or me rather but the security personnel blocked her path.

"Tell me it’s not what I think it is." I whispered to Ashal who was looking devastated at his wife’s shameless behavior.

"It is exactly what you think it is. I couldn’t connect with my wife in any other way unless I pretended to be you." Ashal’s red eyes turned from Olivia to me. "I was just in the middle of proposing to my wife when you arrived. She might have agreed if you didn’t show up and ruin it all."

"I think you ruined your chances all by yourself when you tried to win her love as me. Don’t blame me for this. She would never have been eager to run to me in the past with the zero attention I have given her all this while. Whatever this reaction is has nothing to do with me and everything to do with whatever you’ve been doing using my name. TECHNICALLY, SHE’S RUNNING TO YOU, NOT ME. You have to make her see that."

"Do you want me

head. "No, I am not ready to admit the truth to her.

"Suit yourself."

I backed away, I could see Olivia’s face go

want to ask. It’s a sore topic for him since he had

had come by this information earlier. I just know right

how he is able to carry himself with such grace knowing Demi likes him more than her own husband. Even more incredulous is his will power and self-control given that he feels something for her too. I don’t get how he could literally have let her walk out of his room untouched. I know I wouldn’t have been that strong. She wouldn’t have been able to

Jesus, Asher." I breathe, shaking

accusations and threatening to expose our dealings to the media. He’s a fool if he thinks he can get my attention by making empty threats. Who would believe him if he retracts his story about Demi? What would he do if he doesn’t

my drawer and lock it. If she notices how edgy I am being, she doesn’t

flipping through the document she just

"Yes sir."

my signature and return it to her. Rather than leave,

"What is it, Nessa?"

her lip, she turns coyly to me. "I waited. You never showed up." Then more

night in question. Smiling,

an apology or

have both?" She accepts my lips

you know

"Same time?"

"Same time." I affirm.

care that we were in full view of the camera. Tom from the technical department works for

few hours later. My brothers all send proxies to no surprise of mine. Mother attends in person. I have Demi sit at

presented both on screen and in print. Nessa and some other secretaries from the HQ move around the huge

to chair the discussion about the issuance of new shares. Father actively avoids my gaze because he never

a

nothing." I can’t let her suspect a thing so I put

mind taking

pointing to the next item on

get applauded as I mount the stage. Mine is a popular face around here after all. I swiftly handle questions arising from bonus payment plans, new investment plans and stock market trends. Everyone is visibly pleased with the responses I give. When I stare at father in the front row, he has a proud smile on his face. Josh’s face is set in hard line and

and rekindling old connections. Father reintroduces me to some of his business associates from outside Danvarr that I haven’t been privileged to meet in person.

the sting Josh must be enduring, my eyes almost pop out of their

Rollins, a pleasure to meet you." The woman shoots out a ring studded

"Hello. Have we met?"

don’t think so. I am Kristy Randall. My son is the young man who gave an excellent presentation about the issuance

us and her son reciprocates with a big smile. Father’s throat clogs. I rein in my anger and pretend everything is cool. I

grab her hand while Mrs. Randall looks on, annoyed at my rudeness. Her son joins her as I steer mom away from them. I text father to meet us downstairs in the car so we

is he taking so long?" Mom asks. "He keeps busying

associates for another year." But I am worried. Is father entertaining his other family? My suspicions are proven when

you mind, honey? Josh here will love to join us for lunch. I

that’s okay. Glad you could join

planning on having

now. Josh gets in the front seat next to me while my

again, Asher. Great job back

him and turn

I met your mom back there. Isn’t she coming for lunch? I hope she wouldn’t mind you abandoning

clears his

of her own and doesn’t mind

look through

few indecisions about what restaurant to settle for later, we end up at Anna’s restaurant to keep from driving all around. Mom is pleased to see Anna but father and Josh mirror each other’s indifference. We order our food

on the table, the only other thing that I find awkward

my drugs in my pocket. She had helped me take them and waited with me in my car while my strength returned. The ten minutes it took was long enough for her to do a quick research on the drugs. Her face softened with pity when my eyes fluttered

not to breathe a word about my illness to anyone. I stop by every now and then to remind her to keep her word. Right now, it’s no different. When our eyes meet, she quickly