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."

you want me to go break

I am not ready to admit the truth

"Suit yourself."

into my car and while I backed away, I could see

It’s a sore topic for him since he had to impersonate me to get a woman’s love. I get why he would be embarrassed to open up

done if I had come by

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

need Jesus, Asher." I breathe, shaking my head before

up my phone. I guess the fool is broke again. He sends me some stupid texts, making vile 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 have Demi to defame?

shove the drug into my drawer and lock it. If she notices how edgy

ask after flipping through the document she just

"Yes sir."

and return it to her.

"What is it, Nessa?"

waited. You never showed up." Then more

think I recall the night in question. Smiling, I

an apology or a

have both?" She accepts my lips as I kiss her

you

"Same time?"

"Same time." I affirm.

the camera. Tom from the

to no surprise of mine. Mother

some other secretaries from the HQ move around

new shares. Father actively avoids my gaze because he never

there a problem,

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

you mind taking questions

up at father who is pointing to

in place. I 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

twos, threes and more making acquaintances and rekindling old connections. Father reintroduces me to some of his business associates from outside Danvarr that

Josh must be enduring, my eyes almost pop out of their sockets when I see a woman

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

"Hello. Have we met?"

son is the young man who gave an excellent

son reciprocates with a big smile. Father’s throat clogs. I rein in my anger and pretend everything is cool. I whisper in father’s ears and smartly whisk him away to join another conversation. Then I return for mother who is clearly uncomfortable with the

as I steer mom away from them. I text father to meet us downstairs in the car so we can all go to lunch. Mother and I sit for

Mom asks.

go on forever because they might not be able to discuss it in person with their associates for another year." But I am worried. Is father entertaining his

honey? Josh here will love to join us for lunch. I already said it

that’s okay. Glad you could join us,

very much, Mrs. Rollins. I was planning on having lunch at the same place anyway so

believe father right now. Josh gets in the front seat next to me while

Asher. Great

and turn on

lunch? I hope she wouldn’t mind you abandoning her to have lunch with your boss

clears his throat

her own and doesn’t mind me having lunch

look through the

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

can hold and acting like the rest of us aren’t on the table, the only other thing that I find awkward is how I can’t stop staring at Anna or seeking her among the uniformed

haven’t actually talked about what she witnessed the other day when I almost fainted in front of her. She had found 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

anyone. I stop by every now and then to remind