Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 42: Chapter 42

DEMI

"It was a close shave. I don’t know how he spotted me from afar. Maybe the stupid red jacket gave me away." I gasp as I recall Ashton heading speedily in my direction that night. If he had broken into a run from the diner, he would have caught up with me long before I could flag down a cab. Even while I slid into the cab, I was scared to death all through the journey that he would intercept us somehow.

"Does he suspect you?" Liam asks over the phone.

"I don’t think so." Ashton and I haven’t spoken properly since the night in his room. I still can’t get him on the phone even though every other family member can which affirms my suspicion that he has blocked me. I don’t know why he would do that. Could this rash decision be as a result of the awkwardness of the date night? The energy between us has been off ever since that night.

"Be careful." Liam chimes.

"Anything from Ashley so far?

"Nothing unusual. Nicola is eagerly pursuing him. She is desperate to win him back. They sext all the time. If I get something useful, I’ll let you know."

"Okay."

I don’t say it but it feels strange to realize how unbothered I feel about my husband sexting his ex. Meanwhile, I had felt some type of way when Liam had told me about Ashton and Mila. If I ever doubted my feelings for Ashton, this is the defining moment that clears that up. I shake my head, hoping to distract myself from that hot realization.

"How is it going with Ashal and the penthouse?"

"I am still on it."

Liam sighs. "And the HQ? Anything?"

"Asher lets me sit in during meetings now. I’m trying to befriend his secretary. I suspect she knows more about Asher and the company than she should. She is Asher’s longest serving secretary. I don’t think it’s solely because of her efficiency."

"Step on it." Liam hangs up.

"Was that a personal call?" Josh asks, entering my office.

"Family emergency. I apologize."

"I’ll let this one slide. Hope everything is alright though."

"Yes. Thankfully."

His big eyes dart suspiciously around. "I’ll let you get to work."

"Yeah."

Sheesh. What’s his deal? Is he an actual employee here or a spy for HR? Even Asher, the boss’ son, actually puts in the work. Somehow, Josh struts around like he can get away with anything.

His arrogance amazes me. It could be because Mr. Rollins is super fond of him. They have lunch together every other day and from what I have heard from the staff cafeteria, Mr. Rollins might even prefer spending time with this employee to doing the same with his own son.

A few employees gossip about the closeness of the boss and his employee, citing it as Josh being desperate to brownnose the boss because Asher is too focused on work.

I do find it strange. However, I have seen Josh deliver a sterling performance. He does have some skills that necessitate Asher viewing him as a threat. Josh clearly has his sights set very high, maybe as high as chief operating officer and chairman of the board of directors in the future, two dreams that make Asher quake in his boots.

Whatever their beef is, I don’t want to know. I just hope Josh stays out of my business.

My eyes stray towards Nessa’s office. She has been acting strange all morning. Her mood has been off. She barely responded to my greeting earlier.

Asher came in a bit late today. He has also been cranky like his secretary. I can’t imagine what’s up with them. Did something else happen at the AGM that I missed? Is he mad at her for not representing the company well or something?

I ignore both of them. At least one good thing came out of this; Asher hasn’t been yelling for me every half hour and rudely disparaging my efforts. He has been calm all morning. The few times our eyes met, he blatantly ignored me.

Nessa gets up and heads for the restroom. With fewer eyes on me and less work landing on my desk, I try to call Anna. Her line hasn’t been connecting all morning. The last time we had met in her workplace, Asher’s visit had put me on edge. I have questions. I hope Asher isn’t troubling her again. Still, that’s not the reason I’m trying to reach her. Today is a special day for her family, a hard one and I always call to cheer her up. It’s her father’s death anniversary.

Nessa’s landline starts to ring. I stare towards the bathroom. She isn’t back yet. Since I have less to do, I jump at the opportunity and strut over to take the call.

"Good morning. Thank you for calling Rollins Enterprise. This is Demi Branson. How may I assist you?" I think my high pitched, exotic accent is good enough.

"Demi?"

I stare down at the phone and replace it on my ear. "Who’s this?"

"Where’s my secretary and what are you doing taking calls on her desk?" I whip my head to find Asher outside his office, staring daggers at me. I jam the phone back in place and clear my throat.

"Nessa went to the bathroom. I just wanted to help." Darn it. Why did it have to be a call from this blowfish? Like his father, I can never please Asher so it’s best to not try. Where other employers will deem me diligent, Asher will only scold me.

"Don’t ever do that again. Know your place." His brows are furrowed with annoyance. This must be stemming from our unpleasant conversation last night.

"Copy that, sir."

"Go get Nessa. It’s urgent."

Nodding, I make my way to the bathroom. When I step into the posh female restroom, the stalls all look empty. I notice a locked door at the extreme. Someone sniffles quietly.

"Nessa? You in there?"

a hasty unlocking of the stall. Nessa steps out with slightly red eyes and a blank

"Are you okay?"

"I’m fine."

response is curt unlike what I am used to getting from her. She dries her hands with a tissue, dunks it in the waste bin and walks away. I don’t get it. Why was she

stray inside the toilet she used. Curious, I go in. Nothing seems unusual until I spot a pregnancy strip with two clear lines in the waste bin in there. I wonder if it’s hers or someone else’s. Could she be pregnant? That would make sense given her mood swing. If she isn’t elated by her pregnancy, it only means her partner isn’t thrilled about the

text Anna for

don’t hear from her till

you going for

phone, surprised to find

Nessa’s role, Asher chose to saddle me with more work to keep me too occupied to go assisting others. Asher’s eyes dip to the phone in my hand. I bury

unreachable all morning. I am worried. It’s unlike her to be

it means to her family.

don’t understand the worried look on Asher’s

other plans and doesn’t want to be disturbed. You are not the only one in her life." He jams both hands in

"I doubt that."

doesn’t have

priorities and right now a

sure? You two don’t keep secrets

thing about each other but if Anna had a boyfriend, I’d know." I dig into my bag and unearth my sandwich. Maybe if I start eating, Asher will go away. His next words

time. I’m sure she’ll call or text

my worries. He doesn’t give a damn about me or my friends so what’s with the encouragement? Like he can read my expression,

he turns back to me, there’s no trace of the understanding man that was just in my office. His face is all business and professional with the slight scowl that is his signature expression around me. I guess the old

about

Branson." He flashes his Rolex at me. "You’ve got forty-five minutes left and believe it or not, you’re not going home unless you turn in all those reports." He walks away like

own the place." I

***

get an escape from the mountain of work on my desk, I didn’t think for a second that my savior

started working. She’s put in seven hours today already. That should count

shopping?" Asher and I reiterate

she doesn’t always depend on others to drive her or resort to taking

we have drivers and enough cars at home.

and the cars yet you and your brothers keep buying cars every year." Asher fails to come up with a retort. "My point exactly. Look what happened at the AGM. We totally forgot about Demi. Did you ask her how she got home? Did you check with

neither a baby

"Asher!"

as mother glares at him. "My

fancy cars. You can pick whichever car you

her to

constipated. What’s his deal. Where else would mother purchase a car for me if not

my chest at the thought of seeing Ashton. However, I keep a demure face and pretend to be a half-decent employee who

you have a problem with me taking business to your brother’s

mom. Demi, you’re done for the day." Asher

"Thank you, sir."

a car for my first job in the company. She makes more promises to give me even bigger gifts as I mark more milestones as

not in the office?" Mother

attend to and left this morning. I’ll call and inform him of

myself." Mother starts reaching for her phone in her bag. At her behest, I make myself comfortable on the sofa while she speaks with Ashton on the phone. Even the low hum of his voice sends thrills down my arms. Staring at his desk, I recall the moment we had had when his arms caged me on

here to get a car." I remind myself as I struggle

me. I happened to stir awake and find Ashton sleeping on his couch. That must have been an uncomfortable sleep. The small sofa in his room isn’t suited for sleep and his height and body mass didn’t make it any

face. His arms were folded on his chest. His position made me suspect he had

find me cute in my sleep? How long did he watch me for? I don’t recall how long I watched him either. I just know that he stirred awake while my eyes were still taking in his body and imagining his it without the clothes on.

he roused me awake. I played my part and stretched like a cat. Did I overdo it? I hope he didn’t suspect

we were standing, I took advantage of my fake sleepy state and dug my hands in his hair. When he didn’t stop me, I knew he had more than platonic feelings for me. It was

rejected him if he had tried to kiss me then. I don’t think we wouldn’t have tumbled on the bed shortly after but thankfully, Ashton showed great restraint and sent me

Until now.

see just me in his office.

in a raspy voice. His

had to leave." I quickly explain. "She couldn’t

"Oh."

my hands nervously. Why are we being weird around each other? It’s not like we did anything bad in

we didn’t pull

he looks at me with a little guilt. "Oh no, no, no. It’s fine. I have it handled." He heads

be fine with anything I get. I’m

you to the showroom." With his head down, he starts shuffling

sag in defeat. I can’t take this anymore. He pauses by the door, takes a moment before turning to me.

"What?"

a problem with

I have a problem with

Did I do something to upset

what’s with all