Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 44: Chapter 44

ASHAL

"Cool ride." I sputter when I see the red, spanking new Lexus RX 350 that graces the driveway with a bow on it. Ashton leans on the bumper while Demi stands next to me, a contemplative hand on her chin. "This is beautiful, Demi. Go for it. I can totally see you behind the wheel."

Demi tosses her hair back and circles the car. Ashton and I know she has no idea what to look out for in a new car but Demi likes to pretend she does so we humor her and watch in silence.

"I don’t like it."

"What?" Ashton leaps off the car like the new paint isn’t dried yet and goes over to Demi. "Demi, this is the fifth car I’ve shown you in a week. You said you wanted a simple car. You rejected the previous ones for silly reasons; the lack of a cupholder, the advanced technology of the car, the way the tires looked and the way the car keys felt in your hands. What could possibly be wrong with this one now?"

Ashton is at his wits end. I have no idea why Demi is punishing him like this but it is funny to watch.

"Those were all valid reasons in my book!" Demi insists with a scowl.

Ashton calms himself by sucking in a breath. "Fine. What’s wrong with this one now?"

With her hands on her waist, Demi jerks her chin towards the car. "I don’t like the way the engine sounds when you start the car."

"OH, FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE..." Ashton throws his hands up in the air but Demi maintains her stance. I quickly pull my frustrated brother aside and grab his shoulder while he glares icily at Demi. "She’s toying with me. I know it."

"Yes, it’s as plain as the nose on my face. What exactly did you do this time? C’mon, tell me."

He hisses a breath and shakes his head. "I blocked her number, okay. I was pissed. I didn’t mean to. She’s been mad at me ever since. Mother wants to gift Demi a car but instead of coming over to the showroom and choosing herself or picking one from the pictures I send her, she insists I bring them down here one after the other till she finds ’the one’." He ends his explanation with air quotes around the last two words.

I stifle the urge to laugh. Then head over to Demi to repeat the therapy session.

"Simply because I don’t know much about cars beyond their fancy names doesn’t mean I don’t know what I like about them. I want to find the perfect car for me." She explains herself with her mouth curved in a petulant air and hands akimbo.

"YOU SAID YOU WEREN’T PICKY" Ashton counters her behind me. Then mimicking Demi’s voice, he goes "I’ll be fine with whatever I get. Those were your words!"

"Fine being the operative word. The cars I’ve looked at so far haven’t been fine by me!"

"Ok, calm down, Demi. Don’t mind him. He’s being silly, not you."

"Thank you."

"How about you and I go over to the showroom and do some window shopping. There are more cars over there and I’m certain you’ll find ’the one’ among them, especially with me by your side." Demi eyes twinkle with suspicion.

"You’re not doing this because you think I am being silly and you want to help your brother out of a tough situation, are you?"

"Of course not. I’ve been thinking of getting a new car myself. Yeah, Out with the old and in with the new, right? I want something new and different for the new phase of my life that I am stepping into. I guess we could just shop for our cars together." I genuinely mean that. I am thinking of getting a new car with more swag than I usually go for. Demi smiles.

"In that case, I think it’s a lovely idea. After we both get our cars, can you whisk me away for rest of the day? My friend’s out of town and my cousin just got a job. Can we spend the day playing games at your penthouse? I thought it was cool the last time I was there, even though I was dragged and threatened." She chuckles while my body stiffens. "Ashal? Did you hear me?"

I shake my head. "Oh, um, sorry. My penthouse is off limits. Quads only." She grabs my arm as I try to move away.

"C’mon. I literally have no friends..."

"THEN MAKE SOME." My sharp tone shocks Demi as she steps back. Ashton’s hand on my shoulder douses the anger in my eyes. "I’m sorry." I quickly spit out. "I didn’t mean to be rude but my penthouse is like a play pen for my brothers and I exclusively. It’s always been that way. I’m sure you and I can hang out someplace else." I hope my smile is natural and alluring.

situation and weighs in. "Sorry Demi, I broke the rules by dragging you there back then but the penthouse is actually a girl free zone." He edges close to Demi and whispers into her ear.

my penthouse? How long do you think I can stall her for before she gets suspicious?" Ashton squeezes my

down, bro. You’re overthinking it. She just made a harmless suggestion. I’m sure there isn’t much to it. Deny her as many times as she asks and she’ll get used to it like she has gotten used

cross the small flight of steps

from Olivia. Do you think they might still be in contact? What if she

it before Demi could see it. That was weeks ago. If Demi actually knew about the penthouse, she would have brought this up a while back, don’t you think? Besides, I was crystal clear with Olivia. She wouldn’t risk her life and that of her family. She knows Demi can’t really help her. My bet is she was

Demi possibly do for Olivia anyway? I guess I am overthinking it. It’s Saturday and since I don’t have

mean what you said about changing your

him a shrug. "I

think I know the best

Demi. Five cars later and you’re pulling your hair out." I laugh at

very funny." He

out in the garden. Asher has barely come out of his room all day. He has been moody for some reason and it’s usually best to avoid him whenever he’s like that. Ashton went over to

on Olivia. She tells me everything is fine but Olivia seems lonely and heartbroken. Asher’s visit flashes in

know." When I hang up the phone, I turn to find father watching me by stairs. He

there." He says nothing but continues to pin me with his uncomfortable stare. "Can I help you

"Was that about Olivia?"

meet his eyes firmly. "Yes. I was calling to check on my wife." I know how much he loathes hearing me call Olivia my wife. Still, I never fail to remind him since he conveniently likes to

you call a marriage? Ashal, I am prepared to have you wed to any other woman of your choice, one whom you can proudly show off to

for real

wed someone else?"

beyond love. It’s the only way to protect her from Brett Rollins. I walk up to father with

being pulled into my mess and condemned?

best help you need can only be found

you still think

fists by my sides. Like he anticipates it, father’s eyes drop to my tightened

mother, I’ll have you put down like a rabid dog." My hands go limp. "Now you listen to me boy, you can continue with that sham of a marriage if you so please but if that woman EVER causes any trouble that affects this family or the business, you will pay for it with your own freedom. I’ll have you carted off to a facility for as long as it takes to restore the family’s image AND fix that problem of yours. For your sake, I hope

arrive my penthouse an hour later. The plans I have for Olivia haven’t changed. I still love her

her to accept me and my family. In my head, she’s not a threat to

of my car, I stare up at her room and inhale deeply. With everything that’s happened over the last couple of weeks till my proposal and Asher’s visit, I think she has had enough building blocks to make an informed decision about which brother she can trust or have a life with. If my freedom is on the line right now, I have to know that my dogged pursuit of Olivia is worth it. I hope to gain that

a soft tune in the background. Lily also chuckles at Olivia’s funny dance moves while she gives her a helping hand. For a whole minute, I imagine I have walked into an alternate universe where Olivia is actually glad to see her husband. Her eyes track towards the door and finds me standing

instructions to Lily before peeling off her apron and running up to me like an excited child would rush over to an amusement park. Her face mellows as

were coming. I tried to make a decent dinner but I forgot it in the oven and it got burnt. We are trying to see if we can recreate it. Do you mind waiting a little bit longer? I’m sorry

Did you

out of

"What?"

said Mrs. Olivia is on the terrace." Lily repeats

am told I’d find her. She sits with her legs crossed on the terrace. Her eyes

approach her, I wonder what’s going through her mind. Does she ever dream of a life with me the way I constantly imagine one with her? Does she still nurse the hope that Asher will stroll back into her life like

neck to face me. Her eyes

"Hi."

again. "Hi.

After Asher left, I had the intention to go drop mom off and return but once I got home, I lost the courage to face Olivia alone. It was too awkward to return either as myself or Asher. I couldn’t find the rhythm to push through with my proposal till I got a response or to break things up with her as Asher. What if she rejects me as Ashal after

now however, I need clarity on our future together before deciding if I would carry on with my ruse as Asher or not. I