Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 46: Chapter 46

ASHTON

My heart rate slows down as I await her answer. I recognize the furry coat. It’s a unique piece from Ashley’s latest collection and is very pricey. I am not surprised that Demi happens to own one. Ashley is her husband after all.

However, I do find it surprising that unlike the rest of her clothes hanging carefully on the wardrobe, the jacket sits at the bottom like it was hurriedly tossed in there among her shoes. Why would she keep something so precious in there? It can’t be dirty because I haven’t seen her wear a red jacket since she joined our family. Why else would she dump it in there?

It can’t be true. The mysterious woman from my date as Will can’t be Demi. That’s ridiculous.

"Is that yours?" I repeat. My eyes wheel from the jacket to Demi’s face which is gradually beading with sweat. I want her to give me a plausible reason why her new jacket is in that state, a reason that will dispel the nasty and unpleasant feeling unfurling in my stomach. When Demi braces herself and looks at me, her eyes are not devoid of suspicion.

"It’s mine."

Why does she look so guilty right now if we are only talking about a simple red jacket in her closet? I take it that she knows why I am visibly shocked by it.

"Tell me it wasn’t you."

She cast her eyes down in a sorrowful droop and I gasp in utter shock. Edging backwards, I push open the door leading to her bedroom.

"Ashton, wait! Please! Hear me out."

With impeccable control, I pause my march outside her room. How can she possibly explain this? Even my family doesn’t know about Will! That’s how fucked up this is.

"Have you been stalking me?"

"NO!" She squeals, reaching to grab my shoulders. "No, Ashton, I didn’t stalk you."

How much does she know about me? I know she suspects my hair color but did she already know about my black hair when she found the hair gels in my bathroom cabinet? Was she pretending even then? How the fuck did she get my second contact and chat me up as Will? Was she aware it was me the whole time while we chatted? Why the fuck did she even try to go on a secret date with a stranger in a far diner without telling anyone? My mind is literally abuzz with questions right now.

"START TALKING." I order her. "From the beginning. Leave nothing out."

Demi’s lips tremble as she begins to recount her story. Apparently, she got wind of Mr. Fantasy from her cousin, Kira. I believe that bit as I recall a message from one Kira C. That must be Kira Collin.

"I promise I only went out of curiosity. I was bored and I felt like having lived with you guys for months, I’d be able to rate this stranger. I also justified it as a way to catch an impostor. I’m sorry Ashton."

I don’t believe her. I want to but there are so many holes in her story and I can feel her trying so hard not to tell the undiluted truth.

"If you meant to catch the impostor or rate this stranger’s skills of impersonation, why did you ask to go on a date with Will instead of the ’Ash Rollins’ lookalike version called Mr. Fantasy. Huh?" The question stumps her. "Answer me, Demi!"

Her eyes go misty with tears. "You wouldn’t respond to messages as Mr. Fantasy. I had no choice."

I chuckle loudly now. "You expect me to believe that?" My head is steaming now at how untruthful she’s being. "You came up with a bullshit story about having a shitty boyfriend and wanting to hang out. You followed me up for days to make sure the date happened! All for what? To rate a stranger’s impersonation skills? No!" Demi shudders at my flaring eyes and takes small steps backwards as I advance towards her.

"Here’s the truth you do not want to admit. You knew I was Mr. Fantasy long before you sent me that message. I don’t know how but that’s the only thing that makes this story add up. I don’t know why you insisted on the date only to stand me up. When I noticed you lurking by the corner, you ran away in a cab." I grab her shoulders and narrow my eyes at her. I can’t believe she can be such a mastermind.

"Who exactly are you, Demi? Why did you stalk me?" Demi only cries harder and mumbles incoherently. "You’ve been lying to me all along and pretending to be clueless about my hair and Mr. Fantasy. What other secrets are you keeping from me? Tell me, Branson!"

tell you the truth." She wipes her tears and stares up at

"It was just after you and Mila became...a thing. I was jealous, okay? I wanted to ignore it but I couldn’t help myself, Ashton. Then Kira mentioned a lookalike that women can pay to play their favorite quad. It was a stupid idea but I thought I’d engage his services so he could play you and I could pretend we went on a proper date. I wanted to do more than imagine what that would feel like. I soon realized it was going to be an uphill task convincing him to play you because he was adamant on being called Will so I made up a story just to ensure he comes

stranger but then when I managed to sneak off to the date, I arrived late and was just in time to see you pull up in your car. Ashton, I was scared at first thinking you’d recognize me and probably scare off my date. I waited by the corner hoping you’d get your food and leave but when you stepped out of your car, you looked different. Your hair was different but I could still tell it was you. Even worse, you went into the diner and never came out. When I messaged my date, I realized you were the one I was texting. I got so scared and couldn’t bring myself to go

was risky and stupid but I didn’t mean to lie to you or pretend about that night. I wanted to

in my hair and tug. Maybe I believe her but it doesn’t ease the sting to my pride. She knows about my weakness now. How could I have slipped up like that? Mila was right to warn me not to go on that date. Gritting my

like this. Please, don’t go. I

"I can’t...I

door behind me. Her story might make some sense and maybe part of me feels glad that the random guy she was going on a date with was to satisfy the urge to have a real

emerged from the elevator with a drink

annoyance. "I needed to confirm something. It’s about Demi and Olivia."

contact with Olivia. Ashal had deleted Olivia’s contact from

spoke to Olivia and she admitted reaching out to Demi in the past. However, she hasn’t tried to communicate with Demi since the last message I deleted." Ashal confirms. "I trust her. She is trying her best to gain

surprise that flits across Asher’s face at Ashal’s vote of confidence in

latter has stopped contacting her?" Asher asks worriedly. "Is she trying to play mind games with us? Do you think she knows

in Demi’s room and how she had cleverly pretended not to know anything about my secret identity. Although it breaks my heart to admit it, I won’t be surprised if Demi actually knows more about Olivia than she’s letting on. My heart gallops as I wonder if Asher’s theories and suspicions about Demi might be true. Could Demi really be a two-faced

my secret identity but that doesn’t translate to her having a grudge against my family. She had concrete reasons for keeping my secret. There’s no reason to doubt her in everything

more out of my own head. "Penny for your thoughts?"

her? Let’s start there at least. If Demi’s response doesn’t hold up with our research, we’ll know she’s lying and find creative

questions she’s probably going to lie about? I suggest we tap her phone, get to know who she calls and texts along with all the juicy details of her conversations. Who’s in?" Asher asks with

dishonesty come to the fore of my mind. I desperately need to know the real truth

I

as the rest of

seven. Find a way to distract her and tap her phone. Since this is probably your first-time getting shit

I’d like you to pay close attention to Olivia and ensure she tells you if

concurs

add. "Under no circumstances should she be taken or allowed

of y’all are even allowed there till further notice." While Ashley and Ashal laugh over the latter’s statement,

Asher’s number (without knowing that Ashal had swapped his contact name with

went as far as touching Demi! Now, the bastard has attempted to take the lives of two people who are dear to me and that is something I cannot forgive. If Asher isn’t feeling up to it, I’d handle Iman

put a hand in Asher’s path as he tries

freely after everything he’s done?" The anger I’ve been fending off is starting to seep out as I recall Anna on her hospital bed

told you I’d

he’s been going about

did he hurt?" At the pained

to strangle her, again. She’s got his hand prints all over

you’re certain

run a hand over my face, stifling the urge to punch the wall. "He probably thinks Demi also knew about my visit or instigated me to attack him. It’s all my fault. I should handle

do

HURT MY LOVED ONES." I yell in my brother’s face.

morphs into a frown. "Thank you, Ashton, for your zeal

that?" I