Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 52: Chapter 52

DEMI

"She’s working late? Does she realize what today is?" I scowl at my dad at the breakfast table while he continues to whisk eggs in a bowl. His face is partially covered with white flour. He dusts his apron and sighs.

"Of course, baby. Mom won’t miss your birthday for anything in the world." I don’t find his smile reassuring so I cast my eyes in a sorrowful droop into my bacon and eggs.

"Why did she have to take that stupid job? It’s all the way across town. We barely even see her."

"Danvarr is just an hour’s drive from here and honey, mommy needs the job. I’m between jobs right now and she couldn’t turn down such an opportunity from a big company like Rollins Empire. She isn’t happy being away from us most of the time but I need you to remember that she’s doing it for us because she loves us. I promise things will get better. I’ll get a job soon and mommy won’t have to work so hard."

"You’ve been saying that for months now." I drop my fork with a clatter and grab my bag. "I’m off to school."

"I’ll drop you."

"NO." I give his apron a onceover. "Thanks dad but William already offered."

That’s a lie. William is one of the richest kids at my school. He drives a fancy car to school every day. Coupled with the fact that he is a good looking senior, all the girls in school have the biggest crush on him.

I’ll admit I find him quite attractive too. However, he hits on literally every girl and has a new girlfriend every week. He’s so popular he organizes a spinning wheel game to pick a random girl to date him each week.

After a year at my school, William’s wheel finally stops at my name but it unfortunately came at a time when I am no longer the giggly teenager that secretly fawns over him. Hence, I declined. It’s the first time any girl at school has declined dating William and that neither went well with him nor my schoolmates.

They’ve been giving me so much hate for it. I don’t expect my dad to know who William is so I throw in that excuse hoping he allows me find my way to school. I am turning fifteen today after all. I can manage.

"Who’s William?" He asks.

"Her boyfriend."

Dad and I crane our necks to the door to find William standing there looking dapper in his uniform like it is a custom-made suit. I manage to shove him out the front door to his new, flashy car parked right in front of my house.

"How did you find my house?" I bark in anger.

"Stassie, your neighbor told me." William replies with a smirk as he opens the passenger door for me. "C’mon Denise, it’s just one bloody week. You really want to embarrass me like this?"

I slam the door shut. "It’s Demi, not Denise and no, I don’t mean to embarrass you. I am just not interested, that’s all."

"No one said you had to be. We aren’t trying to be a real couple in school. It’s all just for entertainment. Everyone loves to see me with a fresh girl every week, especially the ones that guys won’t normally look at. I’m actually helping you here. After this week, all the guys in school will look at you differently, trust me."

"And who told you I wanted the guys at school to look at me differently? I’m cool with the way things are. Thanks though." When I try to leave, he grabs my wrist. "I said NO."

"What exactly are you trying to prove, Denee? You’re not half as beautiful as the women I go for. I’m trying to do you a favor and you’re being cocky? Ha. You don’t get to tell me no. What could possibly be the reason for a girl like you to turn down a guy like me?"

"Reasons." I correct him. "They are more than one. Wanna hear it? Fine! I dislike your popularity with the female folk and how you flirt with everyone in a skirt. I dislike how proud you are because of your daddy’s money and how you rub it in everyone’s faces like it wasn’t pure luck that you were born with a silver spoon. I dislike that you don’t have a personality of your own and keep switching them up according to what you think people will like. Shall I keep going?"

His face is flushed with embarrassment now. I guess I hit home with some of my points. I brush past him and take the sidewalk while his fans from school pull up chanting his name.

When I return home from school, mom isn’t still home. Dad and I sing and dance. We see my favorite Barbie movie twice while we wait for her. Then her call comes through and by the sound of it, she is anxious.

Dad rushes to grab his keys and begs me not to leave the house till he returns. He tries to wave off my concern at how worried mom sounded before he hops into his beatdown Volkswagen and heads for Danvarr. I try my best to wait up for them only to open my eyes the next morning to an empty house and some leftover cake. The knocking on the door is very loud.

"Demi? Demi??" I jerk awake, a film of sweat coating my forehead and neck. In my dream, the cops are usually the ones outside the door. It’s the day I was informed of the elevator accident involving my parents. Right now, it’s just mother calling for me.

I crawl out of bed and gasp at the clock. It’s past eight am? How could I have overslept? Asher will be livid. I unlock the door and run a hand over my face.

"I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I overslept..."

"It’s okay my darling, you’re welcome to rest as much as

I glance at my phone. Crap. How did I forget? Mother pulls

birthday. I was worried this phase will set in. All my boys went through it too but only Asher survived despite putting in more working hours. The rest backed off and now

did you know about my birthday?" I was hoping to keep this a secret during my stay with the Rollins. Since my parents passed, I have

or I would have beat myself up for

don’t want a party or anything. You and I can just hang out

already made some calls. An event planner is halfway through with the planning. The pool behind the house is being decorated last minute. We will be having the party there

eyes are fired up like this. After she leaves, I grab my pillow and bite down on it to stifle a clawing need to scream. I can’t do this. How can I possibly have a birthday party thrown for me by

up at the house, offloading equipment for the disc jockey. When I peer out

she’s like this. It’ll all be over in a couple of hours. Just let her have her way today and you can

join us, wishing me a happy birthday. I feign a smile

the outfits will be party appropriate, it will still appeal to their individual tastes. She mentioned to me in passing that the quads’ birthday is the one day they’re permitted to dress exactly the same and that can be

grateful each one is

asks me with a cocky grin

First big party." Ashley answers, throwing a

me beyond the collective happy birthday wish. He dons a thick grey sweater with both hands in his pocket. He has

for your birthday?" Ashal asks. "Just say it and we’ll do

I’ll let you all

"Demi!"

see Anna at

excitement as I race down the steps to meet her. I slam into her chest, my arms coming around her neck in a tight hug. "I’m

everything. She flicks a quick glance up the stairs and waves casually at the quads. Then she pulls me a few meters

couldn’t stop

I couldn’t stop her." I streak a hand through my hair. "A ton of people will be here by dusk. It’s a mask party too. I just...I don’t know. I want to disappear for a couple of hours. Being here amidst

have to stay calm. Have

watched. The heat stirred by

I dreamt about my parents today. That’s all

get through it. Try not to think too much about

just have to manage

you are here." I pull her in for another embrace. "I can’t get through

Anna tear her eyes off

Asher.

***

dusk settles in. Downstairs, the living room is tastefully decorated and crammed by guests in gold masks. The men don fancy

look great." Ashley assures

me." The sheer fabric with gemstones hanging like teardrops jiggles with every move I make. Ashley added a pair of rose gold heels and a matching purse. I have no doubt Nicola would pull this off but for me,

but you can’t possibly wear a tennis skirt and sneakers to your birthday party here. Father will be affronted in front of his

MY party. Why can’t I wear what I like?" I want to run a hand over my face but there’s so much makeup gunk on it. If I ruin it, the ten grand that mother paid to have it done will go to waste. Ashley tilts my sulking chin towards him.

don’t you wear this for your first entrance and meet our VVIPs tonight.

justify the blush feverishly spreading through my cheeks as a normal reaction any woman in my

the next to exchange pleasantries with some dignitaries at my party. Father and

sidle up to

You look like a model." Aunt

time Asher visited. I rake Kira’s face with my eyes. She isn’t necessarily here for me. I’m certain she pushed mother to throw this party so she can have an opportunity to be in the same room with

you caused the last time." I can’t pretend I’m over it. Kira turns to me now. Her mother’s eyes also flash in surprise as I wheel my

be bygones." Aunt implores, tacitly urging Ashley to coax me. He

that I invited. I’ll just go welcome him and be back in a bit." I nod at him

me to have security show you out, you had better tender that apology right now." The annoyance I have been bottling all day

the

I raise a hand and signal a man in a

your