Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Chapter 57

ASHLEY

"What do you mean you can’t find her?" I whisper into the phone. Ashal isn’t making any sense right now. "She was just there a second ago. Didn’t you send her off with a bodyguard? How could you lose her, Ash? You said you would be careful!" His raspy voice echoes on the other end of the phone as he panics.

"My men are combing the restaurant. She couldn’t have gotten far."

I know he’s trying really hard not to lash out. I hear him kick something.

"What was that?"

"Uh, nothing. I accidentally knocked down the wash hand basin. Fuck!" He cusses loudly. "Ash, I fucked up really bad. You all were right. I shouldn’t have been so lenient with her. I shouldn’t have trusted her. She played me, man. She planned to escape this whole time and what are the fucking odds that she timed it just when that comment was made on the blog."

"You think she might have written it?"

"No. She didn’t touch her phone the whole time we’ve been here but I suspect she knows who wrote it. She must have been aware that such a comment was going to be made and lured me out on this date so she could escape. Damn it! Father is really going to kill me now."

"Calm down, Ash. We’ll figure something out." I am not sure how we can remedy this but I keep my fears to myself to sympathize with my brother.

"Who knows where she has gone and how far? She would likely attempt to leave the city first. Her family won’t hide her. She..." Sir? I hear someone call his attention in the background. "What?" Ashal barks at them, then everywhere goes silent.

"Ash? What’s going on?" I inquire over the eerie silence.

Baby? Is everything okay? The guards are being rough with me. What have I done?

"Ash, is that Olivia’s voice I hear?" Ashal doesn’t reply. Instead, I hear the sound of movement, then Olivia cries out in pain. Ashal begins to yell at her.

Where the fuck did you run off to? Huh?

Ash, you’re hurting me. Please! I didn’t go far. There wasn’t any tissue in the restroom so I asked Dante to help me get some from the men’s room. My mom called me but there was barely any service in the bathroom so I walked down the hall to take the call. She was panicking Ash, something about an article on Billion-Err and your parents calling to threaten mine. I just took longer trying to assure her that you and I are together. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to escape.

Her voice breaks off as she cries harder. I sigh in relief.

I hear Ashal demand for her phone and possibly look through it. He probably goes through her call log and confirms her words.

Sir, she did ask me to go get a tissue from the men’s room but I couldn’t find any either.

You left her by herself?

I’m sorry sir.

I hear the sound of Ashal’s fist ramming into something followed by a grunt of pain. It was probably the speaker’s jaw. Olivia is still crying in the background. I cut the call to let my brother get a grip of himself. I am satisfied that the danger is averted and Olivia is still with us. I’ll call Ash later when things have simmered down.

"Was that Ashal?"

I whip my head to find mother behind me.

"Yes mother."

"Is everything alright over there?"

"Of course it is." I hook an arm around her shoulder. "He and Olivia are having a dinner date at home. I just called to tell him about the situation here so he can be extra careful and keep close tabs on her. She has no clue what’s going on either. They’re enjoying lobsters."

Mom’s smile stretches across her face. "I’m glad their relationship is getting better. I just want my son to be happy, ALL of my sons." Mother tugs at my cheeks. "How are you and Demi?" The evasion is so quick I incline my head to stare at her lovely face.

"We’re good."

"Are you really? I couldn’t help but notice the tension between the two of you after you invited your ex to your wife’s birthday party without being considerate of Demi’s feelings."

didn’t invite Nicola. She must have gotten whiff of the news from her father whom father graciously invited and accompanied him. Secondly, Demi has no romantic feelings for me that could possibly have been bruised by Nicola’s presence. However, I do accept that I could have handled the situation better and not allowed Nicola conduct herself so brazenly in front of my wife, thereby embarrassing Demi on

two

distant lately. I am working on it, mom. You know I have my way with women, especially strong-willed ones like the one you

attractive." She sighs heavily. "She’s guarded because she’s still getting to know you. Women like Demi

as mother pecks my cheek and returns to the living room where I had left to go answer Ashal’s desperate call. I watch my brothers conversing. Ashton has a laptop on his thighs

It’s purely a business call with a very important associate. I peer

marriage or not, she’s still entitled to

me, Demi has every right to give me the silent treatment. Nicci had gone too far that night.

my way to her room

Do you have a

her time to drag her feet to the door

going to invite me

her messy room. "No. I’m unboxing my gifts and reorganizing my closet.

"I don’t mind."

dry look almost discourage me but

when I tell you that I never invited

is still good friends with her dad. I just wasn’t comfortable with her shameless display at the party in front of the guests who know the history between both of you. It was embarrassing for the family as a whole and the last thing I want is father blaming me for anything that happened at the party, like the secret wife

understand. I still wanted to apologize though. Don’t worry. None of it will come back to you. I’ll make sure father doesn’t pin any blame on you." I angle my head,

"Is it true?"

"What?"

true that the woman Ashal was hanging out

believe that? Ashal doesn’t know anyone

just so strange because I am the one she tried to befriend. Why would she come to my party and not try to see

list. Simply because someone dropped a name doesn’t mean there’s any truth to it. Ashal isn’t married as you know. It’s all just clout chasing. Those desperate people will say anything to win the stupid

invite her. I can’t even find her contact anymore." Demi shakes her head. "So, who exactly was Ashal vibing with that night? Come to think of it, I haven’t exactly seen him cozying up to any woman. He also doesn’t have a girlfriend. I am just curious

keen on winning the

be in the dark like

grateful she’s in better spirits but I can’t tell her anything concrete. Olivia is one of the Rollins family’s well-kept secrets

to the party as a plus one. They’re not serious though.

"Oh."

She must be mad at the exposure her attendance is garnering. She

forever." There’s a

by your side all night like a handbag? She’s a young woman. It’s

on me. I couldn’t find her for most of the night and

I am not mad. I am actually glad that I managed to distract her from her fixation with Ashal’s mystery woman by bringing up Anna. Ashal finally calls me back and I

***

Don’t stand there

Nicola in my office. "Would you like a megaphone

away. I abandon the new fabrics I am inspecting for a new

"I’m sorry." Nicci chimes.

me in. You also wanted to steal the spotlight from Demi, didn’t you? You just couldn’t help yourself." She

was beamed on her. It’s not my

again or I will have

"You can’t do that."

a dare?" My eyes pierce her angry

Ashley. Your wife doesn’t give a shit about you. Plus, she’s not as innocent as she looks. Didn’t you

between them. Demi was very uncomfortable around Will and he acted very smug around her too. I saw them speaking in hushed tones at the party. I even saw him pull her by the hand once but she fled the scene. I tried using my charm and some alcohol to coax Williiam

you’re trying to make things up about Demi? Grow

you recall the last time with Demi and the that guy at the bookstore? You also didn’t believe me until you did. I was right, wasn’t I? I am convinced that I am also right about Demi and William even though all I have right now is a hunch.

cut it. I’ll have to place a new

be back by then, unless you want me sooner." She winks seductively at me before

Nicola’s words keep echoing at the back of my head. I can’t ignore them because I also did

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