Four Brothers and a Bride

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."

Firstly, I 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

you two are still

call it that but she’s been a bit distant lately. I am working on it, mom. You know I

to know you. Women like Demi are like that. I’m certain with time,

say nothing 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 as he rubs minds with Asher about how to handle

with a very important associate. I

or not, she’s still entitled to give me an attitude especially when I openly disrespect her

has told me, Demi has every right to give

to her room

It’s Ashley. Do

takes her time to drag her feet to the door and unlock

invite me in

her messy room. "No. I’m unboxing

"I don’t mind."

dry look almost discourage me but I maintain my resolve to

me when I tell you that I never invited her. I wouldn’t do such a thing

"That’s cute. I bet she wants to believe that too but no, I am not uncomfortable having Nicci around. Your family obviously cherishes her and father 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

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, shoot

"Is it true?"

"What?"

the woman Ashal was hanging out

can you believe that? Ashal doesn’t know anyone by

it’s just so strange because I am the one she tried to befriend. Why would she come to

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

for that. Olivia couldn’t have been at that party because I didn’t invite her. I can’t even find her contact anymore." Demi shakes her head. "So, who exactly was Ashal vibing with

keen on winning the contest

a part of this family. I don’t deserve to be in the dark like all the others out there so tell me, what’s the lucky woman’s

this line of conversation. I am 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 that Demi sadly can’t

well so he invited her to the party as a plus one. They’re not serious though.

"Oh."

the exposure her attendance is garnering. She hates fame and

fated to be best friends forever." There’s a wistful look in Demi’s glassy eyes as she

"Are you still beefing with Anna? C’mon Demi, did you really expect her to hang by your side all night like a handbag? She’s a young woman. It’s not unnatural for her to want to mingle and

her for disappearing on me. I couldn’t find her for most of the night and she isn’t telling me the whole truth. She’ll

her door in my face. 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

***

Ashley. You wanted it as badly as I did. Don’t stand there and act like you were actually drunk while

like a megaphone to announce to the entire country that I fucked my ex at my own

and looks away. I abandon the new fabrics I am inspecting for a new dress I want to create

"I’m sorry." Nicci chimes.

also wanted to steal

her. Demi can’t hold a spotlight even if it was beamed on her. It’s not my fault everyone found me more interesting to feast their eyes on,

or I will have you banned from

"You can’t do that."

a dare?" My eyes pierce her angry

wrong tree once again, Ashley. Your wife doesn’t give a shit about you. Plus, she’s not as innocent as she looks. Didn’t you notice the weird

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

to make things up about Demi? Grow up,

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. You should do well to pursue this and get to

cut it. I’ll

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

rhythm. Nicola’s words keep echoing at the back of my head. I can’t