Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 63: Chapter 63

DEMI

I had thought I would be more excited to visit Ashal’s penthouse but more than anything, I feel a twinge of worry. It started when Olivia called me out of the blues yesterday. I didn’t know what to make of the private number so I took the call.

"Who’s this?"

"It’s Olivia."

My heart leapt. "Olivia Dunn?"

"That’s right." Her voice sounded firmer and slightly harsh.

"Hi, Olivia. How are you?"

"How do you expect me to be when you’ve got nothing better to do than to poke your nose in other people’s affairs." She spat with venom.

"Woah, watch it. Why are you being so rude? You’re the one who cried for help and asked your friend to find me." I can’t believe her. She might be putting up a brave front to hide Ashal’s wrongs out of fear but that doesn’t make it right for her to lash out at me.

"Fine, I admit I pranked my friend. I was just having a squabble with my partner back then. Every relationship has their ups and downs. Couples fight and make up all the time. Eliana was making a big deal out of it so I indulged her and pretended to be a damsel in distress. I tasked her with finding you as a potential savior only because I knew she couldn’t pull it off. I didn’t think she would fall for it. I didn’t expect she’d go this far."

"She’s a smart woman, Olivia. I don’t think she is incapable of recognizing a joke. If she didn’t think you were in serious danger, she wouldn’t have tried to find me to help you."

Olivia chuckled. "Danger? And what could you possibly do if I was actually in danger? Are you some kind of police detective or an undercover ninja? Don’t you see how senseless it all sounds? You’re just a woman with no real power or influence. I bet you cower in fright when your in-laws bark orders. How could you possibly help anyone?"

"Olivia..."

"I don’t even know you besides what I read in the news." She huffs out a breath to calm herself. "Listen, I called to tell you to stay away from Eliana. Stop encouraging her to chase shadows. I’m enjoying my relationship. I am not in any kind of distress. If you’re so bored of your wifely roles, find a hobby. Don’t try to play sherlock Holmes and interfere in other people’s lives. Worry about yours."

I let her rant, wondering why she was lying through her teeth after we finally got a chance to talk.

"If you ever try to contact me again or blow up my quiet life by mentioning my name on popular blogs, I’ll make sure I involve your in-laws and tell them what you’ve been using your free time to do."

That call still replays in my head. When I told Liam, he merely suggested that I focus on my visit to Ashal’s house.

While I am getting ready, Anna’s message beeps in. She can’t make it. A new wave of disappointment washes over me.

I think of giving her a call to convince her to come along but her message is vague. It only tells me that she is still mad at me and isn’t ready to talk. I decide against putting any kind of pressure on her. Maybe this time, I should listen to her for a change. If she has an urgent matter to attend to, I should respect her wishes.

"Thank you so much for doing this, Ashal. I really needed to get out of the house for a bit."

"You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do to remedy your birthday." I shoot him a thin smile and focus outside, watching the lush green palms and skyscrapers zipping by.

"What happened to Anna?"

"She can’t make it."

"Oh, that’s sad. She would have had so much fun." I nod glumly at his words. "Cheer up, Ashley’s going to be there. I made sure he cleared his schedule for this. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable at the house."

"Why won’t I be comfortable with just you?" Something about the face he makes causes me to shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just that William is still in town and being an old friend of ours, it didn’t sit right to let him keep staying at a hotel while he’s visiting Danvarr so I invited him to stay at my place." My eyes are already the size of saucers as Ashal drops the bomb on me. "I thought having Ashley over would make you feel comfortable being around him and my other brothers."

"W-William is at the penthouse?"

"Yeah, he’s sort of living there at the moment."

The air suddenly starts constricting in my throat. William is at the penthouse? Oh crap, I didn’t expect this. I take in huge gulps of air and pray I don’t sweat bullets when I get there.

I can’t trust William to keep his mouth shut about our past and with the quads around, he could try to get back at me for my alleged betrayal. He might give the brothers fresh reasons to suspect me.

Then again, there’s no way Ashal will let William stay at the penthouse alone with Olivia who is pretty much a secret to everyone outside the family, including me and William. Could that mean he had her moved or does he keep her in a different house? My forehead starts coating with sweat as I wonder what exactly I will be walking into at the penthouse.

"Are you okay?" Ashal asks, watching me.

I kind of feel like I am crashing a boys’ night. Maybe it

it’s fine. It’s just one

fun night with the boys with my sour expression

lot to convince my brothers to allow this." I burrow my hands between my thighs and make

of you had history and I didn’t..." My eyebrows slash up at his words. "...Know you were going to ask to visit the penthouse as your birthday wish. I can’t ask

did you know that?" I ask,

mentioned it to me after William mentioned it

I’m really uncomfortable with this visit. It feels like a setup. How long has Ashley known and why hasn’t he brought it up with me even once? How am I supposed to be chill

really think we should

a huge electric gate opens. Ashal follows a narrow driveway with lush greens by the sides till we stop in front of a mini

the engine and looks at me as he unbuckles his seat belt. "Excited

is different. This

my brothers all

step out of the car. "I

rocky steps. "Nah. That house is smaller and desperately needs renovation. This," he says pointing at the house ahead of us,

the entrance. Ashely hugs me. William waves in greeting. How are they so cool around each other if William spoke about my past relationship with him? Was he vague in discussing it or did he attempt to be a kind human and choose his words carefully so as not to hurt my marriage? The latter doesn’t sound like the William that accosted me at my party but I push back the thought

close to Ashley while Ashal gives me a mini tour of the living area with buttery yellow sofas that are as soft as pillows. Flower pots with fresh plants add to the vibrant pop of colors inside the house. Expensive art collections deck the walls. We take the

glass railings upstairs as we peer down at the living room. Ashal pulls my hand excitedly while

nervousness especially given the way William has been staring at me. Ashley tags close, his eyes shuttling between Willam and I. I get tingles every time I try

pants hunched over what I assume to be lunch in progress, in the kitchen. A small

need." The pretty lady beams brightly at

I don’t care where Asher is and I frankly don’t want him around but having Ashton here might ease my mind a bit. "You said ALL your brothers

replies casually, then clapping his hands together, "Ok, what games were you thinking,

never have I ever, you know, to get her feet wet. Charades and

neck to look at William.

one else finds anything he said funny. I give him a scorching look while Ashley

would she specifically request for a game night if she isn’t into games?" Ashley shoots me a sunny smile but it fails

I stand

appreciate it if you desist from making assumptions about my life. Like my husband clearly said, years have passed between us. A brief high

realize how furious his presence makes me till I snapped at him. A moment of awkward silence passes as everyone stares speechlessly at me. A genuine smile

do first? It’s your birthday present

we eat first? I’m

at the other

Ashal breaks the awkward silence

over the last four years. We’ve been setting up branches in different states. I didn’t just come to Danvarr for fun and games, I am also scoping out the business scene here to see

drops. I try not to choke on my food and politely accept the water Lily pours me from the water pitcher. She stands close by, ready to step in and assist us however she can as our lunch progresses.

and distracting for my business right now." His voice drops an octave and his eyes droops as he adds, "I’m not fully healed yet." The fake smile that stretches Ashley’s lips

exhales. "Everyone always wants to get into other people’s business. Well, I am not dating at the moment either. There’s just so much on my plate that I can barely entertain a committed relationship right now. I met an amazing woman at a club recently and we hit it off instantly. It’s been a while since that happened and I wanted to spend some more time with her even though we aren’t serious or anything. Hence, I invited her to Demi’s birthday party. It was perfect to retain her anonymity which she doesn’t

"How’s she taking it?"

at William. "I’ve been blocked. That’s how." They

find love, bro." Ashley says, tapping his brother’s

around the stem of my wine glass as I take yet another sip to distract me from William’s stupid questions.

you initially

as a fake couple, William?" Ashley’s face hardens. I watch his fingers tighten around the fork and knife in his hand. The gold rims catch the light and glint

didn’t mean that. I just find it weird when love happens too fast, especially between two people

can’t believe they invited this guy. What else did hey expect from my ex

I mean no disrespect guys. You don’t have

"Embarrassed?" I repeat.

believe you’re head over heels in love with him after what, four months? You’re not

seat as he rises, drops his cutleries with a clatter and heads outside. I rush to follow him but Ashal offers to go speak to his brother instead. He gives William a

"Are you happy?"

you, Demi? Is that the best you could do? I know what it’s like when a man is in love with a woman and I can say for a fact that

"You don’t know anything!"

hands off her at his own wife’s birthday party." He clucks his tongue in disgust. At the shock in my eyes, he proceeds with a sly smile. "How long have you been enduring them together? Is that what you signed up for, Demi? Why are you clinging to him

your crap. I can’t." I turn to Lily.

use the

cold sweat breaks atop my forehead as I take the stairs. William is definitely trying to sabotage my plans and I can’t let him. I have to figure out