Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 65: Chapter 65

ASHTON

I do a couple of laps in the swimming pool to get my mind off things. It’s hardly been a day since I let curiosity get the better part of me and went to see the stranger claiming to have credible information about my biological father.

I don’t know why I am desperate to put a face and name to the truth about my biological parents. I never thought that out of all four of us, I would be the one with a broken, inner child longing for unconditional paternal love. My brothers will find it hard to believe because I always put up a tough front.

While I do breaststrokes, I relive the previous day I had. It started with the stranger texting me again with a different number. I don’t know how they got my number initially but whomever the person is, I thought the stranger must be very persistent. Why are they so keen on revealing this truth to me specifically? What do they stand to gain from it?

We mostly conversed through texts. My questions were ignored as I was merely given an address to visit if I wanted to see my biological parents again. I asked if they’re still alive and got no response as usual so I promptly obeyed and visited the address. Now, I wish I had ignored that tug of curiosity because I feel worse than I did when I didn’t know.

When I finish my laps in the clear blue pool, I emerge from the water with my arms on the deck to find two pairs of feet waiting for me. I climb the steps out of the pool and dry myself with a towel. While Ashal takes a seat on the chaise lounge, Asher continues to stand with his shoulders squared and rigid.

"Don’t you have something to say to us?" Asher asks me. I incline my head and act like I am wracking my brain.

"Not really. How about you guys? Don’t you have something you need to tell me, like why I wasn’t informed that Demi was going to be taken to the penthouse despite our unanimous decision not to? Did you guys seriously make alternate plans behind my back?"

"Your questions will be answered as soon as you tell us where you went off to without telling anyone yesterday." Asher quips. I flick a glance at Ashal.

"Just tell us man. Everyone was super worried when we couldn’t reach you. You know the rules..."

"For the love of God, don’t bring up the stupid quad codes we made as teenagers. We’re twenty-fiver years old, grown-ass men and I don’t need a babysitter!"

"Jeez Ashton," Ashal gets on his feet with annoyance splattered across his face. "Cool it down, okay? What’s got you so riled up? You know very well those so-called childish rules have saved our asses more times than we can count. They’re just as relevant today as they were years back so don’t be so dismissive of them."

I exhale deeply. It’s not a good idea to spike Ashal’s anger. "Fine. The rules might still be relevant but I didn’t exactly break them. I didn’t do anything that could jeopardize you guys."

"We will be the judge of that."

I shoot Asher a searing look which he only smiles off. "I’m not in the mood for this." Before I can leave, Ashal grabs my shoulder, forcing me to stop hesitantly.

"It was my idea to follow through with my original plan of taking Demi to my other penthouse. I made the decision after I learnt from Olivia that Demi had met with Olivia’s best friend, Eliana, the same day Demi asked me for the favor." I turn sharply in utter shock.

"I had the same reaction. Demi and Eliana must have spoken at length. I think they’re working together to find Olivia. When Olivia called, Eliana put the phone on loudspeaker so Demi could listen in on the conversation and even talk to Olivia but Liv hung up before that could happen."

"Why would you keep something like that from me?" How often have they ostracized me from their plans?

"That’s not the part we were worried about telling you." Asher clarifies, then nods at Ashal to continue.

"I was very pissed that Demi was so close to discovering my secret and had deceived me into taking her to the penthouse so I made adjustments to my original plan. I invited William over to the house as well for the game night. Ashley was there too." When I fail to have any reaction, he adds, "William is actually Demi’s ex-boyfriend from High school."

If I felt anything following that shocking revelation, I fail to show it facially. "You set her up with her husband and ex-boyfriend."

"Actually, I set her up with just William." The fact that he is explaining everything so slowly makes me worried. "I...uh, I had Lily lock them up in a room together."

It takes a lot of willpower to keep restraining myself from showing any kind of emotion on the surface as I listen attentively. If I do, I’d only be justifying my exclusion from the plan. Ashal appears astonished at my indifference and hurries to finish his words.

"There was obviously a camera in the room. I just wanted Ashley to know exactly what was going on between them. Someone saw them acting suspiciously secretive at Demi’s party, speaking in hushed tones in a secluded area away from everyone else. Ashley wanted to confirm if there was still something between them and I gave him the chance."

"And?"

"Nothing more than a heartbroken man and an ex who never loved him. William seemed desperate to win Demi back or get back at her for jilting him." He shrugs his shoulder.

"What exactly did you think I was going to do if you told me?"

ground

Besides, being in the house with you guys meant William could not have been crazy enough to try and hurt her knowing fully well that he couldn’t get away with it. He might be an ass but he loves his company too much to risk it

one to talk." Asher butts in. "Your turn, pretty boy. Where did

dry my face. "I went

we unanimously agreed not to." Asher says nodding. He jams his hands in his pockets and turns away from me to steam quietly. I face Ashal whose muteness and curious eyes can only mean that he

another text from the stranger offering

you

I answer Asher, "but I was contacted with another number. I have no idea how they got my contact in the first place and why I am the only one being contacted about this but the only way to find

Ashal asks keenly. From the corner

There was nothing about any particular names to look out for on a gravestone. All I got from following the text was that our biological parents are dead." I hiss out a breath. "I scoped the area because I suspected whoever must have led me there must have been hiding afar, watching me. I wasn’t

a nose mask to shield most of her features. She was too far for me to give her a chase and catch

sigh tiredly. "I feel drained. Not only were my hopes of meeting our parents alive dashed but I also couldn’t get my hands on the woman tormenting Ashley’s life. I needed a win yesterday to compensate for deviating from our rules and when I didn’t get any, I was in a sour mood. I refused to take

fruitless. Thanks to you, we now know our biological

if I had been given names on gravestones, I would still have conducted my own research to ensure that I was mourning the right people. The address proved nothing without direct evidence of who our

Ashal concurs. "They could

his head. "You are mourning

neck to head back into the mansion

gift box. When he spots us by the pool, he makes a sharp detour towards us. I can tell from the distance his

you

lounge. Only then do I realize he is shaking visibly. While Ashal questions

"What happened?"

box in Asher’s hand, "in the restroom at the restaurant we had dinner. A lady left it for

"For you?"

box to me and Ashal to peruse. Anger wells inside me as I glance at Ashley who continues to sit quietly and even his breath. I head over to him and when I tacitly enquire about his mental state,

I came in, reapplying her lipstick but when I came out of the stall, she was gone, leaving

back to Demi. "TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT YOU REMEMBER. WHAT DID SHE LOOK LIKE?" I ignore how flustered Demi must feel as she tries to recall. She must find everything very confusing but I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to accommodate

echoes next

little black dress on and some stilettos. Her black hair covered most of her face and her eyes...I couldn’t see the color. She was wearing dark shades and I thought it

Demi. We’ll handle

that note

clearly startled at his reaction. To diffuse

tarnishing his image. We’ll find them and make them pay. Go get some rest now. Ashley would be fine." She nods at my

a surprisingly calm voice. Save for the redness in his eyes, he can pass for someone who didn’t just get a huge, traumatic shock tonight. "She was there at the restaurant, watching Demi and I. She knew when Demi got up to use the restroom and waited for her. I don’t understand the need to drag Demi into this? What do they hope

her name being on the box. If anyone else had been out with you, maybe even Nicola or William, the same thing might have occurred in the respective bathrooms. I don’t think she’s working alone and from what she did tonight, we know

early and

having been to your office and now, the restaurant where you were out with your wife. Your life must not be the target right

of me. Why these scare tactics? Are they hoping I’ll breakdown from sheer torment? What would they do if I carry on with my life like their efforts don’t

against Tobias coming to the light and destroying the life you’ve managed to build for yourself as a testament to your survival. They want to start with your mental health, wreck your mind, make you lose sleep till you probably confess to a crime you didn’t commit before the entire country. After that, they could come for your life." I exhale. "Only someone who bears a deep grudge will want to see

a family member." Ashal says. "Tobias’ death was swept under the rug, remember? Father dumped his body over the bridge and when he was found, it was ruled as a homicide. Maybe his family always knew ours was behind it even though he was found over the

bodyguard. He knew a lot of our secrets too." Asher paces, punching his right fist in his left palm. "This could get really ugly if

to crouch by Ashley’s

must

her later. Look at me. I won’t let any harm come to you. None of us will allow it. I need you

like this. I’m scared to think how far they’ll go

"We’ll figure it out and find them long before that happens. Ashal, please help him inside and see that he takes a sleep inducer and rests for at least eight hours." Ashley’s protest is dismissed with a steely glare from Asher and I.

because he needs rest. He has broken out in a sweat now and his

us call father from his room. We

this

pass the message along to him with lingering doubts. She’s not very consequential here and Ashley remains the

his team have made some progress. I was informed that a member of Tobias’ family has indeed returned to Danvarr. The family probably tried to hide this information to throw us off their scent when they started coming after Ashley but Duncan unearthed it." Father, unlocks his side drawer, digs out a brown envelope and tosses it at us. He stares at me while Asher and Ashal quickly look through