Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 68: Chapter 68

DEMI

My legs are shaking nervously as everyone fixates on me. Kira is so evil to do something like this. I try to catch my breath and think.

I can’t even glance at Ashton. I don’t want to give him a look that could easily be misconstrued at the table so I let my eyes droop to my sweaty hands. When father orders me to respond, my heart gallops. How am I supposed to get out of this now?

Anna’s hand reaches under the table to grab mine.

"I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Demi didn’t take the number for herself; she did it for me." She dips her eyes in shame. "Like most women in Danvarr, going on a date with the Rollins’ quads is a bucket list of mine that will never see the light of day. Most of us have nursed silly crushes for your sons since they became famous but it’s nothing obsessive like a stalker or crazy." She clarifies. While father’s frown only deepens, mother’s tensed face breaks into a small smile.

"I also heard of Mr. Fantasy but I could never get his number. I have mentioned it to Demi quite a few times so when Kira told her she actually had his number, Demi only took it for me. She brought it to me. I was the one that went out with Mr. Fantasy."

"You’re lying." Kira counters her. "Demi took the number for herself. That’s what she told me. Why wouldn’t she just tell me that she’s taking it for her friend if that was the case rather than letting me suspect that she’s planning on cheating on her husband?"

"Because she knows I wouldn’t appreciate it if she tells other people about my silly crush. She intentionally kept my name out of it but you wouldn’t understand that kind of loyalty. You hate your cousin. You’re also jealous of her. No one here is surprised by how shamelessly you are trying to put her down."

"What exactly is your problem with your cousin, Kira?" Ashton questions her angrily.

She turns to him and her flaring eyes simmer down to painful embarrassment at his chastisement.

"You appear to be all smiley and nice on the outside but getting to know you, I’ve realized you are a bully and a mean girl. Family should seek to protect each other not try to tear each down. If you weren’t sure of what your cousin’s intentions for the date were, you could have asked her or given her the benefit of the doubt. It’s the bare minimum." He turns to her mother. "Mrs. Collin, you will have to do a better job teaching your daughter some manners so she doesn’t embarrass herself and your family by coming off as crass in public."

"I will never understand what I have done to deserve your hatred, Kira. You’re family to me but you consider me some kind of threat. And aunt, you always choose to be silent when your daughter is being rude, disrespectful or unfair towards me. You never caution her even when she makes ridiculous accusations against me. What have I done to you two?" Tears roll down my eyes as I interrogate them further while Anna and mother try to console me.

"ENOUGH." Father is up on his feet now. "This was supposed to be a simple lunch but you all have ruined my appetite with your family drama. Don’t ever bring this feud in front of me again or I’ll have to rethink inviting you to our future events to save face."

While aunt tries to apologize, he storms away. Kira is beyond mortified now as mother sits with her head in her hands.

"Are you happy?" Ashal asks Kira, surging to his feet and dumping his napkin on the table. He goes over to help mom up and comforts her.

Father will blame mom partially for inviting my aunt and Kira over. If she had bothered to ask me first, we could have saved ourselves this embarrassment. Asher wipes his lips with his eyes trained on me before rising too.

"We’re very sorry." Aunt repeats for the umpteenth time but he only gives her a cold look and stalks off. Kira is crying now. "Please," Aunt begs mother, "We are deeply sorry. I’ll make sure Kira never repeats this behavior again."

"Mrs. Collin, if your daughter bears a grudge against Demi, I can’t possibly allow them to share the same space. You shouldn’t have let her carry on like that. She was going off the rails and you sat back and enjoyed the show. Didn’t you promise me that you would treat Demi better after her marriage was accepted? She is your niece for goodness’ sake. Should I have to tell you to treat her well?" Mother shakes her head and gestures for me. Anna helps me up.

"You are welcome to finish your meals. The security will show you out afterwards." I take mother’s hand and follow her after hugging Anna goodbye.

"Why exactly does your aunt and cousin treat you so badly?" She asks me after I’ve settled in her room with a glass of water in my hand. I sniffle and set the glass down.

"Frankly, I am at a loss as well. At first, I thought it was just a normal rivalry between relatives. Over time, it’s grown into pure hatred. Aunt used to take my side sometimes back when I newly moved in with them but she eventually stopped. It’s gotten worse now. They don’t care for me at all." I lift my eyes to stare at mother. "I’m sorry about the date thing. I just wanted to do something special for Anna. I don’t expect anyone to get it but she’s like a sister to me and the only true friend I’ve made since moving here. She has never asked me for a penny. I wanted to make her dream come true by helping her bag a date with Mr. Fantasy."

"About that," Mother leans forward. "Did you ever get to see this person or did Anna talk about her date? How similar is he to my sons?"

"Not very. He’s great at making impressions of them but it takes more than a blonde wig and a great accent to pull off the Rollins quads to perfection. Anna wasn’t too impressed but she was glad she had some fun with the make-believe."

not exactly bursting into a smile right now but beyond the plain lines of her

back to Anna’s words. She had lied so convincingly that I almost thought she meant every word. I know she has always fancied the quads. She doesn’t exactly have a particular favorite but I can’t tell

so sorry mother but like Anna said, she doesn’t like her private business being

"I understand."

aunt and Kira have

let things die down. I’m sure they’ll come to

the void that’s always plagued my life; a family to

to them in hush tones. When I draw closer and he whips

shrug lazily in response. Aunt

this isn’t going to be the last time you verbally attack me. We also know that your feelings towards me are set in stone. Henceforth, I am not going to delude myself into thinking things can ever be fine between us. We just have to tolerate each other whenever we find ourselves in the same room. Save the false appearances for my

excuse themselves and exit the mansion with their

to my aunt’s and Kira’s exact words about how he wanted their

got something to say to me,

you still got the dude’s number?" I am not surprised

to please her crush, just like she and aunt tried to talk me into divorcing Ashley to help you get rid of me as you kindly requested of them. They’re your lackeys so put them to work." While my eyes

Demi Branson. You’re being crass, just like the rest

real one that you would be proud kiss in front of the camera and have babies with. You clearly still have too much time on your hands despite work. Do some good for yourself. I’m sure there’s a woman

know about Nessa or the pregnancy. I hate that I had to let it out in other to win a

***

lunch break to remind me to

"How’s it going?

your office twice this week but there’s been no sign from the blackmailer. Mother wants to believe it’s over but it’s too soon to celebrate. How

nothing serious. I want to come home. I am sick of feeling like a coward who ran away from his own

see how that goes even if it’s shameless of me. Beyond that,

this woman. Let Ashton figure it out. I was truly scared after you opened that box. Nobody

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

were two cards in the box." My heart gallops at his words. "I

it up

brought that up

I’m not so weak, okay? It might be a little tough at first

accepts my apology, reminds me to have a great day and tells

Ashley but your secret isn’t safe with me. I’ll have to use it to weaken the link and push closer to uncovering the truth about my parents’ death. I hope you can forgive

asks, accosting me

"What?"

and she looks forlorn. She sniffles and fusses with her hair when one of

Asher? Why is he being so mean to me

Nessa, it just slipped out of anger. I don’t mean to put

period was for me. I’ve put everything behind me to face my duties because I really need this job. As my friend who lives with my boss, how could you have put my

go clarify everything and apologize to

I’ll fix

Our friendship has