Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 72: Chapter 72

ASHER

Josh and I turn to the door in sync as a ringtone blares in the silence. I could have sworn this floor was empty. Who is that? Is there someone behind the door listening to us?

Josh trades glances with me before I lunge forward and wrench the door open. I scan the area but there’s no one close by. The ringtone seems to be coming from Demi’s office. When I check, her phone is lying on the floor next to her chair. I pick it up and realize it’s Anna calling.

The sound of the elevator opening makes me rear my head up. Josh is already standing outside my office. Together, we watch Demi run frantically out of the elevator and towards her office. She dabs her sweaty forehead.

"Forgot something?" I ask her.

"Yeah, um, I think I left my phone behind." She brushes past me and starts searching her desk and drawers. Behind me, Josh leaves. We have nothing more to discuss. His empty threats don’t faze me. He wouldn’t dare come close to the mansion knowing how livid father would be if he tried to upend his family life.

Demi continues to search while I lounge by the door and watch her to discern whether she is avoiding my eyes because she finds me annoying or because she was just in here a while ago. Her phone starts ringing in my hand again. I peer at the screen.

"Anna must really want to talk." I say, flashing the phone with the incoming call at Demi. She gives me a frosty look before stepping forward and snatching it from my hand.

"I can’t believe you. You had it the whole time and you just watched me search fruitlessly?

I snort at her before returning to my office. It does appear like she did forget her phone. I have to be careful next time with discussing sensitive issues in my office. The last time, father had overheard Nessa and I arguing about her pregnancy. Now, I am not sure if Demi overheard my argument with Josh. If she did and ran off, then she’s smart and knows to mind her business.

I meet up with Ashley for late drinks at the elite bar where we had accosted Shay Woodley. It’s still upsetting that his blackmailer is still a free bird. Ashley however came back much stronger than he left and for that, I am glad. We order our drinks.

"You look like shit."

"Wow, thanks Ashley but you are not looking your best either. How long have you been here drinking?"

I shrug off my jacket and settle into my chair. Though he’s smiling, twenty-five years with him and wearing the same face as him has taught me the telltale signs of a fake smile on our unique face.

"Out with it. I know that smile’s fake. What’s going on?"

He presses his hands to his eyes. "Nothing serious, I mean, it shouldn’t be but I can’t get it off my mind."

"Is this about Nicola’s new man?"

Nicola was recently spotted out on the streets with a new man. The stranger is a bigshot in the film and entertainment industry with strong political connections. I’m certain her father made the match as the voting for his reelection as senator would commence soon.

It might just be a stunt to boost her father’s career but I know the photos of their public displays of affection like kissing and intimate hand placements are enough to make even Ashley jealous.

"Of course not. It’s Nicci. I know she’s doing it for her father."

He’s lying through his teeth. It’s definitely Nicci’s new public relationship that’s eating at him. "Then you also know she’s definitely fucking him too, right? He’s got connections that could keep her father’s political seat. You know she’ll do anything to make sure her father wins."

"Gee, thanks for the visual, Ash. I’ll sleep better tonight imagining them doing it." He hisses a breath while I cackle.

"I’m sorry. Ease up. You always said you two weren’t serious."

"We aren’t but that doesn’t mean I am supposed to feel nothing seeing her clinging to him everywhere. I know she’s doing too much in front of the camera to get back at me."

"Get back at you for what?"

"For ostracizing her after my trip to Brellis and favoring Demi over her with that statement I made on my socials. She managed to sneak into my office while Ashton was pretending to be me. It didn’t go so well." He sighs. "Anyway, I wanted to talk about something else. It’s about mom."

He pauses as our drinks arrive. The server delicately drops them on the table and remains standing. Confused, Ashley asks if there’s something we can help her with. She turns to me with a thin smile on her face.

"Shay?"

"It’s Cree, actually." She corrects me. Ashley looks a bit confused as he stares at us.

"What are you doing here?" I ask in surprise. "Let me guess. Is this another casting gig or are you actually stalking us?"

to say thank you for helping me land a job here." She stares at both of us, a bit uncertain. "Which one of you was my date

her this job? What

anyway. I love it here and the pay is unbelievable." She finishes

out a long sigh. "Why would Ash help

holding down a job at a spot like this and announcing it to us would be her move knowing we can have her watched. Maybe they’re right and she’s just what she says she is; a struggling actor looking to make ends meet while she keeps hope alive

push forward with my reservations.

lately. The Woodley incident has made her very clingy towards me. She’s been asking some

"Why?"

and is hoping I make an effort to win her heart

as a permanent member of the

she trying to keep

you say

I married Demi to make mom happy but right now, mom isn’t the only one who likes having her around. We are all going to get married and have kids someday. For personal reasons, I don’t expect my heart to open fully to any other woman after my abuse and what Nicola put me through. The contract I have with Demi works just fine for me; I have a wife mom loves who is good for my image. I also don’t have to give up the life I know because my wife is fine

now? There are tons of them

marriage contract is a sweet deal so if

"You can’t be serious."

chance." He pays for our drinks and rises. "I know Demi has feelings for Ashton and not me but mom has promised to help me out with that. She calls it my

you mean

off. What was that? Mom’s birthday is around the corner, not ours. Why would

I can’t let them do this. Even if my suspicions turn out to be wrong, Demi and Ashton already have strong feelings for each other that don’t seem to be going away anytime

idly and watch their love grow stronger. My brothers might end up fighting amongst themselves over this woman. I can’t let that rift occur. I have to get

have a job

***

concentrates on the design atop her coffee. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and of all the places I thought I’d be, I never envisioned a coffee shop much less with

needed a break from the tension at work and even at home with Ashley’s blackmailer in the wild. Anna’s call couldn’t have

your health’s been." She actively avoids my eyes. My health? I guessed as much. Demi must have been running her

working its way up my forehead. Though I appreciate Anna’s concern and would readily have coffee with her for any

she gives me tells me she doesn’t buy it. Demi must

been to see the doctor? When’s the

you want to

However, I know now and I can’t ignore it. I can’t tell anyone else either and

me. When I feel her

afraid. I hate hospitals too. Spent a great deal of time there when my dad had to go in for one thing or

see doctor Ezra at the end of the month. I just have a few things to get sorted out and then I’d

"Why must you joke about everything? That’s not funny at all." As I watch the worry lines spread across her face, something

but not before I grab it and place a light kiss in her palm. Her hand is so soft and perfumed.

and avoids my eyes again. "What are you

this is how you react

"This is not

isn’t

wanted to ask about

away. There’s barely anyone close enough to our table but her eyes keep darting around with an embarrassed

"Asher..."

Are you still

to go on a second date. He got a job outside the city and I can’t do long

Mr. Fantasy? Do you have a crush on my doppelganger but not me? Tell me who you envisioned when you went on a date with him. Which brother did you ask

hands first

"You promise?"

"Promise."

let go of her hands and she burrows them under the table. "It wasn’t you. It was Ashal." I refuse to feel hurt. She might have

me to hook you two up? He’s very single." I maintain eye contact. I just want her to admit

"No."

Isn’t he your