Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 103: Chapter 103

ASHLEY

Deep breaths, Ashley. Deep breaths. I need to stay calm. The least I can do is give them the benefit of doubt. Even then, my fingers still curl into fists. I don’t like the picture I am staring at. I fucking hate to see things like this.

"You took this yesterday?"

"Yes." Nicola mutters, sitting meekly on her couch.

"Why are you just showing me?" I ask, whirling to her with blazing eyes. "What part of ’follow her and report anything suspicious ASAP’ didn’t you understand?"

"I called you severally Ashley but you don’t prioritize my calls like you used to."

I scoff at that. "I wonder why."

I fling the pictures of Demi and Ashton in front of St. Lucy church and rake my hands through my hair. Both of them are going to drive me nuts. What kind of love have they got that just won’t break despite the level of separation they’ve endured? How is it more special than other love stories? At this rate, I don’t think Ashton’s engagement and my marriage to Demi can keep them away from each other.

Nicola rises and tries to hold my hand but I give her a sharp look to keep off.

"Don’t act like you care. You’re enjoying this. I bet you’re hoping this would have me seeking comfort in your arms but times are different now. I’ll much rather find myself a new girl than depend on a backstabbing one." She takes my caustic comments like a champ and doesn’t shed a tear.

"I deserve that."

"Of course you do."

"I don’t expect you to forgive me so soon but I just want you to remember I am here for you. I’ll do whatever it’ll take to get me back in your good books. You’re all I have, Ash. I deeply regret stooping so low to draw you closer to me but love makes one do the craziest things sometimes." The waterworks start. So much for being a champ. "If Demi is the one you want, I’ll take a step back and allow you to work out your relationship. I’ll make peace with that, as long as I get to have a piece of you forever."

I turn to her. "You’re too greedy to be content with a piece of me, Nicci. Your tears aren’t fooling anyone so quit acting."

"No, I am not acting. You’re right though. I will always want all of you and I am prepared to wait for you to want me as much too."

This conversation is going nowhere.

"Enough. I didn’t come here to do this with you." I pour myself a drink from her bar and drain the glass in a few gulps. "Did they arrive together? Demi and Ashton? Did they arrive the church together or separately?" I suppose it would make a difference if their meeting at the church was accidental rather than planned.

"Yes." Nicci replies.

My heart breaks and I wash down the upsurge of anger with another shot of alcohol. I guess they were nostalgic about their first wedding seeing as Ashton is about to be hitched to another without a contractual expiration date. With both of them being hitched, that must have put a snag in their hopes of being reunited after my imminent divorce from Demi.

Mila is not some random chick whom Ashton can kick to the curb when he gets bored. She is the daughter of one of the most powerful families in Danvarr. Her marriage to him puts a nail in the coffin where Ashton and Demi’s love story lies. Did they go to the church for closure or to devise better plans for hooking up secretly while individually married?

"Enough, Ashley. You’re almost done with the whole bottle."

Nicci snatches the bottle from me while I drop into her couch with a lazy smile.

What do women really want, huh? One look at me and one would think I easily get any woman I want but that is hardly the case. I also get stabbed in the back and cheated on despite the good looks, money, fame and power. It just sucks. Nicci comes around to massage my shoulders.

"It’ll be okay. Don’t stress over it. She’s not worth it. You’re too good for her or me. Frankly, neither of us deserve a man like you."

"Stop patronizing me."

She keeps silent and continues to rub her hands over my chest from behind the couch. I toss my head back and admire the soft mounds that are her breasts. My hands cup them, fondle them.

"Come sit on my lap." Obediently, she follows my instruction like a shy teenager. I stroke her hair away from her neck and nibble her throat.

Her fingers slowly unbutton my shirt and trace my hairy chest delightfully.

***

I arrive the Rollins Towers a little shy of seven thirty. I am not late but I am certain mother will give me a hard time for not arriving with the family or at least, accompanying Demi to the venue.

hate me. Ashton didn’t invite me." Nicci nervously pulls on the hemline of

father invited you. No one can fault your attendance on that account knowing how close you two are." I turn to her before she can get down from the car. "Don’t get too carried

and Ashton at all times. I got

the bar for about fifteen minutes before

gets down, adjusts her dress and walks into the hotel. She looks really good tonight. I wonder what

tardiness. Asher has no date on his arm which comes as a

no effort in matching my style because her lover is getting engaged? Like she can read my thoughts, she walks away to

everything okay?" Mom

I’m late. I’ll just go say hi

appease your wife first? The other couple can surely wait. Your father won’t be

after Demi. When I don’t respond to Anna’s greeting, she

didn’t know any better, I’d think you were mourning the loss of your lover." Gosh, I can’t even keep my annoyance in for two minutes.

losing Ashton because it’s his engagement ceremony? Really?" She shakes her

did."

I hate the plain dress anyway,

can argue all we want when we get back to the mansion but for now, we have to smile for the cameras at all times and look into each other’s eyes like we are smitten

right now. Her eyes stray beyond

have a hard time imagining Nicci in

there Nicci is, looking stunning as she congratulates the couple of the hour and walks off while chatting with father. Smart girl. When I turn back, Demi has disappeared. She probably went to the restroom to

tones with Ashal. What the hell is she doing here? Is Ashton trying to piss me off? I

Congrats on taking this dickhead off the market. Trust me, you’re doing me a solid."

"Thanks."

soon come

asks with a stern look in

I return with gusto. "What the hell is Cree Baxter doing here? You know how

function, it only means you invited her which further means that you’re over the whole Tobias torment crap so get over

guess it must have something to do with your little reunion at

"What?"

from now on." He continues to stare

any updates. Through the tranche of speeches,

Demi and Anna make their way to the restroom yet again. Nicci quietly follows them.

to steal a dance with Mila. She

glad you’re joining our family as Ashton’s bride. You’re just the type of woman he needs

"Excuse me?"

on, don’t act like you don’t know what’s been going on between him and my wife. Both of them, by no fault of theirs, happen to be attracted to each other. I don’t know how that happened but I’ve learnt to live with that truth. I just thought

that they’re

like it isn’t there. The sad part is that though they keep away from each other, you’ll always be reminded of the sad truth when you look into their eyes and find no affection

when he’s with you.

hoping to achieve by telling me

he’d see what a gem he’s got. I just want you to be prepared. I went into my own marriage blind

me to

love for our partners isn’t wrong. They need us to help them get over their foolishness and find their way back to what’s real and attainable. I am expecting you to fight for your man, Mila, harder than you ever did while he was just your boyfriend. We’ve both seen how Ashton

more. He gives her

your situation

how often do you hear of a man winning over a woman that’s already smitten by another. Women like my wife don’t fall for a man’s money, power or sexual prowess. It’s harder to win them over but once you do, they become yours for life. That’s why I am afraid I might not stand a chance now that she’s got another in her

"You do?"

"Yeah."

have my fiancée back?" Ashton asks, suddenly joining

"Sure thing bro."

at me as I walk away. Behind me, I hear him asking Mila what we were talking about. Her response gets lost in

How shameless can you both be, Ashley? You’ve got your side chick who doubles as

"I wish I was worried for nothing but you and I know I’ve got concrete reasons to have someone on your ass. I won’t let anything or anyone disrupt Ashton’s

I am trying to foil his

huh?" The shock spreads across her face. "Don’t even bother lying. I know it was no accidental meeting. Why did you