Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 129: Chapter 129

ASHER

I still can’t believe I made it out alive, with my entire family by my side no less. In hindsight, I think the thought of my family not being there when I awoke from surgery because I obviously didn’t tell them about my condition to avoid being pitied or perceived as weak, scared me more than the tumor growing in my brain.

It felt wholesome to open my eyes and find the entire Rollins clan in my room, all brimming with love and care for me. It’s been a while since I have been on the receiving end of such love, especially from my father. I searched for him first obviously. I expected his face to be smeared with equal parts shock and frustration given that we have a major company event coming up in three days which I might not be strong enough for.

It sucks. If I didn’t feel so woozy, I’d gladly drag myself out of bed to do what I can to ensure the program is a huge success. Why did death come knocking too soon? Why couldn’t it just wait a bit longer?

As I lock eyes with father, my heart thuds in my chest. Will this be the way Josh steals the show and usurps my place in the company and in our father’s eyes? I can’t begin to explain how much that thought scares the shit out of me.

"I’d like a word with Asher."

Hearing father utter those words make my heart plummet to my stomach. I silently gasp for air as the room thins out. He stands like a robot with his hands jammed in his pockets until the door clicks shut. I press my eyes shut, ready for the earful. I messed up, I get it. I really wish we can have this conversation some other time.

My heart quickens when I hear a sniffle and when I open my eyes, I am just in time to see father edge close to my bed and ease a hip by the side. The look in his eyes is warm with a tinge of fear. He closes a hand over mine.

"I thought I lost you." He croaks out, his voice laden with guilt. "Jesus, Asher, you have no idea how close you came to giving me a heart attack today." He shakes his head and swipes at his wet eyes. When they settle on me again, they’re red. "I CAN’T LOSE YOU, SON. I JUST CAN’T."

I don’t realize I am crying until father dabs the stray tear rolling down my cheek.

"I’m s-sorry, father."

"Hush now, it’s okay. The tumor wasn’t your fault." He tightens his grip on my hand. "God, you must have been so scared keeping it all to yourself, bearing all that burden alone while putting up a brave front around your family. I wish you had come to me, Ash. Have I truly been too much of a boss than a father that my own son didn’t feel free to come to me with his pain? I am deeply hurt by how distant we truly are as father and son."

I can’t believe his words. I literally want to pinch myself to make certain that I am Asher and not Josh Randall whom these words from father’s lips seem better suited for. More tears gather in my eyes but they’re mostly tears of joy. What was I so afraid of? Father loves me too. I am not just a hard worker in his company. He loves me as a son and dreads losing me. My heart swells with joy to realize this truth.

"Thank you so much, father. You have no idea how comforting it is to hear you say these words to me." I beam at him.

"Then you’d be hearing them more often. I’ll do better, son. I want to do better for all my boys."

Long after we get home, a huge smile is still plastered on my face as I continue to play the hospital scene with father in a loop in my head. How long will it take before I get comfortable calling him dad? Will he also take me fishing soon? Would we also have long conversations that manage to steer clear from work or the HQ? That would be so refreshing.

A light tap on my door is followed by the influx of my brothers. I wish I could sit up painlessly. I hate being flat on my back when I address them. Well, I guess I have to settle for not being the superior for a few days. It’ll hurt almost as much as my head did before my surgery but I think I’ll manage.

My brothers all stand with their hands stuck in their pockets. Their faces are far from cheerful. This must be the part where I apologize for keeping them in the dark about my condition. Jeez. Can they really not let it go? I clear my throat.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden such a serious thing from you all."

A small silence wears on before Ashal speaks.

"You literally confided in Nessa and even Demi who is supposed to be at loggerheads with you but not us?"

"Ok, Nessa was inevitable. She caught on really fast. Demi was an accident. I didn’t mean for her to find out but she did and even tried to blackmail me."

"Blackmail you? For what?"

have to forgive me, ok? The last thing I

demanding our forgiveness rather than pleading for it." Ashton says with a long face. "There’s nothing more Asher-like than that. I think you’re doing just fine." He walks closer to my bed and sits by my feet. "I understand why you

"I wasn’t afraid..."

cuts off my protest with

"Sorry."

keeping us in the dark. Why did you wait till your condition spiraled? Having the entire family dash to the hospital in panic mode or causing a dent in father and doctor Ezra’s friendship

"Nessa and Anna."

and I whip our heads towards Ashal

"What?"

a fight over who deserved

eyes. Anna stopped by after all? A warm, fuzzy feeling washes through me. She chose to keep her promise despite our bitter break up. That was awfully

owe a lot to her. What the heck am I going to do about both women? Ashton’s hand on my knee jerks me back to the

about all that later.

our brothers to get seated. After they get seated, Ashton looks

second chance at meeting Adriana. She was already sorely disappointed in me for standing her up the last time and Keith was trying very hard to get her to resent us. He almost convinced her not to give us another chance. I couldn’t let him win. I was shattered when Ashley

I utter softly, my eyes

was a

unlike you, Ashton. You would have come

"I’m sorry, Asher."

know you were just doing what I would have wanted you to do. You did exactly what I would have done had I been in

you do it? How do you consistently make

figured it would be me since those two over there

in. Her eyes dilate in surprise at the sight of her four sons having a moment. Beyond her sunny smile at the picture before her,

is everything alright? You

NEVER uses an iPad much less mine. That can’t be a good sign. My brothers all catch on. While Ashal takes her

them in reading what I believe is an unsavory article probably on Billion-Err. Could it be that my health condition was leaked? Damn it. I hate to feel so weak. I manage to prop myself up despite some pain shooting up my spine. Mother rushes to help me. Tears are falling from her face even more than they did when

THE DAMN IPAD OR START TALKING!" I yell

over. Why can’t he even speak? I look at the pictures and immediately lose my mind. Father and Kristy Randall? When did he meet with her in such compromising locations? Has he been seeing her secretly under the guise of being an active father for Josh? HE PROMISED ME HE WOULDN’T DO THIS! How could he still

esteemed employee at the HQ. His mother happens to be one of our shareholders so naturally, she must have met father. Don’t fall prey to the wicked imaginations the media want to paint in your head. Don’t you trust father? These aren’t

mother." Ashal adds. "You know better than to let them get to you. Father isn’t having an affair. Don’t

ask mother with

am just exhausted. Why are these bloggers relentlessly trying to pull us down? We aren’t the only billionaire family in this country. Whatever happened to the Spellmans, the Cliffords, the Hamiltons, the Grishams and all the rest? Why are we their sole target? Our family has been through a lot because

too helpless to help. I want to go down to father’s study and rub minds on how to tuck this problem away but I don’t think my strength will last. I also have a million questions for

feel so helpless

see father." I

can’t exert yourself. You know that. I need you to

"Ashton, seriously..."

sleep early, Ash. The rest of us will be in father’s study dealing with the situation. Please don’t worry too much. We’ll fix it like we always

and throw my head back in annoyance when

see our downfall. I need to smoke out this person or persons. I won’t