Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 183: Chapter 183

ASHAL

Walking into my own company has never felt weirder. It feels like I have my clothes on backwards or there’s a sign with something mean scribbled on it stuck on my back. My staff welcomes me cheerfully but the awkwardness hangs thickly in the air. They have significantly dwindled in size.

This comes as no surprise to me. After our parent company took a hit, the impact spread across all subsidiaries. Sales tanked. Our goodwill staggered. Frankly, I consider it a miracle that we still have a standing building to return to instead of a vandalized property.

When I walk into my office and find Elyon making sure my desk is set right, a warm smile creeps into my face. He beams at the sight of me.

"Good to see you, Elyon." I shake his hand and pull him for a much-needed hug. He’s been holding down the fort for me ever since my family made the ugly side of the news. "I could never thank you enough for your support over the years."

"Welcome back, sir." He replies, gesturing to my seat till I sit down.

He pulls out a chair, plunks down on it and crosses his legs atop my desk. "It’s a pity I’m straight as a ruler and that gorgeous face belongs on a man. If you had been a woman, we might have worked something out seeing as I have recently returned to the dating market."

"What? She finally dumped you?"

"Plot twist. I DUMPED HER."

"Get out of here. For real?" I lean forward to listen to his story.

"Yes, dumping women isn’t the exclusive preserve of the Danvarr quads." He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Speaking of his eyes, they fasten on his hands as he recounts how everything happened. "Found her tinder profile still active. She’d been talking to this guy for over six months." He sighs heavily. "These bitches aren’t loyal, you feel me?"

Then dropping his legs and leaning forward, he steeples his hands with a mischievous look in his eyes. "You owe me big time for keeping this place running in your absence. Too bad you don’t have a sister with that pretty face of yours. That would have put a huge smile on my face."

I swallow hard and look away. "Yeah, too bad." With a nervous laugh, I run a hand over my desk and look around the room. I actually missed it.

"So, before you address everyone on your first day back, can I ask how things are on the home front? How’s everyone holding up?"

"Thanks man. Everyone’s doing great. We’re taking it one day at a time. Things are looking up."

"They sure are. The hate train is running out of steam." We share a smile. "Really glad to have you back, man. I mean that."

"Thanks, brother. I’ll be out in thirty minutes. Just need to center myself. Let the team know."

We shake hands once more before he leaves. I inhale deeply, lolling back on my chair. Quietness has never felt less lonely and more peaceful. A fond memory of Maddi bursting into my office with a ripe scowl on her face and an acerbic tongue ready to go off, makes me smile. Grabbing my phone, I dial her number. I didn’t have time to kiss her goodbye this morning. She must be stewing after walking up and realizing I left so early.

She picks up the phone on the third ring.

"Don’t be mad at me, Maddie." I utter, fully intending to play the pun. "I had to rush out this morning. Guess what? I just arrived in my office and the first thing I recalled as I sat on my chair was the thought of you bursting through my door and giving me an earful about what a devil I was for holding your sister hostage. In hindsight, maybe that’s when I started falling for you." A sheepish grin spreads across my face. "You look cute even when you’re fuming."

She sighs on her end. "Maddi is in the bathroom."

I sit upright in shock. "Olivia? I...didn’t know...."

"It’s okay. I’ll let her know you called."

don’t hang up." I bite down on my lower lip. "How are

eyes at me. "Save your breath, Ashal. You don’t have to pretend to care. If you really did, you

it’s not like

the baby they crave, this little drama where you all get to pretend like you give a shit about me will end. I literally can’t wait for the day, to be frank. I’ll let Maddi know you called."

pregnancy complication yesterday. The last thing I want is to cause her any more problems. I massage a throbbing spot on my temple, wondering how much of a mess I’ve made and if I should call Olivia’s phone. I don’t think she’ll take the call anyway. Like she said, it’ll be painfully obvious that calling to

door twenty minutes later and pokes his head in. "We’re ready

dispel the worrisome thoughts cluttering my head and choose to

me to have

of salad. Frustrated, I set my phone aside to concentrate and be in the moment even though my mind has been whirling. Maddi hasn’t returned any of my calls all day. Her phone’s been switched off. It’s very unlike her. Is everything okay at the mansion? I hope Olivia didn’t give her sister a hard time because of what

hate it when I don’t hear from my loved ones regularly, especially this period.

sure everything is

only continues to diminish with every bite of food I have. Eventually, I toss aside my barely touched burger and call mother after lunch, because it feels easier than

son, how’s your day

able to reach her all day. Can you put her on the

here, dear? Ashal will like to speak with you." I hear her saying. There’s a bit of static interruption before Maddi’s beautiful voice sails

a deep breath of relief. "Baby, what happened? I’ve been trying

I accidentally dropped it from the balcony. I was trying to call you but my hands were slippery with my body lotion, and it fell right off

I’d be worried if I couldn’t reach you. You

you believe Liv stepped out of her room today? She joined us in the living room, saw a movie with us and even did some laps in the swimming pool. I think she’s

That’s good

my relationship with Maddi clear beside showing concern for her sister’s safety with me. When I assured her that I had gotten the help I needed and that I will never hurt Maddi, she hadn’t looked

I together. During my birthday party, she had walked in on us kissing in my bedroom. Her

over a new phone. Keep it

Thanks. I

kiss into the phone that makes her chuckle before hanging up. Finally feeling at ease, I double down and get some work done. While reviewing the names of the new

dial Elyon’s office

***

five seconds. "What’s

flash the papers at him. "Why the fuck

good look at the resume. "Because

five years! Ever wonder what he was up to that entire time, Elyon? For goodness’ sake, what the hell were you thinking hiring just about anyone simply

really desperate for honest work. He was also prepared to receive half of what we pay interns. I thought I’d give him a shot. He’s been here for three weeks and has proven to be a fast learner. He’s been

down on my seat and focus on more reports floating on my Mac book while Elyon watches me with a confused expression. "it’s not open to debate, Elyon. Get on with it. I don’t care what official reasons you have

just mopping

qualified to mop MY floors. You know what? Let me

head hangs low when he locks eyes with my fierce ones. I wait until

table to go stand in front of him. My fingers are jammed in the pocket of my pants to keep my clenched fists in check. "What’s the grand plan

I’ve been living off of food stamps

I wonder why." I snort at

to work twice as hard to earn

below." I whip out my check book and scribble down on it before tossing it at him. "You better