Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 189: Chapter 189

ASHTON

"What?" Signaling with my hand, I hush Gris while he’s reading my schedule for the day and rise to move over to my glass window. Demi isn’t making much sense right now. "What do you mean you’re not coming for the sit-down? This is news to me."

"I’m sorry but I don’t think I want to be there."

"And that’s totally ok but why do I feel like you weren’t going to tell me this if I didn’t ask?" She expels a deep breath and keeps mute. "Demi, what’s wrong? Please talk to me."

"Nothing’s wrong."

"Don’t give me that." I signal Gris to give me some space and he does. I wait till the door clicks shut. "I KNOW SOMETHING’S WRONG. You’ve been acting strange. You won’t open up to me. You’ve been avoiding my place and when I try to get close to you, you’re never down for it." I run a finger over my twitchy eyebrow. "Look, if I did something wrong, just tell me. Was I rough with you the last time? Tell me what I’ve done wrong so I can apologize. I don’t like us like this."

"You did absolutely nothing wrong, Ashton. I’ll tell you if you did. I’ve just...I just need us to take things slow."

"Why all of a sudden? That’s the part I don’t get." She only inhales and exhales. Something’s definitely bothering her but she won’t tell me. My mind doubles back. "What happened between you and Ashley?"

"W-What?" Nervousness cloaks her voice like a blanket.

"At the hospital? What did he say to you? You’ve felt withdrawn ever since that conversation. Talk to me Demi or I’ll have to go ask him myself which might end up blowing the lid off this relationship in front of his eyes. So, are you going to tell me what he said or not?"

"That won’t be necessary." She replies firmly. "He already knows about us."

This time, my lips are clamped shut in stunned silence. However, I recover quickly. "Good. Saves me from starting the hard conversation."

But I know I’ll still have to talk things out with my brother. If he already found out, I’m tempted to know how. I’m also curious to know how that makes him feel and why he hasn’t brought it up to my face till now. It’s typical of Ashley to pick a fight over something like this. If he isn’t, that’s a bigger cause for concern and I’ll need to know why he is holding back.

"Is that it? Was he mean to you because of our relationship? Is that why you’re having cold feet?"

"I’m not having cold feet. You just have a lot going on and I think our relationship can wait."

"That’s not how relationships work, Demi. You don’t put them aside when the going gets tough. You work through stuff together, as a team. But you already know this so the fact that you’re asking me to shelf this relationship due to my family drama only goes to prove my point further; you’re getting cold feet."

"That’s not it..."

"Then what is it? You’re still holding back. Why?"

"I can’t tell you yet until I am certain you won’t get mad or that you won’t look at me differently."

jaw clenches. What

I’ll clarify everything in due time. I just

my shoulders. "Fine. Let’s have it your way then. I’ll wait until you’re ready to discuss it. Till then, please

"I won’t."

It’s never a good sign when Demi is being cryptic. Whatever she’s holding back can’t be good or easy if she’s literally avoiding me,

a message pops up

is ready for publication, sir. Do I go ahead and

***

Demi will certainly not be okay with it if she had found out about my plans earlier. This will stir up a lot of feelings. It takes me

an unexpected visitor requesting my

"Let her in."

striding purposefully

on phone." Madeline sinks into the visitor’s chair looking tired and frustrated. "He’s not taking my calls either. He’s been avoiding me ever since my

raw and very familiar to

okay. I’ll get him

already tried. You must know where else he’ll be if not at his company. I was hoping you

his feelings. I’m sure it has nothing to do with you. You aren’t the only

clearly struggles to accept the truth of

lost when he left. I wish he’d

her attempted suicide since Ashal is MIA. My parents are very worried and very disappointed in Olivia. I’d appreciate it if you can find out why your sister put her life and that of her baby at

nods, rising to her feet. "Thank you." Quietly, she leaves. I whip

me back as soon as you get this. It’s too early

she is to feeling guilty about everything. What if he got it into

suddenly, Demi’s behavior starts to make sense. I grab my keys and

***

expect was to find it spick and span. I certainly didn’t expect

interruption. His assistant scurries off with her head hanging low and her tail between her legs, reeking of

be bothered

a bottle of wine, then drinks it without bothering with a glass. A deep frown

here

nothing to say to

pre-informing me?" I can’t believe I missed it. He had called me earlier that day just to make sure I had already left my hours. Within minutes after I leave, my camera picks him entering my house

Demi in the shower. If the steam hadn’t engulfed

"Why? I never needed your