Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 57

ASHLEY

"What do you mean you can’t find her?" I whisper into the phone. Ashal isn’t making any sense right now. "She was just there a second ago. Didn’t you send her off with a bodyguard? How could you lose her, Ash? You said you would be careful!" His raspy voice echoes on the other end of the phone as he panics.

"My men are combing the restaurant. She couldn’t have gotten far."

I know he’s trying really hard not to lash out. I hear him kick something.

"What was that?"

"Uh, nothing. I accidentally knocked down the wash hand basin. Fuck!" He cusses loudly. "Ash, I fucked up really bad. You all were right. I shouldn’t have been so lenient with her. I shouldn’t have trusted her. She played me, man. She planned to escape this whole time and what are the fucking odds that she timed it just when that comment was made on the blog."

"You think she might have written it?"

"No. She didn’t touch her phone the whole time we’ve been here but I suspect she knows who wrote it. She must have been aware that such a comment was going to be made and lured me out on this date so she could escape. Damn it! Father is really going to kill me now."

"Calm down, Ash. We’ll figure something out." I am not sure how we can remedy this but I keep my fears to myself to sympathize with my brother.

"Who knows where she has gone and how far? She would likely attempt to leave the city first. Her family won’t hide her. She..." Sir? I hear someone call his attention in the background. "What?" Ashal barks at them, then everywhere goes silent.

"Ash? What’s going on?" I inquire over the eerie silence.

Baby? Is everything okay? The guards are being rough with me. What have I done?

"Ash, is that Olivia’s voice I hear?" Ashal doesn’t reply. Instead, I hear the sound of movement, then Olivia cries out in pain. Ashal begins to yell at her.

Where the fuck did you run off to? Huh?

Ash, you’re hurting me. Please! I didn’t go far. There wasn’t any tissue in the restroom so I asked Dante to help me get some from the men’s room. My mom called me but there was barely any service in the bathroom so I walked down the hall to take the call. She was panicking Ash, something about an article on Billion-Err and your parents calling to threaten mine. I just took longer trying to assure her that you and I are together. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to escape.

Her voice breaks off as she cries harder. I sigh in relief.

I hear Ashal demand for her phone and possibly look through it. He probably goes through her call log and confirms her words.

Sir, she did ask me to go get a tissue from the men’s room but I couldn’t find any either.

You left her by herself?

I’m sorry sir.

I hear the sound of Ashal’s fist ramming into something followed by a grunt of pain. It was probably the speaker’s jaw. Olivia is still crying in the background. I cut the call to let my brother get a grip of himself. I am satisfied that the danger is averted and Olivia is still with us. I’ll call Ash later when things have simmered down.

"Was that Ashal?"

I whip my head to find mother behind me.

"Yes mother."

"Is everything alright over there?"

"Of course it is." I hook an arm around her shoulder. "He and Olivia are having a dinner date at home. I just called to tell him about the situation here so he can be extra careful and keep close tabs on her. She has no clue what’s going on either. They’re enjoying lobsters."

Mom’s smile stretches across her face. "I’m glad their relationship is getting better. I just want my son to be happy, ALL of my sons." Mother tugs at my cheeks. "How are you and Demi?" The evasion is so quick I incline my head to stare at her lovely face.

"We’re good."

"Are you really? I couldn’t help but notice the tension between the two of you after you invited your ex to your wife’s birthday party without being considerate of Demi’s feelings."

"Okay. Firstly, I didn’t invite Nicola. She must have gotten whiff of the news from her father whom father graciously invited and accompanied him. Secondly, Demi has no romantic feelings for me that could possibly have been bruised by Nicola’s presence. However, I do accept that I could have handled the situation better and not allowed Nicola conduct herself so brazenly in front of my wife, thereby embarrassing Demi on her birthday. I am still making amends for that."

"So, you two are still fighting?"

"I wouldn’t call it that but she’s been a bit distant lately. I am working on it, mom. You know I have my way with women, especially strong-willed ones like the one you had me married to."

Mom smiles. "Don’t act like you don’t find her attractive." She sighs heavily. "She’s guarded because she’s still getting to know you. Women like Demi are like that. I’m certain with time, you two will connect as a couple."

I say nothing as mother pecks my cheek and returns to the living room where I had left to go answer Ashal’s desperate call. I watch my brothers conversing. Ashton has a laptop on his thighs as he rubs minds with Asher about how to handle the Billion-Err problem.

Father is making calls in his study but it’s not about the same issue. It’s purely a business call with a very important associate. I peer up the stairs. Since her birthday, Demi barely comes down for anything unless mother insists.

She’s been frosty towards me for obvious reasons. I wouldn’t blame her. Contract marriage or not, she’s still entitled to give me an attitude especially when I openly disrespect her in public.

I shouldn’t have gotten drunk at the birthday party. I let myself be an easy target for my ex and from the stories William has told me, Demi has every right to give me the silent treatment. Nicci had gone too far that night. Could Demi have seen us having sex? What if someone else saw us?

I make my way to her room and rap softly on her door.

"Demi? It’s Ashley. Do you have a minute?"

She takes her time to drag her feet to the door and unlock it. "Yes?"

"Aren’t you going to invite me in at least?"

Demi tosses her head in a sidelong glance at her messy room. "No. I’m unboxing my gifts and reorganizing my closet. It’s a huge mess in here."

"I don’t mind."

"I do." Her clipped response and dry look almost discourage me but I maintain my resolve to apologize to her for the umpteenth time.

"Hey, I am deeply sorry about Nicci at your party. You have to believe me when I tell you that I never invited her. I wouldn’t do such a thing knowing how uncomfortable she makes you feel."

"Uncomfortable?" Demi reiterates with a slight frown. "Are you assuming I feel threatened by your side chick?" She laughs softly. "That’s cute. I bet she wants to believe that too but no, I am not uncomfortable having Nicci around. Your family obviously cherishes her and father is still good friends with her dad. I just wasn’t comfortable with her shameless display at the party in front of the guests who know the history between both of you. It was embarrassing for the family as a whole and the last thing I want is father blaming me for anything that happened at the party, like the secret wife thing we’re facing right now."

"I understand. I still wanted to apologize though. Don’t worry. None of it will come back to you. I’ll make sure father doesn’t pin any blame on you." I angle my head, shoot her a sunny smile and turn to leave.

"Is it true?"

"What?"

"Is it true that the woman Ashal was hanging out with was Olivia Dunn?"

"How can you believe that? Ashal doesn’t know anyone by that name."

"I know but it’s just so strange because I am the one she tried to befriend. Why would she come to my party and not try to see me?"

"Don’t beat yourself up about anything. There was no one by that name on the guest list. Simply because someone dropped a name doesn’t mean there’s any truth to it. Ashal isn’t married as you know. It’s all just clout chasing. Those desperate people will say anything to win the stupid contest."

"You’re right. I’m so silly for falling for that. Olivia couldn’t have been at that party because I didn’t invite her. I can’t even find her contact anymore." Demi shakes her head. "So, who exactly was Ashal vibing with that night? Come to think of it, I haven’t exactly seen him cozying up to any woman. He also doesn’t have a girlfriend. I am just curious to know who the mysterious woman is."

"Why? Are you keen on winning the contest too?"

"Of course not. I am a part of this family. I don’t deserve to be in the dark like all the others out there so tell me, what’s the lucky woman’s name?"

Suddenly, her mood has perked up with this line of conversation. I am grateful she’s in better spirits but I can’t tell her anything concrete. Olivia is one of the Rollins family’s well-kept secrets that Demi sadly can’t be trusted with, ever.

"It’s some girl he met at a club a few weeks back. They hit it off really well so he invited her to the party as a plus one. They’re not serious though. It was just a fun night together but I don’t think they plan on seeing each other again."

"Oh."

"Yeah. She must be mad at the exposure her attendance is garnering. She hates fame and prefers to lead a quiet life."

"Sounds like she and I are fated to be best friends forever." There’s a wistful look in Demi’s glassy eyes as she finishes her statement.

I squint at her. "Are you still beefing with Anna? C’mon Demi, did you really expect her to hang by your side all night like a handbag? She’s a young woman. It’s not unnatural for her to want to mingle and make new connections." Demi scowls.

"I have no problem with her mingling. I’m mad at her for disappearing on me. I couldn’t find her for most of the night and she isn’t telling me the whole truth. She’ll come around. We’ll be fine but for now, I just need some time alone."

She shuts her door in my face. I am not mad. I am actually glad that I managed to distract her from her fixation with Ashal’s mystery woman by bringing up Anna. Ashal finally calls me back and I walk away to take his call.

***

"Don’t ignore me, Ashley. You wanted it as badly as I did. Don’t stand there and act like you were actually drunk while you kept hammering yourself inside me."

"Can you be any louder and vulgar?" I snap at Nicola in my office. "Would you like a megaphone to announce to the entire country that I fucked my ex at my own wife’s birthday party?"

Nicola shrugs her shoulders and looks away. I abandon the new fabrics I am inspecting for a new dress I want to create and toss everything aside.

"I’m sorry." Nicci chimes.

"No, you’re not. We both know that. You came there knowing fully well what a tight spot you’d be putting me in. You also wanted to steal the spotlight from Demi, didn’t you? You just couldn’t help yourself." She leaps up from the couch and walks over to me.

"I wasn’t trying to steal anything from her. Demi can’t hold a spotlight even if it was beamed on her. It’s not my fault everyone found me more interesting to feast their eyes on, including you." I slap her hands off my face.

"You won’t do that ever again or I will have you banned from attending my family events."

"You can’t do that."

"Is that a dare?" My eyes pierce her angry ones. She pulls back with hands akimbo.

"You’re barking up the wrong tree once again, Ashley. Your wife doesn’t give a shit about you. Plus, she’s not as innocent as she looks. Didn’t you notice the weird energy between her and your friend, William?"

When I continue to look dumbfounded, Nicci shakes her head. "I can’t believe you didn’t notice. There’s definitely something off between them or maybe something happened between them. Demi was very uncomfortable around Will and he acted very smug around her too. I saw them speaking in hushed tones at the party. I even saw him pull her by the hand once but she fled the scene. I tried using my charm and some alcohol to coax Williiam into spilling the truth but it didn’t work."

"Now, you’re trying to make things up about Demi? Grow up, Nicci."

"I can’t make this up. You know I don’t tell lies about things like this. Don’t you recall the last time with Demi and the that guy at the bookstore? You also didn’t believe me until you did. I was right, wasn’t I? I am convinced that I am also right about Demi and William even though all I have right now is a hunch. You should do well to pursue this and get to the bottom of it before it blows up in your face." She grabs her bag. "How soon can I expect the dress to be ready?"

"Five days. These fabrics don’t cut it. I’ll have to place a new order."

"Fine. I’ll be back by then, unless you want me sooner." She winks seductively at me before leaving.

I try to immerse myself back into my work but can’t seem to find my rhythm. Nicola’s words keep echoing at the back of my head. I can’t ignore them because I also did see how uncomfortable Demi acted around William when I first introduced them.

William is a charming and funny guy. I can’t imagine why Demi would have anything against him. The fact that they had gone to school together makes me even more curious. What could possibly have happened between them that makes Demi want to be anywhere else but in the same room as Will?

I don’t care if they were old flames back in high school. That was a different time in their lives and long before I came into the picture. I just hate that Demi wouldn’t confide in me about that so I don’t appear insensitive by making her life difficult with William’s constant presence around me.

Well, I’ll excuse her secretiveness for now because she has legitimate reasons to be pissed at me. We’ll circle back to this issue at a later date. For now, I’ll handle Will and figure out a way to get the truth out of him.

I call Will to invite him for lunch since he is still in Danvarr. He happily accepts my invitation. I settle into work and try to focus. I guess I get carried away because that’s exactly what William walks into when he strolls into my office at noon.

"Wow, some people really get into their work." He casually utters with a smile as he takes in my crowded desk, the piles of fabric on my couches and the mannequin I am currently using to get a rough sketch of my design by pinning fabrics on it. I rise to my feet and take off my glasses.

"Hey man." I greet him, shaking his hand firmly.

"Nice place you’ve got here."

"Forgive the chaos. Right this way." I usher him into a lounge area and while he helps himself to a seat, I offer him a drink and call for our lunch to be brought up.

"I didn’t like the way things happened back in my home so I wanted to treat you to a sumptuous meal before you leave Danvarr."

William sips his scotch and reclines in his seat. "Oh, I am in no hurry to leave this beautiful country." freewebnσvel.cøm

"Really?"

"Yep. It’s been wonderful these past few days. I think I might linger for a while."

I don’t know how I feel about him sticking around when his whole life and business is in a different country. However, I don’t attempt to question the man’s decision or challenge them. Our food is brought and served. William smiles at the large spread of intercontinental dishes in front of us and nods satisfactorily.

"Why would I leave when people here treat me to the best of everything?"

"I’m glad you’re having a swell time. I couldn’t entertain you properly at my home because my wife also required my attention being her birthday week and all. Plus, she’s not really a fan of yours anymore if you get my drift."

Will squares his shoulders with a twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, no, I actually don’t get your drift." He sets his scotch aside and stares at me.

"Demi doesn’t seem to like you as a person anymore. It’s not unnatural to grow apart from people you spent the better part of your formative years with. If I had known this sooner, I probably wouldn’t have invited you to her party. We would have just hung out elsewhere and the awkwardness between both of you at home would have been avoided." Will chuckles slightly.

"Did she say that?"

"She didn’t have to say much with her words." I say, using my chopsticks to mix my pasta and the sauce. "I am her husband. I can tell when she isn’t comfortable having a certain person around her. In your case though, she actually voiced her concerns. I know you two have some kind of history but she’s moved on now and hates being reminded of that period in her life."

"I doubt that."

"Why do you?"

"Well, she didn’t mention it to me when we talked."

"You two had a private conversation?" Will smacks his lips as the flavors of the meal hits him.

"Yeah. She needed closure, I guess. Our breakup was emotionally exhausting. I guess I also wanted some things demystified too. It’s all good now. We’re cool."

So, they did date in high school. For how long? I wish Will would be a fount of information and spill. Why would Demi still be affected by him after so many years? Could she still be nursing a heartbreak? Could she still have residual feelings for him?

Will eats and watches me in silence.

"Are you enjoying the food?" I ask him to dispel his suspicion of my discomfort with his new revelation.

"Yeah. It’s delicious."

After he leaves, I struggle to not call Demi and clarify some things. William has successfully raised more questions in my head rather than answer the ones I already had in there.

Sighing, I return to my office to find a bouquet of flowers delivered on my desk. Wondering who could have sent them to me, I shuffle up to my desk and pluck the card from the fragrant flowers.

It can’t be Demi. She’s not much of a romantic, especially not from my standpoint. It could be Nicola but I doubt she’ll swallow her pride and send me flowers merely hours after we part ways. If she had, she’d be here to make sure I know it’s from her. A few other side chicks come to my mind as well as fans and secret admirers as I read the little note attached to the flowers.

[C’mon boy, you know you liked it all those nights we shared together. I am the reason you’re so good at it with women today. Why haven’t you been sending flowers of gratitude like this one to the early grave you sent me to? Don’t make me expose our little secret- Tobias]

The card slips from my hand as I stagger backwards in a shocked haze, almost breathless and panting for air.