Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 60

DEMI

I don’t think I heard her right. "I’m sorry, what was that? You are friends with who?"

"Olivia Dunn." The lady called Eliana repeats. "She’s an old friend of mine. Look, it’s a bit of a long story. Can we maybe grab a seat inside and talk?"

I flick my wrist to check my time. I am late from lunch by ten minutes. It’ll take me another five to seven minutes to get back to the office assuming there’s no traffic. I glance back at the restaurant. It’s so tempting to hear everything this woman has to say but I already got on father’s bad side this morning. If I disappear from work, mother won’t be able to cover for me on that front.

"Hey, look, I am rushing back to work but I’d love to speak with you about Olivia. Do you think we can reschedule?"

"This will only take ten minutes." She insists with big eyes.

Fuck it. "Okay, let’s grab a seat then." We park our cars properly but instead of going back into the restaurant, I insist we sit inside my car and talk. Maybe that way I won’t get too carried away and hurry back to work as soon as I can.

"So, why were you trying to reach me?"

"My friend Olivia, I haven’t been able to contact her for some months now. We used to be very close until she started seeing some guy. He seemed to be very rich. I could tell because he would rent out an entire restaurant whenever Liv and I had dinner dates. However, he also struck me as abusive and controlling. Liv always had bodyguards around her during our dates. They even followed us whenever we needed to use the ladies’ room and timed us. It was very weird. Aside from that, I noticed some bruises on Liv’s body but she often made excuses about hurting herself in the kitchen or falling down the stairs."

"Do you know who she was seeing?"

"No. She never let me see a single pic of him. She talked about him though, babbled his praises like he was an answer to her family’s prayers. Apparently, he’s the one funding her family and sponsoring her sister’s education. However, there was always a sad glint in her eyes like she was afraid of him and felt trapped in the relationship. I am certain she wasn’t in love with him. I think she had no choice but to be with him."

"Ok Eliana but where do I come in?"

Eli leans close to me. "Once, when Liv was feeling very downcast, I managed to talk some sense into her. I tried to get her to tell me if she needed help. I asked her to blink once for No and twice for Yes so that the bodyguards wouldn’t know. She blinked twice! She whispered to me that if I truly wanted to help her, I should find the new daughter-in-law of the wealthiest family in Danvarr."

"She said that?"

"Yes. I didn’t understand it but she said you can help her by being her friend. She said connecting you both was the best thing I could do for her. I managed to get your phone number from the bookstore where you used to work and passed it to Olivia. By then, she was back to acting weird and seemed resentful of you. She took your number though. I don’t know what she did with it. A couple of days later, someone threatened me to stay away from Olivia. I couldn’t reach her phone anymore. I think she might have changed her phone number. She didn’t hang out with me again and I wasn’t sure where she lived." She scoops hair out of her face and shakes her head.

"I couldn’t reach you either because I lost the paper with your number on it before I could add it to my phone. When I went back to the bookstore, the guy there refused to give me the number again despite how much I pleaded. I think he might have been scolded by his boss for giving it to me in the first place."

"What about Olivia’s family?"

Eli sighs. "Talking about Olivia is like a taboo to them. They act like she’s been ostracized or dead to them. Her sister, Maddie, seems upset and sad whenever I bring up Olivia. I know she knows where her sister is and under what circumstances Olivia is living but she refuses to tell me anything. She pretends Liv is fine. it feels like everyone in that family has been threatened to silence by the rich bastard."

I think through everything Eliana has told me. Olivia is definitely living in the penthouse and I have to visit that place one way or another. Still, I check my reaction so as not to give away anything that could reflect my suspicions about my in-laws.

"Did she ever contact you?"

"No. I mean, I’ve had random messages and calls from strangers on my phone but I hardly pay attention to them. I don’t recall anything from anyone called Olivia. If she did reach out to me, she probably didn’t state her name."

"Yeah, she wouldn’t. I think her boyfriend even bugged her phone. I wouldn’t put it past him."

My phone starts to ring. I excuse myself and take Nessa’s call. "Hi, Nessa, what’s up?"

"Hi Demi. Where are you? Lunch break ended thirty minutes ago."

"I’m sorry. I got tangled in some mini accident situation. I bumped into someone and I am trying to sort it out."

"Really? Are you hurt? Is it serious?"

"No. I’m handling it."

"Okay. Please hurry back before Asher returns. He already called to ask me if you’re in your office. He sounded really serious and pissed. I covered for you and told him you were here. Please hurry back before he returns and finds out I lied. I don’t think it will be good for both of us."

She covered for me? Are we besties now? A warm smile stretches my lips.

"I’ll be back in ten. Thank you so much, Nessa." I hang up and face Eliana. "I’m sorry. Work is calling. Let’s do one thing; why don’t we reschedule this meeting and talk somewhere else in detail? I’d really love to help as much as I can. I hate the idea of leaving my fellow woman in an abusive relationship when I am in a position to help. If Olivia thinks I can help her, we’ll find a way for us to connect so she can tell me exactly how I can free her from that life."

"Sorry." Eliana apologizes as her phone rings. When she unearths it from her bag, she frowns at the unknown number before taking the call. "Hello? Who’s this?" Her eyes dilate in shock as she stares at me. "Olivia? Olivia, is that you?"

***

I mouth to her that she put the call on loudspeaker. True enough, a woman’s voice sails through.

"It’s me, Eli. How have you been?" Eliana’s eyes grow misty as she struggles to compose herself.

"Liv, what happened? Where have you been? I was worried sick about you. Why did you ghost me like that? I thought something bad had happened to you." Eli chokes back her tears.

"I’m so sorry, Eli. I lost my phone and your contact. After I got this new phone number, I couldn’t reach you anymore because my contacts weren’t backed up on the old phone. It’s just my luck that I had scribbled down your phone number in my diary. I found it while reading and decided to call to check up on you."

Olivia’s voice sounds weak. I can sense she’s trying too hard to sound okay and cherry.

"How have you been? After we lost contact, someone threatened me never to contact you again. I think it was your boyfriend. No one else would have done something like that."

Olivia chuckles softly. "No, it can’t be him. He’s been trying to help me find you."

Ask her to meet you, I mouth to Eli.

"We have a lot of catching up to do. Can we meet up? Your place?"

I nod at Eli’s smart ask.

"Oh, I’m sorry. We’re renovating right now and I am supervising everything. Maybe we can talk in depth later, over the phone maybe?" Eli’s shoulders sag in defeat.

"Olivia, are you really okay? Why can’t you come to me or let me come to you? It’s your man, isn’t it? He won’t let you keep friends, is that it?" Eli’s temper is fraying.

"Stop it, Eliana. I already told you why I can’t see you in person right now. You speak like we haven’t hung out before. Stop blaming my hus...my boyfriend all the time." Eli is so mad she misses Olivia’s slip of tongue.

"I called to ask you about the comment on Billion-Err’s post regarding Demi Rollins’ birthday party and the secret woman her brother-in-law, Ashal, was seen with. Someone seems to have commented my name as a joke. Was that your doing?"

Eli shakes her head. "Wow. Is that really why you called me? Olivia, I’ve been scared to death thinking something bad had happened to my good friend and you only called to ask me something so silly? I don’t even read Billion-Err, you know that. Why would I go on the blog and leave a comment? Why would I leave your name specifically? What has that got to do with finding you?"

Eli’s eyes flash towards me and firms. "You know what? I’ve been looking for you all this time. The stars seem to have aligned today because not only did you call me yourself but I also happened to bump into Demi Rollins. I am sitting in her car right now and we were just talking about you before you called. You’re on speakerphone. Go on Olivia, tell her how she can save you from that asshole."

There’s a short pause before the line cuts.

"Olivia? Liv?" Eli looks up at me in shock. "She hung up! Why would she do that?"

I lean back on my seat. "She’s either too afraid to upset her boyfriend by trying to get help or he’s there with her, listening to her call."

"I don’t get it. Why would she call me just to ask me about a silly comment on a blog? What’s it to her or him? Why is it so important that she even had to dig up my number, break her silence and call me to confirm?"

While she rants, I quickly text Liam of the latest development. Eli gets on her phone too. When I put my phone aside and look up at her, she has a strange look in her eyes.

"What is it?"

"The comment...on the blog..."

"What about it?"

Eli shoves her phone in my face. "It calls Liv the secret wife of Ashal Rollins."

I make a good show of not getting the point. "So?"

"Don’t you get it? Olivia’s boyfriend is stupendously rich and hides her. She broke her hiatus to call me about this comment. She panicked and ended the call when I mentioned that I had finally found the woman she wanted to be friends with and like you said, her boyfriend might have been listening to the call. What if...what if the mysterious man is...Ashal?"

I scoff at her now. "It’s not. Ashal is my brother-in-law, remember? I can tell you for a fact that he’s not married!" I can’t have her running her mouth with this rumor before I can see Olivia. If word gets spread, the quads will be alerted and probably take Olivia somewhere else. I can’t have that.

"You know he is such a gentleman with less scandals compared to his brothers. People will write anything to stir gossip. The comment is fake."

"But why does it bother Olivia?"

"Maybe she doesn’t want her name being mentioned on such a popular blog alongside a very popular celebrity like Ashal Rollins. Look at all the attention the comment has already garnered. They’re all demanding that the identity of Ashal’s date that night be revealed. It’s so invasive. I can’t blame Olivia for not finding it a funny comment. She’s being dragged into this and her boyfriend might be pissed at her for the attention being drawn to her."

"She needs help. I need to save her from his claws. Do you think this blog can help? If I post her story here, do you think people will try to help me find her?"

It’s a great idea but the timing is off. "Hold that thought. Let’s take things slow first. I’ll call you later but for now, I have to head back to work before someone gets fired because of me."

***

Asher never returned back to work. While I make my way home, I give Ashley a call. I want to know if he’s alright since Liam’s words about Ashley going into panic mode has been haunting my thoughts. The call fails to go through as his phone is switched off.

When I get home, I take cautious steps inside knowing father is still livid over my actions earlier. It’s no surprise when he appears in front of his study just before I can tap the elevator button. I freeze in shock but then mother steps out too, followed by Duncan and the rest of the quads except Asher, I guess, whose car isn’t parked outside.

There’s something somber about their expressions. Mother’s hand holds Ashley’s in a tight grip. I can tell because Ashley has the coolest outfit on, as usual. His face looks hollow as he feigns a smile at her. The other two brothers are hard to tell apart because they have bright colors in their outfit and Ashton seldom wears anything beyond white and black.

Their expressions are both dark and brooding. I feel embarrassed for not knowing what’s going on in the family. The fact that it seems to revolve around my husband makes me feel ashamed of my ignorance.

I take tentative steps towards them and the duo currently hard to tell apart both slant a glance my way. I helplessly search their eyes for clues till my confusion becomes apparent.

Thankfully, one of them makes a familiar hand signal and I smile at Ashal. Ashton is wearing a multi-colored sweater and dark pants. Ashal is also wearing dark pants but with a plaid shirt. I glance at Ashton and he offers a thin smile.

"Mother, is everything alright?" Ashley glances at me briefly. His weak smile is hardly convincing.

"Yes dear, everything is fine."

They’re lying to me. Father’s expression is no surprise. He is glaring at me. The fact that he hasn’t lashed out can only mean mother has managed to pacify him. He signals Duncan and they return back to his study while mother urges Ashley to get some rest. When the boys leave, mother grabs my arm.

"Demi, could you keep Ashley company tonight? I think he’ll appreciate that."

"Why? Did something happen?" She chuckles at my naivety.

"You two are married. Even if you’re not having any type of romantic relations at the moment, it can’t be asking too much for a wife to cuddle her husband to sleep, can it? I just think he would appreciate your company tonight. He had a stressful day at work. I’m sure you did too. You two can find creative ways to find comfort in each other. You’re an adult. You know what I am talking about." She winks at me.

"You don’t owe me anything for helping you out with my husband today. This is just me asking you to do me a favor. I’d really appreciate it." She squeezes my arm before leaving for her room.

I stand there perplexed and feeling boxed into a corner. How am I supposed to comfort Ashley while I am still pissed over what he did at my party? I don’t think I can put up an act for the whole night.

Hearing Asher’s car pull into the driveway. I rush towards the elevator and tap the button like a maniac. I zip inside just as Asher’s footsteps draw closer. The silly elevator door starts to close with the speed of a snail and stops midway. When I look down, it’s Asher’s foot in the door. I think he regrets his decision when he spots me inside as he walks in.

Both of us stand with a reasonable distance between us as the doors draw closed.

"Is everything okay? You left work in a haste and never returned."

Asher inclines his head at me. "Is that supposed to be small talk?"

"Sorry I bothered to be nice."

He chuckles as we step out of the elevator. "Nice?" He asks in a low, tired voice. "Maybe you should try being nice to your husband for a change."

Why is everyone asking me to be nice to Ashley tonight? What exactly happened to him today? Too stubborn to let Asher get the last word in, I turn around so suddenly and sharply he almost bumps into me.

Then I respond in a low whisper. "I’m trying to but he’s being a dick right now."

He’s eyes grow big as he gets my jibe. Of course, I don’t mean it and only said it to mess with him, knowing how much he loathes me. The look in his eyes makes my skin crawl so I turn back and head to my room to freshen up before stopping by at Ashley’s.

He is shocked to find me outside his door.

"I’m sorry. Can I come in?"

"Uh, sure." I step in and get settled on his couch. When he offers me a drink, I decline. He is shirtless. The broad expanse of his chest reminds me of Ashton’s. Why do they have to be so similar. He catches me staring before I could look away and smiles thinly. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

I surge to my feet. "You look fine to me...I mean, you look like you’re doing okay." I add when Ashley chuckles at the first words that left my mouth. "Mother was worried you might need some company tonight."

He joins me on his feet. "You came at mother’s behest to keep me company?"

I scratch my head. "I also wanted to know how you were doing. You didn’t look okay to me downstairs. Did...something happen at work? I tried calling you but your line was switched off."

Ashley draws close enough for me to smell him. He smells really good as usual. He clamps both hands on my shoulders and my breath hitches in my throat.

"I’m fine. Someone played a rude prank on me but it’s fine. I’d love it if you spend some time with me though. How else would I know if you’ve truly forgiven me for your birthday party?" He’s joking but the mere mention of it reminds me of him and Nicola in the act.

My face hardens as I fold my arms across my chest. "Which part?"

"What?"

How can he look me in the face and pretend? "I have forgiven you for not turning Nicola away when she showed up at my party and for not stopping her while she was putting on a show but that’s the much I can do. I’m not ready to face other things you did wrong at my party." His hands slip from my shoulders as he understands my drift.

"You saw that, didn’t you?

"AT MY BIRTHDAY PARTY? WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE COULD HAVE SEEN YOU GUYS!" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"I was drunk Demi..."

"I’m sorry Ashley but being drunk is not a good enough excuse for everything. It doesn’t make this any better." Brimming with anger, I refuse to accept his empty apologies and walk out on him. Despite how livid I am, I remember to end the night according to my plan. I send Ashal a message. Within minutes, he meets me at the drawing room.

"Hey, are you okay?"

From my spot on the couch where I am curled up like a cat, I sniffle loudly and wipe my teary eyes. Ashal rushes to sit next to me and take my hand.

"Demi, what happened? Why are you crying?"

I lean my head on his chest. "My birthday was a fucking disaster. Nothing went my way. I never wanted to throw a party but mother insisted. Nobody listened to me. Ashley picked my dress without asking what I’d like to wear. Nobody ran the guest list by me. Even if they didn’t, I didn’t expect to see Nicola at my party. It was just disrespectful that she had the guts to show her face when everyone knew about her history with Ashley."

"Hey, I’m so sorry. Everything was rushed. We didn’t have time to pore over the guest list but I promise you she wasn’t directly invited. She came as her father’s plus one."

"Ashley didn’t stop her when she put on a show at the pool. He knew she was deliberately trying to steal the spotlight but he did nothing to stop her. I was made to look like a fool. I don’t care what they do behind my back. I only ask that they don’t bring it in front of me but they did, and on my fucking birthday!" I cry some more into his chest.

"Demi, Ashley couldn’t have thrown her out of the party in front of everyone. I’m sure he wanted to but his hands were tied."

"No, he didn’t." I object, lifting my head. "He was actually enjoying her performance. He enjoyed it so much he hooked up with her that night while I was upstairs, crying myself to sleep. I SAW THEM!"

It doesn’t hurt me as much as it nauseates me but I keep playing my victim card. Ashal is flushed with secondhand embarrassment for his brother and cradles my head pitifully.

"Nobody cares about my happiness."

"No, Demi, you know we do. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Your birthday was supposed to make you the happiest. I’m so sorry."

I wipe my eyes once more. "There’s just one thing that will distract me from that messy party and the horrible image stuck in my head."

"What’s that?"

"Promise me you’ll help me. You can consider it my birthday wish if you want. You know you still owe me and this way, it wouldn’t even cost you a dime."

"What is it?"

"I want us to hang out and play games all day...at your penthouse."