Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 72

ASHER

Josh and I turn to the door in sync as a ringtone blares in the silence. I could have sworn this floor was empty. Who is that? Is there someone behind the door listening to us?

Josh trades glances with me before I lunge forward and wrench the door open. I scan the area but there’s no one close by. The ringtone seems to be coming from Demi’s office. When I check, her phone is lying on the floor next to her chair. I pick it up and realize it’s Anna calling.

The sound of the elevator opening makes me rear my head up. Josh is already standing outside my office. Together, we watch Demi run frantically out of the elevator and towards her office. She dabs her sweaty forehead.

"Forgot something?" I ask her.

"Yeah, um, I think I left my phone behind." She brushes past me and starts searching her desk and drawers. Behind me, Josh leaves. We have nothing more to discuss. His empty threats don’t faze me. He wouldn’t dare come close to the mansion knowing how livid father would be if he tried to upend his family life.

Demi continues to search while I lounge by the door and watch her to discern whether she is avoiding my eyes because she finds me annoying or because she was just in here a while ago. Her phone starts ringing in my hand again. I peer at the screen.

"Anna must really want to talk." I say, flashing the phone with the incoming call at Demi. She gives me a frosty look before stepping forward and snatching it from my hand.

"I can’t believe you. You had it the whole time and you just watched me search fruitlessly?

I snort at her before returning to my office. It does appear like she did forget her phone. I have to be careful next time with discussing sensitive issues in my office. The last time, father had overheard Nessa and I arguing about her pregnancy. Now, I am not sure if Demi overheard my argument with Josh. If she did and ran off, then she’s smart and knows to mind her business.

I meet up with Ashley for late drinks at the elite bar where we had accosted Shay Woodley. It’s still upsetting that his blackmailer is still a free bird. Ashley however came back much stronger than he left and for that, I am glad. We order our drinks.

"You look like shit."

"Wow, thanks Ashley but you are not looking your best either. How long have you been here drinking?"

I shrug off my jacket and settle into my chair. Though he’s smiling, twenty-five years with him and wearing the same face as him has taught me the telltale signs of a fake smile on our unique face.

"Out with it. I know that smile’s fake. What’s going on?" freēwēbηovel.c૦m

He presses his hands to his eyes. "Nothing serious, I mean, it shouldn’t be but I can’t get it off my mind."

"Is this about Nicola’s new man?"

Nicola was recently spotted out on the streets with a new man. The stranger is a bigshot in the film and entertainment industry with strong political connections. I’m certain her father made the match as the voting for his reelection as senator would commence soon.

It might just be a stunt to boost her father’s career but I know the photos of their public displays of affection like kissing and intimate hand placements are enough to make even Ashley jealous.

"Of course not. It’s Nicci. I know she’s doing it for her father."

He’s lying through his teeth. It’s definitely Nicci’s new public relationship that’s eating at him. "Then you also know she’s definitely fucking him too, right? He’s got connections that could keep her father’s political seat. You know she’ll do anything to make sure her father wins."

"Gee, thanks for the visual, Ash. I’ll sleep better tonight imagining them doing it." He hisses a breath while I cackle.

"I’m sorry. Ease up. You always said you two weren’t serious."

"We aren’t but that doesn’t mean I am supposed to feel nothing seeing her clinging to him everywhere. I know she’s doing too much in front of the camera to get back at me."

"Get back at you for what?"

"For ostracizing her after my trip to Brellis and favoring Demi over her with that statement I made on my socials. She managed to sneak into my office while Ashton was pretending to be me. It didn’t go so well." He sighs. "Anyway, I wanted to talk about something else. It’s about mom."

He pauses as our drinks arrive. The server delicately drops them on the table and remains standing. Confused, Ashley asks if there’s something we can help her with. She turns to me with a thin smile on her face.

"Shay?"

"It’s Cree, actually." She corrects me. Ashley looks a bit confused as he stares at us.

"What are you doing here?" I ask in surprise. "Let me guess. Is this another casting gig or are you actually stalking us?"

"Stalking you? I don’t have that kind of time. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me land a job here." She stares at both of us, a bit uncertain. "Which one of you was my date the last time. Ashal?"

Ashal got her this job? What the hell was he thinking?

"Thank you all anyway. I love it here and the pay is unbelievable." She finishes gleefully. We watch her prance away.

"That was Cree, the upcoming actor who was hired to pretend to be Shay Woodley." I let out a long sigh. "Why would Ash help her get hired here? He didn’t check with us first either!"

"We can clarify with him when we get back." Ashley glances back at Cree. "If she is indeed my blackmailer or working with her, I don’t think holding down a job at a spot like this and announcing it to us would be her move knowing we can have her watched. Maybe they’re right and she’s just what she says she is; a struggling actor looking to make ends meet while she keeps hope alive for landing a big movie role."

I don’t agree but I don’t push forward with my reservations. I finish my drink. "You were saying something about mom."

"Yeah, she and I have been talking a lot lately. The Woodley incident has made her very clingy towards me. She’s been asking some tough questions about my relationship with Demi. She wanted to know if Demi and I have consummated our marriage despite the contract terms."

"Why?"

"She’s convinced Demi is perfect for me and is hoping I make an effort to win her heart before the expiration of our contract."

"What? She wants Demi as a permanent member of the family?"

What game is mom playing now? Demi is in our lives because of her. One year is enough. Why is she trying to keep Demi longer? Every hair on my body knows Demi isn’t good for our family but I still can’t prove it.

"Well, what did you say to that?"

"What do you think I said? I married Demi to make mom happy but right now, mom isn’t the only one who likes having her around. We are all going to get married and have kids someday. For personal reasons, I don’t expect my heart to open fully to any other woman after my abuse and what Nicola put me through. The contract I have with Demi works just fine for me; I have a wife mom loves who is good for my image. I also don’t have to give up the life I know because my wife is fine with being a wife on paper only. Where else am I going to find a woman who’s going to check all these boxes?"

"Are you kidding me right now? There are tons of them around."

"I think my marriage contract is a sweet deal so if Demi wants to carry on, I’m down."

"You can’t be serious."

"Demi is not so bad, Asher. You really should give her a chance." He pays for our drinks and rises. "I know Demi has feelings for Ashton and not me but mom has promised to help me out with that. She calls it my early birthday present."

"What do you mean ’help you out’?"

He merely winks at me and stalks off. What was that? Mom’s birthday is around the corner, not ours. Why would she be giving Ashley an early present instead of the other way around.

I shake my head. I can’t let them do this. Even if my suspicions turn out to be wrong, Demi and Ashton already have strong feelings for each other that don’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

With Ashley as Demi’s husband, he won’t sit idly and watch their love grow stronger. My brothers might end up fighting amongst themselves over this woman. I can’t let that rift occur. I have to get rid of Demi very soon. Immediately, I make a call.

"Hey, I have a job for you."

***

"I was really surprised to receive your text." I flash a smile as Anna coyly dips her head and concentrates on the design atop her coffee. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and of all the places I thought I’d be, I never envisioned a coffee shop much less with Anna Preston.

The pressure from the media is gradually ebbing and I desperately needed a break from the tension at work and even at home with Ashley’s blackmailer in the wild. Anna’s call couldn’t have come at a better time.

"I uh, I just wanted to ask how your health’s been." She actively avoids my eyes. My health? I guessed as much. Demi must have been running her mouth again.

I conceal a frown working its way up my forehead. Though I appreciate Anna’s concern and would readily have coffee with her for any reason at all, I simply wish my health didn’t always crop up every time we get to talk.

"It’s been good." The look she gives me tells me she doesn’t buy it. Demi must have definitely mentioned the pills.

"Have you been to see the doctor? When’s the surgery taking place?

"Is that all you want to talk about?"

"Nothing else is more important, Asher. You’re not taking this seriously and I can’t understand why. I know it’s not my place to inquire about these things. Knowing about your health was accidental. However, I know now and I can’t ignore it. I can’t tell anyone else either and it’s killing me so please, do something about your health. I don’t know how I’d feel if something bad happened to you because of your negligence."

Her eyes are riddled with fear as she stares at me. When I feel her hand on mine, I look down to admire her fresh manicure.

"You don’t have to be afraid. I hate hospitals too. Spent a great deal of time there when my dad had to go in for one thing or the other. I’d go with you if you want. Let’s go see doctor Ezra before the tumor worsens."

I tangle my finger in hers and watch her suppress a big blush. "I’m fine, Anna. You don’t have to worry. I have plans to see doctor Ezra at the end of the month. I just have a few things to get sorted out and then I’d have enough time to lie on that surgical table and let them cut my head open like..."

She reaches forward to close her hand over my lips. "Why must you joke about everything? That’s not funny at all." As I watch the worry lines spread across her face, something warm and fuzzy fills me. I smile behind her fingers.

When Anna sees the glint in my eyes, she tries to pull her hand away but not before I grab it and place a light kiss in her palm. Her hand is so soft and perfumed. Her blush spreads like a blood stain on a white bedsheet all across her face now.

She grabs her coffee and avoids my eyes again. "What are you doing?"

"Don’t tell me this is how you react to a harmless kiss on a date."

Her head shoots up. "This is not a date."

"No? Why isn’t it a date?"

"It just isn’t. I only wanted to ask about your health."

"I could have told you that over the phone but you chose to call me out here." I take her hands again and she makes a weak effort to pull them away. There’s barely anyone close enough to our table but her eyes keep darting around with an embarrassed hue. "Look at me. I know you wanted to see me, as I have been wanting to see you. Don’t bother about other people. They don’t matter, we do."

"Asher..."

"What? Is this about that cheapskate? Are you still seeing him? C’mon Anna, you deserve so much better."

"Benjamin and I didn’t get to go on a second date. He got a job outside the city and I can’t do long distance."

"Good for him. What then? Mr. Fantasy? Do you have a crush on my doppelganger but not me? Tell me who you envisioned when you went on a date with him. Which brother did you ask him to play?"

"Let go of my hands first and I’ll tell you."

"You promise?"

"Promise."

I let go of her hands and she burrows them under the table. "It wasn’t you. It was Ashal." I refuse to feel hurt. She might have had a thing for Ashal but he isn’t the one having coffee with her right now.

"Would you like me to hook you two up? He’s very single." I maintain eye contact. I just want her to admit I am the one she prefers now.

"No."

"Why not? Isn’t he your fantasy?"

"Not anymore." She whispers. The butterflies go crazy in my belly. I reach forward, take her hands and press a kiss to her knuckles. She doesn’t protest but smiles at me.

"Now, let’s go see doctor Ezra. He is expecting us. Please don’t say no. I’ll sleep better if he can confirm that the situation isn’t dire. Please, Ash." This time, she takes my hand in hers and brings them to her cheeks. "It’ll only take an hour. I’ll be right next to you."

It’s the way she’s looking at me, the way she’s holding my hand tightly and the lilt of her voice as she begs me. They combine to crumble the walls of resistance I’ve had up for long.

Maybe it wouldn’t suck so bad having my brain scanned with Anna by my side. Despite knowing my condition, she doesn’t consider me weak. Her eyes don’t judge me either. Her emotional support is overwhelming to me.

"Fine. Let’s go." Unable to help myself, I reach across the table, pull her face to mine and give her a sensual kiss on the lips. My insides churn delightfully when she returns the kiss with an equal amount of passion. When I pull back, she’s slightly flushed in the face but holds my gaze with a brilliant smile. We continue to stare into each other’s eyes amorously.

"Coffee for Nessa?" The sales lady at the counter echoes. My eyes track forward and true enough, Nessa is standing a few meters from our table, staring at us and oblivious of her name being called.

Anna follows my shocked eyes to the counter and says nothing afterwards. I compose myself, grab Anna’s hand and make my way out of the shop. Nessa follows us and stares as I open the car door for Anna before getting in and driving away.

In the course of the ride to and from the hospital, Anna doesn’t bring up Nessa. She might not have recognized my secretary but as a woman, she’d have recognized the look Nessa and I shared momentarily. I also know Demi must have shared a few intimate details about my other relationship with Nessa. When I drop Anna off at her place, I walk her to her door.

"Thank you for today."

"It was a nice day for me too. I’m glad your health isn’t in jeopardy but like the doctor said, an extensive use of the pills might complicate your condition. You’ll have to schedule the surgery soon. Promise me you’ll do it." Again, those piercing eyes drill holes in mine.

I don’t want to make her any promise I’d likely break so instead I smash my lips on hers, grabbing her waist and pulling her to myself. The kiss nearly knocks the breath out of us. I wish I can have a night cap at her place but it’s too early and I desperately want to disappoint the stereotype she already has of me. I stroke her hair.

"Get some rest. I’ll call you later." That seems to be fine by her as she steps through her door and waves me goodbye.

When I get into my car, I am shocked to find no missed calls or texts from Nessa. I don’t know what that is supposed to mean. I am certain she knew it was me today. The car, the clothes and especially the knowing look I gave her. Everything pointed to me.

I want to call her but stop myself. What the hell am I supposed to say? Why should I explain myself to her? I have made it clear to her that we are not an item. It’s her fault for falling in love with me when I expressly told her love wasn’t in the cards for me.

I spend the ride home justifying my date with Anna. Anna. I have no clue what this attraction will grow to become and frankly, I don’t want to bother myself with labels. I just love the excitement I feel around her and where we are at with our friendship. I’m thrilled to see where this leads.

When I get home, I make a beeline for father’s office. He has been working from home for some days now. I want to inform him about the threats his other son keeps making and how close I am to punching the daylights out of Josh. I knock and enter almost immediately.

My lips are poised to speak when I find Ashton hunched behind father’s desk, trying to pry open a locked drawer. There are papers strewn all over the floor and drawers hanging open. I scan the study in shock with a fallen jaw. What the hell is Ashton doing?

"Ash, what the fuck are you doing ransacking father’s study? Where is father?"

Ashton’s bloodshot eyes are dangerously narrowed to slits. "Off to see his son. He’s going to be a while." He ignores me and resumes his poor attempt at opening locks.

"What are you looking for in here? Do you have any idea how mad father would be if he walks in on this mess."

"He wouldn’t. Thank goodness you’re here. You’re going to help me make sure he doesn’t suspect a thing. I know you’ve memorized where everything is kept."

Though he smiles thinly, fear crawls up my belly. Ashton might be reckless and known to take risks but there’s something about his behavior tonight that screams ’I don’t give a fuck if I die’. I pull him away from the drawer with great difficulty and shove him up against a wall.

"Hey! Hey!! Cool it, Ash. Talk to me. What’s going on? This is unlike you. What exactly are you looking for? Just ask me and I’ll tell you where it is." He wipes the sweat off his face.

"My bad. Why didn’t I think of that." He chuckles. "It’s just...I am looking for our adoption papers. I want to get the names of our biological parents. You know where everything is so just point me in the right direction."

My face crumples. "This issue again? Ashton, give up already. They’re no more."

"Where are the papers, Asher? Which of father’s safes did he keep them?" His eyes are pained. His hair is a mess and he’s breathing heavily. It doesn’t make sense to me. Why is he so desperate to see them?

"What’s going on, Ash? You don’t look well. Talk to me." When I reach to gauge his temperature, he slaps my hand off and shoves away from me.

"I’m fine!" He insists, running a hand to smoothen his hair. "I just want to see the fucking papers. You’ve seen them, right? You know where they are? What are the names of our parents on them? Give me something, Asher. What names are on the adoption papers???"

I stare helplessly at his dejected face. If there’s a document in father’s possession, I am most likely privy to it. If there’s one document I haven’t found anywhere in all his safes, studies, offices and even those saved in his banks, it’s our adoption papers.

I’ve never thought much about it but the fact that Ashton risked father’s anger by ransacking his study to find papers that must be old and moldering causes a fresh worry in my chest. Why is it suddenly important that he finds it?

"Ash, you’re right. I know where father keeps everything but Ash, there are no adoption papers anywhere. I have never come across them. They probably go lost. It’s been twenty-five years bro."

"He has papers of properties he acquired since before we were born. Why wouldn’t he have our adoption papers?" Ashton’s question stumps me. He is right but before I can run it in my mind, I note the anger in my brother’s eyes growing. His expression is painfully difficult to put into words. I just know it’s far from good.

Just then, father’s car pulls up in the driveway. Why is he back earlier than Ash said? Ashton turns on his heel and heads out front with murderous eyes.

"Ash, where are going now?" But he ignores me and continues to walk like a bull with a red cloth in its path. I skip after him. "Ashton, NO! Don’t do it, Ashton! Get back here! ASHTON!!!!"