Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 88

DEMI

"I can’t believe the Shay saga is finally over." Ashley quips, rubbing his hands on his eyes.

"Yeah. Thank God." I reply, studying him.

This period has really been stressful for him. He rarely slept without popping sleeping pills. His nightmares got more intense and frequent. While I sit across from him on the couch in his room, all I can think about is his PTSD and what caused it.

He has never bothered to talk to me about his childhood or Tobias. I didn’t ask the burning questions on my tongue because of everything he was going through at the time but now that it’s over, I need answers.

What exactly happened with Tobias? Why would Cree go to great lengths to torment him in particular if him and his family are innocent as they claim? Why was Tobias’ autopsy and police reports stowed away? I have a hunch that the Rollins family just managed to silence another of their victims.

When Cree was apprehended, Ashley asked to have a private moment with her. I tried to coax him into letting me stand and watch while he questioned her but he was adamant about speaking to her privately. His eyes had flashed angrily at me when I made a fuss. It was weird. His brothers had also banded to dissuade me from stubbornly insisting. That’s how I know there’s more to Cree/Shay’s accusation and I am determined to unearth it.

"So, what did Cree say?"

"What?"

"What was her reason for attacking you? You didn’t let me go in with you."

"She kept denying being Shay of course. She’s a pathological liar. I’ll make sure she pays severely for everything she’s put me through," he throws me a soft glance, "everything she’s put us through."

Vague. He didn’t even answer the question. I expected as much.

"And Ashal? Is he doing okay? Do you think he was starting to have feelings for her?"

Ashley shakes his head. "He’s fine. He is glad he figured it out and had her nabbed. He wasn’t exactly trying to date her. It was all part of the plan. We knew Cree was a prime suspect with a glib tongue and decided to sic Ashal on her to find out information or dirt on her. He went along, pretending to be interested in her. It was never real so he’s fine."

I dip my eyes.

"What?"

"I find it weird that Olivia’s name keeps coming up against Ashal’s. I get that people would always like to find something scandalous to pin on a celebrity with less drama than most but it’s just weird that the same woman and the same allegation keeps cropping up in Ashal’s case."

"We’ve got lots of enemies like Cree out there; relentless, reaching, creative. Don’t let it bother you. We’ll always win the fight no matter how long they persevere."

I keep the rest of my questions for Liam since Ashley is a good liar. This is the longest we have spoken to each other behind closed doors since the condom incident weeks ago. I can tell from the surreptitious glances he keeps sliding my way that Ashley is still unsure about intimacy with me. I allow him to torture himself by walking on egg shells around me, dreading the idea of bringing it up first.

When he slides close to me on the couch and places a hand on my thigh, my fingers tighten on the couch while I bite down on the urge to move away from him.

"Thank you for coming to check on me." His eyes dip to my lips. His head starts leaning towards me, his lips slightly puckered. Just before they touch my lips, I turn my cheek. Ashley is clearly disappointed by my reaction but says nothing to the effect. "Up for a night cap? I’ve missed you."

Everything inside me rejects the idea.

"Ok."

My answer catches him by surprise. I don’t want to cuddle next to him tonight but I have no other choice. I can’t continue to keep away from him. It’s been weeks. It sounds like a lame excuse now to hold the same thing against him after so long.

Besides, I need him to not suspect my intentions ever again like the issue of Shay’s second note. So, I’ll cuddle and maybe kiss him while fermenting a plan to get to Cree and unveil the truth about Tobias’ death and his true murderer.

"You’re glowing." Mother tells me the next morning at breakfast. It feels good to finally eat with just the family. Mila finally went back home. I hated everything about her stay at the mansion. I had to get Ashley to style me everyday just to match up to her stylish outfits. It was too much pressure silently competing with her. When she wasn’t spilling her drink (accidentally as she claimed) or oversharing about Ashton’s sexual prowess, she was watching me like a hawk to make sure my eyes don’t linger unnecessarily long on her man’s shadow. It was ridiculous.

"Oh, thank you, mother. I’m trying out a new body lotion."

Mother smothers a chuckle behind her napkin. "Not that kind of glow dear, the other kind."

A huge blush colors my cheek as the quads, with the exception of Asher, share a meaningful look. Ashton, who is finally back to being cool with Ashley, munches his food quietly after shooting Ashley a smile.

Liam’s voice come rushing back to me. They don’t love me. They’re only competing to be the first one to get into my pants. I allow the thought to play in a loop so I don’t feel bad about all the ways I am prepared to expose this family, even if it’ll hurt Ashton too. I dip my eyes coyly and continue with my meal.

After a few hours of work at the office, I head to the restroom, ensure that all the stalls are empty before turning on the faucet and calling Maddie.

"You’ve been a hard woman to reach, Madeline."

"What do you want?"

Her curtness is nothing new to me. "Going straight to the point, are we? Works for me since I have a job to get back to. I want us to meet. I want to watch you delete all the recordings and evidence you have of our conversation, meetings, the whole thing."

"And why would I do that?

"Excuse me?"

"You promised you’d help me get my sister out of her horrible situation. You haven’t done that yet. Liv is still trapped in there and until we get her out, the evidence remains!"

I stare at my fuming reflection in the mirror, unable to decide if I want to pull my hair out of my scalp or punch my fist into the glass mirror.

"What do you mean? I helped you the best way I could. I leaked what you said to Billion-Err. Your sister was the one who made a whole ass video with a full face of makeup and denied ever meeting Ashal, much less dating him. How is that my fault? She ruined everything. It was your job to ensure she wanted to be saved and followed through with our plan but you failed. You owe it to me to delete that evidence." I wish I was close to her so I can strangle her neck and release her just before death’s icy hands can take her.

"Don’t tell me you believe Liv’s video. I am certain your family forced her to do that. I saw her eyes; they were afraid. I can’t leave her there, Demi. I have to find a way for Ashal to divorce my sister or to burst her out of there so more people can rally around to hear her story, support her and prevent the Rollins family from harming her."

"Maddie..."

"This isn’t over, Demi. Please, I still need you. Can’t you see how powerful and manipulative your family is? How do you even sleep at night, in the same house as those people? Every day, they do something wickedly evil and sweep it under the rug. How long before they hurt you too?"

I rub a hand over my forehead. "Maddie..." The line cuts off. "Maddie? Madeline?"

I stare at my phone. Did this bitch just hang up on me? I turn off the faucet and suck in a breath through my teeth while pacing the bathroom. I still feel like punching my fist through the glass but I take calming breaths instead. I’ll find a way to delete the evidence myself and stay away from the Dunn sisters. They’re too fickle. Cree should be a better ally.

My head spins when I head for the door. I hold the wash basin and give myself time to feel steadier.

"Are you okay?"

My eyes flutter open at the sound of someone’s voice.

"Yeah. Yeah, thanks."

I recognize the older lady as Amanda Regan, the same woman who must have been friends with my late mom and had recognized me at a meeting of team leads months back.

I spritz some cold water from the faucet on my face and pat it dry with my handkerchief. Amanda washes her hands next to me, watching me through the mirror. Feeling better, I start for the door.

"Why’d you lie?"

"What?" I ask, turning.

She shakes water off her hands and pins me with a look of disappointment.

"Did you think Camille never showed us a picture of her teen daughter? She could never go a day without bringing you up. Always missed you at work and worried that her job was affecting her relationship with you. So, why did you lie about your relationship with your mother, Demi Branson???"

I gasp in shock as my heart thunders in my chest.

***

"Where have you been?" Asher snaps at me when I return to my office. I tuck my hands behind my back to hide the tremor in them.

"Bathroom break."

"That’s a lot of bathroom breaks for one morning. Did you swallow an ocean?" His humor is lost on me. Quietly, I slide into my seat and exhale with relief when my wrist watch shows it’s barely ten minutes to my lunch break.

"Forget about going to lunch. You’ll stay back and catch up on all the work you’ve been slacking off this morning."

"I’m afraid that will have to wait till after lunch."

Asher and I look up as Josh makes his usual unexpected entrance. He looks dapper in his hippy jeans and jacket. Leave it to Josh to break the dress code every now and then. Asher’s frown deepens as he sets his eyes on his least favorite colleague.

"And why is that?"

"Because she has a lunch date with the chairman and I to get to." I concur with a nod and a smile when Asher turns to me with widened eyes. "The chairman is delighted to have you join us, Demi. We could use a woman’s company as a buffer for all the soccer and work talks."

I relish the constipated look on Asher’s face while I clear up my desk.

"Since when did you start going to lunch with father?" He asks, hunched over my desk after Josh leaves.

"I don’t get what the big deal is. I eat with father at home every day. Josh invited me to join them at soul foods and I said yes. Was I supposed to decline?"

It comes as no shock to me when Asher insists on coming along. We all make it to soul foods and place our orders. Father is anything but thrilled by my presence. I know he wishes he only had his sons with him.

"So, Demi, how has the internship been so far?" Josh breaks the ice.

"Good. Informative. Refining."

"I am glad to hear that." Josh replies, ignoring Asher’s snort at my response. "Keep up the good performance streak and you’ll soon be on your way to joining a department of your choice."

Asher sips water from the glass in front of him. "One would think she works under you." He scoffs. "I am the judge of her performance and I can tell you for free that she still has a lot of work to put in if she ever wants to bump up her position from intern to staff."

Josh shakes his head. "She has paid her dues and you know it. Can you not even pretend to like your own sister-in-law for one minute? What is it about her very existence that you find so triggering."

Father shifts uncomfortably as both brothers exchange heated glares.

"I’m glad you noted that she’s part of my family so why don’t you do me a favor and keep my family matter out of your fucking mouth, Mr. Randall?"

"ASHER!" Father chides him. He doesn’t back down but turns his fiery eyes in his father’s direction, as though throwing a challenge to his father to try and defend his bastard son in my presence. My insides churn with excitement at the drama unfolding but my face contorts with worry and guilt for being the subject of the fight, as expected of me.

"That’s enough. Don’t disrespect each other." Father chimes vaguely. Josh reaches across the table to squeeze my hand and mouths that I shouldn’t mind Asher.

Our meals arrive. Asher clearly isn’t interested in the food. He only came over to watch me and make sure I don’t figure out the truth. He keeps poking at his food and staring daggers at everyone else on the table.

I notice him because I am barely eating myself. I can’t seem to find my appetite with all the burning looks father and Asher throw my way even though the food looks yummy. When Josh excuses himself to go use the restroom, Asher drops his cutleries with a clatter and gives his father a burning look.

I am guessing he wants to know why his father let me join his lunch date with Josh. Father wipes his mouth with a napkin and locks eyes with me. I almost choke on my carrot, the only thing I can stomach since every other thing tastes funny.

"You’ve caused enough trouble between my boys at home." Father starts, referring to the recently settled beef between Ashley and Ashton. "Now, Asher and Josh can’t even stand each other because of your presence. If you had any shame left, you’d leave from here, Demi. And don’t ever accept josh’s invitation to have lunch with me again. Have I made myself clear?"

I didn’t expect them to act any differently. I already got what I came for; the chance to see them shake in their boots over my presence and how close I could be to learning the truth about Josh. If only they knew. I try to stall to give Josh time to return.

"I’m sorry father. When he asked, I thought it would be weird to turn him down. That’s the only reason I accepted." frёeωebɳovel.com

"Be on your way, Demi. All that work on your desk won’t take care of itself." Asher snaps.

Slowly, I polish off my lips with my napkin and grab my purse. When I rise from my seat, my vision wavers a bit and I lose my balance unintentionally. Hands break my fall and catch me midway. I stare up at Josh’s face.

"Are you okay? Where are going?" He helps me up and keeps a protective hand on the small of my back while I blink my eyes to clear them.

"I’m fine, thank you."

Father and Asher grit their teeth at me. I wish, like they must be thinking, that I am faking my dizziness.

"Thank you for inviting me to lunch. I have to rush back to work ahead of you all. I have tons to get done today."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am." I hug him. "Thank you." Then nod briefly at father before leaving. On my way back to work, I call Liam to tell him about Josh Randall but I instruct him not to let the secret out of the bag just yet.

"Josh is just starting to like me. If we blow the lid off his paternity, we won’t do much damage. Brett could easily deny him. We need hard evidence that proves Brett is Josh’s father; birth certificate, DNA report, admissions from Brett and Mrs. Randall, pictures of Brett at Josh’s age and so on. The evidence has to be irrefutable."

"I like the way you’re thinking, Demi. I’ve missed this version of you."

"Thank you. I’m sorry it took so long to find my way back to my purpose; ending the cycle of evil wrought by the Rollins family."

Liam pauses briefly. "And Ashton? I hope he’s no longer a weakness strong enough to stomp out this fire in you."

My breath shudders. "I still like him but not enough to put off avenging my parents."

I recall Mrs. Amber Regan in the bathroom and the fresh onslaught of pain over the death of my parents that stemmed from the conversation Mrs. Amber and I had had.

"Why’d you lie, Demi? Did you really hate your mom that much?"

"NO!" I countered her speedily, stumbling forward. "I loved my mom. I could never hate her." Tears clouded my eyes despite my best effort to keep them in. "I missed her terribly because her job kept her away from me. We barely saw much of each other and as a teenager, I misconstrued the situation and doubted her love for me. It took getting older to understand that she didn’t have a choice and did it to give me a better life."

Mrs. Amber exhaled. "You clearly love her. Then why did you...."

"Her death..." I paused to check what I was about to share and if I could trust Mrs. Amber. "I kept thinking that my parents didn’t die a natural death."

Mrs. Amber didn’t seem alarmed by my insinuation but she stayed on the course as a concerned friend of my mom’s who didn’t want me to keep suffering thinking that my parents were murdered. She drew close to me.

"It was an accident, Demi. Don’t go down that route. You’ll only hurt more."

I shake my head. "You’re right. I’m probably still feeling guilty because we didn’t get to mend our relationship before she passed. I’m sorry I lied earlier. The mention of my mom’s name always causes a fresh stab of pain so I don’t like to hear it. I am not fishing for pity around here either so I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention this to anyone else."

"I understand dear. Feel free to come to me whenever you want to talk or learn more about your mom as a corporate employee. I have a lot of stories about her life here at the HQ which she probably didn’t get to share with you."

"Really? I’d love that." "I hugged her. "Thank you, Mrs. Regan."

"You’re welcome."

"Demi? You still there?" Liam repeats over the phone.

"Yeah. I’m here. Sorry, I zoned out." I am not ready to tell him about Amber yet until I get as much information as I can.

"Okay. Let me know what else you find out. I’ll work on getting to Cree before your in-laws make her disappear off the face of the earth."

I slug through work, tuning off Asher’s complaints. After work, I head straight for Anna’s.

She waits by her door and wraps me up in a warm embrace when I reach her.

"Poor thing, you look so pale."

I tell her about meeting my mom’s friend in the bathroom at work, going to lunch with father and Asher, how Asher tormented me the entire day.

"Nothing unusual. However, I do think I might be coming down with a fever soon. I’ve been exerting myself these past couple of days and now my body can’t take it anymore. I almost fainted at the restaurant, in front of father and Asher. Josh, bless his heart, was just in time to catch me." I run my hands over my face and expel a deep breath. "I still feel woozy every time I stand on my two feet. I need to get some medication."

Anna shifts uncomfortably. "And this started today?"

"Not really." One look at her and my eyes flash with denial. "NO. Hell no. It’s not what you’re thinking..." I trail off as I suddenly recall my period is running late this month. Heat flares inside me. "No. I am not pregnant. I am just stressed."

"Demi..."

"I’M NOT. DON’T EVEN THINK IT." But my mind is on fire right now. I can’t be. Ashley said I’d be fine. He promised that he pulled out. No. I can’t be. Anna’s hands wrap around my trembling body.

"Calm down. It’s ok. We don’t know for sure. I’ll just suggest you take a pregnancy test just to rule out the possibility, okay? Just so we know."

My eyes go misty. A pregnancy test? I am not mentally prepared to go through that.

"Anna, I..."

"I’ll be here with you. Don’t worry. You are not alone."

Ten minutes later after I pee on a pregnancy strip in Anna’s bathroom, I bury my face in her shoulder and sob softly.

"This wasn’t the plan. I messed up big time."

Anna rubs my back. "It’s going to be fine, Demi."

But I doubt she believes it too. My contract with Ashley is supposed to be for one year. I was supposed to get my revenge and walk away from the Rollins family. Procreating more of them was never the plan.

What would Liam think? Ashley will never let me go if he finds out. His family will make me their prisoner forever because of the child in my womb. I am so scared right now.

"You can’t tell anyone, Anna, not yet. I need to think."

"I got you."

I get home, worn to a frazzle and looking sad, just after nine pm. Father steps out of his study, swirling a drink in the glass in his hand. I glance up, too tired to entertain whatever he has in store for me.

"You’re late."

"Sorry, father. I stopped by a friend’s. She was having a rough day." I mean that for myself though. Is this still about lunch? I wonder as I study father’s face while he watches me. "I’m sorry about lunch. I didn’t mean to be an inconvenience."

"You have lots more to be sorry for, Demi Branson." He corrects dryly. "However, we will revisit the subject of you toying with the affections of my two sons and causing a rift between them at a later date. That’s not why I called your attention."

I feel a retch crawling up my gut as I wait out his suspenseful beat. My vision swims momentarily.

"You just missed a major family announcement." He blurts cockily. "Ashton and Mila are getting engaged!"

Before I can stop myself, my body jerks and I throw up my gooey lunch on father’s face and clothes!