Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 95

DEMI

"Are you okay? What happened?" Anna asks after Ashton leaves. I lay my head down on her couch and press my eyes shut.

"I’ll be fine."

"But what happened, Demi? I called you countless times and even texted. You didn’t respond and here you are with a broken nose. Who did this to you?"

Because she won’t stop talking unless I answer her questions, I tell her everything.

"That bitch Kira. How much lower can she stoop? What exactly is her problem with you? I don’t mind her going for your leftovers. She can have that dickhead for all I care but deceiving you like that and leaving you alone with him? I am going to pay her and her evil mother a surprise visit at night and chuck eggs and tissue papers around their house."

I know she means it. I hope she does it. With a small smile, I pat her shoulder.

"Thank God Ashton got there on time. Who knows what else Iman had planned."

"Yeah. I guess."

So much happened today that I want to share with Anna. I hate that it ended with Iman and that’s all Anna can fixate on right now given how furious she is. I want to tell her all Amber told me and even what had happened with Maddie.

If I get talking, I’d probably be too distracted to recall the car ride with Ashton and how livid I felt towards him because of Amber’s tale. It was also awkward because ever since his engagement, we haven’t been able to have a proper conversation, especially with our family and his fiancée watching us like hawks but the awkwardness was nothing compared to annoyance I felt.

Would he tell me the truth of that night if I ever asked? Would he tell me if he knew Camille was my mom or would he protect his family first? Because I hate the answers I am guessing, I shake my head to clear it.

"I went to Ashal’s penthouse today, the one where Olivia stays."

Anna snaps out of her angry tirade. "Really? Did he take you? Was Olivia there?"

"No and yes. He took Maddie there and she pinned me the location. However, when I got there, he wouldn’t clear me for entrance but that’s not the shocking part. The shocking part is that Maddie called off the whole save-my-sister mission. Shortly after I arrived, I got a photo message from her and a call. She told me that she had been worried for nothing and that Olivia was doing fine with her boyfriend, Ashal."

"Boyfriend?" Anna repeats with incredulous eyes.

"She said they weren’t married and Olivia wanted to keep the relationship private because of Ashal’s status. That’s why they’ve been hiding it from the media. Then she went on to politely ask me to back off. I don’t know but I strongly feel like something happened in there to make Maddie start sounding like Olivia."

"Of course something smells fishy. This is the same Maddie who was prepared to blackmail you just to get your help in freeing her sister from Ashal’s bondage. Now, she starts to beat his drums after one visit to his penthouse? Nah, I smell a rat."

"She has been ignoring my call ever since. I guess she’ll talk to me when she’s ready but for now, I have bigger worries on my mind."

"Iman?"

"Hell no, he’ll get what’s coming for him." I shake my head. "The quads unmasked Shay. It’s not Cree; it’s Nicola, Ashley’s side chick." I allow Anna to pick her jaws off the floor before continuing. "I couldn’t believe it myself when Ashton told me but it makes a lot of sense. I don’t know how we all missed it."

"That’s unbelievable."

"This puts a huge dent in my plans. Shay was supposed to join us and help take down my parents’ murderers. She was supposed to be another vengeful addition to the team not some ex-girlfriend feeling jilted. Nicola holds no serious grudge against Ashley. She only went so far to get his attention. She’s useless to me."

Anger swells inside me as I recall everything Amber had said. I have to tell Liam everything. I feel so hurt and betrayed. My parents were murdered!

At first, it had been a speculative guess given the holes in the story aired on TV regarding the elevator incident but it hits different now, having Amber’s raw account and knowing for a fact that the Rollins aren’t innocent in all of this. Tears blur my eyes the more I think about it. How can I go on pretending around members of the Rollins family?

I feel Anna’s hand wrap around me.

"Shhh, it’ll be okay."

"I have nothing. Maddie bailed and now Shay aka Nicola can’t help us. It feels like Liam and I are on a hamster wheel; we keep thinking we’re running so fast but, in the end, we are still in the same spot. I don’t have so much time left with Ashley, Anna. I need something or someone to take these people down! I need help!"

"Hey, did something else happen? Tell me!"

I tell her Amber’s tale and she is just as shocked as I was to hear it.

"Have you told Liam?"

"Not yet. I just need a moment to take it all in." I inhale deeply. "I don’t want to tell him over the phone; I need to see him."

I end up calling Liam over to Anna’s place later in the day. He remains quiet as I narrate my entire day to him. If he was surprised to learn about Amber and the spine-chilling details of my mother’s last night alive, his only reaction is an arched brow. When I tell him about Nicola being Shay however, his lips tighten.

"What do we do? We’ve got nothing and I am almost halfway through my marriage contract. Ashal is now onto me too, like Asher. I can’t get to Ashton anymore. Whatever we had has been severed with his engagement to your sister." It takes a lot of willpower to not roll my eyes. "Seriously, Mila is messing up our plans. Can you really not get her to take a chill pill?"

Liam and Anna stare at me for some reason.

"And why exactly would I contact her and ask her to back away from the man she loves whose family our father approves of? If I had such an influence within my family, I wouldn’t need you." He runs a hand over his face and blows a frustrated breath. Now, I know he is angry. "Maybe now’s the time to run the story about Josh Randall."

"NO!" I shriek.

"Why not? Why exactly are you holding back?"

"You do it now and they’ll be able to deny it. I already told you, we need hard evidence, Liam. Don’t be impatient and throw away the only gem we have right now."

"Then get on with the evidence because I am losing my patience."

"What about Tobias Woodley’s other children? Won’t they be willing to talk given the injustice done to their father and brother?" Anna asks. "I think you guys should at least ask for an interview. You just might be shocked at what they know and how willing they might be to help you."

"Brett must be keeping an eye on them and even if he isn’t, I think they would have done something by now after all these years if they meant to. That just tells me they’re too afraid to and prefer to move on with their lives."

"I’ll still look into it." Liam counters me. "They might not have the courage to fight the Rollins by going public. I’ll see if I can contact them and ask to interview them anonymously."

"Brett would know if certain details are leaked to Billion-Err. He’ll trace it back to them and hunt them. Look, Shay fooled the quads for a while and the first place they looked was the Woodley family. Now that Nicola has been unmasked, pushing forward with this story will turn the magnifying glass back on the family. No one else in that family deserves to get hurt."

"Then what do you suggest, Demi? We are running out of time here. We have to come up with a solid plan before your time at that mansion expires, unless you plan on making Ashley fall harder for you or having his baby to elongate your stay in that household."

He doesn’t mean it but I am too shocked to react any different. Liam, being as perceptive as he is, nearly clues in.

"Are you thinking about those options?"

"No! Of course not." I shake my head. "There will be no need for that. If we feel like we have more time, we’ll start slacking off. We need the pressure of racing against time to execute this fast." I expel a long breath. "I might be able to get Josh’s hair sample for the DNA test but Brett...I don’t think he’ll let me anywhere near him right now." I recall spraying red wine on father and throwing up on him. He is avoiding me like a plague right now.

"If you can’t get DNA samples for Brett and Josh, how about DNA samples from the quads to prove that Josh is their sibling? Can’t that be done?"

"I think so." I concur with Liam’s idea. "One more thing, Josh’s mom might be willing to help if she is convinced a couple of strangers are willing to help prove that her son was fathered by none other than Brett Rollins himself. I’ve heard quite a bit about her and if she’s anything like her son, she’ll bite the bait. I’ll see if I can get Josh to convey the message to her."

"I like the way you’re thinking. However, mere thoughts won’t get us anywhere so let’s try to get our hands on some hard evidence before our next meeting, okay?"

"Okay."

I don’t celebrate over our new ideas after Liam leaves. Instead, my wheels start spinning and I try to come up with more ideas on how to uncover more secrets of the Rollins family. I have never been more determined and I have Amber to thank for rekindling the fire on my tail.

While Anna and I spend some more time in her apartment, I ignore the fact that her whole body smells of Asher’s perfume, more pungent than would be expected if they had only hugged briefly as she claimed.

***

"I fell and broke my nose." I tell everyone who asks about my sore nose. Nessa hustles to my desk every thirty minutes to an hour with a look of pity on her face as she drops off more work on my desk. It’s all Asher’s doing. Since my internship is wrapping up, he’s been finding creative ways to break my fingers and bones. I put up a brave face and do the best I can so he doesn’t get the satisfaction of seeing me break down.

"I’d help but Asher requires my assistance."

"It’s okay, Nessa. Maybe you can make it up to me over lunch?"

"Sure. I can spare some time." With a spring in her step, she shuffles back into Asher’s office. Though she doesn’t know it, Nessa has a distinct glow on her face when she’s excited about something. I can’t quite fathom what it is. Surely, she can’t be that excited about work.

"Need some help?"

I look up to find Josh by my door. Surprisingly, my smile is sunny and genuine towards him.

"If it won’t get me in trouble then yes, I’d love as much help as I can." He strolls in and goes through the files on my desk. To my shock, he hefts them on his arms. I shoot up to my feet. "Josh, I can’t possibly let you take everything off my hands. You have your own tasks to see to..."

"It’s ok. I’m not doing them myself. I have a new intern of my own that has too many free time on her hands and is desperate for work. My secretary won’t mind helping too. You carry on and check back in an hour. They will have everything ready."

I pout my lips. "You’re like the brother I never had. I wish I could swap you with my arrogant brother-in-law Asher." The reply is intentional.

"You don’t have to, Demi. We are family. Don’t ever forget that."

"My mother-in-law would love you. She loves anyone who looks out for me and makes my life easier."

Take the bait, Josh. I think in my head as I flash him my pearly whites. I don’t want to be direct and invite him over to the mansion but if he’s smart, he’ll jump at the opportunity. "I’ll mention your kindness towards me to her. I’ll tell father too but he’s already super impressed by you to be surprised."

"Thank you, Demi. Mrs. Rollins is an amazing woman."

"You’ve met her?"

"Yeah, once. We had lunch together with father and Asher."

"Really?" I pretend not to recall. "I hope we can have that again someday as one big family."

Then the twinkle slides into Josh’ eyes. "Why someday? I’d love to visit the mansion for lunch or dinner over the weekend whenever I’m invited. Everything pales in significance to an opportunity to spend quality time with the people I consider family. Would you ask your mother if she’ll love to have me over? I’d ask father but his wife’s word is more powerful than his." He chuckles at that.

"I’ll ask her and let you know." Beaming, he nods at me before leaving.

My eyes stray to Asher’s door. Did he hear any of that conversation? I guess not because he would have popped out like he always does whenever Josh is around. I have to find a way to bring Josh to the mansion to stir some drama without being blamed by Asher.

If I go through mother, Asher will suspect I know about Josh and intentionally led him to the mansion but if I manage to sell the idea to father and make him take the decision, no one will fault me. Father would never give me credit for something he considers his idea.

Just to be certain that Asher doesn’t suspect me, I replace the files Josh just carried away from my desk with old ones I have finished with and go over to Asher’s office. After two knocks and no response, I walk in. To my surprise, there’s no one inside. That can’t be right. Asher had been in here and I watched Nessa go in too. Instantly, my eyes stray towards the bathroom door. It can’t be!

Quietly, I walk to the door and press my ears. Like I suspected, there are muffled sounds of intense moaning seeping through. How could Nessa do this after everything she went through with her pregnancy for Asher?

Beyond my disappointment in her and my disgust for Asher, I turn to the office space and recognize a golden opportunity. The cameras are on but if I am able to get to his drawer and naturally pretend to search for something, no one would suspect me as his intern and sister-in-law. With what I can hear through the door, Asher is still very engrossed in the act. I have a minute or two before they find me here.

I walk up to his desk and rifle through a couple of files. Then I circle to his drawer and pull. It’s surprisingly unlocked. I yank it open and find an almost empty case of his special medicine. Quickly, I unscrew the cap, pop a pill in my hand and screw the cap back on.

Suddenly, I hear movements in the bathroom like the couple are finished with their business. Outside the office, father’s voice echoes with annoyance as he finds my office and Nessa’s empty. Josh moves to defend me, citing a possible bathroom break. Asher’s bathroom door cracks open just as father turns the knob on his main door. Standing by the drawer, my blood goes cold.

***

It takes me a few seconds to skip across the posh carpet to swing open the door and come face to face with father. I move aside to let him through while Asher and Nessa step our hurriedly wearing their rehearsed calm faces and welcome father into the office.

From the timing, it’s safe to think that they assume I just came in to help usher father and Josh in. There’s nothing more than suppressed dread on their faces at the sudden influx of people seconds after they finished their business.

"Welcome, father." Asher utters. Nessa stands spine straight with a clipboard in her hand where she normally reels off Asher’s itinerary. I can’t believe she took that to the bathroom.

Save for me who just overheard her shuddering as an orgasm ripped through her, there’s nothing suspicious about her right now. Even her makeup and hair are still in place. Her lipstick isn’t smudged so they must not have kissed.

I give a low bow before leaving. Shortly after, Nessa comes out too. I avoid her eyes because I know she’d want to study my reaction to decipher whether I suspect a thing.

"Hey, how’s it going over here?" She asks with a cheery smile. Before I can stop her, she picks up some of the files and flips through them.

"Don’t tell on me but I got some help."

"Oh. My lips are sealed."

"Thank you." I can smell Asher’s perfume on her and it makes me recall Anna. I’ve got to talk to her. Whatever she’s got with Asher has to end.

"Are we still on for lunch?" I ask Nessa.

"Oh crap, I don’t think I can do lunch today. Asher just threw more work my way. I’m so sorry, love. I promise there’ll be no excuses next time." She clasps her hands and pouts at me.

"Fine. I’ll make alternate plans." I watch her return to her office before opening my palm and staring at the white pill on it.

When father comes out with Josh, I rush towards him. He shoots me an icy look to keep my distance but I edge closer anyway. Josh is by his side and there are many workers all around us. He wouldn’t hit me or say something demeaning in front of them. I can’t get a better chance than this.

"Don’t you have work to get done?"

"I do, sir, but I couldn’t in good conscience fail to mention this to you."

He halts his steps and turned to me. "Mention what to me?"

I stare adoringly at Josh who waits with bated breath. "I know none of this will come as a surprise to you but Mr. Randall here has been an exceptional leader and helper to me since I resumed work here. Though I am not his intern, that didn’t stop him from gently and patiently showing me the ropes where he could. Because of him, I have learnt quite a lot. Asher is a strict boss and that can come in handy but a friendly boss who treats you like family is every intern’s silent dream. He is a remarkable young man and I wanted you to hear that from me."

Father’s surprise at my profuse praise for Josh chips his hardened face.

"I see that he gets that from you, his impeccable work ethic, just like the rest of your sons. In fact, he’s almost like your son. Josh, your father must be very proud for raising such a hard working and kind human being like yourself. I apologize heavily for ruining your lunch the last time at soul foods. I look forward to having you over at the mansion someday for lunch or dinner. My mother-in-law would absolutely love to share a meal with a gem like you, especially after I tell her all the help you’ve rendered to me as a rookie intern."

"I’d love that, Demi. Family is very important to me and I’d appreciate any opportunity to share a meal as one big, happy family with the amazing Rollins." Josh adds, stealing glances at his father. From the corner of my eye, I see that a picture is being painted in father’s mind.

"What do you say, Mr. Chairman? Would you invite me to have lunch or dinner with your family?"

Father stares at Josh, lost for words.

"Why wouldn’t he? It won’t be the first time he’ll be eating with you, and the mansion is grander than soul foods. It’s a great idea." I leave that to steam in father’s mind and return to my office.

After sending a picture of the pill to Liam to confirm, I get home a bit early since Anna took the night shift to cover for a colleague at work. I rescheduled my visit to her place because I can’t discuss Asher with her over the phone. It has to be in person.

"Demi, come over here and say hi to my friend." Mother calls to me. I force a smile and go over to greet the woman regarding me with curious eyes. I recognize her from mom’s extravagant birthday party. The woman has such smooth skin that puts mine to shame. She looks incredibly good for her age, just like mother.

"This is my friend, Greta. She is the wife of the minister of finance here in Danvarr. Greta, you remember my daughter-in-law, right? Her name is Demi." Mother utters proudly.

Greta takes my hand and rakes me with her eyes. I want to feel offended over her uncomfortable stare but there’s nothing condescending about it.

"I remember Demi. Ever so pretty." She continues to stare and smile at me. "She’s glowing too."

"Glowing? She just got back from work and is tired." Mom counters with a smile.

"No, it’s in her eyes. It’s a pregnancy glow. I was a midwife during my thirties before my husband got his break in politics. I know it when I see it. Congrats Barbara. You’ll be a grandmother soon!"