Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 40

ASHER

Rage shimmers in my brother’s eyes as he gnashes his teeth. I think I just snapped the control he’s been latching onto after his conversation with father.

"Say what now?"

He charges towards me, his eyes like flaming torches. By his side, his fingers are already tight fists ready to deliver fatal blows. Despite the urge to back away from him, I ignore common sense and maintain my ground.

"I saw her go into your room last night and she never came out, not even after Ashley went in to see you. I am assuming he didn’t find her in there because she probably didn’t want to be seen."

"Watch your mouth, Ash."

But I continue nonetheless. "I know why you hid her. Ashley would have imagined the worst. Anyone who saw her come out of your room this morning would have assumed the worst."

"Like you?"

I chuckle softly and stand up straight. "No, not like me. I happen to know you, Ashton. I know how principled you are. You don’t have a habit of touching what isn’t yours even if you won’t get caught. Now, I definitely don’t trust Demi for shit but I trust my brother to not intentionally hurt another brother just to satisfy himself. That’s how I know nothing happened between you two last night. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about anyone else misconstruing the situation either."

Ashton’s deadly stare softens. "You tampered with the cameras."

I shrug lazily. "I refuse to speak without my lawyers present." Ashton’s smile evokes one on my face. I ruffle his hair and squeeze his cheek.

"I love you, man. I love ALL the three weirdos that arrived this earth with me even though I think planet earth would have been fine with just me. I know we all live by different principles and have our unique ways of handling things but that doesn’t make me the devil simply because my methods jar with yours. If I was truly out to ruin the lives of my brothers, I would have taken the little scene this morning to father and Ashley in no particular order, knowing how damaging that will be to you. I chose to trust you."

I grab his cheek with a hand. "I wish you’ll extend me the same courtesy whenever you hear something distasteful about me or see me doing same. Wait to uncover my motive for the act before you judge me because believe it or not, the most consistent truth behind my actions is to protect my family."

Ashton pulls me in for a tight hug.

"You broke me with the things you said in the game room, Ash. I’m so hurt I’m actually admitting that to you."

"I’m so sorry, Asher. I’m sorry."

I pull back and grab his face in my hand.

"The story is far from what you think but I’ll leave it up to Ashal to clear that misunderstanding. The short version is that I haven’t been having any affair with my brother’s wife, nor was I responsible for her pregnancy. Hit Ashal up for the long version."

Asher presses his fingers to his eyes. "Damn, I feel so bad right now."

"Good. You should." I shove him away. "Off you go." With a smile, he unlocks his door. "Oh, by the way Ashton, running the HQ after father retires remains the pinnacle of my career. You dare set your sights on my birthright and I’ll show you how good the devil can look in an Armani suit."

Ashton laughs as he enters his room. I don’t mind looking desperate before my brother. I really had to clear that misconception fast. Though I am certain we will still run into difficult situations where he questions my loyalty again, I can only hope that he recalls this conversation before judging me.

Am I capable of seeing Olivia behind Ashal’s back? Very. Did I refuse to take advantage of her affection for me because I was afraid of getting caught by Ashal? Hell no! Did I entertain the idea of going over for a quickie? Fuck Yeah. I am no saint and when it comes to the little guy between my legs, I rarely let my head do the thinking. However, I don’t do anything if it’s not for the underlying reason of protecting the ones I love or advancing our collective interest.

If I happen to be cool with asking father how high whenever he asks me to jump, I am doing all that shit for my brothers. One day, they’ll understand and that day, they’ll forgive me. I only hope I get to hear them admit I am good in my own way before they have to do it standing over my gravestone.

Ashal believes it now. That day when Olivia had stumbled outside amidst our conversation, I surmised the entire situation unfolding in front of me.

"Asher?"

Olivia looked partially relieved and partially distressed at the same time. Mother came out not long after and I wondered if she knew what Ashal had been up to.

Olivia tried to come to us or me rather but the security personnel blocked her path.

"Tell me it’s not what I think it is." I whispered to Ashal who was looking devastated at his wife’s shameless behavior.

"It is exactly what you think it is. I couldn’t connect with my wife in any other way unless I pretended to be you." Ashal’s red eyes turned from Olivia to me. "I was just in the middle of proposing to my wife when you arrived. She might have agreed if you didn’t show up and ruin it all."

"I think you ruined your chances all by yourself when you tried to win her love as me. Don’t blame me for this. She would never have been eager to run to me in the past with the zero attention I have given her all this while. Whatever this reaction is has nothing to do with me and everything to do with whatever you’ve been doing using my name. TECHNICALLY, SHE’S RUNNING TO YOU, NOT ME. You have to make her see that."

I slammed my door shut. "Do you want me to go break up with her or what?"

Ashal shakes his head. "No, I am not ready to admit the truth to her. Just leave. I’ll handle this."

"Suit yourself."

I got into my car and while I backed away, I could see Olivia’s face go pale.

I don’t know how Ashal handled it. I don’t want to ask. It’s a sore topic for him since he had to impersonate me to get a woman’s love. I get why he would be embarrassed to open up to me.

On my part, it can be a heady feeling to know you wield so much power over a woman. I don’t know what I would have done if I had come by this information earlier. I just know right now that several scenarios keep playing in a loop in my head of all the ways I could have had fun with this.

I don’t know what Ashton is made of and how he is able to carry himself with such grace knowing Demi likes him more than her own husband. Even more incredulous is his will power and self-control given that he feels something for her too. I don’t get how he could literally have let her walk out of his room untouched. I know I wouldn’t have been that strong. She wouldn’t have been able to walk properly for days if I had been in Ashton’s shoes.

"Darn it, you need Jesus, Asher." I breathe, shaking my head before walking away.

For the next few days, Iman continues to blow up my phone. I guess the fool is broke again. He sends me some stupid texts, making vile accusations and threatening to expose our dealings to the media. He’s a fool if he thinks he can get my attention by making empty threats. Who would believe him if he retracts his story about Demi? What would he do if he doesn’t have Demi to defame? I know he’s bluffing. I ignore him.

Nessa walks up to me just as I pop a pill for my headache. I shove the drug into my drawer and lock it. If she notices how edgy I am being, she doesn’t say a word. That’s why I like her.

"Is that it?" I ask after flipping through the document she just handed me.

"Yes sir."

I append my signature and return it to her. Rather than leave, she hesitates.

"What is it, Nessa?"

Biting her lip, she turns coyly to me. "I waited. You never showed up." Then more quietly. "You haven’t apologized."

I think I recall the night in question. Smiling, I pull her close.

"Do you want an apology or a redo?"

"Can I have both?" She accepts my lips as I kiss her passionately.

"You’re naughty, you know that?"

"Same time?"

"Same time." I affirm.

Smiling, she sashays away. I don’t care that we were in full view of the camera. Tom from the technical department works for me now and he knows exactly what to do.

The annual general meeting kicks off a few hours later. My brothers all send proxies to no surprise of mine. Mother attends in person. I have Demi sit at a corner and take notes.

The financial report of the company is presented both on screen and in print. Nessa and some other secretaries from the HQ move around the huge auditorium, handing out paper copies of all the items to be discussed in the agenda.

A frown creases my brow when I see Josh take the podium to chair the discussion about the issuance of new shares. Father actively avoids my gaze because he never mentioned Josh would be herding any part of this. When I clench my fist, mother’s hand gently rubs mine.

"Is there a problem, son?"

"No. It’s nothing." I can’t let her suspect a thing so I put up a fake smile as Josh gets a clapping ovation.

"Asher, do you mind taking questions on these?"

I look up at father who is pointing to the next item on the agenda.

"Of course not." I reply, jerking to my feet and tugging my suit in place. I get applauded as I mount the stage. Mine is a popular face around here after all. I swiftly handle questions arising from bonus payment plans, new investment plans and stock market trends. Everyone is visibly pleased with the responses I give. When I stare at father in the front row, he has a proud smile on his face. Josh’s face is set in hard line and that makes me smirk.

After the end of the meeting, everyone stands in twos, threes and more making acquaintances and rekindling old connections. Father reintroduces me to some of his business associates from outside Danvarr that I haven’t been privileged to meet in person. Josh stands close and frowns a bit when father switches from ’Meet my son, Asher’ to "This is Mr. Josh...".

Before I can relish the sting Josh must be enduring, my eyes almost pop out of their sockets when I see a woman walk up to my mom and exchange pleasantries.

"Mrs. Rollins, a pleasure to meet you." The woman shoots out a ring studded hand to mother. Mother shakes it uneasily.

"Hello. Have we met?"

"I don’t think so. I am Kristy Randall. My son is the young man who gave an excellent presentation about the issuance of new shares. Oh, there he is."

Josh’s mom waves over at us and her son reciprocates with a big smile. Father’s throat clogs. I rein in my anger and pretend everything is cool. I whisper in father’s ears and smartly whisk him away to join another conversation. Then I return for mother who is clearly uncomfortable with the stranger blabbing to her. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Are you hungry, mom? I’m starving. Let’s go eat." I grab her hand while Mrs. Randall looks on, annoyed at my rudeness. Her son joins her as I steer mom away from them. I text father to meet us downstairs in the car so we can all go to lunch. Mother and I sit for a few minutes while father takes his precious time.

"Why is he taking so long?" Mom asks. "He keeps busying my calls too."

"It’s the AGM mom. Businessmen strike conversations that go on forever because they might not be able to discuss it in person with their associates for another year." But I am worried. Is father entertaining his other family? My suspicions are proven when father strides towards my car with Josh in tow.

"Do you mind, honey? Josh here will love to join us for lunch. I already said it was fine."

"Oh, that’s okay. Glad you could join us, Josh."

Josh beams at mother. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Rollins. I was planning on having lunch at the same place anyway so I thought why not?"

I can’t believe father right now. Josh gets in the front seat next to me while my parents occupy the back seat.

"Hello again, Asher. Great job back there."

I ignore him and turn on the ignition.

"Josh, I think I met your mom back there. Isn’t she coming for lunch? I hope she wouldn’t mind you abandoning her to have lunch with your boss and his family."

Father clears his throat behind.

"No, Mrs. Rollins. She actually has plans of her own and doesn’t mind me having lunch with you guys."

I give father one harsh look through the mirror before driving away.

After a few indecisions about what restaurant to settle for later, we end up at Anna’s restaurant to keep from driving all around. Mom is pleased to see Anna but father and Josh mirror each other’s indifference. We order our food and eat.

Save for Josh constantly pulling father into conversations only the two of them can hold and acting like the rest of us aren’t on the table, the only other thing that I find awkward is how I can’t stop staring at Anna or seeking her among the uniformed waitresses milling around to make sure customers have no complaints.

She and I haven’t actually talked about what she witnessed the other day when I almost fainted in front of her. She had found my drugs in my pocket. She had helped me take them and waited with me in my car while my strength returned. The ten minutes it took was long enough for her to do a quick research on the drugs. Her face softened with pity when my eyes fluttered open.

I had thanked her for her help but before leaving, I warned her not to breathe a word about my illness to anyone. I stop by every now and then to remind her to keep her word. Right now, it’s no different. When our eyes meet, she quickly looks away.

Father calls it a day and orders Josh to go home too. I take him and mother home.

"Are you heading back to the office?" Father asks when I jump back into my car after dropping them off.

"Yeah, I need to tidy a few things and then I’ll be home."

"Drive safe." Mother echoes after pecking my cheek.

I don’t know what the hell I am thinking going back to Anna’s place. I haven’t spoken to her since I met her with Demi. I know she wouldn’t dare share my secret with her best friend but it can’t hurt to make double sure she never does. She has just clocked out when I pull up.

"Need a ride?"

Anna frowns. "I can find my way."

"Get in, Anna." My voice is more command than a plea. Grudgingly, Anna hops in next to me. She’s uncomfortable and I like it.

"How was work?"

She scoffs at my question. "We don’t need the small talk."

"C’mon, it’s not exactly a short ride to your place. I’m just trying to start a conversation to replace the awkwardness in the air."

"I already promised I wouldn’t say anything to anyone. Your business is your business. You don’t have to hound me. I know how to keep a secret."

"I’m sure you do. That must be why Demi keeps you close."

Anna’s frown deepens. "What do you mean by that?"

"I think you know." I flick a glance at her. "It must be a lot carrying the weight of your best friend’s secrets."

"Everyone has got secrets, even you. Why are you so keen on my best friend’s secrets, huh?"

"I don’t care about all her secrets; I just care about the ones that have the potential to hurt my family in the future. I know she confides in you. I know you’re privy to those secrets I am interested in. What you don’t know is that I am willing to pay you handsomely for them."

"I don’t want your money."

This makes me laugh. "Everyone wants my money." My face hardens again. "I admire your loyalty. I truly do but I hope Demi is the same towards you. I hope she doesn’t throw you under the boss to advance her own interest but most of all, I hope you’re not helping her keep any secret that could hurt my family because when it comes to light, I won’t spare her...or you."

Fear washes over Anna’s face as I hold her gaze in traffic.

"If you really have nothing interesting to share with me regarding Demi, I guess I only have to worry about you exposing the tumor I’ve got in my brain, right?"

"How can you say that with a smile? It’s a tumor and it’s serious, Asher Rollins. Living in denial won’t make it go away." The wave of emotion on her face catches me off guard for a second.

Anna sniffles. "My dad suffered the same. Like you, he was very flippant about it till the tumor went from benign to malignant. He only did it because we didn’t have the money for his surgery and he didn’t want us to feel bad that we couldn’t save him. He hid his symptoms and pretended to be fine for a long time." Her voice breaks. I think I get her hint. Her old man died.

The traffic light turns green and I hit the gas. We get to Anna’s place soon after.

"You can afford the best health care in the world Asher. Don’t take it for granted. Take care of your health as soon as you can. It will be a shame for your family to lose you when you could have been saved by less than a fraction of their net worth."

Ice glaciers coat over my arms as Anna gets down from my car. Why the fuck would she say something so spine-chilling and walk away just like that?

I jump down, slam my door and follow her.

"You can’t just say something like that and walk away." Anna halts as I catch up with her. "Don’t act like you care. I know you hate me."

"Maybe but that doesn’t mean I can’t call it like I see it. Why would you gladly court death when life is within your grasp?"

"It’s not just about the money."

"You’re wrong." A husky voice returns behind me. "It’s always about the money."

I watch Anna’s eyes widen in terror. "IMAN, NO!"

She shoves me away so fast I fall to the ground. When I look up, the club meant for my head has landed on Anna’s instead. She crashes to the ground with a thud. Blood gushes from her head, seeping into the cracks on the cobblestones. Iman abandons his weapon and takes to his heels. My heart thumps wildly as I crawl on all fours towards my savior.

"Anna" I manage to croak out. "NO. NO. SOMEBODY HELP!!!"