Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 41

ASHER

It all happened in a flash. One moment, I was having a conversation with Anna and the next thing I knew, she was being hefted onto an ambulance headed for the hospital, leaving a pool of her blood on the cobblestones.

My head spun when they wheeled her on a gurney into the theatre. I had thought my blurry vision was due to stress and my tumor until I wiped my eyes and found my palms smeared with actual tears. That was over four hours ago.

What’s taking so long? Why hasn’t anyone told me anything? Is surgery supposed to take this long or is it a bad sign? My fingers are still ice cold as I wait patiently outside the operating theatre. Anna’s blood is smeared all over my clothes and hands. Hard as I try, I can’t stop reliving the last few seconds before she pushed me in my head.

Why didn’t I turn around the second I heard a strange voice? Maybe I could have blocked Iman’s attack. Even if I hadn’t succeeded, I would be the one in there now not Anna. What the hell was she thinking when she pushed me away to take the hit herself? She already lost her father. Does she have a death wish?

"Stupid girl." I mutter through gritted teeth. "Is this your idea of making me indebted to you? You could have just blackmailed me or begged me for money. Why the hell would you put your life on the line like that? I am the one with a short life expectancy and billionaire parents. I am the one that fool wanted to hurt. What were you trying to prove by getting in the way?"

I bury my hands in my hair and pull. I hate feeling like this. I don’t want anyone’s pity or favors. Anna shouldn’t have added to my trauma like this. How am I supposed to forget this night?

My phone continues to buzz in my pocket. To distract myself, I pick it up for the first time and realize it’s Nessa. She has called severally and sent a couple of nudes to my phone. I feel nothing but anger as I read her desperate text messages. Angrily, I shove my phone back in my pocket and cover my face with my hands.

Do I call the boys? Won’t father and mother get suspicious if they all left the house tonight? I have no freaking idea what to do.

I don’t even know if Anna is going to make it. How am I going to handle it if doctor Ezra informs me that Anna has passed? I don’t even know anything about her or her family besides the sob story she told me in the car regarding her late father.

I definitely can’t call Demi. She’ll freak out and because she knows I hate her and have been onto her, she might accuse me of intentionally trying to kill her friend and try to scratch my eyes out. It will be too dramatic and lord knows I can’t deal with anymore drama tonight.

"What do I do?" I wonder with my hands on my head. The doors to the operation theatre swing open and doctor Ezra steps out peeling gloves from his hand. A nurse behind him quickly accepts the gloves and retreats. I leap to my feet, scared to death at the bland expression on his face.

"H-How is she?"

"We did our best. The blow to the head caused quite some injury but nothing fatal. We’ll have to wait for her to wake up and see if there are any lingering consequences."

"She’ll be fine?"

"All things being equal, she should be."

I stagger back to my seat and clutch the arm rests.

"Are you okay, Asher? Let me take a look at you."

I shove his hand away as he tries to check my eyes. "I’m fine. I’m just...exhausted."

"You should go home and rest."

"She doesn’t have anyone...I mean, I don’t know any of her emergency contacts."

"I’ll have someone call to inform you of her recovery progress. We’ll look after her. You have nothing to be worried about. Once she comes to, you can come back and see her." Doctor Ezra’s eyes narrow with precision. "Is she someone close to you? A girlfriend maybe?"

"No. No. It’s nothing like that. It was an accident and I happened to see her get attacked."

"Have you informed the police?"

The police. Iman. No. I can’t involve the police. It will be a media blizzard. I can’t have my family be associated with a criminal like Iman moments after we just concluded the general meeting of the company. Our stock prices will dip. I have to handle this quietly. I don’t know why Iman would attack me but I intend to find out.

"I’ll take care of it, doctor. Right now, I am just more interested in ensuring that the victim is out of the woods." Doctor Ezra nods with understanding.

"Like I said, though the operation was successful, we can only tell that everything is alright when she comes around. That’s how tricky the brain is." He gives me a look. "You should get cleaned up. There’s blood all over your face and body. If you don’t want to go home just yet, try rinsing off in the bathroom."

"Doc?"

"You don’t have to ask. I know you don’t want me telling your family about this incident. Give me some credit, Asher. I know you slightly better now. However, ensure you do what you must and inform the police before they come asking questions that I have no choice but to answer."

"Thank you."

I watch him leave, thankful for his understanding. Just then, the doors to the theatre open and Anna is wheeled out, ready to be transferred to a hospital room. I already paid for VVIP treatment so I am certain she’ll be taken to the special ward with better room facilities and privacy. A nurse comes over to ask me to sign some papers as her guardian. After signing, she entrusts me with Anna’s things.

After washing off the dried blood on my face and hands, I message Ashton. I can’t have all my brothers over here just yet. I could easily have called any one of them but Ashton is top on my mind given our little bonding scene lately. I’m certain he won’t judge me and he just might help me with handling Demi when the latter finds out about her best friend eventually.

Ashton finds me in Anna’s room when he rushes in. He takes one look at Anna’s comatose state and grits his teeth. Then he edges close to me on the sofa.

"What happened? How?" The blood on my clothes takes him aback. "Ash, are you hurt?"

"It’s all her blood." I say to put his troubled mind at ease. He gives Anna another pained look.

"What happened? You only texted this address and room number."

Sighing, I loll my head back on the sofa. "I dropped off father and mother and needed to pick up something from work. On my way, I saw Anna. Earlier, our parents and I had lunch at the restaurant she works in. I felt I should give her a lift. When we got to her street, she thanked me. I was just biding her goodbye when Iman showed up out of the blue and tried to hit me with a club."

"Iman?" Ashton’s face switches from shock to surprise.

"Yes. I didn’t see him. I had my back to him as I was facing Anna. Anna screamed his name as he tried to hit me. Next thing I knew, she pushed me away from the line of attack, making herself the victim." My eyes dart to the sound of labored breathing coming from Anna on the bed. "I have no idea why she did that or why Iman tried to kill me."

Ashton remains silent with a faraway look in his eyes.

"I’M GOING TO FINISH HIM OFF FOR REAL THIS TIME."

"What?"

He clenches and unclenches his fist, staring between Anna and I. "It’s all my fault. I did something stupid while I was mad at father after my visit to the HQ."

I remember how furious he had looked that day. He barely even looked at me. "What did you do?"

"I went over to Iman’s place. I needed to hit something or...someone."

"Ashton!"

"It wasn’t just for Demi." He quickly clarifies. "That man has been nothing but trouble to our family. His house was just along the way and I wasn’t thinking straight."

A tired sigh escapes my lips as I pinch the bridge of my nose. So, that’s what all those texts from Iman was about. He thought I had sent my brother to deal with him? That fool. Why would he even think that? We have a working arrangement going. I still consider him useful in getting rid of Demi. Why would he attack the hand that feeds him?

On second thoughts, Iman’s fears are not entirely baseless. While dealing with him, I had casually insinuated that I would send Ashton to finish him off if he dared to mess up. That was because I knew he feared Ashton, the violent one. Of course, I never meant it. How was I supposed to know Iman would take me at my word or that Ashton would randomly show up to his door to fuck him up? Shit.

"I’m sorry, Asher. I almost caused you your life." Ashton stares pitifully at Anna. "I owe her a debt of gratitude too. None of you deserve this. It’s between me and that moron."

"No, you’ll stay out of this. I’ll handle Iman myself."

"Like heck I will."

"ASHTON. I WASN’T ASKING." The fire in my tired eyes wouldn’t dissuade my brother on a regular day but because he is already laden with guilt over the part he played in this, he grudgingly concedes. My head is still banging. "How’s father? Did he ask about me?"

"Yeah. Ashley covered for you."

My shoulders sag in relief. I can’t let father get a whiff of this.

"Have you informed Demi?"

My eyes slash up at Ashton. "No and it will remain that way until Anna wakes up and is strong enough to tell the story."

"Asher."

"Demi will only make a fuss. I am trying to keep this quiet, Ashton. If this gets out, our shareholders will complain. Our stock prices will plummet. We can’t trust the media to tell the truth as it is, especially that Billion-Err blog that’s out to make us socially bankrupt. I can’t involve Demi right now. Once Anna is out of the woods, we’ll tell Demi. That’s final." Ashton clearly has his own opinion but I cut him off with a hard stare, "Final, Ash. I need you to agree."

"Fine, I get it." He runs a hand through his hair and goes to check on Anna and the ECG. "What did the doctor say? When will she pull through?"

"Couple of hours tops." I leap to my feet. "I need to shower and have dinner. Can you watch her till I’m back?" Ashton’s face creases with worry. "I don’t know who else I can trust. The much I know about her family can’t even fit in a tea spoon so you’ll just have to help me."

"You’re not contacting her family for the same reason why you’re not calling Demi?"

"Bingo."

"Let’s just hope she pulls through in time." Something worrisome flickers in his eyes. "If she dies Ash..."

"DON’T." I growl. How could he even... I rub my aching temples and inhale sharply. I can’t think of death right now. It’ll mess me up in more ways than one. "Don’t say that. She will be fine. Doctor Ezra assured me."

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...I’ll watch her. Go get some rest."

"Thank you."

"Ash, here." Ashton shrugs off his jacket and passes it to me. "You don’t want anyone freaking out on seeing all that blood."

I didn’t think about it. I peel mine off and wear his black leather jacket, then zip it all the way up.

"I guess Ashley will be the only one that will have a seizure with this fashion mayhem." We both laugh over my suit and jacket combo. I thank Ash once more before leaving the hospital.

It’s already late and I am too tired to drive so I quickly call one of our drivers to come take me home. I don’t realize how exhausted I am until the driver nudges me awake after we get home. I don’t even recall dozing off on the way.

I take the elevator straight to the first floor and make a beeline for my room. My blood-stained shirt is already starting to itch uncomfortably so I start to pull down the zipper of the jacket as I edge close to my door. Small footsteps trailing behind me get my attention. I crane my neck to find Demi.

"Ashton?"

Oh, for heaven’s sake, not now!

"Ashton, I..."

"IT’S ASHER." I state flatly, turning to her with a cold gaze. "Not every brother who wears a black leather jacket is Ashton, missy." I can’t even feel bad at the shocked embarrassment on her face as she backtracks.

"I’m sorry. I thought..." Her eyes dip from my face to my chest and dilate in horror. Immediately, I zip up my jacket. "Was that blood? Are you hurt?"

"Do I look hurt to you? It was a stupid club fight. Red wine. Mind your business, okay?" I swerve towards my door. Then, I figured I might as well get it out of my chest.

"By the way, what is it you want from Ashton, Demi? Why are you constantly sneaking in and out of his room? Are you trying to get him in trouble?"

When her eyes flash in shock, I continue with more steam. "You’re married to Ashley. If you’re desperate for some action, go to him. Why do you keep leading everyone to suspect Ashton is having an affair with you? Are you trying to discredit him? Is this your new scheme? To cause a rift between brothers?"

"I don’t..."

"STAY AWAY FROM ASHTON." I warn her in a dangerously low voice. "You and him can never happen."

Her face brightens suddenly. "Ashton and I are just friends, just like I am with Ashal and Ashley. If he wants me to stay away from him, he can tell me himself. You are not his spokesperson."

"I am his brother!"

"He’s an adult! Even his father can’t always make the decisions for him."

I chuckle at her over confidence. "Then you really don’t know much about father or Ashton. I’m warning you Demi Branson. If you create any rift between my brothers because of your actions, I won’t spare you." I wag a finger in her face for emphasis."

"You should get that blood cleaned up, sir." She says and walks away. At this point, I wouldn’t mind this blood being hers. Gosh, she drives me crazy.

After I have a proper shower and order for my dinner to be brought up to my room, I immediately call Ashton to check on him and Anna. Thankfully, everything sounds fine though Anna isn’t awake yet.

"I spoke with doctor Ezra. He has assigned a nurse to stay with Anna all night. You can come back home now."

"Okay. I’ll be there soon."

Nessa’s call comes through just as I hang up. Sighing, I take her call.

"What is it?"

She sniffles in the background. Has she been crying? "You stood me up again. You promised you would make it up to me."

"Nessa, I don’t have time for this right now."

"I didn’t want any of this but you insisted you wouldn’t give me the job if I didn’t give into you. Now I can’t get you out of my head. I need you, Asher. Why didn’t you come to me tonight? Is there someone else? Just tell me."

"Of course, there are others. Did you think we were exclusive? When did I ever tell you we were?"

"Don’t be so mean. I didn’t plan to fall in love with you. It just happened." She cries harder now.

I fist my blanket in my free hand and squeeze in anger. "I was unavoidably detained tonight, okay? I meant to be there but it just didn’t work. I’ll see you later."

"But..."

"Nessa, don’t bother me again unless it’s work related."

I hang up on her as she starts crying. It’s always the same thing with her. I made it clear from the start that what we are having is merely a fling. I don’t know why she allowed herself develop feelings for me. I don’t love her. I can’t. She can fuck whomever she wants for all I care as long as she satisfies me when I want her to. I reward her handsomely for ALL her services so why would she want to guilt trip me by acting like I am using her?

My phone rings again after I chuck it to the side. I grab it angrily and answer the call.

"Nessa, you’re really pissing me off right now..."

"She’s awake." Ashton echoes.

My mind goes blank for a second. "What?"

"Anna. She just came to."

Relief floods through me as I exhale deeply. Anna is awake. She made it. She’ll be fine and I don’t have to live with the guilt of causing the untimely demise of an innocent woman. I switch my phone from my right hand to the left because of the slight tremor in the former.

"I’m on my way."

I abandon everything else, get dressed and rush out of my room. When the elevator door opens to the living room, father is standing by the grand staircase, a cup of coffee in his hands. He must have just come from his study. Fuck.

He stares hard at me.

"Asher?"

I don’t think much about it. "It’s Ashley, father. I’ve got a little emergency. I’ll be back in a jiffy." Jiffy, that’s something Ashley would say.

"Where’s Asher? You said he was working a bit late. His car is in the driveway but he hasn’t come down to see me yet."

"I think he’s tired. The AGM must have been exhausting. He crashed in his room the moment he arrived but I am sure he’ll be fully recharged bright and early tomorrow."

"Oh, that’s true. I should let him rest. Our discussion can wait."

Discussion? I’m sure he wants to address the insult of having Josh join us for lunch with mom present. Father continues up the stairs with his coffee. I quickly text Ashley about my excuse using his name just in case he accidentally bumps into father before the night is over. Done, I rush out of the door.

At the hospital, I take the elevator to the VVIP wing and dash towards Anna’s room. When I step through the door, doctor Ezra, Ashton and a nurse all flank Anna who sits up with a bandage would around her head. She looks weak and pale.

I cautiously step forward, suddenly reminded of the risk she took to save me. My mouth goes dry as she stares into my face. I’m at a loss for words. She literally saved me moments after I threatened her. Shame overwhelms me as I get to her bed.

"Ash" Ashton calls me softly but I ignore him. I have a few things to say to Anna first.

"Anna." I exhale deeply. "I’m so glad you made it. I...I’m sorry..."

Anna blinks up at me and then at Ashton. She coughs a bit. "I’m sorry but...who are you people? Who’s Anna?"