Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 29: Chapter 29

DEMI

"Did you find anything?" | ask frantically into the phone.

"Yes." Liam replies. A sigh of relief escapes my lips. | worked too damn hard to load a spyon Ashton's phone

and | am glad it paid off.

"Well, what's in there?" Now my heart skips a beat, not because | am expecting to hear priceless information and

secrets about his family but because | am afraid of learning he might be into Mila or sother woman or even

secretly married.

"It's strange really."

"How so?"

"This line has very few numbers on it and they seem to belong to complete strangers. Women between eighteen

through thirty-five."

My heart plummets. Why the hell am | surprised? It should have been obvious that a dashing man like Ashton

would crave the attention he is used to getting from the female folk. However, | expected this kind of thing to be

done by Ashley who is unapologetic about his flirtatious lifestyle. Ashton never struckas the type to fuck his

way through a horde of women.

"They all call him Mr. Fantasy."

Ew. | think. Of course they do. | can imagine all the fantasies he helps them fulfil. I am too disgusted and

disappointed to hear more at this point but then Liam mentions something surprising.

"Mila's number is here too. It appears this is how they met. She continues to text him with this number till date

but what I find odd is the fact that she refers to him as Will instead of Ashton."

Now, that's interesting. "Will? Why would she do that? She knows exactly who he is."

"She isn't the only one. | perused through earlier texts and | realized Ashton has been firm in demanding that the

women hang out with him as Will not Mr. Fantasy."

"Why?"

"I have no idea. His texts are very terse. Mila might know more about this secret identity of his."

| don't know how to feel about Ashton having a secret identity. Just then, | have a flashback of the night |

accidentally locked lips with him instead of Ashley back in Ashley's room. Ashley had passively mentioned his

brother was off to a date that night. When Ashton returned, | had noticed he was in a bad mood. Could that have

been one of his dates as Will? He also wore very plain clothes and his hair did look off.

"Demi, are you there?" Liam asks.

"Yeah, sorry."

"Does any of these facts ring a bell? Have you noticed anything strange about Ashton?"

| exhale. "No, not really. | was always too busy keeping my distance from him as someone clearly warned."

Liam sighs. "I think Ashton has another phone, his main phone with all the important contacts in it. This seems

like a phone he got just to entertain these women or his fantasy as a guy called Will. Your work isn't done Demi.

Get to him and spy his main phone. Try the other brothers too."

"1 will."

After the call, | get dressed and go downstairs. Unlike my in-laws hoped, the heat from Liam's post hasn't shown

any signs of cooling down after four days. Asher is close to pulling his hair out as his PR team are also getting

bashed for their half-baked press releases spouting lies to redeem the image of the family and company.

Father has been very vocal about his displeasure with the situation and my connection to it. | have had very little

of mother's attention but much of her support. | managed to talk to her two days back about the sidea | ran

by Ashton and Ashley but she is yet to bring it up with father. | don't blher. He's like a ticking bomb when his

company's image and stock prices are on the line. It takes very little to set him off and right now, nothing will

work faster than the mention of my name.

Mother has been distracted lately. Ashal is in the worst state | have ever seen him. He has been weepy ever

since he returned hfour nights ago. He has remained confined in his room and wouldn't allow visitors, not

even his mother. Ashton was the only one he let in for the first two nights and more recently, mother.

| have no idea what could have put him in such a state. He looked cheerful when he was about to leave for an

urgent matter the last twe spoke. Though | feel bad for him seeing as he had been eager to comfort me

during my own distressful time, | am not allowed to go close to his room without ruffling sfeathers. Hence, |

choose to stay in my lane and hope he gets better.

"No!" Father yells from his study. | wonder what he isn't agreeing to. Asher has been in there with him for a while.

| suspect it has something to do withbeing excessively attacked by the blogs. The dust hasn't settled and

father is finally feeling pressured.

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"Demi?"

"Yes mother?"

| go to her, meek as ever. Duncan, the senior bodyguard whispers something in mother's ears as | approach her.

He bows to greetand excuses himself. Mother's face is ghostly pale.

"Mother, is something wrong?"

"Everything will be fine, dear. How have you been? | hope you're not reading those harsh comments about you

and our family." She gently touches my cheeks. "I hope you don't believe we don't love you or haven't fully

accepted you into our family."

"I know just how much you all care for me, mother. | just feel guilty being the target of gossip and attracting

negative media attention to this family because of our different economic brackets."

"That will change soon enough."

| spare a glance towards father's study where muffled voices filter through the partly open door. "Father is really

upset."

"He is but he'll caround."

The door to father's study swings open and Asher steps out. He looks flustered at the sight of me. Stepping up to

me, he speaks loud enough for mother to hear.

"You'll reswork as an intern at Rollins HQ next week. Be prepared to wake up extremely early and work

extremely late. | hear one complaint and you're out. I'll be keeping an eye on you the whole tso you better

not fuck this up." He whirls and stomps into the elevator. A huge grin forms on my face as | turn to mother. Hers

is a weak but relieved smile. | embrace her and thank her because | know she definitely has something to do

with this too.

"How's Ashal? Can | see him?"

"Not yet dear. He still wants to be left alone."

"I don't understand. He was perfectly fine the last twe spoke. He said he had something urgent to attend to.

| feel so bad that | can't comfort him. He has been really friendly and nice to me. Could you pass my message to

him? Tell him | miss him and | hope he feels better soon so we can hang out."

Mother smiles and nods.

Excited, | head upstairs to share the good news with Liam when a loud voice catches my attention first. It sounds

like the quads are having a big fight in Ashton's room. The door is slightly ajar as | edge close.

"What the hell were you thinking? | told you to impersonateand tell dad not to sponsor the startup brand

founded by Josh Randall and you go in there and convince him to let Demi work at the HQ? Have you gone

nuts?"

"For your information, father was already thinking about it. I didn't have to sell him on anything. He had resolved

to hire her due to your incompetence in tackling the issue. His words, not mine. You know what that means,

right? He has lost sfaith in your abilities to handle unforeseen crisis."

"You're lying!"

"lI went in there to do exactly what you asked but father suddenly registered his displeasure at the failure of the

teams you have been working with to nip this media disaster in the bud. If | hadn't stepped in and preempted his

decision to hire Demi, you would have looked even worse than a fool. Thanks to my help, father still thinks your

brain works."

That was Ashton? The Asher that had scared the wits out ofas he informedof my new employment

status was actually Ashton pretending to be Asher?

"You just did this for yourself."

"For myself? How does Demi working closely with you and father benefit me?"

Something shatters to the floor. A flower vase maybe before Asher's voice rings out again.

"Do you have any idea what you've done? If you wanted to please her so much, why didn't you just hire her in

your own company? Why foist her on mine? | already have a lot on my plate with Josh and now | have to deal

with Demi at work too?"

"What exactly do you have against Josh Randall?" Ashton asks. "Why are you constantly trying to get rid of him?"

| have no idea who Josh is but | guess I'll find out when | reswork next week. Asher doesn't bother to answer

Ashton's question. He cusses smore before storming out. By this time, | am safely tucked away in my room

to avoid further suspicion from Asher.

| wish | can talk to Ashton not just because | still have to get to his main phone. There's so much to unpack as a

million questions are running through my head. | am barely recovered from the discovery of his secret identity as

Mr. Fantasy/Will and now, he's playing Asher? How many sides are there to this man? What other secrets could

these brothers be hiding?

However, it doesn't seem like right now is the best time. The brothers are all on edge. Ashley hasn't left Ashal's

side and now Ashton and Asher aren't on talking terms. The entire atmosphere is very uncomfortable but just as

| think things can't get any worse, Mila strolls into the mansion looking for Ashton.

Mother and | are in the living room downstairs, trying to figure out what the family should have for dinner. We are

hoping to perk up the mood in the house with a cheerful meal. When a maid shows Mila in, she is visibly

astounded by the splendor of the mansion. She recognizes mother instantly and cordially greets her.

Our eyes meet and she shoots out her hand out to shake mine. While | shake her, | try to ignore how tall and

beautiful she is and how she effortlessly pulls off the fuchsia off-shoulder sweater and leather pants she has on.

In her six-inch heels, | hate that | have to look up at her face to meet her eyes.

Father emerges with Asher (I am not sure now). Like Nicola, he cheerfully welcomes Mila to the mansion and

graciously offers her a seat. One of the domestic staff appears with a tray of champagne. | have never seen

father so hospitable. Asher has a lopsided grin on his face when | turn to him. Could that be Ashton? | don't know

what to believe.

"Mila" The real Ashton calls in surprise as he jogs down the grand staircase. "What are you doing here? Did we

have something planned?" The annoyed pinch of his nose at her surprise visit makes something jump in my

chest even though | pretend not to care.

"What do you mean? You reached out to my personal assistant via email invitingover. | was just as surprised

to be invited to your home."

Ashton trades a quick glance with Asher who winks at him. So, Asher made this mess?

"You're welchere whenever you want, Mila." Father assures her.

"Thank you, Mr. Rollins."

He shoots Ashton a 'Behave yourself" kind of look before heading back to his room. The awkwardness in the

room is only felt between Ashton, Asher and I, but unlike us, Asher is thoroughly enjoying it. Mother mumbles

something, to Mila before excusing herself.

When I try to leave, Mila offers her sincere apologies for what | am going through. One look at her and how sweet

she is being, and | instantly realize what the fuss is about. She is definitely a sweetheart and all in a class of her

own. Maybe Liam didn't lie or exaggerate when he comparedto Mila and Nicola. | am nowhere close to these

ladies.

"Thank you so much. | really appreciate that." | tell her, smiling warmly. After that, | excuse myself as well. It

takes a lot to not look back to see Ashton's face one more tand confirm if he is truly not thrilled by her visit,

especially now that both of them were all by themselves.

"Take her to your room, bro." | hear Asher suggest before the elevator doors can shut properly in front of me. My

fingers clench into fists by my sides.

ork

Aunt Elizabeth and Kira have the weirdest, shocked expressions on their faces when | tell them the good news. |

don't know what to make of it. While Kira is visibly astounded by the fact that the Rollins family deigned to

includein their business, aunt's lips tremble in shock.

"R-Rollins HQ???"

"es."

| really didn't call this way to tell them. | just needed to get out of the house and blank my mind of what

Ashton and Mila could probably be saying or doing in his room. Anna is still at work and | didn't want to bother

her. | think | need a bunch of new friends to fill during times like this. Liam is on his way so while | wait, | figured

I'd tell my naysayers the latest development just for the hell of it.

Kira snorts. "This isn't the good news you think it is. That family just set the ball rolling. Intern? Get ready for

more ." Then her eyes narrow. "This is starting to sound familiar, right mom? Didn't your sister start as an

intern too?"

At the mention of my mom, my eyes flip to aunt's. She's almost white as a sheet.

"Really? Mom worked at Rollins HQ before the accident?"

Aunt shakes her head. "I don't remember."

She's lying. I know mom did. It's clearly documented in my mom's diary which aunt kept hidden fromfor

years. Aunt pats my shoulder. "Congratulations. | hope things go well with your new job. Make sure you don't do

anything to put your in-laws in a difficult position. Work hard and mind your business."

| watch her retire into her room and shut the door. Left with Kira, | simply stalk off to go find Liam. While walking

towards the bookstore, strong arms grab my shoulders and yankoff the empty street. While kicking and

writhing, | am forcefully carried into an alleyway. | recognize the cologne and intensify my screams but the beefy

arm over my mouth traps it in my throat. | wish | had insisted on being driven here. The driver would have

helped.

When my feet touch the earth again, | make a run for it only to realize it's a dead end. Eyes sizzling with rage, |

turn to face a haggard looking Iman.

"How dare you touch me? What the hell do you want?" My tone is sharp and bitter. | genuinely feel disgusted by

him. I never liked this guy. He was just available to play my cheating boyfriend. | would never date a psycho like

him even if | was paid heavily for it. He smiles as he edges close to me.

"Are you ready to admit you used me, Demi? There's no one else here but us so you can drop the act." He tries

to touch my cheek and I slap his hand away. "I know you're a very smart woman. | always wondered why you

said yes toand stayed even when you knew | was seeing other women. TellDemi, why did you use me

like that? Don't worry." His hands shoot up in surrender. "I know how powerful your new family is. | wouldn't dare

hurt a hair on your head. | just want answers."

Bile tickles behind my throat at his audacity. "Answers? Today, you want answers? Do you think | am a fool? | bet

you have someone filming us right now for your selfish ends. The interviews didn't pay you enough and now

you're trying to make a quick buck by faking another rumor about me? Grow up Iman. You're pathetic." | start

walking back towards the main street but he suddenly grabs my arm and shovesagainst a wall.

His big hand closes around my throat, cutting off my air supply. | try in vain to free myself while my vision starts

to get spotty.

"You now have such a big mouth, huh? You think your new family is on your side? Who do you think paidto

stage all of that? YOUR FUCKING IN-LAWS! | could take your life right now and | bet your in-laws will pay me

handsomely for helping them get rid of their problem, bitch." He releases me. While | keel over, trying to catch

my breath, he crouches in front ofand smoothens my ruffled hair from my face.

"You and | aren't over, Demi. You messed with the wrong dude and until | get the right answers from you, these

little encounters will seem like fate." He grabs my face and kissesroughly. | am too stunned and weak to

push him off the second he does it so when he breaks it off, | spit in his face.

He laughs and wipes it off. "Bye for now, my love."

| refuse to cry. It's like Ashal says, | have to be stronger. | am not weak. Playing weak is my strength right now.

That way, no one will expect my fangs when they cout.

Someone suddenly starts clapping. | look up to find Kira with a big smile on her face. By the looks of it, she

definitely saw everything. She dangles her phone in front of my face.

"So, you get hired by your in-laws in response to the brutal attacks on social media and the first thing you do is

to go kiss and makeup with your wretched ex in an alleyway. Ooh Demi, what will your father-in-law think of

these pictures and the video."

My eyes redden. "I hope you got everything on there, from my kidnapping to the sexual assault because I'd like

for the police to use that as evidence to lock that animal away for good."

Kira smiles. "Too bad. I just hit record when you locked lips with your ex. Will that be enough?"

| can't believe her. There's no point in arguing with this one. She knows exactly what the truth is but she will

always be selfish and think of her personal gain first. My breath finally even, | manage to stand.

"What do you want, Kira?"

Her smile widens. "A date...with any of the quads." She laughs.

"| thought the quads were bad news?"

"Marrying them and hoping they magically accept a lowborn like yourself makes them bad news to you but going

on a hot date with them or kissing and sleeping with them is trendy. There's a whole fan club for women who

have tasted them." She sighs wistfully. "It's a whole flex, you know. | have to go on a date with the real deal

though, not Mr. Fantasy or the other lookalikes."

My eyes dilate in shock. "Cagain? Did you say Mr. Fantasy?"

Kira scowls up at me. "You have no idea what's going on, do you? Yes, Mr. Fantasy. He's a..."

"I know what he is." I interrupt her. "How? How did you cto know of him?"

Kira eyessuspiciously. "Like every woman does apparently. Why are you so keen? You eat, sleep and wakeup

in the smansion as the real quads. What do you care about slookalike pretending to be a quad for a

few bucks?"

"Ok, have you snagged a date with Mr. Fantasy?" | ask, trying to steer her back into the conversation on Ashton.

Kira folds her arms on her chest. "What if | have?"

"When is it happening?"

"That's none of your business."

"I know but my in-laws have been upset about people posing to be the quads. If | can go in your place and catch

this person, | think they'll appreciate it. I'll make the arrangement for you to go on a date with one of the quads if

you lettrade places with you."

"Really? How about | expose this wannabe myself and get all the credit. Maybe your in-laws will even letpick

which of the quads | want to go on a hot date with."

"| doubt that. They're not as easy as you think. You're welcto try but | bet you that all you'll get is a pat on

the shoulder at best. If you strike a deal with me, | can bring any of the quad's hto you under the guise of

visiting. I'm good friends with most of them now and they'll followanywhere. Once | deliver them, the rest is

up to you to work your magic. All | want is that you givethe details of your date with Mr. Fantasy so | go in

your place. Deal or no deal?"

Kira stares at my hanging hand, thinks a bit before shaking it.

"You've got a deal."