ASHAL
"What did you tell her?" I ask mom impatiently.
"What do you think?" I hear her sigh tiredly over the phone. "I can't believe what you and your brothers have been up to. You all brought this on yourselves and while I am trying to fix it, you're only making things worse and harder. How could you all keep switching places on her?"
I remain silent because my brothers and I have no defense to that. We had literally promised mom to behave and treat Demi with respect. I like to think we did until Asher supplied logical reasons why Demi can't be trusted. However, I don't share any of this with mom. My heart skips as I realize how close Demi is to finding out the truth. Why is she so desperate to know? What does it all mean to her?
"She can't find out mom. She can't. I am not prepared to relive that night."
"Then talk to your brothers. You all should stop provoking her to seek these answers. If Ashley can pretend to be a half-decent fake husband and not flaunt Nicola in Demi's face, maybe she could learn to be satisfied with him. If Asher and Ashton stop spooking her so much, she'll be more comfortable in this house. It's just a matter of a few months." She lets out a frustrated breath. "I don't want to get your father involved but if you all don't behave, I might have to. Talk to them."
The line cuts. I run a hand through my hair and grit my teeth. Asher and Ashton are hopeless. They won't back down from being their intimidating selves. Ashley has held on longer than he usually does. He won't keep the ladies at bay any longer. I just have to find a way to distract Demi myself. I could be the friend she needs and feed her with whatever information I can to dissuade her future attempts at uncovering the truth.
The truth isn't so simple. That night took a toll on me and on my family. It was one of the craziest decisions a quad ever made and that's something considering we've made quite a few. I hit my brothers up and drop an urgent message on our private chat. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I walk into my penthouse.
Olivia and I have had some wild nights with me playing Asher. It's the craziest sex I have ever had in my life, and the best obviously. I never knew Olivia was a freak. In hindsight, it makes sense that she was attracted to Asher at first, who is just the same underneath his corporate mask. Playing Asher has also allowed me to explore the limits of my sexual prowess. Olivia is a difficult woman to keep up with but thankfully, I haven't given her a reason to suspect a thing.
Today, I am visiting as the aloof Ashal who is timid around her. I hate to play myself but Olivia would be highly suspicious if I don't show up once in two weeks or if Asher suddenly spends too much time with her.
The minute I stroll into the house, the new maid, Sia, rushes forward to relieve me of my coat. Sia is a wise decision on my part. She is around Olivia's age and can keep her company now that Eliana won't be in the picture anymore.
The day Demi had been brought here, I had drugged Olivia and locked her in her room. I couldn't have both wives running into each other. Olivia would have turned things into a bloodbath and Demi would have become privy to a secret that could destroy our family reputation for good. I couldn't have one more fuck up on my conscience.
Olivia frowns slightly when I walk into her room. She sits by her window, sipping wine from a glass while she flips through a magazine. Her dress is blue (Asher's favorite color again) and rides up her thigh as she rises. It gives me sterling satisfaction to see her wearing the necklace I got for her as Asher.
"You look lovely." I mutter.
She shuffles to the vanity mirror and begins to brush her hair. Her eyes slash up at me in the mirror as I tentatively edge close to her, wringing my hands the way Ashal would.
"I'm deeply sorry for hurting you, Olivia. I'm taking a lot of therapy now. I'm getting better." I don't remember the last time I went for my therapy session. I just remember I paid off the therapist to tell anyone who comes asking that I attend religiously. Olivia continues to brush her hair.
"You look very lovely. Let's go have lunch." Her hand freezes on her hair, her fingers curly tightly around the stem of the brush. She slams it on the table and turns to give me a searing look.
"Did you forget that Eliana and I always have dinner dates today?" I ignore the scorching look and shrug my shoulders. Olivia grabs her phone and repeatedly tries to dial her friend's line. "Why can't I get through to her?" She huffs, a fresh tint of annoyance seeping into her already angry face.
I wait for the truth to dawn on her and unfailingly, it does in less than five seconds. She leaps to her feet and whirls to me. "What did you do? You know she's the only one that keeps me sane in here. Our dinners dates are the only highlight of my monotonous week. Ashal, why can't I reach my friend?"
She looks helplessly at me. "Did you tell Eliana anything outside the script we gave you?"
"What?"
I edge close to her, my eyes suddenly stern. "Did you tell Eliana anything about your situation in this house, my family or me, Olivia? Did you confide in her about your predicament here?" Her lashes flutter nervously.
"Of course not." She lies, moving away from me. "How could I? I s-signed an NDA. How could I take such a risk?" More lies. My head suddenly throbs and I run a hand over it. I don't want to lose my temper right now. Demi is enough on my plate at the moment.
"You wouldn't lie to me, would you Olivia?" My voice is a low threat. She visibly shivers.
"Of course not."
"Then, you have nothing to worry about. I don't know how Eliana got her hand on some information. My sources tell me she tried to set you up on a date with one Mr. Fantasy, citing that you were in an abusive relationship. I wonder where she could have gotten that idea from."
Olivia shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine." We stand facing each other. Then gulping, she deigns to ask. "What did you do to her?"
"Nothing. She has just been advised to stay away from you and to stop pedaling false rumors or there will be consequences." I close the distance to trail a finger along Olivia's cheekbone. She stares wide-eyed at me but doesn't move even though my touch disgusts her. "I have missed you, my lovely wife. I'll take Eliana's place and have dinner with you once a week. Is that okay?"
"I'll be fine. We don't need to pretend to be a happy couple." Just as I suspected, she wants nothing to do with me.
"I'll just call my family and chat with them…" She gasps when my hand closes around her wrist, stopping her from walking out on me. A few nights with Asher and she's already acting like I am not one to be feared.
"Ashal, you're hurting me." She cries, struggling to free her wrist.
"I change my mind. It's not up for debate. You and I will have dinner together, in here, every Thursday. I expect you to dress like you're off to a five-star restaurant and behave yourself. Is that clear?"
"Yes." I release her and watch her scamper away. Was I too harsh? I really don't care. Being kind to her or considerate of her feeling have never been good enough to make her perceive me as a desirable human being. She'll never love me as Ashal and I am slowly beginning to make peace with that fact. I don't know what will happen when my luck runs out and my cover as Asher is blown. I hope, for her sake, she doesn't still treat me like garbage or else…
My eyes spot her phone on the dresser. Instinctively, I pick it up to change Asher's contact name to mine and vice versa. That way when she tries to call or text Asher, I'll be the one getting it instead. Her password is no hurdle given how obsessed she is with Asher. With a small smirk, I turn around and head for home after I finish.
***
"What were you thinking inviting Nicola to dinner?" I am so pissed at how reckless Ashely is back to being. I have no idea what transpired between him and Demi but this shameless display of indifference towards Demi is very immature even for him.
Smiling, Ashley sips his brandy as Nicola and mother fuss over the dining table setting. Demi hasn't come down yet for obvious reasons.
"Relax, it's not a date. It's just a social call. She insisted. She has missed mom and our home. It's just dinner. Look, mom still loves her." I glance at mom who is trying to make Nicola feel welcome like any matriarch would do. Her eyes tell a different story as it keeps watching the elevator and the stairs in case Demi shows up.
"And you didn't think to check with us first?" I clench my fist in anger at how flippant he is being. Asher and Ashton come strolling down the stairs. "Did anyone even get my text? I specifically mentioned that it was urgent."
"Will you chill? What's with the ASHER vibes?" Ashley frowns.
"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" Asher scowls at Ashley. Our eyes dart to the lone figure at the top of the stairs. Demi, in a simple black sweater and grey slacks descends. She walks right past us and joins mother and Nicola. Nicola mutters a greeting which Demi gaily responds. I guess Demi doesn't want to give Ashley the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable with our unexpected guest. When I look at Ashley's face, he couldn't care less. My heart flops. This is the worst time for THAT Ashley to materialize. I need the gentleman for a few more weeks until Demi leaves,
The elevator doors open just then and a hush falls on the room. To Demi's surprise, Nicola streams across the room and embraces father. Cheerfully, he compliments her outfit and thanks her for joining us for dinner. Father always had a soft spot for Olivia due to his relationship with her father, a senator in Danvarr. He had hoped Ashley would wed Nicola rather than have a casual fling with her. Seeing her resurface in his life makes his face glow with hope.
Dinner is usually quiet but tonight, it's heavily awkward for known and unknown reasons. Firstly, father and Olivia endlessly discuss her father's reelection, her thriving modeling career and they even casually bring up her breakup with Ashley. Ashley, though focused on his food, doesn't complain when Nicola keeps leaning on him or wiping invisible food stains off his lips. Mom keeps her head down and avoids Demi's eyes.
As for Demi, she seems more preoccupied with avoiding Ashton's piercing gaze. Asher is glued to his iPad as usual but lifts his head to join father's conversation with Nicola. I don't know what the hell is going on with my brothers tonight. When Demi looks at me, I give her my hand signal and she smiles wryly.
After Ashley sends one of our drivers to take Nicola home, mom demands to speak with father in his study and they both leave. My brothers start heading for the game room for our emergency meeting. I hustle after Demi who is on her way to her room.
"Hey."
"Hi." Her smile is forced but I say nothing about it.
"I'm sorry if that was awkward. Nicola just showed up and father was just trying to make her feel comfortable given her history with our family and his relationship with her father."
"It's okay. I know my place. You don't have to feel bad." Now, her smile is more genuine. "Thank you, Ashal, for looking out for me." She hugs me suddenly. My hands go limp by her side as I wasn't expecting a hug. "Thank you for being a friend. I need one right now." She pulls away and buries her hands in her sweater. I look around shyly, my throat suddenly dry.
"Any plans for tonight? I'm not sleepy yet. Maybe we could play a game or two." She stares up the stairs where Ashton stands giving us a weird look. "Is that where you all are headed, the game room? Can I join?"
I hate this part. "Well, yeah but maybe some other time. We already made plans for a boys' night."
"Oh. That's too bad." She looks crestfallen.
"Sorry."
"I guess I'll catch you later then." She mimics my hand signal before heading for her room.
In the game room, I recount everything mom had told me to the group. My brothers all frown in anger.
"What is it to her?" Ashley blurts out. "Why is she obsessed with finding out which Ash Rollins married her that night? We accepted her, didn't we? What more does she want?"
Asher clucks his tongue and shakes his head. "Ungrateful bitch. She should consider herself lucky she's not stuck with me. Contract or not, I'd have cut her down to size." I note the weird look Ashton shoots Asher at his comment. I zero in on Ashton.
"What do you think we should do, Ash?"
He stares hard at me and reclines in his chair. "You're the one that's always coming up with solutions to this kind of female headaches, Ashal. What happened? Run out of bright ideas already?"
The doorbell chimes, indicating our liquor is here. Just in time, I think, heading to get the door. Heaven knows whenever we get like this, my brothers and I need alcohol to stand each other. I can sense some tension around this Demi issue and it hits different for each brother. Ashley's is from a place of pride. Demi's recent behavior can be construed as an outright rejection of him. For Asher, it's his unhealthy competitive spirit. He always has to win and right now, he can't think of anything else than beating Demi at her own game. For me, it's the clawing need to preserve my peace of mind by keeping Demi from knowing the truth, even after she is out of our lives. For Ashton, I can't quite put my finger on it yet. Like me, he also can't let the secret slip but for some reason, he seems to have some other issue at the forefront of his mind.
When I pull open the door, I narrowly miss catching Demi in my arms as she falls headlong into the room. She finds it hard to stand on her two wobbly legs. A lazy smile is on her face as she squints at me through drooping eyes. I clutch her waist to keep her from falling completely.
"What the hell?"
The boys all rush to us, huddling close.
"Is she drunk?" Ashley asks. Ashton steps outside the door and picks up an empty can of beer. He waves it at us and Asher scowls.
"Bullshit. Who gets drunk on a single can of beer." He lunges forward, grabs Demi's chin and puckers her mouth open. Her breath is definitely tinged with beer. Asher scowls again. "She's putting on an act. I'd say it's a reenactment of the Blue Cove scene, huh, Demi? Just like that night, she showed up drunk in a private room she had no business being in. This shit is getting old." His hands fist in her hair and yank harshly, making Demi yelp in pain and crumple on the floor.
"Hey, watch it." Ashely and Ashton yell in sync, leering at Asher. A surprised smile coats Asher's face.
"Well, if it isn't the disloyal husband and the husband wannabe. It's a little late to develop a conscience, don't you think?" He throws me a glance as I help a sleepy Demi off the ground and help ease her hip on the table by the door. "I'm not shocked you're buying this too. It's your mess. That bitch isn't that drunk but clearly you all are. There's no justification for how sappy and stupid you've become because of one woman!" He throws his hands in the air. "I'm done."
We watch him storm out. Ashley and Ashton spare each other a glance and say nothing. Hesitantly, they leave me with Demi and stalk off to their rooms. Demi purrs softly as I carry her in my arms all the way to her room. When I lay her on the bed, she moans softly, stirring in her sleep.
I watch her, the way I watch Olivia sleep. She sleeps so soundly and peacefully.
"Why did you drink and come to us?" I mutter. My fingers suddenly yearn to caress her face. Asher is right. This drunk move is stale. Demi might have been upset enough to drink alone tonight but coming all the way to the game room where she knew we all would be is very suspicious and I know my other brothers know this too. Good thing we had the common sense to keep our mouths in check in case Demi indeed is putting on an act.
Demi's phone buzzes in her pocket with a message. Gently, I frisk her side pockets and unearth it. I clench my fist in anger as I read the message. My brother was right all along.
"Bitch!"