ASHAL
My phone blares in the silence of the room. Groping, I accidentally knock it off the top of the side drawer. Olivia stirs in her sleep next to me. I grumble out of bed and pick up the ringing phone.
"Yes?"
"Where are you? I've been waiting here for over an hour."
"Shit." It all comes back to me now as I grab my pants off the floor and shrug into them. Ashton. The race track. It had been my idea. How could I have forgotten? With the phone still glued to my ear, I apologize profusely to my brother while I hop from bathroom to closet.
Done with dressing and the call, I shuffle back into my bedroom to grab a few things and notice it isn't Olivia on my bed. The new maid twitches the blanket around her naked chest and smiles lazily at me. What the fuck?
"Where's Olivia?"
Her face crumples at the first name out of my mouth after I clearly just slept with my wife's maid. Lily cowers frightfully at the fire sizzling in my eyes. How the hell did this happen? "She's…she's…" Lily points towards the door.
"Get the hell out of my bed and tidy this place up." I order her before rushing out and making a beeline for Olivia's room. However, something catches my attention on the way. There are dried droplets of blood in a long trail leading to Olivia's room. My legs freeze up. Did I hit her again? I don't recall getting into my penthouse last night or what must have transpired with Olivia. How did I end up in bed with Lily?
Gradually, I crack open Olivia's door. It's as I feared. She's laying on her bed with a swollen, red face. There are shallow cuts on her face and arms. The dried blood spill from her lips gives me chills. Her breathing is shallow as she sleeps. When I go closer to examine her, her eyelids flutter open, weakly. Her eyes are filled with dread but she doesn't try to move away from me. It's probably because she can't. Her eyes are pained and seeing her in the condition I put her makes me realize what a monster I must be.
"Olivia, I am so sorry."
A single tear slides down Olivia's face as she shuts her eyes.
"I'm sorry babe. I'll call a doctor right away."
"I'll take care of her."
I whip my head to find Lily by the door with cleaning supplies. It appears she has just finished mopping the hallway. She steps cautiously into the room.
"I'll treat her wounds and nurse her back to health. I'm good with a first aid kit. If you call a doctor, questions will be raised."
My hand trembles around my phone. "Did you see me do it? Were you here?"
Lily 's eyes dips to the floor. She nods.
"Why didn't you help her?"
Her face flushes with embarrassment. "You wouldn't let me sir. You grabbed me…" She trails off, hoping I get her drift. I turn away disgusted with myself. I can't believe I bloodied my wife and went on to sleep with her maid.
"Take good care of her, you hear me. If she doesn't get better, let me know instantly so I can call a doctor." Lily nods firmly. I take one look at Olivia and battle an urge to sit by her side while she gets cleaned up but I know she doesn't want me around right now. I put her in this condition. My apologies can't mean much. Ashamed of myself, I turn around and storm out of the room.
On my way to see Ashton, a thought occurs to me. I am not really thrilled about it but I am too worried about Olivia to be selfish right now. I don't like the idea of leaving her in that condition in the hands of a mere maid. I whip out my phone and call Asher. The few seconds it takes him to take the call, I recall my secret impersonations of my brother and how Asher's presence might douse everything I have managed to build with Olivia while pretending to be him.
"Yes, Ash?"
My mind goes blank. I clear my throat. "Oh shit, Asher, I'm so sorry. I mean to call Ashton. We are racing today. I must have dialed you accidentally."
Asher grunts. "Way to break a brother's heart." He chuckles. "Alright, you two have fun." The call ends. I stare back at Olivia's bedroom door and try to justify my selfishness. She'll be fine, right? She has not fatal injuries.
"If Asher comes and she says something, he might pick up that I have been impersonating him. Worse still, he might get worried and decide to keep frequenting this place to check on Olvia. I can't have either. I still need more time with Olivia, to have great moments with her and build memories she wouldn't want to give up even after she learns she has been having them with me all this time and not her beloved Asher. This is how I can ensure there's hope for our future relationship."
Sighing, I continue out of the house. While I start my car and pull out of the driveway, I make out Lily's silhouette by the window in Olivia's room. She stands by the curtain watching me till I leave.
***
I watch Ashton finish first in a race against one of his friends. He gets out and shakes hands with his opponent. Then he instantly seeks me with his eyes. I wave at him from our favorite row in the stands. My head wasn't in the game when I tried racing Ashton.
Though no one can really beat him at this, I usually don't cross the finish line a minute after Ashton does. Ashton and I usually go neck and neck when I am inspired enough. Today, I am clearly distracted by Olivia's condition that I can't get my head in the game. Ashton had to seek a worthy competitor in his friend.
"You good?"
"Yep." I pass a bottle of water to him and sip on mine. Ashton drinks a little before plunking down next to me.
"How is she?"
"What?"
Ashton stares hard at me. "How's Olivia? Are you two still not talking yet? I know you're always so pensive whenever you two are in a bad place so, how is she?"
I exhale quietly. "She's fine. Typical Olivia and Ashal dynamic; I am trying to love her but my condition won't let her give me a chance."
"Did something else happen?"
"NO!" I reply too fast. At the arch of Ashton's brow, I force a thin smile. "What I mean is that we're fine. It just gets really frustrating trying and failing to win her over. I am at my wits end." Ashton lays a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
"You two will be fine."
"I hope you're right."
His phone rings. When he checks it, Mila's name flashes. He slips the phone back into his jacket, unanswered.
"You two beefing already?"
Ashton rolls his eyes. "We're not a couple. Forget what the blogs said."
"And Dad? What if he really wants your union?" Something uncertain flits through Ashton's eyes but he doesn't give me a response. I excuse myself to go make a quick call. Lily answers the landline and I immediately enquire about Olivia's health. Olivia is said to be sleeping after her wounds have been treated. I sigh in relief.
"Listen, I won't be coming home tonight. I can't stand seeing her like that. I'll send my brother instead. He and Olivia used to be very good friends. She needs a friend now and she would appreciate his visit. Make sure he is well entertained, ok?"
"Yes sir." Lily answers.
I hang up and exhale. I have to go back as Asher and console Olivia. She is keeping to my threat and refusing to call Asher to her aid. However, I have always called Asher whenever I accidentally hurt her in the past. She'll find it odd if he doesn't turn up. I know she's looking forward to his visit and that is why she is enduring the pain. The least I can do is give her her desire; Asher Rollins.
I return to find Ashton scowling at a text from Mila.
"That one seems relentless."
He slips his phone back into his jacket. "I don't know what she thinks we are. She's been hounding me."
"You two looked really cozy at the café though."
Ashton shoots me an icy glare that makes me chuckle.
"She's way in over her head." He shakes his. "I mean she's smart and fun to be around but the last thing I need right now is more media attention in my private affairs. We have enough spotlight on us as it is."
"And Demi?
Ashton stares at me with bright eyes.
"Don't give me that look. I have eyes too, you know. What have you got going on with her?"
"Nothing. We've had a few run-ins where I wasn't a complete asshole and maybe that's why she started treating me like a decent human. Is she attracted to me? I don't know. Am I attracted to her? She's a beautiful woman. Maybe I might be fond of her but you know nothing can ever come of it. I wouldn't…"
"I know you, Ashton. You're not like the rest of us perverts. You'll keep your hands off a meal at the table until you know it's yours. You never touched any brother's property without permission. Too bad the only thing Danvarr knows about you is your obsession with protecting your loved ones."
"You mean my violent streak?"
We both chuckle.
"Hey, I think I'm done working from home. I'll be resuming the office soon."
"Are you sure?"
"Ashton, I am fine. It's been weeks. I am not suicidal anymore if you can't already tell." I need a distraction. If I have to go into work, then I can spend my nights with Olivia as Asher. Though I am sad things went this far with Olivia, it's given me another reason for Ashal to stay away.
I stop by the house in the evening to change into a decent corporate outfit. Father is most definitely still at work with Asher. Mother passively mentioned seeing some friends later today so I assume that's the reason she isn't the first person to come greet me the minute I arrive. She seemed really worried about my drinking last night.
I head straight to my bedroom and hurry into a dark turtle neck top, khaki chinos and a blazer. For an elegant spin, I round off with a pair of dark brown suede Chelsea boots. I've seen Asher pull this look often when he wasn't feeling like a donning a suit.
On my way out, I can hear beeping sounds followed by a frustrated sigh. When I get closer to the door, I hear soft whimpers. Like I suspected, it's Demi.
I don't know what has got her looking so sad and teary. She keys in her door code again and bangs on her door in frustration when it wouldn't budge. Before I can think better of it, I find myself moving fast towards her. My arms go around her and clasp tightly. Overwhelmed, she leans into my embrace for a few seconds before whirling to cry into my chest. I think she's confusing me with Ashley or Ashton for that matter.
Then it clicks. She pulls away from me, eyes wide with terror. I can't blame her for not trusting any other brother with her vulnerability.
"Not the brother you hoped for, huh?"
Demi swallows. What exactly has Asher done to make this woman so terrified of us switching places on her. I can only imagine.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't bother anyone with my troubles." She spins to her door and tries the code again. It works now.
"Demi?" Tentatively, she hovers by the door and turns to me. "It's Ashal. I'm sorry I didn't start with that." She doesn't seem to buy it as my outfit screams Asher but she nods. "I'm sorry about whatever has got you in tears. I wish I could stay and talk about it but something very urgent came up. Will you be alright by yourself? Should I call Ashely? Anna?"
"I'll be fine."
She thanks me and shuts her door. Once again, I feel weird leaving a distraught woman to her whims. At least I'll be with Olivia in a bit but Demi has no one. I contemplate calling Ashley but when I try his phone, it fails to connect. Ashton on the other hand will come running but I don't want my brother being around a vulnerable Demi. They are human first and there's no telling how they might end up seeking solace in each other. I can't put Ashton in a weak position. I ditch the idea, trust Demi to handle herself and head out.
The ride to my penthouse is a fast one. I remember when I got it. It was right after Asher hit Olivia and almost killed her. After he pinned the blame on me and Olivia refused to sign an NDA despite our please and bribes, father came in with threats and mother, with more bribes. When our marriage was fixed because Olivia was later found pregnant, I was advised to get the house to keep her a secret.
Then, I had hoped to work out a relationship with Olivia to the point where she could accept our union and I could bring her into the Rollins mansion as my wife. Those dreams still remain dreams till date. Rather than make Olivia known to the world, I keep finding reasons to keep her hidden.
She hasn't fully given her heart to me yet. If my plans are successful and she falls deeply in love with the Asher I have been pretending to be, I only hope that she comes to realize that I can still give her all the happiness she felt when she thought my name was different. If she accepts to explore a relationship with me as Ashal, I hope that can be a fresh start for us.
Lily meets me by the door.
"Welcome sir. Mr. AshaI mentioned you would be coming in his place."
"Where is she?" I bellow gruffly.
"She's upstairs in her room." I hurry past Lily and sprint up the stairs the way I imagine Asher would. Olivia is still purring softly. Lily wasn't lying when she said she could take care of the cuts. There are little band aids across Olivia's forehead. Her cheeks are still swollen and tinted red. My eyes drop to her bandaged arm.
"What happened to her arm?" I didn't notice it was broken earlier.
"It was slightly dislocated but I managed to correct the bone. She'll be able to use it in a few weeks' time."
My heart breaks into a million pieces. Am I breaking her bones now? What would be left of her when we finally want to mend out relationship? Will she still stay with me as Ashal when she has permanent damages to remind her of the gory consequences of my condition?
"Asher?" Olivia's eyes barely open. Her weak voice shatters me.
"Leave us." I tell Lily who slowly backs away and shuts the door behind her. I rush to Olivia's side. "Are you okay? Are you hurting all over?" She grimaces in pain when I take her hands. "Sorry. I'm so sorry." Catching myself, I look down and study her bruises. "How did it happen?"
"The same way it always happens. He accused me of trying to tarnish the image of your family. He's always suspicious of me, Asher." Tears well up in her eyes. "He's going to kill me Asher. Please take me away from here. I'll go anywhere else as long as it's away from him. I need a divorce. Please tell your parents I will gladly sign anything they want but nobody will ever hear anything from me."
Shock is splattered all over my face at the mention of a divorce.
"Please Asher, I'll die if I continue to live here. I can't bear it anymore. I won't tell a soul that I ever knew the Rollins family. I'll do anything you want to get away from your brother. Please help me."
She starts crying heavily now while I struggle to stay in character. My head is spinning. She has never asked for a divorce. She knows what that will mean for her family. The support of my family will be cut off from them. Her father will hate her for not cooperating. Her mother would welcome her back despite knowing how tough things will get for them moving forward. Her sister's scholarship to the prestigious university she currently attends will be withdrawn.
However, what hurts me the most is that she is willing to divorce me even if it means being away from Asher forever. I can't hold onto her if she won't hold on to Asher.
"Divorce?" I reiterate in shock. "You know what that will mean for the both of us or don't you?"
Olivia braves a hand to my cheek. "I'm just another woman in your bed, Asher. We both know this will never be more than a fling. You can have any woman you want." She struggles to prop herself up on the bed. "Please, if you ever cared for me, you'll help me end this torment before it destroys my life completely. I'll be of no use to you or anyone dead."
I lunge to my feet to go stand by the window. "I will talk to my brother…" Olivia starts shaking her head, "I'll make sure he never skips a day of therapy."
"He's been doing it for months now and yet here we are. It won't stop Asher, not while he still has a punching bag to practice with. Please say you'll help me Asher. I don't want to die."
"You won't die." I tell her.
"HE ALREADY KILLED OUR BABY ASHER!" Olivia screams in tears. "I LOST OUR BABY LAST NIGHT!"