DEMI
I am certain it was Ashton. No matter how many tis I think about it, it can’t be anyone else and this ti, it’s not just about his style.
Ashal has resud work at his office and I doubt he would have any reason to ignore . We’re really good friends now. Ashley has been extra sweet towards since the double date. It’s mostly because he feels bad about the way he ended the night with , even though I don’t recall much after he left in the cold night air to go be with Nicola.
Asher is well, Asher. He hasn’t stopped threatening to kick out of the mansion and the HQ ever since his blackmail plans blew up in his face with the intervention of Ashton. We work together so I am used to his cold glares and silent treatnt. Then there’s Ashton.
Ever since the date night, his attitude towards has been weird. Why did he ignore like that? What have I done? Does this have sothing to do with kissing Ashley during the date? It can’t be. Ashton must know it was all for the photos.
Besides, he also kissed Mila multiple tis too so what is this attitude? Why was he even in the HQ this morning and what upset him so much that he left with a conspicuous frown on his face? The thoughts keep distracting as I try to focus on work.
Asher leaves work an hour after his brother. When his secretary, Nessa, tries to know where he’s off to and when he’ll be back, I hear him ntion sothing about going to see Ashal. Why all of a sudden? I wonder. What could be up with these brothers? It has to be a pressing matter for THE Asher Rollins to leave work before closing ti to go see his brother whom he’ll definitely be seeing at ho.
I give into my curiosity and text Ashton. Nothing. He doesn’t even bother to reply. I don’t know what’s going on with him but I need to fix things between us. He’s a very important piece in my plan.
If I had known that Ashton could serve as a barricade to Asher’s threats, I wouldn’t have flinched when the latter threatened . Now, I know I can rely on Ashton to fend off every dart thrown my way by Asher. To do that however, I have to figure out why my guardian angel isn’t replying my texts or why I can’t seem to get through to him on phone.
Soone raps on my door.
"Mrs. Demi Rollins?"
"Yes?" I look up to find a courier by my door. Half of his face is covered by the huge flower bouquet he schleps in his hand. He deposits the bouquet ceremoniously on my desk and shows where to sign. After he leaves, I hunt for the card and realize the gift is from Ashley.
My phone starts ringing imdiately. I grab it hoping it’s Ashton calling .
"Hey."
I work a big smile into my face to hide my disappointnt. "Hey, I just got the flowers. They’re beautiful. Thank you."
"I’m glad you like them. I’m really sorry about date night. I was drunk half the ti and didn’t an to hurt or disrespect you."
"I told you, it’s fine."
"Ok. Got any plans for lunch? There’s a new place that just opened up and I was wondering if you’d be open to try it out with . They’ve got amazing reviews."
My breath hitches as I fear ruining his mood with my response. I already have sothing planned with Anna and Liam. I don’t know if Ashley is going to be cool with canceling on him. The threat about revising our marriage contract still looms and the last thing I want to do is give him cause to revisit that conversation.
"Are you there?"
"Erm, I’m so sorry. Anna already promised to have lunch with to celebrate my new job. I didn’t know you wanted to do lunch."
"Oh, that’s ok. I’ll call ahead next ti."
"Tomorrow. How about tomorrow?" I quickly ask. I bet he has a small smile on his face as he agrees.
After the call, I try to swing back to work and clear my plate so Asher wouldn’t have anything to complain about when he returns.
I plan to use my lunch break to run over a few things with Liam. He is mad that I have been keeping a few things from him, like the fact that Asher had blackmailed . He also claims to have juicy updates regarding the listening device in the ga room. There’s a lot for us to share with each other.
Just as I tidy my desk and proceed to head out for lunch, Brett Rollins appears by my door.
"Sir. F-father." I stutter. I rarely run into him here and the few tis I do, I realize that I will rather put up with Asher than run into Brett. He has a cold aura around him that makes shiver in my heels even when I haven’t done anything to upset him. Sothing about the bland expression on his face tells I will never be good enough in my father-in-law’s eyes.
"Off to lunch?"
"Um, yes sir. I’m done with most of my work today. I am off to grab a quick lunch with a friend."
His lips curl distastefully as he takes in my flowers. "And your husband? Do you ever make ti to fit him in your plans?"
I don’t understand why Mr. Rollins is suddenly invested in my relationship with Ashley. He knows exactly what kind of marriage contract we have going. Why is he making a fuss about who I eat lunch with?
"Ashley and I already made lunch plans for tomorrow, sir."
There’s definitely sothing more to the look he continues to give .
"That’s fine. Be careful. Make sure you don’t give those hungry journalists sothing negative to write about my family." He stalks away like he just dished out a complint and not an insult. I don’t bother to let the insult simr as I rush out to et with my friends.
***
"Why didn’t you tell Asher was blackmailing you?" Liam asks with a frown.
"Everything happened so fast, from Kira’s betrayal to the Asher’s blackmail. I thought I could handle Asher and talk him out of it. I planned to find sothing against him to bargain with."
"it’s ASHER. You can’t talk him out of anything."
"I realize that now. Thankfully, Ashton t in ti and squashed his brother’s plans."
Anna cos over to serve us our lunch and join us. Her boss didn’t object when I asked for a few minutes of my friend’s ti. Even though he obliged because of my status, I am glad I get to talk to my best friend.
"Speaking of Ashton, I got so juicy info from the device. Turns out there’s a woman nad Olivia who happens to be Ashal’s wife."
"What?" I gasp. "Ashal is married?"
"Yes. Ashton spewed a lot while accusing Asher of banging Ashal’s wife and even getting her pregnant. Listen." He passes earphones to . Anna and I stick each end in our ears and listen as Ashton scolds Asher. I can’t believe my ears. Not only is Ashal married but his wife is having a secret affair with Asher? She even got pregnant for him and lost the child? Where is Olivia? How co nobody ntions her in the mansion? What other secrets could this family be hiding?
"Olivia." I repeat the na.
"You know her?"
"No but I think she knows ." I imdiately start flipping through my phone. "A few weeks back, I got a strange text from soone with the initials, O.D claiming that I am not the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins family. The ssage literally told , ’welco to hell."
"What? Why wouldn’t you tell about sothing like that?"
"I didn’t think much of it. I thought it was a random person trying to prank because I married into their dream family or sothing." I arrive at the end of my ssages and realize Olivia’s ssage is gone.
"You can’t cheery-pick which information you pass along to . You get creepy ssages like that or threats, you let know. Okay?"
"I can’t find it. It was right here." I turn to Anna. "You were there, right? You saw that text from O.D. I never deleted it but it appears soone did. I can’t even find her contact." Anna grabs my phone and scrolls through while Liam expels a frustrated breath.
"It’s gone. Soone must have deleted it."
"Who could have done that?" Liam asks. "The quads?"
"If one of them did, then they know Olivia tried to contact . I wonder what kind of state she’s in. They could have her locked in a basent or worse."
"Let’s not jump to conclusions. Olivia can’t be locked in a basent even though she’s clearly hidden away from the public eye. She has access to a phone to send texts. I’ll do a deep dive into won nad Olivia who have had dealings with the quads in the past two years and see what I can find."
"The penthouse." It’s almost like a light bulb cos on in my head. "I don’t know about the rest of the quads but Ashal owns a penthouse in Alpha District. The quads took there once and threatened to back out of my deal with their mother. If Ashal has a wife, that must be where she stays. I’ll see if I can finagle the address and pay him a surprise visit whenever he goes to see her."
"Wonderful." Liam nods. "Is there anything else you’re keeping from ? Any weird texts or calls I need to look into?"
I don’t have to think about it. "Apart from Olivia, there’s soone else who texts once in a blue moon threatening to expose my secret to the Rollins family. I don’t think I can keep ignoring it." I show Anna and Liam the texts. "The thing is they haven’t asked for money or anything but I feel it’s coming."
Liam frowns and hands my phone back to . "If they had solid proof, they would have demanded money for their silence or gone ahead to show their evidence to Brett Rollins or the quads. I say ignore it for now."
"Asher."
"What?" I ask, staring at Anna’s wide eyes. She jerks up and points.
"That’s Asher’s car."
We all follow her gaze and true enough, Asher’s G-Wagon pulls up in front of the restaurant.
"What the hell is he doing here? He doesn’t even like having lunch just about anywhere." When I turn, Anna looks flushed. I barely have ti to wonder how she is able to recognize his car from afar when Liam grabs his lunch and switches to an empty table with his back turned to us. He keeps his head low to avoid getting recognized. While Anna pats down her uniform, I touch my al for the first ti.
Asher strolls in to find Anna’s signature welco smile. He returns it with a sly one as he heads towards her. When I turn my head to face him, the flirty look on his face gives way to a surprised glint.
"Well, if it isn’t my intern."
"I am allowed to have lunch too, right? Besides, my best friend works here so it shouldn’t co as a surprise. What brings you here, boss?"
Asher jams both hands in his pocket. He looks dashing in any suit. "Hunger. What else could it be?" Anna hustles away and returns with lunch packaged to go.
"Your order, sir."
"Thank you, Anna." Asher smirks at before leaving. I am so confused right now.
"How long has been coming here?"
"It’s a restaurant, Demi. Everyone who can pay is welco to patronize us. Don’t bite your nails over it."
But I look worriedly as my best friend saunters away. How can she be so professional and cool with a man who almost ruined her life? Most importantly, why does it feel like there’s more to this than she lets on?
***
Ashton didn’t co down to have dinner with everyone. Upon enquiry, one of the housekeeping staff informs father that Ashton isn’t in his room. The rest of the quads confirm that he hasn’t been taking his calls all day. My fingers tighten around my cutlery as I recall how angry he had been earlier. What must have transpired in the office?
Father looks worried now. Did they have a fight? Mother keeps trying his line to no avail.
"He’s Ashton." Asher quips. "I’m sure he can take care of himself."
"Yes father, he’ll surely be back soon." Ashley adds.
Ashal beams up at mother. "He’s fine. He’s probably having fun out."
"Why wouldn’t he take his calls and let us know? Why do you boys always scare like this?"
"Ah, there he is." Asher shouts.
Everyone at the table turns as Ashton walks in.
"Why haven’t you been taking your calls, young man? Your mother has been sick with worry."
Ashton ignores father and walks up to crouch by mother’s feet.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t an to make you worry." He kisses her palms and goes on to apologize to everyone, claiming Mila had insisted he keep his phone on silent so they can enjoy so personal ti. My insides churn uncomfortably hearing this. I pull my eyes away from Ashton and fork so food into my mouth.
He excuses himself and heads for his room to freshen up. While his eyes track the room, he never let it settle on , not even once. Is he avoiding now? Since when have he and Mila beco so chummy with each other? I try not to overthink it. What right do I have to be pissed or jealous?
I should focus on important things like the fact that I am getting closer to uncovering dirty secrets within the family. Ashal’s is still too heavy to digest. As I wink at him across the table, I can’t help but wonder how he has a secret wife. Could he truly be abusing Olivia for her to attribute being a daughter-in-law of the Rollins family to living in hell? Does he love her? What would he do if he later learns that the child he thought he lost actually belongs to Asher?
Ashley tops off my wine and I shoot him a sweet smile. With everything that happened with the date, he has been so thoughtful lately. I was even able to load a spy app into his phone while he was distracted.
With dinner concluded, I head back to my room, declining Ashal’s offer for late night gas. I work a seven to five now and sleep has suddenly beco a luxury. While the quads call the shots in their respective companies, I am a re intern and could get fired for the slightest infraction.
Ashley bids goodnight and joins Ashal and Asher to chill at the ga room for a bit. I know it’s too risky and stupid but I can’t get it off my mind. I desperately need to talk to Ashton. He’s been acting so weird lately. When I am certain that no one is watching, I sidle to Ashton’s door and try his phone. It doesn’t connect. So, he actually blocked ? I can’t believe it.
I knock repeatedly on his door but he wouldn’t open up.
"Open up. I need to talk to you."
Still nothing. What the hell is his problem now?
"Ash, please."
The door opens and a shirtless Ashton scowls at . His hair is shagged around his ears. His chest is broad with sparse hair. I ignore the instant tug of desire as my eyes rake his hard biceps. With a low gasp, I fist my fingers to stop myself from touching his body.
"My eyes are up here, Branson. What the hell do you want?"
Embarrassed, I swallow hard. "Erm..." Why can’t I rember anything beyond his rock-hard abs? "I...I um..."
"Take that shit to Ashley. I’m sure he can understand gibberish."
"Wait." I call before he can shut the door. His sweat pants are riding dangerously low on his waist so I cent my eyes on his face to keep from drooling. I want to ask him why he blocked and why he has been so cold towards when I see sothing trickling down the side of his neck. My hand moves faster than my mouth can ask anything. Ashton’s hand catches my wrist just as my finger tips swipe at the liquid.
"Don’t ever touch my hair." He breathes through clenched teeth.
We both stare down at the blood coating my fingertips. Dread washes over but Ashton remains indifferent.
"You’re bleeding." I gasp worriedly.
He shoves my hand away. "Don’t bother again."
Stubbornly, I plant my foot between the door before he can jam it closed.
"Let help you clean it. Five minutes."
"It’s a small cut. I can handle it...what the fuck do you think you’re doing?" He yells when I push past him and shut the door behind . "Get out."
"Why are you being so cold towards ? Is it because of the double date? Did Ashley say sothing?"
"GET OUT THIS MINUTE DEMI OR I SWEAR TO GOD..."
The rooms are all similar so I easily find my way to his bathroom. I don’t know why I am being so reckless. This wouldn’t look good for either for us but despite the adrenalin rush I am getting from the risk of getting caught in my brother-in-law’s room, I still grab the first aid kit. My fingers freeze over the excessive supply of blonde hair dye in the bathroom cabinet.
Ashton halts his hurried steps by the door when he finds poised by the cabinet. Our eyes et. For whatever reason, I don’t ask him about the hair dye. It may be because I am in a hurry to tend to his wound without getting caught or because of the helpless look in his eyes when he thought I had found sothing he wasn’t proud to show anyone. All the anger and anness seem to dissipate after my discovery.
We don’t say anything to each other afterwards. Silently, he complies when I order him to sit by the tub. While he stares into my face, I rinse his hair with the hand shower. The gold color of his hair is inconsistent but I say nothing.
Ashton sits up while I proceed to use a soft washcloth to clean around the cut. After the bleeding stops with a little pressure from a gauze, I go in with an ice pack to reduce the swelling around his scalp.
Ashton quietly watches the whole ti.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Mhmm."
It’s been over ten minutes. I know he feels just fine but simply doesn’t want to leave.
"Just hold this over your head and you’ll be fine." He grabs the ice pack from my hands and holds it over the swollen scalp.
"Thank you."
I shelve my thoughts and the burning questions I have for later. I can’t remain here for another second, not with the way Ashton is looking at or I him. I suddenly feel hot all over just staring into his sexy blue eyes.
He trails behind as I head back into the room and towards the door. The lust crawling up my thighs fizzle away when soone knocks on the door.
"Hey Ash, are you in bed yet? Can I have a quick word?" It definitely sounds like Ashley.
Ashton and I trade alard looks. I imdiately break into a panic as we watch the knob turn and the door swing open.
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