DEMI
My legs are shaking nervously as everyone fixates on . Kira is so evil to do sothing like this. I try to catch my breath and think.
I can’t even glance at Ashton. I don’t want to give him a look that could easily be misconstrued at the table so I let my eyes droop to my sweaty hands. When father orders to respond, my heart gallops. How am I supposed to get out of this now?
Anna’s hand reaches under the table to grab mine.
"I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Demi didn’t take the number for herself; she did it for ." She dips her eyes in sha. "Like most won in Danvarr, going on a date with the Rollins’ quads is a bucket list of mine that will never see the light of day. Most of us have nursed silly crushes for your sons since they beca famous but it’s nothing obsessive like a stalker or crazy." She clarifies. While father’s frown only deepens, mother’s tensed face breaks into a small smile.
"I also heard of Mr. Fantasy but I could never get his number. I have ntioned it to Demi quite a few tis so when Kira told her she actually had his number, Demi only took it for . She brought it to . I was the one that went out with Mr. Fantasy."
"You’re lying." Kira counters her. "Demi took the number for herself. That’s what she told . Why wouldn’t she just tell that she’s taking it for her friend if that was the case rather than letting suspect that she’s planning on cheating on her husband?"
"Because she knows I wouldn’t appreciate it if she tells other people about my silly crush. She intentionally kept my na out of it but you wouldn’t understand that kind of loyalty. You hate your cousin. You’re also jealous of her. No one here is surprised by how shalessly you are trying to put her down."
"What exactly is your problem with your cousin, Kira?" Ashton questions her angrily.
She turns to him and her flaring eyes simr down to painful embarrassnt at his chastisent.
"You appear to be all smiley and nice on the outside but getting to know you, I’ve realized you are a bully and a an girl. Family should seek to protect each other not try to tear each down. If you weren’t sure of what your cousin’s intentions for the date were, you could have asked her or given her the benefit of the doubt. It’s the bare minimum." He turns to her mother. "Mrs. Collin, you will have to do a better job teaching your daughter so manners so she doesn’t embarrass herself and your family by coming off as crass in public."
"I will never understand what I have done to deserve your hatred, Kira. You’re family to but you consider so kind of threat. And aunt, you always choose to be silent when your daughter is being rude, disrespectful or unfair towards . You never caution her even when she makes ridiculous accusations against . What have I done to you two?" Tears roll down my eyes as I interrogate them further while Anna and mother try to console .
"ENOUGH." Father is up on his feet now. "This was supposed to be a simple lunch but you all have ruined my appetite with your family drama. Don’t ever bring this feud in front of again or I’ll have to rethink inviting you to our future events to save face."
While aunt tries to apologize, he storms away. Kira is beyond mortified now as mother sits with her head in her hands.
"Are you happy?" Ashal asks Kira, surging to his feet and dumping his napkin on the table. He goes over to help mom up and comforts her.
Father will bla mom partially for inviting my aunt and Kira over. If she had bothered to ask first, we could have saved ourselves this embarrassnt. Asher wipes his lips with his eyes trained on before rising too.
"We’re very sorry." Aunt repeats for the umpteenth ti but he only gives her a cold look and stalks off. Kira is crying now. "Please," Aunt begs mother, "We are deeply sorry. I’ll make sure Kira never repeats this behavior again."
"Mrs. Collin, if your daughter bears a grudge against Demi, I can’t possibly allow them to share the sa space. You shouldn’t have let her carry on like that. She was going off the rails and you sat back and enjoyed the show. Didn’t you promise that you would treat Demi better after her marriage was accepted? She is your niece for goodness’ sake. Should I have to tell you to treat her well?" Mother shakes her head and gestures for . Anna helps up.
"You are welco to finish your als. The security will show you out afterwards." I take mother’s hand and follow her after hugging Anna goodbye.
"Why exactly does your aunt and cousin treat you so badly?" She asks after I’ve settled in her room with a glass of water in my hand. I sniffle and set the glass down.
"Frankly, I am at a loss as well. At first, I thought it was just a normal rivalry between relatives. Over ti, it’s grown into pure hatred. Aunt used to take my side sotis back when I newly moved in with them but she eventually stopped. It’s gotten worse now. They don’t care for at all." I lift my eyes to stare at mother. "I’m sorry about the date thing. I just wanted to do sothing special for Anna. I don’t expect anyone to get it but she’s like a sister to and the only true friend I’ve made since moving here. She has never asked for a penny. I wanted to make her dream co true by helping her bag a date with Mr. Fantasy."
"About that," Mother leans forward. "Did you ever get to see this person or did Anna talk about her date? How similar is he to my sons?"
"Not very. He’s great at making impressions of them but it takes more than a blonde wig and a great accent to pull off the Rollins quads to perfection. Anna wasn’t too impressed but she was glad she had so fun with the make-believe."
"And which of my sons was Anna trying to fake a date with?" Mother’s face is not exactly bursting into a smile right now but beyond the plain lines of her face, her curiosity in the matter shines through.
My mind wheels back to Anna’s words. She had lied so convincingly that I almost thought she ant every word. I know she has always fancied the quads. She doesn’t exactly have a particular favorite but I can’t tell mother that and make my friend look cheap to her.
"I’m so sorry mother but like Anna said, she doesn’t like her private business being discussed with others."
"I understand."
"I’ll go see if aunt and Kira have left."
"And if they haven’t? Don’t put yourself through that. Just let things die down. I’m sure they’ll co to their senses and offer you a deserving apology." I nod to her.
"Thank you for having my back, mother. I’m grateful to this family for filling the void that’s always plagued my life; a family to call my own." We share a hug before I leave her.
Downstairs, aunt and Kira are surprisingly lingering. One of the quads is talking to them in hush tones. When I draw closer and he whips his head, I stifle the urge to roll my eyes.
"Are you feeling better?" Asher asks . I shrug lazily in response. Aunt and Kira step forward, their eyes llow with ekness.
"Don’t." I say, stopping Kira as she cracks her lips to talk to . "We both know this isn’t going to be the last ti you verbally attack . We also know that your feelings towards are set in stone. Henceforth, I am not going to delude myself into thinking things can ever be fine between us. We just have to tolerate each other whenever we find ourselves in the sa room. Save the false appearances for my in-laws."
Mother and daughter excuse themselves and exit the mansion with their tails between their legs.
Asher continues to watch out of the corner of my eye. I recall his visit to my aunt’s and Kira’s exact words about how he wanted their help to get rid of .
"If you’ve got sothing to say to , just say it."
"Mr. Fantasy, have you still got the dude’s number?" I am not surprised he’s asking.
"Why? Didn’t Kira give it to you? If she has lost it, I’m sure she’ll be more than glad to ask around for it again. She’ll do anything to please her crush, just like she and aunt tried to talk into divorcing Ashley to help you get rid of as you kindly requested of them. They’re your lackeys so put them to work." While my eyes are burning with anger, he maintains his smirk. I watch it grow cockier on his face.
"Tone it down, Demi Branson. You’re being crass, just like the rest of your family."
"Get a girlfriend, Asher, a real one that you would be proud kiss in front of the cara and have babies with. You clearly still have too much ti on your hands despite work. Do so good for yourself. I’m sure there’s a woman out there who wouldn’t be put off by your black heart because of the golden cage around it."
His smirk is totally gone now and in its place is a look of pure shock. He didn’t expect to know about Nessa or the pregnancy. I hate that I had to let it out in other to win a stupid pissing contest. Hopefully, he won’t take it out on Nessa.
***
Ashely calls every lunch break to remind to have lunch.
"How’s it going?
"It’s been silent so far. Ashton’s been to your office twice this week but there’s been no sign from the blackmailer. Mother wants to believe it’s over but it’s too soon to celebrate. How are you? Mother ntioned you were having nightmares."
"I’m fine. The nightmares are nothing serious. I want to co ho. I am sick of feeling like a coward who ran away from his own problems. I’ll call this off and return tomorrow."
Tomorrow? Ashton and I are thinking of scheduling a date to hopefully lure the blackmailer to us. I want to see how that goes even if it’s shaless of . Beyond that, Liam is working on a piece to get to the bottom of Tobias’ murder. I can’t let Ashley return so soon.
"You are not a coward, Ash. You are being smart. If you don’t take care of your health, you won’t be able to take down this woman. Let Ashton figure it out. I was truly scared after you opened that box. Nobody deserves to suffer like that over sothing they didn’t do. We’ll get to the bottom of it, just have so faith in your brother." He pauses briefly.
"Thank you."
"Anyti."
"Ashton ntioned that there were two cards in the box." My heart gallops at his words. "I never knew."
Why would Ashton bring it up with Ashley? Does he doubt ?
"He shouldn’t have brought that up with you."
"Yeah, you should have. I would have preferred you told , especially before I ca over here. I’m not so weak, okay? It might be a little tough at first but I would have been able to handle it. I don’t want you treating like I’m a weakling."
"I’m sorry. I never ant to make you feel that way." He accepts my apology, reminds to have a great day and tells how much he misses before hanging up.
"I’m sorry, Ashley but your secret isn’t safe with . I’ll have to use it to weaken the link and push closer to uncovering the truth about my parents’ death. I hope you can forgive one day." I mutter under my breath.
"What did you say to him?" Nessa asks, accosting next to the coffee maker in the staff kitchen.
"What?"
Her eyes are red at the rims and she looks forlorn. She sniffles and fusses with her hair when one of our colleagues enter. I watch Nessa’s eyes twitch the whole ti till we are finally left alone again.
"What did you say to Asher? Why is he being so an to today?" I don’t have to think about it.
"I’m sorry Nessa, it just slipped out of anger. I don’t an to put you in a bad spot with our boss."
"You knew? Demi, even if you did, I hoped you’d exercise so discretion as a fellow woman. You know how hard that period was for . I’ve put everything behind to face my duties because I really need this job. As my friend who lives with my boss, how could you have put my job at risk like that? He thinks I told you. You know how he gets when he’s mad. I don’t’..." She buries her face in her palms and moves away when I try to console her.
"I’ll go clarify everything and apologize to him right now."
"Forget it." Nessa stops with teary yet steely eyes. "It’ll only convince him that I report everything to you. I’ll fix this ss myself. For now, please mind your business and let mind mine." She dries her eyes and storms away.
Shit. I can’t lose her. Our friendship has only just begun.
Nessa ignores for the greater part of the day, even while we share a desk at a eting with all team leaders on our floor.
After the hour-long briefing, I follow her to the snack table. She samples the treats displayed and settles for a slice of pizza and so chamomile tea.
"Nessa? Please don’t be mad at . I literally have no friends here. Who am I supposed to talk to?"
"I’ve managed by myself just fine for years before you showed up. You were also doing alright before we beca close. I’m sure we’ll both survive."
"C’mon Nessa...
"Demi Rollins?" A stranger interrupts us. She’s an older lady in her fifties with hair cropped short around her ears and a nicely fitted skirt suit on her body. "I am Amanda Regan. I supervise the facilities managent team."
I take her hand and shake it firmly though unsure why she’s making this introduction with deep eyes that seem to be searching my soul.
"I’m not sure I recognize you."
"You don’t. I’m sorry for staring it’s just, you remind so much of a colleague of mine that passed years back. The resemblance isn’t at the level that it is uncanny but it’s there quite alright." My heart thuds in my chest as I flick a glance at Nessa. "You two have to be related sohow. Do you know Camille Branson? She’s a colleague of mine that passed so years ago in a work-related accident. Does that na ring a bell?"
Mom. She knows my mom? I strap down the tears threatening to spill as Asher makes his way towards us. Nessa is also staring at curiously.
"No, doesn’t sound familiar except for the last na. I don’t know her." I turn my face to hide the pain in my eyes for denying my own mother. I hope she can forgive but it’s too risky for our relationship to co out right now. I grab the sa thing Nessa is having and beam up at her.
"I’ll just leave you be." The lady walks back to rejoin her group of friends. She mutters sothing to them and they shake their heads sadly while stealing surreptitious glances at . Do they all know my mom?
Asher reaches us and brushes past to grab a bar of chocolate. Nessa tries to protest over his choice but he shuts her down with a stern look. I feel awkward standing between them. When Nessa retreats, I turn to Asher.
"You shouldn’t bla her unfairly. She has never said a word to about anything. I found out all on my own and no other person will hear it from my lips, but that’s only because Nessa is my friend now and I respect her privacy. It wasn’t my place to judge and I am sorry for speaking to you the way I did. Please..." I emphasize with sad eyes, "Punish if you want soone to bla, not her."
I locate Nessa in the crowded room looking forlorn. Asher follows my gaze too and Nessa dips her head. "I can tell she’s still fragile from everything that happened. Don’t make things worse by giving her the cold shoulder. Poor girl needs this job and your kindness."
Without waiting for him to speak, I walk away. The older ladies continue to watch from all the way across the room. Sotis, they’d whisper to themselves. I was glad the eting finally ca to an end and we all dispersed to our various departnts and offices.
After work, it starts raining heavily. I sit in my car and cry a bit in front of St. Lucy church where I had wedded Asher. My plan had been to go in and pray for forgiveness for denying my late mom.
I feel so guilty about it, especially given the way the ladies had been staring at . Do they suspect I lied? Did mom ever ntion to her friends? I continue to cry as the rain pours down heavily.
"I’m so sorry." I croak in tears. I would never deny her. I have every plan to reveal my identity at a later date but I never envisaged that I would run into anyone who would ask about mom here. I mostly look like my dad with sparse features of my mom. My heart continues to break as I recall my old life.
The next thing I hear is soone tapping my glass. I jerk awake. The rainfall has ebbed. Outside, a familiar face stands with an umbrella in his hand. He is the sa man that chaired my wedding with Asher. He gestures for to roll down my window.
"Are you okay, Miss?"
"Yes." I wipe my face and fake a laugh. I’m glad he doesn’t recognize . "I’m so sorry. I pulled over to rest while it was raining. I must have dozed off. I’ll just be on my way."
"Are you sure you don’t want to co in to offer supplication? I can tell your heart is heavy." The offer is tempting. No matter how long I cried, I still don’t feel like I have satiated my guilt. My eyes stray to the door.
"Don’t overthink it, Demi, just co in. It wouldn’t be the first ti." He smiles warmly at .
"You rember ?" I ask in surprise.
"I rember a lot of the people I join in this church. I am not as old and forgetful as I look." He chuckles a bit. "Besides, the Rollins family is special to . I consider myself fortunate to have chaired two weddings in your household, even if the first remains our little secret." He winks at .
Two weddings huh?
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