Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 157

ASHER

It feels strange to realize that the HQ, which used to be my second home, now feels unfamiliar. Formerly, I walked around with a chip on my shoulder, worshipped by every staff and adored by all. Today, as I make my way across the hall to my office, all I feel are chills running down my back.

Everyone is staring at me but not like before. There are uncomfortable questions in their eyes. They murmur behind my back. I ignore them and head all the way to my office. My new secretary welcomes me.

"Welcome back, sir."

"Thank you, Mrs. Spencer."

"Actually, it’s Mrs. Brighton." She beams at me.

"Okay, Mrs. Brighton." I force a smile before going through my door. Inside, I find Nessa slowly rising from the sofa. Anger sizzles in my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Since she resigned, we’ve barely spoken. I’ve kept my distance and retained my annoyance at her sheer betrayal.

"Mr. Asher, I’m deeply sorry for everything..."

"I don’t have time for this." I cut her short. "GET OUT." But she stays put while I round my desk and turn on my laptop. "Are you deaf or something?"

"I just thought I’d check on you given everything that’s been going on."

"Gee, thanks. I am terrific. Now, get out before your boss/boyfriend strolls in here and starts making assumptions..."

Mrs. Brighton’s high pitched voice welcoming Josh distracts me. Seconds later, Josh barges into my office and smirks at the sight of Nessa and I.

"I thought I’ find you here." He walks up to her and gives her hair a little down pat. "We have that meeting in an hour, remember? I’d appreciate it if you returned to your desk to make double sure everything’s ready."

"Yes, sir." Nessa gives me one last apologetic look before walking away.

"What is this about?" I ask Josh sternly. Since Billion-Err exposed his paternity and half of Danvarr grew sympathetic towards him, I’ve noticed how awfully confident he has grown. Lately, he’s been rubbing it in that he no longer has any reason to stay within his limits. He boldly addresses himself as Josh Rollins during meetings and even in some interviews.

"Calm down, Asher. Whatever you think this is about, you’re definitely wrong." He tucks both hands in his pocket. "Look, I know our family is going through a lot right now. The business is suffering because of it and in as much as you’d like to return to work and do your job, you have to consider the reputation of the business."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"Look out there. We’ve not had that much paparazzi since you haven’t been here. They’re obviously waiting to hound you the second you clock out. That’s just more bad press for the HQ."

I chuckle dryly. "Are you asking me to leave, Josh? Are you nuts or something?" My eyes darken with anger.

"I thought you’d be mature about this but apparently, I was wrong. Even father has been working steadily from home because he understands the gravity of the situation so why does this have to be a song and dance with you?"

"Get the fuck out of my office this minute, Randall, or I’ll break your nose. That’s a promise!"

"It’s Rollins. It has always been Josh Rollins just like it has always been Asher Sawyer for you."

I belt out a good laugh. "We were both created by Brett Rollins, Josh. Denying that won’t help you feel secure about your identity. You might have his blood coursing through your veins but I have everything else; his mannerisms, his mind, his traits that run deeper than blood. He molded me from infancy. I am his battle-axe, an extension of him that you can never measure up to. You are nothing more than his blood and bone. I am his true legacy."

I point to the window. "Controversy? Brett thrives on that. Don’t forget he’s every bit in the news as much as my brothers and I have been. Where do you think we got it from? We are just like him; we make headlines just by being and when it’s all done, we know how to bounce back. So, don’t worry your little head about us. You’ll need a lot of years to catch up to what it means to be a Rollins man."

He grits his teeth while I plunk down on my chair with a satisfied smile.

"Are we done here?"

"For now." He says before walking away with his tail between his legs.

I am never going to let him make me feel insecure. I am more Brett than he could ever wish to be. It might not be a compliment but it’s a fact I’ve come to realize.

I tip my head back and sigh. I’m just going to try to have a normal day at the office, after weeks of dealing with family crisis. I have missed my rhythm and I sincerely hope I can find it again.

My phone buzzes, jarring my blissful thoughts. I decline it the moment I recognize the caller. If there’s anyone I want to speak to, it’s Ashton. I miss him. If mother hadn’t confided in me while making alternative arrangements just in case father made good on his threat, I wonder what would have become of my brother now.

Unlike my brothers, I am not entirely dependent on father. I guess I have always doubted the longevity of father’s protection ever since Josh came into the picture. Coupled with father constantly breaking his word to me, it seemed the most natural thing to do was secure assets for myself that nobody knew about.

It may not run into the billions I handle under father. However, it’s more than enough to afford my brothers and our mother a fresh start that mirrors what they’re already used to, in case shit hits the fan.

My phone continues to buzz. Angrily, I take the call.

"Anna, you need to stop calling my phone..."

"WHERE IS SHE?"

"What?"

"Where’s my best friend? What have you done to Demi?" Her voice is shaky and sad.

"Why would I know Demi’s whereabouts? She doesn’t live in the mansion anymore, remember?" I try not to think too far. If Demi’s truly missing, only one person could have abducted her.

"Please, Asher. She left her uncle’s place yesterday morning. He hasn’t heard from her since she arrived in Danvarr. I haven’t seen or heard from her either but I lied to him to keep him from worrying too much. Her phone’s turned off. It’s unlike her to keep her loved ones this worried. I don’t mean to apportion blames but I have concrete reasons to believe you and your family might know something about it. Please help me find her."

"Well, you’re wrong this time. If Demi was with us, trust me, I’d know about it."

"But..."

"I hope you find your friend, Anna. I mean it but please quit calling my phone. I’m trying to work."

"I could have called Ashton but I thought you’d be more helpful." She quickly chimes in before I can end the call. "Maybe I was wrong. I should have called him first."

I’m glad she can’t reach Ashton and trouble him with news about Demi. Still, I can’t leave anything to chance. Ashton and father are still feuding right now. The last thing he needs is Anna getting him all riled up and facing off father again.

I huff out a frustrated breath. "Fine. Fine. I’ll make some calls and have some of my guys look for her. In the meantime, don’t bother anyone else about this. Don’t talk to the media. Stay put, okay? I’ll let you know what I find."

"Thanks, Asher."

After the call, I stroke my chin in pensive thought. Did father seriously abduct Demi without letting me know? If he did, that means he’s starting to distrust me which isn’t good. If he distrusts me, he’ll definitely start trusting Josh instead. I can’t have that.

For the rest of the day, I try to expel every other distracting thought and focus on my job. It doesn’t prove easy.

Soon, the day comes to an end. Intentionally, I linger a bit, waiting for everyone on my floor, and the journalists lurking downstairs to clear out. Even my secretary leaves without poking her head in to inform me first, the way Nessa used to.

"Have you spoken to Ashton?" I ask mother as I pack up my things and head to the parking lot.

"Not yet but I have eyes on him. He’s moved into the house. You were right. It didn’t take him long to figure out I am behind it all."

I smile at that.

"Otto said he drove the minivan out."

"He did?"

"Yeah. I can’t believe you remembered. That was such a nice touch, Asher. You should tell him it was all your idea."

I shake my head. "No, you should. Both of you can use that as an ice breaker or whatever when you hash things out." freewebnσvel.cѳm

Mother sighs. "They need to know all the sacrifices you’ve been making for them, Ash. They don’t appreciate you enough."

I unlock my car and toss my jacket on the passenger seat. "I just want them to be safe and well taken care of. Nothing else, mother. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you soon."

A sudden knock on my window startles me. Looking up, I gape in surprise at the sight of Olivia in a hoodie. She gestures that I wind down my window but instead, I leap out of the car and give her a once over.

"Olivia? What are you doing here?" My eyes dart around the solitary space. "Where the hell did you run off to? You gave me your word!"

"I don’t have time to do this with you, Asher. I’m just here to tell you to have my sister released to me by tomorrow or as sure as I live, Billion-Err will be getting CCTV footage of Ashal’s madness in full display, as well other incriminating recordings I have of him admitting his wrongs to me."

What the fuck? Madeline was kidnapped too? What else could father be keeping from me?

I yank her arm when she tries to leave. "And then what? Huh? What do you think will happen when you share all that information?" I rake my hand through my hair, unable to believe how precariously close I am to begging.

"Look, Liv, he just returned from rehab, okay? HE WENT THERE TO DEAL WITH IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. He’s been through months of therapy. He’s sorry for everything he ever did to you. Is there really no better way to sort this out than to put the father of your unborn child under the microscope for the masses to eat him alive?"

Her eyes brim with rage. "Yes, there is and it’s quite simple. Release my sister and STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME AND MY FAMILY FOREVER! Is that too much to ask?"

"Fine. Just give me some time. I’ll get her home safely before the end of tomorrow."

"You better do that or I won’t be the only one who loses a sister to that devilish father of yours!" She wrenches her arm free.

My head spins for a second. "What? What do you mean by that? Olivia? Get back here! Olivia??" But she simply stalks off into the night without a backward glance.

How the hell did she know about my sister???