Chapter 201
DEMI
This has to be a dream. Seeing two of the Rollins quads at my aunt’s house and overhearing Kira say I walked out on my marriage felt like a bad dream. My legs wobbled while I snuck away through the backyard.
I could NEVER marry into the family that ended the lives of my parents. That’s impossible! Even if it did happen as a necessary step in my revenge plan, I would NEVER entertain feelings for any of those quads.
The mere thought makes me nauseous but the fact that I gave up on my revenge mission is a fatal punch in the gut. How could I have broken the promise I made to my late parents? How could I have been so spineless and chickened out? How stupid and weak could I have been to have been sidetracked by silly feelings for any member of the Rollins family?
If aunt and Kira had confirmed Anna and Ash Rollins’ stories, then it must be true. A sharp pain sears my heart at the brutal realization.
People stare at me awkwardly on the street, even subtly taking pictures. Before my accident, I was mostly invisible to them on the street, a fly on the wall in most public spaces.
It scares me to have their attention latched onto me so intently. Someone even calls out Demi Rollins, followed by a shy wave. Rollins? Yuck. I mutter, picking up the pace to Rahl’s bookstore.
The whole way, I keep wondering how I lost my memories. Just how did that happen from a simple accident that didn’t even require surgery? I am not sure what to believe or who to trust at the moment. What if my amnesia isn’t a natural consequence of my accident but rather planned by those around me?
Anna? I know she’s had the biggest crush on the Rollins quads which influenced her decision to work at the Blue Cover where the quads hang out.
I also know she’s got financial issues due to her mother’s health. I see no reason why she wouldn’t ditch me and side with the Rollins family to help hers. Can I really trust her to be on my side? What if she really ratted me out to the Rollins family?
My aunt and cousin are out of the question. They’ve always hated me so it won’t surprise me if they’d be willing to work with my enemies to my detriment. A little monetary reward (for aunt) and fame (for Kira) is all it will take.
Hot tears stream down my face. I forgot my phone back at Anna’s place or I would have called Liam. If Anna ratted me out, I am convinced he wouldn’t because we have a common enemy and our agendas are aligned. He should be able to help me make sense of my confusing reality.
Getting to Mr. Rahl’s bookstore, I bang furiously on the door. “Mr. Rahl? Hello? Is anyone in there p>
Why is it closed? Why won’t anyone come to the door?
“Mr. Rahl? It’s me, Demi Branson.” I peek through the glass. Some books are misplaced on the reading desks and shelves. If the store had been opened today, it definitely would have been tidied.
Do I still work here? I wonder. Even if I don’t, Mr. Rahl is a kind employer. He’d welcome me back any time. Right now, he’s the only one I trust to tell me the truth. I continue to bang on the door, hoping not to draw too much attention to myself.
“Hey p>
Startled, I turn sharply to find a man staring at me.
“Demi Rollins? I’m sorry.” He abruptly apologizes with folded hands. “I thought it was some rando trying to get into Rahl’s bookstore p>
When he walks towards me, it takes more than the force of sheer will to keep me from backtracking or running off. “The bookstore’s been shut down for a while but I guess you didn’t hear about it.” At my confused expression, he pauses in front of me. “Are you okay? What happened to your head p>
Ducking before he can touch me, I reply with a nervous laugh. “Nothing serious. Thanks for the concern p>
“Are you sure p>
“Mhmm.” I run a hand over my sweaty brows and try to put on my best performance to mask my confusion. “Oh, I keep forgetting. This place holds so much memories for me that I often find it comforting to return here sometimes p>
He bobs his head in understanding. “Yeah. I get nostalgic sometimes too, not just the store but this neighborhood in general. I grew up here and that was one of the best gifts my parents gave me. It’s been five months since I got my new apartment close to my job but I still struggle to move out of this neighborhood despite the financial strain on my pocket.” He sighs wistfully and tears his eyes off the surrounding to peer at me. “I’m glad to know someone like you gets it too, despite the status change you’ve gone through this year p>
Wordlessly, I struggle to ignore my racing heartbeat. Were we friendly neighbors? How well did we know each other?
“I…uh, I was kind of hoping to talk to Mr. Rahl but maybe some other time The accidental brush of my hand over his gives me frightened shivers. I sidestep and stand facing the open street so I can hightail it out of there as soon as I can do so politely. But then, a thought crosses my mind.
“Actually, do you mind if I use your phone? I just want to make a quick call p>
His kind eyes crinkle in a smile as he offers it to me. “Sure. Here you go p>
“I hope you weren’t in any kind of hurry p>
“Oh no, it’s no problem. I’m just meeting with a friend at the Coffee House down the street and he’s already running late. Go ahead p>
With a grateful nod, I punch in my uncle’s number. I have no idea how Anna was able to contact him. If memory serves me correctly (and right now, it might not) my uncle has been somewhat MIA in my life since my parents’ funeral.
I chose to believe he needed time to grieve, and not that he was actively distancing himself from me. I have no idea how Anna could have gotten a hold of uncle Marcel.
Shortly after the phone rings, he picks up.
“Hello?” I have no idea where to begin. “Uncle Marcel, it’s your niece, Demi. I really need your help right now p>
“DEMI? OH GOD. DEMI, ARE YOU OK?” A strangely familiar voice rasps on the other end of the line. “Please listen to me. I know you’re very confused right now. Nothing makes sense but I promise, everything will be alright. Please tell me exactly where you are and I’d come get you. I’ll bring Anna too. We are all worried about you. Please p>
I end the call snappily, frozen while staring at the phone. Who did I just call?
That definitely sounded like one of the Rollins quads. Asher? No, I counter the thought. The voice on the phone was hardly as mean and formal as Asher had sounded. But if that was a different quadruplet, I am even more worried now. Why are they all so interested in finding me in spite of knowing my true identity? Do they want to silence me for good? I wouldn’t put it past them.
Fear courses through me till I shiver.
“Are you okay?” The kind man asks.
Speechless, I quickly dial a different number. I know it would be incredibly foolish of me to blindly trust anyone right now, least of all my infamous boyfriend, but at least he’s the one person that hasn’t changed. I know Iman is bad news.
I know what he’s capable of because he doesn’t bother to pretend to be anyone else, unlike Anna, my aunt, the quads. I can vouch for Iman staying true to his bad self. That’s enough for me right now, till my uncle gets here.
I need something or someone who’s still the same as I remember yesterday, and right now, it’s my shitty boyfriend.
“Hey, can you come get me? I am at Rahl’s bookstore. Please hurry. It will be dark soon and I have nowhere else to go p>
“I’m on my way.” He replies sharply before hanging up.
“Do you mind if I do a quick online search? It’ll only take half a minute p>
“That’s fine.” The stranger replies, then goes off to relay his concern over the reddening spot on my bandage that looks like the bleeding hasn’t stopped. I do feel a bit lightheaded but I am more desperate to make sense of everything going on right now than tend to my wound.
The moment I type in my name and run a Google search; my worst fear materializes. There are countless blog articles, pictures and videos that lend credence to everything Asher Rollins and Anna had explained to me. How in the world did I go so far? Why did I let my plan go off the rails and become so shamelessly affiliated with the very family that destroyed mine?
Tears stream down my face. How could I have done such a shameful thing?
“Demi, what’s wrong? What happened? Why are you crying?” The man retrieves the phone from me, glances at the search results and sighs. “It’s okay. I’m sure they miss you too. I believe you will find your way back to that family He suddenly trails off, then smiles Or maybe they will find their way back to you p>
Confused, I follow his eyes and find two posh cars pulling up at Rahl’s. It’s the same cars I saw at my aunt’s. And when two strikingly beautiful and identical looking men hop out of the driver seats of each car, my heart sinks. It’s the quads. Two of them!
Anna springs out of one of the cars and races to me. “Dear God, your head is bleeding again.” She turns to the stranger. “What happened? What did you do p>
“Nothing.” He says with a slight panic. “I swear. She asked to use my phone and I was just keeping her company till her friend arrives to pick her up. I didn’t want to leave her all by herself. I swear, I didn’t touch her p>
His voice fades as one of the quads slowly makes his way to me. His eyes are warmer than the one still standing by his car. His steps are unsure. He attempts to touch my hand, then withdraws when I gasp at the fear of contact.
“Hey p>
It’s him. The voice from earlier when I dialed a wrong number.
“It’s me. It’s Ashton.” He plants a soft smile layered with pained eyes. “I’m sorry you don’t remember much but trust me, this is temporal. I already informed Doctor Ezra to clear his schedule. He’s prepared to look at…oh God, you’re bleeding p>
I turn sharply when he tries to reach for my head, then instantly regret the hurtful look in his eyes. I have no idea what these brothers are up to with their show of concern but I am deathly scared of upsetting them. I just want to hold on until Iman gets here and takes me away.
“S-Sorry.” I whisper, looking at my feet.
“It’s okay p>
His hand on my shoulder makes me quiver slightly so he takes it off.
“I’m sorry. Can I hold your hand?” He asks to my surprise. Still afraid, I nod my head in order not to upset him.
“Demi p>
We all rear our heads to find Iman arriving. In a flash, I take frantic steps away from Ashton and run to Iman who takes my hand in a firm grip. Except us, everyone else looks shocked, and livid. The strange man is dismissed by Asher who then turns to us.
“What the hell are you playing at, Iman p>
“She called me back. It’s not my fault she trusts me and no one else p>
Asher shoots Iman a look that could have burned a hole through Iman’s forehead if looks could kill.
“She trusts you?” Asher chuckles, then holds out a hand to stop Ashton who is charging towards Iman. “Demi, you’re making a huge mistake right now. You have no idea the hell he put you through p>
“HE DIDN’T KILL MY FAMILY!” I blurt out coldly. “YOU DID THAT. HE MIGHT HURT MY HEART EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO HURT MY SOUL THE WAY YOUR FAMILY DID.” Tears streak down my face. My voice dips to a shaky, broken whimper. “I HATE YOU.” I say to his face, then turn to Ashton. “I HATE ALL OF YOU p>
Disregarding the plea in Ashton’s eyes, I turn to Iman, my head hanging low. “Please take me out of here p>
“Demi? Demi, please don’t go with him. Just listen to me p>
Somehow even with my back turned, I know it’s Ashton’s voice pleading. Anna joins him but Asher remains quiet.
I loop my hand in Iman’s and quietly walk away with him, ignoring the silent ache in my heart and the clawing need to turn back and look at Ashton one more time.