Her Five Brothers

Chapter 7 - Massive ass house

Aspen: TW

The house in general is gorgeous. Elijah took me for a tour first, telling Asher to take my stuff to my room where we would be going last. He takes me around the first floor. The kitchen, the 6 person table in the connected room, a bigger dining room, downstairs bathroom, the indoor pool and gym. Then upstairs for the cinema room, games room, all the bedrooms which have connected bathrooms, library with a piano, art room and many other empty rooms that Elijah told me I could suggest what to put in it.

I was just in shock.

At the end of the tour, he tells me that the third floor is off-bounds as it is their work space. I can only go up in emergencies or if one of my brothers take me. Apparently, it's boring work stuff like Alexander's office. I also can't enter the basement, which is apparently where the members of Alexander's workforce can have a break and relax from the chaos upstairs. I was a little scared about having to cross people all day but I was reassured that there is an elevator only on the third floor to the basement, meaning that no one will come into the main part of the house.

A massive relief.

Now, i'm sat in my room, pinching the sleeves of my hoodie as they stick to the fresh cuts. My head hurts like a bitch and i'm still a little shaky.

I can't get the damn nightmare and out my fucking head. It's tormenting me, making me overthink everything.

However, instead of allowing my thoughts to spiral, I enter my walk-in wardrobe and place the little amount of clothes on hangers and in draws. Elijah said that someone will help me do some online shopping tomorrow.

As I fold the last piece of clothing, somebody knocks on the door. I walk out my wardrobe and sit on the edge of my bed, telling the person to come in.

"Hey bambina," Alexander greets softly, walking in with a glass of water and some poor painkillers. "Need anymore for the headache?"

I take them from his gratefully, chugging the water and sighing at the coldness. I place the glass on the bedside table and smile at Alexander. He gives me a small smile back, pulling my desk chair round and sitting in front of me.

"Would you like to talk to me about what happened earlier?" He asks gently. He leans forward on his elbows, ensuring me that he is ready to listen when I need.

"I- I well, not really." I shrug my shoulders, wincing as my whole body shudders in pain. My ribs burn. My gaze shifts from his eyes to my lap and I shift uncomfortably.

"That's okay," I look up at him in surprise. "You don't have to open up now, but when you are ready, my door is always open. Anytime you feel like you need some to listen, I will make time. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes." I nod, tearing up a little. "That's perfect, thank you."

"No matter what you've been through or going through, I ensure you that no one in this house will judge you." It's like he can read my mind. Does this man live in my brain? Actually no, that could be quite traumatising.

"Not even Axel?" I chuckle wetly, earning a small laugh out of Alexander as I try to divert his attention.

Understanding the message, he replies "Axel has serious issues, trust me you do not want to see that kid on a bad day."

"This is a good day!?" I exclaim with wide eyes.

His eyes soften. "He's been cruel with you and he won't be getting away with treating you like this. Nobody in this house disrespects one another, we are a family." He sighs, straightening up. "Axel's a good brother, he just has his demons."

I nod in understanding. People react to trauma differently. I self harm, perhaps Axel turns his emotions into anger. Maybe he was told men aren't allowed to cry, meaning he was forced to channel his emotions into a more "manly" feeling. But, in reality, real men cry and allow themselves to feel their emotions. It's healthier to cry then to distance yourself and ruin your relationships with others.

"Okay, time for dinner." He offers his hand out to me and I stand up from the bed. I glance between the hand and his face a few times before slowly placing my small hand in his big one.

He matches my pace down the stairs and into the smaller dining room next to the kitchen.

The kitchen kind of connects like a restaurant kitchen. Where the table is, theres cupboards with snacks, a sink and a dishwasher. Through the swinging door, theres the cooking, stove, fridge, freezer, pots and pans. Technically, a large and expensive restaurant type kitchen.

We walk through the doors and three of the four faces light up, turning towards us both. Alexander takes his place at the head while I in the middle of Asher and Lorenzo, who are on Alexander's right. Elijah sits on his left, across from Asher with Axel on his side.

"You like your room, Asp?" Lorenzo asks, grinning at me. His eyes light up as I grin back, facing him slightly.

"Yeah, it's gorgeous. Thank you so much." I'm very grateful for everything I have here. Well, maybe not for Axel but he'll warm up to me. If not, I'll whoop his ass.

"And what about the house in general?" He asks again, slightly bouncing in his seat, making his hair move.

I giggle. "It's one massive ass house."

"You're the only ass here." Grumbles Axel, not looking up from his phone as a plate of lasagna is placed in front of him. I thank the maid as she sets down mine.

"It's not me who's the ass." I glare at him as he sends me a dirty look over his phone.

"Enough." Elijah intervenes, slapping Axel's head and giving me a small thumbs up. Alexander is just staring at Axel while Lorenzo and Asher are quietly sniggering beside me causing me to smirk.

"What are you smirking about? Shouldn't you have another panic attack to gain all of my brothers attention?" Axel snaps, slamming his hands out the table.

Alexander goes to speak, his face holding a murderous look as he is about to blow. However, I get there first. "I feel sorry for you. How insecure you must be to think that I'm here to replace you. I'm not, by the way. Don't like me? I couldn't give a fuck but do not sit there and grumble shit under your breath you immature little prick." I stand up from my chair, drawing in a breath. "I'm no longer hungry, I'll be in my room."

As I walk by Axel's chair, he suddenly flings his arm back and grabs my wrist, using it to pull himself out of his own chair. "Don't you ever speak to me like that again." His other hand grips my freshly cut wrist and I gasp in pain, tears feeling my eyes as he squeezes tighter. I close my eyes, seeing flashes of Adam cross my vision before turning back to Axel.

My eyes blur with tears and my ears start to ring. I begin to writhe in Axel's grip, shoving him hard into a wall. "NO! DON'T YOU EVER GRAB ME AGAIN. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Axel looks at me in shock as he is pulled out by Elijah, presumably up to Alexander office.

My breathing gets heavier and I can feel hands on me. Adam's hands. Gliding across my skin. God, I need to get out of here.

I stumble up to my room, ignoring the pleas of my other brothers. I lock the door and head straight for the backpack, searching for my cigs. Once I have them and a lighter, I step outside onto my balcony, placing it between my lips immediately and breathing in. The nicotine hits my lungs, making my body relax.

A knock on my door. "Aspen? It's Lorenzo and I, we smell smoke. Are you okay?"

Shit.