Michael started the car just as Ashley finished fastening her seatbelt.
Ashley remained in silence, waiting for him to give details.
But he did not.
"Where are we going?"
Ashley wasn't a fool to believe that he was simply there to provide a pick and drop service.
"To buy a ring."
"Eh?"
"Our engagement is in two days."
Ashley blinked. That soon? "Did you not mention it would be a few days before the wedding?"
"Change in plans."
"And when did this change occur?" Ashley did not want it to be this soon.
"What difference would it make?" He replied, uninterested.
Definitely, he didn't think it was necessary.
Ashley clenched her fists but spoke calmly, "I understand this is just a deal. But you have already prepared your mind and I haven't."
"It's been a week already." He meant a week of them entering the contract. A week of her knowing that the engagement was inevitable.
"It doesn't work like that. I didn't know a week back that I will be getting married to a stranger within a month. You, on the other hand, already knew it!"
"Surprises occur in life."
His nonchalance irritated her and she looked away from him. This conversation was going nowhere.
"So your family agreed for the marriage?" Ashley had half-hoped for his family to strongly disagree to their marriage.
She had thought that somehow the marriage would be called off...
"Them not agreeing for it was not even in the options." Michael sounded more relaxed than ever.
In the previous meetings, he had that aura of an authoritative person intact.
But right now, he looked quite...how to say, comfortable?
Yes, something like that.
Ashley could tell that the reason was not his family's acceptance.
He would have married her even if his family was against them.
And that again made her wonder the reason behind the marriage. Was it because of some inheritance related issue?
Ashley withdrew her eyes from him, realising that he won't divulge into details he did not want to share.
The car stopped in front of a lavish jewellery store. They were in the downtown once again.
It was the most expensive brand of jewellery known for their rare and original stones. Her eyes would have popped out had she not already visited the Clark Mansion.
She was aware of their expectations by now.
"Let's go." Michael got out of the car and Ashley watched as he came to her side of the door. She raised a brow as his hand appeared before her.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Just act along throughout."
So they were again up for a show.
Great!
She inhaled deeply and took his hand to come out of the door. To think of it, it was only the third day of acting and Ashley was already tired.
There were three more years.
The transparent automatic door of the store revealed the shock marvelling the features of the employes as they saw them together.
Hand in hand, foot matching the foot, it must be such a sight for them!
Afterall, it was Michael, the ever-known bachelor, suddenly appearing with a lady by his side.
"Good evening, s-sir!"
He did not bother with them and straight away led themselves to the elevator.
"Who are we putting up the pretence for?" The floor numbers gradually switched.
Michael did not reply.
Ashley exhaled, "At least tell me if I need to be prepared for the hostility welcoming me there."
Ashley knew by now that Michael would only reply to the questions he wanted to.
"That you would need to be prepared for the next three years." He replied almost when Ashley thought he won't.
And the answer did not help at all. It was as if he was trying to tell her the irony of it all.
Just as they reached the third floor, security guards greeted them.
The guards stood in rows as if guarding something precious. One of them came forward and led them through another hallway to a door in the end.
Ashley watched in confusion as he left them alone there.
The lighting in the area was dull which was quite creepy. Michael took a step forward and entered a passcode.
The door opened and Michael stepped inside.
Ashley stood there as her widened eyes took in the sight of what was inside.
There were rows and rows of racks displaying magnificent sets of jewellery.
The lustrous beads in the jewelry reflected the light, casting a glittering glow that illuminated the entire room.
Her mouth opened but she lost the ability to frame the words.
As if heard her unsaid question, Michael spoke, "This is the personal collection of Clarks. You can choose any ring of your liking from here."
What the fuc*!
Ashley couldn't trust her ears anymore. Was he saying the same thing she was hearing?
"Can't we opt for a simpler ring?" If it was a facade, was it really necessary to bring her at the place which was at high security?
She was sure only the selected ones were allowed here.
"The bride of Michael Clark can not wear anything less."
They were only pretending!
He was so stuck in making it all appear real. That was astounding for her.
Not in a good way though.
It reminded her that all of it was for a motive. A motive that was being hidden from his family as well.
Could it be... could it be that he was a mentally-ill person? Somebody who was planning for a major plan to harm the family?
His family members were on the sweeter side of scale but could they be that bad that he wanted to harm them? Or most probably...kill them?