A chill went down her spine.
Ashley stared at Michael, her fear clear and unmasked.
That was a very insane possibility that just crossed her mind but then again, it was hard to fathom someone's criminal tendencies through their appearance.
Michael met her eyes right then and Ashley was taken aback. She snapped out of her thoughts.
Ashley must have gone crazy! What on earth was she even thinking?
She was being paranoid only.
He could have some reasonable explanations for hiding things from his family.
Not everything had to end at criminal offenses only!
She need to stop reading those novels!
"If you don't have any particular wish, just choose randomly."
His tone was calm and showed the hint of reflection that he cared less what she chose. He was there only for the formality.
"I don't have any preference. Just take the simplest one." Ashley did not even completely enter the room.
She was still at the threshold and had no intention to go inside.
If it was upto her, she did not even wish to take anything from here. It was too burdensome.
Even if it was three years away but Ashley wanted to make her exit easy.
Apart from the debt he will pay, she wanted no other artifacts or materialistic things of Clarks' attached to her name.
And it included the ring that she would be wearing throughout their marriage.
Michael stared at her quietly as if trying to look through her. A little later, his gaze went to a random rack and after a single glance, took out a ring.
Drawing near, he clasped her left hand, and with a swift motion, slipped the ring onto her finger.
His touch fluttered something in her stomach. Ashley did not know if her skin was generally this sensitive or only sensitive when it came to him.
But she was suddenly conscious of he lingering effect on her hand.
Her mind was shouting to pull away her hand. However, she could not. Her senses were not following her mind.
Even Michael was not leaving it.
She tried reading his eyes but they gave away nothing.
What about hers?
Could he read her eyes?
He knew everything about her but was he aware of her inner turmoils right now?
Ashley did not understand how her brain could function these questions at such point?
She did not know if he was an evil or not, but she was damn sure that by the end of third year, she would be left insane.
That too, if she was left alive.
Ashley stared at the ring and it was...too pretty. Her eyes roamed along the intrications on the ring.
The design of the ring was old but it had a unique spark in it.
What was majorly eye-catching was the small yellow bead that appeared extremely delicate.
That ring felt heavy—more than metal and stone. It carried intentions she hadn't yet unraveled.
"It fits you."
The next day.
"Breaking news! The most sought-after bachelor and the CEO of the Clark Industries- Michael Clark had confirmed his relationship today morning! The revelation came after he was spotted yesterday with a mysterious lady at the jewellery store."
"The leaked photos showed him entering the store with his girlfriend, hand-in-hand. It brought the shock to several people, especially the girls who had their hearts attached to him."
"In the statement made by the Clark Industries, it was revealed that they had been dating each other for three years now and would be tieing the knot soon. They had seeked blessings for their future together."
What blessings!
Ashley scoffed and turned off the T.V. She instead scrolled through the social media. Now she understood who they were pretending for yesterday.
Michael was really smart.
There was nothing else being shown on social media except for their backs. The photos that were leaked did not show her face.
Michael's face was towards her while her back was towards the camera.
There were a few different angles of their photos but none of them revealed her face.
At least for now.
She was glad about that.
Though Ashley still had to fully process what had went down in her life in the past few days.
Suddenly being on media and people knowing her face, it was too much for her to handle!
The date of their engagement was not announced yet but it would be tomorrow. Her gaze drifted to the ring box kept opened on the table.
The ring was too beautiful but somehow she did not feel as if it belonged to her.
Probably because Ashley was aware that none of what she would be offered throughout the marriage was hers to keep.
She kept on staring at the box for next one minute before closing it.
For the next few minutes, her eyes scanned the social media, reading the comments filled with hatred towards her.
At this time, her doorbell rang. Today was her off from the restaurant and she was not even expecting anyone.
Surprise masked her face on seeing who it was.
"Amelia?"
"Hi!" Amelia beamed at her. "I hope I did not come at the wrong time."
Ashley stared at the unexpected guest, "Not at all." She got a little aside, "I mean- please come inside."
Although Amelia was one of the few nice Clarks but Ashley still did not feel entirely comfortable around her.
"Thank you." Amelia grinned and passed by her. "Actually I am here because I was getting bored and thought you might want a company since my dear cousin has to urgently go to another city for a meeting."
"Oh."
So he was out for a meeting.
"But don't worry, he will be back by tomorrow morning."
She was not worrying at all. If not, Ashley would really love that Michael get stuck there and the engagement gets delayed for some time.
"Anyways, I know it's early morning but we need to hurry up."
"We are going out?" Ashley was bewildered.
Amelia looked at her as if she could not believe her. "Obviously! If tomorrow is your engagement, we will need to go to spa today only." She spoke as a matter-of-fact.
Ashley opened her mouth to deny it but Amelia cut her to it. "And I am not taking no for an answer. So go and get ready."
Amelia sauntered to the couch where Ashley was sitting earlier. "Is this the ring you guys decided upon? Can I see?" Her gaze travelled to the ring box kept there.