Ashley could only nod absentmindedly. "Sure."
Michael had fuc*ed up her mind to the extent that now she could not tell if Amelia was here out of her pure intentions or were there tricks being pulled behind the scene by him.
"Is- is this...the ring?"
Amelia had her eyes widened in sock.
Ashley slightly tilted her face in confusion. "Yeah." She answered unable to decipher the reason behind that reaction.
What was that reaction?
Not just shock, but something else also adorned Amelia's face. Something close to disbelief.
"Michael picked it." Ashley did not know but she felt the need to explain herself.
Amelia did not answer and caressed the ring carefully.
Ashley warily glanced at the ring.
Was there something special about the ring? All the sets in the possession of Clarks must be special, could it have some extra significance?
Amelia drew a breath and looked at her, her lips curved in a soft smile. "It would look good on you."
But Ashley could not stop herself from asking, "Is there something about the ring?"
"No, nothing at all. I was just surprised to see it after a long time." Amelia put the ring back. "Why are you still here? Go and get ready."
Ashley wanted to ask more but it did not feel right. She did not want to appear nosy. So she ended up nodding. "I will take ten minutes."
"Take your time."
Once inside her room, Ashley tucked thoughts of the ring to the back of her mind.
She caught her hair lamenting. She had decided to give herself some self-time today!
She wanted to spent the day by herself!
Going anywhere was not on the list.
Ashley stared at her sullen reflection in the mirror.
Well, she didn't have much choice now, did she?
It was going to be an exhausting day.
To others, she and Michael were a happy couple. And if they were one happy couple, she would need to appear happy as well.
And no happy lady who was about to get married to the man of her dreams would stay at home a day before the engagement rather than going out and doing her best to look pretty.
So yes, Ashley was stuck.
Just as she had said, she only took ten minutes and by the eleventh minute they were out of the apartment. "Damn, you really took ten minutes only! Had it been me, I would have made you stand for an hour at least."
Ashley would have also taken an hour if she was going for an happy outing. But she obviously did not say that aloud.
"Anyways, you joined The Divine, right? How are you liking it over there?" Amelia held her arm as they got out of the building.
A car was parked up in front but surprisingly with no guards around.
"It's good so far. I am still in the trainee period."
"No worries. Once the trainee period gets over, I will be a frequent customer." Amelia said as she opened the passenger door for her. "I will be driving today."
"I am actually surprised there are no guards around." Ashley spoke with a sigh of relief as she sat inside. There was no doubt that she already hated being surrounded by them.
Even while she was out to pick up the ring with Michael, there were low-key cars following them up close. No doubt that it were his bodyguards.
"I totally get you. Even I hate those. I actually had to argue with Grandpa to remove them."
"He agreed?" Ashley recalled the man who had put no interference in the conversation that day. He was so different from the man who she had read about in the papers.
"Not really. I still have to bear with one bodyguard around." Amelia started the engine and hinted at the car parked not far through the rear view mirror. It started at the same time.
Ashley noticed how it followed them at the close distance but not enough to make them feel suffocated. "This is actually better."
Amelia breathed out heavily, "Much much better infact. Back in the college, I had multiple cars following me wherever I went."
"After the wedding, would I also be surrounded with them?"
"Unfortunately, yes. But it's for your safety only. To have only one guard like me, either your guard needs to be extremely skilled or you need to be expert at fighting."
"Which one is your case?"
"For me, it's both."
Ashley raised a brow.
"We have been trained since we were young to protect ourselves in dangerous situations. Every one in our family knows how to fight. Even you will be required to undergo the professional training for some time."
Her mind zeroed in on two words.
Dangerous situations.
Definitely, the members of rich family constantly had their lives at risk but still it had to be exceedingly worse for Clarks if they had to teach every member of the family how to fight.
Or was it the case for all such families? Skylar could not fight though.
"Have you ever encountered any such situation before?"
Amelia tightened her hold on the steering wheel for a second before she loosened it immediately. "Sometimes, I won't lie."
Suddenly, an uncomfortable silence fell in the car. Somehow Ashley could tell Amelia did not wish to talk about this topic anymore so she decided to leave it untouched.
But with the mental note to learn more about it later on.
Within next twenty minutes, they were already at the private salon which Ashley learnt was being headed by Amelia.
She was currently looking after the ventures targeting the fashion, personal care and cosmetics under the Clarks.
"This is actually the best therapy centre in the city. And I am not saying it just because I am looking after it, but the massage they give! I am sure you will just forget everything while in there." Amelia gushed as she led Ashley to the entrance of the salon.
"Welcome, mam! It's good to see you here again."
Amelia winked. "Even I feel good after gazing at my reflection in the mirror."
"Well, this lovely bride needs to relax all her muscles and ease the tension in her joints," Amelia instructed the assistant in the reception.
Meanwhile Ashley took in the serene atmosphere and soothing aroma.