And no one in the company could deny that he had brought major profits to the company, even opening doors to the countries that were hard to get to.
All of them had been very happy with their leader. They knew the company was in good hands as they had been enjoying good amount of profit.
Hence, Mr Harrington along with the other board of directors were in complete support of this young man. But the point was, their eyes were equally focused on his private life.
Michael knew the people working under him more than anyone else. He knew till what point they were going to support him and right at what instance they would stop.
It mattered to them who he was with or whom he would be marrying. Michael could go against only one, either his family or the people working for him.
At a time, going against both would be too much of a waste of energy. For that reason, Michael was going to bring the board of directors to his side.
"It would do." Michael let out the words at the same time he pulled the car to stop in front of her building.
-
This was it.
Ashley smoothened the crease on her dress and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was currently in the private room attached to Michael's office.
Today was the day they were supposed to meet his family.
And knowing very well that it was just a play and all she was supposed to do was to act to be in love with Michael, she was still not as calm as she should be.
Ashley was not sure of what she must expect from the family, or what kind of reaction they were going to show to an orphan entering their family.
But she could make out this much that it was not going to be any good.
She will need to be prepared, mentally.
Moreover, Skylar's points about their take upon the relationships of their children were also of not much help.
Last night, Steve sent her the reminder of today's meeting.
So in the morning, when Ashley took a step into the building she had been surprised to notice that several eyes were telecasted upon her with a sense of familiarity, as if they knew what her status was.
Even when she was about to enter the elevator, a guard came rushing to her and guided her to the private elevator which was meant for the family members.
And although it was weird to assume this with a solid confirmation, Ashley could look past this move.
Michael began the game with his employees.
Later on, when the news of the sudden engagement would circulate, the media would try to dig more and more of whatever there was.
They would search the sources and the very first of the sources would appear within the company. And the sources would say what they would be provided with.
And they were being provided with the act which would be the 'details' to the medias.
Michael was simply preparing the sources.
Ashley checked out herself one last time in the mirror before raising her chin and twirling on her heels.
She walked to the door and opened it.
"Let's go. I am ready."
Michael was standing by the window when he turned. The sunlight came falling on his back so sudden that she could not make out his expression.
All Ashley knew was that the sunlight assisted him in appearing all majestic
When he walked towards her, she slowly noticed how their outfits kind of complimented.
He had prepared a beautiful yellow dress for her which complimented well with his black suit.
He was really working on all the areas to make everyone believe that they were a couple.
Michael came to stop just two steps before her.
His penetrating gaze almost forced her to shift her position from one feet to another. Michael did not say anything and offered his arm to her which Ashley took with slight nervousness.
Arm in arm, they walked under the surveillance of the many emplyees.
On their way to the Clarks Mansion, Ashley tried her best to remain calm on the surface but she was literally uneasy from inside.
It was the first time in her life that she was going to be in a family and she knew nothing about how she was supposed to behave.
The closer they were to the destination, the faster her heart was thumping.
She might have learnt all of his likes and dislikes, their fake love story but she still could not help that uneasy sensations crawling in her pit.
It was weird, just the thought of her meeting a family which was so high in status.
Her eyes went to Michael who was sitting beside her with his eyes closed.
He was not sleeping, she knew that much. But she wondered if he was also nervous about it.
What kind of thoughts must be swirling in his mind? Why did he need someone to act as his girlfriend and then wife? What was the purpose that was meant to be hidden from his family also?
Could it be against them?
The entire journey of her was spent in attending all kinds of possibilities and before she knew, the car was already entering the gates of the mansion.
The Clark Mansion was really a bit away from the downtown and in the very posh area of the city. There were only a few houses in this area and in the end of it was this mansion.
Right in front of the mansion was a beautiful lake.