Mr Harrington was well aware of the nature of his boss. He never wasted his time in such events. But if he decided to come here, it meant great to them.
Michael's presence represented not him but also the Clark family and if he was here, it was going to raise their status in the eyes of people.
They could not hide the happiness and excitement as their chins raised a bit more. The arrogant look on their faces doubled up.
Even though Michael was still not officially appointed as the CEO, they did not see and respect him any less.
Ashley was not always right about judging people but her intuition did work good most of the times.
And right now, it was telling her to stay away from almost all the people here.
She did not get good vibes from this couple even. Their eyes kept on roaming at her for longer than just a few seconds but they did not dare to ask about her identity.
They knew better than to ask. A small act of his had already announced more than the words would have.
Steve at this time came to the front. "Congratulations on engagement. We have prepared a small gift for your son." Another man came forward with a huge box in his hands.
The couple were visibly delighted to see the gift. "There was no need for this, Michael."
"These are etiquettes. We would be glad if you could accept it." Steve spoke, fulfilling the formality.
"Definitely, definitely! How can we not if you would bring something with so much love?"
Ashley was getting a little confused here. Why did she feel as if something was wrong?
"What was in the box?" Ashley asked as they got away from the couple and a few other who came after to greet.
"A painting." Michael replied as he gulped the drink he took from the waiter.
To be honest, Ashley was surprised that he was replying to her. She could tell that he was not the sort of person who would go into explanations.
"A normal painting?" She was in doubt.
"Yes."
Although Ashley was nervous but she made sure to not let it show on the surface. She was not used to having so much eyes on her.
She realised how absurd was Steve's worry earlier. Even if someone were to offer her something right now, Ashley won't be able to drink or eat.
The constant looks, the judging stares, the gossips behind the palm of their hands were all too much. Ashley was uncomfortable.
She had half a mind to ask until when they would be here but she stopped herself from that. She had to do her part of contract without complaining.
For the next twenty minutes, a lot of higher ups came to them, chatted all sorts of economy with Michael, threw her one long glance and went away.
But none of them talked to her or asked about her. This was the only thing Ashley was glad about. Apart from that, her fingers curled up each time she had to fake a smile at Michael.
They did not talk much but for the sake of acting had to converse in between.
"We are done. Let's go." After ten more minutes or so, Michael put down the glass of champagne and got up. He took her hand and moved out of there.
When Ashley was out of that place, only then she took a deep sigh of relief. Probably she was not used to it all and that's why she felt so suffocated there.
Until now, Ashley did not understand the exact agenda behind their presence. All they did was stand at the corner for half an hour.
But she was already tired. She had to fake up their relation for half an hour straight in front of all those who waited for even the slightest slip.
By the time they got down, the man in the driver's seat was deep in sleep. Steve paused as he exchanged a silent look with Michael.
Ashley did not know what happened because the next second she was ushered towards another car. Within moments, she realised the car was being driven by no one else but Michael.
It was just the two of them.
Her eyes went to the rear-view mirror to find the sight of Steve anywhere. He was entering the same car she came here in.
For a moment, Ashley wanted to call him out and ask him to take her along.
He was robotic and expressionless but at least he did not emit the degree of coldness as the person in driver's seat.
The engine started and the car rolled out of the parking lot, on the path to her apartment. Ashley sat back in exhaustion as she thought of today's event.
It was a long day.
"Did we succeed today?" She quietly asked after a while.
Ashley did not what they were after today but she knew the visit to the engagement party was not meaningless.
He must have some sort of objective behind that.
And she was right as well.
Michael had entered the business world since the time he was a teenager. And he began as the bottom level employee.
And even if they all knew that he would eventually be promoted as the CEO, he had worked too hard to get to where he was today.
It had almost been nine years since his joining and out of that, he spent five years working in all the various levels of the company.
He entered the top level management only about four years ago.