Crisis

Knowing she had already gotten herself into mess and then witnessing it getting really real was not a good feeling at all.

Ashley could feel the heavy crisis called the Clark Family on her.

Was it wrong on her part to wonder about a way to back out of the deal?

Though she knew it was just her wishful thinking at this point. Ashley was well aware that she could not do that.

She can not do anything except for proceeding with what was already decided.

And as it was said, Steve pulled the car outside the building sharp at 9:00 a.m. Stepping out, he opened the back door for her to step in.

His actions swift and silent.

For a few minutes, Ashley did not move.

Nothing about Steve was not cold. His face was stoic, honestly even more than Michael.

If the situation was already bad, looking at Steve only made it worse. She could not even turn to anyone for comfort.

Ashley sighed and realised that from this moment on, all the people she would interact with were going to be colder only.

"Can we straight away head to the salon? I don't want to have breakfast," spoke Ashley once she settled in.

She had no appetite. Moreover, the way her nerves were jingling with all sorts of future scenarios, getting even the morsel inside was hard.

"We can not do that. We have to go as per the schedule."

The tone was so dry that Ashley wondered why had she even bothered asking.

Leaning back tiredly, she did not say anything anymore.

Fine, she would just do as they wanted.

As soon as car stopped at the next stop, Ashley jumped out of the suffocation she had begun feeling inside.

It was too much to deal with.

There was the driver and then there was Steve. Both of them behaved like statues.

Even statues appeared softer as compared to both of them.

She kind of missed whoever that person was who drove them that evening. At least he thought like a normal human.

"This way, Miss Parker."

When Ashley had read about the breakfast, she had thought it was going to be just her, with Steve standing beside all the time.

And simply the imagination of that was extremely uncomfortable.

However, Ashley had definitely not known that it was going to be with someone.

Coming to stop at the threshold of the private hall of Italian Cafe where Steve lead her to, Ashley kept on staring at Michael.

He elegantly occupied one of the chairs on the table for two. His legs were crossed and eyes closed.

It was an elegant hall with no other person in sight. And the moment Steve would leave, there would be just the two of them.

"For breakfast, you need to enter." Steve spoke coldly from behind.

He tried to put it formally but to Ashley it sounded like: We can't possibly serve you in the doorstep so get inside.

As if Ashley had not already known it.

"Miss Parker." Steve spoke a bit forcibly when she still didn't move.

Ashley gave him a irritated glance. "Why was it not mentioned in the schedule that breakfast was going to be with him?"

"Only specifics were mentioned."

"It means he doesn't deserve to be specific?"

"Key points were mentioned." He calmly replied and without waiting for her response, stepped forward and spoke. "Boss, we are here."

Not a slight response came from Michael. But like the loyal personal assistant he was, Steve left them alone.

Ashley noticed the time in her watch. It was thirty-five past nine. Twenty-five minutes of bearing him.

She can do that much.

Silently walking forward, Ashley took a seat in front of him. She stayed quiet and stared at the face of the man whose eyes were still closed.

She knew that he was not asleep.

The slight creases on his skin hinted the exhaustion he might be in but Ashley felt as if he was still making strategies in his mind.

"Eat." The command that came out of nowhere startled her.

By now, Ashley had thought that the breakfast with him was another media strategy. They only needed to pretend for half an hour.

How romantic would it appear that the new couple in the town were so in love that they had their breakfast together right before their engagement!

"I already told your personal assistant that I am not hungry." She looked away from him and leaned back.

If noticed carefully, there was a hint of complaint in her tone.

As if recalling something, Ashley again looked at him. "Mr Clark, I fully understand that in our deal, the major beneficiary is me so I automatically should not be making any complaints."

Her tone was firm as she looked directly into his eyes.

"However I would appreciate if I can be informed about the plans beforehand."

Michael asked though he looked as if he couldn't care any less. "Didn't you receive today's plans beforehand?"

"Be specific then." She immediately added. "I did not know that the breakfast was going to be with you."

Michael arched his lips. "So the breakfast with me is an issue?"

"Not just breakfast. About my engagement, I got to learn it just two days prior. Also I didn't know that the pictures of me were going to be circulating all over the internet."

Michael plainly commented. "Hidden face photos."

"Doesn't matter. Even the day-out with Amelia, I learnt about it in the morning only."

Her gaze remained fixed at the cup of coffee kept in front of her.

Clad in a sky blue colored shirt, Michael reached for the croissant and broke off a piece with such a delicate manners that Ashley had never seen anyone do before.

Not even Skylar who ate croissant like a snack, messing up the entire place.