The Family Photo.

Ashley eyed his movements. He opened the box and held the chain between his fingers.

It was a pendant.

There was a circle, in the middle of which was a leaf. A tiny yellow leaf almost the size of a grain of rice.

But it was a real one, preserved in that circle.

Michael held her arm and brought her near him. He tucked her hair to one side and tied it around her neck.

His breath fanned her skin as he leaned in to clasp it at the back.

Ashley went blank.

He was so...close.

Her heart beat quickened.

Damn! Damn! Fu**!

How had she let him get so close?

"Y-you stay back." Ashley stuttered as she stepped away. "And why do I need to wear this now? The ring should be sufficient."

Michael clicked his tongue against his cheek and her heart...skipped a beat.

Ashley! Have a control over yourself!

Why did she find the action so...hot?

Oh goodness!

She shut her eyes and clenched her fist. Taking a deep breath, Ashley opened her eyes. His brow raised as if he knew what exactly was going in her.

She demanded as she removed the pendant from her neck. "Why should I wear it?"

Ashley had kind of decided if she were to stay in the marriage for three years, it won't be taking her anywhere if she were to agree to everything she was being asked to do.

If Michael was marrying and like he said, it had to be only her, she was not getting into it for free.

He had some use of her and she did not even know what it was.

So she met his eyes and Ashley made sure to show him her determination as she spoke. "I don't know of what use I am to you, and how much fatal that is. But I have decided I won't be listening to every other thing blindly."

There was just silence now. None of them spoke and broke the eye contact.

After a while, the sound of steps resonated in the silent corrdor.

"What a surprise! So the love birds are hiding here."

Michael was the first one to remove his eyes.

Ashley smiled as Amelia came over to envelope her in a hug. "You are looking absolutely pretty!" Amelia spoke as she broke the hug.

"Thank you but you are looking nothing less."

"By the way, everyone is waiting for the family photo. Come, let's go." Amelia patted Michael on the shoulder before rushing towards the restroom. "I need to correct my eyeliner, I will return in no time."

Family photo... such a headache!

Don't take her wrong, it was not that she held anything against them. Ashley got that weird aura even in the presence of one or two of the Clarks.

For family photo, all must be gathered. And it meant a concentrated dose of that aura-too hard to ignore.

But she was helpless. As soon as they were out in the garden, she found the sight of Ruby who had positioned about forty of the family members for the lovely family photo.

Note the sarcasm.

The hair on the back of her neck prickled. She had never received so many glares at a time ever before.

Amidst all, she could especially feel utterly sharp daggers piercing her and she need not guess who it was coming from. In fact, were coming from.

The infamous mother-daugters trio.

Laura Clark had been too silent today, now Ashley wondered if it was because there were business executives earlier.

Right now, almost all the guests had either returned or were just preparing to return. But in this column of the garden at least, there was no outsider.

Laura Clark did not need to hide her disdain anymore.

With Michael holding her hand, they were soon standing in the middle of the group.

Coldness.

It was winter but the chills she was feeling were not just due to that. She let her gaze roam around and except for James and again the parents of Amelia, no one was even smiling or chattering.

All of them stood like statues, with dispassion decorating their pretty faces.

What a bunch of freaks!

She understood about the main members, but even the extended family members were no less than them.

Ashley moved her eyes away and sent herself a mental note to not look around. They were forming exactly the kind of picture that would haunt her in the middle of night!

Ruby passed her a swift wink before letting the professionalism get over him.

He looked completely different from the afternoon, different from someone who was all about smiles.

"He looks like another person." Ashley muttered to herself.

"Guess you are not the only one who isn't fan of my family."

Ashley gnawed at her bottom lip, it was not meant for Michael to be heard. Nevertheless, she straightened her back and pretended that it was not her who just spoke.

"Let's start, I am here!"

There were collective sighs of relief from Ruby and his team at her appearance. Yeah, Ashley could tell that none of them was the fan of the family.

So hard to believe these were the same peple who couldn't stop smiling and chatting just an hour back.

Ashley knew now that presenting a good facade was in the genes of the family.

"On the three count of three, smile!"

Ashley blinked and refrained herself from delving into the matter. It would only make her go crazy!

One, two and three...

Ashley pulled up the best of the smiles she could. Well, if this picture was going to go in internet, she wanted to look good at least.