Ashley clicked on the link to see what pictures were uploaded. A few random pictures. She scrolled through them until she came to the last one.
The 'kiss' photo.
The photographer had grabbed an applaudable angle. No one could say that they were only faking it.
Ashley clicked her tongue as she put down her phone. She got out of the bed and quickly freshened up. She was going to work today.
For now, her full face was not uploaded in any of the photos, so she would continue with how things were unless someone recognized her.
And even if someone ended up recognizing her, Ashley would continue to deny it till the official confirmation came from the Clarks, which she didn't know would occur when.
As Ashley sauntered down the stairs, she realized there was noise of dishes clanking coming from the kitchen. Curious, she walked a bit fast.
Ashley stopped in her place as an unknown lady worked.
Even that lady noticed her and halted in her place before giving her a huge smile. "Hello, I am Isabella."
"Ashley here," introduced herself, confused.
"I work here as the house helper. I come for an hour or two every day, depending upon the workload."
Ashley nodded, understanding and stepped a little closer. "Are you preparing breakfast?" She eyed the toast put on the ceramic plate.
"Yes."
The lady was not that old; in fact, Ashley could tell that she might be about or around the same age as her.
"Thank you for the breakfast, but I will do it myself from tomorrow." Ashley smiled as she kept the toast on the ceramic plate.
So the plan was to not get used to anything that she would be offered.
It might be a bit difficult, but Ashley was going to carry on with her life as it used to be before the marriage.
Apart from giving attention to details related to the Clarks, she was going to ignore the rest of the things. The luxuries were one of those things.
"I mean, why? Did you dislike something about it?" The lady asked with a frown.
"Not at all. I am just used to preparing it on my own."
"Do you know how to cook?" Isabella looked surprised. It was very rare for people of high-class families to know how to cook.
"I do." Ashley sat as she put the plate on the dining table. By now, she could tell that Michael was not here.
"Yeah, I forgot that you were an orphan before the weddi—oh."
Ashley halted.
A deafening silence fell between them. Isabella looked awkward as she scratched the back of her head. "I am truly sorry I didn't mean to-"
"It's completely fine." Ashley cut her off. "You are right about the part, though I am also a chef."
"Are you in real? I thought they were simply making that up." Isabella asked surprised.
Ashley paused as she stared at the curious face who was bending a little towards her, now with spatula in her hand. "That part, at least, was true."
"Ahhh." Isabella turned back to the pan as she flashed her a smile. "It's the first time I am talking to you but you seem a good person."
Ashley instead asked, "For how long have you been working here?"
"Almost two years." Isabella grinned.
And from her smile, Ashley could tell that she liked working here. Ashley nodded and silently took a bite of the toast.
If she were to probe information out of Isabella regarding Clarks or even Michael, would she tell without looking deeper into it?
But the question was, did Michael come back last night at all?
If he did not, where did he stay?
Ashley did not understand why such questions were even appearing. It shouldn't matter to her, at least.
As long as he was staying away, it meant she was okay. Probably this was the only thing she needed to do—to pretend to be his wife to the world.
As she was done, she washed the plate and got back to her room. She was going to get back to work today.
Due to the wedding and the few other arrangements, she had taken off for two days now. And being in the trainee period, River had warned her about taking multiple holidays.
Ashley knew that they wouldn't suspend her or throw her out of the job. It was more like they couldn't because of Michael.
But she still wished to do her job earnestly. Ashley would not even give them a chance to think that she should be thrown out.
Ashley walked out of the house and found Steve already there. She sighed, recalling that this one arrangement wouldn't be changing anytime soon.
"Good morning, Mrs. Clark."
Ashley halted and let that sink in. It was the first time she was being referred to as that. "I think Ashley would be much better." She looked into his eyes and let him know how serious she was about this.
Ashley did not like the reference at all. She did not see herself as his wife at all. It was all a pretence, so it would be much better if at least people who knew it all would refrain from continuing the act in private.
"We cannot do that."
Ashley replied while getting in the car, "At least in private, refrain from calling me something which we all know is fake."
"Legally, you are Mrs. Clark."
Ashley couldn't understand whether Steve loved arguing with everyone or if it was just her. He got to defy every little request of hers.
She rolled her eyes. "We all know that's to show the world. Either Ashley or Miss Parker." She said with finality in her tone and looked out, ignoring him afterward.
Dustin, who had been awkwardly sitting and observing the exchange, cleared his throat and went on with his duty.
To cut the tension, Dustin did try to joke here and there, but on getting no response from either of them, he stopped and drove fast to The Divine.
The people at The Divine knew that something was going on, but they were not aware of her marriage yet. Ashley did not even want them to know, so she avoided talking about the reason behind the holidays.
She simply quoted "unavoidable issues."