After bidding her bye, Ashley read the document Michael gave her. She missed not a single word and carefully looked through the family tree.
Only one question was in her mind.
Who was Elena Clark?
There was not a word mentioned about her in the entire document. If she had been relevant, there must have been some information about her, right?
Or it could be that she was too relevant to just talk casually about.
Ashley could not tell.
Also, Skylar's words kept replaying in her mind. If the family was so picky about the partners of their offspring, there was no way they would accept her as the wife of Michael.
He, on the other hand, wanted nothing other than to make her his wife. What could be the reason?
Could it be that he had a secret girlfriend whom he wanted to hide from everyone?
And for that, he was going to use her as a space goat because the secret girlfriend was even more inferior than her?
Her eyes rounded in doubt. Could it be really like that?
Was a he a danger in the disguise of a blessing? Would she even stay alive once the period of three years ended?
Ashley shuddered.
No, No! She must not think like this.
It was all messed up- her thoughts, her destiny, her life, the Clarks and...Michael.
-
"Hey, good morning! Um- I was selected for the post of Sous Chef yesterday." As per the document, Ashley was strictly to start from today.
Her nerves calmed a little as the receptionist looked warmly at her. It was a middle-aged lady. "Dear, just a second. Would you mind telling me your name?"
"Ashley."
The lady typed in the computer and grinned, "Ashley Parker?"
"That's me."
"Let me call River. He will assist you from here." Ashley waited on the side as the lady put down the receiver. "We don't have many young people on the staff, so it's very good to see such a beautiful young lady. By the way, I am Lucy."
Ashley smiled at her. If she were to ignore the nervous sensations crawling up and down her body, she loved the atmosphere of The Divine.
Also, the elderly lady in front of her.
The Divine had a cool elegance lingering in the air. Right from the parking lot to when she entered the lobby, Ashley took very careful steps as she examined the interior with awe.
It was always her dream to work at a classic restaurant but she could not feel the most of the jittery feeling in her stomach. Not when Ashley knew that she did not get the job on her merits.
That was just a turn-off.
Her face turned gloomy as she decided to just wait for the man named River.
Because she felt anything but pleasant being here after understanding that this job was nothing but a part of someone's plan.
After what felt like five minutes, a man appeared. "Thank you, Aunt Lucy, I'll take it from here."
"No worries, my boy!" Aunt Lucy winked at him.
"Hello, you must be Miss Parker?" River gazed at her with a glint in his eyes. He was an average height man with olive skin colour.
He was good-looking.
"Right."
"I am River."
He extended a hand which Ashley shook firmly. River noted the way she loosened the grip quite immediately. Wiggling his brows at Aunt Lucy one last time, he led Ashley.
Ashley followed him inside to meet the Executive Chef, under whom they would be working. She still did not know who the person was, but earlier, Aunt Lucy told her she would be surprised if she was somebody who watched television often.
"It's the lobby for us to rest," River informed her as they opened the door at the other end of the corridor. "The door at the right corner leads to the kitchen which I will show you in a bit. Whereas the door on the left is the private room of our Executive Chef."
Ashley nodded. She looked around but could not stop the sensations in her pit. "Who is the Executive Chef?"
River tapped on his wristwatch and said, "For that, you'll have to wait five minutes."
"Or not." A cold voice echoed in the room. In reflex, both necks turned behind and there was the person Ashley never expected to meet.
Adam Hughes?
Ashley was startled. Her eyes were about to pop out. She did not know this, it was not what she imagined happening in her life.
What the hell was going on in her life? How could someone's life change so drastically suddenly?
River knew the temperament of Adam and knew he was not much fond of people who were not composed.
And Ashley, at this point, looked anything but composed. "Hey, calm down," River whispered as he looked between them.
Her bubble was popped and she made a visible attempt to gather herself. "Oh, Hello Sir! I am sorry about the reaction. I just did not...expect to meet you here."
"He is the Executive Chef."
"You are the Executive Chef," Ashley repeated sincerely.
He was what?
Her neck twisted to River as she tried wrapping her mind around it.
She was selected as a Sous Chef.
She came here to meet the Executive Chef.
She ended up seeing Adam Hughes.
And Adam Hughes was...the Executive Chef!
Alright. It should not be that difficult to digest.
Damn, he was another level of personality to Ashley!