Ashley never looked up at anybody as much as she looked up at him.
At this point, Ashley felt she was about to be driven mad.
Adam Hughes was a man in his mid-sixties now. However, in the last few decades, he had formulated a status that no matter who the person was, they had to respect him.
He was a well-known chef around the world and a successful entrepreneur. He had his chain of restaurants all over the world.
But that was not the only reason she was his fan.
Adam was also an orphan. He came from nowhere and worked his way up.
Initially, he was a target of brutal criticism and abuse but he never let that affect him. He just worked hard to prove himself and he succeeded in that.
So meeting him was one of several things that she never thought was possible.
"Chef Hughes, she is Miss Parker, the new Sous Chef."
Adam Hughes threw a side glance at her and went to his private room.
No doubt, Ashley was distressed by his reaction. She pursed her lips and looked at River.
"Don't take that to your heart. He has a rather cold personality, but once you prove your skills, he will be one of the warmest people."
"I hope I succeed in that." Ashley stared at the closed door. She won't lie, but she was saddened by the way Chef Hughes did not even give her a proper glance.
As if he did not see any worth in her. Maybe he really did not see that.
River rubbed his palms together and attempted to change the mood. "At least he saw you, when I came here he did not even know how I looked for two months."
That was not made up.
Chef Hughes was a straight-to-the-point man. He was professional to the extent that he did not even bother looking at the person who was assisting him in the kitchen.
Ashley won't lie but her spirit turned less and less gloomy after she toured the restaurant and heard more stories of how he was ignored in the first two months from River.
It did lift her spirits.
The first day at The Divine was filled with nothing much. The typical nervousness in freely moving around was mixed with the introductions with every person she bumped into.
No doubt, the most disliked day of the entire working period was the very first day.
It was sometime in the late afternoon when Ashley received a text from Steve. She was getting them since the moment she signed the contract.
Yesterday, the texts were basically the pointers, in extreme detail of the dos and don'ts, all relevant.
'There is a private gathering of the higher-ups in the company. Kindly be ready by seven in the evening.'
The phone almost fell from her hands. They were already starting? But she was not ready yet! Her face went pale.
River instantly grabbed the change. "Are you okay?"
Ashley stared at him. "Uh?" He was looking back at her with concern.
"Your face turned a few shades lighter. Are you uncomfortable with anything?"
Ashley nodded and then shook her head in a no, realising what she had done. Collecting her composure, she thought of what to say.
Her eyes went to the open windows. "I suddenly felt cold." She quickly formed the excuse.
"Ah, that? Let me close them." He stood up as Ashley muttered a thanks. But her entire focus was shifted to the new matter in her hand.
Steve had monotonously told her the so-called 'schedule' they would be following till the marriage.
There was no mention that they would be starting with the act on the very first day!
Ashley knew the aim was to do the activities that could make the loved ones believe that they were truly in love.
The outsiders were not the issue. They believed whatever was portrayed to them. If they were to announce the made-up love story, they would believe it anyhow.
From this what Ashley could perceive was that the target was his family.
Because she did give it a thought.
If there was a private gathering tonight, it couldn't be just for the sake of getting together. What could Michael get from it?
"Feeling better now?" River came back.
Ashley politely smiled and nodded.
"River!" A call came from the kitchen.
They both looked in the same direction at the same time.
"I gotta go." River was about to go when he suddenly turned. "Do you want to see how the work goes in there?"
"Why not?" Ashley had been waiting to go there since the moment she stepped here.
"Come, then." He signalled with his hands with a grin.
Ashley followed him inside, the thoughts of the evening quickly dissipating.