C4 Chapter 4

It had been two weeks since the incident occurred and since then Ashleigh had a peaceful life working at Tixton. Mrs. Smith had been pardoned by the CEO and was given a higher position in a shocking turn of events. She used her new position and ensured Ashleigh was in charge of training the new recruits. This was a perk of having a family member in a position of authority. Despite all this Ashleigh maintained her calm demeanour, she guided the new staff accordingly and did her work as it was due. This made her earn a few friends from the recruits and from staff members around who saw her during work hours. Ashleigh loved her current work life and had saved a lot for college, so she began preparing as well.

Currently she was in the general cafeteria having lunch with her friends James and Fiona, they sat at the back of the cafeteria, near the break room where the kitchen staff stayed. They had gotten their food and were busy chatting on various things. James was a tall lanky guy that did not seem capable of manual labour but he was a lot stronger than he looked. James was about 5”8, had a rather tan complexion with a dreamy face while Fiona is a fun- sized girl, who is shorter than Ashleigh so they chose to call her that. They were both two years older than Ashleigh and looked after her like their baby, she liked to ship them for jokes but each time they shut it down.

As they discussed, Fiona looked around the cafeteria before nudging Ashleigh hard.

“What was that about?” she complained, rubbing her shoulder to relieve the pain.

“Uhmmmm, isn’t that Mr Cagliari's secretary walking towards us?" she yelled silently, pointing at Mr turner who was indeed coming this way. Ashleigh gave a polite smile as he neared their table which he returned.

“Sorry to disturb your lunch, but I would like to see Miss Hartman” he explained quickly, facing Ashleigh.

“Okay I guess" she responded sceptical about everything, but still standing up to leave with him. As she left, she turned to see Fiona and James mouthing questions like “what’s going on?”, “what did she do " and all that” to which she shook her head to deny knowing anything. They soon made their way to the first floor and he led her to the private elevator, she stopped him

“Don’t you want to talk to me about something?” she questioned and Turner waved his hands

“I’m sorry for the confusion Miss Hartman, it is the CEO who would like to see you" He cleared up and her heart stopped for a second. She wondered why Mr. Cagliari wanted to see her as Mr turner pressed the button to open the private elevator.

“Are you sure? I can take the stairs” she suggested but he stood firm and she entered; as they made their way up her mind ran in circles as she thought of what could make the CEO want to see her.

She has had no complaints so far and had no reason to see him as well, she would only know when she gets there. She found herself on the fourth floor of the company, which was known as the executive floor. This was where the office of the president was here and his vice president, although he has never met him before. They walked past the conference room to the end of the hall where a door was labelled CEO in gold.

“You may go in" he gestured as he opened the door and she walked in. The space was wide, and it was furnished exquisitely with Italian furniture, she was astonished at how wide a room can be.

Her eyes roamed around the place before landing on the couch to see her aunt, Mr Cagliari and another man seated. The couches were arranged around a glass centre table, and on the table was an envelope and mugs of coffee.

“Aunt" she called out, Mrs Smith looked up to see her standing at a distance and smiled warmly. Mr Cagliari also raised his eyes to see her and the man as well.

“My dear, why are you standing so far?” she beckoned but Ashleigh stood adamant, peering at Mr Cagliari suspiciously.

“What’s this about aunt?” she questioned firmly, staring at Mr Cagliari head on who smiled amused. He looked dashing today; he wore a beige coloured suit and matching shoes, his hair was slicked back in an elegant style and his stubble framed his lower face, making him seem more mature. He sat with his legs crossed and reached for his cup of coffee on the table, sipping it nonchalantly.

“Won’t you come here? will we have to shout it to you? " Ashleigh moved to sit besides her aunt carefully. Adrian took a long look at her; her eyes were apprehensive as she waited for him to speak and her hands held onto her aunts clothes tightly.

“Ashleigh, I have been discussing with your aunt before you arrived ” he remarked, she turned to her aunt who avoided her eyes.

“I have a proposition for you- a marriage proposal” he stated, and Ashleigh could not hide her shock.

“I’m sorry. Could you repeat what you said?” she asked, looking at him in disbelief.

“I am asking you to marry me" he repeated firmly, and she let out a startled laugh. This man seemed to be out of it at the moment, because who talks about marriage so lightly.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that it sounds funny. Is it a joke? Can you tell a better one" her smile quickly dimmed and she looked serious. Her aunt tried to intervene but she was not in the mood to hear her speak.

“No Mrs Smith, I need to speak to him” she said, holding his gaze.

“Well, Mr Cagliari, why do you want to marry me?” she asked sarcastically, he gave a wry smile in response.

“Miss Hartman I have a pressing need so I want someone who suits those requirements” he replied, giving her a good look. Ashleigh was bewildered by the fact that she was here hearing the nonsense he had to say, more so that her aunt had heard this but could not refuse.

“Mrs Smith, did you hear what he said? " she inquired and Mrs Smith let out a low sigh

“Well Ashleigh dear, I have heard it all but I want you to consider it as well" she responded, her voice getting more quiet as she Ashleigh’s disbelief deepened.

“Look, Ashleigh, it’s not a bad offer. He has promised to care for you and compensate you when the contract is over" she attempted to encourage Ashleigh but Ashleigh shifted from her.

“Miss Hartman, I am Mr Cagliari’s lawyer and legal representative. I have the marriage contract ” the man who observed silently spoke up. He moved to remove the paper from the envelope and he placed it in front of her. Ashleigh sat silently, staring at the header of the contract. It was written in bold letters: MARRIAGE AGREEMENT CONTRACT.

“Ashleigh, I know this is a lot for you to take in. I want you to think carefully. During the period you will be my legal

wife, you and your aunt will be fully taken care of. It’s more of a favour to you” Adrian added, looking at her still figure.

Ashleigh raised her head to look at him.

“Did I ask you to do me a favour Mr. Cagliari? There are a thousand ladies who would take this opportunity but I will not. And don’t you ever call me for this again she said through clenched teeth, turning to leave abruptly. She at the door when Adrian said something that made her stand still.

“Miss Hartman.... or is that your real name?” He questioned and she turned sharply with a fierce glint in her eyes.

“What? You think you’re a mere orphan? Then your aunt hasn’t been entirely truthful to you has she?” Adrian taunted Ashleigh, and she marched straight up to him.

“What are you talking about" she asked in a hushed tone, making him stand up to face her. Her heart was beating loudly at the moment as she glared at him, this was the thorn that pierced her heart. She longed to find out about her birth parents but she did not have the resources so it was buried at the back of her mind, one of the things that she hoped to do after saving up was to find her birth parents if they are alive or dead. She lived her life day by day at the orphanage home until her aunt showed up one day.

Till now, anytime she asked her aunt or tried to bring up the discussion, her aunt shot it down fiercely every time, stating her parents are dead and there was no reason to talk about it. She told her no stories of her parents, home town or family where they grew up in as children, she explained that this was for the best. Looking at Adrian Cagliari, she now confirmed that there is more to the story than she knew.

“Whatever I want to know about my parents I can find out myself” she retorted and he chuckled at her. He truly admired her courage and naivety, thinking she would be able to find out about her parents so easily.

“My dear...” he drawled, running his hands through her hair playfully.

“Be my guest. You would be dead at the first try. Your Aunty Smith knows this very well, your case is not as simple as you think it is” he continued. Her fiery gaze tugged at his heart string wildly, he liked her little acts of defiance even though she is a shivering leaf.

“I am the only one that can guarantee your safety. You can only walk naively around this world for long but they are lurking in the shadows, waiting for you. Once you step out of your shell, trust me your head would be in your hands. But don’t take it from me though, find out for yourself how long you can survive out there" he drawled, gesturing for her to leave.

Ashleigh was filled with fear at this point, she looked at Mr. Cagliari as he strolled to his office chair, signalling he was done with the conversation, his lawyer followed suit standing up to reach for the papers. She then looked at her aunt who looked slumped on the chair, as if admitting defeat.

As the lawyer was about grabbing the last paper on the floor she quickly grasped his hand. Her other hand grabbed her light coloured uniform tightly in desperation as she looked straight at Mr Cagliari who was on the phone calling his secretary to come in and escort them out.

“Where do I need to sign?”