Chapter 4 - Let's Call The Whole Thing Off!

Tanaga was at a loss for words.

He knew his son must've said something to hurt the little girl's feelings for her to dislike him so much, but things were far more severe than he thought them to be.

And yet, this was his best friend's daughter that'd been hurt. He couldn't offend him and his family no matter what. Heck, he owed Jeff his life.

"I don't know what happened or what my son did, but rest assured, I will get to the bottom of things, and I'll call you back." Tanaga said before adding, "I'm sorry, man."

He knew his son had wronged the little girl.

Jeff snarled, "Fine! Go talk to him! I don't care. However, if your son isn't willing, we'll call this whole thing off. Now, goodbye!"

Jeff then hung up without waiting for Tanaga to bid him goodbye.

"What's going on? Who were you talking to? Was it Tanaga you were just speaking to?" Ann asked concernedly.

"Yeah! I told him he'd better find out what his son had said or else…." Jeff was unable to finish his sentence.

Then, little Jeffrey jumped on his father's lap. He gave his dad a hug.

"Daddy, don't be mad because I'm here now! I'll take care of you, daddy!"

He then gave his father kisses all over his face.

Jeffrey's affection melted Jeff's anger in a heartbeat. All it took was a kiss from his son.

"Daddy, why are you mad?" Jeffrey asked, his big, round eyes looking at his father questioningly.

Before Jeff told his son what'd happened, Ann tapped him on the shoulder and shook her head. She was signaling him not to mention it to his son in fear he'd tell his grandmother.

Jeff understood and decided to change tactics instead, "Jeffrey, why don't you go and cheer up your sister? She's not happy and doesn't want to eat. Why don't you find out why? You're her big brother, so it's your duty to protect her, got it?" He asked, coaxing the little boy to get the information he wouldn't understand from his sister.

Jeffrey agreed before he jumped off his father's lap and ran to his twin sister's room.

Ann began laughing, "Haha, you're so smart. Since you couldn't get the answer yourself, you asked little Jeffrey to do the job. So I've got to hand it to you."

Jeff crossed his arms.

"If you like it that much, what about awarding me with a kiss for being so smart, hmm?"

He then puckered his lips.

Ann happily complied, bending over to give her husband the sweetest kiss.

"I just hope… that little Jeffrey can… accomplish what we couldn't," Ann mumbled in between their kisses.

===

Meanwhile, at the Jones' home in Japan.

Tanaga had a long discussion with his son, James. James wouldn't disclose what he'd said to the little girl. Sure, she was cute, and if she'd lost that baby fat when she grew up, she might've become a beauty like her parents. But, unfortunately, that was a long time from now.

James continued denying anything he'd done, lying to his father instead. He didn't want to jeopardize anything by telling his father what he'd actually said; he was already free from the arranged marriage after all.

"I did nothing, father! I swear, I didn't!" He insisted.

There was nothing Tanaga could do other than believe his son.

After all, he was his son, and his twin sons were his life. He'd go to hell and back to ensure they didn't suffer; that was how strong his love for his sons was. That, and how he also didn't want his wife, Ashley, breathing fire down his neck if she were to find out what he'd done in the first place.

"All right, I believe you, but you better not be lying to me, or else… there'll be consequences," warned Tanaga before he took his phone out to make a call to his best friend to apologize.

===

Tanaga was on the phone with Jeff when Ashley and Ashton returned.

"Honey, we're home!" Ashley announced as she stepped into the parlor, Ashton right behind her, a sullen look on his face.

"Daddy! Mommy isn't fair! She promised that she would let me try out, and now she's telling me I'm too young. Daddy!" Ashton cried, following his mother into the parlor.

Tanaga raised his hand to stop his son.

He had a finger to his lips, signaling him to stay silent with his handsome face looking stern.

Ashton stopped right where he was.

Tanaga continued his conversation with Jeff, while Ashley gave him a peck on his cheek and turned around, leaving to go to their bedroom for a change of clothes.

On her way to her bedroom, she dialed Ann's number excitedly.

She was curious, and she couldn't wait to hear Ann's opinion regarding her eldest son.

"Hey, Ann! How was the visit? What do you think of my son? Hope you didn't scare him away," Ashley teased once Ann picked up.

Once she didn't hear Ann reply, she asked, "Ann, you there? What's going on, everything alright?" She hopes her son didn't do anything to Ann's sweet angel.

Ashley was filled with anxiety, knowing her son. But, unfortunately, there was a good chance he did just that.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. Jeff's speaking with Tanaga right now, trying to find out what happened," Ann admitted, before pleading, "So, how about you go talk to your son and ask him, please?"

Ann desperately needed an answer so she'd have an idea of how to console her daughter.

Once Ashley heard what Ann asked her, she agreed before quickly bidding Ann goodbye to do as she told her to.

"Alright, I'll talk to my son and get back to you. I'll see to it that he apologizes if he's done anything wrong. I will not and never will condone any rude behavior, you know that. I'll catch you later, now you just sit tight."

She hung up before rushing to find James....