Chapter 21

Suddenly Tanaga noticed that Ashley was walking behind the employees tiptoeing like a thief. His forehead twitched, and his face turned sour once again while Ashley had no idea that she was the current subject of the conversation.

Tanaga had no choice but to retraced his steps and stopped where Ashley would pass. He waited until the girl came close enough before he could speak.

"Ashley, can you please explain to me why did you walk behind the employees instead of following me?" Tanaga's question sounded like his irritated, and it didn't miss the ears of the employees. They were curious about the girl's reasons.

Ashley was about to respond with an excuse, but then she thought about the employees. So she has to figure something quick or improvise so that Tanaga would not get angry again.

"Sir Jones, I'm so sorry. I thought only your wife and extraordinary people like you could go through the middle of these bowing employees. I'm sorry," Ashley said and at the same time, uncomfortably glanced and compared her poor outfit with the expensive formal suits and high-heeled shoes of the lady employees; while the men wore a matching coat and tie and well-polished shoes.

Tanaga knew that Ashley was only making excuses, so he just let her off. He just smiled a little at what the girl said because something came into his mind about what she said.

"Come here; I'm afraid you might end up getting lost later," Tanaga said as he grabbed Ashley's arm and pulled the almost running Ashley toward the private elevator.

Tanaga's employees, especially the Director of his HR department, suddenly raised their brows. Ever since the moment she worked in Tanaga's company, she never even ridden the private elevator, and never saw CEO Jones smile at any woman in particular in the office, including her.

As a matter of fact, only the maintenance people had the privilege to ride Tanaga's elevator famous for its air-conditioned and perfumed hall combined with its see-through walls. [Haha, lucky for the maintenance team.] Tanaga allowed no one else. Even VIP clients had to take the congested, sweaty, and smelled regular elevators.

So, they were all shocked when Tanaga brought Ashley into the elevator.

Tanaga's employees were in clamor as they watch them going up in the elevator. Especially his cousin Kasai who was the vice president of the company. He tried to go with Tanaga a few times, but not even once was he allowed. He tried coaxing and strategized ways to make Tanaga let him ride with him, but the poker-faced CEO had no qualms from kicking him out. [Poor working hard cousin]

Since everyone could see them inside, they were in shock when they saw Tanaga didn't let go of the girl's arm. Because of their boss's intimate actions, they came up with surprising speculations ...

They also noted that Ashley and Tanaga had an argument. This was certainly too much for them to take in... and wondered about their real relationship.

===

Meanwhile, inside the lift, the unsuspecting Tanaga had only scolded Ashley with a serious face, making the observing employees on every floor believed the two were arguing.

"Do you remember me, Ashley?" Tanaga asked.

"I understand. Wherever you go, I will always be your pretty tail stuck behind you and your unwavering shadow following you. No problem, Sir. Consider it done, but… why?" Ashley couldn't bear not asking and arguing with him, frustrating Tanaga. So they continued their exchanges in this manner while Tanaga's unique expressions were an open book for everyone to see until the elevator door opened.

* Ding! *

To Tanaga and Ashley's surprise, a few people waited for them as they exited the elevator.

"Good afternoon, CEO Jones, we are from the Immigration office. We have received information that the woman with you had entered illegally in the country. Can we go somewhere and talk about this?"

They spoke Niponggo, so Ashley barely understood, for now. But when Ashley heard the word Immigration, she wondered if the people in front were from the Immigration office. She turned her gaze at Tanaga to watch his reaction.

To her surprise, there was .. nothing! He was admirably calm, facing the immigration officers. Tanaga called one of his secretaries without replying to the immigration officer.

"Take them to the conference room. We'll follow later." Was all he said before he put his arm around Ashley's shoulder and whispered. "Just follow along, and don't ask questions."

In the eyes of the immigration officials and Tanaga's secretaries, CEO Jones was only kissing Ashley's ear, making the onlooker's face red while watching the two. They didn't know it was just a whisper.

What else could Ashley do but follow Tanaga? At this time, Ashley didn't know if she would be happy or frustrated, because there was a strong possibility that she entered illegally because of the scam, and if they could prove it, she would be deported at any time.

Ah, that's just a waste of her ten million, she thought. [Oh my, Ashley's dignity is gone. Haha.] To think, ten million per child. Ashley sighed in exasperation. What a loss!

Tanaga waited for Ashley to come into the office as he called one of his secretaries.

"Sir, here are the papers you asked to prepare, and here are the copies I will hand out to them. Will I go and meet with them, Sir?" Secretary # 1 asked Tanaga.

"All right, go ahead."

With the departure of secretary # 1, Tanaga faced Ashley. "Listen carefully; let me answer all their questions. Just nod, and answer 'Yes.' Do you understand?"

Looking at Tanaga, Ashley understood she was right with her guess. It was about her papers. Her visa could be fake. It was apparently an unlawful entry, and... what awaited her? Would they deport her or Tanaga would make a miracle for her?