Chapter 74

After a few minutes, Sophia came back from preparing for her next set.

When the host announced that the show would start again, the crowd inside the club/bar cheered loudly.  

Ashley was unable to sit still, and if it is only allowed, she would have climbed the stage to get nearer to Sophia, so her brothers were laughing loudly as they teased her.

"Ashley, if you want, we will ask if you can sing a duet with your idol?  Hahaha!" Arthur kidded her while smiling.

"Hmmph!" Ashley snubbed her brother and stuck her tongue out.  She did not notice that Tanaga was observing them closely and was listening to their banter.  A few moments later, Tanaga suddenly stood up and excused himself and left. Ashley became worried that Tanaga might not like the way they were joking with each other. 

And so, as soon as Tanaga left, Ashley told her brothers to tone down their jokes since Tanaga might not like it.

"You know, he might not bring me back with him to Japan.  It's a pity if I will not earn anymore."'Ten million per child' Ashley thought.

"Isn't it, Mom, Dad?" She asked her parents.

"Well, you are correct.  We already spent so much, and we still have a lot of debt.  Just finish your contract, then you can go home. That's alright with us already." Mang Jessie said while smiling, but his eyes were focused on the stage, waiting for Sophia to come up again.

Ashley and Jessie were both thinking of contracts, but they were pertaining to two different things.  In Ashley's mind, it was about her being a surrogate mother while Mang Jessie was thinking about Ashley being an assistant. [Crazy]

In a while, the stage lights turned off again, and the spotlight shone on Sophia as she went up the stage.  She was wearing a gown worthy of a Diva. It was a floor-length, sparkling gown with a slit on the side that showed off her flawless legs.

The mermaid-cut gown was fitted like a glove.  Together with her four-inch heels, she looked taller and alluring.  All of the men in the audience regardless of age we're drooling at her s.e.xiness.

When she spoke and smiled to the people, her two dimples showed, and the men became more mesmerized with her as if they were enchanted as they stared at her beauty.

Ashley was not able to hold back and started tapping her father and brothers.  "Hey, what are you doing? Better close your mouth or a carabao could get in without you knowing. You're so embarrassing!" Ashley teased while laughing at how her brothers and father looked.

"If you were a boy, you will be just like us!  But it's not yet too late, and I have a hunch you are a tomboy! You haven't had any boyfriend. Hahaha!" Ariel joked, so Arman hit his head.

"Ouch! Arman! I'm so old already, and you are still hitting my head!" Ariel complained to his older brother.

"Yes, you're old, but I'm still older than you.  So I'll hit you in the head if I needed."

"Whatever!" Ariel answered before focusing back to Sophia.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my next song is dedicated to a person who is here.  If she allowed, I would want to sing a duet with her. What do you think?" Sophia asked everyone, but her eyes focused on Ashley.

Ashley's eyes grew big when she noticed that Sophia was staring at her.  She looked back at her parents and asked them…"Do you think she is asking me?  Dad, Mom? Am I the one she is asking?" 

Fely couldn't also believe it, but Arman had a hunch that Tanaga had something to do about this.

'He probably noticed that my sister is so eager to get closer to the Diva, so he used his money again.  Is that why he suddenly disappeared?' Arman thought to himself while looking around to see if Tanaga is on his way back.

When Arman noticed that Tanaga was still missing, he stood up from where he has seated an approached Ashley.  He whispered, "Ashley, I also think that Miss Diva is asking you so stand up and sing a duet with her! Go!" Arman persuaded Ashley to stand up.

"Brother! What are you doing?  What if I am not the person she was talking about?  I would look stupid. Never mind!" Ashley argued with her brother.

"Miss Ashley Gusman, would you do me the honor of singing a duet with me?" Sophia asked, which the audience clearly heard.  They cheered so that Ashley would be encouraged.

"If you don't want, I can do it!" shouted once of the audience at the back.

"Me! I can do it!" shouted another one.

Ashley had no choice but to stand up to go up the stage.  But, because she was so nervous, her knees gave in, and she couldn't almost walk.

Arman was about to stand up to help Ashley when, "Let me be the one to help her, may I?" Tanaga seriously asked.

Arman was not able to do or say anything, but…' Sure! Who am I to reply no.  I know that you are the one who requested this!' He thought, but he answered differently.

"Sir! Don't ask me, but Ashley! If it is ok with her, then it is ok with me too." Arman answered while looking at Tanaga meaningfully.

"What are you still discussing there?  Anyone will do as long as I can sing a duet with her!" Ashley huffed.  She forgot that she introduced Tanaga as her boss, so she talked back at him as if he was also a family member and not a boss...

Ashley did not realize how she spoke with Tanaga, so her brothers and parents were suspicious of their relationship….

Jessie: "Hmmm?"

Fely: "This would be nice if ever."

Arthur, Ariel, Arnel, & Arnold: "Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!"  While their face soured like a tamarind  

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What do you think? Will their secret be found out before they go back to Japan? If ever Ashley's family will know the truth, what will happen?  Will they accept Ashley's situation or prevent her from going back to Japan?

Stay tuned for the next chapter...  coming tonight when I get off from work.