Chapter 91

Ashley and Grandmother Hanada was having so much fun and laughing their hearts out while inside the elevator.  Grandmother Hanada has so much story to tell Ashley for she had seen many things around the world.  They have not realized that they already arrived at the top floor where the condominium was located.

The elevator opened right at Tanaga's condominium.  Ashley was astonished when they got out of the elevator.  What she saw in front of her was a spacious living room with a complete setup.  A sectional sofa that looked so smooth and soft to sit on. While in the middle was a glass table with matching end table at both ends.

Right behind the sofa was a rectangular table that has a flower base with a breathtaking assemble of the bouquet.  Both sides of the flower base have Lladro figurines to complete the setting.

"Wow!" Was all that Ashley could say while her eyes were bulging out of the socket from awe.

"So, what do you think?  Do you like it?" Grandmother Hanada asked enthusiastically as they walked towards the sofa to sit.

"What is there not to like in this place?  Oh' my God! It's so breathtakingly beautiful!  Only in my dream could I see such a beautiful place.  But, now it's for real, and nothing was fake. There is nothing I wouldn't like about this place."

Ashley honestly answered Grandmother Hanada's question while her face showing a bright smile and full of excitement.

"I'm glad that you like it.  Why don't you come here and let's talk." Said grandma Hanada while she's patting the seat next to her where she wanted Ashley to sit.  Ashley didn't hesitate for a moment as she sat down next to Grandma Hanada with a wide grin plastered on her face while the indent on her face was showing two beautiful dimples.

"What is it that we need to talk about?" She asked curiously as she sat down next to grandma Hanada.

Grandmother Tanaga holds Ashley's hand first before she replied.  "It in regards to your relationship with my stupid grandson. I knew from the beginning that your marriage was nothing but a parse.  You had to get married in order for you to say in Japan. Am I right?" She said softly with kindness in her eyes.

Ashley suddenly felt chill to her bones, and her hands began sweating.  Her face flushes as white as she had seen a ghost or something. She was unsure how she should reply to that revelation.  She didn't even realize that tears began flowing down on her beautiful face.

"Grandma, I promised I really didn't mean to... I had never planned on using sir Jones.  However..."  Her voice was cracking while she's trying her best to explain while they end up getting married.

"Shss! You have nothing to worry about, whether it the truth or it's a lie.  What I want us to discuss is your current situation with my grandson.  I only wanted to know one thing... Was your marriage consummated?  Tell me the truth, so I know how should I go about it and if I could help you in any way."

Ashley was stunned and unable to believe what she was hearing coming out of the old lady's mouth.  She stared at her for a moment while in deep thought. 'Did I hear it, right?  She's planning on helping if my marriage with Tanaga was already consummated?  What should I do?  How should I respond?  Should I tell her the truth?  Ahhh!'  She's about to lose her mind trying to think about how to reply to the question correctly.

In the long run, she ends up telling the truth and nothing but the truth.  It would not bode well if she lied to the old lady when she was kind enough to offer her help.  First, she took a deep breath and let out a sigh.  She then went on and told Grandmother Hanada everything from the beginning.

"Yes, we did consummate our marriage during our trip to the Philippines.  However, this is part of our deal, and I'm not asking for any compensation from him.  I'm also not expecting him to consider me as his real wife, for I know that this marriage is only a farce in order for me to stay in the country. 

"Once I'm able to give him an heir, he would pay me ten-million USD, and I will be free to go back to my family free and clear.  And we would both go on with our own lives.  And that's the truth and nothing but the truth.  So help me, God!"  Ashley swears like she's making an oath.

Once Ashley finished telling the whole story, she bent her head down, feeling ashamed.  She couldn't find herself to look at Grandmother Hanada straight in her eyes, after what she had just told her.  When she had signed the contract, it was already shameful for her family's dignity — especially the part about getting paid ten-million USD to be a surrogate mother.

Grandmother Hanada saw how ashamed Ashley was after was she just said, and the contour of her face changed drastically, and she began feeling sorry for the kid.  Therefore, in order to make Ashley feel better, she started laughing out loud as if nothing was said.  "Hahaha"

"Kiddo!  You are so cheap!  Hahaha!  If I was in your situation and knowing how rich the person that we're dealing with, I would have asked for a billion USD as an exchange for an heir to his empire."  Grandmother Hanada banters in which shocked Ashley and unable to utter a word.

"Madam?  I don't think it's right for me to do that.  Actually, to tell you the truth... I have no plan on taking the money when the time comes.  I only have one wish, and that is, I'm allowed to be around my child as he grows up.  I don't care if he doesn't introduce me as his mother. I could work us his nanny.  That would be fine with me."  Said Ashley while her head was bent almost in tears.

"Oh' my!  Child... You need to change the way your thinking.  What you need to do is to think of a way to keep your family together as one in the long run.  And that's what we need to start planning and implementing.  Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Ashley was curious after hearing that coming out of grandmother Hanada's mouth.  "So' what do I need to do to be able to stay forever?"  She asked innocently.

"Nevermind that!  What we needed to do is to make a solid plan, because there's a villain who entered your story.  Why can't a story go on without a villain, even in a movie if there's no villain... no one wanted to watch.  Whatever!  So' anyway... This is what we're going to do...  Blah-blah-blah!"

Once grandmother Hanada finished teaching Ashley what she needed to do.  She then got up and make preparation to leave to go back to her mansion.  "Listen, kid! Stay here, and no matter how much he tries to persuade you to return to the mansion, never give in!  Remember that!"

Ashley got up as well and gives grandmother Hanada a tight embrace before she replies.  "Yes, grandma!  Don't worry, and I will do everything in my power to accomplish our goal.  Thank you again!"

Ashley walked with grandmother Hanada to her car.  They keep on saying goodbye to each other, and it was never-ending.  If grandmother Hanada's assistant didn't intervene, they would never leave.

Ashley didn't go back in right away.  She kept on waving to grandmother Hanada as long as she could see the car.  She waited until they were out of sight before she makes her way back into the building.

As she was slowly making her way toward the front door of the building.  A car was speeding towards her like the demon was after it.  Ashley was frozen and couldn't move from where she was standing, and the car was getting closer by the second.  Then... "Screech!"  The car stopped just a foot away from Ashley.

A moment later, the door opened, and a drunk Tanaga came out. He was staggering as he walks towards Ashley. Once they were face to face, he spoke to Ashley…"Hello!  Sweetheart, did you missed me?"

*Pak!  Boing! Thud!*  That's the sound of Ashley's response to Tanaga's greetings...  What do you think had happened?

*****

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