A couple of minutes later, they arrived in front of the President's private residence. The assistant aid was already standing by the door waiting for them. As soon as she saw their car stopped, she quickly went and stood by the passenger door waiting for them to descend.
Ashley's eyes were wide in excitement. She couldn't believe that she's actually in the White House. Not just that, they were in the President's private wing. She couldn't conceal her excitement and started rumbling.
"Oh 'my God! Am I dreaming? Hahaha! Really! Are we in the President's private residence? Does that mean I can meet the President as well?" Ashley asks Tanaga as she leaned into his arm.
"Yes, if you want we could ask the President if he would take a picture with you. What do you think?" He was only kidding, but knowing his wife as far as what he could see - she would do just that.
He wasn't wrong for thinking that way because it's exactly the next word that came out of Ashley's mouth.
"Tan, do you think the President would let me have a picture with him for a souvenir?" She asked with doe eyes and it made Tanaga laugh out loud. "Hahaha! Hahaha!" I was only kidding, then here you are asking me the exact question. "Hahaha! Hahaha!"
"But, I just heard you said that! Promise me you would ask the President for me. Please!!!" She's just like a little child begging for treats and he could not say no even if it kills him.
He cupped her face with his palm then pull her closer to him before, "Yes, my love I will ask the President to have a picture with us. Are you happy now, can we get out of the car now?" He then kissed her soundly before he stepped out of the car. Once he was outside, he helps her gently making sure she doesn't hit her head on the way out.
Ashley couldn't wait to get out of the car so she could take a selfie. However, she was not able to take a selfie because the assistant aid was standing right outside the car waiting to take them to the President's parlor.
"Welcome! If you please, follow me ... The President is waiting for you at the parlor. "The assistant said with a serious face but with a small smile on her face.
"Thank you!" Replied Tanaga as he wrapped his arm around Ashely and guided her inside. Sato and Tiny followed right behind them cordially while sneaking a few selfies here and there.
President Grant was already in the parlor waiting for them and saw them as they entered the threshold. He stood up to welcome them with a kind fatherly smile on his face.
"Welcome! Welcome! You must be... ?" He didn't complete what he had to say. President Grant let Ashley finish the sentence.
"H-hello, Mr. President. I'm Ashley, nice to meet you!" Said Ashley as she extended her cold and shivering hands to President Grant for a handshake. Which he gladly accepted with a grin on his lips.
"My oh my! Is it too cold in here or am I that intimidating? Hahaha!" He banters before he turned and addressed Tanaga.
"You have a beautiful wife. No wonder you can't stand to be away from her even for a moment. Hahaha!" President Grant joked to make Ashley feel at ease. "Sit! Sit! "President Grant invited the couple.
Tanaga grabbed Ashley's arm and guided her to sit down not far away from where President Grant was sitting. Tanaga also sat next to her as he took Ashley's cold hand to warm up...
Unbeknownst to the couple, President Grant was impressed with how gentle and caring Tanaga was to his wife. A thought suddenly came into his mind about a certain someone. Someone much like the woman in front of him, a Filipina girl he had met and had been a part of his life before he became the President of America.
But that was a long time ago and she no longer with the living. The only thing he has now is nothing but a memory that would last him a lifetime to forget. He was so engrossed with his thought that he didn't realize the couple was intensely staring at him waiting to speak.
He quickly regains his posture and wiped away the thought in his mind. He then gives his undivided attention to the couple.
"So! What do you think of my home? "President Grant asked Ashley while he looked straight at her without blinking an eye.
Meanwhile, Ashley's mind was so far away, not even paying attention to the man in front of them. She was admiring the President's parlor and all thought was running through her mind. She wanted to take a video and send it to her family, she wanted to take a selfie for her souvenir, she wanted to so much. Not realizing that President Grant was waiting for her response.
Suddenly he looked up and saw President Grant with wide eyes... -staring at her bewildered.
"Huh? Are you talking to me? I'm sorry! You have a very beautiful home sir! So wide and so big. I had never seen anything like this in my whole life." She answered him innocently and honestly. A beautiful smile was on her lovely face while her two dimples were heavily indented. She was so adorable from the way she looks.
" Well ... Thank you! I have nothing to do with the size, it was built already when I became a President and I have no choice for that matter. Hahaha! Then it's the first lady who had arranged for the decorator so I have nothing to do with that either. But, thank you nonetheless." President Grant jokingly told her while he keeps on staring at her beautiful youthful face.
Ashley, who was initially excited and nervous, suddenly changed the contour of her face when she noticed President Grant staring at her. She swiftly turned her attention to Tanaga in order to avoid staring back at President Grant.
Tanaga saw from the corner of his eyes how President Grant was staring at Ashley constantly and his brow raised and his face turned sour. He didn't like it that the President seems to be enamored with his wife. He quickly put his arms around his wife and pulling her closer to him. Marking his territory.
'Hmmm, this Japanese guy sure is very protective of his wife.' He thought. He decided to make him feel at ease.
"CEO Jones, don't worry! I'm only staring at your beautiful wife because I'm thinking of a certain child that I'm missing so much right at this moment." Said President Grant nonchalant. He didn't add who that person might be.
Tanaga was embarrassed at his behavior and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry Mr. President. Does it show that much? Hahaha! As you said a while ago, now you know why I can't be a minute away from my wife. Hahaha! " He then pulled her much closer to him and hugged her tightly.
~scrool to the next chapter~