Chapter 230 - Dinner With The Jones

Ashley was surprised to find out that there is a chef who is now cooking. Furthermore, a woman who seems to be his assistant busy with slicing meat and vegetables.

"Ahem!" She cleared her throat so that they can notice her arrival.

The two heard Ashley and stop whatever they were doing for a moment and turn around to greet her and give their respect.

"Good evening, ma'am!" They greeted Ashley simultaneously and bowed to pay their respect while they waited for her to return the greeting.

"Good evening to you too! Is there anything that I can do to help?" She offered as she walks towards them to see what is cooking. The scents that wafted in the air were so delicious that they made Ashley's stomach protest.

"Ma'am! There is no need to! We can do it ourselves. If there are any specific dishes you wanted. You only need to say the word and will do our best to comply. If we do not know how to prepare it, you can guide us on how to cook it, and there is no need for you to be exhausted."

Ashley smiled at what the chef said. It will be presumptuous for her to guide them when they look like they came from a five-star hotel. So she did what seems like the right choice, to leave them be.

"Thank you for the kind thought. It is okay! I do not have anything special to request. Just do what Mr. Sato told you to prepare, it is fine with me. 

"All right, I am going to leave now; it seems that I interrupted you long enough." The chef and the assistant nodded with a simple smile as she exited at the kitchen door.

When she arrived in the living room, she saw her husband and elder brother, seriously speaking. 

She did not want to interrupt their bonding time, so she proceeded to the master-bedroom to change her clothes to a casual one. 

No sooner than she entered the room, she received a facetime call from her mother in the Philippines. Ashley excitedly answered the call.

Ashley: [Mom! How is everyone doing over there? You will not believe what I am about to tell you!] Her eyes were as side a saucer while grinning from ear to ear. 

Mother Fely: [What is it that I cannot believe it? By the way, we are all doing fine here; your Father had been busy at the clinic. How about you, how are you with your boss?] Once could tell that she was obviously excited to see her pretty daughter.

Ashley:[Hahaha! I am fine and so us my boss, all of us were doing well. Oh' before I forget to tell you, we are in America right now. Look!] Ashley then reverses the camera to show the whole master bedroom.

Mother Fely: [Jesus Christ! Daughter! Is that your room in America? Wow!] She was teary-eyed while speaking as Ashley just kept going around and around to show the place, including the bathroom. Ashley thought that this should surprise her mother. Any she war right, mother Fely's eyes widened in shock.

Once she finished showing off to her mother, she decided to give her more shock, only to see how she would react.

Ashley:[ Mom, I have another surprise for you; look carefully.] She opened the door and went out of the room. Slowly she made her way towards the living room where Tanaga and Arthur were engrossed with their conversation.

Ashley: [Do you see who is here now and spending time with us?] Asked Ashley as she pointed the camera where the two were sitting. 

Both man have a smile plastered on their face. Unknown to them that Mother Fely was watching them.

"Elder brother, Honey! Look over here! You are on a candid camera. Hahaha!" Banters Ashley, while she pressed the camera's zoom button so that Mother Fely can see it.

Mother Fely was so excited when she saw her son, Arthur, that she did not realize that Ashley had called Tanaga 'Honey'.

Mother Fely: [Arthur! Son, what are you doing there? How did it happen that you end up together with your younger sister? Thank God for granting my prayer. I thought you would be sailing through Christmas. It is a good thing you guys had docked already. Huh-huh-huh! ] 

A tear of joy was flowing down Mother Fely's cheeks, for being able to set sight on Arthur before Christmas day.

Arthur: [Hi! Mom, how are you?] Arthur greeted while waving his hand to his mother with a broad smile plastered on his face.

Tanaga:[Hello, Mother Fely! How are you doing? Where is Father Jessie? Is he not present?] Tanaga said while waving his hand to his mother-in-law.

Mother Fely was so happy to see her second son with his little sister, along with the very handsome and kind boss who, in the future, will be his son-in-law. 

Unknown to Mother Fely that Tanaga is, in fact, her son-in-law already.

Mother Fely: [All right children, I will let you guys and girls go. Will call back later when your Father and your other siblings get home. Be careful there; take good care of yourself, okay?] Reminded Mother Fely while tears still flowing down her face.

Everyone waved goodbye to Mother Fely before Ashley hang up the facetime call.

No one had informed Mother Fely about their marriage. 

Ashley swiftly whispered to Arthur not to say anything, while Tanaga was talking to their mother. 

She wanted to surprise them when they go home. Arthur agreed and promised that he also would not tell them when he gets home. 

Meanwhile, as soon as they finished speaking with Mother Fely, Sato came to inform them that dinner is served.

The first to stand up was Tanaga, and he helps his wife. One thing that Arthur notice is how caring Tanaga is to his little sister. He cannot help but thank the Lord for his sister's blessing, including his whole family.

When they reached the dining room, Arthur noticed that only three table settings were on the table. Does this mean that only three people will be eating the feast laid out on the table? He was dumbfounded.

Tanaga pulled one of the chairs on the right side, letting Ashley sit. He then sat on the head table, ready to eat.

However, when Arthur has not decided to sit down and continue standing near the threshold, "brother-in-law, what are you still doing there? Come before the food gets cold." Said Tanaga impatiently.

There was nothing Arthur could do but to make his way to the table slowly. He was about to pull the chair next to Ashley when Tanaga motioned to him to sit on his right side.

Arthur has no other choice but to sit where Tanaga told him to, which is on Tanaga's left side and in front of Ashley.

Ashley gazed at him while she was curiously asking with her eyes. They spoke with each other without a word.

((( Arthur))) "How come there are only three of us? What about your bodyguard and his secretary, aren't they going to join us?

((( Ashley))) "Hmmm," Was all Ashley's response before...

"Sato! Tiny! Where are you guys? Come here, and let us eat together!" Tanaga shouted like it is a regular occurrence. 

He noticed what the two siblings were doing and knew what they were talking about without uttering a word...