Chapter 234 - Being In A Spotlight

Tanaga realized that they were all waiting for him to say a few words. Therefore, he has no choice but to get up. However, when he stood up, "Honey, don't you think that you need to go with me? I am sure I heard Manager Hoshi said 'my beautiful wife' that means you." 

Tanaga then stretches his hand waiting for Ashley to accept so he could help her get up. She hesitated for a moment. However, when she looked around and saw all the employees waiting and anticipating them to go together... Ashley has no choice but to accept Tanaga's hand.

Tanaga guided his wife towards the podium. He was such a gentleman that made all the women inside the big ballroom in awe.

"Gosh, I am so jealous. Why can't I be so lucky like her." The wife of one of the junior accountant said.

"Why? What is wrong being married to me except I'm not a billionaire like our boss." The junior accountant said to his wife straight face.

"Hahaha, hahaha! You are asking me what is wrong with you? Let us see..." The wife could not finish what she was about to say, for Tanaga and Ashley were almost at the podium, and Manager Hoshi said something on the microphone.

Ashley was wondering how did Tanaga hear Hoshi saying 'his beautiful wife' when she had to poked him several times to get his attention. She then realized that her husband had played her.

"You! You were playing with me, are you? You heard him the first time and acted calmly."

Tanaga only smiled at his wife while they continued walking towards the podium. Once they arrived, the lights dimmed, and the spotlight was on them.

Tanaga was used to this kind of event, and it was nothing to him. Unlike Ashley, it was her first time in her entire life that it happened. Therefore, when the whole place suddenly dimmed, she was stunned that she screamed.

Unfortunately, she was right by the microphones, and it echoed through the whole ballroom. Everyone in the hall covered their ears, preventing them from going deaf.

"Oh my Gosh! Why did the lights suddenly shut off?" She quickly covered her mouth when she realized that she was near the microphone… Not before she said, "Oh shit!" Everyone heard it loud and clear even though she said in a voice barely audible.

"Hahaha! Hahaha! It is all right, Mrs. Jones, that is nothing compared to what we hear from our wives," Shouted one of the employees from the back.

"I am sorry! I did not mean to say that. I hope that did not make all of you deaf." She apologized while her voice was getting lower and lower by the minute while she was unable to look at them.

Tanaga saw this and decided to intervene on behalf of his wife. "Hahaha! Sorry about my wife, she is easily shocked. Luckily she did not hit me this time. Normally her hands would be flying already.

Hahaha!" Banters Tanaga while his hand was on her shoulder. He hugged her tightly before kissing her on her forehead.

*Clap-clap-clap! Bravo!* One of the employees shouted.

Suddenly, everybody claps their hands when they saw how sweet the couple was. Seeing all these happenings, Arthur was grateful for Tanaga and all the THJ Marine Division employees for accepting his sister as their boss's wife.

At first, he was concern that Ashley would be disrespected and insulted. However, it was proven that it was not the case at all. He let out a sigh of relief before joining everyone, clapping his hands.

Tanaga gave his employee a speech before calling Sato to begin giving out the bonus. One by one, Sato called the name of the employee and handed them an envelope. Inside was their 13-month pay.

Once Sato began handing out the bonus, Tanaga then bid them goodbye. "I will leave the responsibility to my assistant. Merry Christmas to all of you!" After Tanaga said the words, Ashley followed. "Merry Christmas, everyone!" With a sweet smile on her face.

Once she was finished, Tanaga took her hand, led her toward their seats, and let Sato handle it.

Every one of the employees that received the bonuses has a smile plastered on their faces. After receiving the envelope, they would walk towards the couple and thanked them. The happiness in all of the employees' faces was priceless. Even the family member of their employee approaches them to appreciate their generosity.

The two only answered with a smile and a nod. When the distribution of bonus was finished, Tanaga and Ashley bid a farewell to all their employees and families. Ashley thought that they might not enjoy the night if they are going to stay longer. 

Tanaga agreed to it and quickly stood up. In just a few minutes, they were inside the car returning to the condominium with Tiny. Sato and Arthur stayed at the banquet because of Manager Hoshi and Mikito, who forced them to stay and enjoy the party.

When they arrived at the condominium, Tiny was shocked when Tanaga said. "Go ahead! Do not worry about us and go back to the party. We have a very high-tech alarm system installed. I will turn it on when you leave and will be fine. Go and enjoy yourself.

Tiny hesitated and would likely reject the offer; however, Ashley beat her to it. "If you do not want to lose a job… -You better listen!" Her face was serious when she said it, but Tiny knew any better. Ashley was only threatening him so he would go and enjoy himself.

In the end, Tiny accepted the offer and went with the flow. He acted scared, "All right! Ma'am, sir Jones! If that is okay. I will go then!" He then quickly turned around and left with a big grin on his lips.

"Woah! Sweetheart, is that how scary you are? Just one word and Tiny immediately left. While when I said it to him… it feels like he is going to reject it!" Banters Tanaga, knowing full well that Tiny was more scared of him than his wife.

"Well, Mrs. Jones... What do you say, we enjoy ourselves too. Let us do the boogie!" Said Tanaga before lifting his wife and carrying her like a princess towards their bedroom to continue their honeymoon. [Snu-snu time!]

===

The next day Ashley woke up early since it is Christmas day… When she stepped out of the living room, she could not find a shadow of anyone in the house. Even her husband was nowhere to be found. 

"Hmmm, where did everyone go?" She thought to herself on the way to the kitchen.

She was halfway through the kitchen when the door suddenly opens. The trio came in and greeted her. "Merry Chrismas" Shouted Tiny, Sato, and Arthur. 

"Merry Christmas to the three of you also! But wait… Where is tanaga? Why is it just the three of you?" Ashley curiously asked. 

The trio looked at each other with a sly smile on their lips before Arthur answered. "Surprise! Hahaha!" Before, he immediately came near her and hugged her.

"Baby sister, you are !so fortunate. I swear I do not think you will be able to find such a man on earth. Even if you go to the end of the world, there would be no other Tanaga like your husband. Hahaha!" Whispered Arthur while still embracing her tightly.

"That is right, ma'am! You will understand what we are talking about in just a minute. Please wait!" Sato Excitedly said while Tiny was just grinning. 

"Oh' I knew that! Even if you do not' tell me, I already know how lucky I am to meet my husband." Exclaim Ashley before rolling her eyes. Followed with, "duh!" 

"Come to the living room and wait for your husband there. Prepare your camera, and you will see what we are talking about. Hahaha!" Arthur happily guided Ashely to the living room with his hand on her shoulder.

When they reached the living room, Ashley got shocked by the big fresh Christmas tree. [Not a plastic tree] full of decoration. "H-How did this happen? This was not here when we arrived last night?"

Ashley said while you can see how happy she was, "It is beautiful! Thank you, all of you!" 

Arthur was about to confess that they were not the ones who did it. In fact, it was Tanaga. However, the door suddenly opened and came walking Mr. Santa Claus.

"HO' HO' HO!" "HO HO HO!" 

Tanaga enters wearing a Santa Claus costume. A fake beard, a pillow on his stomach to look buff, with a red bag on his shoulder full of presents.

Ashely was a loss for words. All she could do was stand there dumbfounded, looking at her husband lovingly. When she came to her senses, "Oh my! Tan… You are so sweet!"

Ashley said that while her hands covering her mouth. She does not know if she is going to laugh or cry because of so much happiness.