Chapter 279 - Ashley, Who?

There was visible concern on Grandma Hanada's face while talking to the doctor; she still couldn't believe this happened to Tanaga. For him to return to a child-like state, and from the way he was acting – how old was his mind really?

"You mean Tanaga's mind temporarily returned to his childhood state?" Grandma Hanada asked the doctor as her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Chairwoman, if you remember, the doctor who operated on him told you this. Due to the shock on his head, a lot of blood clotted in his brain. Didn't I also tell you before that there is a chance that when waking up CEO Jones… he may have temporary amnesia and here it is – he returned to his child self. It seems that his memory was from his childhood. 

"However, do not worry as it is only temporary and it is not permanent. And one more thing – we will do our best to find a way for him to get back to his normal condition. This is only temporary until that part of his brain heals." The specialist explained with kindness in his voice.

Grandma Hanada breathed a sigh of relief when she heard what the doctor said. At least there was a chance Tanaga would remember everything. If not, what would happen to the THJ Group? Even if Koji were to run it properly, Tanaga should still replace him as Chairman when the day comes.

"Right now, he just needs a therapy session while we wait for the wound in his brain to heal. This damage probably won't last long. I'm sure it will take just a few weeks or a few months before he starts to go back to normal," the doctor said as he obviously felt sorry for the old lady.

Feeling suffocated by depression, Grandma Hanada returned to Tanaga's room and sat on the chair by the side of the bed. As her eyes filled with tears, she gently stroked her grandson's hair and talked to him while he slept.

"Tanaga, the doctor said this will only be temporary, so you should recover quickly! Did you know that your wife Ashley is about to give birth and she is coming here to America? I still intend to surprise her when you wake up.

"I suppose this is just the reality, even if Ashley says she can accept your situation… I'm thinking about you because you won't recognize poor Ashley." Tears welled up in Grandma Hanada's eyes as she talked to the sleeping Tanaga.

"My God! How can I tell this to Ashley? Please tell me what to do for I do not know!" Grandma Hanada prayed while tears flowing down her face.

She was about to get up to move to the sofa and feel comfortable while waiting for Tanaga to wake up, that's when she felt Tanaga hold her hand tightly, restraining her.

"Grandma… who is Ashley?" Tanaga asked as though he were a child who was confused and curiously wanted to find out who this 'Ashley' person his grandmother mentioned was.

Grandma Hanada was shocked and did not know how to answer her grandson's question. She thought of coaxing him like a child. "Ashley? Ah! She's your wife and she's coming to America now. Do you want to see her?" Grandma Hanada asked.

Tanaga stared at his Grandma while he was deep in thought. His face shown utterly confused trying to comprehend what's going on.  After a moment of deep thinking, he spoke...

"Granny, you're fooling me! How did I get married when I'm only ten years old?" Tanaga retorted.

"By the way granny... why are my mom and dad not here yet? Didn't you tell them I'm already awake?" Tanaga asked the worried Grandma Hanada.

It seemed that Tanaga's brain returned to his ten-year-old state; the year before the ambush which killed his father and led to his mother's disappearance.

Grandma Hanada then remembered that day…

Flashback:

Eleven-year-old Tanaga was on vacation with his parents in the Bahamas. They were aboard a yacht owned by his father. One night, while they were anchored in the harbor, the syndicates ambushed them and killed the bodyguards who were with them, as well as the crew and his father.

He and his mother were abducted, and they ransomed Grandma Hanada for fifty million dollars. Grandma Hanada did not hesitate and paid for the requested ransom.

Unfortunately, on the day where the exchanging of money happened, his mother suddenly disappeared. It was said she jumped into the sea and drowned. Only Tanaga survived, while his mother's body was never found.

From then until the present time, those who killed and kidnapped Tanaga's family had never been caught. No matter how much money and resources Grandma Hanada used, nothing came of it.

===

"Grandma! Grandma! I want to go home! I don't want to be here, please! Grandma..." Tanaga cried while begging.

"Hush now! Okay! All right, just wait, okay? I'll call the doctor so we can go home, all right?" Grandma Hanada replied while thinking of ways she could take Tanaga home.

Fortunately, Harumi – Grandma Hanada's assistant – came to report to her.

She approached her and paid her respects first. "Good day, Chairwoman!" Harumi declared before facing Tanaga.

"It's good that you're awake, CEO Jones," Harumi greeted him and then bowed as a courtesy.

Tanaga ignored Harumi. Instead, he tried to beg Grandma Hanada to take him home. "Please, granny grandma gran! I want to go home now! I don't like it here!"

Tanaga exclaimed so loudly that Harumi was stunned at his childish behavior. She was going to ask Grandma Hanada when Tanaga's nurse and doctor were to arrive.

"Yes, Chairwoman Hanada. What can I do for you?" the doctor curiously asked.

"Doctor, we will be leaving soon because my grandson wants to go home. Please prepare his discharge paper." She looked at Harumi at once and ordered her.

"Arrange our things so we can get home," Grandma Hanada declared, while still not sure where they would go home.