Chapter 317 - How Do You Know?

Ashley was about to press the play button so that Fumika and Sato could see a recording of her twins when the door slammed loudly, causing them to stop. 

"Oh God! What's that? Fumika, look who's behind that door knocking like he owns this place!" Sato declared in a loud voice. 

"Gosh, who's this intruder? We were just about to see the twins!" Fumika whined while walking towards the door with heavy feet. 

Sato and Ashley's eyes widened when they realized what Sato said. 

"Oh, sh*t! The owner of this place is actually arriving!" Sato shouted and panicky followed Fumika. 

Ashley suddenly became nervous because she knew Tanaga was the one behind that door. She was sure that he was angry because someone locked the door before he could enter. She quickly stood up to go out and welcome him. 

As soon as Ashley opened the door, Tanaga was also opening it. Her face bumped into her husband's chest. The door's unexpected opening caused her to almost fall on the floor. Fortunately, Tanaga grabbed her waist by his arm before she completely fell. 

"Whoa! Earlier you locked the door for me, now you bumped into me. What are you playing at?" Tanaga said seriously while his arm was still on his wife's waist. 

Ashley was mesmerized by her husband's handsome face and couldn't stop looking at it. She slowly pulled him to evade from his embrace.

Because of the speed of events, Ashley's heart was racing and Tanaga could feel it. His heart had also begun to race.

He didn't let go of Ashley first. Instead, he teased her with a sweet smile from his lips. "What? Won't you give me a welcome kiss?"

Ashley, who was looking at his face like she was enchanted, was shocked when she and her husband's lip touched. 

"Hmm, so this is how it feels," Tanaga whispered between their kisses. 

Ashley pushed him with all her force and stepped back to distance herself from him. "Stop it! We're in an office!" Ashley declared. Tanaga's eyebrow rose and he sat on a sofa, crossing his legs.

Ashley didn't know what to do if she would sit on her table or where Tanaga was seated. In the end, she decided to sit on the sofa so that they could talk. 

Sato arrived right after Ashley sat, with drinks in his hands. He put it in front of Tanaga then walked towards Ashley's desk and brought her the coffee he made for her while it was still hot.

"Sir, ma'am, I'll leave the two of you here. I'm just outside if you need anything." Then Sato bowed his head before he hurriedly left as it looked like his boss had a furious look plastered on his face. 

When Sato left the office, he whined to Fumika, "Sir Jones is annoying! Bad timing that was. Good thing we'll know about it later."

===

The office was like a funeral because of the deafening silence. Tanaga was still crossing his leg and just staring at Ashley. Ashley on the other hand was avoiding her husband's gaze while looking at her shoes and playing with her hands. 

Tanaga initiated the talk as he was losing his patience. "So, how are you?" Tanaga asked while staring at Ashley seriously. 

"Ha? I'm fine, you? How do you feel?" Ashley asked, but deep inside she really wanted to know if he remembered her now. 

Tanaga got the glass of juice in front of him and sipped a bit before answering, "Fine, still the same." 

Ashley was disappointed upon hearing that. 'I guess he still doesn't remember me and our sons...' 

When Ashley didn't speak, Tanaga had no choice but to prolong their talk. "How're the twins? I heard you already gave them a name. Thank you for giving them the name I want." 

"They're good and they've grown fast. When I gave birth to them, they measured about five pounds. It has been two weeks and now each of them weighs over twelve pounds. Hahaha!"

"How about grandma? Does she still have plans on coming back to Japan? Has she been a disturbance in your family? Just give the word and I'll transfer her to my condo, now that I'm already here." This time Tanaga's voice was firm and it felt like they were talking about business. 

Ashley looked at him when she heard what Tanaga said.

"Don't do that. Grandma Hanada wouldn't agree with that. She's enjoying the company of the twins. Let her be on our side." She spoke like they were not married, which caused Tanaga's eyebrow to rise up.

He replied in a higher tone, "So, let me get this straight. You're fine that my grandma is by your side, but you're not okay by my side? Was it like that?" Tanaga asked - irritated - while moving to completely sit beside Ashley. 

"Nuh-uh, it's not like that. I just thought that you wouldn't be comfortable there because my family was there. I know you're not used to socializing with other people – that's why I didn't offer you a reconciliation between us," Ashley explained, who was also obviously frustrated at how Tanaga spoke. 

"How do you know I wouldn't like it? Have I ever been with your family and said I didn't like certain people around? One more thing – they're not new to me because I'm your husband and they're your family. In the end, they're also my family. Right?" This time, Tanaga was visibly annoyed. 

"Excuse me, what do you mean by that? What? You want us to get back together? Is that what you want?" Ashley frankly asked in a furious manner.

Tanaga was unable to utter a word. He was stunned by Ashley's question to the point that he was temporarily speechless; he himself had no idea what exactly he wanted. With that, his mouth was clamped shut as he thought deeply of what it was that he desired.

A moment passed and Ashley couldn't stand it anymore and stand up...